“It wouldn’t need to. It could simply ruin all your lives, completely and utterly. It could bankrupt the city, destroy the economy, find, support, and get a new mayor elected. You realize the whole world runs on computers, and Omega owns them all.”

“You would let it do that?” Schulz asked.

“I don’t let it do anything. It might, possibly, listen to me. But why would I lift a finger to intercede on behalf of people looking to make a pariah out of that boy?”

“They don’t dislike the kid, they’re just scared. A bunch of demons descended on this city for the express purpose of getting that boy. And every citizen around him was completely expendable.”

“Now you’re pissing me off, Detective. I’m going in now. Please don’t say another word to me, and I advise you to advise them to avoid even considering any reprisal, ban, or action against Declan O’Carroll,” Chris said, turning and moving decisively toward the school.

Detective Sergeant Schulz scratched his head as he watched the God Hammer walk away. Then with a sigh, he turned and headed back to his car.

Chapter 38

Lilith came awake into a scene of complete chaos. She was lying in a heap on the now scarred and burned floor of Zinnia’s secondary throne room. Intense tropical sunlight streamed into the space, illuminating carnage, still-burning fires, and the frenetic activity of dozens of elves. Outside, looking through the massive holes in the tree, the demon’s eyes found an odd shape, something she had trouble identifying until her brain pieced together the well-trodden bark path that suddenly cut off into shorn wood. Something had cut through the walls of the tree trunk, extending out to slash all the way through a massive mature pathway branch like a sword chopping a sapling.

As her wits returned, she became aware that her entire body was on fire, except where whole pieces of it were outright missing. Still, she was able to lift her head just enough to view about half of the ruined room. Right in the center of her arc of sight sat the Queen of the Summer Court, frozen in place on half a throne, the top portion burned away, as was the tree trunk wall behind it, more bright sunlight shining through.

Zinnia sat without moving in the midst of almost hive-like activity, eyes focused on Lilith, eyes filled with hate. The Queen’s daughter rushed into the remains of the room, straight to her mother’s side. “It is done. Prince Belphagor has been contacted. He will arrive almost immediately.”

Queen Zinnia said nothing for a moment, just staring at the demon duchess. Then she spoke.