Dark Abigail

by Thawer, Tish

  Svell leapt up and rushed toward the God, only to be left sliding into an empty space as Loki disappeared and reappeared behind him.

  “Stop your dog, or I’ll send him back to the depth of Cocytus,” Loki demanded.

  Holli recalled Svell to her side and waited for her father to make the next move.

  “Loki, I’ve been patient so far, but if you try to remove Abigail from our custody again, you’re going to find that I’m not as big a pushover as you think I am,” Death stated calmly.

  “Oh, no. Keep her, that’s fine.” Loki waved his hand in the air.

  Death glanced at Holli and the two shared a confused look. “Then why are you here?” Holli asked.

  “To check on you, of course.” He wrapped the long tails of his coat around him and stood with his arms crossed, completely serious.

  “Sorry, not buying it!” Holli snapped. “I may not remember our time together, but you’ve proven that you hold no feelings for me, so get out!” The temperature in the room dropped. Holli’s anger was flaring the one perk she rarely used. Ice began to creep across the floor and up the columns throughout the room.

  “Hold on now, don’t turn me into a popsicle just yet.” Loki raised his arms.

  “What I mean is...I came to check and see if Abigail’s presence was having the affect on you I was hoping for.” Loki grinned.

  “What do you mean, the affect on her?” Garrett asked, unable to help himself.

  “Oh, she hasn’t told you? Interesting.” Loki began sauntering back and forth between the two closest columns. “You see, the more Hel is around others from her true domain, the more her memories and powers will start to emerge.”

  Garrett snapped his head in Holli’s direction. “Is this true?”

  “I’m not sure,” she whispered with tears in her eyes.

  “Would I lie to you?” Loki tilted his head.

  “Yes, since it’s all you ever do!” Holli screamed.

  “Well, not this time, I’m afraid,” Loki cackled. “So, hang in there my darling, and we’ll be having our family reunion very soon.” He waved then disappeared.

  Death sent a bolt of energy from his scythe, striking the empty space where Loki had just stood. “Why didn’t you tell me this?” Garrett tried to reign in his temper.

  “Because, I wasn’t sure what was happening. So far it’s only been cramps and a few random flashes. I couldn’t tell if they were memories or dreams, or what. The worst was today.” She rubbed her stomach again.

  “Then we have to remove Abigail. She can’t stay here if it’s hurting you.”

  “No. We can’t send her back to Lucifer, and if Loki isn’t going to take her again, this is our best chance to get some real answers and stop all this once and for all.” Holli stood up and walked to the balcony, putting more distance between her and the frozen assassin.

  Death came to stand behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist.

  “I just need some time to adjust and processes everything. We knew this was a possibility someday.” Holli leaned back into her husband’s arms. “I just didn’t think it would happen like this.”

  “Is there anything I can do for you?”

  “I don’t know,” Holli replied as a single tear froze on her cheek.

  26

  “Where is she?” The crack of Lucifer’s whip hit Asmodeus’ back for a fifth time.

  “I. Don’t. Know!” The prince of hell was firm in his reply and his resolve. There was no way he’d reveal their plans. “You’re the one who sent her back to Purgatory, now she’s probably stuck there again, or worse.” Asmodeus pushed from the floor and wiped his mouth with a swipe of his hand. “Why don’t you have your partner go get her back again?”

  Lucifer shifted on his throne, clearly uncomfortable at the mention of Loki.

  “Oh, has the God of Mischief betrayed you? Surprise, surprise.”

  “No! You know nothing of our dealings!” Spit flew from Lucifer mouth, and Asmodeus prepared for another snap to his flesh. Oddly, it never came. Lucifer sunk back into his throne, out of breath and defeated. “Leave me,” he panted.

  Asmodeus rushed through the doors and returned to Abigail’s room. He hoped the fears he’d just admitted to his boss hadn’t actually come true. If Abigail was hurt or dead, there was going to be hell to pay for sure. He’d personally see to that.

