by Rose Wulf
“What did he say?”
The memory returned but this time Belle shoved it aside. She could see the truth in it so clearly now she wondered why she’d never seen it before. “He … said some horrible, hurtful things. I didn’t know at the time, but he said them so I’d be too mad to fight for us.” She turned a bitter grin to Gwen and added, “He’s a very clever fighter, you know.”
“Definitely strikes me as the fight-to-win type,” Gwen concurred.
“And I knew that,” Belle said. “But I was too upset to see it clearly. So he got what he wanted.”
Gwen’s voice held a frown when she said, “I don’t think it was what he wanted. I think he just did what he thought was best for you in the long run.”
Wiser than she likes to let on, is she? “I see that now,” Belle agreed. She barely hesitated before admitting, “But whatever his reason, it makes it hard for me to fully trust him now. I can’t stop asking myself what if he does it again? And it’s holding me back.”
“Honestly,” Gwen began, “I’ve never been in love. So I don’t know how hard it is to endure whatever harsh thing he said, but … it seems to me that he’s not the lying type usually. If he says he’s in it for the long-haul, come what may, I’d believe him. Maybe instead of working on believing him you need to work on forgiving him.”
Belle stared at Gwen as if she’d sprouted forehead wings for a long minute. What she’d said … it felt right. Belle thought she’d forgiven him; thought her issue was trust. But what if she’d been wrong?
****
It was dangerous to push a body, let alone a human body, too far too fast. And so, though she’d felt like she was finally getting a foothold, after an hour-long session Belle called it quits for the morning. Perhaps if the day was quiet she’d resume her efforts after dinner. That way Gwen’s body would have had several hours, and two meals, to rest and readjust.
Gwen had suggested a rousing game of cards to pass the time since Kai had asked them to stay inside where the wards could protect them. It made as much sense as anything, although she’d never been much for card games, so Belle waited in the living area while Gwen dug a box of cards out of her bag.
That was the plan, anyway.
Shattering glass from the bedroom, shortly followed by Gwen’s scream, had Belle running. Adrenaline shot through her system as she darted into the room to find Gwen backed against the nearest wall and the window over the bed busted. It seemed a large tree branch had fallen through the window. Except there hadn’t been any trees close to that wall.
Grabbing Gwen’s shoulder, Belle said, “My room, now!” Not that her room was any safer if they were using nature to pierce the warding. One more shattered window and the wards would break. On the bright side, Kai will sense that. In the meantime, she needed her sword. It was a shame Gwen didn’t know how to use a weapon—or have one, for that matter.
“How are they doing that?” Gwen asked, panic edging into her voice. “I thought the wards protected us!”
“They do,” Belle said. “But only from direct demonic contact. Some demons have lived long enough they know how to get around the technicalities.” Unfortunately.
They made it into Belle and Kai’s room as another window shattered, and Belle reacted on instinct. Instead of diving for the hilt resting on the nightstand she kept hold of Gwen and shoved her into the open closet. She shut the door with a hiss of “Get low and keep quiet!” Then she snatched the hilt, raced around and shut the bathroom door with a little more noise.
She’d made it back to the entry of the bedroom in time to see three demon men crowding into the kitchen. They’d broken Kai’s wards. All she had to do was stall them until he returned.
Kai, hurry!
Chapter Sixteen
Kai didn’t even bother tucking his wings away as he landed in the living room of the suite. Glass from the large main window was scattered everywhere, and a pair of muddied boot prints led the way toward the kitchen area. But his senses assured him the muddied prints belonged to only one of the multiple attackers. And to add insult to injury, they were in his and Belle’s room.
As were Belle and Gwen.
Sword in hand, Kai swept into the room with all the controlled fury of the veteran warrior he was. He wasted no time plunging his burning blade into the exposed back of the demon who’d pushed Belle to the floor, his improvised weapon of a chair leg wrapped in dark energy pressed against the flat side of her blade.
Kai spun as the shadow of a scorch mark lingered on the throw rug at Belle’s feet.
