Page 19 of Queen of the Wicked (Afterlife #1)

Alessia

E ryx attempted to distract Kael on the way back to the castle, but Alessia could see the man in the toga inspect every nook and cranny of the village. She assumed he was ultimately trying to find a fault somewhere, but why?

Was Kael truly that evil? And why would Erebos ever be okay with doing this to demons?

Sure, they may have done evil things to get here, but she had learned that some of them, like Isla, were very remorseful for their choices.

Didn’t he get that? Putting them in shackles and conducting whatever torture in those houses that were producing those screams was simply barbaric.

For the first time, she was afraid of him.

Alessia was thankful for the coolness that enveloped her when the guards and Eryx opened the doors back to the castle.

“Where would you insist we start the tour?” Eryx asked.

Kael pursed his lips as he looked around, not a soul in sight. “I’d like to visit level one if we could.”

Erebos eyed him curiously. “Level one? We have never toured level one, simply for the risk of danger.”

“Indeed, but His Majesty is not with me today, so I request we see it. Besides, I have a… troublesome soul who requires a place to stay for the foreseeable future. I’d like to watch the magic happen.”

Izara’s hand drifted to her thigh, her fingers delicately hovering over her pocket as Erebos gulped. “Of course. Izara, please escort Lillian back to my quarters, where she can wait for me until we are finished.”

Kael cocked his head to the side. “Why will she not be joining us? If I am not mistaken, all of your whores have continued to remain present for our tours. You know they keep me distracted when the conversation becomes boring. I like the view.” He smiled at Alessia, but the smile was forced.

However, no red aura had surrounded him yet, so he was telling the truth.

What a prick.

“Very well,” Erebos responded reluctantly.

His eyes flitted to hers briefly, attempting to communicate something.

Maybe he was still respecting her boundaries, but Alessia considered this an urgent enough matter to use the mind link between them.

Was Kael able to read minds, though? No.

If that were the case, he would have already read hers and called Erebos out on his bullshit.

Hidden in a small alcove was an elevator Alessia had never seen before.

Considering how everything seemed from the 1800s, she was surprised the castle even had one.

They gathered closely, and Alessia was pushed into Erebos’s side, his wrist gently brushing against hers.

Just the mere contact had her nerves diminishing.

“I will summon the soul once we reach level one,” Kael said.

The elevator continued its descent, and it was so quiet that Alessia began to wonder if anyone was still breathing.

She wished Erebos had included her in his plans.

Everyone seemed to be prompted but her. How was she supposed to act around him?

If she were his harlot, was she supposed to touch him?

Fall all over him? Kael was accustomed to seeing his various prospects and was the type of man who noticed everything , Alessia could tell.

Kael was calculated and malicious, and if given the opportunity, he’d screw over everyone he was close to if it meant benefitting himself. She had always been able to read people, and Kael was easier than most.

When everyone exited the elevator before her, Alessia paused when she stepped onto the stone floor. They were in a cave. An actual cave. It was an entire dome carved out with cathedral ceilings, all made of stone.

Jagged spikes lined the pathway, mist drifting around them and cloaking her with humidity.

The bile rose into Alessia’s throat at the sight of different skulls and bones shoved into dark corners with shackles still wrapped around them. How many people had died here? Just how many people had Erebos tortured?

Alessia didn’t know why she was so surprised.

He was the Lord of Hell. Of course , he murdered and tortured innocent people.

He had told her this when they met. But after spending time with him and opening up to him that night in the library, this man didn’t seem capable of producing this much evil.

Remember the truth, Isla had told her earlier. Was this what she meant? To not pay attention to all of the dead surrounding her?

Dripping water was the only sound she could hear as they continued along the pathway, and what it led to was far worse than she could have ever imagined.

A giant pit of lava surrounded the room. It bubbled and spurted hot sparks along the sides of the stone, coating the platform in a black, ash-like texture. Alessia jumped when it came close to her leg, but Erebos subtly shifted their positions to push her out of harm’s way.

It shouldn’t have caused a flurry of butterflies to swarm in her stomach when he was only doing this to protect his powers.

If she died, he’d never get them back. It was the reason he was so concerned about her in the ring earlier, and the same reason he wouldn’t allow the lava to scorch her ankles.

She was a means to an end for him, and she didn’t know why that bothered her so much when that was all he was to her.

The rest of the small group shuffled onto the circular platform, on which a single throne chair sat— Erebos’s throne.

It was crafted of skulls and bones, the pieces seemingly glued together to create a massive, wing-backed monstrosity.

