by J. N. Colon
I slipped around the chaos, sprinting over fallen leaves and rotten logs. My heart pulverized my ribs. It was a miracle I hadn’t stumbled yet. The fighting echoed behind me. Roars filled the rancid air.
Jayson would be okay. He had to.
And when he came home perfectly fine, we’d discuss the mega secret he’d been keeping from me.
Jayson was a half fallen angel. Did it change the way I felt?
Not a chance.
A hand clamped down on my shoulder. I shrieked and spun, coming face to face with those dangerous sapphire eyes.
“Leaving so soon, little bird?” Astaroth’s fingers wrapped around my wrist.
I uselessly struggled in his grasp. “Let me go.”
“But you haven’t heard my proposition yet.” He stepped closer, his warmth seeping through Jayson’s jacket still hanging off me.
My blood turned cold, freezing my veins. He was offering another temptation.
I wouldn’t give in no matter what. It wouldn’t be worth it.
“There has never been a Nephilim of light born from a Fallen,” he said, his gaze like two oceans lit by a burning sun. “Jayson’s soul will begin to darken. He can’t fight it forever. It’s inevitable.”
I swallowed the acid oozing up my throat. “Why are you telling me this?”
Astaroth plucked a lock of my hair, playing with the ends. “I can make sure that doesn’t happen.”
My brow puckered. “How?”
“I can’t give up all my secrets, little bird.” He tucked the lock behind my ear.
“What do I have to do in return?” There was always a price. And this would be a hefty one.
Something wicked lingered beneath his calm smile. “I only need you to follow me into Hell.”
Oh, that’s all?
My knees quaked so hard they threatened to give out. “To use me for your little ritual?”
“No harm will come to you. I need you to do something for me—something only you can do—when the time is right.”
My gaze drifted in the direction of the clearing. Sounds of an epic battle echoed. “I’m bound to Jayson. Will it hurt him if I’m in Hell?”
He shook his head. “He’ll miss you, but you’d be doing this for him—to save his soul.”
I swallowed hard and glanced back at the Fallen. He offered me the one thing I couldn’t turn down. I’d felt the edges of darkness seeping through Jayson. What if it got worse? Would I lose him? “How do I know you’re not lying?”
“Have I ever lied to you?” His lips twisted into a frown. “Why would I start now? I’m a creature of my word. I wouldn’t break it.”
I chewed on my bottom lip, thoughts slashing through my mind so fast it was hard to keep up. If I went with Astaroth to Hell, I could find out how he planned to keep Jayson from turning. I could also discover the Fallen’s big bad plan. I didn’t have to keep my side of the bargain. Nithael would help me. He’d done it before.
As long as I didn’t make some pact to sell my soul or something, I’d be fine. I should be able to leave Hell.
“I’ll go with you.”
“Splendid!” He held his hand out for me to take.
I stared at it for several beats before placing mine in it. Astaroth pulled me into his chest. His midnight wings unfolded, spilling over my body like dark shadows ready to yank me under.
A sharp pang ripped through my chest. I glanced up, meeting Jayson’s molten gold eyes. His roar was swallowed by the wind from Astaroth’s wings, and the forest disappeared.
Chapter 25
My head spun as Astaroth landed in front of the mausoleum in the Mystic Hollow Cemetery. The Nephilim currently fought his demons in the woods. Not even Jayson could get here fast enough. Was this the Fallen’s plan all along?
“Steady there, little bird.” Astaroth kept his arm wrapped around my shoulders as he held me, the tombstones and angel statues blurring in my peripheral. He whispered in another language, and crimson cracks began to spiderweb across the iron door.
A hot gust of sulfur and rot blasted me in the face, and I gagged. “What is that?”
Astaroth winced. “The scent of brimstone. It’ll dissipate once we reach my home.”
When a jagged hole large enough developed, he pulled me through. Heavy darkness shrouded us.
“Just a moment.” Astaroth led me further in.
I had no idea what to expect. Would three-headed demons be our welcoming party? Or would Lucifer himself greet us?
