I am excited to share this chapter with you all! We are about five years into the interim period between the two books. Heavy/dark themes ahead. Thanks to mearcatsreturns for the Beta!

***—***

Changes are coming. The day cannot last forever, but the night will be ruthless and terrifying. Your demise has one blue eye, the other red. He will come and take your peace away. He will fill the pools with blood and tears. What happened once will happen again.

—Nemesis, angel and the first principal of the Angels and Demons Academy.

A monster with massive horns, hooves, and small angelic wings. His one eye is red, the other one is blue, with a kind look, hiding exorbitant malice.

—Winchesto, The Treatise on Malbonte.

***—***

The atmosphere was tense at the council offices that morning. Vicky had been on the receiving end of covert looks and stifled whispers from her peers. She had rushed to the bathroom twice, checking if her makeup was smudged or if toilet paper was stuck to her skirt. Finally, in exasperation, she sought out Dino.

Without a word, Dino pulled something from a drawer and handed it to her.

It was a flyer, featuring a grotesque caricature of a half-angel, half-demon hybrid with one red eye, one blue eye, tiny angel wings, and hooves for feet. Beneath the image, the text condemned Malbonte as an unnatural force who concealed his true monstrous appearance with dark magic. The message warned immortals against entering mixed relationships, claiming that any children born of such unions would be dangerous "abominations" like Malbonte, destined for destruction.

"What the hell?!" Vicky looked up, enraged.

"These are plastered all over the city," Dino said helplessly. "The council members are terrified of Malbonte's reaction."

"Shepha!" Vicky exclaimed, but she could understand their reluctance to a degree. She wasn't entirely sure how Malbonte would take the news either. When she first met him at his underground base, he had spoken sourly of his portrayal in the infamous Malbonte Treatise. Did he still feel that way? Regardless, it was absurd to think they could keep something this significant from him.

"I'd better send him a message." Vicky sighed resignedly. "I always knew there would be pushback against relationships between angels and demons. But this is disgusting."

"Yes, it is."

"What if people start attacking mixed couples and children?"

"We won't let it get to that point," Dino tried to reassure her. "We'll root out the culprits and deal with them."

"Let's increase the guards patrolling the city and have them discreetly remove the flyers as well."

"Done and done," Dino replied.

Vicky smiled at him. "Thank you, Dino. I know I can rely on you."

"Always," Dino answered warmly.

Vicky sent off the information to Malbonte with the next available postal dragon, then decided to have lunch in the city. A walk might help clear her head. She knew of a small eatery tucked away in one of the alleys that served good, homey food.

In the main thoroughfares of the Citadel, it was business as usual. Immortals bustled about, preoccupied with everyday concerns. Seadragons cut arcs across the sky, ferrying people and goods. The lunchtime crowd filled the local pubs and restaurants, and there was an air of vitality that had been missing when Vicky first visited the Citadel as a student. The changes she and Malbonte had initiated with the Council's help were finally starting to bear fruit.

Some angels still complained about Hell's "encroachment" on Heaven, while demons grumbled about discrimination. There had been another round of protests when the Bill of Equality passed last year. But for the most part, peace and relative harmony reigned across the realms. Immortals were thriving in their respective spheres, and socioeconomic growth was evident everywhere.

Which was why the appearance of the flyers upset Vicky so much. People always found reasons to be outraged about something, and now they had circled back to attacking angel-demon relationships. Immortals were just like humans—never satisfied unless they had something to complain about. Or maybe it was the other way around. After all, humans had been created in the image of the immortals.

Though the Law of Segregation had been repealed by Shepha at the end of the war, it had taken some time for angels and demons to start openly coupling up. Unsurprisingly, students at the Academy were the first to take advantage of the newfound freedom, but Vicky had also noticed older mixed couples in the last couple of years. Children were an inevitable outcome of some such unions. Vicky wondered if a child between Malbonte and herself would be a true half-breed or if one energy would predominate. She blushed and quickly dismissed the thought—neither of them was ready for such a step!

As she walked through a crowded market, a group of young immortals exaggeratedly moved out of her way, and she overheard a couple of comments about her former unclaimed status. Vicky cast a cool glance at them as she passed. Some immortals still looked askance at her, speculating that her rise to political power was due to her relationship with Malbonte. Misogyny didn't spare even Heaven! Vicky tried to let such remarks slide, though they still stung. She reminded herself of her mother, Rebecca, who had overcome similar challenges with supreme self-confidence. Vicky needed to channel some of that strength.

