When first risen into the world, Angel had been no larger than Issari, a woman of stone and fire and bat wings. After feeding on human flesh, she had grown to an obscene size. The Demon Queen was now as large as a dragon, too large to stand upright within this hall. She lay on the ground, wrapped around the throne like a girl holding a doll. Cracks appeared on her stony body, seeping smoke and lava. Her chest rose and fell, and her eyes were narrowed to orange slits. Her wings stretched out like sails, and her claws rose taller than swords. With every deep breath, she exhaled smoke and sulfuric fumes. A small scar still marred the demon's cheek—the mark Issari's amulet had given her.

I hurt her, Issari thought, hiding the amulet within her fist. I can hurt her again.

She stepped deeper into the hall. Tanin walked at her side, his jaw clenched, his brow damp, his dagger raised. Behind, the first of Issari's soldiers entered too, their helmets hiding their faces. Still the Demon Queen slept—the deep slumber of one so powerful she knows none can hurt her.

Issari took several more steps until she stood in the center of the hall. To her right rose a statue of her father, the only one still with its original head. Issari took a deep breath and spoke so loudly her voice echoed.

"Arise, Queen of Devilry, and heed me! I am Issari Seran. I am henceforth Queen of Eteer. Release my throne and obey me!"

For a long moment, Angel still lay with closed eyes, though her breath grew more rapid, and her claws trailed along the floor. One red eye opened, blazing with the light of a sun. The demon snorted.

"You are Queen of the Whores. You're not worthy of a latrine for a throne. Return to your banishment or wait here until your father returns to slay you."

Issari smiled thinly. "Last time we met, Angel of the Abyss, you screamed, leaped upon me, tried to crush and deform me. Now you tell me to leave? I see the mark on your face. Do you fear me, Angel?"

The demon queen hissed, her tongue flicking. Slowly she rose to a crouch, body creaking like moving stones, her wings spreading wide. She moved like smoke unfurling from burning forests. Both eyes opened now, smelters of molten rock, and lava dripped between dagger-like fangs. She slammed her claws down, clutching the throne.