Hell High

by Cindi Madsen

  “It’s only been one day,” I said.

  Again I had everyone’s attention, and it seemed like they were waiting for more. Wanting to disappoint Dad was one thing. Doing it in front of his top men, even if he kind of deserved it, seemed like a good way to make him angry enough to mind-choke me again.

  “I mean, I’m looking forward to learning about how things work here, and I think that in time I’ll learn all the skills I need to be a powerful Temptress.” I just won’t be putting them into use, and the second I finish the program, I’m out of here. But you guys all have fun with your evil selves.

  Several heads nodded. Dad reached out and squeezed my hand, shooting me a pleased look. Conversation picked back up, and I pushed my food around with my fork, begging time to speed up so I could get this over with and retreat to my room. I wanted a few hours of not-suckiness before going to school tomorrow for more suckiness.

  Over and over I pictured Tristan’s face, the way he’d stared at me with such hatred as I’d walked away from the school.

  While the people at the table masked their hatred much better, I could still feel it rolling off them. The only one who wasn’t giving me that vibe besides my dad and my uncle was Abigor, who kept flashing his handsome grin in my direction.

  But even that didn’t do much to cheer me up.

  Like most little girls, I’d dreamed of becoming a princess someday. Only now that I’d officially been introduced as one, I didn’t want it. I just wanted to be the normal girl at home in her tiny bedroom.

  I fingered my necklace, thinking of Mom and her insistence that no matter what, the angels would never abandon me, no matter who my father was.

  Surrounded by demons, though, I was pretty sure that not even the most powerful of angels could help me now.

  Eight

  Just 364 more days, I chanted to myself as I wandered down the dusty path. I just have to survive 364 more days.

  Okay, it was for-freakin’-ever, but I was going for optimism today. After swearing to Dad I could find my own way to school without Baal, he’d hesitantly let me go it alone. I readjusted my overstuffed bag—yes, Hell High had actual textbooks, heavy ones in languages I couldn’t even read that smelled musty—and looked around.

  I thought I’d been paying decent attention when Baal walked me to and from school yesterday, but I got a tad turned around and ended up having to backtrack.

  Once I spotted the building, I hurried toward it, not wanting to make the late, all-eyes-on-me entrance I’d made yesterday. Gotta save something for special occasions.

  Remembering Persuasion was in the gym today, I powered down the halls, glad I actually knew where the gym was. I reached the double doors and pushed my way inside.

  Within seconds, I spotted Tristan. Constance was next to him, and as if she could feel me staring, she looked over her shoulder and curled her lip.

  I moved to the other side of the room and attempted to make myself as small as possible.

  Ms. Bing stood up front, and if I wasn’t mistaken, she’d fired a glare my way. A false smile curved even falser lips. “We’re just waiting on—”

  The doors of the gym opened with a clang.

  “Oh, there he is,” Ms. Bing said, flipping back her platinum hair and putting more of her ample cleavage on display.

  Students parted, and I peeked around the people next to me.

  And laid eyes on the very guy who’d made last night semibearable. So at least there would be some eye candy to help take the edge off whatever we were going to have to do today.

  “Class, we’re lucky to have Abigor to help us train this semester. He’s the Grand Duke of Hell and is a warrior demon who commands sixty legions. And”—she batted her eyes at him—“he’s pretty good at the other form of persuasion, too.” She giggled and bit her fire-engine red lips. “But today we’ll be focusing on the physical—um, violent physical aspects. For now.

  “We’ll need a vict—I mean, volunteer so Abigor can demonstrate some of the submission techniques.”

  Surprise, surprise, no one stepped up to take on the great warrior demon. Ms. Bing’s gaze skimmed over the class, landed on me, and I knew I was in trouble. “Lilith, why don’t you come up front.”

  Abigor whipped his head in my direction, and that familiar grin of his hit his lips. “Good morning, Lilith. I was hoping I’d get a chance to work with you.”

  “Lily. And apparently you’re going to get your wish,” I said, not sure what else to say.

