by Skyla Madi
I crouched slightly and narrowed my eyes. I was waiting for Lucas to give me the green light to kill him. Adrenaline coursed through me and I forgot I was in my underwear—until his cold, icy blue eyes focused on me.
He rubbed his bottom lip with his index finger and groaned as he looked over my body. “She seems loyal,” he purred seductively.
Lucas clicked his fingers and War turned his attention back to him. “Don’t worry about her. You’re here for me. Why?” I had to give it to Lucas. His brothers died and yet here they were, alive and demonic, and Lucas barely batted an eyelid. That was him, I suppose. Strong. Always strong.
War whistled and instantly I felt warm breath tickle the back of my neck. I dropped down, and with a backwards leg sweep, whoever was behind me and breathing on my neck collapsed to the ground with a grunt. I didn’t waste any time and dove onto the stranger. The male stranger gasped in pain as my blade bit slightly into his neck. I didn’t take my eyes off him and his thick lips curled into a wry smile.
“Aren’t you strong?” he groaned. I pressed my knife harder and he winced. “Go on, darling, I like it rough.”
Anger flared in my chest and I ripped my knife across his throat. Blood squirted onto my top and I watched as his life drained out of him. The man definitely wasn’t a tracker demon, so surely I’d get extra brownie points for that. I climbed off him and turned my focus back to War, who watched me. Amusement and lust flashed in the dark depths of his eyes. I returned it with a scowl. Another demon stepped out from the kitchen and I lunged forward. Lucas wrapped his arm around my waist, catching me mid-leap and preventing me from taking another step further.
“Not yet,” he whispered.
I frowned, confused. There were only two demons left... Lucas and I could take them easily.
“What a sexy little pet,” the new demon said. “I want one.”
I glowered at him as his big brown eyes surveyed me. The new demon’s brown hair curled around his cheeks. Lucas looked nothing like his brothers. War had long blond hair and he was built like a minivan, with his broad shoulders and muscles on top of muscles. Granted, some women like that sort of thing, but not me. I prefer a body that someone worked hard on, not something they got out of a bottle and injected into themselves. The demon I killed was bald, he was tall and lean, and he had a small scar that cut through the center of his lips. Last but not least, the demon that stepped out of the kitchen had chin-length brown hair with brown eyes. He was tall, muscular, and a bow was strapped to his back.
“Why are you here?” I demanded. “Tell me and no more of you have to die.” I gripped my knife harder, until my knuckles began to ache. War’s attention was solely on Lucas.
“Have the dreams not been enough, brother? It’s time to come with us.”
“Lucas has already died,” I added gruffly. “He became an angel, not a demon.”
“Yes, someone thought making him an angel would stop the Underworld from claiming him... apparently not.”
“Go back to hell,” I growled.
War narrowed his eyes and the surrounding walls lit up in flames, burning brightly, but at the same time, burning nothing. I wanted to run and scream, but I didn’t. I kept my feet rooted to the floor. I wasn’t about to let these demons intimidate me. The smoke alarm started blaring. Suddenly, I was grabbed from behind and a sharp object was pressed against my back. It was the demon I’d killed moments ago, but how? Lucas turned his gun on the demon that was holding me.
“Drop the knife,” the demon snarled.
I didn’t drop my knife.
“Let her go, Mikael.” Lucas remained calm.
Mikael grunted. “Isn’t it obvious? We can’t be killed.”
“And if I tear your heart from your chest?” Lucas countered.
I felt Mikael’s muscles tighten. “I’d like to see you try.”
Lucas gritted his teeth. I could see him calculating ways to get us out of here safely.
“I believe Famine asked you to drop your knife.”
My forehead creased. Who’s Famine? Then I got it. War. Famine. No doubt the one with the bow was Conquest. We were dealing with the Horsemen of the Apocalypse, but where was Death?
