Chapter 20

Twenty

Ascream pierced the morning. Gideon's eyes popped open, barely recognizing that the sound had come from his own lips. It was the third time he'd awoken screaming that night… after sleeping like a baby the entire time his mates had been there. He stared up at the ceiling, a cold sweat over his forehead, exhaustion lingering in his limbs.

When he heard a knock on the door, he sat up. Sensing it was Luca, he yelled, "Come in."

The front door opened and closed, and seconds later, Luca popped his head around the corner of the bedroom area. "You okay? I thought I heard a scream."

"Just another nightmare," Gideon muttered. "I'm fine."

"It's not fine, Gid," Luca murmured. "You need sleep."

"I got sleep. All weekend."

Luca clearly didn't believe him.

"Seriously. I slept the entire night through Friday and Saturday." He smiled, but it faded. "While my mates shared my bed."

Luca sat on the bottom edge of the bed. "Oh?"

"Yeah," Gideon replied, sadness swamping him. "No nightmares while they were here."

Luca cast a look around. "Where are they now?"

"They went back to Boston last night. Esau had work this morning." He left off the part where he was rejected by Joaquin and had kicked them both out.

Luca cocked his head to the side. "Why do I sense not all is well?"

Gideon forced a smile. "It's wonderful."

"Liar."

Gideon deflated. Luca knew him too well. "I suggested they stay, leave on the early train, but Esau said he needed his things in the hotel. He then suggested Joaquin come spend time with me alone and the guy freaked."

"Why?"

"Some bullshit answer about needing to be close to Esau. He clearly wanted no part of being alone with me—and I don't know why, before you ask. Before that moment, I thought things were going great."

"What happened after that?"

"I pouted and told them to get out. Nicer than that, but not by much."

Luca sat silently a few seconds, a soft smile on his face. "Pouting won't get you anywhere. Honesty will."

"Well, Joaquin wasn't being honest with me, either."

"Maybe not, but perhaps he had his reasons. You've all just met and maybe his guard is still up a bit. Their whole world changed, as did yours. It has to have left you feeling a bit shaken, too."

Luca was right, and he knew it. He couldn't expect them to open the doors wide and allow him to root around inside after a few days. "Yeah. I suppose."

"Give Joaquin a little breathing room. Perhaps a couple of days away to miss you will be a good thing. For you all," Luca said.

"I said the same thing, and I hated it then as much as I hate it now."

Luca chuckled. "Well, if they're keeping your nightmares away, don't let it be too long. You need your beauty sleep."

"Trying to tell me I look like shit?"

"Never,"Luca whispered, rising. "Want me to help you get some sleep?"

"Hasn't worked in a while," Gideon said. "No point wasting your magic."

Luca pursed his lips, deflated. "I've got a client coming in soon, so I need to split. If you need anything, you know where to find me. Try to get some rest if you can."

"Yeah," Gideon murmured. "Thanks."

"Anytime," Luca offered with a smile before he departed.

Once Luca was gone, Gideon forced himself from bed, going through the motions. He had nowhere to be, thanks to being on a three week minimum suspension. After fixing himself a couple of runny eggs and too crispy bacon, he dressed and meandered his way down to the first floor to log in some time with the apprentices. He might not be able to tattoo, but he could live vicariously through instructing them. And it was better than lying around the apartment being weepy.

Hours passed, stretching out. Gideon could scarcely focus on anything, the desire to call his mates aching within. By the early evening, Gideon could no longer ignore the need. First, he called Joaquin, but the call went straight to voicemail. He tried Esau next but got the same. He left a message on the latter.

As he hung up, a heavy sensation built in his chest. Something wasn't right.

He glanced outside, the sky already dark there in the winter months. Usually, he loved nightfall and the lunar boost to his magic, but that evening—all he felt was anxiety. Another hour passed without a return call, and his unease worsened. Gideon's hackles rose, and he decided not to ignore it. He headed for Cas' office, but as soon as he rounded a corner, he was no longer in Enchanted Ink.

