Just Checking Up! Part Thirty-Three: A Council and an Unexpected Meeting!

Silks:

Brushing off my t-shirt, everyone else seemed to be getting ready for the next part of my job. Hunting down the council would never be a small feat, the necessity taking precedence. Yet, part of me didn’t want to come down on Hell so hard. Hating what I had to do next, a low growl rumbled in my throat. Braiding my hair to tame it, something felt off about my day. Call it intuition, every cell of me wanted to go home. Strong arms draped around my shoulders, Rip pecking my cheek.

“Shal tracked down their exact location. Are you ready to go?” He asked calmly, the fear in his eyes betraying his tone. “Are you sure you want to do this?” Spinning around to face him, his lips hovered over mine. Our breaths became one, the sweet escape doing little to ease my fraying nerves. Arching my body towards his, his hand slid down to the small of my back. A throat clearing interrupted our slice of Heaven, Shal approaching us with a tired smile. Seconds from bowing, a smack preceded me catching his forehead. Confusion made him look that much more human, his gentle eyes lingering on mine.

“Not happening, buddy. Former kings don’t bow down to the new queen.” I pointed out honestly, his back straightening up. “Former kings will help me with the council members. Also, you are my father-in-law. Let’s not make it any weirder than this has to be. Open the door, please. Home is calling me and I have no patience.” Whispering the dimension into Rip’s ear, a sterile white marble door appeared in front of us. Squirming out of his embrace, a deep breath brought me enough composure to focus on the task at hand. Kicking the door open, eerie empty halls taunted me. Crossing over the threshold, a clammy sweat drenched my skin. A cry for help stole my attention, Rip and Shal struggling to keep up. Pounding towards the voice, a locked door came into view. Skidding to a rough stop, light poured out from underneath the crack. Hiding in the shadows, a motion of my hand commanded them to do so as well. Cloaked figures traced symbols into a black slab of stone, my sharp eyes tracking every movement. Clanking downstairs, scarlet chains swung back and forth. Slamming shut behind them, I crept up to the pad. Slinking up behind me, our anxiety could swallow a whole damn room. Wanting to ream them out, something told me to hold that shit back. Performing the same symbols, a hiss announced my success. Grinning ear to ear, the sinister vibe wouldn’t win anyone over anytime soon. Smooth silver steel steps brought us back into the tunnel level, curiosity driving me further down the stairs. Pausing just around the corner, horror rounded my eyes. A beat up version of my father paced in a black iron cage, his wild beard looking like a far cry from his picture. Wild waves hung around his gaunt features, his silver eyes darting over to mine. Frowning deeper, no light could be found in that busted expression on his inky lips. Scratching at his beard, black fingernails seemed caked with dried blood. His tattered dress shirt and pants spoke of a rough fight. Flipping through the options of saving him, a quiet hesitation of betrayal had me hiding in the shadows. Summoning my carved wooden pieces, orange flaming swords roared to life. Jumping into the cloaked figures’ view, glowing eyes flitted over to me. Hissing sent chills up my spine, a sick anticipation bubbling away in my gut. A violent bluster knocked off the hood, a carbon copy of his photo nearly broke me, my old man and I exchanged similar pissed off smirks.

“Copies aren’t the original, are they? Boys, feel free to back my ass up!” I shouted briskly, all patience ditching the room. “After this bullshit, a conversation will be had. More like a deal will be struck. Being too careful isn’t a big deal, father?” Laughing sarcastically at the same time, our laugh really was too much alike. Pushing off the ground, a few flips increased the intensity of my flames. Not feeling any side effects, this new level of power granted me the greatest sensation of euphoria. Landing behind three copies, a single slash melted them into a pile of muddy green slime. Fighting the urge to upchuck, Rip tossed another one in my direction. His wind powers had improved, a spin torching the latest victim. One final thorn was running around the space, an invisibility spell not exactly helping the situation. Mouthing the words ash and water, Rip understood. Flashing me his dashing real smile, my heart threatened to beat to life. Hitting him with some kind of sludge, his body appeared over my head. Stabbing the annoyance in the heart, ooze splattered my cheeks. Wiping it off angrily, not one copy remained on this floor. Kicking the one key into my covered hand, an eager Dade met me at the cage.

“Why are there copies of you when you look like hell? What the hell is up with that broken mate bond scent?” I interrogated him fairly, his eyes averting to his filthy feet before moving up to the endless needle marks in his arms. “Did you not want the fucking cult to happen? As a result, Musette cut you out of her life. However she needed your blood to keep up the illusion.” His silence proved to be an answer, an offer of my wrist not disgusting him.

