Red Blooded

But I wasn’t going to take any chances. It wasn’t going to let it happen twice.

I clenched my fists as I walked toward the demon guards. I had wound my golden signature around me tightly, fortifying me, and the demon magic moved like an oil slick in my system, powerful, waiting for an opportunity to strike.

A demon grabbed my arm, an ugly-looking needle clutched in one hand. “What’s that for?” I asked, tugging my arm back roughly.

“It is called deviek bely,” he said. “Liquid fire. If you move the wrong way, we will put this in you, and you will not like the consequences. If you survive, you will be forever damaged.” Its English was good.

“I’m not going to make any trouble,” I said, stepping back as far as I could. “As long as you tell me my brother is fine.”

“He lives.”

They shuffled me through a ten-foot stone tunnel. It would’ve been mighty hard to break out of this fortress, and ultimately I was glad I hadn’t wasted my time. My new plan was much better.

Kill the Prince of Hell, and free my brother.

13

The demons maneuvered me through a few more tunnels, each one different from the last. “You know, you could really use come continuity around here. Maybe hire a few decorators? One hallway looks like an office building, and the next looks like lava flows freely down the corridors. It’s a little unsettling.” I sidestepped a huge granite-colored rock with red veins, doing a double take. “Was that one just pulsing?”

“Quiet, human,” a demon snapped, pulling me forward.

“I thought we were already in the courthouse,” I said. “Where are we going?”

One of the demons chuckled and it was a strange sound, like a squeaky helium balloon barking. “Once our Prince brought you down”—there was pride in the demon’s voice—“you were transferred. Your trial is out of the ordinary.”

“So where are you taking me?”

“The High Court of Mephistopheles.”

“And where’s that?” I pressed, wanting as many details as possible.

“You will remain quiet, prisoner.” They jostled me forward, the needle still visible.

I shut my mouth.

The Prince had already told me I had a date with the High Court of Mephistopheles when he visited Selene’s lair. It must be the equivalent of the demon Supreme Court. That didn’t put the odds in my favor.

We have to believe that if we take out the Prince, the demon population will fall into chaos. They’re so regimented, and they look to the Prince for absolute assurance. This entire place reminded me of an anthill. One huge, well-placed interruption would send the ants scurrying everywhere. But if this court is made up of powerful Demon Lords, it may be trickier than we anticipate. My wolf barked her agreement, her ears perked, eyes on the tunnel in front of us. We should’ve asked Lily what specifically was in the Scriptures. It would’ve been nice to know exactly why they fear me.

We came upon a massive door, taller than any other I’d seen. It was carved in ornate detail and had circular handles that were set too high to reach.

There was murmuring behind it. Lots and lots of murmuring.

This place is full of demons. My wolf snarled, her ears low. Everyone has turned out to see the female wolf stand trial. That’s why they took so long to come and get me. They were waiting for the masses to arrive.

The demon guards stopped in front of the door and made three lines with me in the middle. I was flanked by a guard on either side, one in front and two behind. We stood quietly for a few minutes. “Why aren’t we going in?” I asked.

“Quiet!” a demon barked.

“Ah,” I said. “You guys want pomp and circumstance. I’m supposed to make a grand entrance, is that it? The big baddie up for trial needs to be paraded through the crowd in shame. All the better for your master’s case against me.”

Before another demon could reprimand me, a huge gong sounded. It was so loud, my chest vibrated with the echoes. Once the reverberations died down, all the sounds on the other side of the door stilled.

I swore under my breath. I don’t want to sound hopeless, but it feels like we’re never going to escape this place. We can’t take every demon from Demonville out on our own. Even if we kill the Prince, this is too public. Just the way he wanted it. It made me furious thinking the Prince could outsmart us. I made a silent wish for backup for the first time since I’d arrived. If Rourke was coming, he had to be on his way by now. But time was so screwed up here, there was a chance he wouldn’t arrive for months. My chest tightened. If he waited too long we’re in trouble, and he’s in trouble. My wolf flashed me a picture of us using the newly concentrated demon magic. I know, but what if it’s not enough? It sounds like there are thousands of spectators in there. The only option is to defend our case the best way we can. If I can talk my way out, or demand a retrial, I may be able to hold off at least until our backup arrives. If they arrive.

No more time to strategize. The huge doors slowly creaked open on their own to expose row after row of seated demons. We stood at the top of what looked to be a massive coliseum. That was the only word for it. The room before us was gigantic, with a large domed ceiling and huge gilded pillars running around the far walls.

The demon guards dragged me to the head of a steep row of stairs. The steps led down through levels of gathered demons to the bottom of the amphitheater, where seven lofty chairs were positioned behind a long, continuous bench of what appeared to be polished wood of some kind.

The Prince of Hell sat in the middle, his chair elevated the highest. Six other Demon Lords fanned to the left and right, three on each side.

“Are you telling me the Prince of Hell is the judge?” I gasped. “This isn’t a trial, it’s a hanging! I thought you guys were all about rules and fairness. What happened to a well-worded defense giving me a chance to go free?” Anger raced through me, threatening to overpower me. “As it stands now, I could form the best defense the supernatural world has ever heard and the Prince of Hell would still find me guilty. It’s a mistrial already.”

“The Prince is Master of Court, of course,” the demon beside me growled. “His decisions are law.”

“Master of Court, my ass,” I muttered. “Then why all this formality for nothing?” I glanced around at row after row of assembled guests. “The Prince will sentence me to something horrid in five minutes and everyone will go home. This won’t be a fair trial, no matter what happens.” I struggled against the guards for a moment as I contemplated making a break for it. Then one of the demons raised the needle and I stopped moving. “Where is my brother?” I sighed. “I want to know that he’s safe.”