Page 220 of A Kingdom of Wild and Power
At first the glass reflected nothing but the garden behind her. But then the image shifted.
She saw a small blonde child with black horns running across sunlit grass, giggling with delight. Mal herself chased after the child in the reflection, laughter bright in her eyes, while Ash followed close behind them both.
Mal recoiled, her purple eyes widening.
She spun around quickly, unsure whether what she had seen had been real or some cruel illusion. Her free hand moved instinctively to her stomach, as though her child still rested there.
‘Strange, isn’t it?’ a voice said softly. ‘The many shapes greed may take for each of us.’
Mal turned.
A woman approached them across the grass. She wore a long red gown that flowed about her like liquid flame. Her beauty was striking, her skin shimmering faintly as though brushed with gold.
‘When most people think of greed,’ the woman continued, ‘they imagine coins.’ She lifted her golden and gleaming hands, and a heavy coin rolled playfully between her fingers. ‘But greed can be so many things. The hunger to possess more than one truly deserves.’
Mal glanced back at the mirror.
This time the reflection had changed again.
Now she saw herself seated upon a throne.
‘Mammon,’ Mal said quietly, turning her attention back to the woman.
Jewels glittered throughout Mammon’s golden hair—emeralds, rubies, diamonds—layered so artfully they seemed almost woven into the strands. If not for the absence of horns, Mal might have mistaken her for some richly adorned drakonian noblewoman.
‘Welcome to my ring,’ the king of Hell said, her smile widening into something both dazzling and wicked. She leaned closer, her golden eyes studying Mal with greedy fascination. ‘I have always wanted purple eyes like yours to add to my collection.’
Mal stepped back at once and lifted her sword, the tip of the blade resting lightly beneath Mammon’s chin.
The demon only chuckled and withdrew a step.
‘Why is a child of Hades wandering through my gardens?’ she asked.
‘I need to cross your ring,’ Mal replied evenly.
Mammon feigned disinterest, glancing down at her long golden nails as though the conversation barely deserved her attention.
‘What for?’
‘I must speak with Lucifer.’
Mammon’s eyes widened, bright as polished coins.
‘One does not simply visit Lucifer…’
Mal tilted her head slightly. ‘I’m sure he misses me after last time.’
Mammon laughed softly.
‘Oh, I’m certain he does. Very few souls ever reach his ring.’ She tapped one finger thoughtfully against her chin. ‘He must be terribly lonely without his beloved to keep him company.’ Hersmile turned sly. ‘I heard whispers, you know, that he took you under his wing because you resembled her.’ Mammon’s gaze sharpened. ‘Because you looked so much like Nyx.’
Mal stiffened slightly.
Her sword remained raised, though now the blade pointed squarely at the demon’s chest.
‘When you were cast down here,’ Mal said slowly, ‘why were you separated into these different rings? I’ve heard that each ring represents the sin committed against the Sun God… but if you were truly condemned for helping Nyx escape…’ Her words trailed off, the implication hanging between them.
Mammon’s smile sharpened, as though she enjoyed the question far more than the threat of the blade.
