This Time

by Alisha Basso

  He blew out a loud breath and then thankfully, he stepped closer. “Here, hang on.” He reached up and snapped the cuffs open. I sighed in relief and fell to the ground in a heap. Slime and thick sludge soaked into my panties and bra. Maggots rose to the surface as I tried to pull myself to my feet. They stuck to my fingers, wriggling and writhing along my skin. I didn’t care, I had no strength left to react.

  “Hades, this shit stinks!” Cain pulled me up and then draped me over his shoulder. He carried me over to a small cell. Straw and bits of wood covered the floor. “Sorry, I can’t get you out, but at least you’ll be out of that crap.” He stepped from the cell and closed the door. A loud crash thundered throughout the room and he stiffened and looked around. “This might have been stupid,” he said as he looked over his shoulder. “I have to go, but I’ll try to come back.” He turned and rushed from the room.

  I was finally on solid ground. The wood and straw smelled like spoiled milk and week old gym socks, but it was dry and I was finally able to lower my arms. The wall had been torture. Even with my magic easing the weight on my joints, it was horrid. I hated to think what would have happened if I had remained there. I curled into a ball and cried to the sounds of a thousand wails and the groans of the men I loved.

  * * *

  Grace?

  I’m here. Wait, where is here?

  No place.

  Everywhere is somewhere.

  I will never get used to your stubborn streak, but I am very happy to see that your spirit has not broken. Are you ready?

  I think. Mariee, is that really you?

  Yes, Grace.

  What will happen?

  If you follow through with Ann’s plan? Plenty.

  Can you be a little more specific?

  Well, that is the problem. You could undo too much. Spin us all out of time. You must understand the risk of paradox. You will need a spell.

  I don’t do spells. I think, it happens. It’s that simple.

  This is too big to be careless and arrogant. You have to take your time and think. Nothing can be thought of as too small or insignificant. If a detail falls through the cracks, so might someone’s life.

  Fine, a spell then.

  Are you certain this is the answer?

  What other answer is there? He’s winning. I can’t let him have our power.

  Now you understand my struggle.

  My struggle has never been about love, it’s not the same thing.

  You do not have to pretend. We are inside your spirit and your heart. You have never been a fool.

  Who says I’m a fool?

  It is always about love. Your heart would keep him despite the abuse.

  That’s where you’re wrong. I’m not a tool to be used. I’ve made up my mind, we won’t belong to him.

  I knew you did not understand. We already do.

  Perhaps, but not for long. It ends.

  Are you so sure that is for you to decide?

  No, but some people are stronger than me. Some have more power.

  You only think they have more power.

  Will you stay with me? When this is all over, if I forget?

  Of course, where would I go?

  Mariee, I’m sorry I doubted you, sorry I believed the worst.

  I know, now wake up. He’s coming.

  TWENTY SEVEN

  “She looks like a sheet of filthy parchment. Get her out of there.”

  Icy hands grabbed me and I winced in pain as I was yanked to my feet. I staggered out of the cell. I could smell my own skin, a sweet kind of rotten meat smell mixed with the metallic scent of blood. The stench wafted thick and suddenly I wanted to vomit. I had no idea how long I’d been in that cell.

  Lucian and Seth still hung like slabs of meat from hooks. Their skin had changed to a spongy yellow and they no longer moaned in pain. At least I knew that they had a few moments when they didn’t suffer. Looking up, I cringed and sent out another burst of power, easing their pain and dulling their senses.

  Lu gripped my arm. “You dare defy me so openly?” Lu jerked me to the side. The slap came out of nowhere, clacking my teeth together and spinning me to the ground. Sliding in the muck, I laid there, unmoving as Lu thundered and raged above me. He had no idea how much I’d defied him. I’d had a lot of time to think in that smelly cell.

  The souls inside of me helped bolster my power, simply by explaining it to me. My power was still my own, even though Lu had me bound tighter than a used noose. Accepting that had been hard, and I felt like total shit because I’d been a huge part of tying that rope.

