Sub-lets in Hell, chapter 4. (Patreon)

Here we are, back to your regularly scheduled insanity. Please enjoy.

It was nice seeing the 'rents again. It was nice having a car again. But I couldn't help but worry that if the big S came back and looked, he'd know my parents had been to see me - and he'd ask them where I was. At exhaustive length and with some creative words thrown in.

It even surprised me that they hadn't been targeted yet, but they hadn't. They hadn't seen anything, and both were canny enough to have at least caught on if they were being watched by the enemy.

They were being watched by friendlies, of course, that went without saying, but they could have an entire army around them and still be at risk. The ones around my parents now were a simple speed bump to the real threats that could come for them.

So far though, nothing. Not even the super religious that caused so much trouble last time were showing themselves. I mean, I'd take it, but I couldn't help but worry.

Grex tapped my forehead with a clawed finger, gently. "You should cease your musings. All is well, and nothing shall happen to those you deem yours. They are beneath us."

Right, there's that causal racism I've grown to know and hate. "I know you don't, but how can you say others won't?"

Grex leaned back. "Others might have... even myself, should I not be yours. After all, what better way to bring you out of hiding, to bring you close, than to threaten those you hold dear? However, if the one who rules us all is doing no such thing, and so is telling those of us who might feel otherwise what he thinks of that tactic, at least in this case."

That... sounded plausible, as there wasn't a demon alive who'd dare directly go against big S. Probably. As far as I knew. Even so, could I trust it? The fact that my parents were still among the living even though I'd led the charge to destroy the gate hinted at yes... but I wasn't going to just assume. I couldn't just assume. I'd do what I could to protect them, even from a distance.

Right now, that meant keeping my distance, but I could be more proactive with some time.

My beer was getting warm. I sipped it and ignored another poke.

"You shall wrinkle your forehead early with all these thoughts."

"It must be nice, not caring about anyone or anything."

The springs of the couch creaked as Grex sat upon it. "It is, of course. Very liberating. However, will worrying over it help you? Will worrying over these matters solve them or help you solve them? They will not, and you know as much. Far better to do that which you can, then worry over matters you cannot currently solve."

He had a point, of course, and it was a point I'd heard before, and I even knew it myself, but it just wasn't that easy.

Grex got up again. "Another beer?"

My demon was anticipating my requests now? Anticipating my desires? "Sure. Standard rules, of course."

"Of course." The demon adjusted his suit first, and strode off toward the kitchen.

I should be working on the wards. I was going to brush up and make a full set of runes, then paste them on the other side of all my paintings. Which meant I needed more paintings.  I'd see if I could go shopping for cheap art on Saturday.

Grex came back, a beer and a glass in hand. He had poured the beer into the clear glass when the bottle would have done fine, the philistine.

Whatever, he'd just be washing it after.

Cold beer on a hot desert night hit the spot, as always. Even more so when it was chased with a few more.

Not that it was a hot desert night anymore.

"You should try to sleep."

Yeah, that wasn't happening. "Whatever happened to her, you think?"

Grex didn't need to ask to know who I meant. "Undoubtedly, she went home. I do not know for certain, of course, but I can check if you wish it. Investigate."

She'd kill him. I was never more certain of anything than I was of that. Grex was good, but he wasn't that good. "Nah, better not. I need you closer, and I'm pretty sure it wouldn't end well for either of us if I ordered that."

Grex's response didn't surprise me, even the twisted smile. "You need to have more faith in my abilities. I can at the very least confirm she did not follow us."

I'd made two too many powerful enemies. On top of whoever else I'd pissed off in the meantime.

"Let's take a walk." I drained the glass and stood up.

"As you wish."

This base was heavily warded and had more traps than the plains in Africa, but something had me... antsy. Uneasy.

The fact is, none of those traps or wards were mine. The work was good; I'd seen it myself, but even so, they weren't mine. I didn't fully trust them.

I likely never would, at least until I saw them repel something, and this base hadn't been attacked by a demon since before my lifetime. That demon had been incredibly ambitious.

"You think you could infiltrate all this, if I weren't here?"

Grex was walking behind me, as he felt was proper, but I could hear his grin: "Of course. It would not be easy, and would take time and care, but I could gain entry."

I could read between those lines. Grex could make it in, and into some non-critical areas - just enough to cause chaos but probably not enough to assault the tower proper. So, the fence and some of the housing, perhaps? That seemed like a bit of an oversight.

Maybe it was just Grex. Even so, that wasn't exactly making me feel better.

The night was dark and cold - bracing. A lone dog barked in the distance, likely catching a whiff of my demon. Other than that, it was peaceful.

