Page 27

27

A MASTER LUZUH

I t turned out that all Ryker Wyeth had to do to get us inside was bleed. That was enough to create a portal inside, allowing just Ryker and I to step through. Any more and he explained his father would see it as an unwelcome intrusion. And let’s just say that Mammon, ruler and King of the 4 th realm of Hell, was not the most hospitable of Kings.

However, the first to greet us was someone Ryker knew as he practically growled her name.

“Annika Empusa.”

The woman he referred to was startling to look at. Dressed in black, her long hood covering all of her face, whereas the rest of her clothes barely covered her at all. A small V-shape attached to the hood was all that concealed her naked torso, as she wore the pointed part of this in between her bare breasts. This leaving the rest of her skin on show.

Added to this, she wore a wide belt across her hips, with a small strip of black sheer fabric hanging between her legs. One of the legs was made of copper that looked to have been fused to her hip, as the skin around it was scared, puckered skin. Her knee-high boots were laced at both sides and had pointed, wicked metal spikes for the heels.

“My Lord Greed,” she greeted softly, folding her real leg back so as she could drop into a graceful bow, an action that showed her naked sex, as clearly underwear was not a thing this woman cared for. As for where we were, it looked to be some kind of place for greeting guests.

The room had only one theme, and that was gold and black… emphasis on the gold part. Every feature was gleaming and made for a startling contrast on the black walls. Everything from gold chairs, gold molding around the ceiling, golden candelabras, even the twin golden fireplaces. Both of which took up large portions of the walls as they mirrored each other. As for the floor, this was black marble, veined with gold, making it look like a golden stream was snaking beneath your feet.

“I am here to see my father,” Ryker informed her, making her reply,

“But of course, he has been waiting for quite some time on word of your mission.”

Ryker clenched his jaw before responding,

“I am not here for that.”

“No, I assumed not, but he will wish to hear of your progress all the same,” she countered before sweeping her leg back and holding out her arm, indicating we should go first. No doubt her lower rank to the prince, not allowing her to walk before him.

“You know the way, my Lord,” she prompted, making him walk through the golden arch of the open doorframe and into a long hallway that was set in exactly the same style as the room we had just left.

“Something I should know?” I asked, referring to their conversation, giving him cause to sigh.

“Long ago, my father had something stolen from him, the Scepter of Psychopompós. One I managed to get back in our possession some thirty years back,” he replied, making me give him a sideway glance and say,

“Something tells me that isn’t the end of the story.”

“No, for he wishes for me to discover who it was that stole it.” This wasn’t surprising.

“You don’t know?” I asked, admittedly curious that the shrewd and perceptive enforcer didn’t know who it was.

“Admittedly I have been a little lax of late.”

I chuckled at that.

“Finding your Fated will do that to you, no doubt.”

He grinned, obviously thinking of his wife. One of the Lost Sirens that were all found within the same year that the King of Kings found his own Chosen One.

“And this thief is who he wants you to find,” I reaffirmed, prompting him to say more. As well, it was as the saying went, information was power, and it was a motto I lived by.

“Yes, for it is said that they hide in the mortal realm.”

“Not surprising, seeing as it would be easier for them to hide there. Any clues?” I asked.

“Only a name, for they are known as the Master Luzuh.”

I had never heard this name before, nor did I know its meaning.

“Master Luzuh?”

“I forget your lineage is of Greek descent, it means person who steals, in Sumerian,” he told me, making me nod in understanding.

“It was thought that, for a time, the thief was to be found in the city of Kusig. The capital of my father’s kingdom. However, when it came to light that they were able to cross over into this realm, that was when the trail ran cold.”

I nodded, as I could understand why it had, and well, he didn’t exactly have a lot to go on.

“Ah,” I said, unconsciously rubbing a hand over my stomach and thinking of Ella. My reddish black T-shirt was not enough to hide the memory, despite there being no scar there for me to feel. I had dressed very much the same as I had before, conjuring up clothes from the same flame-resistant material I preferred. But one glance at Ryker and I was already missing my everyday attire of jeans, biker boots, and some gearhead Tee. Although, one glance around the place and I would say I was a far cry away from getting that back anytime soon. Meaning I was stuck wearing the skin of a fire salamander for a good while longer.