  “My dearest bride. You smell like shit.” I flinched and cried out in pain as he grabbed me by my hair. I slid through the tar-like muck of decaying bodies and blood. Maggots and rats slid past as he dragged me along the putrid floor. I reached up and gripped his hand as he twisted and wound my hair around his fist. I saw stars and clawed his flesh as he jerked me along.

  “You will never defy me again,” he snarled and pulled me up to my toes.

  I gazed at him through crust-covered lashes as he curled his lip and pushed me backward into a large pool of water.

  I went under and sank like a brick. Blood and broken bits of bone and vermin swirled and danced from my hair. I kicked and spun trying to release the knots in my hair that held the most filth. Then, when air had become a problem, I kicked and rose to the surface of the pool, gasping air into my lungs. I swam past the filth and tried to rub away the dirt. Then Lu was there. He reached in and grabbed me by my arm. I winced as he yanked me from the pool.

  “Take her to the bath,” he barked and pushed me toward a dark figure squatting in the corner. I landed in the creatures arms as Lu turned, a furious look on his face. I watched as his wings unfurled and with a gust of air he was gone.

  I was led to a room with a deep tub. It was nowhere as large as the pool Lu tossed me into, but it was still large. The thing leading me wore a cloak. It was hooded and covered the thing from head to toe. I didn’t care, I was finally going to get clean.

  I grabbed my sodden panties and peeled them gingerly from my flesh. My bra came off next and I sighed in relief. I kicked the mess aside and gingerly stepped into the sweet smelling tub. Leaning back I tried to relax my aching muscles. I was extremely sore.

  Once I had decided on the spell I needed to fix this whole mess, I had spent the majority of my time trying to heal Lucian and Seth. When that was clearly impossible, I used my magic to erase their pain and try to make them unaware of what was happening.

  The creature must have moved because shampoo was suddenly flowing into my ears. I closed my eyes, bracing for the hair tearing, but what followed was a gentle massage of my scalp.

  I stiffened and moved to turn, but the creature had my head in its grip and I couldn’t move.

  I grumbled to myself and tried to move again.

  “God, you’re a stubborn woman!”

  I know that voice.

  I jerked away and spun, sloshing water onto the floor.

  “Cain?” I gawked. “What the hell are you doing?”

  He smiled and shrugged. “I wanted to make sure you were still breathing.”

  “Are you freaking crazy?” I couldn’t believe he was sitting there with sudsy hands and a huge grin. “You realize you’re going to get murdered, don’t you?” I whispered, sinking into the water.

  “Nah. He is too angry to pay any attention to me.”

  “Angry?”

  “Yeah. You never once gave in. You sat in that cell, wasting away and never once called out for mercy. Believe me he was waiting.” He smiled and poured more soap into his hands.

  “I’m not letting you wash me.”

  “You have no choice.” He dumped more soap onto my head. “You’re too weak, remember?”

  “What do you know of it?”

  “I have a few ideas.” He began combing his fingers through the knotted strands of my hair. “You can wash that filth off your arms and legs though. I think you
may want to get going on that, too. This has to be quick.

  “You said he was waiting?” I picked up the sponge and began scrubbing at the spots of sticky grime. It was like tar and I pushed harder. I didn't want to know what it really was.

  “He expected you to last a few hours, not a few weeks.” His voice held a hint of respect. “He’s the one who broke, not you. That bugs him. You're probably going to pay for that at some point."

  “Weeks? Damn it felt like months,” I sighed. “Does that mean this farce of a wedding is back on?”

  He blew out a ragged breath. “Your gown is hanging in his chambers right now. You’re to be brought there immediately after your bath.”

  “Wonderful.” My shoulders slumped.

  “I hope you have a plan.”

  “Don’t you wish you knew?”

  “What I know is irrelevant, your men die tonight,” he stated flatly.

  I turned, meeting his eyes. “No they don’t.”

  He smiled. “Very good, My Lady.”

