Saint of Sinners (22 page)

He took a few quick steps back and threw a huge fireball at me. With Animus and my own fire I blocked the damage, but the force of it threw me into the double doors at the end of the hall. I crashed through into a room wider and taller than the hallway, but just as white. I got to my feet just in time to meet his attack, the clash of our blades echoing through the room.

We circled a few times, and I caught sight of a huge throne dominating the far wall. We were fighting in the throne room. I slipped past his guard to graze his arm. He kicked me in the stomach and I went sprawling.

“How would you like to have a piece of my son? I bet he’s delicious.”

I glanced around and realized we weren’t alone. From the shadows behind huge columns, demons crept out, licking their lips. I was at peace with the idea of dying if I had to, but the thought of being eaten alive filled me with cold dread.

I scrambled to get up, facing Satan but shifting to look around. The demons were of all shapes with horns, wings, claws, huge teeth, tentacles… the stuff of nightmares. No way I could fight them all. I’d have to try to take out as many as I could. I focused on Satan again.

He smiled. “One more chance. They can take you back to the dungeon, or they can eat you. Your choice.”

I won’t lie, I was terrified. But that smile pissed me off. By siccing his demons on me, he was cheating me out of my revenge. Why didn’t he kill me himself? The answer hit me so hard it made me dizzy. “Holy shit. You’re afraid of me.”

His smile flattened. “What?”

“You’re a fucking coward. You’re going to make your demons take care of me because you can’t do it yourself.”

“I’m not afraid of you. You’re
nothing
.”

“Prove it. Fight me yourself.” I lifted Animus a little higher as she hummed with anticipation.

Satan glared at me for a long moment. “Stay back, all of you.” The demons crept back into the shadows, but their eyes remained focused, watching.

“Come and get me,” I growled.

We took up the fight again. He threw fire at me, I threw fire and ice. Our swords clashed, throwing up blue-white sparks. He kicked at me and I dodged, dancing back and hurling a fireball. He sliced it in half. “I’m going to cripple you, and then I’m going to torture you in the square with all my demons watching.”

I charged, aiming for his heart. He blocked and we circled each other. “Really?” I said. “I figure I’ll stab you, and then you’ll run away. That’s what you always do when you think I’m—”

His sword scraped against Animus and went past, sinking into me. The pain stole my breath and I stumbled back, the blade pulling out. Shocked, I pressed a hand to my side and it came away covered in blood. Demons murmured from the shadows.

“Oh shit.” My knees gave out and I hit the floor.

“We’ll have a barbecue,” Satan said. “Tear you apart piece by piece and serve you to the crowd.”

I can’t die like this
. Not on my knees, not turned into entertainment for demons and the devil. I tried to push myself up, but my hand slipped from the blood covering it. Satan’s shadow loomed over me.

“I’ll take your sword arm first.” His foot came down to step on my katana, but with a shout of effort I pulled her back and got to my feet.

He slashed at me and I put all the power I had into blocking. Our blades hit so hard that I knocked his flying. Before he could react, I took my chance. I sank Animus into his heart, through it, and she sang in ecstasy.

His wide eyes met mine, inches away. Satan whispered, “No,” like he couldn’t believe it.

“For Mew-Mew.” I poured my rage through the sword and fire erupted. It burned so hot and fast he hardly had time to scream. His face blackened, then the bones beneath, and finally he crumbled. I stepped away as what was left of him fell to the floor. The fire burned for a few more seconds, then went out.

Nothing was left but a pile of ashes.

Chapter 25

I knelt and set Animus down. Probably stupid in a room full of demons, but I wasn’t thinking. I stared at the ashes, then grabbed two huge handfuls and hurled them as far as I could. The black ash was a sharp contrast against the polished white floor. I grit my teeth against the pain in my side and threw another double handful. “Fuck you! Fuck you!”

I could kill him a thousand times and it would never be enough. It wouldn’t bring Mew-Mew back. Tears blurred my vision as I scattered the ashes as much as I could. I got up and kicked the remaining pile, almost slipping in it.

Soft noises drew my attention. The demons were creeping closer. I reached out and Animus flew into my hand. “You want to try me? Come on!”

