Divide and Conquest (Grimm's Reapers Book 4) (11 page)

“We need to free our brothers before we make our final assault on her Death.  You weren’t there when they ambushed Eden.”

Ever since I fought Jacoby, I wondered how he and Balrog were able to take down Eden.  Was it because their defenses were lacking?  “Obviously I’m missing something.  Jacoby couldn’t even land a hand on me, how is it he led a successful assault on the holiest of places?”

Something I said must’ve been off, based on his look.  “Your son wasn’t there that night.  The witch and that Minotaur were the ones who ambushed us.  Jacoby was at the prison when they dropped me off there.”  He looked as if he was remembering the battle.  “It didn’t go well for us.  Her magic and skill with a blade was overwhelming.  She disarmed War in three moves.”

Damnit, curse my assumption that Jacoby was there based on what Belial said.  Conquest’s account painted a very different picture of the Hell witch, a much more dangerous one.  “My understanding is they sealed the entrance to Eden off.  In case you forgot, we’re not witches.  We can’t break that enchantment.”

He put his hands up to get me to stop talking.  “If they used dark magic, I’d agree with you bro.  But she used the Tree of Life as her conduit.  Together, we might be able to break it and free War and Famine.”

What an arrogant bitch!  She had the audacity to use the very thing that kept Eden safe as her focal point?  “Her arrogance might yet be her downfall.”

This was exciting news indeed.  Storming her fortress with the full support of the Horsemen would be much better.  “I’m glad I rescued your sorry ass.  Who knew you’d have so much valuable information?”

His brilliant white smile faded.  “Before you go thanking me too much, there’s a catch.”

“Why is there always a catch?”

“She might be arrogant, but she’s not stupid Death.  My capture and escape were easy for a reason.  She wanted us to try and free our brothers.”

Flustered, I fell back on the stiff couch.  “So what kind of traps did she set?”

He sat down beside me.  “Brother, I was already whisked by that point.  We should be lucky I was there long enough to see her use the branch they stole.”  He was right about that.  “All I can tell you is the little bit I overheard the Minotaur tell Jacoby.  He said that Eden had guardians in place in case anyone tried anything stupid.”

“We’re going to try something stupid aren’t we?”

“The two of us aren’t exactly known as the thinking Horsemen.”

I smiled at that.  “Well, let’s go see the lady and the kid.  I’m sure they’re itching to find out what’s going on.”

After I explained (and groveled) to Roxanne what happened at the coven, she took Oz into the kitchen to give Conquest and I some time to get our shit together.  As we entered, I couldn’t help but smile a little bit as I took in my little family unit.  We put the fun is dysfunctional for sure.

Roxanne was pulling a stromboli out of the oven and man did it smell delicious.  As she began serving it, “So Conquest was able to put the picture together for us.  Eden’s been sealed off using the Tree of Life.  We might be able to free the others.”

My brother was mid chew into a big piece of the delicious Italian favorite, “It won’t be that simple.”  He swallowed and continued.  “Don’t forget to mention the guardians.”

Roxanne’s eyes narrowed.  “What guardians?”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t know.  I only can relay what Balrog told Death’s son.”  He cut off another giant slice.  “Sabrina’s abilities far outweigh anything I’ve ever seen.  At this point, I’d be tempted to classify her as an Arch-Fiend.”

I dropped my fork.  “You’re willing to put her on Abaddon’s level?  She’s strong yes, but what you’re suggesting is preposterous!”

Slamming his fist on the table, “Had you been in Eden like you were supposed to, you wouldn’t be arguing with me.”  The table fell silent.  That one hurt.  “I’m sorry brother; I didn’t mean to say that.”

“Yes you did.”  I stood up.  “And you’re right.  For years I’ve shirked my responsibilities to live here on Earth.  Had I stayed in Eden like I was asked too, maybe this crisis could’ve been averted.”

Oz and Roxanne watched us intently.  Conquest tried to soothe the situation but the cut had been levied.  “Death, please understand that I’m not casting blame.”

I walked over to the fridge and grabbed a beer.  I popped it open and found myself headed back out to the office part of our home.  “Maybe you should be.  Enjoy your dinner.”

With the lights out, I sat there by myself for quite a while.  Any fool who was attuned to celestial auras could feel the anger coming from me.  No, I wasn’t mad at my brother, I was mad at myself.  How could I not be?  My selfish and hedonistic ways had brought about a great deal of harm to many people.  If I’d been where I was needed…

“Dad, you okay?”

