Touched by Hell

by Emma Shade

  Shaking my head, I cleared my throat. “I’m here more on a personal matter. No confession needed.”

  “Of course. What would you like to know about angels?”

  “If I needed to find one, how would I do such a thing?”

  The priest blinked. “Find one? I’m not sure what you mean.”

  “I need to know if it’s possible to find an angel in the flesh. I’m in danger, and I think an angel may be the only way to right a wrong.”

  “My dear child, angels reside in Heaven at the side of our heavenly father, and the only way to speak to them is through prayer.”

  Somehow, I knew this was an impossible task. I stood. “Thanks for your time. I should probably go.”

  The pew creaked as he stood as well. “I’d like to bless you again. If you don’t mind.”

  Again. So he had remembered me. Not being one to object to a man of God, I nodded. I needed all the help I could get.

  He made a cross with his hands in front of me and said, “Heavenly Father, your infinite love for us has chosen a blessed angel in Heaven and appointed him our guide during this earthly pilgrimage. Accept our thanks for so great a blessing. Grant that we may experience the assistance of our holy protector in all our necessities. And you, holy, loving angel and guide, watch over us with all the tenderness of your angelic heart. Keep us always on the way that leads to Heaven, and cease not to pray for us until we have attained our final destiny, eternal salvation. Amen.”

  I shifted uncomfortably once he finished. I appreciated his blessing, but anxiety crept in. “Thanks,” I mumbled and then started to leave.

  As I made my way to the exit, one of the stained-glass windows caught my attention and I slowed to a stop.

  An angel stood dressed in silver armor. With a sword held over his head, he stood on a green beast. A helmet adorned his head, and I spotted the dark hair, dark eyes, and the sharp chiseled jaw I knew all too well. I shook my head, deciding I was tired and hallucinating. There is no way in hell that angel looked like Coren. I was losing my damn mind.

  I practically ran from the church, jumping when the bells rang above me.

  “Everything okay?” Raven asked, her brows puckered at my reaction to the bells.

  “Yeah. I swore I saw a stained glass in there that resembled Coren.” I laughed at the audacity. “I think I need to sleep. Or have an espresso and about a dozen donuts.”

  “Could you imagine Coren on a stained glass in all his glory?”

  “No, he’s a demon, duh. I’m surprised you think that about him.”

  “Look, I may bring the dead to Heaven or Hell, but I’m not dead myself. I know a hot guy when I see one.”

  I snickered and then linked my arms with hers as we crossed to the donut shop. “I think we both need a sugar high.”

  “I think you need to get laid. Obviously, you’re seeing Coren everywhere.”

  I groaned. “I do not need to get laid. And certainly not by Coren.”

  She winked and then beamed at me. “Whatever you say.”

  *****

  When I entered the apartment, Coren was sitting on the new couch Death had replaced for me. He stood when he saw me.

  “Where did you go?” Coren questioned, his voice tight.

  “To the donut shop with Raven,” I replied. I set a donut box on the coffee table. “Why?”

  “You didn’t tell me where you were going.”

  “I didn’t think I had to. You’re not my babysitter.” I tried to get around him.

  He moved to block me. The irritation practically pulsated off him. “Actually, I am. You can’t take off without telling me.”

  My brow furrowed in annoyance. I gritted out, “Don’t you dare tell me what I can and can’t do.”

  “What are you going to do about it if I do?” His body edged forward until we were toe to toe.

  “Make your life hell on Earth.”

  “I see.” He strode forward and I stepped back until my back pressed against the kitchen counter. He placed his palms on either side of me, caging me in. “Are you sure?”

  My heart thudded. Damn it. I wanted to hate him, I really did. But his body was so close the heat between us intensified.

  Coren lowered his head and licked along my lips. I inhaled sharply. The contact of his tongue on my mouth lit a fire straight to my core. I wanted to moan, but I held it back. Barely.

  He smirked. “Even when you’re pissed, you still want me.”

  “I don’t want you.” My lungs heaved at the close proximity of his body pressed against mine. His lips were so close that I could pucker my own and kiss him.

