Road to Hell

by J. C. Diem

  Sophia entered with a tray of tea. She handed me a cup then took her seat. My hands weren’t steady enough to hold it, so I put it down on the table. I had some bad news and I wasn’t looking forward to telling them about it. Taking a deep mental breath, I knew it would be pointless to delay telling them what I’d learned. “We may have a slight problem,” I said.

  Still excited by our success, Leo’s grin faltered. “That sounds ominous. Did you learn something when you absorbed the Demon Lord?”

  “Yeah, and the news isn’t good.”

  Brie made an impatient sound. “Do not keep us in suspense. What did you discover?”

  “I saw the demon’s memories and I’m pretty sure she’s seen the master gate.”

  “Why is that bad news?” Nathan asked. “This means she knows its location.”

  “I didn’t see where it was, but I saw something else that frankly scared the crap out of me.” At his raised brow, I described the flash of images that I’d seen. “Thousands of demons have tried to defeat the master gate. I saw a pile of bodies that was so high it looked like it went on forever.”

  “We already knew that it would be difficult to conquer the gate,” he said dismissively.

  “It isn’t just difficult,” I corrected him. “It seems to be impossible. The strongest demons have tried and all have failed. No one has challenged the gate in eons. To do so means certain defeat.”

  “That is indeed bad news,” Sophia agreed. “We might have to rethink our plan about you assailing it.”

  “There’s no other way,” I said reluctantly. “Sam was right. Even if I managed to conquer one of the other gates, the gargoyles would head straight to the Hellmaster.” I’d caught that much from my latest demon acquisition. “I have to find and defeat the master gate or I’m doomed to failure.”

  “I do not understand why my mistress needs to go to that foul place,” Sam said. He cringed when he realized he’d called me his mistress again.

  “There is something she needs to find that will stop the demons from breaking free,” Sophia told him.

  “Do you know what it is?” I asked.

  She shook her head in regret. “I am afraid not. I only know that it is an object of great power and that it will be instrumental in the outcome of this war.”

  Leo ventured a question. “If it is impossible to defeat the master gate, then how are you going to enter hell?”

  “The only way I’ll be able to conquer it is if I become stronger,” I replied. Brie eyed my thin frame skeptically. “I don’t just mean physically stronger,” I said before she could make a snide comment about how weak I was.

  “You mean to absorb more demons,” Nathan realized. The set of his wide shoulders told me he wasn’t happy about it.

  “They already helped me once when Brie almost stabbed me.” She had the good grace to look slightly uncomfortable at that reminder. “I’m pretty sure they were the ones who teleported me to safety. They have a healthy dash of self-preservation. If I absorb enough of them, I think they’ll step up when I’m facing something that can chew me up and spit me out.”

  Nathan arched one perfect brow thoughtfully. “I take it lesser demons are not part of this plan?”

  “They wouldn’t be as useful. I need strong demons if I’m going to stand a chance of surviving.”

  Heaving a sigh, he looked at the others for their opinions. They all wore worried looks. “What other options do we have?” Sophia asked. “Violet is our only hope against the darkness.”

  “I do not like it,” Nathan said heavily, “but it would seem that we have no choice.”

  “How many demons will you need to absorb?” Brie asked. She was taking this better than the others, probably because she didn’t like me. She didn’t care if my mind and body were irreparably damaged from absorbing evil beings.

  “I’m not sure. I’m hoping I’ll know when I have enough.” I might have a gaping hole inside me since my soul was missing, but surely I could only hold a finite number of hell spawn.

  ₪₪₪

  Chapter Thirty

  Excusing myself when I’d finished my tea, I headed upstairs. I checked my reflection in the bathroom mirror and couldn’t see any physical changes. My haunted eyes were the only indication that I now had four evil creatures trapped inside me.

  Taking my bracelet out of my pocket, I slipped it back on. Something had changed and it took me a moment to realize that the color had deepened slightly. Another image had become etched onto the stone. All were too faint to make out what they were. Putting my ear to the door, I made sure no one was going to barge in then took my dagger out. I wasn’t currently in danger, but the blade began to glow as if it knew that I wanted to see it. It had also changed color slightly.

