by Brandi Bell
“Fine,” I smile up at him.
We grab our champagne, and I like the way the bubbles tickle the back of my throat. I could get used to drinking this. We go to Zadkiel and stand next to him.
“The portal isn’t working. We knocked and knocked and nothing happened,” I tell him, my voice warbling with worry.
“That’s not good. Graden was there when I came through,” Zadkiel replies, his voice full of concern.
“It looks like we’re stranded here for now,” Maddox says. “We’re going to have a drink and try again.”
“Even Graden takes his portal duties seriously. Something is wrong,” Zadkiel frowns. “I’ll fly down and see what’s going on and let you through. Just don’t tell anyone I can do this please. Only fallen angels know about it.”
“There aren’t many of you either,” Maddox gives him an understanding look.
“Why would it be a bad thing if people knew?” I ask, not understanding their silent communication.
“Because they would stop trusting us on missions and we would be exiled,” Zadkiel explains. “Go wait at the portal site and knock in five minutes.”
He walks off, and we are left watching him, me with my jaw hanging open.
“Not a word of this to your father,” Maddox gives me a serious look.
“My lips are sealed,” I reply making a zipper signs over my lips. “I still don’t understand why they would stop trusting them.”
“They wouldn’t be able to track their movements, and it’s all about control with demons. You should know this,” he answers. “Enough about that.”
Maddox grabs me to him and brings his lips crashing down on mine in a breathtaking kiss.
“Yes they are,” he replies, his voice horse and gravely with lust.
“We better go to the portal site,” I whisper, trying to regain my composure.
For such a brief kiss, he has me shaken up. I wonder what a proper kiss would do?
As if he read my mind, he winks. “Just wait until I kiss you properly.”
I smile, shake my head, and grab his hand as we walk back to the portal. By the time we arrive, it’s been about five minutes. Maddox knocks, and we are portaled instantly this time.
Zadkiel is standing at the portal, and Graden is tied up and passed out in his chair. I run to him and start to untie him. Maddox slaps his hand lightly across Graden’s face, waking him up.
“I found him that way,” Zadkiel says, pointing to Graden.
“What’s going on? Why are you tying me up Clio? We aren’t in the bedroom,” Graden jokes as I finish untying the last knot holding him.
“How did you end up tied up?” Maddox asks him, his brow drawn.
“I don’t know; the last thing I remember was just sitting here then you slapping me,” Graden admits, looking sheepish.
“Is it possible you fell asleep on your own?” I ask gently him, not wanting him to think I’m accusing him of anything.
“That or someone knocked me out somehow,” he says looking at his feet.
“Let’s keep this to ourselves. Get back to running the portal, I have to go give my father a report,” I sigh, not wanting to see Daddy again anytime soon.
“Shouldn’t we figure out who tied me up?” Graden asks, a confused look on his face.
“It was probably our sabotage suspect, but Clio is right, we can’t tell anyone, or they will know Zad made it back here without the portal,” Maddox agrees.
“I don’t like this,” Graden grumbles, but drops the subject.
Maddox and I make our way downtown to my father’s office building and wait in the bland waiting room for him to call us in. Finally, his door opens, and he ushers us in.
“The mission went off without a hitch, but we still haven’t laid eyes on the demon that is sabotaging missions. Sloth is the next mission he should interrupt, so I’ll take Graden out next,” I explain, staring at my father’s chest, refusing to meet his eyes.
“Fine be gone then, and Cliona, remember what we talked about,” my father growls in frustration.
“Yes, father,” I reply as I walk out the door.
“What was that about?” Maddox asks, his face bunched in confusion.
“Family stuff, it doesn’t matter right now,” I sigh, not wanting to get into it.
“Let’s get to the bar; the other’s should be there already,” Maddox says, thankfully, dropping the subject.
We walk to the bar together hand in hand. When we arrive, the rest of the guys are standing outside talking. Now is a good time to talk to Dayson if I can get the rest of them to go inside without us.
“Um you guys, can I talk to Dayson privately?” I ask, drawing on the pavement with the tip of my toe.
“Sure Hot Cakes,” Graden smirks, then walks into the bar, the others following him.
“You want another kissing session already,” Dayson teases.
“No Sugar Britches, I want to punch you in your smug face!” I shriek then attempt to get myself under control.
A confused look passes his face.
“Meghan told my father about me not losing my virginity, which is your fault! Now, he gets to choose who I lose it to,” I yell at him while pushing him in the chest with both hands. “I should have never let you talk me out of doing that lousy frat boy.”
“It’s not my fault he found out. It’s that slutbag Meghan. Be mad at her, but I’m sorry,” Dayson replies, concern written on his face.
“I don't want the rest of the guys to know about this yet so keep your trap closed. We're not at that stage of the relationship yet, so hopefully, he'll pick one of you soon and it won't matter,” I stare him down letting him know I am serious.
“I'm not going to say I agree with your rationalization, but if that's what you want, Princess, then I'll keep my mouth shut,” Dayson replies, his face an open book as to his sincerity.
