Chapter 22

Twenty-Two

Esau struggled to breathe in the sulfur-filled air, his lungs burning with every inhale. Yet he pushed on, crawling behind Joaquin and Luca in the narrow, shallow tunnel leading deeper into the belly of Hell.

"Struggling?" Luca murmured behind him.

Esau glanced over his shoulder and nodded, gasping.

Luca's magic grew in his palm before he projected it toward Esau.

His next breath came easier, though the smell wasn't any better. "Thanks."

"Let me know if you need another," Luca said before nodding. "Keep going so we don't lose them."

Esau turned forward and saw the gap his struggle had caused. He knew deep down that Joaquin had probably been right—he didn't belong there—but he wasn't sending his mate down to do battle alone. He did his best to catch up, noticing that Joaquin had paused and was watching closely.

"Are you okay?"

"I am now," Esau whispered.

Joaquin frowned, concern in his eyes. Eyes that said, ‘you should've stayed back, idiot' but fortunately, those words didn't fall from Joaquin's lips.

They continued on, the heat soon becoming oppressive. Esau wiped his brow, the sweat soon coating his body—until farther along when the heat was so bad his sweat evaporated. His skin felt stretched, ready to crack and bleed.

Finally, they exited the corridor and could rise to their full height. Esau glanced around at a massive set of stalactites and stalagmites that formed an eerie-looking mouth of sorts, grinning evilly at them.

"We go through here," Haman said. "It's the outer shore of the Abyss. Use your magic to tether yourself to another and remain on the rocky coast. If you get whisked into it, you'll be lost to it. Then you become one of Leviathan's beasts."

Joaquin's gaze went to Esau's. The witches immediately threaded their magic together. Luca tied his to Esau. Cassius to Joaquin. Once they were all linked in a line, Haman led them on. They navigated their way through the toothy-cavern, Esau losing his footing several times and glad Joaquin caught him each one. Soon enough, they made it to the rock-filled shore of a great gray sea, the waters washing and crashing against the stoney beach.

They carefully made their way over slippery rocks, keeping as far from the waves as possible. Esau slipped and slid too close, the water lapping over his foot—only it wasn't water, but a thick fog that tried to drag him out. A flash of magic hit just above his foot and released him, Joaquin quick to yank him back. When he lifted his gaze, he could see it had been Cassius' turn to save him.

I'm holding everyone back. I should've listened to Joaquin.

"Come on," Joaquin murmured, leading them forward.

It felt like hours upon hours that they crept along the stones, but finally, they reached another cavern. Haman stopped there, hunkering down.

"This is as far as I go," Haman announced. It grabbed a stone and drew something into the dirt at its feet. "Cassius, this is where you go from here. Use an invisibility spell to mask your presence but know that demons still might sense you there. If one acts as if it sees something, stop. Don't move. Don't look it in the eyes. Wait for it to give up and move on before you move again. You'll all need to work together and communicate without speaking if that happens, so stay alert." He sighed. "I'll do my best from a distance to keep their attention off you, but it's the best I can do now."

"I feel like I should thank you," Cassius said. "But to thank a demon who might be leading us into a trap won't happen."

"Save it for after you get Gideon back safe and sound," Haman replied. "Together, I hope you have the power to do that." With that, Haman disappeared.

Joaquin reached out to grasp Esau's hand. "We'll get him back."

Esau nodded, though he wasn't quite so sure.

Gideon awoke in a stone cell,confused for a few seconds before he was reminded of where he was. The roaring sound, heat, and sulfur were quick to remind him. He scrambled to the closest wall and pressed his back against it, searching the darkness with swollen eyes, seeking dangers. Thankfully, he appeared alone in his cell, but from the roar of screams around him, he was one of many.

What the fuck do I do now?

He rested his head against the stone and closed his eyes, visions of the disappointment on Esau and Joaquin's faces burned into his memory. If he died there, that would be his only regret. Never having the chance to explain himself and beg for their understanding. He might never see them again. He refused to give in to Lucifer, no matter how much pain they heaped on him.

