AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I don’t know whether it’s a good thing or not that He’s starting to take my comfort into consideration, despite His insistence that I be clothed in filthy rags. That could mean He’s growing something resembling empathy or a conscience, or it could just mean He’s buttering me up for the day He steals my baby and starts trying to seduce me in earnest.
What’s keeping Az? By now, I’m fairly certain that less real-life time has passed than my belly would indicate, but still … Where is He?
I had all but lost hope until a few sleeps ago. Then, one night, I awoke with a surge of hope flooding my every cell, every atom. It’s like someone turned on the Hope Faucet and let ‘er rip.
Along with that flood of hope came a radiant burst of love and devotion. Az. It has to be Az. My Prince is still coming for me, of that I have no doubt. My only real concern is the when of it. He may not know it, but He’s got a very limited window of time to rescue me before this baby gets here.
While I contemplate my eventual liberation from this particular corner of Hell, a new hole opens in the coral floor, and a demonic hand reaches through and deposits a takeout bag and a large cup of OJ. Like, one of those gas station Bladder Busters filled with orange juice. If anything, I’m not lacking in vitamin C while I’m here.
I’m not lacking in any vitamins, actually. Leviathan’s research appears to have been fairly thorough, as the day I woke up after He revealed His awareness of the baby a large bottle of prenatal vitamins appeared next to my stolen breakfast. Somewhere on Earth, there’s a Denny’s employee that’s befuddled by the number of bags and plates that are going missing. I hope whoever it is doesn’t get fired for this.
It’s odd that Leviathan’s allowing me to carry this baby to term. Perhaps He’s just using this pregnancy as a test run for the little gremlins He wants me to carry? That’s the only theory I have, anyway. Not that it’s something I want to be true, but I guess for now anything that lets me have this baby is a good thing. Anything to keep it safe, even if it means eventual slavery and breeding after it’s born.
This stupid collar He’s got me in, which is less and less comfortable with each passing minute, royally fucks up my chances at rescue or escape. If I could just access my carnal magic, I could get a message to Az or even Lena. Let them know where I am, what the situation is, what the time constraints are. Let them know I love and miss them.
Then, a miracle happens: I get an incoming message—from Lena.
Thank the Gods! I thought we’d never get close enough for me to get through.
I try to focus my thoughts into a response, but the collar prevents it. I don’t know if Lena can “hear” me or not.
Something’s blocking you, Cal; I can sense it. Don’t strain yourself trying to answer. Just listen, so I can catch you up to speed.
With that, she launches into the tale of how Az told her I was captured, how she rallied our friends in Nowhere, how they’ve been marching towards the Realm of Envy for what feels like forever but has really only been a few days. She tells me how they stopped in Satan’s old stomping grounds to pick up an extra army, how my Az is now the Prince of both LustandWrath, how Az is so furious with Leviathan that the wrath demons have taken His leadership in stride, happy to have their favorite Sin to feed on again.
She tells me that Molli let her and Az know about the baby. She tells me I’m having a girl.
I listen to the telepathic monologue with rising hope. Az and His Armies are almost to Leviathan’s Sea. Almost here.
Hold on just a little bit longer, sweet girl, I think to the baby swimming inside me.Your Daddy is coming for us, and He’s bringing two armies to fight Leviathan. To rescue us.
The baby, of course, can’t answer, but she gives me a soft kick in the intestine right at that moment, like a crude acknowledgment.
Looking back out the windows, I suddenly realize that there have been more wrath demons flying around than usual. Reconnaissance, perhaps? It makes sense, especially if Leviathan doesn’t know yet that Az has claimed Satan’s Army. That way, the wrath demons can come and go as they please without Leviathan being suspicious of their presence.
I feel a bit guilty at the number of wrath demons I’ve dined on since I was captured. I didn’t know they were, in a way, family. Oops.
A flash of brilliance hits me, and I rush to rip a piece of fabric off my already-tattered sheet-toga. With no writing implements around, I slice a fingertip open on a jagged piece of coral and start writing.
Az. Lena. Baby’s close. Levi’s gonna steal her. Hurry.
I look at my scribbled note and decide there’s enough room for another quick line or two.
I love you all. Be safe out there.
I hold my hand out the open window, think angry thoughts, and wait.
Chapter 24
Asmodeus
When one of Satan’s wrath demons comes flying out of Leviathan’s Domain screeching “Father! Father!” I immediately think the worst.
When he lands at my feet holding a bloody rag, my world upends, dumping my heart into my stomach.
The little sable-skinned demon holds the rag out to me. “Here, Father. Your Bride has a message for You.”
I take the rag with a shaking hand and unfold it, reading the note written in Callie’s blood.
