The Third Throne: Angel of Darkness (18 page)

“I belong to the highest bidder,” he whispered in her ear.

“Sounds like old habits die hard.  Then again, so did you.  What was it, a firing squad?” she rolled her eyes at the creep.

He stopped in his tracks so quickly that Michelle slammed into him.  “How did you know that?” he asked as he turned and glared at her.

“I didn’t know, but it’s how I would have killed you,” she glared at him.

“The girl’s fate was chosen for her, the contract was signed, and there is nothing for us to do.  While I understand your anger and feel for you, what’s done is done.  Even though the contract was enacted early, the result would still have been the same.  We will not act in the matter,” Gabriel ran Adrian’s word through his head over and over again.  The Council had spoken and he was on his own.

He was annoyed that they were more interested in punishing Lucifer for what he did to Mark than helping him.  He believed Lucifer deserved a harsher punishment than the Realm of Fire.  For once, he had agreed with Michael and had called for Lucifer’s head.

“Did you see her?” Gabriel snapped when Mark appeared at the Gates of Heaven.

“Yes, but you are not going to be pleased.  I saw her in the Hall of Winds, though Lucifer did not introduce me, not that I really expected him to.  At least he did not attack me again.  I swear we were best of friends, completely inseparable, and now he cannot be bothered to look me in the eye when I speak.  I am nothing but common trash to…” Mark said in a rush before Gabriel cut him off.

“Yes, I know and I’m sorry.  It must have been difficult for you to go back there after what he did to you.  Lucifer is deplorable and you should not have endured torture by his hand, but please, tell me about the girl.  I must know,” Gabriel hated being short with Mark, especially after all he had done for him, but he needed answers as quickly as possible.

He pulled Mark along the main walkway, and the white stone pathway leading to the Gardens of Serenity.  They would be able to talk there without anyone overhearing them.

“Yes, of course.  I saw her in the Hall of Winds briefly.  She turned and looked at me with curiosity.  She is very striking, beautiful even,” Mark smiled, trying to lighten Gabriel’s mood before he continued.  “She seemed scared and unsure, but safe, as safe as one can be with the piranhas.  There is a void in her eyes, which is startling, especially knowing who she is.  Her face was injured, though I could not see beyond the cloth covering the side of her face.  Gabriel, you must know, she wears the black dress.”

Gabriel was becoming more alarmed by the second.  He had been out of his mind since she died, but now he was damn near violent.  He wanted to shake Mark and make him recount every second in her presence, but he held fast knowing that it wasn’t Mark’s fault she was at the mercy of the merciless.  He tried to calm himself enough to continue questioning Mark.

“I know your daily schedule changes, but how often do you meet with Lucifer?” Gabriel asked impatiently as he guided Mark to the pebble pathway of the Rose Garden.

“Typically, I go twice a month, unless there are issues, which there seem to be every third day lately.  Most of the time it is Sebastian or Hades who speaks to me, but Lucifer joins us just to scare me sometimes,” Mark shook his head as he thought about Lucifer punching him until he bled.  The angel had lost his way and he resented dealing with him.  It pained him to see his brother so mired in evil.  As guilty as Mark felt for not volunteering for the position, he would not wish it on his worst enemy, let alone a favorite brother.

“Where do you usually meet?” Gabriel paced with his arms folded behind his back, deep in thought.

“Lucifer only allows me access to the Throne Room and I am rarely without an escort,” Mark nervously watched Gabriel pace as he noted Gabriel’s appearance.  He looked more like a caged lunatic than the peaceful angelic brother he knew so well.  He feared for Gabriel’s sanity if he dared to speak further.

“I must find a way to see her,” Gabriel growled as he turned to Mark.

“You know you must be invited.  You can only go there when summoned or if you have cause.  If Lucifer has not broken any rules, then you have no right to intrude.  It is his domain.  Besides, it is a horrid place where you would not want to spend a second longer than necessary….” Mark sputtered to a stop.  Dear Lord, what was he saying?  Gabriel’s eyes tightened, as did his fists.  Mark needed to watch himself more closely or he was going to end up back in the fire.

