Mystic Hallows Harem Box Set Episodes 1-4: Paranormal Reverse Harem Romance

by Nikki Landis

  It was Ryder’s reaction that was the most shocking and disturbing. He was in his ghoul form, something I didn’t see often because he didn’t want me to be disgusted by it. The zombie-like flesh was both grotesque and fascinating at the same time. Skeletal features stared back without flinching. That familiar odd sheen settled over his hazel eyes, but it was his cold and detached demeanor that proved the most hurtful.

  Ryder was never harsh, or cruel, or anything less than warm and loving. His kind nature and quick humor made him the most lovable of all the guys. The fact that he abruptly turned around and refused to speak or even look in my direction proved that my decision to leave them all behind had been brutal and considered a serious betrayal. He wasn’t going to forgive me easily.

  None of them would.

  There wasn’t time to engage in conversation as a wave of dragon fire hurtled through the opening of the cave and we all dived out of the way. I didn’t know how my Cosan managed to enter Hell much less find their way around the lowest level with Leviathan on the loose. It was a mystery I’d have to learn once we were all safe. I had a feeling I wasn’t going to like the answer.

  “Now that we’re all here, we really should focus on Leviathan.” Dmitri’s voice was much deeper than normal, almost raspy as he met the hostile stares of those around him. His thick onyx lips curled up in a sadistic grin as he glanced around the cavern with a mocking bow. “I know. You’re all astounded by my ability to manipulate the situation. Truly, it’s a gift.”

  Oh, for fuck’s sake.

  “I propose we settle on a strategy that involves destroying the dragon,” I announced, wincing as another blast of ghastly flames rolled along the ground. More of the rock and surrounding structure was crumbling and disintegrating. Soon, there wouldn’t be a cave left to hide in. “While we have the chance,” I added hastily, jumping back before I became charred by the caustic heat.

  “Agreed,” Kayde acknowledged reluctantly, moving closer to the entrance. “This place reeks.”

  Gabriel sniffed and made a noise of disgust low in his throat. “Putrid.”

  “We must wear the beast down and corner it while using our combined abilities.” Ryder’s plan made sense. Maybe if we all attacked at once we’d stand a chance.

  Damian was uncharacteristically quiet in my head. Pouting, I tried not to let it bother me.

  “We can’t kill it,” Dmitri interrupted as everyone stopped moving.

  “If we want to leave Hell unscathed, we must,” Gabriel growled, his hulking form ready for action as he bounded a few steps in Kayde’s direction.

  “You don’t get it,” Dmitri snarled. “The damned are swallowed by Leviathan. That’s how they enter the Tomb of Lost Souls. They’re gobbled up and consumed until their essence is deposited beyond the edge of the dragon’s lair. That’s why those witches become what they are. It’s done on purpose.”

  “So?” Kayde’s icy gaze roamed over Dmitri with contempt.

  “My brother is correct.” Damian turned to face the others, tugging on my arm as he moved away from his sibling. “If we want to find the tomb, we have to follow the dragon back to its Lair. Leviathan keeps the entrance to the tomb hidden by magic. We’ll have to outsmart him in order to find our way in.”

  “Or we use bait,” Kayde offered, pulling the crossbow into firing position. “I’m ready.”

  “That won’t work,” Ryder replied softly. “Leviathan is only tempted by human souls.”

  Blinking, I met the ghoul’s hard gaze. “Are you saying I’m the only one he wants?”

  “Yes. Immortal souls are no prize to the beast of the lowest fathoms. The dragon only seeks prey that can be consumed and harvested. You’re the only human soul in Hell, Cassandra.”

  Well, shit.

  Why am I always the last one to learn these things?

  Head immediately whipping to the side, I turned my attention to Dmitri. “You knew this.”

  “Leviathan would have sensed your presence the moment you entered his domain.” Damian glared accusingly at Dmitri. “My brother knew,” he confirmed.

  Yanking my arm from Damian, I darted forward and slammed into Dmitri’s side, knocking him into the wall with the force of my anger and the element of surprise. He hissed as his mouth gaped open and his fangs glistened in the little ball of light circling my head. That Lumos spell was working quite well, now that I thought about it.

