Imps & Angels

by Indra Frost

  Looking them each over, it hurt, but I knew I would have to think about that from now on. No more hoping something would change. The only person that liked me was Lucy. And she was gone. I had lost the only person I could have considered a friend.

  While I loved Clara, it was clear that she didn’t feel the same. But that was okay; I was used to it at this point.

  Mentally putting up a brick wall between me and my feelings for the guys, I started to focus on what we were all doing here. They were here for a job. A job Blayze was supposed to make sure I helped with.

  And I was going to die. There really wasn’t a way around that now.

  Once Greg was dead, and I was going to make sure that he died, I would die as well. I only hoped that my soul was made of tougher stuff than my body, because I knew he would be ready to get revenge for what I was going to do. And he would be more than happy to make it hurt.

  While most demons liked to deal in souls, it was because they created powerful magic and not because they had once been a person. Maybe if we were both dead, Greg wouldn’t be able to use my soul, and I would be free.

  I didn’t think it would happen, but a girl could dream.

  The car ride back to the guys house was as quiet as the walk. An odd tension hung in the air, and I wasn’t vain enough to think it was about me, though I had worried for a moment that it was. Worried they were mad they had to come for me in the alley.

  I decided to ignore the tension and told myself it was because they were tired. Which was probably the truth. They had to be exhausted after everything that had happened. I knew I was.

  We all got out of the car, practically falling out, in my case. My muscles were as tense and sore as my emotions, and I needed some room to clear my head.

  The guys all headed inside, but I stood next to the car, shifting from foot to foot. I should have told them to drop me off somewhere. I wouldn’t be able to stay with them, not while I was trying to squash my feelings. Any show of kindness may be enough to undo the effort I had already made. And if there was one thing I knew; it was that they were good at acting kind.

  I debated between telling them that I was going to leave and just walking off. I didn’t think it was safe to go to the city, not with both Greg and Selasi after me, but I could head into the woods and take some time to gather my thoughts and get my emotions under control.

  The more I thought about it, the more I wanted to stay close to the guys. The trees and forests reminded me of Hell. And while the trees there were more barren and dead looking, something familiar, after everything that had happened, would be welcome.

  I headed for the foliage, the only thing on my mind was suddenly getting into the cover of trees. I needed to go into the forest. I had to.

  “Where are you going?” Walker's voice stopped me, and I turned to find them standing on the porch, watching me.

  I pointed to the tree line, slowing, but not stopping. “I’m going to take a walk and clear my head.”

  “But-” Reed placed a hand on Walker’s arm, stopping whatever else he was going to say.

  “We’ll get some things taken care of and then come join you. It would be nice to get away for a bit.”

  I wanted to argue with Reed, but I realized that they would want their asset to stay close. I couldn’t see anything that I could say to change their mind. I’m sure my reassurances that I wouldn’t run would mean nothing to them. I wouldn’t trust me, a half-breed, to keep my word.

  “Fine,” I sighed.

  I didn’t wait for them though; they would be able to track me easily. Between the five of them it would be child’s play for them to track me with how I was feeling. I'd like to think I would be able to evade them if I was at my full strength, but I didn't know if that was true.

  I wandered for a bit, not in a hurry to settle down when I knew all the guys would be joining me. I had wanted to put distance between them and myself, but they had put the kibosh on that rather quickly. I would love to pretend it’s because they wanted my company, but I wasn’t in the habit of lying to myself; even when I wanted to.

  Finally, I calmed down enough that I thought I would be able to handle being in close quarters with them. I started to look around moving and searching for a spot with the intent of resting for a bit. The impish side of my nature made me want to look for a good place that would make the men who had invited themselves along uncomfortable. It wasn’t a nice thought, but I wasn’t in a nice mood. After thinking about it for a moment longer, I decided that there wouldn’t be any harm in my small prank.

  So that’s what I did.

  I found the spot in the forest that looked to have been hit with a fire recently. The site filled me with an odd sense of nostalgia. I hated Hell. Hated it with everything that I was, but I also missed the familiarity of it.

  Nothing good ever happened for me there, but it was where I grew up, where I was from. Even if I didn’t like it, it was something I knew.

  I smiled, more at the thought of what a messed-up soul I was than anything the view offered.

  My body was sore and achy, so I sat down to rest for a moment, taking a deep breath and wiped the sweat from my forehead. I was a shaking mess, and I probably made myself look worse than before. It didn’t matter though; I didn’t have anyone to impress.

  I tried to ignore the way that thought made me feel. Even if I had the means to make myself presentable, it wasn’t practical. The guys weren't interested in anything aside from using me to get to Greg, and I wasn't one to chase after those that weren't interested. There was also the thought that I liked more than one of them.

  While harems were common down in Hell, they weren't here. It would be considered gross, or wrong if anyone were to find out about my feelings for more than one man.

  I settled further into the ground shivering, the cold seeping into my bones to mingle with the constant pain. It was unpleasant. I felt like ice and fire were fighting inside to see which would get to cause me the most pain.

  I closed my eyes as I curled into a ball to try and get warm. I was used to the heat, used to burning, so feeling such an intense cold was almost more painful.

