Melinoe smiled and brushed her hair back with her long delicate fingers; then she rubbed her left arm, and traced gentle lines down her tattooed forearm as she looked at Grace. “Hel, I had no idea you had such a fabulous and fascinating friend.” Melinoe’s voice was a little heavier than the other times I had heard her speak—a little lower, and her accent more defined.
I wasn’t sure what to say or how to act. It was very clear that Melinoe was attracted to Grace, and the way Grace was staring into Melinoe’s dark eyes, I was pretty sure it was mutual. I looked at Grace hard enough to make her break eye contact with Melinoe. She looked at me a bit sheepishly.
“She is pretty great,” I replied to Melinoe.
I took Grace by the arm. “Thank you for getting him to let us inside and making sure that he didn’t lock us away.” I gave a slight laugh.
“Of course,” she said. “Will you be coming to the assembly later?”
Melinoe looked at Grace when she asked the question, but darted her eyes my direction as well, to let me know I was included.
“Yes, we’ll be there,” Grace smiled.
“Wonderful, I look forward to seeing you again,” Melinoe smiled.
I looked at the two women standing in front of one another—Melinoe, with her androgynous, striking looks that would make any man or woman take pause. She was still dressed in black, tactical-looking clothes, with weapons and tools peeking out of her outfit here and there. And Grace, with her sleek black hair, and her little pops of red against all of the black she wore—it was clear to see their styles complimented one another, and why their attraction would be so strong. I had nothing against Melinoe, but I found myself suddenly defensive of Boude
“Yes, we best be getting back,” I said to Grace. “I’m sure Boude is worried about you.”
Grace glared at me for half of a second, and then I saw guilt cross her face. She turned back to Melinoe, a little less flirty than before. “Yes, it’s been nice meeting you. See you later.”
“What was that about?” I asked Grace as we headed back into the streets.
“What?” she asked, like she had no idea what I was talking about.
“Grace, there was some serious sexual tension between you and Melinoe,” I said.
“Yeah, I thought she seemed a bit flirty,” Grace mused.
“It wasn’t just her. You were putting off the vibes too… which would be fine, if you didn’t have a boyfriend.”
Grace made a sound like she was going to protest, but stopped herself when she knew she didn’t have an argument. She twisted a piece of hair around her finger and chewed on her lip. “She’s really pretty, isn’t she?”
“Yes, she’s gorgeous—and that accent!” I cooed.
“Oh my God, I know right!” she gushed.
“Boude,” I said to her.
Grace rubbed her head like she had a headache. “Yeah, Boude.”
I didn’t add anything else to the conversation, even though I could have drawn it out with different scenarios, and tried to offer more words of wisdom. This was just something else she needed to figure out on her own.
We stopped in one of the small shops on our way back to the Quarter to pick up some snacks and drinks for everyone. All of the people in the store were buzzing about the big announcement being made later at the Assignment Hall.
I found myself wondering how many of them were supposed to be here, and how many of them were just checking things out from other worlds. It was impossible to tell, now that the drifting, ethereal spirits from other realms had solidified.
Grace and I hurried through the store, getting liquor and snacks that didn’t require a refrigerator, since the vampire’s mansion didn’t have a kitchen.
A thought occurred to me. “Grace, when is the last time you and Boude went above to feed? Were things different?”
She stopped and thought for a moment. “We just pop in and out, but it’s been a few days. I haven’t noticed anything strange.”
“I was just curious, since Hades had said going back and forth was difficult right now.”
“I think it might be easier for us, because we don’t have souls,” she shrugged.
I thought about her statement. “If we could find Thaddeus and get him to tell us where we could find Persephone, you and Boude might be the only ones who could travel there and find her.”
“We would be happy to, but where would we find Thaddeus?” Grace asked.
“I have no idea,” I confessed. I remembered the bar that he used to frequent, but had a feeling that during all of this commotion, he was keeping himself out the way.
After bagging up our things, we headed back out into the streets and back into the Quarter. I figured we had just enough time to get everyone together and get back to the Assignment Hall before Hades made his big announcement.
“Why do we need to go if you just told us what he’s going to say?” Andreas asked, still laying across the chaise in nearly the same position we had left him in.
“Because, shouldn’t we know what Loki and Lucifer look like in case we run into them?” I asked.
“Yes, I would very much like to know what they look like,” he grinned.
“Andreas, you cannot try to seduce one, or both of them,” I said, already feeling tired.
“But why not? It’s a perfect opportunity.” He was genuinely appalled at the idea of doing anything else.
I looked around the room at the faces of our friends. Everyone was trying to cover their amusement, and no one was willing to help me explain why seducing the God of Mischief and the King of Darkness was a bad idea.
I shook my head in defeat. “Go for it,” I said.
Andreas smiled and sat up, shaking out his golden hair a little where it had flattened from his earlier position. “I’ll be upstairs getting dressed,” he said, as he stood and took off up the stairs.
“Well, at least he’s motivated now,” said Ray with a chuckle.
The rest of us quickly followed suit. I cleaned myself up a little more, and wished that I’d had more clothes to change into.