I kept my eyes on War as I peeled my fingers from the hilt of my knife. I timed that it would take just under one second for it to hit the ground, and as it fell, I kicked it with my bare foot, gritting my teeth against the pain. I sent the blade directly toward War’s heart, but it never made contact. He caught it with his bare hands right before it pierced his skin. Blood trickled from the palms of his hand and down his wrist. Lucas took his chance and shot at Famine, but Famine took the bullet in the shoulder without flinching. Lucas’s face darkened, that wasn’t something he anticipated. Conquest pulled out his bow and aimed toward the back of Lucas’s head. War threw my blade and it sliced easily through Conquest’s arm, almost making an exit out the other side. Conquest growled in pain, took the blade from his arm, and threw it at the floor in front of me. Its point dug into the varnished timber and stuck.
“Don’t,” War growled and the flames roared with him. “I’m done playing around. You will come with us, Lucas. You will take your rightful place as Death.”
I glanced at Lucas. He was meant to be Death? No. He was too pure. Sure, he had a dangerous side, but didn’t all men?
“I’d rather die,” Lucas snarled.
War chuckled. “Well, you see, brother, your death isn’t an option, but hers—“He pointed a long, thick, calloused finger at me. “Her death can be arranged.”
Famine kicked me to my feet and pressed his blade against my throat. The cool metal bit into my skin slightly, threatening my jugular. I didn’t dare swallow or take deep breaths, knowing that if I did, it’d be my last.
Lucas’s gaze flicked over me and his apprehension came through loud and clear. “I’ll go with you, but on one condition.”
“Name it.”
“You let the girl go.”
Famine exhaled dramatically as his warm free hand trailed down and cupped my left breast. “I was really hoping I could keep her.”
A low growl rumbled through Lucas’s chest as Famine continued to molest me. My stomach churned and I recalled the night of my human death. All those unwanted hands touching me. Rubbing me. Hitting me.
“Enough!” War boomed. “We’ll let the girl go.”
Famine removed his knife from my neck and pushed me forward. I managed to get my hands out in front of me before I ate the varnished floor. Thick black smoke engulfed me and I couldn’t see. I coughed and gagged, trying to clear my airway. Loud bangs thundered on the door, people were trying to get in. I managed to get to my feet. I ignored the burning in my chest and my eyes as I squinted through the smoke looking for Lucas. Then I felt him grab my hand. Through the smoke, I saw him, he appeared unaffected and I realized I was the only one trapped in smoke. It circled me—choked me. Desperately, I clawed at Lucas’s arm before his grip slipped from mine.
“Lucas!” I screamed.
He kept his eyes on me, watching me apologetically as the Horsemen grabbed him and disappeared into nothing. The smoke that surrounded me dispersed… so did the flames that filled the room. The door flew open just as I fell to my knees, crying and screaming.
Lucas was gone.
Uncover
Lucas
“Leave,” I demanded hoarsely, breaking the silence in my dimly lit hotel room.
The slender redhead nodded sheepishly, gathered her clothes, and left. I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and dropped my head into my hands before raking my fingers through my hair. Tonight, I asked specifically for a redhead, hoping to acquire my ‘Violet fix,’ but she didn’t compare. No one has. I wanted to release my anger and built up tension via my favorite outlet—sex, but seeing Violet made me not want anyone besides her. I wanted her in my bed, not some strange woman I barely knew. I never had a problem with it before… not until I saw her blue eyes watching me and her red ponytail blowing sl
ightly in the wind. I clenched my fists against the urge to run my fingers through it. I slid into a pair of jeans and walked over to the bar to pour myself a strong drink. As I sipped at it, I walked over to the open window that overlooked the entire expansion of Concave City and wondered where she was staying.
“I love you, Lucas.” Her beautiful voice and equally beautiful body ran through my mind. A low growl rumbled through my chest as I imagined her long hair curling over her bare breasts, exposing everything, but nothing at the same time. I slammed back my whiskey and threw my glass hard against the panelled wall. It shattered into a million pieces and I turned back to the window. She’d come for me eventually, when she realizes I haven’t left. And although I’d never admit it out loud, I wanted her to come for me. I wanted her to tear my heart from my chest, to end my suffering. The scary part was my demon side would fight her. He’ll do everything in his power to stay alive… even kill her. I walked over to my desk and pressed the intercom button. “Mena, bring me the witch.”
