Page 131 of The Devil's Trials

“That’s what I need you to find out.”

“Does Camille know yet?” he asks after a moment of contemplation.

“I’m not telling her until I have more information.”

“Makes sense. She’s going to lose her mind…and probably accuse you of lying through your teeth.”

“I know and I’ll deal with that.”

Blake claps me on the shoulder, finishing his drink and setting his empty glass next to mine. “Never a dull fucking moment, mate.”

The following two weeks are spent preparing for my ascension summit during winter solstice. Which is essentially a giant party where demons from all over the world will come to celebrate a new dawn of our monarchy, so I get to partake in a bunch of ornamental shit like wardrobe fittings and drink and menu pairings. I wanted to do things differently than my predecessor, which means taking a more hands-on approach and attending all of the meetings I’d much rather delegate to Blake or one of the others.

Days are shorter and the weather turns dark and cold, filled with gray skies and rain. It’s just as well, considering I spend most of them in meetings with Blake, Greer, Jude, Francesca, and Roman discussing next steps and where everyone will be posted. My council will stay close by in surrounding cities for the first year of my reign. Then once the growing pains have passed, they’ll be given the option to relocate where they wish should they want to move.

Harper tried getting away from Seattle to join us last week, but word of my ascension flooded through the organization before she could. Everyone is on high alert, gauging how the demon population is going to react, so her getting away doesn’t seem like an option at the moment, which of course isn’t making things easier for Camille being here.

She’s become skilled at avoiding me, and I’ve been giving her space. I know she’s close by. Even without the connection of our souls, I feel heron a level I still don’t entirely understand. But she’s here and she’s safe, which is what matters. Gio has been a great support for her in Harper’s absence. I’ve seen them get closer, whether it be afternoon hikes or cooking lessons.

I’m constantly torn between keeping her at arms’ length and pushing her further away. If the demons see her as someone they can use to manipulate me, that puts a significant target on her back. She didn’t choose any of this, and the thought of putting her in danger so we can be together feels…selfish. I recognize that but I also know deep in the dark pit of my chest that it won’t be enough to keep me from her. Because I am that selfish. I’ll have Camille, consequences be damned.

Blake is still gathering information about Camille’s sister, and while I’ve considered a trip back to hell myself, I can’t disappear without inviting attention I’m not prepared to face at the moment. My actions are under a microscope now, my every move tracked and ridiculed by the royal guard and other, just as if not more, opinionated demons—most of which still aren’t amenable to how I took the throne.

The tension among my kind isn’t lost on me, but the only thing I can do at this point is show up and prove them wrong.

My mother ruled with a power-hungry desire for control over the masses. I’ve never shared that ideology. I’ll punish those who deserve it—who put our kind in danger and attempt to reject my authority—but my role is to support demonkind. To help it thrive in the face of adversity, like the hunters.

The monarch’s role was always supposed to be that of a leader, and it’s high time we get back to that.

My confidence comes and goes in unpredictable waves. I tossed and turned all night and woke long before daylight this morning. When the sun finally rises, I roll over and grab my phone off of the nightstand. After scrolling the headlines in the Seattle press, I open my contacts and tap on Harper’s name.

She answers on the first ring. “What’s wrong?” Her voice is tired but filled with concern.

“Nothing,” I say.

She exhales a heavy breath. “So why are you calling me so fucking early? I thought something happened to Camille.”

“Camille is fine. She’s still asleep.”

“Why aren’t you?”

I sit up, leaning against the headboard and stretching my legs out in front of me. “I don’t sleep much these days.”

“Boo hoo,” she remarks mockingly, “Poor demon king.”

I chuckle. “No sympathy for the devil, huh?”

“Nope. None. So whyareyou calling me?”

“I take it you’re not going to make it here for the ascension summit later today?”

“I didn’t think I had to tell you what a monumentally terrible idea that would be. A room full of demons and your human,demon-huntinghalf-sister? That’s a disaster waiting to happen, Xander.”

“I hear you.” I thrust my hand through my hair, taming the unruly waves, messy from the aforementioned tossing and turning.

“While we’re talking about it, I don’t think Camille should be there either. It’s not safe.”

“I have no intention to have her at the summit. There’s a coronation celebration happening after that she’ll be attending.”If she decides to wear the dress I left for her.

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