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  She paused, wringing her hands in front of her. She knew she couldn't keep him all to herself. They needed to move, get out of here, before Asmodeus took her back for more torture.

  "Just, well. Thank you. For all of this. I know I don't deserve this. Upheaving your whole life and what not. But—" She didn't see him move. He was in front of her before she could finish. Jared cupped her cheek and leaned into her, brushing his mouth against hers.

  A shiver coursed through her body. Elizabeth ached for gentle and kind. Everything Jared was, she soaked up, knowing at some point she would lose this to the brutal tyrant that didn't understand that no meant no.

  "You deserve the stars, and so much more," he whispered. His forehead pressed against hers.

  Just as quickly as he had come to her, he was gone. The chill in the room returned. Elizabeth released a huge breath of air and gathered her things for a shower.

  She’d started towards the door when Jared burst through the door again.

  "Nearly forgot," he seemed to mumble to himself.

  When he got to her, he smiled. "Turn around."

  Elizabeth did as directed. Jared's fingers grazed over the flesh of her neck, shifting her hair to the side. She felt the warm heat of the blue stone necklace going back to where it belonged. She whimpered when the heat started to radiate, but Jared lightly blew on the chain and the stone simmered to that familiar, cool warmth. An oxymoron, but still true.

  "Never, EVER take this thing off again. I got a stronger chain. The only way this is coming off is if the fires of Heaven melt it free."

  His lips pressed against the curve of her neck, and for a moment, she thought it was such an odd thing to say. And just like that, Jared eased out of the room during her distraction.

  As she fingered the comforting stone, she knew one thing. She wanted to get a shower. She could still feel the dried come against her belly and she wanted to burn it off. Her small room had a little bathroom. Quickly she stripped away the dress shirt and tossed it out the window without looking. As her gaze moved up she caught sight of herself in the mirror and the flood gates threatened to open.

  She sucked them back.

  There was no more time for self-pity.

  Bruises marred her white flesh. Fingerprints marred her inner thighs and throat. The flogger left nothing to remind her of that torment. Yet Asmodeus, had left his teeth, his fingers, and his exquisite pain all over her.

  I am not a victim.

  On that thought she moved into the shower and started to wash away all signs of that evil bastard.

  ***

  After scrubbing her flesh raw, Elizabeth headed down the stairs thirty minutes later, all that remained of who she was packed safely into her duffle, which she held with a death grip. She dropped the bag at the base of the stairs and headed into the library. When she entered she couldn't help but smile at the sight of Jared and Josef sharing tea and cookies. Josef was animated as he signed and Jared nodded with a solemn expression.

  As she stepped into the room she cleared her throat. She braced herself, but was still unprepared for the audible gasp that filled the room. Elizabeth glanced at Josef and she could see the tears brimming his eyes.

  "Oh, shit, Jared. I made him cry!"

  She turned to leave but was stopped by arms wrapping around her body. Josef turned her around and shook his head.

  "He feels responsible, Bethy." Jared came up behind Josef. "He chose the easy way out of his deal, when he could have fought to bring the whole system down."

  Josef lowered his gaze and turned, heading for the window.

  "How did you end it? Please, tell me," Elizabeth followed the poor man. He was old, but strong. He was tall, his salt and pepper hair making him only more attractive. She always wondered about his story. He didn't seem like a monk. More like a billionaire CEO.

  Josef rested his arm against the window and didn't turn to face her when Jared continued. "The devil tends to want a replacement for the deal. For Josef, it was his most powerful tool. How he earned his living, how he also sinned."

  Elizabeth glanced over her shoulder at Jared as she placed her hand on Josef's arm, letting him know he could continue.

  "His tongue." Jared finished, drawing a huge gasp from Elizabeth as she threw her arms around the man.

  "And here I am, acting pathetic about having horny horns," she mumbled against the men's robes.

  Josef's hands cupped her cheeks and lifted her head until she could look at him. His gaze penetrated her and she understood.

  He believed he deserved it.

  "Why?" she whispered.

