Walked through Hell
LUKE
The battle rages, as Nolda’s forces continue to push into Castle Morning Star.
My home.
The sound of metal crashing against metal reverberates through me, and I have to admit it awakens something menacing inside of me.
I live for the battle.
There is no part of me that delights in the death and destruction that comes after, but to be in the thick of the fight is a rush.
I swing around, bringing my blade down into the neck of a demon. Black blood sprays from the wound and I dodge to evade it. The demon falls to the floor and the ground opens up, swallowing it whole.
This is one of the reasons Morning Star was permitted to host this battle. Cleanup will be easier than the other alternatives.
My army could have pushed Nolda’s line back into the Hollow Hills, but I found it would be an even greater win on my own turf.
“Satan, behind you,” Lilith screeches, but it wasn’t necessary.
I knew the wolf was coming.
Rotating the blade in my hand, I thrust it back into the wolf’s eye, the subsequent howl and gurgle grating to my ears. I twist around with the blade still lodged in the wailing dog’s eye and yank it out, driving it into its spinal cord. Another down.
But it doesn’t matter. They keep coming. The sheer numbers are startling.
Have I really managed to lose favor with that many demons?
It’s really no wonder with this lot. They’re easily swayed. Whoever they feel will allow them privileges, they’ll side with. I was gone too long.
No matter. I have the loyalty of those that I trust implicitly. Those wrongly condemned. The fallen who deserve redemption.
If God is as merciful as he’d have others believe, he’ll grant it once this battle is won and humanity is saved. Not likely.
Azazel and Valafar fight side by side, making it look easy. They play games with the lesser demons, throwing their blades into the air to each other before finally offering the killing blow to the demons nearest to them.
Aza’s been a trusted advisor since the early days. I don’t know much about his story, but what I do know is that he doesn’t deserve to be in Hell. He’s a good guy, and because of that, he was never tortured or changed to look like the higher demons who are entirely evil.
He remains youthful and brawny. Through rigorous training, he’s one of the most skilled fighters I have on my side.
When he swings to the right, his long blond hair, tied at the nape of his neck, swings around, hitting Valafar in the face.
The dark-haired demon barks out a reprimand, holding his eye. “You idiot. I’ve gone blind.”
“Dear God, Valafar, pull yourself together. There’s another heading your way.”
Azazel points over Valafar’s shoulder and the high demon swings around, just in time to plant his blade into the chest of the charging vampire.
“Blind or not, I’ve still got better aim than you,” Valafar jests.
I roll my eyes at the show these two put on. It’s always like this. They fight like teenage girls but have each other’s backs—and mine when necessary.
More demons pile into the room, overwhelming our group here in the main hall.
“Azazel, fall back,” I shout, drawing them farther into the castle’s center.
“Satan, they’re lined up outside as far as the eye can see. What do we do?” Verin asks, sounding winded as he runs into the room.
“Keep fighting. It’s all we can do,” I shout over the melee.
“But sir, the whole of Hell has come to aid Nolda, I fear.”
“You haven’t. Have you?”
“Well … no, but—”
“But nothing. Keep fighting, Verin. We can defeat the likes of Nolda for shit’s sake.”
I steel my voice, attempting to hold it steady. “Aza, have you seen Nolda or Bumalin?”
He shakes his head but continues to concentrate on the battle in front of him.
I’m growing increasingly concerned about our chances. In truth, I knew it was bad, but I had no idea how bad it was.
The number of traitors among us is staggering. Not that I should be surprised. These are the demons who earned their damnation. Defecting is the least of their crimes.
“Lilith, call in the hounds.”
I’ve been saving Rix and the group of hounds for a dire situation, and right now, it feels fairly dire.
She bellows at the top of her lungs, and demons around the room slam their palms to their ears, screeching in pain at the level of her screams.
It gives those of us accustomed to her a chance to strike.
I should’ve thought about using her as a weapon. In this fight, she could be very useful with intermittent bellowing. She’s like a reverse siren, her call a deterrent.
I twist and turn, taking out one demon after another, not stopping to watch the floor swallow them up. We have only a few seconds before the effects of Lilith calm and the demons are back in the swing of the action.
“Satan, I don’t know how long we can hold them,” Aza shouts.
“Keep pushing,” I yell back. “Nolda cannot make it to the throne.”
