by Jana Oliver
He’d have to leave Riley behind and . . . ‘How long would I be gone?’
‘I know where yer headed. Ya’ll not want ta be away from yer pretty lass for that long, so we’ll have her come visit ya as needed. I can tell ya, there’s nothin’ more romantic than a walk in the hills of my homeland, especially if ya have a certain question ya might want to ask.’
Beck’s eyes rose and he found himself smiling at the notion. ‘I might have one of those. Does Riley know any of this?’
‘Nay, but I’ll be tellin’ her soon enough. I believe she’ll be as proud of ya as I am.’
Beck shook his head in amazement. ‘I can’t believe it. This all happened because one crazy archangel decided he wanted to rule in Hell.’
‘That was a bit of it, but not the most important part,’ Stewart retorted. ‘This all happened because one poor and abused lad refused ta accept that was his lot in life. Ya sought somethin’ better. Now ya’ll have it.’
Chapter Thirty-Six
While Stewart jousted with her grouchy boyfriend, Riley took refuge in paradise. Or at least the coffee shop. ‘Her’ booth was empty so she spread out her homework and started working. Memories kept intruding, especially those that involved Ori. She found she missed him more than she’d anticipated.
Her eyes were still bugging her so she put in more drops and those seemed to help. Digging into both the hot chocolate and the homework, she found it hard to concentrate. How was Beck doing? Would the master set him right?
She’d just finished her sociology assignment about the Maori when Stewart’s call came through.
‘Lass? Beck’s doin’ better. We got some things settled and now he knows the lay of the land. He said he’d call ya when he was ready ta talk.’
‘Oh good. He was so bitchy and I didn’t know what to do.’
‘There is one more thing . . .’
As she listened in increasing astonishment, Stewart explained exactly where Beck’s future lay, that her boyfriend was now qualified to join the ranks of the Grand Masters.
Riley’s mind reeled. ‘He knows this?’
‘Aye. He’s still tryin’ ta handle the news. I thought ya should know.’
‘Ohmigod. That’s like . . . really big.’
‘That it is. Beck will need yer help with the readin’ and the studyin’, but I have no doubt he’ll do just fine. He’s a smart lad, even if he claims not ta be.’
‘This is so awesome.’ Beck has to be blown away.
‘As for yer situation, I chatted with Rome this mornin’,’ Stewart continued. ‘They’re comfortable with the way things are now. They’ve lifted yer restrictions so ya can live wherever ya wish. They do recommend that ya don’t mess around with any Fallen in future.’
‘That I can live with.’
‘When things settle down, I’d like ta talk ta ya about compilin’ the history of Atlanta’s Demon Trappers. We don’t have a historian and it’s time we did. The job would pay a small stipend, enough to help ya with some of yer expenses.’
Riley’s dad, the history teacher, would have jumped at that chance. ‘I’ll do it. Thank you, sir.’
‘It’s Angus. We know each other well enough ya should call me by my Christian name.’
‘Thanks, Angus. You rock. I mean that.’
It proved really hard not to call Beck and celebrate his incredible news, but she took Stewart’s advice and curbed her impatience. Her guy would call when he was ready.
She’d moved on to her history homework with an occasional ohmigod, I can’t believe it moment thrown in, when Simon entered the coffee shop. When he saw her, he headed to the booth.
‘Hey,’ she said, unsure of where they stood.
‘I’d like to talk. Is that OK?’ he said, more solemn than usual.
‘Sure.’ Riley closed the book in front of her, wondering what was on his mind.
‘Would you like some more hot chocolate?’
She nodded, if nothing more than to gain time to prepare for what was to come. He didn’t seem angry or hostile, so maybe this would be a good talk rather than one that they’d both regret.
Riley watched as Simon waited at the counter to place their order. He appeared so much older now, though only a few months had passed since that night they’d first met at the Tabernacle. Older, stronger, more scarred. She felt the same way.
Her ex-boyfriend slid into the booth after handing over her drink. When he didn’t speak right off, she savoured the chocolate curls on the top of the abundant whipped cream.
