Eva wandered the empty streets of Pandemonium, numb with grief. She had the unsettling feeling that this place was the center of all things, from which all above and all below were ordered.
But it didn’t survive closer inspection. The lines were wrong. The symmetries broke when followed. The architecture argued with itself. Its very grandeur contradicted itself. Here a throne rose, and there another in defiance of it.
She opened her fist and stared at the ring and the pendant.
The ring was a thick golden band inlaid with a deep blue gemstone. She had first seen it on Perry’s hand when he raised his fist against Dread Lord Beelzebub in his own castle. Perry had claimed that he had the power—and the authority—to tear the castle down stone by stone. She slipped it on her thumb.
And the lily pendant… Each petal gleamed with cold starlight.
You won’t understand yet. But when the time comes, you’ll remember this moment. Summon me, and I will come.
In what had to be the most absurd moment of her life, Beelzebub had knelt and placed the pendant in her hand.
“Fine,” she said at last. “Show yourself.” There had to be more to it than that. Some magic incantation. Some spell to cast. She refused. It would be like this or not at all.
She rounded the corner, and he was there. Black iron etched with silver. Spikes rose from the helmet, shoulders and knees. The opening in the helm was an inky void, revealing nothing of his face.
“I have been waiting for you, my daughter.”
She clenched her fist.
“I am not your daughter!” She loosened her fist. “I serve only the King.”
A delightful laugh echoed within the helmet. Beelzebub’s gaze fell to the ring.
“So it seems.”
“I don’t know what you want from me,” Eva said. “And I don’t know your schemes, or your plans. I don’t care. Keep your oath. Once we’ve freed Lord Peregrine, do what you like. It’s your own business.”
“As you wish, my Lady.” He gave a slight bow, then turned and set out. Eva followed.
Together they walked until they had left behind the streets of Pandemonium. The fire diminished, and a chill touched the air as they descended into the deepest depths of Hell. The stone began to sweat, then hardened. Patches of frost appeared. Sound went flat. The way broadened into a plain of dark ice spread across the basin.
She shivered in the bitter cold, wishing she could wrap Perry’s cloak around her. They passed the bodies frozen solid beneath the ice. In the distance, she could see the golden light upon the endless stairs. Ahead lay the Dragon’s lair. And Perry.
As they approached their journey’s end, Apollyon loomed before them. Eva settled into a fighting stance, shield ready.
“My Lord Beelzebub,” he said with deference. Then he turned to Eva. “Lady Evadne.”
Eva’s breath caught. She had expected a fight, not a welcome. Her stance eased, but she glared at him. She would never forgive Apollyon for what he had done to Perry. Never.
She wanted to make him pay. More than anything. Then she thought of Perry. This fight gained her nothing. She glanced toward Beelzebub. Perhaps it might even cost her everything.
Eva fixed her eyes on the light and continued onward. Beelzebub turned and gave Apollyon an order. Apollyon spread his wings and flew upward.
Eva didn’t wait for Beelzebub to catch up. Perry lay just ahead. The Great Dragon was already waiting for her, towering above.
Beyond, Perry was shackled to the wall. Even in the dim light, she could tell he was not well. His face was pale, his lips colorless.
The Dragon lowered his head and fixed Eva in his gaze.
“You’re back, Lady Evadne.” His voice was a low hiss. “No matter how many times the Author resets the story, you will never win.”
Eva pointed the Sword of Wisdom at the Dragon. It shone brightly, casting its silver light across the cavern. She felt strangely at peace. Unafraid.
“As for Lord Peregrine…” The title curled in his voice like rot. “He will always die, Madame. You know that.”
Smoke curled from the Dragon’s nostrils.
“As will you.”
Fire spewed from the Dragon’s maw. Eva raised the Shield of Faith and sheltered behind it. A golden glow surrounded her.
Then the Dread Lord Beelzebub stepped boldly through the fire and stood at her side.
The Dragon stared down at them, as though he could not believe what he was seeing. At last, he spoke.
“Traitor.”