  He just shook his head, gave her a firm nod, and stepped away.

  "It's time to go," Jared said from behind her. "Josef is coming. He knows the place and is insisting he remain with us for the rest of our journey.”

  The next hour happened in a blur. Before she knew it she was seated next to Jared in a brand new silver Jaguar and turning onto the road, to a town she knew nothing about. What else was new? This was her life. Day to day she ran, laid low, and didn't fully live because of some bullshit deal struck by some sadistic relative. She knew one thing. When she got to hell, and she knew she would, she was punishing every Cromwell male personally.

  The smile that crept up her cheeks wasn't sadistic at all.

  Chapter Six

  The heat made him angrier still, building his rage into an apocalyptic event. The hundreds of women, each a concubine serving him for millennia, burst into flame. They eviscerated in seconds. Favorites and the unknown alike, died at his single thought, the power erupting from his fingers. Their ash floated to the hellish winds and sparkled as they fell, forming a carpet at his feet. He curled his fingers, the sharp talons extending outwards as he cursed the blood red sky and screamed at the top of his voice.

  “Elizabeth!”

  The whole of hell, the nine levels, heard his cry. It reverberated through earth and rock, through the black pits and the burning lakes. Trees dead for millennia waved in the aftershock. Lesser demons fell or lost their skin.

  Three months had passed since he’d left her in his room. Of course it had been a vision to her, left in the monks’ home, safe and sound. Some bastard had forged the protection again and his vision was now totally blind to her whereabouts. Angels, he hated them─the good ones, that is.

  Black clouds formed above him and a red rain fell. This was God's curse, set in motion at Lucifer’s demise and entry into the forbidden land. All angels banished were to be burnt and scorched, their appearance to be rendered ugly so that if they escaped to the heavenly realms, they would be instantly recognizable.

  Asmodeus scorned the God and his son who’d sent him here. He turned to his now true form and went on a killing spree. In the next hour, over a hundred thousand demons died at his rage.

  “My lord.”

  Asmodeus went on, the voice oblivious to him.

  “My lord.”

  It took five more calls for him to stop. His chest rose, his heart pumped like a mallet pounding a stone.

  “What is it Mammon? It had better be a good reason for disturbing me.”

  “I have found the monks, my lord.”

  “Are you serious? This isn’t a lie?”

  “No, my lord. I have everything ready, your car awaits.”

  Asmodeus dropped and pounded the earth.

  A few minutes later he stepped into the Maybach, dressed immaculate, sitting opposite Mammon.

  “Where are they?”

  “In the Italian town of Polignano A Mare. They shrouded themselves from evil glances. Only the locals, loyal to them, could see their home and tiny chapel. I also found out something interesting in the archives.”

  “Such as?”

  “A gemstone called celestite, a blue stone. It is renowned in ancient circles as being a protection against evil. So strong, in fact, that it can ward off the connection between the strongest of demon and the strongest of females. It is said an angel guards every stone. The
bigger the stone is, the greater the protection, and the more powerful the guardian.”

  “I need to start reading this shit, Mammon. I know nothing. I bet Lucifer knew this. I am letting myself down. Is there a way of counteracting the stone?”

  “Not without removing it from her. As far as I could make out, celestite was created when God created Elysium, so that the demonic realm couldn’t taint its pastures once we were banished. It is a monument to the war and our defeat.”

  “Take me to Polignano A Mare. I will show these monks my wrath. There are three?”

  “Two. The third, a monk named Josef, apparently left with the girl and her friend. But no doubt you can extract their location from them.”

  “Why did this Josef go with them?”

  “I looked into that too. There are no written words about him, but there is a rumor.”

  “What rumor?”

  “That he broke a deal with the devil, Lucifer himself, and he in turn removed his tongue for his trouble.”

  “Well, that is interesting.”

  They drove for another hour before stopping in the small town.

  “The vineyard is up the hill.”

  Asmodeus looked around. “There’s nothing there.”

  “Walk up the hill. Once you pass a certain point the shroud will disappear and you will see the vines growing. You will see a small chapel to your left and a house behind.”

