Chapter 12 The Warrior’s Way
Morning arrived with less pain than Lilith expected.
She woke to find her body still aching, still protesting movement, but the sharp agony from yesterday had dulled to a manageable throb. Her muscles felt bruised rather than shattered. Her bones no longer screamed with every breath.
Seraph healing, she realised. Faster than human, slower than she’d like.
Sera was already awake, sitting in the window seat with a book she wasn’t actually reading. The moment Lilith stirred, her friend’s head snapped up.
How do you feel?
Like, I got trampled. But I can move. Lilith pushed herself to a sitting position, grateful when her arms held her weight. See? Progress.
Progress would be you not getting crushed unconscious by demon princes who think breaking you counts as teaching. Sera closed the book with more force than necessary. Are you still going to train with Cain?
Yes, I'm.
Good. Sera stood and moved to the wardrobe. Because I had the maids prepare actual training clothes. You’re not fighting in a dress anymore.
She pulled out leather pants, a fitted tunic, and boots that looked designed for movement rather than appearance. Nothing like the gowns Lilith had been drowning in since she arrived.
Sera. Lilith’s throat tightened. Thank you.
Someone has to keep you alive. Sera’s smile was tired. And since you’re determined to train with people who could accidentally kill you, the least I can do is make sure you’re dressed for it.
Getting dressed took longer than it should have. Every movement pulled at sore muscles. But eventually Lilith stood in front of the mirror, barely recognising herself.
Gone was the princess in silk and diamonds. In her place stood someone who looked almost dangerous. The leather fit perfectly, allowing freedom of movement. The boots were sturdy. Her hair was tightly braided back, no loose strands to grab.
She looked like a warrior.
Or at least someone trying to become one.
A knock at the door. Not demanding like Azrael’s. Not hesitant like the servants. Firm. Confident.
Cain.
Lilith opened the door to find the warrior princess waiting, arms crossed, volcanic glass eyes assessing. She took in Lilith’s appearance and nodded once.
Better. You look like you mean business.
I’m not sure what business I mean yet, but I’m dressed for it.
Cain’s lips twitched. That’s half the battle. Come on. My training ground is private. No audience. No brothers interrupting. Just you and me.
Sera appeared at Lilith’s shoulder. Keep her alive.
That’s the plan. Cain’s expression softened slightly when she looked at Sera. She’s stronger than she thinks. I’ll prove it to her.
They walked through corridors Lilith didn’t recognise. Deeper into the palace, away from the grand halls and throne rooms. The architecture here was older, rawer. Stone instead of marble. Torches instead of chandeliers.
Where are we going?
The original structure. Cain’s voice echoed slightly. Before the Vestibulum became what it is now, this was a fortress. My father kept the old training yards when he renovated. Most of my brothers prefer the new courtyard. I prefer history.
They descended a staircase that seemed to spiral forever, then emerged into a massive underground chamber.
Lilith’s breath caught.
The space was enormous, carved directly from black stone. The ceiling arched high overhead, supported by pillars that looked like they’d been hewn from single pieces of rock. Weapon racks lined the walls, swords, spears, axes, things Lilith couldn’t name. Training dummies stood in various states of destruction. And in the center, a sparring circle marked with symbols that glowed faintly red.
This is incredible.
This is where I learned to fight. Cain moved to the center of the circle, gesturing for Lilith to join her. My father brought me here when I was young. Said if I wanted to be treated like my brothers, I had to earn it. So I did. Every day for two centuries, I came here and trained until I couldn’t stand.
Two centuries?
Time moves differently for demons. Cain shrugged. The point is, I understand what it feels like to have to prove yourself. To have everyone expect you to fail. To be underestimated because of what you are instead of who you are.
Lilith stepped into the circle. The symbols flared brighter as she crossed them, responding to her divine energy.
What are these markings?
Containment runes. Cain knelt and traced one with her finger. When you lose control, and you will, they’ll keep your power from bringing down the palace. My father carved them himself after I accidentally destroyed half the fortress during a rage fit.
You destroyed half the fortress?
I was having a bad day. Cain stood and rolled her shoulders. The point is, power without control is just destruction. My brothers think breaking you will teach control. I believe control comes from understanding what you are, not fearing it.
She moved to face Lilith, arms loose at her sides.
Before we start fighting, we start breathing. Close your eyes.
Lilith hesitated.
Trust me. Or don’t. But close your eyes anyway.
Lilith obeyed. The darkness behind her eyelids felt vulnerable, exposed.
Now breathe. Deep inhale through your nose. Feel the air fill your lungs. Hold it. Count to four. Exhale slowly through your mouth. Again.
Lilith followed the instructions. In. Hold. Out. Her racing heart began to slow.
Good. Feel that? That’s your center. That’s the place where your power lives when it’s not being used. When you’re afraid, when you’re threatened, your power explodes outward because you’re not anchored to that center. We’re going to teach your body to stay anchored even when you’re terrified.
