“Bastard,” Belial murmurs.
A moment of silence passes before Ayla speaks, “No, my son,” she says, obviously reading whatever thoughts Belial has. I wonder what he’s thinking. About murder no doubt.
“Hades really killed them?” I question.
Ayla nods. “We had many angels guiding you, both in your dreams and on earth. Obviously, the demons found their way into your subconscious and tried to lead you into temptation, and danger. Genesis does not know how Hades managed to leave the Underworld, or how he found you with such ease. But, when Genesis discovered Hades was taking Belial’s memories, and you were wearing the Emerald Onyx, he assumed you’d be safe.”
I sit on the sofa beside Belial and tap my foot on the floor. Ayla takes a silver rimmed frame from the shelf and hands it to me. It’s my real parents. Their blue eyes and smiling faces stare lovingly through the glass. If only I could reach inside and pull them back into existence. I trace my mother’s face and tilt my head as I take in the handsome features of my father. I had a family who loved me. Two families who loved me, and Hades destroyed them both. I will seek vengeance.
Ayla says, “You are not a half-blood, Lola. Your parents were both angels when you were conceived and born. You are an Arcadian Angel, and as far as we can tell, the last surviving heir to the Throne of Arcadia.”
A throne. In Heaven. Do not faint. I tell myself. After committing my parents faces to memory, I hand the frame back to Ayla and ask, “My necklace, the stone is something special?”
“The ring inside the stone is the final piece of the Underworld. The piece Hades has been searching for. If he gets it, he will ensure the gates of Hell begin to crumble, which will allow demons to roam Mortal Earth. The angels will be forced to wage war against the Underworld to restore balance. Genesis wishes to avoid a war at all costs.”
Belial takes my hand and laces his fingers through mine. My body heats from the inside and my heart races with nervous anticipation.
Ayla takes a seat. “Genesis knew he could not trust Hades. He left the Ninth Ring with the Arcadian Angels. For they are the greatest keepers of secrets in all the heavens. Your grandparents gave the necklace to your mother when she made the sacrifice to live as a mortal. They knew she would be protected as long as she wore it.” I swallow hard as Ayla continues, “Lola, your mother gave the protection to you. Hades found out the angels of Arcadia possessed the ring. We have no idea how he destroyed Arcadia, and we do not know if any Arcadian Angels still live, or if they have been taken as prisoners to the Underworld.”
The damn necklace. Who in their right mind would give such a precious stone to a child? My head aches at the thought of it. “Can we save them? If they’re still alive,” I ask.
“It’s possible. Lola, what Hades does not know is Genesis had his own plan. If you die, Lola, the Emerald Onyx will be gone forever, taking with it the Ninth Ring of Hell. Genesis, knowing Belial would protect you, set it as a type of fail-safe to ensure the nine rings never came together. Hades believes killing you will show the location of the ring, when in fact it will destroy it.”
My eyes grow wide and mouth gapes open. I am speechless.
Ayla explains, “Your death, Lola, means the demise of Arcadia, and the Emerald Onyx, forever. But… your death, and the destruction of the Emerald Onyx, also means the gates of Hell will strengthen, and enclose the Underworld in a tomb of darkness forever.”
“Wait,” I say, as I pace the kitchen. “If I die, the Underworld is no more?” Ayla nods once. “So to end all of this… to free Belial, and the angels, I need to die?” She nods again.
“No fucking way!” Belial shouts. “No. It’s not happening, Lola. Don’t even think about it. I won’t let you.”
Before I have a chance to question Ayla further, Belial’s father, Zadkiel, comes in with the Angel King. We stand, and I do an awkward half bow before standing up straight with my hands clenched into fists by my sides.
The Angel King rubs his chin and taps his foot on the hardwood floor. Zadkiel paces behind him. He stops when the King speaks, “This is quite the predicament,” the King says. “Unfortunately, the necklace has been misplaced. We cannot find proof it exists on Mortal Earth. Without it, we have no way to restore Arcadia,” he says. “Belial, you have a choice. I am afraid the balance between Heaven and Hell rests on your shoulders,” he says.
