The Devil's Consort
A sneak peek
The cobblestones flew past my feet as I ran through the City of Dis. It's buildings stretched into the dusty red sky, like blackened tree branches searching for sunlight. Made of glass, too perfectly rendered to have been made by human hands. Free of imperfections, the reflections in the glass showed the flashes of Hellfire that rippled through the clouds.
The Hessian fabric storefronts shifted with a breeze that couldn’t be felt on the skin.
It was much more fun to try and escape my guards without Lacing.
Lacing was the art of folding space and redirecting your location. I was notoriously bad at it, often finding myself in various parts of Hell without want of being there. Running was safer for all those involved. It meant that I had to engage my wits to escape Abaddon.
I was still young, in the eyes of the Demons of the First Circle. Many of whom had existed since time had begun. A wayward child of the Devil's Court. It was almost expected that I would cause mischief wherever I went.
I could not hear his lumbering footfalls, but that meant nothing. Abaddon's gaze burnt into the back of my skull and I looked up to see that I was being watched from the top of a building.
Abe's eyes glowed in the darkness, like two red pennies. Second in command to the Devil, Abaddon was the Angel of Destruction before he fell with Lucifer.
What are you up to, little Pet? His voice echoed through my mind as I skidded around a corner and ducked into a hidden alleyway.
My silver eyes scanned the darkness; above my head, were layers of dusty fabrics crossed between buildings, creating canopies that hid the Hellfire light in the sky.
Low level Nightmare demons, or Drudes as they were known, clung to the walls. When I shifted position, they dispersed like desert sand.
What were Drude's doing in the First Circle? I shook my head to clear it. Not my problem.
My eyes rolled back inside of my head as I searched for Abe's presence. I breathed a sigh of relief when I noticed that he was far away enough that I could complete the task that I had ventured into the City for.
Dis was a wealth of glittering baubles. Pride was the sin of the First Circle and the vendors took their wares very seriously.
Lacing to the far edge of the City, by the banks of the golden stagnant water, I searched for the stall. I had made it on the first try. Fortune was shining upon me.
There was no name above the storefront, only a plain canvas fabric stained in red dust. I slipped under the curtain into the jewellers and admired the shining pieces.
Devil's silver was hard to come by. Lucifer had the ability to charm metal and have it hold onto those enchantments, and he often traded those artefacts for information.
It was rare that a piece would escape outside of the Hell Regency but it did happen. I had tracked the residual energy to the small shop on the edge of the market.
Glass pendants, and iron rings to repel magic were displayed in meticulous rows, in plush velvet boxes. I trailed my hand along the edge of one of the cabinets until I found the item I was looking for.
I remembered the tale fondly, though I was not around for the item’s inception some millennia ago.
Asmodeus, the Queen of Lust had requested an amulet that could rival her power as a succubus. She issued the challenge to Lucifer, in exchange for her alliance if he succeeded.
I eyed the amulet, and reached forward to touch the glass.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you, Pet.” A voice echoed from behind the cabinet.
The glass magnified a large russet coloured iris, making it look to be the size of a walnut. It belonged to a woman with skin as dark as night, and a head absent of hair.
Everyone knew me as Pet, but it was a title and not a name.
“I want that,” I licked my bottom lip as my eyes flicked to the magical article.
“Do you now?” the vendor smiled sweetly. She slipped around the cabinet and came to my side. Taking a piece of my long platinum hair, she rubbed it between her fingers.
I did not respond.
“What will you trade for the Devil's silver?” She asked.
Damn. She knew the object's value. That meant that she was more powerful than a lower demon. Not typically fooled.
“I have Lydian coins,” I said.
“I have no use for coins.”
I felt Abaddon's presence in the back of my mind like a shadow. He had discovered where I was.
I turned on my heel without a word and walked towards the door to exit the shop.
A sharp whistle made me jump and I turned to its origin. The vendor threw the necklace at me and I caught it with one hand. The Devil's magic burnt my skin as I clutched the tarnished silver to my chest.
“My name is Miriam and you owe me a favour of my choosing.” The bald woman declared, her crafty smile showcased every one of her pearlescent teeth.
I nodded in agreement and slipped out on the streets of the City. I had limited time and whilst I would never have offered a favour in ordinary circumstances, I had been cornered.
I hid the amulet in a pocket and started to run from the stall as if I had never taken a detour. I quickly heard Abaddon's swift feet to my left and I ducked in time to avoid a sharp blow to my forehead.
I pulled my knees to my chest as I Laced to the end of the street. I managed to land with my legs outstretched and one hand to the smooth cobblestones.
Two for two. Maybe my skills were sharpening after all.
My fingers sparked with adrenaline and the temperature dropped. Abaddon stood in a wide stance on the other side of the promenade. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword, still sheathed and hanging from his waist.
His teeth were gritted.
“Pet...” he snarled, his eyes glowed the colour of congealed blood.
Steam curled from my fingertips as I felt my inner darkness beg to be let out. His attack had triggered my natural instincts.
Abaddon’s gaze did not waver, even when he surveyed my unwilling display of power rising into the air.
“Enough games.” Abe grunted and I felt his arms encase my torso. I had not even seen him move behind me.
I struggled but it was no use. He took us both to the castle and threw me to the floor.
Abaddon looked angry enough to spit. I could not help but laugh. Such an exaggerated reaction for one little outing.
“What has got your horns in a tangle, Abe?” I laughed as I pushed myself to my feet. I brushed the dust of the City from my dress. I kept the sting to my pride hidden. He had easily taken me down. The chase had been a farce. He had allowed me to believe that I had slipped away from his grasp.
“You are such a child. Why do you insist on playing such games?” Abe's fists were clenched.
I shrugged and held back a giggle.
“If Lucifer finds out that I let you out of my sight, for even a minute, he'll...”
“He'll what?” I crossed my arms over my chest. “Throw a party, perhaps?”
Abaddon bristled and followed me as I turned on heel to leave.
“You need to consider your actions before you display your heinous attitude to the entirety of the First Circle.” Abe pleaded, though his voice was rough.
I barked a laugh but kept walking towards the large marble staircase in the entrance hall. I had already Laced successfully once that day and I did not want to tempt the fates by trying to do it a second time.
Abaddon’s heavy heels followed my footsteps as I navigated the castle towards my chambers.
“Hell forbid that Lucifer's subjects think that he cannot control his Pet,” I muttered.
“That’s exactly what they will think.”
“He can control me. But he chooses not to.”
Abe grabbed the top of my arm and pulled me to a stop. I narrowed my eyes and stared at where his hand made contact with my skin.
“Plan to turn me into one of your sculptures?” I crooked a brow.
“You are full of piss and vinegar today, aren’t you?” Abe looked everywhere but into my eyes.
“I’ll tell you what, Abaddon. If you can get my master to look at me. Talk to me. Anything. Then perhaps I will think before I journey out of the castle's walls.” I pried his fingers from my arm, and I left him on the stairs. The challenge was heavy on the air.