Page 40 of Eternal Sacrifice
“What do you think that means?” I asked, after reading the passage out loud.
Jasper reached out to take the journal from my hands. “I would be cautious jumping to conclusions yet, Princess. These are glimpses. We need to give ourselves enough time to see the whole picture. Let’s get through the coronation and address the common demons before we jump into all this.”
Jasper
Thesinsdidnotwaste any time announcing the death of Lucifer. They were equally enthusiastic to inform the common demons that we were Lucifer’s chosen successors and the new Kings of Hell. The majority took the news well, seeming mostly unaffected by the death of the ruler most hadn’t met. But they were excited for the coronation and the following celebration parties.
“What do you think Fox will be wearing?” Justice was nearly vibrating with energy, waiting for Mor to join the rest of us.
We stood behind a set of doors that would open to a large balcony. The commoners could watch as we received our crowns and titles before heading with the sins to sit upon our new thrones. They had appeared, no doubt provided by Hell, the morning after Lucifer died.
I heard footsteps approaching and looked up. Mor walked with her back straight and chin held high, wearing a red and gold dress made from a slippery-looking material. The fabric flowed over her curves, seeming to puddle around her feet as she stopped beside us. Her blonde hair was curled and twisted, piled on the top of her head, while corkscrew strands framed her face.
The space felt immediately warmer with her in it, and the prickling sensation of nervous energy ebbed away. I liked it best when she was near me.
“Are we ready to be the new Kings of Hell?” Mor asked.
“We already are, Princess. This is just the celebration party.”
She opened her mouth, armed with a quip, but the doors to the balcony opened to a thunderous roar of cheers and applause. I moved toward the doors, noting the others doing the same. It felt like a pack call, an insistent pulling sensation forcing our feet towards the inevitable.
The darkened sky loomed above us, and the rivers of hellfire cast a red glow on the land. The sins had gathered along the edges of the balcony, clapping their hands in wild enthusiasm while we made our way into view. A thunder of applause and shouts of support erupted once the demons of Hell got a look at their new rulers.
“The new Kings of Hell,” Beelzebub yelled to the crowd below, causing another wave of applause.
My father stepped toward the railing, his deep chestnut skin nearly the same shade as the crown held between his palms. He held it above his head like in that cartoon movie about a lion. “I present, Jasper King of Hell.”
I moved forward as if pulled by a magnet toward my father. Once I reached the edge, I turned to look at the crowd of demons gathered below. They chanted my name, pounding their fists into the sky while my father lowered my crown onto my head.
“All hail the King,” my father roared, starting a new chant.
I stood dumbfounded as I was hit with the magnitude of my new responsibilities. The weight settled onto my shoulders, and the crown slid onto my head. All these demons were under our care, and they were eager for someone new to come and make changes.
The cheers didn’t die as I expected, and instead, I took a few steps backward away from the rail once I no longer felt like my feet were glued in place. It felt like I was viewing myself from beyond my body, while the excited chatter around me sounded like the buzzing of bees.
Justice’s father approached the railing once my father turned and left. He was wearing the same face as the last time we saw him, and I noted it as strange despite my otherwise disconnected feeling. I couldn’t remember another time when Justice’s dad used the same form twice.
Justice moved as if trying to refuse every step. His shoulders held evident tension as he marched.
His father held a jade green crown above his head. It looked like it was carved from a single piece of stone. “I present, Justice King of Hell.”
The crowd erupted again. Any demons that had decided not to come to the palace would still be able to hear the proceedings.
“All hail the King,” Justice’s father roared to the crowed, starting up another round of chanting.
Justice broke free of the compulsion to stand and receive praise much quicker than I had as he scurried away from his father and stood by my side.
Jax went next, moving forward with tense motions. Beelzebub stood with a beaming smile, holding a black crown with azure accents. Jax stood beside his father as he bellowed, “I present Jax, King of Hell.”
He moved to place the crown on Jax’s head. With a visual flourish of Jax’s wrist, he plucked the crown from his father’s grasp and settled it onto his head without allowing contact.
I watched Beelzebub closely, searching for any sight of malice from the public display, but he only looked acceptingly humbled. It was strange. Really fucking strange. I could tell by Jax’s face he thought the same.
Invidia, the sin of envy, approached the rail as soon as Jax joined Justice and me. Her skin was deep ebony, and she wore honey-yellow battle marks. In her hands, she held a black crown with milk-white gems. She raised it high before her voice’s low, seductive purr called out, “I present Jace, King of Hell.”
Jace wasn’t there. Then an instant later, he appeared, smiling down at the demons below and waving. He worked the crowd with expertise as he accepted the crown’s weight, which he had prepared for his entire life. Out of all the demons here, he knew what he should be doing more than anyone else.
“All hail the King,” Invidia called out enthusiastically, getting swept up into the frenzy Jace encouraged.