  I had started to nod off when I heard the sound of footsteps coming my way. Assuming it was the guys I didn’t bother moving, so when something heavy and blunt hit the back of my head it came as a surprise.

  I called out in pain and covered my head in time to stop another kick. I scrambled to get to my feet, but the kick to my head had sent my vision swimming and nausea swam in my gut.

  I stumbled, but I managed to get to my feet and stop the next blow aimed for my stomach. I grabbed the foot and pulled it closer. I brought my arm up and around, swinging it down on his knee. A loud crunch echoed through the barren patch of woods where I had chosen to lay.

  My attacker screamed and fell to the ground when I twisted his now broken leg. My actions made me dizzy, and I had to let him go to keep my own balance.

  “Damn it, now I’m going to have to find someone else,” the words were followed by a crippling pain and my legs gave out as I collapsed in a heap.

  Greg emerged from the trees, my contract clutched tightly in his hand. I was gratified to see a patch of blood staining his shirt, though when he walked the skin was smooth underneath.

  He’d had the time to heal before coming after me, though I didn’t know why he didn’t just force me to come to him. He should have been able to with the contract. I tried to stand, but he just crinkled it more, causing me to fall to my hands and knees once more.

  I dry heaved at the pain, not able to take a full breath as it felt like I was being compressed from all sides. My head was pounding, and I wasn't sure I would survive this for much longer in the shape I was in. I hadn't thought it possible that he could kill me, not while I was under contract, and definitely not with the parchment itself.

  He grumbled to himself about how useless the man who attacked me was. The man in question cried as he clutched his thigh.

  I wasn’
t surprised that he didn’t care for his guard, I was surprised he wasn’t pretending to, though. The guard on the ground seemed to be in shock, but I knew it was the injury and not the lack of love between him and Greg.

  Warily, I watched as Greg stalked closer, his hand firmly closed around my contract. I wouldn't be able to take it from him if I tried, but the thought was there, causing another flare up of pain.

  The second man from the gym stepped out of the trees, watching what was happening, but not saying anything. Greg stopped next to the whimpering guy in front of me. Then, with a quick swipe of his now-taloned hand, he ended the poor sap’s life.

  The other man gulped, looking like he wanted to leave. He glanced back at the forest like he would make a run for it. I almost wanted to tell him to go. To cheer him on.

  “Don’t even think about it,” Greg’s voice was harsh as he stood, blood dripping from the hand not holding the parchment that bound me to him.

  The man froze in place, his face still undecided, but we both knew it wasn’t a choice he would get to make. While Greg may not have any other contracts, that didn’t mean he didn’t have information he could use as blackmail. He collected favors like a child collected candy on Halloween. Apparently, whatever he had on this guy was enough to risk his life for, as he seemed to come to a decision, moving into the cleared area and stopping by my side.

  He bent over to pick me up and throw me over his shoulder. Pain flaring, I tried to fight. Swinging a fist aimed toward his kidney, my arm stopped suddenly. Greg used his talons to press against the agreement, sending knives of pain all through me.

  “You’ve caused enough problems today,” Greg muttered before turning to head back into the trees.

  The guy who was holding me followed Greg, both of them ignoring the body, leaving it for the guys to find. Or, I assumed they would find it, if they actually decided to join me. There was always the chance that they would decide to leave me be and go after Greg themselves. I had caused them enough problems.

  The stabbing, debilitating pain released its hold on me, my body falling limp. My head hit the back of the man holding me as my body went boneless. He stumbled at the unexpected weight and tripped over something, taking us both to the ground. I gathered the strength that I could and aimed a kick to his temple from my new position splayed next to him, managing to knock him out with the blow.

  I scrambled away, forcing myself to my feet, and taking off in the direction that I knew that the guys would be; if they decided to come. It didn’t make sense, but I felt that if I could make it to them, I would be safe.

  They would keep me safe.

  Pain exploded from the brand and spread through my body. Grunting, I stumbled but pushed on. I needed to move, needed to get to the guys. A little pain wasn’t going to stop me.

  “Stop.” Greg’s voice was demanding. “Stop right there.”

  My muscles tensed, the urge to obey my master overriding my will and forcing me to pause my forward momentum. I concentrated, pulling on my magic and the need to get to the guys that was flowing through me to try and make my body respond. I could hear Greg getting closer. I fought the rising pain, breathing ragged, and slowly, more slowly than I would have liked, I was able to take a single step forward. I was panting for breath and I could feel the sweat as it dripped off me. It stung my eyes as it rolled down my forehead.

  The pain got worse the harder I fought. The feeling of knives letting me know that he was using his talons on my contract again. Despair ran through me at the thought that all that was standing between me and the guys, was a piece of paper, and the demon that wielded it like a weapon.

  I opened my mouth before closing it again, scared a scream would escape instead of the scathing words that I wanted to say. I wouldn’t scream in front of Greg if I could help it.

  I pushed harder and managed another single step before Greg was standing in front of me.

