Hell's Throne (The Devil's Assistant Series - 5 ) - Unedited

Hell's Throne - Chapter 24

The scent of Tartarus burned into my nostrils. I had always built the place up in my mind. The nightmare I have not been able to forget or escape. I had once been stuck in the minor section of the hellish pits, reliving my worst fear over and over again, but this was something else. Terrifying didn't even begin to cover it. My feet still hadn't crossed the border into the nightmare but already I felt exposed. I had full body armour, a team of strong and battle ready demons at my back, and my angel blade in hand, but I knew they would not offer much protection against the evil that lurked within the pits.

There were too many places for someone to hide; high rocky peaks and narrow walkways that offered no escape. Once you were in, there would be no turning back. I didn't like it. Not one bit. It was an ambush waiting to happen and there was no doubt in my mind that Lucius's enemies would not hesitate to ambush me at a moment's notice if they were given the chance.

It didn't help that the sky above was reflecting my inner turmoil. It crackled with bolts of lighting, the energy brimming the air around us even as thunder shook the ground beneath my feet. However the clouds above were not think grey storm clouds we had on earth. They were made up of red clouds of dust that hung ominously above us.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Castiel asked, his own sword in hand as he surveyed the landscape around him. "When we found Lucius we traced out the path but it doesn't mean you won't succumb to the varying layers of protection in place. It's not a journey to be taken lightly."

"Did Lucius put you up to this? I am fine. I am going in whether you want me to or not." I tilted my chin up defiantly and dared him to say another work. "I will enter Tartarus with or without you. I need answers so I can protect my family. The question is whether you are strong enough to follow me."

Castiel nodded his head while a grave smile played on his lips. "I will follow you into battle no matter where you go. You're family now."

Resting a hand on his shoulder, I offered him a small smile in return. "You're family too. You're like the brother I never had." I said, before letting my hand fall away. "Now, as much as I would love to lead the charge, I have absolutely no idea where I am going."

"Don't worry, I know where we're going." Castiel replied, his face calm and reassuring. Then, moment broken, I saw the warrior emerge from within the trench coat. His face became hard as he rolled his shoulders and allowed his own angel blade to form in his grasp. Turning, he addressed the group behind us. "Be on alert. Many of you will never have entered Tartarus before and it is not a place for the faint of heart. Stay on the path and keep your wits about you. There are things in Tartarus that even you should fear so keep your weapons out and your guard up. Follow me."

Castiel set a fast pace. After resting around and eating for weeks on end, rubbing shoulders with the demon elite, and carrying out Lucius's royal duties, it was a battle to keep pace. Even my trip through the tunnels to search for Terran and his followers had not prepared me for the speed with which he moved. Apparently having powers did not excuse my own laziness and gluttony.

Muscles in my legs burned and my chest ached as I drew in each breath but it was different from when I had been just human. It was like my body was stretching and coming awake after a slumber. It burned and yet it was also a good ache. It was as if my body was reminding me of my purpose and what I was capable of. It was reminding me that I was no longer that lost single mother who had first wandered into Satani Media.

Adjusting my grip on my blade, I kept Castiel in my line of vision as all times. I stepped where he stepped, making sure to remain on the path behind him. The terrain changed rapidly, becoming more hostile as we led on.

Thorn bushes surrounded us, their gnarled and twisted branches biting at our ankles as we passed. It felt as if they were doing everything they could to stop our progress. I hissed as one snagged as the exposed skin on my arm, drawing blood in the process. I'd had worse injuries in my life, but much like a paper cut, the small wound was intent on making its presence known.