“What say you, boy?” Nemhain asked Belial, her tone lazy, as if Veruca’s admission had left her bored with the conversation. “Wish you to reclaim the crown? Orlagh will be disappointed, I won’t pretend otherwise, but we care not who attends the balance, as long as it is kept.”
“I live to please,” Belial said, his voice gruff, seeming reluctant, despite the fact that Veruca could read a desperation in him. He was miserable without power, grieving for the loss of control that had resulted simply from facing two women who had realized they were sick of his shit and had teamed up to do something about it.
“Very well,” Nemhain said, waving her hand like royalty shooing away a servant. Around them, time bustled to life, full speed in an instant. “Then I’m done here. Veruca, lovely, stupid girl. You would have made a fine queen. Should you stumble on another banshee out in the world, perhaps you will reconsider.”
“I don’t think so,” she said, though she reached to the back of her neck, realizing she still had the Fairy metal in her flesh. It was a simple task, with all of Belial’s power still in her, to slip it out without much pain, and she looked it over, tucking it in her pocket. Nemhain, having lost interest in Veruca completely, sauntered to Benedict, pausing next to him to press a hand to his chest and aim a come-hither wink his way.
“Mercenary,” she purred. “The next time we meet, I want you on your knees.”
With that, she vanished.
****
Powerless and standing in the warm sun, leaning on Finn for support, Veruca found she understood completely Belial’s haggard appearance.
Letting go of the souls inside had been harder than she’d anticipated, her own soul fighting her in a way she hadn’t expected. Belial had mentioned that Reapers had a natural hunger for power and it seemed her soul was no different. She recognized the feeling, of course, the appetite for more having cropped up inside her many times in the past, but the necessity of becoming herself once again won out.
Belial was beautiful, surprising her in his generosity once his power was restored. He’d wiped the memories of Stefanie’s victims, sent the demon packing with strict denial of the vengeance she craved, and had dispatched some of his many agents to take care of the home Veruca had destroyed—including removing the grisly corpse she’d left inside.
It was almost as if nothing had changed, though Veruca was determined he understand that things would not be the same.
Finn, evidently unable to handle the awkward silence, spoke up, trying to break the tension, as he was wont to do.
“Why’re you only the prince of hell?” he asked, gesturing loosely to Veruca. “She’d have been the queen, right? You’re one rank lower, which seems pretty silly.”
“It was a stipulation set forth by the Fairy queen. It wasn’t my place to ask, and, honestly, I don’t mind. It makes me sound young.”
“Little vain, aren’t you, friend?” Finn asked, grinning to cover the nervousness Veruca could tell was still lurking under his smooth demeanor. Belial shrugged mildly, unbothered by Finn’s assessment of him, and turned his attention back to Veruca, giving the mood another moment to settle in before changing the subject.
“Like the Lady, I wish you’d reconsider.”
“I’m not your puppet anymore,” Veruca said, much of her attention on the little bit of her soul she’d kept back from Belial when ceding all the others that he’d poached. “I can’t stop you from killing me in revenge for what I’ve done, but I will not ferry you souls anymore.”
“I don’t crave revenge,” Belial said softly, reaching out to touch Veruca’s cheek lightly. His power rushed through her before she could pull away from the touch, healing her, carrying off the aches and pains, leaving her feeling restored. “I am liberated, educated, suddenly filled with a fresh awareness of my place in the world. It seems the queen is not happy with my performance, which could lead to trouble. You’ve helped more than you’ve hurt.”
“That’s debatable,” Veruca said, sneering. She’d never remove the memory of what she’d done but, in that she understood where Belial stood: it was an opportunity to learn, to be better, to live life more in line with who she wished to be in the future. “Where do we go from here?”
“Wherever you’d like. I will not hamper you nor harbor ill will. I believe it would be best to agree to stay out of each other’s way.”
“It’s hard to trust you,” Veruca admitted.
Belial nodded once. “Yes, but think of the friends you’ve made on this journey, the Fairies who seem to, at least in part, admire you and, it seems, prefer you to me. I take the Lady’s mention of another banshee in the world seriously and, knowing what you’re capable of, believe it a fine idea for us to keep our distance.”
Veruca watched him quietly, filled with too many emotions to count. A death knell had sounded, announcing the end of an era, one that had consumed the whole of her being for nearly the whole of her life. She’d gotten what she wanted, seemed to be in a position with more power than she’d realized, and it wasn’t entirely clear to her how she felt about that in the moment.
Nodding, she held out her hand, knowing Belial would stay true to his word, if only to keep himself safe.
Taking her hand, Belial sealed the deal with a quick shake, winked, and disappeared.
****
“Donald, I insist,” Veruca said, still squeezing him and honestly having a hard time letting him go, despite the fact that she was repeatedly telling him to leave. “Head home, take a month off. The hotel will survive without you. Lina has a handle on things. No one smuggles a pet in or sleeps in a stairwell without her knowledge. You need rest, you need family—you need therapy.”
