“Listen, Ramel and Shem were called away to an impromptu meeting with Rafael. Shem asked me to check in on you and bring you some food. I didn’t realize… Well, I mean, I suspected it when Shem said you weren’t allowed to touch me. I wasn’t sure, though. If they’re keeping you here against your will, I can help you get away, but we have to movenow. They’ll be back within the hour.” He searched my eyes and bit his lip.
My heart was racing so fast. This was the chance I needed. I would never be able to escape Hell on my own, but if someone with inside knowledge helped me, maybe I would have a chance.
“He’ll find me if I run,” I whispered.
Art shook his head. “There are ways to cloak your soul pattern. He won’t be able to find you, but we have to leave now if you wantto do this.”
I stared at him, unable to believe this was really happening.
“Why would you help me?” I breathed. I didn’t understand why this demon would risk Ramel’s fury to help someone he didn’t know at all.
“You’re not the only person Ramel has hurt, Lilith. Helping you escape him will be a drop in the bucket in comparison to the things he’s done to me,” he said darkly. We stared at each other for a long moment, and I nervously chewed on my thumbnail as I weighed my options. Then, finally, I nodded.
“Okay. Let’s go,” I breathed. He held out his hand, and I took it.
“Try and keep up.”
Alexa, play,‘High for This,’byThe Weekend
"Tonight's the night. And it's going to happen again and again.”
—DEXTER MORGAN, DEXTER
Art smuggled me out of the manor and kept us in the back alleys. Despite the fact that I was running for my life barefoot in a blinding white dress, I couldn’t help but gape at the crystalline black spires that made up the homes of the fallen.
I could see the bridge to the mortal realm in the distance, but Art tugged me toward a large black-pointed structure. It was an ebony cylindrical spire that tapered into a sharp point. There were no windows, but there was a single large black door carved into the side.
“We need to stop here first to get your soul cloaked so they can’t track you down. Hurry,” he urged, and he glanced up and down the street to make sure the coast was clear before ducking out of the alley we had taken cover in.
My heart was soaring. I couldn’t believe this was happening. I was really getting away. Not only that, but Art even had a way to make sure I wouldn’t be followed. I couldn’t help the shit-eating grin that spread across my face as I followed Art across the street. He ushered me forward toward the large, heavy door at the side of the structure. Checking over his shoulder, he pushed me over the threshold.
It was dark inside. I could barely see anything, and when Art shut the door behind me, I found we were enveloped in complete darkness.
“I can’t see a thing. Is there a light you can turn on?” I whispered.
For a moment, Art didn’t respond. I frowned.
“Art?”
“Hello, deathtrap.”
Suddenly, I could feel my heartbeat in my mouth. Green fire lit around the circular perimeter of the structure, illuminating what appeared to be the interior of a satanic church.
There were rows of black pews on either side of an aisle lined with a midnight velvet runner. The pews were filled with demons dressed in black who all turned to look at me as the fires ignited.
Standing by what could only be described as a sacrificial altar stood Ramel. A spotlight flickered directly over his head, casting sinister shadows over his face. He was in his Reaper shroud and was holding his scythe, his black fingers drumming ominously on the handle. His hood was drawn back, and his sinfully handsome face was filled with a confusing mixture of rage and lust.
Horrified, I turned to run when there was aclickand a tug at my throat. My whole body locked up in fear.
“Oh, Lil. You just couldn’t help yourself, could you?” Shem whispered into my ear from behind, tugging roughly on the leash he had attached to my collar.
He circled around from behind me, pulling a smug-looking Art with him. “That was really almosttooeasy, Lilith.”
Art gave me an evil smile, chuckling. “You were right, Shemhazai. I barely even had to try. She reallyisdesperate.”
My whole body went cold, and I began to shake.
That asshole fucking tricked me!
