Gilded Inferno (The Helio Trilogy Book 2)

by Valerie Roeseler

  Jack and I calm down instantly. Jack mumbles, “What did you do?”

  I reiterate what I told Jack before he attacked me, “Ivy was catatonic. I couldn’t leave without finding a Tristan.”

  He cuts me off before I can continue, “Who’s Tristan?”

  “A Virtue. Whatever was happening to her, she could still see and hear. I asked her if she could heal herself, but she said she couldn’t. I sent Cass and Beck with Telly to take her to her room.”

  “You knew not to trust her!” he shouts, advancing on me.

  Beck steps between us, “It’s our fault. We knew not to trust her. But…”

  Cassius looks to Jack, his eyes full of emotional guilt, “Telly found a wound in the crevasse above her collarbone. She said Lilith had bit her while she was a snake and the venom could cause her to be paralyzed for days. My brother and I panicked. We dropped our guard. Our only focus was helping Ivy. Telly said she was leaving to find Solas and Tristan. I was left with no choice but to withdraw the venom.”

  Beck continues, “I left to get cold rags. She was sweating. Telly said we had to get her temperature down to slow the venom’s progression in her system.”

  Cass regards the ground at his feet, “I wasn’t thinking. All I cared about was getting the venom out of her. I became lightheaded after the first draw when the venom touch my tongue. I spit it out, but after the second draw, I collapsed.”

  Beck shakes his head, “I ran into the room to help. Then, nothing.”

  Cass glances between Jack and me, “I’m so sorry. I couldn’t do anything but watch as Telly took Ivy from the bed. I heard her tell Ivy it was time to go… called her Princess.”

  Jack asks me the same question as before he punched me, “Where would she take her?”

  I repeat my same answer, “I have no idea.”

  He discloses, “I can’t feel our bond. That means one of two things. Either she’s too far away or—”

  Azrael appears, his countenance distraught as he grasps my arm, “She’s in Sheol. Come with me.”

  “Wait!” Jack barks. “I’m coming too.”

  Azrael rushes, “You are not able without consequences. There is no time to argue.”

  I’m whisked away in a flash, my equilibrium swaying as we emerge in Lucifer’s arena, hidden behind the terrace wall. I hear Lucifer laugh, then move to peek over the edge. Azrael pulls me back down, “Be careful. We cannot be discovered.”

  Easing my face over the edge enough to see them, Ivy stands with her back to me. Her arms are crossed over her chest, and her hip is cocked out as her wings lay relaxed behind her. Lucifer stands before her without malice. He tells her, “There have been a number of possessions in Los Angeles. It is to the point that they are risking discovery by the mortals. I need them taken down.”

  Her tone sounds odd as she replies, “Destroyed?”

  Lucifer smiles at her, “If you see fit.”

  “Consider it done,” she agrees before marching past him.

  He stops her, “Do you require any weapons, Princess?”

  Ivy pivots to face him. Her expression is steel, and her eyes are as black as the abyss.

  My eyes widen with fear. What did you do?

  Ivy deadpans, “I don’t need weapons.” Then, an evil grin spreads slowly across her lips. “Though, it could be fun.”

  The King of Sheol offers her his arm, “Come. I will take you to my personal armory.” She links her arm through his, and they travel towards the exit. “You may choose any weapon you prefer.” I want to believe there’s been some mistake, that she’s not my Ivy. But she giggles at his offer. It echoes in the arena. Memories of her laughter solidify what I don’t want to admit.

  I turn around, sliding my back down the stone wall. With my elbows on my knees, I grip the top of my hair. I mumble aloud, “This is so much worse than I thought.”

  Azrael insists, “We must bring her back to the Light. I do not understand how she let the Darkness consume her so quickly. The sooner we can capture her, the sooner we can try and save her.”

  I look to him, “Can she even be saved?”

  He shakes his head, “I am not certain, but we have to try.”

  I nod in agreement as I stand, “What do we tell the others?”

  “We will need them. She is headed to Los Angeles. We should stop her before there is too much destruction.” I agree, and The Angel of Death flashes us back to Ivy’s room in The Keep.

