Mammon comes up to Caymn, then puts a hand on his shoulder. Caymn turns toward him, and whatever was on his lips dies with the look Mammon gives him.
“Fine.” He brushes past Torque on his way into the house.
“Are you feeling up to opening a portal? I thought it took a lot of juice?” I ask. I remember how he was when we first came into the Demon Realm.
“I’ve recovered.” He’s not as convincing as he wants to be, but I let it go. If he needs to be the macho man for his men, so be it.
“Can you release her?” Caymn bellows from inside the house.
“Oops.” When I release the magic, a thud sounds. A vampire on her ass never sounded so good.
“That fucking bitch. I will kill her,” she screams before a breeze blows the door open, and she comes charging out. I remain seated.
Mammon grabs her before she does anything stupid. This bitch is delusional.
“You will stop this. You’re acting like a child. I was never yours, and I will never be. You should have accepted this when I banished you.”
Torque’s voice is firm and unforgiving. Banishment. I heard that only happens when vampires are truly out of control. To not live with or near your demon is said to be soul-crushing.
The Bloods move her into the forest as I remain on the porch. Seeing them leave like three men of power does something to me. For the first time in a long time, I’m not alone. Even if Mammon and Caymn aren’t here for me, it’s still good to have backup.
Six
ANIMA
A demon portal wasn’t what I imagined. I thought there would be a swirl of magic, wind blowing, and maybe even a roar of power. This is boring.
“All we have to do is walk through the mirror. That’s it?” I ask.
Nox places his hand on the frame of the giant floor-to-ceiling mirror in the cottage’s basement. It’s big enough to fit four bodies across or one giant tyger and a golden eagle.
“Once I activate the mirror’s power, you will see the throne room. The barrier will weaken, and you only have to step through.”
Nox’s instructions are so simplistic. How are there not a thousand mirrors all over the Demon Realm and at home? It would have been so easy to move around this way.
“Will I be able to activate the glass?”
“Yes, I’ll teach you the magic…”
He’s interrupted by a very anxious demon. “Can we get on with this already? I don’t want to be in this basement any longer,” Mammon complains.
“By all means, go through first if you can’t bear to wait,” Nox says, the mirror rippling underneath his magic. Our reflections disappear, and a marble throne room comes into view.
A smirk appears on Nox’s face as Mammon takes a step back. Something passes between the two demons, but I ignore it.
Seated at the largest throne's right is one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen. Her blonde hair cascades down her shoulder, ending at her hip. A small thin frame, like my own, perches forward in anticipation. Her face is alight with excitement.
“Woah,” I blurt out.
“My mirror is bigger,” Torque whispers in my ear from behind. His breath touches the shell of my ear, and a shiver runs through me.
“Watch yourself, Blood,” Uriel scowls before he walks through the mirror.
The beauty on the throne jumps down with lethal grace and runs into his open arms. Their reunion causes a tug in my heart. Family.
“Anima, follow Namir in. I want to escort the Bloods in case there is a problem. I didn’t exactly relay to Umbra I’d be bringing so many with me.”
Disappointment crosses his face, and I can’t tell if it’s in the Bloods behind me or me. I’m the reason they’re here.
The portal feels like cool water on my skin without the wetness. It’s an odd sensation because my brain expects to be wet, but I’m dry as before I stepped through.
The air shifts, and silence fills the room. A glance behind me shows all the guys standing there. For what, I don’t understand.
“Anima, come here,” Uriel says, holding out his hand.
I ignore the outstretched palm, eyeing the female beside him. No one will see me hiding or being protected by another. I stand alone and for myself. I may be the only one who can wield this magic, but I’m no damsel.
He drops his arm, turning to the goddess before him. “Umbra, this is Anima. My soul-merge offspring.”
She raised her eyebrows, looking between us. I don’t look like Uriel, but I look like someone else she knows. Hands fly to her mouth as Nox steps through the mirror with the rest of the guys.
“Sister!” Nox’s voice booms across the room. Everyone in attendance besides Uriel and I bow down. Some even place their heads to the floor as if they’re frightened. What type of ruler is Nox?
Umbra wastes no time is running to him. He catches her in the air, and they twirl around in happiness. A pang of envy goes through me. None of the other witches at the citadel would give me such a greeting.
“What’s this?” she asks, gesturing toward the Blood demons after Nox releases her from his arms. Her stance becomes stiff and body tight, ready to fight at a moment’s notice.
“Bloods. They are helping us,” he says, lips pressed in a thin line. Still not over the whole Torque thing, I see.
“What do Bloods know of Dark dealings? And what trouble is it you’ve brought to our door, brother?” She’s more of a queen than I thought.
“All in due time. I must request that we convene in the war room. Certain matters need attending.”
His voice is all commanding. Umbra straightens herself and starts barking orders at servants. I stand with my hand on Hubris, waiting for something to happen. The chill
