12

Beelzebub

"No, no, no!" Wally frantically waved his hands, trying to catch countless books that flew off shelves in the library. "You need to stop this right now."

He'd remained pouty since Mora and Kell showed up, spending all his time in the library determined to make a major discovery on the missing Diabolics. Given how Kell waltzed into the villa and started up the control panel before he had a chance to finish studying, I sort of understood. Wally did love understanding all the ins and outs before making a careless move, making him a terrible pairing for Kell, who lacked self-control when anything caught her interest. She was a dog with a bone, worse than the three-headed mongrel Wally finally locked out of the library after he ate a half-dozen books.

And Walter had the nerve to say my tastebuds were terrible.

Books flipped open, pages rippling as some were torn loose from their spines after the extra speedy flight that sent them hurling off one shelf and crashing into another. Wally scrambled to catch a few, protect their pristine covers, and shield them from colliding into each other in the interstate-level traffic Kell had created. A whirlwind of chocolates, earthy, woody aromas permeated throughout from the musky pages. Wally couldn't keep up with it all, probably couldn't fathom the hundreds flying about, but he did have his eyes on the one who conjured this mess.

Kell sprinted up the side of a bookcase abandoning the wards she'd attempted chiseling away. Like the minxy cat she was, Kell used a mix of sorcery in her boots and telekinesis lent to her from Mora's essence coursing inside her. Gracefully, she landed on top of the bookcase and sprang to a nearby one hovering in the opposite direction.

"I absolutely one-hundred percent draw the line at dismantling the library." Wally pursued her, distrustful his protests would make her yield—they wouldn't; she wouldn't.

I huffed. Why'd Mora have to bring Kell of all the witches in the world?

"I'm going to streamline the system," Kell said.

"You don't even know how the system works," Wally accurately stated since she'd spent the last few days recalibrating the navigation system after our swift ascent between realms fizzled out somewhere in Alaska, of all fucking places.

Our windows offered a clear view of snowy mountains—which Wally immediately knew the name of, Mount something, showcasing his completely useless trivia trick—but the villa and our presence remained tucked behind the veil. Whether inside or outside, like the villa itself, we were intangible to the mortal realm unless using the official Fae portal exit. Even as a demon who could tear through layers of dimensional fabric, I couldn't find the hidden strings which kept the villa divided from everything else. Novus certainly had created a complex system.

"I know I can make the library more functional," Kell said, continuing to tinker with the tops of the bookcases. "You just have to trust me, Wally."

"I don't have to do anything!" He snapped his fingers, calling a broom forth.

"Neither does Kell," Mora sighed. "I literally only brought her to assist in disassembling whatever device is being used to hide and detain the demons here."

Gods. Was Walter really going to chase Kell throughout this entire library?

"I'm going to update the cataloging system," Kell said, hopping onto another bookcase every time Wally's pursuit closed in. "There were some clear design oversights when constructing this place."

Kell had always possessed nimble dexterity; it was what kept her alive every time she drew the ire of covens or the wrath of the Mythic Council. Nice to see she hadn't lost her edge after such a long relationship with Mora. Truthfully, I always figured Kell needed an indomitable force for protection against the mighty enemies her curiosities had cultivated. Hence why she'd cozied up to the most cunning demon in the mortal world.

Still, as spry as she remained, Wally continued giving her chase, refusing to let up. I smirked, observing the few close calls between the two of them. My heart pattered with joy from the bubbling rage swelling in his chest.

"Don't you think there should be a one-click step when searching for a book?" Kell asked, weaving around the chains Wally thrust at her with an incantation.

Not a super strong set, but it was impressive as always how much magic he could harness when too preoccupied to overthink his casting limitations.

"You were saying how you wished this library had a Nexus Grimoire like the repository," I said in some desperate hope to soothe Wally's sour mood.

From what I recalled during my time spent in the repository at the Magus Estate, the Nexus Grimoire served as a catchall for every book chronicled within the magical and tech-based link. Sort of like a supernatural database, much like the Googly app on my telephone.

