Chapter Nine
Serenity
Three weeks later…
There is still no sign of anyone coming after me. I almost kind of wish they would show their face because I’m tired of having someone always with me. Never having a moment alone is driving me crazy.
Jasper is with me today and, so far, he’s one of my favourite people to spend time with. We don’t really do much but watch movies or talk. I already knew he was Sloth without even having to touch him.
The brothers have tried to stay out of my way since they want me to guess who they are without me using my powers. I think I have them all figured out though.
Everyday, I find myself falling for Silas more and more. He brings me snacks and flowers, and is always thinking of different things we can do together. I caught him researching date ideas for home since it’s too risky for me to go anywhere.
Well, the only way we could go on a date outside the palace is if at least a few of his brothers came with us, but that would put a damper on a date. Instead, we have at home dates which I find to be very thoughtful and sweet.
“I’m glad it’s binge-watching movies today. I spent the day with Lorenzo yesterday, and he actually made me do stuff. I kept telling him I was allergic to exercise, but he didn’t believe me,” I tell Jasper.
“My brother likes to workout. It helps with his anger. It’s either that or slaughter a bunch of demons, which would be fine, but my dad had made him stop killing too much a couple centuries ago. We started running low on demons because he was killing them for no reason,” Jasper tells me.
I look at Jasper in disbelief. “A shortage on demons?” I burst out in laughter. “You aren’t serious.” I fall to my side on the couch clutching my stomach, I’m laughing so hard.
“I’m serious. He killed people for just looking at him or because he didn’t like their face. It was getting a bit excessive,” he tells me.
“That is the best thing I have heard this week,” I tell him with a few chuckles escaping.
“I can’t imagine what his bride is going to be like,” Jasper says thoughtfully.
“Do you wonder what yours will be like?” I ask him.
“I’m guessing someone who will counteract my laziness. I noticed Silas got you because you are someone he has to work for instead of a bride who would fall into bed with him because of his looks. I think my dad picked a bride for each of us that would challenge us in some way,” he says.
I nod my head. “That makes sense though. He wouldn’t want to make it easy and would probably want to help you all learn something in the end too. The other brides will probably have something you will all need to work for.”
“I’m in no rush; my bride will come when the time is ready. I don’t think I’m next,” he replies.
I look at him curiously and put my hand under my chin. “Who do you think is next?”
“I’d have to say Lorenzo or Leopold. They are the most reluctant to be matched, and I saw a gleam in my dad’s eye when they voiced not wanting a bride,” he says with a chuckle.
“Why do you think Silas was chosen first?” I ask.
He lets out a small sigh. “I think it’s because he was the loneliest. You could tell he was getting tired of having everyone just fall at his feet and, when he did meet someone he liked, all they wanted was sex.
He’s lust, so they were consumed by it. It’s not something he can turn off, so none of his partners ever wanted to just hang out or have conversations.
They were constantly ravenous for sex whenever they got close to him.
All of us could see this ability take more and more of a toll on him with every year that passed by.
I think that’s why he was chosen to be first,” Jasper tells me.
I think about his words, and I feel sad for my sin.
That sounds like a lonely life. It still scares me being intimate with him, but it’s starting to be less about what happened to me, and not wanting to be touched, and more about the idea that he’s had centuries of experience behind his belt. How could I compare to any of that?
What would he expect of me when it came down to it? I have no experience to speak of. I feel like I would just be a disappointment. Maybe it will turn out fine and great and everything I had ever hoped for, but I still can’t help but wonder if he will think it was a big mistake in the end.
Taking that step is a big decision. I had only begun kissing him. The kisses are wonderful and make me feel like my body is on fire, but I haven’t had the guts to move it forward to anything more than that.
I can tell Silas wants more, but he’s been so patient about the whole thing. His patience with me is making me want him more.
We will have so much time together because we will be immortal together, so there is absolutely no rush.
I think baby steps might be helpful here. I don’t have to go all in right away.
“I think dad wants to show you more of Hell; he asked all of us to be here tonight so we can take you out of the palace for a bit,” Jasper says, interrupting my thoughts.
“That would be cool. As much as I love the palace, I would like to see more. I can’t help but be curious about what’s all down here,” I tell him excitedly.
“We all have to be there, since we don’t know who is turning against us or who is after you,” he states.
“I wish we knew. I hate all this waiting around for whomever it is to make their move,” I say with a sigh.
“They will make themselves known sooner or later. Then, they will regret trying to harm you in any way,” he says in a malevolent tone.
Spending so much time with each sin, I sometimes forget that they can be very dangerous beings that no one would want to mess with.
To me, they are just like the family I never had. I love being part of a family again.
Silas
I’m really fucking nervous to show Serenity around hell, but I can tell she’s getting bored being in the palace all the time.
We all agreed that every single one of us would go with her; that way, she will have extra protection if she should need it.
