“Their duty is with me.” I raked my gaze over them, hoping I wasn’t overstepping. We’d only known each other a little over a month after all, but I couldn’t deny the feelings inside of me.
If I went to Hell without them, who knew if I’d ever see them again? I didn’t want our paths to go a separate way. Fate’s a bitch. If we split up now, we’d be walking a different path without each other for eternity.
I couldn’t chance that.
Thaddeus’s gaze set on Dad while Blaise and Kai gave me a slight nod.
Aziel cleared his throat. “There has been an influx of abandoned in the area like they said. Clearly, the hellhounds haven’t been doing their jobs. Why can’t the Draven clan help keep the gate protected?”
All eyes shifted to Aziel, who stepped closer to me and rubbed his shoulder against mine. I bit back a smile. He’d always come up with the answer I needed when I needed it, and he would argue against Dad, the King of the Southern portion of Hell, whenever it benefited me.
Dad’s hard glare swept over the guys before he folded, rubbing his chin. “I suppose that could help keep the population of abandoned down. Besides, Oren and Brann have been hitting their limit sooner these days. The Draven clan fought Viktor and lived. Perhaps they will be useful.”
The mention of the twin hellhounds made my irritation grow. They were two of the most annoying men I knew, but they were usually good at their jobs. If they were having trouble, it meant something was up.
“Very well.” He clapped his hands together once and a black fire swallowed us.
The next moment, we were standing in his throne room.
An illuminating red glow lit the room from the walls as magic-infused blood pumped through it. The blood and essence of the damned kept Hell alive. Hot, red clay surrounded us from the floors to the ceilings as a dryness hung in the air. The familiar scent of brimstone and fire filled my nostrils.
Blaise gave a violent sneeze, covering his nose. “Bloody hell!”
I couldn’t bite back the smile. When he sneezed, he seemed so…human. It was cute. “The temperature change from humid, cold Alaskan air to the dryness of Hell can really fuck with you.”
“Don’t be cheeky, Poppy.” He rubbed his eyes.
“But you love it when I’m cheeky.”
Thaddeus snorted.
Kai’s baby blues bounced around the enormous room. “Hell isn’t what I imagined.”
“Not enough whips and chains for you?”
“Something like that.” His gaze flickered down my body and heat flushed through me.
“I can help paint your picture of Hell, if you’d like,” I purred.
“Let me join,” Aziel whined, and Thaddeus smacked his shoulder.
“I’m regretting this decision already,” Dad grumbled. “Can you not carry on with these antics in front of me?”
I rolled my eyes as the guys, aside from Aziel, apologized.
“King Zelek!” a familiar-looking demon with bright blue horns and orange skin called out as he stepped through one of the many portals in Hell; an arch filled with black goo.
I’d had a vision of some kind about this place before we went against Viktor, before my memories came back. I’d seen my dad on his throne barking orders at this demon.
“Ah, Mortala, did you prepare Lilith’s room?” Dad sauntered over to his throne and sunk down on it. Ankles crossed, his long legs stretched out in front of him. He always liked the attention on him.
He’s a true King of Hell.
The demon scurried over to the front of the throne and bowed his head. “Yes, sire. Lilith’s room has been prepared with the finest of touches.”
“I think I had a vision here, or I came here somehow before we fought Viktor,” I blurted.
Dad’s eyes met mine, and he shrugged. “Maybe you did. You’re full of ancient magic, my dear girl.”
