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“Yes, I can help you, but word of warning, HellBeast…” He paused, giving me a knowing look before cautioning,

“He may ask for something in return.”

I thought on this, wondering how much of my soul would be left by the time I was done, which is why I muttered,

“Yeah,those Kings of Hell usually do.”

27

A MASTER LUZUH

It turned out that all Ryker Wyeth had to do to get us inside was bleed. That was enough to create a portal inside, allowing just Ryker and I to step through. Any more and he explained his father would see it as an unwelcome intrusion. And let’s just say that Mammon, ruler and King of the 4threalm of Hell, was not the most hospitable of Kings.

However, the first to greet us was someone Ryker knew as he practically growled her name.

“Annika Empusa.”

The woman he referred to was startling to look at. Dressed in black, her long hood covering all of her face, whereas the rest of her clothes barely covered her at all. A small V-shape attached to the hood was all that concealed her naked torso, as she wore the pointed part of this in between her bare breasts. This leaving the rest of her skin on show.

Added to this, she wore a wide belt across her hips, with a small strip of black sheer fabric hanging between her legs. One of the legs was made of copper that looked to have been fused to her hip, as the skin around it was scared, puckered skin. Her knee-high boots were laced at both sides and had pointed, wicked metal spikes for the heels.

“My Lord Greed,” she greeted softly, folding her real leg back so as she could drop into a graceful bow, an action that showed her naked sex, as clearly underwear was not a thing this woman cared for. As for where we were, it looked to be some kind of place for greeting guests.

The room had only one theme, and that was gold and black… emphasis on the gold part. Every feature was gleaming and made for a startling contrast on the black walls. Everything from gold chairs, gold molding around the ceiling, golden candelabras, even the twin golden fireplaces. Both of which took up large portions of the walls as they mirrored each other. As for the floor, this was black marble, veined with gold, making it look like a golden stream was snaking beneath your feet.

“I am here to see my father,” Ryker informed her, making her reply,

“But of course, he has been waiting for quite some time on word of your mission.”

Ryker clenched his jaw before responding,

“I am not here for that.”

“No, I assumed not, but he will wish to hear of your progress all the same,” she countered before sweeping her leg back and holding out her arm, indicating we should go first. No doubt her lower rank to the prince, not allowing her to walk before him.

“You know the way, my Lord,” she prompted, making him walk through the golden arch of the open doorframe and into a long hallway that was set in exactly the same style as the room we had just left.

“Something I should know?” I asked, referring to their conversation, giving him cause to sigh.

“Long ago, my father had something stolen from him, the Scepter of Psychopompós. One I managed to get back in our possession some thirty years back,” he replied, making me give him a sideway glance and say,

“Something tells me that isn’t the end of the story.”

“No, for he wishes for me to discover who it was that stole it.” This wasn’t surprising.

“You don’t know?” I asked, admittedly curious that the shrewd and perceptive enforcer didn’t know who it was.

“Admittedly I have been a little lax of late.”

I chuckled at that.

“Finding your Fated will do that to you, no doubt.”

He grinned, obviously thinking of his wife. One of the Lost Sirens that were all found within the same year that the King of Kings found his own Chosen One.

“And this thief is who he wants you to find,” I reaffirmed, prompting him to say more. As well, it was as the saying went, information was power, and it was a motto I lived by.

“Yes, for it is said that they hide in the mortal realm.”