Chapter 11

Eleven

Gideon arose the following morning and walked down the stairs toward the sounds in the kitchen. He was still sleeping at Casa Team Daniel, especially after the events of the night before. Yet even with Luca's help, he'd slept fitfully. Hell had taken up residence in his mind, it seemed, and wasn't letting go.

He yawned as he entered the bright, sunny kitchen. Ash was at the stove, once again making Daniel his favorite chocolate chip pancakes. Colby and Luca moved about the kitchen, helping.

"Giddy!" Daniel called before patting the bench seat beside him in the corner breakfast table.

Gideon slid in and wrapped an arm around Daniel, who hugged him tight. "Morning, sweetie."

"Do you live with us now?"

His gaze lifted toward Luca and gang. They'd paused to eye his response.

"No, I don't live here. I'm just staying for a little while. I should probably get back to my place tonight and let you have your space back."

"But I like having you here," Daniel complained. "I don't want you to go."

Gideon squeezed Daniel. "I like being here with you, too." He glanced at Luca before turning his attention back to Daniel. "But it's time. I need to go home."

"You're welcome to stay," Colby said as he brought a plate of bacon to the table, Daniel snatching a few pieces for himself. "I'm sure Ash and Luca agree."

"We do," Ash called over, flipping a pancake in the air and catching it with the pan.

"Show off," Luca murmured. He eyed Gideon. "What they said. Stay if you need it. You're family. Not just coven family, but family-family."

Gideon smiled at Luca, thankful for the sentiment. It still didn't make him feel less of an interloper in their home.

"Yes, stay," Daniel said, wrapping both arms around him. "I'm never letting go."

Gideon kissed the top of Daniel's head. "You know I won't be far. I'm one apartment down."

"I know, but I miss you when you're gone," Daniel whispered.

Gideon smiled wanly. He was sure the trio had been focused on their new relationship and wondered if Daniel didn't feel a little left out, too. Luca, Ash, and Colby adored Daniel, but new love was a potent thing. He'd already noticed they often got caught in one another's gazes, ignoring the world around them. Daniel had to sense that, too.

"You know what? Why don't we have a sleepover at my place?" Gideon said. "Let your brothers have a night to themselves."

"Really?" Daniel asked, eyes and smile wide.

"Really," Gideon said. He turned to check Colby's expression, and while there was a bit of hesitancy there, Gideon suspected it would soon turn to a yes.

"Can I, Coby?" Daniel asked. Daniel's DS often caused muscle issues and he'd struggled to say the L in his brother's name when he was younger. The name had stuck. Gideon smiled every time he heard it.

Luca leaned in and whispered something in Colby's ear. Whatever it was, it caused Colby's face to burn bright red. Luca lifted his head. "Of course you can stay at Gideon's tonight."

"Bad assssssssed," Daniel said before shoving a piece of bacon in his mouth.

You owe me one.Gideon mouthed to Luca.

Luca pressed his hands together in prayer and bent at the waist.

Gideon eyed the clock on the wall and hissed. He had an appointment coming in at any moment. Snagging a couple of pieces of bacon, he slid off the bench. "I've gotta run or I'll be late for a client." He turned to Daniel. "I'll stop by once I'm done and pick you up."

"Okay! Later, Giddy."

"Later, Daniel."

Before he could pass, Ash lifted a pancake sans chocolate on a plate his way.

"No time."

Ash snatched his two pieces of bacon, placed them on top of the pancake, along with a scoop of cheesy scrambled eggs from the pan beside him. Then he folded the pancake like a taco and handed it over. "I know damned well two pieces of bacon won't appease your tapeworm."

Gideon barked with laughter, taking the pancake taco concoction with one hand and patting his abdomen with the other. "Hey, you leave Marvin out of this. He's just living his best life."

Ash chuckled, and Gideon departed with a wave, eating his breakfast as he walked to work. He made it seconds before his client and quickly prepped his area. The client had already had a preliminary appointment and had approved the sketch, so Gideon could simply dive in.

"How are you doing today?" he asked the wolf shifter seated in his chair.

"Good," he murmured, appearing nervous.

