Dark Abigail Read online

  THE WOMEN OF PURGATORY BOOK 2

  by

  Tish Thawer

  * * * * *

  Dark Abigail

  Published by Amber Leaf Publishing

  Copyright 2016 by Tish Thawer

  Smashwords Edition

  All rights reserved

  www.amberleafpublishing.com

  www.tishthawer.com

  Cover design by Emma Michaels

  Edited by Laura Bruzan

  This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any use of name brands herein is done so under the Fair Use Act.

  Licensing Note: This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only, and may not be resold or given away to other people. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.

  Table of Contents

  Contents:

  Acknowledgements

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  About the Author

  Excerpt

  Acknowledgements

  To my wonderful family: You are my world. I love you all!

  To Cortney: Thank you for keeping me on track, especially when I’m ready to take the easy way out.

  To my amazing cover artist Emma Michaels: Thank you for all you do! Your talent never ceases to amaze me!

  To my editor Laura Bruzan and my wonderful beta readers: Thank you all for your diligence. Without you, I’d be huddled in a corner crying for sure. LOL

  I surveyed the death and destruction surrounding me and smiled. Another job well done. The fog and spindly trees that accompanied my arrival began to recede, returning the surroundings back to their normal state. It was something I never tired of; something that fed into my legend and mystique. For I am Dark Abigail––Hell’s first female assassin.

  1

  Loki peered through a rip in space, his nostrils flaring at his recent failure. He forced himself to watch as Raven and Michael bid farewell to Holli and Garrett in a slew of hugs and kisses.

  “Holli and Garrett,” he snarled. His daughter would pay for her betrayal and the new leader of Purgatory would lose his head in the process. Angered by the choice she had made, the sight of her embracing her new life with Death was too much to bear.

  Loki turned away and focused his full attention on his current surroundings. A black expanse of lava cooled fields stretched out before him. Blood red rivers of molten fire flowed throughout, illuminating the tips and crevices, creating a sea of eerie shapes and a sense of false movement.

  Traipsing through Hell with diminished powers wasn’t going to be easy, but he had a plan to put into action, and keeping Lucifer waiting was never a good idea.

  His first step towards Lucifer’s castle conjured images of Thor, Odin, and Frigga––specters of his worst memories: fear, anger, and guilt. They swarmed around him like vengeful ghosts, but it was to be expected...this was Hell after all.

  Three weeks later...

  “Do we have to get rid of the alternate castle? The idea of running naked through the halls with you seems like a pretty good reason to keep it,” Holli teased.

  “If I feel like chasing my beautiful wife through our castle, then I’ll do just that. There’s no need to hide how much I love you. Though we will have to confine the ‘naked’ portion to our bedroom.” Garrett smiled.

  “Or you can just tell everyone to leave because it’s Holli’s playtime.”

  Garrett chuckled at his adorable wife. “I like the sound of that.”

  He grabbed her and trailed a line of kisses down the side of her neck, shifting her long platinum-blonde hair from her shoulder. Holli gasped, sparking his lust. Unfortunately, her reaction wasn’t to his current display of affection, but to the man suddenly standing behind him.

  Garrett spun around, instinctively shielding Holli behind his back as his scythe materialized in his hand. “Who dares to enter my castle uninvited?” Garrett bellowed, his voice layered with the power of Death.

  “Odin?” Holli’s muttered response came out small and questioning.

  “Hello, Granddaughter. I’ve been looking for you.” The tension in the room thickened at the mention of the All-Father’s name. The Norse God strolled forward, flaring the hem of his cloak then smiled and outstretched his arms in Holli’s direction. Garrett relaxed ever so slightly. “I’ve been unable to sense your presence for weeks, Hel, and now find you in the arms of Death, what has happened?” Odin asked.

  “My...my name is Holli,” she stammered, retreating ever so slightly as Odin approached the couple. A reaction that didn’t go unnoticed.

  “Why does my granddaughter flee from my embrace and use a different name?” Odin’s eyes sparked, piercing Garrett with violent intent. It was no surprise Odin was unaware of the situation. Unlike Michael and the Heavenly realm, not all Gods had the ability, or more accurately, the interest, in monitoring what went on in Purgatory. It was a realm often overlooked, though it’s existence maintained the balance of all the worlds.

  “Forgive her, Odin, but much has happened to...” Garrett hesitated using her new name, “...Hel, recently. If you’d like to have a seat, I’ll be more than happy to explain.”

  Odin’s clipped nod was a welcomed response. The alternative Garrett imagined––lightning, white hot blasts of power, etc., the decimation of his castle––wasn’t something he was prepared to face. At least not before breakfast, he internally joked. Garrett took Holli’s hand and led her and her grandfather from his throne room to a more intimate seating area in the adjoining space. “Please make yourself comfortable.” Garrett swept his scythe over the long wooden table, filling it with bread, fruit, cheese, and wine.

