Dark Abigail

by Thawer, Tish

  “Why exactly are you interested in Death’s wife? I’ve already told you all you need to know about the Reapers.” Loki fidgeted with the lapel of his jacket.

  “Yes, you told me the previous Death created her outside the covenant and was planning to use her in his escape plan,” Lucifer shifted on his throne, crossing his legs, “but you didn’t tell me she had a connection to Hell,” Lucifer smiled, “and that is something I find very interesting.” Loki simply nodded, but Lucifer noticed the slight flare of his nostrils. “Is there something else I need to know?” Lucifer added.

  “No more than you already do. Just stay the course and soon, you’ll rule Hell and Purgatory and won’t have to worry about any of the Reapers or Death again.”

  Lucifer nodded, but remained silent, not wanting to give away anything else to the God of Mischief. They may be partners but that didn’t mean he trusted him.

  14

  They all watched Loki disappear as quickly as he’d arrived, leaving Lucifer alone and clearly pleased with the evenings events. Michael returned the angelic seeing stone to his pocket, and the gazing pool went black.

  “So, the assassin’s mission is to learn about me?” Holli shrugged, clearly hurt.

  Garrett hugged his wife. “It seems so, my dear. I’m sorry.”

  “I’m sorry too,” Raven added, “but at least we know why Lucifer is working with Loki now. He wants to rule both Hell and Purgatory, and apparently Abigail is supposed to help make that happen somehow.”

  “Yes, but the question remains, what does Loki get out of all this, and why didn’t he tell Lucifer about Hel himself?” Michael nodded toward Holli.

  “I don’t know.” Garrett shook his head, casting a sad look at his wife.

  Michael took the hint and changed the subject. “Well, for now, everything seems quiet, so let’s all get some rest.”

  Death and Holli departed the throne room with Svell stalking closely behind.

  “I’d like to make a pass over Purgatory before going home. Would you care to join me?” Raven asked Michael.

  “Yes, that sounds enjoyable.” Michael flared his wings and gently caressed the edge of hers, causing Raven to shiver. She smiled, walked to the balcony, and dove into the calming gray sky. Michael immediately followed and quickly caught up to Raven. The two created a beautiful sight for the Reapers below. Their opposing black and white wings cut through the swirling wisps of the floating souls, creating streams like contrails off the tips of their feathers.

  “Do you think we’ll be able to stop Loki’s plan?” Raven asked as they flew over Main street with its cobblestone road and Drey’s dress shop located below.

  “I think together we can accomplish anything.” Michael winked.

  Raven smiled and continued to let the crispness of the night air soothe her soul as they flew over the realm that she loved so much. “I hope you’re right.”

  Loki watched the scene from his hidden rip in space and knew it would take him some time to get to Abigail through Death’s magic barrier. However, he was still certain he could gain access to the alternate castle and decided to start there.

  Raising his staff, he harnessed his power and struck at the same crack he’d created before. Green magic exploded, sending out tiny sparks like wild fireflies into the dark sky. Seeping into the alternative realm, Loki emerged in the same room where he’d previously fought his daughter and her band of friends.

  Looking up at the pointed steel structure, he smiled, recalling the highlight of the battle when he’d snagged the all-powerful Michael with his poison rope. Moving across the room, he magically hid his staff from sight, and began to stalk toward the door. He wasn’t overly concerned about running into anyone at the moment, but certainly didn’t want to risk alerting Death to his presence by banging around as he investigated the space. He needed to find the entrance to Abigail’s room and wasn’t sure which direction to go.

  Entering the glass hallway, he looked through the tinted windows and out onto the muted landscape of Purgatory. In the alternative realm, everything had a strange, almost smeared watercolor appearance. It was like being inside a Monet painting and put Loki on edge. He started his search by walking up and down the hall, squinting against the fractured light.

