by Cara Carnes
Lane. Macen. Vira. Zack. The latter worried me most. Whelps were malleable, loyal to whomever terrified them the most or beat them last. Since I’d been somewhat lax on the beating part, I couldn’t help but wonder if he’d turncoat and give me up to Baldar or Uncle Lucian. Both my enemies were sadistic pricks. Surely Zack wanted them gone. Didn’t everyone?
I distanced myself from the hum of wolf activity in case a more dangerous shadow followed. For tonight’s plan to work, everyone needed to appear status quo, which meant isolation from everyone.
Midnight lurked too nearby for my comfort. I paced a path into the grass. What if Baldar and his phoenixes didn’t come? Then what?
As if summoned from my darkest nightmares, he appeared. Several legions of phoenixes stood sentry behind him. Shit. He’d brought them all? Last I heard, Uncle Lucian controlled a force of a hundred phoenix assassins, and I swear every one of them glared at me.
“I see we motivated you. Such a shame. I wanted some time with your sweet little sister.” Baldar approached, his garlic-laden breath putrefying the atmosphere. “How did you convince her to open the portal?”
I swallowed and allowed the unease in me free rein. It wouldn’t take much fear to goad his ego. Everything hinged on the believability of my actions, the palpable terror he thrived on. I eyed the soldiers behind him.
“I convinced them Riles was safer where y’all couldn’t get to her. She and some of the wolves are crossing over at midnight.”
“Excellent.” He motioned toward his men. “Then let us prepare.”
I watched in horror as the phoenixes all pulled out a vile of blood and downed the contents like a shot. Revulsion rose in my throat, blind rage mottled my vision. Baldar sneered, knowing I’d put the timeline together, figured out whose blood they drank so brazenly.
They would all die.
Zack stood at the edge of the group with a couple of his training companions. I glared a silent warning to get gone if they wanted to live through tonight. When they made no move to leave, I steeled myself to the inevitable.
They faded a few moments later, and I wondered how long the blood they’d drained from my father would work. Queasy and enraged, I trudged toward the lone chance I’d foraged to save my sister and Lane’s pack.
Crimson and dark-blue lights shone from the otherwise darkened interior as we approached. The floor vibrated with sultry bass from massive speakers set up along the walls. A crowd interspersed with demons, vampires, and shifters moved in time with the music, as though a silent war hadn’t been declared for tonight.
The fogged atmosphere screamed passion and mystery. Through my angel vision, I found the phoenixes easily—barely discernible blips in the artificially thickened air. Good. At least I had a vague idea where to direct focus.
Though the threat my action created disgusted me, I searched out the birthday girl. Totally unaware of the dangers unfolding, she hummed and danced to the music on high heels I recognized as Vira’s. The demon harbored a serious shoe fetish. But the red stilettos with red flames were the perfect addition to the black-and-red lace dress stretched along Vanessa’s generous curves.
A couple of glances and I noted she’d become a focal point for many of the unmated wolves. Good. She deserved the attention. I hoped nothing bad went down to take their attention from her. A couple warriors I didn’t recognize headed toward her. Lane’s familial pack? Probably. Dispersing them amongst the revelers strengthened their presence without drawing attention. Smart. Real smart.
“Isn’t this totally sick?” Her eyes widened, and she lowered her voice. “That’s a good thing, FYI.”
“Happy birthday,” I whispered in her ear. “I’m thinking quite a few warrior wolves here want some personal time.”
She squealed in my ear and squeezed on me. “I know. Can you believe it? Lane promised me lots of dance partners. I swear he brought his whole pack! I mean, I know he rules a huge, huge pack—the biggest ever. But, have you seen them?” She motioned toward the two men prowling her direction with lust in their eyes.
I high-fived her as she bounced on her heels. Eat your heart out, Logan. I smirked at the pissed male across the room. Maybe he wouldn’t ignore Vanessa anymore.
I could wage a thousand wars, and the cute omega wouldn’t notice. Good. At least the innocent of the pack would have a fun evening. I said my good-byes and made the proper excuses then moved to the second floor, where the fog seemed impossibly thick.
