Wrecked
I’ve sat curled up in the middle of the cage floor since River did a disappearing act.
The whole exchange has left me feeling … off.
Partly because of the talk about the reapers possibly joining this cause.
I knew things were getting serious. Wars between Heaven and Hell have happened many times throughout the history of the universe.
The differences? No demon has ever attempted to dethrone Lucifer, and the reapers have never seen fit to join the fight.
But I’m also grappling with the strange effects brought to you by H-E-L-L. The pull to know more about the reapers, to know more about River—it’s peculiarly strong.
I’ve been known to be overly curious, but the draw to him was something else entirely.
It unnerved me.
I blow out a breath and yank my long blond hair over one shoulder, playing with the ends, all the while replaying that encounter over and over again.
His flirtatious manner. The way his eyes dared to peruse my body like he had my full permission to do so. His severe criticism of Luke’s control over Hell.
The reaper is the epitome of an alpha asshole, and it should repulse me. I’m a strong, capable angel who doesn’t need a caveman culler of souls to mansplain anything to me.
Nope. Not my thing.
Except, he wasn’t actually mansplaining. I asked for his opinion, and he gave it to me straight.
But he is an ass for throwing my words back at me.
Who the hell is River anyway? If he’s the second only to the queen, does that make him her consort?
The thought of River running his hands over some faceless queen does things to me it absolutely should not. My body heats and an ache grows in my core, begging to be eased.
A commotion at the door has my head jerking up and cheeks flaming hot.
Four scantily clad demon women stroll through the door in a flurry. Two are carrying trunks full of only Heaven knows what, and I’m instantly grateful it’s not River. There’s no part of me that cares what these demons think.
“Um. Hello?” I call out, but not one of them says a word.
They go about unloading the ornate chests, pulling out various silks and fabrics from one and what appears to be makeup and other beauty tools from the other.
What the hell do they plan to do with that?
Remaining mute, a red-haired woman walks toward the cage, lifting her hand, palm up to her lips. She blows and something like powder flows through the air, directly into my face. My head retreats slightly, but not before the effects of whatever magic the woman just used infiltrates me.
The room kaleidoscopes in and out before a comfortable haze settles over me. My body feels light as a feather and my head swims, feeling nothing but contentment.
My mind filters through various memories.
Me watching Lucifer as he tries at mundane, inspecting my broken-down truck in the cemetery.
Lucifer singing to me on stage at the bar in New Orleans, a lazy grin and hooded eyes holding all of my attention.
One appealing memory follows another until I’m half drunk with lust for Luke.
Luke, who hasn’t come for me. Why hasn’t he come?
At some point, the demon women remove me from the cage. My clothes are torn from my body and a flurry of hands get to work. What are they doing?
I don’t have the slightest clue. Nor do I care, if I’m being honest. I’m high as a damn kite.
The memories of Luke are replaced with those of Zeke and I cringe. I spent so much time fighting my feelings for him, and now I know why. Something innate inside of me knew that it wasn’t right. He wasn’t who I wanted. He was a replacement. Something to fill the time.
Sadness creeps in at the loss of someone I trusted. Someone I thought to be at least a friend.
Eventually, the dreamlike haze begins to fade, and I have to try not to throw up as the heavy stench of sulfur invades my nostrils. The magic used to subdue me and to disguise these demons into beautiful women is potent.
Everything about them is perfect. From their expertly curled hair to the makeup they wear, they’re the most exotic women I’ve ever seen.
I’m distracted, inspecting every inch of them while simultaneously wondering what they look like under their current disguises.
Would they be scarier than Nolda had been?
Are they zombies? Is that why they haven’t spoken?
Whatever their true form, they’d likely give me nightmares.
This entire place is nothing less than horrifying.
My thoughts are scattered, moving from the realization that I’m finally out of the cage to wondering why they’re putting any effort into my appearance. I don’t have long to ponder that last thought before I’m spun around to take in what they’ve done to me in this short time.
I gasp at my reflection in the floor-length mirror. They’ve made me a blonde version of Lilith in all the biblical representations I’ve seen. The only thing missing is the shackles, but something tells me those are coming.
I’m damn near naked, with nothing more than my most private parts covered by thin red cloth. My hair is full of volume and curled to hang down my back in waves. I look like something out of a Playboy centerfold, and that’s about ten steps past concerning. What do they have planned for me tonight?
I squeeze my eyes shut and will positive thoughts to chase away the horrifying images currently playing on a loop in my head.
I look like the queen of the underworld, and I while I should be mad as hell and ready to claw someone’s eyes out, some small part of me is more focused on deliberating whether Lucifer would find this version of me more appealing.
Good grief, I’m losing my grip.
He has gone back to Lilith time and time again, so clearly there’s some draw for him.
I tried to act as though I had their relationship figured out, but the truth is, I don’t.
Not even close. My understanding was that Lilith was practically a slave here in Hell, but she’s out running around free, while I’m the one caged.
