The next morning went, for the most part, extremely well. In ignoring Adrian's question, "Again?", Michelle had managed to make him believe she had already fallen asleep and it had seemed as though he had forgotten the event. However, Adrian had been known to wait for a more opportune moment before return to an abandoned subject.
"I have an announcement to make," said Satan as everyone - aside from Adrian - finished up their breakfast platters of omelets, fresh fruit, and toast. Michelle was making her way through the meal, as her stomach seemed to be a bit on the foul side. "Since Adrian and Melody are getting along so well . . ." He paused a moment as he caught a glare from Melody to Adrian, who returned the look with a flick of his snakelike tongue over his teeth. "We have arranged for a trial month on Earth. A nice one-level house has been purchased for the two of you to reside in with your bodyguards."
"Bodyguards?" asked Melody. "I thought we only needed Michelle to keep Adrian on a short leash."
As Michelle silently snorted to herself at her friend's out-of-character rudeness, Satan chuckled nervously . . . not a good sign. "Well, it's been decided that Michelle may need a hand in reigning in Adrian, which is why Vladis will be assisting her."
Michelle turned sharply to Satan as Adrian said in complete shock. "Vladis? My right-hand demon and keeper of the souls?"
Michelle swallowed hard as memories of the crude and foul demon flashed in her mind. Vladis had seemed to be created in Adrian's image, as he was practically identical to his superior. However, his hair was always slicked back and he wore more traditional clothing rather than the vivid dress robes the son of Satan chose to wear. In likeness of Adrian, however, Vladis also was cunning, intelligent, and extremely ruthless. When Adrian called him keeper of the souls, he not only collected souls for Satan and his sons; he tortured them with great delight. Vladis was officially, however, the Keeper of Limbo - the place in between Heaven and Hell for immortals who had been killed by their Atlantis blade. He also was obsessed with Michelle, wanting her and her unique soul for his very own.
"Yes, that Vladis," said Satan, wringing his hands as he walked toward a door and I noticed Crystal was clutching her cross pendant for dear life. "Come in, Vladis."
Michelle swallowed as fear grasped onto her very soul. The door slowly came open and Vladis, her greatest enemy and fear, stepped into Crystal's home. "Hello, Adrian. Michelle. So great to see the two of you again."
"It's great to see you, too, old friend." Adrian arose from his chair and shook hands with Vladis.
Michelle sat silently in her seat, watching the reunion with disgust before Vladis turned to her. "Michelle, quiet as ever since the utter defeat of your lover." He took her hand and laid a kiss upon it. "I'm surprised he hasn't tried making you scream his name yet." He smiled as Michelle's cheeks flushed dark crimson. "Or has he?" he mouthed to her before letting her hand fall to her side.
Unable to form words in her mind, Michelle stared in stunned disbelief. Vladis was already a danger to what she and Adrian were attempting, and he had just arrived! She looked to Adrian, who seemed to be taking the situation lightly. "Well, if I wasn't being married off . . . I would've definitely done that as many times as possible within a twenty-four hour period."
Michelle hung her head to hide her embarrassment. Why did they even get along so well, anyway? She glanced at Satan, who looked like she felt; terrified and uncomfortable. As she looked around the table, she realized everyone other than Adrian looked that way, which showed Vladis's effect on people.
"Well, since you are aiding Michelle, you will need a place to stay before we make the trip to Earth," Adrian was saying. He turned to Michelle. "Michelle, please take Vladis to his room." Then, please, meet me in mine so I can talk to you.
Although afraid of Vladis, Michelle nodded weakly, then stood to lead the way to the extra bedroom. She walked silently down the hall, but she could feel Vladis's intense stare like a laser burning into the back of her skull. Michelle slowly opened the door to the room and led him inside. She turned and watched in horror as he closed the door behind him. "Now then, my sweet, I believe there's something I never got to finish last time I visited Hell . . . isn't there?"
