A She-Devil Hybrid's Heart: A She Devil Hybrid's Journey, #3

By Miranda Alberty

Alexus can't catch a break - the Celestial Beings are more restless than ever, proving to be more than what even Lucifer can handle. Not to mention that it looks to be Alexus's fault in the first place. If their minds were lost, the whole world would be flushed down the toilet, and the answers that still elude Alexus would be lost forever. 

 

Then there's the whiplash in her emotions that Lucifer seems to have full control over. It has her heart yearning to be accepted and whole now, more than ever. There might even be a Devil out there that can offer the satisfaction she's looking for, and there isn't a price that she wouldn't pay to get it.

 

Can Alexus gain control over the chaos in her life, or will it only prove that she should've stayed a power of the past? 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Miranda Alberty
• Release date: Jun 30, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223077558

Miranda Alberty

Author's Note: Heaven’s Fury is the first novel following the She-Devil Hybrid, Alexus, and the bonds that she makes as she uncovers the truth about the past. While getting my bachelors degree, I found myself relaxing by escaping to the world of Paranormal Romance and was inspired to create a world of my own. I plan to continue Alexus’s journey and I am excited to see how she grows as a character. I have 5 cats and 2 horses at home and I am currently going back to school to get my Masters in Business Administration. I work full time in between all that in an engineering career field—Don’t ask how I became a writer; it’s a mystery to me as well. Follow me on Facebook and Instgram at Booksby_alberty for updates about the series!

Book preview

Acknowledgements

Thank you to Victoria Ellis for proofreading once again. I’ve learned a ton from reviewing your edits!

Thank you, Brooks Kohler, for being my beta reader once again, and the rest of my readers that spent the time to give me feedback!

As always, one last shout out to my Facebook friends from the groups Drunk on Love – Romance Reader’s Sanctuary and The Reading Writing Ladies for always giving me the motivation to stay focused on my writing. I’m glad you all helped pushed me through this title – I enjoyed the ride through it.

Chapter 1: Oh Crap

When I woke up, I was lying on the ground. It was cold and damp, and each limb of mine felt beyond heavy. As my vision became less blurry, I could tell that I was in a dimension similar to the one where I had first met the Nightmare. Nikko and I had been driving back to his house when I had foolishly jumped into the dimension after sensing the Nightmare’s presence. It had been dark, but it was an unnatural dark. This place was no different.

I looked around for any signs of someone else being here and came up with nothing. The last thing I remembered was the other Celestial Being that had ambushed me in the truck. That’ll teach me to think that my eyes are playing tricks on me. I should’ve never assumed that I had seen the worst that the world had to offer. I really hoped that Lyra and Maya had been left unharmed. I wonder why the being hadn’t attacked the first time in the truck? I found it hard to believe it was as simple as this time the truck had been in park instead of reverse.

As I slowly gathered myself, I noticed shackles on my wrists and ankles. For the life of me, I couldn’t sense an ounce of magic in my body and hoped that was a side effect from being chained. Now would be a very bad time to lose my magical abilities. Then again, as long as these chains were clasped to me, I was damned anyways. After failing to call my magic to the surface, I did notice Lucifer’s magic in the air along with the unknown Celestial Being. With the various variables, I wasn’t sure if I was glad his presence brought some comfort or not. He’d undoubtedly be pissed at me for stuffing him in my energy.

It dawned on me that maybe I could feel out Nikko as well, but that quickly proved to be futile. It was like the times Lucifer had absorbed Nikko completely. The only comfort that came from the lack of Nikko’s presence was that I couldn’t detect it like before. If Lucifer had absorbed him, there would’ve been trace amounts left that I picked up on. Back to square one. I tested my strength by pulling at each of the chains. The two attached to my ankles felt heavier than the ones on my arm but that wasn’t saying much.

The metal was so cold I felt like I was being burned. The chains rattled and the shackles screeched as I dragged them across the ground. Where the ground was scuffed from the disturbance, the shackles looked unharmed. So much for thinking that they’d be flawed. The chains themselves were about six feet long. The ones bound to my wrist were fixed to crumbling walls about two feet off the ground, and the ones bound to my ankles were fixed at the ground on the walls. Someone wanted to be sure that I didn’t have anywhere to go.

As I continued looking around for clues, I felt a cold similar to Deidamia’s settle in the air. A heavy regret pushed aside my anxiety for being the cause of her death. It was true that it was Lucifer’s Death Magic that had done it, but I had been the messenger. I could really use a familiar face right about now. The cold couldn’t be hers, because her revival was impossible. That understanding made me realize I should start worrying about whose it could be.