The remaining demon cried out and hurled sickle-shaped discs of dark energy at him. Clearly at least smart enough to keep his distance.
Kai parried the one in danger of grazing Belle with his blade, destroying the weapon as it made contact with his stronger one. He caught the other in his bare hand, ignoring the sting of the dark energy and overpowering it. The sickle blazed bright, furious blue for a moment before dissolving into nothingness.
“Give us the human!” the demon demanded, taking a cautious step backward.
Arching a pointed brow, Kai said, “I don’t see any ‘us’ to give her to.” And he spread his wings, letting the rush of purified energy obliterate the final demon without closing the distance.
The demon screamed in brief, undoubtedly intense agony as his body erupted in glorious blue flame.
Belle stood and came to Kai’s side as his wings faded away. Her gaze lingering on his free hand, Belle said, “Must you always be such a show-off?”
“It was effective,” Kai replied. “Are you hurt?” He raked his gaze down her, for once not lingering on the appeal of her curvy body. She had a couple of healing scrapes, but he saw no evidence of blood. Just a bit of ash on her sleeve.
“I’m fine,” Belle replied with a smile, retracting her blade as she reached up and wiped off the ash.
Kai frowned and scanned the room slowly. The bathroom and closet doors were shut; the bed was a mess, indicating that someone had crawled or battled over it. The chair for the small desk was on the floor, unable to stand with a missing leg. But he saw no Gwen.
“She’s in the closet,” Belle offered, already turning toward the closet. “You can come out now.”
“No,” Kai said as he expanded his senses, “she’s not. She’s gone.”
****
“Get—off!”
The feminine exclamation drew Creed’s attention and he smirked, turning his back on the semi-conscious prisoner he’d been toying with. And there she was. The human woman he’d been trying to get his hands on for a while now. Gwendolyn Manning.
The demon escorting her shoved her unceremoniously to her knees. “As you requested, boss.”
“Excellent.” He nodded to the male. “I may call on you again. You can go now.” He waited until the demon was gone, leaving him alone with both of his prizes. Smirk broadening, he strode forward and knelt in front of Gwen, being sure he was close enough for her to see the red glow in his eyes. “Welcome to your final resting place, sweetheart.”
Gwen pushed up to her knees, having fallen to her elbows. She met his leer with a glare. “Kai will kill you.”
Creed laughed. “He hasn’t managed to find me in over a year. I’m not too worried. In fact, I’m damned happy.” He extended a finger and curled it around her chin, holding her in place when she tried to recoil. “It’s nice to have this alone time, isn’t it?”
Curling her lips in disgust, she tried again to jar his hold. “I’d tell you to go to Hell,” she said, “but clearly you’re already familiar with it. You should’ve stayed there.”
Hauling her face close enough to hers that his breath would wash over her nose, Creed growled, “Feisty, are you? That won’t be gettin’ you anywhere, sweetheart.”
Gwen struggled harder in his grasp, and he wondered idly if she’d break her jaw. “Get your hands off me,” she said.
Ignoring her demand, he stood, dragging her up to her feet awkwardly. “Did you wann
a meet Nephy’s little sister? I hear siblings are something of a fondness with you.” He turned and locked a hand around her elbow to drag her closer to the wall where his current prisoner was chained. Interestingly, the Nephilim was still somewhat conscious. She’d lifted her head and was fighting to keep her eyes open, occasionally revealing glossed-over faded blue. He’d discovered he loved the broken look in her eyes.
“’s-s… ’sca … pe,” the Nephilim stammered, her voice weak and hoarse. Tragically beautiful. She managed to look at Gwen for several seconds and repeat, “’sca-pe…”
Gwen’s heartbeat faltered, and Creed flicked a curious glance to her. He wanted to see her reaction to this pitiful sight. Her eyes were wide and slowly coming to glisten. “Oh, my God…”
Heh. Creed gave Gwen’s elbow a sharp tug, jerking her attention back to him as he reached out and slapped the other woman’s face. “That’s enough outta you, princess,” he said.
