by Мишель Роуэн
He licked his lips and studied her for a moment. “I think I like you. No wonder Nathaniel wishes to keep you all for himself.”
That gave her a chill. “You know Nathaniel?”
He grimaced at the name. “Unfortunately. I wonder what he’ll say when he learns what I’ve done to you. Knowing him as I do, he may be relieved you’ve been taken off his hands.”
Her breath caught and she took a step back, clutching her notebook to her chest.
Julian cocked his head to one side, staring at the little book. In a motion quicker than she could see, he snatched it away from her. “What’s this?”
“Nothing. Give it back.”
He flipped through the pages and laughed. “Isn’t that adorable. How long has Nathaniel left you to your own devices that you’ve been able to make such extensively useless notes about your former home?”
Tears stung her eyes. “Give that back to me or I swear I’ll . . . I’ll . . .”
“You’ll what?” He raised an eyebrow and extended the book to her. She reached out to grab it just as it exploded into flame, a small fireball in the palm of Julian’s hand that, when gone, left no trace of the book behind. “You’ll do nothing, that’s what you’ll do. You’re powerless against me, fallen one. Never forget that.”
Her notebook. He destroyed it. Everything she knew about Heaven, every detail she could remember . . . gone.
“How . . . how could you?”
Julian seemed terribly amused at her shock. “How could I? Because it pleased me, that’s why.
Now it pleases me to do the same to you. I so enjoy playing with fallen angels. It’s sort of my hobby.”
He took a step toward her just as she heard a loud crash. Julian frowned and turned around.
Barlow stood behind him holding the remnants of a flower vase that he’d just used to bash the demon over the head.
“You vanquished Alexa,” Barlow managed, his voice was filled with raw pain.
“Yes, I did,” Julian said. “She would have been destroyed for her crimes eventually, anyhow.
Giving a fallen one the Key to Heaven? Such a stupid, insipid creature, she was. And really, old man. You thought hitting me over the head was going to do what, exactly? I’m a demon.”
“Run, Valerie,” Barlow yelled before he slipped back into the living room.
Julian turned to her. “Just a moment, pretty one. I’ll be right back.” He leisurely moved through the beaded curtain.
Val followed and pushed the curtain aside. Barlow had grabbed a lead-crystal ashtray and backed up until he was against the wall next to the TV. Julian just looked at him, half bored, half amused.
“I’ll give you a choice, old man. You can die slowly, or you can die really slowly. I’m cool with either one.”
Val grasped blindly for something to say to stop him. “You know, now that I think about it, Nathaniel did mention you to me.”
His head whipped around in her direction. “What was that?”
Oh goody, she thought. He had Nathaniel issues just as she thought he might. But, really, who didn’t?
She shrugged. “Just that you were jealous of him. How hard to resist he is. How he’s going to become a really important demon and you’ll just toil away in obscurity for all eternity.”
Julian frowned. “He said that?”
She nodded.
“Hard to resist?” he sputtered. “Perhaps when he’s not wasting time feeling sorry for himself.
I always see my tasks through to their inevitable conclusion. That’s what I do. I’m much more reliable, important . . .” He trailed off and looked at her. “And now I have the Key to Heaven.”
Val glanced down at his hand, which was tightly clenched around the key. “Well, yes, you do have a key. Whether or not it’s the Key to Heaven is another story. Mr. Barlow, didn’t you say you were having doubts about whether it was even real?”
Barlow just stared at her, the ashtray clutched in his hands.
She gestured with her head. “The key. Didn’t you say you tried it and it didn’t work? Just a couple of sparks and then nothing?”
“Oh . . . yes, yes, I did say that, didn’t I? Yes, that’s right.”
She watched the doubt cloud Julian’s arrogant expression.
She smiled, shakily. “So that’s too bad. That it’s not the real Key to Heaven. Real shame that you couldn’t figure that out for yourself. Nathaniel probably wouldn’t have made that mistake, but he’s . . . you know, special.” She peered at him. “And I guess I do see what he means about being much better looking than you.”
“Better looking? He said that?”
Val held up her hands. “I shouldn’t say any more.”
Julian looked weak and self-conscious then, just for a moment. Val wracked her brain to think of something else to say to distract him, but came up blank, since she was actually completely terrified. Her mouth was working but the rest of her had almost completely shut down. If he’d been able to destroy Alexa so easily, she didn’t even want to think about what he might do to
Barlow or herself.
Slowly, a smile began to spread across his face. “Stalling me, aren’t you, fallen one?
Nathaniel said nothing of the sort.”
“Sure he did.”
“An excellent try. Now where were we?” He took a menacing step toward her.
“Wait! What do you want with the key, anyhow?”
“Why should I tell you?”
She thought about that. “Why not?”
He grinned. “Very well, fallen one. I’ll tell you because it pleases me to. Whoever holds the
Key to Heaven, holds the balance of the universe in their hands. While I enjoy that feeling of power, I’d much rather sell it to the highest bidder. I know of one who will be quite interested in possessing it for himself.”
