Chapter Eleven #2
He chuckled, lifting his goblet towards me. “I still don’t know what half of these drinks are, but I keep drinking them. It feels like a ferret running wild over my tongue.”
That pulled a laugh from me. Jules grinned wider, pleased with himself. I savoured the brief relief of someone who didn’t lace every word with double meanings – or maybe he did, and I just hadn’t caught on yet.
Could he be the Demon of Temptation?
He didn’t seem wicked. He didn’t look evil either. But neither did Leander, nor Elise. Or most of the souls in this place, if I were being honest. But what was a demon supposed to look like? Dimitri had inhuman eyes, but there were many souls here with some sort of infernal lineage.
Jules smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “How are you finding things?”
“Strange . . . awful . . . lonely.” I gulped and dropped my eyes to my drink. I missed Tobias and my home. The yearning to return to them was digging a hole in my stomach, growing bigger by the day.
He nodded, understanding. “I struggled when I first arrived as well. It’s hard to accept our fate here.”
“And when did you first arrive?”
“I lost track over the decades . . .”
My eyes went wide. “That makes sense.”
“I have to go and feed the snufflebeasts. But it was very nice to see you. I’d like it if we can do this again.”
“Me too,” I said. “That would be nice.”
He dipped his head in a show of manners and disappeared in the crowd. But his vanishing gave way to someone I wasn’t nearly pleased to see.
Elise.
Her dress was the colour of blood, clinging to her like it had been poured on. She glided over, chin high, lips curled in a dangerous smirk.
“I guess you don’t listen to warnings,” she said.
“No. But thanks for shredding my dress. It really wasn’t my style.”
Elise’s gaze dropped to the new gown I wore, and something shifted in her expression – like anger, or jealousy.
“You shouldn’t be here.”
I sighed. “I was invited.”
“Don’t get used to it. You’ll blend into the furniture soon enough. Just like every other Champion.”
She turned and stalked off, her curly hair bouncing on her shoulders with each step.
Could it be her? Was she the Demon of Temptation?
She’d said this wasn’t her palace. She also seemed too jealous for a demon. Why give me a dress, and then shred it into pieces? It made no sense. No. I didn’t think Elise was the demon I was looking for. But she did give me a thought: perhaps another Champion could help me.
The night was getting suffocating. All I wanted was the silence of my chambers. But I really needed to find the demon first. That’s why I was here, and I was damned if I was leaving without answers.
So, I spun and approached the long table, catching sight of Leander already back from his rendezvous. Now, he sat among a cluster of souls, their laughter flowing like music into the air.
The woman in blue silk sat beside him and leaned close, her lips brushing his ears as she whispered something with a beautifully wide smile. Her fingers trailed up his arm, all the way to his swelling bicep, and she wrapped her hand around it like she wanted to claim it.
It was hard to blame her for wanting his attention. He was beautiful in a way that didn’t seem fair. But he was a soul in Hell. The general of the Thorns. And he was more than capable of putting me on my arse in seconds.
Beautiful and dangerous, I reminded myself.
Then his gaze met mine, and he grinned, as though he’d heard my every thought. I pushed the heat away that threatened to flush across my cheeks. Leander gestured to the empty seat opposite him, closest to where I stood, and my heart gave a slight, traitorous flutter.
“Sit,” he said, his eyes sparkling with challenge.
I obeyed, feeling my energy wane. I ignored the bound souls glancing at me with curiosity and disdain. A goblet was placed before me, the wine within glowing orange under the golden light.
“Can see the wine’s going down well,” Leander said, his tone teasing as he leaned closer.
His presence was overwhelming, the heat radiating from him almost tangible. I turned to him, my jaw tightening.
He chuckled, the sound warm and infuriating. “You’re giving in to your temptations. There’s no shame in it.”
The food was sumptuous, and plates overflowed with roasted meats and fruits.
The smell was intoxicating, rich with spices that made my mouth water.
But from all around me, eyes lingered on me longer than they should have, and I squirmed in my seat.
Every so often, I caught snippets of conversation from souls passing behind me, and souls up and down the table, some talking of deals and betrayals, while others murmured outrageous things that made me blush just hearing them.
Down the table, I spotted Elise, who’d sat beside a bearded man with a scar across his cheek. Her smirk was as sharp as her nails gripping his jaw, and she turned him towards her and then kissed him.
My eyes widened, and I looked away as quickly as possible. I’d rather not see Elise and her conquests.
Leander grinned wider from across the table, and I noticed now that the beautiful woman beside him was kissing his neck while an older man sat on his other side, trailing his hands down Leander’s front.
His eyes were hooded, in the middle of a pleasure feast by the looks of it.
I rolled my eyes. Did anyone have an ounce of modesty?
As I rose, my chair scraped against the floor, and I didn’t care to say goodbye to Leander.
All I wanted now was to strip out of my dress, away from prying eyes, and slip under the covers of my bed.
I’d given up hope of finding the Demon of Temptation.
Maybe he was watching me and found it funny that I was stumbling about.
I’d been wandering around this damn hall for who knew how long, and still, I couldn’t see him.
A voice broke through my thoughts. “Looking for someone?”
I turned and blinked. A soul I didn’t recognise stood beside me, far too casual, holding two goblets and grinning like we were old friends. But I tensed, not in the mood for it. “Y-yeah,” I said.
“I’m Tolliver,” he said.
I stretched my neck and looked over the crowd. “Uh-huh, and I’m the Champion of Temptation.”
“I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Have you now?”
“Yeah. I’m pretty sure it wasn’t all true, though.” He grinned. “So, what are you doing?”
“I’m looking for the Demon of Temptation.”