  “You set me up!” I screeched, lashing out with all the spells I could muster, throwing balls of violet fire, lightning bolts, and zings of electricity to torment the lying and deceptive vampire.

  “Enough!” Damian pushed me into Gabriel’s arms as the Lycan moved forward stealthily. He was ready to rip his treacherous brother apart. “We won’t be using Cassie as bait. My brother will pay for his choices but not now.”

  “It’s not that simple.” Ryder caught everyone’s attention with those words. “Weren’t you all listening?”

  “The witch must be bait. She has to be consumed by Leviathan. There’s no other choice.”

  The second the words left Dmitri’s mouth Damian shoved him up against the wall, both vampires tossing each other around the cavern like ragdolls as they threw punches and moved much too fast for my human eyes to follow.

  “No way!” Gabriel snarled, standing in front of the others. His beast was panting, claws lengthening as he took a protective stance.

  “Cassandra must confront Roman. This is the only way.”

  “No!” Gabriel roared, so loud the cave trembled with the noise.

  “I can bring you back,” Ryder replied quietly as our eyes met. “In the spirit realm I can find you and bring you back from the other side. Your death won’t be permanent.”

  “No, you’ve done enough already, Ryder.” Gabriel was seething with anger, but his tone was clearly worried by Ryder’s suggestion.

  “It’s my decision and I make it gladly.”

  “You’ve already given so much,” Kayde whispered as if his throat was strangled with so much emotion he could barely speak. Think of what this will do.”

  “What’s going on?” Hands planted on my hips, I stared them all down. “What are you not telling me?” They were hiding something big. I could feel their deception and mutual desire to keep their secret.

  “Nothing,” all four of my Cosan responded at once. Liars.

  “I will not allow this. There must be another way,” Gabriel snarled, resuming his stance in front of me and blocking the others.

  “I agree,” Kayde added. “Cassie’s life is not negotiable.”

  This was all my fault. My Cosan was turning against one another and taking sides because of my reckless and hasty decisions. If only I hadn’t trusted Dmitri.

  “We could join her,” the necromancer offered, shrugging his shoulders. “I’m always up for dangerous and life-threatening adventures.”

  Damian hissed at Vincent before shaking his head. “We’re all immortal. Only human souls can be consumed by Leviathan. We would only linger in his belly and endure unending pain and suffering for centuries without reprieve.”

  Dmitri cracked his neck and faced the group. “The damned are human. That is why Leviathan chooses them. Cassie must sacrifice herself to reach the tomb.”

  With a loud bellowing roar, Gabriel swung his beefy arms into the group and knocked them all back. Curses reached my ears as my Cosan scrambled to their feet. The debate ended swiftly as Gabriel lifted me into his arms, springing from the cavern with Kayde and Vincent hot on his heels.

  Chapter 8

  If someone told me a month ago that I would be running for my life in the lowest level of Hell with six immortal men, four of which I knew intimately, I’d laugh in their face. As it was, I wasn’t exactly laughing at the set of circumstances that now led me through the underground tunnels and caverns as I was being chased by not only an actual dragon, but several pissed off members of my Cosan.

  Gabriel and Kayde were doing their best to keep me alive and unh
armed but Leviathan never ceased his pursuit. The necromancer seemed to tag along for nothing more than the opportunity to fight his perpetual boredom. Kayde was out of poisonous darts. Five of them were imbedded between the demon dragon’s scales but they didn’t slow the massive beast down.

  Gabriel growled as we paused to catch our breath at the next cave. We’d taken to running from one to another, hoping to find a way to reach the next higher level of Hell while remaining one step ahead of Damian, Dmitri, and Ryder. There was no passage, no stairway, no hidden chamber that allowed our escape. I soon realized the lack of a route was intentional. Leviathan would never allow his prey to slip away easily.

  Neither Kayde nor Gabriel would accept my surrender so the only way to end this charade was to face the dragon on my own. Yeah, this was total and complete suicide. Vincent was right about that. Unfortunately, I wasn’t willing to risk any of my Cosan becoming injured or permanently disfigured. Debating the topic was futile and wasted valuable time. That left only one choice.

