by Avery Rae
"Or something," he replied as he slid the door open.
"Have I told you yet that I love how cryptic you are?"
He said nothing as he walked into the hallway. It was long and dark. As he walked, the torches that lined the walls flamed to life and gave it a dim orange glow. The first step out of the room was the hardest, but eventually I followed him. I didn't have much of a choice because he wasn't stopping. As we made our way down the winding halls, each looking the same as the last, my feet dragged more with every step, my stomach in knots. If it weren't for the fact that this place was a labyrinth, I would have taken off running.
"We're here." Gael suddenly stopped in front of a door so massive that I immediately started to question what could possibly need that much space. Was I about to face vicious, demonic giants? What if they didn't find me worthy—would they just eat me like a pretzel stick, nibbling from one end to the other? Maybe running was still an option. But it wouldn't do me any good. It would probably make things worse.
Dread coiled in the pit of my stomach as I followed Gael inside the dark room. The only source of light came from the flames roaring in a fireplace that spanned the length of a long wall. A solid block of gleaming black stone crossed in front of it, and behind that were four intimidating figures silhouetted against the flickering fire. The eyes that burned from the darkness were all as different as they were intimidating. One pair was milky white, the next pair was a dark golden yellow, then the orange-red I recognized, and finally, the last set was a vibrant green. Even from here, I could tell that her pupils were slitted like a snake.
"You know, Mr. Castillo," the demon with the green eyes purred from the end of the table, "my heart hurt when I heard you sired a woman, but I approve. She's a beauty, isn't she?"
"As if you have a heart to hurt, Lilith," another woman said with a sneer in her voice.
"I wasn't speaking to you, Berith."
"Now, now, girls." A wheezing man from the opposite end spoke up. "You're not putting your best feet forward, are you?"
"Shut up, old man," the harsher of the two women ground out. "If I want your opinion, I'll ask for it."
"My, my, we're very testy today," the man replied in a gentle tone. "I didn't mean to offend. I just wish you two wouldn't fight all the time."
"Quiet, all of you," a deep voice boomed from the middle of the table. "The meeting of the Faction Tribunal is in order."
Those at the table fell quiet in an instant. I lifted my head as flames suddenly spiraled out of the fireplace toward the ceiling. Row upon row of flames locked into place until the ceiling was nothing but a lake of fire above. I slowly looked back at the table and found the faces of the Tribunal staring back at me.
It took everything in me not to scream or back away. The old man wasn't as gentle-looking as he sounded in the darkness. His milky white eyes nearly blended in with his pale skin. Pristine white horns spiraled out from a bald head, so long that they curled down and behind his back.
The woman at the other end, although breathtakingly beautiful, was as snakelike as her green eyes. She wore very little clothing from what I could see. Iridescent green scales covered the sides of her arms and the outer edge of her face, accentuating sharp, hollow cheekbones. When she smiled at me, I felt a strange little twinge in my stomach and smiled back despite my fear.
The other woman was a fierce-looking warrior clad in armor, with a massive sword at least two times her size strapped to her back. Her skin was scarred, and she had dark, ram-like horns that curled out from her bald head. Beside her was a large man with golden hair and black wings tucked against his back. He was the one who shared my eyes. Samael, I assumed.
"Gael," the woman with the sword said, "are you certain you wish to present this woman for the trials?"
"I have no other choice, Berith."
"Indeed." The warrior smirked. "Perhaps you should've put more thought into who you chose. You know the consequences if she fails?"
"I'm aware."
The woman eyed me, then gave a dismissive snort. "I hope she doesn't plan on joining my army. I have no room for such weakness."
"That's just fine," the snakelike demon named Lilith said. "She's more than welcome in mine."
"You have a whorehouse, not an army," Berith hissed back.
"Berith, would you tell the room why you no longer have a fiftieth legion?" Lilith replied, her tone so light that it was somehow more threatening than a shout. "Was it because you dared to cross me? My whorehouse certainly looked formidable when it wiped out every one of those 3,000 soldiers."
