Page 35 of Trust the Fall
“No clue. I haven’t really concerned myself with witch politics. No need.” He pops another piece of meat into his mouth.
“What politics do you concern yourself with?”
“Today? Which side of the war—if any—to join. To be honest, all reapers are kind of looking forward to a holiday. If humanity is wiped clean, there isn’t much for us to do. We can whisk away to another dimension and relax for a few decades. At least until God decides to make more of his pets.”
My nose crinkles in disgust. “You really are a selfish breed.”
“You have no idea, princess.”
“Call me princess one more time, and I’ll kick your ass in front of all these demons.”
He smirks. “Good luck with that.”
“If you’re not going to work with Elion, what does that mean for us?” Curtis asks, pulling all our eyes to him.
“Despite my preference, Yvette has requested an audience with you. She’s looking for a new coven,” Nolda replies.
“A new coven?” Curtis asks.
“She’s been excommunicated from hers. For what we have planned, she needs a new one. If you cooperate, you live. Resist, and you die.”
Sarah and Curtis speak softly to each other before Curtis raises his head back to Nolda.
“If we agree, are we free to go?”
“That’s not really an option right now. The gates are closed. Nobody in or out.” Nolda’s hands come up. “For now, you stay. It’s as simple as that.”
“You were able to come in,” I say to River without thinking, and now the attention is on us.
“You’re still here?” Nolda grinds through his teeth. “Someone take her back to her cell.”
Two demons move toward me, and River stands, placing himself between me and the demons. “I said she stays.”
Nolda leans forward, playing at fierce, but coming up short. “I’ve played your games, reaper... but I’m done.”
River throws his head back and laughs. “You are quite delusional, demon. You have no power over me. I’d have left the moment you opened your mouth if not for my curiosity where these newcomers are concerned. You don’t impress me. It’s only a matter of time before the other high demons come for you. Those two are probably making their plans to overthrow you while sitting next to you.”
“Insolence,” the demon with horns booms, shaking the table.
“Truth,” River says, bemused and completely unruffled. “You and I both know it.”
I’ve ended many demon lives over my lifespan and although I’ve come up against some frightening foes, none have been more so than the demon next to Nolda.
Yet River doesn’t so much as blink at the snarling being glaring down at him. I’ve heard stories of the reaper warriors and always wondered how much truth there was to those stories. They must be true. River is fearless.
“Detain him,” Nolda seethes, but nobody in the room moves to do so.
It’s almost comical how little respect this demon trying to overthrow Lucifer receives from his own subjects.
“If you dare, the entire reaper army will swarm Hell in minutes. I’m here at the sole request of Her Majesty,” River warns, earning a glower from Nolda.
“She won’t protect you.”
River laughs, but its deadly edge wipes all expression from Nolda’s face.
“You have no idea who you’re speaking to, demon. I am to be king.”
His words from earlier about being second only to the queen rush back to me. Does this make him her consort?