I drew in a deep breath and fought not to sigh aloud. Several days passed in overbearing monotony. It was a welcome relief after Danny's ordeal but it did nothing to stop the racing in my heart and the sick sensation that swirled in my gut. I enjoyed the quiet moments thoroughly. It just felt like the crazy moments were happening far too often these days. It meant that the absence of drama therefore offered little comfort. Instead, I spent the days following coiled in nervous anticipation, sure that the next crisis was going to appear at the next moment.

Apparently I was the only one who felt that way.

Lucius was determined to keep all troubles swept under the rug. Instead of allowing me to hide away, he had ordered we continue with all activities as normal. It meant a few demons were given time to dedicate to the research I would have preferred to be doing personally.

Instead, I was part of the welcoming committee. Demons of all shapes and sizes flocked into the palace for another audience with their ruler.

As I sat, straight backed in my crystal throne beside his, I knew my heart wasn't in it. Even as Lucius' spoke to his people from beside me, I fought to remain seated. How was he so calm? I looked into every face and saw a potential enemy. We were still no closer to finding out who had killed one of the guards and maimed dozens of well-trained demons. It also meant that a powerful enemy remained out there, just waiting to attack us.

I swallowed and forced my brittle smile into place as I watched a young man bow just a few feet away. He kept his arm clutched to his chest and while his entire body shook from within his torn clothing. I blinked. For a moment I almost thought I saw -.

Leaning forwards, I watched as blood dripped from the Demon's elbow, fell through the air in slow motion and then splattered onto the floor. I sucked in a sharp breath, my gaze flicking to the Demon as he struggled to pull himself upright.

"Are you alright?" I asked, earning a raised brow from Lucius. In response, I gestured back to the young man who now had a small pool of blood collecting at his feet.

Stiffly, the demon lifted his face and I could see the lines of strain forming around his mouth.

"Do you require a healer?" Lucius asked, leaning forwards within his seat.

Despite his words, his face was oddly blank as he looked at the young man. I never stopped being amazed by Lucius, I had no idea how he was so calm. Too calm. Clenching my hands around the arms of the throne, I fought to stay in my seat.

With a pained grunt, the demon shook his head. "No healer can help with this."

Silence filled the air as everyone waited for him to continue speaking. Even those, who had been waiting rather loudly for their turn with Lucius, had turned their attention to the man with anticipation. Instead of being emboldened by all of the attention, the young man looked as if he was ready to keel over.

Leaning across the space between us, I tapped Lucius's arm to get his attention. When he turned his head my way, I nodded at the demon. "I think it might be better if we do this without so many people here to watch. I get a feeling this is not something that should be heard by the public."

Lucius lifted his gaze, his eyes cold and assessing as he looked between the faltering demon and the gossip hungry crowd in the back. With a simple flick of his hand, the guards set into motion, guiding out those gathered at the back of the room.

Despite the new level of privacy, the young demon was no more at ease. If anything he was even more skittish.

"What is your name?" I asked softly, drawing the bald headed demon to turn his attention to me. His eyes were glazed with pain and he wobbled precariously on his feet. I wondered whether he could actually see me – he looked too far gone. I placed a reassuring smile on my face just in case.

"My intended asked you a question." Lucius butted in when the poor man did nothing but stare mutely.

"I am Nigel, your majesty." The man stuttered out, shuffling from foot to foot.

He winced when his arm was jostled by the movement. Still, despite his pain, he attempted to stand up straight.

"What can we help you with?" Lucius asked, standing from his seat.

The young demon backpedalled, his face paling at the tall man now towering over him. Sweat formed on his brow as his breathing accelerated. His eyes darted from side to side as he sought an escape. He staggered to the side, his body battling to remain upright.

"Lucius," I muttered. "You need to sit down. He's terrified and you're really not helping."

The man at my side was appeared even more imposing than ever. His outfit was black and tailored to highlight his powerful frame. A choice he had made to highlight his strength and power, to try to deter any further action from Terran and his cohorts. Yet, with this demon it appeared to be having a detrimental effect.

Lucius frowned and reluctantly settled back down on the throne and waited. His hands fisted into his sides as seconds ticked by and still Nigel struggled to regain his composure.

"Nigel, can you tell us what has happened?" I prodded, when the silence became too much. "What happened to your arm?"

The young man's head snapped in my direction, his eyes wide like a startled deer. He inhaled deeply before looking down at his arm. It had been wrapped up with a bundle of fabric. It took me a moment to realise that the fabric had been darkened with blood.

"They came into the tavern. I run the small tavern on the far side of town. They demanded that I feed them but I refused." Nigel explained. He lifted his uninjured hand and unravelled the sodden fabric from around his arm. "I had overheard them talking. I heard them plotting about traitorous things but I am loyal to you and to Hades. You are the rightful rulers."

Lucius tilted his head. "We do not doubt your loyalty."

"Thank you your majesty."

"Please continue when you are ready."

Nigel nodded his shiny head and pulled the last of my fabric away from his hand. "When I refused to serve them, they called me a traitor. They grabbed me before I could run." The man shuddered and closed his eyes as he became lost within his memories. "They locked the door, blocked off the exits and then, they forced me to my knees and held me in place. One of them pulled out his knife and then he..."