Is that Nolda’s doing? Or are the stories I’ve been fed about Lilith and Lucifer incorrect?
Regardless, this should be the least of my concerns.
The demon women usher me toward the door and I dig my feet in, trying to stop them.
“Where are you taking me?” I bark.
The redhead purses her lips at me, while the raven-haired demon bares her teeth.
“Victoria. You look … ravishing.” Nolda says from the dark hallway.
I rip my arms out of the demons’ grasp and lunge toward Nolda. His hand raises and I stop in my tracks, bound by his demon magic.
“Why am I dressed like this? Where are they taking me?”
His eyes gleam as they scan my body. “You’re to be the entertainment tonight. And oh, how you don’t disappoint, Victoria.” His chuckle grates on my nerves and I send a silent promise out into the universe that as soon as I’m able, I’ll end this demon’s life.
“I’ve arranged for a few friends to join us for dinner.”
I wonder who else is here and immediately my thoughts stray to the stoic reaper. Aside from Luke, he’s the only other man whose presence is almost suffocating. He’s too raw. Too masculine. Too damn much.
I cringe just thinking it.
His condemnation of Luke and his utter confidence in his criticism was bold. Reapers may not be of Heaven or Hell, but they’re not immune to Lucifer’s wrath. If River took on Luke, it would be a fight to the death, but my feelings for the devil aside, Luke would likely come out on top.
“Move,” Nolda barks. “We’re running late. We can’t keep our distinguished guests waiting.”
“I’m not going out there in this,” I grit through my teeth, looking to the redhead who appears to be kinder than the others.
She growls and I take back the semi-kind words I’d just thought about her. She’s every bit as evil as the others.
“You will, or I’ll give them permission to whip you naked in front of the entire party,” he smiles, motioning to his demonic sluts.
I offer my own growl. “I. Dare. You.” I enunciate every word slowly and with as much warning as I can muster given my current state of power-bound uselessness.
Stop, I internally scold myself. I’m not useless. I trained for this.
“I might not have my powers, but that doesn’t mean I can’t still kill you with my bare hands.”
Nolda smirks. “Try your best, angel.” He spits angel out like a curse. And I guess here, it probably is. “I’d love a reason to take you sooner than planned. That outfit … well, dare I say you look … divine.”
“It’s interesting how all of these powerful men can’t seem to pull themselves away from you,” Lilith says from the doorway.
She sashays in, sporting not much more than I am. Wearing head-to-toe black leather that fits so tightly over every curve, I wouldn’t be surprised if it were magically placed on her body.
“You look … passable,” she jabs, as she twists toward the demon women. “Most of our guests are going to be quite happy, girls. I dare say you may be given a prime lord to pleasure tonight.”
I cringe at the crude topic, but immediately land on her use of the word most. What could that mean? Could there be people amongst us who might find what they’ve done to me repulsive? Who would dare to help me escape?
Locking that away, I level Lilith with a glare.
“Come. We’re late and Nolda, you have plans to share.”
He nods curtly, stalking from the room.
“What do his plans have to do with me? Why am I wearing this?” I snap.
“You’ll see. Patience, pet,” she croons, running a red-painted fingernail down my chest.
“I’m not your pet.”
“You will be.” Lilith leans in, her lips grazing my ear. “If Lucifer doesn’t claim me for his own, I’ll be forced to switch allegiances. You will be my slave.”
I huff a humorless laugh. “Looks to me like you’ve already switched sides. You demons don’t know the meaning of loyal. You’re grotesque.”
She frowns but doesn’t say anything, so I continue. “You’d actually turn your back on Lucifer? Someone you’ve had millennia with. For that low demon? He’s appalling, and if there’s one thing I know, Lilith, it’s that appearance, prestige, and power mean everything to you.”
She takes a deep breath, seeming to consider my words. “A lot can change, Victoria. Tonight will be interesting.” She looks lost in thought. “Who knows where alliances will shift. Including yours.” She quirks one brow, grins, and turns to leave. “Bring her, girls.”
The women grab at me, and I thrash wildly, trying and failing to get out of their grasp. It isn’t a fair fight, four to one with their demon strength. I’m stronger than any mortal without my powers, but I’m no match down here against four demons.
My hands and legs are shackled together within minutes.
I don’t stop fighting, using my shoulder to try to knock the redhead off balance.
Her growing anger is evidenced by the intensifying smell of sulfur.
It oozes from her pasty skin and her elongated canines grind together.
She pulls something out of her pocket, and I recognize the powdery substance.
I twist and turn trying to evade it, but it’s no use.
She blows the demonic drug into my face and the room swirls in a foggy haze.
Maybe this is a gift. Whatever’s to come is sure to be either torturous or humiliating. Or perhaps both. For once, being in a darkened state might not be the worst thing.
No.
Don’t give up, Tori. You have to fight.
It’s not my voice screaming those words to me, but Luke’s.
“I won’t stop fighting.”