First And Last - By Stacey Kennedy Page 0,33

the seven original demons, Mammon?” This could not be true.

Quinney nodded.

My mouth recovered faster than my fear. “Why and how could he do that?”

“The history of the Demon Lords is far different than the history of Satan,” Quinney explained. “When Aaliya banished him to the Realm of the Dead, the Demon Lords went willingly with him.” She rubbed her hands together. Was she shaking? I sure as hell was. “They were deathly loyal, but since it’s Satan’s realm, they’re not trapped there like him. They can be summoned back. The human here,” she waved, “was given up as an offering—as a vessel for the demon to take shape.”

“Why would anyone want to bring a Demon Lord back?” I didn’t understand any of this. The whys and hows weren’t adding up in my mind.

“That I cannot answer, but it’s in no way good. Why Lyrn—the demon—would summon Mammon is only something he can answer. I would suspect it is for personal use, but since this is the second incident, I’m afraid it must be something more.”

“But this didn’t happen at the last scene?” I observed.

“Not everyone has the strength and power to summon a Demon Lord. The last scene you were at the demon must have failed. Therefore, the human was destroyed in the attempt. At the time, I didn’t see that this is what anyone attempted to do. But now, it all makes sense, doesn’t it.”

Pure protectiveness suddenly ran straight through me. Kyden latched onto my waist and pulled me tight against him. “Why was Nexi able to see this when none of us could?”

Quinney’s gaze examined me, curiously. “Must be her connection to the Underworld, the bond she had with Magnus. But that is all just guesses at this point.” She glanced back to the rune on the ground. “Just before you called for me, I stumbled across the rune you drew. It’s a summoning rune.”

I snorted. “Which is now old news.”

Quinney nodded. “We will need to look into this further before we go after Mammon. I’m not quite sure how to defeat him. Even a weak Demon Lord will be a strong offender. Let’s get back to the Underworld, maybe Azar or Misa will know more.” She glanced between Kyden and I. “Besides, you are both needed there soon anyway.”

My brows rose. “We are?”

“It’s time for you to deal with those who have betrayed your new laws.” She twinkled a little. “I’d recommend you taking this as an opportunity to read into these betrayers.”

Oh joy!

Quickly, we used the portal to get back to the Otherworld and picked up a few stragglers on the way. Of course, no one would miss this. Then, we transported to the Underworld. It was a good thing I’d become more adjusted to these portals or I might be a little winded. Okay, maybe I still had a hard time with it, the world had spun for a moment, but I wouldn’t admit that since everyone else seemed fine.

As we headed past Misa’s house towards the auditorium, I asked Quinney, “So explain to me how I said your name, then voila, you appeared?”

“I’m your Guard, Nexi,” she answered as if that should answer my question.

“Yeah, so?”

Weird!

“If you have need of me, I’ll come to you.”

Once we arrived at the auditorium, Kyden and I sat in the ridiculous throne chairs. The room once again filled with Witches and Warlocks alike. Sure, it was a little less since I destroyed a bunch of them, but still, a good many.

“Now, Nexi,” Ryker leaned down, spoke in a low voice. G.I. Joe look-alike gave me a stern look indeed. “We have come for a show tonight. Let’s not disappoint.”

Kyden let out a loud laugh, as did Haven, Finn, Zia and Talon.

I just rolled my eyes at them.

Azar stepped into the center and the awaiting crowd quieted. “We have come tonight under grave circumstances. First, if you have not heard, our ruler was attacked last night. Hunted by our kind.” The entire room gasped and low whispered hums filtered through the auditorium. “As expected, those who betrayed her were dealt with appropriately. Is there anyone else here that feel as those betrayers did? If so, step forward, and declare it.”

“Does he seriously think someone will?” I asked Kyden.

His gaze fell on me. “He’s making a point.”

I thought for a moment, tried to ascertain what point that was exactly. After a minute or so, I came up empty. “And what point would that be?”

“That their assembly is united and anyone