  His face was angry, eyes boiling with rage. I didn’t know what he was going to do with me. He knew about my fire now, and I didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t know what he would do. And I didn’t know what he would make me do.

  He raised the hand with my contract, mouth opening with what I knew would be a vicious order meant to make me pay for all the pain I had caused. I braced myself, ready for the humiliation, the pain.

  A figure came out of the trees, before he could say a word, and tackled him.

  I watched, still frozen where I stood. The demon and the vampire tumbling over and over each other, trying to get the upper hand. It was an awkward fight that neither seemed to be winning.

  I watched them fight, unable to do anything else.

  I noticed Greg was trying to kill Copeland, but Copeland wasn’t doing the same. All he seemed to be doing was keeping Greg distracted, using his skills only to defend and not attack. It was curious, and I was both grateful and frustrated that he didn't just end his life.

  If Copeland was here, that meant the others couldn’t be far behind. I listened harder so I could try to pick up on the other guys’ steps.

  Sure enough, the sound of pounding steps was fast approaching. Soon the other four men were with us, surrounding Greg where he was now pinned under Copeland. The vampire had his forearm pressed against the minor demon’s throat.

  It was a satisfying site; one I would remember. Even in death.

  Greg’s eyes looked between their faces, the situation not going to swing in his favor. I smiled, even knowing that if they decided to kill him, I would die too.

  Greg’s expression darkened as he took in the situation, and what was about to happen. He turned his head so that his eyes locked with mine, and I inhaled, knowing before he spoke, I wasn’t going to like what was about to happen.

  “Kill them. Kill them all.” Greg snarled before Copeland cut off his air.

  The contract in Greg’s hand glowed with the order, invisible shackles surrounding me. They stole my breath and forced my body into action. My eyes widened when I started to do as he said, not able to stop myself.

  I sauntered towards the guys, my whip appearing without my calling it. Greg’s eyes widened as I watched something excited enter his gaze. I fought for control of my own body, the pain building, and I wanted to writhe on the ground as I worked to release my grip on the weapon. I didn’t want to do this; I didn’t want to hurt them.

  The hellhound moved closer, and I raised the whip and swung, instinct and orders overriding my need to keep them safe. I stared on with horror at my own actions. The whip made contact with Blayze’s arm when he raised it to defend himself.

  What was I doing?

  What had I done?

  “What are you doing?” Blayze cried out in surprise.

  He turned to face me and tried to pull at the whip that had wrapped around his arm several times.

  “He told me to kill you,” my voice came out sounding pained, my displeasure clear.

  While on the outside I was cold, and collected, on the inside I was panicking. I could feel my magic heating up my blood, my fire trying to escape, but I was fighting it.

  Greg had never forced me to harm anyone, and this was the worst thing he had ever done. These weren’t strangers, these were the men I cared about. This order would have been unbearable even if they were strangers. I fought an internal battle, trying to stop myself and fighting the brand's pain as his order rang through my head.

  It made my body lock up and left me vulnerable to the others, but they didn’t attack me. I was once again frozen, but this time it was in an attempt to stop myself from going after the guys.

  “What are you doing?” Greg yelled at me as he was dragged to his feet. “You’re supposed to be killing them, not flirting.”

  The guys weren’t able to take the contract, their hands unable to grab the paper in the minor demons hand no matter how hard they tried. I watched as it glowed with his order, and they tried again.

  The fire was burning me up inside, trying to escape. Mingling with the pain
from the brand as I disobeyed his order. The chains bound me tighter the longer I fought his control, and they left me sweating more profusely while I panted for air. I couldn’t seem to catch my breath.

  I swayed, my body trying to go forward as my magic pulsed and tried to escape, to incinerate Blayze where he stood.

  “Alyth?” Blayze’s voice was soft, the softest I had ever heard from the hellhound. “What are you doing?”

  I looked up from where my gaze had fallen to the ground, meeting his eyes, and almost losing the fight against my magic.

  “I’m going to kill you,” those seemed to be the only words I could speak.

  My legs were shaking with my effort to hold them in place, with the effort it took not to send my angel fire through my whip to burn Blayze to death where he stood.

  “Then why aren’t you doing it?” again, his voice was soft, the others dragging a still struggling Greg away.

  They looked between us but didn’t make a try to stop me. I wanted them to stop me.

  Why wouldn't they stop me?

  I was burning, again. A pile of ash given human form. Tears escaped my eyes as the pain built, growing stronger the longer I fought his control. I wasn’t doing more than shaking with the building force, but even those tremors sent agony through me.

  It was more than the physical pain though; it was being used to do something against my will. I was a puppet that had no control, and I needed that control to stay sane.

  I could hear him yelling, feel the chains on me growing stronger, but I couldn’t hear the words through the blood pounding in my ears. The sound of my harsh breathing was loud enough to compete with everything else around me. The edges of my vision started to fade, growing dark. But with the change to my vision, I felt my grip on my magic slipping, the blue holy fire starting to form on my hand.

  Blayze’s eyes widened, but he still didn’t struggle to get away. Instead he rested his hand on the whip wrapped around his arm and walked closer. He was closing the distance between us, making it harder to keep control.