A dim glow formed ahead, spilling light around the large tunnel. Archaic torches lined the rough stone walls, creating ominous shadows. I pulled away from Astaroth’s grasp, walking on my own. “Highway to Hell” played.
I glanced at the fallen angel, my brows slamming together. “Really?”
He chuckled. “It is appropriate, don’t you think?”
I shook my head. His humor was not welcomed.
Heat permeated the air unlike the cobblestone street I ended up on after touching that coin. I shrugged out of Jayson’s jacket and draped it over my arm.
“Let me see that.” Astaroth plucked the leather garment from me, and it disappeared into thin air.
“Give that back!” That jacket was the only thing I had of Jayson’s, and I didn’t know when I’d see him again. How long would it take to pull this information from Astaroth? And when would Nithael show up?
He would come for me, wouldn’t he?
Astaroth sighed. “I’ll return it when we arrive at my home. There’s no need for you to carry it. This isn’t the easiest route.”
That didn’t bode well coming from him.
What had I gotten myself into? My dad was going to freak out when I turned up missing.
A tall figure materialized in front of us, broad shoulders sifting out of the shadows. “What do we have here?”
My pulse spiked at the silky, baritone voice. Was he a demon?
Astaroth stepped closer. “Hello, Raziel.”
My shoulders drew in. That had to be an angelic name—meaning he was a Fallen.
“She smells absolutely divine.” Raziel blocked our path through the tunnel, his piercing gray eyes lingering over me. “She’s more than an avis.”
“You’re right, my brother.” A slow smile twisted Astaroth’s lips. “This is my little bird, Lena. She’s also bound to son of Nithael.”
Gold sparkled in Raziel’s irises. “How fascinating. I never thought the boy would share his soul. He’s always so brooding. No fun at all.”
“Lena, this is Raziel, my fallen brother.”
“Hi.” What should I say to a fallen angel who was eyeing me like he wanted to pop my head off and suck out my insides?
Raziel suddenly stood in front of me. “You look like a barrel of fun.”
My gasp bounced on the stone walls. “I’m not. Trust me. I’m boring.” When I tried to pull away, he trapped my chin between his thumb and index finger.
Astaroth smacked his hand away. “She’s fragile. Do not be so rough.”
Raziel shrugged, crinkling his black t-shirt. “Sorry. Sometimes I forget how delicate humans are.” He motioned his finger toward me. “And this one is tiny.”
My lips thinned. “Who are you calling tiny, buddy.” Shiitake. Couldn’t I shut up for once?
Wind rushed over me, tossing my hair around.
“I thought I smelled something delicious.” Another Fallen appeared, the shadow of his black wings vanished behind his back. A pair of sea green eyes scrutinized every inch of my body, making me shiver. “Is this human for me?” He licked his lips and tossed golden-blond curls from his face. “I’d love to make a beautiful Shadow Nephil with her.”
Um, nope. Not here for that.
Ice sank through my core, and I glanced at Astaroth. Was I here for that? He never said what he wanted me to do.
Astaroth cleared his throat. “Allocen, she’s not—”
The blond Fallen appeared mere inches in front of me, his hand running down my arm. H
is touch was a searing fire. “She smells like Heaven.”
My heart took a bounding jump into my throat, choking me. How did I end up in Hell surrounded by fallen angels? Oh, yeah, I stupidly followed one in.
When Allocen tried to pull me into his body, Astaroth yanked me behind him.
“Calm down, brother.” His smooth, velvety voice vibrated through my bones, a hint of unease swirling beneath the charm. “She’s not for you.”
A dry laugh tumbled out of Allocen. “Is she for you? Are you going to make a little Shadow Nephil?”
“I’m not here to make any Nephilim with any damn angel.” Astaroth had another thing coming if those were his intentions.
Raziel chuckled. “Relax, Lena. It’s usually the only reason a living human is wandering these tunnels.”
My lips curled into a frown. “You bring humans down here to make children?”