After lunch, Vicky dawdled, reluctant to return to work. She knew what she wanted to do instead but fought the temptation. As she turned a corner, she was halted by the sight of one of those obnoxious flyers plastered on a wall, featuring the grotesque caricature of Malbonte. Furious, she tore it off and shredded it, letting the pieces fall into the gutter. That settled it. Without hesitation, she took flight towards the Academy.

When she was a new student, Vicky had been offered a potion to help her forget her mortal ties and integrate faster into immortal life. However, she had refused, determined to uncover the identity of her killer. She had even visited her father twice, though she never revealed her true identity. Even after solving the mystery of her death, Vicky had not taken the potion, though she had stopped visiting her father.

Over the past year, Vicky had taken to cajoling Donny into letting her use the Earth Eye to see her father. Her first request had come during one of Malbonte's extended absences. Vicky had felt particularly lonely, and staying at her mother's old place had provided no comfort. The lack of any reminders of their earthly life in Rebecca's house had left her feeling depressed. Her mother had obviously taken the potion and moved on. Desperate to see the one person who had always been there for her, Vicky had begged Donny for a one-time favor.

But one-time had turned into two times, then three, until it had become a sort of addiction. Vicky knew she was putting Donny in an awkward position, and despite her awareness that she needed to stop, she was eternally putting off that moment. She was keeping her grief fresh by doing this, but Vicky's heart rebelled whenever she thought of moving on.

Donny raised his eyes in exasperation when she entered his office. "Not again!" he groaned.

Vicky looked at him pleadingly.

"Oh! Don't give me those puppy-dog eyes…" said Donny, tossing up his hands.

"Are they working?" Vicky asked hopefully.

"Fine!" Donny rolled his eyes and led the way to the Earth Observatory. He made the necessary calibrations and stepped away to give Vicky some privacy.

Taking a deep breath, Vicky bent over the glowing basin, peering through the veil that separated the mortal world from theirs.

***—***

Shephamalum's mental intrusions had intensified over the past year. Though Malbonte managed to keep them at bay for the most part, the darkness seeped through the cracks and fissures in his soul, weakening his defenses. In his dreams, the unrelenting cold of Shephamalum's dungeon seemed to pierce his very bones. He would wake up burning hot and sweating, the dark god's poisonous susurrations reverberating in his skull like hornets trapped in a drum. My boy… take my strength… use my power… the whispers lured. I will reward you for your service… Fulfill the oath you swore to me…

Sitting at his desk in Hell, Malbonte shook his head as if trying to dislodge the lingering headache from the night's torments. He flipped through the pages of a heavy tome borrowed from Hell's library, searching for answers—any hints that might help him shield his mind from Shephamalum. Hell's library boasted the finest collection of immortal scholarship, spanning even before the Age of Equilibrium. If he couldn't find answers here, his options were limited. Many of the oldest scrolls were written in archaic Angelic script or the language of Darkness, but Malbonte could read both, thanks to his education as Bont and Shephamalum's own teachings on the secrets of Darkness.

However, this wasn't Malbonte's only recourse—he had several irons in the fire. While Malbonte was Shephamalum's trump card, the god of darkness had sunk his hooks into many immortals over the eons of his incarceration. His minions were everywhere and were no doubt scurrying to carry out their overlord's plans. Even before Malbonte had escaped the dungeon, Shephamalum's followers had found the Mirror of Nonexistence and the Book of Life. Malbonte himself owed his release partly to the Mirror. Now, he used his authority in Hell to root out and neutralize Shephamalum's followers, though it was a challenging task. Some, like the demon Sonnelion, who had sheltered half-breeds for years, had no direct ties to the dark god and were merely small cogs in Shephamalum's vast machine. Of the more significant players, Torendo was dead, and many had gone into hiding in Hell's catacombs. Despite this, Malbonte was patient and relentless. He wouldn't give up. He wouldn't let Shephamalum win.

Late one afternoon, Malbonte received a message from Vicky. After reading it, he exhaled deeply. An angel-demon couple had been attacked in the back alleys of the Citadel the previous night. Though the young couple had escaped serious injuries, the attacker had fled and remained unidentified. This was the second such incident in recent weeks. There was no evidence to determine if these attacks were orchestrated by the same group behind the flyers or if the flyers had simply incited those already inclined to violence.

