Beelzebub Girl (6 page)

"What are we doing in Disneyland?" The frown on Dallas's face told me he didn't share my enthusiasm.

I cleared my throat. "He lives there."

"You're pulling my leg. Does he work there?"

"He's a—" I hesitated, wishing I had made a list of plausible answers to possible questions. "He's managing the place."

"He runs Disneyland?"

"Yep. Not bad, huh?" I cringed at how far-fetched my lie sounded. Who in their right mind would believe it?

Dallas fell silent. I peered over at him and noticed the scowl.

Not good. Now he thought he was inadequate, lacking in the financial and educational department. Boy, what would he do when he found out I was an immortal queen destined to rule over Hell for the next billion years or so?

"He started as a cleaner and worked his way up," I said, realising this lie sounded even more improbable than managing Disneyland.

"Is Dad happy you're working in customer service?"

His question took me by surprise. I shrugged. "More or less. He thinks it's just a passing fancy until I join the family—" I stopped myself before I said more. "Let's just say Dad hopes I'll join the company."

"I suppose Dad wants you to join the team and skip the higher education."

"Something like that." I slowed down the car as we rolled into a parking lot. My fingers snapped the flip phone open as I kept his attention focused on me so he won't notice me opening the portal. "Is that what you envision for yourself?"

Dallas hesitated. "I don't know. Life's too exciting. There's so many things to see and do before I die."

Tanned people wearing Bermuda shorts and sweaty cotton tops were gathered in small groups, ambling toward the ticket admission in the distance. A few lingered around their vehicles, chatting or arguing. With my immortal eyes, I could see the door to the portal swirling around in a blur of bright colours. The air all around us smelled cleaned and crisp, like after a thunderstorm. Good thing humans couldn't see 'my gateway to Hell' with the naked eye. That certainly helped made the whole affair authentic, or so I thought until a loved up couple came dangerously close to the tiny particles. The air flickered, ready to suck them right in.

Oh, crap. I jumped out of the car and motioned Dallas to hurry up. We needed to get moving before someone passed through by accident and realised they might have bitten more than they could chew when they signed up for visiting
Disneyland's Phantom Revenge
theme.

"Let's go." I locked the car and grabbed Dallas's arm, pulling him into the invisible shield a few inches away.

The strong energy crackled around us. I heard his gasp as we were drawn into the underworld. The temperature rose a few degrees; a hot gust hit us in the face. All moisture seemed to have evaporated from the atmosphere. No way would Dallas not notice the sudden and drastic change from concrete and chattering crowds to dirty ground and boulders everywhere. Although it pained me to spin yet more deceit between us, I whipped out my phone and punched in the order to knock him out.

My phone vibrated. An instant later, Dallas dropped to the ground. Kneeling next to him, I grabbed a bottle of water out of my purse and poured some over his face. His eyes blinked open, his hand wandered to his head. "What happened?"

I brushed his hair out of his eyes. "You fainted."

Sitting up, he peeled his shirt from his chest, fanning air as he looked around. "Last thing I remember is being outside of Disneyland by the ticket booth. Where did everyone else go?"

This was the hardest part. If I made a big deal out of it, he might see through my bluff.

I gripped his hand. "I'm so sorry. We were taking the staff-only entrance where no visitors are allowed. You said you felt lightheaded, but followed me along the path, and then you just dropped. Are you okay?"

He smiled. "Of course I am. How about we keep my fainting episode between us?"

"My lips are sealed."

He rose to his feet. The confused look on his face betrayed he wasn't quite convinced though as he peered around him at nothing but boulders and dead trees. "We're going to have to stop at the gift shop and pick up one of those fan spray bottles. You know, the ones all the tourists carry around the theme parks. I didn't realise it was this hot today."

Yet another delay wasn't an option. I'd just key it into my phone and let it magically appear. Smiling, I nodded. "It's awful, isn't it?

Imagine living here forever."

"I couldn't stand it."

"See why I left?" I could slap my forehead for my blunder. I was supposed to sell this place to him, make him want to spend the week here with me. "Look at the bright side, at least you'd never have to worry about heating bills."

