Abaddon felt his jaw tighten.
Lucifer's casual, mocking smile was the most infuriating thing that Abaddon had seen in years.
His attempt to hold Abaddon's family out of reach nearly got the best of him. It was clearly beginning to get the better of some of his wives.
But it was all just a part of Lucifer's game. They couldn't fall into his goading at the first provocation.
"It is unfortunate, but your refusal does not actually mean anything." Abaddon folds his hands together. "No one is forced to stand underneath any banner at the war's beginning."
"Oh, but it does." Lucifer whistled. "See, you're forgetting… Hell is not a normal pantheon. It is a prison. And these…" Lucifer points to the army of demons behind him. "Are my inmates. As the warden, I can't just let them go run off anytime I feel like it, can I?"
Abaddon's claws reflexively sharpen.
Tatiana looks towards the podium. "Asherah, this cannot be allowed!"
Asherah is silent for a while, and Tatiana's face darkens.
