Prince of Hell

by J N Moon

  Bael lifted his head from his food. It was no wonder then why he'd chosen this little restaurant, a locally owned one. "Jack, do you know how I've survived so long? Go on, your first test. Think about it and tell me," Bael returned to eat as he and I watched Jack squirm. Whilst Jack squinted, hoping to get his first test right, the waiter brought me my order. Immediately, my mouth watered, and I wasted no time eating, even though my body was still a bit at odds with all this new energy.

  Eventually, Jack answered, "Oh. You care because you depend on people."

  "You weren't the brightest, were you? Think again."

  "If you screw up the environment, the humans. You die?"

  Bael twisted his lips and raised his eyebrows. "Anthony. Tomorrow, take him swimming." Raising his voice a bit more, he said, "I understand you didn't receive the best education, of course. You look after your planet and all its inhabitants, but for whatever I am, whatever unworldly power I possess, the planet is greater. Have you ever wondered Jack? Never gazed into the stars and asked the questions? Never taken time out to see the world around you? If not, start tomorrow." Bael’s last sentence was an order barked at Jack that made me grin.

  "No, I haven't much. On occasion. I was too busy trying to keep my head above water. That sort of thinking seemed to me for those that had time for it, not for the likes of me. But I get it."

  Smiling, I nodded at Jack. I agreed with him and Bael, but Jack's past had been very different from my own. What would Amon be like? Bael hadn't revealed his mortal name, only what he did. Gazing off into the adjacent jungle that this quaint little restaurant was so famous for, it made me wonder the impact we had on this beautiful place. My species is as bad as yours. We're all just taking. Maybe he was right: humans needed to know their place, I shuddered. I felt strange being the one thinking that. I'd forgotten I was the monster that lurked in the shadows.

  "Ah, that's better. Coffee?" Bael asked us.

  We drank it in silence, his words echoing through me, my realisation that I was different. Not much humanity now, but a love of nature that would never die. I was sure of it. Faint sounds of birds and monkeys echoed in the distance. My heart heaved at the sprawling mass of commerce around us. This place had no doubt been a paradise until the multinationals moved in with their designer tat, made by kids or in sweatshops alongside the cheap rubbish, probably made in the same street. I wish I'd seen this years ago when it was run by locals, selling their goods.

  "Don't let it get you down, Anthony. Now you can do something about it, you see. Now you're sitting on the other side of the fence. You're seeing things from my perspective. And Jack here, well, he knew it all along, didn't you? That was why you fell from grace in the first place, because you didn't worship humans."

  Jack arched his eyebrows. "I guess you're right, if I'm him. I feel different. Not like that though." He whispered, "Lucifer."

  "You will in time. Trust me. Now, let's go get your brother. His name is Andy and he works in a club here. Follow me." As the waiter came to give us the bill, Bael handed him a large wad of notes. The waiter smiled as Bael patted him on the shoulder.

  "Always look after the locals, boys. Always."

  ***

  At the end of Fifth, where the main action was, we turned right down a darker lit street where a row of shops and clubs not as glamorous as the main street stood. Bael shook hands with the bouncer. Inside, it was the usual sweaty, dark club with some flashing lighting. We followed him through without stopping, squeezing by the tourists high on drink or drugs, dancing to the music. At the back was a door, not easily seen as it was black like the walls. Bael knocked six times and a huge guy opened it. That had to be him. Dark skin and darker hair with almond eyes, he looked younger than us, his chiselled face giving him a striking look. Beaming, Bael shouted over the noise, "It's time for you and me to have a chat. Come and see me as soon as you can." The bouncer didn't respond, merely stared at him, and then looked in to the right as Bael walked through, followed by me, then Jack. Another door, another bouncer, and through this maze of black tunnels and dark walls, we followed him into a room much quieter than the club. Elegant, with immortals inside. Dubstep played, its heady bass and ethereal melodies hauntingly beautiful and fitting. All eyes turned on us, looking us over, no expressions. I smelt vampires, their coppery scent heightening my lust. Others, maybe shifters, werewolves. Gasping, even Nephilim. Easy to spot, they're always taller than anyone else, their statuesque faces scanning us, muttering to each other.