Berith shot her a harsh glare but said nothing. I took that to mean that every word was true. I couldn't help but stare at Lilith in admiration. I had no idea what Berith could really do, but something—maybe the giant sword or the ferocious attitude that matched—told me that she was no slouch.
"Enough," Samael interjected. "We are here to determine this woman's fate. We will begin our vote."
"What?" I nearly shouted. That was it? I walked into the room and the vote to determine the fate of my soul was already underway? "Don't I get to plead my case or something?"
"You think you're worthy of such a thing? How insolent." Berith barked out a laugh, then bared her teeth in a feral smile. "My vote is for damnation."
"I haven't even had the chance to—"
Gael placed a hand on my shoulder and squeezed it in warning. I curled my upper lip and shrugged his hand off. "This is such bullshit," I snarled from between my teeth.
"Isn't it, darling?" Lilith said with a sigh as she placed her chin in her hand. "I would change it if I could. For now, all I can do is vote for you to have your trial."
My heart started to race. One vote for, one against. Two votes left. I looked at Samael, then Ronove. The old man smiled and leaned over the table to look at Samael. "What is your vote, angel?"
Samael didn't hesitate. "I say she should undergo a trial."
One vote left. Dread settled in my stomach at the look of glee Ronove gave me.
"Joyous day." The old man clapped his hands together. "I believe that makes my vote the deciding factor."
"I suggest you vote intelligently, my sweet," Lilith said from the end of the table, still smiling at me. I couldn't smile anymore, even as strong as the urge was with her looking at me. My heart leapt into my throat with each beat. All I could think about was burning for eternity. No, that wasn't exactly right. Because I couldn't imagine what that would be like. I looked down as a trembling breath escaped my lips. I clasped my shaking hands together as I waited to hear my fate.
Ronove chuckled. "Lilith, you're such a vixen. If you wish the girl to get a trial, then so be it. Have my vote."
I let out a breath I didn't even know I'd been holding. I had escaped death a second time. It wasn't as much of a relief as I thought it would be, because I knew that I would now have to go for round three. The only reason I'd even made it out of this was because of a perverted old man. I hated feeling so helpless. I clenched my eyes shut and willed my shaken nerves to calm down.
I jerked my head up as Berith let out a snarl. "You manipulated the vote, Lilith. Ronove always votes for the chance to torture more souls. Why are you so invested in this whelp?"
"Because I care for my fellow women," Lilith replied with a bored look in Berith's direction. "I see how that could come as a surprise to someone as barbaric as yourself."
"It has been decided, both of you. Let it be," Samael interjected. "She must still choose her faction and begin her trial. Tell us, Priscilla, which faction do you wish to join?"
Lilith gave me a sly wink. I felt that same tug in the pit of my stomach. I wanted to run over to her. I mean, she had saved me, so that was only natural, right? I knew that Berith and Gael had both referred to her faction in less than flattering ways, but Lilith herself? I was drawn to her. It was just a feeling. A silly, nonsensical one. I just knew she wanted me.
But what little I knew about her faction didn't appeal to me. And I h
ad a feeling that Gael was right. The Brotherhood was likely the best shot I had at making it through this. I slid my eyes toward Gael and saw that he was staring at me expectantly. As much as it infuriated me, I knew my choice had been made already.
"I wish to join the Brotherhood." I gritted my teeth as I forced out the words. Lilith's soft smile turned to a deep scowl that disappeared with a flick of her hair. She settled back in her throne-like chair and looked off to the side, entirely indifferent. I wondered, briefly, if I had made a mistake. But it was too late. Samael had already gotten to his feet, his imposing form making the table look much smaller than it was.
"You will be given three tasks to prove that you are worthy of hunting with the Brotherhood," Samael said in a solemn voice. "If you fail, Ronove will claim your soul as his."
The old man waggled his fingers at me. For a man that tortured souls, he seemed awfully jovial. It was disturbing, to say the least.
