This Time

by Alisha Basso

  “That gross excuse for a dress needs to be destroyed.” I took a step back and curled my lip. “In fact, I think it needs a priest and a proper burial.” Revolted, I spun, dismissing the demonic little horror of a seamstress.

  “Very good, My Lady.”

  The door shut softly and I sank to the ground. I had no more tears left. I knew that this was my life. If I showed any resistance, Lu would kill everyone I loved. I had to be the blushing bride. What little powers I had were still my own, for now, but I bore the marks and had no power over him.

  Once we had entered the underground, Lu had joyfully filled me in on every single spell that I had stupidly allowed him to weave into my skin. In my senseless delirium, I had completely cut myself off from any and all defenses against him. With each cry of pleasure, each sigh and adoring caress, I had systematically destroyed my life. Each and every mark on my arm was a binding contract.

  He’d set it up perfectly. I couldn’t bind my magic with Seth and Lucian in any form. The trinity would have been quite a powerful thing because he had woven that spell first. I couldn’t strike out against him in any way, indirectly or directly and I was forbidden to use my magic to escape him.

  I didn’t believe him at first so, of course, I had to test it out and see if he was telling me the truth or just blowing smoke. It was a mistake that I had no desire to duplicate. It happened the second night we spent together. All I did was try to throw him to the ground. He didn’t budge, and my eyes and nose bled for an entire day for my efforts. From the memory of the pain at trying to join with Lucian and Seth, I knew I was well and truly screwed.

  I curled into a ball. Hugging my knees to my chest I snuggled on my side. The ground was soft and I ran my fingers through the fur I laid upon. Rabbit skins, white and fluffy had been stitched together to make my chambers feel more homey. Yeah, I told Lu that I didn’t have a bunch of slaughtered bunnies on my floor at home and I’d take a pass. He had responded that he had put them there, so they would stay. I just smiled and let him have his way.

  I wanted out. I wanted to see my friends and smile again. I wanted to lay in my bed and drink coffee and eat Cocoa Puffs. I wanted to pine over my lost humanity and argue with Seth over daytime TV. I even missed crying myself to sleep over the memory of Lucian’s gentle touch. I wanted so many things that would never be again.

  “My Lady?” a deep voice called from the door and I rolled over, sick to death of the constant disturbance, “might I speak with you for a moment?”

  I sighed and reluctantly stood, smoothing my rumpled clothing, I looked toward my newest visitor. I frowned. He was handsome. Not in the eye-bleeding, painful way that Lu was, but beautiful none the less.

  I lowered my brows. Beauty in Hell was so not a good thing. A nauseating wave of fear crept into my stomach and I backed up a step.

  He smiled, a tiny laugh escaped him and he shook his head, looking amused. “I would never harm you, My Lady. You are soon to be my queen. I come on behalf of Lourdes. She’s worried that you’re playing a game and ultimately wish her death.” He shrugged at my look of confusion. “You will not accept any of her gowns,”

  I studied his face as he spoke. He looked way too important to be a simple errand boy to the tiny seamstress.

  “Who are you?” I eyed him, warily. “Why aren’t you gross or oozing or missing bits?”

  He laughed. “I don’t really think that matters, do you?” He tilted his head in question. “So, is Lourdes safe?” he asked as he met my eyes.

  “Well, first yeah, it matters to me, and it should matter to you if you expect me to keep speaking to you.”

  The side of his mouth lifted in a crooked smile. “Touché,” he bowed his head.

  I folded my arms as a tingle skittered along my flesh. “Since I’ve been here, I haven’t seen a single creature that hasn’t made me scream manically inside my head or throw up in my mouth, so what gives? Who or what are you and why are you really in my room because I know damn well it has nothing to do with whether or not I choose one of those disgusting gowns, which I won’t do, by the way.”

  He laughed low and quick. Dropping his brows, he leaned close. “I see a spine. Funny, they all said you were weak. A mewling whore whose cunt has poisoned the devils mind.”

