by Laurèn Lee
“For the love of God, Charlotte! Snap out of it!” Cyndy pumped the brakes, and both girls launched forward, only protected by their seatbelts.
“I’m sorry! My mind is just a little preoccupied right now.”
“Well, I need you to focus, okay?”
“Yeah, one of these houses is fine. Hopefully, they have plumbing,” Charlotte said, crossing her legs tightly.
Cyndy parked in one of the driveways and pulled the keys out of the ignition. She stepped out of the car, and Charlotte followed suit. Twilight passed, and soon, only the moon and stars would light the area. No street lamps were installed yet. The dark was eerie, yet calming.
They approached the luxurious model house, and Cyndy turned the knob. It opened with ease.
“No need to lock the doors if no one’s livin’ in ‘em yet, right?”
“Mhmm.”
They strode inside, and Charlotte flipped the light switch in the foyer. It didn’t turn on. “Well, I guess they didn’t turn on the electricity yet.”
“We’ll have to make do. We’ll be okay, Char. Promise.” She rubbed Charlotte’s back in a motherly sort of way.
Charlotte slunk to the floor, and for one of the few times in her life, she broke down sobbing uncontrollably. Her whole body shook with distress, and snot dribbled out of her nose.
“Oh, honey,” Cyndy said. “Everything will be okay!”
“When did everything turn into such a shitshow?” she cried. “My life was nearly perfect before all of this happened. I was happy!”
“Your life wasn’t perfect, though, sweetie. You may have not known your man was a murderer, but he was still out there killin’ girls. You would have found out sooner or later.”
Charlotte knew Cyndy was right, but she wanted to sulk in her own self-pity. She needed a few moments to feel sorry for herself and for what her life had become.
“Adriel loves you, girl. Don’t forget about that. That’s something.”
“My best friend is a demon,” Charlotte said, changing the subject.
“Say what?” Cyndy asked.
“My best friend, Tori. I went to go visit her, and Liam turned her into a demon. She tried to kill me. I only barely escaped.”
Cyndy sighed. “You can’t say your life is boring. That’s for sure.”
That made Charlotte giggle, and she wiped her nose with her sleeve. “Definitely not boring.”
In a flash, a glowing orb pulsated in the middle of the room. The light startled Cyndy and Charlotte, and they retreated until their backs were pressed against a bare wall.
Before they had a chance to converse about the orb, it exploded, and out popped Adriel and Mary Elizabeth. They landed on the hardwood floor with a thump like a potato sack dropped carelessly on the ground.
“Adriel? Mary Elizabeth!” Charlotte shouted. “Is that really you?”
“It’s really us,” Adriel moaned. “Damn, that hurt. What’s with the rough landing, Mary Elizabeth?”
“Sorry! I’m still a little shaken up,” she admitted. “I used all the powers I had left.”
Charlotte rushed toward Adriel and inadvertently tripped over him in the darkness, landing on top of him.
“Well, hello, beautiful!”
Charlotte wrapped her arms around him and nestled herself under his neck. “Are you okay? I had a bad feeling you were hurt!”
“I’m much better now, thank you. One of those assholes managed to slice into my stomach, but I healed. Eventually.”
Mary Elizabeth continued to emanate her natural angelic glow. She provided just enough light for the group to see each other across the room. She was like a deeply desired nightlight in the dead of winter.
“How did y’all get out of that one?” Cyndy asked.
“It wasn’t easy,” Mary Elizabeth said, wiping her brow.
“We were far outnumbered,” Adriel said. “But, they were newer demons and didn’t have all their powers yet.”
“Interesting,” Cyndy said. “So, the older a demon, the stronger he is?”
“Yup,” Adriel said, running his fingers through his hair.
“Then how is Liam so powerful? He’s only been a demon for a very short time.”
“He seems to be the exception,” Mary Elizabeth interjected. “But I’m not exactly sure why.”
“Lucifer is weak right now,” Adriel said, biting his lip. And then, as though a light bulb exploded in his mind, it hit him. “I know why Liam is so powerful!’
“Why?” the girls sang together.