Unable to continue speaking, the demon pulled off the cloth. I pressed my lips together to stop myself from gasping. The poor man had been brutalised. Where once would have been a hand, there was nothing but a bloody stump with fresh blood continuing to ooze out of the wound. My stomach protested. It was not a clean wound, whoever had attacked Nigel had intended for him to suffer as the edges were all torn and jagged. They had hacked his hand from his body.

I swallowed back the bile that tried to force its way up my throat. What kind of person could do something like this?

"Who were they?" I asked gently, doing my best not to allow pity into my expression. It was difficult, the poor demon was broken.

"I don't know milady." Nigel replied in a strained voice. "They said I was a warning. A battle was coming and we have to choose sides. They did mention one name however."

Lucius leant forwards, straining forwards but his hands holding tight to the armrests of the throne as he struggled not to tower too far over the fragile man.

"Speak the name so I may know my enemy. Speak the name so that I can bring the perpetrators to justice."

"Terran. They said that they were spreading the word of Terran."

Lucius nodded his head and glanced away. His lips pursed and his fingers tapped over and over again on the crystal. I could almost see the cogs turning over and over again within his mind as he plotted his next move.

I felt my own mind whirring. Was Terran getting ready to make his move? I knew he had a dislike for me. Would he use that as an excuse to lead a revolt against us? Lucius had made a big performance to the city to prove how fit and well he was. Would the demon still try to steal the throne from Lucius?

I didn't even have to think too hard about the answer. Terran wanted to rule and he would use every means he had available to him to ensure that his dream was realised. Could that mean he was also responsible for the attack on the guards and Lucius?

"Thank you for coming to us today, Nigel. I know you have risked much but telling us of the horrors you have endured." Lucius spoke softly, his voice gentle as if he were talking to child. Surprisingly the man reacted well, his shoulders relaxing as he was offered the comfort he needed so desperately. "I want you to be seen by a healer to ensure your wound is tended to. I will do everything I can to ensure your safety and we will investigate this matter fully."

"Thank you." The man replied tearfully, allowing himself to be escorted from the room with the guards. He man sniffled loudly with every step he took.

I pressed my and over my heart. The yearning to protect those at threat only growing. I felt fear. I would be stupid not to. Yet, I knew this was the time for strength and not the time to waver.

We waited until he had left before we spoke any further. I pressed a shaky hand to my lips, turning my head to watch Lucius. I felt sick, my eyes drawn back to the pool of blood over and over again. The blood symbolised what was to come. An innocent man had been forced to suffer all because he would not toe the line.

"Terran has to be stopped." I stated firmly, dragging my gaze upwards to meet Lucius's hard stare.

"We will." He replied, his eyes becoming unfocused for a moment. "Yet, as of this moment we have no proof. As much as I would love to lock Terran in Tartarus for being so vile and odious, without concrete proof I cannot do anything. Whispers overheard by one man, no matter how honest, are not enough for conviction. We need to catch him in the act if we are going to do this properly."

I sighed and allowed my shoulders to slump. "And how are we going to do that." Pushing up from the crystal chair, I stepped off the raised platform and then started to pace. "We know he's already got a flock of sheep willing to follow him around. Is it too far of a leap to assume he is sending these demons to do his bidding? I doubt he is the kind of man that likes to get his hands dirty."

Lucius ground his teeth together and slapped his hands down on the arms of his throne. "Don't you think I know that?" He bellowed.

I startled, stumbling back a step as I stared up at Lucius. His face sent a shiver down my spine. The flickering light from the throne cast shadows across his face making his features sharper. It made his icy blue stare feel lethal as it cut into me.

Sucking in a sharp breath, I struggled not to panic. For a moment I was back there in that terrifying moment, the one where his hands had been wrapped around my throat and I had been looking up into the face of a stranger.

"Lucius?" I asked, tentatively. My hands fisted at my sides as I waited for him to speak.

The man sat stiffly, his chest rising and falling rapidly. His nostrils flared with each breath as his glare intensified.

I gulped and took an involuntary step back. It made me sick how weak I was being but the scars from that day were not just skin deep. "Lucius, is everything okay?"

He drew in a deep breath and shook his head. Finally he exhaled and slumped back into his throne, his exhaustion showing in the form of deep lines and bags beneath his eyes. He placed his hands over his eyes and drew in several deep breaths. Finally he peered at me from between his fingers.

"Sorry, I shouldn't have taken it out on you. It's not your fault." He apologised, dropping his hands so that he could watch me fully.

Nodding my head, I made no effort to close the distance between us. Instead, I felt myself frowning. The man obviously hadn't fully recovered from the ordeal either. He had been snippy and short tempered.

"And it's not your fault either." I replied, folding my arms over my chest as I stared back at him. When his brows drew together and he opened his mouth to protest, I help up a hand. "The guard. You had nothing to do with his death. Don't try and tell me you are not feeling guilty about it. I know you. You care about your people. But you will believe me when I tell you that his death was not your fault."

The man in front of me frowned and looked down at the floor before he shook his head. He glanced up, his lips struggling into a smile but falling quickly. "I don't know what I would ever do without you."

The breath rushed out of my mouth as the heavy atmosphere temporarily broke. With a cheeky grin playing on his lips, I said, "Lucky for you, you're not going to find out. You're stuck with me with me."

The man in front of me pushed up on to his feet and quickly closed the distance between us. He stopped with just a hair's breadth separating our bodies. Placing his hand on mine, the look on his face was so incredibly tender that I felt my knees growing weak.

"I'm glad. I couldn't think of any other person I would rather be stuck with."