  “Thank you for the hospitality, but I’ll ask that you get straight to the point.” In a strained show of patience, Odin took a seat.

  Holli lowered herself onto the couch, sliding as close to Garrett as possible.

  “I’m not truly sure where to start, as this tale has many twists and turns,” Garrett began. Odin’s jaw clenched, cementing Garrett’s decision to just get on with it. “Basically, your son, Loki, came up with a plan to release your granddaughter from the depths of Cocytus by tricking the previous ruler of my realm into taking her topside in an effort to destroy Purgatory. In doing so, he and Death erased the memories of her life as the Goddess Hel, and remade her into a Reaper named Holli. With the help of the Heavenly realm, we stopped his plan. I was granted the position of Death, and Holli chose to remain in Purgatory, becoming my wife and serving by my side. Almost all aspects of her previous life are still shielded from her mind, but it’s a decision she is completely aware of.” Garret summarized their situation as quickly and efficiently as he could, then waited for Odin�
�s response.

  The All-Father was stoic, sitting perfectly still as he digested Garret’s words. Holli took Garrett’s hand in an effort to prove he was telling the truth, that she was here by choice.

  “It does not surprise me that Loki would enact such a twisted plan, nor does the decision that Hel,” he nodded at Holli, “would choose to remain here, obviously in love, when such a life would not be possible for her if she were to return to her true position. But what does surprise me, is that Loki has not tried again. He will not take his failure lightly.”

  Odin’s declaration only validated what Michael, Raven, Holli, and he had already discussed. “We’ve thought the same and are making preparations. Svell, Holli’s ice-hellion, remains here with her, and our friends in the Heavenly realm are constantly monitoring the situation. If Loki tries to return from Asgard, we’ll know it.”

  Odin cocked his head, his brows knitting together. “Loki is not in Asgard. I banished him over year ago.”

  Well, shit, Garrett thought, that isn’t good news.

  2

  Michael and Raven arrived immediately after Odin’s departure, materializing in Death’s sitting room. “You did a good job handling the shock of Odin’s news,” Raven said. “I think he was confident you’ll be able to handle Loki and take care of Holli in the process.”

  “Well, I sure hope you’re right. The last thing I need is a pissed-off grandfather with that level of power.”

  “You shouldn’t worry, Garrett, your own power is not to be taken lightly,” Michael added.

  Garrett nodded in appreciation of the compliment, but Raven knew it wasn’t his power he was questioning, but instead, the thought of wielding that power against someone of such importance. She smiled internally and thought to herself, Death or not, he will always be my kindhearted best friend.

  “We need to figure out where else we should be looking for Loki,” Raven stated, veering the conversation back on track.

  “I have an idea about that,” Holli offered. “I think we better check in Hell, since that’s where he went to get me in the first place.”

  “That’s a reasonable assumption. Yes, that’s the first place we’ll look.” Garrett lifted his chin in Michael’s direction, to which the archangel nodded in agreement. “Raven and I will go,” Garrett continued. “We are the only true Reapers among us, and therefore can move in and out of Hell unhindered. Plus, I don’t want to risk Holli’s mind becoming confused or even worse, she somehow becomes stuck there, if she were to return.”

  His fears are justified, Michael thought. None of them knew how Holli would react if she were to return to her true realm. “I will remain here with Holli until your return,” he offered.

  “Thank you,” Garrett replied.

  Raven walked into Michael’s arms and Holli into Garrett’s. After exchanging kisses and saying their brief goodbyes, Death took Raven’s hand and disappeared in a cloud of shadows.

  “Do you think they’ll find him?” Holli asked Michael.

  “I’m not sure. Hell is a massive realm, one which I personally never enjoy visiting. But knowing Raven and Garrett, I’m sure no time will be wasted. They’ll go straight to the source.”

  Raven and Garrett appeared outside Lucifer’s castle, Raven clad in her black leathers that matched her long dark hair and impressive wings, and Death in his black designer suit and midnight-blue tie. Raven shifted uncomfortably as a wall of heat tightened around her. It had been weeks since she’d made a trip here to deposit a soul, but she’d never been this close to the castle itself. And visiting now, knowing they’d have to approach Lucifer directly, definitely had her on edge. Reapers had no reason to interact with the King of Hell. Their jobs were more of a get in, make your drop, and get out kind of gig. She flared her wings and glided above the ground, suddenly cautious of the writhing terrain upon which they stood.

  “Are you sure about this?” she asked Garrett.

  Garrett, fully confident in his role as Death, used his scythe as a walking stick, creating small circles of destruction with every strike to the ground. “Yes. We’ll be fine.”

  Raven glanced at Garrett. He was still her hot-nerdy best friend with broad shoulders and a quirky smile, but she couldn’t deny that he wore his new position with ease. She’d been thrilled when Garrett was granted the role of Death, after his predecessor had given up on his misguided fight. That, plus the fact that all of Death’s memories and powers freely flowed into her best friend the moment he was assigned, was truly a blessing. Raven couldn’t imagine Garrett having to deal with that kind of learning curve if that hadn’t been the case.