Lilith breathed a long, loud sigh. "Such a waste."
Berith struck the table with her fist. The mean-looking sword on her back shook from the effort. "You had your chance, wench, now be silent."
"Someday, I'll have your head," Lilith said in a soft voice, not even looking at the warrior demon. "And when I do, I'll screw all forty-nine of your remaining legions in your blood."
"Oh, dear." Ronove let out a hearty chuckle. "This is taking quite the turn, isn't it?"
Berith was already on her feet and unsheathing her massive sword. The polished metal glowed orange in the light of the flames above. She shoved it toward the ceiling and flames arced down, lighting the blade like a torch. Berith's harsh face was illuminated by the glow, and I could now see that her face was marred by harsh, jagged scars from her bald head to her neck. The rest of her was covered in thick leather and metal, but I had a feeling there were more.
However, Lilith seemed unimpressed. She remained still and bored-looking, although there was a tightness to her posture that relayed all the threat she needed. She was ready to strike if she had to.
Samael rose to his feet, so tall that he dwarfed Berith and her sword, yet he didn't look half as fierce as she did, standing there with her teeth bared.
"She has chosen her faction and her trial has begun." Samael spoke calmly. "The Tribunal is over. Take your leave before there's bloodshed."
What sort of Tribunal was this? They couldn't meet for ten minutes without threatening brutal murder? I grimaced. That actually seemed fitting, considering where I was. Yet another reason to thank Gael for forcing me into this. I had to wonder what I did to him. I must've met him at some point. Maybe I even fucked him over. I didn't know, and he probably wouldn't tell me. But surely this was something you only did to someone that you wanted to see suffer?
Berith and Lilith left through separate doors on opposite sides of the large room. Ronove followed after Lilith. His robed figure stopped in the doorway, and he gave us all a wide smile over his shoulder. "Thank you for calling this meeting, Samael. I love when she and Berith are forced to be in the same room. I'm going to go have some fun while she's feisty."
I watched with a contorted half-smile as he all but skipped through the doorway. Hell was shaping up to be simultaneously everything and nothing like I had imagined.
When only Samael was left, he sat back down at the table and beckoned us forward.
"You will undergo three trials. Combat will be first. All demons undergo this trial and it falls under Berith's domain."
"But I thought I was joining the Brotherhood?"
"You have to prove you can fight alongside Berith's army," Gael replied. "In the event that we have to fight Heaven or whatever."
"Does that happen a lot?" I asked.
"No, it's more of a holdover from the time when we did," Samael said. "I'm sorry, but I cannot change it. If you succeed in that first trial, you will be given a chance to tame a hunting familiar. If one finds you worthy, you will go on your first hunt. Catch an escaped soul and you will be inducted into the Brotherhood. That is all."
That's it, huh? Sarcasm aside, it honestly didn't sound that complicated, except that first part.
"You will have a week to train before your combat trial; the others are to follow immediately after."
"A week?" I blurted out. "Does time pass slowly down here or something? By a week, you mean—"
"A week," Samael interrupted with what I could've sworn was a hint of a smile. "Time passes just as it does on Earth."
"Which means I have a week to turn into something I'm not or I burn forever." I turned accusing eyes onto Gael and he held my gaze, refusing to look away. I made a frustrated noise in the back of my throat.
"Unfortunately, that is the way it is done. I'm certain Gael will do everything he can to help you."
"I would hope so." I tore my eyes away from my supposed savior and looked at Samael. "Thank you for getting me this far."
He almost seemed surprised. "You are welcome, my child. Good luck to you."
"I'll need it."
"Yes, you shall."
Gael nodded toward the door and I took my cue, turning to leave.
"The other members of the Tribunal will make sure each part is as hard as possible," Gael breezily told me as we exited the room with the flaming ceiling. "We'll start training first thing tomorrow."
"They won't need to make it any harder. I'm going to fail as is."
"That won't stop them. All that means is that they get to see you fail harder. That sort of thing passes for entertainment down here."
