Page 21 of Demon Demands

“Don’t be dramatic, darling. Everything will be fine,” Lilith said assertively. “Haven’t you learned anything from me?”

“Yes, Lil.” Sloane groaned and then straightened her posture. I had no doubts that a hellacious plan was beginning to spin intricate webs in her mind. Her eyes shifted from her natural colorful irises to the midnight storm of her demon.

“A pawn can be queened,” Lilith stated, smiling viciously to her granddaughter as she waited for Sloane’s reply with her chin lifted.

“And the Queen amongst Kings never loses,” Sloane finished, returning a malicious grin to her grandmother.

“Fuck,” Dolyn said from across the room, breaking the strange tension that had settled over us. “It gives me the creeps when you two do that. Stop looking like you want to murder us all.”

“Fine,” Sloane agreed begrudgingly, her eyes returning to their normal shades of red, gold, and green. “As soon as Franklin gets here with my bag, we can head to Lilk. I’m not going anywhere without my daggers and my fishnets.”

“I’m already here, Madam,” Franklin responded, walking out of yet another fucking room. “I have your hellhounds ready, and I’ve managed to round up nine more from Lira’s pack.”

“Uhm, I’m sorry. I don’t think I understand,” Vaughn chimed in. “Round them up for what?”

“For travel.” Sloane smiled sweetly at the fae, and I fought not to laugh at the horror on his face. “You guys can’t fly, so we’re going to ride.”

Briggs’ eyebrows were damn near in his hair. “Why can’t we drive?”

“Because the Underworld doesn’t have cars.” Sloane looked at the guys, confusion creasing her forehead. “Didn’t I tell you guys that?”

They all shook their heads, and I chuckled. I couldn’t hold it back anymore. “We’re riding hellhounds. It’s common for demons who can’t fly to keep beasts who can get them from A to B. Wait until you see the serpents. Water travel is a fucking thrill.”

“Vaughn can ride Helios. He’ll love that.” Sloane chortled. “I’m going to change and then we can leave. You guys are going to Hell, right?” She asked her family.

“Yes, Cub. We’re taking a portal, though,” Charlie assured her.

“D, will you grab Hyde and the guys? I’ll meet y’all outside.” She asked Dolyn as he tucked what looked to be a miniature grenade in the chest pocket of his modified vest.

Unknown items dangled from hoops below the pockets. A gun sat on each of his hips, and a rifle hung at his back. Earthly bullets wouldn’t put a demon down, but I was betting that those bullets were something more.

The heavy metal door on the opposite side of the room led to a long, man-made hallway. The floor, ceiling, and walls were all dirt, and roots snagged on our weapons as we walked through the narrow passage. The exit was covered in bioluminescent vines, obscured from view as they hung over the edge of a small rock ledge.

I loved the mountains in Stars. They were so different when compared to the flat plains of Oren or the deserts of Lilk.

Hell was bustling and busy, the Underworld’s own version of New York City, but Stars was usually quiet and peaceful.

The Stars inhabitants often traded in precious gemstones, minerals, and iron, making the town a popular tourist destination for wealthy demons. The off-season in Stars was the best time to visit, no travelers or prissy teens in sight.

Oren and Lilk were both smaller territories with villages clustered along the outskirts. Where Oren traded in livestock and crops, or the demonic equivalent of it, Lilk produced fine silks and other fabrics.

Each territory in the Underworld had their own form of currency and payments, the bartering and trading of resources being the main staples.

Grim snorted, breaking me out of my thoughts. “Does your shirt say soul snatcher? Really, Lo?”

“Tell me it’s a lie,” My Kitten challenged Grim, striding over to a hellhound with a pinkish tint to its skin. “Hey, Lira. How are all the pups?” She stroked her fingers behind the hound’s ears.

Huffing, Grim climbed onto the hound who was kneeling before him. “It’s a lie. I’m the one who snatches souls, bitch. Don’t insult me.”

Sloane laughed, a raspy sound that went straight to my heads, making me grow uncomfortably hard and slightly lightheaded with need.

“I guess you can just call me your biggest fangirl, then. Maybe I’ll get a shirt that says ‘I heart the grim reaper’ next.” She winked, gracefully taking her place atop the smallest hellhound in the pack.

Atlas kneeled in front of me, giving me permission to ride him. After I was situated, he stood, making his way to Sloane for instructions.

“That’s going to be a thing you do now, isn’t it? You’re going to insult him with personalized shirts.” Her smirk was all the answer I needed, but I felt like none of us were safe from her particular brand of humor.

Sloane