“She had the amulet, Cin.” Ember’s voice held more sympathy than I’d ever heard from her. “A piece of it, anyway. It messed with her mind.”
“No, that can’t…” I stood, clenching my fists and splaying my fingers over and over. “How did she find the amulet? I didn’t even know it existed until I got to Hell.”
“It wasn’t in the dark grimoire,” Mom said. “It’s the reason Lucifer imprisoned us.”
None of this made a lick of sense, and I refused to believe it. “Chrys is not a murderer. She wouldn’t kill one of our own. You guys don’t have your facts straight.”
“It’s all true.” Ember rested a hand on my shoulder. “We don’t know how Chrys found the piece of the amulet, but she did and it corrupted her. We’d have found it ages ago if not for her.”
“Ages?” The room threatened to tip onto its side, and I sank onto the edge of the desk again. “How long have I been away?”
Ember tilted her head, the sympathy in her expression morphing to pity. “You’ve been gone for two months. We thought you were dead.”
My mouth dropped open, my brain struggling to comprehend the time difference. “It was only a few days.”
“What the actual eff?” Ash’s voice, layered with disdain and malice, sounded from inside the closet. “Are you kidding me?”
A thud sounded, and the door rattled as if she’d slammed her shoulder against it. “Chaos! Let me out of here right now.”
“I cannot, my love.” He rested his palm on the door.
“Someone, please explain this.” I gestured toward the closet. “Give me something that makes sense.”
“The curse has taken her,” Chaos said, his voice pained. “She wishes to kill you all.”
More banging sounded from inside the closet. Ash screamed like she was ready to burn the world. “Let. Me. The. Eff. Out.”
Fire billowed from beneath the doorway, setting a bookshelf ablaze.
12
DISCORD
“Welcome to the land of the living.” Mayhem shoved a bundle of clothes into my arms. “Transform. You can’t be your true self in this realm.”
“My true self.” I laughed dryly and morphed into my human form. “If you mean the power-hungry, egotistical oaf who did Lucifer’s bidding at the detriment of everyone who got in his way, I am no longer that person.”
“Right.” Mayhem scoffed. “And all the denizens of Hell have become rainbow unicorns who shit ice cream.”
I put on the underwear and shoved my legs into the pants he’d given me. They were black with multiple pockets and zippers on the sides. I completed the ensemble with a dark gray shirt and a pair of boots similar to the ones Cinder wore.
Mayhem’s clothing was identical to mine, except for the boots. His lacked laces, had pointed toes, and had fire embroidered on the leather. An interesting choice.
“Much has changed since we were imprisoned,” Mayhem said. “I would suggest an evening of television to acclimate you to the century, but we are pressed for time.”
The disdain in his expression reminded me of the battle I had fought with myself in Ruin’s underground chamber. Of the strife I had caused my brother throughout his existence for no other reason than to amuse Lucifer and myself.
I hesitated to speak, my fingers brushing the soft fabric of my new shirt as I glanced around the unfamiliar room. The air held the faint, acrid tang of sage, reminding me how different this place was from the realm I’d left behind. Drawing a steadying breath, I squared my shoulders, determined to atone for my transgressions here and now, while I had the chance.
Mayhem started for the door.
“Wait, brother. I have something to say.”
He paused in the threshold, turning, and let out a slow exhale as if bracing himself for whatever insult I might throw his way. “Make it fast. I refuse to waste another moment in this realm without Ember by my side.”
I straightened, reminding myself of my resolve. “I’m sorry.”
He flinched as if I’d slapped him, and he stepped backward, his expression wary. “You are sorry?”
