Demon Tempted (Karmic Lust) (17 page)

Disbelief crossed Lili’s face first, and then what Eva could assume was anger did as well.

“You mean to tell me that you had some inkling about all this and you said nothing? Not even to Clay whom you’re living with?”

“It’s not like that at all, Lili. I mean the dreams came. I thought at first they were just silly dreams of the past and some erotic dreams because of frustration. But I didn’t really think at first that it was something to worry about.”

“Did you just hear yourself? You said at first. This means there was a point when you finally thought something was wrong, Eva!”

“Lili, haven’t you ever done something that you regretted and you wanted to make amends? Or have you always just been perfect?” She was tired of being cut down; she’d stand up for herself. She hadn’t wanted all of this to happen, but by god she wasn’t going to be treated badly because of this either.

Lili stopped to stare at her, and her demeanor softened. “I’ve done things I wasn’t proud of, yes.”

“I didn’t hide this with some sort of agenda in mind, Lili. I honestly believed that I could figure out how to stop the dreams. Hell, I even thought it was because I’d been a demon that the dreams were somehow just memories or subconscious … I don’t know. Either way I thought I could handle it.”

“But you couldn’t.”

She put her head down and sighed.

“Yes, I know that now and all I am trying to say is that I’m sorry and that if I can I will get you out of this. No matter what happens to me, I will get you out of this.”

“Look at me.”

Eva lifted her head, keeping her eyes intent on Lili. She was scared of what she would see there, but found that Lili’s eyes were swarming with tears just as hers were.

“I’ve been angry with you for a long while. I wanted you to feel the same pain that I’ve felt. But that isn’t right for me to feel like. I know that, and I’ve had to ask forgiveness for that. I don’t want to fight anymore, and I’m scared of letting you back into my life.”

“Lili, I…”

Lili shook her head. “No, let me finish what I’m saying.”

She’d been about to apologize again, but it seemed Lili needed to get something out.

“I said all that to say this. I love you, and that hasn’t ever stopped. However, it doesn’t mean I will allow you to hurt me or Samael again. Please don’t fuck this up, Eva. If you do I have to cut you loose. Get it?”

Oh she definitely got it. This was her last chance, something she’d known all along but now it was there out in the open. It wasn’t an idle threat. It was the implicit truth.

“Yes, I got it, Lili. Please hear me out.”

“Go ahead. You heard me out, so now it’s my time to chill out and listen.”

Lili settled her back against the wall and drew her legs up to hug them close to her body.

“I know I fucked up royally. I will get you out of this. I love you. I know it’s hard to believe after the shit I pulled. I know I have a long road ahead of me for you to believe what I’m saying is true. I’m willing to do so.”

Lili didn’t say anything.
She just took ahold of Eva’s hands and squeezed gently. Eva would take that to mean Lili had heard what she had to say and that they’d take things slow.

“Now, Vestis has left us some food. You need to eat. You haven’t eaten anything the last few days.” Asmoday was a demon who liked the finer things that the earthly realm held, and it showed in the amenities that their “jail” held.

She reached over and grabbed the water bottle and ham sandwiches that had been left for them. She was surprised she didn’t have to pull maggots off them, but again she knew Asmoday was keeping them healthy for a reason. It wouldn’t do for the prisoners to get sickly before he could dangle the prize before his adversary.

Both women settled back on the makeshift bed and ate in silence. Who knew how long they were going to be there. At least now she didn’t have to worry about her and Lili going at it while they were in this predicament. They were quite possibly on the road to recovery and mending their relationship.

Asmoday had settled in a large throne in the bowels of hell with Vestis at his feet and several other minions of hell flitting about here and there. A cacophony of sound filled the air as several of the demons fought amongst themselves. With a growl of impatience Asmoday vaulted from his seat and roared until there was utter silence, which in itself was a major feat seeing as it was hell.

Demons scattered and cowered before Asmoday, and finally when he had their attention he hunkered back into his seat. The chair was large, but even so it was dwarfed by Asmoday’s large stature. It also allowed him to stare down at the others.

He’d picked each demon for the task at hand and had to say he was quite pleased with those he’d chosen. They were at attention standing in a somewhat perfect line. Asmoday smirked.
This was how hell should be—all demons should bow before his greatness.
It was time to make sure that all the demons in his command were behind him a hundred percent. And if they weren’t? He’d kill them.

“Now that I have your attention, there is a matter we need to discuss. There are two demons that are looking for the women I have. I want them brought to me if you find them. Subdue them, but do not kill them.
That’s my job. Do you all understand?”

There was growling, snarling with a lot of bellowing, but Asmoday knew that even the dumbest of demons knew what he wanted and would follow that order. After all this was his house and what he said was what everyone did.

“But, Master, if they are demons, why would we have to fight them?”

It was the demon Abadan who spoke up. He was one of the lesser night demons of hell. The other demons backed up, leaving Abadan to stand before Asmoday, whose sharp gaze pierced the demon and made him back up in fear.

“For one, it’s because you do whatever I fucking tell you to do. Secondly, they are our enemies; they are coming to take what is mine. But the pleasure of their death is all mine. Got it, Abadan?”

Abadan hissed, shifting his eyes left and right as if to see if any of the other demons would take up for him. When no one said anything, Asmoday smirked.

“And we are waiting for what, Abadan?”

“I got it … I fucking got it!”

Asmoday was on the demon quickly, his hands wrapped about the demon’s neck, his face inches from the trembling fiend. Asmoday tightened his fingers on the demon’s throat, watching him struggling and grabbing at his hands.

“Please, Asmo, please. I’m sorry. I won’t do it again, Master,” Abadan said between gargling gasps as he clutched frantically at the hands that held him in such a tight grip.

