Chapter 21

Twenty-One

Joaquin's teeth felt as if they would shatter as he marched back up Washington Street shoulder to shoulder with a fucking demon. He didn't like it. All he wanted to do was cut Haman into little shreds and send the fucker back to Hell. After. After Gideon is saved, then I can carve it into little pieces. He flexed his fists, fighting the urge.

He glanced at Esau, seeing the same steely determination in his mate's eyes. Fear for his human slammed into his chest in that moment. Esau would need to stay behind, and there's no way the man would listen.

They rounded the corner and strode toward the door.

"This is as far as I can go," Haman said. "I'll await you across the street."

Joaquin paused at the door for a second to glare at the demon before entering. A cheery blonde covered in black leather and tattoos sat at the front desk and welcomed them, all smiles.

"Hey, good evening. Do you have an appointment?"

"We need to see…" Joaquin realized he had no idea who to ask for.

Esau stepped forward. "We're Gideon's mates, and we need the coven's help. He's just been abducted."

The blonde's eyes widened as she searched their faces. "Oh… I'll go get Cassius."

It was then that Joaquin remembered their first night there. Luca had mentioned a Cassius and him not liking strangers being in the building. He must be the leader of their little coven. Not the way he wanted to be introduced, but not like they had much choice.

"Wait here," the woman said, rising from her station.

Joaquin watched as she walked to an elevator and disappeared. He paced the waiting area, his inner cat roaring to get out. "They don't have phones in this place?" he scowled. "We don't have time to waste."

"The demon said we needed more help, so we get help."

Joaquin turned to Esau. "We… yeah, we need to discuss something about we."

Esau frowned.

"You should stay here."

Esau stared silently, his expression blank for a few seconds before Joaquin saw fire grow in his eyes. "If you think for one minute that you're leaving me behind, forget about it. Gideon's our mate and I'm going."

"You're human," Joaquin whispered hotly before glancing around and noticing stares moving in their direction. He calmed himself with as deep a breath as his burning lungs could handle, holding Esau's stare. "It's one thing to fight a demon at my side. It's another to face legions. I won't lose you, Esau."

"Nor will I lose you," Esau replied. "Gideon is ours. We go after him."

Joaquin shook his head. "Ours? He protected a demon. Is he really ours anymore?"

"If he's not, why was our first instinct to run into Hell and save him?"

Joaquin searched Esau's face, considering his words. Once he'd known the danger, he'd immediately moved into action, without thought. Of course Gideon was theirs, but… "I won't let him die, but I also don't know if I can forgive him," Joaquin whispered.

Esau opened his mouth but was cut off by another popping sound and a ripple of magic moving through the room like a wave. A portal opened two feet from them. Several towering men exited, the one at the center Joaquin sensed was Cassius. He recognized Luca and Ash, but not the four others. From the corner of his eye, Joaquin noticed the human customers and supernatural tattoo artists who'd been working only moments ago were all frozen in time.

While on any other occasion he'd be cautious of power like that, he welcomed it on this one. They needed strength to get Gideon out of Hell.

The one in the center stared him down. "And you are?"

"Esau," Joaquin said, pointing to his side. He pointed to himself. "Joaquin."

"Cassius. Tell us what happened."

"Gideon's been abducted. He's been taken to Hell, and we need your help to get him out," Joaquin said. "We have someone ready to show us a way in the back, so let's go."

Cassius looked over his shoulder at Luca and the others before eyeing Joaquin again. "Can you elaborate?"

"It's not fucking story time," Joaquin roared. "Our mate is in danger, and we need to get him out of there!"

"I'm not endangering my coven without more details," Cassius spat. He scanned them both with narrowed eyes. "Tell me what happened."

"We came to see Gideon and found him outside, talking to a demon," Esau replied.

Cassius crossed his arms over his chest, eyes narrowing more. "Just talking? To a demon?"

"Yeah," Joaquin snapped. "I jumped the demon, but Gideon intervened and," he winced, hating saying the words aloud. Clenching his teeth he spat them anyway. "… saved… the demon. I don't know why he did it and I was too angry to care in that moment, so I walked away instead of exploding."

