Most of the crowd that was in the corridor earlier had already gone inside the greenhouse so the area was sparsely populated. My men stood huddled together by the guard gates waiting for me.
“Alpha, everything okay?” Johnny asked as I rejoined them by the gates. “I hope that vamp didn’t give you a hard time.”
“I’m fine. We just needed a little heart to heart.” I said with a reassuring smile in Johnny’s direction. That seemed to satisfy the rest of my men as they all gave me a nod. “Well, then the greenhouse awaits. Let’s get going.”
The gates to the Greenhouse loomed before us. There were three guards in green jumpsuits eyeing us with their scanners in hand. My horde and I passed the turnstile gate, letting the guards scan the numbers on our arms as we entered.
Once inside the greenhouse, I took a deep inhale and the glorious scent of freshly cut grass and trees nearly brought tears to my eyes. Demons, unlike shifters, didn’t require large open spaces to roam free in animal form. As creatures of the night, the darkness was where we felt most at home. But anyone in their right mind would favor the fresh air of a forest over a cramped, musty old jail cells.
Overhead was a glass dome, sealing us in here like a giant hamster cage. Inside the dome was an entire forest of foliage. It was just thick bushy trees in here, as far as the eye could see. It was a magnificent sight. You couldn’t see it from here, but hidden deep in the forest lay a lake, a river, a few caves and much more. It was like a tiny piece of heaven in the dome, and the best part was that there was no poison so we could all use our powers.
I could nature watch all day, and have done so before. But today was a special day. I had my eyes set on more pressing issues than roaming through fifteen mile’s worth of trees or swimming in the lake. I had a sexy little fae to track down and when I found her, I had more than a few fun games in mind for us to play.
I ventured deeper into the dome, my demons following my trail. We entered an area with sparse trees and vegetation on the outskirts of the thicker forest area. Up ahead of us in a clearing, was a gathering of shifters who seemed to have entered not long before us. They were still in human form but, if the way they eyed the trees eagerly was any indication, that wouldn’t be the case for long. Jessy was not among them but the sight of shifters transforming always fascinated me.
One after the next, every man and woman shifter stripped their clothes from their bodies as if the fabric were on fire and flung them to the grass. The looks on their faces were eager and excited for a taste of sweet freedom, the only chance they’d have for another few days to let their inner beasts loose.
They were all naked now, and with the sun on their skin; they transformed. Some shifted into cranes, some flamingos, others panthers and lions. But more than any other shifter were the wolves.
The silver coats of the werewolves were bright and majestic, their jaws large and brimming with teeth large enough to rip the head off anyone unfortunate enough to slip into their grasp.
The wolves took the lead, charging into the foliage and all the other shifters followed in after them like a joyful parade.
Pulling my attention from the patch of trees the shifters had just disappeared into, Johnny began jabbing me in the side.
“Alpha, they’ve started the morning brawl without us.” Johnny declared, pointing several feet away from us to a circular opening partially hidden by some oak trees.
In the opening forty to fifty men with a sprinkling of women thrown in, fought tooth and nail with powerful jabs, kicks and bites. It was an all-out brawl, the kind you would see in underground fight clubs. Hair and clothing went flying in the vicious attack of magicals in human form. Some went flying through the air as their opponents threw them. Others went tumbling to the ground after getting punched one too many times.
There were no friends, no teaming up. There was just a dirty game of every man for himself, winner take all.
The morning brawl was a sacred ritual in the prison. We held one every greenhouse day. It was the one piece of entertainment juicy enough to keep you from dying of boredom in here.
There was only one rule. Whoever announces the brawl declares the prize. The prize could be anything from first dibs on the sexiest new inmates to first dibs on whatever contraband Risky Jeff had smuggled into the prison this week.
There was just one problem though. They never started a brawl without us. I mean a brawl without the demons? This was a show of complete disrespect. Who could have done this?
My men and I neared the opening and stood a few feet from the action. What the hell was going on here. They stained the grass in blood and there were missing teeth littered everywhere. This week’s brawl was unusually violent. What prize could be so good as to warrant this level of neck breaking action?
“Those Bastards. They dare start the brawl before the demons arrive?” I snorted, throwing my head back in disgust. My men grunted, leering at the show of violence and furious at the disrespectful snub. “Why don’t we show them why it’s not a party until the demons arrive? Eh men?”
My men cheered, raising a fist to the air in agreement. Without another word I marched towards the brawl, eager to join. My demonic instinct set in within an instant, rising more and more with the scent of fresh blood on the air.
A dark lust to both receive and inflict pain reddened my vision. Eagerness for the thrill of a good fight set fire to my blood and my fist balled tight in anticipation.
I gave out a battle cry, increasing my pace towards the brawl. Then when I was precious feet from the fighting, one of my horde members grabbed onto my collar and harshly pulled me back.
“What the fuck are you doing?” I bit out as my men held me by the arms and legs, preventing me from progressing.
“Look, Alpha! Look!” One of my men said but I could not see what they were referring to. My eyes shot back to the fighting only to have my jaw drop in sudden realization.