Michelle swallowed and backed away. She recalled that event too well . . . it had occurred not long after Adrian's imprisonment. Vladis had come onto her and nearly succeeded in raping her. However, Satan arrived at just the right moment, so nothing ever happened. Vladis made Michelle swear to never tell anyone what happened or he would make sure Adrian was never released from the flask. Michelle had lived in fear of him and his powers ever since. "Stay away from me Vladis. I belong to Adrian."
"I've heard about the deal with Satan," he remarked, sitting on the edge of the bed. "Very romantic of you, Michelle, and sacrificial. Rather stupid, if you ask me." He stood again, backing Michelle into the corner. "Now you can't have him ever . . . and once he's married to that . . . angel, your wonderful soul will belong to me."
"What are you talking about?" Michelle asked, sounding braver than she felt. "After Adrian's marriage, I'm to be set free in the mortal realm."
Vladis laughed, sending chills up and down Michelle's spine. "If Adrian lives long enough to finish the ceremony."
She gulped. "Wh-what do you mean? Why wouldn't Adrian live through the ceremony?"
Grinning evilly from ear to ear, Vladis reached into a leather knapsack he wore on his back and pulled out the one thing Michelle had never wanted to see again; Adrian's Atlantis dagger. "I knew this day would come soon enough, so I 'borrowed' this lovely piece while I was in Hell. Just before Adrian says, 'I do', this dagger will be shoved through his heart and he will suffer for all his sins before he is sent to my realm, where he will continue to suffer throughout all eternity."
"No . . . " Michelle shrunk back from Vladis, horrified by his plans. She tried to twist around him and run for the door, but Vladis managed to grab her arm and twist it around her back while he held the dagger to her throat. "You'll never get away with this, Vladis! When Adrian finds out . . . "
"Adrian won't find out," he told her, his face close to hers. "You tell him and I'll use this dagger as well as his father's dagger, which will be twice the suffering."
"But why? What would you gain?" she whimpered, flinching as he licked her cheek.
He chuckled into her hair. "Why, didn't you know? If none of Satan's sons are capable of ruling over Hell, it will be I who takes over . . . which means you will belong to me." With that last emphasis, Vladis pulled her against him as he grazed her skin with his teeth. "Now . . . go. Adrian's expecting you." He pushed her out the door, slamming it behind her.
Michelle did what she could to control herself before her sobs could escape her throat. What could she do? She went into Adrian's room, hoping there was some way around Vladis's threat. Adrian, I'm here.
He shut the door and locked it, anger written on his face. "What did you mean last night?"
Huh? Michelle tried to remember, then recalled the last thing she had said before going to sleep. Um . . . well . . .
"What did you mean by again? There's more to this whole scenario than you're telling me." He slammed his fist violently onto the dresser. "What are you hiding from me? Tell me, damn it, or I'll . . ." It was at that moment that he realized Michelle had burst into silent sobs, overtaken by the emotions he was stirring inside her and the upset feeling in her stomach. "Michelle, I . . . I didn't mean to yell. It's just . . . " Adrian sighed in frustration and walked to the window where he could stare out the window as he pondered. "I hate this whole situation . . . plus the fact I know you hate Vladis for whatever reason . . . The looks the two of you shared was a bit unnerving."
Michelle turned slightly, surprised at how Adrian had noticed her hatred for Vladis and any emotions Vladis had displayed toward her. I hate having to keep secrets from you, Adrian. Love is about trust, and I'm not able to trust that . . . knowledge to you without sending myself to my own death . . . or worse.
"Or worse?" Adrian turned, managing to catch the look of shock on Michelle's face. "You would not suffer should I have anything to do with it. If you must die . . . " He caught himself as his voice slightly quivered. He started the statement again. "If you must die, I assure you it will be quick and painless."
You won't be able to . . . Michelle stopped herself before she said more, but it was too late.
