Read Online Mercy for the Damned by Lisa Olsen - Free Book Online

“A bit dangerous for the likes o’ you, ain’t it?”
    I knew my Grace would be too much temptation for him to pass by, and I suppressed a smile as I recognized his gravely voice.  “I can handle myself.”
    The demon himself stepped out of the shadows, all casual, as if he held all the cards.  Still dressed shabbily like one of the unwashed homeless, he’d added a ratty bowler to the ensemble.  “If you need a bit o’ protection, just ask old Cephas.  I’ll keep you safe from the other rabble for a taste now and then.”  He smiled, showing the sharp teeth I sometimes still dreamt about, but I gathered my courage around me.  I wasn’t the same girl he’d met on the church steps months ago. 
    “Who says I need protection?  Do you see me quaking in my boots?” My chin came up in challenge. 
    “I ‘ear your boy is in chains under Raum’s boot.  I ‘ear your boy bleeds real pretty-like,” he chortled, and I got a flash of an image I’d been trying to ignore ever since Adam left.   
    “Okay, you know what?  I’m done playing.”  I wasn’t there to verbally spar with the scumbag, I was after some answers. 
    “I’m not, pretty, I’ve only just begun,” he advanced, his grin stretching obscenely wide.
    Somehow I knew he wasn’t in for a Carpenters sing-a-long, but I was ready for him.  With a flick of the wrist, I called forth my sword, gratified to see his eyes bulge in acknowledgement.  “On second thought, I could go for a game or two.  How about we play… pin the tail on the demon?  No?  Where’s your laughter now, you bastard?”  Rage swept through me, all the anger and frustration finally having a target right in front of me to take it out on.  What was to stop me from killing him?  Absolutely nothing.  I would be doing the world a favor.   
    Cephas must have seen the deadly intent on my face as he started to back up, his hands stretched out in front of him.  “Now ‘old on there, pretty.  Don’t go doin’ anythin’ you’d regret later.  I ain’t done nothin’ to you since Adamiel told me not to.”
    “But you did go back to Raum and tell him all about me, didn’t you?” my eyes glittered dangerously.  It was because of him I’d drawn Raum’s attention in the first place.
    “I might ‘ave said some such…”
    “You little rat, this is all your fault!”  I laid the flat of the blade against his throat and he let out a shriek as it burned his skin with a hiss. 
    “I beg mercy, Mistress,” Cephas whined, going down on his knees.
    “The hell I will.  None of your kind have ever shown me the smallest amount, why should I?”  Pressing a little harder, I felt the sword bite into his neck, just enough for the stain of black blood to taint the blade. 
    “Merceline,” I felt Sam’s hand on my shoulder, but I tried to shrug off the soothing waves of Grace I felt emanating from him. I wanted to hold on to my anger, it gave me strength. 
    “Give me one reason why I shouldn’t skewer his black heart right where he stands.”
    “Perhaps he has some information to tell us?” Sam’s face took on a speculative look. 
    “Old Cephas knows lots of things, ‘e does,” the demon nodded quickly, spittle flying from the corners of his mouth in eagerness to offer his services. 
    “He doesn’t know dick,” I maintained, holding the sword in place. 
    “No, I do!  Just ask and you’ll see,” Cephas begged, and I gave Sam a faint nod to go ahead.
    “What do you know of another way in to Midian, beyond the main gate?”
    “You’re askin’ about fairy stories?” His face scrunched up in confusion, and Sam nodded. 
    “Tell us and we’ll set you free.”
    Cephas sat back on his heels as he thought it over.  “There is a way, but you gots to know where the portal is.  I’ve never ‘ad cause to find it m’self, Naberios lets me go through whenever I want to.”
    “So, where is the portal?” I pressed again with the blade.
    “Don’t