I sent one last pulse of magic into the crowd before clutching her hand and pulling her toward the palace.
“What was that about?” she asked. “Why did they suddenly turn on each other?”
“Because I made them. The sooner we can get inside, the better. It appears my authority in the realm ceased with my imprisonment. I must regain Lucifer’s favor if we wish to survive.”
She swallowed hard. “We. You said we because you claimed my soul, right?” She lifted her sleeved arm.
I gave my head a hard shake and spoke through clenched teeth. “Do not flaunt that mark. It doesn’t mean I’ve claimed you.”
“What does it mean?”
“It means you’ve claimed me. That I was, once again, bested by a witch. My folly forced me to abandon my post for over four centuries, and now you’ve brought me home empty-handed. My brothers are still imprisoned, and Hecate’s…”
“What about Hecate?”
“Walk faster. Lucifer has filleted people for far weaker infractions.” I tugged her along, using my power to alter the space between us and the palace, bending the distance so we crossed miles in seconds. When I released my hold, my head spun. My body was no longer accustomed to existing, much less performing such magical feats.
Neither was Cinder’s, it seemed. She pitched forward, expelling the acid from her stomach onto the ground. “What the hell?”
She swayed on her feet and collapsed into my arms, her eyes rolling backward before her face went slack.
10
CINDER
My head pounded like someone was beating it with a heavy rubber mallet over and over and over. My stomach roiled, and I rolled to my side, dry heaving, which meant I had already expelled whatever food it had contained when I’d arrived in the Underworld. Lovely.
“What the actual eff?” I hoped to Hecate I didn’t get anything on my dress. From the way Discord had described Lucifer, I doubted he’d appreciate me wearing my lunch to dinner. Speaking of my demon…
“Discord?” I rasped, my throat dry and rough. I opened my eyes, and shadows encircled my field of vision. Floating pinpricks of light danced around it too, making it hard to focus.
A shadow moved in front of me, and the scraping sound of metal rings on a pole pierced my skull as he shoved the curtains aside. A dust cloud billowed from the fabric, and reddish-orange light spilled into the room, making me squint and cough at the same time. I sat up and clutched my aching head. “Ow.”
“Can you stand? Lucifer expected us ten minutes ago.” He stood in front of me and offered his hand. I didn’t accept it.
“What the hell just happened to me? Why do I feel so sick?” The haze in my vision dissipated, and I took in my surroundings. I sat on some kind of fainting couch made of black wood and midnight blue upholstery. Black slate covered the floor, and red runes and sigils covered the walls.
Discord gestured with his hand again, silently suggesting I take it. “I used demon magic to bend the space between the town and the palace to get us here faster. Apparently, your body can’t handle that kind of power.”
“Ya think?” I laughed dryly and let him tug me to my feet. My head spun, and I clutched both his arms to steady myself. “Where are we?”
“In my chambers. We were able to slip in undetected, but we mustn’t keep Lucifer waiting any longer. Can you manage?” He stepped out of my grasp, and thankfully, I didn’t topple.
“You live in Lucifer’s palace?” I swept my gaze across the room. A chest of drawers in the same black wood as the couch stood against one wall, and a massive floor-to-ceiling window provided a view of the gothic gardens below.
“I did. We’ll find out if I still do soon enough.”
“What’s the plan? You’re obviously not going to offer me up to the devil, since our souls are connected. And I’m obviously not going to disconnect us since this bond is the only thing guaranteeing my safety.” Not that I could undo it if I wanted to. Hopefully I could find some directions in the grimoire I had in my…
“Where’s my backpack?”
“It’s hidden. As for our plan, you must follow my lead. I can’t predict Lucifer’s mood nor his thoughts about my return. I will test the waters and decide from there. You must go along with whatever I say.”
I crossed my arms. “The hell I must. Last time I followed your lead, I ended up bruised and burned inside a prison cell.”
“We’ve established that keeping your soul intact is as important to me as it is to you. I am the only thing standing between you and complete obliteration, so I suggest you do as I say.”
I pursed my lips, searching my mind for a witty comeback…or a better plan. I found neither. “Fine. We’ll do it your way, but once we’re out of this palace, you’re returning my supplies and my weapons.”
