by Lisa Olsen
“It does bring up a valid point though,” he considered aloud.
“What, that we should offer up some other person for Remiel to torture? Or hey, I wonder if we could hook him up with some other willing chick? Think he’d go for that, Mercy?” Matty perked up at the idea.
“We’re not offering anyone up to Remiel for whatever he wants to do to them.” My tone brooked no argument.
“Okay, okay, jeez, I’m trying to think outside the box,” Matty’s hands came up.
“Someone’s at the door,” Raziel announced seconds before the knock sounded.
“How did you do that?” I wondered aloud, rising to check it.
“I have excellent hearing,” he shrugged, obviously unconcerned over who might be there. Parker stood on the other side of the door, a wide grin on his face as I looked through the peep hole.
“I sure hope that smile means you have good news for me.”
“It so happens that I do,” he winked, striding past me and stealing my beer from the coffee table. Matty sat a little higher, making room for him on the couch.
“So? What’s up?”
“I heard from Luz, the witches are ready to go when we are for the binding.”
“She got it all together already? That’s fantastic,” I all but hopped up and down in excitement. Parker could have my beer any day if he kept bringing me news like that. “And they really think they can pull it off?”
“She seems to think so. Oh, but she said it’d be best if we could wait to do it on the Winter Solstice. Something about crap being aligned better… I don’t know, I wasn’t listening much.”
“Luz came to see you at the club?” I could imagine what he was paying attention to at the time, he’d done his share of staring the last time she dropped by.
“Ah, no… she came to my place earlier,” he answered, a flush of color creeping up the side of his neck, and I realized he was a little embarrassed. Had they hooked up?
“Oh.” I wasn’t aware that they’d gotten that close. “And here I was under the impression she thought you were a…”
“Pig?” he grinned. “There’s no accounting for a woman’s tastes. You can’t resist me either, can you, darlin’?” Parker nudged my shoulder with his, and I gave him a wan smile. While I couldn’t say it bothered me exactly to think of him hooking up with Luz, it definitely knocked me for a loop.
“Well, that’s cool, we’ve got the answer to how to help Ben, we just have to figure out how to get our hands on him,” Matty observed, oblivious to my train of thought.
“Right,” I nodded, trying to get back on track. “That means we have to step up our plans if we want to do this on time. It’s getting late. Why don’t you guys come over tomorrow night, we’ll order pizza and hammer this thing out. It’s time to get moving.”
“I’ll be here,” Matty drained the rest of his beer and slouched to his feet. “You coming?” he asked Parker.
“It’s not all that late… do you want me to stick around for a little bit? Catch up?” Parker looked to me, but I shook my head.
“No, you go ahead. We can talk tomorrow.” For some reason I couldn’t look at him, I wasn’t quite sure why. The last thing I wanted to do was catch up with him and hear all about his latest conquest, and all of a sudden I felt bone tired. “I’m ready to call it a night.”
“Are you okay?” Parker tipped up my face by the chin, but I turned away from his hand, not in the mood to be touched.
“I’m tired, that’s all. I’ll see you tomorrow night.” In truth I felt a little queasy, maybe it was from the beer. Once Matty and Parker were gone, I realized Raziel was still there, sitting so quietly in the corner I’d forgotten he was still around.
“Do you need a place to crash, Raziel? I can offer you my couch if you need a place to hang out, just keep it down so I can get some sleep.”
“That would be very kind of you, I have much to think on,” he frowned, barely glancing in my direction.
“Is everything okay?” I frowned. When angels get frowny, I get frowny; it’s a matter of self-preservation.
“I would caution you against relying on the dark arts, my lady.”
“Oh, that.” Of course he would object to the use of witches, that’s why we hadn’t brought either him or Sam up to speed on that side of the plan. “Can you think of a better way to get Azazael out of Ben’s body and out of our hair for good?”
“No, I confess I cannot.”