  My jaw dropped as he watched me, looking thoughtful.

  “But then,” he continued, ignoring my outraged expression, “these fools are ignorant and small.” He stepped closer, circling me slowly. “I think, perhaps, you may be their undoing.” He joined his hands behind his back as he walked.

  I shook my head, bewildered and followed him with my eyes. “That’s flattering, but I hardly think I could undo Hell itself.” A chill raced up my spine.

  He turned, sighing dramatically, and smirked. “Well, I digress, I shall tell Lourdes you would prefer your gown less…organic.” He chuckled to himself.

  “I’ve told her myself, several times.” I watched him move toward the door. “With Lu gone, no one listens. She’s as thick as a wall.”

  “Oh, fear not, she will obey,” He winked as he stepped away. “Lu isn’t the only threat here,” he chuckled, shaking his head.

  I watched him. He was tall and elegant with an unnatural grace. His movements were almost liquid, smooth and un-hurried. As if he had no cares, he sort of strolled to the door.

  Something wasn’t right.

  “What do I call you?” I shouted as he reached for the handle.

  He turned and smiled. His teeth were perfect, straight and white, and his face was beautiful. I shook my head.

  “My name is Cain, My Lady.” He pulled the door open and disappeared.

  Suddenly, I felt small. I stood for several seconds, blinking at the door.

  No fucking way.

  TWENTY TWO

  Lucifer

  I pushed my glasses higher onto my nose and flipped another newspaper page. The dark bar was bustling which seemed rather odd. To me, beer was little better than swill. How they could ingest it was beyond me, but most of them would do just about anything for intoxication purposes.

  The Edge. A gathering place for humans who apparently had little regard for themselves or each other. It was a hotbed of sin. Humans were such idiotic creatures. Hell seemed little different.

  The music picked up and I shifted in my seat as the woman with the foulest soul met my eyes. I smiled my most charming and crooked my finger at her.

  Even in this human skin, she was mine now. It was that simple and it took less than a minute.

  “You look a little lost,” she simpered and I smiled as she brushed her yellow hair behind her ear. It was dry and made a scratching sound as she slid her fingers through it. “I bet you’d be happier at a table all your own. I got a good one over there.” She nodded toward a table in the corner. It was almost entirely in shadow. “I can wash that one up in no time.” She showed me her teeth. Her cigarettes had left their mark, as well as age and neglect.

  “I’d be delighted to take a table, if you would join me?” I inclined my head. Her eyes lit up with dollar signs as her head filled with all the ways she would try to separate me from my pants, and thus my wallet. I smiled and folded my paper, setting it on the sticky bar. I lowered my glasses and looked into her soul.

  Oh, she is divine.

  Greed and vanity colored her essence black.

  What delicious sin. If only she knew that I was so much more than a mere mark in my loafers and wool.

  “Consider it done.” She met my eyes and I stifled a delicious chill. Oh, she was a rotten one. Her soul was already half black. It was a rarity to stumble upon such a prize. Usually, humans weren’t worth my time. Over the last hundred years, human sin had become epidemic, stretching me thin. Having discovered that most sin was generally boring, I decided to spare myself the tedium. I would always get my time with the most interesting ones. Serial killers were entertaining, but we haven’t had a good one since that little genius, Dahmer.

  Damn, he was fun to
fuck with.

  But mostly, I left the sinners to my demons.

  This one would be interesting.

  She made a pathetic show of walking to the tables. Her ancient ass rocking from side to side. I watched her bend over to clean the small table. She jiggled and swayed in a way that was meant to be provocative. I sneered. Her efforts would have stirred feelings in a more base and shallow creature. However, she was nothing more than a suit of skin that would serve my needs nicely.

  She pulled out a chair and motioned to me with a flick of her finger.

  I picked up my paper, abandoning the putrid brew on the bar. She could fetch me a new one, should she survive the next few moments.

  I took the seat she had pulled out for me and crossed my legs.

