Niki Slobodian 03 - Before the Devil Knows You're Dead

by J. L. Murray

  I looked nothing like him. With his angular bones and thick, stocky build, I was his complete opposite. My mother was a slight, small woman, so I always assumed I had taken after an earlier generation of the family, even though I had never met anyone else in the bloodline. I was taller than most women and some men, and stronger than most. My mother had green eyes, where mine – until recently – were brown. My hair was black. Her hair had been a light brown. Sasha's hair was almost blond before he went gray.

  And Natalie. She was crazy, her mind warped by a constant diet of angelwine. But I had always wanted a sister. I always wanted someone to share my secrets, and battle against the world. But if she wasn't really my sister, she could have just been playing me the whole time.

  And I had been easy to play. Desperate for family and a connection. Eager to help the little girl in the box. If Natalie had controlled a strong, powerful angel like Eliza, it was possible that she had also been controlling the Blood the whole time. Or perhaps Natalie herself had been played by Michael. How long had she been doing his bidding? If they had been controlling the Blood, perhaps Natalie had helped manipulate Sasha into releasing Abaddon from Hell. It made sense. Michael had wanted a war so badly. He needed a reason to blame Hell. He'd seen his opening. A Summoner with a powerful ability. Then once Sam had gotten involved, Michael had even more leverage. He knew what Sam would do to protect the world. Like Natalie, he had manipulated his own sibling. Only it was worse, because they really were brothers.

  I looked at Sam. He saw the realization in my eyes and nodded. “I know,” he said.

  And then I realized what I'd seen on Sam's face. It was the realization of betrayal, and the shame of not realizing the manipulation. It was the same way I felt right now. Sam grasped my hand and squeezed it. “We'll set things right,” he said. He let go of my hand and looked up. I followed his gaze to the large main house the color of dried blood. Eli looked back at us, a swagger to his step and a smirk to his face, restored to his position, safe in his own territory. There was a high wall around the compound of the same rough-hewn logs as the arch at the city entrance. Here the logs were jet black and sharpened at the tops. Eli pushed open a gate that swung noisily inward.

  We walked through. Immediately three large demons surrounded Eli, issuing growls and threatening snarls. Eli moved cautiously forward, his shoulders hunched, fists clenched, ready to fight. But almost as quickly the demons noticed Sam and me and immediately backed away.

  “What have you brought here, brother?” said one demon, one of his horns broken off.

  “He's brought Death upon our house,” said the second, his skin as jet black as the gate, his eyes glowing yellow out of their sockets. “And Death's whore.”

  “What did you just call me?” I said. I stepped forward and the demon shrank back. I felt the mist, like white fire, snaking out of my hand as I stepped forward. I grabbed his face and the power wrapped itself around his neck. His yellow eyes widened and he gave a high-pitched moan. “No one calls me that,” I said.

  “I'm sorry,” he rasped.

  “Niki,” said Sam. “That's enough. We have a task.”

  I let go of the demon and walked away. There was the sound of liquid and a powerful stench and Eli snickered. I looked back to see that the demon had lost control of his bowels in his sudden fear. A stinking urine steamed upon the red ground, darkening the area around his feet. I was glad I had moved away.

  “Best not terrify the family, I should think,” said Sam. But there was a look of satisfaction on his face when he looked at the demon. “But,” he said to them, “best not to offend Death either. Wouldn't you agree?” The demons didn't speak any more. They bowed their heads as Eli led us into the house.

  Ten

  “How did I get so lucky?” said Grazial. He was hunched over an ornate cane, his back bent and twisted forward. He shook a stocky demon off his free arm and staggered a little, catching himself with the cane. Sam, Eli and I were sitting at a long wooden table. I recognized it. Recognized the room. I had seen it when Eli touched me back at the Deep Blue Sea. Just as I recognized Eli's father as he limped over to the table across from us. The demon that had tried to help support him pulled out a chair and Grazial sat. “Get out,” the old demon snarled. The demon showed no emotion, but closed the dark, metal doors as he left.

  “Hello, father,” said Eli.

