Page 22 of The Misfit Mage and His Devilish Desires (Diabolic Romance #3)

Bez

I seethed as the smoke and fire breathed in and out, taking the form of Abraham Remington. Flames trickled away from his body, delicately flickering around the summoning circle. He wasn’t the decrepit mage who’d withered toward the end of his mortal coil before being struck down during the coup meant to overthrow the Collective regime in Seattle. No, this Abe took on the form of his youth. The sweet smile he shot me with his boyish face was as wicked and deceitful as it was the first day I’d met him.

“Beelzebub, aren’t you quite the sight.” He ran a hand through his wavy blond hair. “You always did wear a suit well.”

My demon body didn’t even faze him.

“Well, well, well, Walter, too?” Abe eyed Wally up and down, studying his muscular body, the one he’d grown into since leaving his station in the archives. “Something’s different. Did you get contacts?”

“Diabolic essence.” Wally shrugged.

“Easier than Lasik, I suppose.” Abe nodded approvingly. Sickening. “You look better than the last time I saw you.”

“You too. Younger and less impaled,” Wally retorted, not missing a beat. Good for him.

“Yes, well, the afterlife is far more relaxing than all the decades I served at the helm as Magus.” Abe smirked, arrogant in a way I rarely saw except when alone with him in the archives, when not pretending civility in front of his mage rabble, when not feigning empathy for Mythic plights, when not tricking me into feeling for him.

I turned away, wishing to slaughter Abe’s spirit here and now by any method possible. But my impulsivity had already cost us once. I needed to swallow my rage, my regrets, my hatred and allow Wally a chance to discover answers.

“I do hope your mother is fairing well with the position,” Abe said nonchalantly, which only made Wally’s shocked inhale sharper and louder.

“You knew she was behind the coup?”

“Of course. Keep your enemies close and all that nonsense.” Remington chuckled. “Who do you think tipped her off about Ian? If she were ever going to make a move, she needed the right piece on the board.”

“You’re a fool, Abe.” I spun around and spat my words. “You overplayed your hand and died!”

He locked his gaze with me, unblinking, expression stone, then he smiled and released a carefree shrug. “You win some, you lose some.”

He had never looked so calm, so at ease, so free. That fucking piece of garbage! He tricked me into waging a war, he professed feelings for me, he manipulated my every thought, and then locked me away inside an orb so he could show me off like some damned trophy. And now—now he gets to find peace in death! It wasn’t fair!

“Oh, Beelzebub, you look flustered,” Abe said, turning his attention to Wally. “Does he still crinkle his forehead when he finds himself incapable of a proper retort? It was truly the cutest little expr—”

“Silence.” Wally held up a small gem that he had removed from the assortment Kell had placed around her summoning circle.

The flames raged high, tightening around the small space provided to Abe.

“Do you know what happens to a soul that burns up to ashes?”

Abe shook his head but remained silent as the fire licked at his translucent skin.

“No?” Wally asked. “That’s because no one knows. So, I suggest you don’t fuck around unless you wanna find out.”

My entire body warmed, and it wasn’t the inferno Wally waved around, threatening Abe with. No, it was the steady command in Wally’s voice, the cold threat without an ounce of hesitation, the remorselessness in his eyes. Whenever he got like this, murderous and vengeful, I found myself lost in the pure bliss it brought.

It would take everything I had not to mount him here and now.

“And don’t think the fire is a one-and-done kind of thing; please understand how the spiritus stones work.” Wally held up the ruby. “These are fueled by ancient magics and currently fueled by a witch’s spell to enact the summoning.” He nodded toward Kell, who remained in a trance-like state during the necromancy ritual. “However, when I add my mana to it or alter the frequency of the casting in even the slightest way, it risks spirit damage. Irreversible damage. Agonizing pain you’ll carry in your soul until the end of time.

“Fine, fine, no need for the theatrics.” Abe gestured his surrender.

“Now that we have your attention, I have a few questions.”

“Honestly, if you wanted to torture me for information, you should’ve just started up with lectures first.” Abe huffed. “Nothing more grating than listening to you drone on about bullshit no one cares about.”

That hurt Wally. Visibly stung him because, in all his time working in the archives, he’d only found two people willing to listen to him discuss his findings: an unwilling demon trapped in an orb and the magus who always conversed so delightfully when presented with Wally’s research. To learn it was all an act, a lie, a facade meant merely to elicit what Abe sought… I understood Wally’s pain in a way much, much worse.

