Tannin handed Murmur three power rings.
“The grey one has minor camouflage capabilities. Assuming he can finally shoot worth shit, that should help Aim blend into his surroundings better. The red one will boost the power of any spell Jess casts, assuming she can cast more than one now. The blue one is yours. It’s a minor version of my speed ring. It should help you out when you’re fighting smaller, quick opponents. Your strength mixed with a bit more speed is a deadly weapon we could sorely use on the battlefield right now.”
“Thank you, Lord Tannin.”
Pleased with his success and his long-awaited promotion to minor demon, Murmur turned and made it to the door of the tent before he remembered the conditions Astaroth has placed on her “gift.” He stopped and turned back around.
“Before I go celebrate, I need to fill you in on the details of our mission.”
Tannin didn’t look up. He continued to stare down at the map on his table.
“Oh go celebrate, Murmur. You succeeded. The details aren’t important.”
“Once we had defeated the guards, Astaroth appeared.”
Tannin looked up from his map.
“What did you say?”
“Astaroth asked me to give you those souls as a ‘gift.’ She told us that General Leviathan will shortly be dead, poisoned by her hand. I was to relay the message to you that she would like either you or Belial to join her, along with Lucian and Vixen, in destroying Baal after Leviathan’s death. She wants to kill Shadow as well.”
“You’re in command until I return. I’ll ride to see General Leviathan immediately. If he dies, it’s likely Belial and I will go to war for control of the department.”
CHAPTER 26
Gangrene stayed up late into the night thinking over his options. It was Shadow that had promoted him to minor demon and given him the opportunity to prove himself as a commander of a small army. He owed Shadow his loyalty. On the other hand, he had no idea if Shadow was still alive and he would always play second favorite to Muan. Muan was better at recruiting an army and, if he was honest with himself, a better fighter. Leech had offered him the chance to be second-in-command the way Muan was to Shadow. However, he couldn’t forget that Leech had just announced to the army a chain-of-command that caused nearly half of them to commit suicide. This had woken Gangrene up to the fact that he would have to challenge Leech’s orders on occasion when he did something stupid or was about to do something stupid. He didn’t have to worry about such things with Shadow as his commander.
Gangrene closed his eyes and rubbed his temples. The events of the day had left him with a massive headache.
“You look like you’re thinking too hard.”
Gangrene had his spear in hand within seconds and thrust it in the direction of the intruder. He stopped the attack just before it pierced Raven’s throat.
“Oh it’s just you. What do you want?”
“I’d like to not be impaled by a spear for starters.”
Gangrene tossed his spear aside and sat back down.
“Fine. I didn’t impale you. Now leave.”
Instead of leaving, Raven sat next to Gangrene on his bed.
“Maybe you should trust Leech and accept his offer. He can’t do this without you.”
“Oh so you’re a part of their PR team now, huh? You haven’t done enough for Lilith lately so she sent you in here to convince me? Seduce me? Kill me?”
Raven slapped Gangrene hard across his face. He lunged to grab his spear, but she kicked at his legs and tripped him. She had his hands and feet tied up within seconds.
“So the answer is kill me. Well, hurry it up.”
“You make too many assumptions. I wanted to talk to you. It has nothing to do with Lilith or Leech. I figured you’d want someone to listen, someone that you could bounce ideas off of to weigh your options. I’d like to be that someone. If you just want to whine like a little bitch and make accusations, I’m happy to just keep you tied up in here for a while until you cool off.”
Raven sat on Gangrene’s back and started filing her nails.
“You’re kidding me. You’re just going to sit there until I’m ready to talk to you?”
“Yup.”
“So killing me isn’t an option?”
“Nope.”
“Can it be?”
“Nope.”
“Please?”
Raven let out an exasperated huff.
“I like you, Gangrene, but I’m tired of watching you screw up over and over. You’re in a bad situation with such a small army but you have the potential to do great things with Leech and possibly become a middle demon if Leech ever takes over for General Baal.”
Gangrene stopped struggling to get Raven off of his back and thought for a moment.
“I hadn’t considered that.”
“See? You should listen to the hot chick that tied you up. Good things will happen to you.”
Gangrene snorted to conceal a laugh but Raven looked down and saw him grinning.
“Are you ready to talk now? Should I untie you?”
“Fine. Maybe you aren’t the airhead I thought you were, so I guess I can let you listen to both sides and help me weigh my options.”
Raven untied Gangrene. After he stood and cracked his back, he continued.
“And your fat ass was crushing my spine.”
“Fuck you, Gangrene. My ass was perfectly sculpted by the gods.”
“If you say so.”
“You’re just mad that a girl tied you up and made you do what she wanted… and I think that’s the first time anyone has said those words in that order… ever.”
“Alright, fat ass… have a seat. Let’s chat.”
Gangrene sat down on his bed and patted the spot next to him. Raven looked at him menacingly but then sat down.
“I guess it really just comes down to the fact that life was easier working for Shadow. I didn’t have to think much or make decisions. I went out to recruit an army, occasionally ran a few personal missions on the side, and was generally respected despite my low birth. With Leech, I’d constantly have to be looking out for him and making sure he wasn’t about to do something incredibly stupid.”
