“Nope, he’s mine,” Jade said, grabbing my arm, pulling me toward the mall entrance.
“I don’t think so,” Amelia said, pulling me away.
In the end, I carried all of their bags. I adamantly ignored the annoyance that coursed through every vein in my body. The smartphone is free. The smartphone is free… A little patience couldn’t hurt anyone. But TWENTY bags? Twenty large bags of clothes, shoes, perfumes, whatever… DAMN! Where in the hell did these women get that kind of money? Don’t answer that.
I sat their bags by Keisha, who chattered on the phone with someone, and made a getaway. It wasn’t hard to mix into the crowd of people. We all wore casual clothing, casual shoes. The only difference was that they carried smartphones, I didn’t. And I couldn’t just manifest one. I needed the service with it too.
The smartphone wasn’t the only thing I wanted to get my hands on. Food. Amelia gave me about sixty real dollars, hoping to keep me from wasting power to spawn fakes. That and she’s damned goody-goody. Despite choosing me over Paradise Realm, assisting with the kill of a hunter and his misthangers, she still didn’t break. She still believed in that damned realm. What did I have? I’m one of two existing demigods who pretty much refused the authority to rule the universe in order to obtain a mundane human life. Too bad I didn’t get that. No, it seems like rather than being destined for greatness, I was hell-bound.
I did some exploring, weaving in and out of crowds into stores, which mainly sold clothing. Others sold useless gadgets, pets, bedding, and antiques. There were only two floors, though the mall felt like it went on for miles. I did however catch wind of the food court and headed for it immediately.
That’s when I felt a presence. It was neither holy nor human, but slightly chilling. For some reason, I felt like I had to know what it was and its intentions. I tracked it as it grew stronger and stronger until finally homing on the spot.
Among the crowd, sitting on a bench was a blonde boy, who looked about my age, half reading, half staring at the crowd. He wore all black. Note to self: encourage the guy to join the emo society. A little black hair dye and he’d be on his way.
I confirmed the presence, that demonic presence. No, sharper and stronger than a demon —this was devil. Strangely, I felt human from him when I got close enough. Both human and devil? Holy shit, a demi-devil. They really do exist. There’s no way I could explain the duo-radiation of both human and devil presences coming from the boy in a dismissible way.
Suddenly, he looked at me and smiled. I eyed him as he shut his book and walked toward a nearby exit, most likely expecting me to follow. I did, as if I had no choice. What he did on his free time was none of my business but curiosity as humans say, is killed the cat.
Chapter Twelve
“Sup.” The demi-devil waved as he leaned against a fancy grey car, I believe a Jaguar. “Can’t believe you’re in this city of all places. Coincidence?”
“And who are you supposed to be?” I said.
“Sin,” the demi-devil said.
“Sin? I’m guessing that’s supposed to be a pun. Your parents are real comedians,” I said with unenthused sarcasm.
He simply shrugged. “That’s my name. Please try not to wear it out.”
“The fu…Never mind. It’s none of my business, but I am curious to why you’re here.”
“To be fair, I should get the same answer in return,” Sin said.
“Shopping. Nothing more, nothing less.”
“And if it’s the same for me?” Sin said, standing tall at six feet.
“Then why the hell did you bring me out here?” I said. Sin shrugged. “Look guy, I don’t swing that way,” I continued.
Sin’s eyes widened before chuckling. “You can be assured that neither do I. I wanted to be sure what I was sensing is real. And the only demigod I know of is the famous guy who went rogue for treason. The son of Conus himself.”
“And your point is?” I said.
“We’re kind of similar,” Sin continued with a slight wave of his hand. “Ghost is my father.”
My blood shot cold like the depths of the artic. Sin continued, amusement in his voice. “Come on, you didn’t recognize my name? I guess I should be ashamed for being less known.”
“Why do you believe we’re similar? What’d you do, rebel against daddy dearest?”
“While there’s more to it than that, in short, I did.”
I laughed. “Ghost is going to chop you into pieces and then shit you into lava for an eternity.”