I could see our sentries. Even the ones that were supposed to be hidden, I could see them. A bit of under-estimation? Sloth rearing its ugly head?

Those slothful heads would roll if I said anything. Should I?

I should. People could die. However, I should say something to the sentries themselves. A simple cast lined their forms, and when they looked around in a panic, I waved. Then gave them the sign for 'hide'.

They moved and the spell winked out, as I'd intended. No sense in making it easier for our enemies, demons and people both. Even if demons would probably already know they were there, it wasn't like they were the only thing we had to worry about.

At least the patrols outside the fence were doing their thing well. This close, even if I didn't have amazing night-vision I'd be able to hear them as they walked. The dogs no doubt heard me, but didn't react at all - just as well trained as I remembered them being.

This was nice; it was peaceful. It made me wonder when the other shoe would drop, and whether it would have a bloody foot inside it when it did.

Less morbid, more walking. The night would be getting cold soon, and the compound was large. A few laps should see me tired enough to sleep.

Someone else was out here, and not one of the random people I hadn't met yet. What was Clay doing out here?

The answer appeared to be walking, same as I was. From the opposite direction, of course. He adjusted his course, and I adjusted mine.

Clay broke first, opening his mouth seemingly despite himself: "How was it?"

It was nice, of course: "It was fine. You got any of your own nearby?"

Clay shook his head. "Nah, the nearest is a sister, half the country away in Virginia."

That was a bit more than half, but not enough to call him on. It also implied his only was that same sister because if he had parents in that state, he wouldn't have come to the tower to train. I hadn't asked before - it hadn't seemed important, and Clay hadn't asked me either.

"This time was special, but next time, you can just show up. They will be happy to see you." You're family now, in a way. My 'rents are military; they understand.

I thought it, but there was no need to say it. He knew.

He nodded his thanks and fell in beside me. "Couldn't sleep?"

That was easy enough to see. "Nah. You?"

"Nah. How you doing, Grex?"

Grex decided to humor the man, the Grex way: "I am well, meatbag. Better than you, it seems."

I didn't need to look over to see the shrug Clay gave. "Probably right. Still, it's a nice night. Cold and clear, you can see... well, whatever you want to."

"You can indeed. All of the stars you should like, as many as your inferior eyes will allow."

I was happy Grex was talking to Clay without any prompting, but not very happy that he wasn't including me in that; he clearly wasn't, since my eyes could see forever. At least, so it seemed. My eyes had to be as good as Grex's, at least.

I wonder if I could find new stars. Maybe with a telescope. Did we have an observatory close? I didn't think so... the closest was hundreds of miles away.

Something to look into later.

"What are you thinking?"

"Thinking of taking up astronomy. I mean, we might have the time."

I likely wouldn't have the time, but Clay might. Clay was short-timing, now. I couldn't be happier for him, honestly.

Clay looked up, squinting. "Might be a nice hobby."

"Something to consider. We aren't safe here."

Whoops, I shouldn't have blurted that last part out loud.

Clay didn't even miss a beat. "No, we aren't. Should we fix that?"

I didn't expect him to agree with me. "Yeah, I think we should. It might take us as long as a week since this isn't a temporary camp. Think anyone will object?"

"Likely not, and if they do, we can always go to the Colonel."

I would have said Karen. Was Karen a Colonel now? Either way, she had the ear of the General, and the General seemed to like us, so he would likely listen to us if we had to get dragged in.

"You'll have to do most of the work; you're better at that stuff than I am. I'll do the more boring stuff while you work the wards?"

Made sense to me. "Sure."

I felt better about everything now; was it something to do, or was it because I'd feel more safe if and when it was done? I didn't know, probably a little of both.

Could I make this place a true fortress? A true impregnable space where humanity could hold, even against the inevitable demon attack? Because I was certain at least one would make its way here.

I could. I'd have to go through channels after all, probably. "We better just pitch the idea up the tree."

"Yeah, guess you're right. Better safe than sorry. Better to ask permission than forgiveness, in this case."

Heh. "Yeah, in my experience, that kiddie saying never really works out."

"Strict parents then."

I couldn't deny that. "Good parents. They didn't take no crap, though."

"Yeah, that's the sign of good parents."

I wasn't about to call the man on it.

Huh, the far end of the fence, already. "Guess it's time to go back."

"Guess it is. Those guards need to hide better."

I caught myself mid-snort. "Yeah, they do. The other group had to be informed too; hold on a sec."

My trusty spell lit up the morons, and once again, they got the hint, crawling back into their hiding spots.

