2 Pocket Full of Posies

by Angela Roquet

  I glanced around the condo and sighed. The hounds’ bellies were full, and they were already napping on the rug in the sitting room. I was actually too tired to sleep, and my brain hurt something awful. Purgatory sounded pretty good about now. I grabbed my jacket and slammed the front door behind me.

  It was a cooler night than usual, but I didn’t mind. The breeze felt nice. I had only made it a couple blocks away from Holly House when an overwhelming sense of doom set in. The street lamp above me flickered and went out. I stopped and took a look around. The sidewalks were empty, an alarming situation in any big city. The hairs on the back of my neck stood at attention while every muscle in my body tightened, subconsciously preparing for whatever lurked in the dark. A hiss rolled through the air behind me, snapping furiously in my ear as something sliced through my jacket and up my back. I screamed and dropped to my knees.

  I struggled to catch my breath. The sound came again, fiercer and quicker, biting into my flesh and sending me squirming against the pavement like a worm sizzling in the sun, certainly not the most elegant blow I’ve taken. The disappointment was almost worse than the pain. All that damned training, going to waste.

  I wedged my elbows underneath me so I could roll onto my side and glare up at my attacker. She was bad news all the way, and I was raw hamburger on a demonic cooking show.

  She couldn’t have stood any taller than I, but her leathery black wings stretched out, extending the height of her horror to monstrous proportions. From my defeated position, I had a perfect view of her glossy black pedicure. It matched her black dress and the sandals laced up her taunt calves. Her skin glowed a pallid shade, just a hint grayer than my own pinkish tones, and it seemed to peek out like twilight from underneath her cursed Tinker Bell getup. Black curls hung down to the bend of her knees. She was easily breathtaking, though my breath was tortured by her less admirable characteristics, like the glinting barbs of the whip clenched in her dainty hand.

  Slowly, she tilted her head and admired the short work she had made of me with a lucid grin. A single drop of blood oozed from one of her black eyes and slid down the apple of her cheek.

  “Hello, little reaper,” she whispered. Her voice vibrated with a pleasurable purr. The best I could do was grunt.

  I highly considered playing dead, but the deities are not so easily fooled. And though I didn’t recognize her, from her glow of power I could tell she was some form of lesser deity. I was fucked.

  Worse than that, and despite the agony I was in, I felt a pinch of guilt for Bub. Granted, I wouldn’t be around to see how creatively the committee would punish him, but I knew they would. And it would be all my fault. I should have begun my training sooner. I was an imp, and I was about to pay for it.

  In my last moment of despair, a sharp pain bit into my leg and I remembered the strap of throwing stars Bub had buckled to my upper thigh before I left his place. The memory would have made me blush, but there would be time for that later I told myself, feeling a bit less like road kill. I rolled onto my back and seized a star. The lovely demon’s smile wavered as she lifted her chin, eyeing me with amused curiosity. I smiled back this time and hurled the star at her. It made a juicy thud as it sank into the pearly flesh of her bosom.

  “Ingrate!” she hissed. “Yours will be a bloody fate.” She dug the star from her chest, hardly wincing, as she cracked her whip again.

  I fumbled to my feet and shakily fetched another star. A little damage was the least I could do. Bub wouldn’t be entirely disappointed in me. Who knew, I might even end up with a memorial statue in the park. My back ached, and I could feel the sting of sweat trickling down into my wounds. A light mist rose up from the street, growing thicker with each crack of bat-lady’s whip. She lashed out at me again, but I dove away from her, throwing another star in her direction. The second one nicked her calf, hardly shifting her focus as she struck her whip again like a python with a twenty foot range.

  I reached for another star just as the goddess’s whip coiled around my wrist. I had a moment of pure terror as I gasped and jerked my gaze up to meet hers. Her cruel smile returned as she wretched me up into the chilled night air.

  Everything froze. For one peaceful second, I was suspended above the city and the fog below. The street lights flickered, shrugging off the spell I hadn’t noticed until too late. I sucked in a breath of air, feeling the dread and doom leaking from every pore and escaping back into the night. The bitch was mine.

