9. Chapter 8

When we finally arrive at Purgatory Pins, I let out a heavy, stressed breath. We're safe here. If there is one thing I know about this place, it's that it's somewhat of a safe haven. Creatures on the outside who mean harm can't enter the doors but if a fight breaks loose inside due to too much Deadly Ale or Between the Life and Death shot, you're on your own.

"If it isn't my favorite fighter!"

Aziel groans. "Fuck. Why is he everywhere?"

"Scorder," I hiss, flashing my fangs at the dragon shifter who profits off death.

I understand why he does it, but I'll never respect it.

"He's kind of cute though," Iggy wiggles his fingers at the guy.

I slap his hand down. "No, we don't like him."

"Oh." He narrows his eyes and lifts a middle finger in the air. "Fuck you, Scorder. Eat a dick."

"Name the time and place, Cutie." Scorder winks and blows a kiss.

I slap Iggy in the chest. "Look. See what you've done?"

"I didn't think he'd be receptive," he grumbles.

"Scorder is receptive to everything," Aziel explains. "He isn't the trustworthy type. He's a con man. Be careful, Iggy. Especially here. I'm going to go out on a limb and say you're probably the only one of your kind here."

"A bear?"

"An omega," Aziel says with a tone that makes my stomach twist with worry.

Iggy clutches Aziel's fur tighter, then hides behind his neck. Aziel must feel Iggy's unease because he stretches his arm back, grips Iggy's shirt, and lifts my best friend off his back.

I slip to the ground too, patting my holster to make sure I have my daggers. I'm so glad Iggy had them when I ran into him in the field. Granted, we were then surrounded by wolves. Nevertheless, they come in handy in the worst times.

"I won't let anything happen to you, Iggy. You're safe here. They might stare and make comments, but for the most part, Purgatory Pins is a safe place. Everyone has an understanding this is a place to unwind, not fight," Aziel explains.

Scorder has a giant grin on his face as he skips over to us. "Tell me, Cutie, how do you feel about placing a bet?"

Faster than Scorder could blow smoke from his nose, I have a dagger against his throat and Aziel has Uri pressed against his nape. The scheming dragon freezes, raising his hands in surrender.

I apply a bit more pressure, leaning forward to get close to his face. I curl my lip and warn, "You'll stay away from him, or I swear, you'll never place a bet again. "

"Oh, feisty thing, aren't you?"

I flash my fangs. My vision turns red, and I hiss, "You have no fucking clue."

He tries to lean away from me only to stop when he feels the sharpness of Uri against the back of his neck.

"I wouldn't move another muscle unless you want me to decapitate you, Scorder."

The dragon begins to sweat. Beads form over his top lip and his tongue wipes them away. "I thought we were friends, Ripper. Come on, we make a good team."

"We aren't a team. You don't care if I live or die. You only care about making money. If you don't want to be at the end of my wrath, you'll leave Iggy alone. Forever. When the next fog hits, I'll see you at The Graveyard. I'll do my job. Am I clear?"

"As a crystal," he says.

I ease my dagger from his throat and Aziel pushes Scorder away. He doesn't holster Uri. He keeps that weapon in hand, tightening his grip until the handle creaks. "You still owe me the clue from my last win."

Scorder rubs his hands down his shirt, smoothing out the wrinkles while gaining his composure. He bows, waving his hand in a circle as if he is a gentleman.

"A days travel up Dread Mountain, to the west. Now, I bid you farewell. Until next time." His eyes slide to Iggy before grinning, sending me a wink.

Losing my patience, I snag a dagger and throw it at the infuriating man. He wiggles his fingers before disappearing into thin air, my blade cutting through the air he used to breathe. The silver embeds itself into a nearby tree.

"Ugh, I can't stand him." I stomp my way to the tree, yanking my dagger free. "I'm going to kill him just because I can't stand his face."

"I didn't mean to cause any issues. I'm sorry."

