The ring of fire flares brighter, then it fades away. Before me, the figures change. Instead of being made from sand, they’re now flesh and bone. I scan the scene, seeing a busy Senate chamber made of white marble. Wooden benches line the floor, all of them filled with quasis in purple robes, their many different tails swaying in the same slow rhythm. In the front of the space, my mother stands behind a tall wooden podium. The Senators watch her from the benches, their attention fixed.
Mom grips the podium’s edges. “My proposal with Senator Myung is an important step forward in fair after-life treatment for human souls. Too often, souls reach Purgatory without any comfort or support from the guardian angels who protected them during their lifetime.”
Xavier slips through the back door of the Senate chamber and stands along the far wall. He wears a gray suit with a blue tie that highlights his turquoise eyes. As he watches Mom, his stern face softens into a smile. A warm feeling spreads through my chest. The two of them must have worked out their differences. Nice job, Mom.
My mother scans the crowd. “This bill will help guardian angels find their human’s soul after death, just as previous legislation helps their tempting demon find them today. Please respect our sacred role in keeping Purgatory a neutral and fair space for souls.”
Mom scans the senate floor. All eyes are fixed on her.
“Next week, remember the human souls entering Purgatory every day, every moment. Vote in favor of the Myung-Lewis bill. Thank you.”
The chamber’s silent for a moment, then members of the Senate begin to clap. The applause quickly swells. I join in and cheer, every cell in my body bursting with pride. Go, Camilla!
Bowing slightly, Mom steps away from the podium. The room echoes with low chatter as everyone rises to their feet and moves on with their day. A small group of Senators encircle Mom, asking questions. Tim rushes through the back door of the room, his long robes fluttering with each step. He gently touches Mom’s upper arm.
“Senator Lewis, we must depart for the committee meeting.”
“Thank you, Tim.” She rests her hand on his shoulder. He shivers.
Together, they leave the chamber. Xavier watches them go, and then he follows a short distance behind. They step through a series of long marble passageways until reaching a small wooden door. Xavier hangs back in the busy hall.
I watch Xavier as he keeps a careful distance from my mother. His movements are protective, almost possessive, but not in a creepy-stalker way. Hmm. I might be starting to like this guy.
Tim holds the door open. “The committee will meet in here today, Senator Lewis.”
Mom steps inside. “Thank you.” She and Tim walk to a long wooden table surrounded by heavy leather chairs. As they take their seats, two new figures step into the room. One’s a familiar-looking ghoul in a long black robe. The other is Armageddon.
My body goes on full alert. Armageddon’s here? I want to break through the dreamscape, grab Mom’s hand, and run for it. Instead, I feel rooted to the spot, unable to do anything but brace myself against jolts of panic.
Mom scans the newcomer, her face rounding into a polite smile. “Good afternoon, Ambassador.”
Wait a second. Mom used to work with Armageddon? Whoa. I scan their faces. No one seems affected by his greater demon aura. They should be slammed with fear, but all of them—especially Mom—appear genuinely calm. My mind whirls until the reason’s clear: Armageddon turned into a greater demon when he became King of Hell. Clever. There’s more to his takeover of Purgatory than I first suspected.
Armageddon’s long black face wears an unreadable expression. “Senator.”
Mom turns to address the ghoul. “Greetings to you, O-72.”
O-72 nods. “We thank you.”
Suddenly, I realize where I’ve seen that ghoul before. Slap a red robe on that guy and he’s one of the Oligarchy today. I’ve seen him at matches a dozen times.
Armageddon, Mom, and an Oligarchy ghoul? What in blazes is going on here?
My sleepy mind struggles to understand what I’m seeing. I’ve adjusted to the concept that Mom was a Senator. In fact, it’s been awesome seeing her in action. But finding out that she dealt with Armageddon drives a lead feeling into my stomach. I know how this story ends, and it can’t be good that Mom was in the middle of it.
Xavier walks into the room. “Good afternoon, everyone.” He slides in to a leather chair across from Mom.
Armageddon eyes Xavier’s every move, his face unmoving, his irises flaring bright red. “Ambassador Cross.” His upper lip twists, exposing a sharp canine. Shivers of anxiety rattle my spine. Clearly, Armageddon hates Xavier with a vengeance. What happened between these two?
Mom motions to Tim. “Let’s begin.” He pulls a manila folder from within the folds of his robes and hands it to her. “Thank you, Tim.” She sets the folder before her on the tabletop. “Our first item of the day is a diplomacy tour of–”
Armageddon leans back in his chair. “No. I have unfinished business here.” He steeples his three-knuckled fingers under his pointed chin. “You know what I want.”
O-72 lets out a long breath. “I’ve heard it many times, Armageddon. Maybe someday you’ll become the King of Hell, but right now you’re a common demon, fourth class.”