by Jill Cooper
15: Amara
The morning after left me anxious and hungover. To avoid Lucifer's gaze, I drank and danced in epic proportions. Even I was surprised at how much I was able to put away.
Standing by the window, I swayed on my feet. I rubbed my temple and moaned as Magenta drew the drawstrings of my fitted dress tighter.
“Suck it in, or I may never get this corset to cinch,” Magenta said with strain in her voice.
I stood straighter, but leaned forward on the window pane. “I hate corsets and the regal dress of the court. I rather be on earth in tight jeans. A leather jacket. Even a denim skirt is better than this.”
“You may never see earth again if you don't pull yourself together.”
“And if Lucifer has his way, I won't either. It seems like I'm damned no matter what I do.”
“We are demons,” Magenta raised her eyebrow. “That's exactly what we are.”
“I know.”
“Do you?” I peered down at her perfect posture, her clasped hands. I knew a pointed comment when I heard one.
“I'm demon. Heir to the throne.” I erected my back straighter as she fixed my headdress.
“Don't go soft on me now, Amara.” Magenta patted my cheeks. “There, to return your color.”
Her words were hollow and flat. Lucifer always suspected and to believe otherwise was nothing more than denial. A denial that very well could lead to death.
****
I made my way through the palace. Magenta had a few last minute preparations to make and I was on my own—for now. Once I got to the arena the guards would be on me and so would my father.
I wasn't sure which was worse.
As I approached the double-wide main exit, a shadow stepped out from one of the side rooms. I didn't have to look to know who it was. The air in the room stiffened in only a way Lucifer could achieve.
He traveled a step behind me. By the time I grasped the door knob firm in my hand, he was beside me.
His arms clasped behind his back, Lucifer offered me a charming smile. “I hope you're feeling well this morning.”
“As well as ever.” I offered him a delicate kiss upon his cheek. For such a small gesture, his skin made my lips burn.
“Good. You had quite the fun last night.”
“You know how much I love a good party.” I strolled from the palace and headed toward the red footbridge across the lava stream.
“The parties I throw?” Lucifer laughed. “Hardly. Your presence was missed during the grand speeches. What was it you were doing again?”
My breath stilled, but I couldn't let him see it. “I was taking a nap. Fierce headache. I had to recharge for a long night of dancing.”
Lucifer's eyebrows edged up. “Ahh, yes. That was what Magenta told me. Now, I remember.”
Relieved, I nodded but the pressure in my chest didn't let up yet. Everything with Lucifer was either a game or a trap.
“She's a great caretaker. You should be paying her more.”
Lucifer snorted. “Getting to live and dine in the palace isn't enough? She comes and goes more than any other servant is allowed.”
I nodded. “You're right. Forgive me.”
Lucifer waved his hand away. “She's been like a mother to you since the day you were born. It's not a fault that you think of her that way. Just a matter of circumstance.”
Lucifer licked his lips and I knew he wasn't done with me yet. “Your mother would have been proud to see what a lovely woman you turned into. Even more, when you take your place beside me at the head of the chamber.”
That was yet to be seen, but I took his point to heart. “Charming to the last, Father.”
“I'm only saying,” Lucifer laughed, “to pick an angel champion, defies everything we have tried to achieve here. Your mother died fighting them.”
I hadn't forgotten. I never would. The collective whole of the angels, I would never forgive. Forget. I hated them and they hated me, but Cathal… he was different. He was—
“Point taken, Father. If I slighted you, I'm sorry.”
“Oh?” Lucifer looked amused as we arrived at the arena. We made our way up the stairs toward our royal balcony. “Here I thought that's why you did it.”
I really was transparent to him and that terrified me. If he saw that, what else did he see? Lucifer never revealed what he saw or thought. He’d never allow anyone into his inner musings so completely. I couldn't know for sure.
“My dear sweet, Amara. You've acted like a teenager now for nine hundred years. It's about time you grew up.”
