Though perhaps my point would be better proven if Ihadbrought some bear meat with us so she could witness them descend into savage competition like the beasts they are.
Finally, we reach the bottom level. I take the bullwhip in one hand while releasing the bars with the other.
And then I open the door to Hell.
THIRTY-SEVEN
HANNAH
I getwhy Abaddon doesn’t want to do this, but I can’t shake the feeling that we have to at least try. And I mean really try—not just go through the motions.
Back home, I volunteered at animal shelters, and we had some seriously messed-up, aggressive dogs. But I’ve never been one to judge based on looks. None of us gets to pick what we’re born with, right?
It’s what’s inside that counts.
So I snatch the bullwhip from Abaddon’s grip and hurl it behind us as he activates the lights, which flicker to harsh life.
I study the corner I barely noticed during my panicked first visit. This time, I spot what I’d mistaken for a boulder—quick flashes of crimson eyes blinking back at me.
Thing is awake and aware, as he probably was before. Romulus and Remus remain chained where I last saw them, but they still unnerve me.
I’ll focus on one creature at a time. The fur Abaddon provided covers me as I hold it around myself like an oversized bath towel.
I hum softly as I enter and kneel on the filthy floor before Thing, doing my best to ignore the overwhelming stench.
“Not so close,” Abaddon hisses beside me.
I wave him off. I have my own approach. If I lose a hand, that’ll be part of the learning process. I suspect Abaddon will intervene before allowing that, but I refuse to assume these beings are mindless killing machines.
How could they be anything else when nobody’s ever given them a real shot?
So I move closer to Thing, holding out my hand palm-up so he can get used to my smell.
“Hey there.” I keep my voice super gentle. “Abaddon thinks you’re gonna hurt me, but I’m thinking maybe we could try something different. How about we just get to know each other today? Sound good?”
Thing raises his head slowly, blinking those brilliant red eyes. His shoulders shift as he rises from his crouch.
I breathe steadily as the first set of human-like arms emerges from the shadows, then another, then the third. He supports himself on hardened knuckles with the lowest pair like a great ape, moving incrementally closer.
He’s absolutely gross from head to toe, and his claws have grown out so long they look like freaking daggers.
When Thing gets close enough that his chains go tight against the wall, he hisses, and I can see these crazy sharp fangs.
I push down my fear and take another breath, making myself smile. “You’re pretty scary, huh? You and your brothers? That’s cool. I still want to get to know you.”
Another hiss greets my words, and Thing shifts restlessly back and forth within his chain’s reach. But those red eyes never leave mine.
“My name is Hannah,” I say, slowly touching my chest. “I’d like to be your friend. Do you have a name? Can you speak?”
He retreats slightly, his head moving with agitation, a tangle of matted black hair falling across his eyes.
“Looks like nobody’s brushed your hair in forever. Maybe I could help with that sometime,” I say. “I live here now, too. I’m Abaddon’s...”
“Con-sort,” the creature says in this rough voice, and I get so excited. He actually talked to me! I spin around to grin at Abaddon, who’s giving me the stink eye.
I ignore his attitude and turn back to Thing. “Yep, exactly!”
I smile at him but make sure not to stare him down—don’t want to start anything. “I’m Abaddon’s consort. He calls me Hannah-consort sometimes.” I laugh a little, and Thing jumps at the sound.