Belial’s shoulders? No. This is my fault. It’s all my fault.
I put my hand on Belial’s arm. “Wait, what? Can’t we just stay here? Belial, stay here, your family is here,” I say.
The King steps forward. “Lola, darling,” he says, “Hades had a plan, a well thought out one I might add. He did not anticipate Belial keeping you alive, nor does he realise your death will destroy the Ninth Ring. If the ring is destroyed, the remaining rings will also disappear, and the immortals who wear them, will perish.” I turn to Belial and assume he’s speechless, because he stares at his father with a blank expression.
“And what happens then?” I ask.
The King scratches at his chin and tilts his head. “If the Nine Rings of Hell are destroyed, the balance will be lost. Before Hell is enclosed inside a tomb of darkness, the Demons, devils, and the sin of the Underworld will be dispersed across Mortal Earth. Human lives will be lost. Cities will crumble, and the world will be destroyed. It could very well mean the end of mortal civilisation for eternity.”
Well shit! I rub my eyes and scratch my head. “You’re not kidding, are you?” I say.
The King looks grim. “I assure you, Lola, this is no laughing matter.”
He takes my hand and a glowing silvery white light forms between our palms. It warms me to my core.
The King explains, “Hades sent Belial here to kill Zadkiel before he could discover the truth. Hades does not realise Belial’s angel heart grows stronger each day. With you gone, Lola, Hades mistakenly believes his sons will be victorious in their quest to acquire the Ninth Ring. If Hades discovers the truth, and the power you possess, he will be relentless in his pursuit to obliterate all you hold dear. Including Belial.”
I gasp and cover my mouth with my hands. Belial’s footsteps pound the floorboards as he paces the kitchen.
“What the hell!” he bellows.
Zadkiel approaches Belial, and apologises, “I am sorry, Belial. Hades never had any intention of keeping you as his son. His primary goal was to destroy the heavens and take full control of the Underworld. He knew about the bond, he knew about the sacrifice. Alas, he does not know all. All shall be revealed, in time.”
“This is fucked!” Belial curses.
Zadkiel explains, “Hades specifically had you hunt Lola. You were the only one who could sense her, the only one who could get close enough without causing a scene. He knows if you bond with her, you will change. Your angel heart will continue to fight against your demon soul and you will find your inner balance. You will then become the angel you were destined to be. A strong powerful Archangel. Hades has no idea of the power Lola holds.”
As I gather my thoughts, Zadkiel continues, “Belial, you are becoming stronger every day. Your angel heart and your mind are fighting against your demon soul. It is time. You and Lola can ensure the future of the Arcadian Angels, and keep the secrets of Heaven safe for eternity. If you retrieve the Emerald Onyx, I have no doubt Genesis will offer you redemption.”
Zadkiel goes to the King and they speak quietly before he turns back to us.
“I can help you, Belial. I can block your memories of Lola from Hades so you will not forget her, no matter what he does to you,” he says.
I slump down into the sofa and cross my arms. If Belial goes back and Hades finds out the truth, there is no doubt in my mind he will be tortured again, and possibly killed. If he doesn’t go, Hades will surely send someone to kill me. I play through each scenario in my head and they all lead to the same conclusion. Belial is going to leave, and I don’t want to let him go.
A stupid thought crosses my
mind and I speak before thinking, “I’ll do it,” I say.
Everyone stares at me, obviously confused. “Please let me help, I’m brave and strong, and I’ve seen what demons can do. I’m not afraid anymore.” It’s partly true. Or… not true at all.
Belial pulls me into his arms and says, “You’re tiny Lola, not to mention you have no powers, no angel light, and no protection. I’ll be damned if I let you anywhere near Hades.”
I ask, “What if we bond first? Then I’ll be stronger. I’ll be a real angel. Is that how bonding works?” I’m slightly confused but willing to try anything. It’s just sex. Right?
Belial laughs, and amidst all of this I’m surprised he still has a sense of humour.
“Lola, you’re definitely on my to-do list, but that’s the last thing I need right now. I have to focus. Thanks for the offer, but I’m not having sex with you.” Did he just say that? He said it. In front of his parents.
