by Avery Rae
An incubus to my side snorted as he brushed sweat from his perfectly arched brow. "What business could you have with her? If you wish to have one of us entertain you, then just be honest about it. We don't mind. No need to bother her."
"I don't want any of you. I need to talk with Delilah. It's important."
The two of them moved close together and spoke quietly. I looked off to the side with a sigh. I was getting real sick of all this talking I was having to do lately. I liked my life better when I could ignore most people and talk to the ones I gave a shit about, but even then I wasn't exactly a social butterfly.
A lot of talk made me nervous. I didn't run my mouth, and that was why I made a good accountant for the mafia back in the day. Hell, the whole reason I ended up dead so young was because of some asshole that did run his mouth. Earned me a bullet right through the heart. Thankfully Samael had appeared and gave me a bargain—agree to work for him and I would get a chance at living again. I jumped right on that.
"We'll take you inside," the succubus finally said, "but we can't guarantee that Delilah will want to meet with you. She's very busy."
"Yeah, sure. Can we just get a move on?"
The dirtied demons, still as beautiful and alluring as ever, scowled before they led me inside the palace. It was as luxurious as I remembered, although it somehow seemed like even more silky, shiny fabric had been draped over everything. Much different from the dark, solid stone fortress that the Brotherhood was housed in. I preferred it there.
I had bathed in luxury thanks to all my dirty money, and I found that it didn't do jack for me except get rid of the problems that could be solved with money. All the others remained. Big surprise. None of the problems I had now could be solved with cash.
"Stop here," the incubus instructed as we reached the throne room. I knew it was the throne room because it was where Priscilla had imprisoned Lilith nearly a year ago—and because this was the hallway where I had almost been constricted to death by one of those monster snake ladies. The lamia or whatever. I shot a look into the shadows and caught the bright green snake eyes of one watching me. Screw you too.
I didn't love being back here. Another reason why Hazel owed me big time, whether she knew it or not. More eyes appeared in the darkness, the same kind, vicious intent written in them. Just when I started to get itchy, the doors to the throne room opened a crack and the succubus and incubus slid out.
The incubus gave me a patient smile that was wearing thin. "Delilah would be happy to see you now."
"No shit," I mumbled under my breath. The factions were mingling a lot more these days. Some liked it less than others. It still surprised me when I ran across a succubus roaming our halls, but I didn't treat her like this. Clearly these two were on the liking it less side.
Although they shared a sour look, they each took hold of a door and opened them inwards, revealing the plush throne room. Delilah hadn't changed much, which surprised me. It had been a real pain to fight in here. Tripping over silk when someone's trying to stab you, or you're trying to punch someone's lights out, isn't much fun. But hey, we won, didn't we?
Delilah sat on the throne like it was made for her and she dared anyone to question it. She smiled from upon her throne and toyed with a lock of her hair. "A hunter has come to visit me? I'm honored. I was starting to think you and your brethren might never come back here after your experience."
"I'm not here for pleasure, Delilah."
"No, I thought not." She dropped her hand down to the arm of her throne. "What do you want to know? Is Samael still questioning my motivations?"
"I'm not here about any of that."
She slowly lifted a brow, her green eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Do tell."
"Does the name Hazel mean anything to you?" I asked point blank. I wasn't the type to talk in circles.
That curiosity of hers spilled over to a wide smile. "Have her powers awoken?"
"Jesus Christ. Does everyone know about this girl but me?"
"Lilith had a vested interest in her. She was quite disappointed when the sacrifice didn't bring out her powers." Delilah touched a long nail to her lower lip as she frowned. "She had been so certain it would work."
"Why was Lilith so interested in her?"
Delilah barely hid her smile.
"You think I wasn't going to catch that part?"
"To be honest, Edwin, I'm surprised you care so much."
"Why won't you answer my question?"
"There's another question you should ask me instead."