"Are you ready?"

The man sighed. "As ready as I'll ever be."

"Don't tell me a big, bad wolf is afraid of me and my little needle."

"The needle you plan to jam into me a million times? Of course, not," he muttered.

Gideon laughed. Too often, big, uber-masculine men came into his second-floor private studio and were the biggest crybabies when it came to getting their tattoos. Then he had someone like little fairy Missandria who was covered in them and barely flinched.

"You're in good hands," Gideon said, outline sketch in hand. "Off with the shirt and roll over on your stomach."

Once his canvas was ready, he laid the sketch down and then touched up the marks. Once he got into it, he went on autopilot, the years of experience and magic guiding his hand. Within minutes of beginning, images of Hell filled his vision and he stilled his hand, lifting the tattoo gun.

The world swirled around him and suddenly he was in Hell.

Yet there were no demons. No damned. No screams for mercy. It was quiet except for the roiling of the lava below the cliffside. He stepped closer to the edge, searching for what, he did not know. A way out? The reason why he was there.

"Hello,Gideon."

Gideon spun at the rich sound of the classic British accent and found the most stunning man he'd ever seen standing before him, dressed in a gorgeous, tailor-fit black suit staring back.

"What is this?"

"I think you know where you are."

"I realize I'm in Hell, but who are you and why am I here?"

The man neared, and Gideon got an up-close view of perfectly coiffed shirt, brown hair, golden eyes, unblemished skin, and a set of lips that would put Jensen Ackles to shame. He tugged on his golden cufflinks, adjusting the jacket over his shoulders. "I had one of my demons recently returned home to me. He'd been off my radar for weeks. I couldn't find him anywhere on Earth or here in Hell, so I demanded answers when he finally showed up. Do you know what it is he told me?"

Gideon tensed, stomach twisting. "You're Lucifer."

"The Morning Star himself," Lucifer answered, a smile blossoming on his lips. "It's nice to finally make your acquaintance, Gideon Goode."

Gideon took a step back before he recalled his proximity to the cliff and lava below. He looked over his shoulder before turning back to Lucifer. He spun slightly, ensuring the pits of Hell weren't directly behind him in case the Emperor of Hell decided to give him a swift kick off the edge.

"Back to my question. Do you know what it is he said?"

"Not a clue," Gideon lied.

Lucifer smiled. "Oh, come now, I think we both know what's going on here."

"Really? I'd love it if you clued me in."

Lucifer's smile ebbed. "He didn't remember. Not a thing. Other than being abducted by your coven and bound in an iron chair directly in front of you." He paused, looking Gideon up and down. "The next thing he awoke to was Hell."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh, come now," Lucifer murmured, approaching slowly. He reached out and grasped a lock of Gideon's long hair and lifted it before allowing it to slide from his fingers. "You might be beautiful but you're not a very good liar. And I know a thing or two about lying. I perfected the art."

"Then perhaps you've taught this demon well and he's hiding something from you."

Lucifer's smile disappeared. "What have you done with my other demons? I want them returned to me."

"Well, the people in Hell want ice water."

Lucifer laughed, the sound more delighted than it should've been. "Clever. But being clever won't help you for long. I want my demons, and I want them now."

"Then I suggest you look harder."

Lucifer grabbed him by the neck and squeezed. Gideon reached for the dark angel's hands, realizing he still held the tattoo gun. He jammed it into Lucifer's neck and the angel screamed, piercing Gideon's ears and shaking the very mountains around them.

The next second, Gideon was back in his private studio and his client was the one screaming in pain. Gideon lifted his hand and dropped the tattoo gun. It hit the ground, still vibrating. He searched the room, confused and fearful, before he realized it had been another nightmare.

Then he noticed the tattoo—and blood—on his client's back. Instead of the full moon and stars the wolf shifter had requested, a scene from Hell, dark and grotesque, appeared there instead. What he could see of it around the blood pooling.

Finally coming to, he grabbed a couple of clean towels and applied pressure on the bloody wound.

"What the fuck did you do to me!" the wolf howled.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"

The wolf rose from the chair and brushed him away.

