“Does she see Grace?”
“Yes. Most children can see spirits. Where do you think imaginary friends come from?” Death raised an eyebrow at her.
Chapter Eleven
Jael sat on the rooftop deck in the cold air. It had been a long and tiresome day, but now she sat waiting for something to happen. The killer could be out there stalking his next victim and there was nothing she could do. For once she had a moment alone. Death had gone to scan Johnsonville Road in search of the Pishacha. As morbid as it sounded, she was eager for the next attack. It would be their best chance to trap the demon.
“Lucifer’s spawn all alone. Where’s your guard dog, little girl?” A scratchy voice called out from behind her, reminding her of nails on a chalkboard.
Every muscle in her body tightened, her brain screaming for her to run. If it wasn’t the Pishacha, it was another demon after her. The sulfur smell wafting toward her left little doubt in her mind. Turning to face him, she found the man from the women’s visions.
His black hair was shoulder length, coming to just above the collar of his flannel shirt. Opening her senses, she became aware that the man was human. All along they had suspected the demon had just taken the shape of a human, not actually possessed one. Death told her that once a person was possessed, even if the demon was removed they would never be completely functional again. The Pishacha had stolen this man’s life as he had ended the lives of the women. Anger replaced her fear.
No more lives lost, this ends here and now. She called the ball of electricity to her hand.
“Oh, no you don’t.” He cast an invisible net over her, and she could feel the weight of it as her ball of electricity fizzled out. “I won’t let you have the upper hand on me, Lucifer’s spawn.”
“What have you done to me?” She tried to bring the fire forward, but even that seemed dampened by the net.
“A magical confinement net, that is all. While you’re in it you will not be able to use any of your abilities.” He spoke with a lot more excitement than seemed natural.
“Looks like it’s a stalemate then, since you won’t be able to hurt me either.”
“That’s where you are wrong. You’ll feel everything I dish at you and you’ll be powerless to stop me. Killing the Mistress of Hell won’t go over well with Lucifer, so I’ll make it worth it.” He stepped closer to her, waving his arms until he was able to gather the net into his hand. “Hold on.” He snatched it like it was under her feet, and she fell. Before she could hit the ground everything around her disappeared in the sickly scent of sulfur and fire.
Mentally she screamed for Death, willing him to be able to hear her, to come for her before it was too late. If only she hadn’t gone to the rooftop deck alone. While she thought he was out searching for the next woman, he was actually waiting until she was alone. She was his next victim.
She wouldn’t go down without a fight. If her abilities were down, maybe she could use the physical skills Cleg forced her to learn when she became a paramedic.
Seconds later she was flat on her back with only trees surrounding here everywhere she looked. Alone, unarmed, and in the middle of the woods with a demon didn’t bode well for her. She tried to push the fear away, to focus on how to get out of the situation, but it seemed almost hopeless.
“Here we are.” He let out an evil laugh, his eye glowing red, the true demon peeking through.
“What do you want?”
“Want?” He laughed again, this time louder and longer. “I want what every demon wants, to kill. Lucifer has kept a short leash on most of the demons under his control but I will no longer be kept in hell, denied the delicious taste of human flesh. A fillet of fresh human, just slightly cooked until the outside has a tan and the inside is still red and bloody. There’s nothing better.”
Her stomach turned at the very thought. It was revolting to consider someone eating human flesh. The demon stood before her basically comparing her to caviar.
He closed the distance between them in two quick steps. “Unlike the others I won’t drug you, I want you to fight back while I torture you. Once you’re dead I’ll cut away the finest pieces from your body for a dinner fit for a king.”
Death!
A silvery string shot through the net, wrapping around her hands and tying them together before the web locked and dragged them above her head. He did the same to her feet.
“Must keep those out of the way, I know demons that would pay good money for your digits.”
Her stomach heaved as she fought against the restraints.
I won’t die like this.
She took a deep breath. Her fingers caught a string at the edge of the net and she began to pull. She tugged as quickly as she could, pulling and pulling, but it wasn’t coming apart quick enough. The Pishacha snatched a knife that was strapped to his leg and dove at her. The web simply slid around his hand, allowing him through without creating an opening. He stabbed her in the stomach, just above her bellybutton, twisting the knife again before pulling it out. A searing pain coursed through her, bringing tears to her eyes.
As if by a saving grace, help appeared. Death popped out of thin air, his hand wrapped around Cleg’s who looked a little pale. She forced her gaze away from them and drew the demon’s attention back onto herself, giving Cleg a moment to adjust. The demon hadn’t seen the new arrivals yet.
“That’s not very creative of you,” she snapped, forcing herself to sound harsh and accusatory. “People get stabbed in the stomach all the time and survive. You’re going to have to do better than that if you really want to torture me. Make it worth it because you’re going to bring Hell down upon yourself.”
“I’m not scared of Lucifer.”
Enough of the web fell away giving her room to move. She squirmed up just as he plunged the knife at her again, missing where he was aiming and catching her leg instead. Stars exploded in her vision, but as he pulled it out she was thankful the blood didn’t begin squirting. He had missed the femoral artery.
