by Jen L. Grey
Even if Becca wasn't having a hard time with her soul, I bet she would still be struggling as a normal person being around all this temptation. What kind of predicament did I put her in?
"So, do you like what you see?" Damien comes back in jeans and a black shirt.
"You have a very nice set-up here." I can't lie about that. It is nice.
"Thanks, it was hard running the man who owned it off." A sordid smile crosses his face. "But it was fun and worth it."
There is no telling what he did to that poor man. "Where is Becca?"
"She's out running some errands." He raises an eyebrow and crosses his arms.
Guess I'm not getting anywhere with that question. "So, are you ready to talk?"
"Sure, you came to me." He enters the room, darkness shrouding him and walks over to the bar filling up a glass with whiskey. "Would you like some?"
Oh, no. There is no way I would drink some of that alone with him. "No, thanks. So, what can you tell me about the flame artifact?"
He takes a sip of the drink and places it down. "Well, it's hot for starters."
I may wind up slapping him if he's going to be a smartass the whole time. "I kind of figured that since flame is in the name."
"Hey." He raises a hand up and laughs. "You never know."
Whatever, I guess he has a point, but I already know it's hot. “Are you going to continue playing games with me?"
"But it's so fun." He swirls his drinks around, the ice cubes clinking together.
"What is hell like?" I don't want to get too flustered. He'll keep on and know he's getting to me.
"It's hot and volatile." He takes a sip of his drink again. "The first few layers are protected the same ways, but inside that's different. It's unpredictable which, in a way, makes it predictable."
"What does that mean?" This conversation is not helping at all.
"The Cerberus guards the Gates of Hell." He sits on the other end of the sectional and crosses his ankles. "That never changes."
"That's the three-headed dog, right?" If I remember from my classes, that shouldn't be that horrific.
He shakes his head. "You didn't pay attention in school much, did you? It's a three-headed dog with a serpent's tail, mane of snakes, and a lion's claws. No one has ever made it past."
Shit, maybe I just was trying to block the rest of it out. How am I supposed to get by something like that? I don't see how even training will prepare me for something like that. "Okay, let's say I find a way, what's next?"
"See that's when it'll get unpredictable." He chuckles and scratches at the back of his neck. "Just know it'll be lots of demons, fallen angels, and volatile land masses. The good thing you have on your side is you have the earth and angel's breath artifacts."
That's true. I hadn't thought of it like that.,But whenever my powers get used now, they begin to spiral a little out of control. I won't be sharing that information with him. He'd use it for his advantage. "So, just be prepared to fight for my life."
"Yeah, like you should be every day." He tilts his head and his blue eyes begin to glow.
That's not threatening at all, is it? My body stiffens and I lift my chin. "Don't worry, I am. So, is that where the flame is?" I need confirmation from someone. It looks like Hell in my vision, but I can't promise it is. "In Hell?"
"What's in it for me?" He sits his glass down on the table and leans back.
Is he being serious right now? "I thought you wanted me to find the flame?" Demons are freaking frustrating.
"Oh, I do, but we haven't entered into any sort of additional agreement." He leans back and crosses his arms placing them behind his head. "So, I don't see how this works to my favor at all."
"If it is in Hell and you confirm it, it would get it out of Satan's control." If what the low demon said is true, he and Satan are kind of at each other's throat. Maybe that will give him the motivation he needs to do it without any additional promises on my end.
"Yeah, but Satan can't control it." He lowers his arms and leans forward. "That's the beauty of it all. If I can get a piece of one of the artifacts, I will be stronger than him period."
Shit, they really are going up against each other. How stupid. "Can't you just tell me if it's there? I really don't want to get in this little feud you have going with him."
"I'll tell you, for a price." He scratches the back of his neck and lets out a sigh. "Becca hasn't been doing well at all. Her soul is getting more fractured by the minute. You should have seen her earlier. It was bad."