“Stop!” Gwen cried, her voice watery. “Stop it! Haven’t you hurt her enough?” She resumed her struggles against his hold as if she thought her human strength was enough to surpass his own. As if she thought escaping his hold would make a lick of difference.
****
“I can’t believe I let that happen,” Belle declared for at least the fifth time since they’d discovered Gwen’s disappearance. She slumped onto the sofa, her head in her hands. Guilt had rapidly consumed her as she’d torn open the closet to discover the truth of Kai’s words. Gwen was gone.
The three demons had been a distraction. A distraction Belle had stupidly fallen for. She’d been so focused on keeping Gwen away from the obvious threat that she hadn’t considered the fact that demons could teleport. Through shadows. I should’ve locked her in the bathroom. Turned on all the lights and stood her in the tub. At least she’d have had time to scream.
“You can’t dwell on this,” Kai said firmly. “We have to find her before they kill her.”
Belle lifted watering eyes up to him. “What if they already have? Why wouldn’t they have already—” She couldn’t finish the thought. Couldn’t articulate her fear that her stupidity had gotten her newest friend killed.
Gwen was the first real friend she’d made since Madelyne’s … abduction. The first person who hadn’t, not once, looked at her with any sort of prejudice. Hell, not since Madelyne. Since Kai. Which was ironic, since Gwen was also the one who had, inadvertently, brought her and Kai back together.
And she’d failed her. Like she’d failed Madelyne.
A sob tore from her throat, and she buried her face in her hands. “I’m sorry!” she cried, praying Gwen and Madelyne could hear her. That they would for an instant believe her if she ever got the opportunity to tell them. But why would she? Creed had them both now.
Kai wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. “This isn’t your fault, Belle,” he said. “And we will find her. We’ll find them both.”
Oh, how she wished she had his confidence.
Feminine throat-clearing startled Belle and, judging from the brief tensing of Kai’s arm, it had startled him, too. Which was bad. But confusion was all she felt when she lifted her gaze, wiping at her eyes, and found herself looking at a hesitant Jaelyn.
Kai stood but did not approach her. Jaelyn had wisely landed outside their personal space. “What are you doing here?”
Inclining her head respectfully, Jaelyn replied, “I heard about Gwen’s abduction. Isabella offered me this chance to redeem myself … to help you find her. If you’ll accept my assistance.”
Belle studied Jae’s posture. She was uncomfortable, and wholly aware that she wasn’t on Kai’s favorites list at the moment. But she also seemed sincere. And we need the help.
At Kai’s stretch of silence, Jae lifted a pleading gaze to him. “Please, sir. I know I crossed a line, but Gwen … she’s my friend. She’s Ben’s sister. I want to help. I’ll follow orders, I swear.”
“Kai,” Belle began, finding herself convinced. But a single glance at his profile when she stood assured her that he did, too. He had been testing her.
“You can help,” Kai said. He kept any sense of desperation from his tone. “Did Isabella inform you of Gwen’s condition?”
Jae swallowed, and Belle suspected she was fighting the urge to look away. “Actually, Ben did. I was the one who let the tip reach the Commander in hopes we could save her.” She flicked a glance to Belle and managed an almost smile. “I did hear you’ve made progress. Thank you.”
Tears stung her eyes again, but Belle valiantly fought them back. With this happening on top of the overwhelming revelation of her sister’s real situation Belle was an emotional wreck. It was embarrassing. Aloud, however, she only said, “Don’t thank me. I haven’t saved her yet.” She didn’t bother to add that her efforts would be moot if Gwen spent any length of time in the demon’s clutches. They all knew that.
Jaelyn inclined her head and turned her attention back to her Second. “Orders, sir?”
Kai drew a breath and the air stilled as both women waited for his response. “Start in Denver. Belle and I will start in Sacramento. Investigate any demonic activity.”
Of course. Demons thrived in bigger cities. The more people, the higher the chances of a willing soul, and hard-working, crowded, rushed humans were always viewed as more gullible. Competitive CEOs, bedraggled secretaries, and everyone in between.
“Understood.” Jaelyn didn’t say another word before her wings snapped out and she was gone in a flash of green.
