Page 26 of How to Accidentally get Trapped in Hell

“I’m hoping since you seem to have your powers under control, you can just send us to the hellhounds so we don’t have to walk. It’s a really long, boring walk to the Moaning Forest.”

“I don’t know. I’ve never been there before, but I could try,” she shrugs.

She doesn’t seem overly concerned that she may kill us, so I’m going to take that as a good sign and show her the same level of trust she showed me. If she has Luc’s powers, she’ll be able to do it without a second thought. She just needs a little reassurance.

“Just picture a dark spooky forest with killer trees. Try not to land us too close to the trees, though. You may be immune to them, but I certainly am not.”

“Noted.” She chuckles before closing her eyes and concentrating. That’s a good sign, right? Well, smoke is creeping up my legs, so I suppose we’re about to find out.

“I did it!” Maddy cheers when the smoke clears to reveal the forest.

“Good job, Princess. I knew you had it in you,” I praise her with a wink and she blushes a beautiful shade of red.

“Right,” she stammers. “Now what? How do we find them?”

“Allow me… Snowball! Here, girl!” I whistle and wait for the hound to find us. It doesn’t take long. A huge white ball of fire shoots out between the trees, racing toward us as her footsteps echo through the forest. When she finally reaches us, she crashes into me, knocking me off my feet.

“Easy, girl. Damn. Act like you missed me or something,” I tease her as I scratch behind her ear how she likes.

“Someone has a friend,” Maddy giggles looking down at me.

“Snowball’s my best girl. I just let Luc think she’s his. Isn’t that right, baby?” I croon.

“Wow. I never expected to see the big bad Oz baby-talk.”

I glare at her thinking she’s making fun of me, but I find her staring at me with soft eyes and a sweet smile on her face. “Yeah, well, only for Snowball,” I grumble.

“I’m sure Fireball isn’t jealous at all.” She chuckles.

“Of course not. He’s got the other three wrapped around his little paw,” I scoff. “Alright, Snow, where’s the rest of the hounds? We gotta get everyone back before Luc destroys the city looking for you.”

We follow Snow through the forest, careful not to let any of the tree branches touch us. After several minutes, we come to a clearing I didn’t know existed, and find the other eight hounds pacing back and forth. They all stop as soon as they see us, cocking their heads in a creepy sort of choreography.

“Why are they all just standing here? Why didn’t they run off and go back home when Droxley left them?” Maddy wonders aloud.

“Well, he said he can control hellhounds, so I’d guess he told them to stay?” I shrug, not sure myself but it’s the best explanation I can come up with. “Being Luc’s hound, the command probably wore off faster for Snow. That’s why she was able to come when I called but everyone else is still here.”

“I guess that makes sense. So, how do we get them back home if they can’t leave? I’m sure you’re strong enough to carry a hellhound, but I’m not.”

“It’s like you forget you’re so powerful you can literally do anything you want.” I roll my eyes as I tease her. “Use that beautiful brain of yours, Princess.”

“Ugh. I hate you,” she grumbles, but smoke slowly incircles each hound, and one by one they all disappear until we’re the only ones left in the forest. “There. I sent them all home. You happy now?” she snarks.

“Thrilled. Now get us out of here, too, Princess.”

“Humph. Nothing’s good enough for you,” she huffs dramatically. My chuckle follows us as we reappear in front of the castle.

“Good job, Princess.”

“Thank you!” She beams at me and then all hell breaks loose.

nineteen

Lucifer

Gettingtoknowmygranddaughter has been the best thing to happen to me in years. She’s a beautiful demon, inside and out. She reminds me so much of my dear Serafina. Which is a good thing, but it makes me miss her with a fierceness I haven’t felt in years. I’ve thought about her more these past weeks since I met Madelyne than I normally do, and that’s saying a lot because there’s not a day that goes by I don’t think of the love of my life.

Talking about her, telling Maddy stories of our life together, is oddly satisfying. Normally, I don’t talk about the before. Anything that happenedbeforeSerafina died. It hurts too much to speak of such happy times knowing it’ll never be like that again. But now, with Maddy, it makes me happy to relive the good times with her.

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