Page 2 of Demons & Damnation

Gerald hissed and strained against the straps. Using both of his hands to align his head perfectly straight, Azazel reapplied the chin strap and made it one hole tighter than what it had been previously. Threading the needle, he used his left hand to pin the eyelid open as he aimed the needle at the inside corner of Gerald’s right eye.

Right at that moment, the heavy metal door to Azazel’s torture room burst open, his brother, Balthazar, standing in the doorway.

Balthazar raised his dark eyebrows as he took in the scene before him—his burly evil brother as an eight-year-old girl leaning over an old man with a needle and thread at his eye. “What are you doing?”

Azazel glanced up and rolled his eyes. “I’m busy. Come back later.”

“It’s March twenty-first, Azazel. Midnight. It’s time to go.”

Azazel glanced up at the Grim Reaper clock hanging above the doorway, the scythe and one skeletal arm acting as the hands of the clock with thigh bones marking the hours. Sure enough, the scythe and one of his arms were both pointing straight up at midnight.

“Damn it,” he said, letting out a long sigh. “I was about to have some fun here.”

“Well, he can wait. We’re due a holiday. Come on.”

Azazel looked back down at Gerald. “To be continued, Gerald.”

Gerald’s eyes softened as he looked up at the face he treasured so dearly. Just as a wistful gaze glistened over his eyes, Azazel switched his form back, going full demon mode mere inches from the old man’s face.

Upon the sight of jet-black eyes, purple-coloured veins, and a mouthful of needle-sharp canines stained crimson red, Gerald sucked in a sharp breath, his eyes widening as he startled at the stark, instant transformation.

“Maybe Eva will enjoy tasting you when she’s back,” Azazel said, giving the old man a wink and a smirk.

Gerald squeezed his eyes shut and clenched his hands, willing the demon to leave.

“See you in three months, Gerald. It’s holiday time.”

Azazel strode towards his brother, slinging an arm around his younger sibling’s shoulders as he guided them out of his torture chamber. “Have you decided where we’re going this year?”

Balthazar nodded, allowing Azazel to dictate their leisurely pace towards the portal. As they meandered through the small, stone passageways, lit only by oil lamps every few feet, the lingering stench of death and decay reminding them of their situation, Balthazar focused on only one thing—keeping his mind shielded from his brother.

If Azazel were to find out his intentions for their annual three month break this year, he knew without a doubt that all hell would break loose.

Chapter 2

As they reached the old mahogany door that hid the Earthly portal behind it, Balthazar sucked in a deep breath. It’s now or never, he thought to himself. Do or die.

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