Kid tailed behind Treycore, down a hallway. What few working fluorescent lights were on flickered sporadically.

Lero had dropped Kid and Treycore off outside an abandoned hospital and pointed them toward where he’d felt Vera’s teleportation. As they’d entered the hospital, they’d heard moaning and followed the sound.

Treycore and Kid peered into a security mirror. Kid saw that giant, Craetis, who he’d fought with at Dedrus and Treycore’s place. He dragged Maggie along with some guy in a suit, heading into a room.

“Veylo has Maggie,” Treycore said before turning to kid. “Okay, I’m gonna take these assholes out. You hide somewhere and just stay safe. Got it?”

“I wanna help.”

“You’ll help by staying out of my way. I can take these assholes. I’ve taken on worse. The whole battle between Heaven and Hell, remember?”

Kid nodded. He was disappointed, but he knew there was no way he could help Treycore fight immortals. If anything, he would be an inconvenience, like he felt he’d been all along.

Treycore grabbed Kid’s arm and pulled him close. He kissed him softer than he’d ever kissed him before. Kid savored his sweet, immortal taste.

As Treycore pulled back, he returned for another kiss—long, passionate, deep. He pulled away again and looked into Kid’s eyes. It was that same soul-piercing gaze—the one that made Kid feel so naked, so vulnerable.

“I won’t let anything bad happen to you,” Treycore said.

Kid smiled. It sounded like something someone would say to someone they loved. He wanted to tell Treycore how he felt. He wanted to say that he loved him. But that was ridiculous. They’d known each other for such a short time.

He clenched his teeth and headed down the hall, taking sanctuary in a nearby restroom.

***

Treycore glanced around, making sure the coast was clear. He darted down the hall, readying his sword.

Maggie’s labor screams echoed all around him.

Approaching the door at the end, he set his hand on the knob. Bunch of fallens, he thought with disgust. No sweat. He turned the knob and burst in.

Maggie lay on the hospital bed, her soaked hair shining under the lights. She clasped onto the sheets, tensing her grip.

“I need a fucking epidural!” she wailed, hissing breaths, sweat dripping off her bangs.

Veylo and Craetis’s attention jerked to Treycore. Veylo whipped out his sword and lunged at him. Treycore sliced into Veylo’s thumb, forcing his sword to the floor.

“Fuck!” Veylo roared, massaging his wound. Craetis barreled at Treycore.

Treycore sliced his sword through the air. Craetis halted just before its tip.

“Just a little farther,” Treycore mocked.

“If you didn’t have your sword,” Craetis snarled, “I’d fucking tear you in two.”

“If you think,” Veylo began, his fresh blood spewing onto the floor, “you’re walking out of here with that baby—”

“I don’t think,” Treycore replied. “I am.”

“Fuck no!” Maggie shrieked. “I am not fucking going anywhere! I am having this baby. Ah! Pain! Fucking pain! Someone get me an epidural right now!”

“Everybody back the fuck off!” Treycore ordered.

Craetis didn’t move.

Treycore stared him down. “Today is not the day to test me.”

Craetis and Veylo retreated into the far corner. Treycore maneuvered around the bed, holding his sword out.

“Now,” Treycore said. “We’re all going to get through this nice and—” Something pushed him into the wall. “Fuck!” he called out.

While he’d been fixated on Veylo and Craetis, Deter had snuck behind him and tackled him. Deter grabbed Treycore’s wrist and rammed it against the wall. Treycore’s hand froze up, and his sword slipped free. Bouncing off the linoleum floor, it landed a few feet away from him. Craetis leapt over the bed. Treycore elbowed Deter in the face and threw himself at his sword. Just as his finger grazed the tip, Craetis landed with one foot on the sword’s hilt.

“Fuck no,” Craetis growled, looking down at the now-helpless Treycore.

“Hey!” a voice came from the hall.

All eyes turned to Mika, who had Kid by the arm, a dagger to his throat. “Look what I found in the restroom.”

Treycore’s face went white.

“Now,” Veylo said. “What to do with you, Treycore?”

***

Kinzer plowed through the stairwell door. Dedrus was right behind. They hauled ass, practically throwing themselves down a set of concrete steps. What sounded like an explosion came from behind them as the monster’s tentacles shredded the stairwell entrance apart like it was made of cardboard.

