Devil's Descent II: impure Chapter Ten

Estimated reading time: 19 – 32 minutes

Image Credit: nazreth @ Stock.Xchng

CHAPTER TEN
“Said the Spider to the Fly”

Lily rolled over from her stomach. She rubbed a hand across her face, yawned, and then grimaced. Afternoon had come way too fucking fast. She peeked at the clock. 11:45. Earlier, breakfast had consisted of Lily devouring everything in sight before dragging herself upstairs. She passed out once she hit the mattress. Thankfully, she didn’t suffer the indignities of having dreams that didn’t belong to her. Now awake on top of the comforter with only a gifted grey blanket for warmth, Lily dreaded the day to come.

Need to talk to Cricket and Robbie. Need to confess to Jonathon. Need to train with Jonathon if he doesn’t bury me in a ditch first. Need to find out if Nephilim is going to stick me where the sun doesn’t shine…ever…need to survive one more day.

Lily couldn’t resist snuggling against the blanket one more time. It appealed to her wickedness to know the scrap of cloth had come from her most recent enemy. It tickled her perversity. Ian had never really given her anything. Ever. Other than food which couldn’t really count because she didn’t have anything to show for it.

Other than a drawer full of fast food receipts dated in chronological order.

She inhaled, trying to find some particle of scent that didn’t belong to her or the dead. She couldn’t find it. There was nothing to indicate this blanket had ever lain against Julian. It was impersonal and probably purchased at Wal-Mart along with the condoms Julian didn’t need to use to fuck his latest paramour.

I seriously cannot be this demented. I can’t even stand that asshole.

Lily yanked the coverlet off her body and threw it down. She then made a great show of wiping her feet on the material, kicking it for good measure, before yanking it off the heart pine floor. Lily stalked out of her room, down the stairs, out the back door, mumbled a greeting to her gardening mother, and threw the blanket on the brush pile.

She then walked back across the yard, muttered about getting some insecticide to kill the aphids on her mother’s roses in just a bit, stomped across the back porch, into the house, yanked open a drawer, snatched a mega-box of matches, and repeated the process in reverse.

Lily crouched down and lit match after match until the blanket’s funeral pyre caught flame. She stood back and waited for the representation of last night’s madness to burn away. Lily felt an ominous, infinitely curious stare boring into her skull. She hunched her back further, hoping her mother would go back to tending her beloved flowers.

Rachel’s presence was the only reason Lily had bothered to keep up the pretense of matches and insecticide. She could’ve incinerated the pile with a smidgen of concentration. She could also force the leaf-chomping-bastard-aphids to go elsewhere with a well placed threat of permanent destruction.

Unfortunately, the backyard was Mama Walker’s domain. Lily took care of the front landscaping, sans the mailbox roses, with her wondrous Walker green thumb (courtesy of wayward Nephilim blood legacy) but the rest belonged to her mother.

While Rachel Walker was still enchanted by many of Vickery Hill’s secrets she had the fanaticism of a zealot when it came to obedience. There were certain rules Lily had to abide by and superpowers notwithstanding, at the Walker Farm, only one alpha female ruled and that alpha wasn’t Lily. So instead of instantly turning Julian’s blanket into a pile of ash, Lily had the luxury of watching it burn while she stood there in her underwear and a tank top.

“Baby, I know no one can see you back here but why don’t you at least go put on some shorts?”

“Mama, I’ll do it in a minute. I just need to make sure this burns up first.”

“It’s not windy. I’m sure it can wait for you to get dressed.”

“Mama…”

“Lily. Now.”

Her mouth twisted into what her mother had not always affectionately referred to as her “fish mouth.” Lily wanted to see the whole damn thing burn, not just part of it.

“Don’t make me tell you again.”

“I’m going!” Lily whipped across the yard and into the house before her mother decided to resurrect a penchant for spanking. Once safely away from Rachel’s ears, she pouted. “No fair. I’m the Resurrector but still can’t do what I want. No one’s going to see me and if they do—who cares? What’s the big deal if I want to walk around in my underwear all day long? Psst.”

The phone shrilled. Lily answered with a breezy, “Hello! Walker Residence, home of the oppressed!”

“Lily, what’d you do now?”

She leaned her hip against the kitchen counter and prepared for a long lecture. “Nothing! Why do you always blame me, Jonathon?”

“Because I know you.”

“Do—”

“Do not. See? I knew you’d say that. And for the record—do too. Okay, what’s got your big-girl britches in a knot?”

“The fact I can’t walk around in those knotted britches for one.”

