Dark Abigail

by Thawer, Tish

  “I also don’t want you going topside anymore. As a matter of fact, I think it’s time we made an announcement to the rest of Purgatory that we’re facing a new threat,” Garrett added. “Now that we are certain of Loki’s involvement and the woman’s purpose, we need to make sure all the Reapers are on high alert.”

  “I agree, but besides killing Reapers and random businessmen, what do we really know about her purpose?” Raven asked.

  Michael set down his cup of wine. “When we faced off, she told me that she’d witnessed angels infiltrating Hell against the covenant in some sort of attempt to threaten Lucifer’s rule. I tried to explain that it was just one of Loki’s illusions, but I don’t think she believed me.”

  “Why in the world would Heaven want to overthrow Lucifer? That makes no sense!” Raven exclaimed.

  “I think it’s pretty clear that Loki is hell-bent, no pun intended, on throwing anything he can at us, since we thwarted his previous plans. All these tricks and this new alliance with Lucifer is just his way of inciting chaos,” Garrett summarized.

  Holli remained silent, while Raven watched her pick at the food on her plate. The couples ate their meal in relative silence, each contemplating the current situation, then bid each other farewell for the night.

  “I think something’s up with Holli,” Raven stated as soon as she and Michael materialized back in Heaven.

  “Why do you say that?”

  “I don’t know. I could just tell that something was off with her at dinner.” Raven shrugged.

  “Well, I’m sure it wasn’t easy to learn that her cunning father has set his sights on her again, or the fact that he and Abigail had no trouble infiltrating her home. I’d be pretty upset too if I were her.”

  “Yeah, I guess you’re right. It sucks that Loki can just pop in wherever he wants. I wonder what Garrett will do to fortify his castle?”

  “I’m not sure, but tomorrow, I plan to go down and offer any help that I can. Besides, I figured you’d want to be present for Death’s announcement to the rest of the Reapers, yes?”

  “Absolutely. I hope they heed Death’s warning and not just blow it off because of the fact that Abigail is a woman.”

  Michael turned to Raven as he slid out of his low-slung jeans. “Do you really think they’ll be that arrogant?”

  Raven cocked a brow. “Yes. I’ve seen it firsthand.”

  Raven thought back to when she had been introduced into the fold as a Reaper and the three stages that followed. One: lude comments and offensive sexual gestures from a world full of men, two: anger and disdain once she had been deemed untouchable, and three: jealousy and pure hatred over her special perks. Only she and Holli had wings and additional powers, but that was only because Death had broken the rules to create them; it wasn’t like she or Holli had asked for it. Things had smoothed out eventually, but it had definitely been a work in progress. Some of the Reapers were still frustrated by Raven’s numbers, or by Holli’s now intimate connection with their boss, but all-in-all they were now pretty chill. Men and their egos, Raven thought.

  “I just hope that when Garrett announces that the threat is a beautiful woman, they don’t blow it off. That’s all I’m saying.” Raven peeled off her leathers and headed for the shower as Michael climbed into their bed.

  “I think the truth of Crawley’s death will convince them to forego their pride,” Michael stated as water began to hit the marble floor.

  “I hope you’re right!” Raven called out.

  11

  Abigail laid across her bed, itching a particularly annoying spot on her arm as she thought about the evening’s events.

  She hadn’t been able to eliminate Michael, which was causing her current level of anxiety. However, she did think Lucifer was pleased with the outcome of whatever accident sent that female Reaper through her portal, though she still had no idea why. Reapers came down to Hell all the time, so what was the big deal?

  Abigail fell asleep contemplating her next assignment and hoped she’d get another crack at the archangel sooner rather than later.

  “Asmodeus!” Lucifer called out to his loyal servant. “I want you to get me all the information you can on Death’s wife.”

  “And how exactly do you suggest I do that?” Asmodeus lifted a brow as Lucifer took a seat upon his throne.

  “I’m sure you can think of something. Use your powers, use Abigail, I don’t care, but I want to know exactly who she is, because I guarantee you...she’s not just some random woman selected by the previous leader of Purgatory. That, I can assure you.”

  Asmodeus walked off, mulling over which angle he should take to get the info Lucifer wanted. Perhaps he could get cozy with the dark Reaper the next time she deposited a soul here, or maybe he could take this opportunity to work a little more intimately with his firecracker, Abigail. Decisions, decisions.

  Abigail woke to loud banging and Asmodeus’ deep voice at her door. “What,” she pulled open the heavy wooden slab, “in Lucifier’s name do you want?”

  “Funny you should ask. In Lucifer’s name, and by his personal request, I need your help.” He smirked and leaned a wide shoulder against the jamb, blocking her attempt to close the door in his face.

  “What kind of help could I possibly offer you?” She turned away and walked back toward her bed, waving a hand in invitation.

  Asmodeus entered the room, shutting the door behind him. “I need your help gathering some important information.” He stood in the middle of the room and crossed his arms over his broad chest.

  Abigail mocked his stance, crossing her arms as well. “What kind of important information?”

  “The kind I need your help to retrieve,” he taunted, sending out a wave of his lusty power in her direction.

