Gilded Inferno (The Helio Trilogy Book 2)

by Valerie Roeseler

  Alice barks my name as if she’s been trying to get my attention. “Mmm?” I hum as I face her in a daze.

  “Who was that?” she demands.

  I’m still reeling with the news and mumble, “Nobody.”

  Her anger rises, “Bullshit! Is that who’s helping you? Who was spotted in Red Meadow? Was it Lucian?”

  I snap out of it, thinking this is my chance to lie so no one realizes I’ve been going to Sheol. “Yeah. But she said it was a month ago. There’s no telling where he is now. He was probably scouting to see when he should send in the Fallen that attacked the other week.”

  “Who is she?” Alice questions.

  I rub my forehead, “She’s a friend of Trey’s.” Alice looks surprised. “She reached out to me. She’s a Reaper.”

  Alice reflects, “A friend of Trey’s… A Reaper… What’s her name?”

  “Tallulah. She goes by Telly.”

  Her eyes go blank, seeing nothing in front of her. She whispers, “What’ve you done?”

  I’m confused with her response to the name. “What do you mean? She’s a Reaper. Reapers are neutral.” I let out a quiet chuckle. “It’s not like she can do anything to me without breaking the Enochian laws of balance she’s sworn to.”

  Before I know what’s happening, Alice shoves me back, “She’s a rogue! She works for Roman! You can’t trust her!” I’m stunned silent, never believing a Reaper could become a rogue. Alice yells, “Fuck!” before storming out of my room.

  “Where are you going?” I call after her.

  “To wake Eric. We have to fix this.”

  Following Alice down the hall, I ask, “Who’s Roman?”

  Eric’s awake and dressed when we reach their room. His brows are converged with irritation and anger. “He’s a Fallen Cherubim who became a Duke of Sheol like Beleth.”

  “How many Dukes are there?” I inquire.

  Alice digs through her dresser for clothes to get dressed, “Weren’t you listening when we told you everything the night you found out what you were?” She slams a drawer closed and spins to glare at me before marching to her own bathroom to dress.

  “I was kind of in shock that night. Refresh me.”

  Eric answers, “Five. There were five Dukes before you destroyed Beleth. In order of their hierarchy, they’re Beleth, Uriel, Roman, Mephistopheles, and Logan. Uriel is one of the Original Archangels that fell with Lilith. He’s very powerful. As they all are. Roman is a Cherubim, Mephistopheles is a Throne, and Logan is a Dominion.”

  “And now there are four?”

  Alice emerges from the bathroom, “We don’t know that. We think with Beleth gone, each of them have moved up in their ranks, leaving the bottom and fifth position open. We’re afraid it’ll be given to Lucian... If it hasn't already.”

  Eric interrupts, “Speaking of… What the hell were you thinking, going after Lucian by yourself? Oh, I’m sorry, with a rogue Reaper that works for Roman, no less!”

  “I didn’t know! She said she was a friend of Trey’s and wanted a favor. She said she would do anything if I would give her a soul and make her mortal,” I tell them both, letting them believe I’ve been looking for Lucian.

  “How would she know you can do that? Outside of this house, only Michael, your father, and Trey know about your ability,” he examines.

  “She said she was in the Veil when I saw him.”

  Alice questions, “And she just so happened to be there? I don’t think so.”

  I counter, “How else would she know?” They don’t answer. “Look, I think you’re wrong about her. She may be a rogue. Fine. But I don’t think she’s working for Roman. I don’t get any bad vibes from her. She’s done nothing but help me, and I just can’t see her betraying me.”

  “Have you read her?” Eric tests.

  “Like look at her essence?” Eric nods. “No.”

  Alice adds, “What about her emotions?”

  “I’ve been blocking everything.”

  She probes, “So, how do you know you can trust her?”

  Throwing my arms up, I fume, “I don’t know, Alice! I just do. You would have to meet her to tell. She’s not like anything I expected. She’s nerdy, meek, and gorgeous. It’s like she hides her beauty under all her geekiness. She doesn’t seem malicious in any way.” In my mind, I question my own words with the thought of the demon’s heart she brought me for Sasha.