  Raven and Michael returned to Heaven after their flight over Purgatory. Raven showered and undressed then crawled into bed. Michael, however, continued to pace the room, taking one last look at his seeing stone before exclaiming, “Oh no! I’ll be right back.” He was gone before Raven could respond.

  Michael materialized outside of Death’s private quarters and banged on the door. “Death. Open up!”

  Death opened the door in only his pants and with a concerned look on his face. “What is it?”

  “Loki’s in the alternate castle, trying to gain access to Abigail.” Michael held out the seeing stone, then shoved it back into his pocket with a lifted brow.

  Death nodded. “I’ll meet you downstairs.” The ice in Garrett’s voice matched the flakes floating in the air as Svell exhaled behind him.

  Death arrived in a swirl of shadows and motioned Michael to join him behind his throne. “This way.” Garrett led Michael to the far back wall of the room. There, after tapping the black brick expanse with the glowing blue top of his scythe, a hidden door appeared. Garrett pulled it open and the two stepped through, passing into the alternate castle and emerging in the ‘phenom room’, as Raven had dubbed it.

  Staring up at the black tangle of metal, Michael’s thoughts were drawn back to their fight. The poison laced rope Loki had used to ensnare him had been destroyed, but the memories of being rendered unconscious as the God of Mischief’s magic seeped into him wasn’t something he’d ever forget. He’d lied to Raven when he said that the poison wouldn’t have a long term effect on him, obviously it had if he still couldn’t shake the memories of it.

  “Are you okay?” Garrett asked, noticing the archangel’s sudden rigidness.

  “Yes.” Michael stated flatly.

  Garrett let it drop and quickly examined the room. Finding nothing out of place, they moved into the hall.

  Michael looked left then right, up and down the corridor. “Will he be able to gain access to Abigail from this side?” Michael asked.

  “I don’t think so, but then again, we’re not dealing with just anyone. Loki has magic that neither of us understand,” Garrett admitted as he nodded and turned right.

  They walked in silence, making their way down the white marble hall and to the access point of Abigail’s room. Death placed his scythe on the bricked archway, turning the sealed portal into a one-way viewing glass. Abigail was asleep on her bed, and Loki was nowhere in sight.

  “He hasn’t gotten through yet, which means he could still be here somewhere. I think we should split up.” Death suggested. “You take the garden and aviary, and I’ll examine the other wing.”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Michael stated as they started to turn away. “Knowing Loki is here, I think it would be best if we stuck together.”

  “Sounds like a good idea to me,” Loki cackled from the far end of the hall. Garrett and Michael spun around, ready to take out the spying God. “Thanks for pinpointing the entry to Abigail for me. I’ve been looking around this place forever.” His staff appeared in his hand and he gave it a dramatic wave which produced a glowing protective shield around him.

  “You won’t reach her. We know why she’s really here and I won’t be letting her return to Hell.” Garrett’s voice was low and deadly.

  “You honestly think you have a choice?” Loki taunted. “That’s so cute!”

  With a powerful push of his wings, Michael soared forward, coming to land in the exact spot where Loki had just been.

  “Dammit. We almost had him,” Garrett cussed, as the God of Mischief’s laughter lingered in the air.

  “I highly doubt that’s true,” Michael stated. “That force field he erected was probably the result of our last en
counter, so I doubt Svell could even stop him now.” Michael snapped him wings closed behind him. “Loki has adapted.”

  The two walked back toward the hidden entrance across the massive phenom room, grumbling the whole way. “Do you think we should put Svell on guard outside Abigail’s room?” Michael asked as soon as they stepped back into the main castle.

  “Like you said, I doubt it will do any good. Besides, I’m more concerned about keeping Holli safe, than about Abigail escaping.”

  “Agreed.” Michael waved goodnight for a second time then transported himself back to Heaven and into the arms of his very pissed off girlfriend.

  15

  “Dammit, Michael, you have to stop doing that!” Raven threw a pillow at his head.

  “There was no time to explain.” Michael tossed the feather pillow back at her and crawled into bed, tired and disappointed.

