Ten

They sat around a fire they made at the edge of the bridge after Mal had set a barrier across the whole canyon. Rosario had healed the other two and now they were sitting with them in the darkness staring at their food. Mal pushed the food around the plate seeming lost in thought, the angel nudged him and gestured to the food. With a sigh, the long haired man began to eat.

"I didn't know demons were so powerful," Valentine commented.

Mal answered after a moment of silence, "We are more realistic than Angels, and are the 'bad guys', we have destructive power, angels are the 'good guys' so they have power for creation and healing. Hence we are more powerful."

Valentine hummed, "The more you know."

"We'll leave tomorrow. We're all drained," Rosario said.

Emalia looked up at that, "How do we get across the bridge? Or well, what's left of the bridge."

Rosario smiled cheekily, "that's for us to know and for you to find out."

"No way in fucking hell."

It was the next morning, and those were the first words out of Valentine's mouth after finding out how they were going to get across.

"It is the safest way," Malice stated.

"Safe my ass! What if you drop us?" Valentine yelled mortified by the prospect of flying over a drop that was as deep as Mount Everest was tall, or perhaps deeper.

"We won't, you have to trust us," Rosario soothed. He put a hand on Valentine's good shoulder and suddenly, the mortal felt way calmer. The angel turned to the demon, "I'll fly with him."

Mal nodded, he took a hold of the fairy's hand and walked to the edge. Then they fell over, Valentine would've yelled after them if it wasn't for the waves of calm oozing into him. Then the two were flying out, Mal held a blushing Emalia's hand as they flew over.

"Now, it's our turn," Rosario stated, as he walked to the edge, taking Valentine with him, "you need to trust me to catch you, understand?"

Then the wave of calm was gone and he only had time to ask a frantic 'wait, what?' before he was pushed over the edge. He screamed and flailed his hands around then heard the sound similar to an umbrella opening before arms held him tightly around the torso. He peaked his eyes open and stared at the black canyon they were flying through.

It was over in minutes, soon they stood beside Mal and Emalia who were patiently waiting for them.

"Let's go," Mal ordered as soon as their feet touched the ground.

The staircase that stood before them seemed longer and narrower than the one they walked up to reach the bridge, Valentine groaned at the prospect of the ache in his legs that would be present tomorrow. Emalia chuckled beside him, then they began their walk in single file. Rosario jogged forward to walk behind the demon who seemed too lost in thought to notice the angel.

Valentine looked at his friend, "What do you think he's thinking about?"

Emalia shrugged, "everything yet nothing?"

Valentine pulled a confused face, "You know when you talk like that your age really does show."

The slap that was given to his head caused him to stumble, he quickly pressed himself back against the wall as some stone crumbled down into the fog below.

"Watch your step," Malice called from up ahead, he added in a mumble that they heard clearly after a rumble sounded from somewhere, "and don't be loud."

Valentine nodded then followed after the two adults like a lost puppy, his best friend mirroring his current mood. By the time they got to the top it was sunset. As soon as he walked through the doorway, Valentine couldn't hide his awe. He saw where Inferno lake got its name from. In the glow of the setting sun, the lake looked like liquid fire. It was dyed orange and red by the sky that could be seen from a large hole in the roof, there were crystals and other valuables thrown around the cave, a large clock hung from the wall on the other side it chimed loudly as soon as they stepped inside. Then the water bubbled and a person peaked their head over the top.

The guy had pure white pupilles eyes and pale skin someone got when they spent too long in the water, he had pearls stuck to his skin under his eyes and long platinum blond hair, he let his hands graze the surface and Valentine caught sight of nails that were long and sharp, probably made to kill. There was a chain of pearls hanging on his neck and silver rings jeweled his fingers, then more hands surfaced startling the ever living shit out of Valentine who bit back a gasp of surprise. He cast a glance at the others to gauge their reactions, Malice had gone rock still and Rosario was standing protectively in front of him like a dog guarding his bone, and Emalia was staring in wonder at the fallen angel in front of them.

"Who dares disturb the great, fantastic, omnip-"

"Quit it Adrian, I know you sent that man."

"Omnipotent and magnificent FORTUNE TELLEEEEER!" The booming voice finished completely ignoring Mal who sighed, then the guy, the Fortune Teller aka Adrian, completely switched personalities, he clasped his hands together and gave a shit eating grin, "Oh my angels, Emmie is that you?"

Everyone whirled on Mal who pinched the bridge of his nose, then gave everyone a look that promised death if anyone should mention his actual name. Valentine tilted his head in confusion, he leaned into Mal and whispered, "is he blind?"

"No, he can see and hear as well as the four of us combined," Mal answered, completely abandoning whispering.

Rosario crossed his arms before speaking, he looked over his shoulder at Mal and smiled, "I can't see very well so I guess that rules me out." He kept his guard stance in front of the demon who huffed slightly under his breath.

"And you brought friends?" Adrian tilted his head, "a fairy, a mortal and an angel, never thought you one for diversity."

"I never thought you one to send your toys out for errands."

"Ah, speaking of Nicholas, you hurt the poor boy badly," Adrian pouted, "so merciless."

Mal glared, "I'm not known for my mercy."

"No, you are not," the man came closer and raised himself out of the water revealing his six hands and an emerald coloured snake tail that replaced his legs, a chain of pearls and golden coins hanging around his waist. He pushed Rosario out of the way and raised one of his hands and traced the demon's jaw with his fingernail then took a strand of Mal's hair and twirled it around his finger, "you are known for your beauty. They say it rivals Lust, the most beautiful demon in the whole world, yet here you are, even more beautiful than her."

Mal stepped away from him, he raised his hand to stop Rosario from moving in front of him again, "I didn't come here to catch up."

"Oh what a pity,"Adrian seemed to deflate and sit back on his legs or rather tail, then he surged forward again like a cobra only a hair's breadth away from Mal's face, "then what did you come here for?"

"I want an answer."

"To what question?" Adrian moved back again; he moved around in the water before finding a comfortable position, "you are, of course, aware that it will cost you."

"I am."

"And are your friends aware?" Adrian gave a glance to the trio watching silently.

Mal quickly looked at them then back again, "They are."

"Let me hear your question."

"Where do we start looking for the crown of pride?" Mal narrowed his eyes as the ex-angel tensed up before quickly relaxing again.

"With Chaos of course," Adrian answered after a moment, he got up and allowed his back to face the demon he once was so fond of, "Lucifer has always wanted that crown. Maybe he finally decided to make his move."

Mal flinched back as the angel surged towards him in one movement as fast as light. Adrian smiled at him flirtatiously, "now for my price."

Rosario appeared in-between Mal and Adrian, "Get away from him."

"Ooo you got yourself a guard dog hm?" Adrian moved back, "what an interesting development."

Mal pushed Rosario behind him, he gave him a small reassuring smile then glanced at the other two who were waiting in anticipation. His mind was working at 100mph trying to figure a way out of paying.

The demon swallowed thickly, he began fiddling with the brass bracelet on his wrist, "What's your price?"

Adrian laughed heartily, but it was such a fake sound it hurt for them to hear, "Oh my dear Emmie, it is of course for you to spend a night."

Rosario surged forward with a growl, his sword appearing in hand. He floated above the water, his sword pressed against the ex-angel's throat, Adrian had his hand around the other's throat.

Peace's voice was dangerously low, "I wonder if I cut you, will you bleed black?"