Hell Hath No Fury

by Tamela Miles

  Patrick’s voice rang out forcefully. “Pyro, you twisted bastard. We’re here. Let’s get this over with.”

  Silence met his words for long moments before half of the warehouse lit up and Pyro emerged from the shadows on the other side, grinning, in his long, red robe. “So brave, so angry.”

  Elle lifted her chin and met the demon’s gaze. “Where’s our daughter? You asked for our lives in exchange for hers, and we made a deal. If she’s not here and this is one of your fucked-up games, I will slaughter both you and that bitch Cascadia.”

  Pyro’s laugh was guttural. “Slaughter? Interesting choice of words. You and he are not in any position to do anything except what I tell you to. Your lives in exchange for the kid’s…was that not the arrangement? I break my word all the time, but in this instance, I’m prepared to honor the agreement.”

  He called out to Cascadia, and she stepped into the pool of light wearing a matching red robe, holding Madison in a baby carrier. She gave Elle an evil little smile as she set it down at her feet. “See, Ellie. She’s just fine. We fed her, we changed her, sang her to sleep. Well…the nanny did, anyway.”

  Elle breathed deeply in relief. The picture of Cascadia mothering her child upset her. She focused her attention on Madison, drinking in the sight of her. They had dressed her in little jeans and a yellow top. Her eyes were closed as she slept peacefully, and Elle said a silent prayer of thanks. She glanced at Patrick, her heart hurting to see his tortured expression as he looked at their baby.

  Her body began the familiar humming as a portal opened on the other side of the warehouse and Tagas stepped through. He came to stand next to Elle and Patrick, his face grim. “Pyro, can we skip the theatrics that I’m sure you have planned? You’re here to kill two people, and there’s no reason to draw this out. I’m here for the baby, as we all agreed.”

  “Shut the hell up,” Pyro suddenly snapped. “This is my show, and it will go down exactly the way I want it to. Remember, no interference from you, or I’ll kill the kid.” He slowly walked around the couple, giving Elle an appraising look. He stopped right in front of her, raising her chin. She kept her eyes lowered. “You have grown into an absolutely delicious woman, hunter.” He stroked the side of her breast, and she cringed in disgust. “I should’ve nailed you when I had the opportunity.”

  Patrick suddenly stepped forward, catching Pyro off guard with a fisted blow to his face. He spoke through gritted teeth. “You will never touch my wife again.” He reached into his pocket as Pyro struggled to right himself, dangling the amulet from his fingers. “See this? This is your death warrant.”

  Pyro stared in confusion at the amulet as a mass of guardians, dressed all in black, made themselves visible, every one of them clutching glinting daggers. His eyes raced wildly around the open space of the warehouse. Elle’s gaze went from the demon to Cascadia, who was slowly inching toward the carrier. Tagas moved with lightning speed, snatched it up, and cradled it to his chest. Cascadia’s look of panic was palpable, and she froze in place.

  Elle watched Pyro’s expression of confusion twist into rage. He let out a loud bellow and extended his hand. She laughed in satisfaction when nothing happened. “The amulet has trapped you here without your hellish powers. Your hands can’t burn anything. You can’t open any portals to escape through.” She smiled. “You’re screwed.”

  Patrick moved in front of Elle and fiercely punched Pyro in the gut. The demon went down to his knees, grunting and glaring up at them. Patrick wasn’t finished with him, kicking him in the face until he was flat on his back. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for decades.”

  Elle put one booted foot on the demon’s neck and twisted the heel in deep as he groaned in pain. “I’ve been waiting for it almost as long. My husband and my daughter are everything to me now, just as Brandon was a long time ago. Do you even remember him and the way he died? I want you to remember this ass kicking while you’re burning in Hell.” She looked at Cascadia with narrowed eyes. “And you—I wish I could make you hurt the way I have.”

  Cascadia’s eyes were fearful as she backed away. She extended her hand and a portal opened on the far side of the warehouse, crimson lights flickering. “What the…?”

  Tagas smiled coldly. “The only portal opening for you both today is the one that leads to Hell. There’s nowhere to escape to. You have no powers and are outmatched, with zero chance of leaving here alive in your human guises.”