My cheeks blush red and I sigh before I continue, “I want to come with you, please, Belial. You know I hate being alone.”
He shakes his head. “It’s too dangerous, Lola, without the necklace you have nothing to offer. He’ll kill you if he sees you. I need to get the rings back.”
I slump down on the sofa as Belial takes a seat at the table with his father and the King. Ayla sits beside me, and we listen as they discuss Belial’s mission to the Underworld.
TWENTY-SIX
Belial
Mortal Earth
§§§
We arrive back at my cottage in the Sable Mountains just after midnight. Lola sits on the sofa and twists her fingers together in her lap. She opens her mouth, then closes it. Her eyes follow me as I sit on the sofa beside her.
“Belial.” She stops and looks down at her hands. When she speaks again, her voice causes something to stir inside me. It’s more than lust and desire now, it’s an innate need to protect her, to hold her and caress her soft, smooth flesh. Heaven has changed me, but I must return to Hell.
“Belial, I’m sorry for… well. I’m sorry for blaming you.” She hesitates. “And for ignoring you.”
I shrug and sigh. “Doesn’t matter,” I tell her. All I want now is to go back to the Underworld and kill everyone who lied to me.
“Did you go to the Valley of Dreams?” she asks.
I nod, then get up and go to the kitchen to grab a beer from the refrigerator.
“What did you see?”
I twist the top off and offer Lola a drink. “Memories, of you,” I admit.
She rubs her head and pulls her hair over her shoulder. Her eyes meet mine when I hand her the bottle of beer. “What were they like?” she asks.
I try not to focus on her face, her eyes, and the smooth pale flesh of her bare shoulders. I swallow hard and ignore it as I sit down again. “You don’t want to know,” I say.
She reaches out and puts her hand on mine. “Yes, I do.”
I shake my head. “No, you don’t,” I tell her firmly.
She pulls her hand back. “I do, Belial. Please tell me.”
I laugh to myself, that’s the part of her that makes me want to kill her. The damn questions.
“No,” I repeat.
She stands and looks down at me with her hands on her hips. “Why won’t you tell me?”
When I don’t reply, she storms into the bedroom and slams the door.
I get up and head in after her, my feet have a mind of their own. It’s as though we’re being pulled together by two giant magnets. I find her curled up on the bed with a pillow pulled to her chest.
I take her hand and she pulls away from my grasp. “It’s not what you think, Lola. It’s Hell,” I explain. I sit on the edge of the bed.
Tears spill from her eyes. I want to reach out and wipe them away, I want to tell her there’s a possibility I love her. I want to tell her I’ll protect her until my dying breath. It’s pointless. What if she doesn’t believe me? Or what if purity still clouds my emotions?
She sits and clasps her hands together. “Belial, I know some of what happened to you when you were a child. And I know what Hades did to you every time you saved me.”
I rub my hands over my head and when I’m about to speak, Lola continues, “I don’t know why you won’t talk though. Why are you so horrible to me sometimes? Then other times you touch me as if—” She drops her gaze and whispers, “You touch me as if… you’re in love with me.”
Her eyes meet mine again and her lip quivers as she searches my eyes for any indication of… love, I suppose. I can't speak, I can't think. Nothing makes sense. How can I love her?
I put my fingers under her chin and lift her head, her eyes are red and puffy and her cheeks and lips are a gorgeous shade of pink. For a split second, I lose focus and have the overwhelming urge to kiss her sadness away. I stand. “Lola, all I know is, for almost twenty years I’ve been saving you from the world.” I exhale as I pace back and forth with my head in my hands, confused. “I don’t know how to anymore,” I admit. “I need to save you from me, but I can’t let you go. I won’t let you go.”
She tucks her hair behind her ears. “I don’t want to be saved from you. I want to find something with you. But I’m so confused. It’s like you’re pushing me away, and at the same time you’re begging me to stay.” She lies back on the bed with her head on the pillow and her eyes closed. A tear rolls down the side of her cheek, and without thinking I wipe it away with my finger.