“Bite down and serve me. Drink my blood until we find you a true mate.” I offered sincerely, a bit of light returning to his eyes. “Something told me that you never wanted the shadows. Sirens draw you in and spit you out. Please take some of my blood. Unfortunately that steals your ability to kill me or anyone close to me but I have doubts in that department. Perhaps it is time for me to forgive a bit easier.” Sinking his fangs into my wrist, black flames swirled with orange. A phoenix tattoo seared to life on his palm, our pact sealing his fate. Jamming the key into the lock, a click had it swinging open. Waiting with baited breath for him to attack me, an abrupt embrace stiffened my back.

“Thank god you made it. Your mother imprisoned me the moment I impregnated her.” He sobbed uncontrollably, his cheeks filling out to a healthy weight. “She cut me off that very second. Do you know that raw emotional agony?” Draping my arms around his shoulders, pent up emotions soaked my shirt. Collapsing to my knees with him, family did exist on my side. Cupping my cheeks, the expression in his eyes asked if I was fucking real.

“Forgive me for not being there to raise you.” He apologized in a frenzied manner, his fingers walking down to the necklace. “You’re the queen of Hell. Pride is the only way to describe your ascent.” Inky blood shimmered in the corner of his eyes, his thumb wiping away my own bloody tears. No malice laced his aura, a bit of freedom twinkling in his eyes. Hopping to our bare feet, jet black flames crackled up his arms. Searing off his beard, determination showed in his defiant grin.

“Great, now I have to deal with two of you.” Rip groaned bitterly, his old man bearing the same expression. “Fanfuckingtastic, I look like him now. Try not to die like her all the freaking time. Silks has a talent for that. Welcome to my home as well, Dade. Dade is what you wish to be called, correct?” Shooting him a shaky thumbs up, a long sigh slipped off his tongue.

“Shall we punish the council that works with the cult or are we going to live in the basement for an eternity?” My old man queried sarcastically, a snort marching in front of a tiny chuckle. “Look, they have tortured me for way too long. No amount of pleading should fool you. Make your own council and proceed as you desire. These fucking bastards go with whoever can line their social pockets. Let’s be honest, you don’t have that. Besides that, Musette could sell a used trash bag.” Exhaling to relieve the rising level of frustration, truth laced his words.

“Let me question them and we will see from there.” I spoke calmly, a busted fine bouncing off of his tongue. “That doesn’t mean that I won’t punish them. Killing them isn’t off the table. Keep your dreams alive.” Patting his shoulders, his taller height felt somewhat comforting. Not liking what I was seeing, the door creaked open. Robes shuffled about, a gust of icy wind blew out any source of light. Steel groaned as a circle detached itself from the floor, metal scraping its way into a stupidly ornate circle of gold and bones. Different red eyes bore down on me through yellowed demon skulls, my decision becoming that much easier.

“Thanks for making my job easier.” I taunted them sadistically, orange flames shifting into dual scythes. “Fair question, do you like working with Musette or is that just a hobby for you?” Rip shifted uncomfortably next to his father, my old man attempted to step in front of me. Blocking him with my arm, the exposure of my necklace resulted in a sticky silence. Clammy sweat drenched my skin all over again, the flames begging to dance in an out of control manner.

“Why is that incorrect? We serve her and only her. Demons deserve the Earth. Humans are too bratty for that slice of paradise.” A deep male voice thundered jovially, sick giggles bouncing off the walls. “As for the crown, it belongs to her. Give it up or die!” A fit of wicked laughter erupted from my lips, knowing looks passed between us. Choices had been made, a death sentence coming down upon their dumb asses.

“Cool story. Time for you to die. I condemn thee to death.” I returned stiffly, orange fire lilies blooming along any escape. “No one fucks with my version of Hell.” Leaping from their altars, time slowed down. Rip sank to his knees, a cut providing him the ink he needed. Drawing symbols like a mad man, his father summoned enough fog to create a distraction. Black flames tickled my arm, a small smile haunting my lips. Flamios talked me through a couple of new moves, his stifled energy simmering underneath my exhausted soul. Kicking up a bunch of petals, his black rose petals strengthened mine. Spinning with mine, spiky vines whistled past my head. Spinning over his black flame vines, cuts pierced the traitors. Ash fluttered in the air, violent clash after violent clash bringing me no closer. Landing in a huff next to my father, both of us struggled to catch our breath.