"Was it one of Gideon's demons?" Luca murmured to Cassius.

Joaquin's hackles rose, his gaze flipping to Luca. "What do you mean, Gideon's demons?"

"A story for another time," Cassius insisted. "Finish yours."

Joaquin growled. There had been nothing but secrets since meeting Gideon and he was tired of it already. Was the coven in league with demons? If so, they weren't going anywhere with them, least of all, Hell.

Cassius narrowed his eyes, silently commanding Joaquin continue.

"Dear god," Esau snapped. "Can we measure dicks later?"

Joaquin didn't take his eyes off Cassius. "I need to know we're asking the right people for help. If you and your coven are in league with demons, tell me now so we can go save Gideon our own damned selves."

"Of course we're not!" Cassius spat, his brow furrowed. "We're currently imprisoning a den of them that were here in Salem, but we don't have time now for me to explain everything to you!"

"Enough!" Esau roared. "Long story short, a demon appeared beside Gideon and in the blink of an eye, they were both gone. It was Lucifer."

Cassius shook his head. "Lucifer rarely comes topside. He sends his minions to do his dirty work."

"Gideon told us Lucifer took him in a dream state. He gave us a description," Esau said. "This demon matched it. Haman, the demon Gideon saved, confirmed it. Haman has offered to get us into Hell to save Gideon."

Cassius scoffed. "A trap. Likely the same one Gideon was caught with."

"Gideon called Haman a friend when he protected it. He laid down his body to stop Joaquin from slashing it," Esau replied.

"Gideon's not friends with demons," Luca argued.

"I can't answer that one way or another," Joaquin barked back. "All I can tell you is what Gideon said." He growled, fists clenching. "We're wasting time here! Gideon could already be…" Joaquin couldn't breathe, chest tight. "Dead."

Their hard glares softened, a hint of compassion in them. Joaquin didn't want their fucking pity. He wanted their help. "As far as Haman, I immediately thought the same thing as you, Cassius. It was a trap." He shoved a hand through his hair, anger mounting, more so at what he was about to admit. "I can't believe I'm about to say this, but… I think the demon actually wants to help Gideon."

Esau's gaze flicked to his. He gave a quick nod in agreement before looking at Cassius. "I get the same impression. We can't trust the beast, of course, but unless your coven has a better way to get into Hell right now, Haman might be our only choice. It's waiting outside. Said it knows the way to a backdoor into the Underworld."

Cassius turned to Luca, seemingly ignoring the comment. "Get Daniel down here. We need him."

"Daniel?"Ash asked.

"For just a moment," Cassius said. "Hurry."

Luca searched Cassius' face a couple of seconds. He fished a phone from his pocket and lifted it to his ear without question. Joaquin watched the interaction, wondering if the command was followed out of loyalty and respect or out of fear. He turned to eye Cassius a little harder, wondering if they could trust the witches any more than they could trust the demon.

"More wasted time," Joaquin snapped and paced a few steps, stopping beside Esau. Esau threaded his hand into Joaquin's and squeezed.

"We need their help,"Esau whispered.

His stomach turned at the thoughts of what Lucifer might be doing with their mate while the coven discussed things.

Their mate…

How could he? Joaquin winced, the pain of Gideon's betrayal a stabbing pain in his chest, making it impossible to breathe. Yet, no matter how upset he was, he wouldn't leave Gideon in Hell. He released Esau's hand and paced, primed for action yet caged by their need for more information.

"Why Daniel?" Ash asked, concern written in the furrow to his brow.

"Daniel might give us some insight on whether we can trust this demon or not."

"You're going to have Daniel in the same space as a demon?" Ash asked, frowning. "No. No way."

"He doesn't have to get close. Just near enough to see his aura," Cassius said. He pointed toward the window. "We can see the thing from here. Daniel never needs to leave the building."

Ash's frown deepened.

"We'll all be there and can protect him," Cassius added.

Joaquin had to admit Cassius' plan wasn't without merit. If Daniel could see auras, what he saw could help them decide whether or not to follow Haman into Hell. Yet, the seconds ticked by. Logically, he knew they had to make some kind of plan and assurances they weren't going to die before they reached Gideon, but the protective, illogical side of his brain screamed to run in and save what was theirs, damn the consequences.

