Desire From Hell

by Avery Rae

  Edwin gave me a flat look. "Stop getting a bug up your ass. You know better than that."

  I wasn't sure that I did. I'd been so carefree with both of them. It went against everything I'd been taught, and now I was being told by Edwin that what I was taught was wrong. Despite my doubts, that didn't sit well with me at all.

  "What's this big danger then?" I asked.

  "I'm not really sure how to tell you this, but . . ." He slumped over, hands clasped between his legs. "The Druids are going to sacrifice you."

  I laughed. "Of course they are."

  His head shot up, confusion written all over his face. "I don't think you understand. They plan on trying to kill you."

  I laughed again, earning me an even more confused look. "Edwin, we're taught from a young age that it's an honor to die for our cause. I already tried to do it once."

  "You were there that night on purpose?" He seemed angry. "What the hell is so worth dying for?"

  "I just told you earlier. The balance."

  "Do you really believe that?" he asked in disbelief.

  I frowned at the irritation in his voice before replying, "Yes. Of course I do."

  He pressed his lips together and looked to the side. "What does that even mean? The balance? Have you ever questioned it? Does it really make sense to you? How are you balancing things by bringing murderers back from Hell?"

  I furrowed my brow. "Chaos brings the balance."

  His bright eyes searched mine. "They've got you indoctrinated bone-deep, don't they?"

  "It's not indoctrination, Edwin. It's our divine purpose."

  "Babe . . ."

  "No. Nuh-uh." I stood up, shaking my head in short little jerks. "If you just came here to insult my beliefs, then go."

  "I'm here because I care about you," he bit out.

  That one nearly knocked me over. He'd never said anything like that before. I shook my head. Who cares? He had just insulted my entire clan and our sacrifices. Repeatedly. Sure, I did that more often than I cared to admit, but that was different. I was allowed to. He wasn't. He didn't know anything about us. I felt like a broken record as I pointed toward the door and said, "You need to go."

  "Are you kidding me?" Undoubtedly Edwin felt it too. He hadn't lasted long on any of his visits lately, had he? Maybe it was a sign from the Earth. Telling me that I needed to cut ties. I mean, I wasn't even supposed to have them in the first place, was I?

  "Just go, Edwin."

  He moved across the couch faster than I could blink and pulled me down into his lap, hands holding my wrists as I tried to jerk away.

  "You need to listen to me." His voice was firm.

  "You're not my—"

  "Listen to me. You're not just any Druid, Hazel. You're different. You have to know that now, right?"

  "It was just a fluke. I was mad. It just happened." I jerked against his hands, gritting my teeth when he didn't even budge. I knew he was strong, but that was something else. Probably a demon thing. Nothing could surprise me anymore.

  "You're different, babe. By sacrificing someone as powerful as you, they won't just summon souls. They'll open up Heaven and Hell, starting a war right here on Earth."

  Me? Obviously I knew that I was different, just like he said, but I didn't think it was that big of a deal. And there was something about what he said that made me realize I wasn't going to be sacrificing myself. My clan was going to kill me, weren't they? Probably during the summoning. A tremble worked its way through me. I had been so certain I would make it through. That I couldn't die during it. If Edwin was right, then I wouldn't come out of it at all.

  I should have been angry that the Elders hadn't told me, but why would they? I was meant to die as it was, so what was the difference? And I should be happy. Heaven and Hell on Earth? That sort of chaos could be the key to restoring the balance once more. I couldn't think of a greater honor. Yet I was still shaking . . .

  I cleared my throat and asked, "How do you know about this?"

  "Nathaniel. I checked on it myself, and I think he's right. Someone in Hell had prior knowledge of your clan. They knew about you too."

  "How?" I had no idea I was so popular.

  "The same reason all those people in your clan ended up dead. You're all being manipulated."

  "By who? Nathaniel?"

  "I might not like the prick, but I think he's trying to help you." Judging by the way he had to force out each word, I had a feeling he was being honest—and it killed him a little. Did me sitting around and chatting with Nathaniel really hurt Edwin that badly? Oh well. That wasn't for me to think about. I couldn't be with him anyway. I couldn't be with anyone.