  “So you’re saying, because Abigail was created in Hell, Holli’s true realm, that she’s having some sort of affect on her?” Michael asked for what seemed like the third time since returning to the throne room this morning.

  “Yes. That’s what Loki said.” Garrett ran his hand through his hair.

  “And you believe him?” Michael pried.

  “Unfortunately, yes. Holli hasn’t felt well since their first encounter and it’s only getting worse. I’ve asked that she remain in our room with Svell, while we take over watching the assassin down here. How is Raven? Has there been any change?”

  “No.” Michael dropped his head. “I can’t reach her, and it’s killing me to not know if she’s suffering.” The archangel collapsed onto the couch.

  “I’m sorry. Perhaps I should see if I can get a read on her, since she is one of my Reapers,” Garrett suggested.

  Michael perked up. “That might work, let’s go!” He stood up, ready to transport Death into Heaven for an unscheduled visit.

  “Um...we can’t both leave. Someone has to stay here with Abigail.” Garrett gestured toward the frozen assassin in the corner.

  “Oh, right.” Michael sank back down and reclaimed his seat.

  “Actually, and don’t kill me, but I was thinking you should bring her down here to stay with us. That way she’s back in her true realm where I can monitor her.” Garrett braced for Michael’s complete refusal, but was surprised when he immediately agreed.

  “Okay, but I’m staying too, then.”

  “Of course. I’ll have the room across from ours prepared.”

  “Let me gather a few things, and then I’ll be right back with Raven.” Michael disappeared in a burst of light, leaving Death scrambling to arrange for their extended stay.

  The castle housed a small staff that made quick work of what was to be Raven and Michael’s room. Garrett was pleased when they alerted him that all had been prepared. “Good, thank you. We’ll be up shortly.”

  Garrett took a seat upon his throne and waited for Michael and Raven’s return. A small tapping sound pierced his ears, drawing his attention to the corner. Garrett stood, and walked around the back of the raised dais, past his gazing pool, and into the corner where Abigail’s ice ball was quickly filling with light. Death raised his scythe, casting a protective shield in front of himself just as frozen shards littered the space.

  “I’m sorry,” Abigail panted, “I didn’t do it on purpose. I told you, I can’t control my flames.” Her voice broke over each breath she inhaled. “You can put me back if you want. Just let me warm up a bit.”

  The ice from Svell’s prison didn’t hurt its inhabitants, but instead numbed them into stasis. They could see what was going on around them, but were typically unable to escape. Death stared at Abigail as she rubbed her hands up and down her arms, creating an orange glow along her skin. “Abigail. It’s not that we don’t want to believe you, but you’ve lied to us before, and with Loki pulling the strings, the truth is rarely what’s revealed.” Garrett tightened the grip on his scythe.

  “I understand that, but I swear, I’m telling you the truth. I can’t lose myself to whatever change is taking place inside of me, and if you won’t help me, I have no idea what I’ll end up becoming and that scares the shit out of me.” An odd mixture of flame and tears ran down her face as she cried.

  Death lowered his weapon and started toward the distraught assassin, just as Michael and Raven appeared behind him.

  “What’s going on here?” Michael demanded.

  “Just calm down,” Garrett replied.

  Raven began to writhe i
n Michael’s arms, screaming in pain as tiny flames burst to life along the edges of her wings.

  “Get her out of here!” Garrett screamed.

  Michael disappeared with Raven in his arms, while Death turned to face Abigail, upset again. “How are we supposed to help you when no one can be around you without getting hurt?”

  “I don’t know. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen?” Abigail sobbed.

  Garrett shook his head. “Fine. Then let’s talk about that, what did you think would happen when you took the job of ‘Lucifer’s Personal Assassin’? You couldn’t possibly think it was going to be a walk in the park.”

  “No. Of course not, but after living the life I had, and the fact that I was now dead, I thought anything would be better than just wandering the Fields of Torment for eternity.” She dropped to the floor, crossing her legs and leaning back against the wall.

  “Okay, so explain. How is it that you were unaffected by the torture of the Fields?” Death continued to press her for answers.