I opened my Oz to see Oz at the front of the room.  “Yeah, I’m okay kid.  Just trying to forgive myself for years of bad decisions.”

He didn’t move, but he looked a bit scared.  “Was I a bad decision?”

Shit.  Double shit.  Standing up quickly, “No, you’re one of a handful of things I’m proud to have.  No matter what stupid things I say, never doubt my love for you, okay?”

I walked over and gave him a big bear hug.  Like me, he was a bit on the short side, but he certainly had his mother’s feature underneath.  Whether he knew it or not, he was breaking young ladies hearts.  He rejoined me on the couch; he was carrying the handle for his weapon.  “So Raphael taught me how to use something called celestial fire.”

“He did huh?  I’m glad to see it.”  I reached over and took the hilt from him.  “This is an interesting weapon.  No surprise what influenced its design.”

Taking it back, “When I channel my energy into the stgian iron in the handle, the blade comes to life.”  Sure enough it flashed red, elongating into the black sword I saw earlier.  “Raphael said this essence probably comes from my mom’s side.”

It didn’t smell of brimstone, but it certainly wasn’t my pale grey signature.  “I’d agree with him.”  The black haze around it kinda confirmed it for me, even without the smell.  “So, does this weapon have a name?”

The blade disappeared and he put the hilt down.  “No, I didn’t feel right doing that.  That’s your thing.”

I hadn’t even noticed, but Roxanne was standing in the doorway watching us.  And she was smiling.  “Oz, why don’t you go tell your uncle about your laser sword.  Conquest really enjoys those movies too.”

He hopped off the couch and went back into the kitchen, leaving me and the Lust demon to ourselves.  “Watching me try to be a good parent huh?”

“You are a good parent you dumb fuck.  Given the situation, I’d say we’ve done a remarkable job keeping him happy.”  She nestled up against me, apparently forgiving me for the witch misadventure.

I rubbed her long, soft legs.  “I feel like the life we’ve tried to keep him away from has finally found him.  You should’ve seen him in combat with those knights.”

A look of pride flashed on her face.  “Even though he wasn’t born to me, he’s still my son.  I’m so proud he found his fire.  It is remarkably strong Lust demon fire too.”

“There was no brimstone smell to it.  Is there a reason?”

“I can’t answer that.  Maybe it is your influence on him, masking the smell.”  In the kitchen we heard Conquest yell about how awesome Oz’s sword was.  “They seem to be getting along well.”

I laughed.  “Better than he did with Jacoby, that’s for sure.”  I moved in closer to her.  “Should we go to Eden and try to free the other Horsemen?”

Her chest rocked my head rhythmically with each breathe she took.  “We only have a few allies, ones I’m not sure we can ask to come with us to stop my daughter.”  Her hand absentmindedly stroked my hair.  “And it seems we’re going to receive no support from either Upstairs or Downstairs.”

Belial had already informed me that Sabrina’s war against the Arch-Demon’s took precedent.  “I think our decision is clear, we have to free my brothers.”

“I agree.  If it’s true she’s reached the level of Arch-Fiend, we’ll need everything we can find plus quite a bit of luck.”

Luck had gotten us out of quite a number of situations.  I don’t know how many more times she’d have our backs.  “What about Oz?  You know he’s going to want to come with us.  He thinks he can save Jacoby.”

It looked like she swallowed something incredibly bitter.  “As much as this pains me, I believe the choice is his.  But if he goes, he gets nowhere near Sabrina.  That is our battle to fight.”

“I squeezed her hand.  “And one we won’t lose, consequences be damned.”

**Oz**

Dad and Roxanne let me go down to Raphael and Jesse’s house to say goodbye.  They’d been as good as family, especially over the past few weeks.  I’d really miss them.

When I got to their house, I rang the doorbell and expected to wait for a few minutes.  However, the door flew open almost the second I took my finger off the button.  Raphael was standing there smiling.  “So the time has come I suspect.”

“Yeah, I’m going with them on an adventure to save the world hopefully.”

He stepped to the side and let me in.  “It is rather ironic the timing.”

I didn’t know what he meant.  “Ironic?  Is something else going on?”

“Not just five minutes ago an angel left our home.  He was here to recruit Jesse.”  He voice echoed with fatherly pride.  “To think my son is able to pick up where I failed.”