Allocen circled me, raising the hair on my nape. “How else do you think we make dark Nephilim.” He circled his hand around the stone tunnel, light and shadows dancing ominously across the walls. “Most of us are trapped in Hell.”
“How many Shadow Nephil are out there?” If the Nephilim of light protected humans and watched over the gates, what did the dark ones do?
“More than you think.” A smoky female voice slithered through the passageway. “What’s the little avis here for, Astaroth?”
Another Fallen.
A shapely woman slinked from the shadows, the firelight from the torches kissing her alabaster skin with a tinge of gold. “She’s too small to bare one of our children.”
I crossed my arms against my chest. Screw her. I was short. What was the big deal?
A smile that was anything but friendly or humorous twisted her plump scarlet lips. “My brothers would break you in half trying to conceive.”
“Enough, Leliel,” Astaroth snapped. “Lena is not here for that. She’s here as my special guest and shall in no way be harmed.” He shot his brothers and sister a piercing look.
She materialized beside me, dragging the tip of her pointed nail down my throat. “Does she have something to do with—”
“Mind your tongue, sister.” He slapped her hand away. “And stop touching her.”
Leliel giggled and flicked a long, lustrous lock of raven hair off her slender shoulder. She looked like a demented version of Snow White. Did she have seven demons as her dwarfs? “Someone’s possessive.”
The tendons in Astaroth’s carved face tightened, sharpening every facet. “Goodbye, Leliel.” He gripped my hand and pulled me forward, leaving the other Fallen behind.
This was the first time I’d seen him annoyed. I’d laugh if I weren’t traipsing through Hell with him. “So those were some of the other Fallen?”
“Yes.” He gave a long sigh. “They can be irksome, but they are family.” He glanced at me. “They’ve been trapped here for so long. It’s frustrating for them to see me come and go as I please.”
“But their souls can possess humans, right?” They could at least get a little taste of our world and cause plenty of havoc doing it.
“It’s not the same.” We came to a heavy iron door, foreign symbols carved along the surface. Astaroth paused as his long, pale fingers enclosed around the handle. “This next route may be uncomfortable for you.”
My stomach knotted. “Uncomfortable how?”
“No worries, little bird,” Astaroth said as he pulled the door open. “You won’t be harmed.”
A blast of heat slammed into me. Unholy hellspawn. Fire raged in the distance, orange, yellow, and scarlet flames reaching out like lethal claws. Wails of agony pierced the foul air.
“We’re nearing the pits.” He grabbed my hand and pulled me through. “We have to cross them.”
Sweat spilled down my neck, leaking into my shirt. I would have recoiled from his grasp, but a yawning chasm split open in my gut. I couldn’t move without him.
The further we went, the hotter it became. The air was so dry I could hardly swallow. The screams grew louder.
A gigantic cave opened before us. Vicious stalactites dripped from the ceiling, flames coating each one. More fire stretched below on either side of a narrow bridge. Brimstone rained down.
My chest shrank, crushing my lungs. We’re not going through there. “Oh my G—”
Astaroth’s hand pressed over my mouth, bolts of crimson lightning slashing his irises. “Do not say that name here, little bird. It wouldn’t be wise.”
I nodded. No speaking the Lord’s name in Lucifer’s domain. Got it.
“Come on.” The Fallen pulled me toward the narrow walkway.
My heels dug in as I eyed the falling brimstone. “I-I’m going to get burned.” My voice trembled. My bravery had evaporated a long time ago. The pits of Hell surrounded me for crap sakes.
Astaroth shook his head. “Do you remember how the ash didn’t touch you while you were with me before?”
“Yeah.” It had rained on me until Astaroth came along.
“It’ll be the same.” He tugged me forward. “One foot in front of the other.” His body curled close behind mine, and he urged me on.
I took a shuddering breath and continued down the bridge that barely spanned twelve inches in width. The farther we went, the louder the wailing became.
I glanced over the side. Bodies writhed in torment within the fire. Oh, God. The souls were being punished for their sins. The gruesome details of those visions swirled to the surface. Some of the people down there had done things just as bad or worse. They deserved every bit of punishment.