Reading my mind, Grace popped her head into my room. “I know we’re not exactly the same size, but I’m sure I have something you can wear if you want to change,” she said.
“That would be great!” I said, and followed her into the room where her clothes were laid out on the bed, and Boude was looking in the mirror as he adjusted his vest. He wore a black shirt, and black vest with a faint embroidered pattern; the vest was double breasted, and set off by the rows of silver buttons. Normally he wore greens and golds to accent his emerald eyes and red hair. This was a different look on him; he looked intense, and almost threatening. But, I had to say, he still looked damn good.
Grace passed by him without much more than a blink, and started handing me things she thought would fit. She had more curves than I, but a lot of her clothes were stretchy, so they could work for either of us; they would just look very different, depending on which body they were adorning.
I picked up a pair of black leggings that had bands of leather running across them in different areas. I unbuttoned my jeans to try them on, but hesitated when I remembered Boude was in the room; he was so quiet I had almost forgotten. My hesitation was apparently very obvious because they both laughed.
“I promise to avert my eyes if you want to change in here,” said Boude, as he eyed me in the mirror’s reflection.
“Who cares,” said Grace, “he’s seen it all before anyway.”
Boude actually blushed and looked away. “Something we were all trying to avoid saying, my love.”
I was red now too; I could feel it creeping up my face. Having slept with your best friend’s boyfriend was just something that didn’t need to be brought up, no matter how long ago the situation had been.
“Yes, well tact is not Grace’s strong suit.” I cast a scolding look her way.
She shrugged. “Not a big deal. Try on the pants.”
I did try on the pants,
and was surprised at how well they fit me. I paired them with a deep purple top that fit me nicely, even through the chest—something that rarely happened, since I’m made smaller than most women.
“How do you keep your boobs in this shirt?” I asked Grace, who was considerably larger than I in that department.
Boude let out a startled laugh at my bluntness.
“I have particular bra I wear with shirts like that—keeps them in check,” she winked.
I nodded.
“You look good,” Grace complimented, and Boude agreed.
“Guess I’m ready,” I said as I laced up my black work boots. Grace and I did not wear the same size shoe, and I would probably fall and kill myself in most of her getups. So my boots would have to do. They actually didn’t look half bad.
A crowd had already gathered by the time we reached the Assignment Hall. I tried to keep my eyes open for Thaddeus, and a small part of me always looked for Raphael wherever I went.
We excused ourselves as far as people would allow, until we were almost at the front of the building.
Melinoe was already standing on one side of the door, and at her back were two ghosts so transparent you barely noticed them. She saw us and waved, but directed her wink only at Grace. Oh how I wished this was the only situation I needed to be worried about right now.
Grace beamed back at her and gave a small wave. Boude leaned in to ask who she was waving at, and gave a nod of satisfaction when Grace explained. I was fairly certain she had left out a few bits of information.
Silence rolled through the crowd like a wave as the door to the Hall opened, and out stepped Hades. I had yet to see him in anything besides the black robe, and found it a bit cliché at this point. I mean, yes, you’re the God of the Underworld, but you don’t have to look the part all of the time. I don’t carry my shovel when I’m strolling around town.
However, looking beyond the robe, it was easy to tell you were looking at powerful being. The energy rolled off of him. It didn’t feel bad, but it had a heaviness to it—a somberness. When he was around, you would be still and listen.
I recalled meeting Persephone, and the power that rolled off of her: how I had liked her instantly—loved her, even. I wondered what it would feel like to be in the same room with the couple.
Hades’s voice was powerful as he spoke of all of these “new opportunities for free choice” now being offered in the underworld.
As he spoke, I watched many emotions play across the faces of the people around us. Some people were excited about getting to shorten their sentences, or changing their soul’s destination. Others were nervous about new souls moving in without having first followed the rules and being assigned. Some people were disappointed that all the different gods weren’t participating, which I understood. I mean, if you get to pick, shouldn’t you get to learn about all of them? I thought. And others were relieved we didn’t have to worry about all the gods running around our part of the underworld—which I also understood. There were a few old gods I didn’t want to meet.
The time came where Hades was ready to introduce the crowd to the other participants in his little game.
Loki was the first one that Hades called forth. Loki wasn’t quite what I was expecting. He was tall and slim, with reddish blonde hair, cut short and neatly. His face was clean shaven, and held a boyish charm that was endearing—and untrustworthy. I could hear him telling a neighborhood lady all about how he hadn’t been the one to break her window with the baseball, but he saw the boy who did—all while having his fingers crossed behind his back.
It was the kind of face you knew better than to trust, but really wanted to try. I had known a lot of people like that, and I saw right through them. I didn’t like him.
Loki’s voice sounded like a sweet young baptist preacher, full of hope, and inspiration about how to serve God and your fellow man—all while he banged the pretty sunday school teachers, and stole from the offering plate… and people were eating it up. Everyone wanted to go see Valhalla and Folkvangr after his speech was over. I doubted Odin approved of what was happening here.
