Appointed (18 page)

****

“Yes, it is beautiful,” Lucien agreed, and his voice snapped Anj out of the vision. “I don't quite understand how this is supposed to help me. I asked for answers, and you show me a fictitious place.”

“It's not something I'm making up.” Anj closed his eyes as he tried to ignore the pain shooting through his spine once more. The demon was gripping the blue chain again, digging his claws into the links. Anj tried to keep calm, and no matter how much he wanted to lie, he couldn't bring himself to do it. He was much too afraid of the demon. Something told him Lucien would know the instant he was dishonest, and if Anj ever wanted to rest again, he had to continue to cooperate so he could live to fight another day.

“I asked you for—”

Anj let out an exhausted sigh. “And that is your answer. Find the pool and you will be Divine. You do not need to steal or cheat. Touch its waters, and you will become like the gods.”

Lucien scratched his chin. “It sounds too simple, boy. There has to be a catch.”

“The pool is well guarded, but those who are worthy will succeed. A test of the mind, body, and spirit. If you are who you claim to be, then you will not have any problems besting the guardians of these waters. One bath in them will bring you one step closer to your goal,” Anj said. He felt as if he weren't in control of his words. Since becoming Lucien's dream slave, his own consciousness was out of his control. Sometimes he was his normal self, and at other moments he was on autopilot, watching his life being lived as if someone else were in charge. Not Lucien, but someone else inside of him.

The one hundred Fates who died and gave me their power? Denver said the answer would come from a collected knowledge among us. Are the other Fates taking over? No, that doesn't seem right. I just have their knowledge.
And the knowledge of the Fates before them was inside of him as well. That was why the Fates passed on their powers through death, so the things learned over so many generations wouldn't be lost.

“Interesting,” Lucien said. “But I will not be Hades' heir.”

“You will never be his heir, anyway, from what I understand. You've already manipulated the Divine into believing you are. They gave you Persephone's daughter, so why continue the guise? Taking the Divinity from Aphrodite's heir wouldn't have made you Hades' heir either. You can only get that right by having it given to you.” Anj glared at the demon. “This is the answer you sought. If you don't like it, that's not my problem.”

The demon's grip on the blue chain tightened, causing Anj to howl in pain. Lucien peered at him, his gaze like ice. “So then, what will I become a god of? Should I not be the ruler of the underworld? That is what was promised to me, and that is what I shall have.”

“Then you'll have to kill both Hades and his heir,” Anj choked out. “But you will still need to be Divine. Either way, your destination is the pool.”

“Where is it?” Lucien demanded.

“I don't know.”

Another hard pull on the chain made Anj hurt so bad, he was doubling over, ready to vomit.

“Where is it?” Lucien repeated, his wings spreading wide and his slate gray eyes glowing in the dim light like a cat's.

“I don't know!” Anj screamed. “Please stop. I'm cooperating. You promised.”

Lucien chuckled. “I'm a demon. Perhaps I should just kill you.”

“And then the secret dies with me until whomever my powers go to comes of age. Do you have that kind of time to wait?” Anj panted, desperate.

“No.” Lucien stared at him for a moment longer and then released him. “The location, remember it, and it better be soon for your sake as well as your brother's, your girlfriend's, and everyone else's you've ever cared about. Do you understand?”

“Yes. Please let me rest. I'll remember more if you do.”

When the chain was released, he imagined Heaven would be filled with similar pleasures. The pain was replaced with nothing, and he could see only the darkness of the dungeon once more. He missed being completely blind and living in his own private world. Anj closed his eyes and took slow, deep breaths.
I'm not weak for giving in, am I?

“You're smart,” Lucien said.

But Anj wasn't listening to him. Another vision was beginning.

****

“I've given you demons too much power down here. Time for that to change,” a man in his thirties said. His voice was deep and rough, full of authority. Anj would certainly think twice about crossing him. The next thing he noticed about the man was his bold, green eyes. Only one other person he'd ever met had those kind of eyes — Denver. In fact, there were a lot of physical similarities between them. The same dark hair and strong, chiseled features, to name a few.

A group of demons, all similar in appearance to Lucien with large, angel-like wings and strong, young bodies, surrounded the man.

“We're replacing you with one of our own,” one said.

Another nodded. “We don't need you anymore, Hades. You've been good to us, but your reign is soft. Not how a ruler of the underworld should be at all.”

“Respect for the dead is key. Those who have earned it should be treated with it,” Hades said. “And I have respected your kind, given you the control you've earned. Now you want to usurp me? You must be out of your minds. Why on Earth would you think I'd ever give you my kingdom freely?”

“Because you won't have a choice. If you don't, we'll do some rather horrible things to your wife and son,” a third demon said.

“I'll be having a word with your master, and he will not—”

“Lucifer is the one who told us it was time to take over. He has chosen your new heir, and you will appoint him as such or suffer the consequences,” yet another demon said.