“Just like old times,” Kinzer said, hopping on the platform of the second floor.

“You know what that means?” Dedrus said.

“I’ll distract, and you kill the motherfucker.”

Three tentacles wrapped over the rails above them. As they reached the bottom of the first floor, Kinzer pushed through the door. He raced across the asphalt. Dedrus’s wings sliced like knives through the back of his shirt. He bounded into the air and flapped to the top of a neighboring building. The Morarke’s tentacles ripped through the garage’s brick wall. Its razor teeth crushed bricks and pipes into dust. Kinzer waved his sword about.

“Come here, you fucking dick!”

The creature shrilled as it stomped toward him, leaving a trail of prints in its path. Dedrus dive-bombed off the roof, tucking his wings close, pointing his sword out, and aimed at the eye-slit above Hoddy’s razor-mouth. One of Hoddy’s tentacles went right for Kinzer. He leapt over it. He thought he’d cleared it when five mini-tentacles shot through the side of the main one and grabbed him by the ankle.

Fucking hurry, he thought.

Dedrus was less than a foot from the monster’s eye-slit. He maneuvered his wing ever so slightly. The tip of his sword was almost there. A tentacle came from his side, wrapped around his waist, and barreled him to the ground.

“Fuck!” he cried.

The tentacles around Kinzer released him.

Oh no, Kinzer thought. It picked Dedrus. Why? It totally had me.

A realization struck him. He didn’t have his wings…or powers. Dedrus must have been giving off a stronger immortal scent than he was.

Shit. I’m gonna have to take it out myself. Without anything.

***

Is this how I’m gonna die? Kid wondered.

Mika tightened the tip of his dagger against his neck.

“Move it!” Craetis barked as he kicked through a door, holding Treycore in a headlock.

He tossed Treycore on the floor and kicked him in the stomach.

“Aw, fuck!” Treycore groaned.

Craetis kicked him again. “Bet that turns you on, doesn’t it?”

The room they were in was just a few halls from Maggie’s, as made apparent by the still-audible screams that reached it. With a clean, black desk, black leather chair, and shelves still stocked with medical books, at some point, this room must’ve been one of the hospital doctor’s offices. Judging by the room’s pristine appearance and perfectly functional fluorescent lights, one wouldn’t have even known that they were still in the abandoned hospital.

Craetis hopped on top of Treycore, pinning his arms to the floor.

“What do you say we have a little fun time, just you and me?” He licked Treycore’s cheek.

Treycore turned his head and bit into Craetis’s tongue until it bled. Craetis snapped back, letting the blood drip onto Treycore’s cheek.

“You always did like it kinky, didn’t you?” he said with a wink. He released one of Treycore’s hands and slapped him across the face.

Mika pulled Kid around Craetis and stepped into the adjacent corner. Deter entered and closed the door behind him.

“I think I would like to get a little something in,” Craetis said.

He flipped Treycore on his stomach and sat on his hamstrings. Treycore reared back, his fists slamming into Craetis’s arms in vain. Craetis yanked his jeans down, revealing his naked cheeks.

Kid’s chest tightened. He wanted to tear Craetis’s face off. “Leave him alone!” he shouted.

Mika slammed Kid’s head into the wall. “Shut your fucking trap.”

“Damn! Mika,” Craetis said. “Look at that ass! Been a long time since I’ve had a higherling.”

As Mika watched with eager eyes, he stroked his hand up and down Kid’s chest. It reminded Kid of so many other hands that had violated him and of the only hand that he wanted to touch him that way.

“Get on the floor,” Mika whispered into Kid’s ear.

Kid did as he was told and sprawled out on the floor. Mika pressed his dagger against the back of Kid’s neck as he unzipped his suit pants. Being that Mika was immortal, Kid knew it was going to hurt, but he was determined to take it without showing weakness.

“Well, well,” said a familiar voice.

All eyes went to the desk.

“If it isn't my dear, sweet love.”

The chair behind it swirled around.

It was Treycore’s psycho ex-bitch, Vera. Her hair was straightened, except for the ends, which curled at her shoulders. A sleeveless, white dress molded against her immortal, modelesque figure, complimenting her cum-white flesh. Her eyes met Treycore's.

“So glad to see you made it to our little event,” she hissed.