“My father is not pleased, for no one has ever been able to steal from him before,” Ryker went on to say.

“And he wants revenge,” I guessed, making him shrug before saying,

“Perhaps.”

“You don’t sound too sure,” I pointed out.

“It is a woman,” he stated, making it all become clear, especially after what Nefartatul had told me about all the Kings of Hell being Fated to find their own Chosen One’s. Perhaps this thief was his, which was why he was so intent on finding her.

We continued to walk until we reached a pair of gleaming golden doors, as it had to be said, there definitely wasn’t any gold lacking in this place. A sight not often seen in Hell, as this was more a Kingdom of gold than it was ominous and foreboding. A far cry from Lucius’s castle that was for sure.

Two guards stood either side of the doors, that were twenty feet tall and ornamented with framed squares that each held a different symbol at the center. As for the guards, they looked like medieval Knights, their amour gleaming and not a single smudge on the gold plating.

As soon as they saw Greed, they dropped to a knee and bowed, lowering their heads. The clatter of movement couldn’t be held as it echoed down the large hallway.

“Lord Greed,” they both said, making him nod for them to open the doors.

The moment they did, light flooded out from the lustrous throne room that, admittedly, was staggering to see. It was made entirely from the same black and gold marble on the floor, with huge pillars lining the length of the room and holding up the cathedral style ceiling. One that was decorated with delicate interwoven gold moldings that, from this distance, looked like golden lace.

“This is where I leave you, my Lord,” the one he had called Annika Empusa said, already turning on her copper leg before walking back the way she came. Her half-hooded cloak was much longer at the back, and now trailed behind her like a shadow.

At the end of the room sat King Mammon himself, and surprisingly he was the only one not dripping in gold, instead dressed entirely in black. His black tunic had a high collar and armored shoulder pads, with a long cape attached that looked made from silken fur. His large frame was tapered down, where a thick belt broke up the continuation of even more black material that covered his legs. His trousers were tighter and tucked into his thick leather boots.

The contrast of him sitting amongst a throne made completely from gold was one I struggled to take my eyes from. The wealth of this man was unfathomable, and the room was only filled with hints of his fortune. Each step we took inside, walked us past different pieces of his treasure displayed in crystal glass cases, reminding me of being in some museum.

As for the King who owned it, he rose from his golden throne as we got closer, walking down the steps and greeting his son. It was astounding to see how much alike they looked, as their vessels could have been brothers. But then, I knew that whichever vessel a supernatural took, they would naturally turn it into how they wished to look over time. Clearly, Mammon wanted to look like his son or vice versa. Although with the tense way Ryker held himself, I would say it was the first.

“And at long last, my son returns, and with news I hope,” he said, sounding excited, although Ryker’s face was no doubt expecting anger in place of this good nature. As he obviously wasn’t bringing him good news like he hoped.

“Father,” he said, bowing his head and prompting me to do the same. His father looked to me and asked,

“Have you exchanged your second? I thought you favored the Druid?” Of course, he was talking about Vander. Although knowing him and the happy go lucky, action seeking, guy I had met, I would say he would be pissed to know he was missing out.

“No, for I bring with me a guest, for there is a matter of urgency we must speak to you about.”

His father’s face scowled, realizing this visit clearly wasn’t to be about his thief after all. But knowing what I knew now of the situation, it gave me time to think, in case I needed it. Because it was like Ryker had warned me… the King would want something in return for aiding us.

Fuck me, but at this rate I was going to have to go into the Supernatural dating service.

“Then we will speak of it privately,” he said, nodding to one of his servants that were all lined up just waiting to do his bidding, this time dressed in ancient roman style dresses. They rushed over to open another golden door for us, that lead into an office of sorts. Although half of it looked like an ancient library, one that showcased even more treasure.

The King entered first, taking a seat behind a large desk, that… you guessed it… was all gold. As for Ryker and me, we took our seats opposite, as this was clearly a room he used for conducting any business. The Kings of Hell might have been mighty rulers, but they still had Kingdoms to run.