  Putting the weapon away, I was pretty sure I knew what was happening. Each time I added a new demon to my collection, my quota of evil rose. Maybe Brie was right. Maybe I was going to turn as wicked as the beings that I’d absorbed.

  A knock came at the door and I almost gave a startled yelp. “Are you alright in there?” Leo asked.

  Yanking the door open, I smirked at him. “Of course I’m alright. What trouble could I possibly get into inside a bathroom?”

  “With you, who knows?” he said philosophically. “How many times have you almost died now?”

  “I’ve lost count,” I shrugged airily. I’d unknowingly always had Nathan to watch my back. Now that I didn’t have his constant protection to count on, I suddenly felt vulnerable. The demons that I’d absorbed so far would do their best to keep me safe, but their aid was nowhere near as reassuring as having my guardian constantly on call.

  We headed downstairs and Sam looked relieved when I took my seat. He probably thought the others would throw him out the moment my back was turned. I didn’t think that was likely now that he’d proven himself to be so useful.

  “Our trap worked quite well the first time,” Brie said when we were all seated. “Should we risk attempting it again?”

  “I do not see why we should not,” Nathan replied. “As long as we are careful, we should be able to repeat the trap.”

  “Are you up to being my decoy again?” I asked Sam. I was feeling less shaky now and I’d prefer to get this done sooner rather than later.

  “I am ready to do my part,” Sam replied. Since he’d survived our first attempt without mishap, he wasn’t quite as afraid now. Leo had protected him from harm and he trusted the young angel to have his back.

  “It would be wise to choose a different area of the city to focus on,” Sophia said.

  Nathan nodded as if he was way ahead of her. “I agree. We will pick a different area with each strike. The Demon Lords’ entourage of five lesser minions will be hesitant to approach a Captain or another Lord for help once they realize their master is missing.” At my confused look, he explained further. “Demons are very territorial once they have chosen their turf on Earth. Rival lackeys are usually attacked on sight if they enter another’s territory. Yet word will eventually spread and we will not be able to keep up this ruse forever.”

  We formed a circle and were whisked to an area that I hadn’t been to before. The sleek skyscrapers near Times Square weren’t in evidence here. Instead, the buildings were shorter and older. Banners hanging from streetlights told me that we were in NoHo, but I wasn’t sure what that stood for. The crowd was less touristy and were more focused as they headed out to an early lunch or bustled about their various tasks.

  Nathan surveyed the area and realized that we stood out far too much as a group. There weren’t enough people around for us to be able to blend in easily. Our bracelets hid us from our foes, but not from normal humans. “We should split up,” he decided. “Briathos and I will move across the road. Signal us if you see a Demon Lord.” They winked out of sight and appeared across the street.

  Sam pulled his cap down low so it hid his face. I wore my hood up to hide mine as well. Leo sauntered between us as we walked slowly down the stre
et. We weren’t as inconspicuous as I’d hoped. We looked like three juvenile delinquents who were searching for trouble.

  I’d studied a map of Manhattan that I’d found on a shelf in Sophia’s store and recognized the street we were on. I knew we were somewhere to the south of the island. We walked down Bleeker Street until we came to Lafayette Street. I’d grown used to being in the shadow of skyscrapers. I felt exposed and vulnerable without them looming over us.

  Up ahead, Lafayette Street split in the middle with cars flowing around either side of a small strip of land. A strange, thin building had been erected on the narrow divide. I shook my head at the ingenuity of mankind. They were able to utilize even the smallest spaces.

  Nathan surreptitiously motioned for us to continue down Lafayette Street and we followed his directions. We passed a group of demons, but their leader was just a captain. I wondered just how many packs there were in the city. They seemed to be on almost every block.

