Hells princess, p.1
Hell's Princess, page 1
Hell’s Princess
AJ Mullican
Copyright © 2023 AJ Mullican
All rights reserved.
DEDICATION
This one’s for my Nowhere fans, for everyone who’s been with me on this crazy journey through a make-believe town where you never know what’s going to happen.
Now, this isn’t the last Nowhere book ever; this is just a continuation of the story of these amazing characters. It was high time Callie had a chance to shine and be in the spotlight.
Contents
DEDICATION
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chapter 1
Callie
“You’re going to college, Cal. That’s that. So stop arguing, and start picking what classes you’re taking.”
I cross my arms over my chest so hard I painfully squish my boobs, amping my cleavage up to eleven, and I glare at my older sister. “That’s not fair! I’m eighteen now. Why should I still have to do what you say?”
She tries the arm-crossing thing too, but her chest is flat, so it has less of an effect. “You still live in my house, and you still work at my shop. I promised to take care of you after Mom, Dad, and our brothers died, and I’m not going back on that promise just because you’re stubborn.”
That was always Lena’s excuse for holding me back: the deaths of our family in an explosion several years ago, caused by a demon-possessed witch and his posse. Well, technically the witch wasn’t really a witch; he was a baby. Looked pretty damn good for an infant, seeing as how the demon speed-aged him for her twisted purposes. I had the speed-aging process done to me, too, when the demon-baby kidnapped me and let Lilith into my body. Yeah, that Lilith. The first wife of Adam, Mother to all monsters and demons, Hell-bent on world domination Lilith. It was a whole thing for a while in Nowhere, the sleepy little North Carolina town that our family of carnal witches settled in when I was a teen. We feed off the ley lines that run rampant underneath Nowhere, but those same ley lines allowed for things like demonic possession and a Hell incursion in the warehouse district. Thanks to some friends of Lena’s, we managed to stop the progression of Hell on Earth, but unfortunately, that area of the warehouse district is now a giant burn scar in the otherwise normal-looking town.
I’m so sick of hearing about why I should listen to Lena. Even after I was reverted back to a teenager and had most of the magical demonic tattoos removed from me—it was a whole thing, trust—I still held my own, both here on Earth and in Hell. I taught myself how to use infernal magic instead of my family’s carnal magics, which I couldn’t access properly as a kid. Carnal magic is based on sex, and I thank the Gods every day that Lilith left my V-card intact when She took over my body. It left me weaker on the carnal magic front, but I guess my former occupant left me tuned to Hell magic in a way that the witches of my family have never been. I’ve still got one infernal tattoo that our life-fae friend, Molli, couldn’t erase, and I still find it easier to access demonic energies than those of my own body. I think Lena resents that.
Seemingly oblivious to our argument, my nephew Ben toddles up to me and tugs on the hem of my shirt, begging to be picked up. I do so without a second thought, because Ben had it tough from Day One, and who am I to deny my nephew some affection?
Oh, yeah. Ben got possessed and aged, too. By Satan Himself! Don’t worry, though; Lena got the bastard out of him. Exorcised that douche-canoe right out of her son and into oblivion. Still, I worry that the poor kid is gonna have some kind of complex when he’s older, if he doesn’t already have one, so I indulge him when he wants something. Besides, it’s an auntie’s job to spoil her nephew, right?
With Ben on my hip, I have an added bonus of knowing this won’t turn into a magical fight. I’d rather not be slinging fireballs at my sister, and the last time we got into that kind of argument I ended up singeing her favorite rug. She still won’t let me live that one down.
Arman, one of my sister’s four incubus boyfriends and Ben’s bio dad, walks in just then, further diffusing the potential catastrophe of a witch-on-witch knock-down drag-out.
“Lena, my love, perhaps we should let Calliope have some more time to consider college. She is a powerful witch in her own right. Maybe she’d prefer to earn her keep in the magic shop.”
Lena lets out a frustrated groan and storms off into the kitchen, muttering something about not having time for this shit. A part of me feels bad for pissing her off, but a larger part thinks I deserve the chance to make my own choices, just like Arman says. I’m glad at least one of the incubi is standing up for me, and I hope when the others come downstairs for my inevitable surprise birthday party today they’ll agree with him. I’m fairly certain Aistan will be in my court, as will Samsher. They’re both kickass fighters. Kamran is more of a lover type though, so he might side with Lena. Even with three out of four vouching for me, it might not be enough to win her over to my team.
Summer registration will be over soon. Lena’s just going to push more and more until I cave and sign up for classes. Nowhere University does have an arcane arts program—well, “Mythical Studies”—but it’s pretty slim pickings as far as classes go. I can buff up my core program with electives, I suppose, but … I doubt they teach demonic magics at Nowhere U.
I think that’s the crux of my problem. If I wasn’t so Hell-bent on using infernal magic instead of my own natural magic, I guess learning basic magic theory and practice would be good for me. I loathe that side of me though, and really don’t want to use even weaker magics like nature magic or something. Demonic magic has power and weight that natural magics just don’t. I feel important when I use demonic magic. I feel like I’m useful.
I feel like I’m my own woman.