Next up was the one I dreaded. I hadn’t even believed in the devil when I died; I never could have dreamed I would be waiting to hear him make a speech to try to convince people to follow him to Hell. I felt nauseated just waiting for him to step out of the shadows, and then questioned myself on if he could really be as bad as I had heard, or if it was just so much conditioning causing this response.
He did step out of the shadows, and he gave his spiel about the perks of choosing his path. But I don’t know what he said, or what the reactions were of the people around me. I stood in stunned silence as I watched Lucifer speak—only I had known him as my Raphael.
My Raphael: his long black hair was straight and shining as it laid over his shoulders and hung down his back. His pants were black, and he wore a blue t-shirt underneath a tailored black jacket: casual, yet stylish. His blue eyes sparkled even from a distance, and I thought of those same eyes watching me from my bed, as I moved across the room to him the night we first made love. More intimate flashes flooded my mind, and the whole world swayed. Dear God, I had sex with the devil?
Everything became even fuzzier as he finished his speech, and when I came to, I could hear voices before my vision cleared.
“No way, is that what you think happened to her?” one male voice said.
“I’m telling you, it looked just like him. That must’ve been what spooked her,” the other man said.
“Hel, Hel! Are you awake? Are you hurt?” My senses were clearing up, and I knew the voice speaking to me now was Grace.
“Tell me I imagined all of that.” My eyes pleaded with those of everyone around me.
“What do you think you imagined?” Boude asked.
“Raphael…” I swallowed and tasted bile. “He was Lucifer,” I choked out.
“We’ve never seen him, love. No idea if that was him—maybe just a lookalike,” Ray said.
I shook my head no. “Billy, you saw him when I dug him up. Wasn’t that him?”
Billy shook his head, and stammered, “Aw, Hel, I don’t know. I mean sure, it looked like him, but I’ve never talked to the guy, and when you dug him up, we were more focused on you.”
Andreas was standing to the side with an annoyed look on his face.
“What is it?” I asked him.
“I hope it wasn’t him. It will be very anticlimactic for me to sleep with the devil if you’ve already beat me to it,” he said, and he was serious.
I stood up faster than I should have, and everything started to spin again. Even so, I lunged for Andreas, and a sound came out of my throat that I’d never heard before. I was not in the mood for his shit.
Billy and Grace pulled me back, while Andreas had the nerve to look shocked. Boude grabbed Andreas by the arm and quickly led him away from me.
“I need to talk to him,” I said, and I leaned my head against Billy’s shoulder until I could raise it without puking or passing out again.
“I’m sure Boude will bring him back after you’ve calmed down,” he tried to comfort me.
“Not Andreas! Raphael, Lucifer… whoever the fuck that was,“ I groaned. “Did any of you see where he went?”
“We were all a little focused on you fainting,” Margaret said as she stroked my hair.
I couldn’t lose him until I had the chance to talk to him and find out what was happening. “Grace, go to Melinoe and ask where I can find Lucifer, or if she can set up a meeting.”
Grace looked shocked that I had asked her to go to Melinoe, but smiled and ran off immediately to do just that. I knew it was a terribly selfish request to ask Grace to put herself in that position to help me, but I’d feel guilty about it later.
I was still leaning on Billy, but slowly putting more of my weight on my own feet and trusting them to hold me up. Billy was more of a safety blanket now, rather than the total support system he was a few moments ago.
; “Hel, are you OK?”
I knew the voice, and forced myself to be as hard as stone before I faced him. I turned and looked at Soren. Eira wasn’t by his side for a change. “I am. Thanks for checking. How are you?” I asked.
He looked at little shaken, and ran his fingers through his beard. “I’m fine. Was that who I think it was?” he asked, pointing towards the area where the speakers had been.
I was surprised he had remembered Raphael’s face so well after only seeing it briefly. But now that I had seen Eira’s, I wasn’t likely to forget it either.
I nodded. “I think so. I’m trying to set up a meeting to find out,” I said.
Soren took my hand in his, and it caught me so off guard that I pulled it back quickly. Soren looked like I had just slapped him in the face. His eyes fell downward, and wouldn’t meet mine any longer.
“Please be careful, Hel,” he said, and walked away.
Dammit, why now! my mind screamed. I didn’t want to hurt Soren. I didn’t want him to be miserable with Eira. I didn’t want the love of my life to be Satan. I laid my head back down on Billy’s shoulder, and Ray took my hand in his. I didn’t pull away from him.
The crowd was thinning as everyone made their way into their separate corners of the underworld, either to work or explore. I just wanted Grace to hurry back so I could know what to do next.
I would have waited in that spot as long as it took, but after a while without Grace or Boude’s return, my remaining friends encouraged me to head back to the mansion and rest. The vampires knew where to find us.
To my surprise, when we walked in the door Boude was waiting on the couch. He stood, and stretched when he saw us. “Don’t worry, Andreas isn’t here; he said he was going to look for Loki. I figured that was better than being in your way.”
I just stared at him and tried to think of what to say. I gave up quickly, since my mouth didn’t seem to work anymore. I hoped talking was a skill I would recall when the time came to talk to Raphael, or whoever he might be.
Digging to Hell (The Gravedigger Series Book 3) Page 5
