Page 15 of To Hell and Back
There was also a new fountain between the base of the double curved marble staircase that made it look like it was a wall of water that flowed into a long, narrow decorative pool lined with gemstone-colored tiles.
When they got to Arson’s office on the second floor, he didn’t bother turning on the overhead lights. Instead, he used magic to light a few candles and the large stone fireplace at the far end of the room. Arson preferred candlelight over harsher human light fixtures, and Killian was able to see perfectly in the dark so his eyes immediately adjusted to the dimmer light.
The office had been magically altered, making it a much larger room than it seemed from the hallway. Besides a large desk and towering bookshelves made of dark wood that lined the walls, there was a comfortable sitting area with brown leather chairs and a matching couch centered around the stone fireplace.
Killian used magic to remove his coat before he settled onto one of the leather chairs. He’d tried to send the cane back home as well but it refused to leave so he propped it against the side of his leg instead. The damn thing could be quite temperamental at times. That was the problem with possessing a magical artifact.
One could never be sure exactly who was in charge.
Arson carried a tray with a crystal decanter filled with dark liquid and two glasses over to the sitting area. He set the tray down on the table and poured them each a glass of amber liquid before taking his seat.
“I just opened a bottle of scotch from my private collection.” Arson smiled wryly. “I must have sensed you were coming for a visit.”
Killian took the offered glass and sipped. “Very nice. Did this bottle hit the century mark?”
“A couple, actually. I thought I would have to tweak it with magic, but it turned out to be fine on its own.” Arson took a long swallow before saying, “Should I tell Celine to start sending people up?”
“Anika and Dario are questioning the kitchen staff,” Killian stated, relaying what his friends had already conveyed to him. “So, we just need to speak to the others.”
“Any idea what that surge of magic could be?”
He hesitated briefly before admitting, “I’m worried that it was either a powerful supernatural using some serious magic or a new god was created. If either of those predictions are accurate, it could be extremely dangerous for the humans.”
Arson’s eyes narrowed. “A new god? I thought the only way for that to happen was to go through the Merit of Godhood Trials in the Celestial Realm, or be burned to a crisp in the Black Fire Mountain in the Hell Realm.”
“Occasionally fate chooses some poor soul to give god powers to, and it doesn’t always go well for the recipient or the people around them since this type of shit doesn’t exactly come with instructions.”
“Why the hell haven’t I heard of this happening before?”
Killian sighed. “Because people’s memories are usually wiped to keep this information contained.”
Arson’s expression darkened. “That’s fucked up.”
“Take it up with the magical source.”
When a knock sounded on the door, Arson called out for them to, “Enter.”
A demon slowly pushed the door open just enough to stick his head in. He obviously didn’t want to get any closer to Killian than was absolutely necessary, not that he could blame him.
“Umm, Arson? I’m really sorry to bother you, but there is a girl here who is demanding to speak to you.”
“What girl?” Arson’s eyes widened in alarm. “Is it my girl?”
Killian’s brow lifted. “You have a girl?”
The dark angel looked strangely uncomfortable. “Not exactly…yet.”
That was intriguing.
“Don’t worry, it’s not your girl,” the demon assured quickly.
Arson cleared his throat, looking relieved. “Who is it, then?”
“She, ah, she said her name is Seneca Lee. Says you know her.”
Arson frowned. “I do. So do you. She’s one of the authors of your favorite graphic novels.”
The demon forgot his fear long enough to grin. “Holy shit! Really? It’s that Seneca Lee? I can’t believe you know—”