  Jack is alone, sitting on the edge of Ivy’s bed, and pops to attention upon our arrival, “Where is she?”

  I swallow the lump in my throat and wet my lips as my pounding heart plummets to my core. “She’s there, but not for much longer.”

  He scowls, “Why didn’t you bring her back?”

  Azrael fields the question, “She’s being released to the surface. We will need everyone to help capture her.”

  “Capture?” his eyes widen.

  My palms raise to ease his intensifying emotions, “She’s not the same. The Darkness has consumed her.”

  Jack explodes, “How? How could you let that happen to her?”

  “It happened before we got there... Her eyes are nothing but black orbs. She seemed… happy.” My hands fall in defeat with my last word.

  Azrael informs him, “Lucifer is sending her to Los Angeles to eradicate a faction of demons possessing humans. He warned her they are risking exposure to the mortals.”

  I add, “I think he’s testing her to be sure she isn’t pretending to favor the Darkness.”

  Alice marches into the room without knocking as she holds her cellphone up to us, her face full of worry and anger, “I just got a call from Tallulah. She said there’s gossip among the Fallen and wanted to give us a heads up. Ivy’s made a deal with Lucifer. Telly doesn’t know what the deal was, but Ivy’s taken Beleth’s position as First Duke.”

  Jack shouts, “She’s the one who took Ivy! Why would you trust her?”

  Alice coils back, “She sounded different. Not like the Telly that was here. More like the Telly we met at the school.”

  I take a deep breath. “I saw Ivy in Sheol. She’s given in to the Darkness.”

  “Why would she do that?” Alice chokes on her building sorrow.

  I shake my head, “I don’t know.”

  Jack’s focus is distant, his tone even, “I think Lucifer is blind to the weapon he’s created.”

  Azrael advises, “We must get to Los Angeles before she does.”

  Regarding each of them, I command, “Gather everyone in the Throne Room. We need to leave as soon as possible.” I hesitate before including, “Not the legion though. We don’t need them worrying she’s broken her vow.”

  “Why L.A.?” Alice inquires.

  Jack replies, “She’s being sent to destroy a faction of demons.”

  My chest continues to pound as everyone gathers in the Throne room. Azrael, Camael, Evelyn, Ezra, Theodora, Cassius, Beckett, Eric, Alice, and Jack converse among themselves as they enter. I start, “I imagine everyone is caught up?”

  Evelyn worries, “How are we supposed to capture her? She’s lethal. Even during her training we knew she was holding back when each of you bested her.”

  I nod, “We won’t be so lucky this time. The Ivy we know let her emotions guide her actions. She’s not the same now that she’s let the Darkness take over. It will take each of us against her to take her down.”

  Jack interjects, “She can’t be harmed.”

  I insist, “I know we don’t want to hurt her, but she can heal herself. She’s been through worse.”

  Eric suggests, “Is there a way to take her down without harming her?”

  Theodora verbalizes, “If she’s let the Darkness take over, she will have no quorums about destroying each of us. She will be without moral guidance. If we get too close, we are risking our own lives.”

  The room grows silent. I challenge, “Are each of you willing to risk it?”

  Ezra offers, “We may not have
to get close at all.”

  Camael requests, “What do you propose?”

  Ezra expounds, “You said she’s able to heal herself.” I nod. “If we anesthetize her, she won’t be able to use her abilities.”

  Beckett counters, rolling his eyes, “A blow dart isn’t strong enough to sedate her.”

  Ezra grins, “No, but Etorphine is.”

  Evelyn confirms, “You want to use an elephant tranquilizer?”

  Ezra shrugs a shoulder, “It’s the strongest thing on the market.”

  Each of us seem to ponder the repercussions. I test, “Wouldn’t that harm her?”

  Ezra shakes his head, “Nah. I’ve had to use it before. Our Enochian genetic factor is more robust than you would believe.”

  Azrael encourages him, “Where would you need to go to find it?”

  Ezra answers, “It’s prohibited in Australia, but I can usually get my hands on it in Nepal.”

  Cassius solicits Azrael, “If we are to hurry, would you be able to take him there?”

