Page 36 of Crowned A Traitor
Coins slipped from the stunned Demon’s hand as Klara’s axe was planted between its eyes. The small crowd tried to get away, but the remaining Demons blocked their paths and snarled at her interference. It was easy for her, like cutting through butter. All Klara could hear was the panicked screams of those around her. Each pathetic Lesser Demon fell within seconds. When the last was pulled through the soil back to Hell, she let her axe fall to her side.
Lilith stepped out from the shadows and leant her sword on her shoulder. “Leave now and consider this an act of mercy for your treason,” Klara said before Lilith could take action against the shaking crowd. “Go, or you will all answer to the High Queen.” The mere mention of Abadan sent them running, leaving behind what little belongings they had brought with them.
“What about my daughter?” The Witch clutched Klara’s leg, and Klara shook her off. “You chose to come here and put your faith in Lesser Demons. Live with the consequences, or I can take your head now.” She was being unnecessarily cruel, but Lilith was watching. The Witch pushed herself back through the leaves and fled without a second thought for her child.
Lilith’s slow clap echoed through the trees as Klara wiped the yellow Demon slime from her axe on a large leaf.
“Sent to kill but don’t have the stomach,” Lilith strolled up beside Klara.
“Without the Demons, they cannot get through the portal. Remaining here is a life sentence.” Klara’s words came out like hot lava, and Lilith raised her blade to Klara’s throat.
“Why?” Klara asked, feeling the blade against her skin. “Because I wouldn’t kill the Witch? I thought I would leave her to you. Since you have the experience.” Lilith’s eye’s flashed black with rage as Klara used Lilith’s past against her. Klara needed to see where her Guardians’ loyalties lay.
“Kill me,” Klara said, and Lilith pressed the blade deeper into her skin.
“I could cut you down right where you stand, but it’s because you can’t slaughter them that makes you the rightful Heir.”
Lilith lowered the blade from Klara’s throat, and she felt the moss-covered tree at her back.
“Your sister Queens, do they feel the same?” Klara spat knowing the answer. “No, and with that in mind. Let us return before we are missed.”
Lilith continued a few paces ahead. “Before we return. Never speak of my wife in the Queens’ company, or I’ll have your tongue.” Klara went to speak, but Lilith smiled, “I should have trained you to take a joke.”
???
Klara sensed a shift in the air as they approached the grand staircase. “Oh Klara, there you are,” Abadan said appearing behind them. “I sent for you both, but the Ogres said you were seen leaving through the mountain pass?” there was an unnerving sweetness to her voice.
“Lilith wanted to discuss my plans for the border, and I fancied some air.” Klara was too tired for pleasantries. Lilith stepped to Abadan’s side whose eyes fell to Lilith in question, “nothing we haven’t already discussed.” Lilith confirmed and Klara wondered what she meant. Abadan’s softening expression meant she deemed the answer sufficient.
“I’ll leave you to rest,” Klara said, turning her back to them. Her magic tingled in her fingertips, telling her something was off.
“Before you retire, there is someone I want you to meet,” Abadan said.
Klara hesitated on the staircase, clutching the bannister. “Is it necessary that I make introductions right this moment?” Klara looked over her shoulder, and Abadan waved her hand, “come along.” It wasn’t a request. Klara followed Lilith and Abadan into the throne room. It was smaller than her Fathers, but the air reeked of the same intimidation.
The high ceiling was glamoured to look like a starry night sky despite the hour of the day and at the head of the room sat side by side were three great thrones.
On the left, Klara saw the smallest throne of polished handcrafted wood with thriving flowers on which sat Eve. “You found them,” Eve clapped, and the sound resonated off the walls.
“They were off playing in the muck as usual,” Abadan’s laugh caused Klara’s scalp to prickle as she noticed no stranger waited for them in the throne room. Eve eyed the muddy footprints Lilith and Klara had left behind and clicked her fingers to remove their boots and the mud. “Can’t have you mudding up the place before our guest arrives,” Eve said, and Klara faltered a little as the magic stripped her feet. Lilith remained steady, as though she wasn’t suddenly standing barefoot on the rough stone floor.
“You won’t be needing that either,” Eve smiled and with a flick of her wrist, Klara’s axe disappeared from her grasp. Lilith claimed her simple throne of small blades. Klara had once dared to ask why Lilith had chosen such an uncomfortable material to which Lilith simply replied, “I don’t sit often.”
Abadan stood by her glistening throne of gold with embellished skulls at the end of the armrests. As High Queen, her throne was taller and sat at the centre of the three.
This couldn’t be good, Klara said thinking of the blade strapped to her thigh.
A weasel weaved through Abadan’s feet as she took her seat. Abadan’s eyes shone as she stroked the coarse weasel’s head and the weasel transformed into the Lesser Demon it was. “A new pet?” Klara asked recognizing the Creature. “The poor thing just fell into my lap.”
So much for the fluffy bunny I had met in the Forest.
The hunched figure cowered by Abadan’s throne, with its yellow eyes fixed on Klara. The sound of the doors opening broke their staring match. Ogres lined the walls of the throne room, batons on their shoulders. She looked to the two Crimson guard protecting the door.
“Bring it in,” Eve ordered, and Klara felt her stomach drop. Dungeon Torturers entered with their faces covered by hoods as they carried another Creature under the arms. “I couldn’t rest because you wished me to watch a sentencing?” Klara watched the prisoner’s bare feet drag along the floor.
“Patience Klara, you will ruin the surprise,” Abadan smiled. A dirty grey hood shielded both the Creature’s identity and torture wounds, but Klara could smell the Creature’s fear and blood as they passed her. Once they reached the three steps to the throne, the Torturers dumped the prisoner at Abadan’s feet.
The Torturers bowed to Abadan and passed Klara without a glance as she spotted the sigil on their Crimson robes, a raven spreading its wingspan engraved where a heart should be.Abadan’s private army, Demons for hire.“Nice to see you too,” Klara said, and one of the Torturers growled at her mocking tone. Klara raised an eyebrow and the Torturer stopped to bow.