“So you don’t want the challenge? Living as a minor demon in Shadow’s army is easy, so it’s the right thing to do?”
“See you were sent here to convince me to follow Leech.”
Raven looked at him like she was going to hit him again, but tried another approach instead.
“No. I want to hear both sides. I assume you have reasons that you’re considering Leech’s offer or you wouldn’t have had that constipated overthinking look on your face when I entered. Why are you thinking about leaving the easy life?”
“Shadow is always ten steps ahead of me. When I went to avenge my sister’s murder, he knew I was out doing it. When I reported back, he knew about how many demons I’d recruited each time. He plans out every move like a chess master. That’s why I think he’s still alive right now.”
“But?”
“But he’s always going to have Muan and so he doesn’t really need me. Leech needs me pretty badly right now. I’m happy being a minor demon, but when Shadow takes over for General Cain it will be Muan who takes his middle demon position. I don’t really want to wait around and watch that. Once I became a minor demon, I realized I wanted to move up again. I have… an ambition that I didn’t realize was there until I tasted power for the first time.”
“Interesting stuff. So you don’t think Shadow would make you a middle demon at the same time that he makes Muan a middle demon? Also… how is that little cutie a better fighter than you? I’m pretty sure I could kill Muan by stepping on him.”
“Long range attacks. His little poison dart throwing attack usually gives him the advantage. When we spar to get in some practice fighting, I always win if I can bring the fight in close and make it my spear against his bone daggers but he’s been getting faster lately. That means he can get away from a
close fight and spam me with darts until one of them hits. He’s winning now more often than I am. As far as Shadow making me a middle demon, I’m sure he would eventually but he wouldn’t rely on me to command his largest army. That army would go to Muan.”
“Doesn’t it bother you that Leech barely has an army? I mean… you had a larger army when you came to help him than he has right now.”
Gangrene realized that Raven actually was helping him think through all of his options, including questioning whether joining Leech was actually a good choice.
“I think General Baal may give him a larger army soon now that he’s proven himself against two middle demons. It would be pretty exciting to march on Vixen and be part of the force that takes and kills her.”
“Yeah that would be exciting. I’m hoping Lilith has what it takes to go all the way because I’m kind of stuck as a demon-in-training until she becomes a middle demon. It’s pretty obvious Leech won’t give me a minor demon position in his army, so I just have to trust that Lilith can actually win this fight against Vixen. I wish I was in the position you’re in.”
“Chafing on the wrists and ankles from rope burn?”
Raven shot him a sarcastic smile.
“So what you’re basically saying, Raven, is that our fates are kind of intertwined. If I help Leech and he does get a larger army from General Baal, you might end up getting promoted out of it. If I turn my back on Leech right now, you’re stuck.”
“Not really. Of course we have a much greater chance of success if you stay, but you can leave and I won’t try to stop you. I’ll still fight alongside Leech and Lilith to overthrow the queen bitch. However, I will admit that…”
Raven hooked her arm in Gangrene’s, rested her chin on his shoulder, and looked up at his eyes. He turned slightly to meet her gaze as if drawn in by gravitational force.
“…I want you to come with us.”
Gangrene leaned in and Raven closed her eyes. Instead of going in for a kiss like Raven was expecting, Gangrene moved in closer to whisper in her ear.
“So you decided to switch over to seducing me instead?”
Raven opened her eyes and moved slightly back.
“You were actually being somewhat helpful, Raven, until you revealed the reason you came here to talk to me. You aren’t here to help me weigh my options. You’re here to seal the deal for Leech and Lilith so that you can get a minor demon spot. Well I’m going to accept Leech’s offer. Our odds of killing Vixen are still fucking terrible but at least you’ll get your way and that’s all you whores in the department of lust care about, right?”
Raven stood and attempted to backhand Gangrene across the face. He was ready for it and he caught her hand. She jerked it away from him and stomped to the entrance of his tent. She paused briefly before she exited.
“You know, Leech isn’t the stupid one around here. You are, Gangrene. At least when my sister showed interest in him, he didn’t suspect some ulterior motive. He didn’t throw up walls on the off chance that he would eventually get hurt.”
“So what’s your motive, Raven? Why did you want me to kiss you just now?”
Raven looked away briefly and allowed a tear to fall from each eye before she looked back at Gangrene.
“Because I like you, you fucking moron!”
With that she turned and exited Gangrene’s tent.
CHAPTER 27
“So you actually did it, Azazel?”
Azazel showed Shadow the dual-bladed scythe, with a blade on each end facing opposite directions.
“Now that I’ve actually created it, I’m almost tempted to keep it. This is the finest weapon I’ve ever sculpted and that’s saying something. I call her Damnation.”
Azazel held the weapon with one finger in its middle to show Shadow that it was perfectly balanced.
“And here’s the kicker.”
Azazel tossed Damnation to Shadow and he caught it with his right hand. The second the weapon arrived in his grasp, the second scythe blade disappeared. Azazel ran his hand along the curved horns protruding from his skull and grinned.
“Pretty badass, huh? That outta fool the old hell lizard.”
Shadow spun Damnation and then attached it to his back.
