Sera stood back from the window watching Angela walk away. So now she would have to move up her plans. She hadn’t planned on moving to the Underworld this soon. But that twit was playing into her hands perfectly. She was glad she followed Angela when she left Lycargus office in such a hurry she didn’t see her.
Sera watched Keelie on the other side of the glass. The girl was staring after Angela with a look of concern. She shrugged. That wasn’t her problem. She turned from the window, and headed out of the room.
Her concern was getting back down to the Underworld without being seen. She did wonder how Lycargus had found her out so quickly.
No matter, she shrugged. She headed out of the building.
Sera stood in front of a bright burning fire. The room was no more than an illusion she knew. It was one of the conditions she made in her agreement with Melas. She wasn’t used to living in the dark caves that populated the landscape. She Melas was secretly pleased as well. She knew he liked to spend time in the mortal world. Which was odd, considering how much he hated them.
The other condition was to give her the ability to survive down here. Magic. Instead he gave her Exen, and the ability to take the souls of the healers he was stealing. He demanded she would turn them over to him, and she did. But with each soul she took she grew stronger, and kept a piece of them. Imagine her surprise when she gained abilities from the lesser demons who failed her.
Exen entered the room with a child thrown over his shoulder. Sera smiled in delight. The memory of her last failure was still vivid in her mind, and in the mirror when she examined her injuries delivered at the hands of Melas.
She wouldn’t fail him again. She stomach quivered at the thought.
“The boy, Mistress.” Exen dropped the child at her feet. He stepped to the side, with his legs apart, and arms crossed.
The child stared up at her with wild frighten eyes. Not much different from a animal and it’s hunter.
She lowered herself to the childs level, trying not to wince at the still tender muscles in her stomach.
“ I want my mommy.” The little boy sniffled. Tears ran a path down his cheeks dripping on the shirt he wore.
“Oh, my child,” Sera said in distress, taking hold of his chin. “You will never see your mommy again.’ Before the child could uttered a cry, she placed her lips onto his.
When she was finished, the body dropped to the floor. She would deliver the spirit to Melas, but first she had other matters to attend too.
“Exan.” Sera turned toward him.
“Mistress.” He answered. His blue eyes held no life, no spark, nothing that she was used to. Lifeless. She grimaced in distaste.
“We have a problem.” She had the problem, and it needed to be fixed. “The Oneiroi know they have someone on the inside involved with the attacks.” She sat on the chair. “ I happen to know one of them is on their way here.”
“Yes, Mistress.” He answered. She never knew how much she should tell him. She didn’t assume his loyalty was to her. Not down here.
Maybe when this was over, she would move to the mortal world. She could make her own mini army of demons. The thought pleased her.
“I want you to find her, and keep her distracted.” She slipped out of her chair. “I don’t want her harmed.” She stood in front of him. Her eyes level with his chest. She ran a finger across his collar. “Keep her busy.”
“Yes, Mistress.” He answered in the same dispassionate tone he always did.