Page 98 of Trust the Fall

Without saying a word to any of them, I turn and walk from the ballroom, my head held high, as I attempt to not wobble on the far-too-high heels on my feet.

When I’m in the quiet safety of the foyer, I let out a cleansing breath, doubling over once more with the weight of everything pressing down on my back.

“Tori, there you are.” Leeanna’s harried tone catches me off guard. “Are you all right?” she asks, taking in my current state of distress.

“Fine,” I lie. “What’s going on?”

“It’s started.”

“What’s started?” I ask, annoyed with her half information. I’m not in the mood to play games with Leanna.

She blows out a harsh breath. “The war in Hell. I’ve been summoned by Michael. Nolda’s forces are much larger than they had anticipated.” She swallows before continuing. “Abdiel and Bumalin have joined forces with Nolda after all.”

“What?” I screech, recalling the two powerful demons. Luke had said they were on his side, working to uncover Nolda’s plan for him.

“They’re only doing it to help defeat Lucifer so that they can battle each other to take the crown from Nolda.”

It’s so much worse than I feared. Nolda is a bumbling idiot. He’s evil, but he has nothing on those other two. With them at the helm of Hell, chaos will reign supreme.

“I’m coming with you,” I say.

Her eyes narrow. “I’m not sure that’s a great idea, Victoria. If you leave, the queen will likely side with Nolda, and that can’t happen.”

“How long before you go?”

“Now. I should’ve left already, but I knew you would want to know.”

I shake my head. “Can you give me a half hour? I need to speak to Camille.”

She bites her cheek. “Victoria, Lucifer has already called in the reinforcements. It won’t be long before Nolda’s army breaches Lucifer’s castle. I really can’t wait any longer.”

“A half hour,” I beg. “Please let me talk to Camille. Let me try.”

She groans but relents. “Thirty minutes, Tori, and then I’m leaving, with or without you.”

I’ll fall to the queen’s feet and promise anything for her help. And that makes my stomach twist even more.

STAND BY YOU

I turn to walk back into the ballroom when River comes crashing out of the doors.

“What’s wrong?” he asks, searching my face.

This might be the first time he’s prioritizing my feelings over hers. I need to speak with Camille and get out of Solis.

“The war in Hell has started. Nolda’s forces are marching to Luke’s castle. Leanna just told me,” I say, motioning toward her.

He chews on his cheek, face scrunched in deliberation.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” I bark.

“You’re going to Hell.”

“Obviously. He needs me, River.”

He’s peering down at me with an expression I can’t place, and I’m about to snap when he continues.

“I don’t know why you’re so hell-bent on going back there. Don’t you understand what that means, Victoria? Don’t you realize you’d be giving up everything? Your destiny. Your home.”