“Then maybe it’s time to expand your horizons a little. Meet these witches, you can see right off the bat that they’re not bad guys. Look at their auras alone.”
“I still think no good can come from witchcraft.”
“Duly noted,” I nodded. “But it’s still the plan unless some other stroke of good fortune falls into our laps.” Not that I was holding my breath for that eventuality. “You can always abstain from taking part in the plan if you have really strong objections to it.”
“No,” he shook his head resolutely. “I am committed to freeing Adamiel and your friend from their prison, even if I had not been commanded to do so. Whatever the price.”
“Alright then,” I smiled, glad to hear someone else willing to step up and do what it took to set them free. “I’m headed for bed, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Sleep well, Mercy,” he nodded. “Gather your rest while you can, our time grows fleeting.”
Like those two sentences went together.
*
“I think we’re as ready as we’re going to be,” I sighed, leaning back against the couch.
“I still think I should be allowed to accompany you. You will need my strength,” Sam objected, and Daphne gave his arm a pat.
“It’s too dangerous for you. You’d attract way too many demons. Mercy is right, smaller numbers are better.”
“Indeed, there is greater stealth in smaller numbers,” Raziel nodded, and Sam threw him a disgruntled look.
“Then why do you get to go?” he pouted. “Isn’t there just as much danger to Raziel for attracting demons?”
“We already went through this,” I rubbed at my temples. “Raziel is going because he’s our carrot to dangle. Without him, we’ll get stuck at the gate. We need bait and the skirts upstairs already offered his services.” I borrowed the term from Remiel. “Besides, I need you here on this side of the gate to keep an eye on Daphne and Matty, remember?”
“That’s right. I’d rather not spend too much time outside a demon bar without a little protection,” Daphne gave him a winsome smile, and I saw some of the frustration melt from Sam’s face.
“So, we’re good? Raziel, Parker, Nelo and I will go tomorrow to request an audience with Raum. Once we’re in there, Nelo will help us jump around and steal Adam and Ben, and then we will all somehow overpower Naberios to escape through the gate again.”
“He will be no match for our combined strength,” Raziel nodded confidently.
“Once we get through the gate, we split up in case we’re followed. Matty, you’ll be waiting to drive Adam, Nelo and I to safety, and Daphne and Sam will take Parker and Ben in case he needs any healing. Raziel, you go straight home where demons can’t follow. We’ll meet up at the club afterwards where Luz will be waiting, and the witches will make sure Azazael is still in Ben and resting comfortably until we can do the binding. Sound good?” It was ridiculously simple, and a zillion things could go wrong with it, but it was all we could hammer out after hours of planning and everyone nodded their assent.
“Alright, let’s get some sleep, tomorrow is going to be a big day.”
The crowd melted away, Sam taking Daphne home, Matty and Parker leaving together, talking about the merits of being the getaway driver over negotiator, which was Parker’s assigned role in the caper. Even Raziel kissed the air above my hands and took his leave to go wherever he went when he wasn’t hanging out at my apartment, leaving Nelo to stare at me with those big amber eyes full of trepidation.
“Are you ready for th
is, Nelo?”
“As ready as I am likely to be, Mistress.”
“Are you sure you want to do this? I remember what you said about it being dangerous for you to go back there.” My plan hinged upon his cooperation, but I’d gladly cast it aside if he really didn’t want to go, and I wouldn’t blame him for it. He’d already lost plenty for joining my side.
“No more dangerous than it is for you. My place is by your side, Mistress, come what may.”
“If I haven’t told you this lately, you’re a great friend.” Pulling him into a hug, I sent him a little Grace. Not a jolt, but a warm buzz. He’d need the energy for what I had in mind.
Changing into warm, comfortable clothes, I pulled my hair back into a pony tail, and then on second thought, wound it up into a bun to make it less of a grabable handle, just in case. My stomach churned at the thought of what I was doing, and before I knew it, I ran for the bathroom to toss up the late evening meal. Catching sight of myself in the mirror, I took a long shaky breath, telling myself I didn’t have to go through with it. I didn’t have to go it alone.
