by Jill Cooper
She was trapped and that pain etched itself along her face.
“What about your pick? Who do you get to pick for the gladiator game?”
“Please, you think he’d let me choose a champion?”
I shrugged. “Why not? You could convince him, I’m sure. If he’s going to control the game as you say, what’s the harm in allowing you an opponent of your choosing?”
Amara shook her head. “I don’t know who I’d pick. I don’t even know why I’m talking to you like we’re friends. I’m demon. We don’t have friends. Not real ones.”
I slid my hand over hers again and baited my breath. Waiting, I watched for signs she’d pull away, but this time she only gazed at our hands. “Pick me. Allow me to be your champion.”
Her eyes widened with disbelief. “You?”
“It’s the only way, hear me out. Please.”
“All right,” Amara spoke calmly, but carefully. She wasn’t on my side yet, but she was closer.
“If you get me in the game, and if it’s rigged, I die. Both you and Lucifer get what you want.” Her face flickered with darkness and the scowl on her face suggested that was no long what she wanted, but to call her out on it now? No, it wasn’t the time. “But if I win, if I slaughter the demons in the arena, Lucifer will never allow you to marry me. We’ll both be free.”
“He’ll never let you go. In either case.” Amara’s jaw set firm and her eyes inspected me. They pulled back my layers and peered directly into my soul. She held her breath, grinding her teeth together. “Why would you do this for me?”
“You’re in pain. It walks with your every step. You hate your life down here. The control that hate has over you, I want to set you free.”
“We’re enemies,” Amara said.
“On the battlefield, yes. We were. Here, we can decide what we are moving forward. You showed me kindness that I heard you were incapable of. Food. Water. The gentle stroke of your hand.”
We both gazed down at her hands and even I was shocked to see how our fingers locked around each other. Like an anchor that we both were desperate to cling to.
“If Lucifer doesn’t go for it.” Fear flickered across her face and it was real. I’d been taught she feared nothing and only embraced pain and destruction. What we believed in heaven about her was a far cry from the truth. What lies had she in turn been told about us?
“I’m ready to die for what I believe is right. For what is fair. I’ve been ready for an eternity.”
“You’re different than the others.” Amara took a deep breath. “So different.”
“As are you.” I broke a small smile. “But maybe you’ve never stopped to see the compassion of the angels because you weren’t allowed to. And maybe I never looked for beauty in the darkest of places.”
She gazed at my lips and for the briefest of moments, she thought to kiss me through the bars. My heart raced at the notion of a demon even trying such a thing, but Amara was different. Soon, she’d learn how different. I could see the golden glow soaring in her chest.
Desperate to break free, the darkness that surrounded her heart was cracking like dry pavement.
Amara slowly pulled her hand away, but I don’t think it was because she wanted to. I thought just the opposite—because she was going to prepare to plead her case. “I’ll be back when I can with news, Cathal. If you’re sure this is what you really want.”
There was no turning back, but I told the truth. I was ready to die for the cause. For her, if it came to it. Lucifer might try to beat back the light soaring in her, but I had to hope, eventually, it would break free.
“It is.”
Sometimes a simple answer was best.
Amara turned to leave, but first gave me the smallest of smiles. Like a break of sun through the rain, it lit up her face in a way I never expected to see. “Thank you.”
She hurried off and I took my seat in the corner by the stone slab wall. Such a modest gesture, a brief “thank you,” but heartfelt, it could heal a thunderous rift. Maybe it could even inspire love.
7 :Amara
Gripping my hands hard, I paced in the east wing of Lucifer’s palace, waiting to be permitted into the grand hall that was his home. Nerves trickled through me. I don’t remember the last time I felt anxious. What I was about to suggest went against all of Lucifer’s laws.
An angel fighting in the devil’s arena? For a demon’s hand in marriage? It was unnatural, but it might be the only thing that saved me from the future that awaited me. I was crazy for even suggesting it, but Cathal seemed so sincere. In ways an angel wasn’t supposed to be. Extend kindness and compassion to me? His mortal enemy?