  I took advantage of the few seconds I spent plummeting back to the street below and sliced the star in my free hand across the whip. It spiraled away with a hiss, miraculously giving me enough time to roll over like a cat and land on all fours.

  Bat-lady’s disgruntled rage shook the streets of Limbo, rattling store windows and sending me scurrying to my feet. I tucked my last two stars into the palm of one hand with a quivering breath, trying not to notice the swelling in my limbs. I had the hopeless feeling that I should just give up. If Seth was so bent on destroying me, was there really any point in fighting? I mean, he had the power to take down Osiris at one time. Of course, Osiris had a devoted goddess of a wife who had the power to resurrect him. Me? No such luck.

  The dark goddess reeled her whip back, ready to slash me to ribbons, when a sickly buzz filled the air. She looked up just in time to spot a swarm of insects before they descended on her. Ripe howling swallowed up the night. I spun around, a tsunami of relief spilling over me.

  “Miss me, love?” Bub perched on a roof across the street. The black lapels of his jacket flapped around him as he leapt down to join me.

  “You… you were,” I gasped, gripping the stars tighter.

  “Watching?” he offered. “Supervising?”

  “Spying!” I choked out, but the grin threatening to rip my face in half killed the accusation in midair. I was going to live after all.

  Bat-lady’s shrieking stopped suddenly and was replaced by a sharp pop accompanied by green smoke, like someone had just uncorked a bottle of vaporous poison. Bub waved his hand, fading his winged warriors back into nonexistence.

  The fog had died down and so had my nerves. Now I was just shaking uncontrollably as the adrenaline fizzled out of my system. The city turned gray and spotty. Street lights glared harsh reflections from every puddle, dully animating the lingering steam of battle. I wrapped my arms around myself and squeezed, trying to maintain a sliver of focus.

  “Lana, are you alright?” Bub took a step towards me. His grin drooped and concern flicked through his dark eyes. I gave him a whisper of a laugh as the world faded and I tumbled into his open arms. Either my eyes were still open, or tarantulas were mating on my eyelids. I could hardly bring myself to care. Bub was saying my name, over and over, and somewhere inside, I was smiling.

  Chapter 18

  “If you don’ take care of yourself,

  the undertaker will overtake that responsibility for you.”

  -Carrie Latet

  Meng’s little temple was becoming a familiar sight. Unfortunately, that meant the nasty tea was becoming a familiar taste, and worried bitching was becoming a familiar sound.

  “Stupid girl,” Meng mumbled to herself as she arranged her tea tray on the bedside table. “Always in trouble, wasting my precious tea.”

  “Precious?” I croaked.

  “She awake!” Meng hollered over her shoulder, ignoring me. She scooped up her tray and left just as Bub walked in.

  “Hey.” I sighed.

  Bub frowned and sat on the edge of my bed. “Never a dull moment with you, eh?”

  “I’m just tons of fun.” I gave him a cheerless smile.

  He took my hand in his, sending my heart racing. “That was Tisiphone,” Bub said quietly. “She’s the fiercest of the furies, the angry daughters of the night. Until very recently, she was employed in Tartarus, torturing the souls of murderers. Unless she’s shrugged her morals along with her employer, you’ve got some explaining to do.”

  “What do you mean?”
I said, fearing I already knew his answer.

  Bub met my pleading gaze. “Tisiphone might have joined Seth and Caim’s army willingly, but she will not attack another unless they fit her profile. She only torments those who have committed an unforgivable murder.”

  He leaned in closer, leaving only an inch between us so we wouldn’t be overheard. “Who was it, Lana?”

  I opened my mouth, but I couldn’t make anything come out. It was answer enough. Bub let out a slow sigh and rested his forehead on the headboard. “Lana. What am I going to do with you?”

  “Who else saw Tisiphone last night?” I asked.

  Bub lifted his head to frown at me. “Not a soul. I told Meng and Cindy it was just a rogue demon, but you’ve got a serious problem on your hands.”

  “No kidding.” I laughed and held up my bandaged arm. “I’ve got tests to take and papers to write.”

  “If Tisiphone is after you, she won’t stop until the job is done. Especially after tonight. If she shows up again, I don’t know how you’re going to explain her presence to Grim.” He looked genuinely worried about me.

