“Understatement,” Ryder said. “We could all use that ability.”
“Trust me. I’m here to help. One thing at a time. The Sons of Darkness have their agenda, and we have ours. First is to take care of those under our protection. The second is to deal with the black diamond, with Angelique’s assistance, of course.”
All eyes turned to her. Right. She had promised Ryder she’d give that up if he reunited her with Isabelle.
Then again, she hadn’t seen her sister yet, had she?
“Is Isabelle coming?”
Michael nodded. “She should be here within the day.”
“Then we’ll talk about the black diamond after she gets here. I have to make sure she’s safe first.”
The black diamond was her bargaining chip. And she wasn’t going to give it up until she had her sister back.
Ryder glared at her, and she knew why. Earlier, she’d offered to lead him to the black diamond in exchange for his taking her to Isabelle.
Things hadn’t quite worked out that way, though, so now the plan had changed. And if he was going to be pissed off about that, so be it.
Izzy had to come first. At least right now.
Ryder could understand that, couldn’t he?
“They’re gathering,” Tase said with a satisfied smile.
Aron nodded. “As are we.”
Tase looked around at his brothers. “Humans are stupid. The Realm of Light is scattered.”
“Our demons have done well,” Badon said. “We’ve kept the Realm splintered, fighting throughout the country. The Realm is busy watching the demons; their hunters are forced into smaller groups in order to keep up.”
“It’s just as I planned it,” Tase said, rising from his place at the table and looking over them all. “Soon we will have it all. The black diamond, and the Queen of Darkness. All it takes is knowing we have the power and the knowledge. And most importantly, the strength. Are they ready?” he asked Badon.
“They are perfect,” Badon answered with a slight bow of his head. “More and more coming to us every day, desperate for what we have to offer. Apparently immortality, supreme strength, and perfection are quite a lure.”
Tase’s lips curled upward. “This domination will be so easy. I’m almost sorry there won’t be much of a battle.”
“I would not underestimate the Realm of Light, Lord Tase.”
Tase shot a lick of fire toward his brother, Kal. Kal was normally silent and generally went along with the other Lords, but he was never one to stand at Tase’s side; Tase knew he’d have difficulty with Kal. Kal didn’t even flinch as the fire singed his skin. Of course Kal would welcome the pain.
“I never underestimate them. I simply undervalue them. They mean nothing. Ben and Bart were weak. They let Lou and his demon hunters walk all over them. They thought with emotion. We know better. Our power is stronger now, and we will defeat them this time.”
“I still think you are unwise to believe this will be an easy battle. Humans are known to fight with heart, to use their very souls in their efforts to secure victory. They will not go down easily,” Kal argued.
“They are nothing but flies on shit,” Badon said. “Tase is right. With the humans we are turning now, our power is great. Our force is stronger than ever. The Realm stands no chance.”
“Those words have been spoken before. And still, here we are, no closer to our goal than we’ve been for centuries. Do not count out the Realm yet, my Lords, or you will regret it.”
“Do you stand with us, Kal, or against us?” Tase asked, fury making his flames expand. The others pushed away from the table, their icy countenances unable to bear his heat. He didn’t care, his ire was so strong.
Kal, however, didn’t move. “I am always with you, but I will always speak my mind, as you well know. .
Kal would have to be dealt with. Insurrection within the Sons of Darkness would never do. But now was not the time. Tase had worked hard to obtain his position as leader, and the great evil one was watching. . always watching. Judging him to see how he handled even the slightest uprising.
“I enjoy your challenges, Kal. I welcome them. And a voice of reason reminding us to be careful is a good thing. Your comments are duly noted. We will not underestimate the Realm of Light. But I think you will be the one surprised when you see how easy it is to crush them under the might of the Sons of Darkness.”
“We shall see, my Lord,” Kal said. “We shall see.”
The group disbanded, and Tase fought to gather his temper, wishing he were empowered to destroy at will. But their Father had not given him such abilities as yet. He would have to prove himself first.
And he would.
When the Realm of Light was destroyed and the Sons of Darkness walked the earth controlling all, the Father would give him supreme control.
And when that day came, the first thing he would do is reduce Kal to a pile of smoking ash.
Rewards and punishments.
Someday, he would be king.