Jesse must’ve heard my voice as he came downstairs.  “Did dad tell you?  I’ve been recruited by the angels for training!”

I slapped him five.  “That’s so awesome dude.  You’re going to make one kickass angel.”

“Thanks man.  Is that the reason you stopped by?”

My smile faded a bit.  “No, I’m leaving too.  My dad is finally taking me on one of his missions.  And this one is uber important.”

He nodded knowingly.  “Looks like all that training with my dad’s paid off for the two of us huh?”

I looked back over at Raphael.  “He’s right.  I doubt my dad lets me go if I hadn’t learned so much from you.  I owe you a lot sir.”

He placed a hand on both our shoulders.  “Boys, I’m so proud of both of you.  If the two of you are destined to take up the fight for the next generation, I feel we are in good hands.”

“We’ll do our damndest won’t we Jesse?”

He reached over and bumped fists with me.  “Without a doubt!  Until next time Oz, stay safe.”

“You too my man.”

Eden, the Eternal Garden, wasn’t a place that was on any map.  For Horsemen, it was our home, one that called out to us.  Even with the witch’s barrier up, the call to go home was always inside me.  Most times I bury it deep, so deep that I can barely feel it.  That’s probably why I didn’t even know Sabrina had invaded my former home.

I can see the question forming in your mind.  Death, you wonder, why didn’t you go there to hide with Oz and Roxanne?  Easy question – Eden is strictly off-limits to those who are not from there. Oz and Roxanne would’ve been thrown back to Earth the moment we tried.  I wouldn’t let the two of them suffer while I was safe.

We’d formed a circle on the street.  The morning sun hadn’t quite risen, so no one should be watching us.  Conquest was on one side with Roxanne, Khloros, Oz, and me completing the circle.  “We have no idea what’s waiting for us.  Conquest and I are going to try and position us far enough away from the entrance to avoid detection.”

“When we arrive, weapons out everyone.  Follow Death and myself, keeping the noise to a minimum.”

I looked over at my brother who gave a short nod.  With that, we reached in and found the way to Eden.  Wind rushed around us, sending me home.  When I opened my eyes, the night sky over the Garden was a thing of beauty.

It had been a long time since I stood in the sand leading up to my home.  Off in the distance I could see the wall that surrounded the Garden, high and foreboding.  There was only one entrance into this sacred place and that was the impossibly large doors at the front.  Two angels usually were positioned in front, their flaming swords ready to take the lives of anyone foolish enough to assault the last sanctuary.

This time as I looked upon home, there were no angels standing vigil.  There was only a cold, eerie wind blowing across the desert landscape.  Behind me, very quietly, I heard Oz ask Khloros, “Where are we?”

“We are in a place that exists outsides the constraints of time.  This is the eternal home of your father and the Horsemen.”

Conquest walked up beside me, his bow already loaded with an arrow.  “I don’t see any guardians yet, do you?”

“They’re here, I just don’t know where.”  If Balrog told Jacoby something was here, you could bet your last dollar there was something evil and vile.  “Everyone form a line.  We can hide our numbers that way.”

We moved slowly towards the Garden, fearing with every step we’d set the trap we knew had been laid.  I tried to reach out and feel what might be out there, but the energy from the Tree of Life drowned out everything else.  That bitch knew what she was doing; using the branch she stole as an anchor.  There was no way around it, we’d be flying blind.

“Hey guys, I’m getting this weird feeling in my stomach.”

We stopped and I was alarmed at how white Oz’s face had become.  “Hey, what’s wrong?  Do you need water or anything?”

“The boy needs no water.  He is just responding to me.”  That silky feminine voice snuck up on us, never giving herself away.  “I’m surprised you didn’t feel me too daughter.”

Roxanne bit down and muttered a few profanities.  “Mother, what an unpleasant surprise.”

The Queen of the Lust demons had joined our little circle.  “Roxanne, I can see the years haven’t been kind to you.  If it wasn’t for Lucifer’s kindness, I suspect you’d be dead by now.”

Her beauty was unrivaled by anyone and the sex oozed off her body.  Lilith was known to appear to men as their deepest fantasies, driving them mad with uncontrollable lust.  “Why can Oz sense you?  Why does my son have a connection to you?”

“I’m his grandmother, that’s why.  And I have chosen him as my favorite grandchild.”  Seeing the boy’s discomfort, she made a whistling noise that echoed across the night.  “There my precious boy, my aura should no longer overpower you.”

