Page 23 of How to Accidentally get Trapped in Hell

sixteen

Oz

Iturninvisiblebeforeleaving the hidden security room. No one will see me until I get to the bottom of this mess. I figure I’ll check Droxley’s rooms first. If they’re not there, I’ll try Bartleby’s. I walk through the hallways, winding my way further into the castle. Things have been much quieter since Luc moved them to the back of the building. Before, there were constant complaints about them, in and out of the palace. They never grew out of the adolescent pranks and the assholes that they are, find joy in ruining someone else’s day.

Luc finally made them move to be as far away from other demons as they could get. That’s normally a good thing, but now it’s taking me longer to get to them and I don’t have the patience for this shit. The first room I come to is quiet so I slowly open the door. It’s completely empty. No dickhead demons or missing hellhounds. I continue down the hall until I hear muffled voices. Stopping in front of a slightly open door, I look in and see my targets in a heated conversation. While they’re not paying attention, I silently slip into the room. Just as I clear the door, Droxley turns his head in my direction.

“You didn’t close the fucking door?” he snaps at Bartleby. “Fucking idiot. If anyone hears us, we’ll be caught and we can’t get caught yet. You know we have to time everything perfectly. Just like last time. Marjorkorie was sloppy and got caught. Look at how that worked out for her.”

“I know. Don’t call me an idiot,” Bartleby whines. “I’m not stupid. I know the stakes are even higher than last time. We can’t afford to fuck up any step in the plan.”

“Exactly. So you have to pay attention. What would happen if someone walked by and overheard what we’re talking about?”

“Ugh! Iknow. Get off my ass.” He stomps towards me and slams the door. “Happy? You were the one that didn’t close the door,” he grumbles under his breath.

“Ecstatic. Now, what’s your plan to get the girl? We can’t underestimate her like Marjorkorie did.”

My ears perk up when they mention Maddy. I knew they were up to something more sinister than just stealing hellhounds.

“She went out with Dad again. I don’t know where he took her this time. I’ll find her when she gets back and convince her to come to our room. Marj fucked up when she bound her using human rope. She won’t be able to escape the chains I stole from Dad’s precious torture chamber,” Bartleby boasts.

Fuck. I have to warn the guys. I don’t know exactly what they have planned for Maddy, but it can’t be good. Unfortunately, I have to wait for one of them to leave so I can sneak out. They’ll definitely notice the door opening. I wish I could just pop in and out of places like Luc can.

It’s hours before one of them finally opens the door and I quickly slip out, desperate to find the guys and tell them everything I overheard.

No one is in the security room when I get back, so I go to Maddy’s room hoping to find her before Bartleby does. I pass through Luc’s quarters on the way, pausing when I hear a roar from his room.Fuck. It sounds like Luc just found out Snowball is missing.

“What do you mean she’sgone?!” I’m certain his bellow can be heard throughout the entire palace.

“We’re searching for her, your highness. We will find her,” Belz declares. I haven’t heard him address Luc so formally in centuries. Although, he hasn’t been on Luc’s bad side for a while. The only chance you have at tempering his anger is to show complete deference.

“Why was I not immediately informed?” Luc snaps.

“You were gone, Sire. We were hoping to resolve the situation before you got back,” Zarreth attempts to placate the raging devil.That explains why they weren’t in the office waiting for me.

“Well, you didn’t, did you?” he sneers.

“No, Sir,” they say as one.

“Where are Oz and Zephyr?” Luc demands.

“They’re both tracking down leads, Sire. We expect them back shortly,” Belz says.

I don’t have time to stay and listen to more, if Luc’s back that means Maddy is too. I have to find her before Bartleby does.

When I finally reach her suite only to find she’s not there, I know in my gut I’m too late. They already have her. Luckily I know where they’re taking her. There’s no time to warn the guys. I have to go after her myself. Lucifer made those chains so no demon would be able to escape them. I don’t know if they’ll work on Maddy or not but it’s not a risk I’m willing to take. I run faster than ever, desperate to get to her before the psychotic brothers can hurt her.

seventeen

Madelyne

Ilovespendingtheday with my grandfather, getting to know more about both him and this world I come from. I’ve always been passionate about expanding my mind, that’s why I read so much, and why I decided to go into teaching. I wanted to instill that passion into young kids. I don’t miss my life back home as long as I’m busy. It’s times like now, when I’m alone that my mind wanders to what I’m missing. What’s happening back home? Is my dad okay? Is he losing his shit because I disappeared without a word just like my mother?

I’m quickly spiraling down the rabbit hole when there’s a knock at my door. Curious who that could be, I climb out of bed where I was wallowing, and open the door, shocked to find one of my uncles. I haven’t seen either of them since the family dinner. Why’s he here?

”Madelyne. I’m so glad you’re here. I’ve been trying to get a moment with you, but I can never manage to catch you,” Bartleby… Ithinkit’s Bartleby… says with a bright smile and I’m instantly on alert. I may not know him, but Belz and Zeph have said enough about him for me to be wary of anything he says.

”Sorry. I stay pretty busy. Why have you been looking for me?” I ask.

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