“I’ve never experienced Hell, but I imagine it’s a lot like Walter’s lectures.” Abe laughed. “Must be why Beelzebub enjoys your company so.”

I growled.

“Oh, relax. It’s merely a joke.”

“You studied the Diabolic orbs, correct?”

“I might’ve had a book or two noting my research.”

“Really?” Wally asked wide-eyed. “Did you ever learn of their origins?”

“You’re asking if I know about the Fae manipulation?” Abe scoffed. “The audacity they thought they could turn Abraham Remington into a meager case study.”

Wally and I simply stared. He didn’t know about the specifics. About Baron Novus.

“The Fae were discreetly revealing these contraptions to mages, witches, other skillfully magical beings. Nothing based in intellect.” He eyed Weather.

Sunny yapped. Cloudy huffed. Stormy growled. I petted his heads with my tails to calm the little beast. He wasn’t base in intellect; he was the smartest Cerberus out there.

“You didn’t even learn of Baron Novus’ involvement?” Wally asked. “This is useless. He knows even less about the Diabolic orbs than we do.”

“Send him back.” I shooed Abe’s spirit. “We’ll fix the orbs another way.”

“Baron Novus? Is that the Fae behind the orbs? Never learned a name or a motive. But I did find several of the Diabolic orbs scattered across our world.” Abe raised his eyes. “Learned quite a few things. Even how to restore them. Might’ve jotted that down in a book or two.”

“Liar.” I barred my teeth.

“Not a lie. Needed to prepare for any possibility of your escape. Also, my hope was to eventually find a way to harness your essence while keeping you bound to the orb itself. Pity.”

The same thing those damned witches wanted. Power hunger mortals and Mythics always searching for a way to exploit Diabolics.

“Despite everything you learned, you never knew that fairy whispered commands in your head, urged you onto this mission,” I snapped. “You were just a puppet, Abe. A useless puppet who played his part.”

“Aah, so you’re wondering if my actions were a result of the Fae’s suggestive whispers? Everyone in authority knows the Fae manipulate from the shadows. Only weak-willed fools fall prey to their intrusive thoughts.” Abe rocked his head disapprovingly. “I’d been researching ways to contain, control, or kill a devil the day you stepped into Seattle. This Fae noble you speak of merely provided a tool to trap an even easier tool.”

I snarled.

“Back to your books,” Wally said, an edge in his voice. “What’d they say about repairs?”

“How am I supposed to know?” Abe scoffed. “Unlike some people, I don’t sit around memorizing every word I’ve read so that I can parade trivial facts about as if it’ll make for an interesting conversation starter.” Abe smirked at Wally. “I actually know how to make small talk.”

“Knew,” Wally corrected. “Past tense. Because you’re dead.”

“Still the life of every party I attend.” He pointed around the store. “Case and point.”

“Where is the book? The one with your notes?”

“Went missing some time ago.” Abe’s eyes shifted around the room, landing on Mora, who’d propped herself on a stool with her legs kicked up on the front counter. “Mora Mayfaire, always so lovely no matter who you’re wearing.”

“Remington.” She smacked her lips together, applying a fresh coat of gloss as she prioritized redoing her makeup during the ritual.

“If the rumors are true, you found your way into my private studies on more than one occasion.”

“Idle gossip.” Mora ignored us all, staring at her reflection.

“Much like the rumors you were, in fact, a demon.”

Mora popped her lips a few times. “I swear, the things people will lie about. It’s criminal.”

“Mora, did you steal Abe’s research?” I asked.

“What part of idle gossip did you not understand? I can’t be responsible for every rumor.”

I sighed. “Those books might have the intel we need to repair the Diabolic orbs.”

“Oh. Why didn’t you say that?” Mora kicked her legs off the counter and strutted around to the back. “Pretty sure they’re in Kell’s Spring Fling hat.”

Mora rifled through the box of witches’ hats and grabbed one covered bright pastels.

“Why exactly were you stealing Abe’s research to begin with?” I asked.

“I told you, Bezzy,” Mora said, rummaging through the hat and throwing Kell’s trinkets onto the floor. “I always keep tabs on those studying Diabolics.”

“Yes, those wild rumors claimed she even tried to break into my archives once or twice.”

“Might’ve been curious to see behind the curtain.”

“Certainly. It was first how Morax…sorry, Mora landed on my radar. Learning the witch Mayfaire fancied a certain Diabolic artifact in my possession,” Abe said, so smug and arrogant. “Not that she ever came close to it.”

