Page 38 of Deliver Us from Evil

Sensing my intention, Xaphan didn't move for a few beats before taking my hand in his. Smiling, I pulled him to his feet. I only just now realized he was also nude, but my mind wasn't in the gutter about it. At least, not entirely. My focus was on the array of tattoos that decorated his moon-kissed skin. I wanted to take a few moments to study it, to find every little detail and ask Xaphan their significance.

"Your tattoos are beautiful," I said.

Xaphan looked down at himself, his hand running down his chest at the mural of images that were permanently etched there. "Thanks. I've traveled to the human world many times and would always get new ink as a souvenir."

"Would you ever let me get a closer look at them?"

"Maybe, if you're lucky. Now come on before Abaddon sends a search party for the both of us. Trust me, he's a pain in the ass when he gets anxious."

"I heard that!" Abaddon shouted up ahead.

We reached him a few seconds later, slouched against a tree waiting for us to find him, but staying close enough to lend a hand if need be. When he saw Xaphan and me walking side by side like good buddies, he did a double take.

"Everything okay? You both are still standing and unharmed, so I assume you guys didn't try to kill each other, right?" he asked carefully.

Xaphan brushed it off by saying, "Well I tried to, but this woman talked me to death, and I gave up so she would shut up."

"Oh whatever!" I shoved him playfully, which got a chuckle out of him.

Poor Abaddon looked horrified at us getting along. What could I say, we bonded. These four men were the closest thing I had to friends. Possibly family. Being a foster kid most of my life, this was something I always hoped to gain. People I cared about and who cared about me. I didn't know what would transpire between us. For Helios, Abaddon, and possibly Deimos, things were likely to spice up quickly. Apollyon and Xaphan, I wasn't so sure right now. But I wouldn't be opposed to finding out if something more would come from this.

Maybe being dragged down to Hell wasn't such a bad thing after all. In the most unlikely place imaginable, I found a home.

Chapter16

Deimos

"Master Deimos, you'll be happy to know that Antonia's training is progressing smoothly. She's nearly completed the basics. Soon enough, she'll be able to learn potions and intermediate spells," Helios reported, kneeling before me in the privacy of the throne room.

This room and my chambers are the only places I felt comfortable talking in since we've yet to detect the traitor who told Orpheus about Antonia. Since these two rooms were heavily warded with magic, they were safe enough to discuss business without worrying about wandering ears listening in.

It'd been two weeks since Orpheus interrupted our dinner where he mentioned hearing about Antonia and wanted to confirm the rumors himself. Since then, he hasn't made his presence known, nor have I received word from Father about it. Which in hindsight told me that Orpheus hadn't relayed the news to father just yet.

I wonder what he was planning.

I didn't like feeling blindsided, nor was I taking the news of a traitor hiding in my court well. I'd see to it that whoever was coercing with Orpheus would suffer a punishment far worse than death. As for what will happen if—and when—Father hears the news, remained to be seen. Nevertheless, I didn't regret my choice of bringing my witch to me where she belonged.

The fact that she already forged a bond with Helios' legion was proof of that.

"Excellent," I praised. "Good work, Helios. See to it that she continues. Within a few years, she may become a master of witchcraft."

"And earn her freedom," he pointed out.

Yes, I hadn't forgotten that little tidbit from my binding contract with Antonia; a chance to earn her freedom, should she complete her training. I was a demon of my word and intended to give it to her should she truly want to return to her mortal life, but before that happened, I intended to show her why she belonged at my side.

I wouldn't make the same mistake with her that I had with Marisol all those years ago.

"I'm surprised you would even bring that up with me, since you've come to fancy her," I stated, knowing the attachment he developed over her.

He gulped but didn't bother denying it. "It's what she's been wanting since she arrived here."

"And do you want her to leave?"

"No, my lord," he said truthfully. "But if it's what would make her happy, I wouldn't stop her."

He sounded like me four centuries ago when I lost Marisol; a monster whose heart fell into the hands of a young, beautiful maiden with the capability to break it. Love was far greater than any sin.

"Do not lose hope, my boy. Antonia still has a long way to go before her training is complete. There's still plenty of time for her to decide to stay after the completion of her training."

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