I sucked in an anti-climatic lungful of dry air.
Ancient magic sounded special, but in reality, all supernatural possessed it. When I’d seen this room before I got my memories, it didn’t feel like a vision. It felt like I was really there, but I didn’t know of any ancient magic that allowed for any kind of astral projection.
“Excuse me, sire, for interrupting, but the Queen of the North has requested an audience,” Mortala spoke up.
I rolled my eyes. Mortala had always been such a kiss ass. I created him specifically to help my dad with paperwork, and I may have added in a bit too much...ambition for him to please Dad. Even so, it warmed my heart that he had flourished in my absence.
“Mother of Darkness!” He blinked before taking a knee before me. “It’s a pleasure to see you looking so...well. I hadn’t been informed of your vampiric state. I was also unaware that you no longer have horns. Please, forgive my rudeness.”
Aziel stepped an inch or so in front of me. “She’s perfect even without horns.”
Mortala’s eyes widened. “Of course she is! I never meant it in a bad way.”
I huffed out a laugh and patted Aziel’s arm. “It’s all right Mortala, I know my appearance has changed a bit. You can get up.”
He scrambled to his feet, shooting daggers toward Aziel. “Thank you, Mother.”
Blaise coughed. “Mother?”
Thaddeus stilled.
Kai’s mouth dropped open. “Wait. You’re legitimately every demon’s mother?”
Aziel chuckled. “Of course not.”
I bit my lip to stop a smile. “No. I’m not every demon’s mother. And before you ask, I didn’t birth any cute baby demons.”
“Are demons ever babies?” Thaddeus tilted his head.
I shook my head. “Not without a ritual, and there hasn’t been but a couple of demon babies, to my knowledge. I create my demons out of ash and magic. My dad created me that way the first time.” I flickered my eyes over toward Dad, who gave me a quick smile. “My purpose was to create more demons for Hell and rule over them.”
“Mate, hold on a second,” Blaise said with accusatory silver eyes. “Are you Aziel’s mother?”
I gasped, smacking my hand to my chest. “Of course not!”
Aziel wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me into his side. “Vampires really have no knowledge of demons, do they?”
“King Zelek created Aziel for the sole purpose of protecting Lilith,” Mortala said.
Dad groaned, cutting his gaze to Mortala. “Do you have the torture reports?”
“Of course.” Mortala waved the manila folder stacked with reports back and forth, practically foaming at the mouth from the small amount of attention.
“Aziel can show you to your room,” Dad told me.
“Pretty sure I remember where my room is,” I quipped. “But can you tell me what prophecy I’m apparently part of?”
He chuckled. “I’ll have someone collect you once the meeting is over.”
My nostrils flared. “You’re joking!”
He whisked us away from the living realm, and now he’s just going to leave?
He stepped over toward Mortala with an apologetic smile. “Sorry, dear. Why don’t you acclimate your vampires to Hell while you wait?”
Black flames engulfed him and Mortala—and they left me with three abnormally quiet vampires.
TWO
