Page 226 of Dark Haven Omegaverse

Even Gravik and the former warden would come back in time.

“Can we just go?” I questioned. “I get it, Monty. I’m aware I have to be strong and unrelenting, use power to establish my dominance, whatever it takes. I’m not scared to face them, and I don’t appreciate you underestimating me. I’m not that scared, broken human you knew.”

“I never said you had fear holding you back, you simply have too much remorse.” The condescending tone had me gritting my teeth and standing in front of him, staring him down.

My bond with him was different than the rest. They all had softer sides, even Kol, that he lacked. There was no real emotion to read in the bond but I sure as fuck sent him my frustration now.

“If you don’t want to turn to ash like the warden, then let’s go,” I bit out as I stood.

Instead of arguing, Monty let out a low sigh and swept the shadows around us. I could have traveled on my own, but I was still learning the layout of Helheim.

The barracks looked like I’d expected. There was a bloody arena in the front and crude stone buildings surrounding it. Demons were milling in and out, screeching at each other, and several were in the arena, circling each other.

The scent of blood and embers in the air meant they were not afraid to gamble their lives and fight to the death.

Reforming wasn’t fun for me, and I couldn’t imagine doing it over a stupid sparring battle.

They didn’t notice us standing behind them until Monty had enough.

He let out a loud whistle and everything came to a halt. In the blink of an eye, there were five rows of demons in front of him, arms rigid at their sides as they awaited orders.

Even after being around the supernatural for this long, their quick movements were unsettling.

In mere seconds, they’d tripled in size. I was honestly shocked there were this many left in his ranks. After Hel had thrown open the portal, I figured only a few would be left here.

If any.

“There are more than I expected.”

They looked like they could hold their own, too. It was a range of sizes and shapes, some bulky, others thin, but all powerful. They had wide, fanged grins and glowing blue eyes, their skin a dark charcoal like Monty though with dusky overtones that made them look like night instead of a void. They were also clothed in black armor, a simpler version of the one I’d found in my own closet.

The demons I’d seen at Dark Haven were always controlled by hunger, almost feral.

Monty looked out at the crowd before responding.

“Our numbers used to be much more impressive. And they’re not changed by feeding like the demons you’ve met. They were underlings.Thisis how demons are. Bloodthirsty and loyal, a dangerous combination to defend our realm.”

The question wasn’t one I asked out loud, yet he’d answered. It was moments like that I wondered if mind reading was one of his many skills and he’d failed to mention it. This wasn’t the first time he’d done this.

“All of these demons here are loyal?” The doubt was evident in my voice, and I purposefully pitched it louder so they could all hear me.

Several demons let out a hiss that had Monty lashing out with his shadows and pulling them front and center until seven demons stood before us, each radiating annoyance and pride.

One demon stepped forward boldly, a wide, taunting grin on his face.

“We aren’t loyal to you, we are loyal only to Hel.”

“Hel is no longer in Helheim.” I strode forward to face off with the demon with promise in my glare. The power of Helheim thrummed through me as if it rose to defend me, solidifying I was now its leader. “She turned her back on Helheim, on all of you. This is now my realm, and I won’t tolerate insubordination.”

He spit on the ground at my feet, the saliva sizzling on the ice. I glanced down at it, then back up at him, eyebrows raised but showing nothing else.

Let’s see just how deep he digs his own grave.

“You were a human. A plaything for the commander. Humans are cattle to weak demons, not queens or whatever you think you are.”

It was a bold move, reckless, especially in front of Monty.

But this was exactly what I’d prepared for, so I didn’t let any time pass after he uttered the last word before lashing out with my power, wrapping it around his neck in an icy swirl of blue fire.

---