  I had to smile. “Let me worry about Grim.”

  “Am I interrupting?” Maalik crossed his arms and leaned against the doorframe. His eyes flicked down just as Bub released my hand and stood.

  “No, not at all,” Bub answered. “I was just making sure my pupil would be well enough for class tomorrow.”

  “Are you so concerned about all your pupils?” Maalik was steaming. I could almost smell the hellfire brewing in him. I shuddered.

  “Someone needs to be concerned about her.” Bub turned to face Maalik. The teasing mood he normally portrayed in these uncomfortable situations was gone, and so was Maalik’s patience.

  “Why do you think I put her up at Holly House?” he hissed.

  “Well, we see how much good that did.”

  Maalik snarled at him, balling up his fists as his eyes began to swirl with flames, a dangerous warning I had never witnessed before.

  “Please, you guys, I think I have enough turmoil in my life right now.” For once, I was actually looking forward to Meng’s tea.

  “Of course.” Bub’s jaw clenched. He reached back to pat the top of my hand, never taking his eyes from Maalik. “You rest now, dear. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Maalik’s eyes didn’t lose their fury until Bub stepped around him and disappeared down the hall. Then he turned to me and sighed. The fire swirling around his pupils faded to a smoky gray and then shifted back to their more soothing brown. Part of me was relieved I had never induced that much anger in him, but that didn’t mean I was going to bow down and let him have free reign over my world. A line had to be drawn somewhere, but I was beginning to get the impression that Maalik was blind when it came to those lines.

  “He saved my life tonight.” I shoved myself back further into the pillows, relishing in the comfort more to ease my mind than my aching body. “You’d think you would have shown him a little gratitude.”

  “Lana.” Maalik managed to look hurt a split second before he looked embarrassed. “I’m sorry, I just don’t trust Beelzebub, or any demon for that matter. I know you’re doing this for Cindy’s vote. I guess I just wish she had found another way to help you without involving the Lord of the Flies.”

  “Why? Bub is the best Cindy has. Who could do a better job than him? And in case you haven’t noticed, I need all the help I can get.” I closed my eyes and clenched the bedspread in my fists, trying not to let the burning lashes on my back distract me. Maalik was getting too good at manipulating me when I was weakest. I needed to put a stop to it, but that was going to be tough to do all banged up in Meng’s guest room.

  Maalik pulled up a chair next to the bed and slid his hand under mine. “Lana, you should really wait until next year to apply for the Posy Unit. Limbo City just isn’t safe right now-”

  “Maalik.” I gritted my teeth and glared at him. “I’m kind of in a lot of pain right now. So if it’s all the same to you, I’d prefer to be rested and healed before you go trying to arrange yet another aspect of my life without my consent.”

  He pressed his lips together and looked down as I pulled my hand away from his. The line had been drawn. Now it was time to see if he respected me enough not to cross it.

  “Well, I guess you should at least know that Grim has two nephilim escorts waiting outside for you. That first attack was obviously not as random as we had thought, and he doesn’t want to risk losing you and what you know to the rebels.”

  I arched a brow. “Great.”

  “So it would probably not be such a good idea to visit Coreen’s memorial any time soon.”

  I narrowed my eyes at him. He stood and bent over the bed to kiss me softly on the cheek. “Rest well, Lana. I’ll see you later.”

  After he left, I let out a long breath. Things shouldn’t have been this difficult between us, but then again, I had never dated a council member before. Maybe all men with power were this controlling. Hell, maybe the women were too. Maybe that’s why most angels and deities only mingled with their own kind. It was nearly impossible to find a balance. Whoever had more power always felt the need to use it, even with the ones they loved.

  A rattling at the door jerked my attention around with a gasp. Meng hobbled in, carrying a cup of tea. My shot nerves gave her a small smile of delight. She actually smiled back, which was a little eerie to behold with her stained teeth peeking out from under all her wrinkles.

  “You safe here,” she cackled. “Jai Ling learn very fast. She make special oil for lanterns in garden. It make nasty demons forget why they come.”