If I located Violet, maybe I could convince her to get out now, before she got hurt.
I waited patiently in my chair until Mena, my pretty Asian assistant, opened my door, escorting in a beautiful, dark-skinned witch. The only witch I’d work with.
“I’m not one of your call girls, Lucas,” her strained voice warned.
Perhaps it was selfish of me to pull Eva from her sleep. A woman of her age needed plenty of rest.
“Unfortunately,” I chuckled playfully.
She rolled her eyes and sat opposite me, placing her weathered hands softly on my desk. “What is it you want?”
I sat in thought for a while, trying to decide what I wanted exactly. It was simple, really. I wanted Violet and I wanted her now. I leaned forward, placing my elbows on the table.
“I need you to locate someone.”
Eva sighed. “Who?”
“Her name is Violet Ashton. She’s here in Concave City, somewhere.”
She leaned forward, intrigued. The dark purple fabric of her dressing gown made a gentle whooshing sound as she rested her elbows on the table. “Is it possible that the big, bad Mr. Lucas Cross has an infatuation?”
I frowned. As if I’d disclose that kind of information. “Can you locate her or not?”
“Maybe. Do you have anything of hers I can channel?”
“No.”
Now she frowned. “Then unless you have a strong connection with her, I can’t locate her, and I know you don’t have a strong connection with anything other than your whiskey bottle. So, can I go back to bed now?”
I held my hands out toward her. “Channel me.”
Her gold eyes flared with frustration and her brows furrowed. “Like I said, unless you have a connec—”
“Just channel me,” I snapped, growing rather impatient.
Without hesitation, her soft, papery hands clasped around mine and she went quiet. Her face scrunched and straightened out a few times before she gasped.
“My, my,” she breathed as she opened her eyes. “What a connection…”
Eva paused and closed her eyes again. I waited in silence, watching her every expression. I’d done this location thing plenty of times. It had never taken this long. Slowly, Eva’s eyes opened and her thick, dark lips curved into a slight smirk.
“You’re in love?” she asked.
I yanked my hands back and slammed them down onto the table, forcing myself to stand. She didn’t jump, her face didn’t even change. She wasn’t scared of me, I was like a son to her now. “I asked you to locate the female. I didn’t ask you to snoop around in my fucking head!”
Eva crossed her arms tightly over her chest and looked up at me disapprovingly. “You better watch your tone with me, mister, or I’ll—”
I interrupted. “You’ll what, Eva? Hm? What are you going to do? I saved you from War. I took you from him and gave you a better existence.” I raised my fingers. “One click and I can send you straight back.”
Her expression tightened, but she didn’t snap back at me. Slowly, she rose to her feet and suddenly I felt bad. “Goodnight, Lucas.”
In a puff of smoke, I appeared in front of her. I have to admit, if there was one cool thing I’d gained since joining my brothers in the Underworld, it was the ability to teleport wherever I wanted in the blink of an eye.
“I’m sorry, Eva. I’m not myself today,” I said, pulling her in to my chest.
She kept her hands balled into tight fists at her side and pulled away from me. “And I suspect the redhead has something to do with it?”
I narrowed my eyes. I wasn’t saying anything that could put Violet in danger. Eva snooping around in my head was risk enough. I trusted Eva—I did, but she used to work for my brother War, and I sure as hell didn’t trust him.
“She’s staying in an apartment complex,” Eva began. I left her, opened my wardrobe and pulled on a t-shirt. “The address is A 173 Boundary Street, Velmount.”
I grabbed a coat off the hanger by the door. “Lucas”
I disappeared in a puff of smoke before Eva could finish her sentence. My need to see Violet again outweighed my need to be polite.
