Two sleighs led by Hellcats appeared just beyond the barn’s opening. Each held a couple dressed in dark fur-lined cloaks and overcoats.
“Neither one of us took into consideration that this might be the drop-off spot for couples coming from the city to celebrate the ball.”
“Nope,” Oliver said. “But we weren’t sure how to call Alexei’s Hellcats, so this might work out in our favor. Follow my lead.”
From experience, Oliver’s lead usually involved lying and theatrics. But as much as I didn’t want to go along with whatever plan he was concocting, I had no choice.
“Welcome to the Twilight of the Warriors Festival,” he said, walking up to the first couple and helping them out of their sleigh. “We will take care of your sleigh and cats for you.”
“It’s about time the king employed a stable boy to help with the festival. Last year, we had to do everything ourselves,” the male griped, brushing off the imaginary snow on his shoulders.
Yes, astable boy, in a Hell Squadron uniform.
“At least they have good food and servants for the ball. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have come.”
Right. By their fancy, old-fashioned clothing and the open wounds marring the side of the male’s face, I presumed they were entitled souls from the Victorian era—with a few sticks shoved so far up their asses they were blind, dumb, and full of themselves. She sure looked like it with that upturned, snooty nose.
“Yes, he must’ve seen the error of his ways. Luce, will you get the door for this pleasant couple?” Oliver motioned toward me. I resisted grinning at his veiled sarcasm.
“Why, of course.” I opened the barn door, and the couple walked away. It gave me great satisfaction to see the female stumble in the snow.
The next couple had already moved their sleigh to the side and unharnessed their Hellcats, placing them in an empty stall. They walked up to us, wearing modern dress.
“I would’ve said entitled pricks, butpleasant coupleis more polite,” the male joked, opening the barn door I wasn’t holding to usher the female through. “They must’ve never gotten the memo that the king provides services at the front of his castle, not the back. If you come here, you’re choosing to do the work yourselves. That’s how it’s always been. Enjoy your night,” he said, winking, closing the door behind him.
Oliver gave me a questioning look. “Do you think he knew what we were up to?”
“He definitely knows we’re up to something.”
“Right, well.” Oliver ushered me into the pricks’ sleigh. “Looks like karma found its next victim. Let’s get out of here.”
We slid into the sleigh, and Oliver took the reins.
“Here goes something. To Portal Lake!”
Thankfully, the Hellcats responded and took off. Unfortunately, Rune barged through the barn doors with glowing eyes and jumped into our sleigh right as the cats leaped off the cliff and blinked.
Chapter
Forty-Six
RONEN
Istood next to Lucifer, who sat on his throne, gazing at all of Hell’s citizens mingling in their finery. The blue bags beneath his eyes and the pallid tone of his face told me he was still transferring his energy to Saraqael. I’d bet if I forced him to show me his arms, he’d have more carvings than he should.
“You’re playing a dangerous game.”
“When I ask for your opinion, General, you’ll know.”
My shadows curled around my palm, inching for an outlet. “You can’t keep going like this.”
Lucifer took a sip of his drink, nodding to a few passing souls. “I will not let anything happen to Saraqael. And I will not stop Lucille’s training. Sam is helping me.”
“Sam won’t be able to keep that up forever, either.”
“We don’t need forever. We just need until Lucille can save us.”
I turned to face him fully. “What?”
