Plotting our way into Hell.
“Where did you get this?”
Dane used my coffee cup as a paperweight, holding down one of the corners of an old map he’d spread out on our kitchen table. Rather than move it and have the corner curl up, I grabbed a new mug from the cabinet and poured a fresh cup.
“Apollyon isn’t at our beck and call. Although he seems to make an awful lot of trips topside to see you.” Dane traced a route on the map with his index finger, trying to keep a serious expression, but I saw the smirk as he avoided my glare.
“Three times. And one was in Purgatory, so that doesn’t count.” None of that helped my argument.
Dane’s teasing grated on my nerves, mostly because there was some truth to it. I was on the Devil’s radar in a big way. All his plans hinged on luring me to the dark side. So far he’d failed. But that hadn’t stopped him from trying. Almost every night, in fact. I felt him, just on the edge of sleep, lurking in the corners of my mind. He was waiting for me, waiting to tempt me into giving myself over to him. Apparently my soul wasn’t enough. Not when he’d acquired it under duress. And not while I was still alive. Killing me had gotten a whole lot harder.
Unfortunately, so had resisting him.
I hadn’t told Dane or Tobias that he’d repeatedly entered my dreams, disguised himself as Dane on more than one occasion, brought me to the brink of surrender, sometimes through pleasure, other times through pain. If my days were long, filled with hunting demons and closing portals, the nights were longer. I’d been haunted by demons most of my life, usually finding reprieve from the torment in my sleep, but now even that eluded me.
Going to Hell looking for Lazarus wasn’t just risky, it was insane, but I needed to fulfil my end of the deal with Maloney. No vengeance for his dead mother, no intel on the spear. And I needed to find the spear before the Devil or his minions did, because if he couldn’t lure me to his side, the next best way to win was to kill me.
“I was given the map when I agreed to find Joan.” Dane refused to meet my eyes when he mentioned my birth mother. His focus was squarely on the map, converting the distance we’d have to travel based on the legend.
“Why would he give you a map?” I knew the answer before I finished asking the question. A wave of fresh anger and betrayal washed over me. I’d forgiven him for the things he’d done before we knew each other, when my mother had been just one of many bargains struck.
But that had been before I knew he was going to deliver her to him.
“What was the plan? To walk my mother through Hell and lay her at his feet?’ My fists clenched at my sides, itching to make contact with his face.
“What matters more? What could have happened or what did?” Dane met my eyes then, a silent plea in his gaze to remember what he’d really done for Joan in the end.
I unclenched my fists, rubbing my palms along the sides of my jeans to ease the itch for a fight that still lingered in my system. I tried not to dwell on Joan any more than I did Thomas. No good came from toying with what-ifs. I’d learned that the hard way after my first dance with the Devil.
A familiar pop, a sort of fizzle in the air that I’d begun to associate with Tobias, came from the weapons room. Once a second bedroom where Thomas had slept, Tobias had converted the room into a small arsenal under the command of the Principles. Everything we needed from ammo to holy water was supplied by our heavenly hosts. Apparently Tobias had tired of knocking on the front door and had taken to just popping in. As usual, his timing was impeccable.
“So, how did it go with the Romani?” Tobias brushed off the front of his jacket and pants as if cloud remnants clung to his suit.
“How do you think it went?” I tried and failed not to direct my leftover anger at the angel.
“Not as well as I’d hoped, by the looks of things.” Tobias pointed to the map unfurled on our kitchen table. “Is that what I think it is?”
“Yeah. Want to know how he got it? Wait, let me guess, you already know.” The look on Tobias’s face confirmed my suspicion. angels don’t wear guilt well. Something to do with their heavenly conscience.
“That’s why I’m here. Well, not how he got the map, but the reason you’re examining it.” Tobias covered his mouth with a fist, clearing his throat before returning his hand to its position behind his back. “You certainly got the raw end of the deal you made with Maloney.”
“What I got was swindled. The man’s a hustler. And you let me walk into that with a two-line email? No profile, no reports, nothing except what I found out about his mother Lala on Google. And we need to talk about Lala, by the way.”
