The realm sucks us up into the sky and drops us with a bang into a courtyard, our hands still connected. We glance around at each other before breaking apart. Those truths stung for many of us. Duncan won’t look me in the eye, whilst Archan’s gaze has done nothing but bore into my head since I spoke.
Lucifer sighs. “Home sweet home.”
I spin around, taking in the surrounding white castle straight out of a fairytale. Birds chatter in the giant fruit trees, which breach a clear crystal blue sky.
“Well, aren’t you a sunny surprise in disguise,” I mumble.
He grins. “What did you expect? Death, fire, and brimstone?”
“Yes, exactly that.”
Lucifer laughs. “I have multiple realms which are all about suffering and destruction. This is my sanctuary. I want to be surrounded with beauty, not death.”
I tilt my head towards the impossible sun as a warm breeze trickles over my palms. “You’d blow apart the church with this.”
“Lucifer,” a familiar voice shouts. I snap my head towards them as Frank comes barreling through the wooden doors of the castle. “The warlords are assembled in the great hall ready for your instructions.” He winks at me. “Glad to see you made it, Natia.”
Lucifer starts forward, meeting Frank half way as we follow. “How far have the beasts of Tartarus got?” he asks.
Frank pushes open the door. “They have decimated two legions of our finest and have infiltrated two layers of Treachery. Their push is relentless. Zeus hasn’t been seen in twenty-four hours.”
Lucifer glances over his shoulder at me. “We need to meet with the Warlords. They need something to believe in. It’s time to dig for that trademark Natia speech and incite them to fight for the world you love.”
“Why me?”
“A male can enforce a war, a female can incite one. You are the beacon of light for all realms. Get them to believe in your cause and we have a good chance of getting them to fight with their hearts. First though, you need to be dressed for the occasion.”
I glance down at my leathers and cock a brow at Lucifer. “What’s wrong with my outfit?”
He grins. “You need to inspire a room full of the meanest demons in Hell. I know you are badass—they do not, and would consider this you playing at being a warrior.”
We stride down the stone corridor. The floor is littered with Persian rugs and the arched stained glass windows have a distinctly religious feel. Paintings line the wall. The art is beautiful; some I’ve never seen before, others I am confident are originals of famous artists. Vanilla and fresh bread fragrance the air, making my mouth water.
I point at Jed. “You promised me food.”
He snorts a laugh. “Fine, I’ll be in the kitchen preparing you a feast.”
“Don’t piss off Norma,” Lucifer shouts at a retreating Jed.
“Norma’s here?” Zac asks as his eyes light up. He spins on his heel, grabs Zee’s arm and stalks after Jed. “Come on, you have to worship at the altar of Norma, her cooking is to die for.”
We arrive in a formal atrium. A grand staircase sweeps from the center and splits in two. A chandelier hangs in the center, the glistening crystals splattering rainbows across the floor. Plants drape over the banisters, their vines trailing to the floor.
I’m stunned and speechless as we climb the cream carpeted stairs and swing to the left. Lucifer pushes open a door and nods for everyone to go through. I blink as we enter a drawing room. Comfy sofas are scattered around the large room, a vase of elegant white lilies sits on a dining table surrounded by various plates of delicious food while a roaring fire warms the air with the scent of burning wood. Lucifer points to a door in the left corner.
“Natia and Archan, that is your room. You will find a selection of attire suitable for meeting the warlords.”
He points to the door next to it. “Duncan and Marsha, if you want to get cleaned up—that’s your room.”
He waves at another door. “Nathan, your usual room.”
I blink at Nathan. He has a permanent room in Hell? Nathan strides through the door and shuts it with a smirk.
Archan leads me to our room. He spins on me and slams the door closed whilst crowding me against the door. His arms cage me in as his eyes bore into mine. “You knew your blood would control Zeus?” he whispers.
I blink. “Yes, The Duchess reminded me of that fact.”
“What else has she told you?”