“Try striking their soul.” He suggested serenely as can be, his vines blocking another blow. “Trust me when I say we can do this together. What I need you to do is find high ground when I kindly request it, ‘kay. Can you do that for your old man? Almost done with that spell, Rip?” Shouting out a loud yes, a devious grin spread ear to ear. What the hell did he have planned? Choking out an uncertain okay, the corner of my lips twitched. Preparing myself for the next spat, a thick vine tossed me into the air. Shal provided me discs of air to twirl on, claws narrowly swiping my cheeks. Blocking blow after blow, the numbers weren’t on my side. Black flame rose petals smashed a couple of council members out of the way, a swift kick from me buying a bit of time. Slamming his palms onto the closest symbols, a kick off a disc of air provided safety behind an ornate wall. Poking my head up, every type of element tore them to shreds in between my father ripping out their souls. Cooking them with a satisfied sigh, his vines protected him from any damage during all the chaos. Dying down, no energy remained. All colors of ash snowed, bare feet thumped towards me. Plopping down next to me, his burned scarred hands matching mine. Nothing but sympathy brewed in my soul, his life always being as hard as mine.

“Sorry for scaring you.” He apologized sincerely, no hard feelings existing between us. “Those fuckers have tortured me for years and I don’t want the blood on your hands. Demons need to respect you, not fear you. Musette runs on fear, you need to run on compassion if you want to change things. Go on and sit on that throne knowing that you didn’t strike anything too harshly.” Rip smashed into me before I could respond, voices echoing outside the window. Stress bubbled to life in my gut, every breath threatening to shorten. Shal glared out the window, his fingers tapping the window.

“Half of them look happy, the others not so much. How do you want to attack that? Also, the council room is sort of wrecked.” He pointed out with another one of his nervous chuckles, a long sigh pouring out of my trembling lips. “Shit, we really made a scene. They always tell you to go out with a bang but we entered with one. How fun is that?” His approach really wasn’t helping, my mind coursing through what to say. How does one introduce themselves after pulling off that level of a stunt? Hoisting myself to my feet, protests fell on deaf ears as I stomped over to the window. Climbing onto the ledge, a twist of my ankle had me sliding down the building. Splashing into a puddle of filthy water, all eyes darted in my direction.

“Hello, my fellow demons. I am your new queen. I suppose I should start with my name which is Silks. Yes, that is my real name. Don’t judge me because y’all have some weird ass names out there.” I introduced myself between long breaths, the anxiety not dying down. “Laws have changed down here. In terms of a council, I want the leaders of your gangs to come meet up with me. Considering you know the issues, that information is key. Try not to cause too much chaos when your dumb asses are summoned. One more thing, you will be punished if I find out you are working with that damn cult. They have burned me multiple times, so no thank you.” Folding my arms across my chest, stony faces glared darkly before softening. Cheers erupted around me, surprise rounding my eyes.

Celebrations began in front of me, my fingers scratching at the back of my neck. Did they not hear a single word? Was the council that much of a damn dick? Rip and the others joined my side, Shal laughing uncontrollably. Leaning forward, his hands rested on his knees. Flashing him an odd look, my lips pressed into a thin line. Sticking close to my side, my father drummed his fingers on his legs incessantly. Too many years in that cage had wrecked his mental state, his breathing picking up speed.

“No fucking way! Being honest and kind of a dick won them over.” Shal mused playfully, his hand resting on my shoulder. “Told you the council sucked. Suggesting the gangs send their best is a bit questionable but a marketable choice. I get it though. Nice job, Silks. Are you okay, Dade?” Shaking his head, his trembling fingers clawed at his thighs desperately. Flashing him my genuine smile, inky blood welled up in his eyes.

“Nothing will happen to you with me around.” I promised him softly, my hands cupping his. “How about we go home. Give me a moment and you can meet your grandchildren. Hey, demons who are standing in front of me! Remember my rules or I will fucking kill you! I promise to be right back. How do I do that travelling thing?” Shal whispered the secret in my ear, a clap of my hands landing us in our living room. Avery smashed into my legs, his fangs having grown longer. Smothering him in feverish kisses, nothing could beat this. Introducing him to my father, his embrace practically melted him. Rip spun me into a bear hug, his chin resting on the top of my head. Emotions soaked the top of my head, his body quivering with mine. So much had occurred, Hell was in freaking shambles. A knock on our closet door shortened the moment, curiosity unsettling me. Making my way to the doorknob, so many different but pleasant energies swirled around on the other side. Smiling softly to myself, my invitation had been received. Curling my fingers around it cautiously, a single click had seven cloaked figures letting themselves in. Plopping onto the couch, Shal and my father offered to watch our children. Permitting it immediately, both of them lit up. Taking a seat on the coffee table, intrigue and hope drove me to keep my nerves at bay. Please kill any bad luck. Well, at least attempt to do that. Lord knows that Lady Luck had never been my pal. Donning a bright smile, patience was wearing thin at them not taking off their damn hoods. Shadows hid secrets, secrets keeping the best of us at arms length. If things were going to work out, nothing could be stashed away. May all sides of Hell come together to help me with the thorn in my side named Musette. Praying to anyone who would listen, please help me win this war from both sides.