Page 70 of An Unexpected Ascension
“And what curiosities might those be, hmm? All knowing God?”
Lucifer’s shoulders shake with a light chuckle. “One of my many gifts, friend. I do know everything. Especially, what happens within my own walls. The games you play with the girl – it’s not going to end well.”
“Then cast her off, let her find her own way in Hell.”
“Anyone else, maybe.”
“But because she’s a Fentonelli–”
“But because she’s a victim of your sorry soul, she’ll be compensated with shelter and protection here from the chaos of these lands.”
“She’s the only other one who’s touched the Tree of Knowledge.” I realize.
“That too. She knows the truth, saw it. Saw my Ada. She can be of use to us in this war you know.”
I contemplate his words carefully.
“We make our first move come two weeks' time, Lynx. I cannot have your mind elsewhere. Please, I beg of you, do not let this be a distraction.”
“Perhaps a small distraction, but nothing more than a quick rip to sate my curiosity, yeah?”
He shakes his head, squeezing the bridge of his nose.
“The second we extract Ada, the war begins, you do realize this, no? We have yet to even obtain the Mortifier.”
My stomach clenches, the tickle of insects scurrying around over my organs, crawling into my gut. The Mortifier is death, tangibledeath curled inside a single object, buried here in Hell. Parallel to that of the Tree of Knowledge in Heaven, but it’s harrowing twin.
The only object when possessed that has the power to eradicate a God. Our unholy weapon.
Eternal life was gifted to the Heavens while absolute death lay hidden in Hell. For the reason as to why the Universe would be so insane, no one truly knows.
“I won’t let you down, Lucifer. We will get Ada back and then we’ll show them all they’ve missed out on in Hell.”
A heavy hand clamps down on my shoulder, an acceptance to the promise I’ve made him.
“All those years ago, when you first came to me, I did not think you were capable of all that you have become. A human so sure of Hell, so confident in his decision to commiserate for an eternity because of those choices made while alive. Choices you sought to continue making and look at you now. A soldier, Second in Command, preparing to strike a war for the greater good. Little by little, I’ve watched the horrors that plague your soul whittle into nothing but a measly sickness. Dare I even say you may very well be cured?”
“I don’t want or need to be cured. I took the lives of those that deserved nothing less and in death, when those very afterlives were not to be found, I knew what I had to do. The Gods save every soul that crosses their gates, as long as they’re willing to pay. A murderer? A rapist? An abuser? All finding sanctuary in the comforts of Heaven knowing – knowing! – they’re safe for eternity. It’s wrong!”
“Those Gods have too much power, there must be balance between our worlds.”
“So you shall have it, my God.”
Lucifer lingers a few breaths more before retiring to his chambers. Our conversation weighs heavily within me, swallowing whole any remaining thoughts of Briar, drunk and reeking of need.
I desperately cling to that flushed face, embarrassed and aroused all the same, but those eyes. They drag me back to a place in timethat I cannot bear to remember. Green, glittering eyes, filled with such malice, such viciousness taunting me. Eyes set deep in a cruel, evil male donning a knowing smirk, standing before my younger sister. Eyes twinkling with life – writhing with it – while another set below lay empty. Tears already dried unlike the blood dripping down her thighs.
Fuck.
Discontent seeps into my marrow, making my very bones hum. Cured. The idea that time could cure such a tragedy is absurd. That blistering darkness festering in my soul is a stain that will never be freed. I cling to it, hold it dearly and cradle it, from time to time I let it grow, but never will I lay it to rest.
Sickness indeed.
A terrible, everlasting sickness.
Despite the Fentonelligirl residing on the opposite wing of the manor, I can still hear the thundering of her heart, taste her desperate gasps, feel her soft fingers enclosed around mine.
Her torment has turned into my own. My mind once again wars between this longing to be seated inside her so fully that she’s screaming my human name and dragging her down into the dungeon to get acquainted with Greygore. When I shouldn’t be thinking of her at all.
