Page 16 of Fallen: Darkness Ascending, Vol.1

Him saying the words out of order sends a disorienting shiver along my spine.

I set my jaw, and breathe in deeply. I chase my logic around for just a few more seconds, and when he starts to look impatient, I step forward.

Then again. I would’ve expected him to start smiling as I approach him, but his expression remains largely placid—almost like he doesn’t trust me not to be creeping up for an attack.

But I stand before him, lick my lips, and search his warm brown eyes.

He huffs a small breath. “Yes? Make your choice; the air down here sours my stomach.”

I scoff at his disdain, then look down at his lips. I’ve kissed them so very, many times. He’s used sex in hell to help me return to the real world. I always loved it, always felt so alone when I awoke in my home after retuning and he was gone. This feels so different, though.

He doesn’t move, doesn’t meet me halfway, doesn’t anticipate or pucker. He makes me commit, fully, leaning up and softly forcing the kiss onto him.

Then he gives a pleased little sigh, and his mouth reciprocates. He pulses the kiss against me, puckering, pushing lightly, just as genuine as I’ve ever known. I can’t fully return the sentiment though, my lips somewhat stiff, and I don’t open my lips when his tongue crosses over them.

He smiles at my denial, drawing away only slightly to look down at me. “I’m glad you made this choice, little lamb. I would have lost sleep if I knew you were out there all alone. But, come…let’s get some fresher air.”

Cornelius turns, standing at my side and settling an arm over my shoulders to guide me through the cell. I turn to look back at the man in the corner, his eyes wide, gaze following us, lips muttering something.

I’m led down the hall, and to a large, metal elevator.

The door here opens to reveal the backside of an elegant office, mahogany wood and bookshelves and plaques on the wall.

We continue on through the home and into a regal dining room, with a large table.

A single place-setting is there, a plate and juice box.

Chicken nuggets.

And fries.

Cornelius gestures to the seat, “Please.” Then he crosses and stands at the chair opposite the table.

My stomach contorts with need at the sight of the meal, not having eaten since…oh, god…since I went to bed at Ajax’s place. How long ago even was that? I sit, looking down at the food and the soft puff of steam still rising off the plate.

“Homemade; only the best for you. The mayo as well. There’s ice cream for you after you finish your chicken.”

I stare up at him, brows pulled in tight. It just feels fucking bizarre to sit here after being kidnapped by a literal demon, and eat nuggets and ice cream.

“Now, you and I have more to talk about. Do you promise to sit nicely and eat your meal like a good little pet if Cillian comes in, or are you going to cause me trouble?”

The zest of degradation in his tone isn’t awesome, but I take a stiff breath and nod.

Pleased, he calls Cillian’s name loudly and draws his chair back to take a seat.

I dunk a pair of fries into the little dish of mayo as he enters, pulling back a chair in a way that makes the legs screech against the floor.

A glint of gold triggers me to flinch upward and look at the source—the mask, hung at his hip on the utility belt.

Gun, small knife, and pepper spray along the belt too.

When he sits and his face comes into view, he has a slightly smug look in his eye.

I glare and bite into the fries.

“Now then. I want to reassure you, as well, that it’s not all bad.

After all, your mortal body in this realm is so fragile and vulnerable—under our agreement, you’ll be taken care of.

Well fed, lavish bed, your room even has an en-suite bathroom with jacuzzi.

I’ll make sure you stay healthy, and Cillian will be your guard so no one can hurt you—here, or in hell. ”

I snicker, fishing up a nugget. No one but himself, maybe. But I go a different angle aloud. “So I can’t escape, you mean?” I bite into the nugget.

Cornelius gives a flicker of distaste, eyes narrowing a degree. “Don’t put words in my mouth, little lamb. No, he doesn’t need to keep you from escaping. Does he? Tell her why.”

Cillian blinks, looking a little baffled. He shrugs one shoulder. “Uhm…because, escape is impossible?” He snickers.

I roll my eyes, dipping at the mayo. “I’m sure I can think of something crafty, in due time.”

The tickled, delighted giggle Cornelius gets at that makes me worried.

“Oh darling, please do. I command legions, love—and on the other side? Another legion, and hell hounds, just waiting for you to make their eternity a little interesting. Waiting for you to give them something to chase. Feel free to indulge them; they could use the entertainment, and you certainly won’t get away. ”

Something clicks in my head. “Hellhounds…Stray?”

Cornelius smiles, nodding deeply. “Very good, Hope. Yes, the Fide Morte are guard dogs here, and appear as hellhounds there. ”

“…What happens to Stray, now?”

Cillian gestures to himself with a small rise of his hand. “Stray stays with me. And I stay with you. You’ll see him just as much as before; he’s finishing recovery for now.”

That’s nice, at least. I sip at my juice box as I think over everything, then set it down with a loud sigh. “We aren’t sharing a bed or any bullshit, are we?”

He cracks a small smile, leaning forward onto the table, setting one forearm down then the other, cocking his head at me. “No, lamb. No ‘bullshit’ like that, so you can rest easy.”

I hum, glad, and claim another nugget.

“I’ll keep a close eye on you from the shadows of your canopy bed and make sure you don’t have any terrible, troubling nightmares that keep you awake…”

The nugget pauses mid-dip in the mayo, and I sigh out tensely.

Cornelius chuckles at me. Fucker.

“You get two days to recover, Hope,” he says with a warm sort of authoritative tone.

“Rest, get accustomed to the home, the arrangements. Wednesday night, we feed . You submit . And if you play nice, then the prisoners are released. So, eat up. Let me know if you need anything at all to make your new life here more comfortable. You do know how much I love to spoil you.”

A part of me wants to test him, almost mockingly. The first thing that comes to mind is ‘I want a hot tub’, but…he already said there’s a jacuzzi in my room. And the man literally bought me a top-end, self-driving car.

So instead, I just nod, and look down at my plate of homemade chicken nuggets. “Wednesday.”

Cornelius sits back in his chair with a pleased sigh. “ Wednesday. ”