  “Don't speak,” said Grazial, his voice cold. He nodded to indicate Sam. “You bring this into my house. Blood House comes from a long line of bold and brave demon lords. And now this. An angel. An Arch. My own blood betrays me.”

  Eli lowered his head. His horns were black and even in the dark room, through my whitened vision I could see they had a sheen to them. I could also see that there were bald patches on the back of Eli's head. Instead of white skin underneath, there was a scaly darkness. I could see it crawling up his neck as well. Eli was becoming a full demon.

  Grazial chuckled, a deep rasping laugh that sounded like the beginning of a cough. “She sees it,” he said, looking at me. “Soon there will be nothing human left in the boy. But apparently,” his yellow eyes flashed with anger as they looked at Eli, “there is still some left. We will beat it out of him.” He looked back to me and gave me a reptilian smile. “Don't worry, my dear. He will heal.”

  “Lord Grazial,” said Sam. “I apologize for coming on such short notice, but it is quite urgent.”

  Grazial leaned back in his chair. His lip curled as he looked at Sam. “I'm listening,” he said.

  “It is very important that I find my brother,” said Sam. “I've been given to understand that you know where he is.”

  “I'd start in Briah,” said the old demon. “That's where your kind belong.”

  “You know that I am seeking a different brother,” said Sam. His voice was cordial, but his dark eyes were hard. “You also know what they say about playing games with Death.”

  “No, I'm not familiar with that particular figure of speech,” said Grazial, and looked at me. “I know you. You're Slobodian's daughter, aren't you? Looks to me like Death likes to play games after all.” He smiled at Sam. “Tell me, angel. Was it worth it?”

  “Watch your tongue, Grazial,” said Sam mildly. “I could make things very difficult for you.”

  The old demon laughed. “Your threats are meaningless. Angels haven't had a say in Erebos for a very long time,” he said. “I think you know that. ”

  “Perhaps,” said Sam. “But Ba'al considers me a very close friend. Do you think he would like to hear of your rudeness?”

  The smile left Grazial's face. His lip twitched like he itched to snarl at Sam, but he contained it. He studied Sam for a long moment. Neither blinked. “Leave us,” he said finally. Eli stood immediately and went to the doors, where he turned to look at me. Grazial was glaring at me. “You, too, girl,” he said.

  “She stays,” said Sam.

  Grazial glared at me for a moment more. “Go on, halfling,” he called over his shoulder. Eli disappeared behind the heavy doors.

  Sam raised an eyebrow. “You want to tell me something,” he said. “What is it?”

  Grazial leaned back in his chair and looked at Sam. His horns looked as though a great deal of time were spent on their upkeep. There was a sheen as if they'd been polished or waxed. But as I looked at them I could see fissures, cracks and chips. The tip of one was broken. They looked fragile, like a dying human's fingernails. Eli's father was dying. I knew in an instant. I couldn't explain the knowledge, even to myself. But I knew.

  “I don't know where your brother is,” Grazial said. “No one does.”

  “You met with him, though,” said Sam.

  “No,” said Grazial. “My son spoke out of turn. He does not yet know our ways. But he's learning.” There was an odd sort of warmth to his voice. Something like pride, in his own way. Grazial sighed heavily and nodded. He looked very tired. His eyes were bloodshot. “There was a fray,” he said. “The Outsiders. One of them scaled t
he eastern city wall.”

  “There is no city wall,” said Sam.

  “There is now,” said Grazial, his voice now grave. “Something's wrong. The last few generations. Some say it's the angels getting revenge. Putting something in our water. Poisoning us. But they're only children. At least when they cast them out they're children.”

  “What are you talking about?” said Sam. He was frowning.

  “It's not the way. Not our way,” said Grazial. “The other Lords, they've banded together. They say if we keep them out, we won't be cursed. But they are only children.” He frowned and looked down at his hands, wrinkled and warped like gnarled driftwood. “I'm old, angel. No one listens any more. There is no respect. The Lords ignore me. They tell me to go off with the General.” He laughed bitterly. “Imagine. The only other person talking sense is a damned human.”