  Azrael nods, “Yes.”

  I rush, “Ok. Everyone else collect whatever weapons you may need.” Jack gives me a look of disproval. “Just in case.” I regard Azrael, “Meet us at Mount Lee. We will wait for you there.”

  Chapter 30

  Ivy

  I used to love L.A.’s bright lights, cheery people, sun, and surf. Now, I love it for the infestation of Darkness in the vilest corners of the streets most avoid. The scent of decay and rotting flesh sinks into my marrow as I inhale deep with appreciation. I haven’t found any possessed mortals and feel irritated Lucifer sent me on a wild goose chase. There may be demons in the streets, but they’re not possessing the humans as I witnessed with Eric and Jack in the city. Pfft. Eric and Jack. What a bunch of hapless pricks.

  My anger with them fuels my rage. Always scheming to hold me back. Always treating me like glass. Well, I’ve got fucking news for them.

  A broad man exits the back door of a bar below my perch on its roof. He shoves a streetwalker against the brick exterior, groping her breasts as his mouth devours her neck.

  I’m not being held back anymore. I’m free. Death isn’t coming. I’m here… And I’m bored.

  I drop behind the degenerate male, my feet silent in the commotion of the night surrounding us. I grin, “That looks like fun.”

  The ignorant man turns in surprise, “Da fuck you want?”

  I take a step towards them, “I want to join you. I can be quite entertaining.”

  The lithe woman hollers, “Fuck off! This is my block!”

  The man covers her mouth with his hand, his hips still digging into her waist as he squints at me in the darkness, “How entertaining?”

  I enclose on them with deliberate intent. My eyes pulse, “Very.”

  With angelic speed, I burrow my fist through his core, gripping the organ at my fingertips. The woman screams. The man’s mouth hangs open, his eyes wide with shock. He’s trying to speak, but I ignore him, regarding the woman to my right, “Would you shut the fuck up?” I wrench my arm from the man’s mangled stomach. He drops to the ground, convulsing in a fit of seizures. Bringing his kidney up to my face, I utter, “Sasha will like this one, even if it’s not what she prefers.”

  The woman’s six-inch heels click as she runs down the alleyway. I speed in front of her, letting her collide with my chest. As she bounces off me, falling to her ass, I smirk, “No, you don’t.” She scrambles backwards mumbling incoherent pleas. I advance for every movement she makes. Gripping her by her hair, I lift her in front of me, her feet dangling above the ground with one shoe missing.

  She cries out in pain, “Why are you doing this?”

  I tilt my head, setting her back on her feet. My hand moves from her hair to the back of her head as I pull in close. She whimpers when my soft voice caresses her ear, “Because I’m bored.”

  Before she can cry out again, I twist her neck with a quick snap. She falls to a heap in the damp alleyway, her body contorted at odd angles. I giggle inside, She fell funny. I step over her body, making my way to the streets to find other victims to satisfy the pang of bloodthirsty hunger eating at me.

  Chapter 31

  Jack

  Promises of anger war with my grief in a raging river of crashing tides. Ivy has once again put herself in a position she shouldn’t be in. I strap blades to my hips in frustration and reach to a broadsword to sheath over my back. My father enters my quarters with my mother closing the door behind her. He prompts, “May we speak with you, son?”

  I continue to my chest of weapons, popping the lock open, “Can we talk on the way? We should hurry.” I secure a pair of Saber Claws in the shoulder sheaths of my tactical vest.

  His hand cups the top of my shoulder, “This won’t take long.”

  Turning to face him, I catch the hesitance in my mother’s expression, “What is it?”

  “Your mother tells me your essence has been tainted from your trips into Sheol,” he announces, and I take a step away from him in shame. “Your emotions are off the charts unpredictable. I’ve notice your influence on the others when they’re at their height. You’re losing control of your abilities. I’m worried if you’re near Ivy, she may react in a way we don’t want.”

  I counter, “I don’t give a shit! You’re going to need me to find her through our bond. I’m not staying here.”

  Mother eases, “Oh, Jack. We’re not asking you to stay behind. I know how important she is to you.”

  “What are you asking of me then?”

