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LAUDON'S POV

Laudon keeps Maggie close as he leads her through the dark halls of Hell.

A simple snap of the fingers would have easily transported them to their destination, but with Laudon wanting to savor every second that he can have with Maggie, he chose to take the longer path to his father's office. She clings to him as they travel in silence, neither commenting on the menacing screams and maniacal laughter that bounces off the walls around them.

Laudon used to be proud to call Hell his home. Not anymore. Not after he awakened to the cold hard truth that the only somebody in Hell that he could trust wholeheartedly was himself.

"We're almost there," Laudon speaks softly. He grips Maggie's hand a little tighter after she gasps from the sound of chains rattling in the nearby distance. "I promise nothing will harm you while I'm around."

"I believe you," Maggie whispers, and a smile creeps onto Laudon's face at that. "When are you going to tell me where we're going, and why you need my help?"

"There's a lot that my father kept from me growing up," Laudon replies. "To get the answers that I'm after, I'll need to break into his office."

"Holy shit. I can't believe I'm being recruited to help break into Satan's office." Maggie shakes her head in disbelief. Laudon only laughs. "Why me, though? Because if it's my powers that you're after, then you already know how they come and go. I'm not sure how much help I can be, and I'd hate for all this to be nothing but a waste of your time."

"My time is never wasted when you're involved." Laudon flashes Maggie a look that makes her pretty brown eyes sparkle. "Truth is, I'm not as strong as I thought I was. I figured if you and I attempted to combine our powers, considering how you're basically one of a kind at whatever it is you are, then together we could take down the barrier surrounding my father's office. Sounds easy enough, right?"

"Far from it, actually." Maggie lifts her free hand and summons her powers at will, a faint blue light encases her small hand. "This is all I'm able to do."

Laudon makes no attempt to hide the look of shock on his face. "You've been practicing?"

"Kind of," Maggie answers. She lowers her hand and the blue light disappears. "I'll tell you more about it later, but long story short, I'm changing and so are my powers. Not too long ago, I accidentally cut myself while making dinner. Within minutes, my wound healed on its own. Crazy, isn't it?"

"I'd use the word 'fascinating' instead," Laudon remarks. "This is good news for me, at least. If you are getting stronger, then we'll have no problem getting into my father's office."

Maggie rolls her eyes. "If it's 'good news' for you, then it's definitely 'oh no what the fuck is happening' news for me. Seems a little unfair, I'd say."

"Try to look on the bright side."

"And exactly what is the bright side in this scenario?"

"I'm not sure yet, but we can also try to find it together if you'd like."

Maggie laughs, and Laudon swears that laugh has become one of his most favorite sounds in the world.

Before he is further distracted by the beautiful woman walking next to him, Laudon and Maggie finally make it to Lucifer's office. The grey barrier deepens in color as Maggie moves in closer to inspect it, a clear sign that she isn't welcomed here.

"Damn. This feels so..." Maggie releases Laudon's hand and places both of hers onto the barrier. Its energy is loud and heavy, almost suffocating. "Evil," Maggie finishes. "Pure evil."

"That sounds about right," Laudon says, giving a dry laugh. "Shall we begin?"

"But I don't..." Maggie keeps her hands pressed against the barrier while turning her head to look at Laudon. "How do we even start? I'm so confused..."

"Just concentrate. Focus hard. Imagine using all of your power to pierce through the barrier, imagine it's dark energy waning..." Laudon moves to stand behind Maggie as she struggles to resummon her blue light. "Do not feel pressured to perform. It'll only cause you to struggle more." Laudon gently places his hands on her shoulders, slowly moves them down her back until he stops just above her tailbone. "You're too tense. Try to relax."

"Hard to do when you're breathing down my neck," Maggie mumbles, ducking her head to hide the blush on her cheeks. "Can you move back a little?"

Laudon chuckles, leaning down to whisper near her ear. "I'm flattered that you find me to be this distracting, Maggie Brumfield."

