Chapter Four #3
Atlas laughed. “You must really hate paperwork.”
No. Bel rubbed his chin over the top of Atlas’s hair.
He was just excited to begin the courting ritual that was worthy of his mate.
Anything and everything Atlas could ever want would be at his disposal.
His mate would be the most spoiled boy in the entire realm.
And that would be a tough job because the mates tended to go overboard spoiling their boys.
* * * * *
Atlas
He had a job, a new place to live, and the opportunity to make friends. Plus, Atlas might finally get answers about the flickers for the first time in his life. He wanted to dance his way down the street. Bel continued to point out shops that Atlas might want to check out later.
This little piece of hell would be his new home.
And it was gorgeous.
Whatever he’d previously thought about hell, Atlas had been totally wrong. Or at least this section of it. Bel had promised he’d show Atlas some of the other parts after they got him settled into his new position. And he’d be able to visit with the guys that he’d be meeting at the party.
The party that they were currently walking toward. There were no vehicles in hell. When Atlas had asked about that, Bel had merely smirked and asked why would they need vehicles when they could transport wherever they wanted to go.
Magic.
Atlas was going to be able to use magic pretty much every day. He was going to live in hell. By choice. How was this his life? A year ago, Atlas had often wondered if he would even make it through another year. Look at him now.
Although Atlas was going to have to grab his things from the motel and turn in the key. He was sure he’d eventually go back to the human realm. Just not until he knew how to protect himself. That could wait.
They were slowly making their way to Lucifer’s house for the dinner party. Walking beside Bel, they turned the corner and he stopped short.
A picturesque neighborhood came into view. Large houses with gorgeous yards. If Atlas didn’t know he was in hell, it could be just another neighborhood anywhere in the world. The human world.
“You know you can change anything about our house,” Bel said. “If you want.”
“Change the house?” Atlas asked.
Bel shrugged. He stopped in front of a large house with a red door. “We have lived here for a very long time. Centuries. I pictured what I wanted and the magic provided.”
“Who lives here?” Atlas asked. He slipped his arm through Bel’s.
“Asmos. Asmodeus. Another demon prince,” Bel replied.
“Cary said Asmos is your best friend,” Atlas remembered.
Bel snorted. “Asmos…is Asmos.”
“What does that mean?”
“Asmos is one of the fiercest demons ever created,” Bel said. “He is also one of the sweetest. Although he can be rather annoying as well.”
“Most best friends are,” Atlas told him.
“Asmos moved his house closer to Lucifer’s after Luci mated with Gage and Cary. Even changed the house to make it look more like those in the human realm where Cary and Gage are from. Asmos and Cary really hit it off.”
“Cary called Lucifer Daddy. They have a unique relationship, don’t they?” Atlas questioned.
“Cary is a little,” Bel confirmed. “Normally I would let him tell you but it’s not a big secret in our community. Gage is a middle. The three of them do have a special relationship. It is beautiful.”
Atlas nodded. “I could tell.”
“All of the couples here have unique relationships with their mates,” Bel told him.
“Mates. You all use that word a lot,” Atlas pointed out. He understood that soulmates must be important to the paranormal community. He just wasn’t sure how it worked for humans.
“We went without mates for so long,” Bel said. “Finding them again is like…”
Atlas waited. “Like?”
“Magic,” Bel whispered.
And Bel didn’t have a mate. He was the odd man out, as far as Atlas could tell.
That gave Atlas an idea. Bel was offering Atlas a position in his house.
With his work. Atlas wasn’t sure what Bel did exactly, but he had seen the stacks of paperwork.
As he straightened out Bel’s professional life, Atlas could also learn more about mates.
Maybe the friends that he hoped to make would be able to assist Atlas in finding a mate for Bel.
His heart gave a pang.
Atlas needed to be careful with his own feelings. There was an attraction to Bel that he already felt. Knowing that Bel would never look at him as more than an assistant or hopefully a friend would have to keep Atlas from growing too close.
Also, Atlas needed to share with Bel the rest of his story. His past. And what had happened to his family that had left him all alone. Why Atlas lived in that shitty motel and was constantly on the move.
“Bel?”
Snapping his gaze from Asmos’s house, Bel smiled down at him. “Sorry. I was just thinking.”
They both had been. “I need to tell you something.”
Bel stiffened. “What is it? Have you decided not to stay? I can take you back—”
“No!” Atlas said quickly. “I’m staying. Of course I’m staying.”
“Oh. Sorry. What is it that you wanted to tell me?”
Atlas swallowed hard. Now that it was time to make his confession, Atlas didn’t know how to start. Would Bel be angry that Atlas hadn’t told him right away?
“Hey.” Bel clamped his hands on Atlas’s shoulders. “You can tell me anything. You’re safe with me. I’m here to help you.”
“My family,” Atlas whispered.
Be nodded. “Yes?”
“I want to tell you about them.”
“Of course. I would love to know more. You seem so sad when you talk about them,” Bel said.
Atlas nodded. He was sad. Even though he hadn’t been close to either of his parents, Atlas’s grandma had been his whole world. He loved his mom and dad. Had been devastated by their deaths, but losing his grandma had destroyed Atlas. Sent him on his need for revenge.
They both jumped and Atlas screamed as Cary popped up beside them.
“Hello,” Cary said with a big grin. “Are you two coming to the party? You’ve been standing out here forever.”
“And you couldn’t wait any longer?” Bel teased.
“Dean said that I should practice transporting,” Cary replied. “Daddy is finishing dinner and Gage is setting the table. I saw you through the window.”
Bel turned toward Atlas and gave him a small smile. “We can talk about this back home?”
Home. Bel had called his house their home. Atlas nodded. “Yes, maybe over a stiff drink.”
“That can be arranged.”
“Why were you staring at Asmos’s house?” Cary asked.
“I was just telling Atlas that he could change anything about the house that he wanted.” Bel answered Cary before winking at Atlas.
Atlas nodded. “Maybe I should check out some of the houses around here to get an idea of what would work best for us?”
“You can start with our house!” Cary offered. Just like Atlas suspected. “Lucifer told us the same thing. Although the magic usually takes care of what we need. Sometimes even before knowing ourselves.”
“Magic is awesome,” Atlas said.
“Yes!” Cary agreed. “I can help you too. Oh! You need to see Adam’s house. It’s amazing! So big and perfect for his growing minions.”
“Minions?” Atlas asked. “You mentioned them before.”
Cary bounced. He was sure full of energy. “They’re the best. I don’t have any minions to call mine. Daddy said it wouldn’t be fair because the demons would feel obligated to join our family since he’s…you know, Lucifer. So we just try to support Adam’s minions.”
“I can’t wait to meet them then,” Atlas said sincerely. “Minions. Wow.”
“Then come on!” Cary grabbed his hand. “I’ll transport you inside.”
“No!” Bel cried out. “You’re still learning. I will transport him.”
Cary rolled his eyes. “Fine. But hurry!” He popped out of view.
Atlas turned back toward Bel.
“Sorry. We can go back to the house now. Talk,” Bel offered.
No, Atlas wanted to make new friends. And he needed to tell Cary the good news that he was staying. “Later.”
Bel sighed. “I knew that you were going to say that.”
“I want to meet the others,” Atlas told him.
“Don’t say that I didn’t warn you,” Bel said with a smile.
“I promise I can handle a few demons and their mates,” Atlas teased.
“Famous last words.” Bel grabbed his hands.
A moment later they were in a dining room next to a nicely set table with more plates settings than agreed upon. He’d had been right. Cary had gone overboard with the invitations.