Kingdom Come by Noor Nazri

Author:Noor, Nazri
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-06-24T16:00:00+00:00

19

My landing at the Nicola Arboretum was wobbly, at best. That late in the evening, there was usually no one around apart from one or two security guards roaming the place. Neither would have bothered much with what appeared to be the arrival of a large, shadowy bird that smelled vaguely of sweat and stomach acid. I breathed in the wet, cool scent of vegetation and night flowers, glad to be alive and not trapped in a monster’s gullet. Honestly, I was even gladder that Raziel wasn’t around to see me flub my descent. That would only end up in another extended lecture about how I needed to practice more.

The little stone statue of a fox that marked the entrance to Paradise crackled with magic as I approached. Your average supplicant would need at least a ritual and a bag of Snacky Yum-Yums to get in, but as a resident, I was my own walking access card. A green portal in the shape of a large leaf shimmered into existence. I stepped in, sighing at the sensation of warmth and comfort rushing over my skin. It was night in Paradise, too, but Artemis liked to keep everything keyed to a tropical climate.

And there she stood, just by the entrance, her fists pushed into her hips, her face wrought with disapproval. Standing next to her was something worse, still. Raziel might not have been around to see me land about as skillfully as a baby bird, but he was still around, both his posture and his expression similar to the goddess of the hunt’s. I rubbed the back of my neck, groaning.

“What is it now? What did I do wrong this time?”

Artemis tapped her foot, then flung her hand towards something behind her. “A demon, Mason? Really? In my domicile? I just murdered six of them, and Florian told me you killed another three that were hiding in Box’s belly, but now you’re bringing another one in? What is this, hell night at Chez Artemis? Free drink tickets for demons? Get him out of here.”

“Now hold on. I need him. I don’t know what Florian told you, but that demon is key to finding Abaddon.”

Raziel placed a hand on Artemis’s forearm. To my surprise, she neither flinched nor threw him off. I guess she was growing to appreciate him a little more.

“Mason is correct, goddess. Florian explained the spell to me, and so far it all appears to make sense. Although I do agree. Perhaps Mason should have consulted with you before bringing home a grisly new guest, hmm?”

Artemis’s lips pressed expectantly together. My eyes flitted between their faces, and I sighed in resignation.

“Sorry,” I grumbled. “I should have told you we were bringing home a prisoner.”

Artemis exhaled, softening. “Good. Thank you, yes. It would be nice to have some warning is all. You know I’m very protective of everyone who lives here, animal or otherwise.” She broke into an unexpected smile. “And thank you for rescuing Fluffy.”

I returned her smile. “Well, it was Lina who brought him back.

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