Sulfur burned his nasal passages. The roaring of billions of the damned filled his ears. Stalagmites the size of Godzilla rose up on either side of him.

A scene from a demons' past played out before him, only in reverse.

No, not again!

He sped through more backward memories until two hands grasped his shoulders and shook him. He opened his mouth to scream, but no sound came out. As quickly as he'd arrived in Hell, he was back in the tattoo studio, the fluorescent lights overhead near blinding.

"Gideon!"Cassius roared in front of him as he was shaken again.

"What!" he screamed, the force of the big man's shaking throwing him around like a rag doll.

Cassius released his hold. "You were there again, weren't you?"

They both knew where ‘there' was from the look in Cassius' eyes. "Yeah. Another replay in reverse. Another one's gone, isn't he?"

"Yeah," Cassius said, waving a hand, opening a portal.

Gideon lifted a hand to his eyes, the colors bright, particularly after the dimness of Hell.

"We need to go, now."

Gideon was barely lucid as he ran through the portal behind Cassius. The scene of bloodshed they exited into caused his stomach to turn. Claw marks covered the human's body as it lay in a pool of blood.

Cassius rushed past him, shooting a handful of magic at a darkened form racing through a window. Gideon headed for the front door, a weird sensation rippling over his flesh. He searched the street, but only found Cassius already out there.

"That fucker is too fast," Cassius growled. "I think I got a little piece of him this time, though."

"Tag him?"

"No, I was trying to subdue him." He turned to eye Gideon. "Next time I'll tag him. We need to find out who's doing this."

An odd, familiar sensation washed over Gideon. "Did you get a good look?"

Cassius shook his head. "It's too dark."

Gideon glanced at the house, an idea forming. He walked closer to the outer wall and rested his hand on the surface. Closing his eyes, he connected with the home's spirit.

"What are you doing?"

"Trying to read the house's memory," Gideon murmured.

"I didn't know you could do that."

Gideon searched recent images. All he could see were flashes of light, a roar of an animal, and blood. Nothing fully formed or concrete. Removing his hand, he sighed. He turned to Cassius. "This house is too new. The memories aren't coherent."

Cassius stared at him oddly.

"What?"

"That's a rare gift. How did I not know?"

"I don't make a habit of sharing it. When I have in the past, I've gotten odd looks."

Cassius appraised him, with a look that whispered both admiration and fear. "It's not something any memory witch I've heard of could do."

"Maybe those other witches got weird looks when people found out they could do it, too," Gideon tossed out. "Kind of like the weird look you're giving me right now."

"Being able to read a mind, that's one thing, Gideon. Being able to read a place? That's… that's powerful. Is this a new thing since meeting your mates?"

"I've always been able to do it."

Cassius stared, silent.

Gideon rubbed his bare arms. "Can you please stop staring at me like I'm a freak? I feel like I've got bugs crawling over me."

"I'm not staring at you like you're a freak. I'm staring at you in awe. After all these years, you continue to impress me, Gideon Goode." He smiled. "I've always sensed there was more to you than met the eye."

Gideon gazed up at Cassius, reveling a bit in the praise. He curtsied. "Thank you."

Cassius lifted his hand as soon as Gideon heard a police siren in the distance. A portal formed in front of them, and Gideon was ushered through, Cassius trailing. As soon as they arrived back in the breakroom, Luca and Eli were waiting for them.

"Were you right?" Eli asked Cassius.

"Afraid so," Cassius said. He eyed Gideon. "I was talking to Eli and Luca when I got the alarm."

"Yeah, and you didn't wait for us to follow. The portal closed before we could make it," Eli grumbled.

Cassius sighed. "My apologies. We need to find whoever this is and stop them. There wasn't time to waste."

"Should we recapture the rest of the demons before whoever this is kills anymore? The cage is still an option," Luca said.

Gideon scoffed. "This is our home, Luca."

"While I agree with you both, what we really need is to know who's freeing them—and then put a stop to it," Cassius said. "I think our best option is to stake out the other demons. Use them as bait."