Of course, he knows I feel responsible for her and that she looks like Beth. He knows what he's doing. I hate it, because I hate she's going through this and I wish I could save her. I did bring her back to life when I was supposed to reap her. I brought her into this mess.
"If you let me have a piece of all three artifacts, I'll not only continue to protect her like I have been, but I'll fix her soul." He stares me in the eyes and nods. "I know how to. All you have to do is shake on it."
"That's not possible. The other two artifacts are part of me now and the third will be as soon as I touch it." Is he delusional now? What is he expecting?
"We can figure out a way to make it work." He stands and comes within a foot of me. "All I need is your word. Then I can tell you how to find the flame and the easiest way to get it."
I want to say yes, but he's manipulating me like all the times before. He has an ulterior motive, and at the end of the day, he's not helping me at all. And even though I may have brought Becca into this, it wasn’t on purpose. I didn't mean to hurt her, I was trying to help. I take a deep breath and straighten my back. I square my shoulders and meet his gaze. "No. I cannot enter into any more deals with you."
Chapter Eleven
The silence is deafening for a moment as he processes my words. I'm not sure how he'll react. I've always given in before, so I'm not quite sure what to expect.
Damien purses his lips and rubs a hand along his chin. "You're willing to risk Beth's soul?"
Did he go there? "You mean Becca's, right?" Is he admitting to something here? I'm so tired of all these games; it would be nice if I wasn't worrying that my queen was exposed.
"That's what I said." He arches an eyebrow and reaches down for his glass of whiskey.
"No, it is." I'm so tired of this song and dance. Yes, it used to work. I was still mourning my best friend's death. I was alone and isolated and didn't have anyone in my corner. Charlie changed that. I still miss her desperately, but I'm not seeing my dead best friend in Becca any longer. "Look, I don't have time for these games anymore. I've wheeled and dealed long enough with you. I'm not interested in it. If you aren't going to help, that's fine. I'll figure it out on my own."
He lifts his hand holding his cup in a salute to me then takes a long drink. "I never thought I'd see the day when you would become strong." He lowers his hand and the shadows come out and swarm him giving a haunting light. "It looks good on you. When someone goes through something like this, it either breaks them or makes them stronger. Every one I've seen, it's broken. Except for you. Maybe you have what it takes after all."
I'm not sure if this is supposed to be a pep talk, or he's trying to scare me back into submission, but either way, I'm standing firm. "Well, I'm not here to amuse or impress you. I'm here to do what I feel is right. And finding the flame isn't for you or the council. It's for me."
"I don't care what you're reasoning is." He shrugs and smirks. "I only care that you find it. The only benefit now is that I'm enjoying working with you. I despise dealing with weak individuals."
Oh goody. That's what I want to do. Make it where he enjoys dealing with me. Shit, maybe it was a bad idea coming here after all. "Speaking of Becca, I have been trying to reach her."
"Like I said earlier, she's not doing the best." He walks over to the bar area and sits his empty cup down on the counter. "But she should be visiting her family."
"Okay, I'll find her." Why is he now forthcoming with her whereabouts? If he thin
ks seeing her will change my mind, he has another thing coming to him.
"I'm sure you will. Make yourself at home and stay as long as you like." The black shadows spin out and swirl around him. "I'm sure I'll see you soon." Then he disappears from sight.
What is he up to? I don't know and, even if I tried, I wouldn't be able to figure it out. Not wanting to be here any longer than I need to, I close my eyes and lock onto Becca. She is outside of her family’s house.
I close my eyes and propel myself to her just as Luke taught me. The air churns around me and soon I'm falling on my way. I'm surprised the whole transporting is already so much easier to do now that I have a few under my belt.
Within seconds, the world reappears before my eyes and I find Becca hiding behind some trees outside her family home. The lights are on inside and her brother is sitting down at the dinner table with their mom and dad. It's strange because it reminds me of the time I was assigned to reap her. I was standing just where she is watching her have dinner with her family. Why isn't she in there with them? The last thing I want to do is scare her, so I scuff my feet.
