Hell To Pay (Hellscourge Book 5)

by Diem, J. C.

  “You’re kidding yourself if you think you can scare me,” I scoffed and slid my dagger back into its sheath. “I’ve faced things in hell that make you look like a harmless little kitten.”

  My words offended her, just as I’d hoped they would. For an angel, she was extremely proud. “I am a holy warrior,” she said with an affronted sniff. “I doubt there is anything in hell that could best me in battle.”

  Sam and I stared at her in disbelief. She’d never even been there and she had no idea what sort of creatures roamed the wastelands. “I would very much like to see you take on a Leviathan by yourself,” Sam said.

  “I’d pay to see that fight,” I agreed.

  “ You managed to kill one,” she said with a derisive sneer.

  “I had Morax and the other Demon Lords to help me. I can call on their strength and knowledge. You couldn’t even make it halfway through the portal to the shadowlands.” My tone was as snide and as smug as I could possibly make it.

  “That is because I am not evil like you,” she shot back. “I am pure, but you are rotten to the core.”

  “Not quite,” I quipped. “My skin hasn’t turned black yet.”

  Unable to think of a comeback for that one, she shrugged off Leo’s hands. “I need to inform Hagith and Orifiel of this latest disaster.” With that pronouncement, she disappeared.

  ₪₪₪

  Chapter Eleven

  With Brie gone, it was safe for us to talk. “Leo and I have an idea,” I said. “We should head downstairs and talk before Brie returns with the douchebags.” Sophia winced, but kept her protests at my language to herself. There were worse things that I could call them. Out of respect for her, I tried to keep my swearing to a minimum.

  It had cost Nathan to teleport upstairs with Sophia. He needed time to replenish his power and I felt guilty for forcing him to use what little reserves he had. His face was white and strained, so I moved closer and slid my arm around his waist. He sent me a startled look that I was offering him my help for a change. Then he smiled and it was like the sun had come out from behind a bank of dark clouds.

  My heartrate increased when he put his arm around my shoulder and allowed me to assist him. I felt the weight of disapproval coming from Sophia and Leo, but they didn’t say anything for once.

  Nathan was a full head taller than me and I fitted under his arm perfectly as I guided him down the stairs. He was probably strong enough to manage on his own, but he let me help him. Maybe he needed to be close to me just like I needed to be near him.

  I savored the sensation of being pressed against his side as we made our way through the kitchen and into the front room. He took his seat and watched me as I rounded the table to the opposite side. Leo and Sam joined us, but Sophia paused in the kitchen to put the kettle on.

  I waited until she entered and poured us both tea before I spoke. “Leo thinks that Hag and Orifice are planning something, and that it involves me.”

  Nathan instantly became more focused and turned to Leo. “What did you hear while you were snooping on them?”

  “Not much,” Leo confessed. “It is just a feeling that I have. I heard Violet’s name mentioned and we all know how they feel about her.”

  I summed up the situation. “I’m a tool that they’re going to use then throw away when they’re finished with me.”

  Leo nodded unhappily in agreement. “We need to try to discover what they are planning. Violet suggested that Sam might be able to sneak us inside.”

  Sam looked alarmed to be the focus of our combined attention. “I have never tried to camouflage more than one person besides myself before. I do not even know if it is possible.”

  “You won’t know until you try,” I said and held out my hand. “Try something small to start with. See if you can make our hands blend in with the table.”

  We all joined hands and Sam’s brow wrinkled in concentration. He grinned when our hands all changed to match the dark wood. “It worked!”

  “Of course it did,” I said proudly. “You’re far more talented than Brie gives you credit for.”

  “She called me a cockroach,” he said darkly. She’d called me one, too. It was an insult that neither of us were going to forget in a hurry.

  “Do not believe anything that Brie says about you,” Leo said firmly. “You are a good person and I am glad that you are on our team.”

  Sam gave him a grateful look. They’d really bonded during the past few months. Leo trusted Sam implicitly now. As an imp, he might not be able to teleport me anywhere, but he still did his best to keep me safe.