"How many are left?" Luca asked. "Nine? Ten, right?"

"Nine," Cassius said. "Between the seven, Atlas, and a few other coven members, we can cover them all. We subdue whoever it is and protect the demons."

"Protect the demons. Not something I ever thought I'd hear Cassius say," Eli said. "Or be willing to do."

Cassius nodded. "Yeah, it goes against everything in me, but it's what we have to do. Can you two spread the word? We meet tomorrow at sundown. My studio. I'll give everyone instructions. Stakeouts begin tomorrow night. I need a little more info from Gideon."

"Will do," Eli said before nodding to Gideon. Luca followed Eli out.

As soon as they exited, Cassius turned around. "You're sitting this one out."

"The hell I am."

"We don't need you putting yourself, or us, in danger."

"So now I'm a danger to the coven?!" Rage flew into Gideon.

"That curse you put on that client…"

"I haven't blacked out since," Gideon snapped. "And he was put back as good as new."

"Regardless, I can't focus on stopping whoever this is when I'm worried about you."

"Cassius, I went to Hell and back trying to stop these demons. I need to see it through."

Cassius hissed, staring uneasily at Gideon. He was silent a good twenty seconds. Gideon silently pleaded for the answer he wanted.

Cassius finally answered. "With Lucifer on your tail, you need to stay inside this building, protected."

Gideon growled, opening his mouth to argue.

"Enough!"Cassius roared. "I will protect you, even if it's from yourself! You've given enough to the coven."

Gideon startled at Cassius' tone, unused to seeing rage in the man. Protective rage, but rage all the same. "I'm not weak, Cassius. I don't need to be coddled."

"Coddled?"Cassius inhaled roughly, shaking his head. "Is that what you think I'm doing here? You are the most powerful witch of your kind, in my estimation. A gift like yours is rare, one we cannot risk losing. You say you need to see it through, but we're nowhere near the end. Not yet. You've given too much already, and you're in no shape to fight this battle. But there are many more battles to come and I'll need you there when the time is right." Cassius released a breath. "Please, for me… sit this one out."

Gideon searched Cassius' face, shaken. "Why do I feel like you're just holding me back, underestimating me once again?"

"Holding you back? Damnit, Gideon, you act first and think second. You always have. I'm not holding you back. I'm trying to make you see the bigger picture. That you don't have to keep proving yourself and your worth, every single day of your life." He paused a breathe. "Pick your battles. Know when to step back and survey the chessboard."

Gideon scoffed angrily, knowing Cassius might have a point.

"I love you like a son," Cassius murmured. "But you also frustrate the hell out of me, jumping in without thinking, all to prove your worth when you need not. You don't have to fight every battle, especially not when you're injured and limping along. I won't lose you to your own stubbornness."

Gideon fought tears.

Cassius rested a hand on his shoulder. "You are the beating heart of this coven. Don't take that away from us. We won't survive it."

Gideon wiped a stray tear, refusing to allow more to fall. He nodded, barely able to speak. "Okay."

Cassius dragged him into a hug he wanted to fight.

Instead, he melted into the only father he'd ever truly known and held on tight before pulling away fearing he'd break down. He looked to the floor, ashamed of the tears pooling in his eyes. "Promise me you'll work as hard to protect the others as you do me."

"Of course. You're all my family." Cassius smiled. "Once we've caught them, we might need your help to search their memories. I doubt they'll be very forthcoming."

Gideon nodded. "Sure."

Cassius lifted Gideon's chin and smiled. "One day you'll realize that emotion isn't weakness. That you are amazing and your power formidable. When you do, you'll rule the world."

Gideon pulled a face, feigning arrogance. "Of course I'm amazing."

"Let me know when it stops being an act and you truly believe it, Gid."

Gideon bit his lower lip to stop himself from sobbing. He nodded, unable to speak.

Cassius pressed a kiss to the top of his head before disappearing.

"Damn, that felt good!" Esau crowed as soon as they entered the hotel room. "I didn't realize just how much I missed the hunt."