  Asmodeus was pissed that these men, ordinary men, could deceive him, the devil, like this with such simple magic. Without another word he climbed out of the car. He breathed in the cool air and slipped off his jacket, hooking it in his thumb as he tossed it over his shoulder. The sun beat down on his mocked brow. The town seemed quiet. No doubt the locals were in the fields or by the sea, enjoying a lazy afternoon. Slowly he set off up the hill. The gravel beneath his shoes acted like a warning. Did the monks hear him? Right now, he didn’t care. The further he walked, the less the influence of the shroud acted upon his gaze. Vineyards slowly appeared. Rows and rows of grapevines led towards the hilltop where the spire of a chapel dominated the summit. A large cross overlooked the land and he felt its influence spreading out over the surrounding landscape. Behind it he saw the house. This was where he had snatched her from in her celestite-free state. Even though she had apparently taken it off, it had hurt him when he grabbed her and its influence had drawn her back somehow.

  On reaching the door of the chapel, he listened intently. Two old monks wouldn’t make much noise. He’d go in search of them. He didn’t have to look far. Scrubbing the altar was one of the monks, kneeling on the bottom step. Walking closer, he saw the old man had his sleeves rolled up and was wearing a white cassock. A name came into his mind. ‘Paul’. How apt, he thought.

  “I wondered when you would come, demon.” The monk slowly rose to his feet, almost surprising Asmodeus.

  “I’m just sorry it took so long.”

  “Things happen for a reason. Some happen when the time is right. Others never happen at all. If you are here, then you are meant to be here.”

  “Is this a religious philosophy, Father?”

  “No, just age-old wisdom. Your power allows you inside this house of God.”

  “Where are they, Father Paul?”

  The old monk seemed disappointed. “Everything has to be done in a hurry these days, demon. She is protected better now than when she was here. You will never find her.”

  “You underestimate me.”

  “No, I would never do that. But I was here when Josef broke the deal. I watched as the devil ripped out his tongue. There was no small talk, no threats. The devil just did it. We all feared him. You are not of the same calibre or ilk. I do not fear you.”

  Asmodeus was getting a little sick of this. He took his jacket, folded it carefully and laid it on the nearest pew. He raised his hand and with it, flung Paul hard against the back wall. He watched as the old man slid to the floor, and then walked over to him.

  “Did that hurt Father? I sincerely hope so.” At least he could command sarcasm.

  At his feet, Paul struggled to move. “You will get nothing from me demon.”

  “We shall see.” Once again he lifted him, slamming his age-old body against even older stone. Again, he dropped and bones cracked.

  “Let him be, evil demon.” A voice spoke from behind.

  “Oh look, company. We can have a party and cocktails, even hors d'oeuvres. Let me think─oh yes, Father Tomasso. Or can I call you Tommy?”

  “You may call me nothing. Your tongue speaks nothing of relevance in this world. You do not belong here. You are the damned, the unblessed, the outcast of hell. Be gone, demon.”

  “Oh, nice speech. Do you know where my betrothed is?”

  “She is not your betrothed, nor yours by free will. I will not tell you. You took her by devious means, of deception, of mischief. None of these are recognized by God.”

  Asmodeus shook his head. “Would you see your precious friend here suffer?”

  “There is no suffering here.”

  “Really? Let me test that.” The huge cross behind the altar, naked wood, reminded Asmodeus of a St Andrews cross, perfect for his needs. He raised Father Paul in the air, twisting his contorted body hard with its back to the cross.

  “Stop it. Leave him be.”

  “You stop me. Tell me where the bitch is.”

  “Never.”

  Asmodeus raised his brow and with another twist of his open hand ripped the clothes from the broken monk. Twisting his fingers, he flayed the old man from head to toe. Muscle and flesh covered broken bone. The aging heart pumped from behind cracked ribs. Old eyes opened, now lidless, and looked back at him. The walls were sprayed in blood. Skin lay in ribbons on the floor. Two hands pulled at his shoulders as Tomasso tried to yank him away.

