Page 121 of The Devil's Trials

The demon doesn’t look at her. Doesn’t take his eyes off me. “We all wondered when you might take the throne. Some of us didn’t think you ever would. I personally don’t think you’re cut out for it.”

“And why do you think your opinion matters?” Blake asks, and I can see the muscle in his jaw ticking. He’s itching to fight, but despite the adrenaline rush of battle, I would rather not have to kill another today.

I wave Blake off, flicking a glance toward the other demon who still has his head bowed. “Rise,” I tell them both, and they get to their feet. “You don’t share the same fear of me your acquaintance here does.”

He shrugs. “I don’t fear death.”

“Death is not what you would have to look forward to if I end your life here. Have you forgotten that because you do not have a soul, once you die in hell you’re damned to an eternity of nothing but darkness—and I mean that quite literally.”

“Are you waiting for me to beg for my life?”

“No,” I say honestly. “I wouldn’t wait. If I was going to kill you, I would have. I want to make it clear how things are going to go moving forward. Lucia ruled for a long time, and near the end of her reign did so with the promise of power over the human world. I can understand why that might be appealing to many. That said, I’m not continuing my mother’s legacy.”

“And you wonder why many aren’t pleased with you. We are loyal to our ruler to an extent. However, a lot of demons are not supportive of a half-human king.”

“He isn’t human,” Jude speaks for the first time, her voice sharp.

“Taking the throne meant sacrificing his soul,” Roman adds. “He’s as much a demon as any of us now—and more powerful than all of us.”

I glance to the less combative demon as he clears his throat.

“What is your plan then?” he asks.

“To fulfill my duty,” I answer simply. “To enact punishment on those who deserve it.”

“Will you return to the human world then?” the snarky one asks. I can’t quite pinpoint his angle. He seems to despise me, but in an oddly playful way.

“I plan to, yes. There is still the issue of the demon hunters.”

“And do you believe eradicating that issue as your predecessor would have is not the right idea?”

“Lucia’s plan is not mine,” is all I say. “Now—” I nod toward the demon I killed. “I leave it to you to deal with this.”

“Of course,” the older demon says, bowing his head again before grabbing the elbow of the demon next to him and pulling him away. He holds my gaze for a beat longer before the two of them walk back toward the body.

The five of us continue on our way, heading for Lucia’s estate. Once we’re under the cover of trees, we stop, and Francesca folds her arms over her chest, asking, “Do you know how to portal?”

“In theory. Of course, I haven’t done it before.” From what I know, itshouldbe as simple as closing my eyes, focusing on where I want to go, andpoof, I’ll end up there.

“No time like the present to give it a shot,” Blake says with a grin in my direction.

I nod and direct everyone to join hands as I close my eyes. Physical contact will make it easier to ensure I don’t portal away without them as I visualize the parlor in Lucia’s estate. The massive stone fireplace with crackling flames that never seemed to run out of firewood, and the antique chest set that sat between the dark leather couches.

Without warning, the world tilts, and I hold my breath as everything starts to spin. Seconds later, the ground is solid beneath me once more, and I blink my eyes open, releasing my friends as we all look around to the place I remember from years ago.

“Easy peasy,” Blake says and claps me on the back, grinning wide. “Nicely done, mate.”

“Well, I don’t know about you guys, but I need a drink,” Roman adds.

“I’m with you there,” Jude agrees immediately, linking arms with him and Francesca, and the three of them walk to the brass bar cart in the corner of the room in front of a floor-to-ceiling window draped with heavy blue velvet curtains.

“How does it feel to be back?” Blake asks in a quieter voice.

I exhale a sigh. “This place never felt like home, but the familiarity of it amidst the final trial is oddly comforting.”

“Fair enough. I’m going to get myself a drink. You want one?”

I shake my head. “I’m going to take a beat.”

---