by Hunter Blain
“I’m in control now,” I spit between my teeth. “Me! You fucking hear me? I’M IN CHARGE!”
“I suppose we will find out, will we not?” Ulric lowered his voice and flashed a grin that knotted my guts up. Then, as if nothing teetering on the brink of all-out war had occurred, Ulric changed his tone. “Now, if you will excuse me, I have a guest waiting for me to return.”
He strode past me and I called out to him, “Ulric,” causing him to stop in his tracks and turn a curious glance my way. “Why? Why make a deal with Satan? Don’t you know what’s at risk?”
“You should really have a chat with Samael, John. He makes a compelling argument.” Ulric’s eyes flicked to Gabriel before shifting back to me. “When the gates of Hell open—and they most assuredly will—Samael will make some changes as God lies dead at his feet and he sits upon the throne over all of creation. The Alpha and Omega. And I, dear child, will be crowned king over all of Hell, free to rule as I see fit.” He lifted his hand and bent his first three fingers in a flamboyant wave, leaving his pinky straight as if sipping from a teacup. “Until we meet again, John. Ta-ta.”
Ulric strode to the door as a green-and-purple flame started at his hairline and rushed down his feet like a wildfire. Where it burned, Ulric vanished, leaving behind the acrid smell of brimstone and sulfur.
My rage shifted focus to the angel who stood by and watched the events unfold.
“What was that, angel?! You just fucking stood there and let Ulric do whatever he wanted,” I yelled in his face, standing almost nose to nose. Gabriel didn’t even flinch.
“Know what happened here couldn’t have happened any other way,” he informed me softly.
“They know about the plan to go to Hell. There’s no freaking way I can get the damn scrolls, now.”
“Yes, there is,” Gabriel said, holding out his hand, palm up. A glowing silver key rested on his palm. It glowed so brightly it looked like an expensive CGI effect that made me squint to look at. “Take it.”
“What is it?” I asked, taken aback by its beauty and obvious significance. Picking up the key, which had a tremendous weight to it for being such a moderately sized piece of metal, I hefted it a few times and admired its craftsmanship.
“The scrolls are locked in Hell, yes. But they are locked. My brother cannot unlock the chest they are housed in, just as Heaven cannot access the chest’s location.”
“Y-you’re saying that Satan has a chest full of the prophecy scrolls, but can’t open the stupid box? And Heaven can’t get to the box but has the freaking key? What kind of Da Vinci Code shit is this?”
“It’s up to you, John. In all of existence, there has never been one such as yourself.”
“An abomination,” I breathed out, feeling the gravity of the word impact my mind, as if the weight of it had been hidden all along, like the eyes of an alligator barely poking through the surface. You didn’t realize the importance of those eyes, thinking them common debris, until it was too late.
“A mortal soul who merged with a demon, only to later absorb an angel into his essence. Yes, John Cook, you are an abomination of the highest order. Which is exactly why we need you. Only an angel can hold the key. Only a demon can access the chest’s location. Only a mortal soul can traverse the planes freely, first going to Hell and then returning again.”
“Bu-but I can’t get to Hell without his staff!” I countered.
“There are other ways. You just weren’t ready for them, until now.”
“What the hell do you mean? Be straight with me, man. Stop with the word play.”
“Did you, or did you not, recently die and go to Heaven?”
“Yeah. I mean, you’re making my case for me, dude. How the hell can I go to Hell if my soul will go to Heaven?”
“Because you can go to Heaven is precisely why you can now go to Hell.”
Ludvig chimed in, “I fink he’s saying you can find your way back, broder.”
“Bingo!” Gabriel said, turning and smiling at the Swede.
“What…” I started, feeling the sting of Ulric’s poison coursing through my veins, “what if I damn my soul, like Ulric said?”
“You seemed pretty confident that you were in control, if I understood that correctly,” Gabriel countered.
My eyes reflexively shot over to Depweg at the mention of control, and I saw a pained expression in his eyes interlaced with anger.