"Iwon't let the thing near Daniel," Joaquin said, leveling his gaze on Ash as he paced the room. "I want nothing more than an excuse to tear it apart."

Ash searched his face a second before looking to Cassius. "It needs to be Daniel's decision."

"Of course," Cassius replied.

Luca interrupted, training his stare on Cassius. "Daniel and Colby are in the apartment. Open a portal, it'll be faster."

Cassius waved his hand, magic collecting into his palm, and opened another portal. Moments later, Colby and Daniel entered the first floor through it. Cassius crossed the gap to Daniel and smiled. "Hi, Daniel. How are you?"

"Good. I just beat Coby in WrestleMania," Daniel said, grinning broadly.

"I hear you're good at that game," Cassius murmured.

"Cuz I'm a badassssss," Daniel said, doing a little dance.

Cassius smiled gently. "I have a favor to ask you, Daniel."

"Okay," Daniel said. He looked past Cassius and waved. "Hi, Waa-keen. Hi, E-saw."

Joaquin offered as much of a smile as he could muster, along with a wave. Cassius looked over his shoulder at them before looking back to Daniel. "That's right. You've met them before, haven't you?"

"They were with Giddy a few nights ago in the elevator. They have pretty colors."

"I'm glad to hear that." Cassius smiled at Daniel, but there was little happiness in it. "There's someone waiting outside. We think he might be a bad man, but we aren't sure. Can you tell us what you see? You don't have to get close, just peek at him through the window."

"Ahh,"Colby said, seeking Ash and Luca in the crowd.

"Badassed,"Daniel said. "Let's do this."

"Is this safe?" Colby asked.

"Daniel won't leave the building. Only look outside, across the street," Cassius answered.

"It's for Gideon," Luca murmured to Colby. "Lucifer's taken him, and this demon says he can help us get Gid back."

Colby's eyes widened. "Gideon's in…"

"Hell," Luca finished.

"Giddy's in trouble?" Daniel asked, frowning. "We have to save him!"

"We're going to, but we need your help first. You've got the best magic here," Cassius said with a grin before offering Daniel a hand. "Only you can tell us if we can trust this man."

Daniel took Cassius' hand with no question. Cassius led him to the window, and they all crowded near, curious what Daniel might share.

Haman stood across the street, pacing as he waited. He noticed them watching and paused. He turned to face them, chin rising defiantly.

"Okay, Daniel. Do you see that man there?"

"He's not a man," Daniel said. "He's…" Daniel cocked his head to the side, frowning. "He's got horns like the bad men."

Joaquin tensed.

"But no claws or fangs," Daniel added. He looked up at Cassius, frowning. "His color is pretty. White, with little rainbows shining in it."

Joaquin turned to eye Haman. A demon who's aura was white? Impossible.

"Do you sense he's evil, Daniel?" Cassius asked.

Daniel narrowed his eyes, staring at Haman again. "I don't think so. He doesn't make me feel scared."

Cassius smiled down at Daniel. "You've done well. Thank you for sharing your power with us tonight."

Daniel grinned. "You're welcome."

Colby kissed both his mates. "I know I can't stop you, not for Gideon. Just promise me you'll both come back to us in one piece."

Luca and Ash nodded, grim.

"Let's go home," Colby murmured, leading Daniel back toward the elevators. He looked over his shoulder to Ash and Luca, fear in his eyes.

"I want to talk to Haman," Cassius said.

"Yes, let's waste more time discussing what to do," Joaquin muttered.

"I know you're anxious. I am, too. We need to save Gideon, but my concern is for all," Cassius said, whipping open the front door. "Not solely one."

Joaquin and Esau shared a look before they followed Cassius outside, the others trailing behind them.

Cassius stopped inches from Haman and glared. "What are you?"

Haman shrugged. "A glitch in Hell's matrix?" He chuckled. "You have no reason to trust me, I know. But I want to help Gideon. You won't get into Hell any faster."

"Our auraist sees you bathed in iridescent white light, yet with demon horns. Is it a trick?"