When the door swung open, it wasn’t Lucifer but his personal servant, Raphael. A disfigured demon, once handsome, his face now scarred and it pulled his lip up toward his nose. Greenhorns once sharp were cut off at their base leaving splinters of graying bones.
This fate, his fate, might be mine if I couldn’t win my argument against Lucifer. I had to be ready for battle and it wasn’t one I ever wished to wage.
“He wasn’t expecting you, but you’re welcome to come in and wait. The sitting room has been prepared.”
“Thank you.”
I followed Raphael in through the pristine foyer. Beautiful chandeliers hung and the floors shined brought as blood. On each golden table, a vase decorated the top. French white doors opened into the study where lush sofas greeted me. Instead of sitting, I went to the long table beneath the window. An array of sweets and treats sinful smells awaited to be eaten.
Easily tempted by all things, I popped a chocolate covered cream treat into my mouth. Licking my lips, I washed it down with a glass of wine. Red—the only kind Lucifer believed in serving.
“A sight to be seen, my daughter is.”
I jumped, not expecting to see him lingering by the fireplace. I reached for a cloth napkin to prepare myself. “Father, I didn’t hear you come in.” I cleared my throat and rushed some wine to calm my jittery nerves.
His wrists flicked out at the fireplace as he approached me. The coattails of his robe still singed with flame, but they settled down as he drew near. “I traveled through the flame. Memory serves, you loved that trick when you were small. It was everything to you once and made you laugh.”
“There are many things I used to love.”
“Hell being one of them.” Lucifer took my hand in his and examined it. What did he see that made his eyes dance? They enlarged as if they saw something he didn’t like. Was it so easy for him to read me that I didn’t even need to speak? “You’re clammy. Nervous. Have I given you reason to be afraid, Amara?”
He rarely spoke my name so softly, and paired with his furrowed brow, it made my insides quiver like I was a child again. A feeling which should’ve been behind me for over nine hundred years. “Of course not, Father.” Had the tremor in my voice betrayed me?
The wrinkles on his face relaxed as he kissed my cheek. “Then come in. Chat. It’s been awhile since you graced me with a visit that wasn’t ordered.”
I followed him and we sat together on the sitting sofa. Comfortable as it was, I couldn’t relax. My back was stiff and Lucifer continued to stroke my hand like I was his little pet. Was it any wonder I couldn’t wait to get out of there?
To be stuck with him in hell forever…I had to keep my mind on Cathal. He offered me the freedom I needed so badly.
“We sat here once. You were adorable and the apple of my eye, as humans say. I bounced you on my knee. Lucifer, king of hell. Prince of lies. There were many words used to describe me, but father was never supposed to be one of them. Do you remember, darling daughter?”
I did, but I remembered it differently. I cried because he singed me after I spoke out of turn. Screaming because he hit me. Never allowed to pick out my own outfits or allowed to speak my mind. He only bounced me on his knee to calm my tears and when that didn’t work, he had his servant whip me.
“I do. Of course, I do.”
<
br /> “Being a father taught me about unconditional love.”
Love.
Lucifer stroked my cheek with the back of his hand. He was so close; I could feel the heat rising off of him. He burned, even when you couldn’t see the flames, he always burned. Now my flesh warmed in his presence until it was almost too much.
“Love?” I moved away from the sofa, unable to take it anymore.
Was it a lie? A trick? What did the devil know about love? Power he loved but not other creatures. No matter who they were. I didn’t know which end was up anymore, but I knew why I’d come. I had to stick to our plan.
“Father, the gladiator games….”
“Ahh, the reason you came. If you think we can resume our previous discussion—.” He rested on the sofa in leisure, he threw his arms over the back like he was a man of leisure.
“I want to go ahead with the games.”
“You do?” Lucifer leaned forward and an eyebrow arched. “Fascinating.”
