Lucian
If I didnt already know I was damned, I would have been sure of it as I left our suite with the mark of Crystals palm still burning on my cheek.
Three whole smacks before she ordered me out.
Two kisses, too.
I pressed my hand to my cheek fondly as my shirt flapped around my waist.
At least it was a new record.
Good afternoon, Your Majesty. Phlegyas bowed low at the waist to me as I entered the elevator, flashing me the top of his salt-and-pepper hair. Might I congratulate you again on your new bride?
Save it and take me up to Avarice. My jaw was tense as I moved to the back of the elevator, but I kept my shoulders loose.
An eternity of ruling Hell had taught me a thing or two about managing my temper.
Words to live by: never let your men see you truly burn until you mean it.
Trouble in paradise, sir?
And down here as well. My chest rumbled with annoyance. Shes already thrown me out.
My condolences. Marriage is never easy, sir. Phlegyas pulled his gloves on a little tighter then pushed the button for the fourth floor. The doors slid closed and the elevator shifted upward. As you well know. Im sure youll smooth things over soon.
Id better. Outwardly, my shoulders were set, and my expression was vacant. Inwardly, I was smoldering. Pray for me, Phlegyas?
Phlegyas chuckled and made a big show of crossing himself. Every day of my death, sir.
****
There were no clocks in Avarice. All the better to keep our guests at the tables there until either they were spent, or all their money was.
My pocket watch said it was only one in the afternoon, but Avarice was the finest casino on The Stripand this was still, technically, Vegas. The floor was full of demons and sinners alike. It was cacophony of sensation, emotion, light, sound. Triumph. Loss. Victory and defeat.
Singing over it all like a soloist in a Baptist choir, no matter whether the chips were up or down, was that one thing I needed more than anything right now.
It wasnt greed that drew gamblers into casinos, it was hope.
At a black felt-top poker table, I found an empty stool. As soon as my ass kissed the leather, I found a drink in my hand as well.
Still celebrating? A suave demon with sleek black hair and a smooth smile folded as I sat down. Abaddonthe Destroyer. Master of the Abyss.
No such luck. I took a sip of my drink and let the tonic fizz on my tongue until the gin burned down my throat. Licking my wounds.
Abaddon snorted. Already? The way you were wrapped around each other last night, I didnt think you two would be out of bed until next week.
You thought wrong.
Whatd you do?
Nothing. I rested my elbows on the edge of the table and shook my head. Its someone else whos meddled this time.
What do you mean?
Shes forgotten. No memory of any of it. Nothing at all.
Damn. Abaddon raised his eyebrows and leaned into the back of his stool, then waved one of the cocktail waitresses over for an Old Fashioned. In that case, cant let you drink alone.
The game was seven-card stud. I considered joininguntil I saw who was dealing.
The Fourth wore Armani and a sleek black motorcycle helmet with a dark, reflective visor. He dealt the cards silently and dealt them well.
The only other poor soul at the table was a balding man with a broad forehead slick with sweat. I could have smelled the desperation on him from miles away. He was down to his last few chips. I didnt need to see his hand to know that soon, he wouldnt even have those anymore.
So. Abaddon pushed his orange twist into his glass and swirled it around in the whiskey. Are we suspecting traitors or angels?
Must be angels. I almost laughed. Traitors are happy in Hell.
If there were angels here in the Inferno, they couldnt have been here for long. Abaddon sipped at his drink. The Exalted burn here in Hell the same as we would in Heaven.
They didnt need long. Im just wondering how they got in.
Itsunfortunate, yes, Abaddon agreed. I was so sure you got everything right this time around.
It could be worse. Remember last time?
Woodstock? Abaddon raised his eyebrows and sighed. Cant believe its been so long.
Two perfect days of peace, love, rock n rolland her. I smiled at the memory. Id found her dancing barefoot in the mud to Richie Havens, wearing little more than a pair of bikini bottoms and the flowers in her hair. Lust at first sight. Before it all went sideways, at least.
Two perfect days? Abaddon thumped his glass against the edge of the table and laughed loudly. The food and water were all laced with LSD, there were no toilets or showers Even the humans wanted to call in their National Guard. And that was before the angels showed up. When was that, anywaySummer of Love?
No. Sixty-nine.
She took her time coming back this go-around, didnt she?