"Shut up, Bez. You're not helping." Wally seethed, possibly feeling the tug of our tether as I tightened our proximity in an effort to assuage his rage. It didn't work.

"Goddess." Kell beamed; her round cheeks rose high as she shot me a full-faced grin. "That's exactly what I was thinking, Bez. A Nexus Grimoire but better. Are you in my head? I promise those salacious thoughts are completely hypothetical."

She puckered her lips, preparing to blow a kiss until Wally closed in on her, forcing an impromptu somersault escape on Kell's part.

I rolled my eyes. I could only read her thoughts when casting nightmares in her mind, to lift the floorboards of secrets kept, which I only ever did once. Had to ensure she wasn't using my wicked demon friend for something sinister and selfish. Lesser beings often had nefarious tendencies.

"You think someone can just make a Nexus Grimoire all willy-nilly?" Wally paused, catching his breath.

The rage hadn't settled. In fact, it grew with each inhale because while he stopped chasing Kell, she dismantled more wards.

"Whoopsie." Kell jumped off the bookcase that she'd inadvertently removed the hovering sigils, too, which sent it crashing into another bookcase. "It's a learning curve. One that'd be easier without interference."

"You clearly have no idea the amount of labor and tireless effort that goes into properly cataloging an extensive collection and setting it up to maintain structural integrity with a Nexus Grimoire," Wally said, biting his lip and hopefully the tangent he'd prepared to spout off.

He'd assisted with an update to the Nexus Grimoire in the Magus Estate once before, linking new books added to the repository. It involved tedious tasks of properly documenting the texts, altering the formatting from one book to another, and a hundred other things I hoped he didn't plan on listing off. Kell certainly wouldn't listen to it all.

"Mortals and Mythics." Mora strutted away toward the entrance. "They're so adorably dim."

"Walter is the furthest thing from dim. He's a genius," I said, joining her because, at this point, Wally would simply have to exhaust himself before seeing reason. Whenever the levee that made up Wally's compassion, consideration, and compliance to all things broke, his anger became impossible to settle.

It was entertaining to see he didn't reserve these moody outbursts solely for me.

Wally lunged ahead, releasing his hands from the broomstick in an attempt to grab Kell, who hopped onto the tip of his broom, shifting the trajectory. Then she bounced back off, blasting a light breeze from nature's blessing to send him whirling through the air until his face turned green.

"A genius of the learned sense," I added, clamping my jaw as the sensation of bile rolling up my throat hit with what was surely a fraction of what poor, ridiculous Wally endured. "Research, decoding, preservation of things, history mostly."

"Obviously," Mora said with a lilt of irksome sarcasm. She'd always considered Kell the cleverest lower being the world had seen; it must have bothered her I found a smarter mortal. "As adorable as watching Kell and Wally hit it off on the wrong foot or fist or magical spell, I was hoping once we'd settled in, we could actually explore and make progress on this Fae contraption trapping Diabolics."

"I suppose. The sooner we find the demons, the sooner you and Kell can leave."

Mora averted her gaze, her lips twisted into silent musings. I figured she had other plans, something that bolstered her swift action of coming to assist hands-on, which she rarely did, but I had no intention of surrendering the villa or treasure troves hidden inside it. Wally would appreciate them far more. And with a traveling, cloaked residence, I could finally show Wally the world as promised without constantly skirting around Collective territory.

"Kell…play nice, my love." Mora sauntered out of the library.

I followed her out into the foyer, which diverged into several paths, each leading to different wings of this villa, from the main house to the catacombs of pocket worlds below where the former host kept troves of treasures.

"I've already explored the upper levels of the villa with Walter," I said, ushering her in the opposite direction toward a spiral staircase that led to the labyrinth. "However, the maze below seems to stretch endlessly with pocket portals storing all kinds of baubles."