But their cries—it was agony.
My chest caved in. I couldn’t breathe. Tears flooded my eyes, blurring my vision. A sob slipped out.
Astaroth stopped me and peered over my shoulder, cursing. “I’m sorry, little bird. I should have known this would affect you. You are blessed by Heaven after all.” He pressed his hands over my ears, drowning out some of the howls.
I wanted to shy away from his touch. He was evil. He killed Jayson’s mother right in front of him. But I couldn’t bring myself to push the Fallen away. The wails of torment were too much.
We continued walking. Drops of fire rained in my periphery. Sweat collected along my hairline and dripped down my back. We reached the halfway point when a gust of hot wind blew.
Leliel stood ahead of us, blocking our path.
Astaroth stiffened behind me. “Move now, Leliel. This is not a game.”
Crimson spilled into her irises, glowing like embers of hellfire. “I’ve been so bored lately, and you bring this sweet little human down here, act so possessive of her, and you expect me not to have fun?” Her eerie giggle resonated loudly even with the Fallen’s hands clamped over my ears.
“Why can’t you fly us to the other end?” He had wings for crap sakes.
“It will sear my feathers off,” he said.
“But she…” My words trailed off as Leliel unfolded her leathery midnight wings and dived into the flames below.
“Their feathers burned and molted off a long time ago.” A tiny tremble lingered in Astaroth’s voice. “It’s a shame.”
Leliel popped up, a male soul wiggling in her arms.
“Please, release me from this,” he begged, his tattered clothes barely covering his body. “No more burning. Please.”
Her laughter echoed above the screams. “You’ve been a bad boy.” She opened her arms, and he fell back into the flames.
My mouth hung open. This creature used to be an angel? The souls had to be punished for their sins, but toying with them sent a sour taste along my tongue. She was just as bad as them. Maybe worse.
She dived into the fire, looking for another soul to torment, her midnight locks streaming behind her.
Tears stained my cheeks. The screaming wouldn’t stop. My body threatened to crumble right here on this rocky bridge. I wanted to go home. I wanted Jayson.
But the thought of him turning dark, torturing souls like Leliel, kept me from beg
ging Astaroth to turn around.
A curse left my chaperone’s lips, and his hands fell from my ears.
Oh no.
The tormented cries pierced right to my soul, and I dropped to my knees. I choked as they assaulted me. My ears could have been hemorrhaging for all I knew. My head spun. Enduring this was almost as bad as the visions.
Allocen stood on the other side of Astaroth, arguing. I couldn’t make out their words.
Something brushed my shoulder. My head jerked around. Leliel stood over me, an ominous smile spreading too widely across her harsh face. Astaroth’s promise that no harm would come to me in Hell was going to be broken.
The female Fallen yanked me up, and we were airborne.
A scream tore from my mouth. Her laughter mixed with the agony of the souls as the fiery pit rose beneath us.
Chapter 26
Mother effing no. She was going to drop me into the pit. I’d burn, and my soul would be torn apart. Or worse. I’d be assaulted with vision after vision of their gruesome sins.
Astaroth’s booming voice sliced through the air. “Leliel! Bring her back. You don’t know what you’re doing. You will ruin everything.”
This Fallen didn’t give a crap about whatever Astaroth had planned.
The fire singed the bottom of my shoe, melting the rubber. And then I was yanked up, hot wind rushing over me.
My lungs burned, and every drop of moisture evaporated from my body. Was this how it felt to be lost in a desert for days?
Leliel dangled me in front of Astaroth like a toy she’d stolen. “Come and get her, brother.”
Would he risk his wings for me? Doubtful.
His nostrils flared as he measured the distance between us. Allocen doubled over with laughter next to him.
Astaroth was evil. He’d killed Jayson’s mother right in front of him, and he’d ripped another angel’s wings off, but these two Fallen were worse. They were petty and cruel, playing little games with the souls, with me.
They deserved to be trapped in Hell and never to see the light of day.
Leliel stiffened. She was suddenly yanked back, and I fell toward the flames again.