My nostrils itched, and my eyes watered. Each step upward irritated and inflamed my nasal passages, but I forced the sneeze building aside until I heard the echoing achoos behind me. Around me.
“What is the meaning of this?” Baldar appeared, his eyes reddened as his fingers dug into my arm.
“What do you mean?” I sniffed as he sneezed.
“The smell. What the hell is it? Make the scent stop.”
“Vanessa’s into perfume and potpourri. I didn’t realize my phoenix was affected. There’s nothing I can do without drawing suspicion since I’m not exactly the most welcomed person here. And you’re ruining everything, you fool. You’re supposed to be hiding.”
“You need a lesson in respect when this is done,” he growled as he disappeared. His rancid breath ran along my ear as an unseen hand groped my breast. “I’ve got a lot to teach you.”
I shoved away from the prying hands and went up the stairs, the echo of sneezes filling the air. Engulfing me. I met Vira’s gaze from across the foyer and halted halfway there. Riles and Macen stood to the side, his massive body covering her presence fully. Good wolf. Excellent mate.
Incredible father.
The latter made me swallow a ball of regret. My father had been incredible—tough by any standard, ruthless by most. Tonight, I’d avenge him.
“Let’s get this done.”
“I-I don’t think this is a good idea,” Riles said, her gaze locked on Macen when he turned to face her. “I don’t want to go there.”
“Until we figure out what happened to your dad, Vira’s realm is the safest place for you. We’ve discussed the threat.” Macen’s jaw twitched. “Let’s go.”
Lane nodded his agreement as Vira walked toward them.
“I’ve done a lot of stupid shit for you mangy mutts, but this has bound to be the dumbest yet. A few things you need to know. One, the portal isn’t the main one. Hundreds of hellhounds guard the primary entrance, and I’m not messing with them for any of you. Two, my world’s not meant for your kind, so chances are high you’ll die. Third, assuming I’m wrong about number two, you’ll enter Demonia in the center of the royal courtyard. Given the fact I don’t have permission for your entry, I’d advise to get the hell out of there stat.”
A shimmering pool of gray and black appeared along the wall behind Macen, Riles, and Lane. I didn’t recognize any of the other wolf warriors huddled in the corner. Would Baldar take the bait easily, or would he have to be led?
As though sensing my question, flecks of red glimmered in the haze of the second-floor foyer and disappeared into the flickering dark light along the wall.
A stream of white flecked with gold broke away from the pale yellow light overhead and followed. A small flicker of the same angelic light appeared in the foggy atmosphere near Riles then disappeared into the Realm.
No more red flickers appeared in the room, so they’d all entered Demonia—too tempted by the opportunity to exercise caution and hold someone back until we entered. Their greed to ruin Vira’s world worked to our advantage.
I focused my gaze on the white-and-gold pinpricks of light disappearing through the portal. Severin and his assassins. They’d come. Had they all made it through? As though sensing my concern, a final brilliant burst of golden light appeared briefly before flashing through the entry. Relief flooded me. Uncle Lucian’s warriors were all in Demonia, followed by Severin’s. I’d been too afraid to wonder what would happen if Severin hadn’t believed me.
“Thank you.” I forced the words ou
t, though my brain focused on counting flecks of vanishing red. Baldar’s breath mottled my nostrils. Or was the sensation my imagination? “I owe you.”
“You have no idea how much you owe me. I’m doing this for Riles.”
“Anything we should know about your realm?”
“Aside from you shouldn’t be there?” Vira unsheathed her knives. “The atmosphere is thicker, the air hotter and dryer. We have a red atmospheric moon visible constantly. Staring too long will burn your eyes. Oh, and if the hellhounds smell you, you’re din din.”
Lovely.
As I stepped forward and the dry heat from the Demonian realm blasted me, a few scant seconds existed for me to play out the critical phase of my plan—the one that ensured the survival of Riles, Lane, and his pack. Guaranteed they had a future.
I summoned my angel forward and blazed the portal with white fire the moment I stepped through. Beside me, Vira’s gaze widened.
