Page 227 of Dark Haven Omegaverse

As I squeezed the life out of him, I raised him so the others could see.

When it took too long, I snapped his neck and let his ashes rain down over the crowd before being swept away by the wind.

“Anyone else?”

Another of the demons in front of us stepped forward, his words sharp and angry.

“Are you just going to kill any of us that disagree?”

This time I didn’t dignify it with an answer before slamming power into his chest and letting Helheim reclaim him.

As the second set of ashes fell, there was complete and utter silence in the ranks. The demons who remained, slipped back in line without being prompted.

They may have forfeited their life for a fight but they would not anger their new queen. It was a smart move.

Their loyalty was laced in fear but as long as it was there, I had time to prove that it wasn’t misplaced. I’d be a better leader than Hel. I was already on my way since I didn’t resent the realm I was in, nor was I stuck here. I’d ensured our freedom, now I just had to succeed so we didn’t get everything ripped away by an angry Odin.

“Ivar, who do you trust the most?” It felt so strange to use his name but in front of the demons it was a necessary show of respect. He let out a grunt of annoyance but didn’t argue.

Monty moved through the rows, inspecting every demon one by one as if weighing the loyalty and intentions of each. It had me questioning his mind-reading abilities again but now wasn’t the time to ask.

On Earth he always seemed to know when something was wrong with me. That wasn’t exactly a huge accomplishment or hard to do, though. My life had been hell from the moment he met me until the day we all died.

When Monty returned, he had five more demons trailing behind him. Each bowed without being prompted and a sense of relief washed over me.

The last thing I wanted to do was be the leader constantly killing her people or filling the prison anytime someone opposed or questioned me.

I’d rather be a fair leader and learn this realm without having to fight for my life or watch my back while doing it. We’d suffered enough on Earth, I refused to let this be a continuation.

The gargoyles, demons, and wraiths here all had a duty. All I expected and wanted from them was to continue doing it. We all existed for a purpose, and this was the time to remind them of that purpose.

“Everyone else is dismissed,” Monty called out.

In another blink, the troops were gone and it was a ghost town, except for our little group.

Instead of giving him a chance to address them, I did.

“You’ll be coming back to the castle with me.” It wasn’t a question, and they all nodded in acknowledgment before I turned back to the commander. “We need weapons. I’m assuming you have some here. Will they be effective on the other side of the portal as well?”

“Any weapon from Helheim will do,” he promised.

For a moment, I was almost offended that the weapon Hel gave me was a run-of-the-mill weapon she’d passed off as something special.

Pride had no place in this war.

If the weapons would protect my men and end this madness, then I would gladly take them.

I needed to make sure Layne, Crew, and Sarah were safe.

Hell, the human world as a whole needed us. Not only did my life now depend on closing it, thanks to Odin, but I knew how shitty the human world was.

Too many humans had suffered enough and didn’t need the demons adding to the trauma.

“Then we need an arsenal,” I stated, keeping my head high and gaze hard.

One demon stepped forward, a hand over his chest as he bowed his head.

“I’m the quartermaster here. Hel gave me the power to infuse weapons with the fires of Helheim,” he explained, letting a blueflame dance on his palm. “If you’ll allow me, my queen, we can gather what you need.”

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