“You’re in rare form today.” Joining us at the table, Tobias tapped a finger on the map. “This is surprisingly detailed.”
“Don’t think you’re off the hook about the Melina King thing.” Arms crossed over my chest, I stepped to the other side of the table so Tobias could join Dane looking at the map. I figured with his divine insight he might have better luck deciphering the legend and key than I would. Besides, neither of them were on my good side at the moment, and I didn’t feel like being wedged between them. “Any tips for getting through the nine circles of Hell?”
“This isn’t Dante’s Inferno. This is the real thing. The only variation in Hell is the level of pain you experience. You’re all awash in the same torturous pit. The level of sin determines the level of discomfort, and I assure you, without whatever bargain Apollyon offered along with this map, you won’t make it. Either of you.” The angel yanked the map out from under the mugs holding it in place in a move smoother than any magician I’d ever seen. “One step inside, Jax, and you’d be his body and soul. Nothing you’ve experienced here on Earth can compare with what you’d feel. Your sin is the worst of all. And you, Sin Eater, just because Thomas absolved you doesn’t mean your soul is squeaky clean. The taint of what you’ve consumed coats your insides.”
“Did he offer you safe passage?” I hoped the answer was no. If there was a way to navigate without the protection of Apollyon, there was still a chance we could pull it off.
“He did.” Shoulders slumped, Dane’s body language admitted defeat. We weren’t going to storm into Hell without a way to cope with the pain or avoid it altogether.
“If I may be so bold as to offer an alternative to certain death?”
I didn’t like where this was headed. Tobias was way too casual for my liking. Oh, his talk was all smooth and fancy, but there was an air of confidence, something he’d seen or been told before coming to the apartment. He hadn’t laid all his cards on the table, but I was betting there was an ace up his sleeve.
“I took the liberty of making a reservation for you at Mt. Royal.”
“A reservation? Mt. Royal’s a bar. Since when do you need a reservation?” I thought the angel would have tipped his hand, but his poker face was better than mine. I just wanted to know how the hell I was getting into Hell.
“You do if you want to have a meeting with the Devil’s right hand. There’ve been some new rules instated at the bar since your last visit. Seems they aren’t too keen on the Devil supplanting their barkeep.” Tobias set a crisp white appointment card, like you’d get at the dentist, on the table where the map had been.
“That wasn’t my fault. And since when is Lazarus his right hand?” I’d been dealing with that particular demon on a regular basis since I was seventeen. I knew what level he was, and it wasn’t that high on the demon totem pole.
“Oh, it’s not Lazarus. But if you want to hand him over to Maloney, you’re going to have to meet with Beelzebub.”
“Beelzebub? You mean the Devil.” Flabbergasted that this was his idea, I dropped into one of the kitchen chairs, wishing my coffee were something stronger.
“Common misconception. Most people think Beelzebub is another name for the Devil, but he’s a separate demon entirely. Once a prince of the Seraphim, in fact, his sin of choice is pride. I’m sure you can see why he rose through the ranks so easily.
” Tobias pulled a fine gold chain out of his pocket. A small charm dangled from it. “You should probably wear this.”
“St. Francis?” I fingered the gold figurine hanging from the chain. “Why St. Francis? Isn’t he the patron saint of animals or something?” Apparently I needed to brush up on my saints.
“Jesus, Tobias.” Dane vigorously rubbed his face with his hands, as if that would somehow make it all go away.
“He’s going to have to sit this one out, I’m afraid. But he’ll certainly be rooting for you. I’ll check in after your meeting. And try not to accept the first offer this time. Negotiate a little.” With that, Tobias popped back out of the apartment.
“When’s the meet?” Dane reached across the table for the appointment card. “At seven o’clock. Well after sunset. At least the bar will be packed. The later the hour, the more demons. If it was for this afternoon I would have been worried.”
“So you’re not worried?” I held back a chuckle. “The way you’re gnawing on your bottom lip says otherwise.”