  “Tell me where she is.”

  “She does not belong to you. She is only a toy, a plaything to you.”

  Asmodeus turned to face him. “Yes she is. I can see your thoughts, Tomasso. You dreamt of her, of being in her room, sliding off her clothes. You wanted her, to corrupt her with your wrinkly old cock. You’re just a dirty old man.”

  “I am loyal to my lord, and my beliefs. I thought no such things. I have no desires but to serve. No sins pass through my thoughts. You are nothing and your words go over my head.”

  “Very well.” With a flick of his wrist, Tomasso flew at him, stopping with such ferocity, that every bone in the old man’s body would hurt like hell. Asmodeus lay his hand on the monks forehead. “Show me.” He knew that three old men with such a friendship would have some form of link. Indeed they did. Images moved slowly through his mind. Some were blurry, some more clear. He saw through old eyes, looking around. There were crowds, tourists everywhere. A clue, come on, a clue Josef, where are you? Birds, pigeons, flew into the air. Around him the buildings were old too. Old time architecture of such beauty filled his gaze. A woman appeared with her back to him. It was Elizabeth, sat on a low wall, hand in hand with the boy, Jared. Around her neck was the damn celestite charm. Over her shoulder he saw the water, the unmistakable gondolas.

  “So, Tommy, they are in Venice. Thank you.” Asmodeus squeezed his hand and pulled off the monk’s head. “Obstinate bastard.” The body crumpled to the floor. Carrying the head in his hand, he walked to Father Paul and held Tomasso’s dead face towards him.

  Mocking Father Tomasso, he spoke to Paul. “Tell him where Josef is my brother, or he will make you suffer.”

  Paul’s parched bloody lips tried to move. The head twisted near his face.

  “What, what was that, brother?” Again the old man tried to lick his lips. “Here, let me kiss you.” Asmodeus put Tomasso’s lips to Paul’s and twisted them in a bizarre, morose kiss.

  Paul almost choked as the head was pulled back. Tears fell from lidless ducts. The devil leaned in.

  “Say it, or I will make your brother suck your skinless cock.”

  “Corte Del Forno Vecchio,” h
e said in slow low tones.

  “See, good man.” With a quick movement he bashed the two heads together. Bones cracked and shattered and Father Paul slumped on the cross, dead. Asmodeus threw Tomasso's head away, walked to the font and washed his hands, flicking the mess of blood and water off his fingers as he collected his jacket and walked outside into the sweet Italian weather. With a smile on his face, he started down the hill.

  Chapter Seven

  Elizabeth clenched her teeth against the wave of pain that gripped her uterus. She tried to ease her body from Jared's, but he unconsciously clutched her that much tighter.

  He got super possessive when she was on her period. As if the devil could smell her crimson wave all the way from hell and she needed to be protected that much more. Josef acted strange around her too. It didn't make her feel comfortable that they didn't allow her to go anywhere alone, therefore she relied on them for her feminine hygiene products.

  She guessed it was a good thing Jared was willing to take one for the team and get her tampons. Not many men would take that plunge.

  Yet the last three months hadn't been a full picnic.

  Elizabeth had nearly had a breakdown when they first arrived. She went into her room. She did nothing but sleep, while Jared forced her to eat anything she would choke down. Took a good week for her to bathe the first time. Finally, it seemed Jared had had enough and carried her to his room, commencing a very sweet display of seduction that included reading, chocolate, and kissing. God, lots and lots of kissing.

  Being with Jared was the polar opposite of Asmodeus. Yes, Asmodeus did things to her, had moments. Yet Elizabeth couldn't help but feel those moments were fake, his infamous illusions that made her nearly swoon into his horrific life.

  Jared complimented her, made her feel beautiful, got her re-enrolled in school, and helped her find a damned out to this bullshit. All they'd come across so far was information that led them to believe a very real diamond existed in this deal, and perhaps they would be going all the way back to Louisiana to find said diamond. Or even confronting her shitty parents.

  Just the thought flared heat into her veins and she attempted to squirm from Jared.