Page 58

Harlow

The Castle

I ’d tuned out Monty twenty minutes ago. He hadn’t stopped droning on about how I had to do a show of power for the demons to take me seriously.

He hadn’t noticed my eyes glazed over yet, but I had already accepted I would not win over demons by handing out cupcakes and high-fives. I told him as much, but Monty didn’t even stop to take a breath.

The longer I was in Helheim, the stronger I felt. Emotions were one thing, but I could easily differentiate what had to be done from my feelings on it.

Plus, the demons would reform eventually even if I had to retaliate.

Even Gravik and the former warden would come back in time.

“Can we just go?” I questioned. “I get it, Monty. I’m aware I have to be strong and unrelenting, use power to establish my dominance, whatever it takes. I’m not scared to face them, and I don’t appreciate you underestimating me. I’m not that scared, broken human you knew.”

“I never said you had fear holding you back, you simply have too much remorse.” The condescending tone had me gritting my teeth and standing in front of him, staring him down.

My bond with him was different than the rest. They all had softer sides, even Kol, that he lacked. There was no real emotion to read in the bond but I sure as fuck sent him my frustration now.

“If you don’t want to turn to ash like the warden, then let’s go,” I bit out as I stood.

Instead of arguing, Monty let out a low sigh and swept the shadows around us. I could have traveled on my own, but I was still learning the layout of Helheim.

The barracks looked like I’d expected. There was a bloody arena in the front and crude stone buildings surrounding it. Demons were milling in and out, screeching at each other, and several were in the arena, circling each other.

The scent of blood and embers in the air meant they were not afraid to gamble their lives and fight to the death.

Reforming wasn’t fun for me, and I couldn’t imagine doing it over a stupid sparring battle.

They didn’t notice us standing behind them until Monty had enough.

He let out a loud whistle and everything came to a halt. In the blink of an eye, there were five rows of demons in front of him, arms rigid at their sides as they awaited orders.

Even after being around the supernatural for this long, their quick movements were unsettling.

In mere seconds, they’d tripled in size. I was honestly shocked there were this many left in his ranks. After Hel had thrown open the portal, I figured only a few would be left here.

If any.

“There are more than I expected.”

They looked like they could hold their own, too. It was a range of sizes and shapes, some bulky, others thin, but all powerful. They had wide, fanged grins and glowing blue eyes, their skin a dark charcoal like Monty though with dusky overtones that made them look like night instead of a void. They were also clothed in black armor, a simpler version of the one I’d found in my own closet.

The demons I’d seen at Dark Haven were always controlled by hunger, almost feral.

Monty looked out at the crowd before responding.

“Our numbers used to be much more impressive. And they’re not changed by feeding like the demons you’ve met. They were underlings. This is how demons are. Bloodthirsty and loyal, a dangerous combination to defend our realm.”

The question wasn’t one I asked out loud, yet he’d answered. It was moments like that I wondered if mind reading was one of his many skills and he’d failed to mention it. This wasn’t the first time he’d done this.

“All of these demons here are loyal?” The doubt was evident in my voice, and I purposefully pitched it louder so they could all hear me.

Several demons let out a hiss that had Monty lashing out with his shadows and pulling them front and center until seven demons stood before us, each radiating annoyance and pride.

One demon stepped forward boldly, a wide, taunting grin on his face.

“We aren’t loyal to you, we are loyal only to Hel.”

“Hel is no longer in Helheim.” I strode forward to face off with the demon with promise in my glare. The power of Helheim thrummed through me as if it rose to defend me, solidifying I was now its leader. “She turned her back on Helheim, on all of you. This is now my realm, and I won’t tolerate insubordination.”

He spit on the ground at my feet, the saliva sizzling on the ice. I glanced down at it, then back up at him, eyebrows raised but showing nothing else.

Let’s see just how deep he digs his own grave.

“You were a human. A plaything for the commander. Humans are cattle to weak demons, not queens or whatever you think you are.”

It was a bold move, reckless, especially in front of Monty.

But this was exactly what I’d prepared for, so I didn’t let any time pass after he uttered the last word before lashing out with my power, wrapping it around his neck in an icy swirl of blue fire.

As I squeezed the life out of him, I raised him so the others could see.

When it took too long, I snapped his neck and let his ashes rain down over the crowd before being swept away by the wind.