“You were walking outside in your underwear again.” He said it with the heaviness of a parent who is continually ignored.

“Yeah, big deal.”

“Lily, any pervert can get his jollies like that. How many times do we have to remind you of a little modesty?”

“No pervert is going to take the chance of me blowing his balls off for peeking, Jonathon.”

“Hmm. True. Very valid point you got there.”

“I thought so too. Mama disagrees as always.”

“Well, probably because your mama’s always right.”

“Hmph!”

“Have you eaten yet?”

“Not since this morning.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me! You mean your stomach has allowed you to ignore it this long?”

Lily picked at her shirt. “I just woke up. Give it a minute.”

“Just woke up? What have you been doing, lazy bones? Have you forgotten you have training with me this afternoon?”

“No, you nag. I haven’t forgotten. I was just tired.”

“Tired.” Jonathon’s silence dragged by with suspicious intent. “Why would you be tired, Lily?”

Rachel walked into the kitchen, saw her daughter still in her underwear, and trained a wicked frown towards her wayward child. “It’s Jonathon’s fault, Mama,” Lily squawked in a panic. “He called!”

“What are you saying is my fault? Lily? You’re still in your underwear, aren’t you?”

Rachel motioned with one finger and a lift of her well groomed eyebrow.

“Okay! I’m going.”

“Lily!”

She responded, “You always get me in trouble, Jonathon.”

“Me! How do you figure?”

“You always call at the worst times,” she complained while en route to her room.

“You have a cordless. You could’ve still talked and did what you were told.”

“Hmph!”

“Yeah,” he gloated. “Gotcha! No quick comeback on that one!”

Lily jerked to a halt. An envelope floated over her bed. “Hey, Jonathon?”

“Yeah?”

“What time do you want me to come over?”

“How about one?”

“Okay then. I gotta go. I’ll see you.”

“Sure. Before you go…”

“Yes?”

“I just want you to say one thing?”

“What?” she murmured while staring at the innocuous parchment.

“I want you to say, ‘Jonathon, you got me. You truly are superior to me.’”

“Jonathon, you got me. You truly are superior to me.”

“You have to say it! What a minute? Did you really say it?”

“Yeah. See you.”

“What? Lily!”

She clicked off the phone and crept towards her bed, eyes wide and trained on what she knew had to be from Julian.

What’s it going to say?

Lily tossed the phone on her bed. Eyes still locked on the letter, she backed up, closed, and locked the door. Lily tipped her chin up, unconsciously gearing up for a fight. She took one measured step after another until she reached the edge of her bed.

Here we go.

Lily jerked the letter out of the air. She slid it open and read it with varying degrees of disbelief.

You’re so incredibly rude. I went out of my way to help ease your discomfort and this is how you repay me? Absolutely unacceptable. I expect you to replace the blanket you so grossly abused.
—J
P.S. Although I’m not surprised considering how you comport yourself. Rude simply does not begin to describe your crude behavior. You truly would do well with etiquette lessons.

The missive disappeared in flames, singeing her fingers before she had a chance to pull them away. Lily stood there, mouth agape, mind whirring with the implications of Julian’s spying, before letting out a low growl.

Who the fuck does he think he is? He expected me to do burn his blanket because I’m so crude? Well, you know what? Fuck you, Julian.

Another missive appeared. It floated serenely before her face, mocking her with its presence. Lily yanked it open.

Your thoughts only prove my point. You are unequivocally the rudest creature I have ever had the misfortune to encounter. And before you ask, no, I am not reading your mind. I can’t. Remember? Resurrectors cannot have the minds invaded by vampires.

Beside, I don’t need to read your mind to know how you’ll behave. I begin to find my distaste for Jonathon lessening and turning into pity. How he’s managed to keep his composure and not drown you is beyond me. You really should be kinder to him.
—J

Lily threw the letter across the room. She imagined she could hear him laughing at her as the paper turned to ash before disappearing altogether.

“How did he know what I did to the stupid blanket?” Lily muttered while studying her room. Shades couldn’t just appear in home without setting off an incoming signal. Lily didn’t hear the chiming of bells, so that ruled them out. Or did it?

Another envelope manifested. Lily summoned it to her side while poking her head beneath the bed. Julian had to be spying on her. She just needed to find out how.

Spying, it’s such an ugly word, isn’t it? Although truth be told you would be correct in your accusations. I am spying. Superbly I might add. I could’ve kept quiet and watched you for as long as I pleased.

