page37 (2/2)

King Abyssian Infernas, the Devil's Own He was the prih the pages of the file, ski a description: Physically flawlessthe phrase "handsome as the devil" came about because of coressively pursued by females

Under thedemonproficient in all weapons, but has carried the same battle-ax for ten millenniacan fell an entire ar of Pandemonia, AKA hell

That fabled realree "What do you expect from me?" She closed the file "I've never shot a boielded a sword" Though she didn't possess fighting skills, she had read widely on the subjects of battle, survival, and weapons

She could do everything fro a trebuchet--in theory

"You have three innate advantages that are even e" A many others They caainstup" For protection at the insidious fey court "And you are his mate"

Shock gut-punched Lila Mate??? She reeled on her feet, latching onto the balcony railing "No way There's no way fate would connect ht arose: Maybe my fascination with Pandemonia isn't so curious But she quashed it

"You're the Devil's Own's own," Nix said, her eyes gliarner infor battles, details about his alliance, and so on I'm especially keen to learn about Orion, the Morior's leader"

Go to hell? Reading about and visiting were in no way the same

Saetth said, "As soon as you've uncovered weaknesses, ill extract you"

Lila's palripped the dossier "You want h, but at least I'm not damned" And mated!

How could fate have screwed her over like this? Lila's tiara ht She'd cut off circulation to her brain or so

Saetth's lips thinned "When I first heard Nix's plan, it sounded as if I'd be sending a lamb into the lion's den But the demon will be compelled by his instinct to protect and care for you"

"And also to claiht

Nix said, "I've assured Saetth that the des for you will make it easy to coax secrets from hiht have to encourage those feelings"

"Encourage? You want roup of theets better and better!"

"You don't have to go all the way" Nix winked "Just a great deal of the way"

Aghast, Lila asked Saetth, "You wouldn'tyour future queen?"

He exhaled, as if h

e found her attitude tiresome "Perhaps if I were a demon ical course, and I'm not ruled by primitive instincts"

Nix collectedof instincts, Abyssiana jotaround, who isn't--aht? Just be sure to stay feisty with him He'll like that"

Feisty? At tie toward the Morior

Saetth said, "If there were any alternative, I would undertake it"

Nix's gaze flashed to him, and Lila could have sworn a spark ofanimosity lit the Valkyrie's eyes

It passed so quickly, Lila thought she'd ih the opportunity to plot against the bogeymen did hold some appeal

When she thought of the endless night to her own screa the fey-slayer's arrow in her chest--fury surged

And Saetth shared much of that blaings No ID, no money, no way to contact him

Early on, she'd rationalized his behavior: My parents did try to kill him

But lately, she'd decided to call a dick a dick

"Accomplish this mission," Saetth said, "and you will come home As my queen"

Lila had three pie-in-the-sky dreams: to live safely in Sylvan, to be the queen, and to start a family that would also live in safety A distant fourth was the hope that she'd fall in love one day

Saetth could make three of her dreams come true He was a means to an end

All she had to do was give up any sappier hopes As a calculating fey royal, I should have no proble that

"You knoill do well together," Saetth said "With your ingenious mind and my ruthlessness, ill be unstoppable Whichdown at her, he said, "We'll celebrate your success with a wedding You've alanted your own family You could welcoet started on that upon your return"

"My return" Like a glass of cold water tossed in her face "Fro sessions with furries notwithstanding, Lila wasn't exactly seductress material

Nix pouted "But you don't have to go all the way" Then the soothsayer grew abruptly serious, and a lightning bolt fractured the sky in a spectacular display The crowds below gasped, thinking it was a part of the show Thunder boomed with such force that the castle shuddered "I've foreseen this future--if you journey to hell, you will save Sylvan from the Morior Because of your sacrifice, your people will be protected For an eternity of eternities"