It didn’t feel quite like the one that had filled the truck, and it didn’t feel like Lucifer’s either. I was running out of Celestial Beings that I knew, no matter how far-fetched that concept was. I knew that Lucifer’s hadn’t felt this way when I had tied him to me, but given that he was the ruler of Hell, I was unsure if his energy was the same every time it manifested. He could hide himself so easily if that were the case. I’d never see him coming.

Thinking back to when Lyra was running out towards me and the truck, I felt my Guardian’s strength attempt to ebb its way into my body. If Lyra had played any part in attempting to thwart the Celestial Being after me, she couldn’t have held her own. The strength in my gut grew slightly stronger, and I knew I would have enough power manifested to cast the ultimate death spell that I possessed, but if these shackles were truly interfering with my normal magic, I wasn’t sure even the Guardian powers wouldn’t be affected.

As I felt the Celestial Being’s presence that had been in the truck flow into the dimension I was in, I dissipated the guardian strength and felt more sure that the presence earlier had been Deidamia. I wasn’t sure how, but the Celestial Being had defied death by Lucifer and had some kind of spiritual form here.

The last interaction with her told me she would try to help but at the same time I was the reason she was dead. I had watched her body fade from existence. I can’t imagine the grudge one would hold for that, especially since Celestial Beings haven’t really been that divine so far. If there was a chance though, I’d gladly take it. Deidamia had been created from the Inhuman Spirits will, it wasn’t so ridiculous of a thought that she could be recreated from mine. Maybe that would lessen some of the grudge.

As the thought crossed my mind, Lucifer’s magic surged under my skin. It was official, I couldn’t feel Nikko’s strength try to quench it, and Lucifer was pissed. You and me both. I would’ve at least thought that he would try to protect me from the crazies in the world until he was no longer chained to my energy. Now look at us. I won’t let you go just to save myself. You should’ve gotten us out of this mess when you had the chance. I hoped that these shackles could contain his magic as well as my own. It would at least buy me some time to get back to Nikko.

Without warning, the Celestial being from the truck appeared in a dark corner of the dimension to my right. It’s appearance was as off-putting as before and certainly didn’t give comforting and hopeful vibes. It’s skin was malnourished which caused it to look pale and slimy, and it’s bones looked as if they were protruding past the thin barrier of skin. This one didn’t have an ounce of meat on it and resembled that of an abuse victim just from the bruises and lacerations that covered it’s body.

Just like back in the truck, it’s eyes were pitch black. It’s face was more feminine than masculine this time, but it certainly didn’t make it more welcoming. It’s hair was another defining feature. It was black and poker straight like Deidamia’s had been, but it, too, looked malnourished and unkempt. It was thicker than Gollum’s from the Lord of the Rings movies, but if I had to make a comparison that was it. I am Yaretzi. It’s voice was just as startling.

The introduction caught me off guard, so I continued to stare at it. Between it’s looks and it’s voice, I still couldn’t decide if it was female or male. Not that it would’ve made a difference at this point, I just wanted the hell out of here. The longer I was stuck, the weaker I felt. The name itself came from the Aztecs, unlike Deidamia’s name that was derived from the Ancient Greeks. Being that the Inhuman Spirits were rumored to have been created by sorcery that some Greeks practiced, I wondered if this meant that Yaretzi was created from the Aztecs.

If I was really up shit creek, I was doubtful that my magic would have any effect on her. I knew there were conflicts when origins differed, but I didn’t know how deep those conflicts ran. Aren’t you going to speak, Devil? I cleared my throat as my anxiety rose. It obviously wasn’t looking to have a conversation with itself.

I’m Lex, but I think you knew that. Are you like Deidamia? I needed to know more about it.

Ha. She let out a blood curdling scream and, at that moment, I wished I could’ve covered my ears, but the chains didn’t quite reach. That wretch. No, never. It hissed as it walked closer to me.

Then what are you like? You look like a woman who’s been beaten. Not that I was in a position to be judging her appearance.

I am not a woman, and I am not a man. It’s smile looked amused. I embody them all. The ones that devote themselves and their love to Lucifer. I have no identity. Their head twisted towards me, much farther than someone’s neck should allow, and it hissed.

You have a name. I was playing with fire here. That was at least one thing that was becoming more obvious to me. Do you devote yourself to Lucifer? It hissed again and started pacing in the small clearing in front of me. Shit.