“Oh, Lilith. Depweg, I-I-I,” I stammered, trying to find the words, “I didn’t tell you about Dawson because I didn’t want to hurt you, man. I already knew I was going to Hell and would get him back, somehow.”
“We can talk about it later,” Depweg said with a tone I had never heard him use directed toward me. I think it was hatred.
“He is correct. We do not have time to discuss it,” Gabriel said casually. It was beginning to irk me how calm he was.
“What do you mean? We—I—have to go, like, right now?”
“Time is of the essence. That being said, a few nights would be negligible.”
“I thought we had five years?!”
“For the gates of Hell to open, yes. But to save Dawson’s soul and get the scrolls, we must act quickly. They are more than likely preparing a trap for you as we speak.”
“Then what happens if I don’t go at all?” Depweg’s face, which was facing the floor, sprang up to lock onto me.
“Then your friend will be punished because you didn’t give Lucifer what he wants.”
“This?” I held up my hand in question, letting the light of the key fill the room.
“Yes.”
“So, they are setting a trap for me, either at the chest or with Dawson, and I’m just going to willy-nilly walk into said trap and give them the key to the prophecy chest? This is madness!”
“You are the only one who can enter through the mouth of madness and prevail, John. It must be you, and it must be soon.”
“Oh, Lilith,” I sighed as I tucked the key into my chest pocket and rubbed at my face with my free hand.
“What did I miss?” a tired Lily asked from my door.
“John is going to Hell,” Ludvig informed.
“John is…I’m sorry, what?” Lily asked, sobering up in an instant. She approached me, searching my face for hints of a joke.
“Hey there, Lily. Yeah, um, Gabriel here just broke the news that I’m going on a business trip, like right now, basically. Well, maybe a few nights from now, max. But soon.”
Lily turned fierce green eyes that flashed a pale blue as she saw the angel.
“So, you are Lily. It’s a pleasure,” Gabriel said as he extended his hand.
Lily smacked it away with a look of disgust.
“You angels are all the same. Using those caught in between to do your bidding. Makes me sick,” she sneered before spitting on the ground in front of him. “Why don’t you grow a pair of balls and do whatever the fuck you want John to do yourself? Hmm? Or do you not have any balls? I bet you’re a Ken doll downstairs, am I right?”
Gabriel looked at me and said, “I see why you like her.”
I simply shrugged in answer, feeling as if I would have blushed had I had a full stomach.
“I’m going with you,” Lily said.
“Me, too,” Depweg added forcefully, taking another step forward.
“I’m afraid that’s not possible. Only John here can enter the plane of Hell and come out again. Besides, Lily, don’t you have matters of great importance to attend to?”
My face screwed up at the revelation that seemed simple, but had been delivered in such a way to subtly emphasize vast importance.
Lily clenched her fists and began shaking them before lunging at me and wrapping her arms around my neck. I had to hold her up as she began collapsing to the ground, sobbing.
“Don’t go. Please. Please, don’t go. Just a few more nights together.”
“I have to,” I whispered as I stroked her blonde curls. Looking toward Gabriel, I asked, “Wha
t do you mean she has matters to attend to?”
“It isn’t for me to say.”
“Yet you’ve said this much. Spill it,” I aggressively demanded, stepping away from Lily, who stood looking at the ground, hugging herself.
“Perhaps you should give Taylor a call. He’s been looking for you.”
A scowl that had already been prominently displayed on my face deepened to the point of almost paining me.
“Locke, can you give Taylor a ca—” I began as I turned my head to see an empty couch. “Fuck,” I exhaled. My eyes shifted to Depweg and I knew better than to ask him for anything at that moment. First, we would need to have a serious conversation that I was not looking forward to.
An idea came to me and I looked at Gabriel. “Can I bring Mjolnir with me to Hell?”
“I’m afraid only your soul will be able to make the journey. Your body, and all other articles that are affixed to the physical realm, will have to remain behind.”
