My face felt raw, but clean after finally scrubbing off all the makeup and grime that I had been forced to endure. Sure enough, after a quick phone call on Jake's part, Taylah was brought to the hotel by on of the demons I'd seen at the lake, Nash I believe his name was, and another that I didn't recognize or at least didn't remember. She had been covered in dirt, blood and ash with scratches and cuts across her arms and legs. There was a nasty bite on her shoulder, claw marks down her back and her wrist was broken. Her clothes were torn, and her hair was in tangles. As awful as she looked, Jake had assured me that she'd be fine tomorrow as per Hell's repetition and I couldn't help but be thankful that she wasn't suffering as much as she could have been considering who brought her to me.

Hanna and Taylah were in the bathroom and I could hear Taylah's gasps and hisses of pain as Hanna tried to help her get cleaned up. I hated that she was considered my property, but I hadn't known what else to do…at least here she'd be protected until I found a way home. I had no idea what would become of her when I left but any solace, I could give her, any break from the Hell outside was my pleasure to provide. What she had done to deserve this afterlife, I didn't know. She was a teenager…barely having lived when she'd been killed. I may bring the souls to judgement, but it wasn't in my job description to know why they'd been judged the way that they were. Curiosity burned, however I wouldn't push her to tell me if she knew herself. Like Hanna I would trust her to tell me if and when she felt ready to.

I wondered just how many mortals were like Hanna, Tuck, and now Taylah…Toys for demons to play with, pass around, break and forget about. I suppose it was better than to be among the those in the pit, but they suffered their own torture. They were in the direct line of fire for their masters' foul moods, lusts, and whims. I hoped Jake would simply forget about Taylah when I left but somehow, I doubted it…Was giving her temporary relief worth having her face his wrath later? What about Tuck? Hanna? What would he do to them? These thoughts were odd for me. I'd never worried about the dead, especially the damned before I was abducted…I did the job and moved on to the next, but now… It was odd…There's no helping the dead, such is their nature of being dead…But here, among them, I wanted to try. Perhaps it was sympathy, but I knew deep down that while angels weren't supposed to have favorite mortals, they held a special place in my heart.

A few hour later, what I could only assume was the next day (telling time was difficult here) Hanna came in with a big box in her arms. Her usually neat bun was starting to come undone and she seemed slightly frantic.

"Hanna…You alright?"

"Oh, yes Miss. Mr. Thorn sent this for you…He's downstairs waiting." She set the box on my bed, moving swiftly to the vanity, pulling out an assortment of colorful bottles, compacts, brushes, and combs. Her hands shook slightly as if she were cold but somehow, I doubted she was.

Arching an inquisitive brow, I looked at her for a moment before turning my attention to the box. Opening it and riffling through the sheer wrapping paper, my fingers brushed against a silky fabric. I pulled up an admittedly beautiful floor-length gown by its thin straps. It had a lace up corseted bodice with silk cherry colored threads that held together the sweetheart neckline. The fabric was a dark, almost black fabric that seemed to shine maroon when the light caught it. It didn't escape my attention that the fabric was the same color as Jake's eyes. The back was just low enough to give a teasing glimpse of my wings and the straps, hemline and neckline had small gems stitched into them.

"Oh my God…It's beautiful!" Taylah fawned from her place on the couch, standing up and walking over to run her hand over the soft silk, pulling out a black velvet choker, also bejeweled. Even Hanna stopped her tizzy to stare at the gown, eyes looking at it adoringly.

"What's the catch?" I asked, folding my arms and turning from it. "What does he want to drag me off to now?"

The question broke Hanna's spell and she cleared her throat, looking suddenly shy, shifting from foot to foot. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, not meeting my eye, "It's not my place to say, Miss…But this is very Important day for him…Please don't make a fuss…He'll be very upset if you do..."

Begrudgingly, I put on the gown and let Hanna and Taylah fix my hair and. make up. It was obvious to me that if I was perfectly safe, if I was late or refused to go Jake would take out his anger on my companions. The dress unsurprisingly fit me like a glove. The bodice fit like a second skin, but the skirt flowed like water around my legs, pooling around my feet. It had come with a pair of matching pumps and more silver jewelry that reflected off my alabaster skin. The only piece I was hesitant to put on was the arm band that looked like a silver snake, highly resembling Jake's tattoo.

Once again, I felt exposed as I walked through the hotel, Hanna walking by my side, straightening small details every so often. When we reached the lobby Jake, Asia, and several other demons were waiting on us, some nicely dressed, others who were clearly working. Jake's eyes lit up when he saw us, briskly walking over to take my hands in his, his signature smirk on his face. Instead of his usual look though, he was wearing an expensive looking tux and he had his dark hair pulled back to and tied at the nape of his neck.

"Darling, you're a vision, if not," he shot Hanna a cutting look, "late."

"Sorry…I nearly turned my ankle in these heels. We had to stop for me to rest." I stepped between them, pulling his attention back to me. Lying was against my nature but…when in Rome…

Asia sauntered up, her hand on her hip and a sneer on her face, "Can we get a move on? The car is waiting."

"I still don't know where we're going."

"Of course not. I'd hate to have you ruin the surprise." Jake offered his arm to me, which I took cautiously. It was too late to turn back now.

