Death's Widow

by Lori Aisling

  I extended my hand and he took it, pulling himself off the floor. “Yes, I finally understand, and as fucked-up as it sounds, I think this lesson was exactly what I needed. We aren't mortal. Damn, Luc, I fucking believed you. That was awful.” My breath caught as I dragged in a shaky inhale, running my fingers through my hair. “I need to know- how far would you have gone to get your point across?”

  He winked at me, and wiping the blood from his mouth on the back of his hand, he nodded at the table. “I’m The Devil, Amara. Come on- supper’s getting cold.”

  Snake-Bite

  Surprisingly, I didn’t lose my appetite following my ‘lesson’. Should I be mad at him for his brutal attack? Should I have fled? Maybe. But everything Luc said was true, and made so much sense. I was Death. I maintained control over every soul in creation. My intent forced the soul to accept my will and since every being contained one, I possessed the ability to control them. I needed to accept his ‘hard knock’ role-playing for what it was- a very valuable reminder.

  Oh shit- I am Death. “Who has been completing my duties?” I interrupted, when I suddenly remembered my primary purpose in life.

  “No one.” Lucifer shrugged, popping a fry in his mouth. “The souls will wait. Your absence has caused all sorts of rumors, and the Light is sure I have something to do with your vanishing act. But I have told no one of your time here, and the three...umm, ‘guests’ I was entertaining when you arrived have been placed in purgatory to assure their silence. You are safe to recover to your full potential before leaving, if you desire. I would recommend it.”

  “I know I have a responsibility to the souls, but I think I want to go speak with the archangels and God first. The poison didn’t kill me, so there’s a chance Callon is still alive. He vanished instantly, Luc. I know this must be what happened to him! I need to find him.”

  “Remember, we don’t know you would not have died. Your little snake friend worked really hard extracting the poison from your body. I don’t know what would have happened had the little tyke not known what to do. I’m not trying to dissuade you, but don’t get your hopes up. You were in a really bad way.”

  “I thought snakes inject venom, not extract it.”

  “My hounds have a pinch of succubi in their DNA. That is how I ensure the bond. They feed off my power, and in turn, share theirs with me. At their inception, I designed them to extract emotion from their victims; it’s a handy trick. Their targets become brutal killers once base emotions are removed. The hounds are primarily my pets, now. The archangels made a game of hunting them and it was going to escalate the wars significantly. Since I’ll kill for something as simple as an ice cream sandwich, taunting me in such a way was detrimental to both factions.”

  “When will I be able to bring her home?”

  “She’s ready whenever you are. Once you name her, I will release my bond, so she can attach her lifeforce to her chosen. She is already loyal to you.”

  “I have already picked a name. She will be Lucinda, Lue for short.”

  Lucifer laughed, looking down at the pup. “That’s a fine name! Mighty fine, if I don’t say so myself.” Leaning down he looked into the hound’s eyes before tapping her on the forehead with his index finger. I heard a ‘pop’ in the air and Lue’s butt hit the floor and she whined, looking around, confused.

  “She is no longer attached to me, you can see I broke the bond. Let’s see how she responds.” We both watched as the pup seemed to assess her situation before her eyes zoned in on me and she ran to my side of the table. “There will need to be an exchange, so pick her up,” Lucifer instructed.

  I pulled her onto my lap and she stood with her paws on my chest, looking in my eyes. Putting her heads in my neck, I felt two noses sniffing, before I felt the pinch of little teeth breaking the skin. The serpent’s forked tongue tickled my ear before fangs sank into my lobe. Then I felt her. I could feel the joy, exuberance, and acceptance the little hound passed to me. I couldn’t contain my grin and when she completed the exchange, she pulled back to look at me, and her precious puppy faces looked so happy, I couldn’t help but squeeze her close.

  Lucifer even looked pleased with the match, chuckling as he cleaned up our dinner mess. “I think it’s time for you to rest, Amara. I have slept by your side for nine nights so I could keep an eye on you. But I know you will not be comfortable with that arrangement now. I will take my leave; I need to visit the prison again. I’m coming close to discovering the identity of the demons responsible for allowing the condemned souls into the mortal realm.”