Unlike Vicky, Malbonte was not surprised by the appearance of the flyers or the viciousness of their message. Shepha's propaganda against half-breeds had been thorough and persistent for millennia, making it impossible to dispel in just a few years. The seraphim had embraced the false notion that half-breeds threatened Harmony. The rumors about his own appearance as a grotesque monster had likely originated from the ancient prophecy by Nemesis. Prophecies were rarely straightforward, and their interpretation could be complex, but the description of him with one blue eye and one red had endured. Both angels and demons had succumbed to rumors and half-truths, leading to the creation of misleading works like the infamous Treatise on Malbonte. This book not only portrayed him as a twisted, imp-like creature but also as a bloodthirsty child threatening to reignite the war between angels and demons and plunge the immortal world into chaos under Hell's rule.

While trapped in the dungeon with Shephamalum, Malbonte had used these lies and rumors to his advantage, recruiting demons and angels disillusioned with the Citadel's skewed policies, especially the younger immortals tired of being sidelined by the older ruling elite. Malbonte didn't care about being labeled an "abomination." What mattered was that when the perpetrators were caught, he would make an example of them that would put Montfaucon, the stone gallows at Hell's highest point, to shame. He wouldn't tolerate any child suffering the same fate he had merely for being born a half-breed.

***—***

The perpetrators behind the flyers and attacks were finally captured, and Malbonte was back at the Citadel for the formal hearing. Everything that had felt slightly off to Vicky now slotted back into focus, like the perfect lens adjustment during an eye exam. They slid back into their usual rhythm at home and at work with practiced ease, and their passion for each other remained as strong as ever, the familiar spark reigniting as soon as they were together again.

And yet, Vicky couldn't shake a lingering doubt. She wondered if Malbonte would have stayed away for so long if he truly missed her as much as she had missed him. Would he have remained in Hell even longer if the council hadn't required his presence? The thought ate at her, casting a shadow over her otherwise happy reunion.

At a recent soirée Vicky had felt obliged to attend, several people had commented on Malbonte's prolonged absence. When asked about his return to the Citadel, she had no answers. The raised eyebrows and snide looks had left her smarting and feeling vulnerable.

Vicky knew Malbonte cared about her—he was always thoughtful and attentive, with a touch of tenderness that left no doubt about his faithfulness. He reached for her every night, and she felt the same thrill of excitement waking up in his arms each morning.

Nevertheless, there were parts of him that he kept locked away deep within his soul. Lately, she had noticed an increase in his nightmares, but no matter how gently she tried to coax him into talking, he wouldn't confide in her. So, she had stepped back, hoping that, in time, Malbonte would trust her enough to share his burdens. After all, she had her own secrets. She hadn't told Malbonte about her frequent excursions to the Academy to spy on her father, feeling too embarrassed to admit to her weakness and lack of self-control.

The Council had scheduled an early date for the sentencing of those involved in the hate crimes. Their guilt was established through direct evidence, eyewitness testimony, and their own admissions, all of which had been confirmed through mind scans. The hearing was a mere formality; the council had to ensure that the sentences adhered to the stipulations of the Equality Bill, but everyone present knew the outcome. All the lawmakers had ratified the strict provisions of the Bill. As the first criminals caught inciting violence against mixed couples, an example had to be made to demonstrate to the immortals the seriousness of eradicating discrimination. The attacks on angel-demon couples highlighted how quickly the situation could turn volatile. The immortals couldn't afford another war so soon after the last one had ended.

Vicky felt a deep responsibility to ensure the safety of half-breed children, given that she and Malbonte had driven the repeal of the segregation law. The prospect of mass executions unsettled her, but she had faced a similar moral dilemma during the war against Shepha. At that time, Malbonte had advised her to find the strength to uphold the consequences of her decisions, both good and bad. Vicky had followed his counsel, determined to correct the imbalances in the immortal world and contribute to shaping a new era. She couldn't shirk her duties simply because she suddenly felt squeamish.

A grim atmosphere pervaded the council chamber on the morning of the trial. Malbonte sat on his throne, flanked by six councilors on either side. The offenders were brought out in chains, their wings securely bound, and made to stand facing the council. They were a group of angels, both male and female, who had been festering with resentment ever since the overturn of the Law of Segregation. Some had children or siblings in relationships with demons, while others simply opposed mixed couples on principle, believing that Shepha had been coerced into repealing the segregation law. The passing of the Equality Bill the previous year had evidently pushed them into committing these hate-driven acts.

The offenders stood in various postures, ranging from arrogance to misery. Vicky was shocked to see a couple of adolescent-looking angels at the end of the line, one of whom was crying silently. The other, trying to appear defiant, could not hide his fear, his trembling limbs causing his chains to rattle.