“My father would do no such thing,” Sin said, blushing.
“What’d you do anyway?” I said. “Tired of Hell? I thought your type was immune to the flames.”
“Nothing like that, I wanted to see the realm beyond my city. The earth. Father had other plans and wanted me to embrace being crowned prince.”
I shook my head. “What a spoiled brat. We have maybe one thing in common, but it ends there. Why don’t you go back to Hell and cry to daddy, because you have no idea what I’ve been through. And I trust no one.”
I dodged the tip of a sword that missed just inches from my head. Did he manifest that? Devils normally had limited powers outside of their domain but were supernaturally fast and strong. I knew very little about demi-devils.
“I didn’t make it out of nothing as you gods do,” he said. “I simply unsheathed it faster than your eyes could perceive. Now draw your weapon. You think you’re the only one who suffered?”
I manifested a medieval steel sword. No shit, King Author’s style, too.
Sin continued to rant. “At ten when I told father what I wanted, he grew furious. Even though my mother was human and lived somewhere out there, he still claimed he hated them all. In a big show of humiliation in front of everyone, I was banished, and forced me to live on the cold streets of the human world with nothing but the clothes on my back. You suffered? Try starving, begging, having nothing, living with no hope.”
My wrath stirred. “Try being imprisoned in Hell, forced to drink water from a tree of corpses, burning in agony from thousand-degree winds, crushed by demons—all for events out of your control. You have no goddamn clue!”
I charged Sin. He blocked my wild swing, easily knocked my sword out of his way, and plunged his blade into my shoulder.
I snarled in pain, charging force. He didn’t seem to expect it because I bashed the hell out him. Sin spiraled backward at least ten feet before recovering. Blood drizzled from his nose. The humans around watched with widened eyes and agape mouths, their minds probably unable to process what was happening without some kind of scientific explanation. The demi-devil rushed me—and DAMN, he was fast—so fast that he was nearly a blur as he nailed his sword right into my chest. I coughed blood, the pain agonizing. If I were trained…I would’ve blocked that. I tried to charge force, but Sin expected it this time. He kicked me to the ground.
“Call the police!” a human girl screamed. Three muscular human men stood in front of me.
“Put the sword down, man. Don’t do something you’ll regret.”
Sin looked down at me, resolved calm in his eyes.
“I have an offer. Come find me when you’re ready to be civilized.” He got into the Jaguar.
I could barely understand the humans but it would take more than a stab wound to the chest to put down a demigod. I fought the pain as I stood up. Eyes widened from the sounding people.
“Don’t touch me,” I said softly, not wanting to sound harsh. I tossed aside my personal hate for humans as a whole. “I have a doctor. Don’t worry about me.”
I tried to charge power into my back, but I lost so much blood… too much. I fell back down as the blackness came.
Chapter Thirteen
I woke up to Amelia’s worried face, wounds gone, and in my room, at Amanda’s house. Ah.
“Do you know how much of a pain in the bum it is to get you out of there while altering the memories of so many humans at once?”
I stopped paying a
ttention to her lecture, writhing in anger. I got my ass kicked. He mentioned an offer but I knew where that would head. The gutters. Shit Creek. I took a deep breath and let out a sigh as rationality returned. I had no time to worry about Sin, not when hunters could slaughter me at any second. My luck would not extend past the Yulese fight.
I interrupted Amelia. “I know how we can fend off the hunters.”
“So, you were attacked by some kind of hunter?” she asked.
“No,” I said, sat up, and then explained what happened to me.
“Is it a coincidence that Ghost’s son is here of all places?” Amelia said.
I glanced at the clock. Four. “Amelia, I need you to train me. Teach me some of that hunter combat or something.”
She nodded. “That goes without saying but I won’t do it for free.”
“What?”
“You caused me and the girls quite the bit of trouble today, so free training is out of the question, even if you are hunted. I need something in return. Otherwise, you’re going to have to rely on me to protect you.”