  Abigail threw her arms in the air. “Knock it off, and just get on with it. What are you talking about?”

  Asmodeus took another step into the little room and deposited himself in the tiny chair in the corner. “I need you to get close to the two female Reapers.”

  “What?!” Abigail shrieked, dropping onto the bed.

  “I need information on the white one, but in order to not arouse suspicion, I think you should try to get close to them both.” He smiled as if it should be the easiest thing in the world.

  “Oh, so you don’t think an assassin from Hell making friends with Reapers will arouse suspicion?” Abigail scoffed, shaking her head. “Yeah, right. There’s no way I’m doing that. Besides, Lucifer doesn’t want me around them.”

  “The boss has changed his mind. Come on...hear me out. Do you think I wouldn’t have a plan? Seriously,” he flicked at his shoulder, “who do you think you’re talking to here?”

  Abigail rolled her eyes. “Do tell.”

  “I think you should appear to the Reapers as if you are in need; say that you were tricked into working for Lucifer and ask them to help you formulate an escape plan. That way, you can get close to them and they’ll be all trusty and stuff. Then, whatever efforts they come up with, you can just tell me, and we’ll figure out how to thwart them so they never actually work. See, it’s brilliant.” Asmodeus smiled, clearly pleased with himself.

  Abigail shook her head, laughing internally at Asmodeus’ efforts to sound hip and positive. “I don’t know, D, that’s sounds pretty risky.”

  Asmodeus softened at the use of Abigail’s preferred nickname for him and became serious once more. “Abs, I promise I won’t let anything happen to you, but we need this info. The boss demands it.”

  Abigail scratched at the itch on her arm and thought about what happened the last time Lucifer demanded something that wasn’t delivered. She shuttered at the memory.

  “Okay, okay. But how do you suggest I complete this mission while Lucifer still has me tasked to take out the angel?” Abigail asked.

  “Lucifer gave me free reign to cancel all your current contracts as long as we’re working together on this. So, are you in?” He extended his hand.

 
Abigail raised her nails from her arm and extended her hand. “Yeah. I’m in.”

  12

  Holli, Raven, and Michael stood behind Garrett on the outer steps of his castle. A crowd of Reapers had gathered at his instruction to receive a special announcement.

  “As you all know, we’ve recently suffered the mysterious loss of Crawley, Daniels, and Kendricks” Death began, his voice amplified with power. “They were all good Reapers and will surely be missed. I can now share with you what is threatening our realm and implore you all to be vigilant.” Garrett took a deep breath just as Raven’s wings ruffled in the wind.

  “Her name is Dark Abigail, and she’s an immortal assassin created by Lucifer, with the help of Loki, in another attempt to destroy our realm,” Garrett quickly summarized.

  “Pssst...”

  “It is clear that she’s been given the power to deliver the final death to an immortal, so again, I implore you to remain on high alert until she can be caught and destroyed,” Death continued.

  “Pssst...hey!”

  Raven turned to look at Holli, wondering why she was whispering during Death’s announcement. Holli, however, was facing forward, clearly engaged by her husband’s words.

  “Hey...in here.”

  Raven looked over her shoulder and gasped when she found Abigail peeking out from behind the door of Death’s castle. Raven turned slowly, extended her hands, and stalked inside with her ribbons at the ready.

  Abigail raised her arms in surrender and backed away. “Hold on, okay. I didn’t come here to fight or cause any trouble.”

  Raven continued to march forward with her wings flared and fire in her veins. “I find that hard to believe, assassin.”

  “Please, I’m not kidding. I need your help,” Abigail pleaded.

  Holli and Michael had turned around at Raven’s disappearance and were now standing behind her like white-winged sentries, guarding the door.

  “Why would you need our help?” Holli whispered in an effort to not disturb her husband’s continuing speech outside.

  “Because. Lucifer tricked me into doing this job and I need your help to get out.”

  Raven stopped and stood still, while Michael and Holli walked forward to join her.

  “And why should we believe you? This could easily be a ploy for you to get closer to us to complete your kills.” Michael tightened the grip on his sword.

  “It’s not a ploy. I swear. Put me in a cell, I don’t care, but I need your help to break my tie from Lucifer.”

  There was a disturbance in the air and everyone froze as Death entered the room. Garrett’s voice was calm and smooth but full of menace as he spoke. “I’ve sent the other Reapers away, because if they knew you were here, you’d be dead already.”

  Abigail found it hard to swallow against the lump in her throat.

  “I’ll repeat my friend’s question...why should we believe you? And, Abigail...I suggest your response be crystal clear,” Death threatened.

  Abigail took a deep breath and edged back toward her bank of fog. She was practically surrounded by four of the most dangerous beings in existence, but thanks to her portal, she knew whether they took her suggestion and put her in a cell or not, she could easily escape back to Hell and Asmodeus. So, lifting her chin, she formulated her story and hoped she was convincing enough to receive their “help” and eventually gain the info she needed.

  “When I died and was brought to Hell, Lucifer found me, and for whatever reason turned me into this!” She waved a hand at herself with tears in her eyes. “I didn’t ask for it and had never killed anyone before in my whole life, so I don’t know why he choose me, but he did. Now, I can’t escape and it’s eating me alive. I hate this!” She collapsed onto the black marble floor and let her sobbing cries fill the massive space. Dang, this is good, she thought to herself, pleased with her performance.