And yet, shes always worth the wait. I frowned as the memories of our last time together faded. It should have been perfect this time.
And she doesnt remember anything?
Nothing. I shook my head. Not even my name.
How perfectlystrange. Three identical female voices, low and crisp, spoke in unison from behind Abaddon and me.
We turned to find three identical black women in showgirl costumes standing behind us. Their dark hair was coiled into thousands of sleek, tight ringlet curls beneath their feathered headdresses. Their deep brown skin was oiled to shimmer as brightly as the bejeweled burlesque corsets they wore.
One of the women rested her hand fondly on my arm. Another helped herself to Abaddons drink. The third draped a slender, muscular arm around the shoulders of the gambling human at the table.
You know who youre gambling against, dont you? she asked the human.
The man only sweated even harder and nervously nodded his head. Down too much to lose now, he grunted.
Poor, doomed thing. She clicked her tongue at him and patted the thinning wisps of hair on top of his head. Good luck. Your life depends on it.
Enjoying yourself, Legion? I asked the woman to my right.
Very much, all three said in unison. The one to my right smirked down at me. Were just surprised you arent enjoying yourself more, Luci.
Dont call me that, I grumbled.
We thought youd be on your honeymoon by now, said the Legion nursing Dons drink. What a shame.
Losses all around today, cooed the Legion observing the game over the humans shoulder as he lost another grand. A shame indeed.
The human tore his necktie loose as he shoved his last few chips toward The Fourth for a final round. The only sound The Fourth made as he shuffled was the whisper of the cards as they streamed into place between his hands.
So, shes already told you to fuck off, huh? All three Legions moved together. Their forms flickered as they came together and converged into one. Maybe you could use some lady advice, Luce. Were happy to give it.
Dont call me that, either, I grunted. Legion enjoyed nicknamestoo much, in my opinion. Each was always somehow worse than the last.
Whatd you do to the poor girl? Legion asked.
He said he didnt do anything, said Abaddon.
Legion laughed as she perched on the edge of the table. You tried to fuck her, didnt you?
I didnt realize shed lost all memory of me, I said with a shrug. Thought I was enjoying a lovely morning in bed with my wife. If I had known, I would have handled it better.
You kept your cool, though? Legion asked. Didnt lose your temper?
Mostly. I shrugged. As best I could.
And the treaty is still intact?
I nodded. She came here willingly last night. I dont see why it wouldnt be.
Then the cards are still in our favor. Legion gave the human a sympathetic smile as he sweated out his next decision.
The Fourth had paired his door card on the fourth street, so the human had the option of betting double on the small limit or the larger one.
Im not so sure about that, I said.
I had a feeling that no matter which way the human decided, he was going to make the wrong choice.
Nonsense. She found you this time, said Legion. Played herself right into your lap, Lucifer.
Thats better. I nodded in approval.
You wooed her, Abaddon added. You won her from her useless human mate. You made her your bride and got her here of her own free will
All in one perfect night, Legion finished. How many times has that happened before?
None. But I gripped the edge of the table hard enough to crack the wood. It doesnt matter now. Someones undone it all.
So make her remember, Legion saidas if it was truly that simple. Take her Above, retrace your steps
Its dangerous Above, I pointed out. Las Vegas may be Sin City, but there are still angels among every group of sinners.
Well protect her, then. You know how human she iswhether shes your wife or not. Shell want to return to Earth eventually. If you keep her here now, if she ever escapes
She wont dare come back willingly. Yes, Legion, I know. This is far from the first time any of us have been through this. I pressed my thumb against the crack Id made in the tables wood and traced the line it made. But if I cant get her back down here willingly regardless?
The treaty is unbroken still, Legion reminded me. The Exalted cant hurt her while shes Above this time.
Not directly, anyway. As Abaddon spoke, Legion glared daggers at him and he smirked. What? Its worth being said.
Shes safest if she can come and go as she pleases. Legion finished Dons drink and moved onto mine. So, Your Majesty, awaken her memories, if you can. If you cant, seduce her a second time. Youve done it before. You can do it again. She leaned down to whisper in my ear. Youve heard the saying about how if you love someone, you should set them free, havent you?
"I said that, I told her. About the humans, right before the Exalted tossed me out of Heaven.
Then you know what were talking about, said Legion.
I drummed my fingers against the table for a moment, then nodded.