“Yes, you do,” I whispered at my reflection. It was the only way to keep them safe. Shouldering my pack, I pulled the door open, letting out a little shriek as I nearly ran into Parker, leaning against the doorway.
“Where do you think you’re going?” he arched a brow.
“I have a few errands to run,” I lied glibly.
“What kind of errands?”
“Stop at the store, nothing big.”
“Oh, then I’ll come with you. Better to be safe than sorry.”
“Parker, that’s ridiculous. I don’t need you to escort me to the store, I’ll be fine.” I tried to slip past him, but he was immovable.
“Good, then we’ll both be fine.”
Hesitating, I decided I could let him go with me to the corner store and get back in plenty of time to still carry out my plan. Only the next time I opened my door, I’d be careful to keep myself invisible. But Parker stood there with his arms crossed over his chest, his head shaking back and forth.
“Why are you doing this, Mercy?”
Dropping the pretense, I let out a long, pent up breath. “It’s the only thing that makes sense. I can’t risk anyone else on this, just Nelo and I are going.”
“I thought we talked about this? Take me with you to do the talking. I can make a deal with anyone. Raum will be so busy haggling with me, you’ll be able to sneak them out in no time.”
“Absolutely not.” The thought of him dealing with Raum made my skin crawl, because I knew with a certainty that Parker had no idea what he was up against. The last thing I wanted was for him to end up a permanent member of Raum’s court in a jeweled collar, or outright dead.
“Hey, I have as much of a right to help as anyone else. It’s my risk to take, angel, and I happen to think you’re worth it,” he gave me a crooked smile that melted my resolve for a heartbeat, and I closed my eyes in defeat.
“Alright, come inside and we’ll make a new plan.” Stepping aside to let him pass, I waited until he was completely inside before I froze him with a wave of the fingers. Stepping around to look into his dear face, paused in the middle of a triumphant grin, I leaned up and kissed his unmoving cheek. “I’m sorry, Parker. I hope someday you can forgive me for this.”
It was the only way.
“Come on, Nelo, we’d better make ourselves dim in case anyone else is watching the place.” Taking the demon’s slight hand, we stepped out of the apartment, leaving Parker in the darkened room.
Chapter Eight
Getting to the gate on our side was easy. With Nelo’s help, we strolled right past the patrons of the strip club, human and demon alike. Not that I think they would have stopped me, but the less attention we drew, the better. The corridor was unchanged, as was the tunnel carved in rock on the other side of the door at the end of the hall. I moved faster with Nelo at my side than when I’d been taken prisoner by Bert and Hubie, though I found myself filled with equal amounts of dread. All too soon, the gate came into view, the light growing brighter from the portal. Taking hold of Nelo’s hand, I took a deep breath, and stepped through.
Just like before, there was a strange, falling sensation as we stepped through the rock, and the nausea that came with it continued even after my foot connected with solid ground on the other side. The light was brighter on the demon side of the gate, and Naberios filled the passageway, his eyes narrowing in recognition as we came into view. His appearance hadn’t changed in the slightest; wearing pants made from supple brown leather, his brawny torso bare except for the intricate tattoos and the heavy bronze necklace that covered the top part of his chest. Matching bands of metal encircled his wrists. I couldn’t help but wonder if he ever left the gate. When did he sleep, or eat?
“Um, hi,” I flashed him a nervous smile, still holding tight to Nelo who cringed behind me.
“You…” he growled, not particularly happy to see me I suppose. “I thought I told you never to come back here?”
“Oh, but I owe you something for letting me go through last time.” Taking the suggestion to heart, I pulled off my pack, producing a gold box bearing the name of my favorite fancy chocolatier. “I thought you might like this with you being stuck here all the time.”
Naberios accepted the box with a suspicious frown, turning it over carefully. “What is this writing?”
