Page 28 of Greed

“Yup, it’s time I got myself a car, and today is the perfect day to do it.”

“Alright, lady, if you need me again, here is my personal business card,” the young man held out his hand, and she took the little card.

“Thanks.” Picking up her luggage and Toby’s leash, she walked toward the blowing red, silver, and blue fringe lining the car lot.

* * *

I yawned as I made my way up in the elevator to the penthouse. I stared at the bags under my eyes in the mirror and rubbed at my messy hair. Either these mirrors were wonky, or I looked like a bag of shit that had been dragged through a knot hole backward.

The elevator dinged as I reached the destination and walked into the long hallway that led to my home. I stopped and fixed a vase that was out of place and fluffed the assortment of cream-colored flowers.

This penthouse was way too much for one person. Even with Shilo here, it was too much space, but that wasn’t the point.

One thing visiting Hell always did, was wipe me out. I ended up with Gnarrl over at Luci’s and Brill and others who wanted to let loose. That was a mistake. I ended up being dragged over to Leviathan’s palace before I could escape back to Earth.

“Brother, it’s good to see you. Come, you must see what I have planned for the castle.” Leviathan’s ever-stately demeanor was in place as he led them through one perfectly kept room to the next. A stark contrast to Luci’s palace.

“You mean manipulating your castle, so it looks like mine isn’t good enough?”

“Yours is stunning, brother, but look at this.” Leviathan pulled out blueprints and laid them on a massive table. I took a look and cocked my head, not sure I was seeing clearly, and then up to my brother’s face.

“You are kidding, right?”

“No, why would I kid?”

“This is a carbon copy of Lucifer’s palace. He will not be happy, to say the least,” I said.

“Brother, you worry too much. Lucifer won’t even notice. He is far too busy for such trivial things.”

I wouldn’t count on that, I thought but kept my latest encounter to myself.

“I wouldn’t do it if I were you,” I said.

“I will think on your warning,” Leviathan said, but I knew he wouldn’t.

Gnarrl grabbed my shoulders. “You are going to stay to party, yes?” He nodded like that would help him get the answer he wanted. “I got some Blood Rot.”

“I don’t think I can stay. I do have to get back.”

Gnarrl jumped around, the entire place shaking. “You have to!”

I sighed as he shook me, his face terrifying and yet so happy, I couldn’t say no. Gnarrl was just a young demon when we all fell, a pathetic and tiny thing at the time that was picked on by the larger demons. Leviathan took him in, and we developed a friendship of sorts over the years. He was more like a giant pet, but I was one of the few that wasn’t afraid of Gnarrl and his hideousness, and I could actually understand him when he spoke.

“Fine, I’ll stay a little longer.”

I shook my head to get rid of the images and pushed open the penthouse door. I checked my phone, and luckily I was only gone for a week—enough time to say vacation, not enough time for anyone to worry. The sun was pouring in the massive windows that lined the entire side of the penthouse, the sun making the black and white interior feel starker as it was coated in the golden hue.

The place felt different. I couldn’t put my finger on it.

My eyes scanned the large space and focused on the sparkling over-hanging pool with the glass bottom that I was so proud of—it had been such a unique addition at the time. Now it was common, and I didn’t do common. I looked at the décor and sighed. This place just didn’t feel like home anymore. I would start looking to move and upgrade. There were still a great many things that could be improved upon with the next place.

My phone dinged with a million reminders and messages that couldn’t connect with my phone in Hell, the thought was wildly funny in my tired state, and I laughed hard.

“Sir, you seem to be in a good mood. The trip must have been exactly what you needed,” Shilo said, appearing from the kitchen with a coffee and a green smoothie in hand. His voice was chipper as he smiled at me. “I prepared these in case you returned.”

“Shilo, you are the best. Only maybe Brill can compare to you.”

“Thank you, Sir.” He bowed deeply. I’d told him over and over he didn’t have to bow or call me sir, but it didn’t matter. The fallen angel wouldn’t do things any other way.