Oh no, no, Beau panicked. He ran to his room and cradled Maya’s head. She was convulsing, shaking rapidly. Her temperature felt like fire and foam began to pour out of her mouth. Beau placed one hand on the nape of her neck and one on her chest, pressing hard. A white light beamed from underneath his palms as he mouthed a prayer, healing her.
Within seconds, Maya’s pale complexion regained its natural pigmentation. He huffed with breath, sitting still for a few moments, watching her. You’re okay, Maya. You’re going to be okay.
He quietly tiptoed out of the room and shut the door, trying to keep his composure. “She…” Beau shook his head. “Mags poisoned her?” he looked to Gabriel. “Gabriel, her best friend tried to poison her.”
Gabriel was silent.
Beau remembered the moment he learned of the death cap mushroom, how poisonous it was, how deadly. “Death cap mushroom… how did she even get it? I’ve only ever seen it in Europe.” What the fuck is happening?
Gabriel cupped his hands together and released a glowing orbiopal, floating between him and Beau. “We have company, Beau.”
Beau watched a flashback of Siles and Marina, walking hand in hand at the casino. Their red eyes glowed as Marina pointed to Mags and Maya at the bar. Marina hid behind an empty corner and grabbed Keegan, one of Beau’s co-workers. She slit his throat and undressed him in a storage room, handing Siles his uniform.
The crystal orb disappeared into the dim light of Beau’s apartment.
“That explains why Keegan hasn’t shown up in weeks.” Beau kept one hand cemented on the counter. “Who are they?”
“Siles and Marina, two of Lucifer’s fallen. He’s an incubus. He’s attached himself to Mags, to control her to kill Maya.” Gabriel responded.
Beau clenched his teeth. Lucifer was behind all of this. That explains the death cap mushroom. This was the last thing that he could have wished for. He hadn’t told Maya who she was yet and his scars were almost black. Immaculate timing.
“And what of Marina? Who is she?” Beau questioned, sternly.
“Succubus. But they’ve been impossible to find. Lucifer must have cloaked them on Earth.”
Beau couldn’t control the seething anger coursing through his veins. He shoved past Gabriel and made his way for the door. “I’ll fuckin’ find them.”
“Beau –” Gabriel used his grace to seal the entrance.
Beau turned around in anger. “How hard is it to kill a sex demon?” Beau spat. “Put venom in their condoms.”
Beau teemed with rage. He knew time was running out and the last thing he needed was a hound hunt for Lucifer’s pets. He knew he had been stalling on his mission for Maya, but that was over now. There was a bounty on Maya’s head, and in light of Lucifer’s recent stunt, Beau knew he would stop at nothing until she was dead. Lucifer discovered the threat, the Puritas. She has the power to lift the fallen, undetectable and untouchable by poisoned grace. He couldn’t let him kill her, because of the mission, because of home, Heaven, and because… Because I can’t lose her.
A faint stirring sounded in Beau’s room. Maya was awake.
“Fulfill the mission, Beau. Let it be known.” Gabriel was gone.
Beau turned around and filled a glass of water, slowly walking over to his bedroom door. He knew it was time, he couldn’t let this drag on another day; not with Lucifer’s demons running around, their sole purpose to kill Maya. He inhaled one last breath and turned the handle. No turning back now.
◆◆◆
Present Day
Beau glanced over to the four empty bottles of whisky on his countertop. He hadn’t spoken to Maya since he told her everything a month ago, and he never visited her home again after his altercation with Marina. It worried Beau, knowing that Marina and Siles were still out there just waiting to pounce, but Gabriel assured him that she’d be protected, and he kept that promise. Nonetheless, Beau still thought about her every single day. He wondered how she was doing, how she was coping… If she was coping. He knew he couldn’t intervene in the process of her accepting her divine form, but it ate away at him. I’m never going to see her again, he thought.
Beau walked over to the cabinet and pulled out a near empty bottle of whisky. He twisted the cap and turned the bottle upside down, shaking out the few drops of remaining alcohol.