He wished he had the power to portal out like Cassius, but then would his magic work in Hell? His talents were born of the Earth, and he was no longer in that plane. He lifted his hand and attempted to draw magic into his palm.

A sizzle appeared, his body trembling to even bring that forth. He tried again and got nothing. He closed his eyes and saw Joaquin and Esau, not their anger, but joy, their faces filled with pleasure as they loved his body. He drew from his need to see them once more, if only long enough to apologize for hurting them. When he lifted his swollen lids, he found magic swelling in his palm. Tears burned the backs of his eyes.

He searched his memory for the simple healing spell Luca had taught him long ago. His power of healing was weak, and the spell meant to train the youngest of witches—the only one he'd been able to master, much to Luca's chagrin—but any improvement was better than nothing. He recited the childlike spell under his breath.

I ache today but wish to stop, bubble, bubble, boil and pop.

His magic washed over him slowly, and a small measure of relief followed it. The aches lessened by fractions, and his eyesight sharpened. He took a deep breath but faltered. Definitely broken ribs, but they didn't hurt quite as badly after the spell—and he could inhale a little more air. Not that one would want to smell that vile shit. It seemed even worse in the cells than it had before.

Gathering a bit more magic, he recited the words again, wondering if another wave would bring more healing, but wasn't so fortunate. He was as healed as he could be in that moment, so the next step was to find a way out.

He forced himself to his feet, wobbling. He caught himself, realizing one of his legs was likely fractured. Coiling more magic in his palm, he used it as a lantern of sorts to seek the shadowed corners of the cell. Three walls of stone. A metal cell door facing another solid wall of stone. He could see no other cells nearby but heard moans and cries not far away.

Gideon pressed at the rocks within his cell, hoping to find loose stones. Where any escape route might lead, he didn't know, but he had to make the attempt.

He wouldn't make it easy for Lucifer.

Hours passed as he tested edges and crevices, tearing his fingernails and fingertips in the search. What was worse was the memories lodged in those stones. Eons of torment and broken souls. He fought tears as the echoes of the past swirled around him.

And he found nothing. No weak point to focus on, his self-inflicted torment unnecessary. Gideon was ready to collapse and let loose the tears he'd been strangling back since he'd awoken in Lucifer's throne room.

Outside his cell bars, a demon lumbered by, the first being Gideon had seen since awakening there. He rushed closer to the bars. It was a low-level Hellspawn, easy prey. "Hey! You over there! I'm talking to you, Big, Dumb, and Ugly!"

The demon's head whipped in his direction, red eyes glowing. Its jagged teeth gave it the appearance of an evil grin devoid of humor. It approached Gideon's cell, black ooze bubbling from sores on its flesh.

Gideon pulled one hand behind him, coiling his magic into his palm. He feared the light would give him away, so he'd need to act fast, although as dumb as some low-level Hellspawn were, he might be fine.

"Whud you say?" the demon asked, its voice deep and slow.

Gideon slammed his hand onto the demon's arm, the creature's memories seeping into his mind as he worked to project a false one. Hopefully his magic was strong enough in his weakened state. "Lucifer wanted you to release me from this cell. Remember?"

The demon narrowed its eyes. "I dunna kn?—"

"I was standing right here when he told you. He'll be livid if you disobey him."

"Libid?"

"Mad!" Gideon said. "He'll be so angry."

"Angreee, no."

Gideon whipped through the memories seeping in, one catching his attention. "Remember the last time he was mad? The joy he took in peeling your flesh from your body? Do you want to experience that again?"

The demon's eyes narrowed more. "No…"

Come on. Come on. Come on.

"No… I dunna wanna hurt."

"Follow his command and you won't hurt. Let me out," Gideon murmured to the pitiful creature. Hellspawn were the most basic of creatures, more grunting animal than demon. They were created of the primeval ooze in the bowels of Hell, the same thing Lucifer's entire empire was made from. He almost pitied it, especially knowing it would suffer if it aided in his escape. Yet, he had to escape Lucifer's grasp and return to the Earthly plane.

Or die trying.