“Oh, he’s somewhere around here. Do you want me to help you look?” The young man had tousled curls and a smile that felt creepy. I cringed away.
“No, that’s all right.”
“Two eyes are better than one.”
“Good job I’ve got two eyes, then.” That was a little harsh of me. I couldn’t help it. I felt irritable and overwhelmed at the size of the feast.
Tolliver grinned, a little sheepishly. “Well, if you change your mind, let me know.”
I didn’t even know what the Demon of Temptation looked like. I was stumbling around looking for a ghost, hoping they’d introduce themselves.
Why is everything so painful in Hell?
It was as though the demon was avoiding me. I needed a physical description so I could hunt him down. Until now, I hadn’t even thought to ask what the demon looked like. I shook my head. How hadn’t that occurred to me sooner?
“Actually, Tolliver, there is something you can help me with.”
“Of course,” he said with a grin. “I am all yours.”
“And you’re not one of these weird souls, are you?”
He cackled. “What do you mean by weird souls?”
“The cut-me-into-small-pieces type of wicked souls?”
His mouth dropped open. “No,” he spluttered. “I am definitely not one of them.”
“Great.”
“So, how can I help?” He frowned, clearly unsettled by my question.
At least he seemed half normal for a soul in Hell.
“What does the Demon of Temptation look like?”
“Well, he’s pretty old. Not that you’d expect anything less from a millennia-old demon, right?” he said with a grin. “Just look for someone with wrinkles, wiry white hair, and long, spindly fingers.” He leaned in. “Don’t let him know I said that, though.”
“My lips are sealed.”
I could get used to Tolliver after all.
“How about putting your lips on one of these?” He passed me one of his goblets, and the liquid inside sparkled.
“Thanks,” I said, and took a gulp. It was as delicious as all the others. I had another gulp, and another, and before I knew it, I’d finished it.
“You have very lovely eyes.”
I gulped down my drink before I could spit it out. “Um, thank you.”
Tolliver grabbed another goblet from a passing tray and handed it to me.
“If you’ve got any aches, this stuff will take them away in no time.” He flashed a grin.
Now he was getting somewhere . . .
I’d had enough of Temptation and was ready to drown my sorrows. And if there was a cure to the throbbing pain in my hip, I’d take it.
“Getting back to the millennia-old demon,” I continued. “I need to find him.”
He laughed, though it sounded nervous, and his eyes glanced around.
He grabbed another goblet from a passing waiter and handed it to me.
Another one couldn’t hurt. I took a sip and laughed.
“This one is fizzy.” The bubbles hit fast, and my head swam.
I swayed on my feet, and I had to plant my hand on the wall to get my stability back.
I giggled, trying to refocus. How hard could it be to spot an ageing white-haired demon?
A sour taste filled my mouth. Nausea swelled in my stomach, and the room started to spin. I should have known to go easy on the drinks. “Actually, I think I should go.”
“Already? It’s still early.”
“I need to go to bed.” I swallowed down the vomit that could easily come splurting out if I moved too quickly.
Tolliver raised an eyebrow. “We could go to bed together.”
“No, that’s all right,” I said with a nervous laugh.
“Oh, come on. We’re having fun, aren’t we? Besides, if you take me to bed, I’ll share some secrets with you. I’ve got plenty worth your—” A figure came up beside us, glaring at the man before me, who started blabbering. “Uh, Leander, I was just—”
“Go. Away. Now.”
Tolliver skittered off and disappeared into the crowd.
I turned and glared at Leander. “Why did you scare him off?”
“Are you telling me you liked his company?” He pulled the goblet from my grip and set it aside out of arm’s reach.
I swayed slightly but had two free hands to balance myself, so I propped myself up against the wall, arms out and back arched. “Only because you can swing a sword like . . . what do you call yourselves . . . Pricks, was it?”
I turned my head towards Leander to see a smile tugging at his lips.
“Where are the goblets? I think I’d like another one.”
“Why don’t you come sit down with me instead?”
“Don’t boss me around, Leander,” I said, enunciating his name. “You’ve already scared off my play date.”
“I don’t think you’d want him around if you knew what Tolliver did as a mortal. Let’s just say he was fascinated with unanimated partners.”
I swallowed hard. I didn’t want to think about it. The realisation was that I was surrounded by the worst of the worst. Souls who’d done awful things.
“Does he not get punished?” The question plaguing me fell from my lips before I could stop them. I’d been wondering about it since I’d arrived. If all the souls were evil, why were so many just frolicking around and enjoying a feast? It made no sense.
He shrugged. “Every soul who ends up here is dealt with differently.”
“And what did you do to end up here?”
“You’re such a curious cat,” he said, his face darkening. “That story can wait until another day.”
I felt woozy. But the whispers were back, insistent, brushing against my mind like the edge of a blade.
“Leave.”
The sound was like a chorus of voices, but who was it? What were they? And why were they talking to me? I almost wanted to ask Leander if he had the answers, but I knew he would be the furthest thing from helpful.
“Minutes blend into hours. Hours into days . . .”
The whispers were right. I couldn’t remember arriving at the feast. Was it a few hours ago, or a day? It was as though I’d lost all sense of time altogether.
Leander was looking at me with confusion etched into his forehead. The voices weren’t coming from him. Or anyone else around me. They were coming from someplace else.
I stumbled away from Leander as shadows danced at the edges of my vision. The whispers continued, a chorus of voices, ringing in my ears.
“Go back to your chambers.”
I turned sharply, my chest tightening as I searched the room. No one was talking to me. No one had heard the voice except me.
I gritted my teeth and pushed forward, breaking away from the table and its temptations.