Across the hall, the soldiers picked up his chant. "Queen Issari! Queen Issari! Blessed be Issari, Queen of Eteer!"

Issari rose to her feet, left the throne, and walked toward the palace doors. She stepped through them and gazed down upon the city of Eteer, heart of the Eteerian civilization: thousands of houses, the canal with its ships, the city walls, the sea beyond. Her soldiers stood at her sides.

One soldier, a young captain, blew a silver horn. People emerged from their homes below, climbed onto roofs, and stared at the palace. Issari gazed down upon her people.

"Queen Issari Seran reigns!" shouted a soldier. "Behold Blessed Queen Issari!"

And she knew: The kingdom was hers. The people accepted her; so would Angel.

When she returned to the throne room, she found the chained demon shaking, lying on the floor, bloody tears leaking from her eyes. Her wounds dripped, and her wings lay limp.

"Do you accept my dominion?" Issari asked. "Answer, Creature of the Abyss! Do you accept me as your ruler, the rightful Queen of Eteer?"

Angel fixed her with a narrow, pained stare. She hissed, smoke seeping between her teeth. "By the ancient laws binding me to servitude, I accept, Queen Issari. Your father no longer rules. The throne is yours . . . as is my allegiance."

Issari took a shuddering breath. Tanin approached her and she clasped his hand, relief spreading across her.

"Then I command you to call your demon soldiers home," said Issari. "Withdraw them from the northern lands. Return with them into the Abyss, and never more emerge."

But Angel seemed not to hear. She writhed on the floor, her teeth clenched, and she let out a howl. Her claws dug into the floor. Her belly bulged and contracted. Her legs spread open.

"What is she doing?" Tanin whispered, face pale.

Issari took a step back. Terror flooded her. She could not speak.

"I serve you, Queen Issari," said the demon, voice dripping with pain. Blood beaded upon her brow. "But our children, Issari . . . our children are only half-demons. No laws of servitude bind them." She tossed back her head and screamed. "Welcome, children of darkness! Welcome, sons and daughters of mortals! My rein ends; the age of the nephilim begins."

A cackle rose.

A creature emerged.

Issari screamed.

RAEM

 
RAEM

The scout flew upon the wind, heading toward the demon host.

"Ah, our dear friend returns," Raem said. "The dragons have been found."