Finally he cleared his throat and asked about her eyes and they both agreed she looked as if she’d fallen asleep in a tanning bed. Then he asked about Beck and she let him know everything was good there as well, without revealing her boyfriend’s latest news. That was his to announce.
The pleasantries over, Simon moved on to what was really on his mind. ‘I passed my journeyman’s exam. I heard this morning.’
‘That’s great, Simon. Congratulations,’ she said, meaning every word.
‘Yeah, it is.’
‘Ah, you don’t sound happy.’
‘It’s all changed now. It’s an accomplishment, but not like it once would have been.’ His slender fingers wrapped round the ceramic cup. ‘I . . . will be here for another couple weeks and then I’m leaving Atlanta. I need to spend some time away. I need to get my head on right.’
‘Oh,’ Riley replied, caught off guard. ‘Where are you going?’
‘I want to visit some holy sites. Rome, for sure. Lourdes. I’ll go to Israel and then . . .’ He hesitated, though his eyes were alight now. ‘India. I want to talk to some of their holy men. And Tibet, maybe. The monks might have some insights.’ He paused to take a sip of the coffee. ‘Ayden suggested I spend some time at a couple of stone circles while I’m in Ireland.’
The old Simon would have never listened to the witch or been willing to go near places or people that didn’t share his faith. This was a huge step.
‘While you’re at it, spend some time with a rabbi or an imam,’ Riley suggested. ‘Maybe one of those folks will help put things into perspective for you. If I didn’t have a reason to stay here, I’d join you.’
‘That reason is Beck, isn’t it?’ Simon asked, their eyes meeting now.
‘Yes. We’re in love. It’s . . . good.’
‘I’m pleased to hear that,’ he replied. ‘We never got a chance.’
‘No, we never did.’
It took a bit of work, but she extracted his charred cross from the bottom of her backpack. ‘I found this at the Tabernacle the other day. I thought you’d want it.’
Simon reached for it, then pulled his hand back. ‘Keep it for me, will you? If . . . maybe someday I can take it back and have it mean what it once did.’
‘No, if you ever wear it again, it’ll mean something completely new. Then you will have passed your test.’
When she took his hand, he gently flipped it over. ‘The mark from Hell is gone,’ he observed. ‘What about your soul?’
‘It’s mine again.’ Riley turned over her left hand. ‘The one from Heaven is still here. Guess they’re not finished with me yet.’ They clasped hands. ‘When you’re on the road, write to me, will you? I want to know how it’s going for you. I’m serious.’
‘I will. You understand better than anyone else.’
They held hands for a little longer before Simon left her behind, pensive as always.
If you regain your faith, you’re going to be one awesome weapon against the darkness. You know how they play their games. They will never defeat you again.
Perhaps was what Heaven had had in mind all along.
After Stewart had left, Beck sat unmoving for a long time, working things out in his head. As the afternoon faded to twilight, he didn’t bother to turn on a lamp. He didn’t fear the dark now that he’d been to Hell and seen the worst.
Finally he reached for the phone and dialled Riley. ‘Hey, Princess.’ He sighed. ‘I’m missin’ you.�
�
‘I’m missing you too . . . Grand Master Beck.’
He closed his eyes in thought. ‘Not there yet.’
‘But you will be one day, Den.’
‘So it seems. Now come on home. I need you here.’ Everythin’ is better when yer near me.
‘I’ll be there in a little bit.’
Chapter Thirty-Seven
It was nearly ten days before Beck was well enough to leave the house. Though Riley had intended to make the trip to the cemetery on her own, he insisted on accompanying her. And then insisted on walking from the west entrance, rather than having her drive to the mausoleum.
‘I need to build myself back up,’ he said. ‘I got plans and they don’t involve lyin’ around in a bed the rest of my life.’
‘Dude, you’re going to be so tired when this is over.’
He didn’t disagree, but kept moving down the asphalt path, albeit at a slower pace.
