slithering around her dress. Baal pointed an open hand at the table. Shadow hadn’t even realized that he entered the room.
“Why don’t we all have a seat and have a chat about this war?”
Shadow and Baal took their seats around the table.
“Astaroth, Vixen, and I are not interested in listening to you try to talk us out of this. We will continue this fight until Baal and Leviathan surrender command of their armies to us.”
Baal looked annoyed.
“Lucian, last I checked, Astaroth could speak for herself. I understand you’re only here to be an annoying asshole, but I fail to see why Astaroth would want to continue a war that got her predecessor killed.”
Astaroth took her seat at the table.
“The death of Asmodeus doesn’t worry me. It’s what earned me my promotion. I’m not afraid of his killer either.”
Astaroth flashed a smile at Shadow.
“No offense, kiddo. I just don’t see you as a threat.”
Shadow reached for one of the scythes on his belt. Baal caught his wrist and shook his head.
“If Shadow’s not a threat to you and you aren’t interested in avenging Asmodeus, then why continue this ridiculous war?”
“Because Shadow’s uncle killed my son. His name was Venom and he was a middle demon of half-truths.”
CHAPTER 3
“I didn’t want to play favorites with my children so I let them work their way up the ranks in other departments. Venom made it to middle demon of half-truths serving under Lucian. So you see this really is quite simple. Lucian saw his potential and brought him up through the ranks. Cain killed him. What side would you be on?”
“Alright. I’m having a really hard time giving a shit about what either of you has said so far. If the two of you just came here to bitch and pretend you’re important then this meeting is over.”
Shadow got up to leave the table. Baal caught his arm again.
“Baal, if you make a habit of grabbing my arm, I will cut your hand off.”
“As amusing as that would be, Shadow, we’re here to play cards. It’s a long-time tradition. Obviously, Baal thought you deserve a spot at the table. I don’t. You’re welcome to leave.”
“Well I say he should stay as the current head of the department of murder. Lucian wants him to go. Astaroth?”
Astaroth looked at Baal, then at Lucian, and finally at Shadow.
“He can stay. I’ve heard rumors that he’s been collecting large amounts of souls and I would love to take them from him in a game of cards.”
Shadow grinned and removed the box from his cloak. He knew that the major demons liked to meet up and gamble and he was prepared. He brought the box down hard on the table and opened the lid. The box contained a swirling black mist and hundreds of horrible cries emerged when he opened it. The three major demons eyed the box greedily.
“There are at least a few hundred souls in there. So yes… I do have quite a nice collection. Let’s play some cards.”
“Shadow said you need to hand over control of your army to me.”
Gangrene looked at Lilith like she was crazy but he tried to stay diplomatic about the situation. While he was a minor demon just like she was, Gangrene feared both Shadow and Leech. He knew her connections could ensure him an unpleasant future.
“Lady Lilith, Shadow said you could have your sister. He didn’t say anything about handing over control of my entire army. You can read the message he sent if you’d like.”
Gangrene snapped his fingers and a demon-in-training ran out and bowed at Gangrene’s feet.
“Go retrieve the message that Lord Shadow sent to me earlier today. It’s rolled up on my desk. Bring it back here for Lady Lilith to read.”
The demon-in-training nodded and then ran off.
“I also want one of your ponies. Shadow won’t give me his.”
“Lilith… I don’t have any horses. I can’t give you what I don’t have.”
Lilith sighed like she was both disappointed and bored.
“You’re starting to disappoint me,
“Why don’t we all have a seat and have a chat about this war?”
Shadow and Baal took their seats around the table.
“Astaroth, Vixen, and I are not interested in listening to you try to talk us out of this. We will continue this fight until Baal and Leviathan surrender command of their armies to us.”
Baal looked annoyed.
“Lucian, last I checked, Astaroth could speak for herself. I understand you’re only here to be an annoying asshole, but I fail to see why Astaroth would want to continue a war that got her predecessor killed.”
Astaroth took her seat at the table.
“The death of Asmodeus doesn’t worry me. It’s what earned me my promotion. I’m not afraid of his killer either.”
Astaroth flashed a smile at Shadow.
“No offense, kiddo. I just don’t see you as a threat.”
Shadow reached for one of the scythes on his belt. Baal caught his wrist and shook his head.
“If Shadow’s not a threat to you and you aren’t interested in avenging Asmodeus, then why continue this ridiculous war?”
“Because Shadow’s uncle killed my son. His name was Venom and he was a middle demon of half-truths.”
CHAPTER 3
“I didn’t want to play favorites with my children so I let them work their way up the ranks in other departments. Venom made it to middle demon of half-truths serving under Lucian. So you see this really is quite simple. Lucian saw his potential and brought him up through the ranks. Cain killed him. What side would you be on?”
“Alright. I’m having a really hard time giving a shit about what either of you has said so far. If the two of you just came here to bitch and pretend you’re important then this meeting is over.”
Shadow got up to leave the table. Baal caught his arm again.
“Baal, if you make a habit of grabbing my arm, I will cut your hand off.”
“As amusing as that would be, Shadow, we’re here to play cards. It’s a long-time tradition. Obviously, Baal thought you deserve a spot at the table. I don’t. You’re welcome to leave.”
“Well I say he should stay as the current head of the department of murder. Lucian wants him to go. Astaroth?”
Astaroth looked at Baal, then at Lucian, and finally at Shadow.
“He can stay. I’ve heard rumors that he’s been collecting large amounts of souls and I would love to take them from him in a game of cards.”
Shadow grinned and removed the box from his cloak. He knew that the major demons liked to meet up and gamble and he was prepared. He brought the box down hard on the table and opened the lid. The box contained a swirling black mist and hundreds of horrible cries emerged when he opened it. The three major demons eyed the box greedily.
“There are at least a few hundred souls in there. So yes… I do have quite a nice collection. Let’s play some cards.”
“Shadow said you need to hand over control of your army to me.”
Gangrene looked at Lilith like she was crazy but he tried to stay diplomatic about the situation. While he was a minor demon just like she was, Gangrene feared both Shadow and Leech. He knew her connections could ensure him an unpleasant future.
“Lady Lilith, Shadow said you could have your sister. He didn’t say anything about handing over control of my entire army. You can read the message he sent if you’d like.”
Gangrene snapped his fingers and a demon-in-training ran out and bowed at Gangrene’s feet.
“Go retrieve the message that Lord Shadow sent to me earlier today. It’s rolled up on my desk. Bring it back here for Lady Lilith to read.”
The demon-in-training nodded and then ran off.
“I also want one of your ponies. Shadow won’t give me his.”
“Lilith… I don’t have any horses. I can’t give you what I don’t have.”
Lilith sighed like she was both disappointed and bored.
“You’re starting to disappoint me,
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