Chapter 5
Evelyn

Devon Adceran had left the meeting with steam practically pouring out of his pointed ears and with a sneer firmly planted on his stiff features.

If he hadn't hated me before, he sure would have now.

I had practically declared war on him, saying that after the war with Varkeshia, I would be coming after him. He wasn't ready for me to unleash a fresh Hell on him.

He wasn't ready for such a reaction from me. Though he had heard tales of the legacy I have been leaving behind- he had not quite believed them until this point- had not dared to think such a person as I could exist.

For him that thought is too much to bear.

With Devon gone, the tension has somewhat leaked out of Jezebel, Valindra- although showing little to no emotion- is thinking about her mother. She is wondering how I know so much about her without ever meeting or seeing her- or meeting her. Ervin just looks cold, as if ice had frozen his heart and death had blackened his soul.

Ervin tends to lean towards Draven's personality. He can be an awful man, but he isn't like that at heart. He is simply afraid to show it- afraid to be anything but the man he has always had to be to survive.

"Well, if this is any induction towards how this alliance will go- I'm sure this is going to be fun for all of us." Jezebel lightly laughs, going through the motions of the trollop queen as she allows her frivolity to show. She bursts with color and with it she brings a presence to the table that puts others at ease.

No one expects an angel to set the world on fire.

"If this is any indication to how our alliance will go, it will be tenuous at best." Ervin says solemnly, not at all picking up on the joking manner in which Jezebel had spoken.

Before he can go any further, Valindra levels a look at me, "What is it you need?"

"I need armies," she opens her mouth ready to no doubt rattle off a number for me, but I quickly correct myself. "Magic users- no humans. I need people who have connections to the ley lines. I also need you to put out feelers for any God's who might be meddling in moral affairs."

Her muscles lock and freeze at my words. Gods.

They had not been in play since the first era in our history and they were to remain out of our worlds for as they as they may be here.

After the Crusade Siege battles- the damage had been so bad- that they thought the worlds were about to end and that creation would have to restart itself.

Soon after that, the Gods were forced into a pact that forced them to stay their hand. They have been sleeping in the depths of Caligo ever since- in a never ending, inescapable, purgatory.

Her shoulders loosen as her mind goes into denial- the first stage of every unbelievable radical idea being introduced. "I will do as you say, but I won't find anything."

I nod my head. This is the best I am going to get. "Maybe not, but you'll do this all the same."

With those nine words Valindra is gone, leaving Jezebel and Ervin. But Ervin gives me a parting look that says- send me the details and I'll get it done.

Only Jezebel and I remain.

Jezebel sends me a sly smile, her fist curling up, "The world doesn't need another hero Evelyn, so stop trying to be one. Sometimes it is necessary to be a monster to do what must be done."

The weight of the crown atop my head feels that much heavier at my half sister's words. I know all too well how easy it is to be lost to your darkest impulses- I never want to be there again, but sometimes it's not about what I want. "I know." I respond wearily.

O0oo0O

My body lazily falls into the chair at the head of the table- my eyes half lidded and drowsy with the want to be anywhere but here. Here where I have to explain myself to the newly named Temes heir that will be joining the council of nines for the foreseeable future. I love new people, don't misinterpret, but new people just don't tend to like me in return.

Arturo Temes will be no different.

Arturo Temes being the twice removed cousin of the Temes family whom of which I hadn't known excited until fifteen minutes ago when I was summoned to meet him. He doesn't sound like a hopeless case, but he doesn't sound wonderful either.

A cough sounds from the other end of the room where the massive oak doors yawn open. A flick of the wrist has them closing behind the figure looming in the intimidating oak's shadow.

"Have a seat, why don't you?" Is my only greeting to the man. His hand comes out of his pocket to lay at his side. His eyes meet mine. They are wide open, the exact opposite of my own

His clothing choice is formal, but not to the point where I feel like I'm about to go to a ball. I would say he looks business casual. Not too overdressed, but somewhere in the middle of a homeless man and rich heir to the throne- both of which I hear he has been and will be. The past follows you and he is about to learn that in the coming months. He's both out of his league and right where he should be. It's refreshing and exasperating.

He sits down without fidgeting with his tie and without looking too nervous. So far so good.

He bows his head in my direction, his words holding real respect, "your majesty." It makes me feel foolish. This man who shows me kindness I am showing nothing but disrespect.

I am laying out as if I want nothing to do with him and he is nodding with admiration in my direction, so I give him a sheepish smile and straighten myself out- sitting up and giving him my attention, "You caught me at a bad time. Sorry about that."

I really want to slap myself now. Really, really badly. He gives me an expression that mirrors my own, "I'll admit that this is most likely the most nerve racking conversation of my life."

Now I want to slap him. Honesty isn't always the best way to go and he already seems too morally principled to live in Moonstone. He looks like a commoner teacher- not a bloodthirsty heir. It's most definitely strange.

I don't mention his error as I don't mention my own. "Why in the world did they put new blood up to this?"

I can tell the question startles him- which isn't good. If he doesn't know he is new blood, he is definitely new blood. "I-um- I'm not exaactly sure what you mean."

"I mean," I nod my head at his attire. "Why would the Temes family choose an heir that has no Flame damn idea what they are doing?"

He looks down at that self-consciously. His tie is far too wide and his jacket is corduroy brown. He isn't exactly looking his best and he certainly doesn't feel it. "Lady Miriam didn't specify the why or how," He says.

I close my eyes briefly. How charming. "The first thing you need to know about being an heir is that you call no one Lady or Lord. My title is Queen and everyone else is on level ground with you," I say in return.

He nods his head quickly, taking in the information, cataloging it and ensuring that he never forgets it, "Of course, your majesty."

"Good. I see us getting along nicely in the coming months."

But the air was coated in a simmering, silent, deadly chaos.

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