  I heard the mimicking behind me. Knew without looking it was Constance. Just ignore it. It doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things.

  The anger that tightened Abigor’s features sent a spike of fear through me. “You two,” he said, pointing at Constance and Tristan. “Do you know who she is? She’s royalty, and I expect you to treat her as such.”

  Great. Just what I needed. More reasons for them to hate me. “Really, Abigor,” I said, holding up my hands, “it’s o—”

  “It’s not okay.”

  “Please just drop it. I don’t want special treatment.”

  “Yeah, then come sleep where we have to,” Constance said.

  Abigor waved his hand, and Constance flew into the wall of the gym with a loud thud. Her feet kicked the air, but she hung there, pinned to the wall, shock filling her features.

  The charm drained from Abigor’s face, and the veins in his neck stood out. “Apologize.”

  Eyes wide with fear, Constance bowed her head to me. “Sorry, Your Highness. It won’t happen again.”

  Abigor released his hold, and she fell to the ground in a crumpled heap. “Number one lesson. You do what I say. Any questions?”

  Ringing silence followed.

  “Good.” As Abigor twisted to face me, he turned on the charm once again, but it wasn’t nearly as effective as before watching him discipline Constance. “Come, Lilith. Let’s demonstrate some moves.”

  Fifteen minutes into class, we’d moved on to ground submissions. Abigor held my wrists, pinning me to the ground, legs straddling my waist. “From this position, a headbutt is a good option.”

  At least I wasn’t the only one on the ground. Others were practicing the moves as well, but everyone was following Abigor, so there were still far more eyes on me than I preferred.

  “We’re talking hypothetical, right?” I whispered. “I don’t think we need to demonstrate that.”

  Abigor grinned and brushed his thumb across my wrist. “I won’t headbutt you.” His smile widened. “At least not hard. Now, you want to try to get free?” He explained my options to do just that, and I tried them, but he was all muscle, and breathing was becoming difficult.

  Concentrating hard, I looked into his eyes and thought, Get off already!

  Abigor flew backward, landing hard on the mat.

  Murmurs went through the room, and once again Abigor and I had the attention of the whole class. I pushed to my feet and scrambled over to him. “Are you okay? I’m sorry, I just—”

  He sat up, surprisingly happy for someone who’d been flung across the room like a rag doll, and I worried I’d knocked him dingy. The next words he spoke made everything inside of me turn to stone. “Your father will be so pleased.”

  The rest of the day went about the same but with less brute force. I’d gotten glares yesterday, but now they were ten times worse, and several people literally cowered whenever I neared.

  As I walked toward the exit, people parted, giving me a wide berth. That was just fine. Not like I wanted to talk to the damned jerks anyway.

  I stepped outside, and there stood Tristan.

  Okay, so maybe I wanted to talk to one of the jerks. Because yesterday in the few minutes before he found out who I was, talking to him had given me the slightest bit of hope that I could survive this place. There was something else about him, too. Something I couldn’t quite put my finger on but drew me to him all the same.

  Our eyes met, and he quickly turned away.

  The bubble
of irritation I’d kept a tight grip on all day burst, sending the emotion pumping through my veins, and I charged over to him. “So what, you’re just Mr. Cold Shoulder now? I don’t even get to explain or defend myself?”

  He didn’t turn around, didn’t look at me, didn’t do anything. Just stood there like he hadn’t heard me, even though I knew he had.

  “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that people aren’t real friendly in Hell,” I spat at his back, and damn him for having that strong line of muscle that drove me crazy on boys.

  Tristan slowly twisted toward me, eyes narrowed. “What do you want, Princess? For me to bow? To tell you that I’m dying to be your friend? Are you going to throw me around if I don’t?”

  My heart picked up speed as I stared into his angry face. His muscles were coiled like he might spring any second, and I realized how much bigger than me he was.

  Real good, Lily. Piss off the obviously unstable guy because you’re so desperate for someone to talk to.