“I know the rules and I don’t care!  I must find a way.  You would do the same if you were in my position,” Gabriel went back to his pacing.  He ran his hand through his hair, pulling at it.

Gabriel hadn’t been well for a long time, but he was getting worse.  He was constantly disheveled and his expression was always grim.  The other angels had tried consoling him, but Gabriel was too emotional and hardly listened to anyone.

“Of course Gabriel, you are right.  I would do the same in your position.  I will think of a way, though I am sure Lucifer will see through any plot we conceive of to get you in.  I am sure he has been waiting for you to try.  I am very sorry that I failed in my mission to convince Lucifer to see you,” Mark was worried that his brother would resort to drastic measures if left unaided.

He had never seen his brother so upset before.  Michael, Tabbris, and even Raphael, he’d seen upset, but Gabriel was always the calm one.  He was the reliable one, the steady one.  It scared Mark to see his brother like this.  He had to find a way to help him.

Gabriel stopped pacing abruptly and turned to Mark.  He sighed and put his hand on Mark’s shoulder.  “I should have never sent you there to speak on my behalf, it was wrong of me and you paid the price.  I am eternally sorry.  I cannot apologize enough.  It should have been me that was tortured.  I will never forgive myself,” Gabriel’s eyes filled with tears.

He was standing at the Gates of Heaven when Mark returned from Hell, bleeding and battered, escorted by Barnabas.  He had personally carried Mark to his bed and kept watch over him while he recovered from his injuries.  The mental trauma had been far worse than the physical pain.  He would forever be haunted by what Mark had endured.  Mark was physically healed, but he was not the same angel that he once was.  He was responsible and should have suffered instead of Mark.

“Enough Gabriel, I told you that I am not mad at you.  As I said, I would have done the same in your position.  I willingly went to Lucifer.  I knew that it might end badly,” Mark spoke bravely, but averted his eyes when he spoke.  He hated thinking about how helpless he had been while lying in the Hall of Winds.  It was worse knowing that the other Fallen had stood by and witnessed the assault, and done nothing to help.

“You should have allowed the Council to assign another liaison to Hell.  You didn’t have to go back there,” Gabriel looked at Mark sympathetically.

“Then Lucifer wins.  He wanted to intimidate me and frighten me so that I would cower before him.  He enjoys that.  I detest him, but I refuse to tremble before him.  It may take a while, but I swear to you, there will come a time when I no longer fear being in Hell,” Mark stood up straight and vowed to himself that he would get past the memory of the attack and be stronger for it.

“I’m proud of you,” Gabriel nodded.  He knew Mark was right.  If Mark cowered to Lucifer, he would forever have power over Mark.  That was something no one should be subjected to.

Mark paced and reconsidered the problem at hand.  “What if I were able to get a message to her?  What if I told her to meet you in one of the Caves of Darkness?  You might be able to gain access through the old tunnels.  Lucifer cannot possibly patrol them all.  I know they were sealed up eons ago, but there may be a slight chance,” Mark was trying to offer his brother a lifeline.

“The old tunnels, yes, there may be a way in there.  Do you think you can get a message to her?  I don’t want to put you in any more danger.  If Lucifer finds out that you are working with me, I fear he might kill you,” Gabriel feared for his brother, but began to fill with hope.

“I will find a way, brother.  I swear to you.  I owe you this.  I will deal with Lucifer, though I will try very hard not to be caught.  I suggest you do the same.  He will not hesitate to kill you either,” Mark shook Gabriel’s hand, sealing his promise.

“Let him try to kill me,” Gabriel said with determination.

Mark knew it was a risk and that it would be his last act if he were caught.  Lucifer would do worse than throw him into the Realm of Fire if he spoke directly to the girl; he knew it would mean his death.  Lucifer would be guarding her very closely.  Now all he had to do was find the girl and speak to her, or so he hoped.  Gabriel had done much for him over the years.  He told himself that he would rather die than fail again.

∞

“Welcome to my special little part of Hell, or as I call it, the Hall of Misery.  Have a seat,” Hades gave Michelle a grand welcome.

Michelle walked slowly into the hall having pulled her arm away from Caleb. She tucked away the bloody cloth into her sleeve and held her wounded cheek away from Hades’ view.  She didn’t need to look even weaker to him.

