Realm either. We’ll have to figure it out, which already sounds easier said than done. I can tell that Toreon and Vudu have strong opinions about this, but they’re keeping quiet for some reason about it. Ire obviously has his idea of how things are going to go, but all I know is I’m too tired to figure this out right now.
Thankfully, I look up and see the Devil waving us over. Quicker than a hungry cheetah chasing dinner, I point out the summons to the others and we make our way over to Lucifer and the Sins.
The portal to Heaven is still open behind Satan, and a dozen or so Legion angels stand guard in front of it, their piercing gazes wary.
“I left enough power for the Angelic Legion to go back through it, and then it will dissolve,” Toreon explains as I turn a questioning gaze to him. He still looks strong and healthy, and I realize that my power boost really packed a lasting punch this time. Vudu too, looks as strong as ever.
As we walk over to the rulers of Hell, some of the Sins and Hell’s soldiers are beginning to lead away groups of surrendered demons. Lucifer watches with a steady eye as the few hundred of Morax’s remaining army are split up and marched off. It seems like a lot, but given the thousands Morax had, these demons are a drop in the bucket of how many were alive at the start.
When my sisters and I make it to Lucifer’s side, he cocks a brow. The Devil doesn’t even look like he has a hair out of place. His white button-up is still clean, his black slacks crisp. He doesn’t have a speck of blood or ash on him. Meanwhile, my sisters and I, along with our mates, all look pretty nasty.
Lucifer assesses us for a beat and then gives us an approving nod. “You did pretty well, Annuli,” he says as if he doubted we’d be able to pull it off. “Your Sire will be proud.”
Delta snorts. “He’s always proud. I’m pretty sure even when he takes a small shit, he’s arrogant about it.”
Lucifer laughs like she amuses him to no end.
“What will you do with all of them?” Medley asks, pointing at the demons that are being led away.
“They’ll be split up between the Sins and imprisoned until their souls can be weighed and measured, and depending on the amount of their sins versus their deeds, I will decide where they end up.”
I inwardly cringe for them, not because I feel sorry, but because I wouldn’t want to be in their shoes.
Raised voices make me and my sisters look over, and we find our father and mother glaring at each other and arguing, their arms flailing around as though their hand gestures mean the difference between winning and losing.
“Here we go,” Delta says with a roll of her eyes, but I’m already moving.
This is the first time I’m hearing them go after each other, but I’m already over it. Looks like it’s time to have a chat.
38
Maybe I should feel grateful that they’re even here. Nefta helped us annihilate Morax, and Tazreel tried to snag him at the party, but all I can think is that their daughters were almost used to destroy Hell, and instead of checking on us and making sure we’re okay, they’re bickering. I was warned about their antics, but something about seeing it calls me to action.
My feet take me directly in front of my birth parents, and I shove my way between them. I’m not even sure what comes over me in that moment, because the girl I used to be in the Mortal Realm never would’ve pushed between two intimidating people like this, but I’m changed, inside and out, and I don’t give a shit.
“Shut up,” I tell them, though I say it without snark, just matter-of-fact.
They both startle and look down at me, their arguing immediately cutting off.
“Now listen up,” I say, looking between them. They’re both taller than me, so I have to raise my chin, but I don’t let their presence or height make me cower. I look at Nefta first, my expression ruthless. “Thank you for your help. But it doesn’t change the fact that you gave us up, and that your actions, in part, led to what happened here today.”
Resignation enters her eyes as does a profound guilt and sadness, but I don’t bite back what I need to say