Page 63 of Claiming the Dhampir

My eyebrows rose, but I kept silent. I’d save all my questions to the end.

“The Second Order is responsible for the safety of Lucifer’s court,” Damon explained. “They used their status to lure the demons they were supposed to protect into their lies. They somehow convinced nearly a third of the court to side with them, then they attempted to remove Lucifer from his throne.

“I can’t imagine what they were thinking. The Underworld chose Lucifer to rule and only the Underworld itself can remove him. All demons know this, but some of them let their lust for power make them stupid.”

He shook his head and looked at me. “I was on a mission in another realm with a squad of Third Order soldiers when my family attempted their coup. I knew nothing of their plans, which is why I was exiled and not executed with the others. The details of what happened are no longer relevant, but you should know that most demons here see me as a traitor.”

There was so much information in those few sentences. While the stuff about twelve orders was interesting, it was Damon’s downcast eyes and drooping wings that caught my attention. He was not a traitor. Even if I didn’t already know that Damon wouldn’t lie to me, his actions screamed that he was too honorable to betray anyone.

“They’re idiots if they think that,” I said. “You are the bravest, most honorable, unselfish, and compassionate man I know.”

He gave me a stilted smile, then scooped me up into his arms bridal style. “Let’s get this over with.”

Damon took two long strides and leaped into the air. His wings flapped several times, lifting us higher. I threw my arms around Damon’s neck and held on tight. My stomach flipped as we gained altitude, but I knew my demon wouldn’t drop me. His firm embrace barely gave me enough room to breathe, and I wasn’t about to wiggle out of his grip.

The castle grew closer with each second, and its grandness left me feeling small. The black stone covering its facade shimmered in the setting sun but didn’t reflect the rays. The stone seemed to soak up all the light. Would it glow like a night light after the sun set? I couldn’t restrain my awe at the thought of this enormous castle glowing in the darkness like a beacon.

I hope we get to find out, Mir said.

You’ve been awfully quiet.

I have no idea how to feel or what to think, she admitted.

I agreed. I hadn’t expected any of this, and we certainly hadn’t had enough time to sort it all out.

Dozens of demons crowded the streets below us, pointing up as we flew past. I couldn’t hear anything they said, but I imagined it was a lot like any other group of people—gossiping about the stranger with a woman in his arms. Surely Damon would be considered a stranger after all this time.

Okay, maybe not the same. The demons below looked nothing like any humans I’d ever seen. They ranged from tall, lanky humanoids to large spider-like monsters to tiny purple creatures that reminded me of imps. None of them had wings like Damon.

Damon landed on the wide stairwell leading up to the castle’s enormous entryway and lowered me to my feet. I straightened my clothes and glanced up at my demon. The set of his jaw gave him a look of grim determination.

One of his wings swept around my side along with his arm, and he ushered me forward. Four winged demons similar to mine landed on each side of us, making me jump. Damon didn’t even flinch, and the demons didn’t impede our progress. They fell in step behind us, trailing us up the stairs and through the arched entry.

I looked up at the shiny stone as we passed beneath it, once again wondering if it would glow in the moonlight.

“Well, well.” Lucifer’s voice caught me off guard.

I assumed we’d be led to some extravagant throne room and be forced to wait an hour for him to show up. I didn’t expect him to meet us at the door. He wasn’t supposed to know we were coming; Damon had wanted to arrive early to avoid any fanfare.

My gaze snapped to Lucifer, and I froze, forcing Damon to stop with me. I knew how tall his demon was—I’d seen him the day before in the warehouse—but standing before him now was different.

Lucifer towered over us. He had to be at least ten feet tall. No wonder the ceilings were so high. Two sets of horns curled up and over his head. His dark eyes flickered with fire, just like Damon’s. A deep purple cloak hung from his bare shoulders. The dark scales covering his chest shimmered like the castle’s stone walls. A pair of black linen pants hung low on his waist and ended at his hooves. Not feet. I’d seen a pair of fiery wings at the warehouse, but they were nowhere in sight now.

Wow, Mir whispered.

Yeah.

When Damon’s warmth left my side, I almost panicked. I spun around, only to find him on one knee, kneeling before Lucifer. The other winged demons were doing the same. Was I supposed to bow? Damon would’ve grabbed my hand and tugged me to my knees if that were true, right?

“Rise, Traz’damon,” Lucifer said. “You’re lucky I anticipated your early arrival. It’s good to know that some things have not changed.”

I gaped at the Lord of the Underworld. He’d known that Damon wouldn’t wait?

Thank you for the reminder about Damon’s real name, Mir whispered. Do you think he’ll let us call him Traz?

Shut up! I hissed. How can you be joking right now?

I wasn’t joking!

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