Inferno of Darkness (Divisa Huntress #2) - J.L. Weil Page 0,52

Verena said. “The Prince of Darkness and his mate on my doorstep.” Her emerald eyes did another sweep over me from head to toe, landing back on my face with a viperous grin. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

What was with the royal courts of Hell? Were they all bred from the same bitchy cloth?

“I’m just as surprised,” Ashor mumbled, pinning me with dark eyes. He was angry.

The queen continued to look me over, a forced smile on her lips. “I know your mother. You are very much like her.”

The mention of Kira had my muscles locking up, and I sensed Travis behind me have a similar reaction. “I’m not sure what you mean. Kira and I are nothing alike.”

A rich chuckle glided from her lips. “That is where you are wrong, halfling. Kira is one of my most trusted and faithful subjects. Yet she does have a rebellious streak about her. I can sense that in you.”

Kira had told me her queen could see into my soul. Just how deep and how much could Verena see?

“I’m delighted to finally meet the children who were taken from me,” she added, her eyes shifting over my shoulder. I could only assume her gaze fell upon my brother.

I highly doubted that. Travis echoed my sentiment, but with a vocal grunt of he-didn’t-give-two-fucks.

It was at that moment, when the queen turned her focus to my brother, that I concluded it was time my family went on their merry way back home before Queen Verena realized who else she had lingering at her doorstop. I wanted her attention back on Ashor and me, and I intended to keep it there. I wasn’t going anywhere without Ashor, and I could see now that I’d been stupid. The queen had no intention of letting the prince leave. A fact that made itself abundantly known when Ashor and I were surrounded by a horde of demons.

FML.

They came out of the trees, dropping down to the ground soundlessly, so light on their feet it was as if they floated instead of fell. As I looked closer, I in fact saw they did have wings. Nothing like Ashor’s bold and dominating black wings; these were iridescent and tiny in comparison, like a fairy might have if there was such a thing. Their eyes were enormous and round, with not an ounce of white, but wholly black, giving them a creepy demonic factor.

“Is this part of your plan?” I whispered to him.

“My plan went to shit the second you appeared,” he murmured.

I clenched my jaw. “So this is my fault?”

“If I recall, just minutes ago you were blaming me.”

“So what do you suggest?”

“We find a loophole,” his voice said in my head.

I gave him a sidelong glance. “And you’re exceptional at creating loopholes,” I shot back with a thought.

Eyes of crushed amethyst twinkled as Ashor replied, “Everyone excels at something, luv.”

I snorted.

Verena adjusted the crown on her head. “As entertaining as your little internal love banter might be, I’m growing bored.” A queenly dismissal. “Escort my guests to the citadel,” she instructed, and at first, I wasn’t sure who she was speaking to, because none of the demons surrounding us moved. But then the bushes behind her rustled, and two pocket-size demons darted out. They looked like little fairy demons with pointed ears, wicked teeth, and fluttering wings. “The prince too,” she added. “He can’t be trusted.”

Ashor chuckled.

Was it wise to enter Verena’s city?

My cousin moved to stand beside me, catching my gaze. Chase looked as if he was thinking the same thing. He gave me that look, the one that said there was no way he was letting the queen take us anywhere. I knew what would happen next.

Well, shit.

Here we go.

My fingers twitched, ready to reach for the dagger tucked into my boot. As soon as Chase made his move, I’d be right beside him, fighting to get us through the gate. I’d found what I was looking for. It was time to leave with the prince in tow.

Travis was eyeing the pair of demons zooming around the queen, sizing them up. I could almost read my brother’s mind. He was trying to figure out if these fluttering assholes were an actual threat or a joke.

Instincts kicked in at the first punch. Chase hit one of Verena’s demon guards in the nose, sending him tumbling backward, but the asshole recovered with a flutter of his wings. Unsheathing my dagger, I caught sight of Travis and Emma each