“Oh, can’t you see it? It says ‘one dozen assorted deluxe truffles’. Those are my favorite. I only get them for myself on my birthday as a splurge.”
Bringing the box to his nose he sniffed it carefully. “What are truffles?”
“They’re the richest chocolate money can buy. You know, chocolate?” I repeated at his blank stare. “You’ve never had chocolate before? Oh, you’re in for a treat then,” I grinned. “Open them up and try one.”
“If you seek to poison me in some fashion…”
“Poison you?” Damn, why hadn’t I thought of that? It would have solved all of our problems! Maybe not to kill him, but if we’d drugged him we could have slipped in, grabbed Adam and Ben and slipped right back out again, easy as pie! “I wouldn’t dream of something like that. I’ll eat one first if you want me to…” I reached for the box, but he held it away, pulling off the top of the box to inspect them carefully with another deeper sniff.
“What is this writing here?” he pointed to the embossed name across the top and it occurred to me… he couldn’t read at all. I suppose there wasn’t much need for it in his given occupation. I couldn’t help feel a little bad for him, and decided not to make an issue of it.
“That’s the name of the company who makes them. Take a little bite, I think you’ll like it.” I gave him an encouraging nod and he fished one out with big, blunt fingers. Giving it an experimental lick, he popped the truffle into his mouth whole, chewing carefully before breaking out into a chocolate stained smile, made even more frightening by the mouthful of sharp teeth.
“I accept your gift,” he proclaimed formally, reaching for another truffle and cramming it into his mouth.
“You’re welcome,” I watched with growing distaste. “Slow down, you’re meant to savor them.” Naberios ignored my suggestion, downing them like a starving man plopped in front of the buffet table at Ceasar’s palace.
“You came to bring me this gift or do you have other business in Midian?”
“Well, primarily I came to give it to you, but I thought I would stop in and see how Adamiel is doing while I’m here. You don’t mind, do you?” I edged a little closer to the other side of the tunnel, prepared to make a run for it and dive into one of the shadows with Nelo if need be.
“As you wish,” he waved me aside, more interested in discovering the second tier of chocolates under the paper doily.
Holy crap, the bribe worked! Maybe he thought I was harmless to let through, or that Raum would be pleased to have me back in Midian. I didn’t want to stay and ask his reasoning. “Thanks, Naberios. I�
��ll see you later.”
With brisk steps, I all but dragged Nelo behind me, not daring to stop to breathe until we were a few turns out of sight. “I can’t believe we got in so easy!” I finally leaned against the roughly hewn wall to catch my breath.
“Naberios’ function lies not in keeping invaders out, but in preventing escape,” Nelo pointed out and I frowned down at him.
“You can’t let me have one moment of triumph, can you?” I muttered. “I still think it was a success. You saw him eat that candy, I’m definitely back in his good books again.”
“Naberios has no books, good or otherwise.”
“I know, I meant… Nevermind.” One hurdle down, there was still plenty to worry about ahead of us. “Come on, let’s go. You’d better make us imperceptible again in case we run into anyone else in the tunnel.” It wasn’t safe to jump between shadows until we got to the familiar palace walls.
I held onto my hoodie, no matter how warm and sweaty I got in the underground tunnels, knowing it’d get much colder once we got to the palace. As we stepped out under the purpley sky, I immediately tucked my nose under my scarf against the unpleasant scent in the air, but Nelo looked happy as a clam to be back in his element. Even though we were shielded from sight, I kept my eyes on the sky for any sign of those big flying monsters that buzzed me the last time, but the sky remained empty except for a few dark clouds.
My heart beat faster the moment the palace came into sight. Tucked into the side of the mountain, I took a moment to stop and stare at the gargantuan thing, wondering where in the labyrinth of rooms we might find Adam and Ben.
“Where do you think we should look first?” I whispered, even though there was no one near as far as I could see.
“Like as not, Ben will be kept in the dungeons, but Adam will be held more accessible, the better for Raum to feed.”