Chapter Seven
CASSIA
IT TAKES THREE and a half days to reach the capital of Greed.
If I weren’t slowed by the power-dulling tonic, I estimate it would take half the time. I wouldn’t have to stop nearly as often to rest, and my pace wouldn’t be so damned sluggish.
My arms burn with exhaustion from dragging my suitcase behind me, and the muscles in my thighs aren’t much better. I haven’t felt this shitty since childhood. It took years to develop my power, but when it finally arrived, it grew quickly.
I travel through several small towns on my way to the capital, and nobody spares me a second glance. They see nothing more than a weak demon, way beneath their station and not worth a conversation or a smile.
They’d be running away if they knew who I truly am. The few who have refused to step out of my way, forcing me to concede and make way for them, would be bending over backward to keep me happy. They’d be terrified of making me angry.
Aziel is frequently rumored to enjoy ripping out hearts, and most assume I harbor the same fascination. I don’t, and I think the rumors surrounding Aziel are drastically overblown. I’ve never seen him so much as threaten to kill somebody, let alone rip out their heart.
It’s damn near impossible to imagine him doing something so dramatic and, frankly, uncouth. What message would that send to his children? To me? He would never. He’s so fucking boring.
I’m miserable by the time I reach the capital, and I’m desperate for a warm meal and a soft bed. There were a few rooms available to rent along the way, but they were rodent-infested. That would never happen within Wrath.
We take pride in our kingdom, and that pride extends to our small towns. They’re well-kept and clean, but I’m not surprised to learn that Greed operates differently.
The sprawling market within the capital is easy enough to find.
Mammon’s castle is built into the side of a tall mountain, and I follow it until I reach the market.
It’s in a busy neighborhood. There are dozens of vendors and hundreds of Greeds hurrying about, but my attention is captured by the castle looming above me.
The dark, stone monstrosity is carved into the top third of the mountain, high above and glaringly domineering. Mammon looks down at her people in every way.
From where I stand, I can see most of the front facade. Her home is three stories tall, and large, black spires jut out from both ends. They look like they’re bursting out of the mountain themselves, and I assume they’re filled with armed guards.
I probably have several long-range weapons pointed at my chest at this very moment.
I puff up my cheeks, continuing to stare up at the castle before me.
It’ll be hard to get in. There’s a tall, iron gate wrapped around the front of the mountain, and the leveled path leading to the front entrance is narrow.
There’s no sneaking inside. If I want to get close to Mammon, I’ll have to be invited.
I don’t suspect that’s an easy task.
Another minute passes before I force myself to turn away. I can’t stare at the estate for too long, not without drawing unwanted attention.
I scan the neighborhood beyond Mammon’s estate, eyeing the Greeds shuffling about.
The market is busy, and I carefully monitor the movements, style, and mannerisms of the Greeds.
The people are noticeably quieter than Wraths, barely even making eye contact or acknowledging the existence of the person in front of them.
It’s depressing.
Still, I need to imitate them. I need to blend in. Mammon’s borders have been closed for years, and there are no exceptions.
I managed to scrounge up some outdated maps of Mammon’s kingdom during my research, and I’ve memorized the names and locations of several cities. If anybody asks, I’ll claim to be from one of them.
The emotion regulation retreat ends in six and a half days, at which point I assume my parents will discover my absence.
I’d like to believe David and Valeria will keep my whereabouts a secret, but David can’t lie.
He gets anxious when Aziel and Silas release the full extent of their power, which they’ll undoubtedly do.
David will tell them where I’ve gone, and he’ll tell them he supplied me with a tonic that dulls my powers. I can only imagine what that will lead to, so I need to make good use of these next six and a half days.
It’s not enough time to make a move against Mammon, but it’s enough to lay the groundwork.
I fiddle with the necklace David gave me, running my thumb over the heavy, metal vial that contains an emergency dose of tonic. I need to rent a room and abandon my suitcase. People are looking at it, probably wondering where I’m coming from.
It’s drawing too much attention.
I release my necklace with a sigh, deciding where to go. My gaze lands on a man instead.
He’s walking toward me, his steps graceful and confident. His full lips are downturned at the corners, and when he turns his head, I can’t help but notice his sharp jawline and pointed nose. He looks like a Wrath. It grabs my attention.
I know some Wraths chose to remain within Greed once the borders were shut down, but not many. My people are loyal, and most chose to sneak back into Wrath. I didn’t anticipate running into any of the few who didn’t. They’re traitors.
As the man nears, I’m surprised by his height.
