Murder Read online

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  The Dark One knew the moment his long awaited guests arrived. He felt the tilt in the delicate balance he maintained in the hellhole he’d been shackled to. He was seated at a desk made of bone and mortar, his highest ranking minions before him, providing updates on the inner workings of his world. He watched them with a total disregard for anything they said. He hated them. He hated the hole he’d been lord of for longer than he cared to remember, and most days he hated himself as well. Then, he’d felt it. A gentle nudge at the edge of his consciousness. Smiling in a sinister manner — for him there was no other manner — he rose to his feet. “Leave me!” he bellowed.

  The minions, though leaders of what he considered his army, immediately stopped speaking, coming to attention at once.

  “Did you not hear?” he snarled, bringing his fist down on the surface of the desk he sat at so hard dust fell from the nooks and crannies of the bones fitted together to make the desk.

  His minions scattered at once, leaving his presence to carry out their daily tasks without further instruction from him.

  The Dark One waited until they were all gone, then he stepped cautiously out into the corridor, the haze and fog obscuring his presence from most all that he’d encounter. He moved swiftly, yet carefully toward the water room, knowing that was where he’d find Phrygia. She was no doubt the object of his guests’ attention, and there was no way in hell they’d take her, and leave him, in Hell. He snickered. “No way in Hell,” he mumbled. “I am funny,” he declared to a random demon he passed as it cowered against the wall in an effort to avoid his attentions.

  The demon nodded his agreement at once, as it continued to keep its eyes pinned to the ground.

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  Meticulously Murder, Lore, and Enthrall checked each of the holding cells for Phrygia. But she was in none of them.

  “She’s got to be here somewhere,” Murder snarled in frustration.

  “Perhaps he’s moved her to another duty since she so obviously cared for you while you were here rather than allowing you to suffer more,” Lore offered.

  “Perhaps,” Murder answered, looking around himself, trying to determine where to look next.

  “Come, let’s check this way,” Lore said, indicating the opposite end of the corridor they’d just checked each and every door in. “I saw an intersecting corridor, let’s try that one.”

  They moved in the opposite direction, making their way back up the corridor, still peeking into each room just in case they’d missed Phrygia, or she’d entered one of the cells while they were busy checking the rest of them.

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  Phrygia knelt by the sulfur scented spring that served as the only water source for all of Hell. She’d just finished cleaning all the plate ware and cups for the Dark One, and had them stacked neatly beside her as she knelt in the ash at the water’s edge. Her duties now included not only the holding cells, but serving the Dark One personally, in every way. She was forced to prepare his meals, wash his body, clean his clothes, and of course, keep his personal belongings clean and in order — like these plates and cups.

  She heard his footsteps and his voice as he spoke to himself before she actually saw him. She straightened and stood from her position, kneeling in the ash beside the spring. Just as she turned to watch the rough hewn stone entrance to the water room, he entered.

  “Ahh, there you are, female. Come. It is time,” the Dark One said to her, his voice silky smooth, a smile on his face, reaching a hand out toward her for her to come to him.

  “Time for what?” she asked.

  “Time to go. Come along. Be a good little condemned soul and perhaps you may have a chance at something a little better after all.”

  Phrygia knew better than to believe anything the Dark One said. He was forever spinning webs of deception. He was a master at subterfuge and often spoke in circles intentionally so that no one could make heads or tails of anything he promised or didn’t promise. The worst thing anyone could do was to make any kind of deal with him. That was a sure fire way to find yourself locked away down here. Phrygia should know. She’d tended more than a few prisoners who’d found themselves victims of his ‘deals’.

  “Come!” the Dark One commanded, his hand still out, his arm held aloft, waiting for her to come to him.

  Phrygia had no idea what he was up to this time, but it didn’t really matter. All she did anymore was follow directions and do what he instructed. Phrygia had given up, she was no longer even existing, she just did what people directed her to do. There was very little left of her, and she was okay with that — no emotions, no wants, no desires, meant no pain and disappointment.

  Phrygia bent to collect the plate ware she’d just washed and stepped closer to the Dark One, startling when he reached out and with one swipe of his hand knocked the dishes from her hands, sending them to the floor, shattering on impact.

  “I will not need these less than adequate services any longer. I will be served on only the best. Only the best of dishes, the best of accommodations, the best of food, the best of everything.” He curved his still aloft hand around Phrygia’s shoulder, jerking her into him. He kept his arm around her, his hand curved tightly around her opposite upper arm. “Come, walk with me. We have much to prepare for.”

  The Dark One began to stroll casually from the water room, Phrygia tucked tightly into his side. “Tell me,” he said to her, “how long has it been since you were condemned to this realm?” as though having a conversation at a garden club luncheon.

  “I… I’m not sure. I don’t know how much time has passed.”

  He nodded. “Me as well. It has been a long, long time.” The Dark One looked around himself with a sneer of disgust on his face. “I tire of this dire existence,” he snarled. “It is not what I thought it to be,” he admitted.