Mora’s eyes flitted emerald green momentarily, proving Abe had even weaseled his way under her skin, so much so her demon essence glowed beneath her flesh. Once the aggravation passed and the green of her veins disappeared, she resumed her search for the stolen books.

I simply smiled. Mora cared. Even if she pretended otherwise. At this point, it didn’t matter what Abe said or did. He was dead and gone and would be forgotten as quickly as he’d arrived.

“Have fun dealing with Abraham.” I used my tails to lead Weather out. “Gonna take the dog for a run. He’s been stuck pint-sized for far too long and needs to properly stretch his muscles.”

“Something you can’t do because you’re dead,” Mora quickly spat at Abe as if she needed recompense for his cutting comments.

“Oh, Beelzebub. I didn’t hurt your feelings, did I?”

“Have a fun rest of your afterlife, Abe. May your spirit shuffle off quickly so I can enjoy my eternity.” I waved goodbye to Wally and headed out the door.

“I’ll come find you when we have answers.” Wally squeezed the gem. “If we get answers.”

“The confidence. It looks good on you, Wally. Shame you never found it when it mattered, when you had career prospects,” Abe taunted—taunted because he was dead, and all he could do now was gloat.

I could strike his spirit, send him off to nothingness, return his soul to whatever peaceful slumber he received despite being an utter cunt, but impulsivity would only harm Wally, myself, and the rest of the mortal world.

I flew alongside Weather for the evening, hurling fireballs for him to catch until the giant slobbering beast panted with each step. We managed a few laps from one end of the Diabolic Oasis to the other before I wore the hound out, so we casually strolled back to the Well of Wonders. Not that I had any intention of returning until they were done with Abe’s intel. But if I didn’t get Weather somewhere to rest soon, I’d be stuck carrying him over my shoulder all the way home. Not a hiking trip I intended on repeating for myself.

Cloudy lowered his huge head, whimpering and attempting to rub his head against mine.

“Don’t even think about it.” I pointed. “Size.”

Weather bapped his collar, enacting the sigils that Wally had placed. It shrank the Cerberus to his pup size, making it easier to give Cloudy the pets he wanted. Wally had created incantations to augment Weather’s size for any and all occasions. And honestly, as fun as it was having a big train of a beast to terrorize locals, I did not approve of his kisses. The big slobbery beast always demanded kisses. Well, two of his three heads. Stormy was the only semi-decent one among them.

“Good boy.” I summoned a fireball, which Sunny immediately went to snatch up. “You’re not getting anything yet.”

Weather bounced on each of his feet, moving in place with excitement as all six of his fiery eyes locked onto the fireball between my palms.

I twisted the black flames with a mix of rocks I grabbed. “Heel.”

He sat down, all three heads smacking their jowls as the Cerberus’ mouth watered.

“No treats yet.” I nudged a persistent Sunny away. “Rollover.”

Weather obeyed.

“Play dead.”

Sunny dramatically let his tongue roll out; Cloudy closed his eyes and slept; Stormy glared, growled, and then let his head rest with his eyes wide and lifeless. He was such a drama queen. A real acting flair held back by subpar co-stars.

“Okay, almost there. Now, play killer.”

Weather leapt to his feet and snarled, biting at the air and pretending to tear apart a corpse. Brilliant. Lethal. Such a collaborative strike from each head.

“Now, do it properly.” I dragged a tail across my throat, gesturing death. “No witnesses!”

Fire swelled between each of Weather’s jaws, and he breathed red, blue, and purple flames. Fire, which I snatched up and crushed into my black flames, creating the perfect crispy, crunchy cindered rock embers for the Cerberus to snack on. He loved this almost as much as the molten pup cups I’d prepare for him. Much better than the coffee shop Wally would take him to. Still couldn’t believe how many corporations Mora invited into her private city.

By the time Weather finished his snacks, Wally sent a text letter indicating they’d finished retrieving intel from Remington. I should’ve left the second I proposed the idea of summoning that foul fool, yet I deluded myself into believing it’d offer some type of closure. Him in shambles and rotten, a specter suffering an afterlife of anguish; me, a distinguished, successful, happy, and sexy demon living his true self. Fantasies were better left as possible daydreams. Reality sucked. And not half as good as Wally’s sucking.

“Come along, hound.” I slapped my thigh and beckoned Weather to trot close by as we went back to the store.

When we arrived at the Well of Wonders, everyone had left except for Wally.