I’m tall, but this man towers several inches above me.
That’s rare. He brushes a strand of black hair out of his eye.
I stare, continuing to take in his features.
He’s freshly shaven, and there’s a faint whiff of cologne seeping from his tailored black clothing.
His shoes are leather, and the stitching is straight and even. These were expensive.
Does he have a connection to Mammon? He appears wealthy enough to.
I’m in his path, but he’s not looking at me. He’s looking past me. I should be used to it by now, but it still sends a burst of irritation down my spine. I’m not to be ignored.
His footsteps naturally slow as he realizes there’s a person in his way, and his black eyes narrow when they meet mine. I remain firmly in his path, still looking him over. I’m not finished.
“Yes?” he asks.
His gaze darts to my suitcase, but it doesn’t linger. I gulp, forcing myself to maintain a neutral expression. I anticipated people would notice the suitcase, and I have prepared responses if I’m asked about it.
“Do you need help with something?” he continues, cocking his head to the side. “Directions, perhaps?”
The corner of his lip twitches. He finds my staring entertaining. I’m not the least bit embarrassed by it. I was raised by an incubus, and I’ve spent ample time in Lust. Shame isn’t something I struggle with.
I inhale, letting his scent fill my lungs. His cologne is nice, but I don't detect much power. There’s some, but not nearly as much as I’d expect from a Wrath. He must be from Greed.
I force a smile onto my face, then step aside. He’s useless to me. “No. I didn’t mean to get in your way.”
“Are you sure? It seemed quite intentional.”
I shrug. “I’m quite sure.”
The man raises a brow, not moving. I may not have power, but I have confidence. It emanates from me, and men like him can sense it.
The man is wearing all black, but the dark color does nothing to disguise his bulging muscles.
His thighs strain against the material of his pants, and his shirt is stretched tightly against his chest. If I weren’t currently completing the most important mission of my life, I’d take him home with me.
I would make him beg.
He licks his lips, and the scent of arousal flickers into the air between us. It’s coming from him, and my friendly smile grows as it seeps into my lungs.
I can’t act on it. I would destroy this man.
There’s little power emanating from him, and while he may be evenly matched for the version of me that drinks the nasty, dampening sludge, the real me would overwhelm him.
He would never be equal to me, and it will crush him when I murder Mammon and vanish.
The man clears his throat, then gestures to my suitcase. “Are you just passing through?”
“You could say that.” I blink, forcing nonchalance. “I’m actually in the middle of searching for a room to rent. Do you have any recommendations?”
“How long are you here for?”
“A few weeks, maybe.”
The man crosses his arms over his chest, then jerks his head back in the direction he just came. “There’s an inn just around the corner. It’s above the restaurant. Hard to miss.”
I nod. “Thanks.”
The man is waiting for me to continue. He’s expecting me to engage in conversation, to show excitement for his time and attention.
“What’s your name?” he eventually asks.
I bite back a smirk. He’s making a good research subject. I need to learn the mannerisms of the Greeds, and this man is making an excellent test dummy. He’s clearly interested in me, and he doesn’t seem suspicious—all good signs.
“I—”
My voice dies out as loud horns blare throughout the market. There are several of them, all coming from the direction of Mammon’s estate. I spin around, watching as the front gates creak open. A carriage is making its way down the paved path, heading into the city.
I was so caught up in this stranger that I didn’t notice its approach. Is Mammon inside?
Anger bubbles up, but the tonic prevents my power from flaring.
“That’s my cue,” the man mumbles.
He brushes past me, heading toward the opening gates. What’s he doing? I grind my teeth as the guards nearest him dip their chins, showing respect, and let him through. What the fuck?
The carriage stops. I wait, my heart pounding, as the man climbs inside.
This is not ideal. I’m trying to remain inconspicuous, at least until I’ve settled here. I was intending to avoid all nobility and members of the royal family, or those close to them. They’re too close to Mammon, and they draw too much attention.
I could tell the man was wealthy, but I never imagined that a demon with so little power would have this much connection to the royal family. At most, I assumed he would know somebody who knows somebody who knows Mammon.
The carriage door slams shut and the vehicle resumes its movement through the gates. The roads in the capital are narrow, but people make room for the carriage. I’m one of them, but I don’t get a good look inside the curtain-covered windows as it travels past me.
The carriage rounds a corner and is out of my sight within seconds, and the gates are pulled shut.
I take a minute to catch my bearings. It’s not often that I’m left speechless, and this was one of those rare moments.