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Victus lowered me gently and took careful slow steps. “I did what you said. Tell me what you want and let me and the little girl go.”
Asmodeus threw his head back and cackled a fake laugh. “You think so little of me, Victus. Nadira is your daughter with magus, demon, and angel blood. And not just any angel, but a Seraphim. I’ve been monitoring her all her life. Who do you think has been reporting about her to me? Someone who has been like a mother to her.”
“No. Impossible.” Victus’s pale face turned ghostly white as he rolled back his shoulders.
“It is possible. I staged Kara’s attack to make her look like the victim so you could save her. She’s the one who has been keeping me informed. And she’s the one who has been slowly killing your kind with … what did you call it? Vabies disease? I’m the one who gave her the poison.”
So, Asmodeus knew demon blood was harmful to vampires all along.
Oh, Saving Grace. I wasn’t surprised Nadira was Victus’s daughter but … Kara. I’d suspected there was something evil about her when I’d first laid eyes on her at the market. I pushed off the ground and carefully leaned my back against one of the table legs.
“I’m going to kill you.” Victus’s eyes turned crimson, the veins under his eyes darkened as his back twitched like the way mine did when I released the layers of my plumes.
I imagined him having wings. Black ones. A ridiculous thought.
Asmodeus added, “I also know you have taken great measures to hide Nadira’s identity by erasing the memories from those who knew of her existence when you and your people ran into the tunnel. Even your precious Joleen.”
Oh Saving Grace. He said her name.
Victus curled his fists. “If you know so much, then who is this Angel of Many Faces? He is the Seraphim I’ve been searching for. He’s the one who brought down the cave.”
No, it was me, I wanted to tell him. Because Zander and Levia told me to erase their memories, but I had used too much power and the cave crumbled. But Asmodeus accused Victus of erasing their memories and he didn’t deny it. But …
I rubbed at my temples. Nothing made sense. But at least the pain in my stomach from being stabbed by Asmodeus dulled and the bleeding had stopped. I hadn’t died, so that only meant … What did it all mean?
“Oh, look at that.” Asmodeus raised the fake divine sword. “Our little bird isn’t dead. So Zander lied to you.”
Still stunned to be alive, I pushed through the bearable pain and looked straight at Zander, who was glaring at Asmodeus. Did Zander lie to me? Why would he? But if he did, where did the power of the light come from?
It’s ridiculous you carry that thing like it’s the greatest weapon when you hold one inside you.
“Well, I have one more thing to do before visitors arrive.” Asmodeus grabbed my arm and dragged me toward Zander, while one of the guards flipped the tip of the casket open.
Victus took a step toward me and Levia tsked, holding a sword over Nadira. Asmodeus waved a hand and five guards rushed to surround Victus with spears pointed on him.
The inside of the casket radiated a crimson hue, constructed entirely from ruby. If it weren't something to fear, I would find it beautiful. My pulse raced as I swallowed hard.
“Eva, step inside.” Asmodeus waved a hand as if he was merely telling me to go through a door.
“No,” Zander growled.
“You can prevent this by kneeling before me.”
“What?” Zander arched his eyebrows, looking offended. “This was not part of the plan. What are you doing?”
“Plans change. Kneel before me and declare my absolute sovereignty. Then I’ll make you the king’s first advisor.”
When Zander didn’t kneel, Asmodeus picked me up and put me in the casket. I sucked in air and bit down on the pain. I couldn’t fight him in my condition. My boots were a barrier, but if he forced me to lie down …
“Are you going to kneel now, Zander?” Asmodeus shrugged and gave me a lighthearted grin, mocking me as he met my gaze.
When Zander turned his head, I knew the answer.
“You never loved me, did you, Zander?” I shouted when he wouldn’t speak up or look at me. “You never cared about anyone but yourself.”
My eyes stung and my heart lodged up my throat. Zander didn’t kneel for Tank and Otis, but I’d thought at least he would do it for me. He wasn’t the being I thought I knew.
The truth dawned on me like a bolt of lightning. Simple jealousy. He couldn't bear the idea of me being more powerful than him. Zander had presented me with the fake divine sword, claiming it held special power, but he'd been trying to keep me from discovering my own potential.