  Jack frowned, sensing danger. A vampire shot towards us, smiled, and spoke, "Your table. This way."

  Seated at the side in an alcove that was man-made but built to resemble a cellar, the vampire went off, coming back seconds later with two menus.

  "Thought you might be hungry, Anthony. Oh, don't worry, it's not from children or innocents. They keep a supply here you can imagine the amount of crime. Jack, though, perhaps something from this menu?" As he handed me my own menu, I winced at some of the choices...flesh? Whispering, "They sell human flesh?"

  "Like I said, a lot of crime and a lot of corruption. Would you rather this lot let loose out there?"

  Shaking my head, I said, "I guess I can't, but back in the UK..."

  "We're not in the UK, Anthony, and their ways are not yours. You don't have to like it. You'd do well to shut up, though. You have, after all, killed innocent humans after drinking them and screwing them. So just order and shut up."

  I could feel Jack's eyes boring into me. He whispered, "You said you don't kill."

  Taking a deep breath, I said, "Jack, I'm not going to explain all the bad I've done. I have killed, yes. Innocent men and women, and I regret that. I have to live with that. I don't do it now. Rarely...I do it rarely. I did kill someone recently, two actually, but they were evil, so that doesn't count."

  As the words left my mouth, I looked up at Bael, who stared at me without expression. "Oh God, I didn't even care! I don't care because they were evil...I have lost my humanity. I mean I knew it was going..."

  "Keep your big boy pants on for God's sake. So, what. You're a bloody vampire, you're not supposed to care. The fact that you only took from the bad is to be commended.

  “Oh my God, I feel like a dad in a bad way. You two...you're bleeding soft!" Raising his voice, he continued, "Look, Jack, being a vampire there have been rules set down by the Elite, a governing body if you will. Anthony and his friends killed them. Now part of those rules includes not killing innocents, people who aren't evil. It included you could drink from evildoers but not kill them. Rather, once they're almost drained, you scare the shit out of them so they never attack anyone or anything again. Am I making myself clear?"

  Nodding, Jack agreed.

  "Good. Now, we all mostly adhere to not taking good people. We need them to make more bad humans, but your brother here has recently got back into the habit, a bit like biting your nails, of killing his prey. Bad as it is, then he had the task of burying the bodies. Now of course he’s met me, he won’t have to get dirty again. Well, not in that way. Now, here's our drinks. Are we all caught up? Anthony's a blood-sucking evil son of a bitch, and he feels bad about it, except not as bad as he used to. And you, Jack, you, like him, are the son of the King of Hell. Lucifer. So, let's drink to that boys, shall we?"

  Solemn was the word to describe our little table as I realised too late that humanity had left me long ago. I'd been clinging to the hope that I maintained some, but the truth was, I didn't. Soulless, feeding on humans...

  As I stood to go to the bar, Andy appeared taking me completely off guard. Bumping into him, I dropped the glass and watched it bounce on the table then smash onto the floor. He lifted his shoulders, instinctively, I snarled as he towered above me. A hush fell throughout the bar, all eyes on us, his face paler with shock, wide-eyed. So, he was a mortal guarding an immortals’ bar. The Nephilim on the other side of the room slowly stood up, faces rigid and Andy gripped the cross around his neck. Ah, religious then. This
would be interesting.

  Standing quickly, Bael's voice was stern but calm, "Ok. No need to get excited. Both of you calm down!" He bent down to pick up the glass, followed by the waiter who tentatively stepped forwards with a dustpan and brush.

  His stare fixated on me, Andy moved to the other side of the table, then addressed Bael, "I don't know who or what you are. Why do you want to speak to me?"

  Trying to regain some dignity, he said, "Please sit down, Andy. We have to talk."

  "I'm working, and no thank you." His small eyes scanned us three, muscles tight. I couldn't blame him. He must've felt the unease in that place, the only breathing human in a room full of creatures, most of whom wanted to eat or drink him, or both.

  "Let him go, Bael. This isn't a good idea here...maybe —"

  "They'll be no maybe," Andy snapped angrily.

  Nodding, defeated, Bael looked away as his son walked off full of venom. Amon, Prince of Anger.

