Chapter Thirty-Seven: Luci's Arrival

If Holly had any questions on why no one tried to stop her, it was all explained when she reached the outside of the building. Skeletons, more than she could ever count, swarmed over it. They climbed through the windows, they beat down the doors, they clawed through the wall until their bones chipped away.

As she walked through, they let her pass. There were so many of the skeletal warriors that Holly couldn't even begin to see the others through it. Her eyes roamed to the upper floors. Would Quix be okay by himself? Would Eros?

*My warriors will not hurt them. I told you, they're just a distraction so you can be freed. Don't worry.*

She couldn't not worry. She wanted to be there for them, but that choice was now gone. Forward she strode, the skeleton swarm continued to flow around her like a stream. A figure stood up far in the distance. She hadn't expected him to personally pick her up.

*If you could come to get me by yourself, why didn't you just do that earlier?

*No, I couldn't make the trip myself. I sent one of my men to come to get you. Do not be afraid, I assure you that he will not hurt you.*

That didn't sound promising.

Holly steeled her resolve and plowed on. The skeletons started to wane. The fleshy strips that would decorate this one or that and the odors they brought soon faded away. She was closer to the figure now. He sat on a hill with his arms linked around his knees as he watched her.

It was only as she got closer did she realize just who it was.

Death.

Not who she expected at all and not one she could trust to not hurt her. She fought to not shiver at her memories. How much pain had she endured from him?

As she approached he dusted himself off and got to his feet. "I've been waiting for you," he announced with an easy smile.

"I know," Holly replied. "Your dad told me everything."

He chuckled. "I should have realized he'd be on top of that. Give me your hand, it will be easier to travel that way." He held his hand out to her.

Holly stared at it then back up at him. Death only answered with that same disarming smile.

Could she trust him? No, how could she? She withdrew her hand and held it back to her side. "I won't touch you."

The smile faded. "You're still holding what happened earlier against me? I helped you escape, shouldn't that prove my intent?" He took a step toward her, and Holly took a step back as she eyed him.

"I can't trust you," Holly replied as she wrapped her arms around her middle. "He's just going to have to send someone else."

Death shrugged and then his hand snaked out and grabbed her own. A scream was ripped from her at the sudden touch.

Death's eyes flashed crimson, Holly's scream echoed as she struggled against him. His grip was like a vice, her bones cracked beneath his touch. "What's wrong?" he whispered.

Holly gave up on pulling her hand free, it was impossible. Wisps of white light floated up from her skin and Death opened his mouth impossibly wide.

He was going to devour her, just as Famine attempted to do to Eros.

Holly wanted to close her eyes and give up. No, she wouldn't let this thing win. Why couldn't she have some sort of useful power? How great would it be to put her hands on his chest and send him off with a fireball? Instead, she was stuck with this strange power.

But she was going to use it, Death was not getting his way. She put a hand on his chest, an attempt to push him away but she was already weak. She shoved but he didn't even move, just laughed as the white motes drifted faster from her. All she could think about was the betrayal.

*You betrayed me.

*What? Wait, something's wrong. That bastard! I'll be there, hang on!*

As if she could hang on. She fell to her knees and still, Death would not let her go. Even with his mouth agape, he smirked at her, a wild light in his eyes as more and more of her energy flowed into him.

"I suggest you stop right now, or I'm going to have to lose a child today."

Both Death and Holly turned to the speaker. Death growled but didn't let go. If anything the speed he used to inhale her power increased. "You're too late, if you come any closer I'll just kill her right now. You know I can do it, you gave me the powers, after all, Dad."

"You are harming my Queen. Do you think if you take her life I'll let you continue to live? As humans are so fond of quoting, I brought you into this world, and I can take you out. I can always create another keeper of death."

"If that was the case you'd have already done so. Admit it, your power is already waning."

Holly winced as her body sagged. It was using up energy to even listen at this point. Could she even move if she got rid of this horrible man?

For an answer, Lucifer just walked closer and Death froze. He didn't push the energy consumption higher as Holly had feared. He just froze as if put on pause.

"Let go of her, Son."

Death stopped. The bluff had been called and he released Holly. She swooned from the loss of support but Lucifer grabbed her and tucked her close to that impossibly perfect body of his.

So far off from how she'd always imagined the devil to be.

"You've got her back, now let me go," Death demanded.

Lucifer chuckled. "Did you think I would allow such an objectionable act to happen in front of me without punishment? No, you're coming with me." And with a snap of his fingers, the three vanished from the area.

When the new room stopped spinning Holly noted she was alone, completely alone. She was in an all-black room besides the blindingly white bed in the center piled with pillows and comforters.

Nothing else, just a bed. Holly shivered. She did not like where this was going. And she was alone. Wherever Lucifer and Death were, it wasn't here.

The bed called to her almost like a living thing. Her eyes were heavy, it looked impossibly soft. If she was alone, maybe resting wouldn't be such a bad idea?

She crawled onto it and stifled a moan. This had to be what it felt like to be on a cloud.

"Are you enjoying yourself?"

Holly turned to the voice and glared. Lucifer sat at the corner of her bed, his dark red eyes studying her. "What are you doing?" Holly snapped. She had the urge to grab the covers and pull them up to her chin. Just because she had agreed to something didn't mean she was willing to hand it over just yet.

"Completing our deal. If you're going to be my Queen, I imagine you know that what means. I have the answers to all of your problems. I can make you happy for the rest of your life, and never will your soul be burdened again."

"What did you do with Death?" she wasn't worried about him so much as she just had the worst sensation.

"He'll be punished for trying such an outlandish act, that is all. Now, I do believe we need to have a conversation."

Holly really wished this was happening any other place than a bedroom. "Isn't there anywhere else we can have this at?"

He chuckled. "No, this will be the easiest. I'll explain what it is I'm offering you, and then you'll agree, and it will be put to use."

Yeah, that wasn't happening. "And if I refuse?" she demanded.

He chuckled. "You won't, my dear. You won't. Now. You want to be free from this entire chains of destiny drama, correct? Like a normal happy life, not have to worry about the fate of the worlds after you?"

Now that did sound good. She could imagine a life with just her and Quix. None of the craziness she had to deal with. "Is it possible? Could you really give me exactly what I want, or is there going to be some catch to it all?"

"Catch?" he chuckled. "You could call it that. It's not going to be a fun experience for you. But when it's finally over, you won't remember any of it."

Holly winced. None of that sounded like anything she wanted to experience. "And Quix? Could you give him a normal life too?"

"That reaper?" Lucifer's brows furrowed. "If that is what you wish for, I'll allow my Queen any wish."

"But I'm not going to be your Queen."

His smile was a slow spread like poison across his lips and his eyes shone with an inner light as he leaned closer to her. "Unfortunately for you, my dear, for the spell to work, you'll have to be."