Page 39 of Thanatos' Craving

Ididn’t want to leave her. The intense burning sensation in my chest, like a roaring fire, made it painfully clear. It wasn’t the soothing warmth that embraced every fiber of my being, but a scorching ache that consumed me.

It was an ache that told me to return to my domain and watch over her while she rested.

But I had put off for far too long questioning the demon spirit that inhabited a mortal. He was a possessing demon, and a powerful one at that. This demon took over a human’s body, who was stupid enough to believe a powerful witch or warlock that no harm would come to him during a meaningless spell. Or the human was drunk…

It could be either. The human body was flowing with steroids that harmed the body. The original human was not the sharpestknife in the drawer. Koozoth even continued to pour alcohol into the body it inhabited. I could smell it in his soul when Juniper slung the sharp mirrored blade into his skin.

Koozoth did not suffer enough. However, the demon had been suffering from his sins at the hands of one of the cruelest gods of them all.

I ventured deep into the heart of the Underworld, where flames roared with infernal fury. The air was thick with the pungent stench of sulfur and coal, mingling together in a suffocating haze. Though devoid of a sense of smell, I could almost perceive the repugnant odor of burning flesh and singed hair, as I pressed on through the treacherous path towards Lucifer’s favored domain, where he delighted in tormenting his chosen playthings.

As my shadows danced and writhed, they whipped violently, enveloping me in their chaotic embrace. The flickering flames below beckoned me as I descended the stairs, each step resonating with the deafening rumble of explosions, billowing steam, and tumbling rocks. The acrid stench of burning filled my nostrils, mingling with the thick, black smoke that obscured my vision. Undeterred, I pressed on, scythe in hand, venturing deeper into the abyss.

Lucifer let out a menacing laugh as he pulled on the whip and it cracked in the air. A scream so loud it would have had me covering my ears if my eardrums were still present in my body.

“I’m sorry, another you say, I couldn’t hear you?” Lucifer’s chuckle was dark, sadistic.

I couldn’t believe that this god was mated to Uriel, the goddess of Innocence.

“Leave me!” the demon bellowed. “I haven’t slept for days,” he uttered in defeat. The demon once inhabiting the overly muscular human male was nothing but a tiny demon named Koozoth. Most possessive demons were small, able to fit in thesmallest of bodies, but of course they preferred the larger, able-bodied humans.

Lucifer chuckled, taking his whip full of fire and sharp objects, and let them clang on the floor. “You would like that, wouldn’t you, you tiny piece of arrogant shit? You’re given an inch and you take a mile. Guess what I have planned for you tonight for your ass—”

I cleared my throat, interrupting the God of Destruction. He darted his head toward me, fire in his eyes. His hands covered in black up to his elbows from his rage. “Thanatos,” he growled. “What can I do for you?”

I grasped my scythe and confidently stepped forward onto the platform where the demon was chained. “I’m here to question Koozoth. He is part of the investigation of your mother’s cause.”

Lucifer groaned, his hands returned to their normal color. “Why are you questioning him now? Why didn't you come immediately when I was entrusted with his soul?” Lucifer kicked the whip away from him.

“I thought you should loosen him up a bit. I know how you like fresh meat.”

I wasn’t about to tell him I’d been tending to my human and wouldn’t leave her. In fact, I was surprised that his mother hadn't come to check to see if I had allowed Juniper to live. I’m sure it would happen in good time, or perhaps she knew that Juniper lived. She may just not know where she resided.

“He’s tenderized for you,” Lucifer jutted his chin towards Koozoth. “I think my father should have all possessive demons removed from the Underworld, since most stray and cause trouble, but something about giving every soul a chance and giving them agency.” Lucifer sneered and grabbed a towel resting on a table that appeared before him.

I hummed in acknowledgement. “True, but as you know, these possessive demons are also called familiars, and some take thebodies of animals. Many witches take these demons and they become pets and can help witches in their good cause against evil.”

Lucifer rolls his eyes. “And thus why I am not the ruler of the Underworld. Too many things would get fucked up. I’m going to my mate. Throw this piece of shit into the lake of fire when you are done. I’ll fetch him later.”

Lucifer turned, and his black wings widened until he jumped into the red Underworld sky. My body turned to take in the face of Koozoth and find him broken and beaten. There isn't much left of him. Meat and skin hang from his body, blood dripping relentlessly.

These possessing demons are grey, small ram horns on their head, goat’s hooves for feet. Not to be confused with a faun, because these have nasty teeth and a long slithering snake’s tail.

“Koozoth, we meet again,” I growled. "I see that you appear beaten beyond recognition.”

He didn’t respond. His right ram horn hung on the side of his head.

“I suggest you cooperate. If you do, I can put in a word with Hades and have his son go easier on you.” I tapped my scythe with my finger.

I have no intention of letting anyone go easier on this piece of shit. Not after what he did to my Juniper. He touched her. That much I know. He damn near killed her.

He heaved in a breath. "What do you want to know?"

I tilted my head. “Let me come into your mind. Let me see for myself.”

He hissed. “Never.”

This was expected. Delving into the mind of any soul is intrusive. I could do it through force, but as is exhausting, and I preferred not to waste my time and energy on this pathetic soul.Not when I needed all my strength and stamina to tend to my mortal.

---