We smiled together and faced the cheering crowds. Our hands clasped, we raised our arms in unison toward the demons and their cheering grew in volume and fervor.
“Keep smiling,” Lucifer said, “these are your people as they are mine. You will take your spot in the inner chamber with me, Amara. Have your flight of fancy, your rebellion, but you're mine. As you were from the day you were born, until the day you meet an unjust end.”
I faced him. “Will you be the one who stabs me with a blade, Father?”
Lucifer's face turned down. “Oh, Amara.” He stroked my cheek with his thumb. “My baby girl. My darling., I sure hope it doesn't come to that.”
Lucifer turned to the crowd with a flourish, immediately turning into the showman he was. Wasn't even important, but my insides trembled. I watched him address the crowd with a dying spirit. A death threat wasn't an easy thing to live with when it came from your father.
Being the devil's daughter was never easy.
I stepped up to the railing as he gestured for me. “Let game two begin!” I yelled as I gazed down at the arena. The game was different today.
There were pits of lava in the arena and in the center a giant pillar. Surrounding the area were hellhounds chained, hungry and snarling. Their red eyes shined in anger as they protected the prize. Three sparkling jewels for the three champions that would enter the final gladiator game.
Getting through the pits would be hard, but getting past the hell hounds would be near impossible without getting torn to shreds.
The cheering grew loud, drowning my own thoughts. Lucifer swept my hair off of my shoulder and whispered in my ear.
“Rebuke him in my name, Amara. Show me my strength still flows through your veins and rebuke this angel so I can remember that you're still my girl.”
I took a deep breath and thought about it. Part of me needed to. Lucifer's acceptance was everything and his death threat loomed over me, but to do that, a part of me would die and be crushed.
Gazing down into the arena, the remaining champions dashed onto the battlefield and in a sea of black wings, was one set of white with gold tips.
Cathal.
My lips pursed together and determination was mine again. I wouldn't rebuke him for Lucifer, no matter the cost.
Cathal would be victorious in the arena. I knew it because he had already claimed my heart.
16: Cathal
The gates opened and the arena was everything angels were taught to fear about hell. Lakes of red with burning fountains that shot flames intermittently, designed to throw us off our game. Glancing to my left, I saw Markus take a low sprinting position.
On my left was Vasper. His eyes met mine and a split second later, the battle horn pierced the air. Like the roar of a lion, the sound chilled my bones and made my ears ring. In an instant, we were off, running into the arena like a stampede. I couldn’t hear anything but our footsteps and the hot sand clogged up my lungs unlike anything else had.
Arms swinging in time with my legs, I gave a battle cry. We were approaching the first series of lakes of fire. Each of the demons veered off to take a different path, some went left, and others right. Vasper kept to my side as we rounded the edges. The fountain in the center jetted up high.
I ducked tight beneath my cape and continued around the rocky terrain.
The next series of lakes were smaller, but the fountains larger—spouted more frequently and cove
ring a larger radius.
But first, to gather some weapons.
I pointed to an archer's set for Vasper. I dove for a sword sticking out from the pebbles at the same time a large demon did.
Gathering up the sword, I held it offensively and swung through the air. The demon jumped back with a scowl on his face. “That is mine, angel.”
I shrugged. “Not anymore.” I offered him a smile. “Good luck against those hellhounds.”
With a guttural scream, he sprinted. I flung back to find solid footing and obtain a better vantage point, but with a demon closing in on the left and then the right, my moves were limited.
Raising my sword, my wings spread and I should've been dead as their hands swung. Vasper struck one on the left, his sword brilliantly glowing red. The tip protruded through the demon's chest.
The focus on the attack was split. I took out the one to the front as the one to the right swung for Vasper. We battled the ones we could. I grabbed his arm as we made our escape toward the smaller pools of lava.
We were however, still not alone. A battle of give and take proceeded. Nipping at my heels, strong hands grabbed me and I had to fight with all my might. Kicking back, I plunged my attacking demon to a fiery and burning death.