That’s their plan, and the ultimate reason I allowed the battle to be fought here. The throne must be protected. If Nolda manages to sit on that throne with four high demons at his side and a black witch, he’ll be the ruler of Hell. And we’re close to that being our reality.
Slicing through the hordes that continue to come, I back away from the main hall and slip into the empty corridor leading to the throne room.
My legion has been able to keep the demons from getting this far, but it won’t last.
Closing my eyes, I fall to my knees as I send up a silent plea for what may be the first time to God for help.
“I won’t abandon the throne again. You have my word.”
I wait, but for what, I’m uncertain. Divine enlightenment? God’s voice to call down to me? Huffing, I stand to my feet, growing angry with myself.
Of all the times to show weakness, this isn’t it. To call on God … the one who abandoned me here in the first place … it’s pointless.
When I open my eyes, I have to blink several times to determine if what I’m seeing is a mirage or reality.
Michael, Leeann, Zeke, and at least a dozen more archangels are bursting through the main hall doors, joining the fight.
“Lucifer, the reapers are out front, holding the line. If we can get things under control in here, it will all be over,” Zeke yells over the fray.
The reapers.
Victoria came. Somehow, she was able to convince the reapers to fight on my side. Victoria is here … somewhere.
Dread pools as I recall the state of the place. The fallen demons who fought at my side. The evil that stains these walls. And she’s out there surrounded by it.
“She’s fine, Lucifer. She’s a better fighter than all of us,” Zeke says from my side. “Don’t let her see your concern. She’s liable to fight you.”
I snicker, because he isn’t wrong. My girl is fierce and proud.
Stalking back toward the fight, feeling rejuvenated, I take out three low demons as I go, not so much as sparing them a glance as my blade tears through tendons.
I need to get to her. Not to protect, but to bask in the energy she brings.
My head lifts and my breath hitches. My heart stumbles and I damn near drop my blade and run to her.
Victoria.
She’s across the room, her sword in hand, slicing through a vampire’s chest, kicking out and slamming the blade in further. When he falls, she steps on his shoulder, pulling the sword from the demon in time for cleanup to occur.
She is fantastic.
The black leather clings to her body in a way that almost makes my primal need to throw her over my shoulders and drag her out of here take over.
I begin to clear a path of demons, making my way to her side. Her gaze lifts and our eyes connect. The hunger radiates out across the room, and I’ll be damned if I allow her to leave my side ever again.
She’s the oxygen I breathe. The light that shines even in the darkness of this place. My soul’s counterpart. My entire reason for existing. There is no doubt that she owns my heart.
The next war fought will be against Heaven if they decide to take her away.
I shouldn’t think those thoughts so soon after God’s help, but I can’t lie. I will go to war for her. She will be my queen.
My heart thumps loudly as I continue my trek toward her. The grin she wears tells me she sees just how much I want her. Even in the middle of a battle, my need for her can’t be eclipsed.
Victoria’s beautiful smile morphs into something like terror and my eyes narrow in response. Her hand shoots out, pointing at something or someone behind me.
My back bends just in time for a large battle ax to sail across the air where my head had just been. I fall to my knees, twisting my sword around to swipe at the feet of my assailant. He jumps, escaping my attack.
I look up into Bumalin’s wolfish face and rage takes over.
This Judas won’t meet his end by my sword or magic. No, I’ll make him suffer for his treachery.
My arm raises, sword in hand, just in time to thwart another blow from Bumalin’s ax. Even on my knees at a disadvantage, I’m able to push back while standing to my feet.
“Let’s make this fight fair, Bumalin,” I growl.
He throws back his head and howls, calling upon his nearby wolf-demons to join his side.
“Fucking coward. Need your lackeys to defeat one man?” I laugh arrogantly. “You’d never make it on the throne of Hell.”
He bares his pointed yellow teeth and I laugh in his face. He doesn’t scare me. There are worse things hidden in the bowels of Hell. If anything, this wolf’s appearance looks like a stage prop from a human horror flick.
Pathetic.
Our weapons clash against each other, and sparks fly at the friction caused.
The weight of the sword grows heavier with every hard knock against Bumalin’s ax.
That doesn’t matter, though. I’ve fought in longer, harder battles and have always come out on top.
This time won’t be any different. It can’t be. There’s too much at stake.
I jab into his thick side, driving my elbow deep into his ribs. He howls in pain and is momentarily distracted. I use the second to kick my leg out and trip him.
He falls backward, and to ensure he hits the ground, I sail my foot into his stomach.