  Eric offers, “You may be right. I want to meet her.”

  Stammering, I mumble, “I…I don’t think—”

  “—No excuses, Ivy. I want to know who you’ve been hunting with.”

  Guilt covers my face, “Well, she hasn’t been hunting with me per say.”

  Alice cross examines, “What do you mean?”

  “Well, she kind of just points me in the right direction.”

  Eric bellows, “Are you kidding me?”

  There’s a knock at the door. Alice tells them to come in, and the Griffin triplets enter with angry expressions. Thea doesn’t waste time punching me in the arm. “Shit!” I whine.

  “That’s for being a dumbass!” I stifle a giggle at her cursing.

  Beckett proposes, “You shouldn’t be hunting alone. I’ll go with you.”

  Alice chimes in, “She shouldn’t be hunting at all. Michael wants her to stay put.”

  Eric’s phone beeps and he checks the incoming text. “Jack says it’s best if we heed Michael’s orders and Ivy doesn’t leave.”

  I berate him, “Is he ok? Where is he? And tell him I’m not staying here like a coward.”

  Eric replies, “He’s fine. But, Jack’s right. You need to stay here. I want to meet this Reaper for myself. If she’s legit, We’ll go hunting with her.”

  I stand my ground. “No way! I’m going.” If they plan on hunting Lucian without me, they’ve got another thing coming.

  Cass attempts to soothe me, “It’s for the best. At least until the Son of Light comes to train you for your true mission.”

  I’m taken aback. Of all the beings in the room that I consider my family, Cass was the last person I thought would disagree with me. I take a moment to reel in my anger. “You know what?” I turn for the door, “Screw all of you.”

  I storm back to my room and slam the door shut with a growl. This is bullshit! Is anyone on my side anymore? Does anyone believe I’m capable of creating my own destruction against the Fallen? None of them have my back. Jack’s gone. Solas is gone. After everything we’ve all been through, I can’t believe my own friends don’t have my back.

  I’m downright exhausted. My body’s overused, my mind is reeling, and I hit the pillow without another thought.

  Lucian’s lair surrounds me with its usual stench of blood and sulfur. I jerk my restraints detaining my hands above my head. My wings are bound together with rope where I’m not able to move them an inch without tearing them from my shoulders. I search the darkness for any eminent danger. Even faint and lethargic, there’s no doubt of who the being is hanging next to me. Solas.

  His breathing’s labored, and his head is stretched back as far as it can go with a double edged pitchfork, the size of my hand, wedged between the hollow of his throat and his chin.

  “No,” I plea aloud with a dry throat.

  Solas’ eyes remain closed. I imagine how much pain he’s already endured to pass out in such a state. I call out his name, my voice cracking, my throat sore. He grumbles in response, yet doesn’t open his eyes. I fear any movement from him will cause the pitchfork wedged beneath his chin to puncture his neck.

  Opening my mind, I hope he can hear me, Solas? Solas, wake up. Can you hear me? Wake up.

  His feeble thoughts flow to me, “Ivy?”

  I speak back to him through our connection and realize the constant gravitational pull of our bond is present in Sheol for the first time. I’m here, Solas.

  “No. You can’t be here,” he says in my mind, yet his body remains to appear unconscious.

  I wake with a start, gru
nts and clashes booming below the manor. Swiping back the hair from my face and the sheen of sweat, I try to take a breath. I’ve slept the day away. The light is dwindling outside. I’m more determined than ever to escape the manor and find Solas. I leap from bed, change clothes, and take off from my balcony so no one has time to stop me.

  Landing beside my car, I jump in and slam the door behind me. As I slide the key into the ignition, Eric appears at my window with his arms crossed over his chest. “Where do you think you’re going?” I glare at him and turn the key. Nothing happens. I try again. Nothing.

  Fuck.

  I don’t face him outside of my window, “What did you do to my car?”

  He opens the door, but I don’t move. “Just disconnected the battery to give us time to keep you from leaving.”