"White?"Haman scoffed. "No trick. Not by my hand, at least."

"Why?" Cassius said. "Why do you want to help Gideon? Give me one good reason."

"We can waste more precious time figuring out who or what I am, or we can get into Hell and save Gideon."

Cassius crossed his arms over his barrel chest. "A demon, saving a captive from Lucifer? Why?"

"Gideon's my friend," Haman said. "And I won't see him hurt."

"A demon befriending a witch?" Cassius asked. "I don't buy it. We're mortal enemies."

Haman appeared uncomfortable.

"The truth or we go nowhere," Cassius barked.

Haman's gaze lifted to Joaquin and Esau. "Not with them here."

Cassius looked over his shoulder at he and Esau. What did the demon know that they couldn't hear?

"We're not going anywhere," Esau snapped. "Spill."

Joaquin almost smiled, proud of his human. "That's right. We're not going."

Haman sighed and shook its head, starring at the ground. "Fine." When it lifted again, it focused on Cassius. "I'm in love with Gideon."

The world slowed around Joaquin as those words sank in. Seeing red, he rushed the demon, ready to destroy the beast. Cassius and Luca stopped him, the latter whispering in his ear, "He may be the only way to Gideon. You can kill him later. I'll even fucking help you."

"Demons don't know what love is," Cassius said.

"Maybe. Maybe not," Haman said. "I was at a club many years ago, stalking prey—I'm an incubus—and I saw Gideon there. I was lured in by his power, and his need. He's a thing of beauty, and I couldn't look away. I wanted him, but… his name wasn't on my list, so I fought the urge. Over the years, he continued to cross my path and I soon became obsessed. I had to have him." Haman paused, hesitant. "I plied my tricks, but none worked. I couldn't get him into my bed."

Joaquin smiled morosely. At least there was that. Gideon hadn't bedded a demon.

Haman glanced at Joaquin. "But he wasn't unwilling, if I vowed I would not harm him, nor take his soul. I agreed."

Lungs tight, rage burning, he flung himself at the demon again. Luca stopped him again.

"He's lying," Luca said. "To rile you up."

Joaquin fought the urge, thinking of Gideon. It's lies… all lies. Our mate…He would never. But would he? It sickened Joaquin to think of their mate bedding a demon. He stilled, sick with disgust, glaring at the demon. "I will kill you when this is over."

"I don't doubt it," Haman murmured. "Hopefully you survive and save Gideon first, though."

Joaquin drew in the beast's scent, memorizing it for later. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he registered the absence of brimstone and sulphur. It was once human. No longer.

"Lust?" Cassius murmured. "That's all this is."

Haman shook its head. "I love him."

Joaquin lunged again, stopped by Luca.

"He never loved me back," Haman yelled, eyeing Joaquin and then Esau. "It killed me that I could never claim his heart, but… I suppose I don't deserve his love, or anyone else's for that matter. Earth became a new Hell for me, knowing Gideon had mates somewhere out there who would bask in the light of his love one day and I would lose him. I survived on the rare moments he would allow me to spend with him, dreading the day it would end forever." Haman turned to Cassius. "So, there you have it. I love Gideon. I won't allow Lucifer to break him… or worse."

"Lucifer will take out his revenge on you," Cassius murmured. "You're prepared to take Gideon's place?"

Haman winced. "I can lead you in, but I can't be there at the end. Lucifer cannot know of my involvement." Tears filled its eyes. "I love Gideon, but I won't endure another two thousand years of torture. I can't."

"Some love that is," Esau spat. "We've only just found Gideon yet we're both willing to lay down our lives to save him from Hell. Even after the disappointment of seeing him lay down for yours." Esau scoffed. "He's braver than you'll ever be."

"You haven't experienced the things I did in Hell! You say you're willing, but you don't know what faces you down there in the fires. Two thousand years of torment. It felt like a million. The pain…" Haman's face contorted. "I won't go through it again. If that makes me a coward, then so be it."

"Why was a demon tormented in Hell?" Cassius asked. "You're the tormentor."

"I was once human," Haman said. "It took me two thousand years, but I convinced Lucifer I'd do more good up here as one of his than languishing down there."