Reaching out and clutching Kai’s nearest hand, Belle whispered, “We can’t possibly search every major city in time.”
Kai gave her hand a squeeze. “Shorter teleports are more effective,” he replied. “Chances are she’s either nearby or near our previous location.”
Belle only nodded, threading her fingers through his. She knew he had a valid point. Humans suffered in longer exposure to demonic portals. If they wanted anything beyond death from Gwen, they wouldn’t want to take the risk of overwhelming her heart with a long jump to, say, New York. But if death was all they wanted … well, then their search would already be futile. Either way, they had to try.
****
“What do you even want with me?” Gwen asked, tugging again at the chains Creed had successfully clamped around her wrists. She wasn’t the strongest human he’d ever faced. The fact that she still harbored an inefficient heart hardly mattered to him.
Arching a brow at her, Creed replied, “Just be glad it requires you to be alive and shut up. I don’t wanna spend my day listening to you.”
She scoffed, almost as if offended. “Oh, so because my voice annoys you, I should have the decency to stop talking?” Surging as far forward as her chains allowed—a whole foot—she cried, “Let me go home! Send me back and you won’t have to listen to me!”
Creed snarled, her incessant chatter grating on his nerves, and snapped his arm out. The room filled with the sound of skin slapping skin as he backhanded her and her head spun into the wall solidly. “Or maybe I’ll just break your jaw. That’ll shut you up.”
Gwen slumped against her restraints, choking and trying to hide her tears.
“Yes,” Creed said. “Focus on the fear.” He grabbed hold of her chin again long enough to turn her to face Madelyne. The Nephilim had passed out again shortly after her pointless warning to Gwen. Now she hung, limply, from her own set of chains. Bruises of green, black, and purple colored her visible arms, legs, and face as well as what was visible of her chest and stomach. Scars slashed across every part of her body. Scabs old and new crossed over some of those scars, settled in the middle of some bruises, and stood out all on their own in spots along her pale flesh.
Gwen didn’t need to know he hadn’t inflicted those wounds—not a one. In fact, it worked better for him if she assumed he had.
“Why?” Gwen mumbled, tears choking her voice. “Why kidnap me? You … you gave Belle a timeline!”
Creed released
her and smirked, straightening in order to run his fingers through Madelyne’s hair. “Of course I did. Those kinds of ultimatums always unsettle you idiotic humans.” Lifting the pale blonde, bloodstained hair to his nose and inhaling, Creed added, “Besides, I never promised I’d wait for her choice.”
He saw the reality settle in her hazel eyes, and she slumped against her chains. “Kai will come for me…”
The defeat in her voice was heavy. Creed could practically drink it. It was true Kai would search, but he’d never find her. Not here. Not right under his nose.
“Seriously? This is what you nearly had me killed for?”
Creed snarled and turned to the unexpected demon. Knox stood barely inside the room, irritation plain on his younger face. He was slightly over six feet tall and about two centuries his junior, but the damned bastard held all the attitude of a demon with equivalent experience. It fucking pissed him off.
But that didn’t matter. Knox wasn’t supposed to be here. “What the hell are you doing here, Knox?”
“Let’s just say I’ve been keeping tabs on you,” Knox replied, walking in and wide of Creed. “Because I don’t trust you as far as the blonde there could throw you.”
Rotating his neck from side to side until it popped loudly Creed said, “You shouldn’t be here, boy. Now I can’t let you live.”
“Funny,” Knox said, parallel with Creed now. He’d barely flicked a glance to the wall with the chained women, but Creed was sure whatever he was planning involved Gwen. Was the little punk thinking to kill her for himself to spite him? He was still talking. “I thought you’d wanted to kill that one,” he indicated Gwen, “not keep her for your amusement.”
With a growl, Creed lunged, not feeling like explaining himself to Knox.
Except Knox seemed to be prepared for that because he spun out of the way, swiping out with a leg and kicking Creed away.
Creed’s back impacted with the opposite wall and by the time he looked up again Knox had snapped the chains holding Gwen. “Don’t do anything dumb,” he called, pushing to his feet.