Middle Demons (Angels and Demons Book 2) (9 page)

CHAPTER 17

“Someone take their weapons and power rings. I want to see them in chains.”

A couple of demons took a few steps forward but then stopped when Leech turned his gaze on them. Naamah realized she was going to have to disarm them herself. She removed the power countering ring from her dead sister’s hand and placed it on her own. When Leech pulled one of his guns on her, she uncoiled her whip and struck at his hand. He dropped the gun. When he drew his other gun, she was able to pull off the same thing with amazing accuracy. She then struck him across the face to add insult to injury.

“Get in there and take his axe and power rings. Now!”

Naamah pushed three of her minor demons towards Leech. Leech was ready to use his parasitic touch and attack with his axe but Gangrene ran in and cut the approaching demons off. He touched two of them in their faces and then pulled his spear from its place on his back and stabbed the third demon in his gut. The stabbed demon fell over dead and the other two fell to the ground clutching at their faces as they started to sizzle, eaten away by Gangrene’s walking plague ability.

Naamah didn’t waste any time. She struck with her whip and wrapped it around Gangrene’s leg. She pulled her whip towards her and Gangrene sailed through the air. When he landed on his feet, Naamah turned him to face Leech and Lilith and placed a blade on his throat.

“All of your power rings and the rest of your weapons. On the ground. Now!”

Gangrene struggled to free himself.

“Lord Leech, don’t trust her. Just kill her.”

Leech removed his minotaur axe from his back, threw it on the ground with his guns, and then tossed his power rings. Lilith did the same. Naamah had one of her demons retrieve them and then had Leech and Lilith bound. As Lilith was being bound, she noticed Raven hiding behind a large rock. Naamah continued to hold a blade to Gangrene’s throat.

“We’re taking these two so that Vixen can kill them personally. Kill Leech’s army and then…”

A small axe struck one of Naamah’s minor demons in the forehead and sunk into his skull. Naamah looked to see where it had come from and Gangrene took advantage of the distraction. He elbowed her in the gut, ducked under her blade, and ran. When he made it to the large rock Raven was hiding behind, he grabbed her by her arm and she ran with him. They quickly made it to Lilith’s horse, Keshi, and rode off towards Leech’s army. Naamah motioned to a legion of her troops.

“After them!”

“You’re welcome, Gangrene.”

“What the hell for? You didn’t do anything. I took advantage of the fact that…”

Gangrene turned around and saw that Raven was grinning at him.

“Oh
you
threw that axe. Wonderful. I always wanted to owe a psychopath a favor.”

“Not a favor. You owe me your life, cutie.”

Gangrene rolled his eyes and then turned back to see how close they were to Leech’s army.

“Can’t this horse go any faster?”

As if annoyed by the challenge, Keshi increased speed. The demons Naamah had sent after them faded further into the distance. About thirty second later, Keshi made it to the camp. Gangrene hopped off.

“Prepare for battle! Everyone! Naamah has Leech and Lilith.”

As he looked around, he saw demons playing cards, sitting around fires, and some of them were even asleep. One of Leech’s cavalry approached Gangrene, pointing a finger at his chest.

“You don’t give us commands, Gangrene. Lord Leech is the only one who can…”

Gangrene hit him across the face with the butt of his spear and knocked him out cold.

“Anyone else have something stupid to say? Get your damn weapons in your hands. NOW!”

Everyone in the camp saw that Gangrene meant business. They hurried to gather their armor and weapons. Gangrene looked around and found the corpse of a succubus that hadn’t been looted yet. He removed the armor and helped Raven put it on.

“How are you on weapons?”

Raven pulled two small axes off of her belt and showed them to Gangrene.

“I also have my whip. I think I’ll be fine. Are you worried about me, Gangrene?”

She looked hopeful that he might actually care about her. Gangrene wasn’t sure if he should be annoyed. He decided to ignore the question. He went back to the succubus corpse, removed the minor demon power ring, and handed it to Raven. Her jaw dropped.

