The Crown's Obsession (WN)

Music Recommendation: No need to come home by Hans Zimmer

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Madeline looked at the black circulating portal that had been opened by Vladimir on the bark of the tree. It looked nothing less to a pit of blackness, and it was hard to believe that this was the way to enter Hell. Since the time she had seen her mother in her dream, she had wanted to know more about her mother. She had somehow learned about the beginning and the end of Paschar and Marina's love story, but what happened in between? According to Paschar, the woman who had visited Marina had killed her, but how far was it true?

She wanted to learn more about her mother, and like Paschar who had come to know about Marina, Madeline believed her mother was not a demon but a human.

"You are the King of Hell, shouldn't you have all the details about the demons who are in there?" questioned Calhoun, he looked at Vladimir with distrust in his eyes.

The Devil only smiled at Calhoun's words. He expected nothing less from his grandson. "I am not the guardskeeper of Hell to keep a register in my hand, Calhoun," Vladimir paused before saying, "There's a person who has sinned to the point where there was no return. Though the person is not a prisoner, but the warden of the prisons. He's the one who has the names," he showed his fangs to them.

"You didn't punish him?" inquired Madeline.

"There are only a few people whom I get along with. I thought he was an excellent person to take care of the sinners in the building of torture. How about we step in, and we can continue our discussion once we are in Hell?" Vladimir raised his eyebrows.

Madeline wondered if it was safe. Since the Devil was related to Calhoun, the possibility was high that Vladimir could keep them in there forever so that no angel would be able to come and disrupt their lives. Not to forget, it seemed like the Devil was waiting to have Beth in his collection of servants.

"Do you not trust me?" questioned Vladimir.

"No," Calhoun didn't hold back his answer, and his response only broadened his grandfather's smile.

"Do you know how proud I am to have you as my grandson? Constance was brought up with such sweetness, but I don't see it in you unless your eyes fall on the girl," stated Vladimir, his eyes coyly fell on Madeline. "I can tell how much you treasure and love her."

Vladimir's eyes shifted back to look at Calhoun, both of them staring at each other intensely. It was apparent that it was hard to trust the Devil or the angels. Each had their own cunning and the righteous path that they wanted to follow, and the best one could do, was to be on guard.

"Just remember to stick by my side, and you will be safe. We are going on a short vacation, and I hope you will enjoy it as in the future, I would like to see you rule it with me," informed Vladimir. The Devil took the initiative to walk in the front, and he went towards the bark of the tree that had opened the portal to the underground world. Vladimir disappeared in less than a second, leaving Calhoun, Madeline and Beth in the graveyard to follow him.

"Let me go first," said Calhoun so that he could receive the two girls in Hell. Though the Devil was his grandfather, Calhoun couldn't help but be cautious around the man.

Madeline saw Calhoun disappear into the black portal, and she turned to look at Beth, "You don't have to come if you aren't comfortable."

The last time when she and her sister had tagged along to go to the Cossington village, they had met with bad fate and Beth had been bitten by a werewolf. Madeline hadn't questioned or stopped Beth last time, thinking spending time together would reconcile their lost sisterhood, but who would have thought that they would end up losing a good-hearted demon.

Beth pursed her lips. She couldn't deny the tension she felt around Vladimir, who had told her, that his blood coursed through her veins. "Will we come back unharmed from there?" asked Beth.

"He said to stay near him. He owns Hell, so it shouldn't be a problem, but if you still feel uneasy, go back to the castle, Beth. I will be with Calhoun and will be fine," promised Madeline. Like last time, they were going for her sake, and she didn't want Beth to feel compelled to come along.

"Do you, do you think he will be there?" asked Beth. Her heart was heavy, but the thought of him being there, she couldn't resist herself from not seeing him.

Madeline didn't need to question Beth about whom she was talking. "We can try."

"I will come," Beth made up her mind.

"Okay," Madeline offered Beth a smile, and she got inside the portal.

Madeline stretched her hand in front of her, and she felt a hand caught hold of her hand. When she finally stepped into Hell, Madeline saw Calhoun waiting for her. She looked around the place to see the limitless dark sky and below her feet, there was smooth sand. Soon they were joined by Beth, who came from the portal and once Beth moved away from it, the portal automatically closed itself, disappearing from the place as if it didn't exist.

"As everyone here has wings, I will meet you in the tower of Sin," informed Vladimir, and in a blink of an eye, he turned into a bat and flew away from there.

"He speaks as if it is a tower where we usually meet and that we know of," muttered Calhoun under his breath. "It would be best if you don't show your wings here. Demons hate angels with passion," and then he looked at Beth, "You should check if you have wings."