Hades' jaw went tense. “And who is this new heir supposed to be?”

Lucien stepped forward then and made his presence known. “I am he. You will name me your son and give me your power as you are no longer fit to rule.”

“Kill me, because it won't happen.”

“Then we will kill your son as well, and the power will be lost. We are not so dumb. There are ways of making you change your mind. Perhaps we should lock you in the deepest cell, close to our master, and see how long it takes for you to go insane?” Lucien smirked.

Hades glared. “Even if I was insane, I would never give up my power to you. You're wasting your time, and the rest of the Divine council will never support your behavior.”

“But they already do. Zeus, Hera, and Poseidon have given me the stamp of approval. The Fates will soon follow suit, as well as the rest of the council. They're all tired of you, especially your inability to fulfill a prophecy that should have come to pass ages ago. And I believe that is your fault as well. They are now losing their power because of you. The less strength the council has, the sooner they will join my cause,” Lucien said.

“Persephone didn't love me, and I didn't love her. We tried to date, and it just wasn't clicking. You can't force someone to love you. That's the whole point of the covenant our ancestors made. They screwed up and are trying to right the wrongs of their hearts. So they sealed away their spirits to someday be reincarnated and—”

Lucien faked a yawn. “How sappy and sentimental of you. I always thought Hades was hardcore and rough, but I guess I was wrong. You are indeed soft.”

“Even the first Hades was gentle and kind. Perhaps a bit twisted, as most rulers of the underworld need to be. But compassion is something my family believes strongly in. One must when dealing with eternal souls,” Hades said, standing tall.

With a snap of Lucien's fingers, a demon entered the circle, holding a young boy around five. “Compassion doesn't get results, but I can be compassionate when needed. Bring the boy closer.”

Hades charged forward, and it took four of the demons to hold him back from striking Lucien. “What are you doing with my son?”

“Not killing him.” Lucien grabbed the boy by his dark, nearly black hair and dug claws into his skull. The boy screamed and cried, and Anj caught sight of the same bright green eyes that Hades had.

“Stop! Please, don't hurt him. Denver hasn't done anything. He's innocent and—”

“Will forget everything about this place. Everything you've taught him about good and decency. He will live like the demons, with no moral conscience. He will be like my son. And forever he shall be in debt to me, paying for the mistakes you have made. That is the curse I place upon this boy, and it is my first act as the new ruler of this underworld. You may escort our old king to the final cell of the dungeon. Chain him next to our father, Lucifer. I'm sure they have a lot of catching up to do.” Lucien released the young Denver's head and then kissed it. The boy fell unconscious.

Lucien faced Hades one more time. “Oh, and I can make someone fall in love with me. I've done it a number of times. Women are easy to deceive, and Persephone will be no different. She'll believe me when I tell her I am her lost love. And we will be husband and wife, thus fulfilling this ancient prophecy and giving the Divine the power they want. That will make them love me all the more. As you can see, I will win. There is no way for me not to. And once I do, everything will change.”

“You can't if you're not Divine,” Hades shouted as he was dragged away.

****

Lucien's smirk tensed, and he let out a sour-sounding laugh. “Oh what fond memories I've made in this place.”

“Soon you will not be able to make more here,” Anj said as he allowed the voice of one of the ancient Fates to speak through him. He couldn't help but grin at this new information. The vision wasn't something he could see, but it was in his gut. Somehow he knew that Lucien would fail, and his instincts were hardly ever wrong.

“See, that's why I have you. You're my insurance.” Lucien gave the glowing blue chain one last flick, and then he left Anj alone.

Hidden in the dark space outside of the cell, Anj caught a glimpse of green eyes and what he thought was the outline of Denver's body. He lurked on the staircase leading down further into the dungeon.

“The heir,” Anj whispered. “He can now return.”

 

Lucien did indeed leave Anj alone for a time. The dreams were fewer and farther apart, which allowed for some time to rest. And when he did have a vision, he saw much pleasanter things.

****

Anj was lying in bed, listening to something on the television. There was nothing to actually see in this vision, but Anj wasn't about to complain. The blackness was a welcoming and familiar comfort.

It sounded like cartoons were on the TV, which weren't what Anj would have ever preferred to watch, but for whatever reason, he knew he didn't have a choice in the matter. A small hand touched his face, and then he realized why. The cartoons were for the child in bed with him.

“Daddy, no sleeping,” a little boy said.

“I'm not sleeping,” Anj whispered, and it was indeed his voice. Perhaps he sounded a bit older, but not by any more than ten years.

“You better not be,” Jewl said from behind him. “Because
he
needs to go and sleep in his bed, not with Mommy and Daddy.”

“No, I sleeping in the big bed!” the boy protested.

“Teague,” Jewl said sternly. “I told you no. You got to come in here and watch some cartoons. Bad dreams are all gone. You can sleep in your bed now. Besides, you have your big brothers to protect you.”

