The Devil's Mark (Book 1)

Chapter Thirty Five: Empress of the Seas

Lucifer

From the moment we arrived in Rome. The rest of the world was starting to catch a glimpse of this so-called new world of ours. Mass murders, missing persons, popularity in seances. I suddenly began to fear the worst was yet to come. And when it did. I doubt any of us would be able to stop it. Deep within the bowels of our newly renovated manor on the water, I had spent every waking minute pouring over the ancient texts and scrolls in hopes that I might be able to find the key that would put an end to this nightmare. But there was nothing. I sat back in my chair with a heavy sigh.

Flames burned brightly from atop the candlesticks as the wax drizzled and hardened. I grabbed my empty glass off the desk in pursuit of a much needed refill and a hard earned cigar. Once the end of the cigar was cut and I had my trust gold lighter in hand, a yellowish blue flame appeared after a few flicks. The rich aroma coming from the tobacco ignited my sense of calmness as I took those first few puffs of sweet, sweet smoke. Closing my eyes, I parted my lips and exhaled slowly. Ahh. Right now in this moment. Everything that had me worried was now shoved into the back of my mind at least until the cigar ran dry and the flame extinguished itself.

A quick check of the clock from on top of the desk confirmed my suspicion that it was daybreak outside, just beyond these stone, cold walls. I left everything exactly the way it was and walked right out the door. With the cigar dangling from my lips, I occasionally took a sip or two from my favorite scotch as I headed up the spiral staircase and arrived on the first floor. Massive marble columns stretched upward towards the ceiling while beautiful stain glass windows depicted the story of my life from my humble beginnings to the epicenter of my downfall from heaven. And timeless paintings from all over the world decorated the walls with their elegant masterpieces.

As I made my way up the grand staircase, the sound of muffled communication behind closed doors coming from the kitchen grabbed my attention as I changed course and made my way there. Inside, steam billowed into the air as water boiled in a pot on the stove next to a carton of noodles. I pushed the door further open as I spotted Jason sitting on a chair with a phone in his hand and his eyes glued to a magazine. He groaned in frustration as he ended the call but not before running his fingers through his dark brown hair as he turned his head slowly to look at me.

"What's the matter, love?" I asked, walking over to turn off the stove.

"It's this company I picked out of a magazine to help design your evening tux for our wedding. They say that with the detailing and the work deadline, that they won't be able to finish the tux on time. And, and, get this. They've canceled my order! I don't know what else to do."

"Alright. First, settle down. I don't want you stressing yourself out over a tux. It's not good for the baby. Second, I don't need an evening tux. I'll be fine wearing the same thing after the ceremony."

"But I wanted you to look nice," he said softly. "I mean, it is my special day after all."

"Mmph." I grunted. "Look at the little Devil you've turned out to be. I think I've created a monster."

He smiled just as a streak of sunlight filtered in through the window. God, he looked so beautiful sitting there with the sun dancing across his skin. He closed the magazine and slowly slid off the chair as I went to stand by his side. I touched his arm and immediately my body reacted as a live-in thermometer. I breathed a sigh of relief when I sensed his body temperature was normal and that nothing else was bothering him internally. As we left the kitchen, he took my hand in his as my heart surged to the point where it was just about ready to shattered like glass. Then he turned to face me as we stood in front of the grand staircase.

"Well, are we doing anything special today?"

"What did you have in mind?" I asked.

"Oh, I don't care. Just take me somewhere far, far away."