“Let’s get inside before they start wondering what’s going on,” I sigh, losing all the fight I had in me.
“After you, Princess,” Dayson replies, holding the door open.
Cliona
I walk through the open door, and we join the guys at our table in the back. I notice that people stop and whisper when I walk by. I wonder what it’s all about.
“Why is everyone talking about us?” I ask as I sit down.
“They are talking about you, Hot Cakes,” Graden says grinning from ear to ear.
“Why?”
“We’ve never let another person into our group before, and this isn’t the first time you’ve been seen here with us. We are generally thought of as unreachable,” Tanas explains, giving me a smug look.
“I hope it doesn’t mean people actually try to talk to us,” Kannon grumbles, his arms crossed across his chest.
“We’ll just shoot them down like always,” Zadkiel replies, attempting to hold in a laugh.
“I’m still waiting to hear what Ace means,” Maddox chimes in looking at me pointedly.
I feel my face heating, “It means a climatic experience, ok.”
The entire table bursts out in laughter at my admission. I can feel my body flush even further, making me glad my skin is already red. I should have made up some other meaning for the word, like greed and gambling. Hindsight is twenty-twenty.
After that, I stay quiet and listen to the rest of them share stories about previous missions they’ve been on together and order my fruity drink when the waitress comes by.
“So, I heard Meghan did something so bad she was strung up downtown,” Holdon brings up, making me spit my drink out all over the table.
“What did she do?” I ask, trying to sound nonchalant.
“I figured you could tell us. They said it was Asmodeus who did it,” Holdon replies looking at me dead in the eye.
I look at Dayson, and he nods as if he can read my mind. “Well you see when I first met Dayson I was on a mission to lose my virginity…”
“Basically, she confided in the jealous little envy demo
n who decided to tell Asmodeus on our Clio, and he didn’t accept the slight against his daughter very well,” Dayson finishes for me. Thankfully, he leaves out my punishment for defying my father.
I give him a relieved look for explaining it for me.
“Don’t feel bad, she wasn’t really your friend if she would do that to you. Serves her right,” Zadkiel says confidently.
“I know you're right Zadkiel, and I am aware she deserves what happened to her for what she did, but it still hurts. She was my friend for a very long time and that feeling of betrayal is consuming.” I try to keep all of the pain from my voice.
“She wasn’t a very good friend, and you have us now. It’s ok to feel hurt. Feelings don’t just go away immediately,” Maddox says, giving Zadkiel a dirty look.
“Hot Cakes, have another drink and forget about the wicked witch for a while,” Graden offers as he waves down the waitress.
By the time we finish drinking at the bar, I’m so drunk I can barely stand up. I’m a giggling mess. Graden was right, another drink then another really helped me forget about the pain my former best friend caused.
“She can’t walk home alone in this state,” Maddox points out.
“I’ll take her,” Kannon replies standing up and offering my hand.
“Just you and me, Big Guy?” I ask, my eyes opening wide.
“Yup, just you and me, Honey,” he gives the barest hint of a smile.
I take his hand and stumble but he catches me in his big strong arms. I feel safe even though he’s the demon I was the least sure about. We leave the bar and walk in silence until we arrive at my front door. He bends down and brushes his lips across mine.
“Next time, you’ll remember when I kiss you,” he teases then knocks on the door and leaves.
I fumble in my pockets for my keys, trying to let myself in before anyone can answer, but Mom opens the door just as I found them.
“Aren’t you a mess!” she exclaims, placing her hands on her hips. “I suppose you heard about Meghan then.”
I nod my head yes and break out into tears.
“There, there. Let’s get some coffee into you before your father gets home and sees the mess you’re in,” she says as she grabs my hand and leads me into the kitchen.
“It’s been the worst day of my life,” I wail as I sit in the kitchen chair.
“Tell me all about it, baby girl.”
“Meghan betrayed me and told Daddy I didn’t lose my virginity to a human like he told me to, then he said he gets to choose who I lose it to, then he strung her up for betraying me,” I explain between sniffles, slurring every word.
“He did what and what!” she screams. “When I get my hands on his over inflated ego, I’m going to wring his neck!”
“There’s no changing his mind once it’s made up.”
“I think he forgets you’re only half-demon sometimes. I’ll work on him. I’m proud of you for not throwing away your virginity at some random stranger,” she beams at me as she hands me a cup of coffee, fixed just how I like it with cream and sugar.
“You know once his mind is made up he won’t change it. Especially on a punishment like this,” I start bawling again. “How could my best friend betray me so deeply? What did I do wrong?”
“Nothing besides trust the wrong person. She always put herself before you; you just have too big of a heart and didn’t see it.”
“How can I trust anyone again? I’m scared everyone will betray me.”
“You just have to put your faith in people that put you first. Meghan never did that. Like how your guy friend walked you home to make sure you were safe. Meghan would have left you at the bar.”
“You’re right. How could I have been so blind for so long,” I cry harder.
“Shhhhh, sweet girl,” Mom says as she wraps her arms around me comforting me.