“Anyone else?”

Another of the demons in front of us stepped forward, his words sharp and angry.

“Are you just going to kill any of us that disagree?”

This time I didn’t dignify it with an answer before slamming power into his chest and letting Helheim reclaim him.

As the second set of ashes fell, there was complete and utter silence in the ranks. The demons who remained, slipped back in line without being prompted.

They may have forfeited their life for a fight but they would not anger their new queen. It was a smart move.

Their loyalty was laced in fear but as long as it was there, I had time to prove that it wasn’t misplaced. I’d be a better leader than Hel. I was already on my way since I didn’t resent the realm I was in, nor was I stuck here. I’d ensured our freedom, now I just had to succeed so we didn’t get everything ripped away by an angry Odin.

“Ivar, who do you trust the most?” It felt so strange to use his name but in front of the demons it was a necessary show of respect. He let out a grunt of annoyance but didn’t argue.

Monty moved through the rows, inspecting every demon one by one as if weighing the loyalty and intentions of each. It had me questioning his mind-reading abilities again but now wasn’t the time to ask.

On Earth he always seemed to know when something was wrong with me. That wasn’t exactly a huge accomplishment or hard to do, though. My life had been hell from the moment he met me until the day we all died.

When Monty returned, he had five more demons trailing behind him. Each bowed without being prompted and a sense of relief washed over me.

The last thing I wanted to do was be the leader constantly killing her people or filling the prison anytime someone opposed or questioned me.

I’d rather be a fair leader and learn this realm without having to fight for my life or watch my back while doing it. We’d suffered enough on Earth, I refused to let this be a continuation.

The gargoyles, demons, and wraiths here all had a duty. All I expected and wanted from them was to continue doing it. We all existed for a purpose, and this was the time to remind them of that purpose.

“Everyone else is dismissed,” Monty called out.

In another blink, the troops were gone and it was a ghost town, except for our little group.

Instead of giving him a chance to address them, I did.

“You’ll be coming back to the castle with me.” It wasn’t a question, and they all nodded in acknowledgment before I turned back to the commander. “We need weapons. I’m assuming you have some here. Will they be effective on the other side of the portal as well?”

“Any weapon from Helheim will do,” he promised.

For a moment, I was almost offended that the weapon Hel gave me was a run-of-the-mill weapon she’d passed off as something special.

Pride had no place in this war.

If the weapons would protect my men and end this madness, then I would gladly take them.

I needed to make sure Layne, Crew, and Sarah were safe.

Hell, the human world as a whole needed us. Not only did my life now depend on closing it, thanks to Odin, but I knew how shitty the human world was.

Too many humans had suffered enough and didn’t need the demons adding to the trauma.

“Then we need an arsenal,” I stated, keeping my head high and gaze hard.

One demon stepped forward, a hand over his chest as he bowed his head.

“I’m the quartermaster here. Hel gave me the power to infuse weapons with the fires of Helheim,” he explained, letting a blue flame dance on his palm. “If you’ll allow me, my queen, we can gather what you need.”

“Thank you. Bring enough to arm yourselves as well. My group will need three and I’ll need something as well.”

“I’ve got something perfect,” he said with an unhinged giddiness. It was the first time I’d heard one of the lower demons infuse their voice with pride without something malicious tied in.

Monty had chosen well.

“What about the demons remaining here?” I asked when it was just us again. Monty looked out over the barracks.

“They may have questioned you at first, but these demons know their duty. If they haven’t escaped the portal yet, then they won’t try now. That or the portal was blocked when we came back. It’s under the castle.”

Yet another thing I didn’t know about Helheim. I was getting really fucking tired of being in the dark. How was that not one of the first things they told me?

“Is someone guarding it? Otherwise, I’d hardly call that blocked,” I pointed out. “Outside of the wraiths flitting silently in the halls, and us, no one has been around.”

He shrugged.

That’s reassuring.

“There’s a second entrance to it as well, underground, leading outside of the city,” Monty added on.

“Of course, there is.” I sighed and ran a hand through my hair, trying to keep my defeat under wraps. “I’m not even surprised she built her castle over it so she could feed on the power like a dragon hoarding its treasures.”

“It also gave her a chance to escape at a moment’s notice,” he added fuel to the flame. “Hel did everything with intention and was far more sadistic than any of the beings she governed.”

