BEYOND THE RAINBOW

CHAPTER NINETEEN - THE BLACK HAND OF GOD

Knowing that Lucifer used seduction in the Devil's service was one thing, but coming face to face with his live-in lover was quite another. Touie reeled from the depths of her murderous jealousy. But it was becoming obvious, from the continuing demands of Lilith, that she would have to manage it. Obvious also, that Lilith was host to a very powerful demon. When it spoke out of the woman's mouth a few minutes later her body stiffened into its thrall, and the demon's voice was deep and terrible.

"Do not dare to defy me! This is just the surface of Hades. You are lesser beings, unworthy of the demon hordes who serve below. They will be called to descend on you and your rabble. Like locusts! Then you will know him. Fools! Do not think that Lucifer, is the Devil! He is but a puppet host. Like this one. If he betrays his position he will be torn to shreds and another chosen. Just as this one will if she fails to deal with you! I have no time for petty squabbles. Bring forth the Fairy. Obey me. Now!"

That put things in perspective for Touie. With a sickening jolt she came to her senses and shook off the infiltrating vibes of this whole satanic planet. She was not a puppet on his string! Of course Lucifer was a victim of Satin! Not the real demon! If she had been budding hope of leading the Beast himself out of Hell, she now had to appease him to save his minions. Diabolical!

Lilith's body suddenly went limp and she came back with a snarl, obviously not much into being a puppet herself. "You dare bring me into disfavour! I will see you all in shreds if you do not fetch her immediately!"

The woman was dangerous in her own right! Touie steadied herself as she saw Jaddai look up warningly at the peep hole. He bowed to Lilith but other than to say, "I will go in search of the one you seek," he made no admission of her presence.

While Kronk pretended to be too stupid to understand, Jaddai was heading for the stairs, and by his set expression Touie grasped that their whole operation was in jeopardy if that woman got the better of her. This was a business dispute. Lilith's personal demon was not the Beast, and the blonde was only human. She could not know the antiquity of the connection between her lover and the new management of the Den. Touie's innate sense of justice decreed that if Lucifer had found solace in the arms of other women she had no right to be jealous. She could not be sure he even remembered their childhood tie. And if he did, it was not binding on who they were now. If he did feel the draw as she did, he had shown great restraint in not disintegrating Jaddai. She just had to swallow the fact that he had some relief from it! She was calm by the time a flustered Jaddai burst into the slave quarters.

"Majesty – "

"It's all right, Jaddai. I heard. I can handle her. Just follow my lead. Give me a minute. And then show her up to your quarters. Serve whatever is the equivalent of tea here, with all due protocol. Show no surprise, I may not be quite myself." Touie wagged the Gaia ring finger at him. "Oh, and you should address me as something Holy. There are no fairies here."

"Really?" Jaddai was instantly grinning with relief.

By the time a fuming, red eyed Lilith was ushered into the frugal outer room, Touie was adorned in a shapeless, hooded robe. It was snowy white, a colour never seen in Hades. And around her neck hung the one thing that would banish the demon from her presence. She was on her knees by the bed when an impatient Lilith burst past Jaddai to confront her the second he opened the door.

"Now see here you thieving bitch – Oh!" Jaddai coughed as the ferocious Lilith was stymied by the sight of an almost toothless old crone struggling to her feet from her devotions. She let the black rosary beads fall from her hands to show the cross dangling in vivid relief against her white robe. Lilith suddenly looked confused and was plainly on her own.