Prince of Hell

by J N Moon

His face flushed with excitement. "Follow me to the best blues bar in Chile. Your brother has done quite well."

  At least Bael had given them one night after the bloodbath. Watching my progeny, their huge eyes, senses overloaded as their heads turned in wonder, scanning everything, soaking it all up. People bumped into them, as they were too immersed in their surroundings, the sounds, smells, and colours, to bother looking where they were walking. We came to a building with brightly coloured murals and people painted on the front. Huge wooden doors opened. There was so much colour and vibrancy here, and I could see why Bael was eager to come. Inside, incredible guitaring as a guy sang, his soul touching everyone else’s the music seemed to flow through me like a gentle mist, then lifting me up the vibe warming, inviting.

  The bouncer grinned wide seeing Bael, hugging him, smiling and calling another bouncer, we were led inside to a VIP table. Drinks, on the house, were brought over.

  My mouth dropped open. Bael hadn't changed Andy to demon. How would he cope?

  Watching the expression on my face, he frowned.

  "You haven't turned Andy. This is all too rushed," I said.

  "Calm down I'll do it later. He'll be all right. Andy, lad, you can't eat just now, but in the next few days, everything will be better than before."

  Jack's expression was fierce. Tight-lipped, he widened his eyes at me as Andy sat there, partially entranced, partially livid, arms crossed tightly across his chest.

  Then came Tony.

  Obviously, we were all about the same age. Tony had lived well. Black suit, dark hair, slight stubble on his face, which was slightly round. His eyes offset by his big grin and dark eyebrows. His face worn only by the sun and rich lifestyle.

  "Bael, you old bastard! I haven't seen you for years. What brings you here?" Looking around at us, his face beamed eyes slightly glazed with alcohol. He plonked himself slightly drunkenly in a seat next to Bael and ushered more drinks, seemingly oblivious to what we really were.

  Tony's voice was slightly hoarse. He continued, "So who are these fellows? First time in Chile?"

  "They’re family, Tony. I, we, have a gift for you, but more on that later. The club is thriving. You're doing well."

  "What can I say? Business is good. Every night is a party, but," he said, patting his stomach, "I might have to reign it in a little, I guess!" laughing loudly, he grabbed his drink and slurped it. "So, names? Who's the angry guy?"

  Andy shot him a look, but Tony responded quickly, holding out his hand, "No need to worry, man. We're in Chile, the best place on Earth. You can relax here, and hey, you're in my club. A friend of Bael's, and so, you, too, I welcome you like family."

  How ironic but refreshing. The poor guy had no idea. But then judging by his personality, I doubt he'd see being turned a disadvantage. No doubt he'd live up to his name.

  "How long have you had this place?" I asked.

  Happy that someone was asking about his passion, Tony leaned forwards holding out his hand. I replied, "I'm Anthony."

  "Good to meet you, Anthony. Well, about three years. Bael here helped fund it in the beginning, God knows, but it's become so popular I was able to pay him back quickly. It's the music, I guess. We have incredible musicians here in Santiago, and where I used to have to almost beg them to perform, now it's the other way around. Your first time here?"

  "Yes. Have you always lived in Chile?"

  "Sure, but I grew up in poverty. Everything changed when I met this man," he roared, slapping Bael on the shoulder.

  Bael was certainly gathering his forces, looking out for us. For what ultimate end, I daren't think. Don't get me wrong, I never trusted him. I didn't really care, but his blatant misuse of Andy disturbed me. It was almost as if he was punishing him. Whispering, I turned to Andy, "Come on. Let's get out of here." Then, turning to Bael, "Where are we staying?"

  "I insist you stay. Drink, relax," he said.

  "I insist you sort out Andy. We can come back later," I spat at Bael.

  He locked eyes with me. I didn't budge, narrowing mine until he knew I wouldn't take no for an answer.

  Andy remained bound up, irritation about to burst out of him like before. Tony gazed uncomfortably around the room. Jack, though. He smiled at me and got up. I was impressed. He seemed to have formed a camaraderie with Andy and me. Maybe that was the brotherhood thing. Bael was being a dick, though.

  At last, he huffed, "All right. Forgive us, Tony, we'll be back shortly. I have some business to attend to."

  "Why not bring Tony as well? That way we can wrap this up," was my flat reply.