"I highly doubt a Fae royal would keep cheap trinkets. Even what they hold sentimental usually comes at a high price tag." Mora eyed every portrait on the walls—likely appraising them—as we reached the staircase. "Has Wally checked the value of these oddities?"

"No." Mainly since I didn't want him jumping through doorways that could lead anywhere or everywhere. "He's mostly kept his attention fixated on understanding how the villa functions and where the Diabolics are kept. Not that we've made any headway."

"I see." Mora studied the lanterns that illuminated our path, lighting the dark stone corridor with each step and dimming the path behind. "Perhaps he can be a bit more inviting toward Kell. She's only trying to help, even if her impulses are a tad inconvenient at times."

"The last impulse led to carrying us to the middle of nowhere before the traveling mechanism—which Kell still doesn't understand—broke down." I scoffed. "Suppose the only benefit to being in this damned cold state is that it's off the Collective's radar."

"The mages have their hooks in Anchorage and the pipelines, but true—they don't have a vested interest in this area." Mora lightly strummed her fingers against the damp wall as we walked further. "It could've been worse. Better middle of nowhere snowy mountains than floating through literal nothingness between dimensional walls on an automated course destination set by the former host."

She had a mild point. Who knew where the dead Fae had charted next.

"Hmm." Mora pressed a hand against the wall; heat radiated from her essence, attempting to search the faint energy as if I hadn't already attempted such things. "I get what you mean now about the disturbance in their essence. It feels like it's layered everywhere throughout the villa, but I can't see it anywhere. No void webs, no trail, no spark of individuality. Just a faint, foul stench."

"We're already difficult enough to track. If Fae magics find a way to amplify our cloaked presence, I don't see that going well."

"Could be quite profitable," Mora said.

"How could you possibly need more currency? You take an exorbitant amount in your finder's fee. I can't even fathom the absurd prices of your other services."

"You should see what I charge my enemies." She smirked. "And it's not about money. I have more than I can count, enough to roll around in bed with Kell, and no need to add to my income revenue."

"Bah." I waved a dismissive hand. If she tried turning this into another discussion on why immortals should focus on their investment portfolios, I'd strangle her. She only ever used currency as a way to distract or confuse me.

"To answer your question, Bezzy, it's about power and prestige."

I stifled a laugh. "I always forget your obsession with status and authority."

Power was the only thing Mora had to work for in the mortal realm, likely a humbling experience for a former king of Bael's Hell. One of several thousand, but still a fraction of a hair above the millions of other demon lords or the billions of Diabolic peasantry, good for nothing but eternal servitude.

"What can I say"—Mora twirled past me, curtsying—"you can take the demon out of the monarchy, but not the monarch out of the demon."

"Before you go recounting the number of kings and queens you've been inside or had inside you, answer my original query."

Her lips curled into a minxy yet reserved smile, her eyes distant, looking at nothing but memories. Mora had a certain expression when reliving her long list of lost lovers, one I'd been privy to observing too many times. Those lesser beings incapable of eternity lived on forever every time her mind wandered, even if only for fractions of seconds at a time.

"I'm always looking for ways to cultivate relations with our brethren, and I can think of quite a few demons that'd offer their souls or a thousand others for the peace of mind that comes with a full-proof cloak from fellow Diabolics, especially from their devils. Who knows? Maybe this tech can be applied to Mythics, mortals, or all of the above."

I didn't like the idea of that one bit. There'd already been a few demons circling like vultures since my reemergence, my bond with Wally convinced foes I'd lost my footing as an all-powerful Diabolic deity. If they actually managed a blitz attack, it could prove irritating, constantly watching, waiting, and wondering what old rivalry with some worthless demon I'd sparked merely by living my best life.

"Could benefit you, too." Mora stepped in close, shoulder-bumping me. "Beelzebub of history drew quite a lot of attention. Perhaps the Bez of the future seeks a more reclusive romance, one without prying eyes."

I glared.

