Royally Screwed

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Royally Screwed Page 23

by L. J. Vickery

“Gotta go,” he told her. “Get yourself back to the compound and forget about Boston and Maine.”

  When she looked to argue, he growled, “That’s an order, or I’ll get Enlil to hunt your ass down and spank it if you disobey.” The three gods disappeared from the car, and Candy was unable to deliver her blasphemous retort.

  “Fuckin’ hell.” She was far from pleased, but strangely the picture of Enlil with his big hands on her… She chuckled. Damn. She really should stop associating with gods. And the fuckers had left her high and dry.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  “What have you done?” Beletseri burst into the room in an angry swirl of mist with Nedu on her heels. Huxley, kneeling after quickly replacing the ore, could hear Matthew’s booted feet running down the hall to join the two angry immortals. His hearing, always superior to any other human, now grew acute. He could even hear the human bad guy muttering to himself.

  “You were supposed to incapacitate him.” Beletseri turned livid eyes to the north gatekeeper.

  “We did, my lady,” Nedu tried to assure her, but looked over at Huxley who had risen, and got a load of only one bloody bandage on his shoulder. He was clearly confused. Good. Huxley was about to teach him a lesson in retribution.

  “We sliced him up then knocked him out with a punch to the ribcage. I don’t know how he could be walking,” Nedu stood, aghast.

  Matthew burst through the door. “What the—” He stopped dead, observing Huxley not only on his feet but looking ready for another fight.

  Nedu made a move toward Hux with Matthew right behind.

  Huxley nodded calmly. “I couldn’t be happier to see the pair of you again,” he said mockingly. He beckoned to them with one hand. “Let’s have a go at round two.”

  Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Dani—still crouching by the sliced wall—pick up the knife on the floor by her feet.

  “Not even close, sister.” Beletseri was at the doctor’s side in a blink, and stepped on Dani’s wrist.

  Huxley growled. “Leave her alone.” He lunged at Bel and backhanded the goddess across the face, causing her to stumble. She looked at him incredulously.

  “You struck me,” she said, with a stunned look and a red welt rising on her cheek.

  “It’s about fucking time someone did.” Enlil snarled evilly.

  The gods had just appeared in the room.

  Huxley grinned from ear to ear. Nothing like the cavalry.

  Enlil, Anshar, and Dagon stood at the ready, with Marduk, Enten, and Nergal materializing right behind them.

  Huxley grew smug. Beletseri could only watch in horror as the rest of the gods misted in one after the other: Lahar, Emesh, Dumuzi, Ishkur, Ninurta, Kulla, and Absu. The last to show had to have come all the way from the depths of the Underworld. Clearly Shamash, having felt the energy surge from as far below as Hell, wasn’t about to be left out of the showdown.

  “So what do you think of the odds now, Beletseri?” King Nergal sneered at his one-time secretary. The royal clearly blamed himself, having spent the last four thousand years employing the goddess, for not seeing her as the cause of untold crimes and discontent in his kingdom. He would have his revenge.

  Raising his arm, he sent a god-surge of light toward her, slamming her back against the wall. He’d brought his osmium too, and when the dust cleared, the lethal blade pinned the shoulder of Beletseri’s dress to the wall, rendering her unable to dematerialize and flee.

  “What the fuck?” Marduk looked at the king in amazement. “You’ve never shown us that one before.” A huge indentation showed in the sheetrock where Beletseri hit. “Remind me to have you give us lessons after this is over.” Huxley was onboard with that one.

  “Nedu. Matthew. Attack.” Beletseri might not be able to move, but she had armed both of her men with osmium weapons as well, and watched with glittering eyes as they stood back to back, readying their personal arsenals.

  “Oh please.” Anshar pretended to yawn behind his hand as the evil duo took fighting stances. “Two…oh, excuse me.” He looked over at the once-secretary. “Three.” He coughed. “Against fifteen?” He grinned at Dani and apologized. “Sorry I didn’t include you in the fighting numbers, but I will if you’d like to take a swipe at Matthew for past indiscretions. Or just for being an asshole.”