  “You’re a horrible liar.”

  “How could I want Satan’s lapdog?”

  With his head slightly tilted, he studied me for a moment. “I could say the same about you, too.”

  Although I hated to admit it, that stung. The hurt of his words radiated inside my heart for a few seconds before rage took its place. I shoved him away from me so hard he stumbled back in surprise. I pointed to the door. “I want you to leave. Now.”

  “I’m afraid I can’t do that.” Coren shook his head slowly. “I care about you too much to leave you alone right now.”

  I closed my eyes. “Why? Why do you care about me?”

  “Why?” He scoffed. “Because you’re amazing, smart, and funny. You try to act like you’re emotionless, but we both know you’re not. You’re beautiful, both for your appearance and because of your no-filter honesty. You never cease to amaze me with your bravery to face anything, anyone, without fear. That’s why.”

  Biting my lip, I took a deep breath in and out through my nose. Damn Coren for waking up emotions I hid so damn well for most of my life. I had my mind made up to be detached and cold again, but then he went and said that. I opened my eyes and asked the one thing I’d been avoiding since the Irish pub. “What happened with Leanne Markums, the possessed woman?”

  His body flinched at her name, but he collected himself enough to speak. “The thing had already damaged her heart and brain and had poisoned her from the inside out. That was the reason for the black saliva. She would never survive the exorcism, so I thought making it quick was better than a painful death. I should’ve told you when I noticed it, but I was afraid the monster would’ve taken you over next. Especially if it touched your skin. The fingers were so close to you. I had to act fast. While the woman was innocent, the thing inside of her was not.”

  Surely Coren was mistaken. Demon possessions were as rare as a white giraffe. Well, except for Zagan. But Coren said he had just “commandeered” the body, not possessed it.

  “What kind of a demon could do that to a person?”

  He let out a slow breath before he answered. “There’s only one that comes to mind, and he’s no demon.”

  “What kind of entity could take over a human and kill them without mercy if not a demon?”

  “An angel, but this being fell a very, very long time ago.”

  “Who?” I asked, dreading the answer. According to my classes with Raven, many angels had fallen from Heaven and were now part of Hell.

  Coren looked me dead in the eyes and said, “Lucifer.”

  The blood drained from my face as I remembered the whispered words from the possession, the same ones ol’ Luke said at the coffee shop. Just one tug is all it would take.

  CHAPTER 25

  If I can’t bend Heaven, I will raise hell.

  I swung my sword with more fury than necessary. The demon barely had a chance to react to my presence.

  Black blood spurted through the air and landed at my feet. I watched as the body fell with a thud. For the first time in my life, I reveled in it. Before Raven had a chance to collect the body, I kicked the orange skin of its abdomen repeatedly. I screamed and kicked it again for good measure. My lungs heaved in both exertion and rage.

  Coren and Raven stood with their mouths agape but kept their respective distance, which was what they had done most of the night.


  Finally, Raven said, “What’s wrong with you? That’s the third one you’ve slaughtered like that.”

  Glaring at them both, I gritted my teeth and kept walking down the street. I was pissed at myself for feeling so gullible all of these years. I had believed Lucifer wanted me to do a job, to save humanity by murdering demons on Earth. How stupid I had been. Lor was right all along. The Devil hadn’t cared about humanity, my life, or anyone but his own. That prick was a trophy hunter of souls. The poor, innocent woman was merely one more he could hang on his wall with pride.

  I’d take out these revolting creatures until I collapsed. Tonight was for Leanne. A life taken without remorse from an asshole of a boss, a man I pictured slaughtering with each swing of my blade.

  When we rounded the corner to where the Serpent bar used to be, I paused to look up at the now dark sign.

  “Don’t even think about it,” Coren warned, his voice tinged with anger.

  My eyes roamed the dark windows. No sound echoed from the shut doors, no door attendant guarded the entrance. “I doubt the place is still open, anyway. Would they be so stupid after Death went on a demon killing spree?”

