Another demon came forward from the shadows. It took one look at Paimon and was then more circumspect. “Can I help you, my lord?” Much better tone.
“Where’s my father?”
Paimon continued to wheeze. “His throne room. But?—”
“Thanks, Dad, but I didn’t ask you.” Thorn kicked him, cutting off his words. Arching a brow, he turned to the other demon. “Show me where he is.”
The demon quickly obliged.
Stepping over Paimon, he followed the demon to a room in the back of the massive palace Noir called home.
When they reached the tall, heavily carved black doors, the demon withdrew. There was no missing the fear in his eyes as he slinked away.
Fine. Thorn didn’t need anyone to announce him. Using his powers, he threw open the doors with hurricane force.
That succeeded in getting everyone’s attention, including his aunt, Azura, and his father who sat on his throne while Azura appeared to be frozen in the midst of pacing in front of it.
Tall and with hair as dark as the beast’s brutal heart, Noir was a handsome monster. One complete with sharp features and long hair he wore tied back from his face.
Azura was freakishly blue. Except for her white hair and eyebrows. She looked as frigid as the coldest ice storm. And Thorn knew from others that it wasn’t just her looks. She was cold through and through.
“What is the meaning of this?” Azura demanded.
“Hold, sister.” Noir’s words were low and feral. “This is my son.”
She scoffed at that. “He’s not the only son you have.”
That was news to Thorn. He’d had no idea that he had any brothers. Interesting that Grim had failed to tell him that.
All Grim had ever talked about was Thorn’s half-sister, Laguerre who was also Grim’s wife.
Of course, Grim said very little to him these days given that Thorn had betrayed him by refusing to help Noir. They were now at war, and honestly, he didn’t care.
Noir cut a menacing glare toward her. “Yes, but this one hasn’t disappointed me … yet.”
Thorn scoffed. “Far be it from me to stop a family tradition.”
That made his father stand up. “Careful with your next words, boy.”
He had planned on being careful.
And duplicitous.
“I’m going to reassemble my army.”
Noir smiled proudly at those words. “Good. Take whatever you need from my demons.”
“I was hoping you’d say that. Thanks, Gramps.” But what Noir didn’t know was that Thorn planned to use those soldiers to protect the humans, not harm them.
There would be hell to pay once Noir learned what Thorn was going to do, but he’d cross that bridge when his father dragged him over it to beat him.
For now …
Like Shadow, he preferred to move sight unseen.
9
Six months later
