I had no authority when I first walked through these doors, which was a massive shock to my system. Sixteen-year-old me thought I’d be ordering people around on day one, but I was sent on useless errands for months on end instead.
I could teleport, which isn’t something many demons my age could do. Several of Aziel’s employees took advantage of that. I spent my days teleporting all over Wrath, running errands that I realize now were useless. When I’d become so exhausted that I could barely stand, I was made to translate old documents into the universal language.
I still can’t fathom why. Every Wrath is taught the traditional demonic language, and there are no plans to change that. People were trying to humble me.
My palms sweat as I continue down the wide hallway. People are looking at me, and I’m fighting every urge to teleport straight to my office.
I’m here because of Aziel’s threats, but I have no intention of working. I refuse to waste my time, not until I’m certain I’m working toward something meaningful.
I’ve only been gone for a few weeks, but it feels like a lifetime. I’m a different woman now. My confidence has been shattered into a million tiny pieces, and I’m returning with my tail tucked between my legs instead of with Mammon’s head on a silver platter. It’s a hard pill to swallow.
One of the main meeting halls is just up ahead, and the thick, wooden door beside it leads to my private wing. Aziel allowed me to renovate and move my team into it five years ago. It was a way to congratulate me for officially managing a team of fifty employees.
I take great pride in the environment I cultivated. I love my job, love my work, which makes Aziel’s statements about me not being suited to lead Wrath so painful.
I’m prepared for the worst as I enter my wing. A short hallway leads to a large common area, and several private spaces line the walls. The common room is relatively empty this morning, which is truly the best-case scenario. Only three of my employees are here, but they’re shut up inside one of the conference rooms on the left. A thick, glass wall is the only thing that separates us, and I pretend not to notice them as I hurry past, beelining straight for my office.
“Cassia!”Fuck me. “You’re back!”
I turn toward the feminine voice, already knowing whom it belongs to. Jassy is always one of the first to arrive. She’s dedicated, and she’s not afraid to put in extra hours.
She initially worked for Aziel, but from the first meeting we attended together, I knew that just wouldn’t do. I needed to have her. It took a significant pay raise and several promises to persuade her to join my team.
Aziel has yet to replace her.
I’ve always felt a little guilty about that, but not anymore. He lost the right to my guilt when he drugged and forced me out of Greed, then chained me up inside Wrath’s and Lust’s borders. Now, I’mgladI stole his best employee.
“It’s good to see you,” Jassy says. “Everybody was so worried when we heard you’d snuck into Greed. I’m glad you made it home safely.”
I feel sick to my stomach. I don’t want to think about this, let alone talk about it. I’m embarrassed with myself, and the last thing I want is to regale my team with the tale of my failures.
“How did you—”
“As much as I’d love to chat with you,” I interrupt Jassy before she continues, “I have a lot of work to catch up on.”
Jassy nods, her mouth pulling into a tight grimace. It’s not encouraging. Taking a day or two off is usually enough to set mebehind, but several weeks is unheard of. It’ll take ten times as long to catch up on everything I’ve missed.
I’m in no rush, though. My motivation is shot.
“Of course.” Jassy steps back. “I don’t mean to hold you up.”
I suck my cheeks into my mouth, feeling like maybe I should say something kind to her, before awkwardly walking away. I’m not ready for this, and I send several nasty thoughts in Aziel’s direction as I step into my office.
It’s been rummaged through. The papers I left in organized piles on my desk are scattered, and the locked drawers underneath have been broken open. Fucking Aziel. I’m willing to bet he, Silas, and Gray tore my office to shreds once they’d discovered I was missing.
You’d think they’d have taken the time to clean it up once finished, but my fathers aren’t known for their politeness. I’m not the least bit surprised by the chaos they left me with. They don’t respect me enough to clean up after themselves.
The door clicks shut behind me, and I lower the blinds overlooking the common room. I don’t care to be seen today.
Only once I’m entirely hidden from view do I hang my head and round my shoulders. My gaze lands on my diamond bracelet. It’s a beautiful piece of jewelry, which I’m sure is intentional. Nobody will suspect it’s containing me within the Wrath and Lust borders.
I give the bracelet a test yank and try to slip it off my wrist, but it doesn’t budge. It never does.
My anger builds, mounting inside me. The sludge has completely worn off, leaving me volatile once more. I work my jaw side to side, evaluating the mess that’s become my office. This will take forever to clean and reorganize.
It’s a good excuse to lock myself away, though.
I don’t leave my office for several hours. The first few are spent cleaning, and the ones following are pure procrastination.Chatter filters in from the common room as people arrive for work. My name is mentioned several times, but I remain firm in my hiding.