  Raven noticed his frustration and softened her reply. “Okay, so what happened?”

  “Loki was in the Death’s alternate castle, trying to find a way to get into Abigail’s room.” He stretched and bent a muscled arm over his eyes, clearly not wanting to discuss it further.

  Raven bit her tongue, desperate to hammer him with questions, but it was obvious their encounter had not ended well. Minding their wings, Raven ducked under his arm and snuggled close. “We’ll get him next time,” she whispered softly as they drifted to sleep.

  Abigail woke to the morning sounds of whistling on the wind. She pushed off the blankets and walked toward the balcony. There, outside the opening, was a mass of black wispy ribbons, circling each other in a mesmerizing dance. She reached out, stretching her fingers and was met with a sharp electrical bite.

  “Ouch!”

  Her hand bounced off the magical force field Death had obviously erected around her room. She closed her eyes and again let her inner hellfire build, hoping this time it would actually open. Much to her disappointment, however, it did not. A knock on her door stilled the curse words forming on her tongue.

  “Come in,” she announced, shaking her head. It was clear she was a prisoner here, so who in the world would bother knocking, she wondered.

  Her question was answered when Holli entered the room. “Hello, Abigail. Did you sleep well?”

  “Um, yes...thank you,” she stammered, not used to one of her targets showing her kindness.

  Holli took two steps forward, when suddenly the air around her began to thicken and chill. Abigail gasped when a massive beast appeared behind Holli, sticking just his head through the door and breathing frozen ice-crystals into the room. “Good. I thought we could have a talk.” Holli didn’t miss a beat and practically floated across the space to take a seat upon the finely upholstered high-back chair Abigail had yet to notice in the corner. “I’d like to discuss why you chose to come to us now, instead of before.” Holli sat down, crossing her legs.

  Abigail forced her nervous gaze away from Holli’s creature but couldn’t help asking, “What in the Hell is that?”

  “My protector and friend, who is none of your concern. Now, please answer my question,” Holli snapped.

  “Okay. Well, I guess because I wasn’t sure of what all Lucifer would be expecting of me, and now that I know, it’s not something I can continue doing in good conscious.” She crossed her arms, satisfied with her response.

  “In good conscious? Interesting.” Holli’s wings ruffled behind her. “I find it somewhat curious that as a person who ended up in Hell as her final resting place, would have a conscious at all.”

  Abigail flinched, taken aback by the white Reaper’s words. “I’m sorry, but that’s a pretty unfair assumption.” Abigail started pacing just out of the ice-hellion’s reach. “Just because that’s where I ended up, doesn’t mean you know me, or what I’ve been through in my life. That’s like saying, just because you’re the kindest of the Reapers, it means you’re not as deadly.”

  Holli smirked, satisfied the assassin knew better. “You have a good point. So, tell me about yourself.”

  Abigail sank down onto the bed and shared her tale, some of it truth and some a complete fabrication. She kept the basic points of her life as close to the truth as comfortable, but figured she better elaborate the trials she faced and the despair they caused so they’d continue to believe her plea for help.

  “That’s quite a story, and you’re right, I’m sorry I judged you before knowing the depth of your struggles,” Holli conceded. “But if you weren’t wanting to do the job Lucifer tasked you with, then why didn’t you come to us before killing my friends?”

  Shit! Abigail froze, not sure how to get out of this one.

  Holli shook her head and laid a hand over her stomach. “Never mind. I guess all that matters is that you’re here now. I hope we can come up with a solution to your problem soon.” Holli rose but instead of walking back toward the door, she pushed through the force field with ease and dove off the balcony, while her guard dog simply phased into the shadows and disappeared.

  The door to her room slammed shut of its own accord, and Abigail moved to watch the Reaper soar through the sky and was suddenly pissed. How in the hell did this situation get so reversed? She was the one who was supposed to gather information on her, not the other way around.

  “Damn.”