  TWENTY EIGHT

  He walked a slow circle around me as I stood shivering in his chambers. My hair was dry and brushed. It lay in soft waves on my shoulders, calmed by a glamour. I was naked and cold as Lu examined me.

  I stood in silence and stared unseeing at a spot on the wall. I felt him move around me. Heat and anger radiated from his flesh.

  He lifted a lock of my hair and brought it to his nose.

  “Mmm, so much better, my bride, although you have lost weight which I do not care for,” he sighed and grazed his hands along my naked shoulders. I ignored his touch, biting my tongue, even though I was dying to remind him that I was thin because he’d fucking starved me. “I see you finally understand.” He kissed the top of my head and then he turned and took the gown from the hook on the door.

  I felt him at my back as he pressed the gown close to my skin. I struggled to remain numb as the gowns texture changed, I staggered and sucked in too much oxygen. Coughing, I swayed as breathing became almost impossible. The gown had wrapped itself around me, like a strait jacket with a life of its own. I stood in horror, chilled to the bone as silk and lace tightened around me.

  Lu threw his head back and laughed, an elegant sweep of his neck. I glared as I tried to suck air into my lungs. My nerves were thin and I fisted my hands, digging deep to strengthen my determination.

  “You are a vision.” He pulled my hand up and spun me. As I turned my eyes landed on him. I felt my heart hammer in my chest.

  He had changed that fast. He stood before me as he had once before. A vision of unearthly beauty. I had no words.

  He looked pleased at my silence and I wished with all I had that I could lash out. Anger overwhelmed me as I took in his horrible magnificence. It was the ultimate punishment to my heart. A creature so unbelievably beautiful, so angelic, could be the Devil himself.

  His hair was long once again and swept from his face to fall in glowing, golden waves. Shirtless, his skin was a honey, golden tan making his beautiful tattoos stand out boldly. The ink along his left arm matched mine almost perfectly. He watched me, his slightly pink lips framed his perfect white teeth in a mocking smile.

  I sniffed as a tear slid down my cheek. I wiped it away.

  Silver.

  I laughed to myself and shook my head. Figured that his beauty would cause me to cry tears of blood once again. I hated him. He was every temptation capable of sin. He was a nightmare because he was a dream.

  He unfurled his midnight wings, they spread wide as he folded his arms. He was mocking me and I whimpered, my knees weakening. My automatic reactions to him were pissing me off. I felt like a puppet controlled by lust and flesh. I closed my eyes as he took my hand. His touch was gentle as tears of blood sparkled along the bodice of my gown.

  We moved down a narrow corridor to what I could only describe as my doom. My mind raced with thoughts. The spell I had worked was stamped behind my eyes. I had so much to lose.

  Lu squeezed my hand, ripping me from my tortured thoughts, “I’ve enjoyed the game you’ve been playing,” he said, “but you realize that ends tonight.”

  I listened, my heart sinking,

  “Your soul is ripe with defiance.” He pulled me along, his eyes forward as we maneuvered around piles of sloppy goo that I was sure used to be actual living creatures. “I’ve tried to fuck it out of you,” he continued, “but you haven’t wavered.” He shrugged. “A testament to your grand control I suppose.” Then he stopped, I braced myself on his arm as my feet slid in the sludge. “Soon it won’t matter what you wish to do. You will finally, irrevocably belong to me.” He smiled. “Your power, your body. I will finally travel the road forbidden.”

  I looked away, ignoring him. He wanted to get a rise out of me so I ground my teeth together and struggled with my rising fury.

  He grabbed my bare arm, jerking it up hard, I shrieked in shock and sucked in a breath. His cool eyes found mine and held. “The marks you bear are your own doing, Grace Allen. This above all other things proves you have felt strongly for me. You can never deny the pleasure you find in my arms.” He squeezed my arm and I grimaced in pain. “Never forget that.” He glared and bared his teeth.