“Are you really asking me what I think you’re asking me?”

Gangrene looked confused until it dawned on him. He chuckled.

“I’m not kneeling, you idiot. This is just a minor power ring. I don’t even know what it does.”

Raven crossed her arms and pouted.

“That was the least romantic proposal I’ve ever seen, Gangrene.”

“That’s because it
wasn’t
a…”

Gangrene’s sentence was cut short as Naamah’s legion arrived. Gangrene signaled to the demons he commanded from Shadow’s army. They spread out and hid behind rocks, in the sand, and wherever else they could find a good hiding place. When they were out of sight, Gangrene turned to Leech’s cavalry.

“We’re going to hold them off for as long as we can. When I give the signal, the rest of the army will run out from their hiding places and surround them. Then we’ll attack them from both sides. Any questions?”

The demon he had hit earlier with his spear rode at him at full speed, wielding a sword from behind. Gangrene didn’t see it coming, but Raven did. She pulled her whip from her belt and struck at the rider. Her whip wrapped around his sword and she was able to pull it from his hand. Gangrene spun and threw his spear at the rider’s head. It sunk into his neck. He struggled briefly to speak while black blood ran down Gangrene’s spear. After a few seconds, he fell off his horse and died. Gangrene pulled his spear from the demon’s neck.

“Anyone else have a problem?”

The remaining members of Leech’s cavalry looked at each other and then back at Gangrene. They all shook their heads. He had proven what he needed to. He held out his hand to Raven and helped her climb up behind him.

“You’re welcome,
again
.”

“I would have been fine. I have quick reflexes.”

“And eyes in the back of your head, apparently, because he was coming from behind you.”

“We don’t have time for your nonsense, Raven.”

Gangrene pointed his spear at the approaching legion. Raven nodded at him and Gangrene led the charge. Leech’s cavalry fought bravely, many of them taking on several of Naamah’s army at a time, but one by one they began to fall. When their number had been nearly cut in half, Gangrene gave the signal.

“NOW!”

The rest of his army ran from their hiding places and rushed in to attack. Attacking from both sides, Gangrene’s army was able to deal death until the remainder of Naamah’s forces surrendered. All of the demons that were formerly in Agrat’s army had broken their oaths and turned on Leech’s forces. Gangrene decided that he couldn’t take any more chances like that.

“Every incubus or succubus is sentenced to death. We won’t be taking any prisoners this time.”

“What about the succubus riding behind you?”

Gangrene looked back at her and saw that Raven actually looked slightly worried.

“Raven is the exception. Lilith trusts her.”

Raven hugged Gangrene from behind.

“
You’re
welcome this time.”

She laughed.

Raven and Gangrene rode to the place where they had last left Leech and Lilith. They searched in every direction until Keshi, the demon horse, finally laid down on the ground and fell asleep. There was no trace of Gangrene’s commander or Raven’s half-sister.

CHAPTER 18

Shadow felt like he had been drugged. He hit himself hard across his face in an attempt to shake the cobwebs loose. There were demonesses and they were
singing
to him? That couldn’t be right. How did he end up unconscious?

Shadow checked out his surroundings. This was a part of Hell that he had never seen before. It was elegant in an “everything was burning” kind of way. In fact he almost thought that the room he was in could easily belong to someone of nobility.

When he finally saw Muan stirring on the floor, it all came back to him. The sirens had taken him here. They had brought him to the residence of Queen Persephone.

Muan started to groan and grabbed his head. He struggled to get to his feet and then fell down again on the stone floor. Shadow helped him stand. Muan rubbed his eyes and then realization finally came to him. He checked for his weapons.

“Lord Shadow, I think the sirens got us.”

“Brilliant deduction, Muan. Any idea how we can get out of here?”

“Well my weapons are all in their proper place so that means…”

Muan reached into his bag and pulled out a small vial with a dark green liquid inside. He grinned mischievously at Shadow.

