Chapter 3

Leo

" T his place smells like ass." Luke gags as he steps through the portal

"It's called sulfur," I inform him.

"Please, do not tell me the whole place smells like this?" He turns to Isaac with panicked eyes. "I'll leave, I swear I'll leave."

"Would you get a hold of yourself?" I sigh, rolling my eyes. "No, not all of Hell smells like this. The portal seems to have brought us to the pits... or at least somewhere near there."

Scanning my surroundings, there's nothing but smoke and fire around us. It's hard to see more than a few feet in front of us.

"The pits?" Noah asks. "Like the pits of Hell?"

"Pretty much," Frankie answers. "It's like a dumping ground for demons who no longer have a use or get too unruly. Mostly lower level scum. What you smell, my man, is dead demons."

"Ew." Luke wrinkles his nose. "Can we go, please?"

Frankie laughs, shaking her head. "Bunch of fucking rich pricks, pussy ass angels."

"Hey!" Luke protests. "I am not a pussy."

Frankie gives me a look, and I grin, shrugging. She's new to being around these guys; me on the other hand, I've gotten used to Luke's personality. "Anyway," Frankie continues. "Look, you're on my turf now, meaning there are some rules you need to follow if you don't want to be killed."

"Anyone gonna point out the fact that we're literally in a place filled with the only things that are able to kill us?" Luke asks, looking around at the group. "Anyone?"

"He's getting annoying," Libby huffs, crossing her arms. "Even Zack isn't worried."

I look over to her mate who looks like he's seconds away from shitting his pants. "Really?" I bring my gaze back to her.

Libby looks at Zack and wraps her arms around him. "At least he's not complaining," she scolds.

"Would you all please fucking listen!" Frankie snaps. We all shut up. "You three." She points to Luke, Noah, and Isaac. "Unless you absolutely have to, no flying. The moment you bring your wings out, you're flashing it to everyone around you what you are, putting a giant target on your back. And don't tell anyone who your fathers are."

"Duh." Luke rolls his eyes. "We're not that stupid."

"Wanna fight me on that one?" Frankie asks, eyeing him up and down.

"She's mean," Luke mutters to Noah. Noah just smiles, and Frankie shoots him a wink.

"The wing thing goes for you too, Zack. Libby, if you need to, you can fly, but try to keep it limited. While Hell does have a lot of fallen and dark angels here, they're not overly liked. It shouldn't get you killed, but it could attract trouble."

"Got it." Libby nods.

"So how do we get around?" Isaac asks.

"See those two things you're standing on?" Frankie smirks. "Use them."

Isaac shoots her a glaring look, then flips her off.

"Can we stop standing around chatting and go find our mate?" Luke asks. "Mostly, I just want to get away from this smell. Does Hell have showers? Because I'm gonna need one, badly."

"I hope you get eaten by a dragon," Frankie sighs before turning around. "Follow me."

"Wait!" Luke shouts after her. "There's dragons?!"

"Leo, my man." Frankie looks over to me as I walk by her side. "How are you doing?"

"I'm fine," I lie.

"Leo," she says in a warning tone. "Don't lie to me. Of all her mates, you're my second favorite."

That makes me laugh. "Fine. I'm not doing well at all. My mate, who is my best friend, is somewhere in Hell trying to bring back her dead mate, who happens to also be one of my best friends. All while knowing that what she brings back may very well not be our Zed. I'm worried that this is going to destroy Abby. That she's going to kill herself trying to get him back. I'm worried that I might have to live in a world without her."

"That's not going to happen." Frankie takes my hand, giving it a squeeze before letting it go. "Our girl is strong. A fucking badass. It's going to take a lot to break her."

"Yeah." I look out into the distance, seeing nothing but cracked, broken up dirt and smoke.

The whole thing feels like a dream and reality hasn't crashed in yet, starting from when I saw his body burst into dust. He was here one moment, and then gone the next.

Killed by his own father. How fucked up is that? My parents aren't good people, all they've ever cared about were their jobs, and I was always a second thought. But I don't think they hate me enough to take my life.