Within seconds, Adrian had her backed up against the wall where she could not escape. "How would you know what I can or cannot do after this marriage? That's something you should be able to tell me, shouldn't it?" When Michelle nodded, he ordered, "Then, tell me!"
I can't, Adrian . . . I can't let you suffer for your curiosity.
"Suffer for my curiosity? What's going on? Who's making you keep secrets like that from me?"
Vladis.
Adrian paused in his angry rant. Vladis? "Why would Vladis want you to keep information from me?" Michelle merely shook her head. "Whatever reason it is, you can't tell me that, either, right?" Michelle nodded, grateful he understood. "Well, then, perhaps we should talk with my father about this." Adrian turned to leave, but Michelle grabbed his collar and shook her head vigorously. "Why not? What can Vladis do to me that could be that bad?"
Michelle let go of him, turning away. He could kill you . . . make you suffer painfully for days on end before you finally pass on into his realm, where his torture would only become more immense and endurable.
Adrian laughed at her. "He can't do that to me! I'd only return to Hell, unless . . . " His voice faded as he thought of his only undoing.
Unless he has both your Atlantean Dagger and your father's. Michelle wiped away her tears as she watched Adrian's pale face turn sheet white. Michelle touched his face to comfort him and what happened next was almost unexplainable. A light flashed before her eyes and she could see every single sin Adrian had performed within his entire lifetime, some, of course, included his times with her since his release. As she saw every evil act done, she thought about how each sin is a minute of suffering after being stabbed. The pain was 60 times worse should a piece of the blade remain in the wound.
Michelle pulled back, feeling herself weakened and her stomach twisted in knots. Adrian managed to throw out his arms and catch the poor girl before her knees gave out and let her fall to the floor. "What just happened?" he asked as he held her tight against him.
Another power . . . I think. I . . . I - I saw into your past. Saw every sin you've ever committed. She looked up into his eyes with fear fully setting in. If you were to be stabbed and even the smallest fragment of the dagger was left behind from both blades . . . You would suffer for at least five years.
"Michelle . . . " Adrian seemed to notice something in Michelle's hair he had not before. "You . . . You have gray hairs . . . "
What? Michelle grabbed at her hair and realized Adrian was right. She could see several silver strands, which stood out well against her brown hair. How is that possible?
"Especially considering you're supposed to be immortal." Adrian paused and glanced up and down Michelle. "I wonder . . . " He stepped back slightly and directed his power towards Michelle, forcing her into the air, stiff with all her limbs extended. "Such an interesting development . . . "
Michelle was absolutely frightened by this turn of events. Please, Adrian . . . . Please, put me down.
"Quit projecting thoughts to me, Michelle," he growled with annoyance. "If you wish to speak to me, use that voice of yours and tell me."
Michelle kept her mouth shut, but she could feel Adrian's powers attempting to force her to speak aloud. Before more could happen, Vladis walked into the room. Adrian lost concentration and Michelle collapsed in a heap on the floor and tried not to cry out in pain as she felt a rib collide with another. As Adrian rushed to aide her to her feet, Vladis asked, "Have I interrupted some sort of odd sex fetish you two have?"
Adrian shook his head and was in shock when Michelle stepped away from his comforting embrace. Michelle shook her head to Vladis's question as Adrian asked, "Why? Did you need something?"
"Actually, I was wondering if - since you're no linger with Michelle - if I may be able to steal her away from you tonight?" His eyes never left Michelle's as the question was asked.
"Well . . ." Adrian watched in surprise as Michelle immediately dropped to her knees and tugged on his sleeve, tears in her eyes as if to say, Please don't do it! "No, not tonight. If I should decide to let you take her, I will inform you immediately."
Vladis bowed regally before leaving the room. Adrian pulled his sleeve from Michelle and forced her to look up at him. "Clean yourself up and try to look normal when you come downstairs. I'm not done with you." He stormed out of the room, leaving Michelle alone to wonder what in the world she was going to do.