I was about to turn and leave when it hit me. "How? How did Lilith know what she was? Zachariah couldn't have figured it out if I didn't. There were no signs."
She looked delighted as she clapped her hands together. "Exactly."
"Did Zachariah talk to Hazel? Does she know what she is?" It hadn't seemed like it, but the possibility was there. Delilah slowly shook her head from side to side, enjoying this game of hers. I splayed out my hands. "Then how? Lilith couldn't go to Earth. Zachariah was her only source of information."
"In Hell, yes . . ." She made a point of lifting a finger toward the ceiling, her smile growing.
My thoughts fell back to my earlier conversation with Nathaniel. "Heaven?"
"Who else could you imagine might be threatened by Samael creating demons who can walk among mortals? Lilith told me Heaven feared exactly what's happening now, with Samael encroaching upon the Earth with his ever-growing brood. They came to Zachariah and asked him to pass the message along. So, of course, he brought it to Lilith. She cut a deal."
"Let me guess. They let her rule in Hell and she wouldn't start anything?"
"You're such a smart boy, Edwin."
"Don't patronize me, Delilah. I'm not one of your toys." As she laughed, I asked, "Who did Zachariah have contact with? Did you get a name?"
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I don't know. I'm not sure Lilith did either. All I can tell you is that Zachariah didn't like dealing with them."
I didn't believe for a single second that Lilith didn't know who Zachariah's contact was, but I let it go.
"What else do you know about her—Hazel?"
"All we know is that she's a demon with the power to walk on Earth and she's not under Samael's control. That was all Lilith cared about." She rose from her throne and walked down the stairs, her slender form swaying with each step. She stopped in front of me and looked up with a smile. "Speaking of Samael, perhaps someday you will do me a favor and tell him I've been cooperative."
I gave her a bored look. "I'll think about it."
She was silent for a moment. "You feel nothing when you look at us, do you?"
"You're pretty. But I've had my fill of pretty."
"Do you love her? Hazel?"
"Is it your business?"
"No, I suppose not. I've always admired love, however." Her smile turned Cheshire. "I have something to show you. Follow me."
Delilah headed toward the back of the throne room, near where they had left Ronove's empty body after Lilith stole his soul. I started after her at first, then paused as I considered that thought. "Where are we going?"
"The library."
I followed, but not without my suspicions. I swear, Hazel, if I end up locked in some stone cell for you . . . Honestly, if it kept her safe, it would be worth it, whether I wanted to admit it or not. Even if I couldn't have her, I couldn't lose her either. There was no guarantee I would be as lucky as Gael and get to turn her in time. I wasn't even sure that I could do that to her, as selfish as I was. Maybe Nathaniel could really get her into Heaven. As hard as it was to swallow that pill, it was the best option in that scenario.
Delilah pushed through the door and held it open for me. I stepped inside, my back tense. I didn't care for having a serpent behind me. My body relaxed when she moved around me and stepped into the middle of the small, square room. Shelves lined the walls, wrapping around the circular room. A single table sat in the middle with a book open on it.
Delilah pointed at it. "It's still open to where Lilith last left it. I haven't bothered with this room yet. Too busy elsewhere."
I moved around the table, took one look at the plush armchair, then picked up the leather-bound book instead. I splayed it open over my arm and ran my fingers down its aged pages. There was a crude drawing of robed figures standing in circles nestled among the dense text.
"It's an old book," she said softly. "But it details the history of the Druids and how they've changed throughout time. I figured you might be interested, considering."
I scanned the pages. The English used was so dated that it took me a few tries to parse what it all meant. But it was clear enough that what Hazel was doing was all wrong. The Druids were created as caretakers of the Earth. But when the big guy upstairs disappeared, they lost their way. Nothing they did seemed to work well enough to keep the Earth on track. Their traditions, oral in nature, got screwed up from centuries of essentially playing a game of telephone.
I looked up from the book and asked, "Where did Lilith find this?"
