They stood facing each other in a standoff, not even ten feet away from the other. I watched anxiously as Domino appeared to be contemplating the offer, and I feel myself about to be sick with disgust. I trusted him. He was my only option and this is how he repays me?
“Join me Dominion and regain the glory you once had. Together, we can rule humanity and permanently ban Michael and his brethren from this realm and live as the gods we were meant to be!”
With one last tug at the rope my arms are free and I have less than ten seconds to untie my ankles. I don’t bother to look in Domino’s direction because he has nothing to lose and everything to gain by siding with Asmodeus. I quickly sit up and reach for my feet when Asmodeus shoots me with a black charge, not only flattening me to the bed but scorching the center of my chest and leaving me feeling a bit dazed. Domino reacts and lunges for Asmodeus once again and this time the two fight; Domino takes flight with Asmodeus in his grip and slams through the ceiling to take the fight to the skies leaving me alone, naked, and dizzy on a four poster bed. I summon what little strength I had left and free my ankles and force myself to at least get off of the bed. I have no idea how I am going to get out of here but staying put isn’t even an option. I manage to wrap myself in the thin sheets that covered the bed, and then I stumble over to the doorway where none other than Nak himself stood waiting for me.
I thought my life was truly fucked when Asmodeus had me tied to the bed, but staring into the hate filled eyes of my father’s most trusted warrior told me that being fucked is now the least of my concerns. Weakened, without the Scythe, and no powers to defend myself I have come to the conclusion that I just may not make it out of this room alive, and Nak is going to make me feel every moment of it.
Chapter 18
There was nothing like having his powers once again in his possession and at his command. As he sped through the atmosphere like a meteor on a mission, he blazed through the night sky plunging deep beneath the earth’s surface, opening a portal into the lower realms. Hell had recognized that the Reaper of all Reapers had returned to his full glory, and he could sense the tremors of the souls of the damned and the thousands of entities that occupied the cursed place as they realized he had returned. With his mind, he opened a secret gateway into a realm he had created specifically for the one soul who mattered most to him, and he quickly stepped inside and made sure to close the portal behind him.
He had created for her scenery mimicking that of what is found in the country of Ireland. He remembered her saying before she died that she had wanted to travel to Europe, with Ireland being at the top of the list, and so to honor her vision, he created for her a never ending landscape of lush green pastures that transitioned from a flat surface to a sloping hilltop. He made sure to filter in the sun’s natural light to give it the dreamy, early morning appearance with the bright pinks and oranges dancing about on the horizon in an abstract version of a dream world. And just beyond the hilltop, he built for her a one story home made from brick and stone. He wanted to build her a castle, but she insisted on something smaller and to his dismay he built her dream home and furnished it with everything he could imagine. He even made sure to create a small lake for her; however it broke his heart to not have the power to fill it with life. No birds could grace the sky, and no fish to fill the lake…everything was an illusion but it was the best that he could do considering what he put her through.
He could sense Sin’s distress, but he knew his daughter: she would fight until the very end. Asmodeus would die by his hand: he would rip his wings from his body, only to plunge the Scythe deep into his chest before his tore his head from his shoulders. The only thing keeping him partially sane is the fact that the Dominion could hold Asmodeus off until he arrived to unleash his wrath. Besides, from what he had picked up telepathically, the Dominion would assist her until he arrived. He needed to get the Seal first. As he inched closer to the home where Mina permanently resided, he could hear her voice filling the atmosphere with a soft melody. He could sense her anxiety and her worry for their daughter and he couldn’t blame her. He had done a piss poor job of raising her. In his grief over Mina’s demise, he had been less than nurturing or caring towards Sin’s emotional wellbeing. It was a wonder that she still developed into a semi reasonable person without the personality of a psychopath. The only thing he really taught her is how to survive, which may be the only thing that gets her through this.
He tried not to focus on the flooding memories of his time with Mina when she was alive, otherwise he would forget his purpose and remind Mina of the very special bond that they shared. He would return to her when all of this was over, and rededicate himself to her and maybe if he could prove that what they shared transcended the physical, she would be granted a second chance…stranger things have happened and even entities such as himself required a little bit of hope just to get through each day.
She must have sensed him coming because she came outside looking every bit as lovely as she always did. She wore a white, fitted robe with her hair swept up high above her head and her hazel eyes gazing at him expectantly. He hurried over to her, and without a word, took her into his arms for a long embrace. She was the first to let go and when she took a step back from him, his heart sank.
“What is going on Grim? Why would Sin send me your Scythe and a box with the Seal of the Apocalypse? And where have you been? I could sense your thoughts and when you didn’t manifest-“
“A lot has taken place my love, and I am afraid time does not allow me room to explain,” he replied sadly.
“Grim I have watched from afar in this beautiful haven of a prison as our daughter suffered at the hands of your duties as the Grim Reaper and because of your wishes I sat idly by and watched her struggle to live up to your legacy and-“
“Mina, I did what I thought was best. She could not be raised in the human world because she is too different. At some point when her powers started to develop the humans would have either worshiped her or killed her or she would have killed somebody. I know I haven’t always been the best parent, but Hell is no place for the weak. I cannot be in several places at once and my warriors, along with the rest of the terrors that take place would have eaten her alive!”
