Page 62 of Prayer of the Damned
Chapter Thirty-One
Bartimaeus
In my room at the faculty dormitory, I fold my clothes which just came back from the laundry and notice shadows crossing the lawn in the back part of campus. I focus on the shadows and recognize one of them as Bellcolor. Her dark silky hair fans out in the wind, and I think I can smell her from here.
Where do you think you’re going?
I realize she’s sneaking off campus, grab my gun from the drawer as well as my coat, and I leap out the window. My left knee takes a serious hit from the jump, and I curse the filthy blood in my veins preventing my body from swiftly healing. I dash after the group of demons, recognizing some of my students among them as they get into two cars and drive towards town. I run to my car, turn off the alarm, get in and speed after them.
I almost lose them, but the heavy rock music from their cars leads me right to them, and I stay on their tails as they enter the south side of town, the industrial area. They park in an improvised parking lot, and move as one towards a dark alley.I peek and see a long line, at the end of which is a mountain of a bouncer who’s taken one too many steroids. As the door intermittently opens I recognize it as a nightclub. I smell the air and realize everyone present is a demon. One of the boys in the group presses Bellcolor to him and my muscles tense. She’s not pushing him away, which boils my blood even more. Why the hell does she have this influence on me? She’s damned, a curse to be banished. The mission to remove her from the lands of Adam was given to me, for God’s sake. And lately my filthy thoughts flood me with ideas that are quite opposed to my sacred purpose.
I recognize Valentina and wonder when they became friends again after I contaminated her mind. For a demon, Bellcolor isn’t as vindictive as I thought. Her ability to forgive outshines even the skills of holy angels. Valentina whispers something to the mountainous demon at the entrance, he laughs and lets them into the club.
I lean on the wall and pull out my cellphone, dialing His Holiness. He answers after the third ring.
“What is it, Bartimaeus? I’m preparing for an interview.”
“Hundreds of demons are currently partying in the center of a city filled with humans,” I respond. To hell with his interview.
“Send me a location, you’ll have Walter’s platoon in twenty minutes.”
I share my location with him, my hands starting to shake as adrenaline rouses my body. Shit, His Holiness is sending in the big guns. Walter’s platoon is merciless. It’ll be a bloodbath tonight.
I survey the building, finding no way to sneak into the club, and finally I lie down on the roof of the building and wait for Walter’s platoon. The bass erupting from the club hits me in the back, and I move my foot to the beat, passing the time until they arrive. I feel a burst of wind behind me and I smile.
“You’re late,” I say.
Ellis laughs. “I’m never late.” I turn to the toughest guardian angel I know. I was privileged to train under his close supervision. “Good to see you’re still in one piece, but bro, you stink.” He plugs his nose with one hand and the boys behind him choke down their laughter.
“Be quiet, you’ll give us away,” I chastise them. They fall silent at once.
I walk up to Ellis until my body’s almost pressed to his. “If you think I stink, you sure you can handle a hangar full of those stink bombs?” He flexes his wings and smiles, his way of signaling to me that he was ready. “Remember your orders: spray them all enough to lose blood, don’t let them near you, and whatever you do, steer clear of the Queen of the Damned. She’s mine.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
Bellcolor
“Where are we running?” I shout at Dr. Abano. The club’s long behind us, even the scent traces of demon blood have vanished and I can’t smell the awful massacre. Only the human blood drying in my hair and on my body fills my nose, reawakening my nausea. Dr. Abano doesn’t answer me, until I’ve finally had enough and pull my hand out of his grip.Where are we anyway? There’s nothing around us.We both seem to be standing in the middle of nowhere, in a rustic part of Italy. “My friends, are they…?” I lean on my knees and pant heavily. My body’s certainly stronger after the transformation, faster and with greater endurance, but I still fucking hate running.
“Don’t be fooled into thinking any of them were your friends.” His voice is dripping with venom and he looks at me disdainfully. What’s his deal?
“Were?” I suddenly realize he chose to use past tense.
“Well, technically they can’t die, but I promise you that when the holy army’s done with them, they’ll be as good as dead.” His eyes alternately flash white and deep green.
“You’re just as monstrous as they are!” I scream at him.And I’m the most monstrous of all,the reminder echoes in my mind. Because unlike them, who can only be temporarily harmed by demons, I sent Tyra back to her creator. Of the two of us, I’m the murderer.
“I never presumed to present myself any differently.” He shrugs and looks up at the sky, seeking God knows what.
“So who are you, really, Dr. Abano?”
“Good God, will you stop calling me that? We both know we’re past formalities, so stop your innocent act!” He seems very tense.
“Okay, Bar,” I fake a smile. “So who are you really? A martyr or a sinner in disguise?” My question annoys him. I catch the muscle tensing in his jaw. He isn’t looking at me. He hasn’t looked away from the sky. I raise my head but there’s nothing there. “Is it because you failed your mission?” I continue to provoke him.
“I haven’t failed,” he quickly replies. “I give you my word, Lilith, I’ll banish you from this place.”
“Belle.”
