Chapter 42

Beatrice

I was in Hell. Literally, in Hell. When I’d woken up Sunday morning, I’d had no clue this was the direction my week was heading. Even my trip to the demon realm hadn’t gone the way I’d expected. There was no flaming gate—we’d taken an elevator that let out in Lucifer’s home.

“You both look disappointed,” Lucifer remarked as he regarded me and Persephone.

I shrugged. “I expected something more.”

“The elevator was nice,” Persephone began before adding, “It was just anticlimactic. When you said we were going to the demon realm, I pictured walking through a flaming gate.”

“Me too!” I told her, glad I wasn’t the only one. “If not a flaming gate, then at least some gate keepers in black hoods holding scythes.”

This wasn’t my first time to the demon realm. For my other trips here, I’d ridden in a car. We’d gone through a transport tube like the ones I used to get to my out-of-town appointments, so I wasn’t sure why I’d expected something more spectacular when visiting Lucifer’s home.

“Shouldn’t the Hellhounds have been guarding the entrance to Hell?” Persephone asked.

“The main entrance is guarded by Cerberus,” I told her. “He’s terrifying. There are still no flaming gates there, just the guards.”

“Sorry to disappoint you both,” Lucifer said with a laugh. “Flaming gate? Where did you come up with that?”

“Hell and fire often go hand in hand in stories,” I replied.

“Usually, only in human stories,” he pointed out.

“I was raised around humans,” Persephone reminded him.

“And I avoid other preternatural creatures,” I added.

Before he could respond, a fallen angel burst into the room. He was shirtless, dressed in dark jeans and black boots. His long black hair fell over his wings. He was as tall as Lucifer with harder features and golden eyes. He looked wild.

“You’re back!” the fallen angel exclaimed. “I’ve got news from the detention areas.”

“We’ll talk as soon as I get the ladies settled in, Hades,” Lucifer told him, using his name to make sure we knew to be cautious.

It was then that Hades finally noticed we were in the room. Hades’ eyes moved over me briefly before landing on Persephone. He sucked in a sharp breath as he stared at her. “It’s you.”

Persephone looked startled by his reaction. “Me?” she squeaked.

Hades shook his head as if to clear it and looked away. “Sorry. I dreamt of a woman who looked like you. It wasn’t my intention to frighten you. I’ll wait outside.”

On those words, he hurried out of the room.

“That was strange,” Lucifer murmured.

“You said he acts strange,” I reminded him.

“Yes, but he never apologizes for it,” Lucifer explained. “My cousin is unapologetically insane.”

“I feel like I should talk to him,” Persephone said softly. “He seemed embarrassed. I should say something to make him feel better.”

“You should probably wait,” I told my friend. “Let Lucifer comfort him for now.”

“Comfort him?” Lucifer asked. “Hades wouldn’t appreciate me trying to comfort him. Still, Beatrice is right about this not being the right time for you to talk to Hades.”

“Do you think I’m the one,” Persephone asked.

Lucifer studied her for a long moment before replying. “You might be. I’ve never seen my cousin act this way. It would still be best if I talked to him.”

She nodded, looking toward the door. “You’re right, but I feel bad for him.”

“He’ll be fine,” Lucifer assured her. “Feel free to explore while I run to the detention area with Hades. With any luck, I’ll have some information on where to find your brother.”

“Are any rooms off limits?” I asked. That seemed like a good question. He was Lucifer. There should be mystical weapons and boxes of souls in his home, right?

“You should stay out of the first room to your left at the top of the stairs,” he warned. “I’m not certain if we cleaned up after the last virgin sacrifice.”

“Very funny,” I told him.

He let out a sigh. “I’m afraid you’ll be just as disappointed with my home as you were with the elevator ride.”

“You don’t sacrifice virgins, do you?” Persephone asked, again looking much more curious than afraid.

“No,” he assured her. “The Hellhounds are in that room, likely still destroying my new suits. Unless you want to deal with them, you should be quiet when you pass that door. Lucy should be here soon to feed the little beasts.”

“We’ll be fine on our own,” I insisted. I wanted to walk over and hug him to reassure him we’d be okay. I wanted to slip my arms around his waist and rest my cheek against his chest. That seemed like a very bad idea. Neither of us needed the temptation.

Lucifer nodded and headed out the door.

Persephone giggled.

“What’s so funny?” I asked.

“I was thinking that I should find a room far from yours,” she told me.

“Why’s that?” I asked.

“I’m certain Lucifer will be sneaking into your room tonight, if he doesn’t convince you to sleep in his,” she explained. “My best friend is going to get busy with the devil.” She did a little dance to go along with her words.

I laughed at her antics. “You are crazy, and I really shouldn’t sleep with Lucifer tonight. I’m still mad at him.”

“But you are going to sleep with him, right?” she asked.

“Probably,” I confessed with a sigh. “Being mad at him doesn’t seem to make me want him any less.”

We were heading up the stairs when Persephone asked, “What do you think of Hades?”

I shrugged. “He wasn’t around long enough for me to form a real opinion. His past behavior makes me worry about you being around him. I guess the big question is, what do you think of Hades?”

“He makes me feel funny,” she replied thoughtfully. “Obviously, I find him attractive. Who wouldn’t?”

“He is nice to look at in a wild, half-crazed kind of way,” I agreed.

“I wanted to comfort him,” she admitted.

“I wouldn’t read too much into that,” I began. “You want to comfort everyone.”

“You’re right,” she agreed. “I’m glad he didn’t ask my name.”

“You are a terrible liar,” I added. “I’m not sure how long we’ll be able to keep that from him. That was my biggest concern with coming here. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“Lucifer thinks he can protect us better here,” Persephone reminded me.

“And you were dying to see the demon realm,” I added.

She grinned. “I was! This is so exciting! I wonder if Lucifer will give us a tour.”

“How about if we start with checking out his home?” I suggested. “It’s not often one gets to visit the devil’s home.”

“Yes,” she agreed. “Let’s start with the bathrooms. I want to see if he has a tub made for sin.”

I was curious about that myself.