King of the Underworld by RJ Kane

King of the Underworld

478

Sephie

“You can crush souls now?” I asked, barely above a whisper. I know my eyes were as wide as they could possibly go.

He laughed. “Not crush them literally, no. But I can condemn them to H ell now.”

“I’m sorry, what?”

“Don’t worry, it was difficult for me to comprehend as well. Your dad told me that my demon is getting more powerful, which means so am 1. When I helped Stephen break Armando and I went full nuclear but was able to just switch it off, apparently that proved that I could handle more. I’m still in complete control of my demon. There are going to be times when even Stephen will be ineffectual, like with Ricardo and Martin. Their deals really are eternal, apparently. Even if Stephen breaks them, those souls still belong to those two demons. They would come back and still make the same mistakes each time because they’re always going to be tied to their demons. The opposite of us, I guess. Instead of that happening, I break the cycle by sending them all back to H ell.”

“What happens then? They stay there forever?” I asked. I could feel the goosebumps coming up over my entire body. I saw the look on Adrik’s face that meant my eyes had changed. I was guessing purple, but I was too curious about what he was telling me to ask.

“Your dad said I’m the only one that can grant them reprieve once I’ve condemned them to H ell. I’m still not sure what that means,” up to twirl one of my curls around his fingers.

he said, reaching

“It means you really are the King of the Underworld,” I said, watching his reaction. I knew I had goosebumps, but I could actually feel his spreading over his body when I said it. He was completely focused on my eyes, though.

again,” he said as he watched

then asked, “why? What

was the King of the Underworld, they started to change to a new color. It didn’t last very long, but I swear it was

giggled. “Shu t up.”

happened when you said it

so happy,” I said, hiding my face in his shoulder. I was just happy he was awake and responsive again. I sighed. “I understand why it fre aks you out so

it’s not ideal. I understand why it needs to happen, but I never like it when

zapped?”

know. I called Ivan up here when it first happened. The glowing part kind of fr eaked me out. I could also feel your emotions, one by one, incredibly strongly. They all did too, Ivan thought it was me, so he

worried you. Your dad said you’d be able to

That was after your emotions went crazy. Ivan said you likely were talking to someone. We thought your m om or Kostya. Then Bubba came upstairs and said Kostya had

Your dad said because we’re so connected, your demon is going to grow stronger with mine. Ivan will get a boost through you, but you’ll get the most. The other three are also going to become connected to their demons very quickly,” he said. He felt me stiffen as I worried about Viktor. “Don’t worry, I asked about Viktor. He’ll be able to handle it. He needs Stephen to help him one more

stay one more night, then. Dario can wait until tomorrow, I think. We can ask Misha

office and 1 don’t want to just yet. I do, however, want to send someone for Vinny’s. I’m starving,” he said as he flipped me onto my back. I could hear his

you love me or something.” I

his face turned serious for a moment. “I do love you. I always have. But as it

“Shu t up.”

very much does. I’ve never felt anything so clearly

laughed. “As it turns out, I love him too.” I could feel the happiness exuding from him when I said that, which made me laugh louder, “I just made him