Hell's Gift

by Haigwood, K. S.

  “Open your eyes!”

  I didn’t know what he was talking about, but I did as ordered. My eyes flew open and all I could see were black wings and the spear handle that was within my reach.

  “Grab it, Rhyan!”

  A rush of adrenaline and hope shot through me, thrusting my arms forward; my fingers closed around smooth wood and my new companion whisked me away.

  The added weight had him batting his wings double-time, but he gradually put distance between us and the great fire down below.

  Chapter 51

  From the sky, I looked out across the lands of Wrath. It really was a nightmare come true. The scenery had changed from the cone-shaped mountains and fire, to thousands of men and women in hand-to-hand combat with each other. It appeared one either had to kill or be killed, and I was glad my new friend with wings didn’t seem to be landing amongst the carnage. I had no urge to kill, and certainly no desire to become demon food.

  There were large mountains in the distance with more gargoyle-like creatures flying above them like vultures waiting for something to die. I had a feeling that was where we were headed, and I wasn’t positive my new buddy’s friends would be as courteous as he’d been.

  As if reading my mind, he jiggled the spear, and when I looked up to him he closed his eyes, then opened them again.

  “You want me to close my eyes?” I asked, and he nodded. I was happy he could understand me, even though I didn’t have a clue what he was saying unless he mimicked what he meant, but I didn’t have a great feeling about the direction we were heading in if I had to play dead. Without any options left, I huffed and let my head fall to my bicep. I would have let it slump to the front, but I wanted to be able to peek through my lids at my surroundings whenever I got the chance.

  I felt the creature’s hands move on the spear handle, then felt the roughness of his calluses on his hand-like feet close over the top of my knuckles, so it appeared as though he was holding me to the wood like a prisoner…or maybe caught prey. I had to admit the little guy was pretty intelligent, but I hoped his friends weren’t smart enough to see through the scheme. I didn’t want to be buzzard food, either.

  We were nearing a large cave opening, high up the mountain façade, when my new friend let out a high-pitched squawk, alerting the others of his arrival. I clenched my jaw in regret, and forced myself to stay calm when the two-hundred or so huge bird-like creatures began to dive into the cave.

  “I better not be supper,” I growled out through unmoving lips, and could have sworn the beast snickered.

  Well, there wasn’t a whole hell of a lot I could do about it if I was intended to be the gourmet meal. I could struggle beneath the animal’s hands and free myself, but that would only ensure my death soon after, for I would fall at least a hundred feet to solid ground. If I happened to live through the injuries it would most definitely inflict, I’d probably be praying for death to greet me.

  I shuddered as I recalled Murry was the Death of that particular syde. I’d already made up my mind that he wouldn’t have anything beneficial to give me, so seeking him out wasn’t necessary. I knew he could find me, probably knew exactly where I was already, but I wouldn’t go looking for him. That was one object I could do without.

  The instant temperature drop as we entered the cave was cool and refreshing on my damp skin; almost made it worth being stuck in a cave with a flock of carnivores, but not quite.

  Eager sounds from the other beasts were growing louder to my ears, and I chanced a peek through the slits of my eyes, but found we were in total darkness. It was hard not to worry we would run into something with as fast as he took some of the turns and dips further down into the mountain, so I just concentrated on the beat of his wings echoing off the cave walls and prayed I’d eventually find my way out safely.

  We rounded one last curve and light spilled over a vast open room full of the small beasts. I quickly shut my eyes when the volume became deafening, but I’d caught that they were all perched in rows, from floor to ceiling, around the perimeter of the large room.

  Great. The main course had finally arrived on a spear. Even with as nervous as I was, I managed to stay still and keep my eyes closed.

  “This doesn’t look good for you, Rhyan.”

  “You don’t say,” I replied sarcastically. “I think I’d have been better off burning up in the flames. I’m sure it would have been a much quicker death than the one they have planned for me. I could have already been halfway to the door of Sloth by now, had I not grasped the spear.”

