Bad Omens Book 5: Ineffable Part 2

Chapter 54

Eden had found the dining cart and to her surprise, it wasn't empty. There was a demon tending to a bar. It was a Glabrezu with bright orange scales dressed in a black suit. 

"Would you like a drink ma'am?" The Glabrezu asked. 

"Oh. Uh no thank you." Eden replied politely. "I'm not really in the mood for spirits." 

"Not to worry. If you fancy something else,  we have an assortment of other drinks and foods, including the house special, cocoa."

"Cocoa?" Eden repeated. "You really have cocoa?" Eden couldn't really remember when her last cup had been. It felt like centuries ago. "I'll take a cup." 

Eden pushed two gold coins on the counter towards the bartender. It took a bit of effort to miracle them into existence but she managed.

The cocoa was delicious. Not as good as her Papa's, who would always decorate his cocoa with whipped cream but delicious. 

As she finished her cocoa, Eden's gaze traveled, examining the bar, her eyes caught the sight of a griddle. "So, what kind of food do you have?"

She turned her head to make eye contact with the bartender who had stepped to the side to wipe down the side counter, but he was gone.

"I'm afraid the bar is closed." A gravelly voice growled in her ear. Eden looked over her shoulder. The Glabrezu's bright green eyes stared deep into her soul.

"And you are coming with me." A clawed hand grabbed her by the shoulder. Black claws broke through the fabric of her leather jacket and then her skin. Eden squawked in pain as she suddenly realized that she was in the air…..

Eden slammed into the boxcar wall.

"Eden Alexandria Queen Fell. The Abomination. The Champion." The Glabrezu snarled. "The most wanted creature in the Nine Circles."  

Eden drew her blade from her scabbard as she staggered to her feet. "Stay away from me!"  

"Hastur will reward me handsomely for your capture. Dead or alive." 

The Glabrezu charged with a clawed hand in the air. Eden screamed as she swung her sword. A spurt of blood sprayed the window as claws and blade hit their targets.

Eden cried out as claws raked her right cheek while her sword pierced the Glabrezu's arm.

"You brat! You're going to pay for that!" As the Glabrezu swung another set of claws at her, Eden ducked and ran to the boxcar door, only to dodge out of the way when Hellraiser broke the door down.

As hellhound and Glabrezu locked in a deadly battle, Abraxas, Raguel and Brutus dashed into the dining car and to Eden's side.

"I knew we shouldn't have left you alone!" Raguel helped Eden to the bar. "You can't afford to lose any more blood…." 

Eden shrugged him off. "It's no big deal." 

"What should we do with him?" Abraxas pointed to Hellraiser who had torn up the orange Glabrezu up pretty good. 

"Leave it to me." Brutus grabbed the rival Glabrezu and shoved him out into the unwelcoming snow.