"Mornin' Star let go," the creature muttered. He drew out a skeleton key and slid it into the lock.

Hurry. Please.

The door swung open, and Gideon slipped past the Hellspawn. He rested his hand back on the creature's arm, searching its memories for a hiding place. Somewhere it could go to prevent Lucifer's wrath.

The Abyss.

Leviathan's domain, the underbelly of Hell.

"You're to go to the Abyss," Gideon murmured. "Remember?"

"Abyss,"the beast hissed.

Gideon nodded. "That's right. Go there now."

"Abyssssss,"it hissed again before turning to lumber away.

Gideon eyed it, no idea if he should follow in that direction or go another. For all he knew, he was trapped in a maze he'd find no way out of. Fear slammed into him at that thought. He could be lost forever, never finding an escape.

He glanced back into the tiny cell and knew he wouldn't sit there and await his fate. Get out or die trying.

Gideon moved against the solid, stone wall across from him and slunk in the opposite path of the Hellspawn. It had been moving in that direction, so maybe there'd been a destination or purpose behind it. He soon came upon another cell. A frail woman with a sunken face, her body not much more than skin and bone stared at him.

"Help me, please,"she wailed before opening her mouth wider than natural and a hellacious scream tearing from her throat.

Gideon covered his ears, wincing in pain. He moved on, the siren sound of her scream surely enough to attract attention. Moving his battered body as quickly as he could, he slid along the wall. He passed more cells, filled with more pitiful, wretched souls, all of them wailing and begging for his help. Gideon could barely help himself—and he had no idea if they'd earned their place in Hell or not. Ignoring their pleas, he pressed on.

Hearing noise ahead, he scanned the area and noticed a nook in the wall twenty feet or so away. Thanks to the cacophony around him, it was hard to tell from which direction or how close those approaching were. He'd have to hope for the best. Gideon sprinted to the nook, limping as he moved. The pain was intense in his leg and chest, but being caught would bring much more pain.

He hurled himself into the space seconds before two demons shuffled past, one dragging a screaming, bloodied, naked man behind it. For a split second, the damned man made eye contact.

"Help me!"he screamed reaching out.

Gideon shoved his body harder against the wall and deeper into the shadows, willing the guards not to notice the man's begging or who it might be directed at. When they moved on and he was still free, he released a pent-up breath and waited a moment for his heart to slow. He then crept from his hiding spot and moved farther down the hallway.

He reached a cell with the door ajar. Hesitant, he feared something might be lurking in the darkness contained within. He slowed as he neared, taking small steps while watching the bars closely. Once past and safe, he breathed a sigh of relief.

That relief was short lived. In the next cell, he found the frail woman he'd first passed, and her siren scream began anew. How the hell?

Gideon jammed his fingers in his ears and pushed on, not recalling making a turn. He saw familiar face after familiar face until he once again saw the cell with the door ajar.

No, no, no.

There had been no turns, he was sure of it. No doors leading out. He was trapped in an endless ring without escape. Gideon shook his head, coiling his magic in his hand for another trip. Surely there was a way in and out. Where were the demons coming and going from? He examined every inch of the wall he used, every space between cells, allowing his magic to test the borders. There had to be a hidden doorway or wall that moved.

When he returned to the door ajar, having found nothing, he flagged against the stone and faced the darkness inside the cell. Tears slid down his cheeks in his moment of despair.

Someone stepped from the darkness.

Lucifer leaned on the metal frame of the cell door and smirked. "Do you think me so stupid? That I wouldn't anticipate you using your magic in some feeble attempt to escape? You can't, just so you know. Not unless you've learned portal magic since we last spoke."

Gideon lifted his chin and glowered at Lucifer. Inside, he was breaking, but he wouldn't show the beast that. Lucifer would enjoy it too much.

"There is only one way out," Lucifer said. "Give me… what I want."

"Perhaps you should clarify what that is. After our last conversation, it seems you want to know how I got one over on you, not necessarily the demons you claim are yours."

