The air was thick with late-morning warmth—the kind that clung to your skin like a memory. Artemus stood beside me on the balcony overlooking the lower levels of the capital, arms folded, watching the horizon with narrowed eyes.
"So… Nyx is staying with you now?" She asked casually, still facing forward.
"Yeah. It's been like this for a little over a week," I replied, glancing at her sidelong. I pretended not to notice the edge in her tone.
"Huh." She gave a small nod. "She doesn't usually stay anywhere long. Or with anyone."
"She's changed," I said, folding my arms. "Figured she needed a place where she could breathe."
"Are you letting people stay with you now? That's new," she said, glancing at me.
I met her gaze. "Don't act like you know me well enough to say that."
She smirked. "Right. I didn't."
A quiet moment passed before she added, her voice softer now, "She sleeps in your bed too?"
I blinked. "What, are you jealous?"
"Of Nyx?" she scoffed with a roll of her eyes. "Please. Just… surprised, is all."
"Uh-huh," I replied dryly.
"You're easy to tease now," Artemus said, her smile widening.
"And you're still nosy."
"I call it observation. Helps with diplomacy."
"Keep telling yourself that."
She chuckled. "So, you agreed to join me."
"I don't mind working with you," I admitted, still looking slightly up at her.
I can't wait to get back to my original height. Just a few more weeks, I thought while subtly eyeing her figure.
"They'll be arriving in about two hours. What should we do in the meantime?" she asked, turning toward me.
"Catch up. Share a meal. I assume you're curious how your sister's doing."
"Well, yes—and seeing as she isn't dead or hospitalized, I take that as a good sign," Artemus said lightly.
"She came close, or should have, if not for Leah," I said with a small shrug.
Her brow furrowed. "Why?"
"She discovered things she shouldn't have and tried to threaten me. She found out the hard way why not to do that. Honestly, I blame your father just as much."
"So she figured out your origin?"
"Yeah. On her own. The same way you did. At least you didn't try to use it against me."
"I had my doubts before that warehouse meeting," Artemus said, nodding. "But it wasn't hard to piece together."
"So your father probably knows too."
"Definitely. He won't act on it. But he also won't accept you."
I shrugged. "Doesn't really matter to me."
She changed the subject. "Have you looked over the list of who's coming?"
"I did."
"Anyone likely to be a problem?"
"Of the five originally listed? No. They're all SSS-rank soldiers, but they're stable and serious. And with the Saintess leading, they'll stay in line."
"Starting trouble here would be a death sentence."
"Exactly. They're just here to observe."
She tilted her head. "They also claimed to be delivering information to their 'close ally.'"
I scoffed. "'Close ally.' We were at war for years."
"Humans and demons move on faster than you'd think," Artemus replied. "But that doesn't mean they forget."
I studied her. "Do you have many friends?"
She blinked. "A few. Why?"
"Do you blackmail them?"
She sighed. "This is about Nyx, isn't it?"
"Yeah. She tried. Asked about my past. She didn't fully get it—but she got close. Your father's been feeding her intriguing lessons."
Artemus winced. "I always wondered why her friends seemed so afraid."
"And you didn't say anything?"
"We weren't close. She left for the human world early, and we didn't talk much afterward."
"Well, she's not doing much now. Maybe you should visit."
"I will," she said softly.
"You're welcome anytime. I can even pick you up if needed."
"Then send me your contact info."
I handed her one of the new demon-made phones. Funny how demon tech surpassed humans now.
She looked up. "Oh—what should I call you when they arrive?"
"If you call me Ren, the Saintess might recognize me."
She grinned. "Princess Diamonas, then?"
"No, thanks. Just call me Captain."
"Captain Diamonas? That sounds weird. I think I'll stick with Princess."
I narrowed my eyes. "You're teasing me."
"Maybe. Who knows?"
Cute… They really are sisters, I thought.
We sat in a quiet, spacious dining hall. Soft music played from enchanted crystals.
"I don't understand how more people don't know about this place," I said.
"That's probably what makes it special," Artemus replied, her voice light.
She paid the bill, and we stepped outside into the crisp air.
"They should be arriving any minute now," she said, adjusting her coat.
I pointed to the sky. "Is that them? Winged horses and a carriage?"
She nodded. "That's them."
"We're walking back to the castle with them?"
"They wanted to see the city. Walking made more sense."
If the Demon King has made that decision, then that's acceptable.
"Ah—remember to call him Demon King or Father, depending on context."
