Page 25 of Crowned A Traitor
“The High Queen is well,” Klara said offering a more polite answer this time.
“But I think that’s a private matter not to be discussed in public,” Lucifer cut in, and Mila bowed her head in feigned apology.
“I fear the viper venom has taken its hold. Do forgive me,” Mila’s black eyes danced in the light of the candles as Klara glared at her. Least Klara knew from her eyes that Mila had taken the life of an innocent. Her Human side inherited from Eve was entirely corrupted.
“No such thing as forgiveness in this Hellish place,” a Higher Demon in a suspiciously tall top hat joined their conversation. His yellow eyes and snake-like tongue slithered between his thin lips as he spoke.
“Lokey!” Mila air-kissed his cheek even though the Demon towered above her. Klara felt like an outsider once again as Frendall offered his hand to Lokey.How are these Demons to be my allies if I don’t even know their names or natures?Lucifer may have pushed her out, but he had cleared the way from Mila.
“The evening has been frightfully dull,” Lokey whined, his voice high as he looked around the room full of lavish outfits and hushed corner conversations.
“Is my homecoming not eventful enough for you?” Klara said, and the towering Demon bowed deeply. Klara expected his bright purple top hat to fall to the floor, but it remained atop his head. “Apologies, Heiress I spoke without thought,” he hissed, and Klara allowed him to rise.
“But a party is a party, and the smell of conspiracy is so thick in the air I fear our King will grow...” Lokey drew in closer to Klara offering his arm, “unsettled.”
“What would you suggest?” Klara said, taking his arm and Frendall’s jaw clenched. “A dance. It has been a while since we danced,” Klara addressed the room. The King clapped his hands, and a rush of Doomed filed into the room and took their places at the bandstand.
“A dance would be wonderful,” Mila said, stepping towards the steps to their Father’s throne. Klara sensed the but coming.
“A duel would be much more satisfying,” Mila said confidently, and the room muttered their approval. Klara rose her hand to her chest, still able to feel the weakness in her limbs. If she never met another Ghoul, it would be too soon.
“Yes! A little bloodshed always spices up a dull evening, no offence Heiress,” Lokey hissed in her ear.
“Father choose your pairing,” Klara moved to the steps below where her Father sat surveying the festivities. Lucifer tapped his fingers on the armrest of his throne.
“Since you have only returned, I feel you should pick daughter.” His words drew her back,he doesn’t wish to punish me.
Lucifer motioned for her to join his side and Klara’s lips twisted into a smile. Mila’s nostrils flared as Klara tried to suppress her smug grin as she stared down at her half-sister.
“Sit child,” Lucifer ordered, and a smaller silver throne appeared at his right hand. The last time she sat on her throne, her little legs had dangled over the edge. Silver was deadly to Demons, and its appearance made the majority of the guests take a step back regardless of the distance between them and the throne. Her ability to sit on the lethal throne demonstrated her extraordinary strength.
“Mila, Frendall as my Father’s most trusted Commanders it would bring the King great joy to see a demonstration of your strength.”
Without question, Frendall stepped forward, his eyes trained on Klara. “As you request, Heiress,” he said bowing, and no one in the room could dare question his loyalty. Mila hesitated only long enough for Klara to notice. “Anything for our King,” Mila bowed, offering no praise for Klara, a statement in itself.
“Weapons?” The King asked, and Klara signaled for the Doomed.
“Bring their weapons of choice,” she said. “Till submission,” Klara added before her Father could speak. Mila was Eve’s daughter, who knows what tricks she had up her conniving sleeve. Mila ripped out of her delicate lilac dress to reveal her slick black Commander uniform beneath.
The small crowd gasped at her transformation, and Lucifer laughed. “Always be prepared,” Mila smiled to the delight of the crowd as her uniform molded to every inch of her lean body as she took after her mother.
The guests parted way for the returning Doomed carrying Frendall’s sword and Mila’s bow and arrows.
Close combat with a bow and arrow, this should be interesting.Mila and Frendall faced off and Lokey bowed to Lucifer waiting for permission to speak. “My dearest friend, you need not ask permission,” Father beamed and Lokey bowed deeply.
“This should make matters more interesting,” Lokey said, slicing his scaled palm and dark pus oozed out.
“You certainly know how to rile up a crowd,” the King laughed as Lokey circled Frendall and Mila.
The pus dripped to the floor, weaving together a circle.A binding circle,they would be trapped together in a tight space rendering their weapons somewhat useless. Klara eyed the glowing ring. Lokey was more than a Higher Demon. He was a Warlock.
Mila and Frendall tossed their weapons to the ground. Frendall was twice the build of Mila, while she took after her slight mother. Unease bit at Klara as the tight circle would work to Mila’s advantage, she was tiny but lethal.
“Begin,” Klara ordered, and the guests moved back so not to obscure the King and Klara’s view. Lokey danced up the steps and stood at Klara’s side.
“It has been some time since we have been in each other’s company,” Lokey said, and Klara tried to think back to their last encounter if there even was one. Higher Demons had great skill in trickery, especially one as ancient as Lokey.
“Well, it’s always nice to be reacquainted with an old friend,” she said watching as the Commanders danced around each other and the crowd grew bored. “Quiet,” Lokey smiled, and Klara saw her Father’s eyes drift to the blood-red skies through the windows.