As glad as I am that Abby killed Michael, it still doesn't feel right. Like it's not enough, that more needs to be done. He got off too easy. With all the harm that he caused, he should have to suffer. Hell should be where he ended up, not Heaven. I just hope that God doesn't love his little minion enough to bring him back. Because no one on that island would be sad to see him gone if they knew what he and the other archangels have done. The fucked up misinformation and hate they've spread.

THE WALK TO THE CASTLE felt like hours. Maybe it was. By the time we show up at the gates, we're all tired, dirty, and hungry.

"Are we there yet?" Luke whines.

Anger fills me, but it's quickly replaced by amusement when I hear the sound of a slap. "If you don't shut the fuck up and grow a pair of balls, I'll fucking shove some down your throat."

"Seriously, Luke?" Noah glares at his mate. "What has gotten into you?"

Luke just glares back, nostrils flaring.

"You've been quiet," I say to Isaac who's been watching the squabbling of his mates with disinterest the whole walk here.

"Not much to say." He shrugs. "I'm trying to hold it together as much as everyone else. I'm worried, terrified, and not really looking forward to any of the possible outcomes. Maybe I'm a little numb too?"

"You seemed fine before we came here."

"Fine," he laughs. "Not fine. I'd say more like in survival mode. I just saw my mate kill my father after he killed my brother, who I didn't get the chance to truly know. It's a lot to take in."

"Yeah," I sigh, nodding my head. "I get that."

Looking over I find Frankie talking to a guard by the gate. A few moments later it opens up, and she comes back over to us. "Alright. Welcome to the Devil's castle." She grins. "You're less likely to die here, unless Lucifer himself does it."

"Sounds promising." Noah chuckles.

"I mean, you could just pull the I'm the princess of Hell's mate card. It's almost guaranteed to be a get out of death free card."

"Almost?" Luke asks.

"Yeah, if you're annoying enough they might not care," she deadpans.

Luke glares at her as she turns around, and we all follow her through the gates. I look up at the massive castle, and a wave of nostalgia hits me. The sky above is dark, thunder booming as flashes of light dance across it.

I spent a lot of my time growing up here. It was like a second home. When I went to Earth, I never thought I'd miss it, but here I am.

With each passing second, I grow more and more uneasy. I've been trying to hold myself together, to keep myself from spiraling because losing control would do nothing to help. But I just need to see Abby with my own two eyes and know she's okay.

I don't think any of us are okay after everything that's happened. We're just learning to deal as best we can.

"Is that a gargoyle statue?" Noah asks, pointing to the figure above the door."

"No," I tell him.

"You sure? It looks like a gargoyle."

"Because it is."

"I'm confused. You said it wasn't a statue."

"It's not. He's real."

Noah's eyes widen as the strong figure flies down from his perch, landing with a loud thud. "Leo, my man," he cheers in a deep, gravelly voice as he grins, standing up at full height.

"Hey, Rocky." I give the man a high five. Okay, so he holds his hand up and I slap it because if he tried to do it back he'd break my hand.

"Wait... he's a gargoyle named Rocky?" Luke cackles.

Rocky growls, taking a step forward.

"Sorry, big guy. Can't let you kill him." I stop him.

Luke shuts up fast, the smile falling from his face. "Why not?" Rocky asks, still giving Luke a murderous glare.

"He's the Princess' mate."

"You're lucky." Rocky narrows his eyes. "I would have loved to see how your skull felt as I crushed it between my hands."

"How about you keep your mouth shut and ignore people before I get tired of saving your ass," Frankie mutters, then turns to the gargoyle. "Don't mind these assholes. Sorry about that, Rocky."

"Frankie," he rumbles. "Heard you were on Earth. What brings you back?"

"It's a long story, but we're here to find the Princess."

"Lost her, have you?" he chuckles. "Last I heard, she was with Beelzebub."

Both Frainkie's and my brows shoot up as we give each other a look. Of all the people, he would not be the person I thought she would go see. Then again, he is her father's right hand man. She always knew how to get what she wanted when it came to him.

We thank Rocky, and he flies off. "Who's Beelzebub?" Noah asks.

"A demon with a lot of power and the second in command," I tell him.

"And one horny bastard." Frankie chuckles. "That man always has his dick in someone every time I see him."

"Is he a sex demon?" Isaac asks, frowning.

"Nope. Just a sex addict." I shrug.