It was right after sunrise – she hadn’t wanted Beck out much earlier – and the cemetery was tranquil. The mornings were much warmer now and the flowers beds alive with the merry colours of daffodils and crocuses. In the distance rain clouds were moving in, but at present the sun lit their way.
They held hands as they walked, trading small talk. When they reached her family’s mausoleum, Beck sank on to the steps, exhausted. Riley tidied up her parents’ graves and laid the bouquets of flowers she’d brought on each patch of earth. Soon she’d need to have a marker made for her father, one that would be in harmony with her mom’s. His bones weren’t there, of course, but that didn’t matter. She wanted people to know who he was and that he was loved even in death.
She returned to sit next to Beck. He was breathing easier now, less winded.
‘I wish there was some marker for Ori, you know?’
‘Where do you think he is?’
She shrugged. ‘Probably somewhere in the darkness and that makes me sad. He so needs to see the light.’
A robin fitted from one tree to the next as traffic noises came from the city to the west. Then the noises stilled. Riley rose, checking out the landscape. Someone was watching them.
‘What’s wrong?’ Beck asked.
She felt a familiar presence. ‘It’s Lucifer.’
The Prince of Hell stood near the spot where Ori had once been a statue. His armour was gone, replaced by black jeans and a shirt and he appeared more like she remembered him, not like the ferocious ruler she’d seen in Hell. If she was right, there was more silver in his hair now, as if somehow even the Prince of Demons had aged during this ordeal.
Riley descended the stairs, nervous at being in his presence once again.
‘Thank you for honouring the favour you owed me,’ she said. It never hurt to be polite, even to a Fallen.
‘I never should have given you that boon,’ Lucifer replied tartly. ‘I knew Ori would eventually win your soul, but I thought he would promptly offer it to me. Instead, he accepted your outrageous bargain, which means you’re now free of Hell. For the time being, of course.’
Riley drew in a quick breath. ‘Ori did what was right.’
‘He did as I commanded, but his heart was in service to another master,’ Lucifer said coolly. ‘He never should have left Heaven. I knew it was a mistake for him to join me in exile.’
Lucifer moved his attention to her boyfriend, studying him with renewed interest. ‘Ah, the angel killer. You’re legendary in Hell now, Denver Beck. Does it not trouble you that you murdered one of His creation?’
‘I’m good with it,’ Beck replied bluntly. ‘Sartael was an evil bastard. He killed innocent folks just to feed his madness. I won’t ever regret putting him down.’
A knowing nod returned and Lucifer’s attention returned to Riley. ‘I can anticipate your next question: Ori currently resides in the void, as I cannot ensure he goes to Heaven. That is not in my purview.’
‘He needs to be somewhere he can see the light,’ Riley said. ‘It meant so much to him. It would give him hope.’
‘What are you willing to pay in return for this freedom?’
Riley had known it would come to that. ‘Nothing. As I see it, you owe us. We helped you get rid of a dangerous rival who caused nothing but trouble in your realm.’
‘I would have destroyed Sartael eventually.’
‘True,’ Beck replied, ‘but we just made it quicker. Now you can get on with ruling Hell.’
‘You’re not willing to offer your soul for Ori’s freedom?’ the Prince pushed.
‘No,’ they both replied at once.
‘We’ve paid enough as it is,’ Beck added, gesturing toward Paul’s grave.
Lucifer sighed wearily. ‘I must be losing my touch.’ He idly waved a hand. ‘It is done. My former servant Ori is free so that he may watch the sunrise each morning, however that will benefit him.’
‘Thank you,’ Riley whispered.
‘Mark me, he may one day be forgiven and return to Heaven, though I doubt he’ll find comfort there. The others of our kind do not share in the endless well of mercy.’
Beck rose wearily. ‘You planned this all along, didn’t you? Ever since Paul’s soul became yours.’
‘I saw certain possibilities when Sartael began to work against me,’ the chief of the Fallen replied. ‘I suspected his servants would try to free him, so I let them. That way I knew who they were and then they could be destroyed.’
‘But you didn’t destroy them. You left that to us,’ Beck said.
