Ethel dropped the bundle of sticks at her feet and watched as Alfred dragged away a charred timber from the longhouse ruins. A contingent of the Crimson Guard had brought them back to the farm the previous day, and they had immediately launched into the job of rebuilding the farm.

  Thankfully, the work would be done long before winter arrived, and the gold coin she’d found in her saddlebag should buy more than enough provisions to last until spring. It would even allow them to replace all the animals, with plenty left over to save for the future.

  She smiled as she reached down to cradle her belly. The swell of her stomach was just beginning to show. It wouldn’t be long before they had another addition to the farm. But she hadn’t told Alfred yet. She hadn’t wanted him to worry during their time in the mountains.

  Alfred rubbed his shoulder and then lumbered over to her side. He wrapped an arm around her waist before leaning in to give her a peck on the cheek.

  Ethel pursed her lips. “Do you think Piper and Ophelia are alright?”

  The big man shrugged. “I imagine they gave the vampires the slip at the Black Pyramid. They should be arriving in the Arissian Empire any day now.”

  “How can you be so sure?”

  “I trust Piper and our daughter.” A big grin spread across his face. “I bet you Ophelia is going to be the best adventurer the land has ever seen.”

  “I hope you’re right…” Her words trailed off as she heard the faint sound of drumbeats. Was the duke returning already? She didn’t know whether that was a good or bad sign.

  Ethel walked over to the middle of the courtyard and peered up into the hills. A moment later, she was joined by Alfred. Both watched for any sign of the duke’s forces, their work momentarily forgotten.

  Finally, a banner appeared on the hilltop, and they heard the sounds of trumpets and fifes. The procession marched down the hill, with the red cloaks of the Crimson Guard leading the way. They would arrive at the farm soon.

  She waited with bated breath, unsure of what news awaited them. What if something had happened to their girls? What if they hadn’t made it to the Black Pyramid? As she waited, her worries piled up until she was wringing her hands.

  “They’re fine,” Alfred said, reaching around and drawing her tight. “You’ll see.”

  Ethel pressed her lips together but didn’t reply. She closed her eyes and sent a prayer winging up to Infernus that her husband was right. Over the last few days, she’d been doing a lot of praying. This one time, she hoped that her god answered them.

  The bannerman marched past their farm without even looking in their direction. Then came the duke’s Crimson Guard, followed by rows of mounted soldiers. Finally, she recognized the other Crimson Guard she’d encountered in the cave bringing up the rear. Two of them detached from the column and rode in her direction.

  Justina pulled up a short distance from them before leaping from her saddle. She approached them and curtsied. “I bring bad news…”

  It felt like Ethel’s heart stopped as she lifted a hand to touch her chest. “What happened?”

  “The demoness took your daughter deep within the Black Pyramid.” Justina paused as she seemed to be considering her next words. “Lord Ransford… bravely followed them inside, but we believe he perished. Our later scouting efforts found no trace of your girl. We believe she crossed the pyramid with the demoness and entered the Arissian Empire. Know that I will not rest until I find a way to return your daughter to you. This I swear.”

  Ethel almost swooned with relief. Her husband had been right—Piper and Ophelia had made it across the mountain and into the Arissian Empire. And she knew Ophelia would be fine with Piper watching over her.

  “Thank you for trying,” she said. “We will miss our daughter dearly.”

  “Very dearly,” Alfred added.

  The woman pulled out a money purse and poured a pile of silver into her hand. Then she counted out ten before handing them to Ethel. “I hope this helps rebuild your farm.” With the money delivered, she turned to leave before stopping.

  Justina looked over her shoulder. “Did you always know she was a demoness?”

  “How could simple peasants have known a demoness was in their midst?”

  The ridiculously tall woman drew in a deep breath. “Was she truly evil?”

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  “Who?” Ethel asked, feigning ignorance. She felt she was in dangerous waters and didn’t want to admit anything.

  “Never mind,” Justina said. “If you have need of anything, send word to me. The duke has left a contingent to keep an eye on the Black Pyramid. However, if the demoness ever returns, I will lay down my life to protect your farm.”

  “You have our thanks.”

  “Yes,” Alfred said, drawing her in closer. “However, I doubt we’ll see her again.”

  “Regardless, I will check in on you regularly.” Justina returned to her horse and in one lithe motion remounted. Kicking her heels, she sent the horse cantering away. A moment later, her companion holding a crossbow followed.

  Alfred sighed. “It’s going to be a bit lonely without them around. At least Ophelia will have the life she always wanted.”

  “It might not be that lonely.” Ethel looked meaningfully at her belly before she beamed at her husband.

  His eyes widened as he stared at her belly. Then he drew her in for a crushing hug as he whooped with joy.

  “Not so hard,” she gasped. “The baby…”

  “Oh, right.” Alfred took a step back; a grin plastered across his face. “This is the most wonderful day. Why don’t we head into the village to celebrate? We could even buy some ice cream…”

  Ethel nodded. “I think that’s a wonderful idea. Piper would have liked that very much.”

