A low hum fills the chamber. A portal opens beside Senator Adams. Through it steps Armageddon, O-72, and a pair of hulking Manus demons. Standing six feet tall and almost as wide, the Manus are covered in shaggy black fur. Their hefty arms scrape against the floor. Pointed yellow tusks hang past their chins.
Holy Hell! I’ve seen Manus demons across the Arena floor before, but never this close. These beasts are the thugs of the demon world: massive, ruthless, and absolutely terrifying. They have one rule when in battle mode: leave none alive. Adrenaline courses through me. Run, Mom!
Senator Adams clears his throat. “Ambassador Armageddon, what perfect timing. We’re removing Senator Lewis from office due to her unstable attitude toward you and our ghoul allies.”
Armageddon’s long black face curls into a smile. He folds his gangly arms over his thin chest. “Oh, there’s no need for that.”
Adams smiles. “You’re too gracious, Ambassador, but we’re concerned for the Senator’s sanity.”
Armageddon gently touches Adams’s shoulder. “No, I’m not gracious at all. Senator Lewis is right. I’m about to attack Purgatory.” Armageddon’s eyes flare bright red, his three-knuckled fingers curl into the Senator’s shoulder. Adams freezes in place. Little by little, the Senator’s body and robes turn smooth and black as stone. “Starting with you.” Armageddon lifts his hand. Adams crumbles into a pile of ash.
My limbs quiver with shock. I knew Armageddon drained the souls of his victims, but watching him do it? Something else entirely.
Screams erupt from the Senate floor. The crowd makes a mad rush for the exit. I try to spot my mother in the frantic mob, but can’t find her. Terror crushes my rib cage, shortening my breath.
Armageddon’s eyes flare bright. “Go to work.” He waves his three-knuckled hands at the pack of Manus demons surrounding him. “Leave none alive.”
The demons swing their heavy arms high, attacking nearby Senators. More portals open. Ghouls step out, red-eyed Manus demons beside them.
Somewhere in the crush of bodies, Xavier appears, his arm wrapped protectively around Mom’s shoulders. I let out a ragged breath. She’s alright, at least for now.
Xavier drags her through the frantic press of bodies and demons. There are so many people in a frantic rush, no one seems to move at all. A group of Senators struggle to press through the main exit, their bodies stuck as everyone ties to leave the chamber at once. Raising its massive arms high, a Manus demon smashes through both the Senators and the granite wall, creating a larger exit. Mom and Xavier squeeze through the new doorway and race down the marble corridors beyond. Tim follows closely behind.
I watch my father scurry behind my mom and Xavier, my upper lip twisting with disgust. When Mom needed him, Tim was nowhere to be seen. But now that she has a way out, he’s the first to follow behind. It’s humiliating to share DNA with this worm.
Mom, Xavier, and Tim race down the corridor as portals open all about them. Manus demons and ghouls stream into the hallways, attacking every quasi they can find. The air rings with thuds and screams. Xavier turns down a quiet corridor and presses on the marble wall.
“There should be a panic room somewhere around here.” A marble panel pops open, revealing a small dusty space behind the wall. Xavier pulls Mom inside.
“Wait for me!” Tim squeezes in behind them.
I grit my teeth. What a douche-move from Tim.
Xavier slams the marble door shut. “You’ll be safe here for a while.”
Mom grips Tim’s arm. “My family’s waiting for me outside the cloak room. Can you portal to them and get them out?” Demon roars echo through the air. All the blood drains from Mom’s face. “Hurry.”
An image appears in my mind’s eye: the smiling Lewis faces from Mom’s swearing-in ceremony. My heart sinks. Of course, they’d be here today, supporting her through impeachment. There must be some way to save them. Mom’s family can’t die here.
Tim closes his large black eyes. “Our Group Think has changed. New voices claim to be the Oligarchy.” His forehead lines with thought. “Demons are overrunning Purgatory. All the Senators and their families are being killed.” His eyes slowly open. “I’m not authorized to open portals anymore.” The Manus howls grow louder. The walls and floor shake as they prowl and attack. Tim steps toward the wall, his lower lip trembling with fear. “I’m sorry, Camilla.”
I have the unladylike urge to spit at him. Coward.
“Fine. I’ll get them.” Mom turns to the marble door and starts prying it open with her fingernails.
Xavier wraps his arms around her shoulders, pulling her back. “The hallway’s crawling with demons. You can’t go out there.”
“But I have to help my family!” Mom writhes under Xavier’s grip. Her eyes are wild and brimmed with tears.
I hug my elbows. Pangs of sadness strike my body like so many stones. There’s no way to stop this. Soon, Mom’s family—my family—will be destroyed.