Dark Souls Academy: The Sacrifice (Hell Dimension #4)

Chapter 31

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

S mokey turned into his puppy form in front of Marnie when we arrived back at my place, but when she moved to touch him, he disappeared into the shadow under the couch. That made the fear most people had of monsters under the bed even more terrifying. It wasn’t a bed, but when the red eyes shined in the shadows, Marnie stepped away.

“Creepy,” she whispered.

“I can’t believe you’re here, right now!” I practically squeaked out. My childhood best friend stood here in Hell with me. She was a Light Soul—supernatural with no demon blood—and a damn Pixie. Those two things meant she was a huge target.

“I can’t stay long, but I’m your messenger from Piper and Anton,” Marnie whispered. I nodded that I understood, but it took me a few seconds to actually remember who the guy was by name.

Piper was the woman I gave my leather uniform to before I left the Demon Trials because her clothes were destroyed. I vaguely remembered her calling the Hellhound council member Anton, but I didn’t register the weight of her actions until now.

It was ballsy to give demons a name, even a made up one. It only took the right amount of people to identify him as Anton for the name to have power. I didn’t think I’d ever understand name magic, but someone of his status had plenty of enemies.

I had so many questions, but there wasn’t time, so I focused on what she needed to tell me instead. “Okay, shoot,” I said.

I sat down and ignored Trigger’s grumbling about he’d rather stab her. He was a jealous fuck. It was like needles through the bond. I kept sending him waves of love and reassurance, but it wasn’t helping much.

“It’s a lot too unfold.” She took a huge gulp of air before continuing. “So, they originally sent their small, flying Pixy friend, but she almost got eaten.”

I cut her off before she could continue. “And you decided to take your chance anyway? And why didn’t you use your magic on them?”

The eye roll she gave me took over her whole face. Those were usually directed at her mother. “Ugh, I found out when I got here that my magic doesn’t work in Hell. They came out of nowhere, startled me, and my magic decided to take a shit on my face instead of helping. Why has no one ever mentioned that only demons have powers here? Rude! Regardless, though, I had to come. You needed me.”

She playfully squeezed my cheek, making Trigger growl. He sat in the corner with his arms crossed. His menacing stare didn’t bother Marnie, though.

She turned to my broody mate and winked at him. I could tell there was no real interest in the gesture, just a tease. Did she hit her head? The darkness that seemed to cloak around him in his jealous rage even unsettled me.

“Anyway, they found me by using a book a seer was writing about your life. How the fuck is that even possible? It isn’t finished, obviously. Apparently, it’s like a series? I have no idea. Each book is a big moment of people’s lives. I’m so glad I’m not a seer because she was a mess.”

I gripped her knee. “Your rambling is cute, and I’m fascinated by the books because one of my mates has access to them, but can we get to the point? Lilah is going to be here soon, and we won’t have enough time.”

She nodded quickly. Her pulse jumped as she glanced at her watch. Her elevated anxiety rolling off her made the room smell like lemons because of her citrus scent. I loved seeing her, but this better not hurt her in the long run.

She pushed her curls out of her flushed face. “I’m just going to spill it all out, so I don’t forget. Anton and Piper killed a Sin. The seer got that info out of your book. Anton has the seer and book locked away, so no one else can see it, don’t worry. I’m pretty sure it was Gluttony. Anton said he’ll work with Lust and get the other two. He has more freedom and he agrees, it’ll help weaken Lucifer.”

My eyes widened and eagerness rose in me, that would solve a huge fucking problem. It also meant killing Lucifer would be a little easier. Whoever this seer was, I needed to thank her. In spite of how unnerving it was to have my life written down for anyone to read, it was well worth the creepiness.

However, I didn’t show any emotions, so we could stay focused, or we’d drift off into another discussion. Marnie had that effect. She sighed and touched my knee like she used to when she needed to settle her nerves. My heart swelled.

Did she need a hug? Because I did, but old Ivy would never initiate a hug. I didn’t want to scare her.

“Anton heard Lucifer might order him back to Hell any day, but he didn’t know why. The actual Sacrifice usually is voluntary for the counsel. Lucifer likes to play with them before the others, so they don’t all go. Whatever it is, it’s not good, girl.” She tapped her chin. “Let’s see…what else? Not sure if you need to know this, but Piper has a connection with the slaves, and they’re great at getting information. They’re in hiding.”

“Did you know, she taught them to work together and become some kind of messed up family. Slaves that are born in Hell aren’t allowed to be educated? How fucked up. They didn’t even know what the word family was before she explained it.” Her arms moved around as she spoke.

I gently pinched her shoulder to get her back on track. She was still just as chatty and all over the place as ever. If I could, I’d hug her and never let her go, but that would be like me living in a wolf’s den and asking a chicken to come over for dinner. Pixies were on the menu for many demons.

“Right.” She hummed and bounced slightly. The energy of the situation got the best of her. “I think that’s all. No, wait!” She shouted, making me jump.

