Chapter 1

" ... Lord Darish, I bring terrible news." The messenger trembled before the imposing throne. I could hear his knees knocking as he entered the chamber.

I raised my head from my arm and locked eyes with the boy. The knocking stopped. I sifted through his memories until I found his charge, clearly marked by the cloud of fear surrounding it. I released him with a wave, troubled by the report. He swayed on his feet, as if drunk, down the long walk until the doors boomed shut behind him.

"Bethres, stop skulking." I mumble back into my hand.

A tall figure stepped from the shadows, shrouded in cloaks, the pale blue of his eyes gleamed from the shadows.

" My lord, I cannot hide from your majesty."

He steps to the dais and kneels before me, I could almost hear the smirk in his voice.

"Don't kiss ass, its unbecoming of my spymaster. Any comments on the human's report?"

Bethres raised himself but kept his eyes downcast, one does not look the devil in the eye.

"My own eyes report the same, sire. Very troubling this news is."

I snort at the understatement, my wings ruffling as I stood from the crystal seat. Bethres retreated from the span of them, one does not touch the devil.

"The last angel to challenge me lies nailed to my bedroom ceiling, still pleading for mercy. Now I hear news about another upstart out to usurp me? What does a god have to do to get a break around here?"

The feathers sigh as I sink back into the chair. Power leaks from me as my irritation grows. I'm almost tempted to let it build, but the annoyance rebuilding the castle would be stays me.

"Perhaps you could send Lucian? I'm sure your son would love nothing more then to serve you this way." says my spymaster.

"Not until I know for certain what this new threat is. He's still a boy, I won't risk it."

"Sire, Lord Lucian is over five centuries old and has the look of a full-blooded Male about him. Surely he is ready?"

"No. He is but a boy still. Too headstrong to act with caution at an unknown. No, I will see to this myself. The masses must be reminded who rules this world."

"Very good, sire, and what of you're former wife?"

My eyes snap to his before he can turn away, pinning him in place. A minute portion of my power flows around him and squeezes to the cusp of pain.

"Forgive me, master. I misspoke. It will not happen again!" He manages between gasps.

"Be sure it doesn't." I say quietly.

The pressure vanishes and he drops to a knee, wheezing. I watch him steady himself and gather his composure.

"I await your orders, sire."

"Find out where this new hero is, then report back to me. Do nothing more. I will handle this myself."

"Yes, sire."

He backs toward the shadows, eyes never leaving the floor. I track his presence until it blends with the rest of the life around me. With a sigh, I rise from the chair and stretch my wings. A surge of strength rockets me straight up the tower, another halts me outside the door of my private chambers. The door shuts softly behind me as I enter the dark space. In the dark, I strip the sweaty clothes from my body. A burst of flame reduces them to ash, the remains vanish with a flick of my hand. I walk to the spacious bathroom and cleanse myself of the day, then crawl into bed.

So a new, courageous boy thinks he has the strength to conquer me?

A small smile creases my cheeks,

This will be a well-needed distraction.