Page 22 of The Daughter of the Devil

I spot Sierra and Alistair at a table in the corner and make my way over. Sierra’s bright, quirky demeanor contrasts sharply with Alistair’s calm presence. They look up as I approach, and I force myself to smile, trying to push aside my irritation.

“Morning,” Sierra chirps, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “How are you feeling today, Morgana?”

“Sore,” I admit, sitting down heavily. “But I’ll survive.” Alistair’s gaze lingers on me for a moment, a flicker of concern crossing his features before he masks it with a neutral expression. I can sense his worry, but I don’t want to dwell on it right now.

Sierra’s cheerful chatter quickly distracts me. “So, you know that scary haunted maze they set up for Halloween? Apparently, they're going to keep it up for a few more weeks. We should go back to the carnival. You know, without the Grim.”

I roll my eyes, trying to maintain my usual dark demeanor. “Scary for humans, maybe. It’ll probably just be a bunch of cheap jump scares.”

Sierra giggles, undeterred by my sarcasm. “Come on, Morgana! It could be fun. Besides, it’s an excuse to dress up and scare some mortals. Isn’t that something you’d enjoy?”

I smirk despite myself. “I suppose there’s some appeal in that.” Our conversation flows easily, Sierra’s infectious enthusiasm slowly wearing down my defenses. Alistair remains quiet. I catch him watching me out of the corner of my eye, his concern evident despite his attempts to hide it.

Sierra’s eyes flicker between us, curiosity sparking in her gaze. “You two seem... different today. Is something up?”

I stiffen, trying to come up with a plausible explanation. “It’s nothing. Just... had a rough night.”

Sierra's curiosity piques, and she leans forward, resting her chin on her hands. “What’s a rough night like in Hell? I mean, you guys must have some pretty intense responsibilities, right?”

I glance at Alistair, who meets my gaze with a fleeting moment of silent communication. We need to avoid the truth of what happened between us, but we can still paint a picture that will satisfy her curiosity.

“Well,” I begin, choosing my words carefully, “a rough night in Hell can mean a lot of things. Our responsibilities are quite varied and often demanding.”

Sierra’s eyes widen with fascination. “Like what?”

I exchange another quick look with Alistair before continuing. “For instance, demons have tasks that range from maintaining order in the different realms to overseeing the punishments of the damned souls. It’s not all fire and brimstone, you know. There are intricate systems in place to ensure everything runs smoothly.”

Alistair nods, adding to the explanation. “Indeed. Each demon has a specific role. Some are tasked with torturing souls, which requires a certain finesse to maximize the suffering without causing complete destruction. Others handle logistics, like managing the influx of souls or ensuring the Soul Crystals are properly maintained.”

Sierra’s eyes sparkle with curiosity. “And what about you, Morgana? What are your responsibilities?”

I take a deep breath, trying to ease the tension in my shoulders. “As the future queen of Hell, my responsibilities are extensive. I’m being trained to take over leadership someday, should I ever regain my powers. This means understanding every aspect of Hell’s operations, from the enforcement of laws to diplomatic relations with other realms.”

Sierra’s mouth drops open slightly. “Wow, that sounds intense. So you’re like... a queen-in-training?”

I nod. “Something like that. It’s a lot of pressure, especially since my powers are currently... absent. But I’m still expected to learn and prepare as if they’ll return any day.”

Sierra’s brows furrow in thought. “But you don’t have your powers now. How do you manage all of that?”

Alistair steps in, his voice steady and reassuring. “Morgana may not have her powers, but she still possesses a remarkable strength and intelligence. She’s been able to adapt and handle her responsibilities with grace and determination. I’m there to assist her in any way I can, of course.”

Sierra grins. “I can see that. You two make a great team.”

I feel a flush of warmth at her words, a mix of pride and something deeper. “Thank you, Sierra. It hasn’t been easy, but we manage.”

She tilts her head, a mischievous glint in her eye. “So, if you do get your powers back, and you become the official queen of Hell. What’s the first thing you’d do?”

I can’t help but smile at her enthusiasm. “Well, I’d probably start by restructuring some of the more outdated systems. There’s a lot of inefficiency that could be improved. Plus, I’d work on establishing stronger alliances with other realms to ensure stability and peace.”

Sierra nods, clearly impressed. “That sounds like a solid plan. And what about you, Alistair? What would your role be then?”

He shrugs slightly, a small smile playing on his lips. “I’ll continue to serve Morgana, as I always have. My loyalty is to her, regardless of her status or powers. If she becomes queen, I’ll be there to support her in any way she needs.”

Sierra’s grin widens. “You’re both so dedicated. It’s really inspiring.” I catch Alistair’s eye again, a silent understanding passing between us. We’ve managed to divert the conversation away from the truth, but the bond between us feels stronger for it. Despite the complexities of our situation, we are united in our purpose. As the bell rings, signaling the start to the school day, I stand up and stretch, wincing at the soreness in my muscles. Sierra bounces up beside me, her energy seemingly endless.

“See you guys later!” she calls, skipping off to her next class.

I turn to Alistair, “Are you alright?” I ask, my voice low.

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