  In the end, it was my duty to die. Whether he or Nathaniel was setting me up, whether or not I could trust them—all of it was moot if I ended up dead. If a holy war or whatever was what we needed to restore the balance, then so be it. I would be honored to be the one who started it. I had nothing left on Earth, except for Abby. And she was going to die with me. I was done for, no matter what.

  "Neither of you can help me, Edwin," I said quietly, my body relaxing. He let go of my wrists and I fell against him, burying my head in his shoulder and breathing in his spicy, smoky scent. He wrapped his arms around me and held me close, more intimate than he had ever been before. Why now? Why not before?

  Tears stung at my eyes because I knew that I wasn't going to give in to the temptation. It was too late for me. I lifted my head and looked him in the eyes as I brushed my fingers over his hard chest. I leaned forward and gave his slightly parted lips a soft kiss. As a tear slipped from the corner of my eye, realization flashed across those beautiful eyes of his.

  "Hazel, don't."

  The air seemed to be growing warmer. My nerves shook wildly as I reached out to the souls, just like I had done before. It felt easier this time.

  "You can't help me." I kissed him again and he jerked his head away, fury coloring his expression. "It's my duty to die."

  "Fuck duty," he growled. He placed his hand behind my head and pressed his lips to mine in a fierce kiss. A fire awoke inside me, spiraling out from my core with every brush of his tongue against mine. I let myself sink into the feeling even as I coaxed a soul toward him. With a reluctant moan, I pulled myself away from him and moved aside. The soul shimmered to life in front of him.

  "I risked my soul for you," he whispered in a hoarse voice.

  "And I have to risk mine for everyone." I gave him a sad smile. "Sucks to be us, doesn't it?"

  Something inside me stirred. I made the soul possess him. He resisted, but I was too strong for him. I stretched an arm out to brush my fingers over his cheek.

  "Don't come back here," I whispered.

  There was nothing he could do. I compelled the soul to take him out. He got up and walked to the front door. I didn't feel right about it. I really didn't. But there was nothing else I could think of to do. He wouldn't ever listen to me.

  "Hazel," he groaned as he opened the door.

  "Goodbye, Edwin."

  The door clicked closed.

  12

  Edwin

  I didn't think there was a time in my life, past or present, when I had ever been this angry. I'd definitely never been this mad at Hazel before. I knew that I should've worn my hunting gear, but it seemed like overkill. And some part of me thought that she wouldn't do it to me again. Cockiness. It was a problem of mine.

  I went back to the townhouse, fully planning on changing into my gear and heading back, but I decided against it. I had no idea what I was going to do about her. I knew she was lost—it was part of what drew me to her—but not that lost.

  She was so ready to die, and I had no idea how to stop her. Especially when she had those great new powers that rendered me fucking useless. That sure as hell felt great. My girl was going to let some people kill her and I had no idea how stop them.

  I approached the portal in the alleyway and it flared to life, flaming hands grasping out at me. I never got used to this.
I always wondered who the souls were that ferried me to and from Hell. Were they good people that got screwed over by Heaven? Serial killers like some of my pals in the Brotherhood? It was a strange thing to think about as they swarmed all over you, pulling you down to Hell.

  I stepped out on the other side, the hands clinging to my legs. They never seemed to want to let go. I looked down at them with a frown and shook them.

  "Edwin." The deep, familiar voice made me freeze in place. Samael.

  I looked up into his orange-red eyes with a crooked smile. "Hey, boss."

  He stared down at me without a smile, unspeaking.

  "What're you doing here?" I asked, hands shoved in my pockets. "I didn't think you ever used the portal much."

  "I owe you no answers." The hard look in his fiery eyes made that clear. "You, however, owe me at least one. What were you doing on Earth alone?"

  I shrugged. "Not much. Just checking out the sights."

  "With a young woman by the name of Hazel, no doubt?"

  "That was more than one question, boss."