“Now you tremble in fear.” He sneered at the cowering Abadan. “I will fucking rip your head from your body if you ever talk to me like that again. You’d better recognize who I am.” There was a cacophony of sound as the other demons began making snorts, grunts and growls.

“I know, Master, I know. Forgive … forgive!” Abadan’s dark eyes were almost bulging from his head, and he was starting to froth at the mouth as he thrashed desperately.

“I should kill you, Abadan, for your insolence.”

Asmoday had the other demon up in the air with his feet dangling off the ground, a sure sign of his power to all who wished to oppose him. He looked at every last demon in the line.

“Which one of you other motherfuckers wish to start some shit?” When no one said anything, he snapped his teeth together triumphantly and brought Abadan face to face with him.

“I will let your ill temper pass because if I were a freaking pathetic peon like you I’d be pissed too. Now shut the fuck up and get back in line.” He tossed Abadan to the ground hard, hearing him cry out in pain and then scramble to his feet. Asmoday growled, giving the other demon a flash of his jagged teeth. Abadan skulked back into formation.

“Now that we got that shit straightened out, and you all know who’s boss here, it’s time for you to get out there and do what I need done.”

Asmoday made sure he looked every demon in the eye, including Vestis, who had moved to stand with the others. They lowered their gazes either in respect or out of fear, as a demon of a lesser station was apt to do. Even Vestis lowered his eyes and cringed before him.

Asmoday couldn’t stop the snigger that fell from his curling lips as no one made an attempt to usurp his power. It was the main reason that Luc had named him one of his generals. With one last look at the others Asmoday strutted back over to his throne and flounced down into it.

“Vestis, come, sit at my feet again.”

Forever faithful Vestis scurried over and placed himself at his feet. Just like a good pet should. Asmoday stroked his fingers through Vestis’s long hair. Not looking at the others, he barked out his next order.

“Go and find the ones called Clay and Samael. Bring them to me in one piece.” In a flurry of wings the room cleared and only Vestis and Asmoday were left. Vestis put his chin on Asmoday’s knee.

“Asmo, I was wondering why you didn’t let me go and look for Clay and Samael like the others?”

“I wanted you here. Don’t tell me you’re going to make a mistake like the other devil Abadan.”

“No, I would never, Asmo.” Asmoday smirked as Vestis wrung his hands together.

“So that wasn’t you questioning me just now, Vee?”

“Not in the way that Abadan did.” Vestis’s words ended with a whine.

That’s a good pet. I can always count on you, can’t I?”

“Oh yes, Asmo, you can. I’m always on your side and willing to do whatever you need me to do.”

Asmoday could not stop the grin that crossed over his face, and he continued to stroke his fingers through the white locks on Vestis’s head. “This is why you’re going to be my second in command once we get rid of Eva’s crew.”

“Sounds like the perfect plan, Master.” Vestis’s rubbed his cheek on Asmoday’s lap.

“It is a textbook plan. Getting rid of them will allow me to use Eva to the greatest benefit.”

“But how will you get her to agree to it?”

“She will have no choice once they’re dead. She will want to be with me then. Clay stands in the way of all of it, as does her sister. If they are gone, I don’t have to worry about them changing her mind.”

He stood, shoving Vestis off of him. Just talking about what he would do with Eva once the time came filled him with the lust for blood. The vision of Liliana’s ripe body dripping with blood as he violated her over and over again was another act that he couldn’t wait to fulfill.

“My taste for blood is getting worse. I must end this soon. How are our captives doing?”

“They’re doing fine at the moment, Asmo. Of course Lili has woken up. I’ve kept the others away from them with threats and warnings.”

Asmoday nodded. “I didn’t expect that she would stay asleep too long. In fact her being awake is perfectly fitting, so that I can use her in the capacity that she is needed. Seeing that Clay and Samael will come looking for them here now that the Nether is no longer an option.”

“But what if they’re plotting?”

“What of it?” He assumed he meant Eva and Lili.

“Well you don’t want that, do you?” Vestis still sat on the ground where Asmoday had pushed him, though he’d righted himself.

“Who cares if they plot?”

“They could come up with a plan to escape or worse, try to kill you.”

“They can try all they want. They can’t beat me. I’m unbeatable. They’re all inferior to me.”

He’d had such a long time to plan all of this that he was confident in his own plan and power. Screw them. He had this and did have them right where he wanted them. The others were either for him or against him, and he’d deal with them accordingly.

“Now I’m going to head back to Eva and Lili. You carry on my orders and make sure the others follow them, and you’ll be rewarded quite well.” Asmoday didn’t wait for him to answer.
He left so that the only thing that attested to his present was a swirling white vapor.

****

Vestis stared at the swirling emission that had come from Asmoday until it dissipated and he could breathe easy. He’d always wanted to please Asmoday, but now he’d realized the demon he’d admired had fully gone off the deep end. Sure they were all a bit crazy; it was inherent because of the Fall and what they were. But for Asmoday to have lost it this completely … why hadn’t he seen it? He tried to think if there had been signs, but could not come up with anything concrete.

If anyone were going to rule anything, it would be Vestis. He, after all, embodied corruption. What better ingredient to the destruction of the world than corruption? They didn’t call him Vestis the Venal for nothing. He got to his feet and meandered over to the vacant throne and lowered himself into it. What a perfect fit.

“Oh yes, this feels so very right. I think Luc would rather have me sitting here. It must have been an oversight on his part to put Asmo here instead. Perhaps speaking to him and letting him know what Asmo is about will score some brownie points for me, along with this throne.”

He could not help but speak the words aloud so that he could speak them into existence. He’d play along and bide his time, playing the perfect pet that Asmoday was so apt to call him, and then he’d strike. Asmoday was too caught up in himself, and that was going to be his downfall. He’d make sure of it.