Page 21

Chapter twenty-one

M al and Hashen began to train our coven members. After a single day of training with the demons, members of every coven were limping and hobbling around the castle, sore from the regimen they were now expected to follow. I worked on the gate, using as much of my magic as I could without burning myself out. It was ready. All I needed was Talia’s bones.

Three days had passed since Mammon and Belz reached out to Satan … nothing. I trained with Deus, preparing to rely on my body and weaponry skills alone. Using magic had become second nature to me. The thought of Lucifer possessing a spell or object that would tear it away was unfathomable.

Winter had arrived and I was thankful for it. I stood on my balcony, allowing the small snowflakes to land on my skin, chilling my warm skin. Moments of silence like these were rare. I was always surrounded by Deus or my family. My opinion seemed to be needed when making all decisions. The weight of the responsibility was unbearable. I was happy I would never have to become an elder. It wasn’t a job I coveted.

“Hello,” I heard a small voice behind me.

I turned, startled by the sound. A young girl stood before me, dressed in a white nightgown. Her long blonde hair fell to her waist. Her eyes were a cold blue, wet like she had been crying. Her skin was pale as the snow.

“How did you get in here?” I asked, taking a step towards her.

“I … I don’t know. I’m … lost,” she said, holding her face as she sobbed. I reached out to comfort her, but my hands went straight through her. I pulled back, startled. She was a ghost.

“You’re …” I couldn’t finish the sentence. The girl couldn’t have been more than ten. Her little face was so beautiful and innocent.

“I don’t know what happened. I was sick and then, I think … I think I died.”

“That’s right,” I said softly. She was the only other ghost that had ever sought me out, besides G. I didn’t know what to do. “What happened next?”

“I saw a bright light. It looked like … like a door, but I ran away from it. I didn’t want to leave my mamma. I’m all she has.”

My heart broke for the little girl. “I am so sorry you had to leave her so soon.”

“I don’t understand. Why? Why did I die? I just got sick. It was only a normal cold.”

“I don’t know, sweetie,” I replied, wishing I could touch her. “I’m still trying to figure out why the universe is the way it is. But the good thing is, there’s peace waiting for you on the other side.”

She twirled a small ribbon from her nightgown around her finger. “Do you think my daddy is waiting for me there?”

“I sure hope so.”

“And … and maybe my nonna and nonno?”

I smiled. “That sounds beautiful,” I said, feeling a single tear escape down my cheek.

“Okay … I think I’d like to see them again.”

“Sounds like a plan.” I waited. The girl looked around the balcony. “Do you see the white light?”

Her little face scrunched with worry. “No. I don’t see the light anywhere. Do you think … do you think they won’t let me go now?”

“I’m sure that’s not the case,” I said. I closed my eyes, focusing on the mental, color-coded filing system I had set up for each goddess vessel’s memories. I pulled Celia’s cabinet forward and sifted through the memories. There was one I had never been able to make sense of before. I pulled it out, allowing the sensations and images of her life to replace my own.

Cecilia glowed brightly as a white light shot from her center. Her features and clothes were no longer visible, as if her white flame had consumed her entirely. A person walked through her and disappeared into the light she had become. She faded, taking a deep breath, reaching for her heart. She breathed heavily, wiping the tears from her face before standing upright. Her hands were full of blood. She took a cloth from her pocket, wiping the blood from either palm.

I pulled my conscious forward. Cecilia was the gate … but how? The little girl had watched me the entire time.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

I smiled, bending down towards her. “Yes. Just working on a way to get you to your family. What’s your name?” I asked, realizing I didn’t know.

“Kayla,” she whispered.

“Nice to meet you, Kayla. I’m Seren. My friend, Gor, will know how to get you home. Do you mind if we go and visit him?”

She shook her head .

“Good. Let’s go,” I replied, leading the way.

We searched the castle for Gor. He wasn’t with G, which was unusual. I finally found him buried in a pile of books at the back of our library. He didn’t notice us as we approached. Before I could say hello, Kayla began to scream. I turned behind me, ready to attack. Her little face was wrecked with fear, eyes locked on Gor. She breathed heavily, beginning to shake.

“What?” I asked her. She didn’t say a word.

“Seren?” I heard Gor say behind me.