She opens her eyes and whispers, “I’m scared, Belial.”
“Of what?” I ask.
“Being alone. You’re the only one who protects me.” She rolls to her side and her crystal blue eyes stare into mine.
My mouth moves before I have the chance to think logically. “Do you want to go home tomorrow? You could let Cress know you’re okay.”
Her smile is all I need to know I feel a lot more than like, for her.
“You know, Belial, you really do have an angel heart,” she says. She puts her hand over my chest.
I laugh. “And a demon soul,” I remind her. “Now sleep,” I whisper.
A few minutes after Lola, I close my eyes and fall asleep in the hope I’m not turning into a real, pure angel.
§§§
I wake up to her body entwined with mine. Her face is on my chest and her leg is up so high it’s crushing my nuts, but I don’t move. I’ve been captivated by Lola from the moment I saw her, drawn to her through an unknown force and slowly—or not so slowly—I’m beginning to understand why. She belongs to me. My heart, however confused it is, craves her touch and aches to feel the warmth of her flesh.
I slide my hand over the swell of her hip. I can't get enough of the of the tiny hairs and goose bumps on her skin every time I caress her. This time though, she tightens her embrace and presses her cheek into my chest. I close my eyes for the shortest second and savour the moment before trying to wake her. When she presses her body against mine and breathes out a sigh of pleasure, I let my hand wander down to her ass where I pull her into me.
“Lola,” I whisper.
Her heart beats faster when I whisper her name, and she lifts her head to look up at me through her dark lashes.
“Mmm…” she murmurs. She wriggles up a little so her head is on my shoulder and she’s staring into my eyes.
I open my mouth to speak but I’m suddenly consumed by her beauty, and her innocence, and for the first time in my life, I’m speechless. I forget about words and cup her cheek with my hand, and lean in to kiss her.
I can tell she’s taken by surprise because she sucks in a breath before opening her mouth to let my tongue glide past her lips. I need more. Want more. I tangle my fingers through her hair and greedily smother her mouth with passionate, desperate kisses as her hand smooths over my chest and comes to rest on my shoulder.
She lifts her knee higher and I grasp her ass with both hands and pull her body over mine. I realise it’s a mistake when Lola writhes against me. With only a thin satin sheet betwee
n us, all I want is to be deep inside her while she moans my name and begs me to pleasure her.
I roll my hips toward hers, and she runs her fingers through my hair and moans quietly while our bodies move together rhythmically between breathless, longing sighs. We were made for one another.
As I lose myself in the moment and consider moving onto second base, Lola gasps and wriggles off me. She pulls the blankets around herself and bites her lip.
“Um… I, shit,” she says. “I’m sorry, Belial, I just. I can’t, I mean I don’t—”
I cut her off. “Lola, it’s fine,” I lie. My cock is throbbing and I can still feel the warmth of her body writhing on mine.
I get up to open the drapes. When the light fills the room, Lola sits and looks up at me with a smile I could stare at for eternity. Her hair’s messy and long strands hang down over her face. I can still see the light in her eyes and pink blush of pleasure in her cheeks.
“You’re naked,” she says smirking.
I raise my brow and smile. “Like what you see?”
She pulls the blankets closer to her chin. “You know, Belial, you’ll never get a girlfriend talking like that,” she says, scrunching her nose.
I pace across the room and stop at the cupboard where I take a towel from the top shelf.
“Tell that to the other girls I’ve had,” I say over my shoulder.
She shakes her head and moves back on the bed. “Oh, that is gross, now I’m never going to touch you again.”
I push the cupboard door closed and raise my hands in defence. “Hey, I’m clean.”
She clamps her eyes shut and shakes her head, then she opens them again. Staring at my cock, she says, “Put that thing away.”
I take it my hand. “It’s a cock, not a thing.”
She covers her face with her hands and peeks through her fingers.
“Put it away,” she says, blushing.
I shake my head and wrap the towel around my hips. “You need to get up,” I tell her.
She points to the door. “You get out first,” she says.
Untamed: Demon Soul Page 19