Anubis turns to face me, his jackal-face set in serious lines. “I will block your father’s army from entering Hell.”
Armageddon rolls his eyes. “There’s more to it than that.”
Anubis bares his teeth. “I will use my powers to pull any who approach the Walls of Hell into the torture pits.” He turns to Nefer. “In exchange, Nefer will not be harmed.”
My mouth falls open with shock. “But my father expects you to open the Walls of Hell for him. Let him march through the main gate like you did when he came for Lucifer.”
Armageddon sneers. “I heard all about that invasion to grab Lucifer. Xavier led the approach personally.”
I stare at Anubis as my mind tries to process this. “If my father approached the Walls of Hell again, would you use your vines to drag him into the torture pits?”
“That’s the arrangement,” says Anubis, his voice dead.
“And guess what?” asks Armageddon. “Once your father crosses into Hell, his old vow to be my torture toy through all eternity goes right back into effect. Oh, I made a mistake when I invaded Purgatory, I’m demon enough to admit that. I brought Xavier out to show your mother and break her focus, and that allowed you to free him. Rest assured, once I have Daddy Dearest back in my realm, I won’t ever make that error again. He’ll be mine for eternity.”
A warm tear rolls down my cheek. “Anubis, no.”
“The deal is made,” says Anubis, his jackal features still as stone.
My gaze locks with Lincoln’s. The ache of despair that I feel in my own heart is reflected in his eyes. Xavier, Lincoln, Maxon and me, all trapped with Armageddon for eternity. Our failsafe plan to have Nefer rescue us is a total loss. And the only powerful being that could have helped us—Anubis—is now on Armageddon’s team.
My face turns pleading. I don’t need to say a word and Lincoln knows what I’m asking. Any ideas?
Lincoln shakes his head. Nothing.
My body freezes with shock. Armageddon did it. He’s trapped us all in Hell. It’s only a matter of time before he has all the after-realms at his feet.
“You understand now,” says Armageddon slowly. “I’ve done it at last. Destroyed your entire family.” He raises his fist. “How beautiful.”
“You can’t destroy us,” I say, but my words seem hollow, even to me.
“Ah, but I already have.” Armageddon slips into the throne next to mine. “And I see that’s not the only family destroyed today. You killed Aldred and Adair, too. What a pity. They were so much fun to torture.”
Lincoln glares at the King of Hell. “Stop it, now. You have something you want, so ask for it.”
Armageddon keeps talking as if Lincoln hasn’t said a word. The old demon is enjoying prolonging his moment. “You know, when Aldred first arrived in Hell, I didn’t give him much thought. But then, news came that you were pregnant and Aldred simply begged me for a private audience. He insisted that he had something to offer in exchange for his eternal comfort.” Armageddon rises to his feet and steps over to Maxon’s prison box. My insides tighten with fear and dread.
The King of Hell slowly sets his palm atop my son’s metal prison. “I finally decided to meet him. That’s when Aldred told me all about his deal for your sweet boy. And no longer was this exchange for some possible future child, but it held sway over a real babe soon to be born. How thrilling.”
Armageddon slowly runs his fingers across the top of Maxon’s prison box. My mouth turns dry with panic.
“The deal was perfect,” snarls Armageddon. “Once your spawn inherited your powers, I could make him mine. I would have the Great Scala irrevocably in my grasp. But then, Connor went and hired the little monopsyche. A few more days and she could have protected your boy.” He rolls his eyes. “Ah, Connor. Always trying to do the right thing. Always failing miserably.” Armageddon’s palm flares red with fire. The metal around his hand starts to bubble and smoke. “Now, it will be you and me through all eternity, little Scala. Your son isn’t so important any more, is he?”
“Answer Lincoln’s question,” I cry. “What do you want with my powers right now, Armageddon? Out with it.”
Maxon starts to pound on the walls of his metal prison. “Smoke!” His breath comes in little gasps. “Mommy, Daddy, I can’t breathe!”
The Leech Guards chitter with glee. That pisses me off.
My eyes flare demon red with rage. “He’s only a child. Stop that, now.”
“What a coincidence! I’d love to stop as well.” Armageddon leans his weight onto his hand, causing the box to glow orange around his skin. “Why don’t you send Verus to Hell and I’ll take a little break? She and I have unfinished business.”
His words echo through my mind. Bring Verus here? She’s an oracle angel and one of the most powerful forces in the after-realms.