I had never considered it that way. It was an interesting twist. Even so, I wasn't exactly keen on the idea of going to Hell on purpose. "I've never been to Hell."
"Which is why you need me. I will bring us to a demon who can open a Rift from here to there, and I will get us back."
"What I'm saying is, I don't want to go to Hell. I certainly don't trust you enough to let you take me there. Besides, you told me you aren't welcome there anymore."
"It will be fine as long as nobody recognizes me. Believe me, Hell isn't as bad as you might be imagining it."
"So Dante's Inferno was completely off the mark?"
"Not completely, but he did embellish a little bit. Besides, that was hundreds of years ago. Things change there as they do everywhere else."
"We should go," Alyx said, speaking up for the first time. "I can protect you. I don't want Abaddon to kill you."
"See, Landon. Listen to your girlfriend."
I glanced back over at her. I knew she was only concerned for my continued existence, but she wasn't helping. "Have you been there before?"
She shook her head. "No. It can't be worse than living with Espanto."
I was willing to bet it could be worse.
"I need time to think about this," I said.
"Of course," Gervais replied. "Don't take too long. The longer we wait to move on Hearst, the stronger his position becomes."
"Gervais, could you wait downstairs or something?"
"Yes. Fine. Find me outside when you've realized that I'm right."
He bowed to me, blew a kiss to Alyx, and left the apartment. I could hear him whistling while he wandered to the stairwell.
"Landon, I don't want you to die," Alyx repeated.
"I know. I don't want to die either. But Gervais can't be trusted. He's liable to bring me to Hell and leave me there. The entire thing about the Fist of God could be nothing more than a misdirection."
"I understand. Espanto also lied often to get what he truly wanted. If you're worried that Gervais will double-cross you in Hell, then we can go without him."
For whatever reason, the idea of going to Hell without Gervais almost made me more nervous than going with him. At the very least he was an experienced guide. If I could trust him even the smallest amount, I wouldn't have to make this kind of decision.
"Who do you know that can guide us?" I asked.
"Espanto knew a lot of demons. One of them was a fiend named Damien. He traveled between the worlds quite often."
"Why does he go back and forth? Is he some kind of messenger?"
"Something like that. He transports artifacts from Hell to Earth. Runed blades, mainly."
"A Divine arms dealer?"
"That's a good way to put it."
"Can we trust him?"
She smiled mischievously. "You know you can't fully trust any demon. He's weak enough that we can keep him in line, and we can give him enough incentive to stay as honest as any fiend can."
"What kind of incentive?"
"Me."
"What?"
"I'll promise to sleep with him if he helps us. I saw the way he looked at me when Espanto visited him. He'll do it."
I froze in place. It was hard for me to see Alyx as a demon. She was so sweet to me and so innocent about how normal human life worked. It was incredibly endearing and occasionally shocking. Despite what Espanto had put her through, and could continue to put her through if he got close enough that his brand put her back under his control, she had a freeness of both sexuality and violence that made me uncomfortable. Maybe my human morals were off-kilter with the reality of the situation. I didn't care.
"No," I said. "I'm not trading any part of you."
She didn't seem disappointed, but she was confused. "Why not?"
"You aren't a thing to barter. You're a living creature. You have a soul."
"A demonic soul."
"I don't believe souls are good or evil. Or if they are, I believe they can change from one to the other. You get to choose what kind of soul you have. You're protective of me because you don't want me to be hurt. I'm protective of you because I want you to be able to make that choice with a full understanding of what it means."
"But you said you don't love me. Why do you want to keep something you don't love to yourself?"
"I don't want to keep you to myself. It's your choice to be here or not. Just because I don't love you doesn't mean I want to see you make decisions that will hurt you. I don't love all of the humans who are out there. I still protect them from the Divine because I believe in their freedom to choose to be good or evil."
She pursed her lips, considering my statement. "I think you do love me," she said at last.
I didn't say anything. Most of our conversations seemed to go this way.
"It is my choice to stay here with you. I will never change my mind. It's also my choice if I want to make a deal with Damien."
She threw me again, turning my words against me.
"I'm asking you not to. We can find some other way to pay him. You're too valuable to spend like currency."
She smiled, her entire posture melting into something entirely different. It was all I could do to keep my heart from pumping right out of my chest, and my arousal was impossible to prevent.
"I love you," she said, noticing my reaction. She was doing it on purpose.
"I know," I said.
In her own way, she did. I didn't feel the way I needed to use those words. I didn't deny that she was incredibly sexy, in part because of how ferociously protective she was over me. I didn't deny that I had come to desire her more and more over the last three weeks. But I was still a virgin because that wasn't a good enough reason for me. There was a huge gap between love and lust that would have to close.
"I'm going to head up to the roof for some air," I said. "I'm not taking Damien out of the equation, but if we need to pay him, we'll find some other way to do it, okay?"
She hesitated for a moment and then nodded. "Okay."
I leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. She nuzzled her face against me.
"Keep an eye on Gervais for me?"
"Of course, Mast... Landon."