  She sat across from me.

  “I’m Debbie,” she offered her hand.

  I smiled. “Pleased to meet you.” Her skin smelled of cheap perfume and filthy dollars.

  “You’re not from around here are you, handsome?” Her shirt bulged open, showing far too much flesh for my taste.

  I met her eyes and smiled. “No, I’m from out of town, in fact I’m here on business.”

  “Oh,” she brightened. “So you’re all alone then?” She pursed her lips and blinked rapidly at me.

  I leaned in and smiled. “All alone.”

  The body I borrowed was short which made meeting her eyes easier.

  “How’d you like a little company?” She ran her fingers along the side of her breast and bit her lip.

  “I would be overjoyed,” I beamed as she rose. Standing close, she took my hand and pulled me to my feet. I stood and let her lead me out the back door to a small alley behind the bar.

  “You know,” she began as she moved her hands through my hair, “I’ve always wished for a big strong man to come along and sweep me off my feet.” I leaned back against the wall and watched her, amused. “This is good, isn’t it?” She cooed, rubbing her breasts along my body.

  “Oh, sweet fool, this is better than you think.” I gripped her hair in my fist and pulled her head back hard.

  “What the fuck?” she choked out, “let me go!” She clawed and punched my chest, struggling violently in my arms. “You cock-sucker!” her craggy voice rang throughout the alley.

  I frowned. “Have some courtesy,” I whispered into her ear, “you volunteered.” I gripped her chin hard and took her mouth. Her eyes went wide a moment before she went limp in my arms. It only took a second for the man I had possessed earlier to fall limply to the ground, and for her flesh to become my own.

  I stepped over the crumbled body of the business man and sneered.

  Glamour was for the good guys. Possession was much more amusing.

  I shook out my hair and straightened my rumpled clothing. Her body was a mess and ached all over. I shook my head at the amount of padding and elastic that surrounded me. She was a bold one to offer this broken body to any man. It was no matter. I rubbed my hands together, then I slapped my own ass and entered the bar.

  The crowd had thinned, but I knew they would show. It hadn’t taken much to discover their little routine. The sister, Jamie, was at the root of it all. Gathering the men every Friday night in order to cheer them up. They had hit almost every bar on this side of town, and I knew for a fact that they were hitting this one tonight. How this pit of swine would lift the spirits of anyone was beyond me. It stank of unwashed bodies and fried food. It was so horrid, I almost felt at home.

  The night was waning and my patience was almost gone when finally, they entered.

  Anger and hate filled my blood and I sighed. Closing my eyes, I wrapped the darkness around me. It was finally time. I pulled the pad of paper out of my apron and approached the table.

  “What can I get you?” I smiled.

  “Oh, um.” Jamie sighed, clearly frustrated, she looked towards her insipid brother. He looked utterly broken as he frowned down at a filthy menu. Seth was no better. He glared at Lucian, his eyes narrowed. I watched them as they muttered back and forth. Jamie was obviously the only reason they were tolerating each other. Her hope that they would finally make peace and become friends was as pitiful as her attempt to cheer them up by bringing them here. This place was nothing but depressing.

  “How about a pitcher of Bud?” Lucian shrugged and tossed the tiny plastic menu to the side.

  I smiled. “Sure thing.” I looked at Seth. “Anything else?” I cocked my hip and met his eyes. He curled his lip at me and folded his arms across his chest.

  Jamie, slapped his arm. “Seth stop scowling at everyone. Sheesh,” she frowned at me. “Sorry,” she pursed her lips. “We’ve just lost someone incredibly dear.”

  Oh, yes you did.

  I wanted to twist the knife in deeper, make them suffer as I had suffered when I knew she was in their world and I could never have her. She had been mine centuries ago, and now she was finally mine again. Their bond was the last tie to be severed. Their death would make my bond irrevocable. Madea males were so rare that even in my vast existence, I had yet to come upon one. They were just as pure as the females who loved them. I had none in my collection.