“He has Lucifer’s ring,” Adriel said triumphantly and remembered seeing Liam with the dark gemstone on his finger.
“His ring?” Charlotte furrowed her brow.
“Yes, that would make sense,” Mary Elizabeth said. “When Lucifer fell from Heaven, he managed to convince a witch to create him a powerful ring so that one day he’d be able to rule all of Hell. I can’t believe I never thought of this in the first place.”
“Why does it seem like the universe is working against us?” Cyndy asked, sighing heavily.
“There’s always hope,” Mary Elizabeth said, chiming in. “We’ll find a way.”
“You’re way too stinkin’ optimistic,” Cyndy said.
“I am an angel, after all!”
Adriel, feeling slightly less clueless about the whole thing, paced around the room and eventually made his way to the backyard of the home. Mary Elizabeth followed him and stepped ethereally through the sliding screen door into the sticky air.
“Something else is bothering you,” she said as a statement rather than a question.
Adriel ruffled his hands through his hair and closed his eyes. “You could say that.”
“Talk to me, Adriel. You can trust me,” Mary Elizabeth said.
Adriel opened his eyes and looked into those of his long lost friend. At one time, he imagined taking Mary Elizabeth to bed, putting a ring on her finger and maybe even a baby into her belly. All in the name of his greed of wanting a piece of the canal business. He still remembered the day he met her, how she captured his heart and stole his breath away. So young and fragile. Now, no longer human, she managed to retain her innocence. Still fragile, but powerful too. He no longer harbored those feelings for her, but she’d always have a place in his heart. She showed him kindness and humility when he came to Lockport. She trusted him immediately after meeting him, which could be a fault on her part, but Adriel had never met anyone quite like her. He felt honored to call her a friend to this day.
“It’s Charlotte,” he said.
Mary Elizabeth nodded. “You’re having doubts,” she said again, not a question.
“She wants me to become human again after this is all over. You know, if we survive.”
Mary Elizabeth stepped closer to Adriel and put her velvety hand on his shoulder. “You don’t want to be a human?”
“Humans are weak,” he said.
Mary Elizabeth smiled.
“What? You don’t agree?”
“They are stronger than you think, friend. Look at Charlotte and all she’s been through in her life. She had her heart shattered after allowing a murderous man into her life and still found it in her heart to find love again. If that’s not strength, then I don’t know what is.”
Adriel bit his lip. He knew Mary Elizabeth was right. Charlotte was stronger than he ever gave her credit for. After all, she put up with all his nonsense and never left his side. And all she wanted in return was for him to love her back and give her the family she’d always wanted and most definitely deserved.
“Think about it, Adriel,” the angel advised.
“You’re really very smart,” Adriel said with a grin.
“Thank you,” she replied.
Adriel pulled Mary Elizabeth into a hug and whispered in her ear. “Thank you.”
Mary Elizabeth and Adriel stepped back inside the house as Charlotte and Cyndy twittered about, sullen and hungry in the corner.
Thunder cracked in the dist
ance, and lightning followed seconds after. Charlotte could no longer see the moon’s soft, buttery glow from inside the empty house. A chill ran down her spine as another rumble of thunder shook the house.
“Whoa! What is happening?” Cyndy cried.
“It’s Liam,” Mary Elizabeth whispered. “He’s getting stronger.”
15
Charlotte, Adriel, Mary Elizabeth and Cyndy decided to stay in the suburbs for the night. The fact they hadn’t been caught yet was a good sign. If Liam or his demon minions knew where they were, they wouldn’t be so cozy in an empty house for sale.
Luckily a few pieces of furniture were installed inside the house, most likely for viewing purposes. Cyndy and Mary Elizabeth each claimed one of the leather sofas, while Adriel and Charlotte explored and searched for a bed. It was only natural they’d want to spend the night lying side by side. But, of course, their intentions did not fly under the radar as Mary Elizabeth blushed and Cyndy rolled her eyes when the couple snuck off in search of the bedrooms.
