Page 8 of Wicked Savior
My lips twitch. “Thank you, Vargas.”
Envy blanches at my words. “Commander Vargas?”
Vargas strikes terror in every Underworld citizen. His talent for fighting and battle is unmatched by anyone. A true warrior. As a Chaoticus, or Chaos demon, he holds the rank of High Demon, equivalent to a duke from the House of Sin, but he rarely uses the title, preferring instead to focus on his military rank. At one time, he was my Executioner, the individual I sent out to eliminate my enemies. His success rate cemented his fierce reputation.
Gluttony swivels to search for Vargas, but finding the room empty, he turns to face me. Power flickers in his hands, but instead of extinguishing it, the ball grows astronomically larger.
Understanding dawns. “Ah, I guess you’ve already been to visit Cormal and used the torque?” I stand up and lean over my desk until I’m inches from him. “How does it feel to have all that power? Pretty good, huh?”
Envy takes a few steps away from his friend.
I wave a hand, freezing him in place.
“I’ll get to you in a minute, Envy. Excuse me, Lord Invidia,” I assure him. “Gluttony’s little show of power has all my attention right now.”
Gluttony glares at me for calling him by his sin. “This is just the barest hint of the power I have access to now. Did you know that the torque exponentially increases the amount of power each time you use it? The first time, it increases your power tenfold, but the next time, it doubles. And again, the third time.”
A tinge of sadness hits me. I really like Cormal. Too bad I’m going to have to kill him.
“Three draws, huh?” I ask, as if I’m impressed.
A broad smile appears. “I’m the most powerful demon in Underworld now.”
I pull back a little, and his confidence grows. “The first one was free. What did the other two cost you?”
His smile dims. “My daughter and half my wealth. But it was absolutely worth it. And when I’m done here, I’m going to pay a little visit to Cormal to get my money back.”
Cold rage rises in me. The fact that he gave up his daughter in exchange for power when I would give up all my power for one more day with mine infuriates me. I want to shred him to pieces, but first, I need him to pull all the power he gained from the torque, so I chuckle.
“What’s so funny?” He snarls.
“Cormal has more power at his disposal than you could ever acquire from the torque. He’s accumulated it over several lifetimes. Killing you would be no more effort than swatting a fly,” I taunt, deliberately coming around to sit on the corner of my desk directly in front of him.
He takes a half a step back and pulls more power from the air. His hands start to shake, and his eyes turn red from the effort it takes to control the increased level.
I lift an unconcerned shoulder. “Maybe you should apologize and beg for my forgiveness now. I might extend some leniency.” Or not. I let him see the amusement in my face.
One more.
Enraged, he pulls more power into himself. The shake in his hands cascades over his entire body until he suddenly morphs into his demon form—a purple, hairless demon with a large physique. Jagged teeth slam together, and the tendons in his neck pop out while he tries to wrangle the power under his control. After a few minutes of intense struggle, he finally manages it.
His head swivels slowly to his friend, Envy. “The torque is mine, do you understand? Mine!” He waits for him to respond, but nothing comes out of his mouth.
Oops, I forgot to unfreeze him.
Envy darts a frantic glance toward me, but I simply smile.
When Envy turns to face Gluttony again, he flashes a sad smile. A line of red appears across his throat moments before his head falls to the floor.
Who knew Envy would fall before Gluttony?
Vargas snarls and glares at me, frustration bleeding from every line on his face. His hands twitch, eager to step into the fight.
I tilt my head and raise an eyebrow.
As if I can’t handle a demon lord, even one with this much power. Maybe Vargas needs a reminder of the power I wield.
“Your friend, huh? Such loyalty. And for what? This power trip? The torque has cost you everything. Your wealth, sanity, and your best friend,” I state snarkily. One down, one to go. “And let’s not forget, your daughter. You know, I might have been lenient if you hadn’t traded your daughter.”
