Marcel’s plans were in full swing. Hell, he had them started before the sun came up. Regardless, the time was ticking and I had to get to the prison that hosted Crimson.

As I approached, I had to find a darkened street to shift forms. Which was easy enough to do as the sun had yet to peek. Upon speaking with Marcel just hours before this, he told me, “Go as Theoden. The guards will follow his orders blindly. Stupid of them to never question a damn thing. Pathetic really.”

“I’ve never seen him. Only heard stories.” I responded to him as I kept most of my own business confined in the layers of Hell. Once Marcel started his conquest of the Isle’s quest, rumors Theoden’s power and drive reached the depths of Hell. Sparking a jump in Marcel’s army as most fiends and devils wanted a crack at the Dragon King. A kill like that would put any of us on the map in the Nine Hells.

“Read my mind.” Marcel told me. To which I focused on his mind. The imagery he showed me of the Silver dragon portraying a handsome elven figure bolstered with pride made me question my own reality for a moment. It was no wonder why the princess was so fond of him. He had a caring soul. A soul that burned ever so brightly. A soul that I quickly wanted but knew I was never going to have.

“Got it boss.” I told Marcel as the imagery of Theoden, The Dragon King, The Captain of the Guards, and the Protector of the last Heir to the throne was forever burned in my mind.

“Act, talk, walk like him and you shouldn’t have a problem, Empusa. There may be a few suspicions but Pavlo should be working in their quarters.”

I nodded, “Pavlo will be dead by day break. He will let it happen.” I warned him. Pavlo missed his own mate, the one that Marcel willingly gave away. So I knew he would eventually give up.

“And that’s fine. Pavlo can do what he wants after five hours of my own bidding. That’s when his contract ends.” Marcel spoke, his words bitter.

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“Fair.” I responded. Sometimes even for a devil, his behavior was harsh. Strange even. As rumor has it, he has feelings for the Princess. However, as strong as her soul is, he’d rather kill his one shot at happiness to gain power over to have a silly emotion such as love running through his hellish veins. His feelings switched quite often, causing moments of bliss as he but also hatred as he never was taught how to handle his emotions properly.

“And before we get this underway… no harm to the Princess today.” He said. “You can harm the Captain, take him down a peg if you must. Do not kill him. You can kill other guards. But please leave the Princess out of this.”

I nodded as I made a mental note of his orders. “Why?”

He took a deep breath, “I’ll deal with her. Perhaps a bit of mind games with the Captain as well. Keep them both busy for a bit. Besides, she’s been attacked a handful of times. I need her to not be injured physically. Mentally… that’s a different story.”

I nodded once more. “No physical?”

“Yes. No physical contact from you to her. Focus on breaking Crimson out. Portray her in the cell. And I’ll free you myself when it’s all said and done.”

His plan made sense. His plan was simple. However, I knew his plan had its holes. I just had to hope that Pavlo would last as the distraction. And I am able to pull this off. “Yes boss.” I responded.

He nodded, “Good. Now go.”

The connection soon began to fade. “One more thing.” He spoke before it fully broke, “I suspect this may fail. I have someone else in line to break her out at the same time.”

I was confused with that statement but I guess it made sense. If Theoden was smart he have things prepared. That meant Marcel had to counter them simultaneously.

“And what’s that?” I asked.

“It will be revealed in time.” He told me as the connection finally faded between us.

It was now time to take Theoden’s form and begin to infiltrate the prison.

As soon as I worked my magic and I felt my form fully shift, I walked over to my full length mirror and examined myself from head to toe. Yeah… it was no wonder why the Princess was fond of him, this draconic man was rather handsome if I do say so myself.