Divinity: Immolation: Book Three (The Divinity Saga) (17 page)

Someone screamed out my name.

XXI
: Cam`ael

A
whorehouse was exactly what I was expecting, however what we actually came across, was ingenious. We were all astounded.

“Damn, no need to wonder anymore about how they’re able to acquire so many auras and souls.” Ry whispered as we gawked at the expensive, well-decorated mansion.

Aside from the spacious foyer and open lounging rooms, there were several grand rooms that were set up with giant, decorative hookah, which served for more than simple smoking sessions. I was certain that there were elements other than tobacco and nicotine in them. I could smell it and it was potent.

The disco room was currently hosting quite a few mortal human guests, all dancing and totally oblivious to the fact that both their souls and their bodies would soon be trapped, sold, and used here forever.

“Interesting. Hang on a sec, I wanna check something. Be right back.” Mac mentioned as he ghosted out.

He was probably wondering the same thing that I was thinking just now too.

Class was not something anyone of us associated with Psyrens but this place completely destroyed that pretense altogether. This establishment was immaculate, well-designed, and well-kept.

“See anything you like, just l
et me know. We’ll hook you up.” Grace winked over her shoulder. “Except for you, Cam`ael. Here, you’re off limits.” She made sure to reiterate to her two partners in crime.

I’ve been around long enough to know what that meant. Please Elohim, don’t tell me that I may have to do what I think I have to do in order to gain her trust.

I don’t think Starling would appreciate it and I would never do anything to hurt her. Not even this.

Draea continued to watch us suspiciously as Grace led us up a gorgeous, curving staircase that split off into a ‘T’ at the landing. It was made completely of both smoky glass, and black marble stone, inlaid with pure gold.

Now, either selling souls, vessels, and auras, as well as hooking was extremely good money, or they’ve earned some incredibly fancy perks from many of those capable of strong magick, like Morning Star.

I don’t see how this was going to happen. There was no way I’d ever trust anyone who dealt with him.

Mac ghosted back in and fell into step with us once again. He grinned crookedly.
“I knew it! The other side of this mansion is actually positioned half in the human realm, and it’s disguised as a hotel and dance club on that end. Place is crawling with a shit load of hella hot babes; human, Succubus’, and Psyrens. It could be anywhere but I’m gonna guess that it’s somewhere in the Eastern hemisphere. There’s a large variety of women and men with many different accents.”
Mac informed us.

Interesting and clever of them. I wouldn’t be surprised if more and more beings were doing the same thing. I’m sure it was under Morning Star’s advisement. He had ventures, sites, and well-known places set up just like this all over the world. Once any human entered, they were marked as prey and vulnerable. They became open vessels once intoxicated or high, which then allowed them to willingly invite darkness into themselves on a subconscious level.

“Not surprising. Do me a favor, will you two check out the entire mansion? See who’s hanging around and if you recognize any from Morning Star’s crowd.”
I relayed to both of them.

“Well, if I must.”
Mac grinned, rubbing his hands together after spying a group of lingerie clad succubus’ and Psyrens waltzing past us at the base of the stairs, purposefully pushing lust magick in our direction—or more like mine.

“You got it, Lord Cam.”
Ry saluted, mimicking Rahab on purpose with a smirk, and then he turned to head back down the stairs before I could comment.

“Is it alright if they mingle?” I asked Grace who glanced over her shoulder at Mac and Ry’s departure.

She appeared stunned that I would even ask.

“Be my guest but I’d prefer for Draea and Saje to escort them. House rules regarding any fallen. And don’t be surprised if a few Bandits decide to follow. They’re very protective of us.” Grace winked at me.

“You mean like a pimp and prostitute?” I replied casually.

She quirked her lips with a slight smirk. “Not quite. More like the other way around.”

I wondered what she meant by that.

R
y and Mac were already at the bottom of the stairs, easily disappearing into the crowd with Draea and Saje in tow close behind. If I knew them, they’d end up cloaking and splitting up just to throw confusion.

“Don’t do anything to cause trouble, insult, or get them riled up. I’m here t
o establish trust and create an alliance.”
I warned Ry.

“Oh, so now it’s gone from simple requests to performing miracles?”

“Don’t play, Ry.”

He laughed,
“Shit, Cam. You take the fun out of every damned thing. Fine, I won’t insult but I can’t promise that I won’t sample a few things. And if Draea keeps following me around, I’m gonna feed that damned snake to her and I don’t mean through her mouth.”

I sighed with a chuckle. That was Ry.

Grace led me to her personal boudoir. She had a thing for the Spanish Renaissance décor, from colorful fabrics, to the giltwood and wrought iron framed furniture, all the way down to authentic paintings by El Greco and Juan Van Der Hamen.

She had very good taste in art and design, another surprising discovery. What really stopped me in my tracks was her wall of books, hundreds of books of all sorts.

She reads? I was dumbfounded.

“Care for something to drink or smoke?” She offered as she moved to sit behind a fancy, dark wood desk.

“No thanks.” I said, still fascinated by her collection of paintings. I moved closer to the bookshelf, examining the spines of some of the old bound leather.

Tolstoy, Faulkner, The Iliad, obvious first editions of poetry from Greece, Ancient Rome, and Ancient Egypt.

“I’ve gotten many of those as payments. Most were from the authors and artists themselves. One of my favorites is Shakespeare, actually.” She informed me, seeing my intense interest in the books.

“You’ve…read these?” I had to ask.

“What kind of question is that? Obviously. They aren’t for decoration. I see that you have a keen eye for art too. Guess we’ve both been proven wrong today. I thought all fallen were arrogant warlords who cared for nothing more than fleshly pleasures and conquest.” She commented.