They breathed together for what felt like hours, but was probably minutes. Lilith’s awareness shifted, expanded. She could feel her power humming beneath her skin, contained but present. Not fighting to escape. Just existing.
Open your eyes.
Lilith did. Cain stood close now, close enough that Lilith could see the amber flecks in her volcanic glass eyes, the faint scar tissue on her knuckles, the way her pulse beat in her throat.
Now we move. Slowly. I’m going to come at you, and you’re going to stay centered. Don’t fight. Don’t defend. Just breathe and hold your ground.
Cain moved.
Her fist came toward Lilith’s face in slow motion, controlled, giving Lilith every opportunity to track it. Every instinct screamed to block, to dodge, to do something.
But Lilith breathed. Stayed centered. Let the fist stop an inch from her nose.
Good. Again.
They repeated the drill. Cain attacks from different angles and at different speeds, always controlled, always stopping before contact. And each time, Lilith held her ground, breathing through the fear response.
Do you understand what you just did? Cain stepped back. You overrode your survival instincts. That takes more control than most warriors develop in decades. Your body wanted to panic. You told it no.
It feels wrong. Not fighting back.
Fighting is easy. Any idiot can throw a punch. Cain’s smile was fierce. Choosing when to fight and when to hold? That’s mastery. That’s power.
She moved to the weapon racks and selected two wooden practice swords and tossed one to Lilith, who caught it awkwardly.
Now we see if you remember what I taught you yesterday.
The next hour was brutal but different from Azrael’s training. Cain pushed Lilith hard, correcting her stance, her grip, her footwork. But every correction came with an explanation. Every mistake was met with instruction, not condemnation.
And slowly, incredibly, Lilith began to improve.
Her body remembered the drills from yesterday. Her muscles learned the movements. When Cain swept her legs, Lilith rolled and came up defensive. When Cain came at her high, Lilith ducked and countered low.
Yes! Cain’s grin was brilliant. There! That’s it!
They clashed in the center of the circle, wooden swords cracking together, both breathing hard, both grinning like fools.
Then Lilith felt it. The power surges in response to her heightened emotions. Golden light begins to leak from her skin.
She started to panic.
Breathe, Cain commanded. Stay centered. Let it flow, but don’t let it explode. You control it. It doesn’t control you.
Lilith breathed. Found that center Cain had shown her. The power surged but didn’t detonate. Instead, it flowed through her limbs, making her faster, stronger, more aware.
She moved without thinking, muscle memory and divine instinct combining. Her practice sword became a blur. Cain matched her, blow for blow, both of them moving faster than human eyes could track.
The swords shattered from the force of their impacts.
They stood facing each other, breathing hard, hands glowing, Lilith’s gold, Cain’s red-amber.
Then they both laughed.
Holy hell, Cain gasped. You’re a natural. Do you have any idea how rare that is?
I was terrified I’d lose control again.
You didn’t. You channelled it. There’s a difference. Cain stepped closer, still slightly breathless. That right there? That’s what you’re capable of when you trust yourself.
They stood close now. Too close. Lilith could feel the heat radiating from Cain’s body, could see the way her chest rose and fell, could smell smoke and something spicy.
Cain’s volcanic glass eyes searched Lilith’s face, and something shifted in the air between them. Something electric. Something dangerous.
Lilith, Cain said quietly. I need to tell you something.
What?
But before Cain could answer, a slow clap echoed through the chamber.
They sprang apart as Lucian emerged from the shadows, his mirror eyes reflecting their startled faces.
Touching, he said, voice dripping with false sweetness. The warrior teaching the princess. How very noble, dear sister.
Lucian. Cain’s voice was flat, dangerous. This is a private session.
Private? Lucian laughed. Nothing in this palace is private. Surely you know that by now. He focused on Lilith. I came to deliver a message. Father wants to see you. Immediately.
The Devil? Lilith’s stomach dropped. Why?
Because he’s dying faster than expected, Lucian’s smile was sharp. And he wants to speak with you before he goes. Something about unfinished business and prophecies. You know how he gets.
Cain moved to stand slightly between them. She needs to clean up first.
Father doesn’t care about appearances. He cares about time. And he’s running out of it. Lucian’s mirror eyes captured Lilith’s reflection. I’d hurry if I were you, little Seraph. Dead men tell no secrets.
He vanished back into the shadows.
Lilith looked at Cain, whose jaw was tight with frustration.
What were you going to tell me?
Later. Cain’s hand found Lilith’s briefly and squeezed. After you deal with whatever my father wants. But Lilith? Be careful. If he’s asking for you specifically, it’s because he knows something. And with him, knowledge is always dangerous.
Lilith nodded, still feeling the warmth of Cain’s hand even after it was gone.
She had no idea what the Devil wanted.
But somehow, she knew everything was about to change.
Again.