“Well… Thanks Azazel. I didn’t expect you to actually come through with something like this.”
“Just keep in mind that you owe me a favor. Pulling one over on the Dragon is fun, but I’d also like to have a major demon owe me one.”
“Understood. Now is there any way that you could…”
Azazel put a hand on the shoulder of both Muan and Shadow and they vanished in a puff of red smoke. When they appeared back in Hell, they stood in front of the giant Antaeus. Azazel didn’t say anything in parting; he simply vanished in another wave of red smoke. Shadow approached the giant.
“Antaeus, I am Lord Shadow, the middle demon of war. I demand that you lower us into the ninth circle.”
Antaeus rolled back his head and laughed.
“You don’t command me, puny demon. If you want my help, you’ll have to defeat me in battle.”
He gestured to a pile of skulls resting near him.
“Many have tried but few have succeeded.”
Shadow looked at Muan and swung Damnation like a baseball bat. Muan nodded that he understood. Without warning, Shadow rushed Antaeus and swung Damnation in an upward arc, the blade sparking briefly against the ground before it connected with Antaeus’s groin. The giant sailed into the air, flailing his arms and yelling.
Muan transformed into a grizzly bear and caught the giant before he had a chance to hit the ground. He tightened his grip around the giant’s chest and held him there so Shadow could speak to the squirming giant.
“I did a little reading. I have a couple of demon friends that have taught me the value of knowing my history. It was Hercules that killed you and sent you here. As the son of Gaia, you can’t be defeated while you remain in contact with the ground, so Hercules lifted you into the air in a bear hug and crushed you to death. It must be frustrating to be in the exact same position you died in.”
Muan tightened his grip and a sickening crunching noise echoed off the walls of Hell.
“Stop! Put me down!”
“Will you lower us into the ninth circle?”
Antaeus looked around. All he could see was the other giants bound in chains and his pile of skulls. The bear demon had a firm grip that locked both of his arms at his sides and he saw no way to defeat the demons.
“Fine! Put me down and I will help you!”
Muan looked at Shadow for confirmation. Shadow nodded. The second Antaeus’s feet touched the ground, he healed from the dark bruise Muan had left across his chest. Shadow pointed Damnation at the giant.
“Remember your promise. The next time we have to get you off the ground, it will be to crush you and then chop you into pieces.”
Antaeus gestured to a large metal box attached to a chain. Shadow and Muan got in and the giant, true to his word, lowered them down into the ninth circle. Muan changed back into a demon and grinned up at Shadow.
“You read a book!”
“Oh shut up, Muan.”
“See how useful it was to us in that fight?”
“You’re still a nerd and so is Leech.”
“But we’re nerds who win… because we know things.”
“Care to test your theory? I’d take on the two of you at the same time just to prove you wrong.”
“No reason to get all touchy, Lord Shadow. I’m just glad I don’t have to carry us anymore.”
Shadow raised an eyebrow at Muan and he quickly clarified his statement.
“…Intellectually, I mean.”
Shadow closed his eyes and pressed two fingers in between them.
“Why are all of the demons I recruit so fucking annoying?”
“Good question.”
The metal box shook as it connected with the icy floor of the ninth circle. Muan changed back into a wol
f to better endure the cold. Shadow found that the armor of Michael the Archangel adequately kept him warm, even in the frozen ninth circle of Hell.
Shadow and Muan started their way across the frozen lake, Cocytus. As they journeyed towards the lake’s center, they saw souls buried in progressive degrees in the ice of the lake. They begged and pleaded for the demons to release them, but Shadow and Muan ignored them, occasionally stepping on their heads.
As they approached the Dragon, Shadow made the second blade of Damnation invisible. Muan, in wolf form, bowed his head and his front paws. Shadow simply bowed his head. The Dragon was just as he had been described to the demons when they were young. He had three heads, one red, one yellow, and one black. In each mouth, the soul of a human traitor was tortured. Shadow recognized Brutus, Cassius, and Judas. The Dragon’s front claws also ripped into two demons that lay passed out on the ground. Before he bowed his head, Shadow recognized his father, Abaddon, and the Medic.
Shadow realized something else that it seemed had evaded the attention of the Dragon and everyone else in Hell. Abaddon’s hands were touching the floor of Hell. The son of Michael the Archangel had finally gained control over ice and that was why the ninth circle was a frozen wasteland. Shadow couldn’t help but laugh. Even while the Dragon tortured him, his father had found a way to bind the Dragon in a prison of ice. The center mouth of the Dragon spoke to them, while continuing to chew on Judas.
“I’ve been expecting you, Shadow… and who is your companion? Is that Iktomi, the trickster?”
Muan changed back into a demon.
“No, my king. My name is Muan, the son of Bifrons.”
Muan stole a glance at his comatose father and tried hard to suppress his anger.
“Ah, so the sons of traitors stand before me. What do you want?”
Shadow raised his head so that he could address the Dragon face to face.
“I have come here to claim my place as the major demon of murder, head of the department of murder. I wield my uncle’s scythe and I am the rightful heir to his legacy.”
Middle Demons (Angels and Demons Book 2) Page 13