Umbra shakes her head. “Hell is a prison realm. It was once a place for all the demons who have committed offenses too great to live among us. It has been closed for as long as I can remember.”
“Who created this realm?”
“Caedis.”
Ten
ANIMA
The rest of the meeting was logistics and the best way to arm the soldiers. Things I’ve never been privy to. My job was simple. Kill the demon on the contract. No questions, only recon and killing.
“Are you okay?” Umbra asks as we walk out of the war room.
“Yes. I just realized that court life is so much different from it is at the citadel. Rahna kept us on a tight leash, never sharing information. I’m useless in strategy.”
“If you haven’t grown up here, it’s difficult to know the players. Demons act like humans, but it’s not the same in war. We don’t care about casualties or innocents being slaughtered.”
“That’s fucked up.” But I appreciate her honesty. Many others would sugar coat their tactics. It’s refreshing to have someone be so real.
“Yes, it is, but we fight to kill. It’s the way of the demons.”
“I’m not sure I could let it go like that. I care too much about protecting the people who can’t protect themselves.”
“That’s the angel in you. Uriel has a soft side for helping others, even if he is one of the Fallen.”
She walks with me back the way I came with Nox. I want to find something to eat and return to training. If we’re going to win this, I have to make sure I get a handle on this magic.
“What caused him to fall?”
She shakes her head. “It’s a personal matter you must ask him about. It’s not my story to tell.”
More secrets. It shouldn’t surprise me.
I let it drop, knowing I won’t get any more out of her. “Where is the dining hall?”
“I’ll walk with you. You gave me the best workout I’ve had in a long while. I could use a refuel before more training.”
“Lead the way.” I gesture, walking next to her down the halls. This part of the castle isn’t like the others. It’s more formal. Rows of doors that lead to offices are left ajar. Demons run in and out, papers in hand.
“Your Highness,” a woman says, bowing to Umbra.
“Hello, Beth. What can I do for you?”
“The seamstress wants to make an appointment with you and the princess.”
“Ah, I was about to tell you. There is a ball tomorrow night to honor the return of your father and to welcome you to court.”
I blanch at the mention of a ball. “You mean dancing and more people?”
I enjoy dressing up as much as the next girl, but it’s the people I have a problem with.
Umbra chuckles, turning her attention to Beth. “Let Simon know we will be in my chambers later tonight. I don’t think there will be many alternations. Let him know Anima is about my size, a tad shorter.”
I cough out a laugh. I’m more than a tad shorter—I’m like four inches smaller.
“Yes, Your Highness.” She bows and takes off down the hall.
“When was someone going to tell me about this ball? And what do you mean, welcome me to court? I’m not a fan of having eyes on me. It might be better if I don’t go.”
She considers me. “You’re no longer in the Mortal Realm. You are a princess and the heir to the throne.”
Before I can argue, a voice rings out from the dining hall. It’s one of her mates. We walk through to see most guards and a few familiar faces eating as one big happy camp. I’ve never seen so much joking around from soldiers.
There’s a buffet to the side of the hall loaded with all different food. Some are recognizable, like the melon and strawberries, but others are questionable.
I stick with the basics, fruit, bread, a few pieces of meat, and a pastry that smells like plums. Umbra leads us to her table, and we crowd around with her men and a few guards.
They all rise from their seats and bow as I come over. Umbra smiles widely, waiting for me to realize it’s all for me.
“Welcome, Anima,” Togmerin says, rising from his bent posture.
“There’s no reason to bow. You can all get up now.”
The whole room is hunched over, waiting to be dismissed. If I were looking in the mirror, I know my cheeks would be flushed a bright red.
“Tell them to get up. They won’t otherwise,” Umbra whispers, making this even more awkward.
“Can’t you do it? I’m sure they’re used to bowing to you.”
She pats my shoulder, then gives me a slight push. She’s having fun with this.
“You all can get up now. And there is no need for this formality in the future.”
Donaas’ hidden laugh makes me think I didn’t handle that very well. I slide into the seat next to Umbra and dig into my food. The fruit is delicious, even more so than on earth. It tastes cleaner somehow.
“So, Anima. What did you do for a living back home?” Vargroth asks.
I eye him in disbelief. Has no one told them?
“I’m an assassin for the Tenebris coven.” I try not to show any emotions. It’s something I excel in, but these demons seem like they know too much.
“For a dark witch coven? How did a demon/angel get involved in working for witches?” Togmerin asks.
“I was born there, or at least that’s what we found out. Apparently, they stole my soul-merge and implanted it with witch DNA. I didn’t know what I was until I got here.”
The quiet meets my confession. I’ve never once cared what people thought about me. Shelley always tried to work on with me, but, right now, I feel the scrutiny. And it bothers me.
“That must have been rough, not knowing your people.”
“I didn’t think too much about it. I was busy training and rising in the ranks. I’m a