The boy began to cry. “No!”

Anj shifted his weight so he was holding the small boy. And he was small. He couldn't have been any older than four and that was a stretch. One of his tiny hands wrapped around Anj's thumb. “Just for tonight. You know how bad the nightmares can be.”

“Just for tonight always turns into a week,” Jewl pressed.

“We did it for all the others,” he said.

“That was before we were experienced and wiser.”

He laughed. “Hardly.” He stroked the boy's hair. “He'll sleep soon. Jewl, I… I think he's the one. No, I know he's the one. He's who I am passing my ability to.”

“No,” Jewl said tersely, “Absolutely not. I forbid it. We agreed that Cory was going to become my heir, and Alain would be yours. That was the plan. We pinky swore on it and everything.”

“Alain isn't who I'm feeling here.” Anj tapped his chest. “I'm sorry. I know we promised so we wouldn't cause any issues between the twins, but Alain is going to be powerful on his own. I don't think it will suit him. I'm picking Teague as mine. It feels smooth and silky inside, like peanut butter. I can't ignore it. You know my gut is hardly ever wrong.”

She sniffled. “He's my baby.”

“They all are.”

“But him even more so. Are you positive?”

Anj turned his head so he could kiss her, finding her lips with his own. “The only thing I've been more certain about is you.”

****

Anj closed his eyes.
My future?
He'd never had a dream that confirmed a marriage to Jewl. Now, he had. And not only did he marry her, but they had at least three children together. Twins and another boy.
Teague.
No, it's not possible. How could he be… It has to be a coincidence.
But his instinct begged for him to consider the possibility. It made sense in a strange sort of way. Teague couldn't remember anything about where he was from. The demons didn't want him around. In fact, just about everyone knew he didn't belong at Vala.

But my son? Really?
Anj felt guiltier than ever for being so short with the boy. Hopefully he would have more patience in the future, and hopefully Teague would have his memories again so he could act his age.

Applause sounded across the room. Denver stepped into the light where Anj could see him. “Not quite the plot twist I was expecting but definitely an entertaining one.”

“What do you want?” Anj asked.

“Don't cop an attitude with me, or I'll change my mind about helping you. But I did promise Junior I'd do what I can to save you. Especially since you've done such a big thing for me.” Denver began investigating the chains Anj wore. “Man, he's got you tied down tight. You must have a strong spirit to deserve this much.”

“So you think it's true? About Teague? And how have I helped you? I don't—”

“Until I saw your latest episode of ‘Lucien's True Confessions,' I had no clue who I was. As soon as you had that vision? It's like it all came back in a whoosh, like someone flipped a light switch. There are a lot of details to sort out, but I mean, that's huge. I imagine you're feeling something similar. You did just find out you're a dad.”

“In ten years. Not quite something that's so surprising.”

“Yeah, but your kid is stuck here in
our
time. You know what, though? Soon that's not going to matter. But it does make a lot of other things I've heard make sense. Most particularly why your Elder boss guy is so scared of Teague. No wonder he keeps trying to push you away from Jewl.” Denver pulled on the blue chain, and Anj winced. “Sorry, did that hurt?”

Anj grunted. “Pretty sure you knew it would.”

“Whatever.” He started to work on the chains down by Anj's feet. In a matter of seconds, the links were broken.

“How…?”

“Did I know about Neil? I have my sources. And if you're wondering how I broke this sucker? You can thank Cheyenne for that one. Without her, I wouldn't be strong enough to do much of anything,” Denver said. “Look, stop talking so much and this will be a lot easier.”

I'm not the one who's doing all of the talking for a change.
But Anj held his tongue anyway. One by one the chains were clipped away until the only thing that remained was the blue one. Anj literally floated off the ground.

Denver had to pull him down by his feet. “Don't get too excited, buddy. You can't just fly back. This is the tricky part, and it is going to hurt. A lot.”

“I don't care. Just get me home, and fast.”

“Oh good, I was hoping you'd say that. We gotta do one more thing first.” And just like that, Denver pulled down on the blue chain while at the same time pulling up on Anj's spirit. That's the only way the sensation could be described, and the instant he did it, Anj thought he was going to die from the combination of shock and pain. His spirit was ripped away from his body.

Denver wouldn't let him leave just yet. He held down on Anj's spirit, preventing him from floating away. Pressing a hand to his forehead, Denver said in a dark tone, “You will forget everything you saw here. The only thing I want you to remember is pick
her.”

Anj became dizzy and lightheaded. He didn't want to forget everything he'd learned. He didn't want to forget about Teague. But whatever Denver was doing to him didn't leave him with much of a choice. Denver released him, and then it was like being smacked by a truck.

It took all of two seconds for him to be hurled back into his physical body again. And the instant he was, his eyes opened and he saw nothing but black. Jewl's fingertips combed through his hair. Everything was exactly as it should be.