“Of course you can, Mr. Dellacourt,” a silky voice said from the
outer reaches of the light. Meg nearly jumped out of her skin as the
light revealed that they were not alone. A Planeswalker was standing
on the steps leading to the second floor. He turned his head from the
light. “If you please, Your Highness, that light is intrusive.”
Meg directed the light out away from his face. Her hands were
shaking as she faced the demon. Was this the same demon who had
taken her here? She thought she recognized the voice. “Are you here
to stop me?”
The demon’s laugh filled the space. “No, Your Highness. I am
here to use the door. I walk these planes on a daily basis. I gain
strength from crossing through the veil. I also take contracts and
receive payment to access the doors from those less intelligent than
yourself and the great Mr. Dellacourt.”
284
Sophie Oak
Dante snorted. “Yeah, I’m great. I almost peed myself when you
started talking. Is he going to kill us?”
“As I haven’t been paid to do so, I will forego any murders this
evening,” the demon promised. “I was looking forward to a very dull
passage. Now I have a bit of excitement. It was very clever of you to
find the door, Your Highness. The hag is going to be somewhat upset
to discover you’ve found your way back to your kingdom. I believe
her employer will be upset as well.”
“Torin,” Meg surmised.
The demon smiled, showing his jagged teeth. “Yes, the pretender
is terrified of the warrior king. He should be even more frightened
now. The philosopher king has a bit of the warrior’s rage since the
bonding. He could prove even more formidable than his twin.”
“Beck isn’t sure he even wants the throne anymore,” Meg said,