  Phrygia didn’t answer, she just kept moving along beside him, tucked tightly under his arm and to his side. Her expression gave away her confusion. She’d never seen the Dark One be anything other than completely in control, completely comfortable with himself and all around him, as he took great pleasure doling out any kind of punishment he saw fit. It was his favorite pastime.

  He turned the corner on an ever moving maze of corridors, designed to shift and meander as he moved past each one, and entered his personal office. He’d released her from his hold, leaving her standing in front of his desk, which was where she remained. Then, the Dark One moved to lounge in his over-sized chair, slouching as he sat, every move sensual as though he’d planned it, though he hadn’t.

  Phrygia was completely off guard, having never seen this side of her master and altogether unsure of what he wanted from her today.

  “Tell me, female. Have I been a good master? I have, have I not? Fair in all things, doling out rewards as well as punishment?” He raised his eyes to the ceiling, the fingers of his right hand flitting about as he thought about what he was trying to convey. “It is confusing to some… some rewards are punishment, and while they are exactly what the recipient asked for, it’s very difficult for them to see it that way.”

  Phrygia watched as the Dark One tilted his head from side to side, his lips pressed together in a curious moue as he thought about what he tried to explain.

  “Pain is pleasure, pleasure is pain — some just don’t get that…” the Dark One said thoughtfully, his eyes still focused on a spot somewhere on the ceiling.

  Phrygia’s own eyebrows rose in surprise as he continued to speak as though she was a friend rather than a soul condemned to live out eternity under his hand, subject to his every whim.

  “You will tell any who ask that I am a fair and just lord, will you not?” he asked rather pleasantly.

  “Umm, yes?” she asked, knowing full well the arrogance and lack of mercy this particular male carried with him was unequaled in all of the world, in her opinion at least. He was after all the Dark One…

  “Is that a question, or a statement?�
� he asked, his facial expression showing that he was on the edge of a tirade if she didn’t agree with him.

  “Statement,” she answered at once.

  “Very good, then we understand one another. I expected as much,” the Dark One said confidently, sitting back in his chair and steepling his fingertips together. “I have after all, been gracious enough to share my own bed with you since your choice of male left you behind. It was my own effort to give you a sense of belonging and soothe your injured psyche,” he finished.

  Phrygia’s eyes widened, her mouth fell open. Sharing his bed was a punishment known far and wide to all who subsisted in Hell. Be they male, female or combination thereof, all knew this was by far the worst punishment. The Dark One had obviously lost what little hold he’d had in reality, their reality anyway.

  Suddenly the Dark One sat forward, cocking his head to the side as he listened. He pressed his elbows to his desk, holding his fingers still steepled before his mouth. “Go. You are needed in the holding cells. Go at once, do not tarry!” he instructed.

  “Yes, master,” she answered, turning to leave him and his completely inexplicable demeanor behind.

  “Hurry!” he commanded. “You will remember this conversation!” he shouted after her.

  “Yes, master,” she answered as she rushed down the hall to the holding cells.

  Chapter 4

  Lore led the way down the intersecting corridor, Murder close on his heels.

  “I think she may be in this direction,” Murder said, rubbing at his chest. “I feel… different.”

  “Different?” Lore asked, stopping to turn and look at Murder. Lore looked at a spot behind Murder. The spot where Enthrall should have been. “Where’s Enthrall?” he asked, his irritation clear.

  Murder turned and looked at the empty space behind himself. “He was just right here!” Murder said.

  “Well, he’s not now,” Lore answered.

  “We do not have time for this! Where could he have got off to?” Murder snarled.

  “Murder? Why are you here?! You have to go! Now!” a female said worriedly from up ahead of them.

  Murder and Lore both turned at the sound of the female voice to find Phrygia hurrying toward them down the corridor.

  “Why did you come back? You were free! You were safe!” Phrygia lamented.

  Murder stepped around Lore and rushed to Phrygia, reaching his hands out toward her and taking her by the shoulders as he looked down into her face. “I was. But you weren’t. I came for you. I couldn’t leave you here.”

  “I belong here. It’s my punishment,” she said. “I can’t leave, it would upset the order of everything.”

  “What order?” Lore asked, joining them where they stood.

  “Of everything. All will fall to chaos if I ever try to leave here,” Phrygia answered, shying away from looking Lore in the eye, but glancing in his general direction.

  “Then chaos it will be. I’m not leaving here without you,” Murder said adamantly.

  “You don’t belong here. You have to go,” Phrygia begged.

  “Who told you chaos would ensue?” Lore asked, a suspicious look in his eyes.

  Phrygia looked down at her hands. She didn’t want to answer, but it appeared without the information she held secret, Murder would not leave her here, and he’d continue to have his friends bring him back in search of her. Phrygia looked up, finally meeting Lore’s eyes. “Acaelo.”

  “Acaelo?! Who are you?” Lore asked, shocked to hear that his brother was the one who had condemned this female to Hell and all its suffering.

  Phrygia smiled sadly. “You don’t even recognize me, do you?” she asked.

  Lore looked at Murder’s female. Really looked at her. Searching his mind for her likeness. “You are the female who cared for my Evangeline. And you cared for Murder when he was here,” he said, wondering what else he was missing.