  Astaroth stood on the raised stone podium in the depths of the fortress and gazed into the portals. He was awaiting the next arrival he would guide on their path to infernal knowledge. So far, none of them had done quite so well as Piper. However, he had high hopes for the next one.

  With the weakening veil and the failing Dragon Aegis, many more mortal races were arriving in the Infernal Realm. After millennia, the path was open once more.

  He raised a bony hand but then froze as he felt the presence of an approaching noble. Fighting down a sigh, he lifted his gaze and awaited Malkazar.

  “Hey skinny,” the demon said as he appeared in the room. “Keeping busy?”

  “Most definitely, my lord.” Astaroth bowed his head. “What may I do for you?”

  “I was wondering how our friend Piper is doing?”

  “I’m afraid I haven’t caught sight of her since she left the Black Pyramid. However, I have informed the local cults to keep an eye out for her. Though such actions may be pointless in the face of dealing with an illusionist. She can assume any face or gender she wishes.”

  “I have a feeling she’ll keep the same face.”

  Neither spoke for a minute, and the silence dragged out between them. Finally, Astaroth glanced over at the lord. “Is there anything else I can do for you? I am really quite busy.”

  “Come on,” Malkazer said. “Wasn’t that fun in the pyramid?”

  “I did my duty as you requested.”

  “You need to have more fun with your work.”

  “Like becoming an adventurer named Raz Kalma? A child could see through such a simple anagram. Why in the world did we intervene on her behalf, anyway?”

  “I needed a closer look at her.”

  “And?”

  The corners of Malkazar’s lips curled up as he pulled off his wide brim hat. His dark hair spilled out, hanging down to his shoulders. “Do I have your word you won’t tell anyone else?”

  “And incur your displeasure? If I had lips, they would be sealed.”

  “I may have used a little [Soul Identify] on her during that skirmish in the Black Pyramid. Wasn’t it a neat trick sneaking us through the portals when the defenses activated?”

  “Very neat,” Astraroth said dryly. He still had no idea where this was going, and he felt the arrival of another mortal soul was imminent. He needed to hurry this conversation along.

  “Now I don’t know if I should tell you.” Malkazar wiped a spot on his hat with the sleeve of his robes. “You don’t seem very excited.”

  “I’m simply overflowing with anticipation.”

  “Here’s the interesting thing… she’s part of Elaraxa’s brood.”

  “A member of the great dragon’s brood survives?” Any boredom Astaroth felt instantly vanished at Malkazar’s words. “I thought…”

  “We all did, skinny. But apparently Elaraxa hid at least one of her eggs during the last days of Thronefall.”

  “If that is true, then the dragons may be returning to the world. However, why would they choose this moment after all this time?”

  “That’s what worries me.” Malkazar placed his hat back on his head. “My best guess is that with the Dragon Aegis failing, an old threat is returning.”

  “Surely you don’t mean Delphyne, the Great Devourer.”

  “I’m afraid so.” Malkazar walked over to Astaroth and reached up to poke him in the chest. “My fellow nobles will never believe it, but you’re a pragmatic one. I’m going to need your help in keeping that girl safe. Because virtually everything in this realm is going to want to kill her. I trust I have your discretion?”

  “I will guard your secret with my life.”

  “Good, because the last demon who betrayed me was turned into a rug. He’s still alive, but I can tell you that he’s not very happy.”

  “I shall endeavor to avoid that fate.”

  “Excellent.” Malkazar lifted his hand and snapped. As he did, a vampire tumbled out of a portal. “I have another favor to ask of you. Would you mind finding somewhere to torment this guy for all of eternity? I resurrected him after he arrived in our realm. Since he nearly ruined my plans, I was thinking about staking him out in the wasteland and letting hellhounds endlessly gnaw on him. But feel free to use your imagination.”

  Without another word, Malkazar disappeared, leaving Astaroth alone with the cowering man. He floated over to inspect the new arrival.

  “I… am a vampire lord!” the man shouted, his voice quavering. “I demand to be released immediately.”

  “I’m afraid that is most impossible,” Astaroth replied. “Your name is Ransford, is it not?”

  The man bobbed his head. “I have powerful friends who will free me!”

  “None can reach you in the Infernal Realms.” Astaroth plucked the man from the ground with thumb and forefinger. “Now, let’s get you to the nearest Arachthul’s den. Since you probably aren’t familiar with the species, it's a wonderful mix of spiders and bears. I will let one slowly devour you for a few centuries, while resurrecting you each morning, as I ponder a better fate for you.”

  Astaroth ignored the man’s screaming; his thoughts turned elsewhere. If Piper truly was part of Elaraxa’s brood, then it changed everything. As one of the few demons left from before Thronefall, he still held a deep loyalty toward his Mistress. And if Piper was her daughter, it was his sworn duty to protect her.

  At Piper’s current pace of leveling, it wouldn’t be long until she returned to the Infernal Realm. He would need to gather allies and prepare. Because the fate of all the realms may rest on Piper’s shoulders.