10. Chapter 9

I couldn't wait to get away from that maddening Lorcan. I've never met a creature more persistent and annoying. Louie is all too happy about her berries.

I know about them only because of Louie. I remember now. When we were kids, sneaking off to those cliffs, she'd teach me which berries she liked to use on her hair, but the Blood Cloudberries are rare. They typically only grow where blood has been spilled.

She's entranced with happiness, and I don't want to ruin that for her, so I guide us to our room on the third floor. What's odd about Purgatory Pins is on the outside it looks small but, on the inside, it's huge. No one can see the upper floors from the outside.

I'm assuming it's a protection spell and I'm thankful for that tonight. I need to shower, not because I care about being clean, I don't. I could be crusted in mud for weeks if it weren't for Louie.

I want to bathe Louie. I want to take care of her. I want us under that hot spray of water and to roam my hands down her beautiful curves, revealing that gorgeous flesh under that blood and dirt.

Then, I want to wash her hair. I've dreamed of running my fingers through her curls since we were teens. Then, I want to braid it. She never knew but I learned how to braid for her. I never wanted her to stress about her hair. Since I love touching her, caring for her, watching her relax into my embrace, learning how to braid her thick tresses was the easiest choice I've ever made.

I keep my hand on her lower back, needing to touch her at all times so every creature glaring at us right now knows she is mine. They can scent me on her but that means nothing to a lot of paranormals. The claim hasn't been bound by the moon yet, so others with no moral compass, would make a move.

"Shit." Louie trips over her own feet, the small pouch flying from her hand.

I catch her before she has the chance to hit the ground, but she's faster when it comes to snagging those berries. She's a blur when she dives for the floor, opening her palms just in time for the bag to plop down.

"She must really like those berries," Iggy says, crossing his arms and staring at her as if she's insane.

"They mean a lot to her. We wouldn't be able to get more," I inform him.

A burning sensation in my eyes reminds me how exhausted I am. I don't think I'm going to be able to last much longer. I need to sleep.

"Are you okay, Louie?" I help her to her feet, checking her over for any injuries.

Not that it would matter. She would probably heal before I saw anything.

She tugs on the small strings of the pouch and blows out a breath. "We're good. Berries are safe."

I bop her nose with my finger, loving how it scrunches. "But are you?"

"I'm fine. I would have been more upset if something happened to these. Thank you for getting them for me."

"I'd get everything for you, Louie." I kiss the middle of her forehead and wrap an arm around her shoulders.

She rolls her lips together to hide a smile, rocking on her feet. "I think I might have hurt my ankle when I dove for the berries though." My Light pouts her bottom lip as she leans down to rub her ankle.

Iggy chimes in, "You're a vampire, Elouise. Your ankle is fine. Duh."

I give him a slight slap on the back of his head, never breaking eye contact with my mate. My heart skips, a butterfly must be soaring through the chambers. The longer we stare at one another, the more hopelessly fucking in love I become.

I knew I loved her then, all those years ago, but now? Love isn't a strong enough word.

"Is that so?"

She nods, placing her hands on my chest while lifting her ‘injured' foot. "Yeah, I must have tweaked it."

I rub my hands down her arms, slip my arms around her waist, then throw her over my shoulder.

"Aziel!" she keens, laughing as I slap her ass for good measure.

"Can't have you walking on that injured foot now, can we?"

She giggles again, a beautiful sound I didn't think I'd ever hear again. "No, we can't. I might have to end up losing my leg."

"Oh. Okay. I see what's going on here. You're flirting."

I give Iggy a dumbfounded look, lifting my brows in question at the lack of common sense.

"Obviously," I mouth so Elouise can't hear me.

"Makes me sick, but go off. Snaps for you two." Iggy proceeds to snap his fingers, pretending to gag.

I'm sure love does make him sick with everything he has gone through, but that doesn't mean I'm going to stop showing love to my mate.

And he can stay uncomfortable for that matter because I don't give a fuck.