  "You know, I thought you'd like to take it easy for a bit. Relax, enjoy the music. But you're all work. You've no soul, lad."

  "And you realise this now? We can relax later. We've still got three more to see."

  "Tony, can I invite you back with me and the boys? I have something that will be interesting to you. A proposition."

  "You've always helped me before, Bael, so, sure. Let me go speak to my staff first."

  Grunting and mumbling, Bael got up. Andy was up in a flash, beady eyes looking around, and made a beeline for the door. We followed him slowly, but as the cooler night air hit us outside, he was gone.

  "Oh, bloody hell," Bael moaned. "Can you track him?"

  "Obviously," was my reply. In a flash, I was gone, too, following the scent of my progeny. Jack waited with Bael, who waited for Tony.

  This quarter of Chile was colourful. Bright murals painted on almost every building, people laughing, shouting over the music, thumping out of clubs, restaurants, outside dining. It was as if the city itself was alive. Finding Andy wasn't hard but what he was doing, harder.

  Tucked away behind the throng of crowds was a little church. Like others, painted on the outside with pictures of people drinking and celebrating. Vivid flowers trailed the building their perfume strong and musky.

  With reverence, I opened the door. He did not turn around, head bent over a pew, rosary in hand. I sat at the back and waited.

  Andy, what will I do with you?

  Eventually, he lifted his head, turned around, and then faced back to the altar. Quietly, I got up, walked over to him, and sat beside him. "What can I do?" I whispered.

  "Kill me. Though, thanks to you, my soul is damned."

  "Have you learned nothing? Your soul...What of those you've saved already? What of them and of others in your future? Yes, you take from the living, but you don't have to kill, and you only take from those who have condemned themselves. You really want to throw that all away when you could be so much more?"

  Turning, he spat, "Why did you do this? What's in it for you? Or is it just the power?"

  "Honestly, it is the power. I am hoping to get my love back, and my friend. As for the rest, there's one thing I've learned. The damned walk amongst you whether you're human or immortal. Who knows how many times I brushed with death. Of course, at first, I was angry, scared as hell giving up my mortal life. It was simpler, and for a long time, I envied humans. They're like children. But, now...I've met extraordinary beings, flown with Nephilim, fought demons, met a demigod, and now I'm staying with the King of Hell who claims to be our true father."

  Before he could speak, I carried on, "Before our souls were cast down to the Earth, Bael told me we were Seraphim, angels of the highest order. But when Jack, or as he was known, Lucifer, refused to worship man, he was cast out of heaven and we...we supported him. Sitting here with you now, looking at the state of our planet, at the destruction, the mindless ravaging simply for money, greed, material wealth and power by these mortals...It doesn't surprise me one bit that I would side with Lucifer. For what other species has done so much harm, damage to the Earth and all her creatures? Answer me that."

  "That is blasphemy," he crossed himself.

  "Grow up, Andy. It's the twenty-first century. In my time as a vampire, I haven't been touched by God. True, I have seen the Seraphim — they let me live — and many of my kin. When the veil between Earth and
Hell shattered, I fought alongside them. So how does that compare with your belief? Seraphim are the closest, highest angels of God. Yet, they not only let me and my kin, who fought the darkness, live, they helped us. Think on that. How many celestial experiences have you had as a human?"

  Andy remained silent, fixated only ahead. Taking a deep breath, at last his voice, so quiet, "You really think I can do good as a vampire? That in itself is sacrilege, but it is too late, I know, to turn back. And I suspect I cannot easily die, and suicide is a sin. Though, I am not sure that applies to vampires? I don't want to die, but you took the life I had. Bael," he huffed. "He is the devil. All charm, but what is his true purpose? To bring terror, chaos, into the world? Do you know, or even care?"

  I must've seemed blasé, but I'd been through a lot already. "You know what. There's always something trying to do that, immortal or mortal. But, I figure, with all of us together, all seven Princes of Hell, we can do anything. So..."

  "Ah, I see. Jack. He is Lucifer? He doesn't seem evil, arrogant, but I wonder, in time, will he become worse?" Andy enquired.

  "Maybe. Maybe you will. I haven't, much. But I am still your maker, so that doesn't concern me much. Jack's former life as a human wasn't like yours. Yes, he lived in Los Angeles, but now he's away from the mundane, from poverty. It's all perspective, Andy. You know what Bael wants to bestow on you, I assume?"