  With the grace of a feline, I slide out of my car with an inscrutable expression. I close the door gently behind me, keys in hand. I may not look as enraged as I am, but I’ve never felt so betrayed. I squeeze the keys between my fingers, letting the teeth protrude between each one. They pinch the inside of my palm.

  Eric waves a presenting hand to lead me back into the house. I stand resolute. He crosses his arms again, “We can’t let you put yourself in danger, Ivy. And I won’t let you incriminate yourself with Michael. You don’t know his wrath.”

  No longer am I able to contain my rage. My midnight wings burst from my shoulder blades as I charge Eric. My fist of keys meets his jaw, slicing the skin and sending him soaring into his red Charger parked behind him. The metal crushes with the force of his body’s impact as it whines and pops, sending a sonic boom of echoes through the air. Not waiting to see if he’ll get up, I take to the sky. Nothing will stop me from saving Solas. Nothing.

  I lose all concern for the humans of Red Meadow witnessing me fly to the mountains that house the portal to Sheol. Time’s not wasted getting through the portal and finding Sasha at the gates.

  “You’re early,” she notes with a hint of interest.

  “It’s taking too long. I need to find Solas now,” I tell her as I march through the deceptive gates of Sheol.

  Sasha follows along, “There’s only one place left he could be.”

  I affirm, “Babalel.”

  “Yes. We must be careful not to be seen.” She steps across my path, halting any further travel. “Get on. I will get us there much faster.”

  I hesitate a moment, “You want me to get on your back?”

  “Yes. My skin will be very hot, but I will get us there as fast as I can.”

  Retracting my wings, I mount the beasts back. Her leathery skin is on the verge of searing my own, yet I ignore the pain, needing to get there no matter what the costs. Sasha takes off with the speed of a cheetah, making it through the first eight stratums of Bam, Babalond, Alpod, Allar, Baglie, Adphaht, Kiaofi, and Ardox within six hours.

  When the walls of Babalel come into view, Sasha slows down, her breath panting from exertion. I slide off her back, thankful to get away from the heat of her body. My legs are shaky from the lack of energy and riding for so long, so I take a moment to regain their feeling. Sasha stops, turning back to me.

  “I just need a minute,” I voice, rubbing my thighs to awaken their muscles. Sasha watches me quietly. I take the chance to ask her some things that’ve been bothering me. “Why have you been helping me? I understand you allowing me to pass the gates because of the gift, but you didn’t have to guide me.”

  She sits on her haunches, ears erect, giving her the jackal-like posture you see in Egyptian imagery. “You have proven yourself, on more than one occasion, to possess the courage to fight against the Darkness. When you were brought to me in the fighting arena, I thought you to be another Fallen who disobeyed Lucian. He brings them to me to teach them a lesson in discipline, should they not submit to his commands. It was clear he had attempted to break you with no success. You defied him and it cost you. Your body was shattered, torn, and weak when he offered you to me, yet you still stood strong, determined to stand your ground. In doing this, I glimpsed a light inside of you, a quality not seen easily in the Fallen. Looking closer, you were not as you appeared. I witnessed your markings and recognized you for what you are.

  “Then, you appeared at the gates, stronger and more determined. I did not understand why you were there, only that my duty to guard the gates were critical for my own survival. You returned again, offering the gift of respect. Before you informed me of your reasons for wanting to enter Sheol, your actions and attributes proved you are worth my allegiance.”

  “You said that you recognized me for what I am after seeing my rank. What did you recognize me as?”

  “Teloch. There is an unspoken prophecy of a being so powerful that they would prevent the Apocalypse. They call the being Teloch. Some have mistaken the name to only mean Death. They are wrong.”

  “What does it mean then?”

  “The end of the end.”

  Chapter 15

  Solas

  Flying over Babalel in my raven form, I land on the city walls before I make my way to Baglie again. I thought the pull of our bond was a figment of my imagination, as well as the sound of her voice. Then, I see her. She stands strong before a hellhound as they stare each other down. Shifting quickly to my human form so I may fight the beast for her, I grasp the edge of the wall and ready myself to pounce. Ivy. You shouldn’t be here, I say to her mind in hopes that she can hear me.