  “Are you sure? I can go, Luc. I’m feeling much better. If I was able to toss you across the room, I think I’ll be even stronger back home and I can defend myself.”

  “One more night, Death. Give me one more night of peace and quiet. I have a feeling once you visit the Light, all hell is gonna break loose, and we will have a mess on our hands.”

  “You think they’re responsible for all of this, don’t you?”

  “No. I think we both have disgruntled members in our ranks. When Callon was taken, I felt he was partially to blame. He became soft, too complacent with the Timeless. However, I’m realizing he was not the only one. I think God and I have been equally as lax. We have to fix this. I hope I’m not the only one who realizes the Beginning will not allow for the design to fail. We don’t run this show, we are only the managers and I fear we can be replaced.”

  “You love your realm, don’t you? It’s weird. You’re evil, and you spread hate, violence, and addiction like an infection. Yet, you care about your role. You aren’t anything I was led to believe.”

  “I am necessary, and I take the responsibility seriously. Look at yourself. You are Death, the thing mortals fear more than even me. Yet you are a caring, compassionate, and loving woman. We are both instrumental in the Beginning’s design.” Walking up to me, he tipped my chin with his finger so I was looking up at him. “Beware, Amara. I have great respect for you, and for Callon. But I’m a selfish and lustful man. When I see something I like, I don’t tend to walk away from it.”

  Leaving me standing there, slack-jawed, he turned and left the room, pulling the door closed quietly behind him.

  Wake Me with Whiskey

  I struggled with the decision to leave immediately following his casual warning; I harbored no intention of leading him on. I appreciated what Lucifer did for me, and although he was Satan, and I could never fully trust him, he was the closest thing I had to a friend. How fucked up was that? Feeling a scratching at my leg, I looked down at Lue.

  “I shouldn’t have even thought that!” I said to the pup, as her two heads nuzzled at the flannel of my PJs. “Come on, let’s take Luc up on his offer. One more night of peace. We’ll go home in the morning.”

  I picked up the little hound and crawled back up onto the massive bed. Lying on my side, I took the time to really look at my new friend. She did look like a tiny Doberman, just with a few ‘additions’. The small viper slithered along my palm and I was in awe of her beauty. Green and gold satin-soft scales complimented copper-colored eyes that seemed to assess me, her tongue flicking out to taste my hand. Looking at me, I got the impression she was questioning me.

  “Go ahead. Check me out,” I crooned to the little snake. She seemed to understand and took to smelling my hand and wrist, before ever so gently sinking her little fangs into my wrist. Knowing she could sense the poison I could not, I was more than happy to let her continue ridding my body of the toxin most likely responsible for Callon’s disappearance.

  Although I felt much better after a shower and food, I still felt weak and sluggish. Getting tossed against a stone wall and assaulted by Satan probably didn’t help, either, but he was right. We weren’t mortal. He knew he wouldn’t seriously injure me, and he proved his point.

  Snuggled in mountains of down and silk, I fell asleep, my pup curled up next to me.

  Feeling fingers slide down my cheek, I dragged my eyelids open to see Lucifer’s amber or
bs glowing in the dim light of the room. “I need you to wake, dear Death,” he whispered, his voice husky.

  Lue’s little chest vibrated under my hand as she uttered a low growl. “I’m awake,” I replied, feeling a bit uncomfortable with his close presence on the bed.

  “Good pup, Lue. Protect your mistress,” he praised before looking back at me. “I am going to need you to leave, Amara. You will take Lucinda and return to your home, now. The situation at the prison is much more dire than I anticipated, and Hell is about to become much bloodier than usual. It appears I have a mutiny on my hands.”

  “I owe you my life, Lucifer. I can help you,” I offered. It was, after all, the least I could do.

  “I may need to call in that favor someday, but not now. You may still be weak, and should you assist me in the future, I need it to be as The Counterbalance, not as Amara returning a favor. I say this not out of a moral decision, but as a safeguard to my realm.”

