Twisted Fate

Chapter 26

Arlo

"I'm begging you," The kneeling man begged for his life, "I have children." It was the third soul I collected today. Azazel expected more by the end of this week. Otherwise, mom or I would suffer another lashing. People were beginning to ask questions about my scars. No mortal can know the truth.

"They always beg when their time is up," Azazel sighed, forcing the man to stand and dragging him further into the dark woods, "You summoned the dark lord at your lowest times, and he bestowed upon you great gifts. By the power of our Lord and Asmodeus, my son will collect your soul as payment for the outstanding debt."

He screamed and resisted his dreadful fate until Azazel struck him one merciless time, the enchanted whip marking him with the burning spikes of hell. The man stopped struggling to hold his bloody and unrecognizable face as the demon prince pulled back.

I stared at the hanging flesh drooping from his face, unfazed. Sixteen hopeless years of my father shaping me into his copy and my mother suffering beatings from her lover. My younger brothers would never know the love of their father, and I would always be this- the monster in training and the next heir. I'd become accustomed to this living nightmare.

"Arlo!" Azazel growled as I stood there, frozen, "Would you prefer I bring your mother out here instead? I might even consider letting this man go if you wish to replace him with her youngest mutt."

I shook my head, keeping calm even though I was a mess, "No, father. I was just preparing myself."

"Get on with it then," He gestured towards the man. I wiped my sweaty palms on my jeans and shook the fear off. I swallowed hard and mentally repeated the same words that helped me sleep better at night.

He deserves to die. He sold his soul to the devil for personal gain, and now he must die. If you don't kill him, then Azazel will get angry. He will slaughter mom, Kane, and Carson as punishment for not fulfilling your duties. This is the right thing to do.

It took a moment for the excruciating heat to rise in my chest. It's only been a week since my first shift, and the demon powers came three days after that. Azazel was impressed at how fast they came. He says it's because of my strength that I am growing at an increased rate.

I growled before the flames of hell covered my body from head to toe. I stepped closer to the man, saying a silent prayer for forgiveness. As he saw me approaching, he begged one last time.

"Please, please-"

"PLEASE," The warlock bellowed, bringing me back. I paused and looked down behind me. For a split second, I'd forgotten I was dragging him with the same leash he used on my mate, pulling him further into the woods where his friends awaited him. He gripped the spiked leash, fear and regret heavy in his tearful eyes. But it was too late.

They always beg when their time is up.

I kept dragging him until I reached the secluded area and tied him up next to his friends. They begged and begged for their lives, but it was my job to teach them a lesson. They were going to rape my mate and then leave her for dead. Just the thought left my hands trembling with rage. My clothes were soon drenched with sweat and blood. Azazel would be proud.

"How does it feel..." I snarled, mercilessly whipping the warlock who orchestrated the plan. When the sobs of my mate replayed in my head, I whipped him even harder, "How does it feel to be out of control of your own body."

"I'm sorry," One gasped as he held on to his life by a short thread.

"Yeah," I wiped the blood from my face with my forearm, "Me too," I said blankly and continued the torture. Eventually, I got tired of using the whip, so I began using the plyers and other sharp objects I brought for fun.