The guards are just as surprised as me when I stumble through the Gate into the Winter Realm. I never thought it would let me through. It’s unheard of for a demon to travel to one of the Realms of the Gods. Especially not Beira’s.

But I’m here now and the guards are beginning to gather their wits. Weapons are pointing at me and one Guardian steps forward, his hands extended. Something grabs me from behind, pressing my hands and wings against my body, but when I look, there is nothing. Magic.

“I come in peace!” I shout and the guards look even more confused. “I have an urgent message for your Queen.”

And her daughter. Wyn. But I assume that Beira will be the one who’s still responsible for what happens in her Realm. I can’t imagine Wyn being concerned with any of that. Even when she was about to head into battle at Calanais, all she had eyes for were her Guardians.

“What would a demon have to say to the Mother of Gods?” the Guardian at the front of the crowd shouts. I don’t know much about the Queen’s military, but I’m sure the golden stripes on his shoulders mean he’s important.

“I say we kill her now,” a scarred soldier next to him says loud enough for me to hear. “She’ll only attack her Majesty as soon as she has a chance.”

“I know who sent the demons who attacked the Gate at Calanais and who tried to kill Princess Wynter and her Guardians!”

That makes them listen.

“Because you’re one of them?” the Guardian in charge sneers and I laugh.

“No, because I killed most of them. Now let me speak to Beira.”

Some of the soldiers gasp in shock. I sigh.

“I mean her Majesty.”

“She doesn’t have any respect,” the scarred man snarls, his eyes filled with hate. “If you won’t, I’ll kill her. You know what demons did to my family.”

“Stand down, soldier,” the leader commands icily. “Nathan, inform the Queen that we have a demon in custody.”

A lanky blond Guardian runs to one of the huts to the right of the Gate and disappears inside.

“What’s your name, demon?” the man in charge asks me.

“I am Chesca, Demon Queen of the Topaz Zone in the Demon Realm.” I say my name with pride. I don’t often get the opportunity to use my title and usually avoid it when talking to other demons. I’ve been in exile for centuries and haven’t been to Topaz for just as long. And with the Morrigan taking over the Realm, I’m not even sure if my queendom is still like it was when I left.

“I didn’t know demons had queens,” one of the soldiers mutters. “Maybe she’s lying to make herself sound important.”

“No, Topaz exists alright.” The scarred man approaches me. There is nothing but hate in the look he’s giving me. “Do you know a Cristian?”

I freeze. I haven’t heard that name in a long time. Not since I left and he tried to force me to return.

“Yes,” I say slowly. “He’s my brother.”

The man comes closer.

“Stand down, Kahol!” the commander shouts.

“Just checking her for weapons, Sir,” Kahol replies with a short salute and walks around me until he’s standing behind me. I can feel his breath on my neck as his hands roam over my back.

“Cristian slaughtered my wife,” he whispers so only I can hear. I’m beginning to struggle against the invisible bonds holding me in place. This man is deranged, he won’t listen to his commander. He’s out for revenge. “He raped my daughter before killing her. He almost managed to kill me. See the scars on my face?”

He steps in front of me and begins to pat me down.

“He made those. I could have had them healed, but I wanted a reminder of what he did to my family. And now I’ve got his sister standing in front of me.”

“I hate him just as much as you,” I whisper frantically. “He—”

He punches me in the stomach before I can continue. I gasp for breath, struggling for air.

The other soldiers are watching dispassionately. Their commander has disappeared, he’s probably in one of the huts. But his bonds are still holding me in place. I can’t escape.

Kahol steps behind me once more and I feel something sharp against my back.

“I wish it was him instead of you, but you will do.”

Without further warning, he slams the dagger into my chest. Bones crunch and I know it pierces my heart before I feel the pain.

Blood fills my mouth and my vision is getting blurry.

But I need to pass on my message.

Need to.

“It’s… the Morrigan. Tell… the Queen… the Morrigan controls… demons.”

Death is close.

“They’re… coming.”