"Nice. Certainly better than my option of just shouting at them."

I nodded, more to myself than anyone else. "Yeah, we wouldn't want to be waking anyone else."

Clay could cast the spell himself, I was pretty sure. Maybe it was my fault for instantly jumping to such spells rather than the mundane option, but something my Mom always used to say was 'if you have the power, use it.' Given her track record, that statement was the most sane thing she ever said.

The cold was seeping out now, from the depths of the Earth like a horror movie fog.

"So how long do you think it'll take?"

He didn't say it, but I knew what Clay meant immediately: how long do you think it'll take before we feel safe here?

"Maybe a month. Maybe a little less. Ir depends on what we're allowed to do."

I for one wouldn't feel safe here until I had a hand in all the wards and traps. They didn't all need to be mine, but I would need to know how they all worked, and how well. Grex would be checking them for me... or maybe Hoplite, if I needed the extra set of hands. It was going to be far longer than simply taking a crack at the standard wards I'd come up with.

"Right. A long time." Clay commented, idly.

"We'll get there," I told him. He'd be fine. He wasn't in any real danger, after all. No more than any of us, save myself. "See you later."

"Right, see you," was the expected reply, and he walked off, heading back to his own place.

I supposed I could start now, and get my own personal wards up fully around my house; I didn't have full coverage yet; the jet-lag had wiped me out.

Nice and quiet out here; even the dogs were silent. Except the one, but I'd made note of that before.

"Grex."

"Yes Mistress?"

"How long do you think I have?"

Grex knew what I was getting at: "It's hard to say, Mistress. Without an accurate gauge of how angry my liege is, I cannot properly say. I can say that your mother is still alive, after committing an almost equal act against us. You may live a long and healthy life before your debt comes due."

"But he's looking for me now. Right this very minute."

"There is that, Mistress."

"If I turn this place into enough of a fortress, he might have a real problem getting to me."

Grex just stared at me, as if to say 'you think you can do that?'

"I've got nothing better to do."

Grex shrugged. "Your time is your own."

"Grex, if I order you, will you fight him?" It was best to know these things in advance. I didn't think he would, but it was best to be certain.

"If I must," he said, surprising me. "The contract we made is binding while it holds, even against... him. You should not expect much, however. He could destroy me with little effort."

The question left my lips before I could close my teeth on it: "Could lilith have done so?"

Grex shrugged, and nodded. "Less easily, of course, but alone, my destruction would be all but certain. Less clear is how strong a resistance we could stage. Together, we are stronger than either of us alone."

Now I was beginning to feel the pull of sleep. Should I have stayed? Should we have fought there, and maybe banished another demon from the world? Could you even banish a demon that was, according to lore, born here?

No, if I'd stayed and fought, I'd have lost. I was never more certain of anything in my life. I may not have died, though, and that was far worse. What would have happened if I'd been captured instead? Possibly handed over to the big S? Possibly not, and something somehow worse?

No, I'd made the right decision.

The walk was nice, but like all nice things, it had to end. In this case, it ended at my new porch. I clomped up onto it, my steps going from soft and ghost-like to giving me away. Thankfully enough, nothing was out there waiting to kick my ass. Or at least, nothing that did so right now.

I unlocked the door, feeling the wards, both those I'd worked on and those I hadn't replaced yet, recognize either me or the key and disarm themselves so that I wouldn't get zapped as I entered.

I entered, then re-locked the door, and the wards re-engaged, just as they were supposed to. I'd be fixing that later, of course, since the way that all worked left a hole that could be exploited; someone could possibly break in from the other side in the few seconds I had the wards off while I was entering.

"Grex, check the house for intruders."

"As you command, Mistress."

I waited, and Grex came back three minutes later. "There are no enemies, Mistress."

"Great. You may go then Grex. Keep an eye out, however." Grex could monitor me from Hell, as per our contract since that was the only way he could complete the contract as stated. I was long since over the fact that Grex could voyeur in my life; it was a comfort now more than a creepy thing.

"I always do," Grex answered as he vanished.

I waited for him to vanish completely before I changed to actual night clothes; it was the principle of the thing.  Grex wasn't even really a man, even as other demons weren't male and female. They just adopted a gender because it was easier to mess with us that way - I think. I knew angels worked that way from reading the good book, but maybe demons were different?

Should I ask later? Did it matter? It probably didn't matter.

I climbed into the slightly cold bed; I could navigate the house in the dark easily enough. The air here, the atmosphere, was different. Strange, a bit. The place wasn't open, and it felt as if there wouldn't be enough warning should I stay here for anything.

I'd have to work on that.