  “Human?” I said. Sam gave me a look and shook his head. Grazial continued as if he hadn't even heard me.

  “They look the same at birth, you know. The demon children look normal until about their tenth year. Then little things are noticed. Hair, maybe. Perhaps their skin is too soft. Or they cry. Then they cast them out. Their parents don't care. They let their children go like they're nothing. Can you imagine? Their children, their successors. Makes me sick. This is not our way. This is evil.”

  I looked at Sam. He was clutching the table and staring at Grazial. He looked at me, his eyes wide, then back at the old demon. “Are you saying,” Sam said slowly, “what I think you're saying?”

  Grazial looked at him and nodded. “There are more and more living outside the gates. The Outsiders,” he said, “They were born different. The demons of Erebos are becoming human.”

  Sam was quiet for a long time. Grazial had closed his eyes. He opened them now and they fell on me. “You love him,” I said. “Eli, I mean.”

  “I love no one,” he said.

  “I can see it,” I said. “And if I can see it, maybe everyone can see it.”

  “What are you getting at, girl?” Grazial said, his voice dangerously low.

  “The Lords that you spoke of,” I said. “They can't be very happy that you've allowed Eli to become your successor. He's a Halfer. Half human. An outsider himself.”

  “He's my blood,” Grazial said, his voice rising. “He fought his way here, and then he fought his way through all my other sons. He's earned the right to be here.”

  “Do they see it that way?” I said.

  Grazial glared at me, but then he looked down at his hands. “No,” he said. “They say I should throw him over the wall with the others.”

  “This is all very enlightening,” said Sam. “But what does it have to do with Lucifer?”

  “The Lords wanted to send soldiers over the wall,” said Grazial. “They wanted to kill the Outsiders. Just because one boy climbed in to steal some spiced meats. I told the Lords that I had spoken to Lucifer, and he had threatened us with the Scourges if we harmed a single one of them. Eli was there and heard me. I was too ashamed to tell him the truth later.”

  “A demon ashamed?” said Sam. “That's very unlike you, Lord.”

  “I am old,” he said. “Eli's mother...” he trailed off. He shook his head. “I have never forgotten her. And I have been doing too much remembering lately. With Eli here, it's as if she is here.”

  “She's not dead,” I said. “At least as far as I know.”

  “She would never have me,” said Grazial. “Not like this. An old demon, falling apart. Dying. And to go above is to fight. I am no longer able. I am weak.” He looked at Sam. “I'm sorry, angel. You've wasted your time. I don't know where your brother is.”

  Eli led us out of the house. The glowing light outside was almost bright compared to the dark red inside the house. The demons stationed inside the gate stayed well away from us.

  “Niki,” said Eli as we were about to pass through the gate. I turned and looked at him. He was frowning. “I'm not going with you,” he said.

  “That's crazy,” I said. “You can't stay here. We have to stop the war. Everyone is in danger up there.”

  “My place is here now, with my father,” he said. “I can't leave him.”

  “Didn't you hear me?” I said. “Everyone you know in the world is going to die. Don't you care?”

  He looked hurt. “My mother's dead, Nik.”

  “What? When did that happen?”

  “I saw her body,” he said. “It was before I found Sofi. She was in pieces.”

  “Does your father know?”

  “No,” he said. “I don't think I'll tell him. He's pretty frail. Despite his talk.”

  “I gathered that,” I said. “Eli?” He looked up. “You don't seem very upset about your mother.”

  He shook his head and looked toward his brothers by the gate. “I can feel it,” he said, putting a hand to his chest. “But it does no good to show it. It's not the way things are done here. You don't understand,” he said. “You couldn't. It's not your fault.”

  “That's crazy,” I said. “Please, Eli, come with us.”

  Eli looked past me. Sam was waiting just outside the gate. “Things change, Nik,” he said. “You should know that. You could never stay here. I can never live up there again. You go. Stop the war. My father needs me. He's dying.”

  “Why?” I said.

  “Why is he dying?” said Eli.