  “I’m not sure. I assume it was because of all the drugs and how closed off and hardened my heart had become while I was still alive. Like I said, I didn’t have an easy life.” She shrugged.

  “That can’t be the reason,” Death replied calmly. “There are plenty of people who’ve had rougher lives than you who’ve ended up on their spot in Hell, tortured and tormented as expected. It has to be something else.”

  “Well, if it is, then I have no idea what it could be.” Abigail sighed.

  “I’m sorry to have to pry, but if we don’t figure this out, I’m afraid we simply won’t have a way to help fix your problem.” Death eased closer, leaning against the nearest column.

  “It’s fine. I already told your wife everything anyway. I don’t have anything to hide.”

  “Do you mind repeating what you shared with her?” Garrett asked.

  “Sure. I explained how I grew up and had a great life with my mom and dad. A normal life. Dad passed away when I was young, but Mom and I were still able to stay in our house. Once she died, though, I found out how that had been possible. She’d taken out a second mortgage, so between that and my student loans, I couldn’t make it work. No job, no money, so I started making bad decisions and borrowing it from anywhere I could. Once I got into the drug scene there was no turning back. It was just easier to numb the pain and walk away.” Abigail sniffled. “But that’s it. I wasn’t a bad person who hurt people.” She met Death’s focused gaze and raised her chin.

  Garrett stood there for a quiet moment, deep in thought. “Can you tell me who your Reaper was?”

  Abigail lowered her head and swallowed hard. “Crawley.”

  “Ah. The first Reaper you killed,” Death stated.

  “Yes. And I’m sorry for that.”

  Death watched as true regret settled on her face. “There’s nothing to be done about it now. Can you tell me what he said to you, and how your retrieval went?”

  Abigail nodded. “I crashed my car on the freeway and died instantly. Crawley arrived and was kind of a jerk. He told me he’d be my ‘soul escort’ and then took me to Hell. That’s it. I was drawn to my designated spot on top of a hill, but when I got there, nothing happened. I wandered around a bit, waiting for my torment to start, but it never did. That’s when Lucifer showed up, curious as to how I remained unaffected, and the rest is history.”

  Death pushed from the column, and screamed! “LOKI!!!!!”

  27

  “What’s going on?” Abigail scrambled to her feet.

  “The Reaper who appeared to you wasn’t Crawley. Loki has tricked us from the beginning.”

  “Wait. What? I don’t understand.” Abigail followed Death to his throne.

  “Crawley was the kindest Reaper you’d ever meet, and he would have never described himself as your ‘soul escort’. It’s clear your soul wasn’t meant to rest in Hell, and that’s why you were unaffected. Loki appeared to you in the form of one of my Reapers and tricked you into going with him. I’m assuming that was the caveat to making Hell’s version of a Valkyrie. Using a soul that was meant for Heaven.”

  “Oh my god! You mean, the Reaper I killed wasn’t really the person who took me to Hell?” Abigail swallowed the bile rising in her throat.

  “No. It wasn’t.”

  Abigail doubled over and tried not to get sick on Death’s marble floor. A few deep breaths later, it was the flames she was starting to fight, as her anger threatened to bubble over. “Do you think Lucifer knew about this all along?”

  “No. Loki has fooled us all, but that’s also probably why you’re having such an altering reaction to the power Lucifer bestowed upon you. Only a soul that was meant to reside in Hell could handle something like that.”

  “Great! Now what are we going to do?” Abigail threw her arms into the air, sending flames from her fingertips toward the ceiling. “Sorry.”

  “Stay calm.” Death’s firm, even tone put her at ease.

  Michael returned to the room and took a moment to look between the two. “Clearly, I’ve missed something.”

  “Yes. The fact that Abigail’s soul was meant to reside in Heaven, and not Hell. Yeah...you can thank Loki for that mix up,” Death snapped.

  “Are you kidding me? How is that possible?” Michael walked forward and joined the two, despite his skepticism and vengeful feelings towards Abigail.