  His jaw tensed, and the black mass of his wings unfurled. "Answer me, Edwin."

  My blood ran cold. "How much do you know?"

  "All of it."

  "You could've saved me the questions then." I let out a long breath. "How much trouble am I in?"

  "You betrayed the Brotherhood. How much trouble do you think you're in?"

  Well, damn me twice. I eyed the sword at his waist. I was about to feel the sharp end of that thing, then I would get to find out just how warm Ronove's soul pits were. Nothing like a little bit of damnation to cap an already shitty day.

  13

  Hazel

  A day had passed since I expedited Edwin out of my life via possession. Probably not my finest moment, but I wasn't sure how else to deal with him. I couldn't tell him to go and watch him walk away. I didn't have it in me. Besides, I wouldn't be around much longer anyway.

  I sat at one of the round tables of Earthen Roast Café, staring out the window at the bustling sidewalk and idly brushing my fingers over the smooth wood. The sweet scent of my sugary coffee wafted up from the wide ceramic cup, earning a smile from me. I had always wanted to do this. Just sit and relax, watching the world go by. The world I wasn't supposed to care about.

  I told myself I could do it this once because I was going to die soon, and, really, I was just waiting for Abby to get off work. Every time I looked toward the counter, she shot me a narrow-eyed look. I was fairly certain she was still mad at me about the other night. With Nathaniel.

  I hadn't seen him since I first kicked him and Edwin out. He wasn't nearly as bold as Edwin had been, showing back up the same night I had used my weird new powers. That was Edwin for you, though. In our time together, he had never been shy about letting me know what he wanted. I envied that about him.

  The chair opposite mine scraped against the floor, and I looked up to see a woman with long, dark hair taking a seat across from me. I stiffened. She was the one I'd seen here before, with the man, but she looked different now. One of her eyes glowed that strange orange just like Edwin's, the other green. Her pupils didn't look quite right either. The shape was all wrong. She was obviously something demonic, but she was so captivating to look at that I didn't care. The stiffness in my body eased.

  She tilted her head to the side and smiled. "Hey there. Hazel, right?"

  "Um, yeah, that's me." I touched a hand to my cheek in wonder. I was blushing. Why in the world . . .?

  "I'm Priscilla," she continued, her voice soft yet compelling. I could have listened to her speak for hours. "You can call me Prissy if you like that better."

  "Why are you here?" I leaned forward, trying to push through the fog that was beginning to cloud my mind. "Is it Edwin? Did he send you?"

  She looked at me from under her lashes. "Not exactly. But I am here because of him."

  I shook my head. I knew it. He just couldn't let things be. Why was he involving even more people in this? It was pointless. No matter what, I would end up dead. One way or another. They would have to kill me to stop me from taking part in the sacrifice. It was my duty. This wasn't the time for doubt. Not when I had such an important role.

  "He's in a lot of trouble because he hid you from us."

  I furrowed my brow. "What? Why? Because of the soul hunting thing?"

  "Yes." She paused and smiled. "The soul hunting thing."

  "But you're all wrong about that."

  "What has Edwin told you about what we do?"

  I immediately looked down at the table, as if the dark surface was the most fascinating thing I had ever seen. "That's about it, really," I murmured. "We don't talk much."

  "I know what that's like." Priscilla laughed softly. The sweet sound drew my head back up. I eyed her in confusion. She was definitely pretty but there was something else about her—an aura of some kind—that made her irresistible. Before I really knew what I was doing, I slid my hand across the table toward her. She turned it over and brushed her fingertips along my palm.

  "Know that I'm very sorry I have to do this," she whispered with a hint of sadness, "but I've already seen too much senseless death. I would do anything to put an end to it."

  "What do you mean?" I asked, my hazy thoughts turning into sludge. All I wanted to focus on was her soft smile. Not her smile. Her. Priscilla. Nothing else. I wanted to be with her so badly it hurt. I would do anything for her. Anything.

  "What the hell, Hazel?" A voice intruded upon my thoughts.

  I slowly looked to the side to see Abby standing there.