  I smiled to myself, at least not yet.

  Capturing them should be easy, as no magic would be used. I wasn’t going to take any chances in that regard. They may be distracted by their suffering, but they were no less dangerous. Magic of any kind could be sensed. But I had an ace up my sleeve thanks to my beautiful Helen. That luscious flower had given me a gift so great that, even though she had failed me with Grace, she had come through with something almost as valuable.

  The Dead Dreg.

  Hybrids or not, these two Madea were extremely powerful and no less dangerous in their pitiful state of depression. I couldn’t take them out while they possessed their powers. The only way to get them out of the way was to take their strength and render them little more than sacks with souls.

  It was almost too easy.

  I scribbled on the pad of paper and sighed dramatically. “Sorry ‘bout your loss, sugar,” I placed my hand on Seth’s shoulder. “But as they say, time wounds all heels.” They gaped at me but I just couldn’t resist. I turned and walked away.

  ***

  The bar was backed up and I grabbed a pitcher and filled it with the first tap I could grab. It frothed like mad and I stared at it. Instantly, the foam was gone. I turned and grabbed three glasses. A little magic and the drug was in the glasses and the brew. Once they took a sip, their magic would be gone, their bodies useless sacks of skin.

  I approached, and after setting the drinks on the table, I stopped. They glared at me and I sighed, realizing that my last remark might send them to another bar.

  “Sorry about that comment, but this poor body’s been through a lot tonight.” I looked up, smiling at my secret little jest.

  Jamie looked miserable. “That’s okay. I guess everyone is entitled to their moods,” she said, eying Seth with unabashed adoration. I curled my lip and turned to walk away.

  My work was almost done.

  I’d barely taken a step when the first body dropped.

  “Lucian!” Jamie screamed and I smiled.

  The sound of another body thumping to the ground filled me with satisfaction.

  I sent out a block throughout the entire bar, muting the mortals’ ability to perceive any of what was to come, which was good because Jamie was screaming like her skin was on fire.

  I painted concern on my face and rushed to assist.

  “Call an ambulance!” she shouted to me.

  I smirked and shook my head. Her panic had shriveled her brain to a peanut. They were immortal beings with silver blood. She really wanted mortals discovering that?

  “I’m on it,” I reassured the stupid woman and ran to the bar and then right out the back door. Stepping from Debbie’s skin, I left her flaccid body in the alley next to the business man.

  I was myself again. My body thundering with health and power. It was almost over. One mo
re simple step and they were fucking mine. I ran past the mortals gathered here and there in the street, thrilling in the feel of the night. I had only to hijack an ambulance and a clean pair of scrubs.

  ***

  The demon I plucked out of hell drove worse than I feared.

  “You’ve just shoved them in a pile!” Jamie cried. “There isn’t enough room.”

  I smiled as her irritating voice whined and burbled incessantly. The ambulance had been easy to acquire, the hard part was getting those two oafs into the back of the fucking thing. They were conscious, which made loading them a pleasure. Their looks of horror and fear were the icing on the cake.

  Jamie shivered and blubbered. Wet tears and snot flowed from her face in a disgusting river of goo. I curled my lip, she was indeed an idiot. Her concern for those two useless fools was so great that even with no glamour at all, she failed to recognize me.

  “Why aren’t you helping them?” she wailed, looking completely out of her mind as the ambulance bumped and rocked across the road. “Oh, God, will they be alright?”

  I knelt down beside her.

  “Oh, I wouldn’t bet on it.” I whispered.

  Sucking in a shocked breath, she jerked her eyes to mine.

  “Lu!” she shrieked. “Oh, my God.”

  She visibly began to shake and I snorted. It truly amazed me how long it took humans to realize they were in danger.

  “What have you done?”

  I grinned. “The elves aren’t the only ones with access to The Dead Dreg.” I laughed and she cringed back. “And you’re right,” I frowned at her and looked around, “we are rather crowded in here.”

  She paled and her eyes swelled with fear.