“I meant Cleg. You don’t seriously think that killing his twin would go unpunished?”
As she drew the demon’s attention, Cleg had adjusted to traveling Death’s way instead of through his normal means of fire and sulfur. Now that Cleg had gathered his wits, he threw a ball of fire directly at the back of the demon. The Pishacha screamed and rolled to the ground to put the flames out. It was just the diversion she needed to pull herself out of the web.
Death rushed to her, the spirit box in hand, as Cleg continued to throw fire ball after fire ball at the demon.
“He’s asked us to wait,” Death said. “He believes as heir he can kill the Pishacha. If not, we’re to use the spirit box. Attacking you was a deadly insult, Cleg’s within his right to kill him if he can.”
“Cleg could be killed.”
“He won’t be. I told you before to open your senses and you’ll see what happens, or just wait. Cleg is a natural born warrior.” He wrapped his arm around her waist and drew her close. “I should have never left you.” He kissed the top of her head.
“It’s not your fault.” She pressed her hand to her stomach, the blood trickling around her fingers.
“I’m glad you’re going to be okay.” He adjusted her so she was protected behind his body, so she could rest, leaning against him, exhausted from her fight and the wounds.
The Pishacha jumped off the ground, flames still covering his skin. “I’ll kill both of Lucifer’s spawns this night!”
Cleg said something Jael couldn’t make out before throwing two more fireballs at the demon. Screeching echoed through the woods, flames growing brighter and higher.
“You are a demon of Hell. You will obey the commands of the heir forever. Coming after the Mistress of Hell will be the end of you.” With those words Cleg tugged a string, tearing the demon from the man’s body. In the shadows of the woods, Jael got a good look at the demon, but could only see a large black mass, glowing red eyes, and heavy silver chains cover
ing his body.
“Now, Jael!” Cleg kept his attention on the demon.
“Hold the box with the lid open.” Death thrust it toward her.
“We’re going to bind him in this?” The wood was smooth under her fingers. For such a light box, the lid took more effort to lift than she expected.
He nodded. “Just hold it, I’ll say the words.” He moved behind her, tight against her back. “Brace yourself, he’ll be pulled into the box with force. Are you ready?”
She was as ready as she was going to get.
“Demon of Hell, you will be an image of what you once were, a lesson to other demons. When they go astray there are punishments for their actions. For going after the Heir to Hell’s throne and the Mistress of Hell, the sentence is a condemnation to the spirit box to eternally suffer the tortures you inflicted on others. You’re forever condemned to the spirit box, never to leave until your last remaining bit of your life is pulled from you, scattering your remains through Hell never to live again.” Death’s arm wrapped around her waist. “Demon Pishacha, into the spirit box to begin your sentence.”
With those words the wind around them picked up, sending dead leaves flying through the air, and the Pishacha became a misty form, the chains still binding him. An ungodly scream echoed through the woods, shaking the ground under her feet. Then Jael could feel the box sucking the air in around them, like a vacuum cleaner over carpet, pulling the demon in with such force she stumbled backward. Death’s embrace around her waist was the only thing that kept her standing.
As suddenly as it all started the lid slammed shut and the wind died. There was a lightness to the air that had been missing. An owl hooted in the distance, creatures returned to their normal nightly activates. Everything was peaceful. Until she looked at the man’s body lying on the ground. After the Pishacha exited the body, it just collapsed. She wasn’t sure he was still alive.
“He’s fine.” Walking to them Cleg answered her unasked questioned. “Sit the box on the ground.” When she did what he asked, the same heavy silver chains that had covered the demon appeared around the box. “No one will be able to open this box besides the three of us. He’ll suffer as his victims did, never able to fight back.”
“You were winning, why didn’t you kill him?” A few days ago she would have been insulted by the thought of killing a man, even a demon, but now she wanted the Pishacha dead. To bring a true justice for the victims.
“Since I couldn’t get the demon to leave the body I had no choice. It would have killed the host, giving the Pishacha a chance to escape and find a new body and begin to kill again.” Cleg nodded to the man behind them. “In the spirit box he’ll never be able to harm anyone. For eternity he’ll suffer through what he did to those women, and anything he did in his past to others. It’s a more suitable punishment than death.”
“What will happen to the host?” Now that the fight for their lives were over, the pain she had been pushing away came back with such force that even Death’s touch only dimmed it. She adjusted, putting most of her weight on her uninjured leg.
“I have to take him in. His sanity is gone, he’ll be in a mental hospital until the end of his days. There will never be a trial, but hopefully Maddie and the others can move on.”
“We can.” Maddie and the other women stood by the tree line. “You brought us the justice we needed, it’s time for us to go.”
“Let me heal you so they can cross through you.” When she turned to look at him, Death explained without having to be asked. “You’re the light, when the spirits are ready they cross through you. There’s no pain or discomfort for you, but you will have to stand on your own. With me touching you they cannot cross through you. I’m only Death, nothing more or less. You, kochanie, are so much more.”
