Lucifer holds out his hands, and those same flames from earlier appear. At least this time my fire alarm won’t go off.
“The fastest way is through a portal,” he says. Then he chants something in what sounds like an ancient language made up of guttural sounds under his breath and flicks his wrist.
Before us, an arched doorway appears, made of the flames themselves.
“We’re supposed to walk through fire?” I ask.
But my fearless daughter is already approaching the door. I reach for her hand but she touches the flaming doorknob. “It doesn’t hurt, Mommy. See?”
Without hesitation she twists the knob swinging the door wide open. With a squeal she launches her way through the door and out of my sight.
“Mandy!” I run forward without thought, and as I move through the frame of the door I feel a shiver travel up my spine. My skin feels electrified, sizzling with a magical energy. I feel weightless for a moment, and then my feet slip on dew wet grass and I barely manage to stay upright. A solicitous hand slips under my elbow to steady me, but I shake it off. “Mandy, get right back here.”
It’s dark, but there is no missing the bright blue of her snow suit and jacket. She’s twirling in a slow circle, her mouth open in a wide ‘O’. “It’s like a fairytale!”
Taking in her amazement and wonder, I realize she’s in no immediate danger, so I look around too. I expect rocks and fire, dank smells, and scorching heat. Brimstone and torture. The usual hellscape.
I am incredibly wrong.
The air is cool, but not cool enough for the amount of clothing I’m wearing. A soft breeze tickles my skin and lifts my loose hair from around my shoulders. The air is so sweet I can almost taste it on my tongue. Crisp, clean, and devoid of any sort of pollution. It’s something I’ve never experienced. I doubt even the air at the very peak of Monte Picchu is so fresh. Untainted by pollution, untainted by humans, untainted by evil.
It is only in this moment of experiencing such purity that I realize how toxic my normal environment is. Like coming out of an abusive relationship where you think that’s the norm, and finding out it’s not. That there can be kindness and goodness in others. Like seeing the sun and the moon for the first time.
I turn in a slow circle to take it all in, and I see the fiery door I just came through disappear as Lucifer steps through.
The largest trees I’ve ever seen surround us, almost blocking out a clear, star-studded sky. In the lichen, different shades of flowers are peppered at their base. Amongst the branches, soft orbs of light float here and there like fairies. I spin in my own slow circle and take an even better look. In the distance I can see the glimmer of lights that must be from a small town or more likely village. Is it populated by demons? It feels more likely we will run into a fairy or a unicorn rather than a famed creature of hell.
Modern religion is wildly off the mark in its understanding of hell, it seems.
But that’s not what stops me in my tracks.
Behind us stands a castle straight from the bedtime stories I read Mandy every night.
Beige stone that shines softly in the moonlight, a drawbridge made from the smoothest wood I’ve ever seen, turrets that would make the buildings in Manhattan jealous, all surrounded by a moat of crystal clear, teal water. Vines creep along the stones, purple flowers blooming even in the dark. Glowing gems the size of my head light the path along the bridge. Crystals are arranged in a delicate swirling pattern above the arch of the castle entrance and along the visible windows.
My wildest imagination could not have conjured a place such as this.
“I thought we were going to hell?” I say the words quietly.
“Not what you expected?” Lucifer whispers in my ear. His soft breath tickles the hair tucked behind my ears.
My heart speeds up and I bite my lip. My knees feel a little shaky at the warmth so close to me. Not trusting myself, I nod my head in reply to his question.
“Let me guess. You imagined lava, dark rocks, and the screams of tortured souls?”
I nod again before I realize that might be rude. I turn to look him in the eyes, intending to apologize, but instead I suck in a deep breath, my body responding viscerally to his nearness. His face is so close to mine, the dark pull of his eyes mesmerizing. The allure of his lips, parted slightly as if in anticipation, so hard to resist.
“I--I--um.” I take a step back and brush at my coat while trying to regain my composure. I feel bad at first but then decide if I only have one night with Satan himself, I’m not going to hold back. All cards on the table. “Yeah, you’re right. That’s exactly what I pictured. Maybe more blood and some demons running around too.”