I knelt in front of the little girl; her eyes still fixed on Gor. She pointed her finger out towards him, her little breaths gasping.

“That is my friend, Gor,” I replied. “The one I was telling you about. He is going to help me reunite you with your family.”

“Who are you talking to?” asked Gor, approaching my side. Kayla took a step back, shaking her head.

“Kayla,” I replied, standing straight. “She died and needs to find her way back to the light.”

“Ah,” he replied, placing his hands in his pockets.

“He’s a … a … a monster,” Kayla bleated.

“She sees the demon roaming underneath my skin,” explained Gor. “Once a spirit is separated from its physical body, they can see the realities of the spirit realm. Our masks no longer work.”

“G never mentioned any of this,” I said. “In fact, I specifically remembering her go on and on about how handsome you were.”

He shrugged. “I still don’t have an answer for that. I was just as surprised she took an interest in me as you are right now. Is the spirit still here?”

“Yes,” I answered, kneeling in front of the little girl. “ It’s okay, sweetie. Gor is my friend. I promise, he isn’t going to harm you.” Her eyes finally left Gor, flashing to me for only a moment before returning to him.

“You came to ask about the gate … to heaven,” Gor said.

“Yes. I saw Cecilia become it, but how?”

“Her grandmother. The blood and magic they shared acted as an anchor to the other side … to heaven.”

“Okay, so what am I supposed to use as an anchor? Everyone I know and love is here or will end up in He—” I stopped. Gor’s face softened.

“Orion,” I whispered. We were forever connected though the gods that had formed our vessels. I swallowed, looking back at the little girl. She was frightened and scared. I needed to help her cross over. I needed to put my own fears and guilt aside, so she could be safe. I turned back to Gor. “Teach me.”

We went back to my room, where Gor walked me through the process. I sliced my palms, allowing the warm blood to spread across my skin. I quieted my mind, focusing on Orion, on that part of my soul that Cyrus and Aradia passed to us. The part of my heart that would always belong to him.

The blood from my hands began to run up my arms, swerving and roaming across my skin, covering me entirely until I was overtaken by my own life force. A bright flash of light blasted out of me, my white flame consuming me. I couldn’t breathe for a moment, then cool, crisp air filled my lungs.

I opened my eyes, greeted by the sweet scent of summer. I stood in a radiant, lush field. The wind swayed the blades of green grass in a tranquil rhythm. The sky was clear, and the sun was bright. Birds flew overhead, singing their beautiful songs.

One of them landed on the tree stump in front of me, tilting its head back and forth without fear. My heart clenched. I walked slowly towards it, tears now falling from my eyes. I bent down in front of the beautiful white bird, trembling from the overwhelming emotions. “Orion,” I whispered.

“Hello, little dove.”

I shot up, turning see his beautiful face behind me. I rushed towards him, arms extended, until my grip was firmly secured around his neck. The tears tore through me. I could feel him. Smell him. Touch him.

He held me tightly, cradling my convulsing body against his as I bawled. He was okay. He was safe. He had truly made it.

I finally pulled away, still holding onto him in fear that he would disappear if I let go. He wiped the tears from my cheeks, smiling from ear to ear. God, he was so incredibly beautiful. His long, curly brown hair drifted in the wind. His skin glowed unnaturally and his face … his face was so peaceful. He was dressed in his normal fashion, a pair of dark jeans and a tight black shirt, revealing all his glorious muscles. I laughed, feeling like that part of me that died alongside him had returned.

“I’ve missed you,” I whispered, at a loss for words.

“I’ve missed you too, little dove,” he replied. The sound of his voice soothed the aching inside of me. “I was wondering when you were going to figure out how to use this part of your gift.”

“You knew?” I asked.

“I was informed once I crossed over. Been waiting for you to show up ever since.”

I laughed, still doubting this was real.

“It’s real, Seren. You’re here, and so am I.”

I looked around at the captivating landscape. “Is this heaven?” I asked.

He shook his head. “Not quite. This place is in between. It was created for the anchor and the goddess, to create the gate needed to help the lost souls cross over. That is why you’re here, I presume? Helping a lost soul?”

I nodded. “A little girl. She’s very frightened.”

“I see. They don’t start you off easy, do they?”

I laughed. “No. The universe has a real hard on for me it appeared.” I paused, taking in the sight of him. “How are you?”

