by Olivia Ash
At the back wall stood a carving of a wraith holding its hands down toward the floor, boney fingers pointing toward the opening of the cave. Between it stood a pile of rocks.
“Interesting,” Steele said as he stopped in front of them. “This seems like it was a stone table at some point. Perhaps someone found the staff, destroyed the table, and left those wraiths behind to keep up pretenses?”
Sadie hoped not. She held the fire and started rummaging through the stone debris until a brown stained wooden staff poked through.
“We found it!”
Sadie dug through faster and uncovered the staff from tip to tip. It was cracked and worn in spots, and the blade at the end of it seemed dull and lifeless. She frowned. Something wasn’t right.
Still, she picked it up and carried it from the cavern to Astrid, who studied the weapon for several long, quiet moments while Sadie chewed on her lip and tried her best not to fidget.
Finally, she said, “This is it. But it’s incredibly damaged. I can fix some of the cracks, but the problem is the blade. The poison is faint. You’ll only have one shot with this. If you miss, the staff can break, and the blade will be rendered useless.”
Sadie really shouldn’t have been surprised. Everything she had fought for had some sort of catch or string attached. She had one shot. And that was better than none. She had better make it a good one too. At least, when everything is said and done, she’d have a unique piece of wall art to add to her war room.
“We’ll have to make do with what we got,” she said. “Let’s go home.”
Kaiser formed a portal, and they all stepped through.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Steele
Steele was used to the dark, evil ways of the demon world. Sadie wasn’t. And though she was demon queen, he still felt compelled to blend an illusion around them to conceal them as they made their way back to the fortress. He didn’t want another attack like they had on the way out to get the staff. And with the staff being as powerful as it was, single use or not, he didn’t want to risk it falling into the wrong hands.
He felt like himself when he was around her. Never having to hide behind the face of being the demon king’s son. A prince. Amazingly, somehow, she accepted him. Just as he was. Not his title. Not his amazing ability to make her melt or do naughty things to her when he was in her mind.
That made him smile as he recalled the last time. Deliciously sweet to make her go weak in the knees like that.
His illusion faltered slightly. Barely enough for anyone on the outside to see, but he caught it, and refocused himself.
He couldn’t help his gaze going to her rear. Damn fine ass, if he did say so himself. Goddamn she was something else.
His curiosities got the better of him. He scratched at the back of her mind. She let him in.
Yes, Steele? Her voice, even through her mind was like music to his ears.
How are you doing? What are you thinking of?
I’m fine. She let images flash through her mind. She showed him fighting against his father when he turned up, and of using the staff against him. She then showed him being defeated, lying on the ground with the staff stuck out of his back. She showed a massive celebration to follow that would not only be for the victory, but for the new allies she hoped they would gain at the end.
Steele shook his head. Though she was calm, she was focused on taking care of his father and feeling more prepared to do so now that she had the staff.
What a surprising woman.
Human. Demon. It didn’t matter to him what she was. She was his queen, and he would do whatever he could to keep her safe.
Steele? she asked.
Yes?
He felt her flux of emotions as they flashed through her mind. She said, Are you prepared to help me use the staff against your father?
Without a doubt. He didn’t hesitate when he responded. His father was too corrupt to change. Too far gone. Whatever was left of the father he once knew in his early childhood, that man was no longer there.
He pulled away from her mind and refocused on the illusion only. The need to protect her overwhelmed him with the images of her fighting his father. Someway, somehow, he would make sure his father died in the battle to come. Even giving his life to make sure she lived.
KAISER
Though Sadie and Astrid may have been none the wiser, he knew what Steele was up to. He saw the soft haze that slightly blurred their surroundings. He still kept his eyes on the shadows, though. He was careful of each movement to ensure no one could pose another surprise attack. Even then, he knew somewhere in the shadows, his father had a couple of scouts looking out for the very moment Sadie showed weakness.
He would be waiting a while, because there was nothing weak about her. She was strong, capable, and she knew how to hold herself in a fight to the point that even he was impressed. Especially when it came to fights with demons.
There. Just as he was about to look away, he caught a glint of armor within the shadows. He focused on the area more, straining his eyes to see there was a group of four looking out for them. Watching and waiting for the moment that their group emerged from the tress.
He smugly smiled because, little did the scouts know, they were already in the clearing, heading for the fortress gates.
Though he expected to see scouts, having actually seen them meant his father had something big planned, and he hoped the staff would be enough to defeat his father and finally let her, most of all, enjoy a little bit of peace. The only question was whether or not they would’ve had to fight had his brother not had the genius plan to cloak them.
Of course, they would. Zagan must have known about them getting the staff since he knew about Astrid joining them.
