“Love, that exempts no one beloved from loving, seized me with pleasure of this man so strongly, that, as thou seest, it doth not yet desert me.”
Dante Alighieri
I took the tube to the Camden Market thinking about Gjöll and hell in general. I always liked keeping myself to myself; however right now I had to forget about all the risks and concentrate on getting back the letters. During my ride I put together a plan, just in case something went wrong tonight. The station was very busy. Normally I struggled being in the crowd for too long, but today I felt completely suffocated and overwhelmed by humans. I had to escape to the bathroom just so I could catch my breath. Earlier on Ricky had given me the elixir that was supposed to cover the fact that part of my genetic DNA was human. Deep down I told myself that I needed to stay positive.
I drank the elixir in the lou at the station. My T-shirt was drenched and my pulse was pounding loudly in my ears, which could only mean that the elixir started working. It slowly turned me into a full-blooded demon. The answer was at the market. I hoped that Ricky was right and I would be able to gamble money for information down there. Sometimes demons that left hell were looking to earn money selling a faction’s deepest secrets. That way they had more chances surviving on earth and creating a new life for themselves amongst humans
The demonic community around Camden Market was densely populated. I could only hope that everything was fine and the elixir had worked, because I was passing demons right, left, and centre. Deep down all the demons were alerted if there was a complete stranger hanging around their district. That’s why they were staring when I was passing by. I also spotted a few Watchers patrolling the streets, and that automatically made me feel uncomfortable.
Ricky had told me about a secret entrance somewhere in the Camden market meant to lead me down to the other place where demons traded whatever they could get their hands on. I never really hung around that part of London. Mongrels weren’t welcomed on the market and I liked sticking to places that I knew. Right now I was willing to do anything to track down Nameless Thief. On top of that I kept thinking about Zach’s missing sister. She was alive and well, somehow working with a demon that took her away from her family. Maybe this wasn’t my business, but Zara needed to be reminded that she had a life elsewhere. She was human after all. At least I hoped that this was still the case.
I kept walking through the streets, passing the bars, restaurants, tattoo studios, small stores filled with all sort of human crap. I could feel other demons reach out, hoping to break through my wards. It was unnerving and nerve wracking. The elixir must have been doing its job, because none dared to stop me. There were some small side effects. I kept getting cramps in my left leg and slightly blurry vision.
I used the entrance by the canals and headed inside the market filled with small stores, and even more humans. No one had followed me there. I kept looking behind me, having this odd tickling at the back of my neck. Maybe it was my paranoia or maybe the fact that I didn’t get much sleep last night.
After walking for about ten minutes, I found the tiny store with the jewellery situated all the way at the back that Ricky had described to me earlier on. The owner was a demon. He had a long silver beard and green tunic that was made from snake skin and feathers. I walked around, pretending that I was interested in his collection. He seemed immersed in an article in The Times. A sudden wind nearly tripped me off my feet. It was terribly powerful, robbing my lungs of the ability to draw in a breath. He was only marking his territory with his demonic power. Some of the stores were slowly closing down, it was the end of the day. It was time to get on with the real task.
“Do you have a password?” he asked, barely opening his mouth. I saw something moving inside his long beard and suddenly backed away. This was freaky and his magic was filled with darkness. I made a mental note in my head to avoid this place in the future.
“Blue laguna,” I said, remembering that Ricky had to pay a bit of money to get me inside the market. Sometimes his efficiency surprised me, but we were a team after all. The weird demon nodded, gave me a creepy smile and opened the door to a large wardrobe filled with clothes. Several seconds passed, and then the clothes were pushed aside and I saw an open space to the other side. A cold shiver rolled over my spine as the strong energy beamed inside the shop.
“Just hurry up, I’m losing business, girl,” he barked at me, when I hesitated to go through. Fear of the unknown gripped me for a second, and I wasn’t sure what was wrong. A moment later I pushed myself to climb through the wardrobe, caressed by a thick and colourful collection of vintage dresses.
The entrance opened up to a dark alley. The old wardrobe and the shop had vanished when I turned around. Several steps in I found myself in the busy market street filled with pure-blooded demons. Many of them were from different factions. As I suspected, there was a sign set up in the middle of the road that stated No mongrels or humans allowed.
I clenched my fists, trying to gain control of my anger, remembering that I came here for a reason. Mongrels had always been treated like trash and the sign only confirmed that nothing had changed. My hair was crimson red now, and my human DNA wouldn’t get me into trouble as long as I stayed calm. Demons were aware that sometimes other creatures slipped through the cracks of the underworld. That’s why I hated the faction system and the way Lucifer encouraged the prejudice towards half demons.
I started walking through the stores, seeing all sorts of weird and wonderful shit. Someone on the right-hand side was selling old chewing gum, vivid dreams, live alligators and chickens. I was amazed with what demons could get in this part of the city. The market was in the underground, probably close to the tube tunnels as now and again I could hear the train somewhere close. The whole ground shook and vibrated. The energies mixed.
I smelled spices, dust, and sensed magic everywhere entwining with my own powers. Demons were glaring at me as I passed through the stands with food, but when I saw what had been served I kept on walking. Someone was roasting what looked like a small tiger on the barbecue. I held on to the gag reflex and kept moving.
The tents were set in the large open square of a large split tunnel. The tracks had been covered with concrete. I changed my route when I saw two Watchers checking the permits of other demons. I kept rubbing my neck, feeling slightly out of breath, wondering what would happen to me if I got caught by anyone. Part of me wished that I had company, someone that could direct me over to the right tent.