Joaquin smiled, dragging him close. "Yeah, it did feel good to be fighting with you beside me again." He leaned in and pressed his lips to Esau's before backing away, an odd expression on his face.

"What?"

Joaquin eyed him before chuckling under his breath. "I kind of got used to being the taller one. I like it." He crossed to the small kitchenette and washed his hands before sliding the ring back on.

Immediately, he grabbed the counter, hunched over in pain as his body filled out. Sweat dotted his brow, his breathing coming in gasps as the pain faded away. Esau smiled as Joaquin stretched his longer limbs overhead. Luckily, he was wearing sweats. They were too tight on his new body, but didn't rip like his other clothes had.

"I like seeing you like this."

"As a man?" he asked, peeling off the tight sweatshirt.

"You were always a man," Esau replied. "You being at ease with yourself. That's what I like."

Joaquin smiled, kicking off his running shoes. "I want this, Esau. I'll miss my animal with every fiber of my being, but I want this more." He crossed the room and cradled the side of Esau's face. "This peace I feel now. I cannot lose it."

Esau smiled up at Joaquin. "Then I stand behind you if that's your choice."

"I won't make it permanent until we figure out the situation with the Assassins. I know you want us to do this on our own, but I still called Annie. If there's a spell that will tell us if we're being targeted, it would help. Hopefully she'll call me back soon." He crossed to where his phone rested on the charger. "Perhaps she already has." Joaquin lifted his phone. "No Annie, but there' s a missed call from Gideon. No message, though."

Esau rounded the bed to where his was plugged in and saw a missed call, as well. "I've got a message." He queued up his voicemail and put it on speaker.

"Hey, guys, I know I was upset and told you to leave, but I miss you. When can I see you again?" He paused. "I called Joaquin first but didn't leave a message. Talk to you soon."

Esau eyed Joaquin. Heavy silence hung between them.

"It was a mistake not looping him in," Esau said. "We need to explain to him why we left San Diego and what might be after us. If he understands why we need some distance, it will hurt him less."

"He'll want to fight for us. It's hard enough protecting one mate. I can't worry about two. He's safe where he is. For now."

"You once told me that we were stronger together. We could face anything and win," Esau said.

Joaquin met his stare.

"You also said we don't start our relationship with lies," Esau added. "Withholding the truth is just as bad."

"Using my words against me isn't fair. I'm only trying to protect him."

"We're stronger together, Keeno. We need to be honest and put all our cards on the table. What he does after is his choice. Don't take that away from him."

Joaquin sighed. "Okay. You win." Joaquin scratched his head. "He deserves to hear it from us face-to-face. This is too big for a phone call." He checked his phone. "It's late. Tomorrow night."

Esau sensed Joaquin was hedging, but he'd give him one more night. After their hunt, he was likely exhausted and needed a rest, too. "Fine. We go to Salem tomorrow after I'm done with work."

"How's this?"Raynd asked, lifting his gaze from the man's back.

Gideon turned from the apprentice next to them and scanned Raynd's work. "You need to work on your pressure. It's getting better, but those lines need to hold in the… ink… or it fades too fast." Ink was codeword for magic on the first floor, where humans were allowed, guinea pigs for their apprentices to practice their technique on. He held out his hand for the gun.

Raynd hesitated, and Gideon wondered if everyone had heard about his mishap upstairs.

When Gideon lifted a brow, Raynd finally handed it over.

He laid down part of the next line, taking a little extra time to show Raynd his technique. "See what I'm doing here?"

Raynd watched closely, nodding.

"Make sure you hold the skin super taut, too. You're allowing too much give," Gideon offered, showing Raynd what he meant before handing the gun back. "Now you try."

Raynd wriggled his shoulders before lowering to position. He began the next line, showing improvement already. As soon as he finished one line, he lifted his expectant gaze to Gideon, a hint of a smile on his lips.

"Better,"Gideon said. "Now keep going."

Raynd's grin widened before he returned to work.