This time, Veruca did pull back, reaching up to cup his cheeks and hold him close as if trying to keep him from crying instead of herself.
“Please. I will pay for it—for anything you need. I can’t bear the thought of you suffering any further.”
“I’m—it’s not your fault,” he murmured, his gaze dropping to the ground. He’d changed out of his bloody clothes first thing once they’d gotten to the hotel, and Veruca had tracked down the luggage she’d nearly forgotten about. Donald, having been brought almost entirely against his will, hadn’t had clothes, but Benedict had lent him some loose work-out clothes that just fit.
No one had yet showered or eaten, but Veruca intended to make sure Donald did both once they were settled and Benedict had headed off.
“It’s entirely my fault,” Veruca insisted, pulling him into a hug again, speaking against his chest, needing to feel his heartbeat thump through her. “I put you on the Fairies’ radar. I let you come with us, despite the fact that I should have sent you home the moment—”
“I insisted, remember? Or, would have if you’d tried any harder to send me off. You mean the world to me and you were in trouble. I’m—I had to help.”
“Well, you don’t anymore. You can settle back into the role of head of security and relax.” Veruca laughed. “I promise, the worst you’ll have to deal with from now on is a three AM drunk who can’t find his room.”
“I don’t know,” Donald said, and Veruca could hear the smile in his voice. “The belligerent brides are often much worse.”
“Well, at least you won’t lack for excitement.”
“You’re speaking like we’ll never see each other anymore.”
“You know that’s not the case,” Veruca assured him, pulling back, ignoring the urge to cup his cheeks again. “I’ll be around. Finn will demand to see you, probably more often than is strictly appropriate. Besides, we still have the flight back to Seattle in the morning—and dinner in a few hours, I insist—but only if you’re up for it! If you’re not, well, order in. It’s on me, it’s all on me.”
“I can pay for my own food, don’t worry.” Donald smiled, and their eyes locked for a few moments. Veruca tried not to think of what the wordless message behind his gaze was, fearing she knew the real reason he’d followed her into the
jaws of death. “You should get cleaned up too,” he said after a few moments.
“I long to,” Veruca said, pulling back to look him over and let out a small laugh. “We should get you clothes that fit before we leave—on me as well. It’s … all—everything’s on me.”
“No need,” Donald said, still grinning. Taking a deep breath, he straightened up, turning to Benedict and holding out his hand. “Good working with you.”
“Back at you. Not sure why you left the business, but it’s poorer for it.”
“Ironically, I was worried about getting myself killed.”
Benedict laughed, nodding in agreement. “Been there.”
“Thank you, so much,” Veruca said, leaning to give Benedict a quick hug as well. He seemed confused by the action but went along with it. “You were an amazing help.”
“It was fun,” Benedict said, the smile creeping at the edges of his lips making Veruca think he really had genuinely enjoyed himself. “Not sure about that whole mess with the Fairy at the end, but it wasn’t a bad way to pass the time.”
“I have your card,” Veruca said, tapping her pocket. “Soon as I’ve got the time, I’ll transfer your payment.”
“I trust you,” Benedict said casually. “Finn, it was good to meet you, a nice ego-boost.”
Ignoring Benedict’s outstretched hand, Finn copied Veruca’s action, pulling Benedict into a tight embrace, but adding a kiss to the cheek at the end of the hug. Benedict only snorted, unbothered by the minor molestation.
“Give me a call if you ever need anything else,” he said, backing up a step toward the front of the lobby.
“No offense meant, but I hope to never see you again,” Veruca said with a grin.
Benedict nodded. “I get that a lot,” he said, before turning and heading toward the door.
“So what’s the plan, friends?” Finn asked, clapping his hands together. “Dinner and a movie? One of the Bond films? Classic, none of this new-fangled computer chip, ice laser stuff.”
“I’d like a shower, a nap, and a meal the size of a small car,” Donald said. “But we should, later. I’m sure somewhere in the city shows Goldfinger on the big screen. We can get popcorn and make a night of it, right?” he asked Finn.
Finn nodded eagerly, already whipping out his phone to see what he could find.
Veruca met Donald’s gaze, the two of them sharing a knowing glance. “Tomorrow morning—ten? Is that too early?”
“Not at all. The sooner I’m home the better.”
“All right. Eat, don’t forget. Whatever you order, I’ve got it.”
“I won’t forget, no, ma’am.” With one last grin, Donald turned, heading to the elevators.
Veruca waited a bit for Finn, before nudging him. “Come on, darling. Let’s get upstairs and take a shower.”
“Just the one?” Finn asked, pocketing his phone immediately. “As in, one shower and the two of us? Naked? At the same time?”
“With soapy palms and a long day to scrub off, yes,” Veruca said, biting her lip.
Finn tucked an arm around her, turning to lead her eagerly. “Is there an express elevator we can take? Rocket packs we can don? What’s the quickest way we can get upstairs?”
“Doesn’t matter to me, as long as we’re together.”
“Forever, my love. Always.”
The End
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