Page 36 of The River of Hatred

“We’re that sexy,” she giggles. They’re going to be the end of me. “Giddy up, horsie, he’s getting away.”

“He knows there’s no getting rid of us, poppet.”

By the time I reach the first sinners, they’re back at my heels. We’re not going anywhere in a hurry though. Three armed demons are blocking our path, their features hidden behind heavy helmets, their brutish muscles covered by grimy armor. Their menacing spears are pointed at the air and they look right through me, as if I’m not even here.

“Are you Lord Sariel?” one aims the question over my shoulder, speaking with a voice rusty from disuse.

“Well, it’s not her,” the Fallen replies, stepping to my side. No, a step ahead of me. As if to shield me with his body. As if he cares about my safety.

“Master Ashtaroth has sent word of your presence,” the demon continues, not commenting on the snark.

“Has he?” Sariel drawls. He sniffs the air theatrically. “I thought I smelled Aim in the air.”

“What is aim?” I ask, puzzled, ignoring the demons as much as they seem to be ignoring me.

Jessica sighs, lifting one hand to her forehead to act out a swoon. Unfortunately, that means her other arm is now choking the Fallen who's back she still clings to. “Spymaster hottie,” she moans.

“Jessica,” Sariel grits out through clenched teeth, blindly searching for her arm with his own.

“Oh, oops!” She leans forward and restores his airflow.

Sariel clears his throat a few times, shaking his head. “Aim is Father’s master of intelligence. Officially. Assassin unofficially.”

I ignore his epithet for the archdemon. Perhaps I’m getting used to it. “I see. The demon lord?”

“The hottie,” Jessica nods fervently.

“I know of him,” I murmur.

The demons have been turning their heads, following the conversation, sizing us up. It must be terribly dull here, torturing the same sinners for centuries.

“What did the hottie say?” Sariel asks the demons, making Jessica laugh again, a melodic tinkle that has the torturers looking at her. I clench my teeth and move closer to my old and new friend.

The demon bows in Sariel’s direction. “We are to ensure your safe passage through this trench.”

The Fallen rubs his hands together. “Wonderful. Lead the way out.”

With a quick nod, the demons turn and form a line. The snakes and lizards skitter and slither away from their path.

“Did not expect this,” Jess whisper-shouts.

I catch Sariel’s dark eyes. We look at each other for a moment before the corner of his lips twitch up. “Why don’t you watch our backs?”

“He can’t see your back, Sar, I’m covering it.”

Laughing, Sariel follows the departing demons. “Arma would have loved you,” he tells her bitterly. He glances back at me before adding: “Probably both of you.”

Chapter 18 – Ashtaroth

Earlier that day

“What the fuck are they doing in the Malebolge?” I growl at the demon lord standing in front of me, his head bowed not from fear, but out of the respect he owes me.

“Not sure, my lord. They did not enter it by traditional means, that is certain,” Aim adds with confidence. “I spoke with the guardians. No one living has entered recently.”

If there was information to be had, this demon would have brought it to me. That he does not know is concerning.

“What does it mean?” my lamb asks quietly, peering up at me from where she sits on my lap.

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