1
While alliances in Imperium are tight, are those coming against them as well?
Leviathan sat looking at the latest intel he’d received from his spies within Imperium and the other realms that his brethren amongst the Princes inhabited. At least he’d been able to ally himself with Mammon and Beelzebub. That gave him some advantage over the others that were fighting alone, but it gave him no advantage when it came to Abriella who had been able to regain the deed to her soul through subterfuge. It still enraged him and he would find a way to rectify that situation as soon as he was able to.
Rising from behind the large and ornately carved desk he had been sitting behind, Leviathan walked over to the massive map that had been crafted of Imperium and other realms that they were tracking. It was magical and altered whenever the occupants of the realms made any moves with their forces that could impact him in any way. It was used for waging war, and planning other activities. Unfortunately the Palace of Imperium was too protected by wards for him to be able to see within and get the intel that he really wanted. That was the reason for a network of spies. Recently though, his information had been slower and slower coming out, something he would soon have to remedy.
Leaning over the map, he spread his arms wide and braced himself on the edge on his wrists. He was hovering over the top of Imperium, seeing what movements of the legions and troops he could. Where there were defenses being mounted, or training being mounted. He couldn’t see any of his spies, which frustrated him. Why was he getting no information?
“Do you think the answers you want are going to jump off of the map? Or are you hoping that your spies will get outside of the wards so that you can get the information?” Beelzebub’s voice came from the doorway.
When Leviathan looked up, he saw his brother leaned up against the door jam with his massive arms crossed over his broad chest. Unlike Leviathan who was tall with dark hair and eyes, Beelzebub had lighter auburn hair and blue eyes, his frame broader and more muscular as well. They were only brothers in that they were created by Div at the creation of the Earthly Realm, so their “Father” was the same. There wasn’t much about them that was alike, other than their hatred for their father.
“I would not be that lucky, we both know that.” Leviathan kept his head raised, looking at his brother. “And with Abbadon being banished, we can’t even count on him losing his temper and mouthing off when he’s in another realm. At least I don’t have to think about his hands on her any longer.” His hands gripped the table tighter, knuckles whitening from the exertion.
Beelzebub chuckled as he pushed himself off of the door frame. “So you think she is sleeping alone in that massive palace of hers, with her legion and friends? No one keeping that bed of hers warm now that Abbadon is gone?” He didn’t care if Abriella was or not, but he liked watching the muscle twitch in Leviathan’s jaw. He found it amusing. Since Abriella had gotten the deed to her soul back, there had been too much planning and not enough doing. “Can’t your spies shed any light on that?”
“I haven’t asked. I’m trying to find a way to get in there and take on her personal guard.” Leviathan wasn’t going to get in an argument, or let Beelzebub see how much he was getting under his skin. “And I have been informed that there are some new residents at the Palace, it’s even expanding for it.” Now Leviathan was smirking as he pointed to the new wing on the table before him. “I am considering getting rid of a few of my spies, let some of my more trusted ones take care of them for me. Eliminate loose ends. The next few weeks will be critical…” A devious smirk came to his lips as he watched the movements beneath him on the mystical map. No one would know what hit them…
“Is that a smart move, remove those who are your eyes and ears?” Beelzebub had heard of the guests, one he was particularly interested in. He had his own contacts in Imperium, and his own reasons for wanting to get to know about the new arrivals. Just because he was a Prince didn’t mean that he was under Leviathan’s thumb or that they were even necessarily on the same side. However, Leviathan had his uses, as did his spies that were in Imperium.
Leviathan mulled it over. It was not that his brother didn’t have a point, but sometimes you had to make an example of someone to get your point across that orders were to be followed and information passed along. “I have one that is expendable. I believe she’s turned on me. In fact, I know she has.” There was a resignation in his voice, there was no joy in some losses. He knew one of his other brothers would not be happy about it, but that was too damn bad. There had to be one sacrifice to make the point. Since Lucifer was no longer at the top, Leviathan had taken his spot and be seen as strong. There was only one rogue Prince and no one gave a damn where Amon had fucked off to.
“I hope that it gets you what you want, and not an even larger war.” Beelzebub was prudent. Killing anyone in Imperium was not going to go over well. Since a spy would be someone on the inside of the Palace, it was going to be taken personally by Abriella. If she decided to really hunt for Leviathan, they might have a serious problem. With or without Abbadon, that female was viscous as fuck when pissed. Then there was her brother…
“You think one female in that Palace will arise problems?” Leviathan scoffed. “Besides, if it looks like an accident to everyone but those who need to know, then nothing will happen. Do you doubt me?” He looked up with a smirk, a cocky one.
“Levi, I don’t doubt you, but you are dealing with some powerful beings that we have not been able to get an upper hand on since this all started. The closest you got was Talia and let’s not forget how that ended up.” Beelzebub’s brow rose. Did Leviathan really want him to recount that disaster of a cluster fuck? He doubted it.
Leviathan’s teeth ground at the reminder of how sideways that whole operation had gone. “We’re still working on that. She’s determined to get Leandre back, and I do believe that she has managed to bring Gabriel into the fold of our arsenal.” Leviathan’s smirk grew.
Beelzebub looked at his brother as if he had turned into a hydra before him. “Are you out of you fucking mind?! You have brought Gabriel, who our Father has a death sentence on his head, into the fold? Like we weren’t going to have enough trouble with the Horsemen after our asses, you want all of Heaven after them now? And Talia is in charge of this? Is she really such a good piece of ass you’re ready to damn the rest of to death over you own stupidity?!”
“I’m not fucking her. Are you insane, who knows what kind of incurable diseases she has, and we’re immortal.” Leviathan’s eyes rolled before turning back to the map of Imperium. “They’re both useful, you don’t see it yet.”
This is it, Beelzebub thought, the damned idiot had lost his mind completely. Maybe Abbadon needed a new best friend. Had to be safer than this shit.