Vicky instinctively reached out to grasp Malbonte's hand under the table but stopped herself at the last moment. Just then, a zap of static electricity made her jump as Malbonte's little finger curled around hers. That small contact was enough to soothe Vicky's distress and refocus her attention.

Councilor Theobald began the proceedings by detailing the specific laws the perpetrators had violated, listing the penalties for each infraction from least to most severe. Violations such as spreading false propaganda about the nature of unclaimed or half-breeds warranted penal servitude. In contrast, willful incitement of violence against any immortal, whether angel, demon, unclaimed, or half-breed, was punishable by death.

As Theobald continued, Malbonte's attention was fixed on Vicky. He had instantly sensed the shift in her energy when the younger angels were brought in, a change he could read easily after five years of living together. The Manjomi tattoo protecting her mind from mental intrusions did not hinder his perception; he was as attuned to her aura as he was to his own.

Their partnership at the citadel had become a well-oiled machine; they navigated the complex issues of the immortal world with the precision of dancers mastering a choreography, always finding their way back to one another for the key steps. As a former human, Vicky was a refreshing breeze in the face of the stale conventions of the immortal world. Her effectiveness did not rely on elaborate arguments or emotional speeches but on her ability to cut straight to the core of an issue, revealing its essence with the clarity and precision of a lightning strike.

Vicky's unique approach, grounded in empathy and a no-nonsense attitude, was in sharp contrast with the typical immortal politics filled with mind games. She saw beyond titles and histories, which let her reach even the most unreachable. While many councilors obeyed Malbonte out of fear, Vicky knew how to engage them productively, ensuring that changes to the laws were both effective and meaningful.

Her skills were never more evident than when she persuaded Shepha himself to agree to a truce with the monster he had helped create. By holding up a mirror to Shepha's face, Vicky had forced the God of Light to confront his own failings. At the same time, she had jolted Malbonte out of his destructive spiral with her words, "The world cannot be built on ruins." While the immortal world saw him as a monster, Vicky understood him as both Bont and Malbonte. Her belief in his ability to make the right choice, coupled with her reminder of his mother's faith in his inherent goodness, reached Malbonte in his darkest hour. He would have neither listened nor cared if anyone else had been by his side during that crucial moment.

As Theobald started summarizing the proceedings, the chamber grew heavy with anticipation. Malbonte swept his eyes over the perpetrators. Some of the older angels appeared angry and venomous, while others seemed resigned to their fate. The two younger angels sobbed openly, their hearts not yet hardened like those of their elders. But was their distress born of genuine remorse or simply at being caught? Did it really matter?

An angel representing the criminals stepped up and requested leave to read a statement on behalf of his clients. The request was denied. They had said everything they wanted to in those flyers. The culprits were then escorted to an adjacent chamber while the council formalized their sentences.

Once the councilors were alone, Archangel Raguel cleared his throat and said pompously, "Let us discuss the charges so we can finalize the sentences."

"There is nothing to discuss," Malbonte interrupted bluntly. "They broke the law of equality—they will pay the price. They shall be executed right here at the citadel."

"At…at the citadel, my lord?" Alvin stammered. "Shouldn't we move the execution to Hell? We have never held public executions at the citadel before."

"Then it's time we did," Malbonte replied. "I want every immortal to see what happens to those who break the law of equality. That won't happen if the punishment is shunted off to Hell like some shameful secret, especially not when the perpetrators are angels."

That silenced Alvin. The angels often preferred to project a facade of gentility by offloading all unpleasant responsibilities onto the demons, but Malbonte wasn't going to cater to that pretense.

"What about the younger ones?" Dino asked.

"What about them?" Malbonte asked, his tone sharp and brimming with impatience.

"They are young, and it's clear they were misled by the older angels," Dino argued. "Do they really deserve the same fate as the adults? Shouldn't we consider their age and the influence of those who led them astray?"

"A crime is a crime, regardless of the offender's age," Malbonte retorted, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. "What message would we be sending if we let them off lightly just because they're young? That committing crimes is forgivable if you claim ignorance?"

"I understand the importance of upholding the law," Dino persisted, his jaw clenching. "Changing their sentence to something less permanent than execution would still send a strong message, while also acknowledging that they were manipulated by their elders. It would show that we value both justice and mercy."

"We show mercy to people who threatened to destroy half-breed children just because they're young and were misled by their parents?" Malbonte asked, granite in his voice. "Leadership involves making hard decisions—decisions that are not swayed by emotion. Or do you just not have the stomach for hard choices?"

