Page 46 of Sin

Caleb:The first prince has been released.

Remi sits up straighter, eyes wide.

Remi:There’s a prince? What prince? No one said there would be a prince.

Caleb:Not that kind of prince. One of the seven Princes of hell.

Remi takes the book from Caleb and riffles through the pages.

>

Remi:What bible are you reading? I don’t remember learning anything about princes during Sunday school. I definitely would have remembered princes.

Caleb:*sighs heavily*It’s not a bible.

Remi holds the book sideways and tilts his head with a confused scowl.

Remi:What language is this written in?

Caleb:It’s an ancient demonic text. I’ve only been able to decipher a little of it. This dialect hasn’t been used for millennia.

Asher:Well, don’t keep us in suspense. What does it say?

Caleb:As I said, I haven’t managed to decipher much. Only that there are seven Princes, and each is required for the apocalypse to take hold.

Caleb reclaims the book from Remi and sets it down before rubbing his temples.

Caleb:I fear the secrets hidden within these pages may never be discovered in time. The first prince is only the beginning.

Remi:How do you know he’s been released? Did he send out a press release? I haven’t seen anything.

Caleb:Because I felt it.

Remi cocks a brow.

Remi:Like . . . in your bones?

Caleb:No, Remington. Here.

Caleb opens his shirt and shows a seven-ringed scar on his chest. Remi’s arm shoots out and clutches Asher’s sleeve. Asher rolls his eyes and shoves Remi’s hand off him.

>

Remi:*gasps* I wasn’t prepared for a show.

Caleb:Each one of these rings was linked to the seven seals War opened during her attempt.

Asher:So what do they have to do with what’s going on now?

Caleb:I’m not sure, but I felt the same searing pain last night. So I can only assume the magic that created them is linked to the arrival of the Princes.

Remi and Asher exchange a look.

Remi:*speaking under his breath* He’s our own personal sexy supernatural disaster warning system.

Asher:How long do we have until the next one?

Caleb: I don’t know. I haven’t been able to identify anything resembling a timeline.