"Cute tush." Louie pinches my ass then tugs on my tail.

I jump, completely startled. "Don't do that. Not here."

Louie snorts, giggling to herself and patting each cheek with every step I take to the elevator. A few creatures laugh as we walk by and all I do is growl, flashing my fangs to shut them up. They are jealous they don't have a mate to play their ass like bongos.

She can slap my cheeks all day, I don't care.

I hit the button on the screeching elevator. As it descends, the souls in Hell scream as they use their energy to power the machine. When the door opens, blood sticks to the edges. It's used as oil to keep the elevator moving.

"Up or down?" the demon in the corner asks before laughing to himself.

Down is Hell. No, thanks.

His eyes are black, his arms are crossed, and he is wearing a cloak to cover most of himself except for his mouth. Flames make his teeth and the entire area reeks of sulfur.

I go to step on and an invisible wall stops me in my tracks when he lifts his hand.

"Pay The Ferryman," he warns, turning over his boney palm.

"I have a few eeries left."

He shakes his head, a puff of smoke causing me to cough. "Don't want eeries. I want something that matters, or you can't go to your room."

Louie wiggles to get free. "Put me down," she whispers. "I have something."

"I'm not putting you down." Not with this demon in the elevator who would probably take her to the depths of the fiery basement under us. "Just give me what you have to give."

A few seconds go by before her arm bends back. "Here." The annoyance in her voice has me wondering if I'm going to be sleeping on the ground.

She hands me one of the berries. They are soft with a swollen appearance because they are full of liquid. Their coloring is gorgeous, a deep burgundy that's almost black.

"Absolutely not," I tell her.

"Blood Cloudberries?" The Ferryman is in awe, snatching it from my hand. "That will do. Come in." The moment he pops it into his mouth, we are able to see the juice drip down his throat and innards. "What a delicious snack."

The invisible wall fades away. The pressure I didn't realize was there fades allowing me to inhale until my lungs can't expand further. Iggy gulps but he is the first one to step inside the elevator.

Brave little bear.

I follow behind him, tightening my arm around my mate's legs while side-eyeing the demon.

"Floor?" he asks, his deep voice villainous.

"Three, please," I reply, clearing my throat when I feel the heat under my paws from the flames licking the metal of the elevator.

The Ferryman presses the button with his decomposed finger. Blood splashes onto my feet when the doors close, adding to my filth.

Jazz music drifts through the speakers and The Ferryman whistles along. The ride to the third floor is unexpected with slight tension. Who wouldn't be stressed? A fucking Ferryman is in the same space as us. He could take us to Hell right now.

The screams from the underworld remind me just how close we are to being trapped. Sweat beads on my forehead from the heat. This box is fucking hot. I glance over to Iggy to see he has his head resting against the wall. His hair is damp from sweat, his cheeks flushed, and he fans himself.

"Not even my own heats feel like this," the words breathless and broken as he speaks.

"Get off or die," Ferryman warns, the doors opening to our floor.

"Your bedside manner could really use some work," Iggy advises.

I push him out of the elevator. "Don't mind him. We've had a long day."

The Ferryman sneers, the doors closing just as the demon stands, glaring daggers at Iggy.

"What the actual fuck?" Louie hisses at him, dangling from my shoulder. "You're challenging a demon?"

"He was rude. People who have bad behavior need to know so they can learn and grow."

I feel a headache coming on.

"He is a demon. Bad behavior is literally given in the title, Iggy."

"Well, he doesn't have to fall into the stereotype," he utters.

Yes, the headache is definitely there. All I want is water, food, a shower, and to run my hands down Elouise's wet body.

"Here we are."

"You can put me down."

"Over my dead body," I scoff at Louie, then flip her into a wedding-style hold.

"Hi," she greets me with a smile. "Long time no see."

"It has been too long since I've gifted my eyes with your beauty."

"Can we please go inside before you fuck her against the skull door?" Iggy, once again, ruins the fucking moment.