When my sniffles finally calm down, she let's go of me and wipes my tears from my face.
“You always know just what to say,” I give her a tiny smile as I finish my coffee.
“You’re in luck you can make it to bed before your father gets home, now scoot.”
I halfway stumble up the stairs and fall on my bed fully dressed and am asleep almost instantly.
Cliona
I wake up to my head pounding and a phone full of text messages.
Dayson: I hope you don’t feel too bad today.
Kannon: Text us back when you wake up.
Graden: Drink water.
Maddox: She’s not going to get up anytime soon guys.
Tanas: She might. Hangovers are funny like that, and she drank a lot.
Holdon: Stop texting the group or she’s going to wake up.
Zadkiel: Good afternoon Chèrie.
Me: Ugh my head is pounding.
After I send the text, I roll over and hold the pillow over my head to block out the light and sounds. My phone starts going off again and curiosity gets the best of me.
Graden: Drink some water, it will help.
Holdon: Tomato juice is better.
Maddox: Another drink works best.
I put the phone down and smile. They are all worried about me. Maybe my mom is right, and there are demons I can trust out there. I get up and drink a glass of water then take a hot shower.
The water and shower help some so I go downstairs, hoping Mom has some tomato juice in the kitchen. I find a note on the table next to a bottle of headache medicine and a big glass of tomato juice.
Clio,
Drink this with two tablets and it will help you feel better faster.
Love,
Mom
I smile at the note. She always seems to know just want I need, I’m so lucky to have a mom like her. I take the pills and down the tomato juice, and about half an hour later, I feel better finally. I grab my phone and text the guys back to see what the plan for this evening is and everyone is hanging out at Dayson’s again.
I go upstairs and head directly to my closet to get dressed for the day. After finding my favorite black skinny jeans and a black corset top with red roses, I head down the stairs to the door to go see my guys.
It doesn't take long to walk the little trek to Dayson's apartment. The bland brown of the scenery helped to mute my headache even more. I knocked on the door and wait impatiently for one of them to answer the door.
Luckily, I'm not waiting long before the door opens to a grinning Dayson. “About time you got here, Princess. I was about to send out a search party for you.”
“What’s the plan for today?” I ask, wondering if they’ve planned anything yet.
“How about going to the pit and watching bad souls get tortured?” Kannon suggests with a strange smile on his face.
“I haven’t done that in a long time, let’s go!” I exclaim excitedly.
“If we’re lucky, we might see Hitler get flayed,” Holdon grins.
We exit the apartment and begin the long walk out of town to the circles of hell. It’s a giant pit in the ground where each layer the punishments get worse until you get to the bottom. Only the worst of sinners are on that layer and are put on display for all the demons to see.
Once we arrive and pay for admission, we get seats at the edge of the pit and Zadkiel passes out binoculars for us to see more clearly. We look at the schedule and there are several men to be on display today, but unfortunately for Holdon, Hitler isn’t on the schedule.
There are nine circles, going down in a spiral fashion. The first circle, which is the highest, is full of non-Christians and who didn’t do anything wrong. It’s boring really. They live in a castle and have boring lives. You could also call it limbo. We look past it to the second circle.
The second one is where the souls corrupted by my father’s demons end up. In the lust circle violent winds blow everyone around, preventing them from resting ever.
The third circle is for the gluttonous. They live in an icy slush from never ending icy rain. I don’t understand what it has to do with gl
uttony, but most of the people there are rather large.
The fourth circle is greed. There are two groups of people constantly fighting. Living out their greed and fighting for eternity, never finding rest.
The fifth circle is wrath and much like the fourth circle it's full of fighting, but this time, it's everyone against one another. People are constantly killing each other to be resurrected, you know since they are already dead, to do it again.
The sixth circle is where envy plays. They are trapped in flaming tombs for eternity. I think it’s the worst punishment myself. I couldn’t imagine burning forever.
The seventh circle is sloth. The lazy are chased by dogs and torn apart when caught and put back together to be chased again.
The eighth circle is pride. The people on this level are tortured by flying monsters that burn them to ashes over and over again. Being terrorized without rest.
Finally, the ninth circle is reserved for the worst of the worst. These are the people so foul they are tortured by their personal demons on display for everyone to see.
“My father first brought me here when I was a child to explain what he did for a living,” I muse while watching the torture on the ninth level.
“It’s the favorite pastime of demons everywhere,” Maddox grins at me, making my butterflies go crazy.
“What's not to love about it, just look at them down there. That man over there is getting his penis chopped off continuously. That woman over there is getting her skin peeled off slowly only for it to grow back painfully to be ripped off again. And of course, you can't forget my favorite that man right there that is having his insides ripped out for him to hold and never die.” There was something about coming here that grounds me. It makes me feel like no matter how hard or difficult I think my life may be, it could be worse.
I put down my binoculars, turn to my guys, and notice not one of them is actually looking down at the circles. They are all looking at me.
“What?” I ask feeling uncomfortable with all of their attention.
“Just shocked that you enjoy this as much as we do I guess,” Holdon replies.