"So, you're a silver-tongued devil," Esau spat. "Spinning lies and weaving illusions, like the one you just created about Gideon. Our mate could never be with one like you. One who claims love but only speaks lies. You clearly don't understand what love is."

"How could I know what love is?" Haman barked. It stood taller and focused on Cassius, its expression that of a broken man. Yet it was no man. It was a beast. A beast Joaquin would slaughter. "I'm offering you a door and directions on where they're likely holding Gideon. Nothing more. That's all I can give. Either take it or leave it."

"There is no other way?" Joaquin asked Cassius. "Because if there is, let me end him now."

"There might be, but it would take hours, if not days, to find," Cassius said, holding Joaquin's stare. "Time Gideon may not have."

Joaquin roared and turned to Esau, who dragged him close.

"We will find Gideon and expose Haman's lies," Esau whispered. "And we will kill it for the things it said."

Joaquin pressed his lips to Esau's, never loving him more than in that moment.

Cassius turned to eye the group. "Do we chance it?"

For Joaquin, it was no question. Even heartsick, they would save their mate. He glanced at the others, all seeing their nods of agreement.

"For Gideon?" Luca asked. "Yeah, we chance it."

Cassius eyed Joaquin and Esau one last time before he turned to Haman. "Show us the way."

Joaquin eyed the ring on his hand before tugging it off. He winced and doubled over as the change returned him to his original form. When he rose, he tucked the ring into his jeans pocket and then bared his claws.

He trailed the tip of one gently down Esau's cheek. "Let's go get Gideon."

Gideon lifted his aching head,the taste of copper on his tongue and the scent of sulphur filling his nose and turning his stomach. Pain lanced through him, and memories of a beating returned to the forefront of his mind. His body was one massive ache. It was hard to breathe, and he wondered if they'd broken some ribs.

A heavy weight hung around his neck. Lifting a hand, he heard the sound of chains clinking, the weight of a cuff making it harder to move. His fingertips caressed a metal collar—obviously not iron—and when he leaned back, he realized he was bound to the floor.

His vision was blurred, eyes swollen, but it cleared some, enough that he thought he was in a throne room of Hell. Minions lined the walls, their black, oozy bodies as foul as their stench. Ahead, on a dais, a well-tailored Lucifer sat on a massive throne constructed of bones and skulls like some Game of Thrones knockoff. The corporate CEO vibe of his clothes clashed with the chair, as did the black-winged ex-angels standing on either side of it in Roman-like togas and breastplate, both almost as pretty as their emperor.

None of it fit. A bunch of puzzle pieces from different boxes that should never have been tossed together. But then, that was what Hell was, wasn't it. The broken, malevolent bits of humanity and Heaven, discarded and left to rot. The wicked and the depraved. The power-hungry and the covetous. They'd not been acceptable above, so why should they below.

Lucifer watched Gideon over templed fingers, his annoyance obvious in his pursed lips and arrogant gaze. "About time you awoke, Sleeping Beauty." He leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees. "Though, you aren't as beautiful now that my demons are finished with you."

Terror filled Gideon, yet he refused to show Lucifer that. His mouth hurt to form the words, but he hid that fact, too. As well as he could. "Oooohh, you think I'm beautiful? Thank you."

Lucifer smiled, as if amused, but Gideon sensed it was false. "Sarcasm, still? I thought they'd beat that out of you. Perhaps I should let them give it another go."

"Hey, don't threaten me with a good time," Gideon said, knowing he was poking the bear, but what else could he do? He wouldn't give in and hand over what Lucifer wanted. Not after all he'd gone through to bind those demons in the first place—or what he'd endured after. Maybe all those nightmares had prepared him for what came next, a form of immersion therapy that weakened the shock of what surrounded him.

Lucifer smiled. "You amuse me, Gideon Goode." He chuckled. "I almost like you." The smile quickly faded. "But my patience has its limits and you're racing dangerously close to the edge." He sat back on his throne. "I want what you stole from me."

Gideon eyed him, contemplating his answer a moment. "You remind me of a petulant toddler. Someone comes and plays with one of his discarded toys and suddenly, he has to have it back. I bet you couldn't even have named them before they met me."