My eyes explored the fight heap, not believing what I was looking at. It couldn’t be. There was no fucking way. There was only one man in the fighting area. He was kicking the shit out of every other being around him. He was the warrior of warriors. A murderer in what should have only been a game of a fight.
He was a dark figure, shirtless, tall and huge. A look of triumph and sadistic pleasure on his blood splattered face.. One dead body after the next fell at his mighty hands. ‘A’ class magicals ran in terror from the fight, fleeing for their very lives with tears spilling down their battered faces.
My men released me, registering that I’d seen the man. My heart thundered in my chest, my legs swinging back in shock. The figure paused where he stood ignoring the people running away from him screaming. His eyes crept over to where me and my men stood. We were already in his sights; it was too late to run or hide.
This can’t be. It’s Father. It’s Hades.
Emerging victorious from the fight pile, Hades raised his arms high in the air in a show of triumph, slowly he dropped them at his sides. Keeping his eyes trained on me he stalked closer to us, his vile grin meeting my harshest frown.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t Broderick. What’s my favorite son doing in a place like this?”
“Favorite son? Is that what you call your old lap dog? The one you’d send to torment humans and magical beings for your own sick pleasure?” I spat throwing an outstretched hand back in anger.
His brows drew up in surprise and he gave out a hearty laugh.
“You enjoyed it once, as I recall. You were the first one in line to receive your missions. You were so cute back then.”
“That was a long time ago!” I cried out, “I left you behind and that’s where I intend to keep you.”
“But it doesn’t look like you left all of demonhood behind you.” He said as his eyes trailed over to my horde members who looked far from comfortable at his attention. They’d left his service, followed me, and cut all contact with him just as I had.
“I’ve heard you have a nice little
demon following. What the number now?” He cupped his chin in contemplation. “A hundred and fifty demons all across the prison?”
“Who follows me is none of your business, Hades. Now what are you doing here? And what were you fighting for in the pile?”
They wouldn’t send a being of his immense power here for anything petty, he really must have fucked up and big time. But what concerned me most was, why would he bother joining the morning brawl? Group fights were never his style. The prize must have been something he was really interested in, but what?
“Ooh look at this now.” He exclaimed, smiling cutely while fluttering his fingers together playfully. “Big powerful demon King Broderick bossing daddy around? What a delight!” He seemed to enjoy himself way too much with our conversation.
“Well, if you must know, daddy’s been a bit naughty of late. Zeus caught me in bed with a few of his concubines, balls deep in one of them, actually. And would you imagine the daft old man sent me here for it? I mean, a bit of an overreaction wouldn’t you say?” He shrugged.
“And the fighting pile?” I continued, and he folded his arms at his sides.
“Well, word on the street is that the warden is offering the key to the front door to whoever can take down some fae woman. I was just waltzing by minding my business when I heard that today’s prize was dibs on going after the girl. I figured, hey why not? Sounded like a marvelous way to snuff out a little of the competition. I mean, seems like a brilliant way to get the hell out of here. Isn’t daddy brilliant?” He clasped his hands, shooting me a playful yet murderous wink, the kind you’d expect to see from a deranged lunatic.
He plans to kill Jessy? This cannot be real. I won’t let him lay one blood soaked finger on her. I would die before I let that happen.
“Listen Hades and listen good. Jessica Gilcrest is mine, she is …”
“Right here!” A voice sang merrily as from behind me and my men.
Not now, Jessy, please, not right now.
I turned my head and to my horror it was Jessy. She strolled up behind me, hand raised as if she were a schoolgirl in class.
“Did someone call my name? I heard there was a fun little fight over here and came to join in. I didn’t miss it, did I?” She pouted, bobbing her body up and down impatiently.
There she was, the woman Hades just vowed to kill, standing mere feet from him. Before I could shield her, Hades set his sights on her and a smirk formed on his face.
“Well, hello there.” His eyes twinkled at the sight of her and he licked his lips hungrily. “And here I thought I’d have to track you down. I love it when my prizes come to me.”
“Prize? Why yes I am and don’t you forget it.” She said with a wink in Hades direction, seemingly oblivious to the danger she was in.
“Now’s not the time, Sugar Lips.” I said, gripping her by the arm, pulling her close to me.
“Wait, demon. I want to join the fight,” she protested, trying to pry my hand from her arm but I wouldn’t budge.
“I can quench your thirst for battle, Fae.” Hades said, his hungry eyes not leaving her for a second.
“I need to have a word with you now!” I said through gritted teeth, pulling her back two steps. Hades began strode toward us. I raised my hand to his shadow on the ground, shouting the words, “demon shadow!”
Hades froze in place unable to move a muscle. This was one of my most powerful demon magics. Using my control of the darkness, I could bind the shadow of another in place, and in doing so, the owner of the shadow would also be bound.
It was powerful demon magic, but not powerful enough to hold him forever.
Hades stood in place eying Jessy and I, but instead of giving a look of rage at being frozen, he merely laughed at the attack and puckered his lips at Jessy as if to flirt with her.
“You and your fae better run, Broderick. Because when I get out of this, I will be very eager to get more acquainted with her.” He said in a light tone but hid a threat in his words.