He cursed. “Looks like I’m going to the liquor store.” He placed the now empty bottle alongside the other ones, pointing to them. “To get you guys a new friend.”
He wiped his mouth and threw on a black t-shirt, gelling his hair messily before grabbing his keys.
Beau had spent countless nights inebriated since he had last spoken to Maya. His days consisted of drinking, conning rich gamblers at work, then drinking more. The only upside to the situation was the fact his scars stopped burning. If you count that as an upside, he thought. His entire purpose and every single path led to her. Nothing matters anymore. I just want to go home.
He carelessly flung open the door and inhaled a familiar scent of lavender, stopping in disbelief. Standing before him was the last person he expected to see, but the only person that inundated his thoughts for weeks.
He stood in shock, staring into her familiar hazel eyes. She was wearing a black hoodie and worn out shorts. He took in everything about her, starting at the top of her messy bun, making his way down to meet her gaze. Her expression was inscrutable, yet solemn.
Beau swallowed hard. He scrunched his eyebrows softly, feeling the pounding of his heartbeat rattle against his chest. He hadn’t said her name in so long, it felt foreign on his tongue. But when he did, it tasted of sweet sugar and warm cinnamon. It tasted like home.
“Maya?”
Chapter 22
Kleaton’s Gate, One Week Earlier
Mags found herself in a cold, dark room. A single lightbulb hung from the ceiling, blinking in erratic beats. An acute pain stabbed at her temples, her limbs aching and strained. When she came to, she realized that her hands and feet were bound to a metal chair. Mags shifted and twisted but was unable to set herself free.
“Help!” she cried out. “Help! Somebody help!”
But only silence responded.
Mags whimpered desperately. “Please, anyone…”
Mags had no recollection of what had happened in the last few weeks. The last thing she remembered was going to Siles’ place after Maya’s birthday party, then, nothing.
Maya. Oh my God, Maya! Where is she? Is she okay? Where the fuck am I!
Although Mags couldn’t remember a thing, a vacant space filled her thoughts. It was as if there was a hole, a pool of memories concealed from her, waiting to be unlocked… but she lost the key.
Low grunts sounded somewhere in the darkness, followed by a series of clangs.
“Hello? Hello, who’s there? Who’s there!” Mags yelled, trembling. Is that an animal? I’m tied to this freakin’ chair! I’m going to die!
Groans of pain continued more rampantly, then slowly faded, hiding in the black darkness. Next came a hoarse whisper of a male clearing his throat, groggy and strained. “Where – where am I?”
Mags froze, goosebumps surfacing to the top of her skin. This… This can’t be. She was able to recognize that raspy tone anywhere, but a part of her hoped it wasn’t him. “Braum?”
A still silence filled the air, then another painful groan. “Yeah… yes. Who is – who are you? Where am I?”
Mags couldn’t stop the tears from waterfalling down her face. It is Braum. We were kidnapped. We’re going to die! “Braum – Braum, it’s Mags. I don’t –” she sobbed. “I don’t know where we are. I don’t know what the fuck happened!”
“Mags?” Braum groaned, his voice clearer. “Mags oh my God, Mags! Are you okay? Where are you?”
A tsunami of tears cascaded from her eyes, dripping down like pattering rain onto her skin. “I don’t know, I’m tied to a chair!” She bawled.
Mags could hear the panic in Braum’s voice as he too, shifted around, stru
ggling to untie himself. An exasperated grunt followed, then more banging.
“Help!” Braum cried out.
“Help us!” Mags whimpered.
After a few minutes of continuous wails, two ceiling lights clicked on, illuminating the atmosphere. The room was small and bare, black graffiti stamped the walls and a metal door was stationed in the corner. Braum and Mags sat across from each other in tattered, bloody clothes.
“Oh my God…” Mags muttered in shock.
Braum had deep cuts all over his neck and arms, some fresh and some old. He wore a white tank top covered in stains and grey ripped jeans. His eyes were badly bruised and his bone structure, sunken.
Mags’ hair hadn’t been brushed in days. Her black long sleeve had been ripped at the chest, exposing the top of her cleavage. Her legs were covered in scrapes and she was barefoot.