  "We'll see him later. Catch him in church or coming out perhaps. You turn him, I'll take it from there," Bael spoke to me.

  Surprisingly, it was Jack who spoke next, "Are you crazy? He's mad now, imagine if he's a blood-crazed vampire. And then with more power...he'll tear up the place, everything. Seriously, you cannot do that."

  "I agree with my brother. It wouldn't surprise me if it was him that started it off the last time. Besides, we just freaked the shit out of him — that ain't good. Poor human. You see the cross?"

  Rolling his eyes, Bael agreed, "I did. But I have to have all of you back, or it won't work."

  "What won't work?" Jack asked.

  "My plan to turn things around. To get my — our — power back. For Anthony to save his beloved. Anyway, Jack, shouldn't you have another half? A girlfriend or boyfriend? I thought each of you had a watcher of sorts?"

  "I did have one for several years. I loved her a lot, but I was a loser, remember, and she was too good for me."

  "What, she left you?"

  "No, she was too kind for that, but I split up with her. I couldn’t give her anything, could I? Just made me feel more like a failure."

  "What about your parents?"

  "What about them? They died when I was a kid, a baby. I was fostered, but that didn't work out. Why are you changing the subject? Why is it so important to get Mr. Angry with us?"

  "There's always another way. Magic can be a potent force," I added.

  "Ah, yes," Bael answered snarkily, then shouting, "You think I don't know that. Geez, we're getting all my boys together, and that's final. And you're both helping, all right? And Anthony, why are you sniggering? You think this is funny? I invest in you, and this is how you repay me?"

  "You look funny when you’re angry, yes. You can do what you will, he won't succumb. But I'll do it if it means that much. He's your responsibility, though."

  "Bloody hell, you two are a barrel of laughs aren't you. You know I can see now why the Council disbanded you. I need a drink."

  Bael got up and mixed with the others whilst Jack, and I sat in silence. I could see he was itching to ask me questions, but I wasn't in the mood to answer, so I just scrolled through my phone checking messages. Suddenly, I had a desire to be back home, be with my friends and walk away from this but I couldn't. I didn't have the ring.

  Sitting at the table, neither Jack or I spoke and stared at my phone. Aware of Jack looking around, he stood up suddenly. “I’m going out to get some air, I’ll see you later,” his voice soft but urgent.

  Glancing away from the screen, raising my eyebrows, I sensed a change of energy in him like an electric surge. Adjusting his jacket, he strode out the back door. I hadn’t seen that until now. I slurped at the cold blood in the wine glass Bael had ordered, my throat tight. Cold blood is quite revolting. Looking around the place, those Nephilim — two of them kept glancing over. Anger pent-up in me. I knew Bael was right. I wondered why I cared for Andy — this mortal — so much, knowing that I kill without remorse. But then, maybe because it’s only the wicked I take life from.

  I decided to leave to find Andy on my own, a sudden shudder bolting through me when I remembered my own doorway to Hell, being turned so violently without consent.

  Following Jack, as I stepped outside, I was acutely aware of him not far off, groaning, murmuring. Grinning, I instantly knew why he’d gone to get air. He was just around the corner. I didn’t have to see to know that he’d found some vampire to play with, their moans being quite loud.

  As I listened to my progeny explore his first sexual experience as a vampire, I jumped suddenly, caught off guard “Hey, does that turn you on?” Before I moved, my head spun for just a second. I knew that voice.

  As I turned, a shiver ran through me, there standing before me was Josephine, a vampire I’d met years ago when I was first turned. Her long, auburn curls had been cut shorter. Now they fell only to her shoulders. Her skin gleamed porcelain with a hint of pink, flushed from feeding.

  “Oh my God!” I rushed towards her, hugging her hard, then stood back to look at the vampire who I’d once believed to be my friend. But we had a history together, and that meant something in this cold preternatural world.

  “My, how you’ve changed,” she sniggered. “I’m sorry about Rachel. More so about Nathaniel, obviously...But I see that you’ve embraced your nature at last. That’s good. You look different. Shocking that you're hanging out with Bael. I guess you’re a real-life bad boy now then?” she laughed.

  “You know Bael?”

