Page 8 of Witch Queen

Bryony cut her eyes to the L.A. coven High Priestess before studying Mae with a frown. “You’re late.”

“Traffic was a bitch,” Mae said thinly. “Also, no one said there was a meeting.”

Brimstone zoomed over to a serving cart holding half a dozen steaming dishes. Bryony’s cat familiar Penley slinked off the desk and joined the fox.

Nikolai maintained a diplomatic expression as he and Mae headed over to a sofa. A stilted silence ensued. It was broken by a loud grumble.

Everyone looked at Mae.

She sniffed. “It’s been two hours since breakfast.”

Bryony sighed. “Why don’t you eat something before we talk?”

Mae helped herself to two sandwiches and a slice of chocolate cake from the tiered trays on the coffee table.

“So, are you really planning to go to Hell?” Karin asked sharply after she’d finished inhaling her food.

“Yes. Once Alicia gets Astarte’s approval.”

Mae hid her unease behind a resolute expression. The truth was, she hadn’t heard from the Soul Reaper queen since she left for Hell over a week ago to seek Astarte’s permission for her to travel to the Underworld with Nikolai and Vlad.

Astarte was the Goddess who headed the alliance of powerful fallen angels opposed to Satanael’s wicked plans for mankind. Once Artemus Steele’s sworn enemy, she was now one of his most ardent allies.

Well, I have a backup plan in case she says no anyway.

Mae was eyeing another slice of chocolate cake when she became conscious of the High Council’s brooding stares. Guilt stabbed through her at their worried expressions.

She could understand their concerns. The only ones who seemed resigned to her decision were Bryony, Raven, Marlena, and Nadia.

Gerard sighed heavily. “How about you give Hellreaver to the Soul Reaper queen and let her ask this Armaros guy to fix him instead?”

The eleventh leader of the Grigori and once Heaven’s most talented blacksmith, Armaros had forged Hellreaver at Azazel’s bequest when Na Ri was born.

Mae frowned. “This isn’t just about getting Hellreaver fixed. I also want Armaros to take a look at the skeleton key that was meant to open theBook of Light.” She raised a hand when Gerard tried to interrupt. “I know what you’re going to say, but I’m still certain it serves a purpose we haven’t fathomed yet. Call it a witch’s instincts.” She clenched her jaw. “And Ihaveto find my father. Azazel needs to know what took place in Europe and the secret Nikolai uncovered when he followed Barquiel to Hell.”

“And if Astarte says no?” Lines furrowed Derrick’s brow. “What will you do then?”

“Then I’ll ask Artemus Steele to take me to Hell instead.”

Bryony sucked in air at this bombshell statement. Abraham stared at her like she’d lost her mind.

“You will?” Nikolai mumbled.

“Who the heck is Artemus Steele?!” Roman hissed at Nadia.

Mae avoided Nikolai’s stunned gaze. She hadn’t told him or Vlad about her backup plan. “That guy knows the layout of the place and Armaros’s location. Besides, I’m pretty sure he’ll want to help.”

She toyed with the bracelet on her wrist.

It was the one Serena Blake had given her a month ago. Forged by Artemus Steele and infused with the divine energy he had inherited from his parents, it had allowed Mae to resist Vedran’s attempts to enslave her and her bonds.

“Artemus wasn’t the one who opened a doorway to the Underworld,” Bryony informed her in clipped tones. “It was Sebastian Lancaster who created the rift that allowed them to enter Hell.” She lowered her brows. “And he’s far more sensible than that idiot. Sebastian won’t cave in to your demands so easily.”

Mae’s stomach plummeted. “The Sphinx opened the rift?”

“Yes.”

“We have a Sphinx?” Roman mumbled.

---