Despite all the wrongs he had ever done, and there was an entire book of them somewhere, she somehow made all of that better. Made him better. He wanted to be better. And she gave him the purpose that he had searched for, for so long.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Sadie
Sadie rather enjoyed the peace and quiet during their walk back to the fortress. That gave her time to think. She had the bladed staff now. But the poison’s strength had waned over the years of being kept hidden, and she only had one chance to hit Zagan with it.
With the time looming ever closer for her to face him, she felt more prepared. Especially with the army she had formed with her men’s allies. Between them and her ifrits, she would be a match even for the king of demons. With the staff, she would take away his strength, the souls that he had consumed. She would essentially take away the power and strength he never deserved in the first place.
She let Steele know as much when he gently scratched at the back of her mind. She supposed even he didn’t want to upset the peaceful moment.
They arrived at the gates, and she motioned for them to open with her connection to the fortress. Once through, she made sure they were sealed tight and then called for Hobson. She was going to need her ifrits if they would join her. She wasn’t going to force them, or ask that they sacrifice themselves for her, but fight when necessary. Even she couldn’t argue that she would have a better chance at winning the war with them than without. And losing just wasn’t an option.
He met them at the door of the fortress. “Majesty.”
“Hobson,” she said with a smile.
“How was the trip?” he asked.
She held out the staff and said, “Successful enough.”
He nodded. “Very good, Your Highness.”
“I need you to do a favor for me.”
He bowed at the waist slightly. “Anything for you.”
She smiled. “I need a call to action for the ifrits. Please have their finest and strongest leaders and fighters meet me in the throne room immediately.”
Hobson nodded and left at once. Sadie sighed and headed to the weapons room. There was a belt she recalled seeing once that would be perfect to strap the staff to her back. With so much riding on
the success of the staff working, she wasn’t going to let it out of her sight. Once she walked through the door of the weapons room, she made a beeline for the smaller room, where the belt was. She tugged it on and slid the staff into its place. It felt right. Comfortable. Satisfied, she returned to her throne room.
As she entered, the sight of several ifrits warmed her heart. At least they weren’t holding a grudge against her. At least, that was assumed as they all turned their attentions to her as she entered and bowed in respect.
She smiled and took a stand in front of her throne. She gazed at each of her magnificent people. Their fires were strong and beautiful. She still couldn’t believe they were her people to rule. As they looked up at her expectantly, she cleared her throat and began her speech.
“My wonderful ifrits, I have grave news. Zagan, the king of demons, is marching toward this fortress to overthrow and imprison me, your queen.”
The ifrits looked to themselves as gasps and rushed whispers collected among them.
One ifrit stepped forward, she held a fist to her chest and bowed. “What is it that you wish of us, Your Highness?”
Well, at least that was a good sign. Sadie nodded. “For those willing, I ask that you join in this fight with me. I ask that each person willing and able to fight do so when the time arises. Without you, I fear the worst. But I’m also understanding if you decide not to. You’ve lost so much as it is in the recent months. I can’t ask you to sacrifice yourself for me, but if you are willing, I will see to it that you are compensated well.”
Another ifrit stepped forward and asked, “And if we fall?”
“Your families will be taken care of. I cannot ask you to risk your lives without ensuring that you and your families will be cared for.”
They all stood at attention and simultaneously bowed. “We serve you, our queen.”
Sadie smiled and nodded once. “You may return to your homes and prepare. I’ll call for you when the moment is right.”
She waited until the last ifrit left the room before going and checking on Damien and Mordecai.
She found them both studying a game of chess in the library. When she walked in, they both stopped what they were doing and stood with their eyes on her. Each of them hungry. They definitely missed her. She missed them too. Maybe she should let them sleep in her bed tonight?
“I trust everything went well here,” she said.
Both nodded and Damien said, “Everyone remained respectful to each other and kept to themselves. None pushed their boundaries.”
“Good.” That reassured Sadie and made her feel better. “Miss me?”
Both of them nodded like little boys in the candy shop. She giggled.
“Good. Maybe I’ll let you two sleep with me tonight as a reward?” She winked at them and turned as their mouths hung open. Giggling to herself, she stepped out of the library and headed for her room.
With the staff safely strapped to her back, she felt she earned some pampering. She needed a hot meal, a long bath, and a little rest.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Zagan
Zagan stood at the head of his massive army. His eyes were focused on the road in front of him. The one that would lead him to Bitterthorn’s fortress and his final encounter with the queen of demons, Sadie. He smiled, dark and poisonous.
His army behind him began to chant his name, thumping their weapons against the ground and armor. The rhythm suited Zagan.
This time, he was ready.
This time, he would win.
This time, he would force Sadie to join him or watch as her men, his traitorous sons, die gruesome deaths before she joined them in their fate.
She may have had the sacred book and the ancient staff. But he had more power and strength in numbers. She was from the world above, lacking in the experience and ruthlessness required to rule in the underworld—she was no match for him.
