55

    An award-winning smile crosses the fallen angel's face. "Of course! Anything to take out that evil witch and restore the crown to the rightful head. What can I do?" "We know that even if Leyna does summon Amelia for an execution, it won't happen for at least a week while everything is sorted out. We need to make sure she never files that order in the first place. Can you and the other angels try to distract Lucifer from her until we can get Amelia back to normal?" "But you can't tell Lucifer!" I interject without thinking. "We need to keep this quiet. If we tell him, he'll go nuts on Leyna and we might lose the chance of catching her by surprise. Please. I know it may be hard to keep this from your boss, but we need make sure Leyna has no idea we're coming." I look up at the hulking former angel pleadingly, hoping he'll understand. Belphagor's brilliant green eyes shift to me. With a soft, knowing smile, she inclines his had, gently grasps my hand and kisses it lightly. "For my queen, anything. Neither Lucifer nor Leyna will know of this until the time is right." I smile back at him and nod regally in reply. "I really appreciate your help. When this is resolved, I'll tell Lucifer how much of a help you were." His eyes light up. "You're honest?" I nod. "I'm a human, not a demon or trickster. I'll keep my word if you keep yours." He nods again. "My lady, I have seen your strength and fortitude. Crossing you would be the last thing I would ever want to do." I'm not sure if I should be proud or worried. Being respected is a good thing, but feared? I don't want this fallen angel to be frightened of me just because I have Lucifer's ear. All I want is a little help and courtesy, which I'm luckily getting. I smile at Belphagor. "For a demon, you're very gracious." His smile is warm. "There are some of us who still remember the old ways. Before we fell, courtesy and kindness were the norm. And while we may not be so gentle now, we've carried a bit of our teaching down here with us. Lucifer is the most insistent about using our manners." My eyebrows raise an inch. "Really?" He nods. "He's more of a gentleman than most pastors would like to admit. He the oldest of us, so it only makes sense that he keeps us in line and keeps the ship running straight. Mostly, I think he uses his impeccable etiquette to throw people off. It catches them off guard and sets them up for failure. But around you, my lady, I think it's an honest attempt to treat you fairly and respectfully." I eye him curiously. "Fairly?" Belphagor shrugs. "He's a trickster by nature, but he views you as a worthy queen and someone who can tow the line as well as he can. Despite your humanness, he honestly sees you as someone to be respected and praised. If you can show your spine against Lilith, he's sure you can handle anything." My heart and my pride swell simultaneously. It's wonderful to hear I have a husband who will not only defend me, but respect me as well. If I've earned his stamp of approval, I'm practically set for life. Kerion clears his throat. "Time of the essence, you two. Even though Leyna won't have a good chance at having you executed, she can still try to manipulate the system to block our attempts of getting you back to normal.". I turn back to Belphagor, my mind resetting and my shoulders straightening. I flip my now-red hair back from my face and gather my queenly strength. "Belphagor, I need you to gather the other fallen angels and explain what's happened. Again, don't let any of them go running off to tell Lucifer, but they need to know what's going on so Leyna doesn't try to lead them astray. See what you can do about stalling any of her attempts to have me killed or tossed out of here." He grins and bows regally, taking my hand and kissing it gently. "My lady, no order of hers will pass through the Counsil doors." "I appreciate this," I smile back. He straightens, still grinning. "For the rightful queen, anything." "Excellent," Kerion interjects. "Now go. Make sure no word of this gets past the angels." Belphagor nods, gives me one last warm smile, then turns and bolts out the small alcove and into the river of demons. Kerion and I peek around the corner and watch him disappear into the endless bodies. "You think he'll keep his word?" As much as I trust Belphagor, a tiny sliver of doubt creeps into my mind, making me wonder if we've actually gained another enemy rather than an ally. "Belphagor is one of the most virulent supports of Lucifer's rule. He also respects and admires you, so we're in good hands. If he turn on us and Lucifer were to find out, the master would have his head." I nod, the knot of unease slowly unraveling. Quietly, Kerion steps around me and crawls forward, looking back and beckoning me to follow. "Come. We must see Lilith. Even with Belphagor and the other angels, it may not be enough to convince Lucifer of the truth. As annoyingly spoiled and arrogant as she is, she still holds a high place in Lucifer's court. With her, we'll have a better chance of winning this game." I nod and step forward, though I'm not very happy about what we're gong to do. Lilith envies me and wants me dead as much as Leyna does; she simply more aristocratic and sly than her emotional doppelganger. Asking for her help will be like asking my mother to give up her collection of antique dolls. Honestly, she'd rather die. We approach the opening that leads to the main hall. It's still chock full of demons, but we've managed to slip in before, so this time should be easy. Kerion checks on me one last time before sliding out into the fray. I follow right behind him, keeping my head down and my mouth shut. The sound of endless demon voices is almost deafening, but I stay one step behind Kerion as we make our way through the mass of bodies. Like before, the demons that see us coming smile and step aside, clearing a path for us to walk. They ignore me, and I ignore them. None of them actually know what's happened, so to them I'm still a man-eating spoiled brat who hasn't learned her place yet. I harbor no anger or irritation towards any of them. How could they know we've switched forms? I shrug to myself and keep pace with Kerion. If I can successfully play my part, we'll get out of here and make it to Lilith without a scratch. If not...I'm fucked.