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SUPERMASSIVE BLACK HOLE
Hell is a barren wasteland.
Jagged rock structures stretch from the ground toward the obsidian sky, looming down on us like giants ready to attack. A streak of lightning zigs and zags across the sky, illuminating statues that line the path ahead.
Except they aren’t statues. My feet are moving before I have the sense to stop myself. Curiosity gets the better of me, as always.
I’m standing directly in front of the first, and that’s when I realize these are tombs. A woman with flowing red hair is petrified in ice. Her face is frozen in terror, mouth open in midscream.
I move down the line to the next and find another woman who resembles the first.
“Who are these women?”
“Witches,” River says. “Those that aided Heaven in the wars. If they were captured, they were mummified.”
I blow out a breath. “Better than torture,” I muse.
“No. It’s far worse,” Lawrence says, sliding up next to me. “They’re aware of everything that’s happening, but they’re cursed to simply watch in a state of stasis. For a witch, that’s their form of Hell.”
“True. I can feel her wrath,” River offers. “She’ll be there until Hell needs her to do their bidding. Then, she’ll be returned to that tomb once more.”
“Sick,” I say, shaking my head.
That’s a gross understatement of what this place is, but I’m at a loss for words.
I spin in a circle, taking in the landscape—or lack thereof. Lights line the walkway, but other than that, we’re shrouded in absolute darkness.
“This is... not what I expected,” I mutter mostly to myself. River’s raised brow has me explaining. “I mean, I did expect this,” I say, motioning to the morbid tombs. “But where’s the hellfire? Why aren’t there demons lurking about patrolling the area?”
It’s a dark land illuminated only by the pathway and lightning overhead. No fire. No moon. Nothing but miles and miles of rocky terrain, void of any color.
“It’s only a small part of Hell. The worst, in my opinion,” River says, garnering a snort from Law.
“I’ve heard there are beautiful lands here in Hell, but it’s all a trick. Once you succumb to the allure, the veil lifts and true Hell awaits.”
I wonder how Law knows so much about Hell when I don’t. Being an angel, you’d think I’d know more about this place, but I wasn’t privy to much past Earth. If anything, as a virtue angel, I should know far more.
Leeanna always said they sheltered me, and I never understood what she meant. Now, I do, and I resent it.
“What kinds of allure?” I ask, hating to admit to these two how little I know.
“It depends on your vice,” Law says, waggling his eyebrows.
I frown up at him and motion for him to continue.
“Beautiful women offering to keep you company, only to capture and torture you. A river of whiskey to drown in. Essentially, the seven sins acted out.”
My nose scrunches in distaste. I’ve had enough of the seven sins to last me a lifetime.
Luke warned you that you’d never be happy here.
“You asked,” Law chuckles.
“All that is true,” River cuts in. “But as long as you know that about this place, you’re safe. You simply don’t give into the charm. Keep your eyes trained forward and keep going. Only the weak perish.”
“Why would Luke choose this awful place to live in, if there’s more out there?
“It’s the perfect place for security purposes. There’s really nowhere to hide in the Barrens, Victoria. There isn’t a need for a patrol here. They can see their enemies coming easily.”