Her head flies toward me and her mouth gapes open. "Christina, what are you doing here?" Her hair is stringy and there are dark circles under her eyes. She grasps at her chest, which emphasizes how skinny she has gotten since the last time I've seen her.
"Damien said you were visiting with your family, so I thought I would just come by and say hey." I don't know what else to say. She looks like a scared cat. "Since you don't answer my calls anymore, I figured this was the only way."
"Come on, let's get out of here." She glances back at the house for a moment, then marches several feet away so we are out of sight. "What's so important that you're hunting me down now?"
Shit, she's gotten blunt now. "Are you okay?" I already know the answer to this, but I need to hear her say it. She looks like shit and I already saw what her soul looks like. Is she that far gone she doesn't even know it? She has to. She was just stalking her family.
"What do you think?" She runs a hand through her hair and stomps one of her feet. "Does it look like I'm doing well?"
This is a trick question. She's setting me up for failure here. "It has nothing to do with how you look, Becca." I'm not taking the bait, and I don't feel like dancing around the topic. There is too much to do. "The day when the artifacts absorbed into me, I saw your soul. I know what's going on with you."
"Is it really that bad?" Her hazel eyes look down at the ground, her voice is just above a whisper.
"Yeah, it was pretty bad and from the looks of it, it's just gotten worse." I hate to be a jerk, but she needs to know. I don't know if it's Damien or being brought back past her time, but something is wrong. I reach out and touch her.
"Something is wrong with me." She lets out a sigh and meets my gaze. "I've known for a while.
My power begins to churn inside of me, but now isn't the time to focus on that. I need to pay attention to her while she's opening up. "How long? When did things begin feeling off?"
"It was when we were realm jumping and went after the Earth Crystal. Something didn't seem right." She paces around me and rubs a hand down her face. "Something felt like it was clawing inside me, desperate to get out. I don't know what, but now it's bursting."
What could cause something like that? I don't even know. This is all my freaking fault. If I hadn't brought her back to life, then she wouldn't be going through this. She'd be in her afterlife, not having to face demons and reapers. She'd be where she is supposed to be.
"I don't even feel a part of my family anymore." A tear slides down her cheek and she wipes it away. "They keep inviting me to things, but I don't feel as if I fit in anymore."
Ugh. This just confirms I messed up. How could I have been so selfish to put her in this situation? Yes, she looked like Beth and I was still torn up over that, but to make that big of a mistake is inconceivable at this point. "They are your parents. How could you not?"
"They make my skin crawl." She shakes her head and clenches her hands. "Every time they touch me something feels wrong and out of sorts. It's crazy."
Her face is drawn and there is a void in her eyes, which contrasts with the memory of Beth. Beth's smile could light up a room and she had so much passion I could never see her give up like Becca. Even though they almost look the exact same, now I can see they aren't very similar after all. "How long has that been going on?" Maybe that's a recent development.
"Since day one." She sighs and steps closer to me. "At first I could ignore it relatively easily, but now I can't stand it."
My power begins thrumming to the point where it's becoming overbearing. It's coursing through me in circles and swirling within the black, reaper power overwhelming me. Dammit, now is not the time for this to act up. I have to focus on her. This may be my last chance she's willing to open up to me. "I'm so sorry. I wish there was something I could do."
"But there is." Her hazel eyes light up. "Damien says if you find the Flame of Hell then he can fix me. I can go back to feeling like me and be part of my family."
Shit, is she really asking me to do this? "Becca..."
"No, you owe me." She steps toward me her hands shaking. "You brought me into this mess, and you will save me from it."
Whoa, her body quivers from head to toe almost in sync with the chaos surging inside me. I get she's angry with me, but some of this has to be misplaced. It's not like I did it on purpose. "I understand you're angry, but I never meant to cause any harm."
She clenches her hands into fists. "It doesn't matter what you intended. I'm miserable and I'd rather be dead."
