Page 55 of Anarchy
“As you know, I own several properties. I have resorts and hotels all over Hell. I’m not hurting for money, either. They can stay at one of my properties for free. The soul collection business was vital to continuing Hell itself, but it brought no money to the economy. The salaries were all paid with heavy taxes.
“Now that era is over, and we will have to move into a new one. Everyone employed in that line of work will have to find new jobs. Here’s something for you big economy grumps. We’re about to have a whole bunch of previously underrepresented consumers entering the market.
“Instead of getting butt hurt they aren’t working their asses off for free anymore, think of them as consumers with needs. There are no Hellhound bars. There is absolutely zero representation for them in television and movies. We tore away them from their parents and their pups taken away. Apps that would allow them to reconnect would be beneficial and make money. They want love just as much as you do. Make a dating app for them.
“You are about to free up a good bit of your budget with the sun fixed. Hellhounds need help, and plenty of demons do too. So put those tax dollars to good work.”
“Will there be a Hellhound elected to speak for them when needed?”
“Bram was my champion. He wasn’t too scared to kick down my office door and tell me Dorian Gray and the traitor kidnapped someone he cared about and were currently in Hell. Bram connected me with Reyson, which is how our sun is getting fixed. He also rallied the Hellhounds and prevented a lot of death at Akul’s place.
“Still, Bram has done enough, and he never asked for this. He found a family on Earth when he was trying to find Talvath, and I won’t deny him that. I’m not going to deny any of my creations love or family. May is also a leader. She kept the faith and defended the witch Dorian and Akul kidnapped at the risk of her own life. I think May would make a lovely representative for the Hellhounds.”
That was… surprising. Lilith gave me an out. I was pretty sure no matter what my soul truly desired, I’d have to stay here and help. She had pretty much accounted for everything I had been worried about, and May would be much better at that than I would.
I was a Hellhound like they were, but I didn’t live the same life they did because of Talvath. I could imagine what they went through, because I hadn’t experienced it. Not like May had. May had been protecting the Hellhounds where she lived long before I showed up, at her own expense.
She honestly looked terrified and shot me a panicked look like she wanted me to get her out of it. I put my hand over hers and leaned in to whisper in her ear.
“You’re going to be great at it. Ask Solomon and Duke for help. You can understand them in ways I can’t. You’re so brave, May. You just need to be brave a little longer, and things will get better.”
She let out the breath she was holding and nodded. The speaker pounded her gavel on the table and called for a vote to abolish all the laws that hurt Hellhounds. Most people looked like Lilith had convinced them, and they were happy to do it. A few were scowling like they hated every minute of this.
I didn’t trust anyone unhappy about abolishing slavery. I hoped Lilith was noting that and intended to break out Akul’s blackmail files if they sowed insurrection about it and hurt my people.
38
Ripley
Iwas worried for Bram and May, and I couldn’t even amuse myself tormenting Dorian. Reyson’s theory was correct. Dorian survived the brain melting with the necklace on, but he was this drooling, crying mess while his body tried to heal that. His body kept convulsing, and he was crying in pain.
He deserved every minute of it, but Ravyn and I didn’t have a go at him. We wanted him conscious and knowing it was us when it happened. Reyson offered to heal him so we could have our vengeance, but we both said no. Why? He had no problem torturing Talvath.
We were all piled in the living room. Gabriel and Lucifer were buddied up, and I was so happy for him. It was odd how much they looked alike, considering how far removed Gabriel was from Lucifer. That angel must have potent genes.
Solomon and Duke were pacing. They were worried about May. Ireallyhoped Lilith pulled this off, and they got to be a little happy family when this was over.
“Do you miss your library, my witch?” Reyson asked.
“Yeah, but what’s happening now are the things that are written in the history books in the Library of the Profane. It’s nice to be here witnessing it. I’m not super fond of the fact that my role was the damsel in distress. I know we’ll have to get back soon because I don’t trust my library in someone else’s hands, but we can stay a bit longer.”
“What do you think Lilith meant that the Cult of the Aether Sisters weren’t witches?” Ravyn said. “Some of their curses are still known and forbidden today. They canonlybe done by witches.”
“I don’t know, but I don’t like it. I would prefer you put those objects back where you found them.”
“I don’t pretend to know what was going on with every single person in every part of the world, but wasn’t that particular group associated with bears?” Reyson asked.
“Everything that is known about them was that they were dark witches with bear familiars, but I’m starting to doubt that. Not every witch gets a familiar. It would be odd for an entire coven to get the exact same one and for every member even to have a familiar,” Ravyn said.
“I’d be wary of it too,” Gabriel said. “The demons were so afraid of them, they wouldn’t give them more power, and something tells me they aren’t afraid of much.”
“Demons are afraid of lots of things,” Lucifer said. “The only reason we’re in this mess now was that some demons feared the Hellhounds after the civil war and turned them into the villains, even though plenty of them fought on their side. Don’t let anyone’s bravado fool you. What Akul did frightened them too.”
A magical door opened in the living room. May walked through first. She ran straight to Solomon and Duke, who scooped her up in a hug. May looked beautiful. Lilith had put her in one of her dresses, done her makeup, and curled her hair.
I was staring at them so long, I nearly missed Bram coming through. He was unharmed and beaming. Bram picked me up and kissed me.
“We did it! Lilith got all the old laws repealed. There’s going to be another press conference in two hours. Lilith will be there. She’s offering her properties to house everyone. It was great. One of the politicians owns a transport company. He offered his buses to get everyone there. Another owns a popular grocery store chain and said she would make sure they were fed while they were getting settled. The police are being dispatched all over the realm to make sure no one gets hurt in the transition.”
