Hovering on the brink of unconsciousness, Keshiema fought to stay awake. The pull of the dream realm was getting stronger, and she knew she would not be able to resist it much longer. Every time her eyes closed, she saw the giant oak in the clearing. Though muffled, the sound of a babbling stream was unmistakable.

  She shivered, missing the warmth the Fire-Daemon had provided. She wondered why an enemy would care about her comfort in such a situation. The only thing she could reason was that Adramelech wanted her alive, and since she had been so close to death, he felt it necessary to intervene.

  Her shoulder ached, but since Beelzebub gave her some of his strength, her head had stopped pounding. She was sure that it was the only reason she was still able to stave off the coma she knew was coming. ‘ I can't lie defenseless for days. Not in a place like this.’

  Dread filled Keshiema's heart as the cell doors rattled. Opening her eyes, she found two demons entering her cell. “She's pretty for a halfling. Maybe the boss will let us go a few rounds before he kills her.” This Imp-Daemon held a pair of scissors in one of his scaly green hands, opening and closing them as he spoke.

  “You’re disgusting.” The second demon marched towards her with purpose, his dark brown skin reflecting none of the ambient light.

  “Not into halflings, eh Cimeies?” The Imp snorted, “More for me then.” He licked his lips.

  As Cimeies reached for her, she grabbed the white furs tied to his arm and attempted to throw him off balance. A sharp pain radiated from her shoulder, consuming her entire body. “Come on, I’m not here to hurt you.” He twisted her around and wrapped his arms around her tightly. As they faced the Imp, a knot formed in the pit of her stomach.

  “How much do I take?” The green one lifted a handful of her shimmering silver hair. “Oh, that’s a neat little trick.”

  “Just cut off a few inches and let’s get out of here.” Fear paralyzed her as the Imp-Daemon raised the scissors to her face, brushing the sharp blade against her cheek. “That’s an order, Imp.” Narrowing his eyes, he clicked his tongue in disappointment before lowering the scissors and cutting off a small lock of hair.

  Cimeies leaned in and whispered softly. “I’m sorry.” Spinning around, he shoved her back towards the raised slab. Before she could regain her balance, the cell door squealed open and slammed shut.

  ***

  Combing his scraggly beard with his overgrown nails, Botis smiled. “Yes, that's wonderful. The blood sigil stands out above Solom's Circle. The copper sigil is ready?” he looked to King Adramelech, who handed him a small copper coin. “Now all we need is the hair.”

  Beelzebub glared at familiar markings on the floor. The three arrows at the base pointed south, and the arrow in the middle pointed southwest. The triangle in the center sat perfectly parallel with the three crosses at the top. The line cutting through the center of the cursed symbols felt like a knife in his soul.

  Cimeies returned to the throne room alone. “I’ve returned from the dungeons, your majesty," he bowed deeply. Beelzebub immediately noticed the blood covering him from his bare torso to the bottom of his white leather pants, and worried for Keshiema's safety.

  “I sent two of you, did I not?” Adramelech’s words held a small amount of annoyance.

  “A case of insubordination led me to believe our ties with the Imp should be severed. The maids are cleaning up as we speak.”

  “Very well, Cimeies . I trust your judgement.” Adramelech took a small pouch from Cimeies before approaching Beelzebub. “Now, my son, we shall see what you've have been hiding from me.”

  Even in his weakened state, Beelzebub tried to fight back as Adramelech dragged him to the center of the room. The struggle was no more effective than a child throwing a tantrum. “Now Botis, show me his memories.”

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  The old demon sat at the top of the Solomon Circle, placing his hands on the serpent's head. As the blood making up Beelzebub's sigil began to glow, a crystal of light formed above the circle's center. Within the light, Beelzebub's memories played out:

  Stolas stood in the center of the Great Temple's throne room, facing the Elders. “My brothers, I have news to share. I have a sister, of my mother's bloodline. She is the daughter of a human man, and I believe she is the key to the change we have been searching for.”