Delilah shrugged her slender shoulders. "She had her ways. Her library is filled to the brim with all sorts of strange things."
"Why are you letting me look at this? Does it have to do with my girl?"
"My girl," Delilah repeated with a soft smile. "How sweet. I simply hope for your sake and hers that the book will be of use. I fear for her."
"I appreciate it," I said slowly. "But you know that Samael is going to be pissed you didn't share this, right?"
Her eyes took on a steely glint. "Tell me, Edwin, have you even told him about your girl? Because I know for certain he won't be happy about that either."
My jaw tensed at first, but I relaxed it and gave her a slow smile.
She smiled back, understanding based on my look alone. "Yes, I thought not."
"Well, I hope for both of our sakes neither of us says too much."
"Indeed."
Now I just had to figure out how to break the news to Hazel that she was in serious danger.
11
Hazel
I tossed and turned in bed all night, trying to make sense of what had happened earlier in the day with Edwin and Nathaniel—and failing. I had used souls to control people. Not just any people. An angel and a demon. Because that was my luck. I find two people I can relate to in some way and they're mythical beings. Specifically, the kind that don't get along.
It made sense to me, really. I couldn't help but feel like I should've known from the start. Nathaniel seemed so unbelievably good from the moment I met him, like an outside force had been telling me to trust him. I'd never grown so close to someone so quickly in my life. Obviously, now I knew why.
And Edwin, well . . . he'd been the exact opposite, hadn't he? From the first night he held me, everything in me said I needed to stay away from him. And it only pushed me closer. To a demon. What's wrong with me? Trick question. It wasn't one thing, it was everything.
I stiffened in bed as I heard a faint knock at my door. I glanced at the clock and saw that it was four in the morning. There was only one person who would come to my door at this hour. I got out of bed and slipped on a pair of pajama pants before padding into the front room. The knock came again, even quieter than the first.
"Hazel?" Edwin whispered through the door.
My heart leapt and crashed against my chest. Let him in, my mind compelled me. I took a step forward, then pulled myself back. No. I couldn't. Not now. Not after everything he had kept from me, even though I asked him a million times. Call me unfair, but I couldn't take the lies anymore.
Instead of opening the door, I moved in close and pressed an ear to the cool wood. I closed my eyes and brushed my fingers over the smooth surface, wishing I could be with him. Wishing that my life could be different. That we could've met in any other way.
"Babe, I can hear you," he said. "Just let me in."
"Go away," I whispered back, my tone sharp.
"We both screwed up. Let me talk to you. It's the only way we can fix this." When I didn't answer, I heard him sigh loudly. "Don't make me stand out here like some sappy idiot. You know I'm not good at this sort of thing in the first place."
I nearly smiled but I caught myself, biting down hard on my lower lip. "You need to leave."
"Alright then, just remember that you did this to me." There was the sound of quiet shuffling outside, then something sliding down my door. It stopped a moment later. Did he seriously just sit down? In the hallway? I strained my ears and listened. I could hear him shifting and settling back against my door.
I undid the lock and slid down to the floor. I reached up and turned the knob, only opening the door a crack. Sure enough, Edwin was sitting there, staring back at me through the gap. I frowned and opened the door a little more. He was different. His eyes looked like they were on fire. I knew I should be alarmed but I wasn't.
"Why are your eyes different?" I asked, keeping my voice low. It was the least important thing to ask right now, but I wanted to know. I missed his dark eyes.
"You can see them now?"
I nodded. "Are they supposed to be reddish-orange?"
He sighed. "Yeah, it's a demon thing."
"Demon," I whispered back, still getting used to the word in relation to him.
Edwin looked down. "If I told you I was sorry, would you believe me?"
"No."
"Smart woman." He looked away for a beat. "But you know I would do it again if it meant I got to be with you, don't you?"
I caught myself smiling and quickly smothered it with my hand. He had just admitted that he would lie to me and I was getting giddy. So messed up. "Why couldn't you just be honest with me?"