"You're bleeding!"

"Shifters heal fast," the man said, turning to look at his tattoo in the floor-length mirror near the door. "What the fuck is this?"

The door to Gideon's studio opened, and Cassius appeared.

"You need to fire this bitch. Look what he did to me!"

Cassius eyed the art and glanced at Gideon.

"I asked for a moon and stars, enchanted to keep the memory of my brother strong. This isn't that."

Cassius moved in the room. "I can fix it." With a wave of his hand, the tattoo was gone, but the wound remained. "Let me take you to our healer and he can repair the damage."

The bleeding had already stopped, and Gideon noticed the skin slowly knitting back together. His client glared in his direction. "No more tattoos in this building. I think I'll stop into the witches in New York City the next time I'm there to get mine, thanks."

Gideon's client grabbed his shirt and stormed toward the door. He paused, eyeing Gideon. "My deposit?"

Gideon reached into his pocket and pulled out the gold he'd been paid with. He handed it back and watched as the wolf shifter departed.

Luca appeared in his doorway soon after the wolf was gone. He looked between Cassius and Gideon. "I sensed trouble."

"Whathappened, Gideon?" Cassius asked.

He turned to Cassius, not completely sure himself. He sat down on his abandoned tattoo chair and recounted what he'd seen, telling his mentor every last tidbit, from the nightmares and visions, to what he'd experienced with Lucifer.

"Why didn't you tell me about the nightmares or the power drain sooner?" Cassius turned to look at Luca, who worry a guilty expression. "You knew?"

Luca shook his head. "He complained of nightmares and trouble sleeping."

"I should've been told," Cassius spat.

Gideon shook his head. "Cas, you've got the weight of the world on your shoulders. Between searching for the spell, trying to find out who in the Celestial Council is behind the demon attacks, searching for your missing third, and taking care of everyone in the coven, you're dealing with a lot. I wasn't adding one more thing."

"It's what I'm here for." Cassius growled. "And did you ever think that you might not be the only one at danger from this?"

Gideon hadn't considered that.

"Weight of the world or not, you should've told me," Cassius said, jaw tight. "Quilliam and Atlas are leading the search for the spell. I'm not the only one dealing with the Council, either. I've got Raymond helping there. Even if I was stretched thin, I should've been told that one of my witches has been plagued by evil dreams."

"I thought I could handle it on my own, with Luca's help," Gideon muttered.

"I was able to knock him out at first and he got some sleep, but it's gotten progressively worse. He sleeps fitfully. Started sleepwalking last night."

"What?"Gideon gasped.

"We found you walking down the sidewalk outside late last night. Good thing it's a fake neighborhood with a closed loop. When you get to the end, you're transported to the other end, so you walked in circles. Who knew where you'd have ended up had you been outside the building." Luca scratched his head. "I gave you another sleeping spell and tucked you into bed."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Gideon asked Luca.

"Daniel was there this morning and then you rushed out. I'm telling you now," Luca said.

"You should've told him sooner, Luc," Cassius interrupted. "And me. About it all."

"I made him swear not to say anything," Gideon said. "I didn't want everyone to worry. I thought, in time, I'd be able to release the memories, but they're dug in deep. Like a tick."

"Maybe we need to get another witch with your talents to wipe them away," Cassius said.

"No one's messing with my head!" Gideon spat. "They might fuck something up. I don't know of anyone as good as I am, so no… no one's getting in here." He tapped his forehead as he said the last bit. "And even if we did find someone, those things would likely jump from me to the other witch. I can't do that to someone else."

"Is there a spell out there that might help you draw them out?" Luca asked.

"The same thing would likely happen," Cassius said. "Whoever cast the spell would become the one to take on the nightmares."

"Bring it on," Luca said. "I'll carry the burden for a while and give him peace."

"No," Gideon barked. "Memories are my thing. These might tear you apart from the inside out."

They all grew silent a moment.

"I can give their memories back to them when we banish them, and I'll be free. Once we find the spell, I'll be fine."

