Page 15 of Queen of the Wicked
“You are the Lord of Hell, Erebos. Are you telling me you’re afraid of the pits?”
“I’m not afraid of the pits,” he replied tersely. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t fear thecreatures.He’d dealt with many demons over his lifespan, but the Seeker was something that would terrify even the strongest ofwarriors. “Besides, I cannot go anywhereuntil she wakes up.”
“Indeed. I’ve got the potion right here.” She lifted a green liquid and popped a cork off the top, bringing it to Alessia’s lips. “All things considered, your traveling companion could be worse. You are highly favored with this one, Your Majesty. And the scent…”
He rolled his eyes, ignoring her comment entirely. He’d have to be blind not to recognize Alessia’s beauty, but that was irrelevant when there were bigger things at stake. This mortal girl took his powers, and both realms of Earth and Hell were relying on him to save them. This was the last thing he needed to deal with, and he mentally cursed whoever sent him that letter in the first place to retrieve her.
Alessia should have been somebody else’s problem.
“She should wake in a few hours. In the meantime, take a seat by the fire. I’ll whip you up some oatmeal.”
Normally, he’d protest it, but he was utterly exhausted, so he collapsed into one of the rocking chairs beside the hearth and placed a quilt over his lap.
In a few hours, Alessia would wake up, and since Allegra couldn’t help, they’d have to travel to Hell and find the Seeker. A task that wouldn’t be easy.
There hadn’t been a pure and true god for centuries, but right now, he was praying to one.
Chapter 7
Alessia
Alessia had nightmares before. She remembered them vividly, but none quite compared to the yellow, rotting teeth and hollowed-out face that was currently above her, blinking curiously.
She shot straight up in the room, a scream caught in her throat as she lurched away from the pointy canines. The woman in front of her was horrifying. Her teeth were as sharp as Alessia imagined a vampire’s were, and her fingernails were sharpened at the ends with tiny spikes of glass. Alessia had never seen something so strange, sospine-chilling…
“She’s awake,” the woman hissed.
Oh, how her head pounded. Alessia braced her fingers on her temples as they continued to throb and tried to remember what had happened last before she wound up here, in front of this woman who looked like…
A witch.
The witch’s cottage.
Alessia had learned the legends and read about themduring her studies. She had learned that witchcraft could be used for good, too, but ultimately, witches could do whatever they wanted—spells, magic, potions… She knew in one heartbeat, without a second thought, she could be dead and become this witch’s next meal if that was what she desired.
“A-Am I safe?” Alessia asked.
The witch laughed. “I do not have a choice in the matter, do I?”
She didn’t understand why she’d say that until a figure moved on the other side of the room. Erebos had stood from a rocking chair in front of a stone fireplace and sauntered over to where the witch stood. He seemed well-rested, and that only made her question everything even further.How long was she out for?
Oh, God. Her powers manifested in front of Erebos. Or were thosehispowers? Everything was so confusing. She needed answers. And she needed to get his stupid powers out of her.
“Can you tell what my magic is?” Alessia asked quietly.
The witch circled the kitchen table she was sitting on before she clicked her tongue. “No, I cannot. I’m afraid you are not something I have ever come into contact with before.”
“A mortal?” she guessed.
“No,” the witch responded. “I do not know what you are, but it is far from mortal. I have advised His Majesty to go and find the Seeker for more information about this rather odd exchange of power.”
The Seeker… Alessia racked her brain for any memories that might supply her with information, but came up short. She knew nothing of dark magic. Erebos looked pale and ghostly, though, so thisseekermust not be very pleasant to interact with.
“And where do we find it?” she asked the brooding old woman.
Erebos rolled his shoulders and sighed. “In the pits.”
“The pits ofwhat?”Erebos remained silent as she pieced it together. “The pits ofHell?You’ve got to be insane. There’s no way I’m going there.”