Unable to look at him anymore, I rubbed my hands together. I feared nothing like I feared him, but I searched for the courage to go on. “Members of your inner circle all nominated an opponent. You nominated your own, as it is your right. I only ask,” I gulped, “that I’m allowed to nominate my own.”
“Indeed.” Lucifer stood and paced with purpose. Even though he stopped in the center of the room, I backed up and placed my hand on the mantel. He was already too close.
Whatever he planned to do, I couldn’t get a read on him and that made my nerves fester. “Can I name an opponent? If the advantage is given to Markus I don’t see why it’ll matter. One more in the arena won’t change the outcome that much, will it?”
My mouth went dry as Lucifer considered his answer. His eyes ticked to the side and his lips creased as he blew out a breath. “Tell me the name of your chosen opponent before I agree to go along with this. And careful what you say next, Amara.” The tone of voice was caustic.
Ice ran through my veins. Lucifer suspected. Somehow he knew, but I’d come too far to back down now. “The angel, Cathal.” I gathered my strength and stood to attention, awaiting a full frontal assault.
A glow of red emitted from his body. His black wings snapped open with a flash of wraith and sooth and Lucifer screamed. His brow pinched together, a funnel cloud grew behind his eyes. He launched into the air to strike and pounced toward me.
I screamed and sprang into action. My wings flapped open and I kicked off from the ground and met Lucifer in the air. Charge for charge. There wasn’t time for rational thought as he wielded his red glowing demon sword. Longer than most and with an ornate hilt; powered off his unending hate it glowed red.
My arms crossed in mid-air above my head and his sword reverberated off of the metal cuffs I wore. Like a dance, we battled. Spinning and ducking. I drew my rope of flame and lassoed the tip of his sword, flinging it free from his hand. The sword fell and sliced clear through the sofa.
Lucifer’s foot kicked my gut. I flipped end over end until my body careened into the locked den door. The walls vibrated as I tumbled forward. My wings pointed down, I charged with a scream, but Lucifer leaned forward, head bent low. His sonic scream drew blood from my ears and like a wounded dove, I crashed to the coffee table, splintering its legs.
My heart spun and the coffee table collapsed beneath me. Lucifer slammed onto his feet and retrieved his sword, pointing it right beneath my jaw. I pushed my hair back but didn’t move any farther. My chest labored for air.
I’d lost. Submitting was the only course of action I had.
Lucifer’s eyes raged and his face glowed red with the thirst for revenge. “My own daughter would ask to marry an angel? To allow one such as that in my arena! Do you take me for a fool, child?”
I had to play his game, but how? My mind reached and searched for the correct answer to his question. “A fool, no! Short sighted, maybe. Hear me out, Father. Think of the fight, would you? Think of the excitement. The mystery of it all. It would captivate all of your subjects.”
“And if he wins? What do you suggest we do, Amara? There will be no place in hell for him. Or you.”
“If he wins, I win my freedom from this bond of marriage and you give him to me so I can finish out my games. If he loses, he dies while everyone watches and I marry whoever is left standing. A win-win, if you ask me. A tournament of the century.”
Lucifer’s eyes narrowed, but his arm lowered almost to the point where I felt safe. “And you would be willing to take this gamble?”
“I would.” My heart trembled, but the words I spoke were as honest as any other. I was ready to sacrifice myself for true freedom.
Lucifer sheathed his sword and it disappeared beneath his robe like it had never been there. “Then know this. Your fate will be tied to his. If he dies, you marry the victor. If he wins…you will no longer be welcome in hell. I hope this game is worth it, to you.”
“What fun is life if not for the thrill of the game.” I picked myself off the floor and Lucifer’s gaze told me he wasn’t done.
“Tonight after the banquet he will be moved into the arena’s living quarters with the rest of the opponents and I will not offer him my protection.”
“Father!” So my gladiator would have no chance? He might as well have murdered Cathal himself.
“Silence your tongue! You’ve lost your right to criticize me or speak out. Is that clear? You will go along with my rules or you will forfeit your life here and now.”
I bowed my head and struggled with my thoughts. My feelings. Cathal couldn’t die before the games started. If he did, it would be all for nothing.