  “Does this have anything to do with Callon’s disappearance?”

  “I’m sure of it. The tendrils run deep in this treason. Many are going to suffer and bleed out as I drain this swamp of deceit. I’m afraid all realms are going to reap the repercussions of this. Countless condemned souls have been released into the mortal worlds in search of you. You must visit the Light, and soon. We need to ascertain who needs to be reminded of their place and root out this disease.” Standing, he walked to the table and poured a tumbler of whiskey while I crawled from the bed, hurriedly gathering my clothing.

  He offered the glass to me and I took it, raising it to my lips. I paused, looked at him and smiled as I extended the highball to him. “You first,” I challenged.

  “Ah, that’s a good girl,” he said, his lips pulling into a large grin. He tossed back the shot, refilled the tumbler and handed it back to me. “She learns fast.”

  “Nothing like deadly poison and rehabilitation in Hell to learn a lesson, right?”

  “Trust no one, Amara- including me.” He squatted down to the floor and looked at Lucinda. “You can trust her, though, so you are not alone. I wanted you to be able to enjoy the time with her as a puppy. She could help you heal from your loss, but I’m afraid we don’t have that kind of time. Say ‘goodbye’ to your weanling.”

  “What? What do you mean? Don’t hurt her!” I cried, rushing to her side and snatching her away from him.

  “It’s ok. I will not harm her. I’m simply going to speed up her ascension. She needs to be able to assist you, and cute as she may be with her puppy snarls, she’s not helpful. Put her back on the floor; this will not injure her.”

  Knowing his love for his hounds, I cautiously placed Lue back on the floor in front of him, watching him carefully. Reaching out, he placed his hands on each side of her neck, holding her heads steady. She again growled at him, and the viper swayed above her back, beady eyes watching closely, prepared to strike.

  Whispering words of which I could only make out a few, I felt the magic he possessed impregnating the air around us. Lue sat down and I watched her begin to grow. Muscles stretched, then bunched under her skin as she matured before my eyes. Joints popped and bulged while streamlining, tendons snaking their way under the fascia as her structure became powerful and massive. I heard a tinkling sound as her baby teeth fell to the floor; large, dangerous canines and incisors taking their place.

  Lucifer removed his hands and standing before me was an incredibly massive beast. Her shoulders were almost to my waist, her dual heads at my stomach. She held the regal stance and poise of the finest Doberman: upright ears, broad chest, and muscular stature. The viper rose above her, moving towards me and I was astonished with her beauty. The green and gold pattern of her scales looked like the richest tapestry and she had grown a large hood with what looked like a red eye on each side. Unblinking, she stared at me, the copper-colored orbs sparkling like gemstones in her formidable head. Looking at Luc, the snake hissed, exposing two-inch long fangs dripping with venom.

  “Yes, that’s much better,” the Prince of Darkness crooned. “What a beauty. I am almost regretting gifting her to you.” Looking back to me, his brows were drawn, a serious look on his face. “Take her with you everywhere, Amara. She will blend into the mortal realms as a normal canine. She will be covered by your sway, as she pulls her power from you. Her bite, from either of her mouths or the viper, is toxic to Timeless and will render them defenseless. She will take her orders from your will, as she is connected only to you. Due to her bond with Death, she will be able to reap a soul, just as you can, but it will not be with your same mercy and tenderness. If the condemned are hunting you, she will be able to help you dispatch them. Never show mercy. I understand your desire to adhere to Callon’s rules and maintain his legacy, but we are on the cusp of war. Should you need to destroy the condemned, do not hesitate. Maintaining the design the Beginning dictated is my primary goal, regardless of loss, and I hope it is yours as well.”

  “But she can be killed, correct? You said the archangels used to hunt your hounds.”

  “Yes, they can kill her, but it will not be an easy task, especially with you as her Mistress. She will be much more volatile and resilient than any hound in my kennels, as you are the most powerful being in existence.”

  The revelation shocked me. I knew it was true, but hearing it from Satan himself really drove the point home. It was a heavy burden, and I realized in order to salvage what Callon balanced and maintained for so long, I was going to have to dig deep and use my incredible power.