“But I told you that it doesn’t work. It’s a fake key.”
“Fallen angels are such miserable liars. It’s a true talent to deceive one as adept at deception as myself. You may save your breath in telling me any more of your tall tales.”
Valerie felt cold.
Julian stared with reverence at the golden key in his hand. “Can you just imagine what will happen when a demon walks into Heaven?”
Julian strolled away from her and toward Barlow who held his ashtray so tight as the demon approached that his knuckles whitened. “You know, I was thinking about killing the old man.
But now I’ve changed my mind. Ask me why.”
She just stared at him.
“Come on. Ask me.” He waited, then sighed with impatience. “Fine. I will simply tell you. I would have killed him because that would have been enjoyable, but he’s already dead.
Disease is eating him up from the inside. I can see it as clearly as I can see your poorly disguised fear, fallen one.”
Her gaze shot to Barlow.
Julian continued, “He has only days left. Pain-filled days. So why would I want to deprive him of that? And now that I have the key, he has no choice but to die as a human, and face what waits for him on the other side. Although I can guarantee that it won’t be your precious pearly gates. You should have given yourself over to Alexa long ago, old man. Do you know what happens to a fallen angel who enters Hell without the guidance of a Tempter Demon?”
He grinned. “Imagine a prison filled with vicious, hardened murderers . . . and one day the cop who put them all behind bars is thrown in to join them. A lamb to the slaughter. A slab of meat thrown to the lions. Only there is no respite. There is no mercy. It is forever. An eternity of such vileness is what you can look forward to.”
“Shut up,” Val heard herself say. Tears streamed down her cheeks.
Julian slipped the key into his pocket and cast his cold, blue-eyed gaze completely on her.
“However, I will still enjoy taking care of you, fallen one. Just for kicks.”
He came at her before she had time to register what was happening. He grabbed her sh
oulders and pulled her close to his face to stare into his now fiery eyes.
“Tell me I’m better looking than Nathaniel and maybe I’ll show mercy.”
Val blinked. Was he serious?
But before she could say anything, to either confirm or deny his request, he flinched, and looked down. “Ouch.”
A rat had bitten his ankle through his leather pants, and was holding on tight.
Val raised her eyebrows in surprise. “Reggie?”
Julian’s eyes widened and he let go of her. “A rat! Ahh! Oh, get it off me! Get it off me!”
He began dancing around the living room, bumping into the coffee table and armchair while continuously flicking his leg, but Reggie held on tight.
“I hate rats! So much! Foul, nasty creatures!”
You’re a foul, nasty creature, Val thought as she rushed to Barlow’s side and put a protective arm around the old man.
Finally, Julian managed to pry the rat’s chompers out of his ankle. He staggered, sweating and harried-looking. Julian, that is. Reggie simply looked rather proud of himself as he ducked under the TV.
“Doesn’t matter,” the demon said, his voice a little pitchy now. He cleared his throat. “I have what I came for. When I require some entertainment in the future, I will return. You can depend on it.”
He disappeared suddenly in a column of flame.
Val helped a weakened Barlow to his armchair, then knelt by his side and looked up at him with concern.
“He vanquished Alexa,” he said sadly.
“I know.”
His eyes had a faraway look. “I cared for her, you know. Not as she did for me, but there was something there. I’d grown accustomed to her visits over the years. Something I could depend on. She sacrificed herself to save me.”
“Was he lying about what he said? Are you really sick?”
He leaned back into the chair. “It’s true. I fear I have very little time left.”
Val felt her eyes begin to well up again.
He shook his head. “No time for tears, my dear. You have to go after Julian.”
She blinked. “And why would I want to do a crazy thing like that?”
“You must get the key back. Alexa was a fool to bring it to the earthly realm from wherever she acquired it in the first place. But what’s done is done. You must find it before it’s used. If you don’t, then it will be the end of everything.”
“What do you mean, ‘the end of everything’?”
“Julian spoke the truth. Whoever holds the key holds the balance in their hands. A great amount of energy goes into keeping that very balance in check, and it is vital that it remains that way. If a demon uses the key to enter Heaven and darken it with his very presence, then the balance will be irreparably upset.”
“And what’s that supposed to mean?”
Barlow met her gaze. “Do the words the end of the world mean anything to you?”
Reggie scurried over to them. “What’s going on? Who was that creep, anyhow?”
Val looked down at him. “Julian. A demon.”
“Tasted like a demon.”
“And how would you know?”
“He tasted like I would imagine a demon would taste. If I’d ever given that sort of thing the slightest thought before this very moment. First witches, now demons. This is one hell of a day so far.”
Barlow looked at the rat. “Reggie?”
“That’s right.”
“You’re late with your rent again.”
“Oh.” Reggie’s eyes shifted and his whiskers twitched. “So why was I able to get rid of him with just one bite? Aren’t demons supposed to be tougher than that?”
Barlow gave a small smile. “Are you trying to change the subject?”
“Is it that obvious?”
The old man sighed. “Demons have a natural aversion to that which is pure. Doves, holy water, acts of self-sacrifice . . .”