I left her in the apartment, moving to the fire escape and climbing it to the roof. Once there, I pulled my cell from my pocket. I needed a little more advice than the people around me could offer.
Seven
"I appreciate that you trusted me with this, Signore," Dante said.
"I know we've had our differences over the years. This one is too big for me to manage on my own."
We were standing together on the top of my building, standing near the edge and looking down at the street below. When Dante wasn't writing notes of our conversation down on a small pad he had brought; I could tell he was keeping his eyes on Gervais, who was standing in front of the deli smoking a cigarette and looking smug as usual. I was switching my attention between the demon, the poet, and Alyx, who was sitting with her legs dangling from the fire escape and keeping close tabs on everything.
"Well, of course, you know the last thing I think you should do is trust that demon," he said. "That one fiend should cause so much strife among the Divine is an offense to the balance."
"To be honest, all of his schemes haven't come to that much. I mean, he had potential with Sarah, but Josette messed him up on that angle."
"I would argue that Sarah tripped him up herself. People make their decisions in life. Even though her mother was an Angel, she could have decided to seek evil."
"I'll accept that. So, what do you think about Gervais' plan?"
"I'll have to consult Alichino about the specifics, but on the surface I believe it would be possible. There is no way to say for certain, however. Your situation is unlike any I have encountered before. Going to Hell, on the other hand? Signore, you do not want to do this thing."
"I've already established what I don't want to do. But I might need to do it. Is it really that bad? Part of the reason I called
you was for a straight answer."
"It has been many years since I was there last. Heaven and Hell are a reflection of humanity as much as anything else. For me, this representation took the form of circles, as I wrote about in the Inferno. You have seen for yourself in Purgatory how things change based on perception. Both Heaven and Hell are no different."
"So everyone experiences it differently?"
"In a sense. What will make Hell dangerous for you is that every being there is a demon. You can trust no one, and they will all be seeking to take advantage of you. Every last one, in one way or another. You must also steel your will against the torments you will see, and remember that these souls are cast down for a reason."
I knew that would be the hardest part. To see people suffering and recognize that it was deserved.
"What about Cain, and Lucifer himself?"
"You will not see Lucifer. He remains in his palace at all times, though his consciousness is everywhere."
"So he can see me?"
"He knows every soul that arrives in his realm. He might be amused by your presence, and he might entertain himself by watching you. As you are a visitor and not one of the damned, he will not intervene in any way. Cain, on the other hand, is dangerous. Very dangerous. I will be honest with you, Signore. I don't know if you can defeat him if it came to a battle of power. You may not have kept enough of it to battle the son of Lucifer."
"I don't want to fight him. I want to sneak in, grab the FOG, and go."
"That may be difficult considering the size of the armor."
"I should be able to carry it. So, you agree with Alyx that I should cut Gervais out of this?"
He nodded. He looked energized to be involved again. "Yes. Even if the demon doesn't plan to leave you there, you will be better off with a guide you can control."
"I still need him to lead me to Abaddon's prison."
"I will work on that, Signore. With Alichino's help, we may be able to determine the location of the demon. Any prison that is strong enough to hold him will have made waves somewhere."
I put my eyes on Gervais again. He was watching a woman who had just come out of the deli. She was black, well-dressed, with a large chest and a plump rear. He dropped his cigarette butt, stamped it with his foot, and began walking along the street behind her.
"What do I do with him?" I asked, switching my attention to Dante.
Dante rubbed his chin. "Hmm... I'll speak to Alichino about that as well. Perhaps we can fit two souls into the Fist of God." He smiled as though he had made a joke. He looked too hopeful to be kidding. "Leave him be for now. You may need him in case we can find no other option. Have your people keep an eye on him, and I will try to help you do so as well."
"Okay. If you learn anything useful, and I'm still in Hell, you can trust Rose or Elyse."
I looked back to the street. Both Gervais and the woman were gone. I knew he had to feed to keep his strength up, and I didn't like having to let him.
"I believe I can trust Rose. The Nicht Creidem are only a little better than the Divine."
"Dante," I said, turning back toward him with the intention of starting an argument about Elyse.
Of course, he was already gone.
Eight
I went back down the fire escape, meeting Alyx there.
"He is feeding," she said. "I can smell the blood and sex from here."
"Don't remind me," I replied. "Come on, we're leaving."
She pushed off with her legs, easily jumping into a stand. "Are we going to Damien?"
"We will, yes. We need to connect with Rose and Elyse first."
"Okay."
I looked her over. She was wearing short shorts that revealed the crease between her behind and her legs, and a tight halter top that did nothing to hide the shape of her breasts below it. I knew she wasn't dressed that way to be overtly sexual. It was the way Espanto had always wanted her to look and she didn't know any better. I'd tried to explain the different kinds of clothes to her, and she sort of understood, but being able to change into a massive werewolf and shred anyone or anything that offended you to pulp made the point moot under most circumstances.
"Go change into something more suited to traveling," I said. "We don't want to attract a lot of attention, and you will in that."