Lucifer was upon him a flash of light. He caressed Gideon's cheek, lowering his head until his lips were a breath away. Gideon dragged his head back, but the stone wall held him captive.

"Perhaps there is another choice." Lucifer lifted a hand to Gideon's hair, pushing a few locks back with a gentle touch. He looked at Gideon with hunger in his black eyes. "I take you to my bed and fuck the information out of you." Lucifer smiled at Gideon's cringe. "Am I so much worse than the dozens of strangers you've lain with? Night after night, you offer your body to the most handsome man with the biggest cock. I can be that for you, darling Gideon. I can satisfy you like no other."

"No,"Gideon spat. He avoided another soft caress to his cheek. "Do not touch me."

Lucifer grinned. "What's the old saying? You catch more flies with honey… or something like that. My anger made no dent, but I can see my honey does."

Gideon shivered in disgust.

Lucifer snapped his fingers, and they were suddenly back in the throne room. Instead of bound to the floor, Gideon sat beside Lucifer on the dais, in a smaller version of his throne. No longer in pain, he glanced down. His battered body had been healed. He was dressed in a flowing red gown with a black corset cinching his waist and abdomen tight.

Great. I still can't breathe.

He glanced around, finding the chamber empty. No Hellspawn. No guards. No one. All alone with the Morning Star. Lovely.

Golden jewelry, intricate in its webbed design, laced both arms from wrist to elbow, heavy earrings pulled at his lobes. His fingernails were always painted black, but they were longer and clawlike. Black leather heeled boots graced his feet, and he could feel them laced up to his upper thighs. A heavy weight rested on his head. He lifted both hands and removed the metal hat. Lowering it, he saw it was no hat.

But a crown.

"I could give you the world," Lucifer said beside him.

Gideon's gaze whipped to his. He sat sideways on the throne, watching Gideon's every move. "You mean the Underworld? No thanks."

"With a power like yours aligned with mine, perhaps it could be more."

Gideon scoffed, leaping from the throne. "Again. No thanks." He tossed the crown to Lucifer who easily caught the heavy piece in one hand. It disappeared seconds later.

"You refuse yet don't know the extent of what I'm willing to give you."

Gideon crossed his arms. "I'm more interested in what you'd take."

"Nothing," Lucifer purred. He smiled. "I would need to make use of your power every now and then, of course."

"I'm sure you know how to manipulate memory well enough on your own."

"Memory?" Lucifer asked, chuckling. "You're right. I have no need for that."

Gideon frowned. "I'm a memory witch. My other talents are weaker."

Lucifer searched his face a few seconds, a bemused grin on his face. "You really don't know, do you?"

"Know what?"

Lucifer chuckled but remained otherwise silent.

"Enough with the games and the bullshit. I know who and what I am. I'm the best damned memory witch this century and the last have ever seen. You think to toy with my head and make me doubt my skill, but you won't win."

The corners of Lucifer's lips curled up, as he sat silently appraising Gideon.

Gideon glared at the demon, hating being inspected and ridiculed.

"Fine. You're only a memory witch and nothing more," Lucifer murmured.

It was in that moment that Gideon sensed Lucifer knew something he didn't. The question burned inside him, the need to know tingling over his flesh.

Lucifer smiled at him, cocky.

Gideon laughed. "You think to dangle a carrot over my head, lead me to giving in. I give you what you want, and you give me the answer to this burning question—only it's trickery. A web of deceit."

Lucifer's smile ebbed a bit, but it didn't disappear. The cockiness in his expression galled Gideon. His silence even more. I am no spider in his web.

Cassius' words whispered through his mind. Stand back and see the chessboard. Then he considered Lucifer's own comment. Catching more flies with honey.

A thought slammed into his head, an idea almost too brazen to contemplate.

I am no spider in his web. He's a spider in mine. Let me weave my spell.

Gideon smiled. He took a step closer, gliding in the long red gown. Seduction, he knew. He'd spent his entire adult life practicing for that moment. Man after man, learning how to play to their egos. Lifting one brow, he cocked his head seductively. "You seat me in a throne at your side. Was your plan to have me rule beside you?"