“I mean, is Mjolnir really a part of the physical realm?”
“A piece of advice, John: find a weapon and stay out of trouble when you get there.”
“Um, those two things kinda directly conflict with each other, wouldn’t ya say?” I countered. Something came to me then. “Hey, how can I bring the key with me if it’s physical?”
“It’s celestial, John. It was made before time was time for this very purpose.”
“So I can bring angel stuff with me?”
“Hell is of divine creation. Stands to reason celestially made stuff, as you so delicately put it, would be able to traverse the planes.”
Though my body stayed in place, my mind soared a few miles away to Valenta’s Saloon. Bursting through the shattered front doors, I sailed through the bar and into the kitchen where a locked access led to an underground tunnel. In the subterranean hallway was a chest that pulled at my mind like the gravity from a supermassive black hole. My mouth salivated at the thought of the contents.
A voice pulled me back in an instant.
“John? You still wid us?” Ludvig asked.
“Hmm? Oh, nothing. Just thought about something.”
Gabriel nodded his head and my eyes flicked to him. He had a knowing smile decorating his stupid handsome face, recognition in his eyes.
Lachesis sprang to mind. “Your greatest strength is also your greatest weakness, John.”
“What is dat face you are making?” Ludvig asked.
Gabriel answered for me, “He is making a tough decision.”
“What if I…do what I’m thinking?” I asked Gabriel, desperate to have his approval.
“We both know what will happen,” he said with watchful eyes.
“What?” Magni asked, once again unable to help himself.
“The armor,” Depweg said under his breath as he looked at the ground.
“What about it?” the boy asked again.
Ludvig spoke up as the situation clicked in his mind, surprising me with his insight, “He is asking de angel if he can wear his celestial armor in Hell.”
“Well, can he? That seems like it would help, right?”
“No, my apprentice,” Ludvig said as he turned his head to me, gesturing an unspoken question.
I picked up on what he was inquiring, and sighed while saying, “If I put on the armor, my Predatory Self—Baleius—will also gain the strength. I don’t want to give the demon inside me even the slightest hint of power while on his home turf. I’m honestly not even completely sure I’d be able to overpower him while on Earth.”
“How did you beat him before?” Magni asked.
“He got lucky,” Depweg said for me. “His demon indulged in blinding pride and hubris, giving the vampire his much-needed advantage.” To hear my best friend refer to me as “the vampire” plunged my heart into ice and dragged the corners of my mouth down in a frown that I couldn’t fight.
“I don’t think he’ll make the same mistake again,” I admitted to the room, including myself.
“He will not,” Gabriel confirmed. “But that doesn’t mean you will never wear the armor again.”
“You’re just not ready, yet,” Ludvig added, once again surprising me with his clarity.
I shot dull, half-assed daggers at him, knowing he was right, but still mad to hear someone so, shall we say…single-minded—point it out. The man was outstanding at what he did, extraordinary even, but usually the deep thinking was left to the rest of us.
In Swedish, Ludvig shot at me, “I can all but hear your thoughts, vampyr. English is not my first language and, as such, certain slang or sayings might well go over my head. However, do not think me a dullard for not understanding old sayings like,” he switched to a terrible English hick accent, “two in the bush is worth one in the hand.”
I was visibly rocked back, prompting Lude to continue, “In the future, do not mistake my kindness for weakness. If I do not understand something, I will speak up and say so.”
He smiled at me, and I shifted my gaze back to Gabriel, who was also grinning like I was the butt of an inside joke.
“Well, alrighty then. Moving on,” I segued, steering the conversation away from my ample embarrassment. I’d have to watch that crafty Swede. “So we all agree I shouldn’t wear my armor downstairs. The next question is, how do I get there?”
“I believe if you and your friends put your heads together, a solution will become apparent. For now, my part is complete, and I must be going. Farewell, and good luck, John.” With that being said, he began making his way to the front door.
“Wait!” I called after him, holding out a hand. “Don’t you have any obscure advice that won’t make any sense until the moment I need it?”