A heavy silence fell over the room as Malbonte's words hung in the air. Dino flushed, clearly struggling to contain the angry retort that hovered on the tip of his tongue. He glanced around, seeking support from the other councilors, but found only blank faces and downcast eyes. No one else dared to speak or offer their perspective, intimidated by Malbonte's unwavering resolve.

"There is something else to consider," Vicky said, breaking the tense silence.

Malbonte turned to face her, curiosity flickering in his eyes.

"I'm thinking about other young immortals like these two angels who've been indoctrinated all their lives into one way of thinking," Vicky continued, her voice steady but gentle.

"Go on," Malbonte gestured for her to continue. He knew Vicky disliked his harshness, and he was curious to hear what she would suggest.

"We have a saying on Earth: you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar," Vicky said with a small, self-conscious smile. "If we lessen the sentence of the two juveniles, we show that as leaders, we understand how difficult it can be to go against family and traditions. We demonstrate empathy and encourage others to change without fear of severe punishment."

Dino's eyes lit up, clearly encouraged by Vicky's words. "They get the push to break away from their parents' hateful way of thinking," he added hopefully. "It's a chance for them to see that there's a different way to live and to think."

Theobald, who had been quietly observing, nodded thoughtfully. "We could indict those two on the lesser charge of spreading false propaganda about half-breeds," he suggested. "That would merit penal servitude for life, rather than execution."

The other councilors nodded in agreement, murmuring their assent. The tension in the room seemed to lift slightly as they considered this new perspective.

Malbonte couldn't help but smile; Vicky had worked her charm once again. She hadn't undermined him or pressured him to change his mind. Instead, she had provided a different perspective and a compromise that upheld the law of equality while offering a more compassionate approach for the younger offenders.

"Very well," he said. "Let's put it to a vote."

Unsurprisingly, the motion passed with no dissenting votes. As the decision was made, Malbonte felt Vicky's grateful gaze burning into him, her silent approval evident in the subtle squeeze of his hand beneath the table. He had agreed to the compromise largely for her, knowing how much she valued mercy and understanding, even in a world often ruled by might rather than right.

But there was more to his decision than just his desire to make her happy. Malbonte remembered the little boy he had once been, deprived of every chance at kindness and cast into the deepest dungeon by Shepha, and twisted into a monster by Shephamalum's cruelty. Perhaps, in sparing the young angels, he would prevent someone else from being forced down the same dark path as himself.

***—***

Malbonte awoke in the middle of the night, his heart racing and his forehead damp with perspiration. He sat up, taking several deep breaths to calm himself. He glanced over to see if he had disturbed Vicky, but she remained peacefully tucked under the blanket. Quietly, he got up, shrugged off the blanket from his waist, and went into the washroom. There, he splashed cool water onto his face, gripping the countertop as the water dripped down his neck and torso. The tattoo on his back stung painfully, and he didn't need a mirror to know it was glowing.

Malbonte had noticed his nightmares were less frequent when he stayed at the citadel with Vicky. Perhaps their connection, which blazed stronger when they were together, brought balance to his dark energy. But today's events had dredged up painful memories of his tortured childhood, weakening the barriers between him and Shephamalum. The god of darkness had seized the opportunity, pouring poison into Malbonte's soul as he slept, filling his subconscious mind with frenzied imagery of revenge and retribution.

Gradually, Malbonte's heart rate steadied, and he raised his head to examine his reflection. His hair was rumpled, and shadows darkened his eyes, but the fatigue would fade by morning. Feeling more like himself, he wiped his face and torso with a towel before returning to bed. He slipped under the covers, spooning Vicky as he lay down, his body instinctively seeking hers in the dark. Her wing feathers crinkled softly as he pressed his chest against her back, a familiar sound that always soothed him. He wrapped an arm around Vicky, his hand gently cupping her breast, feeling the steady rise and fall of her breathing. He sighed in satisfaction as she instinctively arched against his hips, her body responding to his touch even in her sleep. He luxuriated in the softness of her skin and the silkiness of her hair tickling his face. The scent of sandalwood and tuberose filled his senses, mixed with the unmistakable notes of his own aura—a unique blend that was both comforting and exhilarating, a fragrance that reminded him of their deep connection. The warmth radiating from her body chased away the lingering echoes of Shephamalum's cold prison.

He had missed her. It was unfortunate that his pursuit of Shephamalum was keeping him in Hell longer and longer. As he felt the steady rhythm of Vicky's heartbeat beneath his palm, Malbonte made a silent vow: he would not let the god of darkness destroy everything that was good in his life for the second time. With that determination solidifying in his mind, he closed his eyes, allowing the comfort of Vicky's presence to lull him to sleep.

***—***