“We can burn a hole into the wall.”

Muan uncorked the vial and threw it against the nearest chamber wall. The vial shattered and the green liquid began to sizzle and smoke. The acid ate its way through the wall and the small hole it made gradually enlarged. Muan started walking towards the hole and turned back towards Shadow, waving his hand.

“Come on, Lord Shadow. Let’s get out of…”

Muan walked right into the wall and fell over backwards. The hole in the wall had sealed itself. Muan rubbed the bump on his head and got back on his feet.

“I guess the rumors are true. Queen Persephone is…”

“…trapped here.”

Queen Persephone entered from an adjoining room. She was dressed all in black and Shadow thought she looked like an older Lilith or Vixen. She still retained her beauty remarkably well for someone so old. The only thing that separated her from the other demonesses was her white eyes. Shadow bowed to one knee and he put his hand on Muan’s shoulder and pressed down hard until he was also kneeling.

“Queen Persephone. I am Shadow and this is one of my minor demons, Muan, the son of um… the Medic.”

Muan rolled his eyes.

“I’m the son of Bifrons, Your Majesty.”

“Oh there’s no need for any of that. Stand up, both of you. I know who you are. You don’t need to keep addressing me as Queen Persephone, Shadow. You’re my grandson and no one calls you Prince Shadow.”

Muan’s eyes bulged and he looked at Shadow. Shadow nodded to confirm. Muan bowed once again, but this time facing Shadow.

“My prince.”

Persephone and Shadow both laughed and Muan was grinning when he stood. Having made the Queen of the Damned laugh, he ventured a question.

“Queen Persephone, why are your eyes white like the angels?”

“I was an angel for a very long time, little demon. I was married to Michael the Archangel before I came to Hell with the Dragon.”

“So is Lord Shadow a descendant of the Dragon?”

“No, he is not.”

Muan looked confused.

“But you just said…”

“I was pregnant when I came to Hell.”

“So Abaddon is the child of…”

Muan’s eyes widened once again. He turned his head back to Shadow.

“Then you’re a nephilim, Lord Shadow. Am I right?”

There was no denying it now. Muan knew about the existence of the nephilim. Shadow changed his eyes from red to white and nodded. He was worried about how Muan would react, but Muan just looked a little awestruck.

“That is…
so
cool.”

Persephone and Shadow laughed again. Muan sat down on the floor.

“I’ll stop asking questions and just let the two of you talk.”

Shadow sat in a chair and Persephone sat across from him on a couch.

“I can accept that you’re my grandmother and that I’m not really a full demon. An angel named Sarah told me that on Earth and presented me with some… pretty strong evidence.”

Shadow lost his train of thought for a moment as he remembered Sarah kissing him.

“But um… you’re not going to convince me that becoming a major demon isn’t my right. I need to become a major demon and control the other five to demand that the Dragon release my father. He won’t be able to deny a request made by the six major demons.”

“Obviously I can’t stop you from doing what you think is right. The sirens can get demons in and out but I’m stuck here. Lucifer is paranoid and he thinks that I would run away the first chance I get. You’re free to go whenever you want. I’ll even call the sirens now if you want to leave. All I ask is that you hear my story first and consider it before you march on to the lowest circles of Hell.”

Shadow considered taking Persephone up on her offer to call the sirens. He already knew nothing she could say would change his mind. The only reason he didn’t leave was his curiosity. He also reasoned that his grandmother had called him there to impart some information that might reveal weaknesses of creatures he may have to kill one day.

“I will hear your story. Don’t continue to hope that it will change my mind though.”

“I have no expectations but I will continue to hope that it will change your perspective, my grandson. I was very young when this all began and very beautiful. It’s possible that I was the most beautiful creature in all of Heaven. The angels often fought over who should have the right to wed me. I briefly considered several suitors, but I ultimately decided that the most powerful angel was the only one truly worthy of my affections. That was Michael the Archangel. We were married and spent our wedding night in the most beautiful of God’s wedding chambers.

