passed it down to my father, who always told me that Krampus was coming for me. I hated December 5th. Loathed it as a child. I hid away scared out of my mind that I was going to be stuffed into a sack and beaten.
I feel Devlin’s eyes on me as he picks up on these memories, but I ignore him. I can’t deal with my own childhood trauma right now. We have to save Phoenyx from suffering at Krampus’s hands.
“It’s unknown. Before now, I thought he was just folklore, like Santa.”
“If he isn’t in Hell or on Earth, that leaves a thousand different dimensions,” Devlin says. “They could be anywhere.”
“Then we will search them one by one until we find them,” Killian growls and turns to Elijah. “You are strong enough to head out into the Wastelands. Go now and don’t return until you have scoured every inch of that place.” He turns back to Devlin but doesn’t even have to speak.
“Purgatory,” Devlin says with a massive sigh. “I’m on it.” He disappears under a cloud. I hope he returns soon and in one piece; I didn’t get a chance to tell him thanks. If he hadn’t been at my back while I was in Anna’s mind, I would’ve been lost to it forever. He was right. I’m not ready for that.
“You,” Killian growls at me. “Do you know anything else that might help?”
I shake my head.
“Then help Anna snap out of this. We need her.”
I sink down next to her again and take her hands. “I’ll do what I can,” I mutter, but I don’t even know where to start with her. She is too complex, too inhuman. But it won’t stop me from trying.
32
Xavier
“You’re such a bitch,” I snarl at Lilith. “Why did you bring us here?” I look around the misty, dank, chilly place that I’m assuming is Purgatory and rub my bare arms.
“You took me to Earth. I’m avoiding that place and a certain someone…” Lilith mutters. “But FYI, Pestilence, I dislike the fact that you think you can keep me out of Hell. You and War might be under the misguided concept that our strength is in seniority. I am Death. I am feared and revered. Creatures sacrifice themselves and others to me. You give them boils and crabs…”
I growl at her and punch her in the face so hard, it snaps her head back and she stumbles back into the wall behind her. I shake my fist out as she is strong, but I know that I’m stronger. She launches herself at me with a rabid howl and yanks my hair, forcing my head back as she kicks my feet out from underneath me.
“Bitch!” I snarl again and grab her cloak, pulling her down hard to land on top of me. I shove her off before she sends her fist into my face.
“Skank!” she shrieks at me, grabbing my hair again and slamming my head into the ground. “Fucking Devil’s lapdog!”
“Better than being a male-stealing whore!” I screech back, kicking out at her and connecting with her ribs. I hear a satisfying crunch and smile evilly.
This fight continues for a few minutes, the air blue with cursing until we both stop, panting, bloodied and wary of letting our guards down in case the other isn’t done.
“This is pointless,” she spits out. “Neither of us will win this.”
“You think you’re so high and mighty,” I hiss. “Oh, I’m Death, I’m so fucking special,” I mock, which infuriates her to the extent that she flings herself at me again, her fist connecting with my mouth.
I shove her back and get to my feet. “You seem to forget that my powers work on you, Lilith. Right about now, I’m ready to give you what Annabelle threatened you with the other day. So just fucking try me, bitch.”
She hauls herself to her feet as well and gives me a sour look. “Trench pussy? Yes, that sounds…unpleasant…” Her moue of distaste makes me snort with laughter until I can’t control it anymore. It’s fucking disgusting; trust Belle to be the one to think it up. Lilith starts to laugh as well and soon we are breathless with hilarity.
As we sober up, I sigh and say, “Look, Lilith. I don’t have anything against you. Never did. But if you insist on going after the Demon Queen’s male, then I will do whatever I can to stop you.”
“He is mine,” she hisses.
“No, he is hers. Truly and completely. He loves