“Mags, Mags!” Braum wept, tugging his chair forward.
But the chair was cemented to the ground.
They cried in unison, exerting all of their strength to escape their restraints, but it was no use. They were stuck.
“Braum what – what happened, where are we?” Mags whined. “Do you remember anything?”
The metal door creaked then unbolted, and in walked Siles and Marina, holding hands.
Marina was wearing shiny leather pants and a black bodysuit. Her red hair was slicked into a tight ponytail with loose strands framing her face. Siles had on dark jeans and a white button down, rolled up at the sleeves.
Marina instantly darted for Mags and slapped her hard across the face. “I couldn’t listen to your ceaseless yapping for another second.”
Blood sprayed from Mags mouth, staining the concrete below her. She spat and slowly turned her head back, facing Siles with weak eyes. He bit down hard on his jaw and quickly faced Marina who was already on her way to Braum.
“Marina?” Braum coughed out. “What – You… You’re the girl from –”
“Shut up.” Marina grabbed his neck in her hands, choking hard. She straddled him and licked her lips.
“You are riddled with impurity. You are so weak… it’s just too easy.” She laughed, squeezing his cheeks.
Siles cleared his throat. “Marina, enough. You said this business is necessary.”
She viciously turned to Siles and scowled, digging her heel into Braum’s foot before pacing back.
Marina clapped. “Business, right.” She eyed both Braum and Mags, turning back and forth on her heel. “Why do you think you’re here?”
Silence.
Marina raised her voice. “I asked you a question!” She stomped.
Braum gasped in horror. “Marina…” Braum spoke through staggered breaths. “Baby, look… I was wasted, I’m sorry if I hurt you during our –”
Siles immediately interjected, stepping in front of Marina. “She’s not yours, worm.” He spat.
Mags’ heart pumped rapidly, beating out of control. She had no idea what was happening, why she felt anger, envy and… jealousy. Who the hell is this? She had never seen Marina before and Siles was protecting her. But why do I care? I don’t even know this guy?
A wave of adrenaline hit Mags, submerging her fear. She was trembling, supressing all of her terrified thoughts, but remained strong. I’m not going to die like this. “Who the fuck are you?” she demanded, tugging the ropes on her wrist.
Marina laughed and walked up to Mags, pulling Siles to her side. She eyed Mags as she kissed his neck, making her way to his collarbone.
“The fuck?” Braum questioned from behind. “What the hell is happening?”
Mags felt like she was going to be sick. Her stomach growled with hunger; she couldn’t remember the last time she ate. Every single thought and memory in her head blurred together, as if her brain didn’t want her to remember. But yet… she felt everything. She felt things for Siles, that was undeniable, even though she had no recollection of their time together. A connection of some kind had formed and Mags was sure of it, but she couldn’t pinpoint when. What is fucking happening!
“If you’re not already aware kitten,” Marina smirked at Braum. “I’m not interested in you.”
Braum opened his mouth to protest but Marina blew a breath into the air, muttering a different language. “Quies…” she released.
And on command, Braum’s mouth was sealed shut. He struggled to speak, but his lips were sewn together by an invisible force.
His eyes grew wide, feral, as he yanked at the ropes tying him to the chair; tears welled in his bloodshot eyes, desolate and hopeless.
“What… What did you do?” Mags cried. “Braum!”
“Relax, Maggie. He can hear you.” Siles responded.
Maggie. No one had called Mags that for years, not even her own family. She stared at Siles and for a split second, Mags thought she saw a glimmer of empathy in his eyes. I know you… I know more than I think I know… We – We shared something, a bond, a moment? This, this confirms it. Something we had was real, somewhere… I need to find it. I have to find it.
He glanced at her quickly before turning his attention to Marina.
“Peace of mind, finally. Feeble little rat.” Marina spat. “Siles, shut her up.” She pointed to Mags.
Siles clenched his teeth, digging his nails into his palm. “She isn’t speaking, Marina.” He contested.