  I took a step back, but he just closed the gap between us and loomed over me. “You wanted to talk, so let’s talk. How about you tell me why you’re really here.”

  The people moving around the area had stopped to stare at me and Tristan, bloodthirsty expressions on their faces. Clearly they were all hoping he’d tear me limb from limb.

  And here I’d thought high school on Earth was rough.

  Right now I’d give anything to go back to the snotty girls, harsh teachers, and mystery meat lunches. “Never mind,” I said, looking away from his intense gaze. “Just leave me alone.”

  “Or what? Are you going to run home and tell Daddy?”

  The door opened behind us, and people scattered. Tristan didn’t stop glaring at me, but he did straighten and take a generous step back.

  Abigor appeared next to me and offered me his arm. “Afternoon, Lilith. I was hoping you would grant me the honor of walking you home.”

  My heart was still pounding like crazy, and I had to work to sound calm. “Please call me Lily.” I slipped my hand into the crook of his elbow. “And I would be happy to walk with you.”

  Abigor led me away from the building, and my pulse gradually returned to normal. Being demon-teacher’s pet would only make things worse, but right now I was just glad he’d shown up when he did.

  Seriously, what was I thinking? That I’d find some kindred spirit here in Hell? From now on I’m remembering that everyone here is a danger to me, regardless of charming Southern accents or smiles that make my heart go all fluttery.

  I shook my head, determined to get Tristan out of it.

  A strong wind blew through, stirring up dust and blowing my hair behind me. My nose tickled and I sneezed.

  Abigor patted the hand I had on his elbow. “That’s right. You’ve still got to work at breathing. Are you doing all right?”

  “Fine. But the dust gets to me sometimes.” I waved the air in front of me. “Wait. Are you saying that you don’t have to breathe?”

  “No. Technically demons don’t have to eat, either, but many of us still do because we can taste.”

  “What about physical pain?”

  “Of course. What good would punishing people be if no one could feel it?” Abigor puffed his chest out like he was proud of all the torture going on here.

  Guess it just goes to show that it’s hard to find a good guy in Hell these days.

  “I could definitely feel your hits today in class,” Abigor said. “Don’t worry, you didn’t hurt me. Just caught me off guard, and while I could’ve recovered and crushed you within a few blows, what you did was very impressive. You’ve got a strong influence, much like your father’s.”

  I jerked my hand away. “I’m not like my father. I don’t want influence over people, especially if it means getting them to make bad decisions that’ll cause them to lose their souls.”

  “Relax. It was a compliment. Don’t fight what comes naturally.” Abigor wrapped his arm around my waist, and while I’d had a bit of a crush since I’d first laid eyes on him, the touch made my skin crawl. He raked his gaze up and down me, lingering way too long on my cleavage. Then he brought his other hand up on the side of my neck. “I’ve been waiting a very long time for you to grow up.”

  I stepped out of his grasp and brought my arms up. “Gear down, big shifter. I’m only seventeen, and I’m not planning on staying here more than the year I have to.”

  “You’ll change your mind.”

  “I won’t.” I glanced at the castle, wishing it were closer. “Besides, I don’t think my father would be too happy about—”

  “Your father approves,” he said, and my stomach lurched.

  “But…you’re a demon.”

  He lifted his chin, puffing out his chest again. “Demon Warrior and Grand Duke of Hell. And you’re the princess. Our paths are destined to join and become one.”

  An icky sensation washed over me, making my skin crawl. I swallowed past the rising lump of panic in my throat. “Look, you’re a good”—I barely stopped myself from saying demon again—“um, guy and all, but like I said, I just turned seventeen, and I’m trying to adjust to life down here and—”

  Abigor stepped forward and put a finger on my lips. “Say no more.” He brushed his thumb along my jaw, and it felt like my soul was being slowly sucked from my body. Darkness and cold filled me, and in that moment I was sure I’d never be happy again. “But don’t take too long. I’ve already been waiting centuries for someone to help rule my part of the kingdom, and I don’t think I can be patient much longer.”