Other demons fighting among each other occupied the other side of the arena. It allowed me a moment to catch my breath. My chest rising and falling. My lungs burned for more oxygen and I wiped sweat off of my forehead.
My eyes wandered up for a split second to the royal balcony. From down below, all I could see was the flowing red tapestries that hung over the side. Lucifer's flags broad and sprawling at the top, proudly displaying his family crest. I could barely make out the top of Amara's headdress, but I thought of her. Lord, how I thought of her. My heart had never been the same since meeting her.
But I was torn between what was right and what was duty. She was demon, but part of her—how would I ever choose?
Vasper nudged me with his elbow. His face showed signs of fatigue, but his smile was as gracious as ever. “We're not through this yet. Hell hounds are next.”
I nodded with resolve and pulled my eyes away from the balcony. “Then let's solider on.”
I had a gem to retrieve. A soul was on the line and no matter where it came from—who it was, an angel never gave up on a lost soul.
****
We continued past the last lava pond. Mounted in front of us, were four pillars made of gold with intricate red veins. Not smooth, but with crevices for your hands and feet, climbing would still be challenging—but not impossible. If not for the hellhounds chained to the base.
We stood, just out of harm's reach. They snapped their teeth and lunged for us, only to be yanked backward by their chains.
Their mouths foamed and their red eyes bulged. These hellhounds weren't just angry, they were hungry. Nothing like the delicacy of angel flesh to a pack of hellhounds.
They might not see color, but they could catch my scent. Anxious, my feet bounced me back and forth as I slashed at the hell beast. My sword missed his chest, but his large jaws caught the middle of the blade. He shook his massive head side to side, trying to get it free from my hands and it almost worked.
Almost.
Someone slid into me from behind and I sailed toward the hellhound’s mighty jaws. Tumbling, I gave a yelp and rolled onto my back. The beast was on me, snarling and growling. His giant paws like thunder against my chest—pulling and clawing. Groaning from the slashes, I guarded my face as his mouth came down, saliva dripped off his fangs.
The sword came loose; I grabbed it and used it to catch his mouth before his teeth tore into me. The beast barked wildly and bounced up and down, crushing my ribs. When he howled, his head up, I slid the sword into his belly.
He cried a giant shaking wail. I pushed him off of me and delivered another blow, this one fatal. Blood spilled, a lot of blood, but I was able to roll out from beneath him—just in time for Markus to attack me.
Coming low, I kept my position. He charged, bent down with his sword and I caught him with my free hand. I rolled backward, and thrust him overhead in a thunderous flip and sent him toward another hell hound.
He’d be busy. For a while.
Vasper butted another into the fire as the second hellhound beside us was slaughtered. Large, hulking demons started up the pillars and that’s when I caught sight of the lava flowing down from the top. I yanked him back. “Wait a moment!”
The demons stuck climbing up the pillars were burned and most dropped to the ground, but one flapped his large black wings. He caught air and flew toward the top, no matter what the rules were. Lucifer didn’t play favorites, it seemed. The demon was struck midflight by an arrow in the center of his chest.
His body fell like an eagle to the ground. The lava pits that surrounded us swallowed him whole.
I gulped and glanced at my pillar. The lava had flowed to the bottom and now I made my way up while Vasper rushed to the pillar on my right. We both made our ascension toward the top. It wasn’t easy. I crawled my way over the top of another demon and as others lashed out. Some fell into the lava.
Others kicked and punched me, but I took it. I bit my tongue and pushed on as the gem came into view. Just as my hand wrapped around it, someone yanked on me from behind. He had my cape snared and tugged me back. My fingers dug into the pillar even as more lava raced toward me.
This was it. I had it.
My fingers wrapped around the jewel and a simple organ wailed a mournful song. The demon snapped me back and I fell toward the ground. My wings bound by rope were useless. I sailed, my wings caressing my back and I cradled the simple gem in my hand so it wouldn’t be hurt.