Mags swallowed hard, observing his discomfort. Was Siles protecting her from whatever mojo Marina had performed on Braum? Why would he do that? What are you doing…
Marina spun around and eyed Siles with aggravated suspicion. “I… don’t… care.” She emphasized each word slowly. “Do it.”
He was silent, standing still for a moment. He took in a breath, glancing to Mags with pitiful eyes. “Quies…” he released to the air.
A sharp pain slit her senses. It felt as if someone had taken a sewing needle and stabbed her lips, over and over until it was sealed completely, unable to open. She squirmed in her seat, shutting her eyes in agony. Uncontrollable panic electrocuted her body, constricting her senses. Who… Who are you! What are you? What is happening to me!
“For now, I can’t hurt that infirm Puritas of yours.” Marina began, puckering her lips.
A vein in Siles’ forehead twitched, his expression filled with bewilderment. He kept silent.
“But I grow very angry, oh! Can’t you tell?” Marina continued. “So what is the next best option, hm?”
Us. Mags knew.
Marina clicked her heels, circling Mags and Braum like a shark. “Let’s call this an intermission, because the act got boring. Siles and I have you pests under our control and I, a brilliant mind, was dying to see your state without our influence.”
Marina and Siles flashed their red eyes as black veins coiled underneath their skin. Mags sat motionless in horror. Tears flowed down her cheeks as she and Braum both wrestled with their restraints, failing once more. What are you! What the fuck are you! This isn’t real, this isn’t real, this isn’t…
“Before we put you under our control again, I thought it best that you had a good look at yourselves.” Marina giggled.
She clicked her heels and made her way for the door, stepping out for a few moments before returning with a double-sided mirror. She propped it in between Braum and Mags, stepping back. Mags’ blue eyes were sunken, her hair painted with dark stripes, brittle and choppy. This was a version of her she’d seen in nightmares, a version of her that never existed up until now. She sat in anguish, weak and defeated.
“Say bye-bye now.” Marina laughed, kicking over the mirror. It shattered into a hundred pieces against the cold cement.
Mags took one last look at Siles through glossy eyes. His red pupils flashed into hers, slowly fading to an emerald green; a green that she remembered. Her thoughts unhinged, buzzing in her brain. The room began to spin, faster and faster. Heated sweat poured from her neck, dripping down her spine.
Can you hear me…
A male voice, distant but familiar.
I’m sorry Maggie…
Darkness.
Chapter 23
Hell
“Why didn’t you tell me about Beau?” Siles questioned, pacing in the garden of greed.
“I can handle my own, Siles.” Marina walked away, picking poison petals to place in her hair.
“We are a team! You’ve been keeping secrets from me, Marina. And what was that? At the cellar?”
Marina crumbled the flower in her hand, disintegrating it to ash. “Fun.”
Siles clenched his fist, his green eyes turned red with rage. “Since when do we play with innocent lives, Marina?”
“I grow tired of this conversation.”
“I,” Siles grabbed her wrist, turning her to face him, “have not.”
“Why do you care about them? What good have they provided you?” Her voice was sharp. “We have all of this, all of hell! My love,” she grabbed hold of his face. “We have it all.”
He swatted her hands away, liquid burning his eyes. “You may think that, but that is far from the truth.”
Siles stomped to the portal of Earth, glancing one last time at the demon he cared for, the demon he trained with… the demon he no longer knew.
Chapter 24
Kleaton’s Gate, Present Night
After Siles returned from hell, he and Mags took a midnight stroll down by the coastal lake. When Siles was first tasked to kill Maya, he wasn’t too keen on spending all of his time on Earth, let alone with Mags. But after a while, the crisp Kleaton air became somewhat of a familiar scent to him, a scent he quite enjoyed. In hell, fire and fury was all that surrounded Siles; torment, wrath, anguish. There was nothing new, nothing exciting, nothing… alive.
Siles fought with his head and his heart, thinking of Marina. He cared for her, but something was… changing. He felt their bond breaking, her dishonesty and secrets. He saw the way she played with Braum in the cellar, the way she played with Mags…
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