He snorted. "Trust me, air conditioning isn't cheaper."

I pulled him around the huge characteristic boulders blocking the narrow path, which were called The Boulders of Hell on Dragon's Path—the only entrance on this dimension. The sun stood high on the pale blue horizon streaked with bands of red and orange. The earth glimmered red, a few flames leapt up from the ground. I hurried to stomp on them before Dallas noticed. The scarce trees adorning the narrow trail looked like black rubber, devoid of leaves, the dry bark was scorched in several places.

"You should really have your dad invest in some fertilizer,"

Dallas said.

"I'll get right on that." Nothing was growing in this place except my frustration of how I was going to pull this number off.

A few voices carried over from the left, where a large stone blocked our view of the forking street. Dallas stopped to listen, but his hearing wasn't good enough to make out the words.

A fox with beady red eyes darted past us. I jumped into Dallas's line of vision, but it was too late.

"What was that?" Dallas asked.

I shrugged. "Just the local wildlife."

"It had red eyes, Cass. I think it was foaming at the mouth, probably from rabies."

"I'm glad you worry about me. It's sweet, but I'm a big girl. I'll have Dad send out animal control." I touched his face. "Now, wait here. Okay? I'll be right back. Just need to tell the guards we're here."

He shook his head. "I wouldn't want anything happening to you."

I rolled my eyes. "Dad's the big boss, remember? He'll take care of it." Since he was the devil and all, which I didn't add because there was no point in spooking the poor guy when we had barely begun dating.

"If you're not back in five, I’m coming after you."

"Sounds like a deal." I smiled and rose on my toes to meet him halfway for a peck on the cheek. His lips brushed the corner of my mouth. An electric jolt rushed down my spine, making my skin tingle.

Peeking over my shoulder to make sure Dallas wasn't following, I dashed for the demons, hoping they were clever enough to take my threat of torture at face value for a change rather than question my authority and mess with me. Trouble was, the high ranked ones weren't particularly keen on my authority so they tended to challenge my position and push their boundaries, being only loyal to my dad.

Uh-uh, trouble ahead
, Kinky said.

"What? Why?" I whispered when my gaze fell on one of the demons.

Oh, no
, Pinky wailed.
You're going to be in so much trouble. For
the sake of your loving parents, I wish you'd stop falling for the bad
guys.

Kinky snorted.
Puuuuhlease! In Hell, he's quite the catch.

"Thrain!" I waved and he turned, shooting me an easy-going smile. There was a time when I fancied his green eyes, dark hair and toned body—until Dad found out I tried to date one of his shape shifters. He assigned Thrain to the lowest level of Hell and sent me to spend a few freezing weeks in the Himalayas to explore other options.

I was ready to use that as an argument if Dad challenged my relationship with Dallas.

Thrain whooshed the chirping Levion demon away. The thin, green spirit bowed, eyes darting across the ground, as he skipped from one leg to the other. I was glad it wasn't a Beleth because Beleths were quite the talkative kind, and Dad would be hearing about my meeting with Thrain in a heartbeat. Beleths were also notorious for sucking up to Dad, eager to get his approval to climb up Hell's social ladder, so they liked to embellish the truth.

"Girl, you're a sight for sore eyes." Thrain grabbed my arm and pulled me to his chest, a dangerous glint playing in his eyes. He was up for fun, which made me feel guilty, even more so since my boyfriend stood a few feet away. So all the rumours flying around this place were true? I didn't believe them for a minute."

Keeping my distance, I nodded. "Yep, here I am in the flesh."

"And looking as hot as ever."

"Take it down a notch, will ya? You might piss off my new friend."

He cocked a brow. "Really? Is she as hot as you?"

"You'll meet
him
soon enough. Now if you could just go ahead and make sure no one's around when we pass through, I'd really appreciate it."

His jaw dropped. "Him?"

Was he jealous? I didn't think he was serious enough to get emotionally involved. I regarded his tattered jeans and dishevelled hair. Pinky was right, I had a tendency to fall for bad boys. "How come you're back?"

He shrugged. "It was just a matter of time until Lucifer realised he couldn’t possibly run this place without his best tracker."