A bright white ball appeared in the center of the room. I shifted into a fighting stance but had to shut my eyes against the glare. The demons hissed and growled. The light dimmed a little and I opened my eyes. An old man stood there, dressed in flowing white and with a long white beard. The demons were gone.

“Alexander, put the sword away.”

Jehovah looked like he’d stepped out of a Renaissance painting. How stereotypical. He could take any form he wanted, but of course he picked that one.

“What the fuck do you want?” I asked.

“Such language.” He tsked. “You killed the devil.”

Did I really?
Even with the evidence all over my hands, it was hard to believe. “So?”

“So, Hell needs a lord.”

My stomach sank. “Oh, fuck no. You’re not bringing him back to life.”

He shook his head. “That is not my plan. Put the sword away.”

I didn’t trust him, but if he wanted a fight he could’ve just started kicking my ass. Reluctantly, I sheathed Animus.

He glided over to me, feet not touching the floor. I tensed, ready for some trick. He said, “Hold out your hand.”

“Why?”

“Do not question me!” His voice boomed, echoing.

“I just killed the fucking devil. I’ll question you if I want to.” My hand flexed, wanting to draw my sword.

He stared at me, took a breath. “You are a worthy successor.” Jehovah held out his hand. Sitting in his palm was a black key, the big, old-fashioned kind.

“What?”

“Alexander Holden, I appoint you the new Lord of Hell.”

I looked at him and repeated, “What?”

“Take the key.”

I shook my head. “I don’t want it.” I wasn’t my father, I didn’t belong here.

“You must take it. Without a ruler, the demons will run rampant and escape to Earth.”

“Why don’t you take over? You’re the one who loves sending people here so much.”

A muscle in his jaw twitched. “You alone must be lord. You are his son and heir.”

“No, I don’t want anything of his.”

“Then you condemn the Earth to chaos.”

Heat shimmered around me. “You’d let it happen, wouldn’t you?” Such a fucking asshole. “Fine.” Here I was, saving the world again. I grabbed the key from his hand and he flinched, just a little. “You got what you wanted, now leave me the fuck alone.”

“You truly are your father’s son.” Jehovah disappeared in a blinding white flare.

“Fuck you. No I’m not,” I shouted at the space where he’d been. Yet here I was, in charge of his kingdom.

I didn’t want any of this, I just wanted to go home. So I did.

***

I went straight to the bathroom to wash my hands. I looked like shit, dark circles under my eyes, my face pale between the bruises. I checked the stab wound on my right side. It had closed up, becoming an ugly scab. That was fast healing, even for me. Had Animus helped me heal? Had I absorbed some of Satan’s power when I killed him, or when I took over Hell?

Well, I wasn’t dying, and I told myself that was all that mattered. I changed my clothes and pulled my phone out of my pocket. It was smashed. I tossed the pieces on my nightstand. So much for calling my friends. I’d have to go see them in person.

I didn’t know how long I’d been gone. Maybe a day, maybe longer. I couldn’t imagine how worried Hayley was. I teleported just outside her house and rang the bell. I didn’t know what I’d say to explain the bruises if one of her parents answered.

Footsteps pounded down the stairs and Hayley yanked open the door. “Oh my God, what happened?” She threw her arms around me.

“Ow, ow.” I was healing fast, but it still hurt. She let me go with an apology. “I…” I didn’t know how to start.

“Is that Alex?” Casey called from somewhere inside. A burst of running footsteps and he appeared behind his sister. “Holy shit, are you okay?”

“Can we go somewhere?” I didn’t want their parents to overhear. “My place?” I wanted the familiarity.

“Sure. I’ll leave my parents a note,” Casey said.

I teleported them to my apartment. I sank into the couch without a word and Hayley and Casey sat next to me. Studying my face, Hayley took my hand. I slumped against her shoulder and burst into tears.

In a choked voice, I told them everything. Hayley cried with me, and when I got to the part about Mew-Mew dying, Casey started crying too. After I finished my story, they stayed with me for hours. We ordered a bunch of pizza and I ate a ton. It had been at least a day since I’d eaten and as wrung out as I was, I was still starving.

