Page 109 of Hell Bound

“Yes, my King. The menu has been planned as ordered. Only a few ingredients are still incoming from neighboring villages.”

“And the quarters for our guests? Both kinds?”

“All prepared and spelled, my King.”

“Excellent. And what about our gifts for the Tainted Court, Nagel?” Another demon seated near Crussian stood and gave a quick bow.

“Almost complete, my King. The Crone says she needs three more nights.”

“Inform her that she has two.”

“Yes, my King.” I thought Nagel would sit down and finish his meal, but the poor demon spun on his clawed feet and rushed out of the room immediately.

My eyes were watering from the stench of my “dinner,” but I refused to draw Asmodeus’s attention back to me by moving. I blinked rapidly, doing whatever I could to focus my attention elsewhere.

I needn’t have worried. Asmodeus was fully in King-Mode now.

He stood from his seat and addressed the room at large.

“I expect nothing less than perfection during this year’s ball. We will be hosting our allies, the Tainted Court, as well as representatives from several other courts and their guests.” His eyes narrowed as he scanned the room. “Any who embarrass me or disrupt the celebration in any way will pay for their misstep with their lives. And unlike I do with my darling wife, I won’t bother to bring you back.”

He just had to mention me. I had zero desire to be caught up in his shit, but it seemed he would always find a way to drag me back into it.

But I had to wonder,couldhe bring anyone else back?

With his cruel streak, what stopped him from killing anyone who pissed him off, then bringing them back to carry on with whatever order they failed at?

Surely he’d enjoy it.

“We will also be hosting the Infernal Tournament, however, there will be a special main event. I’ll be adding new wolves to my loyal pack.”

My eyes shot to their table, the one thing I’d been trying to avoid even more than the shit on my plate.

Lucifer’s eyes were on Asmodeus, but as if he felt my attention shift to him, he looked to me. The fury on his face was terrifying, his beast so close to the surface.

Don’t. It’s something so stupid, don’t make it worse.

But he already knew that. It was why he hadn’t stormed up to the table and torn out Asmodeus’s throat already.

“This means we have to cull the pack, rid it of dead weight, and prove once again to the entirety of Hell that the Infernal Court is not to be trifled with. A death match will close our tournament, two wolves entering the arena, only one leaves.”

He was going to pit Lucifer against Odragir again, I just knew it.

It was the only matchup that made sense if he wanted to show off his command of the dominant wolves.

I had faith in Lucifer, but Odragir would know what was at stake, and all it would take was one lucky swipe of his claws to slice Lucifer’s throat open.

“Odragir will prove himself… against Deasley.”

My gasp was like taking in a mouthful of what was on my plate. The scent permeated my mouth and nose, and I gagged involuntarily.

What the fuck?

That wasn’t a death match, it was an assassination.

What chance in hell did Deasley have of putting up a good fight against Odragir? The guy could barely hold his sword, and even if he was quick in his wolf form, he couldn’t compete against a cold-blooded killer like Odragir.

The table of wolves was utterly still, except for Odragir. He tilted his chair back from the table, eyeing Deasley with relish.

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