However, memories began crowding my mind. I remembered falling and being caught. Had Auric joined me in the abyss? Had he joined me in the ultimate death?
But wait, that couldn"t be. The abyss wiped a person clean. I still knew who I was–the most awesome princess of Hell. Thinking harder, I recalled an impression of wings at Auric"s back.
Was he an angel again?
I wanted to open my eyes and ask him, but I realized we weren"t alone. I smelled brimstone and heard people murmuring. Were we both prisoners, still in Hades? Had the master captured us and kept us for a nefarious purpose?
I trembled, overwhelming fear of the pain still too fresh a memory. The arms around me tightened, cocooning, and reassuring me without words that I was safe now.
I felt another measure of relief when I heard my father"s roaring voice. “What do you mean, she"s still unconscious?”
If my dad was yelling then it meant, against all odds, we were safe. I lived and was with Auric again. But how?
The chest against my cheek rumbled. “Would you stop yelling? She"s going to be all right. The healer says most of her wounds are superficial, and look: most of them have healed already.”
My father spoke more quietly. “It"s not her body I"m worried about. That thing did something to her mind.”
“I know, but Muriel"s strong,” said Auric with firm assurance. “I"ve never known a braver, stronger person. She"ll be all right. She has to be.” It sounded like Auric wanted to convince himself along with my father.
I knew it was time to let them know I"d survived–albeit barely. I forced an eyelid open and croaked, “Water.”
Immediately, concerned green eyes peered into mine. “You"re back.” Auric kissed my forehead lightly, and I felt a little stronger.
“What"s that? My girl"s awake. Muriel, talk to me,” said my father. His anxious face shoved Auric"s aside, and his burning eyes gazed upon me with concern.
“Hi, Daddy,” I whispered.
“Damn fool girl, what were you thinking, going in there by yourself? You and your boyfriend here are a well matched pair of idiots.”
Auric shifted me to a sitting position on his lap, and a glass of water was thrust in to my hands. I gulped it eagerly, washing away the dust from Hell, and feeling a lot better in the process.
I finally took note of our surroundings, and realized we were all in my bar. A ring of familiar faces stood around, their clothing and skin smudged with the ash of Hell. Just what had happened after I passed out?
“Um, anyone want to explain?” I asked. I looked at Auric, his face once again whole–not a blemish to be seen. Impossible. Even with his probable ability to heal faster than mortals, he"d been so badly injured. “Auric?”
“Yes, well, after you foolishly traded yourself for me, I ended up back at the bar. Bambi had just come back from Hell and was looking for you when I arrived.”
Bambi approached me, her face smeared with dirt and her clothes in rags. And of course, she still looked drop dead gorgeous. I probably looked like a refugee from Hades–hey, wait, I was.
“As soon as I heard what happened, I went to get Lucifer,” said Bambi, touching me lightly.
“Bloody damn nervy of them to take you like that,” blustered my father. “When I got to the bar, your man here begged for help to go back and save you. Of course, he looked like shit, so initially I said „no".”
Auric rolled his eyes. “Actually, what you said was, „Boy, right now you"re more useless than a third fucking tit."”
I giggled. Yeah, that sounded like my father.
“Anyway, your man here asked me to help him save you. So I fixed him all up, even gave him some wings, and next thing you know, the damn fool goes off on his own to save you without waiting for anyone.”
My eyes widened in horror. Auric had made a deal with my father. Oh, no. “Daddy how could you take advantage of his love for me like that? You give him back his soul, right now!” I had given myself to save Auric from death; I wasn"t about to let my father keep his soul for saving me.
My father frowned at me. “What are you talking about? I didn"t take a thing from your boyfriend. I only healed him and give him powers, on the condition he keep you alive. He did that, so we"re even.”
I think my jaw dropped. No way. My father had to have created some kind of loophole. I"d have to make sure to see the contract later.
“It"s true,” said Auric. “My soul is still yours, Muriel. And I now have back all the powers I had as an angel; actually, more power, I think. I even have wings. Mind you, they"re not white anymore. My new shadow wings are black, but I can live with that. It"s better than living without you. It"s also what helped me save you.”