"I share my rule with no one," Lucifer murmured.

"Then let me hear your offer in full."

"You have not changed your mind about me, Gideon Goode."

"I haven't heard all of the terms yet, have I?"

Lucifer lifted a perfect brow. "You already denied me."

Gideon closed the gap between them, swaying his hips temptingly. He slid onto Lucifer's lap and caressed the man's cheek. He batted his eyelashes and grinned. "A girl can change her mind, can't she?"

Lucifer chuckled, the sound hollow. "Does that act really work on human men? Come on."

Gideon sighed and sat straighter. "Okay, brass tacks. I used my magic to escape, and I failed. You know Hell inside and out, so there's likely no way to flee your little maze. Even if I got lucky and made it out of one level, I'd have no way to know where I was going and end up lost forever. That means you've got me and now, I have to make a choice. Either I rot in that cell, suffer beatings or worse, or I sit at your side like a good little evil princess. Both are prisons, but one might have better perks."

Lucifer narrowed his eyes, searching Gideon's face. He sensed he might be swaying the demon.

"I don't really enjoy being tortured, at least not at the level you dole it out down here." He allowed tears to shine in his eyes. "I can't," he whimpered, holding back a sob. "I can't go through that again."

He feigned shame at Lucifer seeing his tears.

"And you'd be willing to do as I say?"

"Would I have another choice?" Gideon asked angrily.

"No," Lucifer murmured. He trailed a hand over Gideon's cheek. "You really are quite beautiful, aren't you." He ran his thumb over Gideon's lower lip.

Gideon fought the instinct to cringe.

Lucifer watched him a moment, narrowing his eyes. Gideon feared the demon could read him like a book and knew what he planned.

"You're not exactly terrible to look at. I mean, as far as demons go, there's a lot of worse options out there." Gideon lifted his chin, stretching his neck long and lean. "And you are one of the most powerful beings in the universe. I'd be an idiot not to hear you out fully and decide which prison is better suited. A cold, dank cell and torture, or to be pampered by the Morning Star."

The corners of Lucifer's lips curled slightly. "You cringed at the thought of warming my bed just moments ago… and now you want me to believe you'd be my willing partner?"

Gideon looked away a moment, pretending to hide grief. "I've heard horror stories whispered about… your cruelty in bed. I can only hope they aren't true."

"They are,"Lucifer whispered merrily.

"Then I beg you to keep a gentler hand with me," Gideon whispered. "If you do…" He shivered. "I can be what you wish me to be." He trailed a finger along Lucifer's silk tie. "As long as I know what you expect of me."

"Information, first and foremost."

"About?" Gideon asked.

"Witches."

"I will not expose my coven," Gideon said and meant it.

"I'm not asking you to do that. Your little coven isn't even on my radar."

"What is then?" He smiled. "Another? Or the Council?"

A tick in Lucifer's jaw spoke volumes. "You could be my advisor on all things witchcraft. Teach me a thing or two. Share your talents with me when I see fit." He dragged Gideon closer. "In return, you'd be pampered. A spot in my bed, as my favorite concubine. If you proved yourself worthy, I might one day give you legions to lead. I might even consider imbuing you with my power, strengthening your own if you garnered my trust and pleased me well. Is that not what all witches crave? More power."

"What of my youth and beauty? Will I keep it?"

"But of course," Lucifer whispered, grinning. "I will make you even more beautiful than you are now, though I doubt there's much room for improvement. You're near perfect on your own."

Gideon smiled. "All I have to do is accept? And give you your missing demons?"

"And use your power when and how I wish," Lucifer added. "No refusals. Ever."

"Which power?"

Lucifer grinned. "Say yes and I'll tell you."

Gideon bit his lower lip, smiling saucily. He caressed Lucifer's cheek again. "May I have a kiss first to see how your lips feel on mine?"

Lucifer's smile widened. "You may."

From the corner of his eye, Gideon saw movement. Turning his focus, he watched as Joaquin and Esau stepped into the center of the chamber, disgust on their faces.