"Have I thanked you for bringing me here yet?"
He looked at me from the corner of his eye, expression neutral, then grabbed me by the wrist as he took a fork in the corridor.
"Where are we going?" I asked, a heavy dose of annoyance fueling my words as I jerked my wrist from his grip.
His lips held a faint smirk. "I thought you liked it when I touched you."
"I'm not sure where you got that idea." That was a lie, and we both knew it, so I changed the subject. "Where are we headed now?"
"You'll need all the help you can get, so we're going to meet the rest of the Brotherhood."
More demons. Great.
6
Priscilla
I followed Gael blindly as we walked down those winding hallways yet again. I honestly wasn't sure how anyone got around this place. I hadn't seen a single window yet. On top of it all, each hallway seemed completely indistinguishable from the next. Despite that fact, Gael walked with total confidence, as if he was seeing something I wasn't.
"How long did it take you to get used to this place?" I asked.
"Hell?"
"No, this castle or whatever."
"It's bigger than any castle. It took me a couple years to stop getting lost."
"Jesus. How many members does the Brotherhood have that you need a place this big?"
"Not nearly as many as you might think. This is Berith's old fortress. She outgrew it, but it's a defensible location, so Samael claimed it."
"Fortress," I murmured. It made me wonder what was wandering out in Hell that made a fortress necessary. Or, rather, just how often these factions fought among themselves. I guessed it was pretty frequent. "Are there going to be any more surprises that you maybe want to warn me about?"
"You're in Hell," he said without even glancing at me. "If you think anything is going to be normal here, you're in for a lot of surprises."
I wanted to say something rude back, but I wasn't stupid, and he was right. My eyes glowed, I could probably lift a car, and I had just met demons as old as time itself. My bar for normal was going to have to be adjusted. By a lot.
As we drew closer to a brightly lit room, raucous voices began to echo down the hall. I perked up slightly when I heard laughter. Hopefully it wasn't a demon roasting a human on a spitfire while cackling madly. I grimaced at the thought. I didn't feel all that different mentally, but would I end up turning into some sort of callous monster? I hoped not.
G
ael was a demon and an asshole, yet he chose to save me for whatever reason. So maybe that wouldn't happen. Although, save was a strong word. Risking the condemnation of my soul seemed a little much. I frowned at his back. The more I thought about him saving me, the less sense it made. What if he was the one who killed me in the first place? It had to be someone. I had been walking on a pedestrian bridge. There was no other explanation I could think of.
I eyed him warily as he stopped at the doorway to the bright room. "Your future brothers await. Try to make a good impression, you'll need their help."
"No pressure." I clamped down on my nerves and took a step inside. The room was sprawling and filled with tables, but there were only four people sitting at a heavy wooden table in the middle. Two men and a woman, playing cards. Zachariah was there too, but he was leaning against a wall next to the fireplace, some distance away from the others.
One of the men at the table took notice of me hovering at the entrance. He was thinner than the others, but there was something sharp and cunning in his eyes. He gave me a once over, then turned his attention back to his cards. No hello? Alright then. I was off to a great start.
The other man at the table had his back to me, but he was built in a way that told me he could wrestle a bear and come out unscathed. The woman, who had bleached blonde hair and a good two inches of dark brown roots, was dressed head to toe in leather that had far more straps and buckles than necessary. Her outfit looked as if it would be more of an inconvenience than it was worth.
She was kicked back, legs propped up on the table as she picked under her nails with a long, jagged knife, her cards laid out on the table, as if daring anyone to look. Everything about her appearance said don't fuck with me, yet the moment she caught sight of me, she gave me a big grin. "Hey, it's the new girl. Good to see the great big Latino dragon finally set you free."
"The what?" I asked, before remembering what Zachariah had said before.
A push on my lower back sent me stumbling into the room the rest of the way. I looked over my shoulder with a sneer at Gael. The corners of his lips quirked up slightly. Does he think he's funny?