  Luc handed me a fabric bag and I put my extra clothing on top. Suddenly, I remembered something, and I spun around, grabbing the glass vial off the nightstand. Lucifer’s eyes flashed when I turned back to him, but only for a second.

  “It’s wise for you to take that, Amara. I don’t trust myself holding that potent of a toxin. Guard it carefully. In the bag are a few things for Lue. She doesn’t need much. Like us, she doesn’t require food to live, but she will enjoy it and it will keep her happy. Allow her to patrol and run your realm; it’s good for her and will help safeguard you.”

  “Thank you for everything Luc, I mean that. I know you said not to trust anyone, including you, but I won’t forget your dedication to your role and your realm.”

  “I am finding it hard to forget anything about you, Amara. It’s easy for me to see why Callon was so enamored by you. You need to leave, and try not to grace me with your presence anytime soon.” He placed his hand on the small of my back, his amber eyes flashing with heat. Lucinda growled and moved between us, nudging him away. “Yes, it was quite prudent for me to give her to you.”

  I didn’t know what to say. He was being honest about his attraction, but there would never be another for me. I surrendered my heart and soul to Callon and he owned every piece of me, regardless of whether he was alive or dead. “Trust or not, I am still going to call you ‘friend’. Goodbye, Luc.” I placed my hand on Lue’s head and stepped from Hell into Death’s-my- realm.

  Why Don’t You Do Right?

  Lucinda and I arrived outside my front door. A sense of relief came over me as I felt the calming vibe of my vacant realm. I knew others would not see it as I did. It wasn’t the glam and glitter of the Kingdom of Light, nor did it possess all the geographic beauty of the human worlds, but this was my home. The wisps remained a constant comfort and the dim, greyish-green glow was soothing to me.

  We entered the foyer and I walked immediately to the master suite. Lue held her heads to the floor and wandered our house, familiarizing herself with her new accommodations. We would be departing for the home of the archangels and I wasn’t arriving there in the pj’s Lucifer provided for me. I needed to make a statement and it started now.

  Scanning the diverse wardrobe, I chose an ensemble Callon often admired. I remembered the way his silver eyes lit up when I donned this particular set. It was primarily black, not unlike the emotions racing through me most of the time these days, with leather pants and a lace-up corset. The l
apels on the jacket were a deep, dusky grey, but the rest of it was as night-tinged as the other pieces of my outfit. Knee-high, heeled boots completed the look. I didn’t fill it out quite as well as I used to, but it would serve my needs.

  I walked into the bathroom and ran a brush through my long, chocolate-brown tresses. Thanks to being poisoned and almost dying, I was rockin’ the perfect smokey-eye look, if that meant the color was supposed to extend below your lids as well. I painted on deep crimson lipstick and assessed my appearance. Dress for success, Mother always said, and this was a power suit if there ever was one.

  I was ready. Callon trained me well, and Lucifer drove home some extremely valid points concerning dealing with the Timeless. My mate was gone, presumed dead, but possibly alive and suffering. It was time to get some solid answers and no method of extraction was beyond my will. There was no doubt in my mind the ends Callon would go to in order to avenge me, should the roles be reversed. The time of my complacency was over. A low, short whistle brought my hell-hound directly to my side, and with no hesitation, we left the house and walked into the realm of Light.

  Heaven was luxurious. In every way imaginable. Beautiful white marble, slate sparking with veins of precious metals, and mineral swirled travertine made up the massive castle-like structures of the realm. They called themselves ‘The Light’ meaning opposite of dark- they were the ‘good guys’, but everything was so bright here giving their name a dual meaning in my opinion. Sparkling pools were home to colorful koi fish poking their curious faces out of the water, mouths gaping as they begged for treats amongst the blooming water lilies and crocus.

  Unlike Hell, the residents of Heaven preferred to live communally. Colossal buildings which would be impossible architecturally in a mortal world dotted the unending landscape, with hundreds of thousands of Timeless and blessed souls alike calling them home.