Through a slot under the desk, Kid watched as she tapped a five-inch gray heel on the tile floor.

She rose. The leather on her chair squeaked. Her heels clicked as she came around the desk.

Maggie’s cries grew louder in the hall.

By the sound of it, Kid thought she might be giving birth…or being violently tortured. Vera didn't seem to notice. She rested her hip against the edge of the desk.

“You're not going to win,” Treycore said.

Craetis grabbed him by the hair and smashed his forehead into the floor.

Vera smiled. “Oh, Treycore. Can't you see?”

Maggie cried out again.

“We already have.”

Craetis twisted his arm. Treycore's face turned red. He grunted.

“Cut it out!” Kid cried.

“Shut up, faggot,” Treycore barked.

Kid was shocked by Treycore's severity. Why was he being mean to him? Weren't they in this together?

“That's so cute,” Vera said. “I think the mortal’s developing a little crush.”

Treycore stared at her, expressionless.

Her thin lips curled into a smirk. “You seem different, Treycore. You seem…troubled.”

She stepped toward him and knelt until her face was just above his, as if trying to illustrate her superiority through their positions.

“What's wrong?” she asked. “You used to be so open with me. It doesn't matter. You, Kinzer, and Dedrus have failed. We have the mortal woman, and we have the child. Mika, release the mortal. We have no business with him.”

Treycore remained expressionless. Mika grabbed Kid by the back of his collar and forced him to his feet. Keeping his dagger tight against Kid’s neck, he led him to the door.

“No, no!” Kid protested.

Treycore's jaw tensed. “Just get the fuck out of here, Kid.”

“They're gonna kill you!”

“You care for Treycore?” Vera asked.

Kid looked to Treycore. He wasn't sure if he should answer.

“Don't worry. I can tell you do. I apologize if we haven't been previously introduced. I’m Vera. Kid’s your name, right? I’m assuming it’s not just a descriptor. Mika, you can let him go. He won't try anything. Will you?”

Kid shook his head.

“Let him go.”

Mika released him. He tucked his dagger into its sheath and zipped his pants back up.

“You don't know me,” Vera said, “so I can understand why you don't feel that you can trust me. But I'm a fallen that keeps her word. Treycore can vouch for this. Can't you, Treycore?”

“Kid, don't listen to her.”

“Have I ever gone against my word?”

“Kid…”

“As you can see, even Treycore, who in this moment despises me, cannot deny that I'm a fallen of my word.”

“Kid…”

“Shut him up,” Vera said.

Craetis’s hand rushed over Treycore’s mouth.

“Treycore,” she continued, “I'm sorry, but this is between me and Kid.”

Kid's eyes moved uneasily between Treycore and Vera.

“If I told you that you could save Treycore's life, would you be willing to make a deal?”

Treycore muttered behind Craetis's hand, but it was clear that he was saying, “You fucking cunt.”

“Would you?”

Kid nodded.

“Don't be shy. I need a yes or a no.”

“Yes.” His voice rose uneasily.

“Don't you fucking do it!”

Craetis pressed his fingers tighter together.

“What if,” Vera went on, “instead of taking his life, I agreed to take yours, however I choose.”

“Don't be stupid, Kid.”

Kid's gaze drifted to the floor. Could he give up his life for this immortal that he'd known for such a short time? Was he willing to sacrifice himself when he didn't even know how Treycore felt about him? What if Treycore didn't even love him? What if Treycore couldn’t have cared less about him? His thoughts spiraled through a labyrinth of doubt and confusion, but despite all the doubt, Kid couldn't stop himself from muttering, “Yes.”

“No!”

“Treycore,” Vera said. “I don't see what your issue is. I asked him, and he agreed. That's how deals are made. And in the end, he's sparing your life, so I would think you would be wise to listen to your own advice and not be stupid.”

CLICK CLICK!

She walked behind the desk and sat in her leather, swivel chair. She pulled one of the desk drawers open.

“Take a seat.”

***

Kinzer watched in horror as the tentacle around Dedrus tossed him against the side of the building adjacent to the garage. Feathers exploded like a grenade as he hit the wall wing-first.

“Ah!”

Kinzer looked up the one-story-tall creature, fixing his focus on its eye-slit.

How the fuck am I gonna get up there?

He didn’t know, but he had to hurry before it ripped Dedrus apart.