However, seeing your sleep attire has made it rather repugnant. You could at least put on some shorts. Anything would be better than what I’m seeing now.
—J

“Oh, you bastard…” Lily waited for the letter to burn but it floated at attention. She stomped over to a dresser and rummaged for a pair of lounging pants. She turned around and blinked in surprise. The letter had followed. “What the hell? Go away!” Lily commanded while thrusting a leg into the gray cotton. She just finished pulling the pants over her hips when the letter lengthened.

Thank you. Now I don’t have to see you in your hideous underwear. However, a conversation typically requires at least two participants.
—J

“And? What do you want me to do about it?” Lily pushed the parchment away. It dogged her. She whirled about and shouted, “Go away!” Her eyes widened as she watched new words appear.

Are you continuing your rudeness or are you that ignorant?
—J

Lily spoke to the room at large. “What do you want from me?”

Do you or do you not know how this works?

He didn’t bother to sign his initial. Lily assumed it was an indicator of his present mood. Well, she had one to match and exceed it.

Lily shrugged her shoulder. “Why don’t you tell me exactly what you want and if I feel like it, I’ll comply.” Lily stared at the letter, waiting for it to either burn or lengthen. She didn’t care much for either.

Again, Jonathon is building my respect for how much he has to interact with you. Simpleton, you speak to the letter and it records your message. I see it on my side. Very easy. Now speak.

Laughter bubbled past her taut lips with acidic clarity. “Simpleton, huh?” She faced the bobbing piece of parchment and spoke. “All right, Julian. A conversation requires two participants and I am willing to indulge you. What would you like to discuss? Would you like to converse about how unseemly it is for a precious Pureblood to illegally implant a device in a Resurrector’s sleeping chamber? Would you like to discuss the implications of speaking to said Resurrector despite having a restraining order on her? I’m completely at your service, Lord Douglas. Your Servant, Lily.”

Eat that!

Lily reclined on her bed, legs crossed, and waited with a poison smile. She didn’t wait for too long.

Very well said for someone of your status. I imagine it taxed your limited intellect. Although it reeked of sarcasm you did manage to amuse.

I am a generous man so I’ll reward your behavior. Now, take note of this, Lily. I only reward that which merits it.

Anything else is ignored or punished.

“Punished? Try it. Please. I promise it’ll be the last time you do anything again.”

Just because you are filth doesn’t mean you have to act it all the time. I was speaking and you interrupted.

Lily crossed her arms and mutinously lifted her chin. Her dark eyes glinted.

Say it.

“No.”

The letter drifted closer.

Say it.

“No.”

Fine. I’ll continue to spy as long as I please.

“It’s your eyes.” Lily hopped down and stretched her arms. She turned away from the letter and proceeded to make her bed. The missive darted in front and pressed itself against her face. Lily peeled it off with a shrill scream.

Her furious gaze scanned over the words.

My words will become your eyes. I will plaster this to your face until you say it. Think very carefully before snub me again. I can and will write letter after letter. They’ll follow you wherever you go. Won’t do so well for you social life, will it?

“I’ll do it back.”

You obviously don’t know how.

“I can learn.”

It’ll take you too long.

“I’m a fast learner when I have the right motivation. Guess what? I’ve got it.”

The letter slapped her cheek.

I’m waiting.

Lily sucked in air, ready to bombast Julian with a profanity-laced rant.

Julian’s missive plastered itself over her mouth before pulling back with a wet smack.

Don’t say words you’ll regret, Lily. How hard is a simple, ‘Pardon me.’ It’s not so hard. Come now, little Lily. I know there’s more to you than this vulgar display you take so much pride in. There’s a lady hiding beneath that mouth of yours. Your blood knows it. I know it.

Come now. Say it. It’s just two little words. You can whisper it if you like.

Say it and you’ll get your reward.
—J

Lily stepped back. She crossed her arms, feeling awkward and unsure. Just last night she had wanted to put Julian in the ground and now he was in her room, at least in spirit, cajoling her to bend to his will. Where was her hatred? Did it just disappear because Julian was quasi-decent to her?

The letter drifted forward. Lily’s eyes followed the new script. They were filled with secret avarice, unknown even to Lily but all too easily understood by a creature like Julian.

Would it be so very bad to change things between us, Lily?

“Yes.”

Why?

“Because you’re not him.”

Or maybe because he’s not me?

“It’s the same thing.”

It’s not even close.

Lily sat back down on the unmade bed. She drew her legs up and wrapped her arms about them.

Things don’t have to be this complicated.

“Why are you even talking to me, Julian? You couldn’t stand me yesterday.”

Who says I can stand you now?

It hurt. Badly.