He chuckles but quickly turns serious. “You’re right of course. There are levels of hell full of blood, levels full of demons, levels full of lava that glares against dark stone walls. And yes, levels filled with the screams of utter agony.”
I meet his gaze and shudder at the intensity. “I was beginning to think you might not actually be the Devil.”
“Oh, I’m most certainly the Devil, Lyla. I might be a refined gentleman, but never forget it is my duty to punish those that deserve it.”
“How do you know they deserve it?” I don’t break eye contact. I don’t think I can. I feel a pull to him that’s intoxicating.
“Is this part of our deal?” He asks, his voice deep and resonating, a caress of sound. “Part of the truth you seek to understand?” His eyes narrow.
“Yes.” I lift my chin. “How do you know someone deserves to be punished? You keep talking about levels of hell. How do you know who deserves what punishment?”
His narrow eyes assess me quickly before glancing in Mandy’s direction. I look over to see her giggling as some of the glowing orbs dance around her.
“With a look.”
I jerk my gaze back to Lucifer. “A look?”
“With a look I can see all the sins committed in a person’s lifetime. It’s that simple, that quick. Then I sort the souls into the level they deserve.”
I wrap my arms around myself. All my sins lay bare before this man. What counts as a sin? Envy, greed, lust… oh, boy. I’m definitely full of lust, which means sin. There was also that one time I backed up into a car in a parking lot and didn’t leave my identification. There hadn’t been any marks on their car, so did that count? And what about the time I snuck into my best friend’s parents’ liquor cabinet?
“Don’t worry. That thirty-year-old bourbon you nicked from the Jackson’s house is very low on the sin-o-meter. Though, I must say, you were far too young to truly appreciate what it was you were drinking.”
“Hey! Jessica drank it too!” I push his shoulder. “And don’t do that!”
“Do what exactly?” Amusement sparkles in his eyes.
“Read my mind… or my sins, or whatever.”
“Well, it was right there on the top of everything. Unless you’d rather discuss the lust.” His gaze turns hot, serious, penetrating. His lips part a fraction and, as if I’m inheriting his power, I swear I can taste his desire for me. It’s a disorienting moment and I sputter and turn away from him to look for my daughter. It has nothing to do with hiding the red I can feel flaming my cheeks. “Mandy! We should hurry. Time is ticking.”
Lucifer snorts beside me then picks up the red bag of Santa gifts and throws it over his shoulder.
“You’re right! We need to deliver these presents!” He says. Mandy runs over and grabs my hand. “Mr. Lucifer, can I come back here another time? I want to play with those lights some more.”
“Mandy!” I’m shocked at her audacity.
“I’d be honored.” Lucifer smiles down at her as he starts walking toward the drawbridge. “But those aren’t lights.”
“What are they?” Mandy reaches out and grabs his free hand with hers.
I open my mouth to say something, but the smile that lights Lucifer’s face is so pure and full of delight, I remain silent.
“Souls
,” Lucifer explains. “Those are the souls that have served their punishment and are awaiting reincarnation.”
Ice runs down my spine and I look back over my shoulder at the lights--no the souls-- of people so evil they had been sent to hell. I let them play with my daughter simply because they were pretty and seemed harmless. Isn’t that how it always is?
“But those souls weren’t mean! They were nice and complimented my hat.” Mandy wiggles her head so the fluffy ball on top of her head wiggles.
“Well, that’s the point. Their souls came here after leading horrible lives. They needed to be punished for all the bad things they had done. Their punishments are designed to help them better understand themselves and the impact they had on others and the world. You could say… they’re dirty and need to be cleaned.” Lucifer’s face takes on a thoughtful expression and once again he sounds more like a professor. “Once they’ve worked off all the negativity they spread or created in the world, their soul is cleansed and sent back to Earth to learn more. Indeed, they are now the most innocent beings in hell. Well, except for you two.”
