Page 65 of Witch Queen

Azazel grimaced, contrite. “I’m sorry, old friend.” He met Mae and Nikolai’s gazes, in control of his emotions once more. “Tell me more.”

Nikolai related how he had followed Barquiel to a hidden destination in Hell a few weeks back and uncovered a disturbing secret. One which the demon had concealed from the Dark Council.

“Barquiel intends to steal the first Sorcerer King’s soul from under Vedran’s nose and gift it to Ran Soyun, along with the core in Mae’s heart. He believes he can revive her that way.” Bitterness underscored Nikolai’s voice. “As for my father, not only is he planning to assimilate the first Sorcerer King’s soul, but he is likely scheming to kill me so he can consume my white magic.” He hesitated. “I overheard a conversation between Barquiel and my father, when I was still under the influence of the Illusion Sorcery spell they put me under. I think Vedran tried to do the same to my mother once but failed.”

“There’s one more thing,” Mae added in a hard voice. “Vedran now possesses the ability to use Hellfire Magic.”

Azazel flinched. Armaros swore.

“What?!” Astarte gasped.

“Yeah, I forgot to mention that what with everything going on,” Alicia muttered.

“He absorbed it from Nikolai and Alastair’s cores,” Mae explained. “Dietrich Farago, the Immortal alchemist who was helping the Dark Council, was convinced Fire Magic could open theBook of Light.” She exchanged a wary glance with Nikolai. “We suspect Hellfire Magic will definitely do it.”

Azazel cursed.

Mae’s stomach sank. She only had to look at her father’s distraught expression to know Farago had been right.

“If he takes Davor’s soul, all will be lost,” Azazel mumbled distractedly.

Mae chewed her lip. “Was Davor truly that powerful?”

“Yes.” Azazel steepled his hands under his chin and scowled at the floor. “He defeated Ran Soyun, after all.”

A fraught silence ensued.

Ilmon slapped Azazel heartily on the back. The demon startled.

“I will have less of that glum talk from you, old friend.” The Incubus king smiled faintly. “This time, you are not alone.” He looked at Mae and her companions. “Your daughters are with you. And those two with her are pretty powerful sorcerers.” He beamed at Vlad. “My son, of course, is just awesome.”

Tarang made a happy sound, his tail sweeping the floor. Vlad narrowed his eyes.

“I’ve been meaning to ask you about that, actually,” Azazel said. “When exactly did you sire a cambion?” His eyes widened when he got a closer look at Vlad. “Oh. His mother was a very powerful Fire Magic witch.”

Ilmon blinked. “You can tell?”

“Of course.” Azazel’s gaze swung from Mae to the three men who had accompanied her to Hell. “Are they your consorts, child? They all have powerful seeds.”

Alicia choked on her beer. Astarte sighed. Armaros smirked.

Mae nearly swallowed her tongue. “What?!No!I mean, Nikolai is, but those two aren’t!”

“Yeah, I already promised my seeds to someone else,” Cortes muttered.

Popo bobbed his head firmly.

Vlad arched an eyebrow at Azazel. “I am trying to convince her to take on a second consort. Maybe you can help.”

Nikolai’s face darkened. “Over my dead body.”

“That can be arranged.”

Astarte let them bicker for a minute before calling for silence.

She frowned at Mae. “So, what do you intend to do now?”

Mae met the Goddess’s eyes unflinchingly. “We search Hell Deep for the cave where Barquiel hid my mother’s body and half her soul. And we stop that bastard demon and Vedran before they can achieve their goals.” She turned to Azazel. “There’s something else. Something only you can do. Teach me Soul Magic. I want to free Rose from Barquiel’s hold.”

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