Mercury Shrugs by Robert Kroese Read Free Book Online Page B

Pazusu gripped the head by the base of the skull and jaw, tore it completely free and hurled it against the bars of the cage. It bounced off the bars with a clang, then rolled into the center of the fracas. Another demon picked it up and hurled it at one of his fellows. Meanwhile, blood continued to spray from Gurien’s severed neck arteries. Pazusu gave a triumphant screech. “Try backstabbing me now, bitch!” he howled, then turned and attacked another opponent seemingly at random.
    “Feel free to intervene anytime you think things have gotten out of hand,” Lucifer said to Malcazar.
    “Tell them to stop!” barked Malcazar. “They listen to you!”
    “Tell them to stop or what?” said Lucifer.
    “Or,” Malcazar said, pointing the fiery sword at Lucifer, “Or you know what!”
    “A tough guy, huh?” said Azrael, glancing at Lucifer with a this-had-better-work look on his face. “Why don’t you try that sword on me?”
    “Don’t think I won’t!” snapped Malcazar.
    “You wouldn’t dare,” said Lucifer. “You don’t have the balls to stab Azrael in the abdomen with that sword. Not even through the bars of this cage. I heard about you in the Battle of Eden II. You hid behind a bush for most of the battle and then came out when the fighting was over. Accidentally stumbled over the enemy general’s corpse. You almost fainted because you can’t stand the sight of blood. Maybe your bosses heard the same story.”
    “That’s a lie!” Malcazar cried. “I slew a hundred men in that battle! They gave me this sword as a reward!”
    “I wouldn’t get to attached to it,” said Azrael. “Anyone who won’t even stab an unarmed man in a cage doesn’t deserve a fancy sword like that.”
    “Oh yeah?” said Malcazar, eyeing Azrael. “Watch this!” He took a step forward, drawing his sword back along his side in preparation to attack.
    Azrael winced as he saw the blade coming, but rather than back away, he gripped the bars and gritted his teeth. Malcazar thrust the sword through the bars, right below Azrael’s solar plexus. The point emerged from Azrael’s lower back and he screamed. The sound was remarkable, somewhere in between the roar of a lion and the bellow of a foghorn. The combatants behind them suddenly stopped what they were doing and turned to see what had made that sound. Azrael’s face was contorted, and he was now staring wordlessly at Malcazar, who seemed nearly as shocked as he was.
    Only Lucifer retained full control of his faculties. He lunged forward, reaching through the cage to get his hand on the pommel of the sword. To his surprise, Malcazar’s hands went limp, and Lucifer had no trouble getting the hilt away from him. Glancing at Malcazar, Lucifer saw that the angel’s face had gone white as chalk. Could it be? Were the rumors true? Apparently the brave Malcazar really did get queasy at the sight of blood. This was going even better than expected!
    Malcazar reeled, looking as if he was about to pass out. Meanwhile, Azrael, with the sword still protruding from his midsection, stumbled backwards toward the other demons, who dumbly retreated. It was one thing to see Gurien’s head ripped clear of his body; it was another to witness the invincible Azrael impaled by a flaming sword.
    “I’ve got you, Azrael,” said Lucifer comfortingly, taking a step toward the big demon. But if Azrael was hoping for gentle treatment, he was disappointed. Lucifer planted his right heel on Azrael’s hip, gripped the sword hilt with both hands, and gave it a jerk.
    Azrael screamed again. The sword, its flame sizzling with blood and Azrael’s intestinal juices, came free, and Azrael’s eyes rolled up into his head. The giant demon fell like a tree to the floor of the cage. The other demons continued to stare, uncertain what to make of the situation. On the other side of the cage, Malcazar was sitting on the cave floor with his head between his knees, apparently trying not to lose