  Reaching a large intersection a couple of blocks later, I saw a cluster of people with flickering faces and caught Leo’s eye. He followed my nod and examined the dark-skinned youths. They did a pretty good job of acting human, but I could see through their disguises.

  Again, five lesser demons guarded their lord. He appeared to be a handsome man in his early twenties, but I saw his true face. Twin horns curved back over his forehead and fangs jutted from his mouth. His vessel was shorter than his lackeys, but his real form towered over them.

  Leo signaled to Nathan and Brie and they went on full alert. The group of demons turned into Lafayette Street, heading away from us. If they really were territorial, they were probably checking to make sure no rivals had encroached on their turf.

  Nathan and Brie zapped themselves over to us and Nathan outlined his plan. “There is a small alley just down the street.” He pointed and Leo squinted until he saw a sign for the alley in the distance. “Take Samuel and ensure that the demons see him.” Sam looked terrified again, but he was resolved to do his part when Leo nodded.

  Nathan turned to Brie next. “We will position ourselves at the opposite end of the alley. When the Demon Lord comes within our sight, Violet will allow him to see her and she will attempt to draw him towards us. When his lackeys are gone, he will hopefully fall into our trap. Does everyone understand the plan?”

  We all nodded and Sam put his hand on my arm. He morphed into my twin then he and Leo disappeared. The six demons were nearly at the small alley now and the pair arrived just in time to head them off. Sam took his bracelet off and the five minions immediately gave chase when they noticed him.

  Nathan took Brie and me by the arm and teleported us to the opposite end of the alley that bisected Lafayette Street. My eyes cleared just in time to see Sam disappearing around the corner with our enemies in hot pursuit.

  My two guardians hid themselves around the corner and I took my bracelet off just as the Demon Lord came into view. His eyes widened when he saw me and he started in my direction. Turning, I sprinted down the narrow alley. His feet pounded after me as he rapidly closed in. Fingers scraped the back of my jacket and I hunched my shoulders and turned the corner. I ran full tilt into Brie and didn’t have time to brace myself before she teleported us back to our base.

  Leo and Sam were already waiting for us in the store, but we had an agonizing wait of a few seconds before Nathan and our quarry arrived. A deep gash marred Nathan’s perfect face. The slash went from his hairline right down to his chin. It had just missed his eye. He grimly ignored the blood that flowed down his face.

  The Demon Lord went berserk as Brie’s spell went into effect. Roaring in pain, he flailed his weapon around. Instead of a huge sword, he wielded a gigantic double headed axe. It glowed bright scarlet as it whooshed through the air and Leo had to duck to avoid it.

  Even with the spell disorienting him, he was a fearsome warrior. His skill with the axe was obvious even to a novice like me. Somehow overcoming the pain, he became focused enough to coordinate his movements. Brie underestimated his strength and stepped in to try to stab him. In mid-swing, he redirected his axe and it bit into her arm, sending her sword flying.

  A tiny part of me almost cheered to see her bleeding and in pain, but a far larger part of me was enraged at seeing Nathan so badly wounded. Ignoring his agony, my guardian held his sword with both hands as he took Brie’s place. To my eyes, he was a full foot and a half shorter than the demonic lord. They moved in a circle, searching for any weakness in their opponent.

  Moving stealthily, Leo darted in and sliced his sword across the demon’s right thigh. The lord reacted almost too quickly for me to see. He spun and kicked the teen across the room then whirled his axe in an arc. Nathan barely managed to deflect it and the blow was so strong that he staggered back a couple of steps.

  I’d been completely forgotten by everyone, and took my chance. As the lord stalked my guardian, I darted forward and rammed my dagger into his spine. Roaring in pain, his legs collapsed as the blade severed something vital. He could still use his arms, but his legs were now useless.

  Nathan leaped forward and sliced through the lord’s wrist. His hands fell to the floor and his axe disappeared. All three angels piled onto the writhing demon. Rolling him over onto his back, they held him down. Heaving and bucking, he wasn’t quite strong enough to throw them off. His legs were working again, which meant he’d already healed his paralysis.

