Red light flashed in my eyes. I hissed between clenched teeth and straightened. Lilith was calling. Not only did my vision turn red when she called, but it felt like claws down my back. I shivered and then glanced to the now broken window to pretend it was the ice-cold air that bothered me. I waved my hand, letting my green magic spill from my palm. When it hit the ground, the marble parted and the pedestal holding Lilith’s orb lifted into the room. My stomach rolled. My mouth watered like I was going to throw up. I needed to get better control of myself around Lilith or I was dead.

Worse than dead, actually.

I tried not to think about Everest’s warning for what his mother would do if she got her hands on us. I wonder if I can get to Everest for some advice? I need a little more help with dealing with her.

“I have a plan, mistress⁠—”

“Handle it, child,” Lilith’s voice was a gravelly growl through the orb. “I expect movement when I next return.”

And then she was gone. The orb went cold and black again. My breaths evened.

“By all means, wow us with your expertise,” the Prince spoke softly yet still with a punch.

Sweyn strolled over to her throne and sat down, dramatically crossing one leg over the other, though I wasn’t sure who this show was for at this point. She rested her thin hands on the armrests and leaned back, arching her eyebrow at him. “The Coven needs rest to rejuvenate their magic. We’re going to prevent them from doing so by having the angels attack.”

My eyes widened. Oh no.

“Asmodeus and his demons will start. He’ll lure them to somewhere far away and relentlessly unleash hell upon them until their bodies and magic are near spent.” She grinned. “Just when they can take no more, the other angels will cause mayhem elsewhere. They will have to go. We will keep them in battle until the sun sets and then your knights can sweep in and capture Frankie Proctor.”

“Yes, catch their little witchling that got away from you.” The Prince sighed but it was laced with annoyance. “That has proved a worthy cause.”

Sweyn narrowed her red eyes at him. “Everest is going to love watching what I do to her. I want him to hurt.”

I took a step forward. “My lady, shouldn’t we be capturing Everest? Is he not our biggest threat? Lilith⁠—”

“Lilith wants to punish her son for eternity, and she’ll get her chance. First, I want him to watch me break everything he has tried to protect . . . starting with the witchling.”

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

FRANKIE