Page 32 of Lourdes & the Mafia
Ramiel stands, a smirk touching his mouth. “Come,” he repeats, holding his hand out. “Let me give you a tour of the castle.”
Oh.Oh.That’s what he meant. My face heats and my hand trembles as I place it on top of his. He holds onto me, tightening his grip in a comforting hold as I stand.
“This is Castle Black. Appropriately named, as you can see.” He tucks my hand into the crook of his arm before gesturing at the dark stone that surrounds us.
I snort. “Appropriate indeed.”
We start walking from the great dining hall and into a hallway. It’s illuminated with candles and torches, casting shadows across the ground.
The back of my neck tingles as I imagine more of those shadowy, demonic creatures reaching for me and devouring me whole. It makes a shiver go through me.
Ramiel notices. “The castle sits atop rocky hills and looks over the Underworld. Demons roam through certain sectors, though they are not allowed within these walls.”
“What about—”
“A mere blip, I assure you.” He already knows what I mean. The attack. I’m not surprised. “There are some demonic servants through the castle, and I am sure you’ll see them, but apart from their mischievous nature, they are relatively harmless.”
“You’re sure about that?”
He smiles down at me, showing perfect, white teeth. “They fear our wrath too much to misbehave.”
That does bring me some comfort. I’ve seen Lorenzo zap them with his magic in seconds. If he can do that to them all, I’d be frightened into behaving, too.
Our conversation slows as do our footsteps when we come across high archways and black gates. Ramiel waves his hand and they open for him, bursting out as if pushed by an invisible gust of wind. He leads me out onto a curved balcony.
“This is the Underworld,” he whispers darkly.
I suck in a breath.
Outside, the sky is dark. A clashing mixture of gray clouds and black skies with a hint of red flames. A reflection of the expanse beneath, I’m sure. Miles of land blanket the Underworld. Miles ofburningland.
Ash coats the air, making breathing a suffocating experience. Like he said, the black castle sits on top of mountains of gray rock, either side framed by terrifying statues like something straight out of a gothic novel. Hanging above the sky, on either side of the castle, are floating, crumbled pieces of land, atop which sit stony, muscular gargoyles.
I can see nothing beyond the horizon. Nothing but the kiss of flames against dark sand and shadows skittering along the ground.
Somewhere in the distance, I hear screams.
A shiver slides down my back.
“Does it always look like this?” I find myself whispering, afraid of waking whatever dead lays beyond these walls.
“Hmm, most days.” He tugs on my arm, and I go willingly, backing away from the balcony and back inside. When the gates close, the screams cease, and the sensation of being coated in darkness leaves. “Every sector looks different.” He turns, pulling me alongside him.
“Sector?”
“The Underworld is a vast place. There are different areas, each catered to different moments of the afterlife.”
Intrigued by this new information, I ask, “Like what?”
“There is The Pit. It’s where souls go to receive their punishment for their terrible ways.”
“Sounds… like hell.”
Ramiel chuckles, and the sound flows through me like melted chocolate. “There’s the Cursed Valley, where demons of old wander, and the Valley of Demons, right beneath these very cliffs. There’s also the Land of Lament…”
“That sounds ominous,” I interrupt.
“It is… a peaceful place. As peaceful as Mount Vita.” We stop and turn right. I’m trying to memorize the pathways he’s taking me down, but I saw the castle from the balcony, and I’m pretty sure it’s going to be impossible to memorize such a ginormous place.