  I took the tea from her without hesitation and downed it in one swallow, much to Meng’s surprise.

  “Slow down!” she grumbled. “This not Mao-tai you can throw back like in bar.” She disappeared around the corner to refill my cup, returning with a bowl of rice and vegetables as well. “Slower now. Give drink time to work,” she instructed me before handing the tea over.

  I nodded in agreement as I rolled my tongue around my cheek and crinkled my nose at the awful aftertaste. The rice would help a little, but what I wouldn’t do for a basket of meat and cheese. I could already feel the tea doing its magic on my back. My skin tightened, and I actually felt the wounds begin to draw in on themselves and close. I sighed in amazement, feeling stronger and more at ease than I had in a very long time. The tea hadn’t worked this fast before.

  “You do something different this time?” I gave Meng a skeptical smile.

  She gave a short nod and moved closer, taking the chair by my bed. “And you have my vote, reaper, if you do one thing for me.”

  “Not again,” I groaned.

  Was there a single council member who ever did anything unless it could somehow benefit them? I wasn’t even sure about Maalik anymore, and now Meng too. I should have guessed. It wasn’t like she was a good buddy of mine, going out of her way to ease my suffering, but come on. Enough was enough.

  “Listen here,” she snapped. “Meng help you. You help Meng. Why so hard to do? All I want is you to ask Grim to give me meeting with Fates, like he promise. Ask him, that’s all.”

  “Really?” I raised an eyebrow.

  “No worse than demons.” She stood with a huff and set the bowl of rice down hard on the bedside table before stomping out of the room.

  I sipped at my tea and picked the carrots and peppers out of the rice while enjoying the tingling sensation of my healing skin. It felt like feathers and silk handkerchiefs roaming up and down my spine, giving me some fresh bedroom ideas I decided to stow away for future reference. I’d stomach the abdominal tea for that any day. I had almost drifted off in a blissful, mindless sleep when a sharp knock came at the door. I didn’t bother opening my eyes. I could smell the sniveling swine as he entered my room.

  “You’re building quite a fan club among the demons,” Horus said and clicked his tongue.

  I opened my eyes long enough to glare at him, but e
nded up chuckling instead. He had brought me another basket of meat and cheese with daisies. As much as I hated him for blackmailing me, I couldn’t help but appreciate his efforts to win my favor. It was almost as if he were apologizing in a subtle, god-like way for being the shit that he was.

  “Hand over the basket and I won’t have Meng chase you outta here with her broom,” I said, trying to suppress my smile.

  “With pleasure.” Horus smiled and set the basket down next to me. He waited until I had devoured a few sticks of sausage before taking the chair by my bed. “I would like to know if there are any measures that can be taken, on my part, to ensure your safety,” he said.

  “Ha,” I mumbled through a mouthful of Swiss cheese. “You just want to make sure I don’t die before getting a chance to break the law for you.”

  “Well.” He grinned. “That, too.”

  I swallowed and wiped a hand across my face before pushing my tangled black curls behind my ear. “Apparently, I’m being babysat by the Nephilim Guard until further notice.”

  “Hmmm. I was wondering what they were doing outside. Probably for the best.”

  “Maalik thinks I should wait and apply for the Posy Unit next year.”

  “Does he now?” Horus sighed. His brows dropped into a more thoughtful line. “And what do you think?” Well, he certainly knew where my pride button was. But that didn’t mean I was suicidal.

  “I think I’d like to get this over with sooner rather than later.” Horus grinned again, but I waved him off. “That doesn’t mean I don’t see why he’s so concerned,” I said, setting the basket on the bedside table. “And I don’t think all this extra attention will be very good for the little assignment you’ll be sending me on soon. How am I supposed to secretly tag souls with demons breathing down my neck and guards following me around?”

  “That does present a problem.” Horus propped his elbow on the edge of the bed and cupped his chin. “Anubis will hopefully have some good news for us soon.”

  “He better.” I snatched the pillows from behind my head and dropped them into my lap so I could graze my back against the headboard. Meng’s tingle-tea was wearing off, and my aches and pains were returning with the addition of a horrid itch, prancing along my mostly healed back.