  “Finish him!” Nathan urged me grimly.

  I aimed carefully and stabbed the lord through the heart. Back bowing in fresh agony, he lifted himself off the ground a few inches before collapsing.

  Oily sludge oozed from the wound and streamed into me without pause. My eyes went blind as I saw his memories. It was the same avalanche of death, misery and torment that I’d already seen several times before.

  Gasping for air when the barrage ceased, I realized I was lying on the floor with my head cradled on Nathan’s lap. “Are you okay?” I asked him when my voice returned. His wound didn’t look quite as bad now. The bleeding had stopped and it was already starting to close.

  He looked startled by my question, but nodded. “I am fine. This is but a small wound.”

  I took Leo’s proffered hand and he pulled me to my feet. “It doesn’t look that small to me,” I muttered as the teen helped me into my chair.

  “I will dispose of the body,” Brie offered and was gone before anyone could argue. Her wound wasn’t as bad as Nathan’s and she already had the full use of her arm back.

  “Are you alright, mis-, I mean Violet?” Sam asked anxiously.

  I smiled wearily, but my head was still spinning. “I will be. I just need a minute to get used to having another evil soul floating around inside me.”

  Lifting my hand to rub my eyes, I saw that the bracelet had darkened a little more. It was more of a burnt orange now. Another image had been added to the list.

  “Would you like some tea?” Sophia asked. I sensed her frustration that she couldn’t help us as much as she’d like. Her visions were helpful, but she probably wanted to be in the thick of the fight rather than standing on the sidelines as a spectator. If it had been in my power, I’d have gladly traded places with her.

  “That’d be great, thanks.” My stomach had settled down a bit by the time she carried the tray in.

  Brie returned and I didn’t bother to ask her where she’d dumped the body. She knew how to be discreet and wouldn’t have left it lying around where someone could find it.

  “I think we should let Violet rest tomorrow,” Leo said. He couldn’t hide his worry and I wondered if I looked as bad as I felt.

  Nathan inclined his head in agreement. “Time is of the essence, but it would not be wise to push her too hard or too fast.”

  I didn’t like them talking about me as if I wasn’t there, but I didn’t have the energy to complain.

  ₪₪₪

  Chapter Thirty-One

  I went to bed early then spent the next day watching TV with
Sam. He was using television as a means of catching up on modern life. Most of it was puzzling to him. Our language had evolved over the centuries and was barely recognizable to him at times.

  After a restless night of tossing and turning, I was reluctantly ready for action again. While I’d been lounging around all day yesterday, Nathan, Brie and Leo had searched the city for more Demon Lords. They’d also kept watch for signs that our enemies were growing suspicious about what we were up to.

  “We have located several more Lords of hell,” Nathan said when I sat down for breakfast.

  I tried to muster up some enthusiasm. “Great. We can head out as soon as I’ve finished eating.”

  He sat back in his chair and tried to hide his concern for me. The cut on his face had healed and not even a scar remained. It was hard not to stare at him. Sophia, Brie and Leo were all beautiful, but they didn’t have the same majestic presence that he did.

  Sam surreptitiously elbowed me in the side and sent me a meaningful look. I realized I’d been staring at my guardian despite telling myself not to. I shot my new friend a grateful glance and resumed eating. He’d been practicing his illusion skills while watching countless TV shows with me sitting beside him. He’d managed to increase his time pretending to be me to ninety seconds.

  I finished my breakfast and Sophia shooed me away when I went to gather up my dishes. “I will take care of that,” she said. “You have far more important things to concern yourself with.”

  I would have preferred to postpone our excursion for a few more minutes, but nodded my thanks. The rest of us formed a circle and one of the angels zapped us away. We appeared on a sidewalk a moment later. Going by the signs that seemed to be written in Chinese, we were in Chinatown. It had been the middle of the night the last time I’d been here and I didn’t recognize any of the stores. Glancing around, I couldn’t see any signs for Canal St where I’d disembarked from the bus.