"If that's true, why haven't you gone to the council and asked to be reaped again?" Okay, so I'm being an ass, but I don't appreciate her attitude. But at the same time, it's a good question.
"You don't think I've tried?" She puts her hands in her hair and pulls. "Every time I get close, he shows up and yanks me back."
He? "Who? Damien?"
"Yeah, who else do you think it would be." Her eyes narrow into slits and she crosses her arms. "And why do you think he does?"
"Because you guys are friends?" I'm hoping that's the right answer, but with the daggers she's shooting my way, I'm pretty sure it isn't.
"Oh, no. That's not why." Her nose wrinkles and shakes her head. "It always comes back to you, doesn't it? He needs me for leverage over you."
"It was never meant to be this way." I do hate this for her.
"I know. So, save me, please." She reaches out and touches my hand. "Please."
My magic collides deep within me, crashing throughout, causing me to become dizzy. I take a step back and take a deep breath through my nose. The scent of the oak fills me. "I can't. I'm sorry."
"Are you serious?" Her nostrils flare and her breathing turns ragged. "You brought me back to life and then gave me to Damien from him to protect and you won't save me?"
Shit, it sounds so bad when she puts it like that, but it is what I did. But I can't put her life before billions. If I give him all three artifacts, the world won't survive. I can't confuse all this any longer. "All I can say is I'm sorry. This," I motion around her and then between us, "wasn't supposed to wind up this way. If I could do it all over, I would, but I can't. I will live with this decision for the rest of my life. If there is any way I can help you that isn't that, please let me know."
Tears fill her eyes and her shoulders slump. "There isn't anything you can do other than just let me die."
My heart cracks in two and I step toward her. Maybe I should just help her. As soon as I get close to her, my power goes crazy once more. The power is like electricity coursing through me and my stomach rumbles with nausea.
This smacks some reality back into me. What the hell am I doing walking over to her. I can't change my mind. I've got to get out of here. I take one last glance at her and frown. I need to leave now. I've got to figure out a way into Hell. Before I can do anything stupid, I pull up my apartment and transpor
t out.
Chapter Twelve
As I arrive back in my apartment, I take a shaky breath and plop down on my couch. Shit, I was close to going back to my old habits when she broke down. What the hell is wrong with me? I can't be that soft or I'll let more than just myself down.
My cell phone rings, causing my pants pocket to vibrate. Ah, please God. Don't let it be her. I take a deep breath and pull out the phone. I glance at the caller ID and pause. I'm not sure if I'm relieved or more annoyed. Luke's name flashes and I want to pretend I never saw it, but I'm sure someone is watching me. If I don't answer it now, it'll wind up going to voicemail. I hit the green accept button before I think much longer. "Hello?"
"Christina, where are you?" His voice is annoyed and gruff.
For once, I don't have to stretch the truth. "I'm at home."
"And you don't see a problem with that?" He huffs and then clears his throat.
No, I don't, but I'm assuming that's not the answer he's expecting. "I'm not sure where you want me to be."
"What did I tell you yesterday?" A door shuts in the background and he takes a deep breath.
He told me a lot yesterday, but I'm going to assume it was his parting words. "That you are going to teach me."
"Exactly. Which means you should be here now. So, get here. I'm at the council house." He hangs up the phone.
What a jackass. I want to be a child and refuse to show up, but I don't have the luxury. Yesterday he taught me something very worthwhile, I would hate to miss out on something else that could be another game changer for me. Speaking of which, I'll just transport myself there. It seems the more I use it, the easier it gets.
As I stand, the swirling of my magic within me grows even more intense. I've been trying to ignore it since seeing Becca, but it's almost to the point where it can't be pushed aside. What the hell is going on? I don't understand what is causing this. Shit, focus. I've got to get to Luke. I don't have time for a break down.
I find Luke and he's back in the office from the other day with the large desk in the center. I transport myself there and appear right behind him. Heck yeah, maybe I scare him today like he did me.