  Father glances to mother before divulging, “There’s an Enochian rune that the Originals use to block abilities such as yours. If you’re willing, we can mark you, and it will keep it at bay.”

  I sit in a chair against the wall, resting my elbows on my knees as I focus on the space between my boots. “I’ll do it… I would do anything for her.” Relief passes over my parents. “What do I need to do?”

  My father crouches down in front of me, “It will only take an incision of the rune on the left side of your chest,” he informs, nudging the area with his first two fingers. “I’ll use a quill from my wings to draw my own blood, then the blood will be mixed into the rune.”

  My forehead creases with worry, “Is it permanent?”

  Mother affirms, “Semi-permanent. It will only last a few days. A week at the most.”

  “Ok. I’ll do it.”

  My parents back away, Father releasing his wings as I stand. I remove my Saber Claws, placing them atop the chest, then discarding my sword, tactical vest, and under armor. When I face my father again, he holds a snow white feather between his fingertips. I don’t watch as he turns the tip of the quill against my skin, digging into the flesh with four precise strokes.

  Blood trickles down my chest. He uses the same quill to pierce the first Enochian rune in his rank—Angel of War. His own blood forms a large droplet on his mark, and he lets the quill soak it in. As the quill roots back into my wound, his blood mixes with my own. I clench my fists to fight the burn, sucking in a long, sharp breath through my gritted teeth as the wound smokes from the mixture and seals the rune from the intense heat.

  Father’s hand pulls away. I take a deep breath, releasing it slowly as I flex my fingers. “The things I do for that woman,” I mumble.

  Father chuckles, “Yes. I’m sure it won’t be the last.” He gives my mother a knowing grin, and she blushes. He turns back to me, slapping the rune once in jest, “Right!”

  I cringe away, my shoulders pulling forward as I growl, “Shit.”

  He pivots away, leaving with Mother, “Now, put some clothes on. Your holding everyone up!” I roll my eyes as the door closes behind them, and snatch up my under armor.

  Leading everyone back to the states seems to take ages. Father suggested we skirt around the coast to keep from being seen, but it will take us longer to get there. Coming around the coast of Mexico, I sense a light pull to our bond. I look to Solas on my right, “I feel her. S
he’s on the surface already.”

  The closer we get to the California coastline, the bond grows stronger, yet it sours my stomach. As we finally land on Mount Lee, behind the famous Hollywood sign, I retch in the bushes. Eric calls over to me, “You alright, man?” I retch again.

  My father reveals, “Your bond is corroded with the Darkness inside her. It will only get worse with close proximity.” I groan, wiping my mouth. Upon approaching the group, he notes, “You’re very pale. Will you be able to handle this?”

  I nod, “Yeah. I just need a minute.” Azrael and Ezra appear, a sniper riffle over Ezra’s shoulder. I imagine it’s readily loaded with the tranquilizer needed.

  Beck questions, “You got them?”

  Ezra confirms, “Yup. Five… just in case. Are we ready?” He witnesses my weakened state. “Whoa, mate. You alright?”

  I nod, holding back the bile in my throat. “I’ll be fine. She’s northeast from here. Not far.”

  Solas urges, “Let’s go.” He takes off into the cloudy night sky, and we follow. Everyone pulls back to allow me to lead them to her, the city lights almost blinding us from below.

  We close in, landing on the rooftop of the tallest building in the area and retracting our wings. We’ll have to go by foot from here to avoid detection. Theodora covers her nose with her arm as she grumbles, “Ugh.”

  Cass assesses, “Do you smell that?” Each of us sniff at the air. Griffins have a stronger sense of smell than us. The light tinge of blood floats in the atmosphere, but I know it’s much stronger for them. We confirm the dreaded aroma.

  “We must hurry,” Azrael urges.

  I drop from the rooftop's edge first, landing softly in the alleyway below. Following the sickening pull of the bond, I turn left towards the street. The others drop behind me, save for Ezra. He takes to the terrain of the buildings, a silent ninja—if I ever met one in the twenty-first century. He likes to joke that his shaved head gives him the right aerodynamics for stealth. We all know better. He’s just flawless with what he does.