“Grim-“
“And I could not allow her to see you much because it hurt her when she did…a part of her hates me for what happened to you.”
Mina’s eyes filled with tears at the memory of what took place. Just hours after giving birth to Sin, a demon posed as a nurse injected her with a toxin that human doctors had yet to identify, and before Grim could do anything to save her, she died with Sin still in her arms. Grim found out the moment he sensed her death and instead of allowing her to be taken by his men to be tortured for an eternity for simply loving him, he brought her to this safe haven where she has remained ever since.
She gently touched his face, and he relished the calming sensation of her touch. She had always been good at that: calming his inner storm.
“Grim…the Seal is next to the Scythe in the master bedroom of the house. When all of this is over, come see me and we shall talk then. And bring Sin too…I need to see her…”
Grim gently placed a kiss in the center of her palm and then once more on her lips before he dematerialized into the house and retrieved his Scythe and the Seal. He tucked the Seal underneath his arm, and turned around to see Mina standing in the doorway looking at him adoringly. Throughout everything, she still loved him and that was the strength he needed to survive.
“I will return to you Mina with Sin. Stay here.”
“Where else am I going to go?” Mina chuckled.
“Right. And one more thing…”
“What is that Grim?”
“I love you Mina…”
“I love you too Grim. Now go save our daughter.”
Grim nodded and then disappeared, leaving Mina alone a world that belonged to only her and Grim. She took a seat on the bed Grim had built with his bare
hands from the finest of Oak wood, with cushions stuffed with the finest of goose down and blanketed with the softest of silk, and wept.
Chapter 19
Had I been at full strength, there is no way Nak would have been able to do half of the shit he has done to me within the last thirty or so minutes. Not only did he manage to break my left leg, but he shattered my collar bone, wrists and ankles. My nose is broken, my lip is swollen and I can barely see out of both of my eyes. He flung me across the room like a rag doll, punishing me in every way imaginable as a sort of payback to my father. Maybe when my spirit finally leaves my body, I will no longer feel any of this pain. I might as well have been slammed into a mountain face first and then boiled alive in a lava pit because I do not see how I am able to remain even at this level of consciousness.
“I should have finished off where Asmodeus, that arrogant bastard left off although you couldn’t be any more ruined. Your father was right for sending you down to the Pitts for carrying yourself like a bitch in heat. What a waste of a strong warrior for falling for your toxic fruits and he is still paying for something that should have had-“
“You are pathetic Nak,” I choke out. Nak had tied me to a chair, my naked flesh still exposed but not for his delight…more for my humiliation.
“What did you say?”
“You. Are. Pathetic. Always have been. You were never leader material which is why Grim made you my second in command.”
Slap! Nak knocks me across my face so hard my head is spinning but I don’t care. He needs to know the truth. I spit out a mouthful of blood as a result of my teeth crashing down onto my tongue the moment his fist connected with my face.
“Is that all you’ve got? And you’re still being led and are too stupid to-“
He punches me again, knocking both me and the chair over, and I crash onto my side with the chair splintering as it made impact.
“Your father is the pathetic one,” Nak growled circling me. “He is the one who fell in love with a human and as a result dragged you down to try to play daddy like a human simpleton. The all- powerful Grim, couldn’t even save the very human he wished to protect. While he was out playing Romeo, he had no idea it was me who injected her with the toxin. That bitch was nothing more than a distraction and your father was too stupid to realize that and dispose of her accordingly so someone had to do it.”
The news slammed into the very core of my psyche like a tidal wave; consuming me in a single swallow and strangling me with the suffocating current. “You killed my mother?”
His smile widened. “Why, certainly. Lovely woman too, but like all humans she was nothing but a distraction.”
Had I been in possession of my powers I would have burned out his eyes before cutting his head clean off with the Scythe. He inches closer to me with his face just inches away from my own; his breath reeks of death and poor hygiene. Before losing consciousness I say the one thing that was giving me peace of mind even if I did not live to see another day. With labored breaths, and swollen eyes I say, “Grim is going to send you to the Abaddon Pitts where your soul will meet the belly of the Devourer…” His frown is the last image that I remember as I close my eyes for what I believe to be the last time.
Death is easier if you accept it…and I am more than willing to welcome it.
Domino dodged another energy blast from Asmodeus palms as they tumbled high above the Vatican. Human panic had run rampant as the remaining clergy sprinted from behind the protective walls of the oldest and most powerful church. The Pope was still trapped inside and heavily guarded by Asmodeus’ men and from the corner of his eye; he witnessed countless humans fall victim to the sadistic whims of the fallen entities. The skies had gone completely dark, almost pitch black. Fires had broken out in various sections of the church, and Domino wondered what the hell was taking Michael so long. He could no longer sense Sin and wondered if she had managed to escape or not. Asmodeus was still naked from his attempt to create a very unwanted pregnancy, and Domino shuddered at the thought. He had burst through the door just in time. Just a second longer and Sin would have had a lot more to deal with than just returning the Seal.
