True Confessions of the Angel of Death

Getting Out

I wasn't content to sit around, waiting to be content here like Jake wanted. I had no idea how long it would take my family to get me out so i would start looking for a more permanent solution that the lake of dreams. I hated roping Tuck into another one of my schemes, but he was the only one here who was on my side willing to risk going against Jake. As far as I was concerned, he was my most valuable ally here. After a little pestering, Tucker let me in on a little secret he'd picked up on while serving higher ups. There were portals to earth scattered around hell but very few knew exactly where. The plan was to find someone who knew who wasn't Jake's biggest fan or at least wanted me gone. To do that though we had to get out of the hotel, which required a great deal of patience on my part.

I picked up the hotel phone on the bedside table that was used to connect rooms to the front desk. It only took a ring or two before a woman's voice answered. "Good evening, ma'am. How can I assist you?" I recognized the voice of the she-demon I'd met upon my arrival and closed my eyes with a sigh.

"Can you put me through to Mr. Thorn? I need to talk to him."

I heard a quiet scoff on the other end, "I'm afraid Mr. Thorn is in a meeting. He's requested not to be disturbed."

"Tell him it's Azrael Church."

"Please hold." I drummed my fingers on the table, waiting. I was only in the fourth set when she came back, her tone much more respectful. It was the same fawning praising tone people took when addressing Jake and while it put an unsettling feeling in the pit of my stomach, it was almost...empowering? "My sincerest apologies, Miss Church. I'll connect you straight away."

The phone rang only once before I could hear Jake's purring tone, clearly pleased that I had taken it upon myself to call him. I put him on speaker so that Tuck could hear the conversation. "Hello, sweetheart. Miss me already? It's only been a few hours." I could hear a slight murmur in addition to his voice and I held my breath, realizing he had me on speakerphone too. This raised the stakes. I had to be convincing enough to make him trust me but composed enough not to embarrass him too badly. I needed him compliant, not angry.

"I know. Would you rather if I not called?"

"That's not what I meant. I always enjoy talking to you." He was quick to correct himself, "What can I do for you?"

"Well...I was thinking about what you said earlier."

"Yes?" he was intrigued if not slightly skeptical.

"I was wondering if maybe I could go out? If I don't see something other than the inside of this hotel soon I'm going to go crazy."

"I'm in a meeting right now. It's going to be a few hours. Where do you want to go?"

"I was thinking one of the clubs? I figured it would be less dangerous than wandering around."

"You want to go clubbing?"

"Jake. I'm bored out of my mind. I figured I could get out for a while and hang out with you after? We might as well try to be civil after all."

"You can't go alone. I'll find someone to go with you."

"Actually I was thinking of taking Tuck. It's obvious he's yours and that would keep people away more than some random body guard." I shot Tucker an apologetic look. "The only down side is I don't really know him that well. What do you think? Would he be a good chaperon?"

Jake gave a low chuckle. "Don't worry. If a thing happens to you I'll skin him alive. You're going to be a good little angel and come right back right?"

I sighed. "Jake, the first and most important part of any relationship is trust. That's where Beth and Xavier started. If you don't trust me to go out I don't see any point in going out at all. Get back to your meeting."

"Azr..."

I put the phone down on the receiver. Tuck gave me a confused look but I held up my finger to tell him to wait. As I predicted, it only took a moment for the phone to ring again. I waited for a ring or two before I picked it up. "Hello?" I asked in a bored tone.

"I'm just looking after you but you're right. If this is ever going to be home to you, you need to feel like you have a say. I'll let security know you're going out."

"Hmm. Thanks, Jake." I hummed. "I won't be out late. I'll try to be back by the end of your meeting."

"It's good to know you're coming around, darling. I want you to be happy here after all."

"I'm not promising anything. I just need a change of scenery." I examine my nails. "Any recommendations? Pride...was it? Didn't really seem like it was to my divine tastes."

"Go to Hex. It's much classier than some of the other clubs. Very exclusive. I'll let them know you're coming."

"If you say so. We have got to find something to keep me...entertained."

"Definitely."

I put down the phone again and flashed Tucker a big smile. "Hook, line, and sinker."