17. Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Seventeen
Jay
We searched for Nyx’s followers near the portals to no avail, finally sending sets of demons and hellhounds through the other three portals to continue looking wherever they led. There was no way a million or more of anything could go unnoticed, right?
We were at the mansion, and Lucifer was upset. He was pacing and still Hellboy red. That couldn’t be good.
“I want answers!” Lucifer’s voice bit through the air and echoed in the large room.
Beelz walked over to the throne where Lucifer was sitting. “Look, they were able to mask themselves, so the hellhounds couldn’t track them. We’re doing everything we can, but we need to figure out how to find them.”
Lucifer hissed. “This shouldn’t be so hard.”
I laughed. “You’re the Ruler of Hell. Don’t you have ways to deal with this sort of situation?”
He gave me a snarled look. “I’ve run this place for a very long time without your smart mouth, you know?”
“Yes, sir. I understand, and if I offended you, I’m sorry.” I damn well didn’t want to get on Lucifer’s bad side. The image of him ripping apart and devouring his own son was enough to tell me it was best to placate the being at all times.
“Come on, boys. Let’s not turn on each other.”
I glanced behind me to see Lilith strutting into the throne room in an outfit I was sure made Quinn bite his fist.
Lucifer chuckled. “You’re right. What brings you by?”
“I got a text from Scotty. He and Michael are headed to Limbo. That’s why I’m here. This whole thing with the death of the cherub and the lesser demon doesn’t need to explode.” Lilith was right.
Lucifer stared at her. “So, who killed the demon?”
“It was an Arch, but you knew that. Put that aside. We need to worry about Nyx and the upcoming war. I almost wonder if she’s behind this? It’s a great diversion, isn’t it?”
Lilith then turned to me. “Do we know where Nyx and her followers have gone?”
“No, but we’re searching.” Beelz stepped into the room and stared at me.
“What?”
Beelz grinned. “Celestials are waiting for us in Limbo. You ready?”
Lucifer chuckled. “Go. Bring back information.”
I didn’t wait to be told twice, and I followed Beelz through Hell and Hades and then stepped onto the ferry. Kharon nodded in greeting, but I wasn’t sure why we were taking the boat in the first place. We could fly.
“Why are we taking the ferry?”
Beelz grinned. “Shoot me. I love a boat ride. Besides, the Celestials are willing to turn over the one who killed the lesser demon. We have more important things to worry about than taking the ferry, and I know you want to get back with your mate.”
“What?” Had I heard Beelzebub correctly?
“Your mate took a risk that paid off. He loves you very much and was willing to risk his existence to get back to you. Scotty’s a true angel. Let’s get to paddling, Kharon.”
Beelz and I made our way to Limbo, seeing the Celestials at a large table. Cato had roped off the area, but a large gathering of spirits awaiting judgment were taking an interest. It was easy to see the Celestials were nervous—they would be on the other side of judgment if they handled the situation wrong.
I scanned the crowd and found my Scotty among them. When he saw me, he quickly pushed his way through and was in my arms before I had the chance to take a breath.
The future wasn’t certain, but holding Jay gave me hope that maybe we had a chance to live the future that had been taken from us without our permission. At least, that was what I hoped.
Uriel, the current head of the Council, was sitting midway down the table with a few other Archs on his left and right. Four guards stood behind the table with two Archs secured in handcuffs, and Jophiel stood behind Michael, who was seated at the end of the table.
“I love you so much. Michael told me about Nyx going missing. He also discussed with his fellow Archs how to level our playing field so we can continue our work,” Scotty whispered to me.
That sounded better than just about anything I’d heard to date. “Good. I know our side is motivated. Let’s hope your side is too.”
Uriel stood and raised his hands to silence the crowd. “Greetings from the Celestial Realm. We are here to deliver one of the culprits who caused the death of the cherub Nakir and the demon Tork. The division between the mission of Heaven and Hell brought these useless killings about. We, as the Celestial Council, want to assure the Ruler of Hell and those who serve him that we won’t fall to the level of treachery this crime reveals. There will be retribution for those accused. We will turn over the Celestial of Lucifer’s choice, return to the Celestial Realm, and punish the other. Let the hearing begin.”
Scotty kissed my cheek. “I’m a witness. I have to go testify in front of the audience. I’ll be back.”
Chairs were brought for us to sit, and then the hearing—for lack of a better word—began.
Michael stood and turned to face us and the crowd. “The first and most important thing is that we want to apologize for the death of Tork. As the Creator was quick to remind us, love is love, and the fact Nakir fell in love with a demon shouldn’t have led to either of their deaths. It could have been negotiated and shouldn’t have been dealt with by the two former Archs, who have admitted they murdered the two to set up the head of the Council, Uriel, in order to take over leadership.”
Michael told everyone how Gabriel and Remiel had conspired to make it appear Uriel had killed the cherub and lesser demon out of jealousy because he was in a secret relationship with the cherub, which was also forbidden.
“Where is the body of the cherub? Do we know for sure that he was murdered, or was it only our demon who paid the price with his life?” Beelz had that walking stick across his lap and looked every bit the imposing threat the man could be...until Thea, the waitress, delivered a large basket of chicken wings and fries. I struggled not to laugh, as did Michael, Jo, and Scotty.
“The body of the cherub was dropped into the Styx, according to Gabriel, who did the actual murders and brought the body of Tork here and placed it outside the Gate of Hell and mounted the head on the spike.” Michael then gave Gabriel a murderous look which would have made me squirm.
Gabriel and Remiel were forced to speak their crimes out loud and apologize to Beelz, as the representative for Lucifer. Beelz explained to the Council that Nyx had disappeared with her followers and how we were searching for them.
Michael turned to his fellow Archs. “We must aid them in their search because Nyx is a threat to the Human Realm. We are charged to protect humanity. This is part of our responsibility as well.”
“Are you proposing we work with Lucifer’s army? That’s absurd!”
“Who’s that?” I turned to Beelz to see him licking his fingers before he grabbed the napkin Thea had given him.
“That’s Sariel. He’s a wuss, but this might be your chance. Stand up, announce yourself, and propose that you and Scotty would be happy to handle the search on behalf of both realms. They’ll need to elevate Scotty to meet your power level so the two of you can be balanced and your bond can be reinstated.”
“Our bond never went away, Beelz. It’s still strong.” And it was. I felt his heart beating in my chest, and I was sure he could feel mine. The bond had never been severed, but if they’d tried to, they’d failed.
“So, a true soulmate then? Fan-fucking-tastic! I’m happy for you, brother. We’ll fix this with Father. Make no mistake.”
I nodded and stood. “I am Jameson, the newest prince of Hell. I propose that Alba Protectoris Scott Locke and I resume our duties as a balanced pair and lead the search for Nyx. Our record in assisting the Council and the underworld is untarnished. Elevate Alba Protectoris so that we may resume our responsibilities. We are true soulmates, and we will be married soon.”
There was a lot of chit-chat in the crowd and even among the Archs. We watched as Uriel and his fellow angels stood and gathered in a huddle. I watched my angel as he nervously fiddled with his hands. My stomach was in knots, as well.
Would we succeed in getting back to each other? If not, could we run away from all this bullshit and find a place to be together?
There was a lot of shit to try to understand, but one thing was sure... I couldn’t wait to marry him.
And that was a beautiful thing.