“I have more good news. The Dark Council dude with the yellow skin and an upside-down face.” She shuddered before continuing. “They killed him too. He was into some bad shit. But he said Lucifer will use a body double to make sure he doesn’t look weak. He said not to be worried because they won’t be strong, probably just a disguised Nati Demon.”

Well, shit. That was great news. I did a silent clap with a wiggle to release some of my exhilaration. It gave me a genuine sense of hope. Now, the take over of Hell didn’t seem so impossible. Thank the Gods, I helped Piper at the Demon Trials, they were doing half the work for us.

My mates were excited through the bond, but everyone stayed quiet just in case there was more.

“Anything else?” I asked.

“Now, that really is it.” Her smile was filled with pride. Everyone’s excitement bounced around inside of me. Things were finally looking up for us. It didn’t feel like we were fighting against the damn ocean with just a paddle anymore.

Before we could say anything else, the door swung open. “I heard a tasty morsel broke into Hell!”

Marnie snorted. “Damn right.”

She got up to hug her cousin. They didn’t look related. Other than their petite forms, they were opposites. Lilah had ivory skin with pink hair that used to be blonde. She was quiet with a hidden beauty. Marnie was loud and her beauty smacked you in the face. Her warm-toned skin and dark locks were almost shimmery and done to perfection. She was the kind of girl to wear the latest fashion if she could afford it.

Marnie gripped her face, gazing into her eyes. We all knew why. She was making sure Lilah was okay. She could never hide anything in those brown eyes. The lines around them were like a book.

“You look good girl. Is that muscle I’m feeling and a glow about you?” Marnie asked and kissed her cheek, hugging her again.

I couldn’t stop my snort. Lilah glared at me, but it didn’t stop me. “It’s probably the tongue lashing one of her boos gave?—”

She ran over and slammed herself into me, putting her small hand over my mouth. I licked it, making her squeal. She smacked my shoulder.

“No way! Little Miss, I’m never going to have sex. Good for you. Was it ammmazing?” She wiggled her perfectly plucked dark eyebrows. When Lilah only turned beet red and didn’t answer, Marnie continued. “Because I’ve had a crappy pussy eater before and?—”

Lilah tackled her target to put her hand over Marnie’s mouth. Marnie’s wide surprised eyes made me laugh harder. Lilah just bounced around because Marnie didn’t stop laughing either. She used to give her cousin so much shit for sleeping around. This was probably pay back.

“Okay, stop teasing, Marnie. Said licker is standing by the door and Lilah might die of a heart attack if we continue. She’s not breathing at the moment.”

Thankfully, both girls settled down. Or I thought. Lilah shrieked when Marnie wiggled her eyebrows at Demarcus after she stood. He winked at her playfully.

Lilah pointed at him. “Don’t you start too.” She turned to Marnie, flinging her pink hair out of her eyes. “So, when are you leaving, again?” Lilah teased but the reminder sobered Marnie’s playful mood. “Hey, I didn’t mean it.”

Marnie gave Lilah another hug that screamed she didn’t want to let go. I wished Marnie didn’t have to. At least not right away. She would have loved to watch a scary movie in Hell, so she could brag about it later.

Marnie wiped her pointer fingers under her eyes to clean her fallen tears. When she glanced down at her watch, she gasped. “Immediately. The seer said I had forty-five minutes at most before all the academy demons would know a Pixy roamed the halls, and a professor would be the one to capture me.”

I got up and gave her a bone crushing hug. Now, it was me who didn’t want to let go. “Are you doing, okay? I heard you were being bullied,” I whispered in her ear. I never told Lilah because I didn’t want her to worry.

She pulled back. “How?”

I licked my lips and gave her a sheepish expression. “I wanted to contact you, but the Headmaster said it would make the bullying worse, so I never did.”

She slapped my arm. “Ow.” Her hand didn’t really hurt me, but the slap did get me by surprise.

“Are you shitting me?” Her glare was a slap in itself. “I could have really used your voice, you bitch.”

The guilt slicing at my gut made me wince. Damn, I fucked up. Headmaster would get an ear full the next time I saw him.

My hand went to hers when they shook. I really did mess up. “I’m sorry. I thought it was the right thing. You’re a Light Soul, Marnie. You could have the perfect job, mate, and life if you weren’t connected to a demon.”

Her tiny fingers left my hand and smacked me even harder on the other arm. More growls sounded, but Marnie just rolled her eyes. Bravery or stupidity, I had no idea?

“I don’t want any of that shit without my family. Besides, I found three mates already, and they know all about you.” Her small feet bounced around excitedly as she spoke.

It took me a second to process her words. My no commitment having rule friend found three men to get her into a relationship. Did pigs fly on Earth now?

“You did? Oh Mar, I’m so happy for you! Are they good to you?” I asked. I was eager to know, but I knew she needed to leave.

She snorted. “They were my bullies.”

My body went rigid. “What now?”