Gideon pulled off his latex gloves and tossed them, reaching for his phone as soon as his hands were free. He'd gotten no return calls or messages from Joaquin and Esau since leaving the message and wondered if he hadn't truly fucked up demanding they go. Tempted to call again, he shoved the phone in his pocket, refusing to be a needy bitch and blow up their phones.

Upstairs, the coven was gathering while he stayed down and played Mother Hen to the apprentices. It was eating him up, being left behind, but he'd taken Cassius' words to heart. Stand back, see the big picture.

Only the big picture was out of focus and crumbling from his point of view.

A feeling of being stared at dragged his attention away from his maudlin thoughts. Outside the window, Haman stood across the street, outside the power of the wards protecting the building. "What the fuck are you doing?" he muttered to himself.

Haman waved… then beckoned him over.

His first instinct was it was a trap, luring him outside—but he knew Haman. Didn't he? Gideon glanced around to see if anyone else had noticed a demon waving his way, but fortunately, everyone who mattered was in Cassius' studio at that moment. He looked again at Haman, who implored him with a look. Curiosity killed the cat and all that shit, but Gideon still ultimately walked outside, too nosy for his own fucking good. He crossed the street and faced Haman. "What the hell are you doing here? Do you have any idea how much trouble you could get me in?"

"Rumor has it that Lucifer is coming topside for you soon. I hate asking you outside the protection of the building, but it's not as if I can go inside," Haman said. "Get back in there and don't come out. I'll try to find something else to tempt his attention, and if I do, I'll let you know the coast is clear."

"You could've texted me all that."

Haman smiled. "Maybe I wanted an excuse to see your pretty face and make sure it was still in one piece." He cocked his head to the side, searching Gideon. After a moment, he reached out and pushed Gideon's cardigan aside. "You've found them." Haman pursed his lips, clearly disappointed. "Congratulations."

"Thank you," Gideon murmured, though he wasn't sure he deserved to be congratulated.

A feline roar rent the air, and a second later, Haman was tackled to the ground. Two hands grabbed Gideon, dragging him away. When Gideon lifted his gaze to Esau, he gasped, flipping his attention to where Joaquin had Haman pinned to the ground, a fist lifted above and ready to fall.

"Nooo!"Gideon screamed, pushing off Esau. He flung himself over Haman's face and chest, lifting his gaze to Joaquin, who narrowly stopped his fist before striking Gideon.

Joaquin's face contorted with rage. "It's a demon!"

"I know!"Gideon barked.

Joaquin jumped to his feet, glaring at Gideon. "You protect that thing?"

"You don't understand," Gideon implored.

"It's evil!" Joaquin roared. "And you protect it?"

"He's not evil," Gideon roared back.

"It,"Joaquin corrected hotly. "They are all evil. It's tricked you into believing it's not!"

"I swear to you," Gideon lamented. "He's different. I assure you. He's my friend."

"Your friend?"Joaquin asked, incredulous. He paced a few steps away, hands on his hips.

"You can't be serious," Esau said, staring at Gideon.

"He's not like the others," Gideon muttered. "You have to believe me."

"It's a trickster," Joaquin said, adding a kick to Haman's gut.

"Stop it!"Gideon screamed, lying farther over Haman to protect him.

Joaquin and Esau looked at him with utter disgust in their eyes.

"Please, listen to me. He's not like other demons," Gideon pleaded, tears stinging his eyes. "Please. Calm down and let us talk."

"Talk?"Joaquin asked, shaking his head. "No. You've made your choice." He waved a hand, clearly done with Gideon, and stalked away. Gideon turned to Esau and saw nothing but pain.

"Demons murdered both our families…" Esau whispered before turning and trailing after Joaquin.

"Oh fuck," Gideon gasped. He leapt to his feet and raced after his mates.

Their anger and longer legs had them strides ahead.

"Joaquin! Esau! Please!"

They didn't stop, the distance growing between them. He quickened his steps, not easy in his platform boots. "Stop!"