I giggled. "I always thought you were better than
Google Maps
."

"Yes, you did, gorgeous." He moistened his lips, the tip of his tongue leaving a wet trail behind. I peered at it, and then away, embarrassed. Shouldn't that connection with Dallas make me stop noticing other people, particularly hot ex boyfriends? Maybe Dallas and I needed to seal it with a handshake or a first kiss, or something.

"Cass? Are you okay there?" Dallas yelled.

"Just a minute."

Thrain sniffed the air, amused. "You brought a mortal? I hope it's just personal luggage."

I ran a hand through my hair, wondering again whether he was jealous. "Nope. It’s the real deal."

"With fluffy clouds, roses, symphonies and all?" Thrain whistled.

"That's going to be one Shakespeare tragedy. I'd better book my seat in advance."

I slapped his arm. "Shut it, mate. Dallas and I will be very happy together."

He nodded, unconvinced. "I'm thrilled for you. So, tell me, does your dad know?"

I winced. "Not exactly."

"Does he even know the guy's trudging along?"

"Still working on it." Why all the interrogation? Then I remembered. Thrain might be a shape shifter and Dad's best tracker, but he was also a chaos demon, fallen just like Dad, so he was bound to have a flair for the dramatic, soak up tension where he could get it.

I frowned. "Can you get your kick somewhere else?"

Thrain laughed. "It wasn't meant that way."

"Really?" I raised my brows.

"Want me to warm your dad up for you?"

I shook my head. "This is my battle. Just make sure the road's free."

"No problem." He winked. "We wouldn't want to frighten the poor boy."

Dallas wasn't a
boy
. Technically, he hadn't yet reached drinking age in the US, but half of the population hadn't. It wasn't a big deal.

"Get moving, or I swear I'll send you back to that place Dad had in mind for you." I pushed his shoulder as hard as I could. He barely budged from the spot.

"You know he would've eventually gotten used to the idea of us dating," Thrain whispered.

I stared at him, speechless for a moment. I knew where he was heading, and I didn't like it one bit. "Dad was right. You and I would never work out. You'll find the one meant for you."

He bowed slowly, an amused glint playing in his gaze. "Fair enough, Princess. If things don't work out with the boy over there, you know where to find me."

I nodded and watched him walk away, his shoulders straight, his leather coat swaying slightly in the scorching heat. There was a time when I would've given anything to hear those words, but now I only sighed and hurried back to Dallas, who was still waiting behind the huge boulders.

Dallas leaned against a twisted tree, drenched in sweat. His face showed red, ugly blotches, his eyes shone unnaturally bright. If I didn't know any better, I'd swear he was coming down with malaria. I shouldn't have left him in Hell's scorching heat, without a water bottle and at least half a dozen wet towels to cool his mortal body. I bit my lip hard. His suffering made my heart sink. It was all my fault.

"We'll get you inside," I whispered.

"Who's 'we'?" He laughed and wiped his soaked sleeve over his face. A moment later, wet pearls gathered again above his brows.

Oops. Another slip up. I was so used to Pinky and Kinky at my side, I always included them. "No one." Eager to change the subject, I pointed around the cairn formation. "We're almost there."

Dallas groaned but grabbed my hand in a clammy grip, following me as I pulled him along the trail. "Remind me never to even consider moving to California."

"It's not that bad."

He snorted. "Probably not if you're stuck at a floating pool bar, guzzling down ice-cold drinks with a soft breeze swaying your hair. I don't see that happening any time soon though."

I glanced at his crumpled shirt, wishing I had advised him to pack a change of clothes. Now I couldn't just beam over his baggage and pretend someone had couriered it over. Too many weird things had happened already. Maybe I'd find something else for him to wear before he met Dad in this damp attire.

"I could've saved myself the hour in the bathroom, huh?" Dallas said.

"Now that you're pointing it out, you're absolutely right." I shrugged. "You'd look awesome wrapped in a plastic bag with a tiara on your head."

He grinned. "I love spending time with you. You know that, right?"

My pulse gained in speed, my mouth turned dry. I nodded.

"That's why we're here, to find out whether what we have is real."

"I don't doubt it for a minute. Do you?"