“And rats?” Val finished. “Rats are considered pure?”
He shrugged. “I don’t make the rules.”
“That’s just weird,” she said. “But let’s forget about man-rat for a moment. I believe we were talking about the end of the world? Kind of important, if you ask me.”
Barlow nodded. “Get the key back as soon as you can. Do whatever it takes. And you won’t have to worry about the end of anything.”
Her mind was working overtime. Find Julian. Find the key.
The Key to Heaven.
“And if I manage to find the key before the world explodes—”
He shook his head. “It won’t explode. The earthly realm would cease to exist. Heaven and
Hell would press in on either side in an unstoppable fight for dominance. A celestial smothering, if you will. And since Heaven would be tainted with the presence of a demon, the balance would already be askew. Hell would spread to cover everything. Take over everything. Until there is nothing left.”
Val stared at him in shock for a moment. “Oh, is that all? Not too much pressure then, is there?” She took a shaky breath. “And, if by some miracle I find the key before that happens, then can we use it? Send you back before . . .” She stopped. She didn’t want to finish the thought.
“If there is time. Yes, we shall use it ourselves.”
Use the key and go back to Heaven. Just like that. Easy. She liked the sound of that.
“But how would I know where to start looking for Julian? He could be anywhere.”
Barlow shook his head. “I honestly don’t know.”
Valerie immediately pushed away the first thought that entered her mind. Nathaniel would know where to find Julian. If she asked him, would he help her? Could she risk being in his presence again if it meant potentially saving the world?
There had to be another answer. But what?
Seraphina. She could go back to Seraphina’s office and have her channel Garry again. Tell him it was an emergency. If she let Heaven itself know there was a threat, then they could do something about it, couldn’t they? Yes, that made sense. Perhaps all she needed to do was let
Garry know and he could handle it from his end. Or at the very least help her find Julian.
There was no need to see Nathaniel ever again.
Not if she could help it.
“I hate leaving you like this,” she said to Barlow. He looked so old, so fragile sitting in the armchair. It broke her heart to know how ill he was, putting on such a brave front all of this time.
“Well, if you don’t want to be off yet, I’m sure you have enough time to get the rooms cleaned first.”
Val stood up. “Geez. This is the thanks I get for sending you back to Heaven? I’m thinking the rooms can probably wait.”
He smiled and squeezed her hand hard. She bent over to hug him close to her. “I have faith in you, Valerie,” he whispered. “I know you’ll do what’s right.”
Well, she thought. That makes one of us.
“Hey!” Reggie shouted after her as she rushed out to the motel’s courtyard. “Wait for me!”
Val stopped and turned around to see the rat bounding after her. “What?”
He was panting from his exertion. “So, where do we start?”
“We?”
He nodded his newly furry head. “I want to save the world, too. I’m morally obligated to help you out.”
“‘Morally obligated’?”
“That is correct.”
“You’re not just looking for an excuse to avoid Claire, are you?”
“Am I that transparent?”
Val sighed. “Sorry rat-boy, but you’ll just slow me down. Besides, don’t you have more important things to think about? Like getting your spell broken?”
“More important than saving the world? I think not.”
She blinked. “I’m just surprised you’re ready to believe in everything that’s been happening so easily.”
“Why wouldn’t I? My spooky girlfriend just turned me into a damn rat. What wouldn’t I believe now? So,
let’s get going. Time’s a-wasting.”
The cool wind blew her hair across her face and she tucked it firmly behind her ears. “No, Reggie. It’s too dangerous. You can’t come. You need to stay here and take care of Mr.
Barlow while I’m gone.”
“Please?”
“No.”
“Pleeeaaase?”
“Reggie!”
“Val, listen. Here’s the deal. You have to let me come with you. I need . . . I need to prove to
Claire that I’m not just a loser like she thinks. That I’m worthy of her love. Why else would she immediately assume the worst about me without even giving me the benefit of the doubt?
If I do this, if you let me help you, then maybe, just maybe she’ll see that I’m good enough for her. This is so important to me, you have no idea.”
“No.”
“Oh, come on!”
“Okay, I was just kidding on the last one. You can come. But try not to get in the way.”
“I promise!”
Val hurried out of the motel’s courtyard. Reggie had to run on his little rat feet to keep up with her.
Off to save the world, stop Julian, get the key, and send her and Barlow back to Heaven.
Sounded simple enough, didn’t it?
No, she didn’t think so, either.
Chapter Eight
Val didn’t have much money on her. Well, on her or in general, but she had enough to catch a cab to Seraphina’s office just off Clifton Hill. There was an airport limo idling outside the front door.
She and Reggie were getting out of the cab when Becky emerged from the building. She noticed Val and gave a nod before locking the door behind her. She was dressed in an expensive-looking business suit and her bright red hair was back in a smooth ponytail. She held a teacup Chihuahua under one arm. The Chihuahua wore a diamond studded collar that looked more expensive than Becky’s suit.
The little dog growled at Reggie who was currently in Val’s arms, and he took the opportunity to snuggle closer into her chest.