  I felt our speed drop, and my transportation flap its wings in place, then he eased me down onto cool stone. I briefly wondered why he hadn’t just dropped me if I was about to die anyway. I mean, what was a few broken bones? Wouldn’t it actually make it easier for them to tear me apart if I had a jagged bone protruding from my leg?

  A male cleared his throat, causing me to flinch unexpectedly, so I went ahead and opened my eyes to the room’s occupants. No sense in hiding the obvious. What I saw nearly made my ‘Holy Shit o-meter’ burst its top. I was instantly on my feet with open arms, and bracing myself for Abbi’s impact as she flung herself at me. Our lips met and I willingly took all she offered.

  I didn’t want to break from the embrace, but I had noticed the Prince of Lust had accompanied my wife, and his throat clearing was getting a little annoying. I broke from her sweet lips and gazed into her almond-shaped green eyes. “Are you alright?”

  Abbi’s tears shimmered in her eyes, but she smiled and nodded, then wrapped her arms tightly around my torso, letting her head rest where my heart beat. I assumed she couldn’t find the words, or else the lump in her throat wouldn’t let her speak yet. My own emotional lump was growing bigger with each passing second I held her to me safely.

  I rubbed my hand over her soft hair and, forcefully, turned my attention to Thoros. “Your face looks better. I can give you a beating every day so you can keep that look, if you’d like. Are you reminded of what you lost every time you look in a mirror? I hope so.”

  “Rhyan,” Abbi said, and I took in a deep breath and turned my scowl into something more pleasant before looking at my wife. She cleared her throat and toyed with the collar of my shirt instead of making direct eye contact with me. My heart shot up in my throat and I swallowed hard. I wasn’t going to like what was about to come out of her mouth.

  “What is it, Abbi?”

  She nervously glanced up at me through her lashes, then back to her hands on my shirt. “Thoros is going to help us—”

  I shook my head. “No—Absolutely not. He’s caused enough trouble as it is.”

  “Lucifer has—”

  I took a step back, struggling to free myself of her firm grasp without bruising her tender skin. After I was out of her reach I held my hand out to keep her at bay. “I know exactly who Lucifer has,” I said, and pointed at Thoros. “And he is the reason Satan has my friend in his possession.”

  “He gave back your memories of me—”

  “Only after I had screwed my charge!” I roared.

  “No,” she shook her head, “it wasn’t real, Rhyan.”

  I took in a deep breath to calm myself and looked down at her as she stepped into my personal space. “It felt real, Abbi. All of it felt real. I wouldn’t have done it if I’d had memories of you. Now, I feel like I have betrayed you because of his actions.”

  She shook her head and, without words, pulled me to her again. She knew I’d given up the argument. I didn’t agree with the Prince of Lust helping us. He’d already caused so much destruction in our lives so far, but if Abbi trusted him, and there was a possibility he could make things right and get Josselyn and her soul back where they belonged, then I could swallow my pride and give him the benefit of the doubt one last time.

  I exhaled and allowed my arms to envelop her, then kissed the top of her head in defeat. I never could win if she was my competition.

  “Thank you,” she said, but I didn’t respond; I lo
oked at Thoros.

  “Don’t make me regret trusting you, Prince. Make things right by her or I will make you sorry you ever met me.”

  “I’m already sorry I met you. My life was so much simpler before you decided to come claim your soulmate. You are the reason I’ve met mine. I don’t know whether to punch you or hug you. It’s the sweetest torture I’ve ever encountered. I won’t do wrong by her again. I swear it. Just promise me that you will keep her safe in Heaven after I get all of you out.”

  “You’re coming with us!” Abbi exclaimed, breaking away from me.

  “Wishful thinking,” he replied, and gave a lopsided smile without taking his eyes from me, “but as long as I know she is safe from the likes of Lucifer—or worse—me, I can live out my eternity in peace knowing evil can’t touch her.”

  “You know what he will do to you if you stay here!” Abigail cried, tears streaming down her face, and started to rush the prince, but I locked my arm around her waist and pulled her to the front of my body. “You promised! You promised…” she trailed off, then turned and buried her face in my shirt.

