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MAGGIE'S POV

Johnny spent another day in the hospital before being officially released.

Like we all had assumed, the doctor couldn't understand how his broken body had completely healed itself overnight. Johnny told me how multiple tests were run on him, and that he had to take a shit ton of scans to see if anything would produce any answers. At the end of it all, his doctor nor his parents could come up with an explanation regarding his spontaneous recovery.

They had no choice but to label it a glorious miracle and finally release him.

"Back from another date with Samuel?" Gregg asks in a singsongy tone, teasing me after I step inside the house. I playfully smack him on the back of the head after stopping behind the couch. "Ow! It was just a question. No need to resort to violence as a comeback."

"If you must know, I actually spent the afternoon with Krista and Johnny. Samuel and I didn't end up working out." I frown upon saying his name.

"Sorry, sis. I didn't know..." Gregg replies, giving me a sympathetic look. "Did he break it off or did you? Because if he did it and you want me to kick his ass then just say the word."

I smile, shaking my head. "It was me who ended things. I'm the bad guy."

"Then all jokes aside, if you ever want to talk about it, you know I'm here for you."

"Thanks, Gregg. Love you."

"I love you too, sis."

I head upstairs feeling like complete garbage. Not only am I a trash person for having ghosted Samuel, even though it was for his own protection, but I'm basically a killer... or at least I will be after I contact Laudon to tell him about my new target.

That's what I did today with Johnny and Krista, went out and stalked the poor soul who'll soon take my spot in Hell. His name is James Anderson. He is eighty-two years old, a retired college professor, and a widow. I found out about him while Johnny had still been in the hospital. James suffers from some rare type of cancer, and after his latest stay in the hospital due to a slip and fall at home, his doctor and family came to the difficult decision that it was time he be moved into hospice care.

I can't put into words just how dirty I felt eavesdropping outside his hospital room, or how terrible I felt about invading his privacy by sneaking a peek at his chart to get his address while he'd been using the restroom. I have no clue if this man has any demons in his past or not, figuratively speaking. For all I know, he could've lived life like a saint. My bracelet lit up around him, so I'm guessing the latter is spot on. Either way, we crossed paths, and now I have to get rid of him before his disease does. 

"Laudon, I don't know if you can hear me, but I need to speak with you," I whisper after locking myself in my bedroom. "It's about the ritual. I found someone who—"

Maggie.

"Neira? Is that you?"

Yes. I need to see you right now. Laudon's life depends on it. Can you complete our connection?

"O-Of course! Give me just a second."

I quickly kick off my shoes and jacket before climbing onto the bed and lying down in the center. I close my eyes and will myself to relax. Neira's familiar surroundings eventually melt into view, and this time she materializes directly in front of me. Tears are streaming down her pale face as she reaches through the bars of her cell to grab both my hands, holding them tight.

What's going on Neira? Has something bad happened to Laudon?

Lucifer has returned and Laudon's lifeline seems to be fading. I fear something terrible has happened or will soon happen to him in Hell. Our connection was strong after I made contact with him for the first time, but now it is so weak that I can no longer call for him.

W-What do you need from me? Is there something you think I can do? Whatever it is, I'll do it. Just tell me and I'll try to help him however I can.

I am afraid we may already be too late.

No! You can't think like that.

I am unsure if Lucifer is directly involved or not, but once he discovers that Laudon's angelic power has returned to him... his hand will be forced.

I don't understand what that means...

Laudon will never revert back to hiding that part of himself because it is the only thing that ties him and I together, the only thing that allows me to speak with him. However, Lucifer will not stand for this. It goes against the rules of his kingdom—no angels permitted—he will either force Laudon to submit to his request, or he will kill him. I do not foresee imprisonment being an option.

How positive are you about this, Neira? Will Lucifer really do that to his only son?

I know Lucifer loves Laudon, but I also know that he loves Hell even more. If forced to pick between the two, he will choose Hell.

Neira...

When I told him that I was pregnant, he was overjoyed, but he was also very concerned for my wellbeing. Raising a halfling doubled the risk of us getting caught and killed. Lucifer, more than once, wanted me to abort Laudon. He thought it would be the safest choice for me, for our relationship, but each time I refused. And now here we all are.

Oh, Neira. I'm so sorry...

The past is the past. It is Laudon's future that I am now worried about.