  “He posed as Crawley, one of my Reapers, and took her soul to Hell to use for his experiment with Lucifer.” Death explained flatly.

  “If that’s the case, then I don’t understand why we still aren’t allowed to get involved. Loki and Lucifer have shown all their cards.” Michael crossed his arms over his broad chest and flared his massive white wings, still frustrated about being benched.

  Abigail took a second to truly look at the archangel and flinched at the Heavenly power that radiated off his gorgeous body. Raven was one lucky girl. Abigail sighed and thought of her own powerful boyfriend and wondered what was to become of them. He was truly from Hell, and apparently, she was only a transplant. “What will happen to me?” The sad question spilled from her lips before she could stop it.

  Death gestured for them all to take a seat in the sitting room. Michael sat across from them, taking up most of the opposite sofa, while she and Death claimed spots at each end of the other one. “I’m not sure, to be honest. We clearly have to find a way to stop your transformation, but after that, I just don’t know,” Death admitted. “What do you want to do?”

  Abigail dropped her head and thought about it for a second. “I want to remain in Hell.”

  Michael and Garrett looked at each other cautiously. “Why would you want to do that if your goal is to change your ways?” Michael asked.

  “Because...I’m in love.”

  Asmodeus paced the throne room, ready to take whatever punishment Lucifer wanted to deal out to him for demanding answers. “I just can’t sit around any longer. We have to find her,” he declared.

  “Mind your place, boy!”

  Lucifer’s steely gaze would normally pin him to the spot, as it was in his DNA to mind his master, but being with Abigail had changed him––for the better. “No! I won’t. You put her in this position, and the least you could do is rescue her from whatever torture they’re putting her through up there.” The veins in Asmodeus’ neck throbbed.

  Lucifer sat forward, placing his chin on his fisted hand, reminiscent of the Thinker Man. Admodeus shook his head, annoyed how Lucifer just loved copying the pose of the bronze sculpture Rodin created for the Gates of Hell. “You’re in love with her,” Lucifer stated, after holding the pose for dramatic effect.

  “Yes! Is that such a surprise?” Asmodeus was tired of hiding his feelings.

  “No. No surprise there, only the Demon of Lust falling in love with someone who could never be his,” Lucifer taunted.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Abigail is in the middle of her transformation. Once
it’s fully complete, I doubt you’ll even recognize her.”

  Asmodeus’ roar shook the room.

  28

  “You’re in love? With who?” Michael asked, incredulously.

  “Asmodeus,” Abigail replied shyly.

  Michael sighed. “Are you sure it’s love, and that he’s not just using his powers on you?”

  “I’m sure,” Abigail snapped. If looks could kill, Michael would be dead.

  “Okay. So, we have a lost soul transforming into a demon from Hell, who is also in love with one of the nine real princes of Hell. Nothing complicated about that.” Michael shook his head.

  Abigail reevaluated her previous thought; maybe Raven wasn’t so lucky after all if she had to put up with this ass. “Actually, you’re right. There is nothing complicated about it. We just need to find a way to stop my transformation and then I’ll be out of your hair.”

  “What exactly makes you think we can help you,” Garrett asked. “Not that we won’t try,” he held up his hands, “but why do you think we are your best hope instead of someone else in the Underworld?”

  Abigail thought quietly for a moment, then said, “Because you are the only group who’s ever defeated Loki, from what I’ve heard. And like they say, the enemy of your enemy is your friend, or something like that. Besides, you said it yourself, I was supposed to go to Heaven, not Hell.”

  Garrett gave a soft laugh and nodded at Michael. “Do you have any ideas of how to proceed here?”

  “No. And honestly, my main priority is waking Raven, not saving her.” Michael nodded at Abigail. “No offense.”

  “Sure. None taken. I get it,” Abigail scoffed.

  Garrett leaned forward, ready to further their discussion but was interrupted by Holli’s soft footfalls behind him. “My love, what are you doing up? You can’t be around Abigail.”

  Holli tightened her arms around her waist the closer she walked. “I’ll be fine, and I need to talk to you all.”