Chapter 17: The Three Sins

                                    

                                          
*Bastian's POV*
I sat in the kitchen of Gabe and Lilith's house. Scottie was across from me, tuning his acoustic guitar. His fingers picked at each string individually until perfection rang out when he strummed. 
"Why are you still here Scottie?" I asked with malice in my voice.
"Dude, what's with the anger? And I like the vibe this house has." Scottie began to play the song Hurt by Johnny Cash. 
"Can you stop playing that please?" I asked gritting my teeth.
"Sorry brother, no can do." Scottie played the song slower, humming along. 
"Seriously," I hissed standing up from the table. "I'm going outside." 
"Alright man, take a coat.  It's chilly." 
                          
I stood on the front porch smoking. The cigarette comforting, and it didn't matter how many I smoked since I couldn't die anyways. I leaned up against the house and closed my eyes. How did I let things get like this? And is she even thinking about me? Missing me?
                          
"Ah hello," a heavily accented voice said, my eyes snapped open. 
"Who are you? Oh man, um hello sir." The principal to Tekonsha stood before me. He had dark hair which was cut very low to his head, very tan skin, and translucent green eyes. 
"Sebastian. How are you this fine evening?" Mr. Hawthorn asked.
"I'm...fine? How about you sir?" I asked him slightly confused. 
"Look, I'm going to get the formalities out of the way," His accent was suddenly gone. So was his suit and tie. Now he was dressed in what seemed to be a dark black toga with a golden belt. "I need you to come with me."
"Ah fuck," I said raising my hands into the air. 
"Do not worry young one. I am not here to hurt you. I am Namir. I know you have met both my sister and brother."
                          
"Ah shit let me guess, you are the third sin that Luce told me about..." I trailed off putting my cigarette out. '
                          
"Yes, I am the Leopard sin." He nodded his head. 
                          
"Where are we going?" I asked him annoyed.
                          
"To meet my Lord Balor," He said placing his arm across his broad chest in a sort of solute. 
                          


                          
***
                          


                          
(Luce's POV)
                          
Ari walked back into the library, he stood there again silently watching me. His hands were tucked into his pockets, and his hair was slightly mused.
                          
"Can I help you with something Ari?" I asked looking up from Inferno.
                          
"Actually yes, I need you to get your pretty ass out of the chair and follow me." He took the book from my hands and set it on the arm of the chair. Then he grabbed me by my wrists and pulled me up. 
                          
"Where are you taking me Ari?" I asked almost annoyed, but I couldn't help but enjoy the tingling sensation on the skin where he touched me. 
                          
"Promise me you wont be mad if I tell you?" He asked suddenly concerned.
                          
"I'm not going to get mad even if I wanted to." I said crossing my arms.
                          
"I'm taking you to see Balor, and Sebastian will be there too." He said, cringing when Bastian's name came out of his mouth.
                          
"Okay," was all I said. 
                          
"Okay? Like you aren't bothered at all?" A look of sadness crossed his face.
                          
"Should I be?" I asked. 
                          
"No, baby." He put his arm around me hugging me tightly.
                          
"Alright then let's go," I walked up the stairs.
                          


                          
When we got outside a Porsche sat in my driveway. I could feel my jaw slowly dropping in awe. The car was a beautifully sleek silver with flecks of glitter in the paint. I ran my hand along the exterior as I made my way to the passenger side. I gently opened the door and slid inside.
                          
"This is such a sexy car," I said sighing.
                          
"For a perfectly sexy man," He said.
                          
"How did you afford it on a teacher salary?" I asked shocked.
                          
"With blood money. Money that was taken from the dead. I mean, they don't need it anymore." He chuckled starting the car. It purred beneath his touch. 
                          
"Fuck me sideways," I breathed touching the dashboard.
                          
"Will do baby cakes. Does tonight work for you?" He gave me a devilish smile and backed out into the road. 
                          
The trip to wherever we were going was relatively short. When we arrived I noticed we were at a relatively small pond parked next to two other cars. There was a small black Ford Fusion and a red Camaro. Mr. Hawthorn climbed out of the black car with Sebastian in tow. A sour look covered his face. Ms. H got out of the Chevy. 
                          
"Luce," Accalia said nodding. She waved a hand over her body and was transformed into a dress similar to what Hawthorn was wearing. Ari did the same for himself. 
                          
After a few moments I noticed where I was. We were standing next to the infamous Claratin Pond. A swimming hole that housed large power tools, two cars, and multiple dead bodies. No one ever actually swam her since the water was rancid and dead fish always seemed to float on the surface of the water.
                          
I watched as Accalia walked towards the frigid black water before submerging herself below. We were making the descent to the palace of Balor the Demon King.