  Dani-Lee couldn’t keep the answering grin off her face, even though it remained swollen and sore. “I’ll leave him to you.” She smirked. “But I might want to give him a kick once he’s down.”

  Hux could tell the king appreciated the humor, but tired of waiting to bring his queen justice. He had yet to look at his wife, and Huxley figured it was because the big guy feared he would break down before he could mete out justice.

  “For crimes against my court and my Chosen,” the king began. “Prepare to be blasted into oblivion.” His gaze raked both Nedu and Beletseri, before he turned to Matthew and sneered.

  “And you.” His eyes burned. “I can’t wait to have you in Hell.” The anger coming off the king in waves scared even Huxley. “The meaning of torment won’t have begun to be explored until I get my hands on you.”

  Huxley watched the byplay. To give Matthew credit, the human barely blinked. The man was either stupid or had some very large balls. Although not for long, Hux swore to himself. Damn. Just how long would the guy be in possession of his testicles?

  “Nergal?” the queen’s voice called weakly from the far side of the room. Glory had poofed in while the gods postured, and held Ereshkigal safe within her arms.

  “What are you doing here?” Enten interrupted with a growl, clearly not happy his wife had appeared. He chilled the room, making his displeasure known. “Why aren’t you safe back at the compound?”

  “Don’t give me any cold shit, babe.” Glory was obviously used to him now, and not in the least bit intimidated by his freeze. “The Goddess League figured someone needed to be here for the queen and Dani.” She shrugged. “And since the other members are all preggers…” Glory let that hang, then ignored her husband’s frostiness.

  “Look at me, husband.” The queen’s voice strengthened considerably while gazing at her husband’s exposed skin and muscle as he stood with legs spread, clad only in his gilded loincloth.

  Against his better judgement—he knew once he saw the state of his queen he would become irate—he turned to her. He sucked in a breath. Dear gods, she had become emaciated. Her once regal being seemed diminished, her lustrous black hair dulled from the course of her confinement, and her skin was riddled with sores. Nergal let out one tormented roar. “I will kill them all!”

  “Nergal, please.” His queen held out the hand not chained, and begged him, “Don’t kill them.” He, along with everyone else in the room rocked back, stunned by her plea. “Bring them to your court instead to stand trial.”

  Nergal’s eyes devoured his gaunt, pleading wife, and in that one glance, he knew he would do anything she asked of him for now and forever more.

  “Why Eresh?” he questioned, a world of hurt roiling in his gut as he reviewed her pitiful state. “Look at what they’ve done to you.” It was all he could do to control himself over the pale, thin condition of his queen. Her eyes had lost their edgy glint, and despite her cuffs having been wrapped in cloth, he ground his teeth at the raw, bleeding mess of her abused neck and wrists. “I would kill them all swiftly for how you have been treated.”

  Ereshkigal gave him a tremulous smile, and her pale face glowed with love for him. “I know you would, my king, but you need to make an example of them in front of your subjects, lest any other ever think to defy you.”

  There was truth in her words but the king felt an overwhelming need to destroy the evil that filled the room. His queen, however, petitioned for their lives. Fine then. He wouldn’t kill them, but he would make them regret their actions before he brought them back to stand trial.

  “Guard her.” He gestured toward Beletseri. Marduk and Enlil hastened to her side where she was helplessly p
inned. “And hold him.” He indicated Nedu. Dagon and Ishkur moved into place, restraining the gatekeeper. The king didn’t want either of them to work themselves free whilst he was engaged.

  “You first, human,” Nergal spat, beckoning to Matthew. The clueless male tossed his knife arrogantly back from hand to hand. He had no idea what would come.

  “I’ve fought Dagon before.” Matthew smiled, small and tight. “He was a tough opponent, but after all of his intense training, I could generally hold my own. And with this god-killing dagger in my hand, I will give you a run for your money.” He had the audacity to look Nergal up and down. “If I get the drop on you,” Matthew’s cockiness amazed him. “You have to promise me that none of these other gods will jump in to help you.” He had the gall to say such a thing to him…the king?

  “Done,” Nergal scoffed. Everyone in the room, including Nedu and Beletseri, realized he need say no more.