While Cyndy was happy for Adriel and Charlotte, deep down, she missed the love she and Addy shared. She didn’t miss him necessarily, but she longed for the closeness to another person, or even a demon. She never looked for love, but somehow it found her when Adriel walked into her bar. Since their falling out and even rekindling their friendship, Cyndy never found someone else to share her life with. She figured life was too messy by oneself, why drag a poor soul through your rubble, and, for what? Some sex? A little conversation? No. Cyndy didn’t want to fall in love again. She couldn’t bear to face another heartbreak. Once was enough for a lifetime.
Charlotte giggled while she held Adriel’s hand, which felt hotter than Hades. His entire body radiated heat again, and Charlotte couldn’t get enough. Adriel put his finger to his mouth, hinting for Charlotte to keep quiet, but once he gazed at her in the dimness of the moonlight, all bets were off. Even just his gaze sent Charlotte panting and pining for his touch. His eyes warmed her entire body with one simple stare.
They opened one of the bedrooms, and a simple plaid comforter set lay neatly atop a queen-sized bed. Charlotte, with a toothy grin, leaped onto the bed, belly-flopping onto its softness. Adriel wasn’t far behind as he slithered onto the bed beside Charlotte.
“We have the whole room to ourselves,” he whispered.
“I feel like we get so little alone time,” Charlotte said. She pulled Adriel on top of her and held his rosy cheeks in her hands. Her thumbs massaged his flawless skin in circular motions as she felt him grow against her. She wanted nothing more than for him to be inside her, showing her just how much he loved her.
“You make me so happy,” Adriel said, his eyes glowing fiercely in the dark room. The redness of his gaze reminded Charlotte of little Christmas lights twinkling in midair. Now she felt truly in the mood for some presents.
“I love you,” Charlotte said. She pulled Adriel’s lips against her own and moaned once they connected. His mouth was warm and hungry. His affection overpowered her, his tongue slipping into her mouth to dance with hers.
Desperate and eager for more, Charlotte dug her nails into Adriel’s back, begging him to keep going. Her belly erupted in somersaults, and she couldn’t pull her pants down fast enough. Adriel growled once he saw her legs, smooth and inviting. He kissed her lips once more and then traveled slowly down her body, kissing every inch of her skin. He nibbled her neck and nipped at her supple breasts. He kissed her belly and teased her as he made his way down to her inner thighs, where he licked her sensually.
Charlotte wriggled her fingers into Adriel’s hair and tugged gently at his luscious locks. “Adriel!” she cried.
“Shhh!” Adriel replied playfully. “We don’t want to wake up the others, do we?”
Charlotte closed her eyes and allowed Adriel to take her, first via tongue and then with the rest of his body, all night long.
16
In the morning, Adriel woke to the sound of Charlotte’s belly growling like the Devil himself. “Char? Baby? Wake up.”
Sunshine leaked through the blinds, revealing a clear day. The storm was over, for now.
Charlotte stretched and yawned before her stomach rumbled again, causing her eyes to grow and her cheeks to redden. “Damn, I’m hungry!”
“I could tell,” Adriel said with a sly grin. Charlotte nudged him playfully and planted a kiss right smack dab on his lips.
“You be quiet!”
“Or else what?”
Charlotte winked and reached to touch Adriel underneath the sheets, only to pull back at the last second and tickle Adriel on his belly and under his arms. He roared with a hearty laugh that echoed throughout the house.
Adriel planned on making Charlotte scream this time until Cyndy kicked the door open with her hands covering her eyes.
“Hey, sex kittens. Time to get up.”
“C’mon, Ma! A few more minutes?” Adriel whined.
Cyndy shook her head and left the room to head back downstairs. Her stomach begged for sustenance, too. The angel and demon sometimes forgot about their human companions and their need for the basics like food and water.
“I guess we should get up, huh?” Charlotte asked.
“Probably. Maybe we can go out to breakfast or something?”
Charlotte imagined a plate full of chocolate chip pancakes, scrambled eggs, and juicy, mouthwatering bacon. “Breakfast sounds amazing right now.”
“Okay, let’s get you some food, babe.” Adriel hoisted Charlotte from the bed, smoothed down her hair and kissed her forehead.
