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“Why do you want the Gate Key?” I asked as I sat back next to Asmodeus at the table. “What are you going to do with it?”
He twirled a finger around my dark strands. “It’s none of your concern. I’m going to let you borrow the divine sword. You’re going to need it. Bring me what I want or Zander will suffer in the ruby casket.”
I gripped his silk tunic and gritted the words through my teeth. “As Zander has said to you before, you are lower than ashes. I can’t wait to put you back in your place.”
Asmodeus clacked his teeth together, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “Not if I put you there first. You can leave the day after. You and I have much to discuss.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
Back Home
Victus
As soon as Victus and his court arrived home, he told the sentinels to lock Dawn with the other angel prisoners. He would deal with her later.
Victus ordered the cook to bring meals to the meeting room, where he would meet Markane and Abacus. He should have gone south to see Maria before he took Eva to the castle. Her castle in Wesend was the closest to him, compared to the other vamp royals.
Maria requested his visit. Something urgent she wanted to share for his ears only. But according to Asmodeus, she was on her way to their meeting. Perhaps he should go now in hopes of catching her, but he needed to feed and check up on Nadira.
He didn’t trust Asmodeus. Who knew what he might have planned when Victus and his court were not present at home. Victus had his sentinels guarding his palace, but his people lived underground and his army was no match for the demon soldiers.
Victus strolled down the long quiet corridor and came across the spot where he had captured Evangeline when she attempted to escape. Why was he thinking of that vicious, murderous creature?
He tried to forget her beautiful face and those stunning white and golden wings, but thoughts of her kept resurfacing. And his heart gave an unfamiliar tug, a mix of loathing and something he couldn’t describe.
He had almost bitten her twice, which was out of his character. He’d made an oath to himself that he would never drink human blood or bite anyone unless it was out of need. But a hot sensation had seared through his chest and something wild and untamed consumed him during their brief tussle. When she had slammed him against the wall, he’d nearly lost it.
Her scent of familiar spring flowers drove him crazy. Pressing his body on hers stoked his lust nearly to the edge of control. He almost bit her. Unbelievable. In all the years, he had never broken his oath, and along came this feather being who snapped the composure he worked hard to maintain.
Victus had fulfilled his promise to her for saving Nadira and got rid of her at the same time. A win-win for him. But perhaps he had judged her too harshly.
Yes, she was a Seraphim, but she’d chipped away some of his hatred toward her. Why did he worry about her in the hands of Asmodeus?
He sighed as he pushed through the meeting room doors. Asmodeus had built a casket made of rubies to imprison angels. Did he have something similar made for vampires and did the rubies affect them the same?
Only one way to find out, the reason he had demanded to have some. As Asmodeus had ordered, Levia had given him a chest full before they’d left.
Victus wanted to rip out Levia’s heart. She’d been inches away from him at the throne room, but he had to keep his word not to harm her. He had to maintain some semblance of peace between the demons and vampires.
Abacus set a small simple wooden chest on top of the table and sank into his seat. Victus had imagined a bigger one, but he didn’t show his disappointment when Levia handed it to Markane. He shouldn’t be surprised. Asmodeus was not generous. Cheap bastard.
Abacus drummed his fingers on the chest, as if anticipating opening it. “I can’t believe Levia and Dawn are half sisters, but I understand Dawn wanting to stay away from her.” He snorted. “If I were her brother, I would keep my distance.”
Markane scrubbed under his chin, seemingly coming out of a thought. “Small, you drive us insane, but we’re still here.”
Abacus furrowed his brow, then said with a calm tone, “I believe you have it the other way around, Tiny Dick.”
Markane’s eyes turned cold and dark as he opened his mouth to say something but closed them when the doors opened. One of the servants walked in with a golden tray and placed three large goblets on the table. Human blood wafted from the other two cups, tempting Victus.
“Shall we open the chest?” Markane took a gulp from his cup and placed it down on the table.
Victus, overcome with hunger, quickly gulped down half of the boar’s blood and released a satisfied sigh. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand before nodding to the chest in front of them.
Abacus unlatched the metal lock with a clink and pulled up the lid, revealing sparkling crimson ruby gems of all sizes. Small as the size of his thumb and large as his palm. Victus reached out for the largest one, its smooth surface cool at his fingertips.
Nothing happened. Too early to tell. He would just hold on to it for now.
Abacus closed the lid with a light thud. “I think Dawn is lying. She fooled the little bird.”
