Page 83 of Queen of Darkness
“You’re far too smart to let me hoodwink you like that,” he said.
“Flatterer.”
There was no verbal response, but I could feel him laughing again, and I sent my own back to him.
“Are you two done talking about me?” Hades called down from the wall, where he waited for us to arrive. While we had to climb the stairs, he could teleport himself.
I knew from experience that he could have taken us with him. Vir and Dani blinked around the Direen all the time and had taken others along. Making us climb the stairs was just Hades being spiteful.
I sent more amusement to Aaron but didn’t reply to the god lording over us. I got Aaron’s agreement in return.
When we finally crested the top stair, Hades gestured to the exterior of his stronghold. Glancing at him, we walked to the edge.
“Damn,” I whispered, taking in the view before me.
“I agreed to provide an army,” Hades growled. “I keep my promises.”
“Nobody accused you of not,” I said.
The army stretched out and away from the walls, thick ranks of demons standing in formation. At the head of it, wearing nothing but a black loincloth the size of a small house, Abaddon waited patiently, holding the shaft of his ax while its head rested on the ground.
“I think this will work,” Aaron agreed as we looked at the vast number of demons called to assist us.
“It had better,” Hades growled. “This is most of my forces, minus a few units to guard various entrances, and of course, those necessary to guide new souls across the river.”
“It’ll do,” I said. “All we need is to create a big enough diversion to have Elenia move the bulk of her forces out of Madrigal so that we can get to her.”
Hades growled at the vampire queen's name. “What I wouldn’t give to be there when you kill her.”
I thought about teasing him, telling him he was more than welcome to come along, but thought better of it. In his realm, Hades was effectively invincible. However, if he left the Underworld, he would, in a way, become mortal. Still immensely powerful, but hecouldbe killed. It wasn’t worth the risk.
Not when he had us to do the fighting for him.
“Abaddon will command the troops,” Hades added. “I am not prepared to relinquish actual command to you. You will tell him what you need, and he will see that my army does it in the best way possible. Is that understood?”
“Yes, that’s fine. I don’t want command anyway.”
“In addition, to help you get into her palace …” Hades snapped his finger and pointed behind us.
I turned to see a group of Enkk, outfitted for combat, holding the gear they had confiscated from Aaron and his team earlier. Eight of them in two ranks four deep stood still.
“They will go with you. Use them as you need.” Hades’ eyes burned brightly. “But do not fail. Either kill her or find another place to flee. I will not tolerate failure.”
“Yes, boss.” I surveyed the army again, awed by the sheer number of demons. Details were hard to make out this high up, but it was an impressive display of force.
“I have a question,” Dave said, raising a hand.
“It’s not a classroom, Dave,” I said, shaking my head.
“Uh, right,” he said sheepishly. “Anyway. Um. How are you going to get all these troops into her realm? She’s not just going to wait around peacefully.”
Hades grinned. “You’ll see.”
I waited for more explanation, but Hades didn’t offer any. Just a cryptic smile. It didn’t really matter how, as long as he could, so I let it slide.
“Are they ready to go?” I asked.
Hades grunted an affirmative, staring proudly out over his army. I had to wonder if he’d ever had cause to assemble his might like this. It was almost cute. He looked like a proud papa watching his baby do something for the first time.