Asia's arms were crossed, and I could feel her glare on me. Her gold sequined dress caught the light of passing streetlamps that shown through the windows as we drove by, but they lacked the luster of the gems stitched to mine. She sat across from Jake and I in the long limo that was taking us to the mystery location. Said demon was either oblivious to her foul mood or didn't care. He lazily held my hand in his, running the pad of his thumb over the backs of my fingers. I sat tense at his side, reminded of all the times those hands had left red welts and burns on my skin, even if they were pleasantly cool now.

When we exited the catacombs, I saw throngs of the dead gathered, some in what they died in, others in newer looking clothes, some still in nearly nothing. They parted for the car to pass by, the same vacant but patient look on all of their faces. Eventually we came to stop near a big dais where Jake helped me get out of the car, the hem of my gown dragging the dirt. Guards stood in front of the steps and the platform itself, supposedly to keep the silent crowd away.

"Jake…What is this?"

"Shh…Just enjoy the attention. Come sit…I'd hate for you to turn your ankle again." He led me up the steps where to my surprise and horror, a man in a priest's robes stood waiting with a foot long box in his knarred hands. I sent a glare his way as we passed him, but feeling Jake's gaze on me pulled my attention away, "This is Father Benedict, one of ours…Ironic isn't it…how many 'men of God' end up here in spite of their reputations..."

We were not the only one's elevated from the crowd though. Demons, clearly highly ranked sat waiting on either side of the platform, Asia moving to join them, each watching us with the same smugness I'd come to expect from their kind. In the center of the dais were two black throne like chairs, which Jake was leading me toward. I suddenly got a sick feeling in my stomach as the thoughts started to churn in my head, in spite of them, taking solace in having a place to sit down. The gown, the audience the priest…

"If you think I'm going to marry you, then you're crazier than I thought. I've told you countless times I don't…"

"…want a relationship. Yes, yes. I know." Jake cut me off, rolling his eyes. "Don't worry. This isn't a wedding darling… That comes later. I'm a gentleman after all. I would never push anything on you that you weren't ready for. But I feel like we've made real progress lately."

"I…"

He touched my cheek gently, and I felt my blood run cold, as he whispered seductively "This is an induction. These are your people now, Azrael. They need you. They've been waiting such a long time…I've been waiting such a long time. Like I said, hell's brighter with you in it by my side."

"Jake. I don't…"

"Sh. It's time." He smiled, sitting beside me with the type of arrogance only men on a throne can have. He nodded to the priest who bowed to us reverently making me feel sicker still. and turned to address the crowd.

His voice sounded like gravel, but he needed no help with volume. "For millennia…Our Prince has waited…. searched…but TODAY…Today is a day of celebration! For His highness…the third circle…AND ALL OF HADES." he gestured to me and the crowd erupted in cheers and applause, even some of the demons voicing their approval. The smile on Jake's face stretching further. "From the kingdom of Heaven…I present to you, Death itself! The new princess of the Third Circle! The Archangel Azrael!"

The crowd became deafening, Father Benedict removing a circlet of twisting silver vines from the box. I leaned as far back and away from him as I could as he approached me, still though, he put the circlet firmly on my head. As if in response, the red sky lighting up with an electric glow as lightning cracked across it, illuminating the dark area. My glare hardened further but Jake simply beamed. He stood, pulling me up with him and holding me to his side. I tried pulling away from him, but his grip was firm. One my one, the souls of the damn sank to their knees, their eyes down cast.

It ended as soon as it began. Father Benedict hobbled away, and Jake began leading me back to the car, the crowd parting for us either in respect or fear that the demons walking behind us would turn on them if they didn't. My head ached so I let him escort me through the sea of souls, stopping only when I felt a small tug on the him of my dress. Turning, I saw a small boy, a child looking up at me with big eyes, face dirty but filled with recognition.

I was about to reach for him, but Diego had noticed him first, kicking the child harshly away from me and again in the ribs. I heard a sickening crack as the boy fell in the dirt, blood spilling from his mouth as he coughed. I wretched myself away from Jake and pushed past Diego, sending him a vicious look as I knelt next to the boy. Jake had stopped watching me patiently for a moment before walking back toward me and touching my shoulder, "Come on, let's go home."

I ignored him, wiping the blood from the corner of the boy's mouth, cradling him in my arms. His eyes were closed, and his breathing was shallow. Even though he was dead, perhaps it was simply muscle memory, but I felt the familiar prickle in my hands and wings. Gently I set him down, standing and summoning my scythe. The souls moved back at the sight of my dark tool, a few of the demons snickered, but Jake…Jake. watched me caution etched across his features.

"Azrael. Let's go home. Now."

Again, I ignored him, bringing the blade up slightly and letting it swing down and through the soul's body. The boy gasped, his eyes creaking open as color filled his cheeks, more than he'd had, more than the souls around him. The onlookers were still and silent as a painting as the boy sat up, seemingly with the breath of new life in his lungs. I let my scythe disappear, scooping up the boy in awe. He clung to my neck, face buried in my shoulder and I could feel hot tears hitting my skin as he held onto me.

Asia was the first to break the silence, a rage emanating from her form as she stalked toward me, but eyes locked on Jake. "Kill the brat and get that bitch out of here."