Lilith wasn’t an Arch-Demon you wanted to get into a fight with, especially since the great unknown was still out there.  “How did you enter this area?  It should be off-limits to everyone but those born here.”

“The magic you used to include my daughter and grandchild also allowed me to slip in.  I figured before you went off and got yourself killed, or worse, I’d come by with some helpful advice.”

Roxanne walked right up to her mother.  “Whatever help you’re offering, we don’t want.  Too many times you’ve used others misery for your own gain.  I won’t allow you to use the people’s I love.”

Lilith didn’t get mad, no she smiled.  “You love the Reaper and his offspring?  Very interesting.  In that case I offer my help to you with no strings and you may choose what to do with it.”  Is it wrong I was getting turned on by the two of them standing there so defiantly towards the other?  Probably.  “Come now daughter, even you cannot protest this chance.”

“Speak your words then go.”

She looked back at Oz who gave her a friendly wave.  The kid was just too damn nice.  “The daughter of Beelzebub has taken over all the kingdoms of Hell except Pandemonium.  The number of demons under her thrall is quite large.”

“What’s her final endgame?”

“I do not know Reaper, only that a majority of her army still stays in the depths.  It’s obvious that she wishes to challenge Lucifer, probably soon.”

Hmmm, so that’s why he was anxious for me to do this job.  “If she’s reached the level of Arch-Fiend like some have suggested, how do we topple such a power?  It took the combined might of Heaven and Horsemen to rid Tartarus of Abaddon.”

She reached out for my hand.  I was reluctant to let her take it, but she strong armed it from me.  “Divination is one of my gifts; unfortunately it doesn’t get passed down.”  She gave Roxanne a sad look.  “As I told Lucifer, fate has aligned it that you are the world’s only hope.  For someone reason, you are the anomaly that counteracts her; the yin to her yang.”

“Then coming here was a waste of time, if I’m the one who needs-”

“Silence Horseman.”  She used her other hand to touch my lips.  “Getting to her will take more than this small rebel collection.  You will need allies to breach her walls and give you the path to victory.”

She let go of my hand and I pulled it back quickly.  Something about her touch was unnerving.  “What lies across the desert, can you divine that?”

Her golden eyes searched out, taking in every possible inch of the desert.  Then she let out a triumphant squeal.  “Ohh, I can’t believe she put them here.”

I looked at the spot she was looking, but I didn’t see anything.  “Who’s here?  Where are they?”

She pointed to the spot with her long finger and whatever magic was concealing them faded away.  Two men were hiding in plain sight, ready to strike when we got close.  Except their days as men were over.  “Suffice to say you know who those two are.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me.  Where did she pull them out from?”

“Belial was using them for his own personal death games, completely unsanctioned of course.”  She gave me an innocent smile.  I couldn’t care less about what Belial did.  “My guess is she freed them when she conquered his kingdom.”

Oz walked over and tugged on Lilith’s tunic.  “Not to be rude, but could you tell me who they are?  They look pretty bad ass.”

The way she looked at him was almost loving.  This was way too weird for me.  “Grandson, these men are Cain and Longinus, the two most reprehensible men in history.”

He looked over at me for further explanation.  “Cain was the first murder, killing his brother Abel and Longinus did some pretty bad things to the Almighty’s son.  Not two guys you’d expect to find in nice parts of town.”

“And looking at it, they’ve certainly been enhanced.”  Lilith made it sound almost sexual.  “It seems you have your hands full, so I’ll part ways.”  She took Oz’s hand.  “No matter what your foster mother says, I’m not a monster.”  Roxanne made a noise, what that was certainly not polite.

With one last smile, she poofed into thin air.  With Cain and Longinus out in the open, it was time to take on the guardians.  They hadn’t moved from their spot, but it was obvious by their expressions they knew they’d been had.  “I think that’s as far this way as they can come.”  I looked back at Conquest.  “What do you say me and you go take care of these guys?”

“Aww dad, you’re going to make us sit out again?”

“Seriously Grimm, you didn’t bring us here to cheerlead for you.”

Instantly I pictured Roxanne is a cheerleader outfit.  I needed to snap out of it.  “This is our home and these two are trespassing.  I promise you can join the next fight, okay?”

They joined Khloros and the three of them just stood there, sulking.  Ugh, hopefully Cain and Longinus wouldn’t be this difficult to deal with.