“Fine, I’m more than a little worried. But the hour of the meeting is in our favor. Tobias managed that much. And even the smallest advantage helps.” Dane fingered the card, flipping it over and over again. “Where’s your laptop? We need to do some research before you face off with Beelzebub.”
“What kind of name for a demon is Beelzebub anyway? I mean, as far as names go it doesn’t instil the most fear.” I rambled on some more, throwing out suggestions for more intimidating names while I grabbed my laptop off the counter. Unplugging it from the charger, I brought it over to the table and fired it up.
“I can’t believe you’re cracking jokes at a time like this. This is serious, Jax.” Dane spun the computer around to face him, fingers flying across the keyboard as he started his search.
“I thought it was a legitimate observation.” I moved to stand behind him, trying to read the results over his shoulder. “Tough crowd,” I mumbled when he didn’t so much as crack a smile.
“Sorry I don’t share your levity at the situation.” Dane turned, glaring at me over his shoulder. “Are you even paying attention?”
“Hey, I’m just trying to keep it light so I don’t lose my nerve and fuck up the meeting. You don’t have to tell me how serious or important it is. I’m well aware. This kind of shit has been happening to me for a while now, in case you didn’t notice.” Grabbing the laptop’s screen, I shoved it across the table and took the seat opposite him.
“You haven’t gone up against a demon like him before. Not even close to the power he’s likely to have.” Dane sighed, raking a hand through his hair in frustration. “This is fucked up. Why are the Principles, and Tobias for that matter, playing coy? This is twice now they’ve sent you into blind negotiations.”
“I don’t know, but at least this time you can come with me. Unless of course there’s bad blood between you and the number two guy in Hell?” I didn’t look up from the screen, trying to figure out what the connection was between the patron saint of animals and the demon overlord. “I mean, they haven’t really given us all that much information when you think about it. Most of it we have to figure out on our own and then Tobias confirms it.”
“I still don’t like it.”
“Me either, but what choice do we have? I need the information Maloney has. Maloney wants Lazarus. You heard Tobias – we’d never survive our snatch-and-grab trip to Hell. This is the best option we have right now, like it or not.” I picked up the necklace Tobias had given me, admiring the detail in the charm before slipping it over my head. “Where are you going?”
Dane got up from the table, pausing at the entrance to the kitchen. “I’m going to see what we’ve got in our arsenal that won’t violate Mt. Royal’s weapons policy. There’s no way in hell I’m going in there unarmed. And neither are you.”
I couldn’t really argue with that.
Chapter Six
It started to rain before we left the apartment. A steady drizzle that smothered the slow-burning fires smoldering outside the safe zone. Thick smoke rolled in, limiting our ability to see beyond arm’s length. BCFD needed a reprieve from the fires, but it made for an erie walk to the bar. Mt. Royal’s neon sign struggled to be seen in the dense smoke, managing a mottled orange glow and making the whole thing seem even more ominous. Clamping down on my nerves, I grabbed Dane’s hand and ascended the steps leading into the bar.
The place was empty. So much for having an advantage.
As it turned out, there hadn’t been much of anything in the apartment that wouldn’t violate Mt. Royal’s weapon policy. Hence the little gift from Tobias. It wasn’t every day an angel bought you jewelry, but when they did it was certainly meaningful.
With the demon nowhere in sight, Dane and I chose a table in the back corner facing the entrance. We took the two seats against the wall, which prevented our backs from being exposed. It wasn’t much in the way of protection, but I relished the false sense of security it offered. Anything to bolster my bravado when facing a demon of the highest level. I’d yet to encounter one as strong as Beelzebub. My plan involved both Dane and me walking out of the bar. In order for that to happen, we both needed to come out of the meeting alive.
Dane pulled out a black light marker and began writing symbols across the tabletop, separating us from the demon with angelic script across the middle and scripture along the sides. Feeling for the charm, I made sure St. Francis sat on the outside of my shirt in plain sight of the demon. Small comforts, but it was the best we were going to get. And then we waited.