There was no way he could lose.
He raised his sword into the air as the beat died down and feet whispered against the dirt, softly shuffling. He swept his dark gaze over his forces. Confidence and pride filled him. He had all his soldiers, witches, warlocks, and his own fair share of succubi and gorgons at his own use. Far more than that pathetic excuse for a demon queen. She was just a human, and he would put her in her place. And his sons? He would personally see to their downfall himself. He would finally be the undisputed ruler of the underworld.
Ultimate power was within his grasp. He couldn’t wait to absorb every delicious ounce of that power.
He swung his sword down and the march toward the final battle of his destiny began.
Chapter Forty
Sadie
Sadie was somewhere in the middle of restful sleep and consciousness. Though she didn’t really dream, visions of peace and wonderful, loving times with her princes played through her head. She had been so tired and didn’t have the want or desire to even so much as move positions in the bed, much less leave the comfort of the warmth and serenity.
She knew moments like these were few and far between, and she committed herself to absorbing every single second she could.
Even the princes didn’t disturb her. And she appreciated that. Which was new, since they seemed to want to claim every moment they possibly could with her.
A gentle breeze floated in from her balcony, brushing against her cheek and moving her hair soft enough that it tickled her skin. She sighed and burrowed her head deeper into her down filled pillow.
She could stay like this for a week, though, she knew that wasn’t possible. The time she had to herself, just lying in bed, perfectly relaxed even for the short time she had, was more than enough.
A creeping sensation of warning and urgency overcame her. Someone crossed through her barrier. In that very moment, her eyes snapped open. The warning pulsed through her even more and she hopped out of bed. She ran to the balcony that overlooked her land and saw the shifting silhouettes that approached her fortress.
She set her jaws and clenched her fists. Zagan and his armies headed straight for her with the intention of the demon king delivering on his promise to make her submit to him.
Not today. Not ever.
She rushed to her wardrobe and selected a set of battle garb that hung on one of the mannequins. It was the easiest selection to put on in a hurry as the dress was a long strip of fabric with a hole cut out for the head, a leather bodice for a chest piece, and thick leather boots. She then strapped the staff to her back and made her way toward her door.
When she opened it, Hobson stood on the other side with his fist in the air. He lowered his hand and said, “He’s here, Your Majesty.”
“Keep Pyra and the hellhounds on fortress grounds. They’ll be our last resort if this goes badly, or if we need to escape. Go ahead and have the others prepare and meet me at the gate.”
Hobson nodded and immediately set off on the task.
Though Zagan had arrived sooner than she thought, she was ready and willing to get the fight over with. War had come to her doorstep, and she was ready to kick some demon ass.
She left her room and joined the princes and Astrid in the foyer. Hobson rushed in and said, “The armies are in formation at the gate.”
She nodded and said, “Don’t let a soul through that gate unless they are pledged to me.”
He nodded. “Good luck.”
She faced her princes and Astrid. “Ready to get this show over with?”
They all nodded, each with the same, fierce light in their eyes and a grim smile on their lips.
She nodded and opened the fortress doors.
Sadie, the four demon princes, and Astrid stepped through the door and toward the gate, passing their army as they moved. As she walked, she noted the sheer size of Zagan’s army compared to hers. He had to have brought his entire force with him. There were so many backing the king, she wondered if he intended for a war or a slaughter. The size of her army was dwarfed in size, but she couldn’t let that uns
ettle her. Regardless of the numbers either side had, she would do anything to keep her power out of Zagan’s hands.
She conjured her smoke sword and held it in front of her as she reached the gate. Zagan stood a short distance in front of her gates with his legion behind him and leered at her. Sadie rolled her eyes. He must have thought the sight of his army would make her cower and submit to him.
Fat chance.
“Queen Sadie,” Zagan called out. He gestured to his soldiers behind him. “Are you ready to change your mind yet?”
She stood firm with her head held high and shouted back, “Not a chance!”
He shook his head. “Such a pity. Instead of choosing me, you chose death.” A group of twenty demons shifted and marched toward him, surrounding him on either side.
It was like he had the whole battle orchestrated to go a specific way and that move was the last-ditch effort to get Sadie to submit. She forced herself not to roll her eyes. She was confident, sure, but not cocky. She needed to maintain her demeanor for the sake of the army behind her—her princes’ allies.
“We’ll see about that.” Sadie had no intention of dying.
Especially today.
Movement caught her eye from among Zagan’s ranks. She turned her attention toward the source of the motion. Deseree, the succubi queen, stepped forward with her head held high. Behind her were a band of her own people, dressed in seductive pieces that left little to the imagination. Sadie wondered what Zagan had offered them to get them on his side. But, perhaps, it was just the simple fact of revenge for stealing away who Deseree thought belonged to her and the death of her best servant.