We head inside the castle, following Frankie. I might know my way around here like the back of my hand, but Frankie is a head guard, so it makes sense to follow her lead.

As we walk, the others behind us whisper, captivated by their surroundings. I don't blame them, this place is a thing of beauty. Your typical gothic castle, but unlike most of Hell, this place is clean and well taken care of.

I'm surprised when Frankie doesn't head towards the guest quarters, but towards Abby's side of the castle instead.

"Alright," Frankie says when we stop outside one of the rooms. "Abby's room is at the end of this hall. Until she's back, we don't go inside and invade her space, you got it?" Frankie gives a pointed look to Abby's other mates. "Libby, you and Zack can have this room." Frankie points to the room across the hall. "You three can room here." Frankie opens the door to reveal a room with a massive bed in the center. "Leo and I will take the rooms on either side of Abby's."

Libby and Zack take off into their room as Luke and Noah head into theirs. Luke wastes no time before jumping onto the bed, groaning as he lays down.

"Shower first!" Frankie snaps, and Luke mutters ‘Okay, Mom' under his breath, making me chuckle.

"Why do you two get the rooms closest to Abby?" Isaac asks with a frown.

"Because I said so." Frankie shrugs as if that's a good enough answer. "You, come with me. We're going to find our favorite little sex crazed demon." Frankie directs me, then turns back to Isaac. "Do not leave this room until we get back. Understand?"

"This whole you-think-you're-in-charge thing is going to get old, fast," he mutters as he steps into the room and slams the door behind him.

"Isn't he a ray of sunshine?" she breathes as we head down the hall.

"He's not too bad. You know, when he's not being a jerk." I smile over at her.

"You think I'll ever get along with him?" she asks me.

"No idea. But it might be good to at least try. Abby is going to need as much support as she can get. I don't think any of us fighting would be helpful."

"Fine," she sighs. "I'll play nice with the three stooges."

Just as we thought, we find Beelzebub balls deep in some girl. "Dear God," Frankie groans, catching the attention of the demon.

Beelzebub's head snaps back and a slow grin takes over his face when he sees me. "Fuck," I mutter.

"Well, well, well. What do we have here," he says. A second later, he's groaning, finishing his task at hand by pulling out and cumming all over the girl beneath him, who just squeals in delight.

"I think I'm gonna be sick," Frankie gags.

"I'm right there with you," I mutter.

"Oh, come on now," Beelzebub says, walking over to us with his still hard dick. My eyes flick up. "You're just hurting my feelings. Acting as if you're not ready to take me up on all my past offers."

He reaches out to touch me, but I grab his wrist. "Don't touch me. I don't know where your hands have been." I look over at the girl and grimace. "Or maybe I do. And no." I look back at him. "I am not here to take you up on your offers. And I never will because one, I'm not into men. And two, I'm mated to Abby. She is the only one I will ever touch. Ever want. Ever need."

"Shame," he pouts. "I've been dying to see just how good those Incubus powers are. I bet your dick is fucking huge."

"Fucking hell, do you have no shame?" Frankie scoffs.

He looks over at her and blinks. "No?"

"Of course not," she sighs, rolling her eyes. "Look, tell us where our mate is and we will let you get back to whatever... that was." She waves her hand towards the bed while saying the last part.

"Your mate?" Beelzebub brows shoot up. "Well, I'll be damned. I bet Lucy just loves that."

"Trust me, out of all her mates, I'm the one he should be the least worried about."

"How many mates does the little princess have?" he asks in amusement.

"None of your business," Frankie growls. "I heard you knew where she was, so spill."

He sighs. "Fine. No one is fun anymore. This place has gotten dull."

"Now," Frankie growls in annoyance.

"I'll tell you." He points to Frankie. "But he's not allowed to go. Lucy will have my balls if I give information that allows someone without clearance into a restricted area."

Frankie looks my way as a rush of frustration fills me. She looks conflicted.

"Go," I tell her. "Bring our mate back to us."

Frankie nods. "I will."

Giving Beelzebub one last glaring look, I turn around and walk out of the room, pissed that I can't help more. I feel like I'm going out of my mind waiting to see her. With each passing second, that ache in my chest grows.

I need to trust that she's okay, that Frankie has this.

Abby, Starbright. Please be okay.