And I was about to go toe to toe with God Herself, the vindictive bitch, looking like I hadn’t slept in a week. Which could very well be the case, because I’d lost all track of time in this place.

“You got this, Boss!” Beezle’s words were encouraging, but the side-eye he gave to Bub did not fill me with confidence.

“I don’t have a choice, do I?” I muttered, stepping inside the mirrored box. The Hounds trotted in behind me. “I need to get home, or Hellen might …” I couldn’t even finish that sentence, although my brain completed it for me, and I shuddered.

I had to do this to keep Jemma safe. I turned, spying the three angels, looking uncharacteristically pensive as the doors slid shut.

And then I could do nothing but cling to the wall with sweaty palms as the elevating box soared upwards.

“I think my balls got left behind!” Bub complained as pressure built in my ears, clawing at my brain.

“Mine too,” I grated, closing my eyes and thinking of Jemma. Safe, un-harassed by anyone Hellish. Finishing her university studies, going on to be able to earn money helping those sweet little girls at the hospital.

Continuing to enjoy making her little ferret costumes, knowing her income didn’t rely on it. Perhaps even taking on that deal with those women. Meeting some man—a real, human man—who shared her interests and had no urge to destroy her soul. Falling in love with him over dates that wouldn’t end with her hunched over a toilet bowl …

Marriage, and offspring, and a pretty little house somewhere outside the city, somewhere with a picket fence, and a reading nook, and sunlight. Not a place lit only by the fiery glow of infernal lava. Somewhere with a garden and a cool autumn breeze, not a blast of scorching Hell-wind. I could see her sitting in the sun, giggling over one of her pornographic novels, her three … no, five children cavorting merrily around her. Her husband would …

The doors whooshed open, revealing nothing but white-gold light. I swiped at the wetness on my cheeks, cursing myself for a fool. What a weak position to be facing God down in, with tears still leaking from my eyes.

I stepped out, squinting blindly into the glare. I couldn’t see a thing; it was worse than staring directly at the midday sun.

“You have no idea how long I’ve waited for this day!” a melodic, feminine voice crooned.

“Where are you?” I demanded, turning, my eyes slowly adjusting to the brightness. Not swiftly enough for my liking. “What do you want from me?”

A bell-like laugh rang all around, giving me no clue as to where she was in all this confounded light. “Want from you? Why, is it not natural for a mother to wish to meet her long-lost son?”

44. It’s a Grand Gesture

Chapter 44