CHAPTER 214

Mike flopped onto his back and groaned. "I just need a nap," he replied. "I can barely think straight and everything hurts. But I do have a plan." He turned his attention over to Cerberus. Beth watched as the hellhound happily ripped off one of the angel's wings, causing two of the heads to fight over it.

"Speaking of plans, what about this one?" Suly gave Nesferisfet a kick. She hissed at him and tried to roll away, so he yanked on his whip, causing the bone thorns to bite into her soul.

"Is Murray still in there?" he asked.

"No." Death stroked his chin. "The being known as Murray was consumed by this foul creature when they mixed together. She is a parasite."

"Fuck you," Nesferisfet cried.

"Can we feed her to Cerberus?" Beth asked, scowling at Nesferisfet.

"Probably shouldn't," Lily replied. "Despite what it looks like, the dog doesn't technically eat. I would hate to learn that this bitch will reappear someday and cause even more problems. And I can't do anything with her, either."

"So what do we do?" asked Beth.

Mike stared at the ground as if lost in thought, then nodded solemnly. "No more loose ends," he declared, then turned his gaze on Nesferisfet. His eyes flashed dangerously as he rose from the ground. "I know exactly what to do with you."

His raspy voice became a growl, which sent shivers down Beth's spine. He gestured for Lily and Death to join him, then whistled for Cerberus. The hellhound padded over and laid down where Mike could put his hand on the center head's nose. Yuki stood back, her eyes on the mist around the house. It was already starting to thin, revealing dark shapes that shifted without.

"Here's what's going to happen. Cerberus?"

The hellhound responded with a whine.

"You're my good girls, aren't you?" He wrapped his arm around the center head's muzzle and squeezed while the side heads licked his arms and face. "I need you to track down a gate to Hell."

Nesferisfet panicked and tried to fight her way free, but was properly secured by Suly's whip. She ended up falling down on her face, instead.

"Lily and Death, please go with her in case the horsemen are planning something. The barrier is down, so they're out in the Underworld now." Mike sighed and rubbed his temples. "Not much help for that, I guess."

"Do this, do that." Lily grumbled as she walked over to Cerberus and started to climb up. "When do I get told I'm a good girl? Never. No head pats, no thank yous..."

"Once you find a gate, come back. We'll form a proper escort and shove this bitch in there." Mike jerked his thumb at Nesferisfet. "She won't go easy, but I know you can handle it."

Nesferisfet howled at him, but Suly grabbed her from behind and clamped his hand over her mouth.

"The master is speakin'," he whispered. "Shut yer damn mouth."

She struggled, but Suly held her tight. Mike held his hand out to Beth, and she moved to join him.

"What do you need from me?" she asked, her body suddenly sore. She had been knocked around so much during the fight that the adrenaline was already wearing off. Her back and sides hurt the most, and she wondered if she had bruised some ribs.

He moved close to her side until his lips were almost on her ear. "I need you to help me inside," he whispered. "Before I collapse."

She looped her arm around his waist and guided him toward the house. Nesferisfet was pulled toward the porch and strapped to one of the pillars while Suly and Yuki kept watch. The mace joined them, lying itself next to the front door as Asterion appeared from out of the mists. Beth hadn't even realized that he had left.

"The blind one got away," Asterion grumbled, then sat down on the steps with a grunt. "His footsteps disappear not far from here. I am sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry for," she replied as she pushed open the door. Mike stumbled a couple of feet as she helped him fall face down onto the nearest couch. Behind them, Tick Tock shut the door and withdrew his bladed limbs, once more a nondescript backpack.

"Are the others still alive?' he asked, slurring his words. "Did I make it in time?"

She looked around the room. Reggie sat on top of the nearest table clutching Jenny like a talisman against evil. Kisa was where Beth had left her, but was still breathing.

"I think so," she answered. "Banged up but all here."

Mike mumbled something in reply, but she didn't understand it. As he slumbered, she sat next to him on the loveseat and pulled her legs up to her chest and let out a deep breath.

Within seconds, she was asleep too.

It was a beautiful spring morning. The birds in the garden chirped greetings to each other, their songs transforming into terrified squawks as the fairies chased them from their perches with child-like laughter. Mike was lying on the front porch bench, his eyes closed and his head in Cecilia's lap. Her thighs were soft to begin with, but she had figured out some trick with her spectral body that made her legs cooler and more comfortable then any pillow he had ever used.

She was playing with his hair, her cool fingers sending prickles across his scalp. He was lying down so that his right arm lay across his belly. His broken arm was wrapped in a fresh layer of spider silk.

It had been nearly a month since his return from the Underworld. After a four hour nap in his house, he had gone back to Naia and used her connection with the house to properly return it. Even though he was exhausted, Naia had been able to coax a strong orgasm out of him that had yanked the home back through the Underworld and placed it where it belonged. He couldn't be sure, but he had a suspicion that the house had been put back slightly crooked and several feet to the left.