Aziel and I turn to Iggy who is making himself smaller by slouching, toying with the hem of his dirty shirt.

"Don't apologize. Scorder is a piece of work, just be careful who you challenge. Even if it is all fun and games. Some take everything seriously to use to their advantage, like Scorder. He knows you're an omega and if he gets his hands on you, I have no doubt you'll be another bet for him to rake in eeries. Stay by our side, okay?"

Iggy nods in agreement, still gripping the hem of his shirt like a kid in trouble. It doesn't take a paranormal to notice his unease and fear. I can't imagine how he must feel, the guilt, blaming himself for being born how he is.

"Don't think like that." I pry his hands from his shirt, holding them in mine. He's shaking. "Iggy, look at me."

He shakes his head, a tear falling onto my arm from his jaw.

Aziel's immense shadow falls over us, his presence bringing protection and comfort. Iggy snaps his head up with wide, scared eyes, blowing out a breath with inflated cheeks to see it's only my werewolf.

"Don't think like that, okay?" I repeat, wiping his tears away.

"I didn't say anything," he says, lifting his shoulder to dry his tears.

"You don't need to. Your thoughts are painted all over your face."

"Well, if I was different, if I would have been born normal, none of this would have happened. I'd be alive. And even in Purgatory, I'm not welcome."

"That's where you're wrong," Aziel's deep voice booms, the baritone slithering down my spine and enticing a memory of him whispering filthy things into my ear. "You are too wanted here. The problem is you'd get used, but we won't let that happen, Iggy. Okay? Let's go inside, get cleaned up, and get a good meal. You're safe."

Iggy's gaze jumps around to take in our new surroundings. Looping my arm through his, I guide us to head to the entrance, wanting to see what Iggy sees. A few motorcycles— larger than any bike I've ever seen— are parked in front of the building. They are made of skulls and other bones, including the kickstand.

A few creatures are outside, smoking Purgatory Pure by the smell of it. The stench is terrible but it's one of the only plants in Purgatory that's safe to smoke and gives the smoker a high. It reeks of decay, and I can't help but wonder if the smoke is slowly decomposing their insides.

A centaur and a lion shifter stand outside the door, passing Purgatory Pure back and forth while watching us.

The centaur slaps Aziel's chest, my werewolf glancing down at the unwelcome hand touching him.

Aziel slowly lifts his head, cocking it toward the centaur and Iggy gulps from the soon-to-be confrontation.

"Get your fucking hand off me," Aziel snarls, placing the sharp edge of Uri against the centaur's wrist. "Or you won't have a hand to fuck yourself with."

"You have something that smells good—" the centaur stares directly at Iggy. "How about we allow you in if you give us the little bear shifter?" He inhales the Pure only to exhale green smoke into Aziel's face.

What an idiot.

I slip a dagger free, hiding it with my arm, assessing the situation. My arm stays looped with Iggy's, not wanting to let him go when there are too many who want him. Aziel can handle this.

Aziel tosses his head back, and a boom of laughter explodes from him. I take a step back, forcing Iggy to do the same.

Uri twists over Aziel's fingers, spinning in circles across his knuckles before he clutches the handle, swings Uri to the left, and the centaur's eyes stay wide. His mouth opens. He tries to speak but it comes out as a croak. Slowly, the centaur's head slides from his body, thumping on the ground while his body remains upright.

Blood spills from his neck, flowing fast like a rushing river.

Eventually, his body sways before collapsing against his lion friend.

"How about—" Aziel slings Uri against the lion shifter's throat next, still wet with his friend's blood "—Fucking no."

The lion's pupils are blown wide from smoking, but he isn't too far gone not to surrender.

"I don't want him, man. I wouldn't say anything like that about someone."

Aziel takes a step closer to the shifter, towering over the lion by a good foot, and looks down upon him as if he is nothing but a mouse waiting to be crushed.