“Michael was called away towards the end of the night to respond to a rebellion. He didn’t fill me in on any of the details. Once he told me he had to leave, he was gone within minutes. Shortly after he left, I had a visitor. It was Lucifer. I inquired what he wanted and he told me he intended to capture me and take me with him before I had a chance to consummate my marriage with Michael.”

Muan cut in.

“So the Dragon had no idea that Michael had already banged you?”

Shadow hit him hard in the back of his head.

“You will not address the Queen of the Damned like that. Seriously, Muan, install a filter between your brain and your mouth. You will severely regret it the next time you say something that stupid.”

“My apologies, Prince Shadow.”

When Shadow looked back at Persephone, he saw her smiling. Apparently, she didn’t mind Muan’s comments.

“Yes, little Muan, Michael and I had already slept together. I was carrying his child. When Lucifer told me of his rebellion, I was intrigued and completely swept away by his ambition and power. He promised me I could be queen when he overthrew the heavens and I agreed to go with him. I was then wed to Lucifer, but he couldn’t deliver on his promise to overthrow the heavens. That’s why he keeps me locked in here. He’s worried that I’ll run back to Michael the second he gives me the chance. I won’t. It was foolish of me to run away with him, but I accept the consequences of my actions. I’ve dreamed of going back to Michael but I know that door is now closed to me.

“As soon as I had the chance, I seduced Lucifer. I couldn’t let him know that the child I was carrying was Michael’s. Abaddon was my firstborn and Lucifer thought it was his. I then gave birth to Cain, Vixen, and finally Baal. Those three actually were Lucifer’s children.”

This time, Shadow interrupted her with a question.

“So Baal is technically my uncle and the brother of Cain and my father. Why isn’t that common knowledge? He doesn’t claim descent from the Dragon.”

“Baal thinks himself greater than his father and wants nothing to do with him. He didn’t like that Cain and Abaddon were his brothers because they tormented him for centuries. He was the youngest and they picked on him like all brothers do. I stopped it when I could, but he eventually disowned his entire family. It’s ironic, because one of Baal’s sons did the same thing to him. He renounced his claim on Baal’s major demon position and went to work in another department.”

“Which son?”

“I promised Baal I wouldn’t reveal that and I keep my promises, Shadow. I won’t reveal his name to you. Baal is very
touchy
about family issues.”

“That’s all really interesting, but what does it have to do with me?”

Persephone bowed her head and a tear streamed down from both of her eyes.

“Abaddon went to visit his father, Michael, in Heaven. Michael wasn’t convinced that Abaddon was his son. He demanded that Abaddon demonstrate his control over the element of ice to the other archangels before he would even see him. Abaddon failed; he had not yet acquired his father’s abilities. Michael sent him away without meeting him, but asked that his short blade be delivered to Abaddon on the chance that he was wrong. When Abaddon returned to Hell, Lucian took him into custody to be tortured in the lowest circle of Hell as a traitor to all demons.

“I tried to stop them from taking him away. I even offered to take his place. Lucifer wouldn’t grant my request and Abaddon is being tormented to this day. He has only been allowed to return to the upper circles once. That short reprieve was won for him by my pleadings to Lucifer. He locked me in here at the same time that he took Abaddon away. As far as I know, he simply sees Abaddon as a traitor but has no idea that he is one of the nephilim.

“Abaddon had the same problem that you have, Shadow. He thought it was his responsibility to fix everything. It was that belief that earned a place among the tormented souls of the lowest circle. If you want to become a major demon, that’s fine. It’s your birthright. All I ask is that you please leave your father where he is. Don’t try to turn on the Dragon with the other five major demons. Satan has enough room in his circle to torture another six, even if they are
the
Six.”

“Interesting story, grandma, but it doesn’t change anything. Call the sirens. Muan and I are leaving.”