Chapter 36

I gasped as I felt my body and soul suddenly being tugged and I flew, a cloud of smoke blocking my vision but the lack of ground and gravity underneath my feet.
I stumbled and fell, and my hands had hit soft and wet ground. I quickly looked up at where I was and saw that I was in a football field—a stadium, more likely—and it was empty, except for the towering figure of Lucifer standing before me and he wore the same all-black suit that he always wore, much like Taehyung.
“Wow,” I breathed out as I pushed myself up and brushed the dirt from my clothed knees. “Your see through. Like a ghost.” I said looking at him in curiosity.
I looked up at him and he had a pleased smile on his face. “Only my soul is here. My body is in the underworld.” He grinned. His soul. Did the devil even have a soul?
“Lilly, welcome to India.”
***
My skin itched. My nerves were on end. Bryce and Carter were driving me insane. I had to get out of that house. I had the urge to put an end to their constant arguments. The visions I saw of them both laying dead were disturbing. What was wrong with me?
“Eliyah, you, okay? Taylor asked raising her eyebrows.
“I am fine.” I snapped massaging my temples as vivid images of Taylor laying in a pool of her own blood flooded my mind. I was scared. Why did I want to hurt my friends so bad?
“I need some air.” I said to no one in particular.
“I’ll come with you.” Taylor spang to her feet.
“No, I’d rather be alone.” I saw Taylor took her chin low as I left the house. I didn’t want to hurt her. But I couldn’t trust myself.
With my shoulders sagging I decided to just walk. Follow my feet and let them lead me. I was simmering with anger. Every one of my muscles felt rigid all the time causing my bones and body to become painful. I was a ticking time bomb. I felt like my emotions were not my own.
Walking by a dead bird on the pavement gave me some satisfaction. Closing my eyes, I tried to rid myself of that feeling.
Before I knew it, I was walking on the narrow path that led into the woods. I could hear the distant chirping of birds. As I got closer to the woods the smell of wet earth and the salty sea invaded my senses. As children, Kingsley, Bryce, and Carter had spent many days running in the forest. Building dens and pretending to be Robin Hood. We’d wonder down to the beach and explore the caves. Now the woods had been feared for so long, it was like it had lost all its life. We’d rid the forest of the monster. But did we? Am I the new monster? I feared I was. The burning murderous rage inside me wouldn’t let up. Each day it was becoming stronger and one day I feared I wouldn’t be able to control it.
***
“Why are we in a stadium?” I asked right after I finished cleaning my knees from the damp dirt that stuck on my skin. Lucifer was already walking ahead, and I had to catch up to him, running a little. I wonder if the three of them are here already, hiding somewhere. Where did they go?
“An Indian mafia boss summoned me, telling me that he wants to make a deal.” He replied, clearly pleased. “Said he wants to sell his soul to me in exchange for victory over his upcoming war with a rivaling mafia boss.”
“Wow, sounds kind of like a movie.” I commented. “So did you meet him already?”
“Not yet, I’m about to. You’re coming with me to his house where I’ll meet him, and he’ll show me his family.” He replied. We were already by the exit of the stadium and once we were outside, the streets were already filled with cars and motorcycles, and the sidewalks were crowded with people setting up tables filled with jewelries and other small items for sale.
“Wait, family? Why do you need to meet his family?” I asked curiously as we dodged people as we passed. The older men wouldn’t hesitate to stare down at my bare legs and staring at it hungrily, and that’s when I realized that I was in India, where women usually covered their legs and avoided wearing revealing clothes. I should have thought this through better. Dressed too there custom. Well at least jeans where my legs were not on full display. I put my head down, ashamed of myself and choice of clothes in this modest country.
“Dad, can you make me change into something less revealing? People are staring at me.” I added. He stopped in his tracks and eyed me from head to toe, clicking his tongue in disapproval.
“You’re right. Hold still,” and with a quick flick of his hand, I now wore a pair of jeans and a long-sleeved shirt without people batting an eye at the sudden transformation. It must be in his magic to keep humans from seeing that kind of witchcraft.
“Thanks,” I grinned. “Anyway, why did you need to meet his family again?”
“Lilith, when you’re making deals with mortals, you have to make sure that you’re two steps ahead of them.” He replied. “In case he goes against the deal we agreed on, I can easily take something from him that he holds most dear as a punishment, or as a reminder that making deals with the devil is no joke.”
“What are you going to do with his family?” I asked curiously before panic slowly rose in my chest. “You’re not going to kill them, are you??”
“It depends on how much the mortal has wronged me, Lilith.” He replied with no remorse. “May I remind you that your father is the devil himself. I have no room for mercy or love.”
That sent a chill down my spine. It only reminded me of my parents, how easy it was for him to take their lives and the underlying truth that he was still hiding from me. It reminded me of the reason why I was here with him.
I cleared my throat, regaining my composure. “Let’s meet his family, then.”
Lucifer and I turned to an empty alleyway, and I knew that we were going to teleport the rest of our trip to the mafia boss’ house. He held my hand, and before we could teleport, he stared down at me with a questioning look. Where the hell were my siblings?