She'd kept an ear close to the ground on whispers of demons daring enough to challenge a devil with a mortal attachment, something she herself had always remained vigilant about. Suppose I never figured it that difficult given how Mora handled herself when linked to lovers, but the minute I bound myself to Wally, that theory vanished. Considering Mora's observations since I left Seattle, I probably have her watchful eye to blame for this entire situation. Her extra attention on demon threats likely led to her discovery of missing Diabolics, the Fae involvement, and this fancy dimension-defying villa. The question was, what purpose did she have in acquiring it? Mora never revealed her hand, so asking outright would only result in skirting the truth, given how carefully she weaved half-truths and intricate lies.

"So, you're only interested in the cloaking magics? Or is there more to this technology?"

In most cases, if I desired the truth from Mora, I had to follow the web she weaved in hopes of finding the answers I sought.

"I told you," Mora said. "I don't want this type of travel to become so easily accessible. Mythics and mortals have no business gallivanting around the Hell realms. And there's no profit in expanding tourism in Hell."

"Their perception is so limited; they wouldn't even register half the sensations."

"Exactly. Who was that fool that inaccurately chronicled his short stint? Damien, Donnie, Derek…"

"Dante?" I asked, playing confused with Mora, who knew the name but wanted to tiptoe the conversation in a distracting direction.

"He never even went." Mora let out an exasperated sigh. "Drank too much wine with satyrs, listened too intently to sirens, and lost himself in a delusional, drunken stupor. But could you imagine if someone did go to a Hell realm uninvited? I know of few as lenient toward interlopers as Bael."

I could imagine it. Had imagined it for some time, in fact. The terror of someone finding a loophole into Beelzebub's Hell.

"Speaking of Diabolics," Mora said. "How about we split up, cover more ground?"

So she could sleuth about undisturbed, evaluating anything and everything? Yeah, right.

"Sounds like a plan." I nodded.

Mora vanished in a blur, and I followed suit, listening intently to the light patter of her shoes and the swish of her body darting down long stretches, then cutting quick corners. While I couldn't observe her in action, I heightened my senses, absorbing the slightest vibration, which created a full scene of events.

It helped Wally's pursuit of Kell had lessened. It didn't help that Kell wiggled her hips, taunting him as she ripped apart incantations from the library. I cracked my neck, savoring the released tension carried in Wally's shoulders, and focused on Mora.

The slightest brush of her fingertips on items big and small, the soft murmur of a satisfied hmm, the lingering steps as she paused to examine something closely. There must be a thousand things in this villa she wanted, yet she didn't grab a thing. Not even pocketing a small trinket, which I'd already done with the less gaudy jewels in the baron's collection.

Silence would strike for the briefest of seconds when she leapt through a portal before reemerging and continuing her search.

Mora really did want to resolve the missing Diabolics above all else, it seemed.

Thanks to Wally's investigations, I knew the contents of several rooms and had sleuthed through the pocket portals the cameras didn't cover. But I played along, zipping about, leaving no stone unturned. We wouldn't find any Diabolics.

Something about their disappearance didn't add up. They were ever-present in the air yet simultaneously hidden. I could almost feel their claws at my throat, hear their wails in my ears, but nothing concrete. Nothing tangible. Only the rot of their decay as their essence remained unattended to, incapable of recovery.

I hopped through a glowing golden portal into a room that held nothing more than gorgon artwork; the tether connecting to Wally remained strong. Petrified stone statues posed in blissful, heroic, or entertained positions—none the wiser they were about to be immortalized for someone's private collection. Powerful mana oozed from one in particular, not that it'd do him or anyone any good. Once locked in stone, only a gorgon themselves had the magic necessary to undo the effects. Still, no point telling Wally about these befuddled fools. He'd likely task himself with the duty of undoing the petrification.

After an hour or so of searching, I leaned against a wall semi-studying Mora's movements as she continued her futile scrutinous search. Across from me stood an unlit portal. The symbols were properly stacked around the doorway, spelling out the secret code Novus used to get in or out of the villa, inside the helm, and for every other doorway…all except for this particular door. Why?