  Now that I’d been shot twice by the police, Nathan would be vigilant in watching over me. That could put a crimp on a plan that was forming in my mind for Saturday night. I hadn’t said anything to Sam yet, but I was going to need his help once more. My plan had nothing to do with my mission to thwart the demons. It was for purely selfish reasons this time.

  “Let’s see if you can make us all blend into the wall,” I suggested. Everyone dutifully stood and lined up with our backs to the wall. Leo strategically stood between Nathan and me, making sure we kept our distance.

  Again, we held hands and Sam concentrated. Our bodies and clothing changed to match the cream paint, but I saw that sweat beaded his forehead when he released his camouflage. “It is a lot harder to change so many people at once,” he said.

  “Try it without me this time,” Sophia offered and stepped away.

  Sam repeated the experiment and we all disappeared again. “It is a little easier, but I do not know how long I could maintain the ruse for.”

  Leo stepped out of line next. Sam moved between Nathan and me before I could close the gap between us. I rolled my eyes, but took his hand without commenting. We blended into the wall for only a few seconds this time. Sam seemed to be relieved when he released the glamor. “I can stretch my ability out to five, but it is far easier to maintain the illusion when there are just three of us.”

  Nathan, Leo and Sophia exchanged looks. I knew what they were going to say even before my guardian spoke. “Spying on our allies will be dangerous. I think it would be best if Leo and I accompanied Sam.”

  My mouth flattened into an unhappy line, but Sophia nodded in agreement. “They already harbor doubts about Violet. They do not need any more reason to mistrust her.”

  They all turned to me to see my reaction. I crossed my arms, not bothering to hide my displeasure. “I get it. I’ll be a liability during your operation.” I didn’t have the ability to teleport myself to safety, or to blend into the background if I became separated from Sam. “I’ll just stay here with Sophia and twiddle my thumbs like a good little girl.”

  “That would be a first,” Leo said with a cheeky grin.

  “When are you going to scout the place out?” I asked, giving him a sour look that he ignored completely.

  Nathan opened his mouth to respond, but I held my hand up to stop him when I saw company arrive. We all turned to face Hagith, Orifiel and Brie. Hag’s gaze locked on me and her nostrils were flared in fury.

  “Save it,” I said before she could unleash a tirade on me. “Brie already gave me the lecture about how irresponsible I am.”

  “I am not here to lecture you,” Hagith replied coldly. “I am here to ensure that nothing like this ever happens again.” She turned her stare on Sam and he shrank away. “That creature almost got you killed. I demand that he returns to where he belongs immediately.”

  I stared at her in disbelief. “I’ve only managed to survive my trips to hell because of Sam and his abilities. If he doesn’t go with me, I’ll be doomed to fail.”

  “I am not saying that you cannot continue to use his services,” she said haughtily. “There is no reason why he needs to be at your side while you are on Earth. He is a filthy imp and we should not have to suffer seeing his hideous form. He should be taken to a portal that leads to the shadowlands and left there until you have need of him again.”

  Sam was trembling an
d he hung his head in shame. I saw tears splash on the table and my heart broke for him. “He’s not going anywhere,” I said and put my arm around his shoulder. “He’s my best friend and I love him like a brother. He has as much right to be here as any of us.”

  Hag’s stare came to rest on me and her judgement was heavy. “You love that thing as if he was your own flesh and blood?” Her upper lip lifted in a sneer. “Why am I not surprised? Like calls to like, after all.”

  Orifice stepped in before things could get any worse, if that was even possible. “Clearly, the imp is not qualified to guard you. We have decided that an angel will be with you at all times from now on.”

  “ You decided that, did you?” I said flatly. “What right do you have to make any decisions on my behalf?”

  Hagith drew herself up and glared down at me. “Orifiel and I are the highest ranking angels in this city. We have made our decision and you will abide by it.”