"Got it. Demon King."
We walked toward the main gate.
"Why aren't the guards opening it?"
"That's your job today," Artemus said with a snicker.
Demons. Always practical.
"How are we handling translation?" she asked.
"Just speak. I'll translate."
"Alright, Princess. I'll introduce myself in English."
"Fine."
"Good morning, Sergeant White," the lead soldier said as we approached.
"Good morning. We'll take them from here."
"Yes, ma'am." The guards saluted and left.
The carriage remained. I frowned. There were six figures inside—not five.
Artemus stepped forward. "Good morning, humans. I'm Sergeant White. I'll be guiding you."
"Ah, we finally arrived?" said a tall man with a long scar across his face.
"Sir, please show respect," the Saintess said firmly.
"Saintess, I outrank you," the man snapped.
"I'm running this mission. And you weren't even supposed to be here," she replied coolly.
The man—Leam—rolled his eyes and stepped out. "Whatever."
"Good morning, fellow allies. My codename is Saintess," she said in broken Narlic.
It makes sense, she wouldn't give her real name.
I stepped in. "I'll be your translator today," I said in English.
"Oh, thank God," the Saintess breathed, relieved.
Artemus leaned close. "Why is there an extra guest?" she asked. I translated.
"Apologies—we didn't know he was coming until after we left," the Saintess said.
"Can he introduce himself?" I asked, relaying the question.
"Pah! Why should I?" The man snapped.
The Saintess cut in. "His name is Leam Goldin. Chief of Intelligence for the EU."
I turned to Artemus. "That's going to be a problem," I muttered in Narlic.
She frowned. "Why?"
"He's arrogant. And relentless. He'll be a headache."
"Will he cause trouble?"
"No. He's not foolish. But he'll poke around. Ask questions."
She sighed. "Thanks, Princess."
I glared. "Hey."
The Saintess blinked. "Princess?"
Artemus smirked behind her hand. "Oops." No remorse at all.
The saintess extended her hand. "Good to meet you, Princess Diamonas."
I hesitated, then took her hand. "Pleased to meet you."
Leam stood behind her, eyes sharp, already evaluating me.
The city stretched beneath a red-hued sky, quiet and humming with restrained energy. Black stone streets gleamed beneath floating lights. There was no chaos—just a steady, watchful rhythm.
Our group moved in formation: Artemus and I led, with the Saintess beside me, the others trailing behind. Leam whispered into a recording device. A pair of demon guards followed at a distance.
"Didn't think it'd look like this," the Saintess said in English.
"What were you expecting?"
She gave a sheepish smile. "Towers of flame? Lava rivers? Screaming slaves?"
"There are towers. For water. Screaming depends on the tavern," I said.
Artemus stifled a laugh.
A group of children chased a glowing orb across the street. They stopped when they saw us, then darted off giggling. One waved. The saintess smiled in surprise.
"Not many humans here, huh?" one of the soldiers asked.
"No," Artemus replied evenly. "But follow the rules, and you'll be treated fairly."
"Most of the time," I added under my breath.
"Not wrong," Artemus murmured.
We passed under an archway into a new district. The buildings were larger and rounder—temple-like. Markets, scholars, workers. Demons moved around us. Some bowed. Some didn't.
"Feels like we're being judged," one of the humans muttered.
"You are," I said without looking back.
The Saintess looked at me. "Do they know who we are?"
"No. You're strangers. That's all they need to know."
Leam scoffed. "Convenient."
"Princess," Artemus called. "Let's take the scenic route. Show them the memorial square."
I nodded. We turned down a narrow walkway that led to a wide, quiet courtyard surrounded by statues—half demon, half human.
The air felt different here. Still. Heavy with memory.
"This place..." the Saintess whispered.
"It's where we honor those who ended the war. From both sides," I explained.
She approached a statue of a human in worn armor.
"He's one of ours."
"Commander Holt. Surrendered to save a demon village. Your side executed him as a traitor. We made him a hero."
She stared, silent. Even Leam had gone quiet.
"Funny," Artemus said softly, eyes on a six-armed, eyeless demon statue. "War built this city. Peace made it beautiful."
"Too bad peace is harder to keep," I said.
She nodded. "That's why we're here."
The Saintess turned back, her voice quieter. "Thank you for showing us this."
I nodded. "Don't thank me yet. The castle's where the real questions begin."
"And the real answers?"
I tilted my head. "We'll see."