Page 55 of Hell's Queen

After being set down, I move to Khazon and give him a quick kiss. I’ve been worried about him, but he’s had his hellhounds surrounding him a lot. He leads the way back to the library where Jigsaw, Ryker, Oz, Thorne, and Hazen are.

“How is everyone?” Khazon asks. They all answer positively, and I wish they could stay that way.

“I have to say something to all of you,” I whisper, but they all hear me and look up at me. “I just want to say… that I won’t be mad if you guys don’t want to go into battle.”

Hazen sucks on his teeth. “Asura—”

“Let me finish. This isn’t a battle that’s meant for you guys. Honestly, this is my fault and my battle to fight.”

“You aren’t doing this alone,” Ryker states.

“I can’t lose any of you. Inarian just got out of surgery last night. I don’t want to see any more of my team; my men hurt.”

They stare at me.

“I love you all. I won’t be able to live with myself if anything happens to you guys.”

Ozias shakes his head. “It’s not your decision. You are not going alone, and you fail to realize that we love you just as much, so don’t be so selfish.”

My brows pull. “Selfish.”

“You just want all the glory and fame of winning to yourself. Some of us want to break teeth in.”

I stare at him, trying not to laugh. “Stop being stupid.”

“You stop. I didn’t think you were that stupid.”

My eyes roll, and Ryker takes my hand and kisses it. “It would be an honor to fight next to someone who just learned how to throw a punch.”

Hazen laughs. “Fuck, we are doomed. Asura can’t even fight and wants us to leave her behind.” They all took turns roasting and laughing at me, and I didn’t mind because it was the only time I felt like myself again.

The door of the library opens, and Hades moves inside. “It’s time.”

And just like that, everything changes.

The laughter drops quickly, and the guys on the floor scramble to their feet. I led the way out, though my nerves were on fire. In the hall, near the front, I see hordes of fae stretching across the bridge. Hollister is leading at the front, wearing armor.

“We are ready to fight, Queen,” Hollister says, slightly bowing.

I want to tell them this isn’t their fight because it wasn’t. I have done nothing for them but cause destruction and pain.

“Let’s just hope in the future, you won’t ever forget our good deed, if need be,” she adds.

I give her a nod and throw my arms around her. “Thank you.” She hugs me back, holding onto me for a moment.

“Let’s do this,” she whispers to me.

Ryker and his father work on getting a portal together that they will both hold open.

I grab Ledger’s hand, though he’s never been the comforting type. Hazen and Jigsaw stretch their limbs, ready to shift with the other hellhounds as Khazon pulls his battle axe out of the air, calling to his Angel of Death form. I think I saved him from being overwhelmed by his demon side. Ozias pulls out his black scythe, which is fitting for him. Behind us are the council members and some Soul Reapers.

I turn to everyone behind me as the portal forms before speaking, “I am deeply sorry that we have to do this fucking bullshit.” A few people smile and laugh. “But it is an honor to have you all and to fight by your brave sides. I appreciate this, and my family appreciates this. Everyone, stay safe and work together. Evil will not win today.”

Loud cheers sound as I turn around with a deep breath. I am the first to step through the portal. I hate being a leader, but I know I was born to do it.

The portal drops us off right at the bottom of Lucifer’s castle. The ground is still split, and I see a group of vampires and countless demons at the top of the hill. I can see Evara flying around. Our eyes meet, and rage fills me.

I summon all my magic, holding my hands together before spreading them. A fireball forms, and I throw it at her, and she dodges, letting it hit the vampires around her.

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