The heavy doors to the Marquise's chamber slammed open, the sound cracking through the air like thunder.
Raven entered first, his cloak trailing shadows, the four boys stumbling close behind him.
They froze.
Because the moment they entered, they saw Marquise Colombore's body slumping lifelessly against the marble floor, his eyes wide, chest torn open.
Raven and the boys stood still as blood pooled below the Marquise in a slow, widening circle.
Then, slowly, their eyes turned away from the Marquise.
Above him stood the figure responsible for whatever had happened—tall, lean, his horns curling backward like blades, a cruel smirk tugging at his lips.
In his palm pulsed a still-beating heart, twitching weakly between clawed fingers.
It was a demon, and from the power emanating from the guy, Raven could tell that it was a demon warlord.
