Chapter 42

Upon first contact, the stone felt cool and tingly in Selene's hand when Zaybris pressed it on her. But as soon as the vampire told her it was hers, her palm began to grow warm. A bright light glowed between her fingers, followed by a burst of energy. It rose from the stone then dropped to settle like liquid gold rushing through her veins. The sensation was pleasant, and jarring enough to keep her from processing the magnitude of what Zaybris had just given her.

Unlike when Sam tried to give her the stone, this time, she knew it was hers. She looked back at Zaybris, sure he was about to snatch it back from her, but he had already left her side to grovel at Queen Lamia's feet.

"Let's go, vampire," King Asmodeus said before hoisting Zaybris over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. He turned to Queen Lamia. "Where do you want him, my treasure? The Sanctum of Agonizing Rectitude or the Hall of Eternal Torment?"

"Your choice," she replied wearily. She smoothed her long hair in a gesture that made Selene think of Queen Thema. She wondered how Sam would react if he knew he had actually served as a guard to his aunt.

"Let's start with some eternal torment, shall we?" King Asmodeus said.

As the king moved to take Zaybris from the room, he paused to address Selene. His gaze was just as penetrating as Sam's could be, yet more uncomfortable—as if he could see every mistake Selene had ever made and hear every lie she ever told. Her first instinct was to wither and cringe, but she lifted her chin. Although she had scoffed at Sam's "fated mate" idea, she was suddenly desperate to meet Asmodeus's approval.

The demon's voice was kind, though his expression failed to reveal his opinion of her. "The Underworld welcomes you. We've never had a living human visit, but no harm will come to you here. You can't stay long, though." His face split into a lopsided smile that was undeniably charming. "Unless you wish to become one of us."

Selene swallowed. "Thank you."

"No harm will come to me, too, right? As a guest of Lilith," Zaybris cried over King Asmodeus's shoulder.

The demon chuckled and squeezed the back of Zaybris's knee. "Her name is Lamia now. And don't worry, you'll only get what you deserve," he said, giving Selene a wink.

Turning at Queen Lamia, Asmodeus asked, "All right, beloved?"

"Yes. Go now. I need a word with this… Samael"s human."

The demon kissed his mate on the forehead then strode out of the room with Zaybris dangling over his back.

Queen Lamia inhaled as though gathering herself together. "You must be exhausted. Please, sit. Tell me more about Samael and how you came to be in Aurelia. Then you will take us to him."

Selene sat down on Sam's bed, and Queen Lamia moved to stand in the open doorway. "Asmo, wait," she called out to the king. "Will you send for some refreshments for us?"

"Lemonade?" King Asmodeus called back.

"Yes, thank you. And cakes."

Selene would have laughed out loud if she weren't so drained. Lemonade? Of all the refreshments to be served in the Underworld, he had offered lemonade.

Instantly, the word made her think of serving drinks at her mother's parties. Slicing and juicing lemon after lemon with Cass until their hands ached. No matter the occasion, lemonade and sweet tea was always a staple at her mother's events. She would rather die than thwart Southern tradition, Cass had joked.

Her sister's face appeared in her mind, and Selene wondered what she was doing right now. Their time together in Rugby seemed like a lifetime ago. What month was it back home? What season? An image of Rugby's quaint library covered in snow came to her, followed by the Gentlemen's Swimming Hole dotted with ice.

An odd buzzing started in her hand. It spread up to her arm then across her whole body. The familiar smell of ozone hit her nostrils, and it felt as if the room was spinning.

She looked at Queen Lamia, panicked. "Something's happening… "

"The stone! Let go of the stone!" Queen Lamia shouted.

Selene looked at the stone in her hand. She tried to pry her fingers apart as realization dawned. But it was too late. Her body lurched and twisted like she was being pulled inside out. Queen Lamia's desperate face swam before her, gripping her shoulders and begging her not to go.

Then everything went dark.