The conversation was cut short as the demons returned with an armload of weapons. Except the quartermaster who held a long, obsidian box. His grin was twice as wide as he stood in front of me, and I couldn’t help but return it.

For the first time since arriving in Helheim—not just my men or the wraiths working in the castle—someone had accepted me as their Queen.

He respected me and now ensured my safety. Maybe queens shouldn’t have a favorite, but this adorable, weapon-creating demon was now mine.

“You can present them at the castle,” Monty said as his shadows consumed us all, whisking us from the barracks and depositing us in the center of the throne room.

The demons moved to place their weapons in front of the throne, keeping their own in their hands as the quartermaster held out his box.

I took it with steady eye contact, weighing the heavy box in my hand and wondering what weapon he chose for me.

“Here you are, My Queen.”

“What’s your name, quartermaster?” I asked before opening the box.

He looked surprised at first, but answered, nonetheless.

“I’m Lir.”

“Well, Lir, I appreciate the gift,” I said, giving him a bow of my own.

The grin was back as he stepped away. “My weapons are forever at your disposal,” he promised. He seemed almost humbled by my response.

Bending down, I placed the heavy box on the floor and opened the lid. My excited laughter filled the air as I pulled a spear from its casing.

The base was made from a black and white stone that swirled together like a dark mist. The tip of the spear was sharp enough I wasn’t even willing to test it out myself.

A bright glow emanated from it as a sign that Helheim had assisted in making the weapon.

It was perfect and exactly what we needed to take back Dark Haven. I had little time left before the gods took it back for us, and I couldn’t let that happen.

I’d worked too fucking hard to make this place my home, and I would not be unmade on the whim of an angry god.

“Put your weapons among the others for a moment,” I ordered. The demons did so without hesitation.

I moved in front of them, crouching down and holding my hands out, palms down over the collection of daggers, swords, and axes.

The power of Helheim channeled through me and into the weapons this time. I was testing a theory but the realm was attuned to me now, or we were to each other.

We needed every advantage we could get.

The weapons burned a vibrant silver that had me blinking against it. Raw power clung to them and I could feel it even after I pulled the magic back.

Standing up, I did the same to my new demon guards.

Maybe I should have asked for consent but what demon would turn away power?

I wanted to show my appreciation to their loyalty. Not just to me, but to Helheim itself.

“You are now elite soldiers that serve your Queen. You will remain here and away from the barracks. My castle will need protecting. As you can see, not all are loyal to the change. Soon, I will have to face the portal before Helheim suffers further. You’ve earned your place here and anything you need to make weapons or do your job, simply ask.”

When the power finished filling their bodies, they had a glowing aura around them. They all hit their knees at once, foreheads brushing the floor as they bowed to their Queen.

If someone would have asked me the night I escaped from my own version of hell, if I could see myself as a future ruler of the afterlife with demons on their knees before me, I’d have thought they were crazier than I was.

Now I knew it wasn’t psychosis.

This was my new life, and I was damn proud of it.

“What’s our next step, Monty?” I asked. The guards all grabbed their weapons and moved to the side of the room, standing in silent vigil as we spoke.

“We need the gargoyles. There is no longer a divide, everyone has a duty here and that means both are necessary for the balance. Now more than ever.”

Footsteps had us turning to Kol striding in, the rest of my guys, along with Elkan and Achar trailing in behind him.

“Then I can take you back to the gargoyle stronghold,” Kol said with a grin. It was like he’d waited his entire existence for this.

“As will I,” Achar agreed.

“That would be amazing, but I can’t yet, I have other things to conclude before I can. You two can go in my stead. I can’t put this off any longer and we need to leave soon,” I said.

There was disappointment on Kol’s face but he leaned down and brushed a kiss over my temple. His understanding hit me square in the chest, the bond full of reassurance.

“I’d love to when this is over,” I said quickly.

“We’ll see it through,” he promised as they walked out of the throne room.

“What is it that you have to do?” Hiro asked.

“Elkan, Drake, and I have some business.”

There was an angry growl as I walked away knowing they’d follow behind me.

There had been enough tension, and I wouldn’t let him go through that portal without actually talking to his dad.

Regrets would slow us down and unfinished business could cost us our lives.