And waited.
I’d just about given up hope that Beelzebub would show when the tell-tale scent of burnt charcoal and sulfur wafted into the room. The irony of feeling hopeless and the timing of his arrival wasn’t lost on me. I’d been in a similar situation before. At least my soul wasn’t up for grabs this time. The Devil already owned it.
“A demon walks into a bar…” I couldn’t come up with a punchline. There wasn’t anything funny about what was about to take place.
Dane reached under the table, resting his hand on my thigh and giving a reassuring squeeze. He didn’t seem as anxious as I was. Reminding myself that I’d gone up against his master and lived to tell the tale, I forced myself to calm down.
Beelzebub was a physical manifestation of his sin, from the shine on his shoes to the swagger in his walk. One might confuse it for vanity, given the three-piece Armani suit and Italian leather loafers, but the demon was all pride, and it oozed from his pores.
“Jacqueline Lilith Rhoades, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.” Beelzebub pulled a handkerchief from inside his suit jacket, covering the top of the chair back before he pulled it out from the table. Dusting the seat off before officially joining our party, he neatly tucked the cloth back into his jacket pocket. “Sin Eater.” The demon barely acknowledged Dane with a nod.
“All good things, I hope.” Sarcasm dripped from my lips. Nervous as I was, as much as there was riding on the meeting, I couldn’t give two shits what a demon thought about me.
“That may depend entirely on who you ask. But all in all I’d have to say yes.” The demon leaned forward, about to rest his elbows on the table when the wards hit him. Brow furrowed, he leaned back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest instead, looking better suited for a seat in a boardroom than next to the lord of Hell.
“How about we skip the small talk? You have something I need. I’m assuming you want something in exchange?” Feeling a little more confident thanks to Dane’s clever thinking and wards, it was my turn to lean in, forearms resting on the square tabletop.
“Right down to business. I like that.” Beelzebub stretched his legs out under the table, crossing them at the ankles. “The terms of your agreement with the gypsy have been brought to my attention. Your ability to uphold your end of the bargain rests entirely upon the success of this negotiation.”
“Thank you, Captain Obvious. I’d
say that just about sums up the situation.” That snarky quip earned me an elbow-jab from Dane. Ignoring his not-so-subtle warning to tone it down and at least pretend to placate the powerful demon sitting across from us, I plowed ahead. Never let them see you sweat. Besides, if I backed down, Beelzebub would jump at the chance to dominate the conversation.
“Charming – she must be an absolute joy to wake up to every morning.” The demon looked at Dane but didn’t wait for an answer. “Should I find out for myself, Dane McDonough?”
“A night with Jax isn’t on the table.” Dane’s jaw clenched, the muscles twitching as he fought to control his temper.
“On the table, on the bed, it makes no difference to me. What’s the matter, Sin Eater? Afraid she’ll like it?” For effect, the demon slowly licked his lips.
“Pride goeth before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” Unable to throw a knife at the demon, I opted for throwing scripture instead.
“Book of Proverbs. You’d do well to remember that one yourself, Jacqui-girl. Mortal sins aren’t up for negotiation, I take it. Fine. If you aren’t willing to trade your flesh, your mind will do. Open it up to him, and I will hand over Lazarus.”
Fucked. Completely and totally fucked. I might as well have agreed to a sleepover with Beelzebub. That might have had a better outcome.
“Come on, Jax, he’s come to you more than once. Make it easy on yourself and stop refusing him.” Beelzebub made it sound like he was doing me a favor, asking for something I was bound to give up in the future anyway.
Open myself to the Devil, walk away with a demon and a “Welcome to the dark side” bumper sticker. As if anything was ever that simple. Tobias had warned me not to take the first offer. I was pretty sure in this instance he was dead wrong.
Dane gave me a look – the look. The one that said I’d been holding out on him and we would be having a conversation about it at some point. Most likely a heated conversation, in which he would scold me about the dangers of keeping secrets – which was completely irrelevant after the fact and unlikely to prevent it from happening again.
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