Eternal Sin (Primal Sin #2) - Ariana Nash Page 0,23

his throat. This wasn’t about his not being guilty, they all knew he was. This was about whether Lux could have him conveniently killed in the name of justice and get away with it. This was all a ceremony, but whatever happened, Lux would eventually make sure Konstantin was removed—Severn was sure of it.

“Acquit,” Djall said.

Severn sighed. He hadn’t been sure what side she’d fall on, but it seemed his sister did not want him dead even after the fiasco at Tower Bridge.

A few more “acquit” rang out from the lords. When it was Jeseph’s turn, the big demon merely glared and growled, “Condemn.”

Lux nodded and let the quiet stretch on. For all the lords’ input, it was Lux who had the final say. “As High Lord, it is my duty to protect you all. I have heard the words of your lords. Konstantin, Lost Lord of the Red Manor, you are hereby acquitted, but”—he barked, bringing a verbal scythe down on what would have been an uproar—“you will report to me on your every move. Your reckless disregard for authority ends now.” The gathered demons erupted, some in cheers but most in dissent.

Severn swallowed the hard, dry knot in his throat. Justice had been done, but there was another kind of justice, the kind that would likely see his end in a dark alley with a blade in his back.

Lux approached, his boots thunking heavily against the stage boards. He gripped Severn’s chin, squeezing his jaw. “You escape punishment only because of your name. Your reputation will not save you a second time.” He tore his hand free.

“I understand.”

“I don’t think you do.” The incubus’s eyes flashed. “Attend my chamber, Lord Konstantin. We have much to discuss.”

Chapter 9

Severn

Djall managed to push her way through the demons escorting Severn through a back door in the warehouse. “Brother.” Her face was full of pity, and it hurt to see. “Be careful. Luxen is slippery. He—”

The guards flanking Severn shoved him forward. “Move along,” one grumbled.

Djall reached forward and managed to briefly touch Severn’s shoulder. “Be strong,” she said, but the guards had already swept Severn away, and the crowd swallowed Djall somewhere behind him.

Her words shook his core. Djall still cared after everything he’d done? He looked for Samiel among the crowd but saw only disapproving faces. Anxiety gnawed at his heart. He’d always avoided crossing horns with Lux. The demon gave the impression of someone who would rather stab his enemies in the shadows than fight them in daylight. Was Severn his enemy? On the outside, certainly. But there was a chance Lux had risen to power because he genuinely wanted to lead the demons to victory, and Severn wanted the same thing. They might disagree on how to get it, but surely it was common enough ground to warrant Severn’s survival.

High Lord Luxen’s chambers occupied the entire top floor of a five-story building. Demons bustled and drifted about, his staff perhaps. The deeper into the accommodation he went, the more the demons lost their air of authority, lounging on the mismatched furniture, clad in loose clothing. All unarmed. As a concubi High Lord, he’d have a harem on hand to top up his ether whenever he felt the need. His power was likely ten times that of Severn’s. Whatever was about to happen, Severn would have to endure it.

“The High Lord will be with you soon,” one of the guards said, leaving Severn in an overtly sumptuous bedroom. He frowned at the luxury being High Lord afforded. Angels would probably give their right wings for a chance at getting inside the High Lord’s den. It would take a few of them to bring Lux down. Or Mikhail. After that show at Tower Bridge, he’d be able to kill Lux one-on-one, provided he didn’t let his emotions distract him.

He drifted about the darkly lit room, breathing in the spiciness of demon, but his thoughts lingered on Mikhail. He’d sprouted six wings on the bridge and pulled the stars from the sky. That power was undeniable and indiscriminate. And dangerous. If Mikhail could wield that power again, it wouldn’t take much for him to wipe out what remained of all demons.

Lux strode through the door, leaving it open behind him. The noisy hubbub from outside spilled into the room. He’d hidden his wings to move more freely from building to building,but revealed them now, adding a few settling flicks to shake out any stiffness. He’d always had a reptilian ambiance and