  Lightning fast, the king whipped to within three feet of Matthew and sent a fist—that the human never saw—smashing right into his nose. Blood welled as the mortal fell backward, hitting the floor. Nergal then aimed a well-placed kick to Matthew’s knife wielding hand, knocking the blade across the room. Matthew’s watering eyes watched it fly.

  Before he could roll away—clearly his intent—Nergal reached down and grabbed hold of the man’s shirt, lifting him up to shake him like a ragdoll.

  The king recognized that, with his anger elevated, if he landed one more punch on the hapless male, there would be nothing left of him for trial. Instead he satisfied his need to punish the human by holding Matthew aloft with one hand while slapping him, first one way and then the other, across the face.

  Spittle and blood flew from Matthew’s mouth and nose. The infuriated king threw the human across the room where he landed with a dull, thud. Good. It was the last thing that Matthew would remember for some time.

  Nedu looked pale and strained, as well he should. The god of the north knew his own strength as an immortal, but he was also well aware of Nergal’s superior might. Nergal had seen him quake during Matthew’s punishment, and had to know that he’d held back. He also had to be fully aware that Nergal would make no such concessions for him. The king watched Nedu brace himself.

  Nergal walked forward, clenching and unclenching his fists. Despite the hands-on demonstration with Matthew, he still craved blood. The human had been a pitiful appetizer, but the king had made promises to his queen. No death.

  He got within a foot of Nedu’s face before he spoke. “You know, North,” he bit out. “There is nothing I would rather do than beat you to your knees and hear you ask my forgiveness, then watch your face as I refuse. I would love to rip you apart and feed you your own entrails.”

  His victim blanched, understanding that Nergal was capable of such a thing. Nedu flinched under the king’s stare.

  “But you have better things awaiting you in Hell.” He let loose his smile, filled with evil intent. “Your brothers—South, East, and West—asked me for a bit of your time, once I found you. They’d like you freed in the Underworld. They do so enjoy the hunt. Do you understand me?” What little color remained in Nedu’s face washed out.

  “No, please. You can’t,” the god begged. Nergal knew that the gatekeeper’s brothers would leave little of the god to stand trial. They remained staunch supporters of the king, and punishment at their hands would be unrelenting.

  “Wait,” Beletseri spoke up from between Marduk and Enlil. She sent a sly look toward the king. “It’s funny how you think you have the upper hand all of a sudden.”

  Nergal looked around the room, as did the rest of the gods. Anshar finally took the bait.

  “Are you in the same universe as us, Miss Bel?” He used the pet name she had always abhorred. “From where I’m standing, you look pretty screwed, baby.” His mouth quirked up at one corner.

  “Well, look again,” Beletseri hissed, focusing her malice on the king. “Take a good long look at your queen, Nergal.” He noticed she didn’t preface his name with “king.” “Unless you want her in osmium chains for eternity, you will need to bargain with me to get the key that unlocks her cuffs.” Beletseri looked pleased with herself. Nergal quailed.

  “Oh, I suppose you can always cut her hand off and wait for it to regenerate, but there is no coming back from a severed head.” She laughed.

  “There are humans, you bitch, who deal with forging things from osmium all day long,” Enlil interjected. “We’ll take her to one of them and have it removed.”

  “It takes intense heat to break or bend that metal.” Beletseri scrutinized her nails. “Three thousand forty-five degrees centigrade to be exact.” She preened under Nergal’s darkening stare. “Let’s see if your lady love, without her goddess powers, can withstand that kind of heat so close to her delicate skin.”

  Nergal growled and launched himself at Beletseri. He slammed her hard against the wall at her back, wrapping his big hand around her throat. He squeezed, sending his other hand to the shoulder that held her amulet.

  “Stop.” Marduk gripped the king’s wrist as the goddess’ eyes bulged in her head. “If you kill her, the queen is doomed to wear that chain forever.”

  Ereshkigal spoke up from across the room, her voice shaky as she attempted humor. “It will be hard to accessorize, my love.”

  Nergal removed his hand, but kept Beletseri pinned with his forearm as she coughed and choked in air.

  “I should make you suffer for that, but I’ll have time later,” Beletseri threatened hatefully.