“I won’t make them wait any longer.” She pushed away from him, determined to do this now. Leaving Death’s touch, unbelievable pain tore through her, forcing her to stagger for a moment before finally gathering the strength to stand on her own. “Ladies, you were unbelievable. Sharing your memories, and not getting upset when I didn’t know what I was doing. I’m sorry I couldn’t save you. As you’re ready, please go find the peace you deserve.”
Shelly was first, she stepped forward and crossed through Jael without another look back at the women. Shelly’s life passed before Jael, beautiful memories of being surrounded by a family and love, along with the crippling grief of losing her fiancé. Eagerness to see the man she loved was overpowering, bringing a smile to Jael’s face.
The others passed through with much of the same effect, each of them having their own life and story told in a matter of seconds. Amber was the youngest, just beginning to live her life when it was snatched from her, but even she left with no regrets. It reminded Jael she needed to live each day to the fullest. Life was there to be valued not wasted away.
Maddie was the last to go, a touch of hesitation clear in her stance. “I just wanted to apologize. I was a little hard on you at the beginning. Actually, I was a bitch.”
“Maddie, there’s nothing you should apologize for. Dying as you did gave you every right to be upset. I’m just happy I could help you find the peace you needed.”
Maddie stepped closer but stopped again a few inches from Jael. “You might have been green when I found you, but you’re one rocking Grim Reaper. You should show off your rocking style with pink highlights like mine.” Without further delay Maddie crossed through.
Jael couldn’t help but smile at Maddie’s life, it was just as she had expected. Living life on the edge, different colored highlights, but more pink than any other color. She let her unusual personality shine through.
After Maddie crossed over, Death wrapped his arm around her waist, his head resting against the top of hers. “Let me heal you and get you home.” She turned into his body, cuddling against him. “You’re an amazing woman, kochanie.”
She leaned against him, relieved it was over. This was the final nail in the coffin that was now her life. Her first assignment and she rocked it.
Chapter Twelve
Another day, another sun on the horizon, but this time Jael had finally made it home. Jeffery Black was in a cage, waiting for arraignment, and Cleg was in Hell taking the spirit box with the Pishacha in it.
With the Pishacha contained, life should return to normal, or at least as normal at her life could ever be now that she was the gateway for the spirit world. As far as she was aware Lucifer didn’t know she had chosen Death, but it wouldn’t be long before the next demon showed up trying to kill her. For now she was going to take advantage of every moment.
She stood watching the sun rise over the town, glistening off the river, and realized how much her life had changed. She could never go back to the woman she was before, she only hoped the woman she was becoming was better and that her mother would have been proud. Death came up behind her and wrapped her in his embrace. Her head rested against his chest, fingers intertwining with his.
“I think we should celebrate. After all, it’s not every day we defeat a Pishacha and five women cross through me.”
“What did you have in mind, kochanie?”
“You naked, in my bed.” She spun around to face him. “Now.”
He smirked, clearly amused. “We have all day.”
“Then give it to me now, and we can have another round or two before the others get here this evening.” There was a twinkle in her eye as she spoke those words. She refused to think about the impending doom of telling Jaz, but a promise was a promise, and at least Cleg was going to tell his side of things as well.
“I think that can be managed.” He lifted her into his arms and dashed up the steps with her.
“We could have teleported.” She teased as he placed her on her feet.
“Someone’s getting used to her abilities rather quickly. Come on, let’s shower. We’re both have blood on us.”
She watched him walk to the bathroom. Sex in the shower was a new thing
for her, but knowing Death it would be memorable to say the least. She heard the water turn on as she stripped from her ruined clothes. Leaving them in a pile to be thrown away, she padded after him.
When she’d bought the building, the first thing she remodeled was her condo, especially the bathroom, and then worked through the rest of the place until it suited her needs and style. The bathroom was large, with a separate shower big enough for two. She slipped into the shower not waiting for an invitation.
Death stood with his back to the door, under the showerhead, soap running down his naked body. Her blood that had coated his skin was gone. Even though he didn’t turn around, his back muscles tightened. For a moment, she stood there enjoying the way the soap bubbles slid over his body. Giving in to her temptation, she ran her hands up his slippery back.
“Took you long enough, kochanie. I almost gave up hope.”
“I’d never leave you in here to scrub your own back, not with the implication of sex,” she teased. She gently tugged his arm, pulling him closer. “When you came into my life I was ready to fight you with everything I had, but now I realize you were what I was looking for all along.”
“I’ve searched centuries for you. It’s truly amazing to have you in my arms, to know my search is over. I love you, kochanie.”
“I love you too.” She ran her hands over his wet chest.
Pushing her up against the shower wall, he crushed his mouth to hers, and slid his hand between her legs. Unerringly finding her core, he teased the bundle of nerves and dragged pleasure from her in hard, hot waves. She moaned around his unrelenting kiss. He held her captive against the wall, his fingers thrusting into her as his thumb continued to wring more pleasure from her core. Fierce desire rose within her like a tidal wave smashing through a dam.
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