I stopped by the fountain, trying to figure out where to head next. There was a demon standing close that reminded me a lot of Zachary. He was dark haired, dressed in cowboy boots and a long trench coat. He was smoking a cigarette and seemed lost in his own thoughts. There was something intriguing about his energy, and I knew that I was supposed to quit that nasty habit a while back, but I thought that he could direct me to the right place. Besides, this wasn’t the best time to worry about my addiction.
“Hey, have you got a cigarette?” I asked. He turned to look at me, dragging more smoke into his lungs. He had nice wide hazel eyes and a wide square jaw. My stomach made a funny jolt because I was thinking about Zach. I had been thinking a lot about him lately. I felt tormented between what was right and wrong, and also with the fact that I let myself down by sleeping with Arthur.
He eyed me up and down without a word, then picked up the pack of Marlboro Light and handed it to me.
“New in here? Are you looking for anything specific?” he questioned with a smile when he lit the cigarette for me. He was part of Astaroth faction, a higher-level demon, and he smelled like old furniture. This wasn’t a particularly bad thing, and I felt good being around him.
“Sort of. I’m a good gambler, so I thought that I would come here to try my luck,” I said, innocently, trying not to cough.
“There are plenty of opportunities here. You just need to know where to look, beautiful,” he smirked, moving closer. Okay, so this was getting interesting. My menstrual cycle indicated that I was far off the wagon, so this couldn’t be it. I normally didn’t attract male attention. Maybe that was another side effect of the elixir. An unexpected wave of lust swirled through me.
“Cool, so what are you doing here?”
“Just hanging out, searching for opportunities, making connections,” he explained mysteriously, winking at me, and then eyeing my boobs. All right, this was definitely the elixir. Even Zach was never that forward; besides, my reputation normally preceded me. Male demons knew that I didn’t mess around and I hated being picked on. I needed to remember that around here I was in a completely different world.
“Connections and opportunities?” I asked.
“Yeah, I connect demons with other demons, create opportunities, like now I’m going to lead you on,” he said, dragging more smoke into his lungs. His energy changed, it started flicking all around, like it tried to escape.
“I want to play tonight, maybe have a bit to drink too. I’m looking for someone … well, or I’m looking for a particular place,” I explained, stubbing out the half of the cigarette that I didn’t finish smoking. Okay, I realised that tequila wasn’t supposed to be on the menu today, but if I was going to play then I needed it for luck.
“See, that’s why I’m here, to send you on your way … well, for a small fee,” he said, and winked at me again. I frowned, wondering what the hell that was about.
“Fee? What do you want?” I questioned him, thinking that maybe I could ask someone else. This guy was slowly beginning to creep me out and I really didn’t want to bother with my power.
“A bit of your innocence or maybe a kiss?” he asked, and a mad gleam danced in his eyes.
“You want to fucking kiss me? For information, are you high or something?”
“I never deny myself the pleasures of earth, darling, and you’re sexuality is very appealing,” he chuckled, then smiled foolishly, moving closer. Maybe this wasn’t going to be that bad. After all it was just a kiss. I felt a spark between us, but he wasn’t thinking about sex. Overall he was hard to read, filled with striking gloominess. I glanced around, making sure this wasn’t any kind of trick. I would have sensed if he was something else, some other being.
“I kiss you and you’re going to tell me where I can gamble money for information?” I asked, just to be sure that we were on the same page.
“Yes, love, that’s exactly what will happen,” he assured me with a flirtatious wink. He moved closer and I got suddenly nervous. It was either that or I could keep wandering around the market for God knew how much longer.
He didn’t give me any indication if he was ready or not, so I made the first move. His lips were surprisingly cold, but firm. He pushed his body over mine unexpectedly and kissed me hard, rough like a hungry man, starved for long-lost affection. His tongue swirled in my mouth, sending warmth through me. When he pulled away I was out of breath and most likely turned on. This was embarrassing, because this guy was a complete stranger, and yet I felt attracted to him. He could forget about taking my innocence, this wasn’t something that I was willing to trade in.
His eyes were gleaming, like the eyes of other demons when they were suddenly filled with twisted, dangerous power. My head felt fizzy as I tried to remember the reasons that I came here.
“You tasted better than I imagined, princess, more human,” he whispered. “Are you sure that you’re supposed to be at the market today?”
He had seen through my charms, but I wasn’t particularly worried. Somehow I felt like I belonged here.
“Of course. Don’t try to mislead me now. We had a deal. I let you fiddle around with me, and you were supposed to direct me. Come on chop, chop. I don’t have all day.”
He stared at me for longer that was necessary, with an odd smirk on his face. His arousal was distracting, and I was trying to focus on some other part of his body than his lips. Other demons were passing by and they were greeting him like he was well known around here. A cold shiver moved over my spine. My tiny voice of reason kept telling me that this guy knew that I had taken the special elixir that covered my human genes. I shouldn’t have kissed him. Now I was exposed.
“Walk until the end of this alley, until you see the pink tent, then turn right. It’s the last tent by the entrance to the tunnels. The burning smell and tobacco should indicate that you reached the right place,” he explained.
I nodded and then started walking away, still feeling pretty confused about what happened.
“You’re not a demon. I could see beyond the spell. Don’t worry, behave and your secret is safe with me,” he whispered getting closer again. I turned around abruptly, but then he was gone. I looked around, thinking that maybe I was being played with or it was some dark magic. No one could just evaporate into thin air. For a split second I was thinking that this was a hallucination, the side effect of the elixir that I consumed earlier on, but I could still feel that cold kiss on my lips. It was strange but I liked it.