The few times that I've been to Hell is when Laudon had taken me. I don't know how to get there on my own.

I know the way. Do you trust me?

Yes.

And I trust you.

Neira's eyes begin to glow yellow as an uncomfortable heat builds at our conjoined hands. The back of my head starts to tingle as an even brighter yellow light encases us both. I can't open my mouth to ask what it is that she's doing to me, or with me, because I'm numb from head to toe. I can't feel anything but the heat expanding between us, can't see anything but yellow.

The moment could've lasted for minutes or hours, I couldn't really tell. But by the end of it, I'm breathless and shaking, my vision still a bit blurry. Neira is passed out on the floor of the cell, still as a statue. It doesn't look like she's breathing. Before I can reach out to check, I blink awake.

"I heard you whisper that woman's name. How long have you been able to speak to her?"

Zul grabs me by the ankles and yanks me down hard until my ass is at the foot of the bed. I try to scramble backward to get away from him but find that I'm much too weak to put up a proper fight. My head is swimming and the room spins as he grabs me by the arm, forcing me to stand.

"You appear to be much weaker than what you normally are. Did something interesting happen between you and his mother? Tell me everything."

"Fuck you." I spit in his face and then he throws me down hard on the ground. "Where is Laudon?"

"Worry not, little one. He is still alive for now." Zul calmly wipes my saliva away, and it's then when I notice that he's dressed in full battle gear. "If you wish to see him one last time, you will come with me without putting up a fight."

"W-What do you mean by one last time? What the fuck have you done to him?!"

Zul smirks. "In the beginning, I wanted you out of the picture. You were such a distraction to him. His duties as Prince have been lacking ever since you became a part of his life. But I have done quite a bit of reflecting, and I realize you two actually deserve each other... and it is I who deserves to be crowned the new King of Hell."

"How do you think you're going to accomplish that? You aren't strong enough to kill Laudon and you sure as shit aren't powerful enough to kill Lucifer."

"Getting rid of Laudon will be as easy as me slitting your throat with my fingernail," Zul answers, his face expressionless. "As for Lucifer, however, he will undoubtedly be more of a challenge, but I have grand plans for him as well. It may take me years to successfully get rid of him, but I have nothing but time and patience. For now, I am taking you to Hell so that you may finish playing out your role."

"And exactly what is that?"

"Have you not been listening? You are Laudon's distraction. We are set to battle for the throne shortly, a challenge that I put forth, and all I have to do to win is dangle you around nearby and he will be unable to keep his eyes off you. I will cut him down before he is able to raise his sword at me."

"There's no way that Lucifer would stand by and allow for such a thing to happen."

"I have no doubt that he will, little one. Forfeiting a fight, as the Prince of Hell, will tarnish both his and Lucifer's reputation and image. Laudon has no choice but to fight me, and after I cut him down, I will take over his position. And when the time comes, I will cut Lucifer down so that he can join his useless son in The Void. I will become the rightful King and Hell will be ruled under my order, as it should have been from the beginning."

I stare at Zul in utter shock and dismay, wondering if Neira had unintentionally included him in one of her many warnings regarding Laudon.

Before discovering his soulmate's curse, Neira told me that Laudon was running out of time. She told me he would die if I wasn't by his side to help him. I wonder if that moment has finally come to fruition. Could that moment truly be happening right now? 

"And I assume after you knock off all your friends, you'll come back here to finish me off?" I ask Zul, trying to buy myself some time. I still don't know what it is that Neira did to me, but I'm having trouble summoning my powers. "What about the ritual? What about my deal?"

"You are still obligated to uphold your end of that bargain, and only then will I kill you." Zul walks over to crouch beside me, one of his large hands reaching out to grab hold of my throat. "Though I may end up keeping you around for myself. You see, I can smell a change happening within you, little one. This connection that you have with Laudon is tainting your soul. You cannot remain pure when your partner is of demonic origin." His lips then curl into a smile that makes my skin crawl. "I have never laid with a human before, so perhaps I shall keep you around as my concubine? Even better, a pretty trophy to remind me of the victory that I made happen for myself today. What do you think of that?"

I struggle against him as he tightens his grip around my throat.

"My apologies." Zul laughs, releasing me. "You were saying?"

"Take me to Hell. I want to see Laudon."

Zul stands and holds a hand out for me. I reluctantly take it. "Let us be on our way."

. . .