He expected the Morning Star to explode with anger, but he only got a wry smile. "Is that what you think this is? A temper tantrum?"

"Is it not?"

Lucifer grinned. "Thank you for finally admitting that you are the one who stole them from me. I appreciate that." His smile ebbed. "But make no mistake… this is no temper tantrum, Gideon." Lucifer cocked his head to the side. "I simply want what's mine."

Gideon didn't think it was that at all. A handful of demons out of legions? There was no way it could matter, unless Lucifer was the one directing their plans on Earth. "How about this? You tell me what they were up to in Salem and who on the Celestial Council was helping them—and I'll return them to you, safe and sound."

Lucifer's eyes had narrowed at the mention of the Celestial Council, Gideon was sure of it. Did Lucifer not know what they'd been up to?

Lucifer shrugged. "Miscellaneous Mischief? How the Hell should I know? I tell them to run amok, and they run amok."

"Not good enough," Gideon said. "I need an actual answer before I'll free them."

"I'm the dealmaker here, not you, and there's no deal to be made. Give me back what's mine or I'll wring that pretty little neck of yours and keep you here in Hell as my pet for the rest of eternity."

"Who's to say I won't head upstairs to Sky Daddy when I die? I've lived a pretty decent life. Done some good while I was alive." He grinned, his cracked lips and muscles screaming in pain to do it. "I'd look so awesome with white wings, silver stilettos… a white mini-dress. Maybe some pearls. A little Chanel handbag. I'll look damned good. Get all those fine-assed Archangels hard as their marble statues on Earth. You can still fuck in Heaven, right? Just so I'm sure, otherwise… it might be a hard pass. No point in wasting this much hotness."

"Are you done yet?" Lucifer murmured.

"No answer on the fucking? I mean, you were up there. I realize it's been awhile since Sky Daddy punted your ass down here, but come on, I doubt the rules change all that often. Those commandments haven't been altered in like two thousand years, so he seems to be a set it and forget it kind of deity."

Lucifer sighed heavily.

"Come on, help a bottom out. Fucking? No fucking? I need my daily dick or I just can't make it through the day."

"Why don't I cut out the tongue of yours and stick it up your ass?" Lucifer asked. "Would that suffice?"

"Rude,"Gideon snapped. "I just asked a question. All you had to say was yes or no. Damn."

"I tire of these games," Lucifer murmured. "Although, the idea of a witch assuming he might make it into Heaven does make me laugh."

"Who said I couldn't? I'm not the evil one here."

"Your kind were borne of darkness."

"Magic is both light and dark. A duality, just like Heaven and Hell. You can't know where I'd land… and given the fact I died fighting evil, maybe I might earn a pretty pair of those white wings. If I did, you'd never learn where your demons are. I might tell Sky Daddy, though."

Gideon could bluff like the best of them. Fear nearly had him shaking, but running his mouth helped calm his nerves. He held Lucifer's gaze, betting it all on himself.

Lucifer moved with demonic speed, a blur of light. When he stopped, he was kneeling in front of Gideon. He grabbed a handful of Gideon's long locks and tugged hard. Hard enough to drag a whimper from Gideon's lips. Nose to nose with Gideon, Lucifer glared.

"You will tell me where they are… and how you hid them from me, Gideon Goode, or I will keep you here alive and torture you by my own hand for the rest of eternity. How long will it take for you to beg me to stop, the truth dripping from your honeyed lips?"

The truth came to Gideon in that statement. "It was never about the demons," he said, grinning. "You don't like that I was able to hide them where you couldn't find them. That's all this is."

Lucifer was silent, seething.

Gideon smiled, though it offended the splits on his torn lips. "I got one over on Lucifer and you can't stand it, can you?"

"TELL ME WHERE THEY ARE!"Lucifer roared, the very chamber shaking from the force of his bellow.

Gideon chuckled, lifted his shackled hand, and booped Lucifer on the nose. "No."

The Morning Star's backhand across his face burned like nothing he'd ever experienced, not even the demonic beating he'd gotten at the hands of the others. His head hit the stone floor, and blackness graciously took him.