"But there are also those demons that are made. They are souls that have become corrupted. When the Sons of Tenebreis realized they could not escape Tartareia, they needed someone else to do their dirty work. That is how the first demons appeared. The Sons of Tenebreis found that a corrupt soul can grow in strength if it consumes other pure souls. The more souls a demon consumes, the more powerful it becomes. You have already seen an ascended demon. It was monstrous. That is only a middle state. If it consumes more souls, it becomes humanoid in shape. These demons will never be as powerful as a Son of Tenebreis, but they are a handful to deal with when they blend into a world and terrorize people from the shadows."

I nod slowly, taking all of it in.

"Why just sons of Tenebreis? Are there no daughters?" I blurt out.

He turns to stare at me.

"I just told you about demon hierarchies and your only question is why they are called sons?" he asks in disbelief.

"Well, yes." I bite my lip. "I want to know if they are just evil or also misogynistic."

"You..." he trails off, looking at me strangely. Then he suddenly bursts into laughter.

I gawk at him. When did I see him laugh before—did I ever?

His eyes crinkle around the corners, his face transforming under my gaze. Gone are the edge of severity and the touch of arrogance etched on his features, replaced with a levity that makes him appear younger, more...handsome.

A low hum vibrates in my lower belly, and I avert my gaze.

"So?" I ask awkwardly.

"They do have daughters, of course. But you are correct in one aspect. Within their ranks, only males are warriors. Females are tasked with the rearing of children."

I nod pensively.

"Why are you telling me all of this? I'm an outsider and a human, after all." I crack a smile.

"Because I will need your assistance."

"What?" I squeak. "What do you mean?"

"You heard the king. He will not tell me where the vial of Arche is, and the only other person who knows its location is the high priestess. I have no doubt that he will warn her to put up her wards against me in the temple so I cannot enter, which is why I require the assistance of a female who can go inside undetected."

My lashes flutter in confusion.

"But why would he do that if the situation is so dire? Shouldn't he want to help you?"

"Theoretically. But because it is me who made the request, he will not budge. There is also the matter of his pride, and he believes he can protect the artifact on his own when I know for certain he cannot."

"What is so important about that artifact? What about the other thirteen? Aren't they as important?"