“I’m afraid this time you’re on your own, abomination,” Gabriel said with a wink. I blinked and he was gone.
“Well, that was helpful,” I complained. “Not like I’m going to Hell or anything. Oh, wait! I am! Lilith damn it, what am I doing?!”
“Saving da universe,” Ludvig answered.
“Bah! Bah, I says to you!” I played back the Archangel’s visit in an instant, then asked, “So how the hell do I get to, um, Hell?”
“He mentioned putting our heads together,” Depweg said, putting his hands on his hips in thought.
“I can help,” Lily said, having been quiet after I had made my decision. Everyone in the room looked at her expectantly. “My blood, with the right enchantment, can put you in the in-between.”
“Like that time in the Rolls,” I said as my mind drifted to that moment which seemed so long ago, which I suppose it was, in relation to time itself.
“Right. It was the only place I could talk to you without prying eyes or listening ears.”
“Okay, Lily puts me in the in-between. Then what?” I asked the room, searching faces for any semblance of an idea.
“Well, if we are talking about traversing to Hell, should we ask Father Thomes for some guidance?” Depweg suggested.
“Great idea!” I exclaimed. “Hope he understands the need.” I looked at Lily. “Are you sure you’re strong enough to give me your blood?”
As if I had slapped her, she barked out, “Of course I am! I am Lily, Mistress of Faerie, foolish vampire. My strength knows no bounds.” I looked at her with a warm smile, and she relaxed visibly. “Plus, I only need to give you a small vial’s worth.”
“Thanks, Lily,” I said as I moved to embrace her. She held me tight and appeared to wipe tears from her eyes on my shirt.
“Come back to me,” she whispered so only I could hear.
“Depweg,” I started as I looked up at my friend, “Can you pick me up a new phone while I’m at Papa T’s? I need to call SAC Baker about the giant demon body.”
Depweg answered by reaching under the coffee table and picking up a cardboard box with the seal already broken.
“Came by drone earlier,” he said as he tossed it over to me. I opened the flaps and saw four brand-new phones. I looked at the flap with the shippin
g label and saw Locke’s name.
“Lilith bless Locke,” I said as I pulled a box out. “Locke!” I broke Lily’s embrace and began striding to his room to check on the man-child.
“He’s sleeping. Best to leave him alone and let him recover a bit,” Depweg suggested with an outstretched palm. I stopped, looking between his hand and the closed door. “John, let him sleep,” he not-so-subtly suggested. It was comforting to have Depweg talking to me after what he had learned from Ulric.
“You and I need to have a chat when you get back,” he said coldly, his gaze piercing my very soul with daggers of ice.
“I know. I’d rather do it before I go, if I have a choice. Just in case, you know, I don’t come back,” I whispered before forcing myself away from the situation. He and I needed to be apart and let our minds settle for a bit before speaking of my perceived betrayal. Or at least that’s how I knew he would take the withholding of information on one of his pack.
I disappeared into my room and grabbed the shoes Taylor had made for me, which ignited a thought. After storing the boots Doc Jim had gotten for me, I slipped on Taylor’s Fae-made footwear. Frowning, I looked down at the boots that were definitely not my style, got up, and returned to the living room.
“Lily, walk with me,” I suggested as I made my way to the front door. She gracefully strode to catch up to where I was already ascending the stairs, eager to remove myself from the drowning tension in my home.
In my mausoleum, where a portal sat ready to go to Faerie, I asked Lily, “What does Taylor want with you?”
“He…” Lily began as she crossed her arms over her chest and hunched her shoulders in apprehension.
“Lily, what is it?” I asked, stepping forward to place my hands on her arms. My thumbs lightly rubbed against her skin.
“Taylor isn’t able to maintain control over both the Seelie and Unseelie Courts. He-he needs me to wear the mantle of Queen of Air and Darkness and oversee the Winter Court.”
“Ohhh-kay? Am I missing something here?”