  Elle was on Cascadia in a split second, delivering blow after vicious blow to her face with her fist. She didn’t stop until the demon’s face was bloodied and bruised, pushing her back to land on the floor next to Pyro.

  Patrick swung the amulet back and forth, coming to stand right in front of the fallen demons. “I get that you don’t quite understand what’s happening, so I’ll update you. This piece of Heaven’s glorious history is designed to strip you of everything, including your human guise, and fast track you both back to Hell for at least a hundred long, tortured years.”

  Pyro snarled. “I don’t believe you. You can’t control me with that thing.” He raised his hand in frustration.

  One of the guardians stepped forward from the shadows, a jeweled dagger in his hand. His dark skin had an unearthly glow, his pleased smile bright. “I am Barakiel, and I had to be here to witness this moment.” He kneeled down, slashing Pyro’s chest in the form of a crucifix. The demon shouted, thrashing wildly. He repeated the motion with Cascadia, her screams echoing loudly. The guardian motioned to Patrick. “Place the amulet on his forehead.”

  Patrick kneeled next to the guardian and pushed the holy symbol on the back of the amulet down on Pyro’s face. A bright light exploded from the stone, and he was immediately engulfed in white hot flames. The demon roared in pain and anger as his human guise was consumed. He grabbed hold of Cascadia’s ankle, and she fiercely kicked him off. Moments later, there was nothing left of the human body except a pile of ashes. A black, horned form rose up and hovered before being sucked into the open portal.

  Pyro’s voice carried on the winds of Hell. “Even from here, I’ll find a way to destroy you all. You’ll never have true peace, hunter. You’ll never know when I’m coming for you.” His laugh was maniacal and grating.

  Cascadia struggled to rise to her feet, and Elle pushed her back down. A thundering noise came from the depths of Hell, and a giant black snake with cold, soulless eyes slithered from the portal. The demon’s face contorted in fear as it moved toward her. “No…no! You turned my own familiar turned against me. Fuck you, Pyro. I’ll get you for this!” She screamed in terror as the snake’s fanged maw opened wide and devoured her completely in one gulp, head first. It hissed loudly, exposing rows of sharp teeth before circling around, heading back into the portal. The last thing they all heard before the doorway to Hell closed was Pyro’s insane, evil laugh. As if on cue, the guardians raised their daggers in acknowledgement and disappeared as silently as they had come. Only Tagas and Barakiel stood there with them.

  Elle tightly clutched Patrick’s hand, her heart light with joy. She planted a tiny kiss on the back of it, her gaze catching his. He smiled, stroking her face gently with his fingertips. They both went to Tagas, and she lifted a groggy Madison up from the carrier into her arms. The baby clutched strands of her hair, resting her head on her mother’s shoulder. Patrick kissed her forehead, his hands trembling. She knew that he was also caught up in the sweetness of the moment.

  Barakiel placed an open palm on the top of Elle’s head, a subtle glow emanating from it. She felt warm all over for a moment and looked at the guardian uncertainly. He placed his hand on the baby. “This is my gift to you from God Himself. You and your children won’t have to worry about growing old for many years. You will age as Patrick does. You have a nice long life ahead so, please, enjoy every precious moment.” He turned to Tagas. “A brilliant plan executed. Well done, old friend. I’m overjoyed to have had a part in Pyro and Cascadia’s destruction.”

  Tag
as nodded, and Barakiel disappeared into the ether. Tagas turned back to Elle and Patrick. “Shall we get you and the little one home safely?”

  Elle whispered a little prayer as they headed out of the old warehouse, thanking God for his twin gifts of Madison’s return and the blessing of a long life for them all. Brandon’s face flashed in her mind, and she had a strong feeling that, somewhere, he was finally at peace. She smiled to herself.