The betrayal to him is still so raw. There is no telling what will come of it. Before it was despairing and now... Oh, now. This being had to be a lunatic. Too many years in Hell, by the looks of it. Was it talking about what I did to Lucifer? I only remembered doing it one time though. Unless, of course, I was being reborn again and again like Deidamia had mentioned I would be—until I could save Lucifer’s heart, that is.

Then again, Lucifer was also betrayed by Nikko and from the disdain he held for Deidamia, maybe he was betrayed by her too. She was dead though, maybe. It would’ve been a tad more helpful if this being had identified at least the gender or species of the one that did the betraying, especially if there were both a past and future betrayal to sort through. What happened before? I needed Yaretzi to start making sense.

They shall not live another day. Not as long as my King remains scarred from their existence. I will no longer allow this. Their head is mine. My skin was crawling with warning as Yaretzi grew angrier. It looked somewhere past the dimension wall that I couldn’t see, and more anger flooded the space.

Yaretzi. As I attempted to gain its attention again, its eyes seared my skin with rage and Flames of Purity were expelled from its body. Without being able to call upon my own flames, they pierced my body and excruciating pain followed in their wake. If my bond with Nikko being broken had still been unclear, it was confirmed the moment the flames scorched my skin. The crippling anxiety and panic that had consumed me shortly after Shiva had hit me with them for the first time had been child’s play compared to this.

I could feel the slightest bit of my own rage attempt to form but it felt suffocated. The suffocation induced pain, and it wasn’t long until I felt drained. I’d take it as a win, though, because I recognized the rage that had plagued me when the Inhuman Spirit that I fought with Jake was attempting to steal my magic. This, at least, meant that my magic was somewhere within me, and if I could get rid of these shackles or blow their properties apart, I would stand a chance at getting out of here.

As I was focused on catching my breath, I must’ve missed the additional presence filtering into the dimension. Looking up to Yaretzi, I noticed that it hasn’t seemed to take notice, so I ignore it as well. It was definitely Lucifer that I was feeling but since I didn’t know if Yaretzi was an ally of his or not, I wasn’t about to escalate the consistent anger it had shown so far.

As Yaretzi continued to mumble and pace in front of me, I pin-pointed the energy directly behind me. After a few moments of trying to distinguish it further, I feel Lucifer’s magic in my body calling out to the external magic. Not wanting to lose control of my consciousness, even though that may be the only way out of this mess, I pushed the mass of energy away from me. I need a damn break. Make that a vacation after this is over. This made being held at Nikko’s a walk in the park.

You. Yaretzi turned back towards me, and my panic began to rise. It was obvious that the presence had gone unnoticed until I had to butt in. Great. You will be loyal to me? It seemed calm again, but I was terrified that anything I said would set it back off.

Do you need help? Am I supposed to help you? Pledging allegiance to Yaretzi would be suicide no doubt given the lack of mental stability it possessed but denying it may be an act of war. I seriously needed to think before speaking.

You must eliminate him. One strong enough to rival The Devil will appear; do not fear her. Both one with Heaven and one with Hell, she will strip him of his power and reign over the worlds with the heart of Lucifer by her side. Evils will be vanquished, and balance will be restored. As I battled with Lucifer’s continuous attempt to leak into my conscious, I recognized the prophecy that Deidamia had given to me.

I— I was speechless to say the least. Eliminating Lucifer right now was so out of reach it was laughable. Yaretzi had to know that. Back in the truck, before I had lost consciousness, it had said that I had been looking for it. The only Celestial Being I had been looking for was one aligned to Lucifer that would’ve killed my parents to get to me so that the whole prophecy would be stopped. Before I could form any of that in a submissive question, Yaretzi disappeared, and I was alone.

Iwasn’t sure how much time had passed but it had to have been at least a day. All I knew was that it felt like it had been ages since Yaretzi had disappeared. My energy had plummeted but sleep still refused to take me. I wasn’t sure if I should be thankful that I remained semi-alert, but I was a sitting duck either way. Without knowing Yaretzi’s intentions, there was no telling how long I’d be trapped here. No one knew where I was. Hell, I didn’t know where I was.

As my vision kept going in and out of focus, I felt the presence of a Nightmare. It resembled the one that Nikko had killed for me, and I hoped like hell that meant they all felt the same way. I couldn’t deal with reviving Nightmares and a Celestial Being right now. So far, it was just entering and exiting the dimension but that didn’t tell me a whole lot. The things were supposed to be locked up somewhere in Heaven’s Plane. Did that mean I was in Heaven’s Plane, too?