  "I have no idea."

  "More power. No longer just vampire, but the power of Hell. With that, anything's possible. Heck, maybe you could live as a mortal. Many supernaturals do. But a kind of vigilante?"

  I was trying to sell it to him. It's not like he had a choice, but he was thoughtful, if angry, and I found his personality, though split at times, intriguing. I hadn't sat and talked about life and death with another immortal for a long time. It was ironic, two vampires sat in a church discussing the future, humanity, life...

  Our tranquillity wasn't to last, though. The night air crept in and along with it, Jack. "You all right, Andy?"

  He didn't answer. I couldn't blame him. It was literally like having Dad send someone to check up on you. At length, I spoke, "Come, Andy. Let's do this, then we can get out of here. There's still three more to turn after Tony, and I'm keen to start living again." As the words spewed from my mouth, I realised I was missing Rachel...my heart twisted and wrenched, but the pain was slightly less. I guessed because I had something to focus on: my progenies. I was a maker to two, soon three, and very soon, six.

  Bael may be King and, in theory, Father, but, really, as I was their maker, they would, like it or not, fall under my command. I remembered Rachel under Nathaniel's orders. She was unable to disobey him. Sighing, I realised how lucky I'd been that those wretches who'd turned me had left me. God knows otherwise what I would've become.

  As we left the peace of the church, thrown back into the party of the streets, amongst the heady mortals, I took another deep breath. Maybe, maybe, I wouldn’t obey Bael after all. But I did want that ring.

  With a heavy heart, Andy followed me back to the club where Bael and Tony were waiting. Bael, unusually said nothing. He just furrowed his eyebrows at me. I nodded slightly, then he showed us where we were staying.

  Complacency, how fast it can happen. From being used to living in my small inner city flat and all its damp and mould, I'd quickly grown accustomed to Bael's extravagant living. The house was in true King of Hell style, a luxury apartment. As we arrived with dawn breaking, I grabbed Andy's arm, ushered Jack, and we stood on the balcony watching the night leave, revealing the majestic view of The Andes, their peaks not fully visible under a gentle smattering of mist.

  Sighing together, that really was something I'll treasure. Silence drifted around us with only the distant sound of birds waking, and mortals started to stir. Bael and Andy excused themselves to another room where Bael would add the finishing touches to Andy's transformation, and I wondered if it had been a good idea to ask Tony back. Saying goodnight to Jack, I asked Tony to show me around before the streets became busy. Really, just to get him away from Andy. Whatever it was Bael did, it could sound loud. Not for Jack or me, but these things were delicate.

  The area we stayed in was quiet, away from the crowded parties of Bellavista. I could soak up the culture, the buildings in peace. Tony chatted happily about his achievements, his wealth, parties, women. We came to a small park clustered with trees and huge palms and found a bench.

  He chatted away, slightly drunk, "So, yeah. Let me tell you, life is sweet. Full of surprises. Only last week, I woke up in bed with four women and two men. Can you believe that? And get this, the guy served me breakfast in bed. Of course, I’m not stupid. I’m pretty rich in Bellavista, and I’m no spring chicken, but hell. Every week, I indulge my fantasies, my whims. People, drugs, booze, fine food, which must be organic and then there’s Cuban cigars. And there’s you. I like you, Anthony, I really do. Even though you’re some kind of whack job because you really believe you’re the devil, huh? Well, that’s interesting, but have you ever had four women and two guys, I ask you?" The words just kept pouring out.

  I shuffled my feet, moving my body weight side to side. "Tony, vampires don’t do sexuality. I mean, either is preferable, we do blood. That, to me anyhow, sounds like hard work. As for the devil, you’re wrong. That’s Jack."

  I knew he was humouring me, zoned out on amphetamines and alcohol.

  He laughed. "Jack seems quite sweet. Quiet. Not the devil type. So, vamps are bi, then? Good to know. I’ve never screwed a vampire."

  “Yeah, that’s nice...you won’t be screwing me, for sure. But I have to ask, do you want me because I’m new or because I’m a vampire?” I took a step back either way. He wasn’t my type, but excess was apt for Tony. He was greedy to try anything new, including me.