  I huffed, then looked to the male. “Did you promise my wife you would be leaving with us?”

  “Aye,” he nodded, “I did, but—”

  “Then I think you need to at least try before giving up. Don’t you agree?” I said, then arched an eyebrow.

  He studied me for a moment, then nodded in agreement. “I will do everything in my power to keep my promise to you, Abigail. But right now, we must get Rhyan through this syde. Murry has a hard-on for making sure he fails.” He looked back to me and shook his head. “I know not what he has planned for you, but I’m positive he will hit you where it hurts the most. I fear your charge is in grave danger. I think it has been his plan all along to use her against you for his gain. Abigail and I will go and do our best to protect her from Murry, but you have to complete this syde. I’m sure he is confused. He saw you fall to your death, but was distracted before the flames engulfed your body. He never saw you grab the spear or Tooka as she saved you.”

  “Tooka?” I asked, then caught movement out of my left eye as the small beast that had saved my life took flight from its perch and landed beside Thoros.

  He smiled and nodded. “Tooka.”

  “Ah—um, I thought she was a he,” I said, then chuckled. “Sorry, and thank you for saving me. You have no idea how much I appreciate your help back there.”

  Tooka smiled through her thin lips, then grabbed onto my leg and hugged fiercely.

  “She likes you,” Thoros said with a chuckle of his own.

  “Sorry, Tooka, he’s already taken,” Abbi said with a smile as she wound her arms around my torso.

  Tooka appeared to sulk, then flew back up to her perch.

  “Anyway,” Thoros said, bringing me back to a much crueler reality, “I’m sure Murry is confused at why you are clearly still alive. He will find you, so no matter what happens or what he says, get the door. I pray it’s not already too late for your human. We will protect her as much as we possibly can.”

  “You pray?”

  “Aye, I pray.”

  “There may be hope for you yet, demon. Go take care of Kendra and her family. I’ll take care of Murry. Then we’ll grab Josselyn and get the hell out of here. Any idea what it’s gonna take to get my door?”

  Thoros chewed on the inside of his cheek as he thought, then said, “I don’t know. I would say that you should have already earned it. You don’t carry within you the hate, rage and violence that most humans are sent here with. Forgiveness, calmness and kindness would be the key, I believe, but with you being an angel and all, I mean—you went to Heaven for a reason, you don’t have the necessary traits to land you a spot in any of the sydes of Hell. Humans that have a heart full of hate get a one-way ticket here, not men like you. It’s obvious you love, and would do anything to keep that love. It is an honor to have met you, and I don’t say that to just anyone. Perhaps if you’d been my guardian angel I wouldn’t have ended up here.”

  I walked to him and offered my hand. “Then let’s get you where you belong.”

  Thoros looked at my open palm, then to Abbi with something in his eyes: hope maybe.

  She smiled and nodded. “Shake his hand, Thoros. He is offering you friendship. I’d say you could use a few more friends of the right kind.”

  Tears filled his eyes as he stared at her, then finally nodded and looked back to me. He grasped my hand like it was his new life support, then gave it a solid shake. “I’m ready.”

  Chapter 52

  The Chamberlain Residence

  Thoros popped to the oak in front of Kendra’s home, then put out his arm to stop Abigail when she tried to take a step in the direction of the house.

  “What is it?”

  He kept his eyes and ears glued to the residence as the strong tingle ran over his skin. “You don’t feel that?”

  She closed her eyes and looked with her other senses. She could see the outline of Thoros perfectly, and noticed his aura had lightened considerably since she’d bothered to look last. The guy really was love-struck, she thought, then forced her thoughts to return to the current matter. She turned her head toward the house and immediately noticed the darkness within its walls. They were too late. Murry was already there. Her eyes flew open.

  “Shit!” Abigail said, and threw Thoros’ arm out of her way so she could race to help Rhyan’s human charge.