  I stumbled as he gripped my wrist and pulled me further down the hall. He was angry. My silence in the pit had really pissed him off. He was a puzzle, wanting so much to be loved and desired, yet when I tried to show him any emotion, he would spin it, make it ugly and wrong. I watched him as we moved along. It was true. I had felt for him, in my own pathetic way. It was every foolish female’s desire to change a man unchangeable, but the task I had set out to accomplish was doomed no matter what I tried to do.

  He wanted my light, yet he refused to allow it to shine.

  The grime on the floor appeared to thicken the further we traveled. My spiky heeled shoes were like ice skates, squishing and slipping in the muck.

  The stench was revolting and I cringed and yelped as I realized my feet had left the floor. Without missing a beat, Lu’s giant wing swept underneath me, pressing against my back, it slid up, allowing me to gain my footing once more.

  I stood for a moment, Lu standing quietly by my side as I struggled to catch my breath. Lu’s wing continued to brace me and I looked sideways at him. He stared straight ahead and I frowned. He was an enigma, and despite what Mariee thought, I had no desire to solve it.

  We continued on until finally we entered a great cavern so large it seemed like another world.

  Oh, God.

  My heart dropped as fear caused the goosebumps to rise along my flesh.

  Demons of every shape and size skittered along the walls. Clinging to the uneven surface of the stone, their claws clicking and scratching the rock as they moved. Little bits of stone crumbled and rained down onto the backs of the demons on the floor. They chattered and screeched like crows, sending icy panic into my blood.

  I blew out a slow breath as Lu led me through the swarm. My breathing hitched as they reached out and ran their freezing hands across my legs. I wanted to scream and run as fast as I could.

  I realized too late that I had unconsciously slid my hand around Lu’s arm. His derisive snort was the only hint he had noticed. I didn’t give a shit. I’d take the demon beside me at the moment. At least I knew I’d survive the walk with him.

  As we traveled deeper into the vast chamber, the number of shining demons grew.

  We rose higher and higher making our way to a giant dais that rose above the squirming, writhing bodies.

  Lu removed my hand and I quickly made a fist, drawing it up to my chest as we walked slowly up the steps, his rising excitement was palpable. Heat surrounded me and I folded my arms tightly across my stomach. The air was heavy as I frantically scanned the demons.

  Eyes watched us from every horrid face.

  I’m so fucking unprepared for this.

  My doubts rose to the surface as he pointed his finger for me to stay. He moved away, leaving me behind. His steps picked up as he
approached a large covered alter.

  His arms flung wide, Lu spun, and a cocky grin lit up his face.

  I recoiled, calling on all my strength not to bolt. His eyes found mine and he pointed a long finger at me. “You and I are bound, but for one small act.” His voice boomed throughout the cavern.

  With little ceremony, he reached for the satin shroud.

  I felt the floor dance under my feet as his wings opened. Spreading wide, they appeared to grow in size. I held my breath as he gripped the fabric in two great fists. I knew what would be there and I knew I wasn’t ready.

  Sweat rushed to my palms and my mind frantically worked to remember my carefully worded spell.

  Lu met my eyes and in one grand flourish, he flung the cloth into the air.

  They were almost unrecognizable and I fell to my knees in shock.

  “Oh, God,” I heard my voice squeak. My eyes flooded with tears, blurring their horribly beaten bodies. They were nude and covered in blood. The only way I knew that they were still alive was that Lucifer needed them alive.

  My body shook and I squeezed my eyes shut. Pain crumbled my heart to dust as the vision seemed burned onto my retinas.

  Warm hands gripped my shoulders and I jumped.

  “Stand, Grace.”

  I looked up.

  “Cain?” I sniffed, “what are you doing?” Confused, I looked toward Lu. He was smiling at Cain as he helped me to stand. My skin shivered as Cain led me to stand in front of Lu.

  I bit my lip in anger, no way was I going to stand here and marry this demonic fuck.

  Cain moved to stand in front of me and gently gripped my wrists.

  “You remember your plan?” he whispered and I lowered my brows as I stared into his deep blue eyes, “you’ll be needing it right about now.” He smiled and stepped back.