The Darkest Joy by Dahlia Rose Page A

Pathetic. I don’t know why they would want something weak like you as a demon. You and your kind lived up there for a reason, because you are weaklings!”
     
    “I am stronger than you because I will not ever become one of the demons that dwell here. You could as well throw me into the sea of fire.” Caim gasped in his pain.
     
    Another lash made him grit his teeth. This time the end of the whip caught his face and left a trail of blood running down his cheek. Qemuel’s laughter echoed off the wall.
     
    “I fully intend to throw you there, Caim , after a little fun for me. The dark one did not tell me how long I had to try to break you. A few thousand years of you chained to my wall will entertain me for a while,” Qemuel replied with sadistic pleasure. “I’ll heal you every time you become a bit too broken, and then we’ll start all over again. How’s that, hmm?”
     
    Caim did not reply because, even though the pain of his body was unbearable, the grief of not seeing Bliss again was agony in his soul. It was the end of him. He could feel it in his entire being. Knowing that he had nothing left to lose, Caim lifted his voice and cried out in hope that someone would hear him.
     
    “I have served my sentence, and I have been punished for my transgression! Should I have to die in this place?” He did not have to voice who he was speaking to. The hiss of the shackles was enough to let everyone know. Even thinking the name of the Almighty in hell caused everything to hiss and sizzle as if doused by holy water.
     
    “Don’t say it! Don’t say his name!” Qemuel screamed while he covered his ears with his hands.
     
    “My Father, my God! I found my love, the one who can free me. Give me the chance to have my soul’s rest! Give me peace!” Caim begged.
     
    The carrion demons that were licking at the blood on his feet retched and vomited before their bodies curled and bubbled into putrid puddles. Qemuel was on his knees. His body contorted and burn blisters burst through the skin, as the name of the Almighty caused him insufferable pain. The walls of hell began to shake and tremble. Fissures and cracks formed along the rocky floor, breaking open and exposing the lava tubes underneath that pulsed under the rocks. From above, stalactites fell and crashed into the floor and crumbled to dust. Caim looked at the mayhem surrounding him with amazement, and a new sense of hope rose within him. Maybe his cries had been heard after all!
     
    As if to prove his words true, while the underworld shook and crumbled, the shackles forged in hellfire fell from his feet and his wrists and he fell to the floor. He turned just in time to see Qemuel fall into a crack that erupted under his body. He held on with talon claws in hope of keeping himself from falling, but as the earth shook ever harder, he fell into the lava beneath him and was destroyed before a scream could ever leave his lips.
     
    Caim was free, but weak. He took gasping breaths while he concentrated and tried to heal what he could in his condition. He pulled strength from deep inside him to phase out of this world and into his freedom. His maker had spoken, and now even the oldest of demons cowered under the invisible voice of the Almighty. Before he could leave, he felt two powerful hands wrap around his neck, and he was flung against the farthest wall of the cavern. Caim fell to the floor with a loud thud and looked up at his attacker. It was Samael , turned to complete demon with teeth like razors and ready to tear Caim limb from limb.
     
    “You will leave here in pieces!” he snarled before rushing at Caim .
     
    Bliss. With that one thought, Caim was on his feet in an instant and met the demon head on. He had been given a chance to be free, and he would fight to the death for it. The two met like two tanks hitting each other. Caim felt his ribs crack under the crushing blows of Samael . When the demon swung again, he dodged the fist and rolled away. He