Beautiful Revenge - J Morris L

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everything I was told –’

      ‘Enough,’ said Verin, cutting him off. ‘Don’t get us wrong, Paradise is OK but if we have to spend all of our time up here we will go nuts. We need Earth; it has just enough grime so we don’t lose the plot and go on a rampage.’

      ‘I’ll sort it out,’ Kaarl promised.

      As the applause for Sophie’s speech tapered off Kaarl launched himself up and headed towards the stage.

      ‘I thought you would want to see me,’ Sophie said as he landed.

      ‘And I’m sure you know why.’

      The Angel of Wisdom politely waved away a few other students as they approached.

      ‘We make allowances for essential travel and your task in the Mortals’ realm definitely qualifies,’ said Sophie. ‘You will need supervision but we have given that role to Gabriel so it is not a major change. The only difference is that you cannot live there; when you are not working you will need to be here. Until your studies are completed of course.

      ‘I was under the impression that when we joined you both realms would be open to us. I told Verin and Vetis as much when I asked them to come with me.’

      ‘That was not the reason you chose to embrace our cause,’ replied Sophie.

      ‘No it wasn’t; you showed me what I was doing in a different light and I knew it was wrong. Verin and Vetis saw that as well but freedom was a big factor in their decision to join me. They like it here but they need the chance to cut loose now and then. It’s just not in them to stay cooped up in Paradise.’

      ‘I am sure the twins will do everything in their power to pass their tests,’ replied Sophie, ‘and when they have done so they may come and go as they wish. I know these new restrictions will be difficult to adjust to but it should be enough to keep them happy. If worse comes to worst they’ll just have to re-sit. It is not like the door will be forever closed to them.’

      ‘It still feels like we were lied to,’ said Kaarl, crossing his arms. ‘Well, like I was lied to and I passed it on.’

      ‘It is true that you are free to move between realms, after you pass the tests.’

      ‘That’s a pretty important detail that was either left out or glossed over.’

      ‘I have every faith that all three of you will pass the first time around,’ replied Sophie, ‘so it is not that important. There was no attempt to mislead you, Kaarl; this has been our way since Paradise’s first dealings with the Mortals.’

      ‘That would have been a good thing to know before today.’

      ‘Would it have affected your decision to join us?’ asked Sophie.

      ‘No, but it would have been nice to have the full story. It was a big shock finding out like this.’

      Sophie’s finger made a faint clinking sound as she tapped her chin.

      ‘I can offer to tutor the three of you personally if you are struggling,’ she said after a moment. ‘The fact you were born in Lucifer’s realm should be taken into account and compensated for.’

      ‘That seems fair,’ said Kaarl. ‘Verin and Vetis will probably still complain but it should go some way to smoothing this over.’

      ‘It will have to do for now,’ the Angel of Wisdom told him. ‘Sorry to rush you off but there are others waiting to see me and I have a lot to do today. If I think of anything else that we should have explained to you in detail I’ll let you know.’

      ‘That would be nice,’ said Kaarl, flaring his wings and rising up. ‘I’d better go find the twins before they break something.’

      One of the benefits of Verin and Vetis’ unusual colouring was that they were easy to spot from above. The sisters were talking to three Angels as Kaarl swooped in beside them. The apparent leader of the girls was stunning; long-legged with skin of polished silver that glittered in the sun.

      ‘Listen,’ said Verin to the silver Angel. ‘I don’t know who you are or what your problem is but–’

      Her sister pulled her aside and whispered in her ear.

      ‘Oh, you’re that Sasha. You got your boyfriend back when I was done with him so I don’t see what the big deal is. Get over it.’

      ‘I don’t think you realise who you’re messing with,’ replied Sasha, her delicate hands balling up into fists.

      Verin stepped forward and smiled.

      ‘It’s you that should be careful,’ she told the girl. ‘I was born in Hell, I count Lucifer, Light Bearer and Son of the Morning, amongst my close, personal enemies and I’ve seen Million Dollar Baby like six times. Unless you really like hospital food I’d leave if I were you.’

      Sasha gave Verin a long, venomous look before turning on her heels and storming off.

      ‘Making friends already?’ asked Kaarl.

      Verin shrugged.

      ‘Not my fault she can’t hold onto her stuff.’

      ‘What did Sophie say?’ asked Vetis.

      ‘The good news is we still get to go to the Mortal realm for work,’ Kaarl told the twins. ‘The bad news is it’s only for work. The tests, and the ban if we flunk them, apply to us as much as anyone else. Sophie said she is sure we’ll pass though and she is willing to tutor us if we struggle.’

      ‘I guess that’s something,’ said Verin. ‘If we need a tutor we probably can’t do much better than the Angel of Wisdom.’

      ‘No moaning or sulking?’ asked Kaarl, unable to mask his surprise.

      Verin’s eyes were firmly fixed on Sasha’s back as the Angel walked away.

      ‘It’s the first day of school and I’m already enemies with the most popular girl here,’ she replied. ‘I’ve got bigger things to worry about.’

      In Hell, as on Earth, the most memorable lessons are taught more often by failure than success. Lucifer’s son Damon had learnt his in the hardest, most brutal way possible; it had cost the boy his life. In front of the fiery Gates of Perdition, the portal from the Mortal realm to their own, Demons and Damned Mortals alike had watched on as the Lord of their realm incinerated Damon with a flick of his wrist. Those present would never forget the look of indifference on their master’s face, the glint in his violet eyes or the way his enormous black wings stirred the ash that had only moments before been his son.

      Lucifer had seen hints that Kaarl was wavering and Damon had been sent to the Mortal realm to take the reins of Synergy. When Kaarl, Verin and Vetis had confirmed the Light Bearer’s suspicions and turned their backs on Perdition it had fallen to Damon to return the trio to Hell to face his father’s justice. The boy had failed spectacularly in both endeavours and paid the ultimate price for his shortcomings. Lucifer had sent a clear message to his realm as his words, and the specks that remained of his first-born child fell on the assembled masses. Failure was not something the Light Bearer would tolerate from anyone.

      Three years had passed since Kaarl and the sisters had betrayed the realm, turning from Lucifer’s embrace and taking up Paradise’s cause. Damon had long since been dragged from his lightless cell and punished but the whole affair was still the main topic of conversation in Perdition. In taverns and alehouses across the stone city its residents argued incessantly over the fallout from the betrayal.

      ‘It’ll be another war,’ said an enormous Demon. His voice boomed across the crowded bar and his red hands dwarfed the tankard they held. ‘He has to make a big move soon and you mark my words, it’ll be war between us and Paradise that comes

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