I saw that goddess gleam in her eyes and gulped. A deal with a goddess meant a promise that is literally impossible to break, as nature itself binds the agreement. Being part human subjected me the option to engage in these pacts.
“Can’t I make it up to you some other way,” I asked.
“No,” Amelia said. “Either you make the promise to me or I won’t train you. That’s the deal.”
I sighed. Well, she’s my friend. My only friend. I shouldn’t have to worry, right? “Fine then, what you do want?”
She smiled. “One day you and I must mate and have a child.”
I laughed. “Is that it?” I almost held out my hand to easily agree only to think of the “catch.”
“That’s my deal,” she said, folding her arms across her chest.
“I don’t mind but a deal like that when I could die anytime is kind of a waste,” I protested.
“Then you have nothing to lose,” Amelia said.
“That’s not the point,” I said.
“It doesn’t matter, that’s my deal. Take it or leave it.” She rose to leave.
“Wait,” I said, already feeling a fuck ton of regret at this decision. “You drive a hard bargain but I need the training. Don’t expect to be popping into motherhood anytime soon.”
Amelia smiled. “That’s fine. I will have something to look forward to.” She held her delicate hand out. I hesitated. If I grabbed that hand, the child was going to exist, regardless of the catch to the agreement. Amelia would be the mother of my child in the future. And to be fair, she’d probably make a great mother. Then...we’ve got the possibility of me being plain dead. Amelia looked as if she would start crying at any moment—I still didn’t accept the hand, the contract initiation. In fact, I started to waver.
“I don’t know,” I said. “What if I do somehow imprint, but to someone else.”
Amelia looked torn. “I can feel our bond, Epex, but your lack of faith in it is holding you back.”
I thought about Amelia, from the day that we were introduced to now. That clingy little girl had become this full grown goddess and despite our eight-year separation, she still hoped for something between us. She had given up everything for me. She really did love me… I looked into her eyes and saw confirmation of that.
Still, something in me hesitated. Amelia spent those years with a romantic reunion in mind. I spent them with absolute bitterness, literally burning in Hell. Could you blame me for not wanting to move so fast? I needed to resolve this. “Amelia.”
She jumped slightly as is if surprised that I even bothered to return from my silence.
“Yes?” she said softly.
“I’m going to accept the deal, but on the condition that feelings of love must flow from me naturally. I spent eight years in fucking Hell. My mind still needs time to recuperate.” I grabbed her hand and pulled her close. “It needs you. Don’t give up on me. Pull me from the chains of Hell that still grasped me.” Her perfume was alluring, so much so that I almost thought her seduction-effect activated. But power didn’t flow behind that. Amelia just held herself to high standards, like a princess. The princess of the Venus Clan. They were known for having the most goody-two-shoed people in it. Other clans sometimes regarded them as weak. I bet they felt like morons when the Venus Clan’s princess was announced to be married to the next ruler of the universe. Even when that got torn away, she became one of the six super hunters.
Amelia suddenly kissed me. I nearly flinched, surprised. She pulled back, smiling.
“That kiss was both love and of the contract,” she said softly.
At that moment, I felt her goddess power flow into me, but nothing binding. There was no contract. The childhood partner that she knew always kept his word.
Chapter Fourteen
I spiraled backward at least twenty feet, colliding face-first into another tree. Three weeks had passed since we began the hellish lessons. And with each week, Amelia’s training grew more brutal . I barely had time to launch into the basics before she increased the level tenfold. She probably figured that I would be the kind of guy that wouldn’t take her seriously because she’s female. So, she went full sadistic. But come on, I’m not a goddamn sexist. That sweet and innocent attitude of hers is the perfect guise for the ruthlessness that landed her in a spot with the elite six. I kind of feared her for the first time. Just a little bit. However, thanks to her deadly lessons, consisting of nine hours of training a day, in a measly three weeks I was much stronger, faster, quicker on my feet. I still had a long way to go, but at least I was making progress.
