Pansophy and Perdition

By Catherine Milos

Dragged on a harrowing Underworld adventure, Veronica and Kamiel must convince Hades to open the door to the afterlife, but their quest will not be simple.

Hades is not the only obstacle in their way. Mounting anxiety, a horde of the dead, and a threat to Veronica’s mortal life push them beyond their limits and test their determination.

As they navigate this dangerous world, they are confronted with hidden dangers and attempts to thwart their mission at every turn.

With the fate of the Universe hanging in the balance, can they tip the scales in their favor or will their valiant efforts end in disaster?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Catherine Milos
• Release date: Sep 11, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463241394

Catherine Milos

Catherine Milos is a Canadian author who has been writing stories since she could hold a crayon. She has published numerous creative non-fiction articles in journals, essays, poetry and occasionally the odd business writing piece. She finds the most enjoyment in writing novel-length fiction.Aside from writing, Catherine’s passions include rescuing strays, creating and appreciating art, connecting with nature, and being amazed by the magic of life.

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Table Of Contents

Other books in this series

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2

3

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5

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Author’s Note

Author’s Biography

Any places, situations, events or characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, places, situations, or events is purely coincidental. Any resemblance to existing fictitious places, situations, events or characters appearing in this work is purely coincidental.

Text Copyright © 2019 by Catherine Milos. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations in critical articles and reviews.

ISBN-13: 978-1-988951-04-1 (print)

ISBN-13: 978-1-988951-05-8 (eBook)

Edited by Jesse Savage and Ellen Michelle

Any errors in this work are my own and should not reflect upon the amazing skills of the editors.

Other books in this series

Angels and Avalon

Demons and Destiny

Innocence and Ire

Other books in this universe

Tyrel Hanson P.I. : The Case of the Hundun

Tyrel Hanson P.I. : The Case of the Mullo

Other books by Catherine Milos

Through Dragon Eyes

For Nicole

1

Kamiel’s leather pants squeaked as he sat down on the bench in the empty cemetery. The sunlight bore down with blinding intensity. The crisp, fall wind shook the brown and yellow leaves from the trees. Winter was coming.

His back pressed against the hard bench and his amethyst eyes traced over the empty fountain near the edge of the iron fencing. The fountain had been drained in preparation for the coming frost.

He had been musing over a great many things since his sister left and there were no longer any demons to hunt. Since the disappearance of the god Nuada a few months ago, there wasn’t anything more than the usual demon activity. In fact, demonic activity had significantly lessened.

The coincidence made him hope he and his friends had destroyed or sent back all the demons set loose by Lucifer, tipping the balance of the universe back to normal. Not to mention, it would free his mentor, Tyrel, from the millennia of torment he had endured.

The lives spent serving the self-absorbed Nuada had twisted Tyrel. He had fallen from Heaven to escape discontent. Kamiel knew that Tyrel had sympathized with Lucifer and almost joined forces with the rebellion. Almost. Kamiel wondered what his mentor and friend was loyal to now.

His sister Teran was off training to be a doctor. He let the others think that her absence was the reason for his withdrawal. Over his lifetime, he had been apart from Teran for long periods of time and he wasn’t upset over it. Kamiel knew they’d see each other again.

Teran and Tyrel were the only ones who knew his secret.

Them and the gods. Jophiel’s words haunted him. You are famous yourself, Twin-Bred. The gods have been considering your existence. Shadow and ether-made. I know of one who wishes to meet you. You will be called to service, Kamiel. Carefully consider your answer.

Called to service. What exactly did she mean? Was he to become an Angel like his father? Kamiel avoided anything that aligned him to his father’s path. He worked long and hard to escape the legacy of Uriel.

Kamiel remembered the first night he had come here to consider those words. A greyhound with a grey-white coat attended by a mysterious old lady who somehow knew his name had met him near this very fountain a few months ago. There was something familiar about her, but he couldn’t put his finger on it.

Hey, Kamiel. Veronica’s voice was soft with a slight tremble of uncertainty.

Hi, Veronica. He waved his friend over.

Veronica Mackenzie settled down beside him on the bench.

I went to your apartment, but you weren’t there. I figured you’d be here. You’ve been coming here a lot.

Mhm.

You don’t have a jacket. Are you going to be okay? I didn’t think to bring an extra one. It’s really cold out.

Veronica could talk a mile a minute. Since his sister Teran left, she had been spending more time around him out of concern. He felt sorry for her, surrounded by all her friends with magical powers and she had none. Since Tyrel’s girlfriend and Veronica’s best friend, Madison, had given up her powers, Veronica had toned down on her obsession to obtain powers of her own. She had been driven by her desire for magic enough to steal Elizabeth’s deceased grandmother’s spell book. Veronica’s guilt still weighed heavy on her. She had realized her mistake quickly and confessed. Elizabeth forgave Veronica, and Veronica’s usual complaints regarding her magicless state had disappeared overnight. Kamiel knew she hadn’t completely given up on it, though.

I’m fine. Thanks for your thoughtfulness, Veronica.

Oh, you’re welcome. Veronica clenched her hands in her lap. She sat in silence for a record seven seconds before breaking it. So why have you been coming here so much? Not that I don’t like it here… She waved a hand at their surroundings. In the cemetery. It’s very quiet, that’s a good thing. I’m just worried about you. Considering the surroundings…

Three seconds of silence. She adjusted her posture.

Are you suicidal? she asked.

He angled his body to face her. Her brow was furrowed and her hands rested open palmed, pressing into her knees. His movement bought nine seconds of silence from her.

You can relax your concern in that area, Veronica. I’m not suicidal. I’ve just had a lot on my mind.

Do you want to talk about it? There was barely a second’s span of silence following his statement before she spoke.

He smirked, You really don’t like silence, do you?

Oh! I’m sorry, did you want to just sit here in silence? I didn’t mean to interrupt. No, I guess I’m not good with silence. I always worry about what I’m supposed to say, or not say, or if I’m supposed to be doing something. My thoughts run away with me a bit in the silence, and—

Kamiel hugged her, ending her stream of words. You’re a good friend, Veronica.

She hugged him back. Thanks.

So, do you need anything? she asked as soon as they separated.

He shook his head. No, I’m fine. Not unless you can provide answers to some pretty big questions.

Maybe I can help you with that? The old woman and her greyhound stepped around the fountain.

You? Kamiel stood.

Last I checked I was me. The old lady smiled, the light in her eyes dancing.

Kamiel, who is this? Veronica asked.

Allow me to introduce myself properly this time. Our last encounter left you with many questions. You had just stumbled upon me after I ended that nasty grandchild of mine, Nuada, for stealing one of my tarot cards. The woman shook her head.

Nuada’s dead? We’re safe? Veronica talked over Kamiel.

You—you ended— Kamiel stuttered, shocked.

Don’t interrupt, dears. You had appropriate manners last time we met. Don’t make me regret choosing you. Now, where was I? Ah, yes. This, she nodded towards the greyhound, "is Wepwawet. Wep