  “Yes, they would.” Raven laughed. “Greed and pride are the downfall of demons and the fall of a lot of angels back in the day. That and lust.”

  Snorting, I turned from the entrance of the club. “You could say the same about a few of the humans, too. It seems nobody is immune.”

  “True,” she agreed. “But where do you think humans were introduced to such things?”

  I lifted a shoulder and continued walking down the street. Besides the demons we had slaughtered, the sidewalks weren’t crowded. Usually, partygoers perused the streets at all hours of the night, no matter if it was a Tuesday.

  Anger still flirted along my veins, each beat of my heart begging for blood. For revenge. Not that I minded. Sure, I’d have to replace my jeans and possibly my new boots, but that came with the territory.

  “Want to tell me what’s bothering you?” Raven asked, her voice a bare whisper.

  “No.” I shook my head.

  “She’s pissed about the possessed woman,” Coren muttered.

  If a glare could kill him, mine would’ve done it. My nostrils flared once and I clenched my jaw.

  Raven sighed. “You had no choice, Coren.”

  My sword vibrated in my grip, and I turned down Main Street.

  Coren sighed. “I know that. You know that. Mara doesn’t.”

  With a sharp twist of my heel, I headed in the direction of the train station near the corner of Main and Center Streets. My sword pulsated against my fingers and palm, telling me whatever we were going to encounter was going to be bad. Very, very bad. I didn’t care.

  “I know she can see a lot of things, but not the supernatural world like us.” Raven stopped short. “Why are we at the old train station?”

  “That’s what I’d like to know, too.” I held up my sword as it reverberated with a ring of metal.

  “Oh, shit,” Raven said.

  *****

  The old train station was vacant. What remained was a ruined shell of its original glory. The roof sagged occasionally, and the windows were missing. The smell of rotting wood and metal floated on the night air.

  There were no lights because some vandal had busted them out. Glass littered the gravel lot, the shattered pieces shimmering in the moonlight. The rusted railway was in disrepair. A half of a century had passed since they carried citizens in and out of town.

  Despite the creepy atmosphere, there was an absence of sound. Something had absorbed the sounds of our footsteps and the busy highway within a few blocks of here.

  “I don’t like this,” Raven whispered, but it sounded oddly muffled.

  “Me either,” I replied, “but we have to find out what’s here.”

  “Your reckless anger is going to get us killed tonight,” Coren growled.

  I used my pinky and itched my right ear in case I had somehow gotten an ear infection. Our voices were muffled and quiet. I expected them to echo against the buildings around us, but they were eerily soundless.

  “Shut up,” I told Coren, but I wasn’t sure if he heard me or not.

  Through the weird silence, the sounds of rocks clattering was as clear as day. We all froze, unsure what was going to greet us in a matter of minutes.

  Horror. That was what met us.

  The demon walked like a spider, its knees and arms bent at the wrong angle and its head hung about six inches too low in its neck. Mottled gray skin covered its exterior, pulled straight from a zombie apocalypse movie. And the thing smelled just as bad, too.

  “Hunter,” the demon said, its voice cracking as if it hadn’t spoken in years.

  “Raven, what is that ugly thing?”

  She didn’t answer so I chanced a glance in her direction. She stared straight ahead at the demon. So had Coren. They were alert and ready to fight, but they hadn’t heard me. Whatever this thing was, it could mess with sound and use it against us.

  Clack clack. The rocks skittered again, and when I turned back, the ugly beast was within two feet of me. Holy shitballs.

  I held my sword in my hands and took a deep breath, instantly regretting it. The demon smelled like death, the sickly, sweet smell causing me to hold back a gag.

  “What do you want?” I asked.

  Milky eyes blinked at me and its mouth moved a few times before it said, “Why, your boyfriend, of course. He’d make a tasty treat, and then I’d feast on you. Suck the marrow from your bones.”

  “Fuck you, you ugly son of a bitch. I’ll kill you before you’re able to think about laying a hand on any of us. You have no idea what you’re dealing with.”