It is one thing to know that Hell exists, but it is entirely another thing to experience the full depths of Hell with your own eyes.
Once all of my brothers and father have arrived, we make our way out of the palace through a portal. It’s the quickest way, and my father’s favourite way, to travel.
“I guess let’s start on the lighter side of things,” my dad says as we walk into what could look like a town square.
The lighter side would be the main community where most of the demons and beings live.
A lot of them are warriors for the family, and some of them just work here.
This is the place my father had deemed for the ones with sins he didn’t think people should have gotten sent here for.
Sometimes a soul can be redeemed, and the ones that my father thinks have a chance stay on this level.
There are stores and places to eat here.
You would think it was a normal town, except there is no sun.
Instead, the light is coming from the fire that’s everywhere.
Really, just small differences from any town in the world.
“This is pretty cool. There is more of a hometown feel to it than I would expect; well, it if wasn’t for the beings with horns, translucent bodies, shadow figures and so forth,” Serenity says with a smile while looking around.
“Mostly we have loyal soldiers and people who have a chance at redemption here,” Lorenzo tells her.
“People can still be redeemed even though they have passed judgement?” she asks. She looks at me curiously and gives my hand a little squeeze.
I nod my head, but Gareth speaks before I can.
“Everyone has a chance, sure, but not a lot of people earn it. Very few have earned that over the years. It’s a rare occurrence,” Gareth states.
“How do you know if someone has earned it?” Serenity asks as we stroll through the community. We get a lot of stares, but that’s because everyone is wondering who the girl is that we are showing around. It has never happened before that the entire family comes to show one person around.
“There is a special sort of whistle before a bright white light opens up above them through a portal. It happens pretty fast,” my father tells her.
“This is pretty neat. I thought Hell was just a place that was hot as fuck and people screamed in agony because you torture them with flames all day for fun,” Serenity replies.
Everyone lets out a laugh at her words. “There are different levels in Hell. Each one is worse than the last, but they all serve a purpose,” Leopold tells her.
“I feel like I should have a notebook to write all this down,” she whispers to me, and I can’t help but chuckle.
“Silas, baby!” is shouted. Fuck.
Serenity turns to look at me but, thankfully, doesn’t let go of my hand.
“Baby?” she looks at me while mouthing the word.
“I have been around for centuries, and I can’t even tell you if she’s one of the many I have known through the years or just someone who hoped to be with me,” I whisper back.
The being in question comes toward us. She makes it clear she is going to touch me in some way when she lifts up a hand and is moving towards me.
Serenity lets go of my hand and steps in front of me, blocking the being’s way to me.
“Oh, excuse me, I was just trying to talk to Silas,” the being says.
“Talking doesn’t require touching him,” Serenity replies.
The being looks at Serenity and gives her a look like she doesn’t think she’s worth much. That look has me clenching my fists to keep from finishing her before she can open her mouth.
“And who are you exactly?” the being asks.
“I am Silas’s,” Serenity states. She says it so confidently and proudly that I can’t help the smug smile that comes to my face. When I look around at my brothers, they are grinning.
“Silas’s, what exactly?” the being asks, looking confused.
“I’m just his and that’s all you need to know. Who are you exactly?” Serenity asks, looking like she’s bored of this conversation already.
“I’m Kayla. I am Silas’s lover,” Kayla says while holding her hand out. I look confused because I seriously don’t recognize her and haven’t had a lover in a very long time.
Serenity takes Kayla’s hand and shakes it. Her grip tightens on it for a moment, and Kayla looks panicked for a second before Serenity releases it.
“Well, it’s good to know you are full of shit and nothing but a human rotting down here. You don’t have any strength or abilities. You are just a sin groupie,” Serenity says, looking at her with a smile full of pity.
“What are you talking about? I’m telling the truth,” Kayla says, trying to sound confident.
“Why didn’t we ever call them sin groupies?” Gareth whispers.
I shrug my shoulders.
“Listen. I know you are lying, and desperate to have a taste of Silas, but let’s get one thing clear. He’s my sin, and you will not be touching him, ever,” Serenity states matter-of-factly.
“What makes you think you can keep the sin of Lust satisfied?” Kayla asks, looking at her smugly.
“I know what I bring to the table. Silas isn’t any of your business anymore,” Serenity says before looking at my dad because she’s clearly over this conversation.
“Kayla, step back and know your place. You see a woman walking with the whole royal family, yet you still think she isn’t anyone important. Clearly, your brains are getting fried down here. Next time you doubt my new daughter, I will send you down to level five,” my dad says in full Lucifer mode.
Kayla’s eyes widen, but she nods her head and runs away.
“What’s level five?” Serenity asks as we watch Kayla run away.
“You will see,” my dad says with a grin.
I shake my head before we make our way through the first level to descend down to level two.
This is going to be really eye opening for my bride. Let’s hope she can handle it.