Page 122 of Soul of a Witch

“Money” didn’t have a purpose here. We used it only for our expeditions to the human world. Amongst our own kind, there was no reason for any of us to go without something we needed. Hell was a massive and bountiful place, and we were better off when we looked out for each other. What good was freedom if it was reserved only for those privileged enough to attain it?

Everly’s head was on a swivel, trying to take in everything at once. As we walked, taking our time, it wasn’t long before other demons took notice. A human soul in Hell was not unusual at all — there were plenty of mortal souls here, living out their eternity alongside us. But awitch’ssoul in Hell was rare, and Everly’s scent was bright with life.

It swiftly attracted interest.

Claws shuffled and wings perked up. Horned heads craned up curiously to watch us pass. Whispers rippled up and down the street.

A witch in Hell?

A living witch?

Who’s that with her?

He’s an old one, isn’t he?

“Callum. That’s Callum.”

We paused, my hand tugging Everly to a halt at the sound of a familiar voice. A demon was standing in the cavernous opening of a nearby tavern, staring at me with black eyes that sparkled with glittering gold. She looked different now — of course she did, it had been so long. She’d grown horns but no wings, her dark hair grown long enough to brush the ground, her tattoos bright and colorful although they’d once been only black and gray.

“Kimaris.” My voice struggled to form her name. She came closer, hesitantly, just a few steps at a time.

“You came home,” she said. She laughed softly, her eyes moving to Everly. “I can’t believe it. You really…you found your witch.”

“I swore I would,” I said. And then, in a flash, she’d crossed the distance between us to embrace me.

The painful memories bloomed, before wilting away. Kimaris gripped the nape of my neck, and I hers, our claws digging in enough to draw blood as we pressed our foreheads together.

“I thought you must have died,” she said. “Killed on one of your hunts.”

“If the gods couldn’t kill me in Hell, Kim, they certainly can’t kill me on Earth,” I said, as we drew back from each other. Everly watched, smiling politely but also obviously confused. Kimaris turned to her, opening her arms for an embrace but then quickly catching herself.

“Ah, right. Human.” She chuckled, extending her hand instead. Everly shook her hand and smiled sheepishly before opening her arms in acceptance of an embrace. Kimaris wrapped her arms around her, lifting Everly entirely off her feet as she said excitedly, “We all thought he was mad for chasing you! But you’re real! Ha!” She set Everly back on her feet but paused for a moment, staring at my witch as she sniffed the air. “Your scent, it’s…” Kimaris glanced at me, a question I couldn’t read in her gaze. But she quickly looked away again, shaking her head with a chuckle. “That’s a lot of magic you carry, love. A bit overwhelming.”

“Tell me about it,” Everly said with a jokingly dramatic sigh.

Kim laughed again, motioning for us to follow her. “Come, please, have a drink with me. It’s been far too long.”

“A God that’s being worshiped? Lucifer’s balls, that’s a bold one to pursue, Callum. Even with a witch at your side.”

Kimaris took a long drink from her glass, draining it before she raised it in the air so the bartender could see. The human behind the bar gave her a nod before muddling some herbs in a glass, then pouring ruby-red liquid on top.

“Thanks, Willi,” she said as he brought the beverage over to our table. The tavern was dimly lit, comfortable and cool. Day or night, places like this would be full of demons, drinking, socializing, fucking.

Everly kept getting distracted by the fact that demons liked to fuck in the open, like the three playmates in the opposite corner from us. She was trying so hard not to stare, but her reddened cheeks and quickened heart rate told me she kept sneaking looks in their direction.

“But you finally decided to do things properly, eh?” Kimaris said. “Asking the council for their blessing?”

“It’s time I buried the grudge,” I said, sipping my drink. Hell’s liquor was far more powerful than anything that could be found on Earth, and I relished the burn as it went down. I’d warned Everly to sip her drink slowly, but she hiccupped and giggled after taking another gulp.

“Does Lucifer know about her?” Kimaris said, looking at Everly pointedly. When I nodded, she frowned. “But does he know that she’s…” Her eyes darted between us.

“Inexperienced?” Everly said, finishing Kim’s sentence. “He wasn’t happy about me, but I’m sure he knows. Doesn’t he, Callum?”

Kimaris lowered her eyes, and I had the strange feeling that wasn’t the word she was going to say. But I didn’t push it.

“Lucifer will be fine,” I said. “Paimon and Bael will support our endeavor, without a doubt. And Lucifer won’t go against both of them.”

Kimaris leaned back in her chair, nodding her head. It was good to see her after so long, to see her healthy and happy. When I left Hell, she’d still barely been speaking.

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