Anael plumped a couple of cushions on the couch and then wandered through to Zagan’s massive kitchen. “Maybe I should cook something,” he said to the gleaming counters and spotless appliances. Sighing at the lack of response, he poked his head in the refrigerator, seeing if something could spark his interest.
Zagan was off doing demon things in the Underworld. After their little spat, for the want of a better word, they sat and talked about limits for both of them and Anael agreed that in times when Zagan might have to use violence in relation to his position, like punishing one of his demons, then he would stay out of it. Anael knew Zagan wasn’t an evil person; he didn’t get off on inflicting pain. But sometimes he had to do what he had to do, and Anael respected that.
On the other side of the coin, Zagan could and did accompany Anael as he wandered the streets of Seattle, often taking him out to restaurants so he could help nudge the connections he saw along. Anael missed working and Zagan had said something about building their own club to replace the one burned down by the fire, but for now, he was hanging around the empty mansion, waiting for Zagan to come back from the Underworld.
Slamming the refrigerator door, Anael strolled out to the porch. It was a lovely day although there was a bite in the air, signaling autumn was just around the corner. Settling in a deck lounger, Anael watched a couple of birds flitting about the flowers. Zagan’s house was peaceful, but there were times when he missed his busy life and tiny apartment. He was used to working, but Zagan wasn’t keen and it’s not as though Anael could use money as an excuse.
“You’re looking very pensive for a guy who’s supposed to be madly in love with my friend.”
Anael looked up. “Haures. You missed Zagan by a few hours, I’m afraid. He’s down taking care of some business for Lucifer and I have no idea when he’ll be back.”
That was another concession Zagan made, allowing other demons and angels into his earthly house. Anael wanted to invite Raziel and Botis for dinner, but Zagan argued if Botis knew where he lived then other demons would too. Anael made some comments about not living in a bubble, Zagan huffed and pulled on his hair. Anael added he knew Zagan was more than capable of protecting him, and that was the right thing to say. They still didn’t get a lot of visitors, but it was better than nothing. But Anael hadn’t foreseen Haures turning up out of the blue.
“It was you I wanted to talk to, actually,” Haures made no move to come closer. “You know my legions are made up of human souls who were damned because of what they did while here on earth, don’t you?”
“Yes, Zagan explained it all to me a while ago.”
“And you know that it was my legions who were guarding the court when Lucifer sentenced Zoltus?”
Anael nodded.
Haures huffed. “It seems one of them has had experiences with angels before and now he’s seen them in the Underworld, he wants to talk to one of you. Do you know of a Patrice? He used to be an artist.”
“Uriel’s lover from a very long time ago.” Anael’s heart dropped. “I don’t know him, I’ve heard of him and I heard the story of how Uriel tried to tempt Botis into having sex with him to release Patrice’s soul. This is going to sound silly, but I never dreamed Patrice was in the Underworld.”
“He’s one of my foot soldiers,” Haures explained. “He could have been more, risen through the ranks, but he’s got an evil inside of him that’ll never be cured.”
“Then what’s the point in him talking to me? Even Raziel couldn’t help him and he’d be the better angel for Patrice to talk to of anyone.”
“I was actually hoping you could talk to him, just to shut him up,” Haures said. “He’s demanding to talk to Uriel, but of course, at the moment, Uriel is still doing whatever it is you angels do when you’re close to falling.”
“He can’t talk to Uriel.” Anael jumped to his feet. “Uriel’s still not over him and it was centuries ago. He almost lost his wings because of Patrice. This would break him. I won’t let my friend fall.”
“Hey,” Haures laughed, indicating his fine-looking torso with his hands. “We’re not so bad. There’re worse things than living in the Underworld.”
“You’re not a fallen, you’re a demon. You were born in hell. Uriel is the angel of so many beautiful parts of life. Not being able to see the sun everyday would be a torture for him and that’s without being cut off from music, the arts and all those creative aspects that set humans apart from others. Don’t wish that for my friend, please.”
“I get your point,” Haures shrugged. “It’s a shame though. That Uriel is one fine looking angel. He’d make a lovely fallen.”
“Have you met him?”
“I’ve seen him around. Not lately, of course, but yeah, I’ve noticed him.” Anael was sure there was more to it than that, but Haures changed the subject before he could ask any more. “So, are you coming to talk to this Patrice or not? Because I have to tell you, he’s driving me nuts, and that’s saying something as I’ve been ruling the damned for longer than I can remember. I’m half inclined to just throw his soul in the pits for the hell of it, but he’s been talking up his connection with angels since Raziel met Botis and I don’t need another riot. Botis and Zagan have both had my back in the past and now I’m trying to do the same. If my men see you’re willing to at least talk to Patrice, then maybe they’ll back off and stop suggesting stupid shit like ransoming an angel so their spirits can all rise.”
“A scheme like that wouldn’t work anyway. You can’t expect Head Office to concede to ransom demands. Although I have to say, I do wonder about your men. They can’t like working for you very much if they all want to desert,” Anael said, looking around for his phone and keys. He remembered he left them in the bedroom. It’s not as though I need them in the Underworld anyway. Maybe I can swing by Zagan’s compound later and see if he wants lunch. “Lead on, but I’m warning you, if anything happens to me, Zagan won’t be impressed.”
“I’m impressed that you’d do so much for a friend. Uriel must be a really great guy.”
“He is, no matter what demons might say about him at the moment. That incident with Botis was a cry for help and he’s getting that help now from people who care about him. He’d do anything for me and I’m not going to let someone like Patrice hurt him again.”
Haures nodded and held out his hand and Anael took it. He knew physical connection with a demon was necessary to gain access to the Underworld. Holding tight, Anael closed his eyes and waited for the rush that always accompanied travel between dimensions. He didn’t have a clue what he might say to Patrice or what the spirit hoped to achieve by spreading Uriel’s name all over the Underworld. But if Anael had anything to do with it, those manipulative tactics were going to stop.
/~/~/~/~/
“More fucking papers? I thought I paid you to deal with this shit?” Zagan snatched the papers from Porag’s hand.
“Carmine instituted a new rule with Lucifer’s backing,” Porag said, shuffling back from the desk. “Any soul thrown in the pits from now on has to be identified, cataloged and reasons for the punishment outlined in triplicate for his files. He’s creating a database of all souls on this realm.”
“What the fuck for?” Zagan shook his head at the forms. “Any souls down here are meant to be here. We already have a record of all new demon births. Human and paranormal souls who aren’t meant to be here become Head Office’s problem. Cataloging them ain’t going to make any difference.”
“Something to do with resource allocation,” Porag shrugged. “I don’t ask questions. I just follow orders.”
“It’s a damned shame you didn’t follow my orders about getting rid of this paperwork.” Zagan scanned the pages. Three pages all in triplicate. Name, rank, species, date of birth, previous infringements, officer in charge of punishment, reason for punishment…the list just went on and on. “You know, if this system catches on and all commanders have to fill them out, there’ll be no one in the damn pits anymore. Commanders will find other punishments just to get out of the paperwork.”
“There’s a form for that too.” Porag grinned. “Carmine’s on an efficiency kick.”
“Carmine should get laid more often,” Zagan grumbled. “Pass me a pen. One that works this time and sit your ass down. I don’t know half of the crap needed in this form and from now on, you’re fucking filling them out. So, pay attention.”
It’s going to be a long afternoon. I wonder what my precious is doing? Knowing thinking about Anael wasn’t going to do anything but give him a hard on, Zagan got to work.