  “I would like to meet with her. You should bring her to the Academy at once.” Samael's voice seemed distant.

  “She is already here. She has been attending the Academy for some time.”

  “Then retrieve her now. I would also like to meet her.” Merihim's voice felt closer to crystal, and Adramelech realized his throne sat next to Beelzebub's.

  Stolas bowed low, unbefitting his role as their superior. As he left the room, the crystal shifted. A messenger stood in the throne room now. “My Elders, I apologize, but the guest you have been waiting on has unexpectedly fallen ill. Crown Prince Stolas shall bring her here as soon as she is well.”

  Asmoday stood in the crystal now, leaning in to whisper to Lilith. It appeared that Beelzebub was listening in to a conversation he had no part in.“I don't know if Lily would have taken another lover."

  Adramelech crushed the arm of his throne at the mention of Snow Lily. With a snap of his fingers, a serpent brought him a full goblet of bloodwine

  “I don’t know, Azzy.” Adramelech made a noise of disgust at the friendly nickname his daughter used for his oldest son. “We'll find out soon enough.”

  A small demon bowed low in the center of the Elders' throne room. Her silver blue hair pooled elegantly on the floor at her feet. A familiar charm dangled from her neck, catching a small sliver of light. The voices of the Elders seemed muted, like Beelzebub had not been listening as they spoke.

  The images in the crystal blurred. Adramelech growled, looking away to find Beelzebub crawling from the center of his sigil. “Cimeies, prevent my son from moving.” Cimeies put his fist to his heart in a salute.

  After dragging Beelzebub back to the center of the circle, Cimeies held out his hand, summoning a large spear. Before he could strike Beelzebub, Botis cried out. “No! Make him bleed and you’ll ruin the integrity of the sigil!” Spinning his spear around, Cimeies struck Beelzebub with the blunt end, breaking his ribs, then his legs, and finally his arms. “Don’t make him lose consciousness!” Cimeies huffed in annoyance at Botis's interference, but left the circle without further injuring Beelzebub.

  The crystal's image cleared again, but to Adramelech's frustration, it seemed he had missed a fairly large chunk of memories.

  All of his sons sat in a close circle around a detailed map of Denim. “If she is going to take down the king, she needs to intensify her training.” Adramelech froze; he must have mistaken Stolas's words.

  Merihim shifted in his seat, “if she’d stop running off that wouldn’t be an issue."

  “We’ll have to double down on her training upon her return.” Asmoday looked directly at Beelzebub as he spoke. “your colony may have to go without you for a while. We will tell Gaap too.”

  “I’ve heard enough!” Adramelech marched into the circle and hoisted his son into the air. “You’re all working together to betray me? After all I’ve done for you?” Adramelech threw Beelzebub across the room, sending him crashing into the throne. The crystal broke apart as Beelzebub's body left the circle. “I give you a castle, armies to control, I even look the other way while you play house with human families!” He stomped over to Beelzebub’s limp body. "I should have killed Balam's sons centuries ago. They poisoned my children against me!"

  Beelzebub cried out as Adramelech stepped on his head, putting his weight on it to slowly crush his skull. Beelzebub could do nothing to fight back, weakened as he was. Just as he was sure his father would kill him, Adramelech lifted his hoof and kicked Beelzebub in his already broken ribs.

  Adramelech looked at Botis, collapsed on the floor at the top of Solomon’s Circle. “Pathetic old man. Cimeies, drag Botis back to his chambers!” Just as Cimeies picked Botis up from the floor, Adramelech cried out fiercely. Flames shot forth from his mouth with intense heat. Beelzebub, broken and bloody, managed to sit up. Adramelech raised his hand, summoning a giant mace. Bringing the mace down, he destroyed Beelzebub's skull.

  “My son, be thankful for the compassion I have shown you. A swift, merciful death, unfitting of your betrayal.” Stepping around the mangled corpse of his son, Adramelech sank into his throne. “Guards, clean up this mess.”