Page 78 of The Hellbeast's Betrayal

“Not surprising, seeing as it would be easier for them to hide there. Any clues?” I asked.

“Only a name, for they are known as the Master Luzuh.”

I had never heard this name before, nor did I know its meaning.

“Master Luzuh?”

“I forget your lineage is of Greek descent, it means person who steals, in Sumerian,” he told me, making me nod in understanding.

“It was thought that, for a time, the thief was to be found in the city of Kusig. The capital of my father’s kingdom. However, when it came to light that they were able to cross over into this realm, that was when the trail ran cold.”

I nodded, as I could understand why it had, and well, he didn’t exactly have a lot to go on.

“Ah,” I said, unconsciously rubbing a hand over my stomach and thinking of Ella. My reddish black T-shirt was not enough to hide the memory, despite there being no scar there for me to feel. I had dressed very much the same as I had before, conjuring up clothes from the same flame-resistant material I preferred. But one glance at Ryker and I was already missing my everyday attire of jeans, biker boots, and some gearhead Tee. Although, one glance around the place and I would say I was a far cry away from getting that back anytime soon. Meaning I was stuck wearing the skin of a fire salamander for a good while longer.

“My father is not pleased, for no one has ever been able to steal from him before,” Ryker went on to say.

“And he wants revenge,” I guessed, making him shrug before saying,

“Perhaps.”

“You don’t sound too sure,” I pointed out.

“It is a woman,” he stated, making it all become clear, especially after what Nefârtatul had told me about all the Kings of Hell being Fated to find their own Chosen One’s. Perhaps this thief was his, which was why he was so intent on finding her.

We continued to walk until we reached a pair of gleaming golden doors, as it had to be said, there definitely wasn’t any gold lacking in this place. A sight not often seen in Hell, as this was more a Kingdom of gold than it was ominous and foreboding. A far cry from Lucius’s castle that was for sure.

Two guards stood either side of the doors, that were twenty feet tall and ornamented with framed squares that each held a different symbol at the center. As for the guards, they looked like medieval Knights, their amour gleaming and not a single smudge on the gold plating.

As soon as they saw Greed, they dropped to a knee and bowed, lowering their heads. The clatter of movement couldn’t be held as it echoed down the large hallway.

“Lord Greed,” they both said, making him nod for them to open the doors.

The moment they did, light flooded out from the lustrous throne room that, admittedly, was staggering to see. It was made entirely from the same black and gold marble on the floor, with huge pillars lining the length of the room and holding up the cathedral style ceiling. One that was decorated with delicate interwoven gold moldings that, from this distance, looked like golden lace.

“This is where I leave you, my Lord,” the one he had called Annika Empusa said, already turning on her copper leg before walking back the way she came. Her half-hooded cloak was much longer at the back, and now trailed behind her like a shadow.

At the end of the room sat King Mammon himself, and surprisingly he was the only one not dripping in gold, instead dressed entirely in black. His black tunic had a high collar and armored shoulder pads, with a long cape attached that looked made from silken fur. His large frame was tapered down, where a thick belt broke up the continuation of even more black material that covered his legs. His trousers were tighter and tucked into his thick leather boots.

The contrast of him sitting amongst a throne made completely from gold was one I struggled to take my eyes from. The wealth of this man was unfathomable, and the room was only filled with hints of his fortune. Each step we took inside, walked us past different pieces of his treasure displayed in crystal glass cases, reminding me of being in some museum.

As for the King who owned it, he rose from his golden throne as we got closer, walking down the steps and greeting his son. It was astounding to see how much alike they looked, as their vessels could have been brothers. But then, I knew that whichever vessel a supernatural took, they would naturally turn it into how they wished to look over time. Clearly, Mammon wanted to look like his son or vice versa. Although with the tense way Ryker held himself, I would say it was the first.

“And at long last, my son returns, and with news I hope,” he said, sounding excited, although Ryker’s face was no doubt expecting anger in place of this good nature. As he obviously wasn’t bringing him good news like he hoped.

“Father,” he said, bowing his head and prompting me to do the same. His father looked to me and asked,

“Have you exchanged your second? I thought you favored the Druid?” Of course, he was talking about Vander. Although knowing him and the happy go lucky, action seeking, guy I had met, I would say he would be pissed to know he was missing out.

“No, for I bring with me a guest, for there is a matter of urgency we must speak to you about.”

His father’s face scowled, realizing this visit clearly wasn’t to be about his thief after all. But knowing what I knew now of the situation, it gave me time to think, in case I needed it. Because it was like Ryker had warned me…the King would want something in return for aiding us.

Fuck me, but at this rate I was going to have to go into the Supernatural dating service.

“Then we will speak of it privately,” he said, nodding to one of his servants that were all lined up just waiting to do his bidding, this time dressed in ancient roman style dresses. They rushed over to open another golden door for us, that lead into an office of sorts. Although half of it looked like an ancient library, one that showcased even more treasure.

The King entered first, taking a seat behind a large desk, that… you guessed it… was all gold. As for Ryker and me, we took our seats opposite, as this was clearly a room he used for conducting any business. The Kings of Hell might have been mighty rulers, but they still had Kingdoms to run.

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