“Close the portal.” Guilt pressed heavily on my chest as my gaze collided with Lane’s. Good-bye, mate. Stay safe.
“Well, I didn’t predict this turn of events,” Vira whispered as she sealed the portal shut on our side of the angel fire. “Care to fill me in?”
I forced the thick, heated air through my lungs. The foreign heaviness infused with molten embers burdened my insides, making each draw of breath a forced action, a necessary thought to complete.
“Breathe deeper. Relax. Don’t fight the weight and you’ll adapt,” she whispered in my ear. “I sure hope you know what the fuck you’re doing.”
Me, too. I surveyed the courtyard, noting the thick brickish walls rising nearly a hundred feet in the air, boxing us into a tomb-like location, complete with a fiery moat in the center. “How incredibly stereotypical. So scenic and picturesque.”
“Yeah, he’s not known for decorative creativity,” Vira quipped. “You should see the rose skull garden. So inspirational to walk treacherous paths lined with blood roses growing from the skulls of his enemies.”
“Wow. I’m thinking he and Uncle Lucian should get together, have a tea party. They could be besties.”
“Yeah, right.” Vira flexed her fists near the hilts of her blades. “We doing this, or are you signing up for the scenic tour of the dungeons?”
“No thanks. I’m probably visiting my realm’s torture chambers once this is finished.” My beasts flexed beneath my skin a moment as I studied the courtyard one more time. Know your surroundings. Severin engrained the lesson in me long ago. “Keep your head down and stay the hell out of my way.” Flecks of red grew and contorted into full phoenixes—beasts set to prey on Demonia.
I’d brought them here to destroy.
Fire bellowed from them all, lighting the large courtyard serving as our battleground. I erupted into the sky, setting both my beasts free together for the first time in weeks. Adrenaline coursed through my veins, thick and hot with fury and a thirst for revenge.
I wanted Baldar’s blood in my throat and the stench of his burned carcass in my nostrils as I bathed in the carnage of Uncle Lucian’s destruction. The rage manifested into a living entity, seaming my beasts together. Their powers hummed, surged as one unstoppable presence in my mind with one mission—annihilate.
Screams echoed in the air. Demons, vampires, and other innocents ran, pawns unwittingly racing across the chessboard. Phoenixes spewed toxic hellfire their direction, and I waited, watched. Wondered.
Had I imagined Severin’s presence? Was he not there? Was I alone in the battle to save a realm I couldn’t care less for?
No. First strike was his gift.
Summoning everything in me, I rose higher in the sky, sailing upward until the thick fire in my lungs suffocated any doubt mingling in my soul. Tonight, I’d kill my tormenter and the blind minions who followed him, the same warriors who’d taught me everything I know. I’d betray the oath I’d taken to the crown and eradicate its forces.
Damn Uncle Lucian for creating the torment consuming me. I roared my pain, rage, guilt, and regret in a blinding discharge of angel fire infused with molten phoenix toxin. Malevolence tunneled my surroundings as bursts of brilliant white lit the dark sky. Pain radiated along my side, honing to a fiery presence in my gut.
I scanned my surroundings, circling higher. Flecks of crimson jutted in the dense atmosphere. I chased, hunted them like prey until their weight crunched inside my talons. Flinging their lifeless carcasses to the singed ground, I made one final circle above the angels, lighting the darkened red sky with raw power so intense my body hummed with vitalized energy.
Too many weeks had passed since I’d tasted the potency of pure angel fire, felt the surging hum along my skin. Although the power killed those with evil intent, it purified innocents.
I wasn’t innocent.
The ancient blood of my ancestors empowered me, held me immune to their judgment even though many would deem me as guilty as the phoenixes we destroyed. When no unshifted bursts of red appeared in the angelic light, I landed with a bone-crunching thud beside Severin, who caught me as I collapsed.
Adrenaline vacated me. Emotions discharged and thirst for revenge quenched, I remained—an emptied husk with no hope beyond the battlefield I’d somehow survived. I squeezed Severin’s hand as Vira appeared in my vision.
“She okay?” she asked.
