Page 83 of Hell-Bound

The entire room was darkening, and even the sleepers were beginning to cower in Jester’s presence.

In a flash, Jester was upon the lord, grasping his neck with one hand, lifting the massive Devil off of his knees.

“I’ve never liked you, Evander. I should thank you for finally giving me a reason to eradicate your presence from this plane.”

Jester’s horns seemed to grow momentarily longer as he squeezed his sharp nails into Evander Evernight’s neck.

Tears streamed down the Devil’s face as he choked out a few more sad wheezes of apology. “Please don’t do this, I’ll repent! Just let me live!”

Jester was unmoved and, with one more flex of his forearm, caved in his windpipe with a low crunch. He tossed the Devil’s corpse irreverently. It slapped the ashy floor, blood gushing from his crushed jugular.

The creature, Jester, walked steadily over to the two females and offered Gabriela his hand, eyes still seeping black tendrils.

“Evernight won’t be bothering you again, Gabriela. Please come with me.”

The golden Devil, eyes wet and shaking, laid her handmeekly in Jester’s.

“Let’s go, Ren,” he said, voice emotionless as he turned calmly, striding with Gabriela to the exit, a fiery portalawaiting.

I see reverberations of myself in her more and more with every passing day.

The three staggered to a halt as they were spat out on the outskirts of the forest of Nahmir. Ren was reeling, confused, and disoriented.

Gabriela was on all fours, sputtering and retching. Ren bent down to rub her back.

“It’s okay now, Gabriela. You’re free.”

Jester surveyed the area, checking behind trees and rocks to ensure they hadn’t been followed. But who would have dared follow after that performance?

Gabriela finally calmed a little, sitting cross-legged on the ground.

“I can’t begin to thank you enough,” she stammered, wiping her eyes. “I know The Almighty sent you to save me—you must be one of his faithful.”

Ren heard an almost imperceptible growl from her friend.

“Don’t thank The Almighty, Gabriela. He didn’t doshitfor you. We did.”

Gabriela made a whimpering sound, and Ren inhaled sharply, surprised by his pointed words. Jester joined the two females on the ground. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small coin purse.

“You’re on your own from here. This should be enough to get you anywhere you want to go.”

She took the bag timidly.

“But, sir, if you’re indebted to a Devil, you’ll need this money,” she said, sensing his possession as other Devils had previously.

“Don’t worry about me. You just get yourself to safety.Do you have family or friends you can stay with?”

“Yes, a few towns over, but it’s a long walk.”

“I can portal you, no problem!” he said with a smile before Gabriela threw her arms around his neck, giving him a peck on the cheek.

Ren scooted a bit back, feeling awkward.

Jester helped the Devil to her feet and summoned a portal. With a look back at her two rescuers, she blew a kiss and disappeared.

“That was fun!” Jester said, stretching.

“Are…we going to talk about what happened back there? What happened to Lesser Devils havingbenignpowers?”