“And your name is?” he asked, casting his lighter blue eyes on me.

“I am Cerberus, the HellBeast King,” I replied, making his eyes widen in surprise.

“Hades’ Realm… hmm, I cannot think of what I could assist you in,” he replied, making me frown. Because he didn’t know that I practically came with an inbuilt bullshit detector and the alarm was currently going off in my head.

“Can you not?” I tested, making his blue eyes glow slightly, a pair that was a lot lighter than his son’s. In fact, now that I had time to look at him, there were subtle differences between the two.

Mammon was slightly taller, with wider shoulders. His dark hair was much longer, with half of the waves pulled back, secured in a golden band. Rings adorned his fingers, with the ends of his fingers painted gold, matching the painted line from his lower lip down his chin. His brows were slightly more arched in a mocking arrogance, and his lips thinned in annoyance.

“We have come here in…” Ryker began, but stopped when his father held up his hand.

“Let the HellBeast explain it, but first, what of my thief?” he asked, making Ryker sigh,

“The search continues.”

His father huffed, folding his thick arms over his chest, making me realize we would get nowhere if his mind was solely focused on this. Meaning, it was time to appease a King in want of his woman.

“What if I told you there was a way you could find her?”

Mammon’s sharp gaze turned to me.

“And you know a way, do you?” he said mockingly.

“Well, my brother doesn’t call me a cunning bastard for nothing,” I replied, making him scoff a laugh.

“And it will cost me, no doubt,” the King assumed correctly.

“I only seek information, nothing more.”

His brow raised at that, the black line arching higher in question.

“I make many deals in this room, HellBeast, but with nothing to show for your offer, then I am a King without a guarantee.”

“And here I was thinking fortune favors the brave,” I replied pushing my luck, but thankfully it paid off as he threw his head back and laughed.

“Mm, indeed it does, and no doubt a motto my little thief lives by. Fine, tell me, and if I like the idea, then you will have your information.”

“It’s simple enough in nature, as you just need to set a trap.”

He laughed and, this time, it was contemptuous.

“And you are a fool if you believe I haven’t tried that already.”

“Ah, but this will be different, as you will also be the buyer.”

He frowned before looking intrigued…

“Go on.”

“You have been searching for the thief by setting bait for her to steal, when instead you need to set your bait as the buyer.”

Mammon frowned again, but there was enough intrigue remaining in his keen gaze, that I knew he would allow me to continue.

“What do you mean, Cerberus?” Ryker asked.

“How many times has she stolen from you?” I asked quickly, knowing this would be an important factor.

“On more than one occasion,” he replied, enticing a tick in his jaw to jump.

“But it’s not predictable what she steals, am I right?” I asked, and he tilted his head to the side slightly before asking,

“How do you know this?”

“Because she is only going for the items that she knows she has a buyer for. Otherwise, it’s too risky as the danger of getting caught doesn’t end until the item is no longer in her possession. She won’t be sitting on a mountain of treasure, but in the mortal realm, she will be sitting on a fortune in a bank somewhere,” I told him, making him rub the short beard covering the lower half his face.

“You might be on to something,” he admitted.

“Put the word out that there is something you want, something only she knows you have, offer a price that will be too good for her to turn down. Then instead of trying to catch her in the act, you catch her when she willing hands it over to you seeing as you are the buyer.”

At this he grinned before he clapped his hands once.

“Perfect! She will unknowingly hand herself over to me,” he said, his grin showing excitement.

“Exactly, along with getting back what she stole from you, so you can’t lose,” Ryker agreed, looking at me in relief, as clearly, this meant he was out of the shit with daddy.

“Then may I suggest making it seem more real, and make it something harder for her to steal, as if it is too easy, she may be smart enough to realize it’s a trap,” I added, making him smirk.

“Oh, she is certainly smart enough, but you are right.”

I shrugged my shoulders before saying,

“I am glad I can help.”

“Your brother is right. You are cunning and therefore worthy of the information you seek. Come, for Hades is waiting.”

At this I bolted up right in my seat, asking in bewilderment,

“Wait?! How did you know?”

To which Mammon told me,

“Because Fate is never wrong.”