Lily blew out a short puff of air. She looked over at her great, great-grandmother’s wardrobe. She studied the carved flowers as a way to distance herself from the pain. Roses, daisies, lilies, camellias, irises, dahlias, and violets covered the doors and sides. As a little girl she had decided she should’ve been a dahlia instead of a lily.

I wanted to be darling Dahlia like my grandma. I miss her. I remember when we’d play dress-up with her clothes. They were so beautiful. I’m so glad I have them.

Lily almost forgot about the parchment waiting for her blithe reply. She slid off the bed and padded over to the wardrobe. She opened it up and ran her hand along several dresses before pulling out one of her favorites.

All the clothing in the antique wardrobe were original and never had to be altered to fit Lily. Her grandmother would always say with great affection, “You’re just like me, Lily. When you grow up you’re going to be just like me.”

It was true in more ways than one if her fascination with someone she still hated was to be counted.

The chosen dress consisted of tiny black straps, white fitted bodice with coordinating full skirt, all covered in black polka dots. Lily laid it on the bed before retrieving the stiff nylon underskirt.

Lily quickly found her black, peep toe heels. She placed tiny white gloves and her black, velveteen bow headband with matching veil also on the bed. Satisfied with choice for the day, Lily decided to do it right. She found a pair of nude seamed stockings along with a white garter belt.

I always feel pretty in this outfit. I feel like a girl. It’s nice. Jonathon might let me get away with not having to sweat today if I go over dressed like this.

Lily felt Julian’s stare. It took an edge off the sadness even while paradoxically strengthening it. The letter stayed in place, words blazing, “Who says I can stand you now?”

No. I’m not even going to get into this with him. I may be a head case but even I’m not stupid enough to go chasing after a man who thinks I’m less than dirt.

She stood in the middle of her room, arms akimbo, while studying her surroundings. Lily looked for the anomaly. It had to be there, something so very tiny it almost didn’t exist. She pillaged the familiar, going over it again and again.

Finally, she spied a miniature black feather.

Lily bent down and picked it up off the ground. Unnatural energy betrayed its purpose. She looked at it in curiosity, wondering how something so small could have the power to curry all her movements back to Julian.

Something scribbled behind her. Still holding onto the feather with thumb and forefinger, Lily turned around.

Good girl.

No, I’m not.

“I don’t need you to lie to me, Julian.” She watched the feather disintegrate. “And I don’t need to talk to you anymore.”

Fair enough. Although I’d like to see you wear that dress for me tonight. Until then…
—J

PS. I will await your apology and gift at our beach.

Lily denied the shiver that racked her was one of fear. She also denied it as anticipation.

I’m still playing his game.

Lily spoke to the awaiting letter. “I’m not going to come.”

Yes, you are.

The parchment went up in flames, not even leaving a speck of ash to betray its existence. Lily guessed Julian didn’t want to leave evidence.

Not that she wanted any either.

Lily went on to prepare herself for the day. She took care of the necessary morning rituals before completing her hair and makeup. Once the dress and delicious accoutrements were on, she clacked noisily down the stairs.

Yet, even when she checked to make sure the brush pile had burned, handed a bottle of homemade aphid repellent to her mother, and smiled her goodbyes, Lily mentally circled the inevitable.

I’m not going.

Confidence couldn’t carry the day.

Lily arrived at Jonathon’s, neat and lovely as her namesake. She did an obligatory twirl for the Trainer. She grinned with saucy appeal when he whistled. She pouted when he reminded her lunch could only come at the expense of getting “sweaty and gross.”

She offered to train in her underwear rather than get her dress dirty. Jonathon rolled his eyes and sputtered when she removed her clothing to prove just how much she meant it.

I won’t go. I’m not a dog to be punished or rewarded.

“Lily!”

“Jonathon!”

“Put your clothes on!”

“I didn’t bring anything else with me!”

“Go home and get something!”

“No! I don’t feel like it.”

“Here! Put this back on!”

“Watch how you treat my grandma’s dress! If this had fallen on the dirty, nasty floor…”

“Hurry up and put on your clothes. Damn, girl! What is it with you and nudity?”

“I’m not naked. Everything’s covered. Jonathon, you’ve seen me naked before. What’s the big deal?”

“Do you really not know?”

“No. What?”

“Nothing. Get dressed. We’ll do something else.”

“Will I still get lunch?”

“Yeah, hustler. I’ll feed you.”

“I’m dressed. Happy?”

“Yes. Very. Thank you.”

“Jonathon? I got an idea of something I’d like to learn.”

“What is it?”

