Reign Check

It was a gazer. A big one. I guess it worked similar to an intercom.

Cell phones were easier in my honest opinion. Way more portable than a magical pool of water.

“They’ll see you now.” Elizabeth got up and walked toward the elevator.

My breath caught in my chest. Just like that. No preparation time. No nothing. I had to meet with the demon council. I looked at Michael for support.

He shrugged at me.

Yeah. Real helpful.

Elizabeth glanced over her shoulder, and a smile snaked across her face. “Oh, it looks like Fernando is coming to say hello.”

“Who’s Fernando?” I asked.

“Princess—” Michael’s voice sounded strained. “Do not move.”

“What?”

I suddenly heard the sound of scratching on the marble floor, a sound that got closer and closer, along with something like wet, slobbery breaths. Then a low, throaty, threatening growl. I turned to my right slowly, very slowly, to see the scariest thing I’d ever seen in my entire life.

It was big, the size of a full-grown lion. Its lips curled back from long, razor-sharp yellow teeth. Its fur was coarse and black and its eyes were glowing demon red. Its long swishing tail had a sharp point to it, like an arrowhead.

“Don’t worry, he’s very friendly,” Elizabeth said evenly.

Michael’s hand clamped down on my wrist, tight enough to hurt, but he didn’t move, either.

I seriously was going to pass out.

My Darkling power — the energy and magic I’d had at the ready a moment ago to defend myself against Elizabeth — suddenly vanished. Where did it go? I felt completely helpless to defend myself.

Whatever this monster was, had it drained me of my power? Just like that?

The monster continued to growl at me as it got close enough to sniff my shaking hand. Tendrils of smoke wafted from its nose and a steady stream of drool dripped from its jowls.

Elizabeth said this thing was friendly? Didn’t seem that friendly to me. Actually, it looked hungry.

“Hey … Fernando,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “Nice puppy.”

“Puppy?” Michael managed. “That thing’s a hellhound. I thought they were extinct.”

I gulped. “Nice, uh, hellhound. Who’s a cute hellhound? You are! Yes, you are!”

But instead of being charmed by my awkward puppy love, the monster growled again and moved to block our path to the elevator. Elizabeth waited nearby with an amused expression on her face at my fear of the Underworld castle’s family pet.

“He won’t hurt you,” she said. “Just walk toward me.”

Was she serious? Or was she trying to get her revenge by letting this thing rip out my throat?

What do you know about hellhounds? I asked Michael telepathically.

::They’re just as dangerous as they look.::

That’s what I was afraid of.

“Fernando!” another voice called out. “There you are!”

Out of the corner of my eye I saw someone approach us, making a beeline to the beast. It was a pretty girl who looked around my age, with wavy waist-length dark hair, vivid blue eyes, and pale porcelain skin. She wore a short black skirt and a flowy white blouse. When she got to the hellhound, she fearlessly grabbed one of its pointed batlike ears and tugged.

“Leave them alone. Bad boy.” She pointed in the direction she’d come from. “Shoo!”

I half-expected the monster to attack her, but it didn’t. Instead, its growl turned into a whine and it padded out of the lobby without another red-eyed glare in my direction.

She’d saved me. I’d been a few seconds away from becoming half-demon kibble, I just knew it.

“Thank you,” I managed, my voice sounding strained.

“Not a problem,” she said. “You’re Princess Nikki, right?”

“Yeah. But just Nikki is fine.”

She grinned. “Then you can call me just Kassandra.”

“Kassandra,” Elizabeth said. “You’ll have a chance to talk to Nikki after she meets with the council. I need to take her upstairs now.”

Kassandra rolled her eyes, her smile remaining exactly where it was. “I’ll handle it, Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth looked confused. “You’ll handle what, dear?”

“I’ll take Nikki upstairs. You can leave us now.”

“But—”

“I honestly can’t believe Kieran sent you to meet Nikki when I could have come instead. He’s so unbelievably thoughtless.” She looked at me and seemed a bit embarrassed. “My brother’s always been a serious pain.”

“Kieran’s your brother?” I asked with surprise.

She nodded. “Unfortunately.”

“So you’re the princess here,” I said, stating the obvious. Another demon princess, just like me. Although I didn’t think Kassandra was anything like me if she had to live here, if Kieran was her sibling, and if she was able to boss around hellhounds as easily as if they were troublesome Chihuahuas.

“I am. That’s why I’m so excited you’re here. I’ve been dying to meet you.”

Elizabeth cleared her throat. “Kieran wanted me to help out today.”

“No, Elizabeth,” Kassandra said patiently. “Kieran is simply trying to keep you busy so you stay out of his hair. Leave. Now. Or I’ll tell my mother you didn’t follow a direct order from me, and you know what’ll happen then.”

“Fine, have it your way,” Elizabeth snapped, and with a glare Kassandra didn’t see, my aunt walked out of the lobby and disappeared through a set of doors to my far left.

Interesting. Elizabeth had to take orders from someone my age. I liked the sound of that. Then again, Elizabeth had said Kassandra gets what she wants when she wants it, right? In this case, she was a very helpful asset.

Kassandra shook her head. “Of all the places she could have been banished to it had to be here. I really cannot stand your aunt. Neither can my brother, for that matter. These days, he tries to be anywhere she’s not.”

“Sorry to hear that.”

“No, you’re not.”

“No, maybe I’m not.”

Kassandra looked about ready to burst with excitement. “I can’t tell you how great it is to have you here. How long are you staying?”

“As soon as the meeting’s done, I’m leaving.” I wrung my hands, feeling some serious stage fright at the prospect of being presented to the council.

Her smile deflated. “Really? I’d hoped to show you around a bit. Can’t you stay longer than that?”

I glanced at Michael, who silently stood close to me, but not too close, carefully observing my conversation with the Underworld’s demon princess. “Well … maybe a bit. Like, a tiny bit.”

I had to admit, the thought of hanging out with her, getting to know her, appealed to me. She might be able to give me some tips.

“You’re all stressed about the prophecy?” she asked.

“Big-time stressed.”

“I think it’s really cool, actually. I wish I had a prophecy about me. This place is boredom central and finally something is happening that’s got everyone excited.” She glanced at Michael, her gaze resting for a moment on his amulet, and her eyebrow went up. “You’re a Shadow?”

He looked at me but didn’t say anything in reply.

“His name is Michael,” I said.

“Your servant.”