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“Give me the immortal blade, and you can have her.”

“No.” Valeen gripped it tighter, bringing it closer to her body. As tragic of a story as it would be if Hel’s mother Zaelia was here, no demon could ever possess this sword, even she would agree with that.

“You are dealing with a very different god now.” Hel’s face hardened. “If my mother is your prisoner, you will let her go.”

He could be manipulating you.

You don’t know that.

He’s trying to get Soulender. He is the prince of deception. Even if he showed her to us, it could be an illusion.

How else would I have gone free, Valeen?

Valeen had no answer for that.If she is here, we will come back for her. When we are immortal.

Hel stared at her. A war was going on behind that beautiful face. His shoulders relaxed ever so slightly. “You will not get Soulender,” Hel finally said. “And we’re leaving now.”

It wasn’t even a moment later that light shined through the darkness, and a beautiful goddess with black hair and luminescent alabaster skin came from behind a wide tree. Valeen knew her, had seen her face on the wall of War’s old estate. Her likeness had been in a portrait of her and her twin brother.

She wore a white gown, untouched by the darkness of this realm, but chains bound her ankles and wrists and connected around her neck.

“Zaelia, how lovely of you to join us,” Servante said, holding out his hand. “Come.” Her blue-green eyes darted between Hel and Servante. The chains clanked with each step, but she took his hand and held it. “Your son says you didn’t love him.”

“Zaurahel,” she said softly. The corner of her mouth curled, and a dimple appeared. She was the female version of Hel. It was almost uncanny how much he resembled her. “It’s good to see you… but you shouldn’t be here.”

This felt all wrong. If Hel’s mother had spent so much time here, she wouldn’t appear radiant and lovely. There would be signs of the evil of this place in her countenance. “Hel, we have to go,” she breathed. Once, she’d been fooled by a perfect illusion, there wouldn’t be a second time.

“Mother?”

“I will give my whore the choice to go free, if you will but give me the immortal weapon.”

“Whore?” Hel’s stance shifted. His bare shoulders tensed and tightened. “Whore?” his voice came out more disgusted this time. “You will let her go now.”

Lavix made a move toward Hel, and Valeen pointed her sword. “Not another step.”

Servante lifted his chin. “Give me Soulender and I will let all three of you go freely and unharmed.”

Valeen hooked her arm around Hel’s. “We can’t do that.” The demons behind them growled and snapped their jaws. Valeen jabbed the golden blade, backing them off as they hissed and spit. “Hel, we need to go now.”

Zaelia raised a hand toward them, chains clanking. “Wait, don’t leave me. Give them the weapon, please. I can’t stand another moment in this place.”

“We’ll come back,” she whispered.

“How could you leave your own mother?” Varlett added, taking a step closer. “Me, I understand, but the goddess who gave you life? You’ve always wondered what happened to her.”

She might not be real, Hel. There is magic swirling all around us. I can feel it. You said there would be illusions.Valeen pulled harder but he refused to move.She wouldn’t tell you to give them the sword. She would tell you to run.

He turned on her. His eyes held such sorrow.You’ve never been trapped here. You don’t know how much you’d give to be free.

EvenSynickdidn’t give them an immortal sword, Hel. Think about that.

Turning toward his mother once more, he blinked away whatever emotion he had, and that mask returned. He was the Black Mage and did not care. He was the god of mischief who could fool all. “If it is true that you traded yourself for me, why did you abandon me in the first place?”

“Zaurahel, please.” Tears ran down her face.

“You left me as a baby.”

“I traded my life for yours! You don’t know what happened.” She started sobbing.