“How do you summon letters? No. How do you send letters elsewhere? Like if I wanted to send you a letter here when I’m at home, how would I do it?”

Jonathon cocked his head to the side with a frown. “What do you know about that? We’ve never even talked about astral communication.”

“You know how to do it, right?”

“Yeah. But how do you know?”

She shrugged, saying nothing and everything all at once.

“Does this have anything to do with you being tired, Lily?”

Images from the night before blurred through her mind. She pasted another smile and lied, “No. I just wanted to know. I came across some notations on it the other day and meant to ask you about it.”

Liar, liar. Dress on fire.

Jonathon studied her, digging into her mind with his stare. Lily forced herself not to fidget or curse.

“Okay. I’ll teach you. It’s not that difficult.”

She graced him with a brilliant smile filled with appreciation. “Thank you.”

Jonathon nodded and turned away. “Go sit down.”

Lily pranced over to the sofa and sat down in a flurry of ruffles. She sat with back straight, posture perfect, and crossed her hands. She looked serene. She looked happy. She looked pleased.

Even her face lied.

Going would be stupid…as stupid as having made a decision about it and going on and on like a dumb ass.

Jonathon returned with crystal in hand. He flashed it to her before setting it on the table he had dragged over to them. “You know what this is for.”

“Concentration. I know.”

“To communicate on the astral plane takes a shitload of concentration for a human. Others have a ridiculously easy time with it but we both can figure why.”

Lily eyed the amethyst crystal. “Can’t I just tap into the Spirit?”

“No. I don’t want you using that power unless you absolutely have to. It’s not good for you, Lily.”

She felt a flutter of indignation outside of herself. “I think She took offense at that, Jonathon.”

“Forgive me, Spirit. I know you love Lily and would never purposely harm her. But you understand as well.”

Lily tilted her chin, listening to language without words. “She’s forgiven you. Okay, sucking down Spirit juice not an option. Hard work apparently is.”

“You scared?”

“As if! You’re the one who cries when we work too hard.”

Jonathon reached out and thumped her temple with his thumb and forefinger. “Brat!”

Lily rubbed her head and complained, “Ow! Meanie! One day you’re not going to get those fingers back.”

Jonathon chortled. “All right, Lily. Let’s do this and get some food.”

She perked up. “Doughnuts too?”

“Whoa! I just said lunch.”

“But we can get doughnuts too, right?”

“We’ll see.” He patted her hand before beginning their impromptu lesson. A few hours later Lily could imagine the letter and speak her name before it disappeared. Not in a spectacle of flames, however.

That particular trick required more than Lily was capable of giving. For the moment.

Jonathon obliged her need for food, even giving into her craving for Grayson’s doughnuts, all the while muttering, “You know this is so bad for you.”

To which she answered, “So?”

The rest of her day went by in a blur. Lily somehow avoided seeing Cricket and Robbie, which was too odd. They were supposed to chat about her encounter with Lord Douglas. At least she and Cricket were supposed to.

Lily found herself eating dinner with her mother before heading back out.

“Where you off to, Lily?”

She hung by the door, one foot in and the other out on the porch. “I kind of wanna see Jared tonight.”

Rachel shook her head in that matronly way all mothers perfect. “Don’t you ever get tired of him?”

“Mama! For shame! How can you say such a thing! If you weren’t my mama I would totally be tempted to put the smack down on you for insulting Jared!”

“Look, I loved Elvis too. I just don’t get the obsession you all have with an impersonator.”

She put her pert nose in the air. “You obviously can’t be reasoned with so I won’t even try.”

Rachel waved her daughter out the door. “Okay, be back at reasonable time. If you can.”

Lily bit her lip, all teasing gone. She rushed over to her mother and hugged her. “I love you. I’ll see you soon.”

“I know.” She smoothed her hand over her daughter’s cheek. “You look so much like your grandma—especially in that dress. Be careful with it.”

“I won’t let anything happen to it.”

“I know. Bye, baby. Have fun.”

“I will.” Lily kissed Rachel’s forehead before rushing out the door. The air was cold so she turned around to get a shawl. Rachel stuck her hand out the door, black fabric already in hand.

“Just in case?”

“Yeah. Thanks!” Lily slipped it over her shoulders and walked to the car. She ignored the nervous energy which had originally inspired the shivers racking her frame. Later she pretended that she’d only planned on seeing one set of Jared’s croon and swivel.

When she parked her car by the lake, Lily pretended she only wanted to drop by the Wold cemetery just in case she left something behind.

Lily didn’t have to pretend resentment when she felt Julian join her.

“Hello, Lily.”

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