As the limo crawled along the road the crowd swarmed around it. I had no idea where we were headed or what event these souls had gathered to witness, but I did know that Jake was parading me through the streets like some kind of trophy. I knew I represented a triumph over the forces of Heaven. My capture was a coup for Jake and I could see in his face that he was enjoying every moment.
Suddenly Jake was on his feet in the limo, pulling me up to join him. I tried to wrestle free, but his grip was so tight that when he took his hands away he left two red welts behind. The crowd seemed to go wild now, clambering over one another to scramble onto the hoods of cars or hang out of the charred windows.
“You should wave,” Jake said. “Get some practice in.”
“At least tell me where you’re taking me?” I said.
Jake gave me one of his trademark looks, half smile and half sneer. “And spoil the surprise?”
The driver made a left off the main road and pulled up in front of what appeared to be a junkyard with pylons of twisted metal. An area had been cleared to erect a makeshift stage complete with microphones and speakers. Jake’s bodyguards, wired so they could communicate with one another, patroled the area. Jake offered me his arm and I was so overwhelmed by the commotion happening around me that I actually took it. He looked smug but I was too nervous to care. Together we climbed the red-carpeted steps as if we were A-listers at some Hollywood party. Waiting for us onstage beneath a canopy of twisted black roses were two silver thrones, draped with black mink. Perhaps in a different setting they might have been striking, but today they seemed like dead weights, iron manacles binding me to this subterranean world. I wasn’t feeling too steady on my feet so when Jake escorted me to my seat, with a great show of gallantry, I sank into it with relief. A hush now fell over the amorphous crowd as they waited for Jake’s address. Even the bats I’d seen flying soundlessly overhead stopped mid-flight.
“Welcome, everyone,” Jake began. He didn’t seem to need a microphone. His powerful voice reverberated through the crowd. “Today marks a momentous occasion, not only for me but for the entire kingdom of Hades.”
The cheering rose in volume and only died down once Jake raised his hands to call for silence. Below us I noticed the elite of Hades seated in order of rank. Each wore the same condescending and somewhat sadistic expression but at the same time managed to be utterly mesmerizing. The souls seemed terrified and yet unable to tear their gazes away. I felt a burning hot wind against my cheeks and wished I were back in the penthouse; imprisoned but safe from the prying eyes of the damned.
Jake stood tall as he lifted one hand in a grand, sweeping gesture and like dominoes the watching souls fell to their knees one by one. I tried to keep my focus on the crimson sky and not look directly at anyone in the crowd. I was too afraid of what I might see in their eyes. I had a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach that told me something terrible was about to happen. I saw a bent and bearded old man haul himself up the steps with the aid of a staff and approach the microphone. He was dressed in the daily vestments of a priest, black cassock and white collar. His face was lined and weathered looking. His eyes were red-rimmed and bloodshot and the skin beneath them was pouching; soft pockets of purplish flesh that reminded me of used tea bags.
“Please welcome Father Benedict,” Jake said, sounding like a talk-show host. “He will be conducting today’s ceremony.” Jake smiled indulgently as the older man bowed his head in reverence. I was taken aback to see something so sacrilegious — a man of God bowing before a demon like Jake.
“Don’t look so shocked,” Jake said casually, returning to his seat. “Even the most devout can fall.”
“You’re despicable,” was all I said.
Jake looked at me in surprise. “Why me?” He jerked his head in Father Benedict’s direction. “If you want to point the finger at someone, point it at him.”
“What is he even doing here?”
“Let’s say he failed to protect the innocent. He works for us now. I’m sure you can appreciate the irony.” I glared at him furiously. “Or not.”
It occurred to me that Jake was being deliberately cagey. Despite the heat, I felt my blood run cold, as though someone had injected shards of ice directly into my bloodstream. I knew I was Jake’s conquest, a souvenir of his victory over the agents of heaven. But what else was going on?
“Whatever you want me to do, I won’t do it,” I said.
“Calm down,” Jake replied. “Your presence is all that’s required.” Suddenly the pieces seemed to fall into place. The gown, the parade, and now a ceremony — it was starting to make sense.
“I won’t marry you,” I said, gripping the throne so hard my knuckles turned white. “Not now, not in a million years from now.”
“This isn’t a wedding, darling,” Jake said, laughing softly.
“That part comes later. As a gentleman, I would never push you into something you weren’t ready for.”
“Oh, but kidnapping’s okay?” I asked sarcastically.
“I needed to get your attention,” Jake replied in a blasé tone.
“Do you really want to be with someone who can’t stand the sight of you?” I asked. “Don’t you have more self-respect than that?”
“How about we save the domestic spat for a more private time? Right now you’re everybody’s sweetheart. Just enjoy the moment.”
Jake gestured toward the audience, who were waiting with baited breath for something to happen. “They’ve made a long journey to welcome their new princess.”
Then, quick as lightning, he pushed back his chair and was behind me, propeling me forward so I was now center stage. There rose a collective flutter of excitement and thousands of eyes watched me with a fanatical eagerness. “This,” Jake whispered seductively from behind, “is an induction. Look around you, Bethany. This is your kingdom and these are your people.”
“I’m not their princess,” I spat. “I never will be!”
“But they want you, Beth. They need you. They’ve been waiting such a long time. Just think of the difference you could make around here.”
“I can’t help them,” I said feebly.
“Can’t or won’t?
The conversation was interrupted by the sound of someone loudly clearing her throat. It was the redhead named Eloise from the banquet. “Can we please get on with it?” Jake responded by motioning Father Benedict forward.
“Let’s begin.”
I had no idea what their “induction” involved, but I knew I couldn’t go through with it. I had to get away. I bolted for the steps and even managed to scramble down a couple before being met by Jake’s entourage below. Soon they were swarming around me. Their hot hands grasped at me from every direction. Their faces contorted with pleasure, flashing between masks of beauty and their true grotesque forms. A few moments later, I was forcibly returned to my seat. Jake sat beside me looking serene. The priest placed a silver crown of vine leaves on his head and it shimmered against his smooth dark hair. In his gnarled hands, Father Benedict held an identical crown intended for me. When he spoke, his throaty voice resounded through the space.
“We are here today to welcome a new member into our family. The prince has searched for her for many centuries and we share in his happiness now that he has found her at last. She is no mere mortal who succumbed to the lure of power and immortality. She comes from a much higher place — a place known as the Kingdom of Heaven.” There was a collective gasp from the spectators. I wondered if their tortured minds could even remember such a place as Heaven. Somehow, I doubted it. “You shall worship her,” Father Benedict intoned, his voice rising in fervor. “You shall serve her and bow to her will.” I wanted to get up and contradict every edict coming out of his mouth, but I knew I would only be silenced. Father Benedict concluded, “I present to you, the new Princess of the Third Circle, the Angel Bethany!” With that he turned and placed the crown on my head. As soon as he did a flash of lightning illuminated the red sky and a storm of ash blew up around us, forcing the souls to duck for cover and shield their faces. The demons seemed to enjoy the crowd’s reaction.