Page 9 of Wicked Savior
Gluttony looks at me like I’m deranged. “Let’s see, shall we?” He steps back and flings his power toward me.
Vargas steps between us in an attempt to shield me, but the power passes right through him.
I sigh and easily catch it. Flexing my fingers, I dig them into the very heart of glowing orb, absorbing the power bit by bit. “Not bad. Still, it doesn’t come close to the power I held as an archangel, much less as the Ruler of the Underworld.” I extinguish it. “Try again.”
Bent over, he pushes his head up to look at me in shock. Lips blanched from the effort to contain the power open and close while he repeats the spell he spoke earlier. Lines appear between his brows.
I snap my fingers. “Did Cormal forget to tell you it was a one-time deal?” He rears back in disbelief. “Yes, the power can only be used once. You combined all three of your draws into one, didn’t you? I guess it’s my turn now.”
He stumbles back, trying to get away from me, but Vargas grabs him from behind and holds him in place. Red eyes widen, and his head whips back and forth, trying to figure out why he can’t escape.
“This is going to hurt like… Hell,” I state, a brutal smile on my face. Not at the unintended pun, but at the pleasure I’m going to get from taking everything he has left. Every drop of power. And his demon.
With an ancient spell written by the Devil, the last ruler of the Underworld, my lips form the words to extract his demon. Six times I repeat the spell. When the words die, his demon appears between us. It glowers at the Gluttony for a brief second, then disappears, back to the hellfire of its birth.
The remaining embers of Gluttony’s powers are absorbed by mine.
The lord clutches his chest, tears streaming down his face. “What did you do?”
“You’re human. Sucks, doesn’t it? But don’t worry. I’m not going to kill you. Death would be too easy. Instead, I’m going to send you into the dregs of the Underworld. It shouldn’t take long for someone to find you,” I explain, watching with satisfaction as understanding and terror dawns on his face. A human amidst the worst this world has to offer.
I glance at Vargas, who eyes me with respect and a glint of satisfaction.
“Where do you want me to drop him?”
“The Slag,” I reply, referring to a part of the city where Lesser Demons congregate to trade their unscrupulous services to Higher Demons for scraps of power.
A grimace flashes across Vargas’ face. “Appropriate, but I hate that place.”
My shoulder lifts in reply. “I’ll send you the address for the other matter we discussed via our private channel.” Telepathy. It’s a rare trait, and one we didn’t have before the bond, but it has come in handy numerous times, especially with his less than corporeal body.
I gesture to Envy’s body on the floor to see if Vargas wants it for his own. “What about this one?”
Vargas’ lip curls. “No balls.” He disappears.
ChapterFive
LUCIFER
Fire cascades like a river down the sides of two, six-story black obsidian pillars. The stone gate guarding the entrance into the Underworld Market. Spells embodied on their surface during creation send a call to those outside its walls. With barely a thought, visitors find themselves eager to enter and spend their gold.
Full of wonder and danger, Underworld Market offers goods and services from across the worlds. If a customer wishes for an item, a stall appears ready to sell them what they need. Like markets since the beginning of time, it’s a riot of color, rich smells, and a cacophony of sound, reminiscent of life itself.
Vendors hawk their wares, and customers haggle for the best prices. Spices, perfumes, and food fill the air, all designed to enhance the senses and attract customers. The main thoroughfare is packed with various races, young and old, friends and strangers. Petty thieves slip in and out of the crowd, relieving the unsuspecting of the coins and valuables in their pockets.
Unwilling to announce my presence to the masses, I’d dressed accordingly. In dark jeans and a hoodie, I slip quietly through the bodies. Normally my size would draw the eye, but in the Underworld, there are plenty of species much taller and more muscular than me. For the most part, the crowd ignores me. Several vendors eye me suspiciously, but their eyes dart away when they realize it’s their ruler walking by.
A hand slips inside my coat pocket. As it slides away, I grab it. Rough leather rubs coarsely against my fingers. Common skin amongst most demons, but the small bones tell me it’s likely a youngling or a female. Turning to face the thief, I watch their black eyes widen in fear. But only for a second.
A mutinous expression appears on the young demon’s face, and he sneers in my direction. “Doesheknow you’re here?”
Surprised at the audacity of such a young demon, I lightly cuff his ear. “Is that how you speak to your ruler? Do you not value your life?”
He shrugs nonchalantly. “Cormal takes care of his own. He’s the one who gives me work and access to food and shelter. What have you ever done for me? If you want to take my life, go ahead. You won’t get much power or satisfaction from my death.” Eyes turned from black to dark red peer up at me with only a hint of fear in them.
Startled to hear the combination of vitriol and resignation in his voice, I hold out my hand. “Give me what you stole and take me to him.”
His eyes meet mine, trying to read my intentions, but I simply stare him down. With a sigh, he hands me back my gold watch and the coins from my pocket.
