Page 9 of The Devil's Trials

“I appreciate your consideration.”

The royal guard has existed forever. They’re mostly ornamental, rarely getting involved in the day-to-day lives of demons, royal or otherwise. But when there’s something as significant as the death of a monarch and a transfer of power, they’re the ones who dictate the process and ensure things happen in accordance with the succession plan created a millennia ago.

“Have you given much thought to the ascension trials?” Blake asks, referring to what’s standing between me and the throne. Truth be told,I haven’t considered them as I didn’t plan to face them, but now, I can’t deny the pull, the deep-rooted desire to take my rightful place in power.

I shake my head. “I figure you haven’t stopped thinking about them since we left Portland.”

Blake nods, inhaling the rest of his breakfast sandwich. “We’ll talk about them in detail after we meet with the guard later today. You know, before they send an army to eviscerate me for helping you avoid them for days.”

My back straightens at his words. “They’re not going to touch you,” I assure him firmly, earning a cheeky grin.

“Ooh, possessive. I like it.” He shoves my shoulder. “Have you decided who you want on your council?”

“Besides you?” I offer, shaking my head. “Not really.” I take another bite of my breakfast sandwich, chewing slowly. I’m not sure if my body requires human sustenance anymore, but the pang of hunger seems to fade. Demons who didn’t once have a human side don’t have to consume food to survive, though some, like Blake, enjoy it nonetheless.

His lips twitch before his expression turns serious again. “With the explosive news of you making a move for the throne, I’ve been keeping my ear to the ground.”

I swallow a mouthful of egg and cheese. “Oh?”

He leans against the cushions, extending his arm along the back of the couch. “There have been whispers of doubt surrounding your reign, provided you complete the trials.”

I laugh humorlessly. “Do tell.”

Blake appears less than pleased when he says, “Some believe you’re too human to rule.”

After crumpling the empty parchment from my sandwich and tossing it onto the coffee table, I angle myself toward him. “Perhaps I was,” I say, “but not now. That throne is mine, and I’m going to take it.”

He crosses one leg over the other, drumming his thumb against his thigh. “Hang on to that. I think you’ll find you need to embrace your deepest demonic nature to make it through these next couple of months.”

“Right,” I offer mildly.

“Easy peasy,” Blake adds, slapping his knees before standing. “Now, let’s get you ready. This—” he gestures at my casual attire, “isn’t going to cut it.”

The royal guard is comprised of four high-level demons that have been around for millennia. If they ever had an ounce of humanity between them, it burned out centuries ago. Lucia Kane was a golden retriever compared to these demons.

Blake keeps a few paces behind me as we climb the cracked front steps to a large wooden door that has seen better days, with chipped white paint and a dull, once-gold handle. The door creaks as I push it open, announcing our entrance to the rundown foyer, and the gloomy sky outside adds to the eerie atmosphere.

“It’s a foreclosure property that was abandoned decades ago,” Blake explains as he closes the door behind us, the sound echoing through the empty space. We walk further inside, and I look around at the wallpaper peeling away and the sconces barely hanging on by thin electrical wires. Any windows are either smashed or covered in a thick layer of dust, making the air stale and warm.

I swipe at the sweat dotting my brow as we pass the grand staircase in the middle of the space leading to the upper level. An unlit antique chandelier hangs from the second floor, hinting at the opulence that this house once had.

“Are you ready?” Blake asks under his breath as we walk to the back of the house, down a dim hallway toward a set of closed mahogany doors.

“As I can be.”

A meeting with the royal guard isn’t something I had on my bingo card, but here we are. While I never expected to be in this position, to have any desire to sit on the throne, losing my soul to stop my mother from taking Camille’s life has changed things.

The only way I can describe it is like waking up after being in a deep sleep for the last twenty-five years. I’m stronger, my path is clearer. I know what I have to do.

Blake opens both doors with a flourish, and I almost chuckle before remembering why we’re here. I inhale deeply through my nose, then exhale and step into what appears to be a formal dining room. My eyes immediately land on the four demons dressed in crimson robes, sitting at the dark wood table facing us. Behind them, a dozen more stand against the wall, wearing all-black attire and blank expressions.

I focus on the ones we’re here to see, meeting their gazes one by one. Dominic, Rupert, Malachi, and the only female in the windowless room,Lorraine. The royal guard is nothing if not behind the times. They should be thrilled for the return of aking.

“Xander Kane,” Rupert says first. “I can’t say I truly expected this day to come.”

I simply nod, and Blake stays silent beside me.

Dominic clears his throat, and I shift my attention to the demon with shoulder-length black hair and olive-green eyes. His expression is mild, as if he’s bored with this meeting already. His hands are folded on the table in front of him, and he taps his thumb absently as he stares at me.

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