"Skulls?" Louie and I say in unison, our attention moving from one another to the door.

My brows raise to my hairline when I see dozens of empty eyes and mouths. Some of the skulls have teeth, some don't. All are a variety of different colors too, ranging from white to a grungy yellow.

"Holy shit," I breathe.

"I think you put the key there." Louie points to the door handle.

The mouth is wide open showing a small keyhole. The jaw is the handle. I press my hand down, twisting the key, and all the skulls move into different spots and directions.

"Woah." Iggy is astonished and reaches out a hand to touch one of the skulls, then yanks it back just before touching a cheekbone. "Nope. Never mind. I'd probably get cursed."

"So dramatic," I grumble before applying more pressure on the jaw.

Hinges release a murderous screech, probably the screams of the people those skulls belong to.

I wasn't sure what I expected of the room. Blood walls? Hellhounds waiting for us? A cemetery for a living room— I don't know— but I did not expect luxury.

"Woah," Iggy says again. "This is gorgeous!"

"Everything probably bites." I narrow my eyes at the ribcage chandelier gleaming with bright light bulbs.

I set Louie down, her eyes stopping at every wall, the ceiling, the kitchen, and the living room. Squatting down, I press my hand against the floor. It's cool to the touch.

"This is Igneous rock," I tell them, noticing the kitchen counter is made of it too.

"What's that?" Iggy questions, following my lead to touch the ground.

"It's a type of rock formed from the cooling and solidification of magma or lava. It makes sense considering where we are."

"That's absolutely terrifying." Iggy slaps his thighs before standing. "Okay, as much as I'd love a tour of this death trap, I'm going to take a hot steamy shower, cry, and contemplate my life choices." He saunters away, taking the room to the left before closing the door.

"Come on," Louie urges, slipping her touch across my wide back. "Let's go order food and shower, Beloved."

My eyes travel the length of her, taking her in, and appreciating every fucking curve. My cock begins to fill, wanting her in ways that not even Purgatory could handle.

"Aziel." Her irises churn a brilliant shade of ruby gleaming in the low light. "Shower. Right. Fucking. Now."

I stand, marching over to take her hand. "We aren't going to leave this room unless it's for food." My finger slips under the torn section of her top. "I'm going to make you wish for the flames beneath us to swallow you whole."

Her claws trace the scars on my chest. "Well, make me see stars then, Wolf. "

I clutch her dainty wrist, practically dragging her to the other room. The moment we slam the door, Louie slithers away from me, sneaking into the bathroom.

"Order food. I'll be right back." She blows me a kiss, leaving me alone in the bedroom.

While she's in there, I take the time to check out the space. The bed is huge with black silk sheets. The frame is made out of the same Igneous rock with gorgeous carved angels and devils.

A sculpted statue of a hellhound is in the corner, the three heads caught in a permanent smile. There's a box telephone hanging on the wall only the box is a ribcage, the bell is where the heart would be, and the piece you bring to your ear is an open jaw, the microphone you speak into is made of mocking horned goat.

I pick up the horn and turn the arm on the side to make a call while I look at the menu.

"Kitchen," a high-pitched voice answers.

"Hi, I need room service. I'd like five gallons of water, a cow, cooked please because I have company and a few bottles of red wine. Also, five salmon."

"Is that all?"

I cover the horn with my hand, so I don't hurt his ears. "My Light!" I shout. "Want anything special?"

"I could really go for chocolate cake!"

"And chocolate cake."

"That all?"

"Uh—" I whisper, glancing over my shoulder. "You wouldn't happen to have any fresh hearts, would you? Dragon, if you could."

"I do. Give me twenty minutes." He hangs up on me before I can say goodbye, but I don't mind. I'm ready for this day to be over.

The bathroom door swings open, and Elouise is standing naked in the doorway, leaning against the frame.

"Come take care of me."

Well, I'm not that ready for the day to be over.