  Phrygia sighed. She’d thrown away so much for the attentions of a male who had no recollection of her at all. She didn’t care that he had no recollection of her. She didn’t care if he never remembered her. It was her own ignorance that caused her to care so long ago, caused her to be swayed by a silver tongue and promises of things that would ever be out of her reach. She was angry at herself for her own actions. The very same actions that caused her to be here.

  “I’m Phrygia. I’m the female you seduced away from your brother,” she explained.

  Lore’s entire countenance changed. His face went white. His expression one of shock. “Nooooo!” he whooshed out. “That female was killed long ago,” he insisted.

  “Not killed. Just sent to Hell and forgotten,” Phrygia answered.

  Lore took a step closer and leaned slightly toward her to get a better look at her.

  Murder snarled softly at Lore, stepping to the side to place himself between Lore and Phrygia.

  Phrygia smoothed her hand over Murder’s hand where it still held her shoulder, then she removed her helmet and stood straight, looking Lore in the eye.

  “It is you!” he said. “I think. Maybe,” he answered, looking perplexed.

  “It is definitely me,” Phrygia confirmed.

  “Forgive me, female. I’ve spent so many years out of my own mind, I’ve lost more clarity than I ever had. I am just now myself again. My lack of memory is not meant to infer that you are or were unimportant. I merely do not have all my memories intact,” Lore explained.

  “It matters not,” Phrygia answered. “The outcome is the same. I cannot leave here. But you must take Murder from this place,” Phrygia urged.

  “I will not leave without you!” Murder insisted forcefully.

  “You have to!” Phrygia answered.

  Lore watched Phrygia and Murder arguing about whether or not Murder would leave Hell, and whether or not Phrygia would leave with him.

  He got caught up in watching the female Murder had decided was his standing her ground against Murder. The female certainly was familiar to him. The shape and look of her features was familiar. But her persona was completely different. She was no longer the shy, easily led little female, falling for any compliment paid her way. This female was strong, sure of herself, very aware of all that happened around her. This female was a survivor. When the meandering of Lore’s spotty memory finally ended, bringing him back to the present, Murder and Phrygia were still deep in discussion about why he couldn’t stay and she couldn’t go.

  Many things about Lore had changed since he’d been successful in finding, freeing, and claiming his Evangeline. He was a much better male all around. But patience was not one of the virtues he’d learned in that time. He still had exactly no patience.

  “Enough!” he shouted.

  Both Murder and Phrygia stopped arguing and looked to him for explanation.

  “Acaelo is dead,” he said simply.

  Phrygia’s mouth fell open.

  “Yes,” Lore said at her response. “He’s dead. There will be no chaos. Myself and my other siblings absorbed his energies, his powers, and we now keep the balance.” Lore explained. “Along with my daughter. Well she was my daughter. Now she’s Carnage’s, but she’s still mine,” he said, waving his hands about as he explained unnecessarily. Realizing he was rambling, he clamped his mouth shut and glared at both Murder and Phrygia. “It matters not! Just be assured that whatever threat Acaelo leveled is now null and void.”

  Phrygia’s eyebrows rose again, much like when she was listening to the Dark One ramble in his office just moments earlier. In fact, that was exactly what Lore’s ramblings reminded her of.

  Growing irritated and impatient, Lore waved his hands in the air again. “I have had enough!” Lore turned to face Murder. “If you wish her to come with us, grab her now!”

  Lore began gathering his mists. Purple and silver swirls began at their feet and moved up their legs. Murder realized that Lore was preparing to leave Hell, with or without all of them. He reached out, snatched Phrygia into his arms and held her tight, wrap
ping his huge body around her.

  Lore watched his best friend snatch his chosen mate to him in preparation of misting away from this realm. He hid a slight smile. His intention had been to force Murder to just grab her and go — he’d have never left Murder in Hell again, though he was truly tired of being here.

  As his mists swirled and they began to fade from view, Lore spoke again. “Finally! You should have just grabbed her to begin with. I tire of this realm. I am done here!” he announced, using his senses to try to locate Enthrall.

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  The Dark One lounged in his chair behind his gruesome desk of bones waiting for his guests to come to him. He knew at least one of them would. He’d planted the seed, and it was time for a confrontation. He listened carefully to the conversations taking place at the opposite end of the corridor from his office. He could hear all things in Hell. There was nothing that didn’t happen without his knowledge in these caverns. Some thought to hide things from him, but it was impossible. He knew of each drop of water Phrygia had given the Angel, and the Gargoyle for that matter. He knew of each visit the Ancient had paid to his Angel. And he knew of every single place every being stood in Hell, at any given moment in time. And he’d had enough. He wanted out — no, he needed out. It was all too much. He’d thought he wanted to be lord and master over his own domain, but it wasn’t the outcome he’d expected. He needed to get out of the damned place. The Angel had been right — sunshine. He needed sunshine. And life, and a chance at a new start with all this damned lord and master crap behind him. Leave it to someone else, he’d had his fill.

  His door creaked open, and there stood a male he was most familiar with.

  “Welcome,” the Dark One said. “I’ve been expecting you.”