  Without a word, I darted out of the cave and yelled as loudly as I could, waving at the onyx dragon with his eerily captivating eyes that glowed in the endless dark abyss. Behind me, I could hear Kayde and Gabriel protest. They would probably try to rescue me even at the expense of their safety, so I ran toward the big beast instead of away from it. He swooped in without mercy and closed the distance between us fast.

  Leviathan’s heated breath blanketed my body as his jaw opened wide and a forked tongue slid out, scooping me down his throat as I screamed with terror. The voices of my Cosan rose in fury and shock and echoed within the dragon’s mouth as I slid down Leviathan’s gullet, landing with a plop in his hollow belly. Oddly enough, I wasn’t burned alive although the remnants of smoke were heavy in the stagnant air.

  A thin substance that resembled slime coated my body as I tried to stand. Slipping and sliding, I managed to remain upright on two feet as I realized I wasn’t actually in the beast’s bowels or being slowly digested. Instead, I was located in some sort of hidden passageway. A long, narrow hall was illuminated by a single bluish white light that flickered in and out. With great care, I walked forward and toward the mysterious source of illumination.

  The caw of a raven caught my attention and I paused, turning to the left where the ebony silk of a bird’s feathers shone in the meager light as it hopped about as if in distress. I’d seen this particular raven before. When Roman and Morgan tried to offer me up as a sacrificial lamb on a stone altar deep in the woods of Mystic Hallows, the raven had been the one to find my Cosan and bring help. I destroyed Morgan with fire but Roman had slit my throat, delighted to inflict any suffering possible, no matter how minor.

  “Little raven,” I whispered. “Are you leading me from the light?”

  For the most part, I’d say light was a good thing. Witches embraced the light. We used candles as part of every ritual, but I had a bad feeling about the flickering light at the end of this tunnel. Not to mention the fact that I was in the belly of a beast in the lowest level of Hell. Where did the light really lead? Was it a path of no return?

  A quick flap of the bird’s feathers proved his impatience. He flopped around a few times, hopping away from the light. I watched him with interest but as I peered into the darkness, I realized my options were limited. There were no other doors, no passages, no stairs. I would have to follow the path to the light.

  Another caw echoed from the plump raven while it launched into the air and flapped its wings rapidly as if in a hurry. He must have known what I was thinking as I took a couple of steps away from his location.

  “I’m sorry, little raven. I must finish what I’ve started this day.”

  The bird became enraged, flying forward as if attacking but instead of pecking my body with brutal strikes, he landed on my shoulder as his claws bit lightly into my skin. Sighing, I decided not to fling him away. I let the raven stay but whispered softly, “You bite or hurt me and I’m throwing you down and casting a spell of limited mobility on you for an entire month.”

  The bird cackled and snapped its beak a few times as if amused.

  “We move on then.”

  It only took a few minutes to reach the source of the light. There were no torches, bulbs, or lamps. This illumination was unnatural, forced into being through magic alone. The light pulsed once and then continued to flicker before extinguishing altogether. The skin of my arms prickled with alarm as I slammed down my shields and held onto my power with resolve. I knew the attack was coming, I just didn’t know how or when. Time seemed to tick so slowly I wondered if it was moving at all.

  The raven flapped its wings and cawed loudly, flying off my shoulder seconds before a sudden wall of eerie greenish tinted fire engulfed my entire body. Screaming in agony, I flopped down to the ground and attempted to roll but was unable to seize control over my muscles. They were twitching as if doused with toxin and refused to listen to the commands of my mind. Writhing in pain, I felt the flesh begin to disintegrate and melt away, separating from bone. The horror didn’t end there but only seemed to begin as my bones crumbled into dust and nothing of my physical body remained.

  Lifting my hands, I was astonished to find that I could see through what should have been flesh but was now nothing more than spirit. A door opened in front of where I stood and I followed through, witnessing the crossing of souls as they boarded boat after boat, gliding along the treacherous surface of the River Styx. There was no doubt where I was now located. I’d made the journey, however reluctantly.