  “You are not the highest ranking angels,” Nathan argued serenely. Standing, he turned to face them, giving me a side-on view of his gorgeous face. “I am from a higher order and I have been tasked by God himself to watch over Violet. She will remain in my care.”

  “You might have been a Seraphim once,” Hagith all-but spat. “But you were stripped of your rank and were thrown out of heaven. You are beneath all of us!”

  “Is that so?” he said and called on his sword. “Then I issue a challenge to you. If you can best me in combat, I will step aside from my duty.”

  Hagith blanched and Orifiel caught her by the arm and drew her back. “You know that we cannot best you in combat,” Orifice said angrily. “We are not warriors.”

  “Then my claim as Violet’s guardian stands,” Nathan said and his sword disappeared. “It will not be necessary for you to send your lackeys to watch over her. Leo and I will ensure that she remains safe.” Sophia and Sam weren’t angels, so Hag and Orifice probably didn’t even count them as my protectors.

  “If that is your final word, then we will take our leave,” Hagith said. Brie had said nothing throughout the exchange. She sent me a glare that spoke volumes then all three of them disappeared.

  Sam was still quaking and I hugged him to my side. “Don’t listen to them,” I said. “They have no idea how much I rely on you. You don’t just keep me alive when we’re in hell, your friendship is keeping me sane as well.”

  Sniffing back tears, he turned his face to me and I saw his anguish. “Do you really mean that?”

  “Of course.” I pulled him in for a hug and met Nathan’s eyes. I had questions for him and it was about time that he answered them.

  ₪₪₪

  Chapter Twelve

  I waited for Sam to calm down and for Nathan to take his seat again before I spoke. “You’re a Seraphim.” It was a statement rather than a question.

  Nathan sighed then nodded. “I am from that order, yes.”

  “Why were you stripped of your rank?”

  “I listened to Lucifer when he spread his poisonous treason through our ranks,” he admitted in shame. “I did not join him when he rebelled, but God knew that I harbored doubts about humanity.” He looked away, unable to meet my eyes. “One day, long after the rebels had fallen, he told me that he knew how close I had come to rebelling. He said that he had a task for me and he gave me a choice.”

  “What choice was that?” I asked when he fell silent.

  “I could either be banished to hell and become a demon, or be sent to Earth to serve mankind.”

  I winced at his desolate tone. “I guess you chose option number two.”

  He smiled briefly at my poor attempt at humor. “God gave me a chance to redeem myself, but it took a long time for me to forgive him for banishing me from heaven.”

  “How did he intend for you to serve mankind?” Sam asked.

  I was pretty sure I knew the answer to that one. “He saved Hannah after she escaped from hell,” I said before Nathan could reply.

  “Who is Hannah?” Leo asked in confusion.

  “She’s the woman who foretold the prophecy about me,” I told him. “Fate sent me a dream about her. She was kidnapped by the Prince of the eighth realm. She survived his abuse, but only because Fate stepped in. She gave Hannah a choice, too.”

  “What choice was she given?” Sam asked.

  “She could either die, or live and eventually bear children.”

  “I do not know how any woman could allow a man to touch her after she has been abused,” Sophia said with a shudder.

  “Nathan found her and healed her. He also erased her memory of everything that had happened,” I said. I didn’t mention that he’d healed her by touching her forehead rather than kissing her. It seemed he reserved that method of treatment for me.

  “God told me that one of Hannah’s descendants would one day be given a task of great importance,” Nathan said. “He told me to watch over her and to keep her safe, for the sake of the humans whom I so despised.”

  “Guess who the descendant turned out to be?” I said grimly and all eyes turned to me.

  “You are related to Hannah?” Sam asked.

  “Yep.” Taking a deep breath, I knew I had to tell them the truth about my origins, or at least part of it. “I recently figured out that my mother wasn’t a human. She was an angel and her name was Asteraoth.” Leo and Sam gaped at me, but I wasn’t done yet. “She took possession of one of Hannah’s descendants, but she was captured by the Collectors and her grace was harvested. She became trapped in her vessel and eventually fell pregnant with me.”