She looked down, oblivious to the wardrobe choice. "If you say so. What look are we going for?"
I had gotten her clothing of every kind to see what else she liked. She had tried it all and rejected everything that covered too much skin. She didn't like the feeling of cloth on her body, maybe because of her heightened senses. I think if it were completely up to her she would have disregarded modesty altogether.
"Let's go with professional and casual," I said, pushing a bit of power to morph my own clothes into a pair of jeans and a sport coat.
"Mini-skirts are so constricting on my legs," she said.
"You have pants."
"Pants make me look like a male."
"Shorts are out," I said.
"I can choose what I wear," she said.
She was still playing with me over what I had said.
"Allie, we don't have time for games."
She stuck her tongue out at me. "Fine. I'll be right back."
She climbed into the window and vanished. I remained on the fire escape, looking up now instead of down. It was a clear night, though the city's pollution left counting stars a dicey proposition.
"Diuscrucis."
Abaddon's voice cut through me, and I stumbled forward, grabbing the railing before I found myself plummeting into more pain.
"Abaddon," I said internally. "What's happening?"
"I am not happy."
"Can you ease off a little?"
The pain subsided. Mostly.
"I don't blame you. Do you know where you are?"
"It is dark. Everything is dark. My power. They take it. It hurts. I do not like pain, diuscrucis."
"I'm working on it. It's only been a couple of hours."
"Hours? It feels like ages. You must free and destroy me, diuscrucis. Do not linger."
"Trust me, I'm not. Ending a demon like you isn't quite like making an omelet."
"I don't understand."
I should have known he wouldn't. At least now I knew he couldn't hear what I heard.
"It isn't easy. I've got a lead. I'll update you if it bears fruit."
"What does fruit have to do with my pain? Speak clearly."
"I'll tell you when I find a way. Except you told me you won't go without a fight."
"Yes. I cannot. I want to end, yet do not want to die."
It was an odd statement. At the same time, I knew exactly what he meant. "I've been there. I'm doing my best, I promise."
"Very well, diuscrucis. I will be waiting."
The sense of him shrank back once more. I heard a rustling behind me, and I turned around to see Alyx standing naked in front of me, holding a different outfit in each hand.
"Which one do you prefer?" she asked, a coy smile on her face.
Again, her actions were intentional. She could have put her underwear on to ask the question. My body reacted to the sight of her, and I stammered out an answer. "That one," I said, pointing at the tweed in her left hand.
She nodded. "I like that one, too."
She walked over to the sofa, put them both down, and began dressing. She did it slowly, deliberately, each motion smooth and languid. It was more comparable to a jaguar than a wolf, and I had to pull my eyes away from her.
Demons.
She joined me on the fire escape a minute later, leaning up to kiss me on the cheek. "I'm sorry," she said.
"No you aren't," I replied.
She laughed. "I'm trying to be what you call behaved, but you are my mate. We should be making pups. I can see how much your body wants mine."
"If that was the only criteria, we'd be on the floor together right now."
"We are mates. I am yours. That is the criter
ia." She took my hand, trying to pull me toward the window. I had to use my power to pull back and remain in place.
"Allie," I said, using my I-think-you're-adorable-but-no voice. She fake-pouted for a few seconds, dropping my hand.
"I had to try," she said.
I reached out with my power, using it to pull the window closed. Then I scanned the street for signs of Gervais. "Do you know where Gervais is?"
She lifted her head slightly to sniff for him. "An alley, four blocks east. Why?"
"I don't want him to see us leave. Come on."
I vaulted the railing and dropped, using my power to land gently on the ground. Alyx followed me down, her legs bending slightly as she hit the ground.
"Rose and Elyse are over at Cheng's."
Alyx wrapped her arm around mine. She looked great in the tweed miniskirt and short-sleeved blazer.
"What are we waiting for?" she asked.
Nine
We found Rose and Elyse in a fairly secluded corner booth. I half-expected that we would be interrupting a semi-public makeout session.
Instead, Elyse had her arm around Rose, and Rose was crying.
"What's going on?" I asked, sliding into the other side of the booth with Alyx.
"Where are you going?" Elyse asked, noting Alyx's outfit.
"You probably don't want to know," I said. "Rose, are you okay?"
Rose reached up and wiped at her tears. "Your timing sucks, Landon. You should have gotten here five minutes ago."
"Why?"
"That was before I asked Elyse what she had to do to become immune to the Divine."
I glared at Elyse. "I thought we weren't telling her yet?"
"It isn't her fault," Rose said, defending Elyse. "I wouldn't let it go. I should have, but you know how stubborn I am."
"Since the cat's out of the bag, what do you think?" I asked. It was insensitive, I know. I was in a hurry.
"About drinking the blood of angels?" Rose looked sick for saying it. "Forget it. If that's what it takes, I'm not doing it. I can hold down the fort, or do some investigative work for you, or just pull the trigger and pray. I won't desecrate God like that." The thought made her tears come harder.
Execution (The Divine Book 6) Page 3