Esau turned to look over his shoulder, just as a popping sounded at Gideon's side.

"Well, hello, beautiful." Lucifer said, appearing to his left. "Let's go for a ride."

"Nooo!!"Gideon screamed before Lucifer took him straight to Hell.

The demonwho'd appeared beside Gideon turned for a split second and eyed Esau—and that's when he saw the eyes. Time stopped for a split second, his heart stopping, lungs burning, and his mind spinning. He'd just witnessed pure evil, in its basest form. As soon he could breathe again, he spun and raced to Joaquin, yanking his mate by the arm.

"What?"Joaquin roared, spinning to eye him.

"A demon just appeared and grabbed Gideon. They both vanished into thin air."

"They're friends, remember?" Joaquin snarled.

"A differentdemon," Esau said.

"Great, they can have a three-way," Joaquin sneered before spinning back and stalking away.

"I think… it might've been Lucifer."

Joaquin froze. Slowly he twisted back and Esau noticed the anger fade from his face. "Why do you think it was Lucifer?"

Esau took a couple of steps closer. "He was perfect, almost too perfect, like Gideon described… and his eyes were black holes, sucking in all the light around him. I've never seen anything like it." He let out a shuddering breath. "My blood turned cold. That was Lucifer. I know it was."

A popping sounded to the right of them on the sidewalk. Joaquin had the demon by the throat and against the brick side of the Enchanted Ink building within seconds.

The demon lifted its hands in surrender. "Kill me… if you must…" It sputtered. "But… can it wait… until after… we've saved Gideon… from Lucifer?"

Esau got his confirmation, but he narrowed his eyes, confused. How could they trust a demon? "Save him? We're not that stupid, Demon."

"Please," the thing begged. "I want… to help."

Joaquin eyed Esau. Esau shrugged, unsure. Joaquin turned back to the demon before releasing some of his grip on its neck. "Help? You likely lured Gideon outside for your master to take him."

"I did not.I lured him outside, sure, but to warn Gideon that Lucifer was coming for him. I couldn't go inside the shop because of the wards and thought there was enough time for a quick warning. I told him to go back inside and stay in there, but then you two showed up and…" the demon sighed. "He went running after you instead of inside where he'd be safer."

"And we're supposed to believe that?" Esau asked. "You can't be trusted."

The demon sighed. "Yes, I am a demon, but I was once human. One of the damned, tortured for a thousand years. For that reason, I only take the souls of the truly wicked."

"Evil souls are already bound to Hell," Joaquin spat.

"Unlessthey end up in Limbo," Haman corrected. "I assure Hell gets their due and help rid the Earth of evil, well before Fate plans to snip the humans' threads."

Esau paused, conflicted. The demon almost sounded… sincere?

"A righteous demon? Spare me," Joaquin spat, glancing at Esau and back to the creature.

"Righteous? Your words, not mine. I do what I must to escape the torture of Hell and keep Lucifer appeased, nothing more." The demon scanned the street, shaking its head. It turned back to them. "Look, Gideon is in danger down there. We need to get him out of Hell before…" The thing winced. "Before Lucifer does his worst. Once he's safe, if you want to cut me down and send me back to Hell, so be it."

"Not like you wouldn't wind up right back up here," Joaquin snarled. "What do you have to lose?"

"A friend. A man who doesn't deserve what may come," the demon said. "Gideon has been kind to me. I want to repay that."

Joaquin turned to eye Esau. It seemed Joaquin was equally conflicted. Ultimately, Gideon needed them, no matter what they felt.

"My name is Haman. I know a back way into Hell. I can show you the way."

"No matter how upset we are, we can't leave Gideon in Lucifer's hands," Esau murmured to Joaquin.

Joaquin's shoulders dropped, and he released Haman. He nodded. "Yeah."

"Because of the wards, I cannot go inside to warn Gideon's coven of what's just happened. You'll need their help."

"We barely know them ourselves," Esau said.

"Tell them Lucifer has Gideon. That'll be enough," Haman muttered. "And hurry. There's no time to waste."