Being with them helped so much. I’d killed the devil and taken over his job. Almost anyone else would’ve been terrified of me, but they weren’t. They were worried
for
me and did everything they could to comfort me. There weren’t enough words to tell them how much that meant. It helped me believe part of me was still human.

It was getting dark when they left. “Do you want me to stay?” Hayley asked. It would get her in trouble with her parents, but it was clear she didn’t care.

“No, it’s okay.” I didn’t want her to get in trouble, and as much as I’d needed their support, I also needed to be alone.

She kissed me and Casey didn’t even make a face.

When they were gone I went to my bedroom and picked Animus up off the bed. “Just you and me now, girl.” A fresh wave of grief hit me and I lay down, cradling my sword. Mew-Mew had been my best friend, for years my only friend. I’d brought him back to life once, but this time there was nothing I could do. He was gone, really gone.

I cried so hard it hurt, sobs shaking my body. Animus radiated warmth like she was trying to comfort me. I cried until my throat was raw, until I had no tears left. I wiped my face with a corner of the covers and closed my eyes, wondering if I’d be able to sleep.

A familiar weight landed on the bed. I sat up in shock. “Mew-Mew?”

He stood at the end of the bed, looking just like he had in life, except for a slight glow around his body.
If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you could possibly imagine.

I laughed and pulled him into a hug. “I missed you so much. I thought you were gone forever.”

How long have you been seeing ghosts?

Pretty much forever,
I told him, feeling stupid.
But not everyone becomes a ghost.

He rubbed against my face.
I couldn’t move on and leave you behind.

I kissed his nose.
I love you, Mew-Mew.

I love you, Alex.

I fell asleep with my sword under my pillow and my ghost cat curled up next to me.

***

The ashes were still where I’d left them. I stepped around them and walked up to the throne. The black key was heavy in my hand. I gave it a long look before slipping it into my pocket. As much as I didn’t want this, I had to take responsibility. I went up the stairs and sat in the huge white throne. Mew-Mew hopped up on my lap.

In the shadows behind the columns, demons murmured, their eyes glowing. I waited for them to creep out, some of them glaring, some curious.

“Well, I’m in charge now. So there’s gonna be some changes around here.”

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LORD OF HELL

The Final Book in the Alex Holden Trilogy

Coming Soon!

As soon as I announced I was taking over Hell, demons started challenging me. I can’t really blame them. If I was a demon a few thousand years old and some seventeen year old demigod was telling me what to do, I wouldn’t take it well, either.

And to be honest, part of me liked the chance to fight. Beelzebub was one such pissed off demon. He’d seen me kick two other demons’ asses, but that didn’t matter to him. He was wearing something close to a human shape so he could hold his sword. “Surrender the throne and I will let you slink back to your beloved Earth.”

“And you’ll just leave Earth alone? You’ll keep all the demons from hurting humans?” I asked, gripping my sword handle. We stood in the bright white throne room. It was like a hospital crossed with a Greek temple, all smooth clean marble.

“I will stay away from you and yours. This I promise.” I chose not to point out how much a promise from a demon was worth. “All of Earth is mine. The world is under my protection.” As I’d proved when I saved it.

Beelzebub laughed. “You have Satan’s ambition, if not his vision.”

“How about I give you an offer? You give up now, walk away, and I won’t make an example of you.” The throne room was full of demons, lurking in the shadows behind the enormous columns. These fights always drew a crowd. The other two demons I’d fought hadn’t been as strong as Beelzebub. Maybe kicking his ass would convince the others not to fuck with me.

He narrowed his eyes. “His arrogance as well.” Then he charged me, sword straight out as if he expected to run me through.

Dumbass. As if he hadn’t watched me kill Satan. I dodged and brought up Animus. She sang, wanting to taste more demon blood. The sword got her wish, slicing along Beelzebub’s left arm.

The demon hissed and whirled, but I was just as fast. My sword met his, the clang ringing through the hall. He glared down at me, a good two feet taller. “You little whelp. I am going to flay you and feed you to the hellhounds.”