  “No, but I know of him. I don’t know him personally. I’ve been following your adventures, as has Tom. You’ve made quite a name for yourself.”

  Narrowing my eyes, I wondered just how much she knew. “Did you know who I really was?”

  Glancing away, she said, “I’d heard rumours, but it makes sense. You always had a ferocious appetite. And now?”

  Edging towards me, heat rushed through me as she eyed me slowly up and down. Torn between the lust of wanting her and the dream of my lover, I remembered what Bael had said. Maybe I was living in a fantasy. She had left me. I would still resurrect her and Nathaniel, I owed them that, but...

  “Oh Anthony, you always were the dreamer. I can see by your face you’re not sure whether or not to give in to your nature. Well, what if I make it easy,” she giggled.

  Catching her eye, “How?”

  Whispering, “Like this!” she shoved me hard back against the wall, pinning me to it, grabbed my hands and holding them fast, locked above my head with one of hers, then pressed her lips against mine.

  “Now, I remember long ago the frightened vampire who took every chance to steal away into the night, hedonistic, sinful and bloodthirsty. I liked him a lot.”

  Before I could answer, again, her lips on mine, playfully biting my bottom lip as she brushed herself against me. My body was on fire. Whatever Bael had done to me made this experience stronger. Bolting around, I snatched my arms away, twisting her so she was the one against the wall.

  Sliding my hand down her body, her thighs, I asked gently, “Is this better?”

  She gasped, nestling herself against me. I wanted her, but I knew I had to leave. I had to find Andy, but my body battled me. Slipping her dress up, her skin cool under my fingers, I remembered those days of hedonism, remembered how she felt. She reached for my zipper, and I pushed her hand away. Stepping back, breathless, “I can’t, not now. I have to find someone. Later. Text me later. And Tom, where is he?”

  Small angry eyes answered me, her lips tight, “You tease. But there is no later. I’m leaving tonight. Tom is away.”

  Brushing my hair back with my fingers, she stared at my groin, “Surely you can’t leave with that!”

  I wasn’t embarrassed with her. Hell, there wasn’t a lot she and I hadn’t done. “I want to stay, Josephine, but I can’t. I have business that can’t wait.” I charged at her, pushing her into the wall again, running my hand up her thighs. I whispered, “How did you find me?”

  “Well,
I guess you’ll never know Anthony! I want you now.”

  I lunged away, turned on my heels and strode away. “Later, Josephine. Later.”

  I heard her grunt, angry, but I needed to see Andy, and I knew her game. As deeply aroused as I was, I didn’t want to become entangled in her and Tom’s ménages à trois again. At least that was what I was fighting with in my mind.

  Second guessing, I turned as I walked. “Call me later!” Then I went off, pent-up, looking for Andy.

  In the cool night air, I tried to catch Andy's scent, but my instinct told me where he was. I caught his scent and followed it away from the bright lights and neon signs to a road not paved, dimly lit and there it was. A small church. Run-down, but brightly coloured saints painted on its walls, peeling from years of neglect. Slowly, I opened the door his scent was stronger now. A few flames flickered by the altar. There he sat in a pew, head bent over prayer hands.

  Walking without a sound, I sat on the opposite side to his pews and spoke softly, "You were wise to leave. The path he has for you isn't just. It's dark, but unfortunately, it is...it seems your fate. You, like Jack and me, don't remember who you are?"

  Gasping loudly at my voice, he staggered up in shock, crossing himself.

  "How can you be in here, vampire?"

  Smirking, I added, "I'm not religious. Anyhow, we need to talk. Bael has ordered me to make you a vampire so that he can —"

  "He can make me like you. Demons to the King of Hell, I know who Bael is. No, I would rather die!" he spat the words, disgusted at me, at our kind. Who could blame him?

  I turned away from the altar and, still sitting casually, answered him, "I don't think you understand. He won't give you a choice. I will take you and turn you and he, your father, will make you the Prince you truly are. None of us can leave here until it is so, and his power exceeds everyone's. I'm truly sorry, or I would be if I felt compassion, but this is a fact. I'm hoping you don't have a wife, children, family, a pet? If you have any others in your life, we need to ensure that their future is provided for. I can offer financial assistance, should you need it."