"You better mean that because I'll skin the mane right off, kitty cat, and I'll wrap it around my weapon as a fucking cape every time I kill someone who speaks that way about my friend. You might want to spread the word that I kill first and don't ask questions. Got it?"

"Got it. You don't have to worry about that from me, man." The lion takes another hit of Purgatory Pure before offering it to Aziel. "You want some? I'm the sharing type. Not like that— I'm not asking to share, you know, them— just the Pure. You feel me?"

My beloved curls his lip to show his fang. "No, I don't ‘feel' you. And I don't care to. Get out of our way before I make you," he warns.

Aziel's authority is a ripple through my body. All I want to do is get on all fours and present myself to him like he deserves.

The lion takes a step to the right, away from the centaur's body.

"Good choice." He twirls Uri around before stashing it in its holster.

Aziel opens the door, gesturing us to walk inside. "My mate goes first but keep that dagger out just in case." He kisses my forehead, not minding the grime of blood and dirt caked onto my skin.

"What dagger?" I bat my eyelashes at him, feigning innocence.

"My Light," he laughs, sliding a claw down my inner arm before it clinks against my dagger. "That one. You can't hide anything from me. I love that you were at the ready, but as soon as you walk through the door, be ready."

"I always am, Beloved." I cross the threshold, dropping my arm from Iggy to take his hand instead while wielding the dagger in the other.

This place is run down. The lighting is dim and what's terrifying is the floor is translucent. We're able to see the fire depths of hell, souls pressing their faces against the barrier screaming to get out.

"I'm going to have nightmares from this, aren't I?" Iggy asks, trying to step over the empty faces begging to be set free.

To the right is a bar with a long counter that has different types of creatures sitting on stools. One hiccups, leans to the left, then right, before gravity takes hold and he falls to the floor.

There are bowling lanes stretching from each end of the building. The bowling balls are different-sized skulls with a variety of eye sockets and mouth sizes for everyone's fingers. The pins at the end of the lane are made of spines. Whose spine? I don't know and don't want to know.

Ribcage lights hang from the ceiling, twinkling as if they have been freshly polished.

Odd.

I look behind me to see Aziel right there, his chest nearly hitting my nose with how close he is. Iggy tightens his grip on my hand as he looks around, the fear wafting from him in intense waves.

"Iggy, they will eat you alive if they smell fear. You need to take a few deep breaths," Aziel says, thumping his fist on the counter.

"Someone will be right with you!" The bartender with two arms and even more tentacles shouts, slinging beers and shots.

"No problem," Aziel replies.

While we wait, I give the counter my back so no one else can take advantage of it. I swing my dagger in my hand, back and forth, in circles, flips, anything to pass the time. A few creatures side-eye me as they leave, but nothing too serious that makes me react.

"Damn, you three have seen better days, haven't ya?"

I spin around to see a massive bull shifter wiping down the countertop we are leaning against. He has short-cropped black hair and a septum piercing in his nose. He is intimidating but his kindness is off-putting in a place like this.

"Sorry for the delay. Someone died on lane four because they got a strike and someone else really didn't like that."

"I'm going to die here," Iggy yelps, huddling between me and Aziel.

"No, you'll be fine. I promise." He holds out a hand to Aziel. "I'm Trelo, the manager of Purgatory Pins. How can I help you?" He tosses the bar rag on his shoulder, waiting for Aziel to greet him. "I'm thinking of a place to stay, some food, fresh clothes, and a shower?"

My wolf slaps his hand into Trelo's. "Yes, to all that. And add one game to that, will you?"

"Sure. No problem. Everything is a flat fee so once you pay, you can walk into the room where we keep all the supplies. Want to put in an order for food? I can have it delivered to your rooms."

"Rooms?" Iggy clutches me tight. "By myself? I don't want to be alone here. Please, Elouise."

"Your room is a suite. So same place, two rooms. You won't be alone, Little One, I wouldn't do that to you due to what you are."

