Page 82 of A Deal in Darkness
And at least one of my lieutenants knows. Either Eva is even more cunning than I’d imagined or Byron has played me for a fool. My teeth grind and before I snarl, exposing their sharpness to anyone stupid enough to hang around and stare, aware that they could be working together.
This isn’t why I came here, and I’ve still got work to do—but I’ll be damned if I let anyone wrench the power from my claws. I’ve worked too damn hard for too damn long to let someone snatch what is mine from me. This is mine, and it’s mine by absolute decree.
I will not bow. I will not retreat.
I’m going to fucking obliterate the cocksuckers who dare to consider challenging me for my domain. I’ll reduce them to nothing, make them as insignificant as the familiar I just doomed to oblivion and I’ll take pleasure in turning them into piles of piss and ash.
23
REAP AND RISE
ENZO
Afew more familiars feel my wrath and I'm a damn sight better for it. The torches burn a little brighter, even in my inner sanctum where they shone only a little less than before.
I gaze at my surroundings and take a breath of acidic air. The opulent furnishings and priceless masterpieces that adorn the rooms are still as beautiful as ever, yet they don't have quite the hold over me they once did. The statues are exquisite, but their marble doesn't hold a candle to Adriana. The nudes are magnificent, but my girl is more stunning than any woman painted on canvas. The jewels sparkle and disperse the light, buttheir fire doesn't hold the same appeal as the innocent blue eyes that stare at me. Especially when they're pleading with me for more or begging me for mercy.
While time works differently in Hell, I don't have much before I need to return to her. She's protected, but my absence is a risk and I won't leave her unguarded for long. She's too valuable to lose, and I can't bear the thought of her being damaged by anyone other than me.
I throw open the heavy gold doors, ignoring the carvings depicting the story of Lucifer's fall and Eve's temptation. It didn't happen quite the way humans believe it did, and the girl was ruined by the time he finished with her. Lucifer assures everyone she loved it, and I don't doubt his prowess.
Now isn't the time to wonder what he'll make of Adriana, or allow myself to become jealous over a possibility I won't allow to pass.
It's the time to stare down the demons basking themselves in my glory. The fuckers freeze as I meet their gaze and count their numbers, noting demons made of earth and air, fire and water, lust and loathing among my minions.
They're reclining on my goddamn furniture like they own the fucking place, most mid-coitus. Interrupted mid fuck. Bodies lie entangled in each other, enjoying the pleasure of their debauchery.
There's so much cock and cunt it's hard to see anything else. The smell of sex hangs in the air and I inhale it, tasting their lust and arousal. Orgies are not uncommon in Hell and this has been quite the party if the liquids staining the furniture and floors are any judge of their encounters.
I smirk, and their fear surges into the sulfuric air, heightening my excitement and my power. I feed off their panicand when I beat my wings with menace, their motionless state shatters.
Demons drop to their knees, prostrating themselves before me as they accept their place. At my fucking feet. Beneath my fucking feet as I walk over them, enjoying the sounds of their bones snapping and organs collapsing.
Every crunch sounds out in satisfaction, and every shriek cries a note that brings pleasure to my ears.
The claws of my feet sharpen as I pierce their flesh and the warm, sticky liquid seeps from their damaged bodies. Their blood oozes a trail behind me, and I ignore their screams and cries of thanks. They worship me as they should and I take all their wretchedness, extracting their pain and suffering as it fuels the violence brewing inside me.
“WHERE. IS. THE. SEER?”
Silence answers me, and I wait, refusing to waste my breath by asking again. I won't tolerate insolence and my wing spears a shadow demon unfortunate enough to lie nearby, lifting him into the air as I impale him on my talon. He screams as my other wing carves his flesh, peeling skin away from muscle. Thick black blood drips onto the floor and I lick the exposed flesh, savoring the taste of fresh meat. The thrashing continues as I strip muscle from bone until I grow bored and disembowel the cursed thing, casting its mangled body aside.
“I. WON'T. STOP. UNTIL. I'M. ANSWERED.”
The trickles dripping onto the floor grow in volume and the putrid smell of piss catches in my nostrils.
“Lord...”
I snap my head towards the fire demon crawling toward me. It's disgusting and its shape is so despicable it's intolerable,but it's ambitious. It could prove useful and there's little harm in rewarding helpful behavior, particularly if it teaches these other motherfuckers a lesson they won't forget.
My eyebrow arches and I bare my teeth.
The damn thing trembles as it kisses my feet and I shake it away, vexed by its attempts to earn my favor.
“The Seer went to consult with the Oracle, Lord. The conjunction is almost upon us and their visions told of a new power rising, but the shadows would not lift. They needed...”
“OBVIOUSLY.”
I roar like I already knew the answer to my question. Like I'm irritated to be reminded of something I already knew. Like it's a minor inconvenience instead of the fucking headache it's going to be.