  The Tomb of Lost Souls.

  Without physical lungs to breathe, I simply stood as a witness while the Underworld claimed its quota. I’d been in limbo before this moment. The hall was a path of my own choices, narrowed down to a single option because of my determination and refusal to seek guidance. I was undecided if that was good or bad. Maybe that was how the raven found me. If he was truly the reincarnated spirit of my dead father, it made sense that he would reside in limbo.

  I stood alone, unnoticed by the souls or ferryman. The raven must be forbidden from entering the chamber. Since he wasn’t a lost soul or lingering spirit, he’d be forced to remain where he was.

  The river loomed ahead as I approached, reflecting back my changed appearance. Gasping, I was shocked to see how much I was altered. My entire body was encased in a gossamer film and partially translucent. Iridescent colors hovered around my frame in a bright and welcoming aura. The hint of violet was proof of my ancestry. I was a Salem witch and it showed.

  My spirit was all that remained after my flesh had been consumed by the beast. Leviathan left nothing of my mortal body behind. Fear momentarily snagged my resolve. What would I do if Ryder was unable to venture into the tomb and retrieve my soul? Would the taint help or hinder his efforts?

  Until now, I’d forgotten that a part of essence was already tainted by evil. Perhaps Leviathan was also attracted by that small root of darkness and able to track me easily as a result. I didn’t know how this would play out, but I knew my purpose. I had to find Roman. He was close. I could feel his vile presence.

  The path to my right led upward, deep into the shadows. I followed without hesitation as every step brought Roman English closer to his demise. I didn’t forget what Dmitri disclosed. Roman murdered my father. He was going to suffer. I would drag out his agony as long as I could.

  A thick veil shimmered in the air ahead as I approached. Once I passed through, everything changed. My eyes had to adjust while I paused, squinting at the opulence and gaudy display. A gilded palace bathed in a bluish white light stood in deep contrast to the rest of the chamber. I ignored the exterior and heavily encased columns of gold, keeping my focus on Roman’s essence.

  He stood expectantly in front of a pair of onyx thrones that were encased with rare jewels. Floor to ceiling, chests of gold lined the walls, stacked as they overflowed with wealth. Rich tapestries and expensive fabrics draped over the luxurious furniture and décor. Arms stretched wide,
he seemed pleased that I noticed his greedy hoard of goods.

  I wasn’t impressed. Wealth was nothing. What could you spend it on when you were dead?

  The moment his face came into view, I felt the same rage I experienced as before rush to the surface of my skin, bubbling and churning beneath as I held back the urge to destroy him immediately.

  “Welcome, my sweet. I’ve been waiting for so long I despaired of your arrival.”

  I bet. “You should have held your breath.”

  He made a clucking sound of disapproval with his tongue. “So beautiful, so defiant, Cassandra. I’m happy to meet again, my darling nemesis.”

  “I can’t say I’m excited about it.” That was an understatement. “Did you think I wouldn’t find out, Roman?”

  He didn’t blink an eye at my words. “Gil Corey was weak. His wife, however, she was charming, beautiful, and incredibly powerful.”

  “Don’t say a word about my parents. You don’t have the right!” Losing my temper was stupid but it was almost impossible to hold back my wrath. He took my father from me. I would never forgive Roman for tearing my family apart.

  “You must understand, my dear. Everything has a purpose.”

  “Even murder?” I asked with a sneer.

  A cruel but delighted grin softened his harsh features as he laughed. His amusement only deepened my resolve. He would regret his choices. “Dmitri did well.” The change of subject was purposeful. “I wasn’t sure he was going to fulfill his end of the bargain since he’s so infatuated with you. I’ll have to congratulate him later on his success.”

  Keeping a tight rein on my emotions, I didn’t give him the satisfaction of realizing how deeply those words cut to the bone. I’d trusted Dmitri because he was Damian’s brother. If my vampire loved me as much as I knew he did, then certainly his brother wouldn’t betray me or allow my death.