Iggy hides behind Aziel and in a burst of rage, I jump onto the counter, holding a dagger to the bull's throat. "Why? Do you have a plan for him? I will fucking cut you from ear to ear if you even think about touching him."

"Omegas are cherished by most shifters. I have no plan other than protecting him. That's it. I promise."

I inhale his scent to try to detect any lies and unfortunately, I smell nothing but honesty. I was looking forward to a fight.

"So, can you lower your weapon before you draw attention? We don't need a bar fight."

I nod, sheathing my knife. "Fine." I jump off the bar. "For now."

"What's the total?" Aziel asks. "I need to shower. This blood is starting to itch." He proceeds to scratch the dried blood on his chest.

"Sixty eeries. All-access to all the food, drink, and games. Arcade is right behind you too."

"Excellent." Aziel unzips his pouch, counting out sixty eeries. "Here's an extra ten you can keep for yourself." He flips the coin in the air and Trelo catches it.

The bull quirks a brow. "Thank you. You must make your eeries at the fights to have so much at once. Be careful with that here. We have master pickpockets, and you'll never know who took it."

Aziel plops the pouch in his bag where he keeps his skull mask— which I want to explore .

"Here are your keys."

"Why aren't I surprised to see they are made of bone?" I pick up the key, a little grossed out that I'm holding someone's skeleton, someone who died and is now being used to unlock doors.

That's sad.

"With all the bones in Purgatory, we do our best to use them so they don't clutter the forest floor. We also use them to feed the hellhounds. They love bones."

"Hellhounds?" Iggy squeaks. "Like the one with three heads? You have them here? I thought they were only in Hell."

Trelo shakes his head. "They like to explore Purgatory."

"You mean, hunt," Aziel corrects him, wrapping his arm around my waist. "We're going to go get cleaned up. Thanks for your help, Trelo."

"No problem. When you get to your room, the Purgatory menu is on the nightstand next to the bed. "

"Thanks again," Aziel says, ushering me and Iggy to the open door next to the bar.

There's a red neon sign with blood-dripped font that says, ‘Purga-Mart.' In the corner, there is a skeletal figure dressed in black, licking his finger as he flips the pages of a magazine. He frowns before acting impressed as he turns the magazine so he can see the full spread.

"Nice," he compliments, and I can't help but roll my eyes.

Aziel's loud footsteps cause him to glance up from the magazine. He grins, tossing the magazine in a dramatic gesture before hopping to his feet.

"Welcome to Purga-Mart. The only place in this hell hole that can maybe, kind of, sometimes, give you what you need." He straightens his nametag, straightening his spine. "I'm Lorcan." He salutes.

"Hi, Lorcan," I greet him with a smile. His energy is infectious.

Iggy waves and Aziel doesn't bother to give him the time of day. Lorcan seems to latch onto Aziel, vanishing in smoke before appearing right in front of him.

"I think I know you," Lorcan says.

"No, you don't." Aziel snags a few shirts for me off the shelf that says, ‘Purgatory Pins' while the only other shirt they have states, ‘I love Purgatory.'

That's a stretch.

Lorcan hums, tapping his finger against his mouth. "No… I think I do know you."

"I have never seen you before in my life." Aziel exhales with annoyance.

Iggy and I snicker which causes Aziel to narrow his eyes at us.

Aziel walks around Lorcan but he cuts my mate off again. "Wait a minute. Do you have a brother?"

Aziel freezes, a low deadly growl is loud in this room from the acoustics. Iggy gasps, inching closer to me. My wolf grips Lorcan by his shirt and lifts him off the ground.

"How the fuck do you know my brother?" Aziel tilts his head, the thunder rolling in his chest never wavering.

Lorcan kicks his feet like a child before vanishing again, only to reappear to the left of Aziel.

"Woah, let's play nice, okay? No need to get grabby." He brushes off his shirt. "I've met Anwyll. You two look alike. You're more ‘Grrrrr and roar' and he's more ‘Aw and cute.' No offense, I prefer your brother. You're kind of an ass."