  Her beautiful eyes meet mine. The look of shock and happiness softens her features. She whispers, “Solas.”

  I leap down, landing behind the hellhound. It turns swiftly, crouching low to attack. I command, “Back off beast or I’ll wear your teeth for adornment!”

  The beast growls a sickening gurgle as Ivy runs past it, jumping in my arms. Her grip is tight and fierce. The tears in her voice catch me off guard. “You’re alive. I can’t believe I found you,” she chokes out.

  I watch the hellhound back away. As much as I live for Ivy's touch, I pry her body from me, letting her stand. I grasp her face in my hands, “Why are you here? You can’t be here. Do you have any idea what kind of danger you’re putting yourself in?”

  Her hands gently pull my palms from her face. She turns to the beast, gives a single nod, and the beast walks away. I’m dumbfounded how she has tamed such a feral creature. When Ivy faces me again, the sadness in her eyes fuel a guilt in me I didn’t know I contained.

  I repeat myself, “What are you doing here?”

  She shakes her head in dejection before answering, her eyes brimming with tears. “How could you leave me like that again? We’re supposed to be a team. There’s nothing we can’t face together. Do you know what you did to me?”

  “Ivy. I won’t apologize. I don’t belong with you. I never belonged with you. As much as I long for you, I know it’s not meant to be. I can do more good here in Sheol than I can on the surface. I’m doing it to protect you. You can’t be here. You’re going to get yourself killed.”

  “I had to find you.”

  “I told you not to search for me. Not only could you compromise my stay here, but this is a distance needed between us—”

  She slaps me across the face, twisting my head to the side. “How dare you! Fuck you and your feelings! I’m not the reckless teenager you once knew. I don’t need you to protect me from the monsters in the Darkness. I’ve met them head on! I know what I’m dealing with. How could you not trust me? And you had no right to set yourself up on a mission that’s just about as ineffective as it is absurd. We need you with us… I need you.” Her voice falters, choking back her emotion.

  Reaching up to her face, I caress her cheek with the backs of my fingertips. The corner of my mouth twitches as I fight a grin. “You don’t need me, princess. Look at you. How did you even get here?”

  She shrugs, “I’ve had some help. Apparently, there’s a portal right in Red Meadow. And Sasha said that I’ve proven myself worthy of her allegiance, so she helped guide me throu
gh the stratums to find you.”

  “Who’s Sasha?”

  She gives me a small smile, “The hellhound you just tried to kill for me.”

  “How long have you been down here? Why are none of the others with you? They wouldn’t let you come on your own.”

  Ivy straightens her spine. “They don’t know. I’ve been lying to them for weeks now. Every chance I get, I’ve been down here looking for you. I’ve had visions of you in danger. I had to come. They wouldn’t understand.”

  I take her hand, suppressing a growl as I lead her away from Babalel, “Come on, you can tell me all about it on our way back to the gates.”

  “You’re coming back with me?” she inquires as we cross into Ardox.

  My heart’s heavy in my chest as I sigh. “No.”

  Ivy turns to me, “You have to, Solas. I can’t leave you down here.”

  “Yes, you can. You don’t need me. You have Jack, the Reapers, and Michael by your side. They can help you on the surface. I’m your guardian, and I can protect you better from down here.”

  She doesn’t meet my gaze as she mutters, “You’re not my guardian anymore.”

  “I know it doesn’t seem like it—”

  “—Dominion has stripped your status as my guardian since you fell and have given it to Jack.”

  I’m silent a moment. Jack. “Maybe it’s for the best, but that doesn’t stop me from keeping you safe at a distance.”

  “Don’t you get it? I don’t need you to protect me! I need you by my side! I need your support and guidance. It’s my fault you fell in the first place. I won’t let you get yourself killed because of me. I know you’re in danger down here. You have to come with me. Not only because of the danger, but because I need you by my side. I want you—”

  A loud thunk is the last thing I hear before Ivy’s words are cut off by her screams and I black out.

  When I come back around, I’m chained to the floor and ceiling of Lucian’s secret caves. My attention shifts around the room, searching for him, but I find Ivy draped and unconscious next to me. Son of a bitch.