From Hell with Love Read Free Page A

you’ll have to get past,” he said before turning to the demon on his other side.  “There’s no point to this, Mammon.  I’d know if someone was going to die, and today’s not that day.  You have better things to do, I’m sure.”
    “Plenty, but I’m more than willing to wait,” the demon said with a chuckle before tossing his brand up in the air and catching it.
    “Is there any ounce of you that might feel sorry for eating our friend’s dragon?” Cadmus asked, which brought a sneer from the yellow demon.  “Figures.  Well, just know that by killing his dragon, you’ve already caused Nico a lot of pain.  Any chance you could be content with that?”  The question made the Hellborn stand up straight in thought, but eventually he shrugged.
    “Bah, this is just getting boring.  No one’s dying today?” Mammon asked, which brought a shrug from the cloaked Horseman.
    “Not here.  Not either of you.” 
    Mammon looked at the Pale Rider for a moment, but then brought the brand to his mouth and blew out the flame before tossing the handle away, where it was reclaimed by the dirt.
    “Screw it, I’m going to Pits.  At least I can satisfy my bloodlust there.  Later, kiddies,” Mammon said as he walked past the two Horsemen.  As he reached the gateway toward the city he raised his left hand and extended his middle finger.  “Oh, and fuck you,” he said before walking down the steps and out of their sight.
    “ No one was going to die , Cadmus?” Niccolo asked as he absorbed his blade back into his monstrous arm, moving out of his ready position.  The shrouded Horseman scratched the back of his head before turning to his old friend.
    “No clue,” he said as he walked toward his compatriot.  “My abilities are grossly exaggerated, as you know, but it doesn’t hurt to spread the myths and lies from time to time.”
    “So no hunches?” Niccolo asked as he readjusted the weapon on his back.  He had slipped the black bow into its mooring, but he wanted to make sure he had easy access.  Cadmus shrugged as he propped himself up with his scythe.
    “Not here, that much was true.  Something’s about to happen in the War Quarter, I think, but we can take our time.  Most likely a feral outbreak.”
    “Those are happening a lot more often, aren’t they?” Niccolo said as he shoved his thumbs beneath the belt of his armor.  Cadmus looked at him with sorrow permeating through his grey eyes.
    “Yeah.  Yeah, they are.  Want to keep me company?” he asked, already knowing the answer.  The two of them started walking to the gateway as they continued their conversation.
    “It’ll be something to do.  Something to get my mind off of…” Niccolo started, but memories of his pet resurfaced with the words.
    “I’m sorry, Nico.  Animals are a little beyond my,” Cadmus tried to explain, but Niccolo waved it away with an absent movement of his hand.
    “Don’t worry about it.  You, of all people, have nothing to be sorry for.”
    ***
    “God, I hate the War Quarter,” Niccolo said as he kicked a loose cobblestone down the street.  Cadmus looked at him with a raised eyebrow, using his weapon as a walking stick as they made their way.
    “Makes sense.  It’s a little different from the Pestilence Quarter,” Cadmus contributed, watching his young friend as he put his hands behind his head.  Niccolo was the most recent addition to the Horsemen, it had been only a little over two hundred years since his fall, but Cadmus found him to be the most agreeable.  The reaper had started to get desperate for new company.
    “Oh, it’s not that, Cadmus, and you know it.  I’m fine in the Famine Quarter and your place is tolerable.  It’s just… I don’t know, maybe it’s the people.”
    “Really?  This is probably the most exciting place in Dis and you’re constantly complaining about being bored,” Cadmus said as looked skeptically at Niccolo.  As much as Cadmus liked his fellow