  Michael looked at Raven, Raven looked at Death, and Death looked at his kindhearted wife.

  “Honey, please. She didn’t ask for this, and it sounds like she’s truly sorry for what’s happened,” Holli whispered.

  Death shook his head. “Fine. But she’ll be confined at all times.” Holli smiled and Death turned back to Abigail. “Do you understand?”

  Abigail peered up at the group and wiped her eyes, hiding her satisfied smirk. “I understand. Thank you so much.” She stood and shrugged as the trees and fog to her portal began to recede.

  Death’s scythe was glowing blue as he held it out and prompted Abigail to start walking. The group followed closely behind without saying a word. Abigail walked down the hall and through a door that she thought would lead downstairs to a dungeon of some sort, but was surprised when they entered a tiny plastered hallway instead. The tight space was cramped and claustrophobic and seemed to be leading them higher and higher. They continued upward, single file, with Abigail in the lead and nowhere to go but up. She eyed the smooth rounded ceiling and white walls and wondered where in the world they were taking her.

  “Here we are. Just up ahead,” Death stated.

  Their destination was obviously the only wooden door in sight. Abigail walked just passed the entrance as Death stopped directly in front of it. Abigail gasped when he placed the tip of his scythe against the wood, revealing glowing sigils and producing a loud pop as a magical lock unsealed the door.

  “As I mentioned, you’ll be confined until we can figure out the best course of action.” Death walked into the room. “You’ll be checked on daily and all your needs will be met,” he concluded.

  Abigail walked into the small but comfortable looking room and sighed. It was nice. A comfortable looking bed, tapestries and art hanging on the wall, and a small balcony with a fantastic view of Purgatory. “Thank you.” Abigail turned around, looking directly at Raven and Holli. “And, I’m sorry for all I’ve done.”

  Raven tensed and Holli softened, reactions Abigail made sure to take note of.

  13

  Death and his small entourage left Abigail’s room, leaving her alone and anxious to get back to Asmodeus to give her initial report.

  She moved to the end of the room and called upon her portal like she had so many times before––closing her eyes and letting her internal hellfire build to its max. Unfortunately, nothing happened. Abigail blinked, rolled her shoulders, and tried again. Nothing.

  “Well, shit!”

  “Why did you put her in my old room?” Holli asked as they made their descent back to the main hall.

  “Because, as you’re intimately aware, it’s a magical prison if I need it to be, and right now––I need it to be.” He smirked, producing a tiny chuckle from his wife.

  “Will it truly hold her?” Michael asked.

  “Yes. I’ve sealed it from any external magic, which includes her portal. She won’t be able to leave,” Garrett answered confidently.

  “Okay, good, but what are we really going to do about her request? Do you honestly believe her?” Raven asked.

  “I’m not sure. That’s why we’ll be checking on her daily, and by checking, I mean questioning. She won’t be able to use her magic to hurt you while she’s in the room, so you and Holli can pick her brain as much as you’d like.” Garrett put his arm around his wife. “I assumed you’d want to talk to her and find out everything you can about what’s really going on.”

  Holli smiled kindly and leaned her head against his chest as they walked into the throne room. “You know me so well. Yes, I really do want to help her if what she’s saying is true. I hate the idea that someone would be forced to be a killer against their will. It breaks my heart.” Holli peeled away from Garrett and pet Svell on the head as he looked up from the floor where she’d instructed him to remain.

  “You are the most kindhearted person I know,” Garrett kissed his wife and walked toward his gazing pool. “Michael, do you have your seeing stone?”

  The archangel joined Death, pulling the stone from the pocket of his jeans. “By Heaven’s light, provide me
the sight.” Michael whispered the angelic chant, bringing the stone to life.

  Garrett struck the floor with a single blow of his scythe, casting the image of the stone onto the larger surface of his pool. The combined energy of the two viewing relics, allowed them to not only see but also to listen as Lucifer punished his most loyal prince.

  “What do you mean you can’t find her?” Lucifer’s voice reverberated off the walls.

  Asmodeus looked up from his knees as blood continued to drip from his stomach. “As I’ve already explained, I haven’t been able to contact Abigail since she returned to Purgatory.” He continued in a rush before Lucifer struck again. “As you suggested, I recruited her to help retrieve the information you wanted on Death’s wife, but haven’t heard from her since she left.”

  Lucifer returned to his throne, wrapping his black braided whip around the top spike. “So, it could simply be that she has engaged the Reapers and will return with my information shortly.” Thankfully, Lucifer’s statement was posed as a fact instead of a question.

  “Yes. That is my hope,” Asmodeus quickly agreed.

  Lucifer motioned for the prince to rise. “Inform me immediately when she returns.”

  Asmodeus nodded and left the room.

  “Do you truly believe your assassin is capable of such stealth?” Loki’s voice drifted out of the shadows.

  “Yes. I do.” Lucifer remained in his seat, cool and confident, or at least appearing so in front of the sneaky God.