  ****

  Ruby set her teacup down, taking hold of Elle’s hand. Her neck was still heavily bandaged, but she looked happy and healthy, as if Pyro’s attack had never happened. Elle and Patrick had come to visit her again, and they sat in her living room, enjoying afternoon tea. Madison chirped in her baby carrier. Elle cleared her throat, overcome with emotion as she clutched her hand. They were all still alive, and Madison was finally back home. She felt blessed and knew she had a lot to be thankful for. “Ruby, we can’t thank you enough for the part you played in all this.”

  Patrick chimed in. “If you hadn’t kept the faith all these years by holding onto the amulet, this whole mess would’ve had a very bad outcome for us. Bless you.”

  The blonde hunter smiled. “I’m just glad I could help you. Pyro and Cascadia are finally suffering in Hell, where every demon belongs. I truly wish I could’ve been there to see it all happen. Tagas brought a doctor here who fixed me up and ordered me on bed rest until I’m fully healed, so I missed the show.” She sighed. “So, what’s next for you two? More of Patrick’s music, which I so enjoy, and your work as a therapist?”

  Elle nodded. “All of that and a long break from demon hunting.”

  Ruby gave her a knowing grin. “Maybe another baby in your future? Lovely little Madison really should have some company and imagine the fun you’ll have making one.”

  Elle and Patrick shared a passionately heated glance before she turned to the older hunter, laughing lightly. “We have no intention of stopping with just Mads…”

  ****

  Elle and Patrick lay on their bed, beneath the warm covers with their baby resting between them. A small night lamp cast their bedroom in a soft light. They spoke softly, hoping she would drift off, though she was clearly fighting sleep as her eyelids drooped.

  “I told you we would get our life back.” He stroked her cheek with light fingertips, and Elle shivered at the intimate contact. “Baby, I would gladly fight in a thousand holy wars right beside you.”

  She shook her head. “But that’s not our life anymore. We’ll only hunt whenever it’s absolutely necessary because our family comes first. I was out of my mind with fear and rage the night I took off without you. I’ll never repeat that mistake. I’m sorry I worried you and gave you attitude when I came home.”

  Patrick leaned over to kiss her lips. “And I’m sorry I went a little crazy like that. You and I—we’re equal partners. I’m not asking for you to be anything else. My life isn’t an easy one. Since we’ve been married, you’ve dealt with more than demons. You’ve put up with the ridiculous life of a moderately successful musician and all the bad that comes with it.”

  “Hm. You’ve never given in to the temptation of the groupie,” Elle mused lightly. “Should I worry about that possibly being a problem in the next five years?”

  He laughed gently, rubbing his wedding band. “Never. This ring and your ring—they mean something. I told you that you belong to me, but that goes both ways. You own me, Elle. My body, my soul, my love is only for you.”

  Elle kissed him soundly before placing her palm to his. A soft glow shone from their joined hands. “My love is like our light—calm, peaceful, and eternal. I’ll forever be your safe haven. Plus, you’re my daily eye candy. Not bad at all for a sixty-five-year-old.”

  He grinned. “Oh, so now I’m old? Way too old to attract groupies?”

  She stroked his bristled chin. “Hardly. But you’re a happily married man so, sadly, the women of the world will never know what they’re missing.”

  He winked. “After Mads falls asleep and I take her down to the nursery, I’m going to jump you and give you the ride of your life.”

  Elle gave him a throaty laugh. “And you’ll like it, if I decide to let you.”

  A word about the author…

  Tamela Miles is a California State University San Bernardino graduate student with a Bachelor of Science degree in Child Development and a former flight attendant. She grew up in Altadena, California, in that tumultuous time known as the 1980s. She now resides with her family in the Inland Empire, CA. She’s a horror/paranormal romance writer mainly because it feels so good having her characters do bad things and, later, pondering what makes them so bad and why they can never seem to change their wicked ways.

  She enjoys emails from people who like her work. In fact, she loves emails. She can be contacted at tamelamiles@yahoo.com or her Facebook page, Tamela Miles Books. She also welcomes reader reviews and enjoys the feedback from people who love to read as much as she does.

  Thank you for purchasing

  this publication of The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

  If you enjoyed the story, we would appreciate your letting others know by leaving a review.

  For other wonderful stories,

  please visit our on-line bookstore.