I watch as he winks at her.
My heart stutters again, leaving me feeling a little light headed.
Trying to regain some control I turn the conversation back to my original question. “So, you can see and weigh a person’s soul with one look. It is all up to your judgment.”
“That is my gift.” The words are light, but I feel an undercurrent of something I can’t quite put my finger on. Dread? Reluctance? Maybe even loneliness.
What must it be like to be able to see everything horrible a person has done in their lifetime? I shake my head. That’s not a gift. It’s a curse. To only ever see the bad in people… that’s depressing.
It also probably doesn’t leave him with many friends. Who wants a buddy who knows every time you cheat a little at work, clock out early, or don't report all your tips?
We are nearly to the bridge when I feel his eyes on me. I look up and see a gentleness I never would have expected from the devil… but from Lucifer? Yes. When did I begin to see Satan and Lucifer as two different people? Maybe it’s because being Satan is his job and Lucifer is the true identity behind the horns, lava, and demons. Of course, I haven’t seen any demons since we arrived, but maybe they just don’t live in this part of hell.
“What are those?” Mandy asks quietly. I feel her pull a little to the side as if hiding behind Lucifer.
“Aphrodite and Mars,” Lucifer cheerfully replies. “Don’t worry. Just let them get a good sniff of you so they will recognize you the next time you visit.”
I almost make a joke about play-dates in hell, but then before I see the looming beasts leaning over my daughter.
“Mandy!” I start to yank her away, but Lucifer stops me.
“Don’t.” He looks at me quickly. “They won’t hurt her and they need to know her scent.”
I turn back to the monsters currently nuzzling my daughter’s shoulders and stomach. She giggles before reaching up to scratch one large, upright ear. It makes a crooning noise and the other one butts Mandy so hard she falls to the ground.
My gasp is building to a full scream when Lucifer clamps a hand over my mouth. “They’re just playing. They’ve never seen a human child before.” I shake my head but he doesn’t let me go. “Lyla, I would never let anything happen to Mandy or you.”
At his words I stop struggling and try to watch the scene from a different perspective. They may be beasts, but they aren’t really monsters. No, they look like giant dobermans with glowing red eyes.
And a healthy amount of drool.
“Ew, you slobbered in my hair!” Mandy pushes them away and sits up while they take positions next to her, tails wagging. She stands and reaches to pat each one on the head. “Don’t worry, sometimes I drool too. Especially if I’m asleep.”
I reach up and pull Lucifer’s hand away from my mouth. “What are they?”
“Hellhounds, of course.” He steps away from me and motions in my direction. “Your turn. Get a good sniff, you two.”
Suddenly the hounds are at my side pushing their snouts into my clothes. One even lifts up on their hind feet long enough to lick the side of my face, leaving some of my hair wet. But when the other pushes its snout between my legs I decide they’ve gotten my scent by now.
“No. That’s off limits.” I bop the hound’s head.
He leans back and cocks his head as if daring me to smack him again. He moves his head in my direction again and I step back. He steps forward. Again I retreat. Again he steps forward. His tail is thumping the ground in a steady beat.
“I said no!”
Mandy giggles and points at the hound. “He’s just making sure his sniffinator is working.”
“That’s enough, Mars. We don’t have time to play chase.” Lucifer reaches over and pets the hound’s head. Where I can almost look Mars in the eyes, Lucifer is more than a good foot taller than me and his hand rests on the hound naturally. As if the Hellhounds were created especially for Lucifer and his dimensions. “Now, let’s get inside and figure out what we need to do.”
Aphrodite and Mars flounce back to their posts on some unseen signal and we cross the bridge.
I marvel at the architecture as we pass under the entry. It straddles the line of being entirely unique but also somehow familiar. The seams between the stone are smooth, the blocks themselves are some sort of stone I can’t identify. I reach out and trail my fingers along the surface. It’s smooth, warm and dry.
“You won’t find that stone anywhere on Earth.” Lucifer notes my interest. “It’s cultivated from one of the levels of hell.”
