Page 56 of The River of Fire

“Leave.” I dismiss them. Those not wearing a helmet show their shocked reluctance to do so, but no more than two seconds pass until the three of us are alone.

“How?” Sariel asks from the dais.

“His agents acted for years, possibly decades. We found barrels of what appeared to be the archdemon’s own modified hellfire. Belias and I took it upon ourselves to dispose of them personally.”

“What does this mean?”

I grind my jaw and face my son. “It means the rift was never in Asmodai’s domain. Belial took advantage of his disappearance, likely even precipitated it.” I see the dawning realization in Sariel’s eyes. “This was an attack against me. The schemer knew I would send someone of high rank in my court.”

Did he know it would affect me so? I cannot recall the last time I felt this much rage. It took Armaros’ demise to show me I had been forming attachments even before Lana entered my world.

At the thought of her, I clench my fists by my sides. “Lana must leave this place. Our domains are about to become staging grounds for a war the likes Hell has not seen in an eternity.”

Sariel hesitates for a moment before voicing his thoughts. “Are you sure, Ash?”

Clenching my teeth to the point where it surprises me they do not shatter, I nod sharply.

Aim’s calm voice interrupts my fantasies of the many ways I would rip that overgrown rat apart for the damage he has caused. “It must ostensibly appear as if she left you of her own free will. If you overtly send her away for her own safety, you will be painting a large target on your weakness.”

Sariel leans forward and bites his fist in thought, paying no heed to the various substances covering his skin. “How are we going to do that?”

I meet Aim’s gaze. “Return to the mortal realm. Find and eliminate as many of the humans Belial influenced as you can over the course of a single night. It will not take long for the Council to take notice and send for the girl.”

Sariel appears unconvinced. “She may resist, Father, she loves you.”

My voice has never sounded as bitter as it does now. “You cannot love a soulless monster who massacred dozens of what you consider to be your kind.”

Chapter 41 – Lana

Idon’t know how long I’ve slept when I wake up with a headache and stiff neck. My bladder is full and my stomach is empty, so it may have been several hours.

Once I freshen up in the bathroom, I realize what the familiar sensations nibbling at the edges of my consciousness are. The Fallen – my Fallen, my mentors. They’re here.

In a sense of déjà vu, I find myself running towards the throne room again. Raised voices greet me, just like they did yesterday, only now there are several voices trying to talk over each other, and they’re all familiar to me.

I don’t slow down as I run straight towards the blonde and blue-eyed fallen angel in drab gray robes and hug him, my arms wrapping around his waist.

“Child,” Daniel says and he sounds so much like a worried parent. “Are you alright?” he asks when Ilook up into the familiar kind eyes.

I nod and step back, realizing we’re at the center of everyone’s attention. “I’m fine,” I reply, and turn towards Maalik. “I’m not gonna hug you, have to mind your blood pressure, old man.”

But Maalik doesn’t smile at my joke. Looking around, I can see Kevin, with Naamah’s hand on his shoulder, as if she’s holding him back. Ramel is positioned behind Maalik, arms crossed, a scowl on his face. Sariel is standing near the throne, beautiful face still ravaged by grief, but he at least cleaned himself since I saw him last.

And of course, on that throne sits Ashtaroth. He’s looking at me with an expression so indifferent, I would have rather seen the anger from yesterday. “Why are you all here?” I ask, not looking away from the archdemon, but addressing my mentors.

I’m willing his expression to change when Daniel clears his throat. “We are here on behalf of the Council. Regarding the murder of humans at the Great Duke’s command.”

I sigh at Ash, even though he’s looking right through me. It was all too hasty, and now there’s trouble with Heaven.

Maalik doesn’t miss my reaction or lack thereof. “You knew?” he asks cautiously and I nod at him solemnly.

“They tortured and killed a child. And a friend.” My voice is harsh but not defensive. “I’m not going to mourn them. I just wish I could have questioned them first.” I’m tempted to throw the archdemon still sitting quietly a glare, but it’s painful to keep looking at him. His acting like I don’t exist is painful enough, but he’s also doing it in front of my friends. Like any tenderness between us was just a dirty secret.

“Hmm.” Maalik steps closer to me, his dark skin gilded by the many candles in the throne room. “And do you also know that once Belias was done, Aim was sent to kill every single person related to that family? One hundred and eighteen humans.”

I feel the blood drain from my face. I slowly turn towards the throne, my head spinning. Ashtaroth seems to almost be waiting for my outrage, anticipating it. “Why?” I ask softly.

He’s still for a moment, then smiles in a way I haven’t seensince our first encounter. “If someone in your family were to be ripped apart by a demon, would you not kill any of its kind you came across?” He speaks in a mocking tone that somehow manages to still be icy cold.

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