I roll over, pushing my covers off of me and blinking my eyes open. I glance at the bright violet light through the top of my blackout curtains, indicating it's well past noon. I shoot up; how long was I asleep? I didn't go to bed until probably 7pm… Artemis' tits, did I actually sleep for 17 hours? I fly out of bed; holy fucking Hades, I'm going to be so behind; I can't believe Father didn't wake me or Azrael. Even Kalea and Fallon, my personal servants, have woken me on the rare occasion that I overslept. I brush my teeth and dress in record time, not bothering with cosmetics. Quickly, I braid my hair in a crown around my head and then tie the remaining length up in a tight bun. I practically sprint out of my chambers to the throne room, earning a few curious glances from the castle staff. I slow my pace before I open the doors to the throne room and open the doors as I walk in. Over the years, the throne room has become a workroom; Father or I rarely sit on the throne for an

The following day, I wake at my usual five in the morning, feeling comforted by the fact that I'm back to my routine. As usual, Kalea and Fallon come in, attempting to fuss over me, and I wave them away, telling them I can take care of myself. There's little to do today before the Festival, so I can thankfully focus on presenting the Village of Dreams to the incubi and succubi. Rumors have circulated since I offered the servants relief from their duties, but this will confirm everything. After tonight, I hope that the only sex workers who remain are there of their own free will, as well as the servants. I've also opened up a spot in the army specifically for shapeshifters; they will specialize in spying on enemy territory. To prevent any prejudice, I've passed a law that makes it illegal for someone to not hire any demon due to class. Unfortunately, bosses and owners will still do what they want, so I've also set up an anonymous reporting system. I haven't been this excited abo

I watch as the crowd disperses between the dancing and the drinks, those who already had enough to drink heading for the dance floor. "Everyone loved that ballet, Allie, this will go over well," Azrael says as he watches everyone split up with me. I nod at him. "I hope so. We need some more diversity here. It'll be nice to have options other than sex clubs to go out to at night," I tell him. "You say that like you actually go out," he teases, and I shoot a spear of ice at his face, causing him to shriek and throw up an air shield. "Serves you right," I say before walking away to the bar I go to stand in line, but of course, the second I get behind the last person waiting, everyone steps aside to let me forth "I'm perfectly capable of waiting in line. Stand as you were," I order them all, to which they hesitantly comply I silently wait, spacing out a bit, thinking of this morning's meeting and how I'm going to go about spying on Jeremiel and how Father's announcement

An hour and a half ago I can't concentrate on anything. I can't stop thinking about him. There's a dull pain in my chest, and I can only imagine it's my own heart eating itself alive because I want him so badly. Just the idea of him, of my mate. That's the only thing I want. When he's gone, I crave him so badly because I completely forget who he is, what he is, what he's done. I'm reminded of all that when he's in front of me. He wears it in the blazing red of his eyes, his cold touch, and his silent heart. It's not that I don't understand his reasoning. I do. Even if I didn't, I have no room to talk. I'm wretched down to my bones. But I never killed a child, I never allowed my armies to rape anyone or harm children, and the few times it has happened, I didn't look the other way. I killed them all, I let that feral part of me take over, and I melted their brains. I did that even before it was personal. I want to believe he never took part in it and never laid a hand

With Damon and my army in tow, I portal immediately to where the wards are weakest to allow demons entry to and from the realm. This is where they'll strike. Father is waiting there for me, his face grave. Whatever he's discovered, it isn't good. He meets my gaze and speaks before I can ask him for an update. "They've deteriorated and taken over one of the villager's minds. They heard the announcement the second we made it. They'll attack at any moment," he says bluntly, his face all business and ice-cold rage. My lips part as I take in his words. That would be Jeremiel's handiwork. The angels' army is like a web, their minds open to one another and constantly sending all information back to their central. Each one of the High Guards serves as said central, commanding a large chunk of each branch, and all the High Guards have the ability to form that pathway in another's mind. At baseline, demon genetics would fight against it like an illness, but if their physical form is weak eno