  Sophia sent me a look that cautioned me not to mention what my father was. It was a warning that I didn’t need. I couldn’t let them know that I was a freak of nature. They were the only true allies I had and I couldn’t afford to lose their support.

  “So, you are the descendant who Nathan was tasked to watch over?” Sam said.

  “Yep. Fate set all of this in motion thousands of years ago.” I circled my hand in the air to signify everything that I’d gone through since my birth.

  Leo was shell shocked and sat back in his chair. “I had no idea that Fate’s influence stretched so far.”

  “She must be very powerful,” Sophia mused. “I am very glad that she is on our side.” I was pretty sure Fate was the one who was sending Sophia her visions. Who else would have that kind of power?

  “There’s something I need to know,” I said to Nathan. He braced himself for my question. “Were you the one who fought Thor?”

  He blinked in surprise that I wasn’t grilling him about his origins then smiled. It was very close to being a smirk. Sophia smiled as well and Leo practically rubbed his hands together in glee. “I was the one who accepted his challenge,” Nathan admitted.

  I shook my head in admiration. “No wonder Hag and Orifice didn’t want to fight you.” Sam was mystified, so I gave him an explanation. “Sophia told me that some aliens called Asgardians found our planet a couple of thousand years or so ago. They had a great time impregnating our womenfolk. When the angels told them it was time for them to move on, Thor said they’d only leave if someone managed to best him in a battle.”

  Sam turned to stare at my guardian in stunned amazement. “You took on Thor and won?” Even he’d heard of the old legends of the Norse gods.

  “He did,” Leo said with a wide grin. “I wish you could have seen it. Their battle was epic.”

  “You were there?” I asked.

  He nodded and leaned forward to put his elbows on the table. “Thor was strutting around with his chest puffed out, wearing a gaudy outfit that someone from a modern day circus would be proud of. He was shouting that he would take on any challengers. He was holding his big shiny hammer in the air and sparks of lightning were emanating from it.”

  Sam’s eyes went round. “What happened?” he asked.

  “I accepted his challenge and called on my sword,” Nathan replied.

  “Thor just about fell over in shock,” Leo added. “Des
pite being told that we were celestial beings, he did not expect to see any form of magic on this world.”

  “He sent a bolt of lightning at me, but I teleported away before it could strike me,” Nathan said. “The Asgardian relied on brute strength rather than finesse.” He smiled in fond remembrance of their battle. “Once I had his measure, it was fairly easy to divest him of his hammer. Before he could call the weapon back, I put my sword to his throat. He had no choice but to concede defeat.”

  “He actually took losing better than I expected,” Leo said. “He enjoyed facing a real challenge for once. But the look on his face when I handed his hammer back to him was priceless.”

  My mouth hung open at that. “I thought only someone who was worthy of ruling Asgard could pick it up.”

  “I am a holy being,” he said with a shrug. “Any angel could have wielded it.”

  “I very much doubt that I would have been able to,” Nathan refuted. “I am not as pure as the rest of my kin. I had already been trapped inside this body for far too long by then.”

  “This happened after you were banished to Earth?” I asked.

  He nodded. “Long after. I had found and healed Hannah two thousand years or so before the Asgardians arrived.”

  “Why did you challenge Thor?” I asked. “Why didn’t one of the other Seraphim step up?”

  “The other Seraphim deemed Nathanael to be expendable,” Sophia said with an apologetic look at him. “His rank had been stripped away, but his powers remained intact.”

  “I was the logical choice,” Nathan said.

  “Nathan is also the greatest of God’s warriors,” Leo said dryly. “He had the best chance of winning against Thor.”

  “I was the greatest warrior,” Nathan said. “I am afraid that my power has waned since I was banished.”

  That alarmed me. “What do you mean?”

  “I have been in this vessel for so long now that some of my holy power has leeched away. I am not sure that I could ever extricate myself from this body even if God were to allow me to return to heaven.” He saw my sorrow and shook his head. “Do not pity me. I brought this punishment on myself.”