Chapter 19: Chapter 19

As soon as Lukas left the dining hall I fell back against the wall. My cheeks burned at how easy I was affected by the closeness. I gritted my teeth to remind myself that he was Demon King and I should not feel any kind of attraction towards someone like him.

Shaking my head I slowly walked back to the table, noticing Lauren's eyes on me.

"Do you have a death wish?"

"Huh?" I asked, lifting up my fork.

"Why did you do that? He's our King" Lauren clenched her jaw, her eyes glaring at me. I pressed my lips together at her tone.

"Exactly he's your King. Not mine. I don't care"

Dean who had been quiet for a while cleared his throat. My eyes flew toward him.

"You should. My King will not be forgiving the second time. You should learn to behave"

I gave him a pointed look, "I don't need to learn anything. Thanks"

Lauren sighed beside him. Why were they on his side? Right because he's their King. But it didn't matter. I will never respect him in that way. He kidnapped me and is caging me like some animal and expects me to be grateful about it.

"Talia you were out of line today. Sorry to say that but you were. He's the King of Hell and you cannot disrespect him like that"

"Whatever"

At her words I was dumbstruck. I thought out of all she would be the one on my side. How did I forget that she's alive because of him? Of course, she'll think he's right. I needed better friends.

My eyes widened at that. That's the reason I was sitting in the dining hall. I had to ask Lukas for a phone but I probably ruined it by trying to kill him. It was not my fault that he was that annoying.

"Dean" I called out slowly.

He stared at me, his eyebrows lifted up in shocked that I was talking to him, "What?"

"I need to talk to Lukas. Can you please take me to him"

Dean blinked his eyes at me like he couldn't believe I asked him that. It was not that ridiculous as it sounded. I can behave when he is not annoying.

"Why?"

"I want to ask him something"

Dean looked at Lauren for a few seconds like he wanted someone to speak on his behalf. My mouth twisted at that.

"Are you going to take me or not?"

Dean sighed, "Fine but after you finish your breakfast"

"Okay!"

***

Apparently, Lukas was already in Hell. It was beyond the mansion. So naturally, I was terrified of crossing the bridge so Lauren decided to keep me company.

I took a deep breath, holding Lauren's hand and partially closing my eyes when we stepped on the bridge. It smelled foul when we walked through the bridge. Like someone was burning something. My skin was flushed with the amount of heat I felt while crossing the bridge. Sweat clung to my shirt and it irked me.

As we stepped further I heard them. The screams. They sounded so painful and ear-shattering that it made me still in my path. I did not dare to stare down in the fear of finding something I didn't want to see.

"Are the screams coming from down?" She questioned, her eyes automatically shifting towards Dean. Naturally, he was in front, completely unaffected as he walked. He must be used to it by now and also because he's a demon.

Lauren gripped my hand tighter instead of saying something and that was the confirmation I needed.

I ignored the cries of people, the sound echoing around.

"Don't look down. It's the Pit"

"The Pit?" I asked, my mouth parted in surprise. I heard stories in my childhood about how people are burned in the Pit for their sins. But I thought those were just stories!

Dean chuckled, turning his head over his shoulder, "I guess you know about it then"

"I heard the stories"

Instinctively I looked down and my eyes widened, staring at the flames, scorching hot and bright. People were burning in the fire. Souls that had created enough havoc on Earth were punished this way.

"Then you must know that they deserve it"

I nodded my head, still unsure how to respond to that. There was nothing worse than that. Burning even after you are dead.

"Is everyone punished this way?"

Dean shook his head, "No. This is the first stage of punishment, umm...how do you say that? Beginners level. The ones who have committed minor sins. Others are tortured with different means"

Lauren tugged at my arm, "Trust me you wouldn't want to know about it"

Dean's mouth twitched and he hummed softly, "Yeah if I were you I would take her word"

I stayed quiet the entire way. Everything from the past week was feeling real at that moment. I was really in Hell.

Lauren was mumbling about something but I really wasn't in the mood to listen. All my thoughts were focused on one thing. Getting away from there. And as soon as possible. There was no way I was letting my child be in a toxic place as such. How was I going to escape from a place like this?

"We should be careful now," Dean said something but I didn't bother to ask him anything, letting Lauren drag me.

As soon as we reached the other side of the breath I took a huge breath. The air on that side was much better and slightly cold than on bridge.

Something caught my eyes and a gasp escaped my lips. There was a pure white stallion, charging towards us out of nowhere.

"Sit down"

I cleared my throat, "Come on boy! Back"

The white stallion dropped down, eyeing me for a while. As soon as it took a step back I took a step forward. I was sure that it won't hurt me. The stallion followed suit and neighed. I slowly reached my hand towards the stallion and Lauren tugged me back. My body stilled and I pulled my hand out of Lauren's hold.

I raised my hand and the stallion moved closer. For a second it felt like it was grinning at me as the stallion placed the muzzle on my hand. At the steady breathing of the horse, I ran my fingers gently over its muzzle.

Dean pulled my hand back, "Are you crazy?"

"Why?"

"Its a Hellhound! You know it can easily kill you, right?"

A hell hound? I gaped staring at the white stallion in front of me. How can someone so pure be the guardian of the Hell? It didn't make any sense.

"It's a white stallion"

"Huh?" Dean raised his eyebrows

"I saw a white stallion march towards us so I calmed it down."

I was able to do that because of my uncle. He had a stable on his farm and every summer he let me go horseriding. It was the only reason why I looked forward to summer.

"But how? All we can see is a terrifying black hound with bloody white teeth." Lauren frowned.

Dean made a sound, "I think I know why. She's the only one who's alive, has a soul maybe that's why she is unable to see the true form"

"That makes sense"

***

When we stepped inside I stood in the corner as Lukas was yelling at someone. I gulped as I noticed his red eyes flashing towards the man on his knees.

The man shook, wrapping his arms around himself and shaking. I noticed that he looked old and fragile, almost too good to be in Hell.

"Killed nine innocent children and stabbed your own wife for fun. Tried to blow up the school van but escaped as the police caught on your plan. Do you think you deserve any sympathy?"

I gasped at that. Never judge a book by its cover.

The man shook violently, "Please my lord. Don't send me down there!"

Lukas chuckled, "Don't worry Mason. You are going to get something worse than that."

The old man stood up and ran towards me, I flinched. He begged me to help him. As soon as he gripped at my arm, Lukas growled.

"Unhand her or you'll suffer worse than you are going to."

As those words boomed throughout the hall the old man fell on his knees. The guards nearby held him and took him as he was trying to get away. I looked away.

Lukas stood up and walked towards me, his eyes falling on my stomach before taking my arm in his. I was almost touched by his gesture. Everyone in the hall was staring at me with a weird look in their eyes. It made me want to pull my hand away from his.

"Did he hurt you?" He asked, his voice concerning.

I shook my head, "I'm fine"

He held my hand and looked in my eyes, "You shouldn't have come here. It's dangerous here cara"

"I came here to ask you for a phone"

***