"Oh, shut up!" Maggie uses her hips and pushes back against Laudon, hoping to move him away from her. Laudon does not budge. He only smiles and leans in closer, his body pressed flush against hers as he places his hands over her hands, both of them touching the barrier. "What are you d..."

"Concentrate, or else I'll have to give you something you won't like as punishment."

"And that is?"

"A kiss." 

Maggie shrieks, and simultaneously, blue light bursts from her hands. It creates a small hole in the center of the barrier. "Oh, shit... I did it. We did it!"

"I was flattered before but now I'm slightly offended. Do you or don't you want to kiss me?" Laudon teases while parting from Maggie. She smiles shyly, not meeting his eyes. "I'll be honest, I didn't think we'd make this much progress so quickly." 

"Neither did I," Zul comments from off to the side, leaning up against the wall. "And so we meet again, little one." Zul smirks at Maggie, his eyes following her as she moves to stand behind Laudon. "Given how close you two have become, I assume she has already told you about what I have done?"

"Close your eyes," Laudon tells Maggie, keeping his heated gaze on Zul. He hates that she has to be around for this, but he will not go easy on Zul. Not this time. "I told you what would happen if you went against my orders," Laudon says to Zul, his black eyes flashing red and fingernails extending. "Why did you go behind my back and disobey me?"

"You told me not to lay a finger on her, and that I did not." Zul stands tall with his chin out and hands clasped behind his back, fully prepared to take whatever punishment Laudon has planned for him.

"I also told you to never speak to her again, and that you did." Laudon snarls while launching himself forward. He places one hand around Zul's throat and uses the other to rip his tongue from his mouth. Blood spews everywhere. "You were right about me being unable to kill you," Laudon speaks, his voice having dropped several octaves lower. "My father would care if you died, and for that reason alone, I will spare your life... only until he returns, so that I may kill you right in front of him. I look forward to seeing what his reaction will be."

Laudon pummels into Zul until the latter is nearly unrecognizable, and even then, Zul never lifts a finger to defend himself. Not quite the fight that Laudon had been looking to have, but nevertheless, he got his frustrations out. He then snaps his fingers and sends Zul to a part of Hell where magic is at its weakest, forcing Zul to suffer and heal slowly while making a difficult escape.

"I am sorry that you had to hear all of that. I can't imagine what you must think of me now..." Laudon tries, but fails, to not sound like what he is—a very angry demon.

He cannot bring himself to turn around and face Maggie. Instead, he frantically wipes his hands onto his pants to get rid of Zul's blood. His heart is pounding and his vision is still clouded with red. His hearing has heightened to the point where he can acutely hear how fast Maggie's heart is beating. A frown settles on his face. Does she detest him now? 

"Maggie, I..."

"Come to me."

At that, Laudon turns around.

"What did you say?"

"Come to me. Let me help you." Maggie's eyes are on his. She had never closed them. She saw everything, and on her face... Laudon finds no judgment. "Please?"

Laudon walks over to her using slow, cautious steps, his hands still trembling. His breath hitches when Maggie wraps her arms around him, hugging him tightly. Her embrace lights a new fire within him, one that doesn't bring forth more rage, only pleasure.

"Maggie..." Laudon places one hand on her hip, the other onto the barrier to help steady himself. His emotions are soaring, blood pumping fast to all sorts of places on his muscular body. "I'm so glad you're here with me."

Laudon dips his head, inhaling Maggie's intoxicating scent. She smells of roses and sunshine and happiness. All good things. With each inhale and exhale, his pulse gradually becomes steady once more. His nails return to their normal state, as does his eye color and voice. When Laudon and Maggie finally separate, they find that the barrier is no more.

"Well, shit." Maggie laughs, looking confused and relieved. "We don't even know what we did to get the barrier to come down! Can we count this as a win?"

"Why not?" Laudon laughs too, then he takes Maggie by the hand before turning the knob to the office door. "Let's do some exploring."

. . .

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