In a rushed panic, Stolas reported Keshiema's abduction to Asmoday. Asmoday called for a meeting, and now all nine princes crowded the war room.

  "I don't understand. We weren't that far ahead of you, who could have taken her without us noticing?" Eurynome was concerned for Keshiema's safety more than anything. He understood someone had infiltrated the tunnels and the threat such a demon posed. However, he found himself more angry about her kidnapping than the intrusion. His jaw ached. He already missed the delicious scent she carried with her. He banished the thoughts and tried to focus on the matter at hand.

  Beelzebub's wings twitched with angst. "Is there anything you haven't told us, Alex, any details you aren't sharing?" his distrust in his brother was more than apparent.

  "I've told you everything I know! Someone teleported in, grabbed her, and teleported out! I haven't seen an aura that strong in a long time." Stolas looked to the Elders with a vulnerability he had never before shown.

  Ayperos felt uneasy. He should have said something about Dásos a long time ago, but he had not seemed like a threat. If he spoke up now, they would surely punish him. None of them seemed too fond of the other Dream Walker. How could he be sure they would forgive him?

  "Tell us the truth, Alex." Pyro's eyes glowed as he used his powers. As the Prince of Falsehoods, he could easily get anyone to admit to their deceptions.

  "Everyone quiet down." Asmoday's soft voice floated through the throne room, quieting the others. As the eldest, he usually kept quiet when the others squabbled. If he spoke, they listened. "I think the problem will be rectified in a moment." They all looked at him curiously. His powers of perception were only surpassed by prophets and Seers. He looked past them. They all turned around, just in time to see a dark green aura forming in the center of the room.

  "That's it, that's the aura!" Stolas growled. He readied himself to launch an attack on the demon who dared to take his sister.

  "Wait!" Asmoday ordered, as the aura around the figure dissipated. Keshiema held on to Dásos for balance.

  "Keshiema!" Stolas started forward, but something in Dásos's eyes caused him to stop.

  "That's not wise, Prince. I suggest everyone else stay seated." Dásos's tone was more than just threatening; it was filled with malice.

  "Don't you hurt her!" Stolas growled back, trying to assess the threat before acting.

  "Him?" Keshiema spoke, finally regaining her stability. "He's not the one who attacked me!"

  The Elders looked at Stolas for clarity. "I did not attack you, Kesh."

  "Stolas, you sent me into a nightmare, full of anguish and suffering!"

  The use of his demon name stung. He wanted nothing to do with it. "I was angry, Kesh, it was a mistake!" He shouted. Keshiema shrank back behind Dásos.

  "The pain you put her through was horrid!" Dásos snarled, "You can't expect her to trust you after that."

  "But I didn't me-"

  "Silence!" Everyone turned to face Samael. All except for Dásos shrank back at Samael's anger. As the most powerful Reaper-Daemon, he demanded their respect. "Stolas, did you use your powers against Keshiema?"

  "well, I did, but-"

  "Why?" He cut Stolas off once more.

  "I was angry, I wasn't thinking. I-"

  "I don't want to hear your excuses. You, more than anyone, know of her past. You know the trauma she has been through. You know what your powers can do to those affected by such powerful emotional distress. You know what your powers can do to the Friskalia."

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  "I know, but-"

  "Enough!" Asmoday cut in. "Phoradendron, we have not heard from you in a very long time." Stolas's eyes narrowed; he was sure he had heard the name before.

  "You know how I like to stay out of things that don't concern me."

  "And yet," Asmoday continued, "you are here in our throne room, holding the girl who will determine the future of demon-kind. Today, you were protecting her, and you've taken her on an unpermitted rendezvous. How much longer can you get away with interfering? Fate will find you quickly if you keep meddling."

  "I know how much I can interfere without being banished." He cocked his head to the side condescendingly, "I'm surprised you haven't pieced it together yet, Asmoday."

  "You think I haven't?" Asmoday and Dásos seemed to share a knowledge no one else possessed. "How do you know the bloodline will have held enough power?"

