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Piper, Leif, and Fennan backed up several steps as she trudged by them. Whether they were surprised or afraid, she didn’t care at the moment. War’s feet faltered. His swings and blocks slowed as the poison worked its way through him.

“It’s me you came for, Morv,” Valeen shouted, with shadows rolling off her body. Thrusting out her palm she sent a blast of silver energy, fueled more by the crescent moon shining in the sky now. It slammed into Morv, sending him flying several feet back and crushing him into the base of a tree. The pink blossoms fell like rain from the impact. Half shadow she moved like a phantom in the night and hacked her sword down at him. The blade crashed into his staff and snapped it in two.

He roared, jabbing the broken end of what was left as nothing more than a stick at her belly. She dodged, and he flew back up as if boosted by a gust of powerful wind and leveled the top half of his staff at her. A red sizzling line of destruction careened at her. Her shield came on instinct and the impact of the two magics was like a thunderclap. The crackling energy colliding with her shield did nothing but make noise. She’d withstood much more powerful forces.

With a smirk, she pushed her own shielding power forward, driving Morv’s back until his power collapsed. He dove to the side, avoiding the blowback.

“You’re not so formidable without your ring, Morv.” Valeen strutted toward him, white knuckling Soulender. “I wonder, what happens to a demon when he dies? Does your soul disappear into eternal darkness? Do you become one of those sickly creatures in your underrealm, weak and powerless?”

Hel appeared at her side, brushing his shoulder against hers. “Personally, I hope it’s eternal darkness.”

Half crouched, his upper lip curled back in a snarl. “It doesn’t matter what happens to demons when they die. But we all know what happens to you two. You’ll be cursed to be born again and again and again, always forgetting each other. Now that is eternal punishment. What life is this now? Three, four? Let’s make it five!”

With his head lowered like he meant to hit her like a bull with his horns, he huffed out steam from his wide nostrils and charged. She readied herself to move at the perfect time and bring Soulender down on his backside, but he brought out a sword at the last moment. Their weapons hit with a ringing that sent a shockwave down her arms. His strength overpowered hers and she turned to shadow and whirled away. He fell forward with the sudden loss of force against him.

A bright ball of light lit above Hel’s palm, rivaling the sun. Morv threw up his arms to shield his eyes and hissed. “Ah, what’s the matter? I thought demons loved sunlight. It’s so bright and sunny in the underrealm.”

Morv backpedaled, nearly stumbling to get away from it. “I know what you are,” he said, shielding his eyes. “I know who your father is, Zaurahel. And I know where your mother is too.”

Valeen stilled next to Hel. Her palm went sweaty, and she had to adjust her grip on Soulender. She imagined his mind whirling at the possibilities.He’s lying,she said to his mind.

Hel’s fingers closed around the ball of light and darkness blanketed the landscape once again. “Who? And where?”

“That’s not how this works, god of mischief.” He cackled and tapped his sword against his side. Bright red eyes glowed in the dark and his horns gleamed in the pale light. “I need my ring first.”

“Why would I believe anything you say?”

He’s buying time. Take him down.

“You don’t have to but if you kill me, you’ll never know.” Morv gripped the edge of his cloak. Smoke started around his feet, building up toward his knees, ready to make his escape again. “Don’t worry, I’ll be back. I don’t care how long it takes. I’ll take your pretty wife’s head and make it a trophy for my wall. Wouldn’t that be a sight? The goddess of night’s mouth can take my cock even in death.”

In a single heartbeat, Hel appeared behind him, yanked on his horn to drag him down and shoved Darkbringer through the back of his neck.

Kill this bastard for good.

Valeen dashed forward, half shadow, and drove Soulender straight into the demon’s chest until it sunk to the hilt. With wide terror-filled eyes, Morv stared at her, and then his solid body began to crack and splinter, changing into blackened ash and bits of him floated away on the breeze, until he crumbled into a pile of soot.

Now there were only two demon princes of the underrealm, and Valeen just made them her enemies.

Hel’s garnet eyes shined bright against dark lashes and pale skin as he held her gaze. His chest heaved up and down and he was suddenly before her, inspecting her. “Are you hurt? Let me see you.” He tilted her chin, grabbed her shoulders.

“I’m fine.” She gripped his arm with her free hand. “I’m alright.”

“Layala!” Piper shouted. “Thane stopped breathing!”

Blood running cold, she turned and several yards away Fennan, Leif, and Piper were gathered around him as he lay unmoving on his back. Presco paced nearby muttering possible solutions.This can’t be happening.Valeen’s heart skipped a beat.

With torches in hand, guards and Raven soldiers ran toward them. “The High King! The High King is down!”

“No,” she heard herself say and dashed toward him. “Thane!”

Hel was already there, cradling his bitten arm. A warm glow emitted from his palm. “You stay with me. You can’t leave me. We have plans, and I need you here. I lied before; you’re still my brother. Nothing you could ever do will change that.”

Tears blurred her vision as she fell beside him. She gripped his lovely face, lifting his head and leaned down to hear breath. None came. “No, no, no.” Helplessly she lifted her head, the Ravens on the grounds gathered in close. The bright orange torchlight lit up the area to see his skin looked paler than usual. “You can’t die!” She shook him, and slammed her fist hard into his chest, hoping to shock his heart. “Wake up.”

“Layala,” Piper cried, dropping beside her. “Save him.” Her voice came out strangled; pain struck Valeen right through the heart. Gods, she was going to break his heart tonight. She was going to tell him it was over forever, that she didn’t choose him, and now she would give anything to keep him here.

“Thane, you must come back to us. Please. Please.” She shook his shoulders again, his head lolled back and forth.