She took a step back at the partial shift into my Fae side. Parts of me darkened as if in shadow. I controlled myself, though. Honestly, I wasn’t much better. The brothers had started out bullying me for Tila, but I still didn’t like to hear it.

“Chill your roll, demon. It’s all good now. We had some great hate fucking.” She paused and glanced me over again. “By the way, the new look is fitting. The horns, and this model-esque body you have going on is giving. I love it. Don’t even get me started on the leather. You’re a beautiful demon, babe. I think I’m going to dye my hair pink too.”

Trigger stepped over. The rest of my mates had slipped in some time while we spoke, and they reached for him, but he dodged them.

“It’s time for you to go. It’s been forty minutes since we rescued you, so it’s cutting it close. Wouldn’t want you to be killed.” The way he said his last sentence said he did, in fact, want that.

“Chill, moody. I’m strictly dickly. But I do have to go.” She grabbed my hand and Lilah’s as she came up to her side. “Watch this, bitches.” Her scrunched up constipated face made me want to laugh, but before I did, a rip opened in the air. The light coming from it made me shield my eyes.

“I don’t know how to take people through it yet, or I’d break you out of here. I’m not sure I can come back, but definitely call me.” I didn’t have the heart to tell her that I could only call if she was at the Light Souls Academy. Or I’d just call Anton and make a plan directly.

A crash outside the apartment made my heart skip a beat. It was down the hall, but the demon roar felt closer. I shoved her toward her magic.

Marnie let out a little squeak and turned back to me. “Wait, I wanted to see Zar?"

I nodded quickly, pushing her again. “No time. I’ll get him to call you to if you leave."

She sighed.

“Bye. Love you ladies.” Her small body dove into the glowing slit as if water waited for her on the other side.

In a flash, she was gone. My stomach twisted into knots. Was that the last time I saw Marnie? This battle coming wasn’t going to be easy. Who knew if I’d make it?

Kain moved closer to the door. His shadows backed him up. “Fill the room with your sex magic, Poison. Professor Flesh is rampaging outside. My shadows are holding him off, but I’m not supposed to do that,” he commanded.

I took a deep breath and let my energy fill the room. My demon took control and twirled the energy just right, like a beautiful ribbon. Deep inside I knew the magic was serving to calm and slightly confuse someone. The professors were all Potens Demons, so his magic level would boost his immunity to me. I really didn’t let her out to play enough. Once a few people mysteriously got an amulet that deflected my magic, like Nar, my demon magic wasn’t my go-to anymore. Besides, when you went through your whole life holding that part back and literally thinking Succubus was a bad word, it was hard to flip the switch.

“Here are transportation potions. You two should get out of here just in case he zeroes in on the smell,” Dex said and gave Lilah and Demarcus vials filled with green liquid.

I walked over to them, hugged my friend, and kissed Dex’s shoulder to let him know how much I appreciated him looking out for her.

As they disappeared, Trigger crossed his arms in front of me. “Hey, I helped your other little friend, where’s my affection.”

I rolled my eyes. “You did that out of jealousy, but you’re right.” I went on my toes to kiss his cheek. “Thank you.”

This had been one heck of a night, but a good one too. A smile stretched across my face. When this was all over, and I hopefully won my freedom, a girls’ night was in order.

My men held their breath as they waited for the, all clear from Kain. I wasn’t too worried since neither of my girls were there still. He could bitch and moan as much as he wanted, but he couldn’t do anything.

A few minutes passed before Kain said the professor was gone. Good. The exhaustion of the night creeped up on me. The bed was calling my name.

Alaric yawned. “Why don’t we go to bed before something else happens. I’m exhausted. The moon drained me.”

We didn’t make it two steps toward the bedroom before all our communicators vibrated at once.

“Shit. You jinxed us.” Bones groaned.

For a split second I considered just going to bed without checking, but if we all had one, it was an Academy message. I lifted my arm, and the hologram message appeared in the air. The magic would hide it from any nosy people if we were out, so I didn’t hesitate to open it. I knew if it wasn’t an Academy message, I could read it first before my mates did.

Attention little demons,

I have chosen the sacrifices this year. All ten are to report to the designated spot. The back of the academy will be transformed into the end of year celebration. All Master students must attend and dress to impress.

Until then,

Your King

I groaned. The list wasn’t bad for me, thankfully. No one from my faction got picked. Maybe I wouldn’t have to stress out about this event for once. Every school function, I’ve had too so far.

“This is it. I think we should strike at the party. He’ll be happy with having so many victims at his disposal, he might let his guard down.” Kain’s enthusiasm didn’t wake me. My adrenaline high night was over. I couldn’t handle any more. I groaned internally. Another high-stake event here we come.

“All we need to do is kill a couple of the seven Sins. Easy.” My mind didn’t register who sarcastically responded, but I didn’t care.

I moved like a zombie to the bedroom and fell face first onto the bed. My eyes shut, and I was out. Tomorrow, I’d sleep in. If we were going to have more days like this, I’d need the extra rest.