  Thoros raced to get in front of her, then grabbed her tightly in his arms when she began to fight him. “Abigail, stop!” he growled into her ear. “We need to investigate the scene, see what we can do to stop him from hurting anyone in that house. He may only be telling Kendra that Rhyan has failed, but if you rush in there with guns blazing, he is sure to win this round.” She kicked one more time. “C’mon, please. We have to do it the smart way or it will end badly for us and Kendra’s family, not to mention Rhyan. If we distract Murry here, then he isn’t threatening to send Rhyan back to Gluttony, right?”

  Every part of her was screaming that she run to the house, but knowing he was right, she made herself relax in his arms. “He’ll never forgive me if he finds out I was here and something happened to his charge.”

  Thoros sighed. “He will know you did everything you could to stop it. He loves you and trusts you. He also knows that you can’t control Murry. I should have known this was his intention all along; Josselyn even mentioned it. I should have instructed them all to hole-up on holy ground until all of this mess with Rhyan was over, so if anything happens it’s my fault. I will take the blame.

  Shaking her head, she said, “Let’s just go see if we can stabilize the situation.”

  Thoros’ attention moved to the West side of the house where a nearly seven foot tall angel wearing a red cap stepped into view. After double checking their invisibility again, Thoros let go of Abigail and pointed to the monster of a man.

  “Who is that?”

  “I don’t know, but I’m on his side, whoever it is,” Abigail replied, then took slow, easy steps toward the house and the big angel.

  Thoros sighed and caught up with her, taking the lead. “Rhyan will take back his friendship if I let anything happen to you.”

  Abigail smiled. “Aw, it really does matter to you what he thinks, doesn’t it?”

  “Let’s just say I’d rather be allies than enemies with anyone that has the balls to stand up to Lucifer.”

  “Smart move on your part,” she said, then laughed, but as she looked back toward the house, she noticed the angel was nowhere in sight. She gasped as she froze, her eyes shifting about, desperately trying to sense the holy figure, but it wasn’t one of her skills, so she felt as though she was looking around blind. “Where is he?”

  “I don’t kn—ahh” Thoros started, but was quickly whisked off his feet and brought face-to-face with the angel, along side of Abigail. “There he is.”

  “Thanks. You’re super helpful,” Abigail said, and placed bot
h her hands on the angel’s forearm to take some of the weight off the fingers that were tightening around her neck.

  “I’m gaun tae gi’e ye the coont o’ three tae tell me whaur Josselyn is or yer dau is gaun tae go doonhill, and fast.”

  “We’re here to help. I swear it,” Thoros said.

  “Wan…”

  “You’re wasting time threatening the wrong people,” Thoros choked out.

  “Twa…”

  “Please, Murry is in the house with Kendra and her family,” Abigail started. “We need to help them before he hurts them. It will kill Rhyan if anything happens to them. He’s in the last syde, Murry’s syde, and something bad happening to his charge might cause him to lose sight of what is important.”

  Troy eyed them both suspiciously, then set them on their feet. “Start talking.”

  “We are going to save Josselyn, too, but Rhyan has to get through this last syde before we can take her away from Lucifer.”

  “Ye talk like ye think ye can actually accomplish such a task,” Troy stated.

  “She can—we…can,” Thoros added on quickly. “She’s Abigail, Rhyan’s wife.”

  The angel’s eyes grew wide in amazement. “Well, why didn’t ye just say so? ’Mon, let’s gan slay oorselves a demon,” Troy said as he left the two demons standing there with their mouths agape.

  Abigail and Thoros exchanged side-long glances, then just shook their heads and fell into step behind the giant. They only briefly paused when the angel didn’t slow before bouncing up the steps. And Abigail actually gasped when he didn’t reach for the doorknob, but raised his big foot and kicked the door clear off the hinges.

  “Definitely on his side,” Thoros muttered as they ran to catch up with him.

  Abigail could see Murry’s sly smile behind the body of a very nervous and pretty brunette when they entered the den full of angels, but his smile quickly faded when the giant ignored the fact that he had a hostage and kept walking with a lot of purpose in his big steps.