A ladder rose up the side of the neighboring building. He sprinted to it, and scaled it. Dedrus crawled to his feet. His wounded wing trembled before tearing off the bone and collapsing onto the ground. A tentacle wrapped around his ankle and yanked him across the asphalt.

“Fuck!” he cried as the flesh on his arm peeled off. The asphalt dug into his muscles, leaving a blood trail behind him.

As Kinzer stepped onto a rung at the monster’s height, he looked back. Hoddy was several yards away.

I can’t make that.

He hadn’t even considered that, without his wings, he wasn’t going to be able to get over to the Morarke.

Shit.

He eyed a window ledge a few feet from him. Grabbing onto the side of the ladder, he swung over to it and crouched down. With the hilt of his sword, he smashed a hole in the window and climbed inside.

***

Dedrus’s arms were restrained in Hoddy’s tentacle as it pulled him toward its razor-wire mouth. The Morarke shoved his remaining wing inside. Blood and black feathers showered across his face. Dedrus shouted, his cry bouncing across the sides of the buildings, echoing through the alley. A window by the creature’s head exploded into shards. Kinzer, his arms over his face, his hands grasping his sword, soared through the air.

***

Kinzer threw his arms forward, sticking his sword out so it would drive into the creature. Hoddy lowered Dedrus and turned its eye-slit to Kinzer. The movement was just enough to spoil Kinzer’s plan. His sword pierced nearly a foot away from its target.

Fuck!

Hoddy shook its head about, dislodging Kinzer and his sword. Kinzer tumbled to the ground, his back slamming against the asphalt. Hoddy pulled Dedrus back to its razor-mouth and shoved his arm in.

“Ah!”

It was painful for Kinzer to hear, but he couldn’t do anything about it. The blow to his back was so intense that it had left him temporarily paralyzed. From the edge of the tentacle that was wrapped around Dedrus, several mini-tentacles popped up. At their tips were sharp, blade-like claws. They slashed deep, penetrating wounds into his face.

“Holy fuck!”

Kinzer struggled to his feet. His sword was a few feet from him. He hobbled over to it and picked it up, turning to the creature, defeated.

One of Hoddy’s highest tentacles came crashing down.

Now or never, he thought.

Just before it struck, Kinzer leapt into the air and mounted it. As it swirled around to the back of Hoddy, Kinzer kicked off. He flew through the air and landed on his knees on the beast’s head. Kinzer cried out, summoning as much strength as he could. Raising his sword, he fell forward and drove it into Hoddy’s eye-slit.

Hoddy’s razor-filled mouth unleashed a loud shrill. Its tentacles flailed around it. It tumbled forward. Its tentacle released Dedrus, and he went soaring through the air.

Knowing he would be crushed if he didn’t get out of Hoddy’s path, Kinzer bounced off the monster’s head. As he hit the asphalt, he tucked his sword close to his chest, closed his eyes, and rolled for his life.

CRASH!

The asphalt cracked open as Hoddy slammed into it. It was like a semi-truck had fallen from the sky.

***

Kid approached a chair before the desk. Vera sifted through a drawer, pulled out a stack of papers, and set them on the desk. Maggie's screams and cries continued outside.

“Come on,” she said. “We don't have all day.”

Kid sat. She slid the papers to Kid.

“This is our agreement. It's just as I said. Agree to it, and our dearest Treycore keeps his life, and you lose yours.”

Kid gulped. He'd made a hasty decision, but something in him assured him that it was the right one. Treycore probably didn't love him, but that didn't matter. He loved Treycore, and he didn't care if Treycore didn't feel the same way.

Vera placed a black fountain pen on top of the papers. “It's your choice. Sign the last page, and it will be done.” She gazed into his eyes, giving him a look that he'd only ever received from immortals—a look that stared into his soul. “Don't, and I will rip Treycore limb from limb right in front of you.”

His eyes turned to Treycore, who shook his head violently. Kid picked up the pen. Flipping to the last page, he closed his eyes and signed on a dotted line.

Vera retrieved the stack and skimmed through it. As she came to the last page, she stroked her finger across his signature. “Oh, mortal,” she said. “It's so sweet seeing how much you care for my love.” She turned to Treycore. “He really does stink, though, doesn't he?”

“Just let him go,” Kid said, resigned.

