Kingdom of the Feared (Kingdom of the Wicked, #3)(15)

I made my way into the room, but stood back, taking in the princes and the aggression that continued to radiate from each of them. As far as pissing contests went, it was subtle but effective. Stride into a space, act as if you own it, and bow to no one. I’d need to remember that. Greed was barely leashing his anger, which only fueled Wrath’s sin, giving him the upper hand.

Silence ticked by, the tension in the room growing thicker the longer the brothers stared at each other. Wrath’s eyes glinted as Greed’s grip on his tumbler tightened. He looked half ready to throw the liquor glass at Wrath, but he must have thought better of it when he noticed the demon of war’s dangerous grin.

“Were you saying something?” Wrath’s tone was conversational, but there was an edge of danger in the casual way he leaned forward, as if he wanted to lure his brother into thinking he was about to share a secret. The promise of violence simmered just below the surface of his elegant veneer—something far too primal to remain hidden beneath the finery any longer.

Greed must have sensed the same danger. He inhaled slowly, then exhaled. “I got word you arrived here forty minutes ago. Keeping your host waiting is rude, especially given the circumstances of our meeting.”

From where he now leaned against an oversized mantel sandwiched between floor-to-ceiling paintings, Lust released a low chuckle but didn’t comment on either of his brothers’ behavior. I was surprised he didn’t offer the reason for our tardiness.

After the way Lust had torn all happiness and pleasure from me back in Palermo during the bonfire, he was by far my least favorite of Wrath’s brothers. He didn’t seem to notice—or care—that leaving someone an empty husk for sport was not the way to win friends. If Wrath hadn’t brought me out from that dark place I’d been lost in, I’d likely still be curled up in bed.

“You’re lucky we came at all.” Wrath finally sat back, ignoring Lust’s snort at his choice of words. I released a quiet breath, unaware I’d been holding it for so long, and shook my head. Adolescents, the cursed lot of them. “A midnight murder in your circle is hardly a major concern of House Wrath. This could have waited until morning to deal with.”

“I disagree.” Greed set his tumbler down. “Theo? Bring the hexed skull.”

A blue-skinned demon with brilliant red eyes and vampirelike fangs came in from a secret panel hidden within the wall of books flanking the desk. In his hands was something familiar: a human skull. Unlike the ones I’d received, this one had dark rubies in its eyes, adding to the terror.

I swallowed hard, already fearing what was about to happen. Once the skull was placed on the edge of Greed’s desk, it magically came to life, speaking in a voice that raised the hairs along my body. Only this time the voice didn’t sound like my twin; it sounded like a true nightmare.

“Tick tock, goes the clock, counting down your dread. Unless you cede, you’ll watch more bleed. To pay you back, the next attack will be the highest head, dearest Prince of Greed.”

Greed settled his attention on Wrath again. “The monstrosity must have found out about our alliance. She no doubt believes I was acting on your behalf all along and, therefore, wanted to teach me a lesson for double-crossing her. This”—he jerked his chin at a second demon with a toad’s head, who quickly stepped forward, rolling a cart with a shroud over it—“is what’s left of my prized third.”

The toad demon yanked the shroud off the body, and the stench hit me at the exact time the horrid sight did. My hand flew to cover my mouth. There was hardly anything recognizable of the demon left. Chunks of bloodied meat, stringy sinew, some bones. Bones that appeared to have been gnawed on by great, serrated teeth. My stomach lurched.

“Goddess above.”

Each of the prince’s attention shifted to me, but I didn’t return any of their gazes. I refused to look away from the body. I was to be queen. And a queen, especially one hailing from House Wrath, didn’t shy away from the terrible parts of ruling. She welcomed them.

“What do you think attacked…” From what was left, I could not tell the sex of the victim.

“Vesta.” Greed moved to stand over the remains, his voice quiet. It was the first time I’d seen him act in any way human. Out of each of the princes I’d met, I always thought he didn’t care to play the role of anything other than a prince of Hell. “She was the commander of my army. Unique. Coveted by many.”

“Why was she coveted?” I asked.

Greed motioned for her to be taken away before answering me. “Because of her immense talent at strategy and battle.”

I didn’t say so aloud, but her immense fighting talent hadn’t saved her from her fate.

An unfamiliar demon slipped into the room as what was left of the body was rolled out. He slowly removed a bloodied pair gloves and tossed them into a garbage bin. His hair was a shade caught somewhere between silver and gold, as if it were too lazy to be bothered with choosing one color. I took in the shrewd eyes that were now studying me as closely, a blue so pale they could only be described as ice. He slowly turned his attention to the princes.

“It’s as we suspected.” His words came out in a quiet drawl. “Werewolf attack.”

“You’re certain?” Wrath asked, coming to stand beside me.

“It’s either that or a hellhound,” the blue-eyed demon returned. “Have you set yours loose in other circles lately?” Wrath’s only response was an impressive glare. “Didn’t think so. There are few other creatures with the strength and power to cause those marks in the bone. Given what we know of our main suspect and who she associates herself with, it’s the conclusion that makes the most sense. Especially combined with the rubies. Though I can’t rule out any other beast for certain. The lacerations were definitely made by claws, not a blade.”