The armrests were made of gaping mouths on rotting craniums with decaying teeth, and the backing rose high with bones of the same shape and size, as if someone had picked through a multitude of bodies to ensure the throne was created evenly.

To make matters worse, skulls were attached to the bones like pitchforks to frame it, a spindle of humans to encase the lord whenever he decided to sit. It was a throne created to intimidate—a symbol of lethal, unadulterated power.

“Impressive,” Kael noted, tilting his head back to examine the cave ceiling. “And you do not need weapons? Your power is still that strong after all of these years?”

Erebos curtly nodded. “I was born with dark magic. I’ve never needed weapons.”

“Fascinating,” Kael replied, intrigued. Alessia’s gut rolled with dread at the sheer excitement across his face. “Oh, this is going to be very entertaining. I am sad to see there are no souls already down here, though.” The red aura appeared, flaring brightly.

Erebos shrugged with a tick from his jaw. “We haven’t had any souls in weeks. When Izara goes to collect them, there are none there.”

“Are you insinuating His Majesty is committing fraud?”

“I’m not insinuating anything, Kael, but if the shoe fits?—”

“If anyone is to insinuate, it should be His Majesty and myself. Things have been too quiet here in Hell for centuries, even before King Bastian took over. Too smoothly, in fact. No complaints, low death rates… Hardly any , actually, so if you would like to discuss that, then I would be more than willing. ”

“If we had souls to punish, I’m sure there would be more death,” Izara replied snarkily.

“Izara,” Erebos warned.

Kael twisted around to summon Alessia closer, but she was frozen to the stone walkway that separated the stone platform and the lava. Her entire body shook in fear. This place was not somewhere safe . So much wrong had been done here that she could feel it in her very bones.

“You are scared of the platform?” Kael looked to Erebos. “She does not come here with you for your sessions? I thought you told me once that torturing was your only way of finding relief. Catalina seemed to love it when we’d watch.”

The name triggered that power inside of her, but Alessia shushed it and kept her eyes focused on Erebos.

She didn’t know the correct answer. What was she supposed to do? How was she meant to act?

Erebos stuck his hand out to her, so she sucked in a breath and carefully crossed the bridge to the platform, tucking her hand in his. He strummed his thumb across the back of her palm, reassuringly giving Alessia the strength she desperately needed.

“Your eyes are fascinating.” Kael took a step closer to her and studied them. “The red iris…”

Alessia smiled shyly. “A trait from my mother, I was told.”

“I see. And how were you selected to be his whore? You are timid. Nothing he normally indulges in.”

As he continued to roam his gaze over her in a scrutinizing manner, Alessia started to catch on. She had to put on the persona that she didn’t care about flaunting her body to get this man off her back. He wanted to see her be sexual. He wanted to believe she was a harlot.

As degrading as it was, she could either prove herself or have Erebos questioned further, and neither of them could afford to be caught in this lie.

Sending him a cocky grin, she rolled her shoulders back and shrugged. “I was instructed to behave myself, but I don’t assume you are the type of man who wants me to behave. Am I right or wrong?”

“ Lillian.” Erebos tightened his grip, but Kael held out his hand to interrupt.

“You read me well,” he said. “And your accent is…modern compared to others who reside here. How long ago did you die? How long have you been Erebos’s whore?”

She hated that damn word.

Finally, Erebos tossed her that rope to their mental mind link, and she tugged at it, reminding herself never to let it go again. He cannot know about the seraph you killed. He is fishing for information. I am sorry about disrespecting your wishes, but believe me about this when ? —

I am under strict orders from Isla to save your ass, she shot back quickly. You can thank her later for my cooperation. Also, until Kael leaves, the mind link will be open. You may talk to me as you wish. For now.

“About six months ago. Car crash. Tragic. But Erebos took one look at me and was hooked. Can you blame him?” She moved her dress up higher, revealing the apex of her thigh, and Kael seemed pleased. Erebos, on the other hand, squeezed her hand so tightly she feared it might break.

“I can’t say I can. And does pain please you, too, Lillian ? Are you seeking it right now?”

“Oh, yes. I am constantly seeking it. It’s the reason His Majesty is so infatuated.”

“Then please, don’t let me stop you. I am always in the mood for a show.” Kael pointed to the throne in the center of the platform, and Alessia’s breath hitched in her throat. It was a trick question, and judging by the smile on Kael’s face, he knew she wasn’t up to the challenge.

He was highly interested in her for whatever reason, and Alessia couldn’t figure out why. But the one thing she wasn’t? A liar. And she wasn’t about to start now.

She would give Kael the best damn show he’d ever seen.