  Nine

  I shoved the castle door closed behind me and shuddered. I could still feel Abigor’s eyes on me, along with the way his touch had sent utter hopelessness through my entire body.

  Dad strolled into the foyer from the back hallway I made sure to avoid at all costs, his gaze on the stack of papers in his hands.

  “Do you have any people who work for you that aren’t total creepers?” I asked.

  Dad glanced up, seeming perplexed to find me there. He recovered quickly, though, flashing me a smile that might’ve been warm on anyone else. “Oh good, you’re home.”

  “Abigor escorted me.” I clenched my fists, finding the perfect place to aim my outrage. “You promised me to him, like I’m some kind of possession? Seriously?”

  Dad held up a hand and spoke in a calm voice. “Lilith, you’re overreacting.”

  “It’s true, then?” I’d hoped Abigor had gotten his wires crossed, but naturally I wasn’t that lucky, and how stupid was I for even being surprised? “In that case, I’m underreacting. I’m not marrying some centuries-old demon, no matter how good-looking he is.”

  “Listen, you’re getting yourself all worked up over nothing.”

  “Nothing?” I shrieked. “I won’t be sold or traded, and you already promised I’d be getting out of here at the end of my year. You swore on all the souls in Hell.”

  Dad’s nostrils flared, and if I wasn’t flat against the door, I might’ve taken a step back. “If you would let me finish,” he gritted out. “I’m trying to explain.”

  I didn’t want to hear his explanation, but clearly I was pissing off a man who wasn’t used to being challenged. I looked at him, not telling him to go ahead, because I was stubborn like that, but silently indicating I’d hear him out.

  “When my underlings learned of your birth, there was a big celebration. Abigor had been waiting for the perfect powerful mate to stand by his side and asked me if I’d grant him the honor of the pairing. I, of course, told him he needed to wait.”

  Dad regally lifted his head as if I should fall at his feet for doing something so magnanimous. If he needed to breathe, I’d tell him to go ahead and hold his breath while he waited.

  “The older you came to be—and the prettier, I might add—the more determined he became. I told him that once you were in Hell for your training, he would be free to court you. Whether you choose to accept his proposal is up to you, but he is my str
ongest warrior. Not only does he command sixty of the infernal legions, he knows the secrets and future of wars and…” Dad paused, his brow creasing. I had a sneaking suspicion he’d decided that when it came to evil bullet points on his grand duke’s dating profile, less was more. “Suffice it to say, he’s a solid choice, and both of you would be stronger for it.”

  “I’ll save us all a year,” I said as evenly as I could manage under the circumstances. “My decision is no. No way in hell am I dating someone with such a dark soul.”

  It’s bad enough I have to live with one. I pushed off the door and started past Dad, but he caught my arm.

  “Before you huff off, I hear you did very well in Persuasion today. Abigor told me you’re a natural.”

  “I didn’t even mean to do…whatever I did to launch him like that. Honestly I don’t even know what I did.”

  “That’s what natural means. The power is inside of you. All you have to do is call it to the surface.”

  I pulled away from him. “Everyone needs to stop saying that. I’m not like you, and I don’t want to be.”

  “Think about it, Lily.” Part of me wanted to celebrate the fact that he’d used my preferred name, but his voice turned smooth and sticky-sweet, the better to manipulate me with. “Haven’t you always been able to talk yourself out of trouble easily?”

  “That’s because of all my natural wit and charm,” I said.

  A cocky smirk tugged up one corner of his mouth. “If you say so.”

  “I do.” My voice trembled slightly as I began second-guessing myself. “People on Earth find me very funny.”

  “Yes, I’m sure it was your sarcastic humor,” he deadpanned. “It has absolutely nothing to do with your exotic beauty or how persuasive you can be.”

  “I’m not very persuasive, trust me, or I so wouldn’t be here right now.”

  “What about that little trip with your boyfriend? The one you foolishly took to try to escape me?”

  A cold lump formed in my gut. “Dom wanted to come with me. I never forced him.”