He smiled, exhaling. “Honestly … wonderful. Here, there’s no pain or worry. Nothing to be afraid of. I’m just … peaceful and happy.” He laughed. “If I would have known it was like this on the other side, I would have died a lot sooner.”

I hit him in the arm. “That’s not funny,” I said. “We miss you back home.”

His gazed fell. “How … how’s Delphine?”

“After you … she and your mother cleared out your room and returned to their covens. I haven’t really had a chance to speak or see her since then, but I should be seeing her soon. All of us are gathering at Castle Salvo to prepare.”

“For Lucifer?”

“The one and only,” I smiled sarcastically.

“I don’t miss that feeling … preparing for war.”

“I just can’t wait until it’s over. And it will be soon enough, for me at least.”

His brow furrowed. “Little dove, what are you talking about?”

I forced a smile on my face. “Got room for one more up here?”

There was a long pause before he spoke. “You’re planning to die,” he finally said.

“It’s the only way to kill Lucifer. I’ve come to terms with it. Plus, if it’s as cozy as you say it is up here, it can’t be that bad. ”

His face remained stern. “Seren, your mate is a demon … a Prince of Hell.”

“And …?”

“His power, his essence, is inside of you. Which means, when you die, you won’t be heading here.”

I froze; my head began to spin while a sick feeling in my stomach took hold. My ears were buzzing, and my vision began to tunnel. “Wh … what?” I whispered.

“Your mate is a demon. Your magic comes from his source. A magic that powers Hell itself. A power that must be returned to its rightful place to keep the balance.”

I shook my head in disbelief. “After I’ll I’ve done … sacrificed. After all I plan to sacrifice … Hell is what has awaited me this entire time? Where is the fairness in that?”

Orion gently cupped my cheek with his large hand, bringing my eyes to his. “You forget, little dove; Hell is part of you. It always has been. When the day comes that you leave the earthly plane, you will rule over Hell.”

I pulled back in shock. “What? What are you talking about? That’s impossible.”

He laughed, standing straight. “It seems that in Lucifer’s desperation to become a god, he created the one thing that could take it all from him … an heir. Between your natural power, the power of Aradia, Asmodeus, and now Lucifer, you are the most powerful being of all.”

I shook my head. “No … no. I don’t want it. I don’t want to be King of Hell.”

“No Seren … you are the Queen of Hell. When your earthly life has ended, you will not go to Hell to suffer. You will go to Hell to rule. His Father has decided; Lucifer’s time to play king of the underworld has come to an end.”

“No … no this can’t be happening. That means I’ll never see you, or my family. I will be separated from all of you … for eternity.”

“This plane will always exist. Our souls will always be tied, and the bloodline between your family is strong. There are loopholes to everything, so I’ve learned.”

Panic, desperation, and fear all slammed into me. I had been approaching my limit on the amount of crazy one person was capable of handling, but this had hurtled me over that border and then some.

“The girl,” I whispered, not knowing what else to say.

Orion’s eyes were still full of love and kindness. “Do not be afraid, Seren De Salvo,” he said in his deep, gentle voice. “Your destiny was decided long ago, before you ever were born. Conquer your fears. Claim your fate and take your rightful place. Once you accept your fate, you will find the peace you’ve always searched for. This, I promise.” Orion pulled me into him. I allowed myself to be engulfed by his large form, relaxing at the familiar feeling and scent of my friend.

I closed my eyes, trying to let the devastation of it all go. I felt Orion kiss the top of my head and then, I felt a small tingle slither along my soul. The girl, Kayla. She was passing through me into the heavens. I felt her fear, her excitement, her wonder, and then … her peace. I pulled away, looking up into his deep brown eyes.

“I’ll be seeing you, little dove.”

I smiled. “I love you, Orion.”

“And I love you.” He pressed his lips to my forehead.

I closed my eyes and then faded back to reality. The air rushed into my lungs. I felt like I hadn’t breathed in minutes. I grabbed for my chest, willing the burning to stop. Gor was there instantly, supporting me with his arms.

“It’s okay,” I heard him say. “Everything is okay.”

I shook my head, still trying to understand my newest title … Queen of Hell. My head snapped up as I remembered the only other time I had heard that title … Mal.