“I will speak with the others. Tell them no harm is to come to him before the first gladiator game, but what happens after that…” Lucifer shrugged.
“Yes, Father.” I turned to leave, but he touched my shoulder.
“And Amara, never ask me for a favor again. All my good will toward you is spent.” Lucifer offered me his hand.
I had no choice but to take it and kiss it. My lips lingered against his skin and his fingers flicked against my chin. A gentle stroke for someone I’d just battled and lost. It caused confusion about feelings for my father, but not in the choices I made. I wanted no part of the inner chamber and would risk it all to avoid it.
Lucifer’s eyes regarded me and the angry windstorm in them, had died down.
“If you’ll excuse me, Father….”
Lucifer went to the bar to pour himself a drink. “I think not. You’ll report immediately to your quarters and there you’ll stay until tonight’s banquet. You’ll appear at the gladiator games, but after the festivities end, you’ll return to your room. A guard will be outside your door at all times.”
How would I warn Cathal about tonight? Panic surged in my chest and my body temperature surged with heat. There was nothing I could do, or the deal would be off, but somehow I had to find a way. Somehow.
He finished his drink and held the glass high to gaze into the prism it created. “Consider yourself my honored guest.”
Prisoner. Lucifer might as well have said it. “As you wish, Father.” I couldn’t get out of there fast enough, but I wouldn’t rush or run. That would give Lucifer too much pleasure.
After that, I excused myself and met Raphael in the hall. His eyebrows rose. “You are either very brave, or very stupid.”
I didn’t know which I was, but I had to warn Cathal before that night’s banquet. But on the way to my room, two armed guards followed three paces behind me. I would never get close to the dungeon now.
In my room, I closed my door and paced. Chewing on my fingernail I tried to come up with a plan. I didn’t have one until Magenta came in with her usual rushed footsteps. In her hands, a feather duster flicked back and forth. “Is it true what everyone is saying?” Her words came fast and her cheeks flushed.
“Magenta—.” Yes, she could be my answer—my solution.
She gasped and her mouth flew open. “It is true! What
would make you choose an angel? Have you lost your mind? You’ll never be in his good graces again!” Magenta raised her hand to strike me, but I caught it.
“Listen, would you? This is the only way I’ll ever be free. I must use the gladiator games against him or I’ll be trapped here in hell. But I need your help. Can you help me?”
Magenta’s eyelids fluttered as she sighed. “Don’t ask this of me, Amara.”
“If everything you’ve always said was true, if you love me like a daughter, you’ll help me.” I went to my desk and wrote a note in fire. The flames quickly burned away and I was left with smoldering ash. I caught the smoke and handed it to Magenta.
She cupped her fist tight as the smoke disappeared. Worry lines creased her forehead. “You would rather be dead than marry one of us?”
“I rather be dead than be married to one of father’s cronies. Forced to work side by side with them both for an eternity. If I’m forced to marry into the inner circle, I’ll lose everything about me, Magenta.”
She gazed down at her hand and her shoulders rounded.
“It’s just a warning,” I begged with her. Pleaded.
Magenta sighed. “Then I will take it to him. I will warn him for you, but I hope you know the dangerous game you’re playing. You’ll lose. Lucifer…he always wins.” Magenta turned and her quick step led her from the room.
I had to hope she was wrong. Lucifer had lost once before and he could lose again. Sitting on the edge of my bed, I held my face in my hands. I hoped Magenta made it in to see Cathal and I hoped he realized how much we were risking.
I wouldn’t get to see him again until that night, and how badly I craved it. If he could only touch me again like he had earlier that day…but it was a fool’s wish. Still, I wanted it. Even for just a moment.
The devil’s daughter got a lot of things, but love wasn’t one of them.
8: Cathal
I paced back and forth in my cell, awaiting Amara’s return. My plan was a crazy one and had almost no chance of success, but it had a greater chance than being locked in this cage. Any chance was better than none and if there was a way to get through to Amara…