I looked at her over my shoulder, “I’ve assumed the same.”

She grinned.

“Alright, let’s get down to business then,” She lit a long, slender cigarette and sat back in her chair, crossing and propping her shapely legs up on the desk. “What is it that you want because it’s evident it isn’t about auras or vessels.”

I smirked and moved to join her, standing on the other side of the desk. I allowed her time to admire me as if it wasn’t obvious.

She licked her upper lip invitingly and raised a brow. “So?”

“This is a smart set-up you have going on here. The humans have no idea and I guess it’s no secret who your biggest client is.” I began.

“My biggest client or clients? You’d be surprised, actually.” She grinned, sensually blowing out a steady stream of intoxicating smoke that took shape of a…cock. She flicked her tongue out, stroking the length of it as it dispersed gently.

I nodded, very impressed.

“You don’t have to say anything, Cam`ael. I know why you’re here.” She eyed me carefully.

“Really?” I smirked.

She laughed soft and low, “I get it. The rivalry between you and Morning Star and what’s at stake, along with the earth and everything on it. You don’t want him to have it. None of us do. There’s been a lot of talk going around though. Many are taking bets on which one of you will rise to power over all when the time comes.”

“What’s your bet?”

She smirked. “I’m not sure. You are the total opposite of him in many ways but…” She hesitated.

“But what?”

She shook her head, taking another long draw on her cigarette, nearly finishing half of it. She slowly blew out another perverted stream of smoke. Breasts this time.

I take it that she wasn’t going to finish that thought for some reason. I watched her body language, admiring her full breasts.

“You still do business with him.” I more stated than asked.

“Of course, he pays very well.”

“And how long do you think that will last, once he’s in power? He won’t need anything from you then. He can do it all on his own. The Earth will be his to rule and rape. What will you do to survive then?”

I wanted to make sure to plant the seed. She was thinking about that.

She had been right though, she knew exactly why I was here, which made me instantly wary. Did Elohim know or see this coming? Yes, more than likely.

“He can do it all on his own now but I won’t lie to you, Cam`ael—you do seem pretty cool…on the surface, and no doubt you’re very masculine and incredibly sexy. Whatever it is you’re looking for, might be easier attained if…”

Here it comes.

“If what?”

“If we start hanging out more.”

I raised a single brow. “That’s it?”

She snickered and held up a sharp, manicured finger with a determined glimmer in her neon green eyes, “Oh, let me clarify what I mean by, hanging out more. Sex and a relationship. I don’t want you to just do me, I want you. You’re a powerful fallen with much influence. I find that to be an extra added bonus. If you’re trying to make nice with us for whatever reason, then I’m all for it and I can guarantee that it will definitely be well worth your effort too.” She smirked, leaning forward to allow her breasts to spill over onto the desk.

I sighed internally. My intuition was rising again. There was no way that this was going to be as simple as it was going so far. Something was amiss here but what?

Either way, Starling would never understand or forgive me for taking Grace up on her offer, pending I could even keep this secret. Maybe I could. It was for the greater good. However, a major part of me already felt guilty for even contemplating it. On top of everything else, if her laughter and shrieks were already painfully irritating and annoying to me, how would she sound in the throes of sex and passion? I cringed internally just thinking about that.

“I’m not interested in an exclusive relationship.” I rearranged the truth. I didn’t want any of them to know about Starling for the simple fact that she was wanted. More than likely
, a very nice reward has been announced and offered by Morning Star for her capture.

She laughed a bit. “Who said anything about exclusive? You’re an incubus. Expecting you to be exclusive is like expecting a void to refrain from mimicking a human.” She leaned forward on her elbows and flashed a half grin. “I can get sex from anyone and any being at any time. But I want to be with you, right there by and on your side. I can be if you decide to challenge Morning Star and
claim this world as your own.”

I scoffed. “What makes you think that I want this world?”

She leaned back and eyed me. “Why wouldn’t you? It’s yours for the taking. Even though Morning Star is well equipped and capable, you’re the only one out of the rest of your kin who has the power and ability to destroy him.”

I smiled. “Now why would you want me to do that when he’s supplying you all of this?” I gestured over the lavish décor.

Her lips pursed into a thin line and twitched. I think I touched a nerve.

“He going to kill you the very first moment that he’s allowed.
” She almost seemed to warn me.

“And the reason that you’re trying to tell me something that I don’t already know?”

She studied me hard, bewildered by my lackadaisical attitude and nonchalance about it all.

This time I leaned forward and looked her straight in her bizarre eyes. “It isn’t the fallen that are going to have to worry about scavenging for food, shelter, and a place to exist. There are thousands upon thousands of distant planets available. Planets that you nor many of the other beings subjected to this realm are able to travel to on their own.
The sky arks are commanded to escort and take humans only.”

She stared at me nonplussed, and then a flirtatious smirk immediately quirked her mouth. “I’m not an idiot. I know how to play the game, Cam`ael.”

“I’ll just bet you do.”

“So what do you say? You can have me anytime and anywhere you want. I’m yours.”

Wait a minute.

She was trying to ensure the safety, protection, and the continuity for her kind —behind me. Maybe I had this whole creating an alliance thing with them backwards or misunderstood. Or… maybe, this was a set-up. I was willing to go with the latter. She inhaled, her breasts rising and jiggling lusciously in the tiny,
gem encrusted bustier she wore.

I didn’t believe it was possible but Grace was reigniting dark and deviant thoughts in me once again. It was something that I thought I’ve managed to con
quer since being with Starling.