Free The Darkest Joy by Dahlia Rose Page B

is why he sent you.” Samael smiled an evil smile. “He knew that we would never keep our side of the deal. Come on now, he is the all-knowing.”
     
    “Like you said, he is my maker. He also knows of my strength. He knew I would find my path to deliverance,” Caim said softly.
     
    “The human girl, the one called Bliss. I should send Belial now to break her scrawny neck,” Samael replied.
     
    Those words sent fear and anger shooting through Caim’s heart. The thought of Bliss being touched and harmed by Belial was almost too much to bear. He had to quench the anger in his heart before it gave a foothold to the demonic essence around him and allowed it to take hold.
     
    “If Belial can stand walking on hallowed ground, so be it. She is safe where even I cannot go.” Caim smiled coldly at the two demons in front of him.
     
    Samael nodded. “Very wise to send her to sanctified ground. Take him.”
     
    Caim didn’t have a chance to turn to see who Samael was talking to. He felt the agony of the whip against his back that tore though his flesh and sent him to his knees. Qemuel ! Another lash sent him to the floor, and the cry of anguish was torn from his lips. Again and again, the lash from the whip dipped in sulfur and hellfire ripped at his flesh and sent its unworldly venom into his veins. He lay weak against the hot rocks that made up the floor. He felt the shackles, forged from hellfire, unbreakable even by demons, being put on his hands and legs. He was caught. Qemuel dragged him to his feet. He could hear the sickening laughter coming from Belial’s lips at his capture.
     
    Samael took his hair in his grasp, tugged Caim’s head up to face him, and said softly, “You countered my plan of making you watch as Belial killed her. But I have come up with a new, better plan for you. Qemuel’s whip will change you to your new form. No more of the fallen one, but pure demon. What will be your first taste of deviance of your new life? It will be the blood of your Bliss when you kill her yourself.”
     
    “No!” Caim heard the pure anguish and heart-wrenching pain that came from his screams echoing down the hall as he was dragged away, the very same way that the souls he took to hell were.
     
    * * * *
     
    “Bliss, why are you in here?” Amber’s soft voice came from the doors of the chapel.
     
    Bliss turned to see the tiny figure of her friend. She wiped the tears from her eyes and tried to give a smile. “I’m fine, sweetie. What are you doing working today?”
     
    “Oh, I had to cover a shift. You know someone always gets sick around here.” Amber gave a tinkling laugh, but made no move to enter the room. “Come on out. We’ll walk to the cafeteria, and I’ll buy you a hot cup of coffee.”
     
    Amber knows I don’t drink coffee. Doubt and suspicion began to form in Bliss’s mind. “Thanks for the offer, but I just want to sit here for a while. I have a lot on my mind, and I’m looking for some divine clarity. How about you come and sit with me for a while? I can sure use my best friend.”
     
    Amber cleared her throat uncomfortably. “No, I-I don’t think so.”
     
    “Why not? You love this place. You said you can always think here.” Bliss stood and walked a few steps away from the threshold of the chapel to the hall.
     
    “Not today, I feel fine today.” She held out her hand to Bliss in invitation. “Come on, sweetie, let me comfort you. I know Caim’s leaving must be hard.”
     
    “How did you know Caim left? I didn’t tell you. Unless you aren’t Amber at all. Do you think I am that naïve, Belial?” Bliss asked contemptuously.
     
    The body and looks of Amber never changed, but a smile of pure, unadulterated evil formed on the face of the demon posing as her friend. “You are not naïve at all, Bliss. But Caim was. He thought he could leave hell, and now he’s there, chained to Qemuel’s wall, being tortured because of you.”
     
    Bliss couldn’t stifle the gasp