The doorbell rings while I’m contemplating life, the universe, and everything, and I carry Ben to the front of the house as he tries to remove a fistful of curls from my scalp. I’m smack in the middle of untangling his fingers from my hair when I look up at our visitor—
—And see Asmodeus, the demon Prince of Lust Himself, standing on the doorstep.
“Oh! Hey Az. What brings You here? I haven’t seen You much since Lena kicked Your Brother’s evil ass.”
Asmodeus flashes a sexy grin, and even I have to admit I’m a bit turned on by it. Who wouldn’t be, though? Six feet of smooth, mocha-colored muscles, all wrapped up in a three-piece suit that would probably cost a fortune on the mortal market. Top it off with silky black hair, amber eyes with thick, dark lashes, and perfect white teeth, and just about anyone would be weak-kneed in His presence.
Girding my loins, as the saying goes, I shift my weight and get a better grip on the wiggling Ben before I drop him. He giggles and grabs a handful of Asmodeus’s suit jacket, then loudly proclaims, “Grandpa!”
I don’t know how Ben knows Asmodeus is Arman’s father, or how he remembers Him at all. Ben was just days old when Satan was exorcised from his body. Does he have memories of that?
“Hello, Calliope. Benjamin.”
Jesus, His voice is like liquid silk!
Asmodeus gives me a formal bow, like I was a foreign dignitary or something. It makes me kind of uncomfortable, which is compounded when He takes my free hand in His and kisses my palm. “I understand today is an important day for you, Calliope. You were born eighteen years ago this day, correct?”
Gods, I hate when people use my full name! It’s like when He calls Lena “Elena” instead. Just wrong. “Dude, You can call me Callie.”
He shoots me another panty-soaking smile, and I feel my cheeks heat up. “Callie, then. Happy bornday, Callie.”
“Birthday,” I say, though I wonder absently if He’s going to smite me for correcting Him twice in less than thirty seconds. “So, what brings You to the neighborhood? There’s not another incursion in Nowhere, is there?” Not that I’m complaining. I’d secretly love for Hell to be more accessible again. I’ve gotten better at interacting with the latent demonic energies swirling around Nowhere, but an actual Hellmouth would be perfect for practicing.
Even when Az frowns, it’s hot. He kinda pouts a little and shifts His weight to His back hip, and I clench a bit against the sensations running through me. I don’t think He’s doing it on purpose; that’s just the nature of being a demon whose power is based on Lust, I guess.
“I just told you; I’m here for your birthday. I understand eighteen is an important one in this area of Earth.”
“Yeah, well, being old enough to vote and join the military is special for some people, but as far as Lena’s concerned I’m still a little kid.” Ben squirms again, and I let him down so he can go beg his demonic Grandpa for uppies. I don’t miss Asmodeus’s quick flick of the gaze from my cleavage back up to my eyes as I bend over. I grin at the Pri nce of Lust getting a little lustful watching me. Lena certainly never had that effect on Him! Feeling a bit full of myself, I toss my hair over my shoulder before I continue with my bitching. “She’s been hassling me about college lately. It doesn’t seem to matter to her that I’m old enough to make my own decisions about my life now.”
Az’s brows draw together, and the dude actually looks concerned. “That is not acceptable. You are an adult now; you are not beholden to Elena, nor anyone.”
I snort. “Lena hasn’t gotten that message, apparently.”
“Well, I shall have to relay it to her.” Before I can even try to stop Him, He plane shifts from in front of me to inside the house without so much as a “by your leave,” and I spin around to chase after Him.
“Wait!”
Too late, though. He’s already inside, yelling for Lena.
“Elena! Elena, where are you? I must have words.”
Remembering that I set Ben loose on the front porch, I whirl back and grab him before he can wander into the street. Lena has all kinds of wards around the house, but better to have a physical grip on him if he really wants to go explore. By the time I pick Ben back up and turn towards the house, Lena and Az are nose to nose, and Lena looks like she’s about to deck Him—even though she’s got her daughter, Niki, on her hip.
Oh, crap!
She’s already tearing into Him when I get to the living room, panting with the effort of chasing after Ben.
“Lena, I can explai—” She throws up a hand, cutting me off before I can even finish the word.
“And another thing: I did not invite You into my home, so if You don’t get the hell back to Hell in the next thirty seconds, I’ll bring Hell right to You!” Flames flicker at Lena’s fingertips as she readies a spell. All four of her boyfriends are gathered around, each as sexy as their demon Dad, but it seems like none of them are really interested in getting between Lena and the object of her ire.
This is a disaster! Lena’s pissed enough to wipe the floor with Az, and getting demon blood out of the carpet is a bitch. Trust me. I know from experience.
“Lena, please! Az just came to wish me happy birthday. Lay off Him already.”
Her blue eyes swivel in my direction, but she doesn’t get out of Az’s face. “Why the fuck is the Demon Prince of Lust coming to wish you happy birthday? That makes no Goddamn sense, Cal. He’s clearly up to something.”
It figures Lena would dismiss any chance that someone could be here for me. No, everything is about Lena, her boyfriends, or her kids. Nobody could possibly be here for me. Ugh.
