Page 80 of A Deal in Darkness
It’s about time I gave my girl the attention she deserves and after last night, I’m certain she’s earned it. It won’t take me long to arrange and the detour to collect the item I require will be a pleasant distraction from everything else I have to do. I’dplanned on making a trip to Hell anyway, and this will give me the perfect excuse.
“It’s time to rise, baby. We don’t want you to be late for work.”
Adriana groans, stretches, and staggers to the bathroom. I made damn sure she was clean after last night, so she wouldn’t be upset or confused this morning. I don’t need the hassle of her anger and the fussing is more than I can bear today—or most other days.
I dress and she emerges, still slightly dazed. I watch her sexy little ass as she staggers across my room, heading for her closet. I’m tempted to insist she wears a plug today, but it’ll distract me and I need to focus on other matters.
Especially when I’m visiting Hell.
It’s been a while and my domain should be secure, but demons are devious fuckers and at least one is screwing with me. I’ve survived this long by being prepared, vicious and extremely thorough—and old habits die hard, more so when they serve me well.
My girl emerges in tailored trousers and a thin blouse, letting me glimpse her lace bra. Adriana looks hot and I’m torn between shredding her top and fucking her for wearing such a revealing outfit and letting her go out, showing everyone her pert assets that belong to me.
“Did you decide on that book?” I ask, buying myself time to contemplate my dilemma and stare at her hardening nipples.
“Anna’s one?”
“No, the other one?”
Adriana’s tits are spectacular, and they’re a fucking distraction. My cock responds, hardening as I recall the way they move when I’m plowing her into the mattress.
“I’m still not sure.”
“Take it. I’ll make sure it works out for you. You deserve this, baby. Let me make you happy.”
She fucking beams at me like I’ve said something adorable and I like the feeling. It’s sickly, warm and fuzzy, entirely undemonic, but I want more of it. If it had a color, it’d be blush pink, matching the hue creeping up Adriana’s neck and spreading over her face.
I’m obsessed with this girl.
Hopelessly, entirely infatuated.
Not just her body, either. I want her little smiles and sighs of contentment. I want her hair to curl around her finger as she reads. I want her eyes to flick to mine with that fucking glint in them. Because all of them tell me how her mind works.
I’mlovesickand I don’t even want to fight it.
I escort her to the car, glaring at her driver to remind him not to put one fucking foot an inch out of line. He’s vicious and he knows his place, and I’ve found an occasional reminder helps keep things running smoothly.
I message Byron and there’s some news, but it isn’t as much as I’d hoped for. He’s also beginning to question whether Eva is telling us everything she knows and now I’ve piqued his curiosity, he’ll pursue her until he gets whatever answers he needs.
My coffee tastes bitter and I allow myself a second cup. It’s strong, invigorating, and the triple espressos give me a kick that helps me prepare for what’s ahead.
Hell is, quite frankly, hellish.
I love it as much as I loathe it. I revel in its torture and mourn the heat from its pits of despair. I adore the sounds of souls screaming and detest the pleas for mercy.
It’s everything I was born for and the fires that burn in its deepest circles birthed me. It’s home and the comfort I take from the distress I find there is soothing. It appeases the cravings raging inside me. It alleviates my anger while stoking my rage and making me hungry for more of everything that Hell has to offer.
The shadows shroud me in darkness and I summon their obsidian, weaving hate and envy around me as I allow myself to fall. Descending into Hell is never comfortable, but the thrill is worth the vexation. The shades darken and I pull them closed, wrapping them around me as my muscles ripple and flex, tensing in anticipation.
Reality strips itself bare and the divide between this plane and the others exposes itself. I weave through the layers forming the fabric of life and drop into death, sinking further into depravity. My form plunges lower still and I cross the threshold of Hell, stooping to the base level of the underworld.
I close my eyes, inhale sulfur and phosphorus, and burn.
Fire licks my skin and rages through my entrails, consuming me inside and out. The inferno is hotter than any fire known to man, and its agony is exquisite. I roar to release the heat inflaming me and announce my return: the lord has returned.
My footsteps echo through the barren landscape. Its red baked clay cracks open as I stride toward the talisman waiting on the other side of the desert. I deviate from the path, ignoring the lost souls traveling it as they head to their eternal doom—for I know these lands and they are mine to command and manipulate.
The journey is not long.