I snatch my fingers away as if burned. The stone doesn't seem quite so pretty now that I know how it got here.
“You’re bothered that demons and sinners shaped these stones?” Lucifer stops and looks at me.
“It’s not my place to judge.”
He nods his head. “Do you know what I see when I look at this?”
“No.” I shake my head.
“I see effort and potential. I see remorse and hope. I see new beginnings.” He presses a hand to the wall. “I know these souls worked off their debts and started anew. I see second chances. These stones hold the warmth of souls wishing for a better future.”
“I hadn’t thought of it that way.” I feel a little embarrassed. “You make hell sound like a much nicer place than I’ve been taught to believe.”
“There is darkness and pain. There is unimaginable agony on some levels. But it all serves a purpose.”
“And it’s not endless,” I say.
“Well, that’s debatable, but perhaps we could save that discussion for later. We have a lot of catching up to do.” Lucifer shrugs.
He has been honest with all of my questions up until now, so I decide to let this one go. Instead I look around the courtyard. Crystals float about, their facets reflecting light from the moon and glowing gemstones. It’s like walking inside a kaleidoscope.
I can hear the light sounds of water in the background and look around but don’t see a fountain. Maybe it’s in another room? There are doors and corridors leading off in different directions that have my curiosity spinning. What type of wonders might be hidden in Lucifer’s palace?
I look back at the man currently pointing to different crystals floating in the air and explaining them to Mandy. My heart does that increasingly familiar flutter. Why does seeing him with Mandy make my brain turn to mush?
“So, do you think we’ll find a list in this bag?” Lucifer asks.
Mandy looks up in horror. “Oh no! What if he keeps his list in his sleigh?”
“Let’s go to my office and find out.” Lucifer takes the lead, obviously at home. With his free hand he loosens his tie before running his fingers through his unruly hair. “Please forgive me, but we don’t have an elevator.”
His warning is just in time to keep me from tripping over the first step of an elegant staircase. When he gl
ances in my direction with a flash of perfect white teeth, I’m certain he did it for my sake.
I follow him up the beautiful, grand staircase and through a hallway lined with paintings that belong in museums. In fact, I see a few that I’m certain are hanging in museums and zealously guarded on Earth. Are these the real things? Are the ones locked away the perfect replicas?
Lucifer stops at a large door before flicking his fingers at the doorknob. It twists and flings open. He strides into the room and we follow quickly behind him.
What looks like Lucifer’s personal office is large and warm, filled with the crackling sounds of fire in a fireplace, the flames dancing shadows off the walls. Mahogany bookshelves line the walls and are heavy with leather bound books, ancient parchment scrolls and tablets carved with the glyphs of dead languages. I inhale the scent of burning wood and old leather and smile.
“Have you read all of these?” I ask. I’ve always loved libraries and this one is filled with treasure.
Lucifer dumps Santa’s bag on the ground and looks over at me with a mysterious smirk on his perfect lips. “Read them? Yes. In fact I’ve written many of them.”
I’m honestly stunned and his smirk turns piercing. “Surprised the Devil is so scholarly? You shouldn’t be. I am the first to tempt humanity with knowledge after all. If not for me you’d still be stuck in the Stone Age.”
Huh. He’s got a point there. I’ve never really understood why Eve was punished for wanting knowledge.
He turns his attention to Mandy and smiles. “Well, dive in kid!”
Mandy wastes no time. With a squeal of glee she unties the bag and pulls open the velvet fabric, gasping in shock when she sees what it contains.
6
Lucifer
Humanity has never collectively been more consistently wrong about anything as it has about me and my role in the fall of Eve, if you can even call it that. Humans always have needed to demonize something…me. Women. Anyone who doesn’t look like themselves. Anyone who comes from elsewhere. It’s an inherent flaw I’ve seen poison every single civilization since the dawn of humankind. And I see no indication it will change anytime soon.
Unholy Night: A Paranormal Holiday Romance Page 5