There was a break in the pattern when I could feel Earth’s Plane, and once it closed there were no additional presences other than mine. I’ve got to start thinking of a way out of here. My brain was so full of fog the concept felt impossible. At the very least my magic had been successful in thwarting Lucifer’s intrusions into my consciousness.

As I shifted onto my other butt cheek, I felt a burst of energy form behind me. Afraid that I was about to meet my maker, my body relaxed as I recognized Lucas’s amber eyes. You scared the shit out of me. Maybe a little warning next time. I wished the words had held more humor than they did but I was feeling pretty grim.

Glad to see your spirits are still high. I’m going to get you out of here. His eyes were full of a determination that I hadn’t seen in him before.

How are you even here? To my knowledge, he didn’t have the ability to pass through dimensions let alone enter one.

I’m not really. Although I can interact with you, this is just a projection of my consciousness. If I had physically entered this freak show would know that I’m here.

You know what’s going on then? How? I hoped this meant that Lyra and Maya were okay.

Lyra called as soon as it happened. After giving her description of the thing to Nikko, he knew exactly who had taken you. He glanced down at the shackles I was wearing. Let me tell you how much of a fashion statement they were not. Someone with origins to Heaven will have to break those but as of right now there’s no way to get Cole or Jake here.

How are you here? I knew it was just his consciousness but again, to my knowledge, that wasn’t an ability of his.

Nikko’s helping with that. He would’ve come himself but since he’s still tied to Lucifer there was no way for that to go unnoticed. How are you holding up? His voice filled with concern as he continued to eye me.

Oh, you know, just another day in paradise. I can’t tell if Yaretzi is an ally of Lucifer’s or not. When it first attacked, it said that I had been looking for it. Since then, it just rambled on about some betrayal to Lucifer that had happened, and a betrayal that was going to happen, but that’s about it. It also repeated the prophecy that Deidamia had but has been all-around unhelpful. His energy was doing wonders for my mood.

"Nikko hasn’t figured that out yet either, but he will. We will." His eyes grew dark at the war that he was ready to wage. I couldn’t imagine what the rest of them were feeling.

Are Lyra and Maya okay? Lucas had said it was Lyra who had tipped them off but that didn’t mean she escaped unscathed.

They’re both fine. Lyra’s more pissed she couldn’t have done more to stop this. By the time she had reached the truck, you and Yaretzi had vanished. I let out a sigh of relief. If Lyra’s ego was the only thing that was bruised, I would consider that a win. She wouldn’t have had a hope in withstanding a Celestial Being.

I know it’s only been a day but if you guys could figure this out sooner than later that would be great. I gave him a crooked smile, but it fell when I saw the discontent flood his face.

I guess that means this will be less agonizing for you, but Lex, it’s been nine days.

You’re kidding. Outside of those words, I was speechless. I knew the flow of time in Hell was different but having an altered flow of time in a dimension connected to Earth’s Plane was news to me.

The shackles are partly to blame. They interfere with your ability to see and observe past the dimension walls. Yaretzi’s magic is the other half of that equation. Since it made this dimension, the time is altered. My stomach sank at the thought of duking it out with a Celestial Being that had control over time, even if it was only a minuscule part of their magic. I was really digging my heels in deep when it came to pissing off those that were more powerful than me.

As I was about to give a sarcastic retort, a Nightmare manifested itself a few feet in front of me. Oh, yeah. I forgot to mention that I’ve been feeling these guys. I thought maybe they were just snooping around but it looks like this one has had its interest piqued. The color drained from Lucas’s face as he eyed the monster. As it took a few steps closer to me, I was grateful that Lucas’s consciousness had gone unnoticed.

Chapter 2: A Living Hell

L ex. His voice was hushed as he shifted closer to me.

It’s alright, just stay there. It wasn’t alright, though. Not even a little bit. Images were flashing in my mind, each one a new death that I would experience. Confusion initially ran through me because I had given Nikko his immortality but obviously, I was still missing half the story. As the images continued to play, agonizing pain rippled through my body at the point of where each cause of death was at.

I let out a gasp of air with each wave and was wishing right then for a beating instead of this. The first blow radiated from within my chest. It was a blade unlike any that I had seen before, made strictly from magic that pulsed with death until my body was destroyed. The second slideshow of images involved a flame that induced heat worse than the Flames of Purity I had experienced. Like before, my body crumbled to ashes, and I hated to say it but that may have been the worst part.

The third was by far my top way to not die, if I had a choice in the matter, and I hadn’t even known it before now. At least not in this way. I recognized the Death Magic spell that I had lost control of way back when. Guilt from what Kyle had to endure in the last moments