"Why didn't you ever tell me what you were?"
"You know what I am?"
"I've got an idea, yeah."
I went silent. Just because he had a point didn't mean I wanted to admit it. I had been raised to believe that my lies were justified because they protected the Earth itself. It was hard to think or admit I had done something wrong by not telling him either.
"Hazel, come on, let me in before we wake up your neighbors, would you?"
"Fine," I murmured as I got to my feet and pulled the door open. I was too tired to fight anyway. I sucked in a sharp breath as Edwin slid by me, his hard body brushing against mine. I wanted so badly to wrap my arms around him and press my cheek against his chest.
Nothing made me feel more comfortable than when Edwin held me. And comfort was something I could really use right now. After what happened earlier, as far as I knew I was a freak of nature. Maybe I was the whole reason why the balance could never be struck.
The thought left me a little colder. A little more in need of Edwin. I looked up at him, studying his eyes, so much different from their usual dark brown. Although they were different, they were beautiful, especially offset against his pale skin and dark hair.
I was supposed to be angry, but before I could stop myself, I touched a hand to his cheek, gently brushing my thumb over his skin. Kiss him. Unable to ignore the urge, I closed my eyes and rose up on my tiptoes to brush my lips against his.
To my surprise, Edwin pressed his forehead to mine and groaned. "No, babe, we really need to talk. If you get me started, I won't be able to stop."
"What's so important that we need to talk now? At four in the morning?" I asked, sliding my hand down to his neck and tracing a small, circular pattern against his skin. "Is this about what happened earlier? Because I don't really know why that happened. I mean, I was angry at both of you, but . . ."
"This isn't entirely about that. It's that you're in trouble. Big trouble."
I pulled back with a frown. "How so?"
"We should sit."
"That bad?" I asked with a small, nervous laugh.
"Yeah."
I blanched as Edwin led me over to my couch and sat down with me. He leaned back, legs crossed and an arm slung over the back of the couch. He looked
as handsome as ever. Despite my nerves, I let my gaze linger on him. I wished we could be doing anything else right now. I didn't want to talk anymore. Especially if he was bringing bad news.
I couldn't help but roll my eyes at myself. Because I used to wish for the opposite—that he would talk with me more. But now things seemed to be getting so serious at a time when I needed them to be what they used to be. The place where I could retreat and find solace in the darkness, lost in the feeling of his touch.
"I know you're a Druid," he said, voice quiet.
"Okay, um . . ." I tilted my head to the side. "How do you know what my people are called? Do demons have myths about us too, or . . . ?"
Edwin looked me right in the eyes. "I was at the community center that day because I and those people you saw hunt down the souls you Druids bring up here."
"Wait, seriously?" I screwed my face up in a grimace and shifted around on the couch to face him straight on. "Then you're the reason why we can't keep the balance. Are you evil or something? Why would you—"
"No, babe, we're not. What you guys are doing isn't right."
My back went pin straight. "Who are you to say what is or isn't right?"
"Your people weren't meant to be doing the stuff you do. Whatever you were made for is lost to time and you're just screwing things up even more."
"And, what, you're going to stop us? Use me to get to my people?" I'd been so stupid. Just letting him worm his way into my life. We were supposed to keep our distance for a reason. A tremble worked its way through me from head to toe. "Is Nathaniel in on this, too?"
"Hey, come on, you're taking this all the wrong way. I told you I knew from the start, didn't I?" He lifted his brows as he stared straight into my eyes, imploring me to understand him. "But I haven't told a soul."
"Then how does Nathaniel know?"
"You'll have to ask him that. The first time I met him was when I saw him on your couch." He frowned, as if considering something before he continued. "He's the one who told me you're in danger. I'm not sure if I trust him, but you need to know."
"I'm not sure if I trust either of you anymore. Who's to say you two aren't the danger here?" My thoughts were taking a detour somewhere insidious. "I mean, it's not like I know either of you all that well, right?"