  Bellowing a laugh, he said, “Does it really matter? But if I have to choose, yeah, I rather like the whole vampire thing. Could you bite me?”

  Indeed, I promised I would.

  "Do you know why Bael invited you to his home tonight?" I changed the subject.

  Grinning, he said, "Maybe another offer? He's been a good friend. Picked me up when I was at my lowest. Now look at me."

  "Why, though? What offer did he make?"

  "Now you're making me paranoid. He just said to return the favour in the future, nothing special. He gave me the push I needed, I met the right people, got financed. The rest I did myself. Why all the questions? Who are you really?"

  "Did he ask you if you wanted to be immortal? Would you, if you had the chance?"

  "Hell. Maybe. You're kidding right? Geez, I know I drank a lot tonight, but what?"

  "If I tell you, you won't believe me. I'd have to show you. To be immortal, though, you could die if someone or something took your head, or heart, or both. What would you do?"

  "You're an interesting guy. Freaky as shit. Weird, but what a question. I guess I'd travel a while, in style of course. After that, I don't know...party hard?"

  I nodded. "So that's a yes, then?"

  "You offering me immortality? That's some seriously messed up shit," he croaked. His body language changed. I could feel, smell the fear on him. His muscles tightened, to be expected. Nervously laughing, he exclaimed, "You really believe this, don't you?"

  I moved fast behind him, leaning over his neck and holding his head in one hand. I whispered, "Bael is not human, Tony. He is a demon, and I am a vampire. A vampire, part demon. Even now, Andy is with him as Bael charges his demonic power into him. I, we, are the descendants of the seven Princes of Hell. And I am to make you a vampire. Later Bael will charge you with his power to bring you, all of us, back."

  I heard him gulp, completely frozen, and then I bit.

  As he crashed to the floor, dying, I scooped him up and carried him on my shoulder, awkwardly as he was bigger than me, but I was stronger. Passing a few mortals, I simply muttered, "Drunk brother," whilst rolling my eyes. Did they believe me? Who knows, but most people don't want troub
le, so I got him back without a problem.

  Calling for Bael, I asked, "Where's he staying?"

  Frowning, he pointed to a room. "I think I might try something else with this one." He scrunched his face. "I'm not a good nurse, and humans are so messy. All those bodily fluids."

  I wiped my mouth, looking for a drink. "You going to change him before his first feed? We don't know what will happen, it's unpredictable.” But I was tired. "You know what, you have all the power. Just make sure he's all right and safe. How's Andy?"

  "Fine. He's fine. I don't know what you did to him, or said, but it worked. He's still in a coma of sorts, but he'll be good tomorrow. And Tony? That was fast."

  "Like I said, three more to go. I'm hitting the sack. Where's my room?"

  "You're actually getting bored of this, aren't you?"

  "You think? Most of them...look it was different for me. Hell, it was for Jack, but Andy, Tony. They had lives, lives they liked, so..."

  His eyes went wide with shock. "Your room is down there, third on the left. And you're welcome."

  "Goodnight, Bael."

  I slept most of the day, a constant hum in the background from the air conditioning almost soothing me. No dreams came, and I was surprised when I woke refreshed but hungry. Padding lightly out the room, I hunted around the kitchen and made coffee. Ah, what bliss. From time to time, I admit a pang of anxiety would twist around in my belly wondering how long this could last, and guilt. As the coffee brewed, I wondered if my reasoning was just. Of course, it wasn’t. It was selfish, but at least I had coffee. Everyone else was out. I wondered how they were as I stared across to The Andes from the balcony, hands hugging the cup.

  Jack had lived more in the last week than he had in his forty years on this planet, and had seemed to take to drinking blood without much problem in his conscience.

  Belphegor was next, or Tom, whose name was on a sheet of paper on the side amongst books on the occult. The Book of the Damned and a few other musty-looking grimoires. So, we’d be going to New South Wales, Australia, to Bellingen.

  One thing I can say about Bael, he’s certainly international. Though I was doubting his reasons, it was too late to turn back now. Churning in the pit of my stomach, my gut telling me to stop, but how could I? Rachel’s and Nathaniel's deaths were on my hands. Two friends who died for a cause they should never have been caught up in. Whatever the price, I owed them their lives and I wouldn't rest until they were back.