Aziel snarls, whipping his arm out to grab him again.

Lorcan gives him the slip.

"You mother fucker." Aziel glances around the mart, searching for the irritating skeletal figure.

I'm loving this.

Lorcan pops up behind Aziel, crossing his arms. "I find that rude as I have not fucked your mother. I have met her though. Lovely woman. You came from her? That's interesting."

"You have met her?" Aziel yells, slinging Uri free and pressing it against Lorcan's throat. "Fucking vanish and this will slit your… bones. Or whatever you have."

Lorcan raises his hands. "Okay, okay. Let's not get testy, Roofus. Mmmkay, pumpkin? I can explain."

"You are annoying."

Lorcan's hand flies to his chest. "Oh my gosh, thank you. You're so nice.We're making so much progress. Aziel, isn't it?"

"How do you know my name?"

"I talked to your brother. Did you not hear that part? Are you listening to me? I don't like it when people don't listen. Repeating myself is a pet peeve."

"You have five seconds before your head is on the floor."

"Okay? I'll just pick it up. There is one thing in this entire universe that can kill me and that isn't you, Roofus."

"My name isn't Roofus."

"Yeah, but you're kind of cute like one. I just want to scratch behind your ear." Lorcan reaches for Aziel's ear, daring to irritate him further.

"Enough!" Aziel throws Lorcan across the room, expecting him to smash against the wall.

Lorcan glides onto his feet, sighing. "Okay, let's talk. All this anger. You need therapy. I can recommend a good blob. They are great listeners. They don't really talk back though, but, I mean, do they need to reply?"

"Will you please—" Aziel gripes through clenched teeth "—Shut up and tell us who you are? Before I lose my patience."

"Before? Yikes, someone didn't hug you enough as a child and it shows."

I dash to Aziel's side, taking his hand to calm him. His patience is non-existent. "Listen, Lorcan, we are very tired. We have had a hell of a day. How do you know his brother?"

"I'm a Void. I work for Death. You know when someone dies, I take them to where they belong. I can travel through different dimensions with ease because of what I am. I talked to your brother on his journey to get your treatment, you know. He nearly died and so did his mate trying to save you."

"I thought Death was the ultimate reaper?"

Lorcan scoffs, taking offense. "He is the ultimate reaper. He is my boss. The boss. He can't do it all himself. Too many die at the same time."

"Why are you here? Aren't people dying?" Aziel asks. "I think I hear them dying now. You should go."

I nudge Aziel's side, giving him the look to be kind.

"Are you trying to get rid of me?"

"Nooo. I'd never." Aziel's voice is flat with no emotion, staring at Lorcan unamused.

"Oookay, I think that's enough. So, why are you here?"

"I'm being punished. Death stationed me here because I— mighthaveeatenasoulortwowithoutpermission— but it was just a misunderstanding."

"Say that one more time? I didn't catch it," I question him with a tilt of my head.

"I ate a few souls. No big deal, okay? Jeez. They weren't good ones. They were pedophiles and I didn't think they deserved the warmth of Hell. Death didn't like that I made that decision, so I'm serving time here. It isn't too bad. I like it."

"You make my head hurt."

"Stop saying all those sweet things." Lorcan pats Aziel's arm. "I might start getting the wrong idea."

"Okay, I'm going to leave you guys to it while I browse because I want to shower and your bickering is stopping me from doing that. Lorcan, it was nice to meet you."

"Madame, you are nothing but lovely." He takes my hand and kisses the top of my knuckles. "Until we meet again."

"Get your lips off my fucking mate!" Aziel punches Lorcan in the face, sending him soaring through the air once more.

I give them my back, snag a basket, and start grabbing things.

"I don't think Aziel likes Lorcan."

"Yeah, be thankful he likes you, Iggy, or this entire situation would be a nightmare."