‘The ones that accompanied Sartael, yes. The ones still in my realm?’ Lucifer’s eyes glittered. ‘I took care of those personally. The question of who rules in Hell has been answered . . . in blood.’
A shiver crept up Riley’s spine.
‘Which, I suspect, was the whole point of the exercise,’ Lucifer continued. ‘When I rebelled, my punishment was to have my own kingdom, with my own servants, so that I could learn exactly what it meant to rule over others. How it is not as simple as issuing commands and expecting loyalty in return. How servants can turn on you so very easily.’
‘Would you go back to Heaven if you could?’ Beck asked.
Lucifer’s jaw tightened. ‘Ah, that age-old question: is it better to reign in Hell than to serve in Heaven? I do not know the answer. I detest the demons and all their corrupt intrigues. They are truly abominations. Yet, I am master in my world, for good or ill. I shall remain so until my role is deemed complete.’
‘At the end of days,’ Riley said.
The Prince’s expression flattened. ‘We are done here, Blackthorne’s daughter. Your favour has been fulfilled. Best not to summon me in the future or you will regret it.’ He gave her one last long look, then vanished.
The birds began to chirp again, as if relieved at his departure.
‘He’s not done with us,’ Riley observed.
‘Didn’t figure so,’ Beck said. ‘At least we have a good idea how he plays his games now.’
‘If you had to, could you kill him?’ she asked.
Her boyfriend shook his head. ‘Sartael’s arrogance was his weakness. Lucifer’s more calculatin’ and he’d be difficult to defeat. And if I did, who would take his place? Another Sartael?’
‘True.’ She caressed his cheek. ‘You’re getting more like Stewart every day.’
‘Don’t think that’s too bad,’ Beck admitted. ‘But I’m not puttin’ on one of those skirt things he wears.’
‘You’d be hot in kilt, dude.’
‘Not happenin’. No way.’
Beck turned back towards the mausoleum. ‘Rest in peace, Paul,’ he said. ‘I’ll watch over yer girl for you.’
‘Don’t worry, Dad, I’ll keep Beck in line. Like you did.’
He acted as if he hadn’t heard her. Instead, he stared up at the roof of the structure, entranced.
‘What are you doing?’
‘Checking out the new gargoyle,’ he said.
‘Yeah, they’re way creepy.’ Then it hit her that he’d
said new gargoyle.
She followed his gaze and gasped. There had always been four lion-faced grotesques on the mausoleum, one for each corner. Now there was a fifth. It was slightly bigger than the others, wings rounded and with a face she knew intimately. It was positioned precisely to the east so it could catch the dawn’s rays.
‘Ohmigod, its Ori.’ Lucifer had turned him into a gargoyle. Or put his soul in one.
‘Good view of the sunrise,’ Beck said. ‘He could do worse.’
‘He’ll be there for centuries, at least until the building is no more. Then maybe they’ll let him back in Heaven.’
‘Or not,’ Beck replied. ‘You heard Lucifer’s warning about that.’
‘Well, at least he’s at peace right now,’ she replied. Like my dad.
‘Makes you wonder how many of those things used to be angels,’ Beck said.
‘No wonder they creep me out.’
When they returned from the cemetery, Beck went to sleep, worn out from the exercise. Riley took that opportunity to pound out a term paper. It was nearly one when he awoke and invited her to his bed. There, with the sound of rain on the roof, they made love for the first time since he’d been injured. It was a tender, careful joining, a rebirth for both of them.
After their passion had ebbed, Beck felt a profound peace settle inside him. He knew it was because of the woman lying next to him.
‘I love you, Princess,’ he whispered.
‘I love you, Hero.’
‘I’m no—’ Her finger silenced him.
‘You’ve always been my hero, Denver Beck. Just accept that, and it’ll make the next forty-five years a lot easier.’
He knew better than to argue.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Four months later
As Riley waited for the new apprentices to get themselves organized, she loitered outside the law library, the exact one she’d damaged a few months before. The librarian had another Biblio-Fiend in residence and she’d insisted that Paul’s daughter be the one to trap it.