***
I hated the suburbs and their identical houses. Not to mention the sound of a dog’s incessant barking. This street wasn’t as bad, I suppose. It had more apartments than houses, meaning no one was allowed a dog. I didn’t have to follow the street for long and soon I found her apartment complex. I focused on the window and then I appeared in her room. My smoke floated around the room and she coughed slightly. To humans, my smoke is undetectable, but angels could usually pick up the scent and feel it at the back of their throat. I waited for the smoke to dissipate before I approached her bed. I suppressed the groan that rose in my throat when I saw her lying there in a camisole and her underwear… the black lace matched her cherry red hair that sprawled around her like a flame on a wick. I reached out to push a lock of hair off her cheek. She twitched and her eyebrows knitted together. I watched as her eyes flickered beneath her eyelids. I decided I wasn’t going to wake her, not tonight, anyway. Instead, I watched her for a little while. As I watched, I pondered ways to keep her safe and get her away from Earth. If my brothers knew she was here, they’d think I was plotting with the angels to foil the plans of the apocalypse. My brothers are already obsessed with her, there’s no telling if they’d kill her or turn her into some kind of sex slave. I suppressed a shudder and gritted my teeth at the thought. Her skin felt warm and soft as I brushed the back of my index finger along her jaw line. Her lip caught between her teeth and she moaned softly. I tilted my head back and glanced at the white ceiling. I’d never do anything to a woman without consent, but my god she was making it difficult to stand by that moral code. Before I could lose control in more ways than one, I planted a kiss on her cheek and went home.
Disposition
Violet
Rubbing sleep from my eyes, I sat up and peered around my room, the faint taste of smoke lingered at the back of my throat and immediately my body tensed. It was him, Lucas, and he’d been in my room. I glanced down at myself and yanked the blankets up to my neck. I knew it was pointless, he’d already seen me in my underwear. I felt embarrassed and angry, but some sick part of me felt excited, thrilled even, like I’d shoplifted or jumped out of a plane. I rubbed my cheek. Underneath my skin, my blood tingled, but it wasn’t from my own touch. It was from his. I sighed and fell back onto my pillow. Only Lucas could provoke such an intense feeling inside me and it was a shame that I’d have to kill him. I felt flustered and frustrated, but I should have known he wouldn’t listen. He was stubborn like that. He always has been.
***
Like yesterday, I parked my Range Rover in the private parking around the back of the headquarters.
“Back so soon?” The overly-cheery Janet greeted me as I stepped into the lobby.
I wasn’t in the mood for any kind of chit chat, forced or otherwise. I nodded and walked past her. I marched
down the wide hallway with a thin manila folder in my hand. After last night, I couldn’t fall back asleep, so I plotted my next move against Lucas. I knocked on Cole’s office door, tightened my ponytail, and waited patiently.
“Come in,” a muffled voice called.
I opened the door and stepped in. Cole Nark sat at his desk, patting the edges of his mouth with a napkin. On his shirt sat a small spattering of pink frosting, no doubt from his usual morning donut.
“What do you want?” He sighed, still feeling emasculated after I dominated him yesterday. Serves him right.
I fought the urge to smile smugly. “I have a mission adjustment that I need you to sign off on.”
He extended his hand and I gave him my folder. I stood across from him, my hands behind my back and watched his face as he read it. His messy eyebrows knitted together. “What the hell is The Darkside?”
I rolled my eyes at the originality of the name. “It’s a nightclub-slash-hotel in the south of Concave City. Intel says Lucas owns it and is living in it. He didn’t take my threat seriously and now—”
“Oh, now you’ll kill him?” His voice held a sarcastic tone and I glowered at him.
Cole cleared his throat and subconsciously rubbed his stomach, appearing to suddenly regret his attitude.
“What’s this about going back to his apartment?” he said, changing the subject.
“A long time ago, Lucas and I were involved. I plan to play on those feelings and hopefully he’ll let me get close enough to rip his heart from his chest.”
I could swear Cole was leaning away from me in his chair.
“Do you need back up?” he asked.
I’ve killed ninety-nine demons, I don’t need help. I placed my hands on my hips rather defensively. I was offended. “No.”