  “What do you want for the key?” Nergal spat.

  “My freedom, of course, and that of Matthew and Nedu as well.”

  The king’s face hardened. “I will give you your freedom only,” the king said. “You will not have your playthings to comfort you.”

  Beletseri was about to argue but Nergal cut her off. “Don’t even think to bargain with me,” he roared. “It might take years, but you know if I bring you below, I can torture the information out of you.” He caught the twitch in her temple. “And I would so enjoy that.” He had called her bluff and if she knew what was good for her, she’d capitulate. Nergal was every bit capable of making her regret she’d ever lived.

  “Fine.” She tossed her head as best she could with it pinned against a wall.

  “No,” Nedu cried out, clearly having seen hope for a split second only to have it yanked away.

  Beletseri shrugged at him. “What would you have me do?” She turned her attention back to Nergal. “Now you have to make me a promise. An oath that if I give you the key, you will let me go free.”

  The king touched his right hand to the amulet in his left shoulder. “I so decree,” he said with his jaw clenched. His talisman gave off a dull glow for a short moment. He quirked his head. “Marduk, accompany her to get the key from its hiding place.” Nergal yanked the osmium knife from Bel’s garment where she’d been pinned, and without blinking an eye, lifted her hand and thrust the blade deep into her palm.

  “Bastard,” Beletseri screamed, her eyes flying wide. “We had an agreement.”

  “You asked an oath of me. We didn’t discuss pain and suffering.” He looked at her knowingly. “Besides, if you had all your powers, you would use them to disappear as soon as you left the room, never fulfilling your end of the bargain.”

  Tears blinded the ex-secretary as she opened her mouth to speak.

  “Don’t waste your breath lying,” the king hissed. “Just get the key and be out of our lives forever.”

  Marduk marched the spluttering—and bleeding—goddess from the room.

  “Now we need to clean up,” Nergal said to no one in particular. Minrella. Lavarette. He called to his glowies, and both appeared instantly.

  “Yes, sire?” The females bowed down to Nergal. He really needed them to stop that obsequious behavior.

  “I want this building searched thoroughly,” he said, “until every last bit of the ore that you mined is found.” He cou
ldn’t help himself. “I want no stone left unturned.”

  There came a halfhearted snicker from the gods. Anshar groaned. “I tell you what, King-Not-so-Funny,” he rolled his eyes. “Teach us that trick you did earlier, and I’ll give you lessons in making people laugh.”

  “Or I could just rip your tongue out and save us both the trouble,” Nergal replied.

  “There is that.” Anshar backed up a step. With the king in a volatile mood, he wouldn’t dare mess with him any longer. Nergal puffed up.

  “Stop intimidating the good guys, Nergal.” The queen—perhaps feeling better now that the tides had been turned against the evil doers—chastised him. She walked to the far limit of her chain. “Come and let me know you missed me instead.” Ereshkigal held out her unrestrained arm.

  Nergal walked to her and enfolded her in a most tender embrace. The gods in attendance couldn’t see it, but Ereshkigal understood. He, the big, hard-ass, god king trembled with the force of his drop in adrenaline. Eresh comforted him as only she could do.

  Everything will be all right now, she said just to him. I need you to take me home.

  As soon as we have the key, my sweet. He answered back. And just to let you know, I’m never letting you out of my sight again.

  Ereshkigal sighed in his arms. He figured that meant it was fine with her.

  ****

  Marduk and Beletseri came back in the room after a fairly long absence. “You made the right decision, sire,” Marduk said, handing him the key. “We never would have found it. She hid it in a space between realms.” He twisted his lips wryly. “Since she has no magic, I tied her up while she directed me to get it.” Marduk looked down at his shoes that dripped something unrecognizable. “You don’t want to know where she sent me.”

  Nergal placed the key in the lock of the smaller cuff and clicked it open. He examined his queen’s wrist briefly, then shifted to open the neck restraint. Before she could attempt to heal her injuries herself, Nergal lifted her in his arms, and applied all of his energy to mend things for her. Ereshkigal snuggled closer. She obviously wouldn’t complain.

 

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