Page 35 of To Dwell in Shadows
Then, in a voice amplified by the acoustics of the hall, King Asmodeus bellowed, “Behold the return of the lost Prince of Vengeance, Samael! Remember this day, for it is but a glimpse of the fury and retribution that will rain upon those who dare to defy his rule!”
Chapter 18
Selene’s heart ached at the wince Sam gave when the crowd erupted in cheers following Asmodeus’s grand introduction.
He stood alone on the raised dais beside the royal banquet table, head bowed, shoulders rigid with the weight of too many memories. She couldn’t imagine the pain twisting inside him. He rarely talked about his time fighting in the blood wagons, and Selene never pried. But if there was one thing she knew for certain, it was that he never wanted to kill again.
The strange creature Sam created had made Selene’s skin crawl—but now the hollow look in his eyes nearly broke her. Unable to bear seeing her mate so devastated, Selene moved through the hall toward him.
She stopped halfway when Ghar began inspecting the pile of swallowed demons. There were nearly fifty of them—a twisted mass of claws, wings, and scales. When Ghar nudged a demon wedged sideways, its tail twitched. Then one of the demons near the top groaned. Another let out a shriek. The mound began to writhe and squirm.
Selene’s eyes widened.They’re not dead.
Relief cut through the fog of fear the creature had left in its wake. Without hesitation, she shoved her way forward again, toward Sam.
When their eyes met, she shouted, “They’re alive!” But he didn’t seem to hear her.
As Selene stepped onto the platform beside him, she saw anguish etched into his face.
“I was trying to protect you,” he said hoarsely. “I didn’t want to kill any of them.”
“Oh, honey, you didn’t kill anyone. Look.” She pointed toward the heap of demons, now beginning to shrink as bodies were pulled free. “They’re okay.”
One by one, Ghar helped extract the demons from the pile. Some collapsed on the ground; others limped away, groaning. A few clutched broken limbs or staggered with visible wounds. They were gravely injured, yes—but alive.
Sam stared in disbelief. “That creature… I don’t know how I created it. I called the shadows, and it just… appeared.”
“You have powers you didn’t know you had,” Selene said gently.
He pulled her closer. “It wouldn’t obey me. But it listened to you.”
Selene shrugged. “I was just closer to it.”
Asmodeus approached them expectantly. “Would you like to address your subjects, son?”
“No,” Sam said.
“Come now. You must say something.”
“I’d rather not.”
“Don’t be petulant,” Lamia added. “It’s as important to build goodwill among your subjects as it is to demonstrate your strength.”
When Sam ignored her and turned to sit, Asmodeus grabbed his elbow. “Address them,” he barked.
Sam yanked his arm free, but then Asmodeus announced, “And now, a word from our lost prince!”
Selene watched as Sam scanned the banquet hall, taking in the mix of awe and apprehension on the demons’ faces. He straightenedhis shoulders and said, “Greetings. I-I’m grateful to be back in the Underworld.” Then, under his breath to Selene, “Should I acknowledge what just happened?”
She hesitated. “Just say something like you’re sorry for the interruption.”
“Apologies for the interruption. Please be seated, and let’s begin the feast.”
The unease in the room began to lift when imps swooped in with platters of food. Queen Thema kicked a shattered plate aside and settled near Lamia. Asmodeus reached across the table, patting Sam’s shoulder. “Well done, Samael. I’ve never seen anything like that before.”
“It was very impressive,” Lamia added with a smile. “And effective.”
“I didn’t do it on purpose!” Sam protested. “I don’t even know how it happened. It’s never happened before.”