"I've never felt more incompetent in my life." Mora pouted. "This place has everything except for Diabolics."

"We could still burn it down."

Mora frowned until her eyes rested on the doorframe symbols. "Why's this closed off?"

"Busted, maybe." I shrugged.

"Or…" She fiddled with the symbols, rearranging them into odd patterns. Incorrect patterns, too.

It seemed Mora's mind processed them the same way mine had when reading the Sylvan alphabet. When I first studied the letters, they reminded me of Hell's and the way Beelzebub would create barriers to and from his various dwellings throughout the realm, which was probably why my brain worded them out of sequence. Mora didn't have Wally's insufferable familiar to hiss and scold her for placing them incorrectly like he had when I attempted to open the portal to the villa and rescue Wally. She'd be at this for ages until she wore herself out.

A luminescent black door activated.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" Mora's smile carried a bright shadow from the reflection of the watery portal.

"How'd you do that?"

"It seems Novus tied this particular door to only open for someone who understood how a Diabolic codex works, which implies he was not only abducting demons to harvest essence and power his ship but that he was perhaps allied with some." Mora stepped toward the rippling door. "Fascinating."

More like dangerous.

"Shall we?" She extended a hand.

Screw it. I grabbed her hand and stepped through.

Upon arriving, the first thing I did was check the snag of the tether linking Wally and myself. My heart hitched the same as it always did when nearby, so this hidden dwelling didn't take us too far or block our connection. Good.

The strain in my muscles hit far stronger than the minimal exertion of running around these lower levels. No, this hit with a full-blown wave of exhaustion as the receptors harnessing magic constricted, yet mana and essence coursed through my body undiminished.

I chuckled to myself at how Wally had finally tuckered himself out. The humorous pondering piqued Mora's interest, but her gaze quickly landed on something far more terrifying.

This place was the engine by all appearances of twisting gears and loud machines. Literal darkness covered the walls keeping it within and divided from the rest of the home. Placed upon a railing stood a mantle securing six Diabolic orbs, each containing a demon and their essence. Wires were wrapped around the tiny orbs, trailing down their stands, and connecting to a hub that fueled everything.

"Hmm." Mora walked the ramp, trailing her fingers along the railing leading to the six tiny orbs no bigger than a marble.

Guess I shouldn't have complained so much about my time spent inside the orb Remington trapped me within. "Didn't realize I had such spacious accommodations."

"These are made to house a demon, not a devil."

I tsked. "As if anything could truly contain a devil."

"You still have a piece of one."

"Always will." Unfortunately.

I ground my teeth, ignoring the reminder of the tiniest bit of Beelzebub's essence intertwined with my own. The two seamlessly synced, an eternal connection to the devil I'd sealed away with every demon of his making.

"Clearly, these things were designed with some structural integrity." Mora smacked her forehead with an ah-ha moment. "No wonder we couldn't track the essence. These orbs make it utterly impossible to detect anything."

I raised my brows. "What would you know of it?"

"Not much. Only that they're hard to pin down." She shrugged the words off like a random musing, but in all our time together, I couldn't recall her having any prior knowledge of Diabolic orbs until I ended up locked away inside one for the better half of a century.

Did that mean Mora looked for me when I was imprisoned? I shook away the curiosity, the confusion that came with gauging Mora's intentions. She didn't look that hard since all my days were spent in the same boring repository.

Mora stepped in close, studying the swirling, discombobulated essence of each orb. "I suspected it'd require more Diabolic essence to safely usher a Mythic to and from a Hell realm."

I joined her, running my fingers along the mantle housing these six troublesome Diabolics that could potentially open Beelzebub's realm with the right mix of Fae magic, a bit of devil essence, and the wrong hands.

"Well, I'll be damned all over again." She nodded past the railing.

Deeper in the lower reaches of the engine room spanned hundreds of other orbs, and each contained a demon. And those demons were powering this place.

"Fuck." This was becoming an even bigger headache.