His head twitches as he tries to control his ire.
“See… I know what you’re doing. It won’t work.” He closes the distance, wrapping his hands around the bars. “My need to bleed you dry doesn’t eclipse the end game. I’d much rather wait for Lucifer.”
“You don’t think he’ll tear you apart when he gets here?”
“He won’t be able to. I have my own very loyal legion, and they’ll be bringing him to me. Shackled.”
I laugh. “You truly are deranged. He’ll storm this place to get to me.”
“He can’t. At least not yet. Hell has been sealed off. But when he does gain access, we’ll be ready.”
My eyes widen. “How did you manage to seal off Hell to Lucifer?”
“I didn’t.” His jaw clenches. “I have allies trying to uncover how that happened.”
If not him… who?
Heaven.
Only Heaven could keep Lucifer himself out of Hell. But why? Do they want Nolda to rule?
“If it is Heaven, would you be surprised, Victoria?” Nolda asks.
“Reading my mind again, demon?”
“I don’t need to read your mind, girl. Lucifer abandoned his post for a girl that betrayed Heaven.” He huffs. “Either way, I have you well hidden from both Heaven and pretty boy Luke,” he mocks.
“Hidden? You think Heaven doesn’t know every square inch of this place? God created it.”
It’s his turn to laugh. “You know nothing of Hell. It’s a vast land of various city centers, ruled by higher echelon demons. If Heaven is the reason the doors have been sealed, and they decide to come here themselves, it won’t be easy. The demons will ensure that.”
“Without Lucifer’s command? You think you have all of the demons under control?”
“Most fall in line under their master, which I admit isn’t exactly me… yet. But some have grown tired of his boyish need to experience Earth and gallivant to cities unknown. If high demons have to pull the weight in his absence, why shouldn’t they hold the highest title of Satan?”
I ignore his question, jumping to something far more important. “How many are conspiring against Lucifer?”
It’s as though he doesn’t hear me as he continues laying out his demonic plans.
“He’ll trade himself for you or Heaven will… we’ll allow him to believe we’ve accepted the deal. Eventually, he’ll be beside you, forced to watch me torture you. Slowly. For eternities.”
I throw my head back and laugh. “You’re delusional. None of that makes sense.”
“I have the power,” he grinds through his teeth. “I’ll bring him to his knees.”
“Good luck with that.”
He twists his hand and I cry out, doubling over.
“W-what are you doing?” My stomach feels as though he’s rearranging my organs. Sharp pains stab at my back and sides. My head falls back on my shoulders, and I bellow. “Stop!”
He flicks his wrist and I collapse, breath coming out in short bursts as I gasp and claw for oxygen. I’ve been reduced to a human, feeling pains I’ve never experienced. I shouldn’t be able to crumple under this low demon’s power so easily.
I’m an angel.
“Fallen angel, Victoria. And here… that divine fuckery doesn’t hold merit. You’re in Hell now.”
“How?” He tilts his head to the side as though he can’t simply read my mind. “Stop playing games, demon. Tell me how you have that much power.”