  "Why are you so angry?" I asked. Couldn't she see Priscilla was here? Her hand felt so wonderful on mine, too. Everything was okay. Perfect, even.

  "I'm a friend of hers," Priscilla said in her smooth voice. She reached out to touch Abby, too, but she jerked away.

  "Yeah," Abby said with a scowl, "apparently she has a lot more friends than I ever knew."

  Priscilla arched a brow, looking between us. "You say that like it's an insult."

  Abby ignored her, instead bending low to whisper harshly in my ear. "I don't know what you have going on, but this isn't acceptable. You can't just flaunt your relationship in front of everyone. They will hear of this if you don't stop." She meant the Elders. Whoop-de-doo.

  "And what exactly will they do?" I asked. "Kill me?"

  Her eyes widened. "I don't know what you—"

  "Oh, calm down." I laughed and gave her a wide smile. I was more at ease than I'd ever felt before. Why was she getting twisted into a knot? "You're acting silly. Everything's fine."

  Abby gave us both a furious look before she rushed to the back of the house. I gave Priscilla a whoops look and burst into laughter. "What's her problem, right?"

  "I sure wish I knew," Priscilla replied, her tone strangely thoughtful. "Let's get a move on; I think it's time for us to go. For your sake and Edwin's."

  "Oh, yeah, Edwin." I frowned. "I hope he's okay."

  "He'll be alright." Priscilla linked my fingers with hers, gave me a reassuring smile, and rose to her feet. I did the same. She led me to the entrance of the café. I cast a look back at my table as I realized I didn't get to finish my drink. I'd been so excited about it. Oh well.

  As I was dragging my eyes away, they got stuck on the doors to the back of the café, which opened to reveal Abby with Nathaniel. My brow knitted together. Why was he back there? Why was he talking to Abby? If she didn't want me to be friends with him, why was she? That seemed pretty hypocritical.

  Nathaniel's pale yellow eyes met mine and widened. I didn't have time to ask questions because Priscilla tugged me through the door. Nathaniel seemed very, very angry about that. I wasn't sure why. Who were all these people and why did they care so much about me all of a sudden?

  I blinked at the sight of a dog the size of a small horse sitting outside the door. I jolted and tightened my arms around Priscilla. That isn't a dog. It had glistening black fur, sharp horns, and eyes made of
actual, honest-to-god fire.

  "Do you see that?" I asked in a panic.

  "Don't worry. Atlas is a big softie."

  "Comforting," I mumbled, my thoughts too hazy to be more alarmed. "Can you please just take me home?"

  "I'm really sorry, Hazel," Priscilla replied as she lifted me into her arms, "but I need to get you out of here and take you somewhere we can keep you safe. Trust me, okay?"

  "Okay." Even as I wrapped my arms around her shoulders, I questioned why I was doing it. I didn't know this woman. At all. Yet I was just letting her carry me down the sidewalk like some sort of action hero. All she told me was her name and that she knew Edwin. Why was I putting so much trust in her? Why did I want to? I looked up at her strange eyes.

  "What are you?" I asked as she ran full-speed through the throngs of people. They parted in front of her like the red sea, trying to get out of the way of the odd woman in leather who was carrying a grown woman without breaking a sweat. I didn't blame them. If I wasn't so distracted, I would probably find it weirder than I already did.

  "You really can consider me a friend. Kind of. Maybe someday." She rolled her eyes. "I'll admit, this isn't the best introduction, but I hope you won't hold it against me."

  I knew that I should try to get away from her. That I shouldn't be so accepting. But it was like she had a vise around my mind—and I wanted it to be there, for some reason. She had to be manipulating me somehow. I closed my eyes and tried to find some souls to help me, but I couldn't seem to access those new powers that had come in handy before. Or maybe I could, but I didn't want to use them on her.

  Eventually, Priscilla slowed once we reached a quiet neighborhood. As we approached a simple two-story townhouse, she looked down at me with a smile. "Alright, I'm going to start easing up on you now, but I need you not to freak out on me, okay?"

  "Okay."