Her lips curled into that familiar smirk. She opened the desk drawer and tucked the papers inside. “In a moment. It says in your contract that I get to see this through as I desire, and it's my desire for him to watch.”

The matter-of-fact, serene look in her eyes switched to something else—something twisted, like when he'd first seen her.

“Bind them.”

Mika reached into his sack and pulled out a strand of rope with barbed wire twisted around it. Craetis pulled Treycore’s hands behind his back while Mika tied the rope around his wrists, fastening it so tight that the barbs drew blood.

“You always did like it kinky, didn’t ya, Treycore?” Craetis mocked.

Mika approached Kid’s chair, grabbed him by his shirt collar, and tossed him to the floor. He pulled another strand of barbed rope from his sack, knelt down, and bound Kid's wrists behind his back. As the barbs punctured into Kid's flesh, he gritted his teeth. Vera rose from her chair and stepped around to Kid, who lay on his side, blood dripping off his wrists, on the floor. She knelt and grazed her fingernail under his chin.

“Uncertainty might perhaps be the cruelest thing a person can endure,” she said. “So I want to set your mind at ease.”

She leaned closer to him until her lips were right next to his ear, her breath rushing into it. It reminded Kid of his passionate, delicious encounters with Treycore—something he was sure he'd never get to experience again.

“I promise,” she whispered, “not to kill you until you regret the deal you made.” Pressing her thumb against his chin, she licked up his cheek.

Seeing Vera's more sadistic side left Kid feeling completely vulnerable. He hadn't realized the extent of the position he'd put himself in. He'd agreed to let her torture him in the most perverse ways she could possibly imagine. And being that she was an immortal from Hell, that was probably far worse than he'd considered.

Treycore struggled with his barbed rope. Blood splattered across the back of his shirt.

Vera took a step back. She nodded.

Craetis released Treycore's mouth and wrapped his arm around his neck. He pressed his lips to Treycore's ear. “I'm gonna enjoy this,” he said.

Deter stepped up to Kid.

Kid glanced up at him. Fear ravaged his mind. Graphic depictions of violence from horror movies tore at his emotions. How were these immortals going to kill him?

Deter grabbed him by his shirt collar and threw him against the wall.

Kid’s back slammed against a modern acrylic. As he hit the floor, the frame of the painting rammed into his side, tearing his shirt.

Vera rested her hands on the desk and leaned back.

Deter snatched Kid by his throat and lifted him off the floor. He slammed Kid's head into the wall. Once. Twice. Three times. It happened so fast that Kid didn't have time to react, and the blows left him immobilized. Deter threw him against the wall and pummeled him in the stomach. Kid moaned just as he had when he was being pounded by Treycore. Blood streaked from his temple to the corner of his mouth. He wanted to fall to the ground, but Deter's punches kept him pinned to the wall.

Deter finally stopped, and grabbing Kid’s shirt collar, ripped it down the middle. He pulled it off and slung him onto the desk. He gripped the back of his jeans and ripped down. The denim rubbed Kid’s skin raw. His ass was exposed, awaiting punishment. Vera opened another drawer and pulled out a paddle. As she came around the desk, she eyed Kid’s ass.

She tossed a glance to Treycore. “Looks like you’ve already done a bit of damage.” She handed Deter the paddle.

“No!” Treycore cried. “Deter’s too strong! It’s too much for him!”

Deter chuckled. His eyes were alight with enthusiasm. He held the paddle high in the air and thrust it down. Kid tightened his jaw, attempting to will himself into silence. But as the paddle slammed into his ass with immortal strength, he couldn’t help but scream out.

The pain was so severe, so intense. He knew that his body wouldn’t be able to handle much of this. Deter didn’t give him a moment to recover. He smacked the paddle against his ass again…and again…and again.

Tears showered from Kid’s eyes.

Don’t cry, you fucking pussy, he scolded himself. Don’t let them see you cry! But the pain was far too intense.

“Ah!”

“Stop it!” Treycore called out.

Vera’s fingernails dug into the desk. Her look wasn't as sadistic as before. It was aroused. As Deter intensified his next strike, Kid tightened his wrists against the barbed rope, hoping to distract himself from the pain. Another blow to Kid’s ass sent him into a fit of screams just as Maggie unleashed another cry from the nearby room.