"But you're not fine now. Look what happened with that client." Cassius sighed. "No wonder you've been so exhausted." He shoved a hand through his hair. "Fuck. I didn't anticipate Lucifer finding out. Nor coming after you." Cassius winced. "I'm sorry."

"I didn't foresee it either. I guess we pissed off the wrong angel this time." Gideon shook his head. "And Race didn't see it coming either, apparently."

Luca shrugged. "Race can't see the future in Hell. Only what's here on Earth."

"And most of the time, Race is dipping into the past to recover lost items or memories. His power is in some ways like yours," Cassius said. "You can pull a memory from someone's head. Race can go back in time and see it happen, which is almost better."

"How is that better?" Gideon asked.

"He sees it as an impartial observer," Cassius replied. "Not from the point of view of the client."

Gideon nodded, realizing Oracio's gift was suddenly more interesting, but he didn't have time to dive deeper into that thought. "What do we do now? I've stabbed the Emperor of Hell and he's likely coming for me."

"The fact he pulled you right out of the studio is alarming," Luca said. "The wards should've protected you."

"I don't know if I was actually gone. I think he got to me in a dream state. I'm so tired, maybe I drifted off without realizing. If I hadn't been there, I wouldn't have been able to create that terrible tattoo, right?" Gideon sat back. "I sense I was here the whole time. It might've not even happened. It might've been some wild walking nightmare I concocted myself. The terrible nights of sleep, the visions. It's sending me over the edge."

"We need that spell of Atlas'." Cassius shook his head. "If I hand him the book, we might lose him to the darkness. If I don't, we might lose Gideon to Hell. I'm not sure which is worse."

Gideon snarled. He and Atlas were at times like oil and water, but the hell if he was going to be the cause of why the guy went dark. "I can fight back. I already managed to pry Lucifer's hands from my throat. I can do it again. I won't be the reason why we lose Atlas."

Cassius stared at him. "Give me time to think on it. While we wait, I'll send a team to your apartment to strengthen the wards there, and then fortify the ones all over the building. I'm going to have Betty reschedule your appointments for the next three weeks."

"Three weeks?Come on, Cas," Gideon said. "I need to work. We already rescheduled some of these folks two or three times as it is. Plus working is the only part of my day I don't have visions of Hell." He winced. "Usually."

"I can't have what happened just now happen to another client, Gideon," Cassius argued. "I won't let it."

"What about the coven? I have to pull my weight."

"You have pulled your weight. You protected the entire coven from the demons when you put those spells on them." Cassius squeezed his shoulder. "After what just happened with your client, I need to protect them, too. Luckily, you didn't finish that cursed tattoo before you came to, or else I might not have been able to wipe it clear. Next time might not be so lucky. We can't let you come back until this is sorted."

What if it never is?Gideon wrapped his arms around his chest. "You're right. I can't endanger my clients."

"What you can do is get some rest. Once your apartment's fortified, get some sleep. Have a fuck. Whatever it is you need to recharge."

"Yeah," Gideon replied, forcing a fake smile.

"You don't have to pretend you're happy about this," Cassius said. "I know this sucks and you're frustrated and exhausted. We'll find a solution. One way or another, we will fix this."

"Fixing implies I'm broken," Gideon murmured.

"Never,"Luca said.

"I never said you were broken," Cassius said. "You're a hard-assed, mouthy bitch who never takes shit from anyone, not even Lucifer himself."

Gideon smiled.

Cassius drew him into a hug, with Luca rubbing his back. The two men towered over him, both well above six feet. They had more than a foot and a half on him. It was nice knowing they were in his corner. He wasn't fighting alone.

Even if he felt all alone.

Three weeks with nothing to do? How was he ever going to manage?

"I hate to say this, but I think Daniel should stay with us until we get this demon problem sorted," Luca said.

"I promised him."

Luca closed his eyes and shook his head. "What happens if you go into another fugue state alone with him?"

Tears burned the backs of Gideon's eyes. He would never hurt Daniel. Never. "You're right. But you have to tell him. I refuse to see the disappointment in his eyes."

"I'll take care of it," Luca whispered.

"Come on," Cassius said, pulling Gideon toward the door. "Let's get you home."