Despite Lena’s fury, Az is playing things pretty cool. He’s not countering with any spells of His own that I can sense, and aside from the fact that He’s inches from her, His posture is relaxed. It’s like He’s really here just for a house call.
“Callie helped rescue My Grandson from My Brother’s grasp. She was integral in freeing him from Satan’s possession. Why would I not want to wish her a happy birthday? Why would I not congratulate her on reaching adulthood? This is a momentous occasion, and I very much wish to join in any celebrations that may be taking place.”
Lena leans in close to Az, poking Him in the chest for emphasis. “There aren’t any celebrations taking place, dude. She’s gonna sit in her room and read up on college classes and pick out her damn schedule. We’ll have a normal dinner, like always, and if I’m feeling generous—and she promises to enroll first thing Monday morning—I might allow a slice of cake. One. For her.” Her eyes narrow, but she finally stands back. “So, if you’re really here to wish her happy birthday, say it, give her a gift, and be on Your way.”
I should’ve known she wasn’t going to plan a party. Why would Lena bother? She hates parties, so why would it matter to her if I might have wanted one?
Az takes a step back and blinks in surprise. I don’t think He expected her to give, not even a little. “A gift? Is that a requirement?”
Lena smirks. “I figured You’d be deadbeat enough not to bring a gift. Yes, dumbass, gifts are required when dropping in unexpectedly on someone’s birthday. Especially if You’re not invited.”
He strokes His chin in contemplation. “Very well. I have no need for possessions in Hell, though, so I have nothing to give, save this: I grant you a favor, Callie. One favor of your choosing, given whenever you ask.”
It sounds kinda like a lame, last-minute gift, but I know that Az has power. He probably really could give me anything I want at any time. I feel my cheeks heat up again as I reply.
“Thank You, Az. I’ll remember that.”
He takes my hand again and gently kisses the back of it. A thrill chases down my spine as His lips touch my skin, and I’m actually grateful when He plane shifts away. I’m, like, ninety-nine percent sure I would have done something embarrassing if He’d stayed. Like jump His sexy bones or something.
With the Prince gone, Lena calms down. She lets the energy from her spell dissipate, and she gestures for Arman to take Ben from me. “All right, excitement’s over. Cal, go upstairs and look over those booklets. I know you don’t want to go to college, but I honestly think you’d benefit from their mythical studies program. They can teach you the basics that Mom and Dad never got the chance to, and then, when you’re ready, you can take up the family business.”
My shoulders slump, but despite my disappointment, I manage not to stomp my way up the stairs. No matter how much I want to, I know it’ll only piss her off more. Better not to rock the boat, especially since I have nowhere else to go.
Or do I …?
I lean over the banister at the top of the stairs and shout down to Lena.
“Do I really have to go to Nowhere U?”
“As long as you live under my roof, you do!” she yells back.
A wide grin stretches my lips, and I rush to my room. I think I finally have a way out of this whole college thing, and Asmodeus, of all people, gave it to me.
First thing’s first, though: I have to pack.
Chapter 2
Asmodeus
It’s a pity Callie is so beholden to Elena. She would thrive in Hell, where her talents would be appreciated. I imagine she’s only grown stronger since I last saw her.
She’s certainly grown more beautiful. Even as a young teenager, Callie was stunning, but now that she’s older by some years … Well, I enjoyed the view, anyway. Long legs, shiny golden curls, hips that beg for my hands to take hold, and full, round breasts that put her flat-chested sister to shame. I daresay she’s even more ravishing than some of My succubus Children.
Normally, I’d spend my day on My living Throne of fucking bodies, watching the sea of sex that is my little corner of Hell. Today, however, thoughts of Callie distract me from my Princely duties. How can I properly run My Domain when she preoccupies me so?
I want her. I want her legs wrapped around me, her tongue in my mouth, her cunt warming my cock. I want her like I’ve never wanted another human, more than I’ve ever wanted anyone. Even Lilith couldn’t hold my attention like this. Hard to believe that I, Asmodeus, Prince of Lust, am smitten with a teenaged girl.
A woman, I correct myself. She’s reached the age of maturity for humans. A small distinction, but one worth noting.
My interaction with Callie today was all too brief. I didn’t get a chance to gauge her interest, to see if my innate charms had any effect. There are few who could deny me if I put in the effort, but I foolishly allowed myself to get distracted by Elena’s control over Callie’s life. I became rash, acted without thinking, something quite out of character for me. What does it matter to me if Callie is forced to attend the local college? It’s a minor annoyance, yet I barged into Elena’s house as though Callie had told me she was being sold into slavery. Most unusual.
Perhaps I will return to Nowhere once I’ve formulated a plan to free Callie from her oppression. That might win some favor from the young woman, and it would be a stick in Elena’s craw if I found a way for Callie to bypass her edict.
Two for the price of one, as the humans say.
I wonder what else Callie might like to do with her time if she doesn’t attend classes. She’s a smart woman, talented, with potential in spades. I could envision her commanding My Armies as easily as I could see her doing something more mundane, more human—perhaps more easily, truth be told.
