Armageddon visibly cringes at these words. “So you keep telling me.”
Beads of black sweat appear on O-72’s forehead. He adjusts the neckline of his ghoul robes. “The rules are the rules. Only two categories of demons go to iconigrations and Arena matches: the first class and the King of Hell. Not fourth class demons. Not you. Be thankful you’ve been appointed delegate to this Council. It’s a great honor for someone with your humble background.”
Armageddon’s eyes narrow. “But not the honor I want. My son moves souls at the Arena. I want to be there.”
Mom stays unflappable. “We appreciate that your son is the Great Scala. Perhaps you could arrange to see him outside of the Arena?”
Armageddon bares his teeth. “The thrax poisoned his mind against me. You all know this.” He pounds the table with his fist. “I want Arena access to my son.” He scans the table with a predatory glare. “I wish to see him move souls.”
I inhale a stunned breath. I knew the Scala was Armageddon’s son, but I didn’t realize the old demon wanted anything to do with his child. A tremor of fear rattles my shoulders. Armageddon’s calculating something, weaving his invisible plans. He did this when he schemed his takeover of Purgatory; it gives me the creeps.
O-72 wags his massive gray head. “This is not possible. Ghouls only allow certain demons into any Arena event. The rules are the rules.”
“I see.” Armageddon laces his three-knuckled fingers together by his long neck. “We all bend the rules. Sometimes.” He skewers O-72 with a look that speaks of hidden secrets that Armageddon has stockpiled for just such an occasion. “You, of all of us, should understand that.”
O-72 clears this throat. “I’ll see what I can do.”
Armageddon lowers his hands, his mouth curling into an evil grin. “That’s all I ask.” He rises to his feet. “We’re done here.”
Mom points directly at Armageddon’s chest. “Where are you going?”
I gasp. Damn, Mom! Going toe-to-toe with the future King of Hell. My chest tightens with bands of worry.
Xavier raises his hand. “If Armageddon wishes to retreat, he may.” Something in his tone says the word ‘retreat’ is laced with some particular memory, one that Xavier is flaunting in the demon’s face.
Armageddon twists his head to glare at Xavier, a low hiss sounds from his throat. “Your time will come.”
Xavier’s blue eyes flare brightly. “We’ll see.”
Mom knocks on the tabletop with her fist. “We have important matters to discuss here today.” She taps the manila folder with her pointer finger. “Let’s get back to it.”
Armageddon curls his finger to O-72. “Come with me.”
O-72 dutifully rises to his feet and follows Armageddon from the room. He couldn’t be more under the demon’s control if marionette strings trailed from his robes. Mom watches the pair leave, her face still as stone.
I bite my lower lip anxiously. Not a good look from Mom. She’s about ready to lose her freaking mind on someone. At least, it’s not me.
Mom rounds on Xavier. “Why didn’t you back me up? Armageddon should never have been able to leave the meeting early.” She pushes her manila folder away from her, and it flies halfway down the table. “We can’t let him collude with ghouls and override the authority of this office.”
Xavier laughs. “Please. I’ve watched ghouls and demons fight each other for thousands of years. They’ll plot for a time, and then they’ll fight over some nonsense and go home. Demons are chaos and destruction. Ghouls are rules and regulations. Oil and water don’t mix.”
“I’ve told you a hundred times, Armageddon is different.” Her eyes flare red. “We can’t let him go unchallenged.”
Every cell in my body screams that she is right. I want to jump into the dreamscape and start shaking Xavier by the shoulders, telling him to listen to Mom or I’ll kick him in the shins. But I can’t do anything.
But Xavier doesn’t seem to hear my mother, let alone me. He leans back in his chair, his head gently shaking from side to side. Standing behind them both, Tim looks so mousy and frightened, I’m surprised that he doesn’t duck under the table to hide.
Xavier drums his fingers on the tabletop. “I’ve seen Armageddon’s type before. He doesn’t have the staying power to really change the system.”
Ha! Armageddon tears down the whole freaking system single-handedly. Please, listen. Please, please, please!
Mom rubs her neck with her hand. “Have you heard him go on about his son? It’s strange. He wants access to Maxon and will do anything to get it.”
Xavier laughs. “Do you hear yourself? A demon loves his son. It’s insane, Camilla.”