  16

  “Abigail said that she was recruited by Lucifer because she wasn’t affected by the horrors of Hell,” Holli shared with the group.

  “What do you mean she wasn’t affected?” Raven asked with her fork paused mid-bite.

  “She said that while the other souls were tormented by their biggest fears and regrets, that she remained untouched.” Holli shrugged.

  “Sounds to me like Lucifer found himself the perfect heartless assassin,” Michael added as he reached for his glass.

  “I’m not so sure.” Holli shook her head. “I could tell that there were parts of her story that were untrue, but there were some elements of truth, and honestly, I think when her Mom passed, that’s when things changed for her, physically and mentally.”

  “So she’s a crazy assassin with mommy issues?” Raven raised an eyebrow. “Great.”

  “Regardless of her issues,” Garrett smiled, “I’d like to keep working her for information. We need to know what magic Lucifer and Loki used to create her, because even though breaking that tie was just her cover story, I think if we have the chance to sever their connection, we should. I’ll also work on putting more protections in place around the castle, because after our encounter with Loki last night, I’m sure he’ll be back for Abigail soon.”

  “I agree, and I’ll continue to monitor the seeing stone for any sign of him,” Michael concluded.

  As brunch continued and their conversation drifted to more normal topics, Raven caught sight of Holli and recognized her “thinking” face. She kept a curious eye on her demure friend as they finished their meal, and then walked over and grabbed her hand when the boys moved off to the gazing pool to discuss strategy. “Everything okay?” Raven asked.

  “Yes.” Holli’s pathetic attempt at a smile didn’t fool Raven.

  “Holli, I can tell something’s wrong,” Raven prompted. “You know you can trust me, right? I’ll always be here for you, if you need to talk.”

  Holli suddenly burst into tears, gaining everyone’s immediate attention. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” She dropped Raven’s hand and fled the room in a teary blur.

  “What the hell did you say to her, Raven?” Garrett demanded.

  “Nothing! I could just tell there was something on her mind at brunch, so I asked her about it.” Raven shrugged.

  “Did you ever consider you don’t have to know everyone’s business all the time, Raven.” Garrett’s words smacked her in the face as only a best friend’s could.

  “Geez, excuse me for caring.” Raven threw her hands in the air and walked over to Michael. “Get me out of here.” Michael looked back-and-forth between the two, then transported them directly t
o their room. “Thanks.” Raven kicked off her boots and flopped down on the couch.

  “Do you want to talk about it?” Michael asked.

  “Nope.”

  The two spent the rest of the afternoon shaking off the last few day’s events and discussing anything but Garrett, Holli, or Abigail.

  “Baby,” Garrett eased into their private quarters, “are you okay?”

  Holli’s head was in her hands and remained there as her platinum hair shook back-and-forth.

  Garrett wrapped his arm around her and gently asked, “Do you want to tell me what’s wrong?”

  “Not really,” she whimpered as he guided her toward their bed.

  “Okay. That’s fine. But if Raven’s concerned and you’re in tears, I think you should consider talking to someone,” Garrett hinted, hoping his concern would open the lines of communication.

  Holli crawled into bed and pulled the black silk sheets up to her chin. “Thank you. Perhaps I will speak with Michael tomorrow.”

  Garrett’s eyes widened as Holli rolled over. She wants to speak to Michael? His nostrils flared but he turned away, hating the taste in his mouth as he swallowed his pride.

  Thoroughly annoyed, Garrett left their bed and returned to his throne room, determined to come up with a more solid plan for capturing Loki. Anything to take his mind off what just happened.

  “Trouble in paradise?” Loki’s snide voice echoed from the shadows.

  “Show yourself!” Death’s response rattled the room as his scythe materialized in his hand.

  “Now, now, don’t fret. My little Hel will come around,” he taunted from the other side of the room where he appeared, far out of Garrett’s reach.

  “Why are you doing this?” Death knew he wouldn’t get a straight answer, but wanted to waste as must time as possible.