Page 32 of Demon's Prey
Kurse crouched while his face began to clench. He began muttering something else in Latin, then moved in front of the mirror, his eyes still closed. First, he reached out only one hand and passed through it as if it were water.
Faith watched with her mouth hanging open as Kurse reached inside the mirror with his other hand, then pushed his giant head through. He fired himself into the realm like a projectile, his tail following behind him and whipping at the sink as he left earth.
Faith and her father exchanged glances. Faith smiled, “So, dad, how have you been?”
17
KURSE
Kurse was back in hell, a lot sooner than he had anticipated. The smell gave him the nostalgia of ripping his victims limb from limb, but something in him made him feel a bit sadder. The feeling was odd, but he figured it had something to do with Faith.
He must have rushed some runes, which had caused Faith’s mother, Linda, to be transported into hell rather than petrified. He cursed himself as he arrived at the caverns of torment, tapping on the tall, iron gates.
He knew that this was where she had been when he looked into the scrying mirror. The giant mosquito-like creature was what Faith would call a ‘pet’ to Chan-Pitt, the most devilishly good-looking demon in hell. He was particularly annoying to talk to because even he couldn’t see past his own good looks.
The gates opened, and Kurse walked on through. There was no need for ceilings and doors in hell—everyone was at least 7 feet tall there.
He walked along a path and arrived upon the ember embroiled throne, with Chan sitting atop it. His grin was wide, bone-white teeth reflecting in the orange flames beyond him.
“King of Iron!” He bellowed. “What have I done to appease the great immortal Gods to receive this visit?”
Kurse wasn’t in the mood for half-hearted compliments. He wanted to retrieve Linda and be on his way, attempting to make amends with his beloved. He sighed and looked Chan deep in the eyes.
Kurse could admit that he was incredibly handsome. His features were sharp and strange, which naturally attracted and intrigued everyone. His eyes were almost turquoise green, which gave him an alien-like ambiance.
Perhaps in another life, Kurse could consider a dalliance with him—you only live once, right? But this wasn’t the time.
“I’m here for someone who I believe you have in your custody. She’s a human and needs to return to where she’s come from.”
Chan rubbed at his beard, which was pristinely cut and combed. “Custody? It doesn’t seem like I’m really holding her much against her will…”
Beyond the throne, Faith’s mother Linda began skipping toward him, her original dress cut into a bikini. She was an older woman but still incredibly attractive. Her hair was long and blonde, just like Faith’s. Her breasts were full and bouncy.
She sat on Chan’s lap, grinning like a wild woman. Kurse frowned, slightly repulsed by the sight.
“Linda,” Kurse addressed the woman who he hoped would one day be his mother-in-law. “Your husband and daughter are waiting for you. I’m a friend of Faith’s. I’m here to take you back home.”
“Oh, but just a few more minutes!” Faith’s mother was begging him. She was curled into Chan’s lap, nuzzling his neck and chin as Kurse watched. This wasn’t anything he was going to reveal to Faith anytime soon.
“Linda, please, come with me.”
“Silence!” Chan screamed.
From the blood-red sky, a giant chest made of iron fell. Kurse recognized it; it was the method of transportation that he used to deliver his weapons to his clients. Chan was mocking him, and it was really getting on his nerves.
The chest opened on its own. Within it was an assortment of weapons, from standard swords to clubs, spears, hammers, and tall axes. Kurse knew what was going to happen before Chan was able to announce it.
“Linda is going to become a part of my concubines. If you want her, you are going have to kill me to get her.”
Kurse sighed. He stepped forward and chose a weapon from out of the chest. A leviathan sized club with sharp spikes sticking out of it. Kurse was disturbed by how bothered he felt about having to go into battle. Normally, this is what he lived for.
Was that what being ‘lovesick’ actually felt like?
Chan pushed Linda from his lap as she giggled. Chan removed his shirt and cape, revealing rippled abs and perfectly sculpted shoulders and arms. Linda gasped behind him. He grinned and held his hands in the air.
“I will take the sword of Pitt, a family heirloom.” Chan reached into the case and pulled out a sword, bright silver with a claret shaded ruby adorning the handle. It looked more like an ornament than an actual weapon.
Chan stepped forward, flexing his muscles. Kurse raised the club over his head.
