Page 55 of Eternal Sacrifice
“I figured,” Harric responded dryly. He seemed unimpressed, which only offended me more than when I thought he was interested in her.
“What brings you back to Hell?” Jasper asked, his low tone barely above a growl.
“Just popped back in to check on Mother.” Harric’s tone turned much more conversational. “Imagine my surprise to learn Lucifer was dead, and there were five Kings of Hell.”
“Oh, it’s been a ride,” Jasper laughed, and Harric smiled. “Come back to the palace with us, and we can get you up to speed.”
Harric’s smile faded. “I would, but I’m afraid I hadn’t planned to stay for as long as I have. But I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to flex a little power.”
“Inked up. Charged up. Then off again?” Justice said.
“Pretty much,” Harric sighed. “I have a few things that need to be settled off realm.”
“You always have things to settle off realm. See you in a century or two,” Justice laughed before walking away.
“Alright?” Harric responded, watching as Justice crossed the empty arena alone. His gaze moved back toward Jasper, skimming over Mor and Jace before landing on me. “Are things good here, or do you need a hand?” He smirked, offering his open palm into the space between us.
He knew full well how I felt about being touched. He had tormented me when we were young demons until I grew strong enough to lay him on his ass in front of all of Hell.
I took a breath, holding it inside my chest to steady me as I clapped Harric’s hand with mine to give him a firm shake. “Congratulations on winning the tournament. The Kings of Hell wish you luck in your off-realm adventures.” I pulled my hand from his grip, leaving him more than slightly confused.
This time, I decided to take a page out of Justice’s book, striding away.
Jasper, Jace, and Mor also turned and walked away, leaving Harric alone in the empty arena. A victor without an audience.
Justice waited just beyond the exit, leaning casually against a wall while playing with one of his knives. We strode past him, and he pushed off the wall to fall in line at the back.
My hammering heart slowed with each sure step I took forward. The uncomfortable humming sensation that ran through me whenever someone touched me ebbed away.
Morrigan
TimeinHellslippedby, operating like a well-oiled machine now that demons had plenty of things to do. Parties were held nearly every night on every ring throughout the realm, and demons emerged as more social creatures. Fights were more than expected at every celebration, but few resulted in damage lasting more than a few seconds.
There were plenty of outlets for pent-up energy.
Once the demons were no longer competing against each other regarding spirits, packs started grouping together to form guilds. According to the sins, the number of incoming files dropped below our export of completed ones for the first time in history.
Things were moving smoothly to the point where I considered entering the arena fights to see if something exciting would happen. But there wasn’t any point in that either. No one would want to fight against one of the Kings of Hell. A lesson we learned after the first event where Harric showed. Fewer demons registered to fight at the next event.
It worked to the advantage of the common demon that won that night’s prize, an upgraded shield spell.
I laughed as I aimlessly walked through the palace hallways, allowing the magic of Hell to choose my path. Light crystals cast a faint glow as I passed through a labyrinth with no turns; it still took me in various directions. Hell was guiding my path, and I curiously followed along rather than heading for the throne room to go over reports with the sins.
“We are waiting for you, babe.”Jax’s voice purred in my mind.
I would never get tired of hearing his true voice.
“I decided I would rather challenge all the demons in Hell than sit through another dull meeting with the sins, so I compromised by playing hooky,”I answered. Part of me hoped he would choose to follow my lead.
“Where are you headed?”He didn’t sound like he was planning to join me.
“Not sure. Letting Hell show me the way.”
“Make good decisions,”he warned. “Just don’t leave the realm.”
I decided not to respond as a doorway appeared in front of me. I had no idea where it led. I didn’t know of any way to get out of the realm from the palace, but that meant nothing. Jax had told me to make good decisions, and listening to the guiding hand of Hell felt right. My hand rested on the knob, sensing a current of energy rushing to greet me.
It felt like walking through the door to my grandma’s house. For a moment, I thought I was teleported into the mortal realm as I walked in and saw a familiar shag carpet. It even smelled faintly of mothballs.