Domino caught Asmodeus in the jaw, knocking his head back and then followed through with another blow to the chest when the sky lit up with thousands of bright white lights. Finally, help had arrived. Dressed valiantly in his warrior garb was Michael with sword in hand as he led the armies of Heaven down into the demonic cesspool that had become the Vatican. Asmodeus raised his hands above his head and opened another portal and out came hundreds of demon soldiers ready to fight Michael and his army. Domino took his opportunity to lunge once more at Asmodeus and force him down back to earth. They crashed into the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, demolishing the sacred site on contact. Slightly dazed but unwilling to quit Domino unsheathed his sword and swiped at Asmodeus again, this time successfully cutting off a section of the entities’ black wings. Asmodeus howled in pain and fell to his knees atop a pile of rubble. Dust and debris saturated the air, making it almost difficult to see when from out of the ether a dark form took shape holding the Scythe. The hooded figure stood in place, completely transfixed on the naked and groaning entity. Domino knew that couldn’t be Sin, due to the figure being nearly twice her size with a much darker edge.
“Leave us Domino,” came Grim’s voice.
“You’re free? But how-“
“Leave us! Find my daughter and get her to safety…”
Domino didn’t bother to argue with the Grim Reaper. He took a flying leap into the air and took flight and prayed that he could get to Sin in time.
Flying into the dense night sky, just above Sistine Chapel, he detected the presence of Nak and curiously flew in closer to see what the reaper was up to. Amidst the chaos that ensued around them, he found it strange that Nak had not taken part of the action. Nak was in the same room he discovered Sin tied to a bed in, and lying in the middle of the floor, badly beaten but tied to a chair was Sin, and from what he could tell is barely alive. Nak loomed over her, sword in hand preparing to land a death blow when he crept up behind him and shot him in the spine with three of his own arrows. Nak screamed, and dropped his blade before hitting the floor next to Sin. He could tell that her spirit was weakening, and he quickly untied her. He almost cursed the Heavens for allowing something so tragic to take place on someone who did not ask to be here. None of this was her fault and yet she suffered the most. He ran and snatched one of the sheets from the bedding that was thrown onto the floor and wrapped up in it. She groaned and began to mumble something incoherently as he scooped her up into his arms. Grim was free and that meant that the Seal had been returned so all should be right with the world. He kissed her lightly on top of her head and smoothed her locks back away from her face. Nak had done a number on her which made him want to kill him for the offense.
He detected another presence in the room, and he spun around quickly to find himself in the presence of Gabriel and another Dominion who was once under his charge. “Gabriel,” he said hoping not to reveal his surprise.
“Now is not the time for pleasantries Domino but you have done well. Take her to the hills to safety. Grim is busy with Asmodeus, and we will deal with this traitor here. Go! We have others that will cover you!”
Domino did as instructed, gingerly cradling Sin in his arms and he hoisted himself into the air. He bolted out of the room at top speed, half running, and half flying dodging chunks of debris and demon innards. Warrior angels and their swords of light waged war against the dark entities, while other breeds of angels fought hard to protect the human masses. Humans ran past him in frenzy, desperately trying to escape the Harpies that had emerged from the pits of Hell in search of a mortal meal. Once outside of the building, he ran through courtyard before taking another leap into the air. Unfortunately he did not get too far because a black charge nailed him on the left side of his rib cage, leaving a burning and bloodied gash the size of a grapefruit. He plummeted to the ground, st
ill cradling Sin, and with his waning strength he landed with a hard thud. Sin rolled from his arms and onto the grass still unconscious. He struggled to regain his bearings when he heard Asmodeus’ screams closing in in the distance. He narrowed his gaze, and with some quick thinking he scooped Sin up and quickly evaded another blast. Grim was in midflight, the hooded robing having been shed, exposing hard muscled flesh covered in tattoos with ancient writings. His only attire black leathered pants and boots that protected a large foot that connected with Asmodeus’ jawline.
Domino watched as Asmodeus fell from the sky like a shooting star and hit the ground at maximum impact, sending a tidal wave of tremors that spread throughout Vatican City. But Grim clearly wasn’t done. Pressing his black wings closely to his body he plunged from the heavens like a missile, with Scythe in hand, expression foreboding and Domino watched in amazement as the Angel of Death raised the Scythe high above his head and with a hard strike decapitated the fallen entity. Asmodeus’ body jerked and twitched, spewing out black blood from the headless body; his black wings molting of its once feathery luster. It was done.
Michael appeared, followed by Gabriel and both stood at either side of Grim staring solemnly at the now deceased Asmodeus. Domino grimaced from the pain of his own wound, carried Sin to where her father stood and awaited the verdict from three of the most respected entities in the heavens. Gabriel smiled warmly while Grim and Michael both frowned unapprovingly. Domino knew this wasn’t going to be a walk in the park, but Sin needed help and so did he. He lowered himself unsteadily to one knee and lowered his head while still cradling Sin. Grim shared a glance with Michael who just sighed.
Sin: Daughter of the Grim Reaper (The Reaper Series Book 1) Page 12