"Gideon?"Joaquin asked, frowning.

Cassius, Luca, Ash, Eli, Pierre, Oz, Oracio, and Nix entered on their heels, and their eyes widened seeing him in Lucifer's lap.

Lucifer leapt to his feet, shoving Gideon to the floor. He snapped his fingers, and his mates and coven family froze in place. He spun to face Gideon, irate. "This was simply a distraction! You were giving them more time to rescue you."

Gideon shook his head. "No! I had no idea they were coming, nor did I want them to. I'm not worth them dying for."

Lucifer chuckled, lifting a hand. "One snap of my fingers and they all die. Everyone you love, in one fell swoop."

"No!I swear to you. I had no idea they'd come!"

Gideon's head turned to see Cassius forcing his way out of Lucifer's freeze. The demon stalked down the wide, blood red stairs of the dais and yanked Cassius by the throat, lifting the man by it as his black wings spread wide.

"No!"Gideon screamed.

Lucifer looked over his shoulder and grinned, malice in the expression. "You dare do this? I wanted to give you everything!"

The throne room trembled with his last statement.

"I'll accept," Gideon spat, rushing down the stairs to face Lucifer. "I will accept… if you let them all go… without repercussion and without harm."

Lucifer eyed him.

"No," Cassius croaked, his throat crushed by Lucifer.

"Please,"Gideon said. "I will give you all you want…" He eyed Joaquin and Esau and saw them frowning. They weren't frozen in time, only immobilized. They could hear his every word. "I'll give in to you, if you allow those I love to be free and safe from your wrath. I did not know they were coming."

Lucifer eyed him closely, appearing to weigh Gideon's words. "You will stay here, at my side, in my bed, and live at my whim?"

Gideon screwed his eyes tight, hating that Esau and Joaquin heard that. Tears filled his eyes. "Y?—"

"No," Joaquin said, clawing his way out of the stasis, too. "Don't… Gideon."

"I love you all too much to see you harmed. You never should've come here for me," Gideon murmured. "Take care of one another." He turned to Lucifer, ready to say yes, when another thought hit. "Although, I did ask for that kiss first. May I have that before I agree?"

Lucifer frowned, but then smiled. "Take it. It's yours."

Gideon shuffled closer, peeking at Cassius from the corner of his eye.

"No,"Cassius croaked again, pulling at Lucifer's hand.

Gideon ignored Cassius' plea. He sidled up to Lucifer and leaned against the demon's side. Lucifer lowered his head, offering his lips to Gideon. After one last glance to Joaquin and Esau, he rose on his toes and pressed his lips to Lucifer's.

He lovingly collected Lucifer's head in both hands, kissing boldly and swirling his tongue over the demon's lower lip. When Lucifer yielded, opening his mouth, Gideon smiled. Lucifer moaned against his lips, deepening the kiss and leaning into it more.

And that's when Gideon found the crack.

Tightening his grip, he forced his way into the beast's memories, breaking the fissure wide enough to enter. After a flash of pain, he was no longer in the throne room, but a black one with smooth walls. The ceiling and floor, all black, as well. The others were gone. Only he and Lucifer remained.

Lucifer sat on his skull and bones throne in the center of the room, one leg casually tossed over the arm. "Really? Do you think you'll be able to get past my defenses?"

"I got past the first line, didn't I?" Gideon murmured, smiling.

Lucifer chuckled. "A momentary lapse brought about by the sweetest kiss I've ever had the pleasure to receive. You've played that card already, and there are no others to play. I know what you're up to. This is as far as you get." He glanced around. "A dark room filled with nothing."

Gideon strolled forward and realized he was no longer in the blood-red gown, but his own funky clothing. A cut-off pink tee, a black leather miniskirt, thigh-high fishnets, and his four-inch leather shitkickers. "This is more like it."

He closed the gap between them and stood inches from Lucifer. He tested the edges of Lucifer's defenses, just as he had the demigoddess at the Celestial Council. It couldn't be much harder to go inside and steal into Lucifer's mind, could it?

Of course it fucking will be, but I have no other choice.