"He doesn't like anyone, does he?"

"Mmm," I think about his question, placing a few beef jerky sticks for Aziel and Iggy in the basket so they have snacks before we order dinner. "He has always felt everyone expects a lot from him. He's had to be a certain way to survive. He was supposed to be the Alpha of his pack, but they were massacred. I think he carries that with him. He is a good soul. He'd protect Lorcan with his life because that's who he is but then he'd complain about it later."

Iggy snickers, grabbing a few bottles of water from the fridge. "How do they get all these supplies?"

Something shatters from behind us, the commotion makes us turn around to see Lorcan being slammed against a shelf.

"We bring items back from different— fuck!" Aziel punches him in the gut. "—Different dimensions." Lorcan giggles as he flies through the air. "Faster. Faster!" Which only pisses Aziel off more.

"That's really cool," Iggy says, placing the water in the basket.

Glass breaks. Grunts sound. I catch a flying bottle before it can hit Iggy.

"Woah, thanks."

"No problem." We start walking down the hygiene aisle and much to my disappointment, there aren't many options. I pass a locked glass case, barely getting a glimpse of what is inside, and it hits me what it is. "Oh my God." I backtrack. "No way are these real. They can't be. Holy shit, Iggy. I need these."

Dooming footsteps quickening toward me after a final loud crash has Lorcan moaning for his mom.

"What is it, Louie? Are you okay?" Aziel asks.

"Yes! Oh my God, Aziel. Please, can I get these? I know they are expensive, but I haven't seen them in so long."

"What are they?" he quizzes, tapping the glass with his claw.

"Blood Cloudberries. They are perfect for my hair. They clean it so well and they can be used as a conditioner. Nothing works better. I never—" I whisper before swallowing, unexpectedly emotional. "—I never thought I'd see them again. I never thought I'd be able to take care of my hair the way I want."

"Well, let's get all of them then. My mate gets the products she wants. Lorcan, come unlock this."

"Ugh, you're so—" he twists his head back into place "— Demanding." He wiggles his jaw back and forth before it pops. Lorcan unlocks the case and grabs a silken pouch from the drawer under it to place the berries in, so they don't get damaged. "How many?"

"All of them."

"That's thirty eeries. These berries aren't included in the inclusive price at the bar because they are so rare to find. Do you have that kind of change on you?"

"I do."

"Good. Since you're buying them all, don't say you have them. There are plenty of people who want these berries. Okay?"

"Okay. No problem. They are only for me anyway." I bounce on my heels, waiting for Lorcan to give them to me.

"My Lady," he bows, holding out his palms to give me the pouch.

I squeal, jump up and down, dirt dusting from my hair at the motion. "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!" I jump as high as I can and still can't kiss Aziel, so he bends down to meet me. "I love you."

He smiles, the soft kind, the one where his eyes almost change shape, a serene expression melting my heart. "I love you too, Louie. I always have. I always will."

Sniffles have me twisting my head to the right.

"Holy shit. You two are so cute. That was beautiful. Death would lose his mind." Lorcan dabs under his eyes. I'm guessing to dry them, but I can't see tears. He stops crying instantly, digging out a device that he points right at us. "Can you do that again? Death would like to see this, and it might spring me from this place."

Aziel snaps his fangs together, pretending to bite Lorcan, and the Void yelps. "Let's get out of here before I take Lorcan to Hell myself."

"I'm telling your mother about this, Aziel," Lorcan warns.

Aziel snorts. "Doubt it. She wouldn't be able to stand you either."

We leave the mart and the way to the room is a blur because all I can focus on is the small bag in my palms. They are just berries, but to me, it's a form of self-care I haven't been allowed to do in many years.

I ignore all the shouting. The pins hitting the lane after a strike fades. The lights flicker. I think. Perhaps that's just me blinking. I'm not sure.

All that matters right now are these berries.

And to shower.

With Aziel.