‘What the hell kind of bizarro world am I in?’ I whisper to myself.

I don’t expect Beliel to answer, but he does. ‘You’re in the ruins of the hellion world.’

I think about that for a minute. The hellion world? Not the Fallen world? The hellions and the Fallen do look very different. ‘They’re not the same species, are they?’

‘The Fallen and the hellions?’ He snorts. ‘Don’t let anyone hear you even suggest that. Both sides would tear you to pieces and feed your bits to the Consumed.’

‘This was the hellions’ world before the Fallen angels came? The hellions are the natives of the Pit?’

‘I doubt they were much of anything before the Fallen came. All they’re good for is causing torture and pain. Disgusting little rats. They’re even beneath the Consumed, who won’t eat them because even without a body, a Fallen refuses to drop that low.’

I remember how the hellions tortured both Beliel and his wife, and I can see why he hates them. But there might be two sides to this story.

I look around again at the dim basement.

There are remnants of shattered pottery, bits of faded cloth, broken metal and wood. Someone used to live here. A family of someones, maybe. A very long time ago.

Chapter 37

37

Beliel tilts his head, listening. ‘Open the hatch. The other Watchers are coming.’

I’m not keen on letting the others know where we are. I don’t want them to kill me before Raffe can recruit them.

Raffe. He should have landed near Beliel, just like me. What does it mean that he’s not around?

‘Do it, girl. They’re our best hope for survival.’

I hesitate a moment longer. He might be right. Or he might be setting me up for a trap.

Beliel takes the choice out of my hands. ‘We’re in here!’

I quietly slide my blade back into her sheath and put the teddy bear on top. I can’t fight my way through that many Watchers anyway, so I might as well try to keep Pooky hidden for now.

Someone bangs on the hatch. ‘We knew you’d be alive, Big B. Open up. Don’t be shy.’

The wood rattles.

‘You want to live, little angel slayer?’ Beliel nods toward the hatchway. ‘They’re your best chance.’

I could be stubborn and wait until they force it open. But what’s the point? I reluctantly walk up the stone steps and open the hatch.

The Watchers pour in, filling the small hovel.

‘Nice find,’ says Thermo, looking around.

‘Maybe we can relax here for a few seconds,’ says Little B.

‘Oops, time’s up,’ says Howler, slapping his hand on Little B’s shoulder. ‘Back to being tense and hunted.’

The rest just scan the room, silently taking everything in as they walk into the hovel.