I turned away from him, holding Jessy firmly by the arm to usher her through some nearby trees. My men followed us as we trudged through the thick leafy foliage. Once we’d gone deep enough into the forest to get some decent cover, we stopped our trekking.
We were in the middle of the dense fern lands with green bushes and brush to all sides of us.
Jessy and I needed to talk in private so I ordered my men to form a perimeter and be on the lookout for Hades. Jessy and I were now alone under the shade of the trees and she yanked her hand free from my palm, now reeling from being dragged halfway through the forest.
“What’s the big idea? Dragging me away like that?” Her jaw clenched as she stared daggers up at me.
I paused for a second just to take her in. Fuck, I’d almost forgotten just how gorgeous she was. From her flowing baby pink hair to her sexy black tank top and juicy thighs. Could her clothes be any tighter… made me want to rip them off her body right where she stood, bend her over my knee and slap that round ass of hers. Hades be damned, I wanted to kiss those cherry lips of her till she gasped for air again.
“Listen,” I pleaded, wrapping my arm around her waist to pull her into my chest. “See that demon back there? That’s no demon. You might think of him as a fallen angel? One with a penchant for sadistic torture and the like.”
Her expression hardened at that. “Hades? What in Dominion is he doing here? His power level had to be off the charts. What could he do to get himself thrown in this shithole?” She pressed her hands into my chest, looking up at me for answers.
“Trust me, that old bastard has never failed to make trouble everywhere he goes. But what’s important is he will come after you. He plans to use you to get out of here.”
“Ha! Then he’ll have to be quick enough to catch me, won’t he?” She laughed.
Did she not know the mountain of ‘A’ class magical beings who’d all died by his hands? This was a big fucking deal. And to top it off, there was no telling what my horde members might do when Hades came banging at their cells demanding they rejoin his ranks.
Among the demons in here my power was legendary, a cut above all the rest. But there would always be one demon stronger. Hades.
“His power exceeds even the ‘A’ class ancients, and he wants you dead, Sugar Lips.” I said plainly, holding her tighter. “Which means you need to be afraid. You need my protection now more than ever.”
She needed that and more.
“Isn’t this sweet,” She said cupping my cheek and pulling me down to rub the tip of her nose over mine. “You really do care, don’t you?”
My cheeks flushed at that, and I turned my head away so she wouldn’t see. A demon, blushing? What was she doing to me?
Gripping my chin, she pulled my head down to face hers. The fire in her piercing green eyes was like dancing water, simple and pure, sweet and innocent, yet she was so much more than that. Just the thought of never seeing them shine again made me ache from the inside out. I wanted to kiss her now more than ever.
“You know what your problem is, demon?” She said playfully. “You’re so worried about the future, you can’t relax and enjoy the here and now. The present can be exquisite if you just take a moment to see that.”
She raised her arms above her head and set her sights to the sky. I could feel her warmth against my chest. It was as if she were summoning magic. She was, as within an instant the surrounding trees were shrouded in shadow. From the highest oak to the rocks and pebbles that littered the ground, inky shadows clung to everything. It was like we were back in the library, quiet, dark, secluded and calm.
Within moments it was so dark I couldn’t so much as see Jessy in front of me anymore. It was as if all the light had been stolen from the dome, or as if the sun had burned out.
“I know you love the dark, just consider it a gift.” She whispered.
Fae had the power to control light along with an element based on their birth sign, but I’d never seen one steal the light from
an area this vast. This fae was no pushover, the Gods knew that. She was an alpha through and through, and that made me want to sink my claws in her all the more.
Though I couldn’t see her. I could still feel her body against mine. I steadied my hand around her waist, hugging her tight to me. Then I felt for her hair gripping it firmly with my other hand and taking a whiff.
“I love your gifts. Each and every one of them, Sugar Lips. Why is it I can never seem to get enough of you? Did you lace those lips of yours with crack or something?” I asked. I then released her hair to tickle my lips over hers and I could feel her lips smile against mine.
“In case you haven’t noticed, I’m more than sweet, demon. I’ve got a lot of spice mixed in there too.” She whispered against my lips, slipping her hand under my shirt to caress my stomach.
Her hands felt warm to the touch, way warmer than they’d felt the last time I felt them on me. I immediately knew why as just then a ring of fire exploded up around us, illuminating the area. It encircled us with ferocious, red, fiery flame. Though it lit up the surrounding foliage, it didn’t burn a single leaf or tree.
“A fire elemental? Now you’re just showing off.” I said, smirking down at her. “I better try not to get burned.”
“That’s a smart demon.” Our lips met for a passionate kiss. They clashed and danced until our tongues came to join the party. It was raw, sensual and dirty, everything I craved for and more. I dreamed of this from the moment I first laid eyes on her all of those years ago.
So why did I feel a pinch of bitterness in the pit of my stomach that refused to quiet? What was the source of these nightmarish whispers in the dark? Why did it call to me when all I wanted to do was savor the sweet taste of her lips over mine?
I opened one eye, not breaking our kiss. The surrounding flames danced and ebbed through the dark. The two forces clashed and collided like water and oil, gas and a match. Light and Dark.
Escape of the Fae Page 11