Caleb bowed to Hades and scurried back to the rotunda.

She looked around the hall and immediately hated the gaudy decor.  Display cases hung on the walls and held all sorts of weapons and ancient scrolls.  At the far end of the room atop the black marble dais was a throne that resembled a black leather chaise.  In front of it, on either side, were stone pillars with lit torches.  Behind the throne hung sheer red drapes that covered large couches and various ornate tables.  Red, purple, and black stained glass windows lined the curved wall behind the throne, depicting various scenes of torture.  From the looks of it, Hades occupied the second tower.

“It should be called the Tower of the Smug,” Michelle snickered.  She looked up at Hades who was completely at home on his black leather throne.

“No, it’s the Tower of the Punisher, which means you should watch your tongue,” Hades purred menacingly.

“I’m not afraid of you,” she replied coldly.

“Really?  Who said that you should be afraid of me?  I’m merely trying to help you.  Please, sit,” he pointed to the less-than-comfy looking high back chair placed a few feet in front of the dais.

She had a feeling the chair wasn’t normally there.  She was immediately on edge and wanted to leave.

“I think I’ll stand thanks, besides Lucifer will be along shortly.  He was just behind me,” she stood behind the chair, keeping it between them.  At least she could use it to stall him, if she needed to run.

“I’m afraid he won’t be here any time soon.  There was an incident in the Realm of Nightmares and a number of high-level inmates have broken free.  It will take a while to capture and subdue them.  He’s occupied for now,” Hades smiled arrogantly.

“Incident?  How convenient,” Michelle wondered if the Fenris problem had been orchestrated by Hades as well.  She knew in her gut she should try to make a break for it.

“Now, my dear Mistress, I think you and I got off on the wrong foot.  We should be allies, not enemies.  It is so difficult dealing with Lucifer; I think you should accept my guidance when it comes to him.  His mood swings are enough to give you a migraine.  I have known him since the beginning of time.  I understand him and his ever-changing needs.  We should work together.  We can help each other deal with the Prince of Darkness and his ventures into insanity,” it was obvious that Hades was trying to placate her and win her over.  She looked past his award-winning smile and pleasant tone to seek out what he really wanted from her.

“How exactly do you think we can do that?” she raised an eyebrow at him.

Hades was about to speak, but stopped abruptly.  He leaned forward, squinting at her.  He tilted his head as if he was trying to figure out a puzzle.  He shook off the thought and stood up.  He slowly descended the steps and glided toward her.  She’d seen horror movie monsters like vampires glide, but she was unnerved to see him do it.

“You look different,” he was sounded sincere as he stood in front of the chair.

He was too close for her liking.

“I look the same,” she snorted.  She didn’t think he had seen her face, so she was confused by the comment.  Either way, his reaction didn’t bode well for her.  Running was sounding better and better, but she wanted to know his endgame.

“No.  There is definitely something unusual about you,” he leaned over the chair and reached out to touch her face, but she turned away and backed up a step.

“Don’t,” she said hesitantly, unsure about his intentions.

“I wasn’t going to hurt you, I promise.  It’s just, your skin, it’s striking and your face…”  Hades shook himself and backed away.  He had been about to comment on her beauty when he noticed she was injured.

Even in the dim firelight, he could clearly see the bloody marks on her face.  He was outraged at the thought of Lucifer striking her.  He paused for a moment as he considered why he was outraged.  Why did he care what happened to her?

“What happened?” Hades gritted the out the question through his teeth before he could stop himself.

“What are you talking about?” she didn’t need to explain anything to him.

“Speak or I will find out myself, and you don’t want that,” Hades looked deadly as he spoke.

She rolled her eyes and tapped her fingers against the chair.  “During my tour of the Hall of Shadows, Fenris broke free and attacked Lucifer.  I was injured when Fenris ran past me to get to him.  Collateral damage,” she shrugged.  He didn’t need to know that she had helped Lucifer defeat Fenris.

“That son of a bitch.  Is he contained?” Hades growled as he paced.  He made a mental note to rip Fenris’ tail off for the slight.