Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 80563 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80563 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
“How do you talk to him?” Naomi asks.
“Kinda like a astral projection thing,” I tell her. “I hold the scarab and, uh, I’m like there. Everything feels real, unlike projecting. It’s weird.”
“Maybe you should pay him a visit,” she suggests.
“Yeah,” I say, hesitating a bit. This is all overwhelming and the prickle that goes down my spine starts to itch, making it feel like my wings are going to pop out at any moment.
“In the morning,” Lucas says, hand landing on my thigh. He has Juliet cradled against his chest with one arm and he looks so fucking hot right now holding our baby. Add in the fact that he’s pissed as fuck at me and still being protective over me is such a turn on. “It’s been a long few days.”
“What can we do to help, sister?” Evander asks.
“Research only. If Drea was right about Paimon being more powerful in Hell, then an ambush to get him out might be the power move we need. But you guys aren’t getting involved in that.”
Evander goes to argue but Ruby gasps and leans closer to the book.
“I think she’s right. Look.” She drags her finger under a line of handwritten text in the book. “Paimon has legions of lesser powered demons under him. All they’re all bound in Hell.”
Chapter
Twenty-One
“That’s part of the reason he’s been projecting here.” My vision glazes over as I think about it. Paimon’s projection was strong—way too strong. “Drea said something about using the other demons to open the rift.” My eyes fall shut as I think about. “Lucifer gained power from human souls, but they’re kept in a, uh, wing on Hell that only archangels could access. Julian couldn’t even get to them. Demons have a soul in a sense. It’s what burns when you do an exorcism. If that’s basically his one-up mushroom and we take it away…”
“It won’t be easy,” Kristy says, shaking her head. “I just…I just find it really hard to think that his astral projection is stronger than he actually is.”
“I do too,” I tell her. “I have to hit him with all I’ve got.”
“What about you dad?” Nicole asks. “Can’t he help?”
“Not anytime soon. Lucifer told me the other angels are growing more and more suspicious and if they dig into things, they’ll realize two angels disappeared from this exact spot. As scary as Paimon is, having an army of archangels come after me isn’t something I could survive.”
“The demon knows how to do the spell to repel angels,” Lucas reminds me. “How do you know she won’t lead you into Hell, preform the spell, and then try to possess you?”
“I…I don’t.” My throat starts to feel tight and it takes everything not to grab Evander’s glass of wine and take a big drink. The more I think about trusting Drea, the worse it sounds. But I need her to get into Hell undetected. “I could bind her powers once the portal is unlocked.” I shrug and nobody tells me that’s a fool-proof plan.
“Or,” Evander says. “I could give you the amulet I’ve been working on.” He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a necklace. A tear dropped shaped piece of tiger’s eye hangs from it, surrounded by several metal beads. “It’s robust at best, but it should at least buy you a little time. I don’t know the incarnation or whatever is used to activate the spell, but it’s a simple banishing charm at the heart.”
“You are a freaking genius!” I tell him. “Thank you!” I put the amulet on right away, not waiting to waste any time. I fill my friends on the rest of the details from everything that’s happened the last few days while we finish eating.
“Here she is,” Ruby says as we start cleaning up. “Drea. There’s not much about her, really. She serves under Asmodeus.” She makes a face. “He’s kind of a big deal, like Paimon and Bael.”
I’ve been so preoccupied with Paimon, I haven’t thought about Bael in a while. He was just as powerful as Paimon, yet he attacked from afar too. And when push came to shove, I tapped into my powers, claimed the throne, only to give it up later, but it was enough. I opened the earth and sent him straight to Hell, burning away to nothing before he even got there. I’ve been resisting and holding back.
Lucifer told me I was, and I can feel it. I’ve been so terrified of what would happen if I gave into that power I’ve held back. But now…now I’m even more terrified of what would happen if I didn’t.
“Hello, Callie.”
Inhaling deep, I sit up. But I’m no longer in my bed next to Lucas. I don’t hear the gentle whirl of the motor from Juliet’s swing going back and forth, keeping her asleep. My familiars aren’t in bed with me and Scarlet isn’t snoring on the floor.