  “Ah, but I do.” The laugh that escaped sounded more like squeaky gears. “I don’t think you do. Blind little hunter.”

  “I’ll show you blind.” I moved quickly forward, shoved my sword into its skull, and twisted.

  The demon fell and convulsed. Pale eyes circled to look up at me, and then at Coren. “Blindness comes in all forms, bitch.”

  Sound rushed back, slamming into us at warp speed. The sudden hearing ability was deafening and confusing all at once. Dizziness hit me as I heard horns honking, the clicking of the gas pumps a block away, and a rodent skittering from somewhere to my left. I fell to my knees and came face to face with the demon’s cloudy gaze. Putrid breath hit me as the zombie spider thing smiled.

  A sickening crunch that sounded as loud as a car crash caught my attention. I covered my ears and watched as Raven twisted the demon’s head from its body.

  As she held the dead demon’s head in her right hand, the previously loud noises were bearable. I took in a deep breath of relief.

  “What in the world is that thing?” I asked no one in particular.

  Raven grabbed the soul of the creature, and the black mass clawed at her face. She squeezed its neck and said, “That is a sound eater. A coldara. As uncommon as they are ugly.”

  As she disappeared to take the demon soul to wherever they go, I finally gazed at Coren. He shook off his disorientation quicker than I had. He picked up my sword off the ground and handed it to me.

  “Thanks,” I muttered.

  One whiff of the sword later and I wanted to find something to wash off the coldara’s blood. I finally vomited. Right on Coren’s boots.

  He jumped back in shock, but I’ll give him props for not gagging or vomiting when I puked on him.

  “I’m so sorry.” I winced at the splatters on his jeans. Then I dry heaved.

  Coren looked down at the mess and winced. “I think we should go change, or find a place to wash up. I can’t go around with vomit on me the rest of the night.”

  “Why don’t you fade to my apartment?” I asked and held out my sword with a gag. “And rinse this off while you’re at it.”

  “Fine,” he replied and snatched the sword out of my grip. He faded away a moment later, leaving only a wisp of smoke.

>   “Now that was hilarious,” a deep voice said from beside me.

  I started and then gave Lor an evil stare. “You watched the whole thing and didn’t help?”

  Lor chuckled. “No, my darling, I only saw the part where you heaved your guts on Coren’s shoes.”

  Taking a deep, cleansing breath, I wiped off my mouth. “Yeah, not my proudest moment.”

  “What is that putrid smell?” He scrunched up his face and covered his mouth and nose with his hand.

  “My puke?” I asked, half-joking because I knew he smelled the long-gone coldara. When he deadpanned, I said, “That smell is a coldara. Scary as shit and smells like death.”

  “No, Death smells like sandalwood and ash. That thing smells like decomposed body parts.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Okay, so not Death himself, but death as in the dead.”

  “Tomato Tamato,” he muttered, using the old cliché of the different pronunciations of words. His body revolved around as he inspected the train station. “Sad to see this place in such disrepair. I bet the gold inlays and beautiful artwork inside are long gone. I wish you could’ve seen it.”

  “I keep forgetting you’re old.”

  His red eyes swung to mine. “Darling, I’m not old. I’m experienced.” He winked. “In every way imaginable.”

  “Are you hitting on me?” I asked with a smirk.

  “He better not be. I’ll rip his heart from his chest,” Coren said, his voice murderous.

  “Ah, good to see jealousy is alive and well. She is beautiful.” Lor gave a wicked smile and his red eyes glowed as he stared at Coren. “But Mara is my friend, nothing more.”

  “If you even lay a finger on her—”

  “Coren, shut up,” I barked. “I’m not yours to threaten Lor with, so being jealous only makes you look like an asshole.”

  While it was slightly flattering, possessiveness only pissed me off. Jealousy with anger only showed Coren didn’t trust me—not that we were in any sort of relationship. If I wanted to hang out with Lor, then there shouldn’t be a problem with it. Lor was my friend, a handsome one, sure, but only a friend.