“Mora took Kell home,” Wally said, cleaning up the summoning circle. “The necromancy spell really took it outta her, which wouldn’t have happened if she performed it accordingly. I have a ton of research explaining…”

I played with Weather while Wally had his tangent, poking the hound with my tails and provoking him into a little chase.

“You’ll be happy to know we found some useful information.”

“Ecstatic.” I sighed.

“To think Kell had all that intel this whole time.” Wally shook his head. “Just know, once we don’t have devils breathing down our necks, I’ll be making Kell clean out all of her hats so I can do a proper inventory of everything she’s collected over the centuries.”

“Good luck with that,” I muttered, attention fixed on Weather, who snapped his teeth and nearly grazed my tail.

“Honestly, it’d probably be easier facing off against devils. Multiple.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Are you even listening to me?” Wally asked as a fireball whirled between my tails and captured all of Weather’s attention.

Wally tossed a second fireball down the hall and sent his familiar fluttering on a small gust to join the Cerberus in the back of the store.

“I know that was difficult for you, seeing Magus Remington.”

“Annoying is all.” I shrugged. “Dead prick really got off easy.”

“You did good, rising above.”

“I rise above all the time, Walter.” I glared. “I’m on the top, always rising above. Very top like.”

“I didn’t realize you were so glorious. I’m oh so humbled.” Wally’s sass wasn’t lost on me, and the dramatic sway of his hands called into question my glory. “I assumed you’d be a little down.”

“You know what they say about assuming things. It makes you an ass for me.”

“That’s not the expression.”

“It should be.” I winked.

“It doesn’t make any sense.”

“It does to tops.”

“Fine, I’m an ass.” Wally dramatically gestured to himself. “One who was clearly wrong about you feeling down.”

“Precisely.” I folded my arms, turning my nose up at him.

“So this present I got you was just a big ole waste.”

“Exactly.” I paused, blinking. “Wait, what?”

“I should just toss it and be done with it.”

“No. A gift? For me? Gimme!”

I loved presents. Everything about them was fun. Picking them out. Finding them wrapped. The anticipation. Tearing them open. The surprise when what you demanded was actually gifted. The side-eyed contempt when unworthy offerings were presented instead. Diabolics didn’t celebrate birthdays. In fact, we didn’t have any holidays in Hell. And granted, mortals had this absurd need to celebrate everything from the momentous to the mundane. Did sporks need a national day of remembrance? No. Did they have one? Possibly. Because mortals obsessed over chronicling everything, which was ridiculous since they all lived such short lives. But alas, they got birthdays right.

“I’m definitely counting this toward your birthday present.”

“You are not!” I flexed my fingers with the look of grabby hands.

“Fine,” Wally dragged out the word with an expression torn between a smile and a pouty little face. “Can’t blame a guy for trying.”

Birthdays were my favorite, which was why I gave myself three of them. Based on the zodiacs Wally had introduced me to, I figured I was a Gemini sometimes, a Scorpio most of the time, and on rare occasions, I was such a sassy Virgo.

Wally held up one of the gems. “For you.”

“It’s not even wrapped.”

“Well, I didn’t exactly have time.” He plopped it into my open palm.

It was the ruby Wally had threatened Abe with. Only instead of a bright red, it had a dark scarlet gloss to it. Pretty enough. But a useless trinket. “Thank you.”

“It’s a spiritus stone. Made from golems, crafted by goblins, enchanted by specters.”

“Super fun.” My attention waned because while I knew he wanted to be generous, this seemed more like a gift for Wally. Something to allow him to share random facts, which was fine. Normally. But I got hyped for a present, and now I had this junk.

“Not only do they control the dead, keep them in check, but they can hold souls virtually forever,” Wally explained. “Well, not forever forever. So long as the stone remains intact.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“I figured with everything that Magus Remington did to you, then he should rot in there for at least as long as you did.”

“Oh, he’ll stay in there so much longer.”

All those years left trapped inside that Diabolic orb, placed on a mantle as a trophy, forced to listen to Abe’s jabs whenever he deigned to acknowledge my pitiful existence. I contemplated every way I would eviscerate him if I ever escaped. And then I did find freedom. I reached him, I planned to end him, but he’d already been slain. A brutal death but far too quickly. It was nice knowing I had a second chance at vengeance.

“Thank you so much! This is the perfect present.” I pulled him close with my tail and kissed him. “You’re absolutely devilish, Wally.”