I stood slowly, head aching. All three of Amelia’s friends were watching and commenting. Apparently, Amelia wasn’t brutal with them, claiming that humans were too fragile.
“Don’t think about the block, just do it,” Amelia said for like the billionth time. “If you wait there while I charge you, surely I will figure out ways to get behind you. Quick ascension being the first thought.”
Quick ascension’s a fancy way of saying teleport. Not everyone can do it though. Fortunately. “Let’s try this again. I’m going to come at you, stronger than before. Block my sword-strike the way that I’ve taught you. Only dodge if you find yourself unable to block, unable to counter.”
I nodded as she retook her position, grasping her sword. Then she bolted toward me, fucking fast. She wasn’t a blur like when the training first began but still fast nonetheless. I charged for her, not waiting, feeling for where she would strike next. Yeah, I took Amelia’s lessons seriously—I’ve paid for them with a promise of a child for fuck’s sake. She teleported but I was one step ahead of her…for the first time.
While it was a close call, I barely managed to block her attack. She smiled and continued the sequence. I struggled to block the strikes. She deliberately slowed down with each swing, changing styles to see how I reacted. After twenty moves, she stopped, nodding. I was still on edge, remembering the pain from the last time I let my guard down. Amelia didn’t attack. She dissipated her blunt short sword, smile on her face. Her friends all gave nods of approval. I still felt a little embarrassed. Amelia didn’t break a sweat. I was covered in it, muscles aching, power low.
“That’s all for today. Tomorrow, I’ll teach you some new tricks.” She turned to her friends. “Up for a jog before I change out of these shorts?”
“Sure,” Keisha replied. The others nodded.
When the women left, I hit the shower, changed into a fresh pair of jeans and a black shirt, then headed out for a late-afternoon walk. It was a cloudy Thursday, breezy, but comforting. About two blocks later, I found the chapel. The place was cool, clean, and empty. Services were only scheduled Sundays and Wednesdays. The angelic power swirled around me like vines, some outlined me, some of it bounced around the area like care-free kids. It wasn’t visible of course —it’s a force that could only be felt by the appropriate beings or those who accepted it more th
an themselves. Word of advice, don’t accept it more than yourself.
I held my hand up and drew upon it. It itched as it entered my palms, recharging my tank, and even curing my fatigue. I honestly couldn’t explain why this happened—leftover angelic power is a mystery. Shit, angels are a mystery.
I left the chapel, full of power, and ready to cause trouble. Beer. Yes, beer. Weeks had passed since I last had one and the five o’ clock atmosphere begged me to get some. Without Amelia’s nagging, I was free to fuck off. And that’s what I did: found a bar, flashed the usual fake ID, and ordered seven large beers. Someone sat beside me.
“I’d like to order eight beers,” he said, “and one for her.” I watched him point at a blue-eyed, black woman with long straight black hair, decked with a couple of expensive-looking necklaces and bracelets. She smiled, sitting by him, suddenly under the spell of his devilish charm.
I gulped down my first beer and exhaled a sigh of relaxation.
“It just amazes me,” he said.
I turned to him, second beer in hand. “Amazes you?”
“Aren’t you holy types supposed to be all pure?” Sin said, his arm around the woman. “You know, unable to consume alcohol.”
“Pure?” I took another swallow of beer two. “There is wine in Paradise Realm. Drunkenness is not allowed, though. It’s a disgrace to your clan.”
The woman looked as if she knew what I was talking about. I concentrated a bit of power and peered into her heart. Ugh. A witch. Just what I needed to shit on my day. Most witches are idiots who serve the forces of Hell. They were feared way back when, so much so that humans created the infamous witch hunts. Nowadays, they kept their abilities hidden from the public.
Sin shook his head. “You are clearly intending to get drunk. I’m curious to know why you denied the crown of the universe? Are you an idiot? People would kill for such an opportunity.”
I downed the rest of the beer and grabbed number three. “It’s a long story. Even if I wasn’t wanted for treason, I just don’t care for the throne.”
Hell to Pay (Blood for Soul Book 1) Page 6