Adriel and Charlotte moseyed down to the living room to see Mary Elizabeth and Cyndy waiting for their arrival. Mary Elizabeth, patient as always, stared outside with a look of pure bliss upon her face. Cyndy, on the other hand, appeared as though she could take on a rabid dog if it taunted her.
“Took you long enough! I’m hungry! Haven’t eaten in almost a day.”
“You humans and your food,” Adriel said.
Cyndy shot him a look of annoyance and venom. He put his hands up in surrender as the group stood and stepped toward the front door. Demons could eat food, too, but they didn’t need it to survive. It was merely a luxury afforded to them.
As soon as Adriel put his hand on the doorknob, someone else did, too.
“Get back!” Adriel called to the others behind him.
Charlotte’s heart leaped to her throat as sheer panic set in. Was it a realtor come to show the house to a potential buyer? Did Liam find them already?
The door opened with unwanted suspense, and there stood none other than Tori.
Charlotte gasped, and Tori smiled gleefully.
“Hey, BFF. Long time no see. Bet you thought I wouldn’t find you after that cute little escape routine, huh? Ahh, and you must be the Adriel I’ve heard so much about.” Tori licked her lips and stepped toward Adriel with lust in her eyes.
“And you must be Tori, the new she-demon Liam created. Just another one of Hell’s sluts, are we?”
Tori shrugged and spun around to reveal her leather skirt tighter than a boa constrictor’s grip on its prey. She also sported a black, lacy halter top and seemed to have forgotten to wear a bra.
“You don’t like? I think it’s cute!”
“What do you want, Tori?” Charlotte spat from behind Adriel. She pushed against him, trying to get a better view of her former best friend.
“Liam asked me to come retrieve you, duh.” She twirled her front layers in her fingers, her nails painted as black as night.
“How did you find us?” Mary Elizabeth asked coolly.
“Wasn’t too hard! One of the other demons from the motel put a tracker on your car.”
Charlotte shot a narrowed-eyed look toward Tori and wanted to throat punch her. “Then why didn’t you come last night?”
“Liam took me out to have a little fun. After all, it’s not like we couldn’t track you if you left.” She winked.
“I’m surprised he cared at all a
bout you after you let me get away,” Charlotte hissed.
“After some groveling, he forgave me. I don’t know how you let that one get away, Char.” Tori closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around her body.
“You’re sick!” Charlotte said with a sour taste in her mouth. She wished Liam would have killed Tori instead of turning her into a she-demon. Seeing her friend like this, evil and twisted, was the worst form of torture. All she could think of was their friendship before all this shit happened. Before all the destruction. And, now? Now, Tori was meaner than mean and missing her soul. Not to mention she seemed wrapped around Liam’s finger.
“Well, it’s been great, but I need to take you back to Liam now,” Tori said.
“Over my dead body!” Charlotte clenched her fists and bared her teeth like a wolf.
“That can be arranged, sweetie,” Tori said.
“Ladies, ladies. Let’s take a minute to sort this all out,” Adriel said, his hands up in surrender.
“There’s nothing to sort out, Adriel,” Tori said. “I need to take Charlotte to Liam, and that’s that.”
“Why does he still feel the need to go after her? She’s of no use to him anymore.”
“Oh, he has a use for her all right.” Tori grinned.
“Well, it’s not going to happen, and if I’m not mistaken, you’re outnumbered,” Adriel said.
Tori giggled, and her eyes blazed fiercely with miniature flames in her pupils. “That’s what you think!”
A moment later, large puffs of fire appeared in her hands, and she threw them across the room, narrowly missing Charlotte’s head. The fire slammed into the living room and caught on the ivory curtains against the door leading to the backyard. Smoke billowed into the air.
“Ah, what the fuck?!” Cyndy called.
Mary Elizabeth acted fast; she sent a stream of water from her fingertips into the flames, but they barely touched them. The flames would not extinguish. The angel frowned and tried again, and all the while, Tori cackled in the background.
Whatever Liam had done to Tori, he made sure she carried extra powers.
“Not today, bitch!” Adriel cried.
