“Now, he’s barely stronger than a measly low. A cripple, in our eyes. Another high-level demon has been elevated to replace him, to watch over his circle of hell for the time being. But once Asmodeus figures out how to remove the curse, he will be reinstated as one of our rulers. So, he is technically still a prince in title, even if his eyes are no longer silver, and we no longer formally recognize him.”
“I see.” Elizabeth shifted in her seat, listening with rapt attention.
Fiza hesitated. “While we are on the subject, I should tell you that households are very important to us. Demons, as you can imagine, are not the most honourable lot, but we take our oaths very seriously. We are very loyal to our households,” Fiza said, seriously. “I know, compared to your laws and rules and social customs, our world must seem very strange, but it’s really very simple. A master has a duty to protect the members of his household, and a demon will always act in the best interest of their household.”
“Ah, so a demon can be trusted to act in their own interest or in the interests of their master,” Elizabeth mused.
“Exactly.” Fiza nodded. “We are under Caspian’s rule here and under his protection. We need to serve him before we serve you,” she said with some emphasis. “For instance, while it has been a pleasure to serve you, Lady, I would remain loyal to you above all else—but I could not go against the direct wishes of my master if he ordered me to betray your confidence.”
“Of course.” Elizabeth shrugged, having expected as much. Fiza’s loyalty and honesty touched her. Most wouldn’t have taken the time to warn her.
“In any case.” Fiza looked around as if she did not want to be overheard. “A long time ago, Lucifer waged war against Leviathan’s territory, and my home was destroyed in the conflict.”
“No survivors?”
Fiza shook her head, her eyes downcast. “Few. My village was caught in the crossfire, and most perished.”
“I am sorry,” Elizabeth said, feeling a surge of compassion for the demon.
“It was long ago,” Fiza said, giving a non-committal head jerk. “I have a good life here. Caspian took me on as a maid, for which I will always be grateful. He has been a kinder master than most. For this, I owe him.”
“Do you have anyone from your home you are still close with?” Elizabeth asked gently.
“Maud, I am close with, but she comes from a different village. Most of my oldest friends, I have not seen since I came to this realm.”
Elizabeth felt a wave of compassion for Fiza and was amazed to realize she had well and truly become friends with a demon.
The two of them parted ways, and Elizabeth returned to the stack of letters waiting for her on her writing desk. There was a letter from her mother, likely pleading her to return home; her weekly letter from Charlotte; and a third letter addressed to her in handwriting that she didn’t recognize.
Curiously, she turned it over, feeling a round, flat object inside. The envelope had a black seal with the stamp of a raven. There was no house she knew with that sigil.
It was definitely addressed to her. The fact that a stranger whom she had never met figured out Caspian’s address in Veridas unnerved her.
She slit the envelope open and peered inside to find a coin, a note, and a smaller, sealed envelope.
Overcome with curiosity, she pulled out the coin. It was the same as the others she had seen in the library and portal room.
The note was short, instructing her to speak to a woman named Risna in Veridas and present the letter and coin if she wanted to learn how to use magic.
Elizabeth felt the blood drain from her face. Who could have known she had met Risna?
Biting her lip, she reread the letter. A note urging her to learn magic?
There was only one being she could think of who could have sent this letter. She smiled. The angel had thought of everything, it seemed. He even knew she was too frightened to ask for help and had resolved to muddle through the mystery of her magic on her own.
She eyed the coin, feeling a sense of trepidation. Not for the first time, she wondered what these coins were worth.
***
Mammond and Asmodeus were seated at the table tonight, sipping their goblets.
She couldn’t help but notice that Caspian didn’t say a word to her the whole meal.
As she finished her plate, he turned to her. “You look lovely tonight.”
“Thank you,” she said.
“Would you like to go for a walk in the garden this evening?” Caspian inquired.
