Keeping her light upon the queen, Issari looked over her shoulder at her army. The soldiers stood in the hall, swords and shields raised. Issari spoke only two soft words.

"Kill her."

With howls, Tanin at their lead, the soldiers rushed forth.

Angel's laughter echoed in the hall.

The soldiers roared for their god and kingdom. Khopeshes swung. Spears flew.

Blades shattered against the demon's stone skin. Spears splintered. Angel swiped her claws, tossing men aside like plates knocked off a table. Soldiers clattered down. Arrows fired, snapping against the demon. She laughed, swung her claws again, and tossed men against the walls. They thudded and crashed down, and angel stomped her feet, crushing their armor and bones. Tanin slammed his dagger into the queen's leg, thrusting the blade into a crack in the stone. The queen shrieked, a sound like shattering glass. A column cracked. Angel kicked, and Tanin flew through the air and thudded against the floor.

"Tanin!"

Issari's eyes stung. She wanted to run to him, but she couldn't. She forced herself to step closer to the Demon Queen, shining her light upon her. Angel still had her back to the wall, battling the soldiers; the men seemed as small as wolves trying to take down a mammoth. But Issari was hurting her; she could see scars upon the demon's chest where the light shone. She raised her palm higher, bringing the light to blaze against Angel's eyes.

The Demon Queen screeched. This time there was no mirth in her voice, no cruelty—only pain.

"Men, chain her up!" Issari said.

Soldiers rushed forth, tossing grapples connected to thick chains. The bonds swung across Angel and men tugged back, tightening the chains. One grapple drove into a crack in Angel's belly, and she screamed again.

"The sweet spawn!" Tears of blood poured from her blinded eyes. "The child of a king! The babe in my womb!"

Issari froze, fear gripping her. The child of a king? Did . . . No. No, it was impossible.

"Tug her down!" Issari shouted.

Angel flailed, struggling to toss off the chains. The grapple dug deeper into her belly. "You are slaying your brother, princess!" cried the demon. "Your father's son festers within my womb. You are killing him."

Issari could barely breathe. Tears flooded her eyes and bile filled her throat. "You lie!"

The demon shrieked, wings beating, legs kicking back soldiers. "Cut me open and see him if you like. Your own flesh and blood."

My father has lain with her. His child is within. Issari trembled. Oh, Taal . . . don't let this be true.

She trembled so violently she lowered her beam of light.

The instant Angel was free from the ray, she screamed hoarsely, and her fire blasted out in rings. Men fell, burning. The Demon Queen kicked, overturning the throne. The heavy seat of stone slammed into Issari, knocking her down. She lay pinned beneath it.