  “No,” I said. My chest hurt. I still felt something for Eli. Not who he was now, but who he was before. “Why did you have to change?” I said.

  “I had no choice,” he said. “Just like you.” He touched my hand, squeezed it. Images of Grazial popped into my mind. Grazial laying an affectionate hand on my head, Grazial nodding in approval, Grazial coughing over a bloody handkerchief. I let go of Eli's hand. He looked at me and tried to smile. Then he turned away and walked toward the house.

  “You're wrong,” I said quietly. “I did have a choice.” But Eli didn't hear me.

  I joined Sam and the gates banged shut behind us. I imagined they were more than relieved to see us go.

  “Come,” said Sam. “We need a drink.”

  I followed him down a narrow street. The way the demons were bowing to us was starting to piss me off. I knew that if I were human they would tear me apart in a second. But that didn't stop me from glaring at them. Maybe I was mad at Eli for choosing a father he barely knew over the world we once shared. Maybe it was this place, closed in like a tomb, that I couldn't quite wrap my mind around. But I could feel my chest growing hot and I clenched my fists to keep the power inside me.

  “You'd best keep that in check,” said Sam without looking at me. “Don't want them to blame your actions on humankind and start another war.” The thought chilled me to the marrow. I felt the heat in my chest calm to a dull throb.

  Sam led us into an alley between two stone buildings where vendors were selling root vegetables and a slimy white meat. On the right was a rusted door that was heavier than it looked, as I pushed it open in front of Sam. The place looked familiar and oddly friendly. A bar is a bar, no matter what world you're in. Tables and chairs were arranged across the floor, leading back to a bar complete with stools.

  A female demon was behind the bar, her rough skin the color of raspberries, her hard eyes fierce. Sam and I sat down and he held up two fingers. She didn't seem as wary of us as the other demons had been. She came back with two smeared glasses filled to the brim with a clear liquid. The bartender watched me, leaning against the wall behind the bar.

  “You're not afraid,” I said.

  “Why should I be?” she said, tilting her chin up.

  “I thought everyone feared Death,” I said.

  “Anything is better than this life,” she said. She went around the corner and I heard the clinking of glasses.

  “It's best to drink this fast,” said Sam. “It's not pleasant.”

  “What the hell are we doing here?” I said.

  “I thought that was fairly obvious,” he
said.

  “We should be up there, fighting, helping people. Instead we're having a goddamn drink? We need to go, Sam. We need to stop it.”

  “How?” he said, looking at me for the first time since Blood House. “Just how are we going to stop the war, Niki? By killing every angel and demon in the world? Michael will send more. As you can see, there are plenty of demons here that would go up in a heartbeat. Are you going to kill them all?”

  “If I have to,” I said. “There are innocent people dying. They don't even have a chance to fight for their own lives.”

  “And what will happen after this great display of your power, do you think? If you're lucky, you'll be killed while you're passed out. If you're unlucky, you'll be taken by some Hellion who wants to do horrible things to you before he kills you. If you're very unlucky, Michael's angels will take you to Briah.”

  “At least I'll go down fighting,” I said.

  “You'll make it worse,” Sam snapped. “You'll give him a reason to escalate the war. He will spread the killing, pillaging, fighting all over the entire world, for no reason. It's foolish. You still haven't figured out how to think, Niki. All you do is react. We have to be smart. And I think better when I have a drink in my hand. No matter how vile.” He emptied his glass, gasping as he put the empty down on bar. He blinked hard, shaking his head.

  “You're right,” I said grudgingly, surprised at myself. Normally I would have gotten angry if anyone said something like that to me. But I knew Sam told the truth. I shook my head. “I get carried away. I want to fix things, it's my nature.”

  Sam nodded at my glass, urging me to drink. The taste was as terrible as Sam's reaction told me it would be. It was a putrid vodka, and I gagged on it, but got it down.

  “What can we do?” I said after I recovered. “Should we look for your brother?”

  “We have as much hope of finding him as finding the Creator,” Sam said. “He's gone. I don't know where. Maybe he's dead. Maybe the Creator's dead, too.”