  "I'm still here, aren't I?" Dásos smiled maliciously.

  Stolas's aura grew as his anger rose. The carmine swirls radiated from him brightly. "Who are you to interfere with our business?"

  "Stop..." The room fell still as she spoke. Stolas turned to face her, the rage glowing in his eyes. "Alex, I'm sorry I snuck out, I'm sorry for not being honest and hiding things from you. But I need you to understand, I did not choose this. I felt trapped. I needed to escape, and he offered an out. Hell, I could have chosen to escape for good. But I didn't. I chose to come back, to face my destiny. I want to help. And Dásos has made it clear he supports whatever choice I make."

  Stolas's eyes widened in surprise as he heard Dásos's true name. "He's Dásos?" Stolas stopped to think. He shook his head to clear away his thoughts. "Keshiema, you will not involve yourself with him."

  "You say you care about me, that you've been protecting me. But you hurt me. And you've been treating me like a prisoner. I can't even leave campus. And now you're telling me what friends I can have?!" She shouted.

  "You have a destiny you need to follow. And I have a responsibility to keep you safe."

  "I know my role in this just fine. But you can't treat me this way!"

  "Kesh, you don't understand." Stolas pleaded.

  "So then help me understand! Stop leaving me in the dark!"

  With Dásos facing away, she missed the warning in his eyes. Beelzebub interrupted Stolas before he could say anything else. "I don't think this is an appropriate time for that conversation. Let us return to the matter at hand. Keshiema, you need to focus on your training."

  "You want me to train to defeat the king. I know that, but I've been thinking. It's not just him we need to get rid of. If he didn't have any loyal subjects, he wouldn't still be on the throne. If we want to defeat Adramelech and his army, we're going to need help. More than that, we need to gain help from a place he won't see coming. I want to ally with the human rebels."

  "You understand that we've been at odds with the human race for a millennium?" Ayperos asked.

  "Their guerrilla tactics have kept them alive but we have no idea how many are left." Merihim added.

  "Speak for yourselves." Dásos mumbled quietly, earning him a glare from Eurynome.

  Asmoday shook his head. "Gaining their faith will be difficult, if achievable at all."

  "Really, she only needs to befriend three of them. Get them and the rest will fall in line," Dásos looked bored.

  "You're getting too involved, Thief." Eurynome barked.

  "Relax, Donner, I know my limits." He winked.

  Eurynome was about to charge, but Keshiema's close proximity gave him pause. He could not see how she could trust this thing.

  "Would you at least be civil." Her head was starting to ache.

  "Will you give us the names of these three humans?" Stolas asked through clenched teeth.

  "No." Dásos smiled wickedly.

  "Then why even say anything?" Pyro scoffed.

  "Kesh is smart. I'm sure she'll figure it out eventually. However, these three are just as likely to kill her on sight as they are to trust her."

  Stolas stood from his throne. "You mean to send her to a death sentence!"

  "Are you losing your temper, Crown Prince Stolas?" Dásos asked in a light tone. "Careful with that, we wouldn't want you hurting anyone again."

  "Dásos..." Keshiema cut in before Stolas could respond. "Please stop prodding them. We aren't going to accomplish anything being at each other's throats."

  His eyes softened when he looked at her. "Aye, I guess I can do that. if you would like I can leave. You can always call for me if anyone tries to hurt you." He glared at each man individually as he spoke. "I'll be with you faster than you can finish the thought." Even Samael felt the chill in Dásos's voice. He was not a creature to be trifled with.

  She massaged her temples, "I am worn out. I would like to retire for the evening."

  "You may retire to your room within the Great Temple. We shall have the rest of your belongings moved to your new suite tonight. I feel the dorms are no longer safe for you." Samael placed his fist over his heart as he spoke, denoting that he felt she was an equal.

  "Very well, with your permission I shall take my leave." She placed her fist over her heart and bowed as she spoke. She bowed and took three steps back before turning around. Dásos frowned at the action but said nothing. He followed her silently as she left the room.