Page 94 of Dead Serious Case 5 Madame Vivienne

“Lucien.” Olivia gives a long-suffering sigh and pets him affectionately, almost like you would a dog. “I thought I asked you to stop calling me that.”

He scowls in response. “But you are my queen.”

“Hell has no queen,” the demon sneers. “It’s Lucifer’s domain.”

“Ah, yes.” She nods. “Um, funny story, but Lucifer is no longer in charge of Hell. In fact, he’s no longer even in Hell. He escaped.”

“What?” I blurt, aware that I’m really not a part of this conversation but unable to help myself. The others are sat in stupefied silence, watching this bizarre scene unfold. “The actual, realLucifer? And what do you mean he’s not in Hell?”

“Long story.” Olivia shakes her head in my direction before turning back to the demon. Her eyes harden. “Now, as for you. Do you really think I don’t know who you are… Ishaan?”

He stares at her with pure hatred in his eyes.

“I also know Shiva cast you down into Naraka where you dwelled in eternal torment until you were raised up to Earth by a witch,” she says with a sigh. “I’m sorry, but it’s time for you to return. You don’t belong on Earth.”

He bares his teeth and gives a feral hiss, his fingers curving into claws. “You are not sending me back. I will burn this world to ashes before I return to that torment.”

“See, I really don’t think you understand who you’re talking to,” Olivia says, and there’s no mistaking the authority in her voice. “I am the Guardian of Infernum.”

“Lies. Infernum is lost,” Ishaan growls.

“No,” Olivia replies evenly. “Not lost. Simply hidden for centuries.”

My mouth falls open as Olivia’s hands burst into flames. Not just any flames—bright green fire.

“That’s Demon Fire, in case you were wondering,” Lucien remarks conversationally.

I look up and find him leaning against the wall closest to us. I was so caught up watching Olivia face down a demon like she was admonishing an unruly child that I’d missed him moving.

I climb to my feet, my hand clutching Danny’s as he stands with me. I can feel my dad’s presence next to me, but I can’t tear my eyes away from what’s happening in front of all of us.

A ring of green flames has now encircled the demon Ishaan, which is impressive enough, but what really has my mouthfalling open in shock is Olivia. Her eyes glow gold and her long, dark hair whips back from her face as if caught in an unseen wind. She raises her hands and pulls her fists apart, causing a bow of sapphire-coloured flames edged in black to burst to life in her grip. Notched in the flaming bow is an arrow of pure black.

She takes aim.

“Ooh, Hell Fire, good choice,” Lucien mutters.

Ishaan struggles against the Demon Fire that has trapped him. Unable to escape and clearly realising the power of the woman before him, his eyes widen in panic. “Please, don’t send me back.”

“I’m sorry,” she says quietly. “You don’t belong here, and Shiva’s sentence stands.”

She releases the arrow and it hits him dead centre in his chest. He opens his mouth to scream, but it’s filled with flames. I watch as his entire body is engulfed in fire and then he’s pulled downwards, disappearing through the floor.

For a second no one moves or speaks, frozen in shock.

“Where did you send him?” I finally ask, my brain still trying to process what I just witnessed.

“Naraka.” Olivia sighs. “I don’t like to interfere with Shiva’s choices and Ishaan didn’t belong here. I can’t have demons roaming the mortal world.”

“Is Naraka really eternal torment?”

“There’s always a path to redemption.” Olivia shrugs. “But in my experience, demons generally don’t want to be redeemed. The longing for chaos and destruction is too deeply ingrained in their nature. But… who knows? There are no absolutes and the world is a strange place.”

“You’re not kidding,” Danny mutters, looking as shell-shocked as I feel.

“A little help here,” Sam says behind us. “Harrison needs medical attention.”

“I’ll go help your friend,” Olivia says to me kindly as she glances over my shoulder and smiles. “I think someone wants to talk to you.”