There I fell, barely missing the lava and my outstretched hand overhead. The gem was safe inside, like a baby bird inside a nest. Victorious, I smiled at the crowd as they were on their feet and cheering. Wildly, the demons in the stand performed a roaring wave. I thought it was for me until I saw Markus, and he was equally pleased with himself.
To my left was Vasper, his own gem glowing in his hand. I nodded my head at him and he returned it. “We won today, Friend,” Vasper said. “Let’s see what tomorrow holds.”
The idea of doing this again exhausted me and the idea that Vasper and I would be pitted against each other, saddened me.
As the horn wailed its song, my breath stilled. Amara was standing at the balcony and I could make out the curves beneath her lovely dress. How it cupped her gentle bosom and her hourglass waist. Such a beauty, I remembered what she was like standing in front of my prison cell. I almost longed to be back there so I could gaze upon her without any prying eyes.
“Congratulations, gladiators! My hand in marriage is a step closer for each of you, but the final test will be wrought with danger. Have courage and know my heart will belong to whoever wins.” Her eyes swept over each of us but as they fell onto me, I felt naked in her gaze. I might have imagined how she stared into my soul, but I doubted it.
She might have been speaking to all of us, but her words were chosen just for me.
“But first, tonight a party and tomorrow we will honor the day of Lucifer! Tomorrow night after an afternoon of rest and worship, the final battle will wage for my hand in marriage.” Amara paused as the crowd roared. Still, on their feet, stomping, clapping, and hollering. “The blessing of my one thousandth and first birthday is tomorrow and so will it be for all those expecting a child. Tonight we celebrate as we are all kings and queens. Tomorrow, we wage death.”
She turned her back to us, the crowd, as the drums gonged, the sound echoed loudly in my ears. Her fingers still stroked the top of the balcony’s golden railing and her back stiffened straight. If she was happy or upset, I couldn’t tell.
But I could see Lucifer rise from his throne. He gripped her shoulders and gingerly kissed each of her cheeks. He caressed them, but not the way a father should. Nothing was loving about him. He was a manipulator, plain and simple.
“
This is it.” Vasper stared at me. “We made it.”
I nodded my head, but my stomach rolled. I’d made it so far, but if I had to hurt Vasper in the coming game…I wasn’t sure I could, not someone who had helped me come so far in such a short time.
“Tomorrow, your blood will be spilled in this arena. The both of you. Amara will be mine and I will bed her before the next day dawns, you’ll see,” Markus said.
My heart pounded as he said it. No one slighted her honor like that. So what if she was a demon? That didn’t mean angry little boys like him got to talk about her that way.
But as the guards approached, I had to remain still. Couldn’t say anything. I would be readied for that night’s banquet and I prayed I’d get to see Amara one final time before the last battle. I needed to see her. My body craved it and my heart called out for it. It was time, I thought as the butt end of a spear pushed into my back.
Time to tell her the whole truth. Time for her to know why I had come to her in the first place.
If Amara could listen…if she could absorb my truth, maybe our future wasn’t so hopeless after all.
17: Amara
Cathal made it into the third round. I couldn’t believe it and from the glower in Lucifer’s eyes, he couldn’t either. His eyes simmered and fire flashed in his pupils unlike any I had ever seen.
I held my breath as Lucifer stood at the railing and stared into the arena. Cathal and the other two victors moved out of the arena and Lucifer watched. His fingers gripped the balcony railing, his fingernails grating into the ornate gold display.
Swallowing hard, I waited for him to lash out, but he took a breath and spoke without glancing. “You should go ready yourself for tonight, Amara, so you can get an early start. Tomorrow’s banquet and worship are for your birth and I need you well rested.”
“Yes, Father. Will Cathal be allowed to attend tonight’s celebration?”
Probably the wrong question to ask, but I couldn’t help myself. I was wrong to goad him, but I couldn’t back down. Even if I wanted to shy away from him, I couldn’t. Even more than betrayal, he hated weakness—that much I was betting on. Cathal was my champion and I had to get my point across. I wouldn’t be intimidated by Lucifer.
