FORTY-ONE

Secrets of the Underworld

Thoroughlyravished,Mimithoughtshewouldneverfeelso tired or spent or satiated. Every muscle in her body ached. She was bruised with kisses and lovemarks, but there was a pleasure in knowing they had enjoyed each other utterly; that they had more than made up for all their time apart in discovering new and secret delights. She had to find her breath; she was panting. They could do this all day and night, and she had a feeling that, at least in the near future, this was exactly what they would do. Love was like a drug, a physical addiction. She wanted Kingsley near her at all times, wanted to feel his skin next to hers, to know he was real.

“Water?” Kingsley asked, hauling himself to a sitting position. He looked down at her and squeezed her shoulder affectionately.

“Please.”

He wrapped himself in a sheet and whistled as he made his way to the kitchen. Mimi changed into a silk robe, feeling a bit cold in the room now that he was gone.

Kingsley returned with two crystal glasses filled with water and handed her one. He jumped back into bed.

“You know, the first moment I got here, I tried to get out.

I got all the way to the gate. But I couldn’t walk through,” he told her. “Croatan blood will do that.”

She snuggled next to him, and he gently stroked her hair as he told her his story. “I tried everything. I bargained with Helda. That’s why I took this post. I thought if I could prove myself useful, I could win some favors. But the years passed—you know time is different down here—and nothing happened. I pretty much gave up. Then I saw you. I thought I was dreaming at first.”

“Typical.” She smiled. “You never believe what’s right in front of you.”

“I’m used to disappointment,” he said, draining his glass and putting it on the side table.

“Do you even want to come back with me?” Mimi asked, fearing his answer and thinking of the flower blooming in the wasteland. “What about all the stuff you’re doing down here—and the way you feel up there… with the voices. The Corruption will be part of you again.”

“I know,” he said. “I thought about it.”

“Really, when?” she teased. “When did you have the time?”

“Right now,” he said. “And it’s okay. I can deal with the Corruption. I’ve dealt with it my entire life.”

“Are you sure?”

“I have never been more certain.” He kissed her bare shoulder. “I want to go home. I want to be with you. The underworld can survive without me.”

She nuzzled his cheek, the happiness returning again.

“So we just walk out of here, that’s it?” Kingsley asked.

“That’s the plan,” she said, pinching his nose. He was truly so handsome. She sighed. Her own handsome devil.

“Seems too easy,” he mulled. “Helda really said I could leave? She’s not going to stop us?”

“Hey, I’ve got some pull around here,” she said. As the Angel of Death, Mimi reminded him that the darkness was part of her birthright.

“I can see that.” He smiled again. “All right, then. If you’re sure this is going to work—”

“Shush!” Mimi said, pouting. “Let’s not be negative. Get dressed and let’s go. We’ve got a train to Limbo to catch.”

Oliver did not seem surprised to see them together at breakfast. He tactfully did not mention anything when they appeared at the table, glowing with satisfaction and bubbling with energy. “So we just take some train? That’s it?” he asked.

Kingsley frowned. “It’s a little more complicated than that, but we’ll figure it out when we get there. I don’t know what the demon told you,” he said to Mimi. Then he looked at the trolls who were standing at attention around the room, their hands at their backs. “Leave us,” he ordered.

He regarded Mimi and Oliver seriously. “There’s something you guys need to know. I’ve been meaning to tell you, but I wanted to wait until I was sure.”

“What is it?”

“There’s been… unusual activity down in the ninth.”

“Lucifer?” Mimi asked.

Oliver forced his bread down his throat. The thought of the Dark Prince was still frightening. He had seen what happened at the bonding, when the Croatan had revealed themselves and captured Schuyler, pulling her into the glom.

Kingsley nodded. “It’s got to be… I think he’s trying to break out again.”

“Fine. We’ll just kick him back here when he does.” Mimi shrugged and ripped her croissant in half, as if imagining it was their enemy.

Kingsley shook his head. “No. I’ve heard that Lucifer has grander ambitions.”

“Like what?” Oliver wanted to know.

The Duke of Hell frowned. “I’ve heard rumors that they’ve created new weapons that can be used against the divine—even more powerful than the White Fire of Heaven—and that he is gathering his demons for battle.”

“So if it’s war he wants, he’ll have it. This is it, then. Apocalypse. We’ll ready the horses,” Mimi said.

“No. Lucifer has no more interest in the mid-world,”

Kingsley said, looking around nervously, as if spies were all around.

“No? Why not?” asked Oliver. “Humans have ruined it too much?” He smiled at his joke.

Kingsley did not find it amusing and did not respond to the crack. “I fear it’s something much more precious.” He paused to let it sink in. “The Dark Prince is preparing to conquer Paradise.”

“But how?” Mimi asked. She tossed her half-eaten croissant back on her plate, having lost her appetite at the news.

“That’s impossible. Paradise is closed to the Fallen. If the angels cannot be redeemed, how can the demons and the Corrupted even get close to Eden? There’s no way. They won’t be able to find it. No one can.”

“I don’t know. They don’t trust me enough to tell me their plans,” Kingsley said, frustrated. “But they are confident of victory.”