  “How are you enjoying living in the castle so far?” Raven asked.

  “We’re happy. Though Holli is still trying to convince me to keep the alternate castle as a romping ground of sorts.” Garrett shook his head, clearly embarrassed.

  “Oh my god, is Death blushing? How sweet,” Raven teased.

  “No. I just find that woman so damn adorable, I’d build her a thousand castles if she wanted me to. You and Michael should plan to come down this weekend so we can all hangout. I don’t think you’ve ever seen the rest of the rooms in there, have you?”

  “No, I don’t think so. I only saw the garden and the phenom room.” Raven thought back to where they’d fought Death and Loki. Phenoms were the wisps of souls that inhabited Purgatory, and that particular room had been created by the previous Death to illegally harness those souls. It was also the room where they’d almost lost Michael and Holli during the battle. Raven’s wings ruffled at the thought and she glided back to the ground as they approached Lucifer’s front steps. “If we make it out of this, we’ll come down and celebrate for sure.”

  Garrett nodded, somber again and ready to face the task at hand. “Let me do the talking.”

  “Gladly.”

  Black skeletal bones protruded from the walls as a molten river encircled the structure. They walked up the onyx stairs and approached the massive entrance. Just like the walls, the double doors had charred bones embedded in them with pieces of hands and forearms protruding at random intervals. Raven had no doubt they would come alive if someone got too close. The tip of Garrett’s scythe glowed blue, then he tapped it three times on the macabre door. With a boom, they swung open and Raven and Garrett walked into a huge hallway lined with black onyx pillars that shone like mirrors and had ornate flaming torches attached to each one.

  “Cozy.” Raven smirked.

  Garrett strode forward, unconcerned that they were technically trespassing. Usually, one didn’t just walk into another leader’s dimension uninvited, and certainly not unannounced. But, since Death was an emissary of Heaven and Hell, Raven guessed he had an open invitation. She, on the other hand, had only been marked by Heaven so far. Her wings ruffled again.

  “Stop fidgeting,” Garrett instructed.

  “Yes, sir.” Usually, she would have added a smart-ass comment about him being her boss now, but this was not the time.

  At the end of the long corridor stood a lone figure in front of another set of double doors. “Greetings, Death. Lucifer wasn’t expecting you but has sent me to see to your comfort until he’s able to join you. Please follow me.”

  “Thank you, Asmodeus,” Garrett replied to the handsome demon.

  As they followed Asmodeus through the next set of doors and down a shorter hallway, Raven took notice of his light hair, broad shoulders, thick thighs, and battled-hardened stride. She rolled her shoulders and tried to ignore the heat building within her. Yes, this was Hell, but she was getting hot in a very different way. Their guide wasn’t overly sexy in her personal opinion, but for some reason, she wanted to jump this demon’s bones right here and right now. “Mmmm...” she moaned.

  “Asmodeus, could you please dampen your powers while in front of Raven? Thank you.” Garrett didn’t wait for a reply.

  Asmodeus shot a quick smile over his shoulder at her. Raven’s temperature, and libido, cooled immediately, as her senses
returned in a rush. “What the hell was that?” she whispered.

  “Asmodeus is one of the nine princes of Hell and is the demon of lust,” Garrett quickly explained.

  “Great.” Raven rolled her eyes.

  3

  Garrett and Raven followed the demon into a lavish room just off the hallway. Red velvet settees, round tables, and candelabras filled the space. “Make yourselves comfortable,” Asmodeus said with a sweep of his hand.

  “Thank you,” Garrett replied, crossing his arms and remaining firmly in place.

  With a pump of her powerful wings, Raven drifted about the room, taking in each nook and cranny. There were naked frescos painted into alcoves every few feet, as well as scenes of fiery punishment that you’d expect to see in the King of Hell’s house.

  “Death! What brings you down?” Lucifer’s voice filled the space, but was unlike anything Raven expected. Instead of wicked and fierce, it was fun-loving and welcoming.

  “Hello, my friend. We are looking for someone and think he might be hiding out in your realm.” Garrett moved to shake Lucifer’s hand, blocking Raven from his view.

  “I could take offense to the fact that you think I wouldn’t be aware of someone hiding in my realm, but I’ll let it slide if you introduce me to the lovely woman hovering behind you.”

  Garrett turned to Raven and motioned her forward. “Lucifer, I’d like you to meet Raven, my head Reaper.”

  Holy crap, Raven thought. The King of Hell was HOT! Jet black hair, baby-blue eyes, and the metro-sexual vibe he had going on blew all her preconceived ideas right out of the water. A seductive smile spread across Lucifer’s lips. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He held out his hand.