“No. No, she’s not,” he said grimly. “I’ll leave some warriors to help clear the courtyard and make sure no one was missed. You have my eternal gratitude, demon vampire. Anything you need, my kind are always at your side.”
“Great. Exactly what my king will want to hear as he’s rending my flesh from bone for letting you in,” she quipped. “Let’s go. All of us. Let the hellhounds handle cleanup. We need to get her sorted before we have a pack of pissed-off mutts to deal with.”
The portal reopened as Severin lifted me into his arms. Pain ran the full length of my body. His soft voice tumbled into my mind. “Rest, Xandra. You’ve been hit. I’m taking you home.”
Home. Did I have one? “Did we get everyone?”
“Yeah, yeah you did.”
Blackness settled in as I closed my eyes and let my beasts rest. We’d survived the first battle. One more fucker left to kill. Uncle Lucian hadn’t been there. Once he was dead, I could figure out what the hell was left for me.
Lane.
His name flickered through my brain, settled on my lips. Nausea roiled in my belly as Severin shifted me away from him. Strong arms encircled me. Woodsy musk mingled in my nostrils. “Lane.”
“I’m here, Xan. I’ve got you.”
The reality of what I’d done, the atrocities I’d committed a few moments ago burned in my brain, an unwanted burden on what remained of my soul. “I’m not good enough for you. You’re too good, but don’t leave. Please.”
“Nothing in any world exists strong enough to take you from me.”
Chapter Eleven
“But with the morning cool repentance came.”
—Sir Walter Scott, Rob Roy
Lane
I lost decades off my life when Xan sealed the portal and left me neutered on the other side, unable to do anything to help her. Did she think so little of my abilities that she considered me a liability? The thought kept me and my wolf agitated, enraged for the majority of the time she’d been gone.
Then Riles set me straight. Xan had protected us, was afraid to lose us. Foolish little minx.
Even though she rested in my bed, wearing my clothes, my wolf refused to stop its restless flexing beneath my skin. Her ivory skin was cool, clammy. Breaths even, body still. Why the fuck wasn’t she waking?
The door to my room creaked open, and I growled, smelling the angel when he stepped forward. He’d wisely kept his distance the past few hours, but apparently his intelligence only lasted so long.
“You’re wasting time watching her rest,” he said, crossing his arms as he settled along the wall beside my bed. “She’ll be out for a while.”
“I see
you’re not flat on your back. Do you always let females fight your battles?”
“Point taken.” He studied her a moment. “She hasn’t slept in a long time. Our kind doesn’t sleep when we don’t feel safe.”
“You dare claim she was unsafe with me?” I growled.
He raised his eyebrows and smirked. My wolf snapped. Okay, she hadn’t been protected, but how could I help when she hadn’t trusted me?
“Xandra is a complicated creature. When I first met her, she was four. Her father brought her to me, instructed me to harden her for battle, teach her the warrior ways of our angelic ancestors.” He tensed, grimaced as though pained. “Take up your displeasure about her lack of trust with me because I’m the one tasked with stripping her of any non-warrior emotion. She was chosen as her father’s heir, destined to lead her people.”
“Her people? Which ones?” I stood. “You’ve done nothing for her. None of you have from what I can tell.”
“We failed many, especially her.” His gaze collided with mine. A glimmer shone across his skin. “These atrocities will never happen again. You know nothing of our world, so I will give you enough to keep her safe.”
I waited, fists clenched. Wolf ready to attack. I didn’t know shit about killing angels, but I scented blood running in his veins. Jugulars were messy business that, in my experience, killed when severed.
“Ever since we discovered Riles’s existence, I’ve been working to recreate our angel fire in a weapon your people could use.” He set a large gun on the bedside table. “This will kill any phoenix who dares come near her. Aim and fire. We’ll train your warriors and set up a schedule for my people to come and repower them for you.”
“Why?”
“You protected Riles. Xandra. She cares for you. Your pack.”
My wolf wasn’t down with being sidelined when trouble hit. I wasn’t a pet omega to sit and let my woman handle the fight. Men protected their females. I was down with her standing her ground, fighting her battles. But with me at her side.