Its the only way, I agreed. But were not taking any chances. Abaddon
Your wish is my command, my king.
Pass through the Abyss. Find the other Fallen. Id send Moloch or Malacoda, but
Abaddon snorted. Theyre still entertaining your brides friends at the Bellagio, arent they?
Cant be too careful, I said.
Lock and Mal always get the best jobs. Abaddon chuckled and raised a hand to the air at his side. The colors around his fingertips faded into black and white as he opened a portal. It stretched to the height of a doorway tall enough to fit Abaddons frame. Im on itbut Im not happy about it. You know how hard some of them can be to find.
You dont have to be happy about it, I said. Just do it.
And I will. Abaddon placed a foot into the portal. The gold on his cufflinks turned to grayscale as he passed through. Consider it done.
The portal closed behind Abaddon. Legion waved her hand through the place where hed been just a moment ago, wiggling her fingers in the empty space that hed left.
We hate to see him go, but we love to watch him leave. She hummed in amusement. Do you have a task for us, Your Majesty?
Shopping. Shell need new clothes if shes going Above. Get her ready for me. Shes still my wife. Shell need to look the part, I said, and Legion grinned.
Oh, you do love us, Luci, dont you?
Dont test your luck, I said, just as the human lost his final hand of cards.
The man stared at his chips as they disappeared beneath The Fourths leather-gloved hands. The scent of desperate hope poured off of him as he looked up at The Fourth. The smell was fresh and green as the perfume of newly fallen rain after a long drought.
Do you, umcan you offer me a line of credit, maybe? The man pulled a handkerchief from his jacket and mopped at his brow.
The Fourth merely nodded and leaned forward. He reached for the mans tuxedo shirtthen, through it.
The man shuddered as The Fourths fingers passed through his chest. When The Fourth withdrew his hand again, he held a single, glowing white poker chip, which he deposited into the humans hand.
I glanced at Legion. She must have known what I was thinking.
Dont, she warned me, but it was already too late.
Before the man could place the chip down on the table, I took it from him and pressed it back into his chest.
The Chiefs are playing the Broncos on Sunday, I whispered in the mans ear. The Chiefs win. Bet on it then go home to your wife, sign your winnings over to her, and never come back here again.
The man had been in something like a trance for all of the conversation about angels and celestial treaties. Hed been too involved in the dangerous game he was playing to even notice what we were talking about. But as I spoke to him, he came up out of it, nodded once, then hurried toward the exit as fast as his short little legs could carry him.
Luci, Legion pouted. You know how much The Fourth hates it when you steal his souls away from him. Being in love always turns you so damned soft.
I have a different soul for you, my friend. If you would like to take it, I told The Fourth. Adam Barrett. Do you know him?
Slowly and silently, The Fourth nodded.
Hes done my wife a great wrong. Id like for you to arrange for him to leave Las Vegas. Immediately. Permanently. Can I count on you?
Again, The Fourth noddedthen, just as silently, he rose and left.
Youre killing off her fiancé? Legion let out a laugh.
Ex-fiancé.
Still. Legion crossed her arms over her chest and chuckled. I take back what I said about you going soft. Thats positively ruthless.
He disrespected her. And I cant harm him. Not without breaking our precious treaty with Heaven, at least. Besides. Theres war on the horizon, Legion. One way or another, you know it will reach us somehow.
And we cant have any loose ends wandering around, Legion agreed. I understand completely.
Especially not the kind who will come back begging for forgiveness when he realizes exactly what an irreplaceable thing he lost. Poor, empty-headed Adam. Id almost feel sorry for him for always losing her to meif he wasnt always such an arrogant, ungrateful prick about it.
So, what am I dressing our girl for? Where did you meet? Lust? Legion guessed hopefully.
Limbo, I told her. First floor. Shell need something sleek and smart. Designer, obviously. Shoes, make-up, pursethe entire outfit. A day-to-night look, if you can manage it.
Ugh, Legion groaned. This is going to be a long day, isnt it?
For the rest of you? Maybe.
Make her remember. Win her back.
Crystal was the only thing in the universe I loved more than winningand she was the ultimate prize as well. I glanced down at the now-empty glass of gin and tonic that Legion had finished for me. Suddenly, I didnt feel like I needed it anymore.
And for you? Legion asked.
I smiled. For me? Not at all.