Page 18 of Fallen Demon

As a half-siren, she exuded sensuality and charm.

I tensed when they approached our group. As the rulers of the underworld, they probably could tell me about the fiery pits.

I waited until they greeted everyone to turn to them.

I opened my mouth to ask them about it, but Drake beat me to it.

“Friends, please take your seats,” the lord of the castle said. “We’ll have dinner before business.”

Everyone spread out, taking their assigned places.

Maids brought out the first course, and the many vampires in the room got a big goblet filled with blood.

Once upon a time, that would have bothered me so much. But now I was used to it; I barely gave it a thought.

For some reason, as the courses were brought and empty plates were taken away, I started getting nervous. This meeting was supposed to be just to spread out information, to make sure no one fell for the angels’ trap, something that almost happened to the demon hunters, and it was Thea’s idea to use this meeting as an excuse to bring all of our friends and allies together.

But now that everyone was here, I felt tense.

Dessert was served—a delicious chocolate lava cake with caramel sauce—and as soon as most of the guests seemed done with it, Drake walked over to me.

He stopped behind my chair and whispered, “Ready?”

I nodded, though my nerves only increased.

I got up and walked with him to the center of the room, amid the five tables.

“Friends, we’ve called you all here tonight to see you all and have a good time,” Drake started, “but also to clarify some rumors and explain some things. And give you some warnings.” He gestured to me.

I cleared my throat. “Everyone here knows that five years ago I lost my wings and got stuck on Earth, since without wings, an angel can’t cross the portal to go back to Elysium.” I paused. “But that wasn’t the only reason. I couldn’t go back, because I knew the moment I stepped foot in Elysium, I would be captured and tortured … until I gave them the information they wanted.”

I saw many narrowed eyes, but I trudged on, and even though a few people in here had already heard everything, I told them all about it.

I started with my mission, that I wasn’t supposed to go—and now I knew why. The trap, the dagger, Molraz, my sword and my wings.

I briefly touched on meeting Farrah and Wyatt, Kayden and Daleigh, and so many others.

Then I slowed when I got to recent events: losing my powers to Paimon, being desperate about finding my wings and magic again. Summoning a wish-granting demon and trying to trick him to help me.

Getting my wings back, finding out my mentor, Ylena, had been behind it all, and no one had any idea. Slowly, she started gathering allies, who wanted to do the same things: to be stricter, to destroy all demons and most supernaturals, to make humans pay for being so careless and loving their free will.

I let them know that without a special item, Ylena couldn’t kill Adona and take over. However, she was now stuck in the underworld with Levi, and I had no idea what Rhodes was doing in her absence.

Another thing I had no idea about was how Adona was doing. Was she trapped? Locked away? Did she know what was going on? How were the other angels? How long would it be until everything exploded and chaos ensued?

“I know they are smart and ready for anything,” I said. “They tried scheduling a meeting with the demon hunters, and I’m pretty sure it was to either bring them to their side or kill them.”

Murmurs started and I saw many of my friends shaking their heads, as if they couldn’t believe this was happening.

Me neither.

“So, what do we now?” Erin asked. “I canceled the meeting, but they keep contacting us.”

“By now, with their failed attempts to silence Ariella and with Ylena gone, Rhodes and their allies probably suspect Ariella told us everything,” Drake said. “I doubt they will continue to bother you.”

Erin nodded.

“We think Elysium is at the brink of a civil war,” I said.

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