Wicked Road to Hell

by Juliana Stone

  “Nobody sent me. Bill is with Azaiel as you know.” Cale held his hands out, palms up. “I’m here on my own.” Cale’s eyes were focused behind him and Declan clenched his teeth. He was going to have to have a long chat with Kaden about orders.

  And the need to obey them.

  “Cross my heart.” Cale winked, but when he turned his gaze back to Declan they were dead serious. “The underworld is closing ranks and some of the baddies have suddenly gone topside. They seem to be on the hunt for something.” He pointed toward the teenager. “You have any idea what that might be?”

  “I have no clue.”

  “Bullshit, O’Hara.” Cale walked toward them. “Word is they’re collecting”—he paused and his gaze slid toward Kaden—“something. You care to elaborate on that?”

  “Son of a bitch,” Declan swore. The game had just changed again. How in the hell was he going to get the large warrior off his back? He eyed Cale closely. “What’s your interest in this?”

  “Something big is going down. Bill is locked away at council with the rest of the Seraphim so that means we’re on our own. If you want my help you’d best spill.”

  “How did you know I was in New Orleans?” Declan shot back, not willing to give in just yet.

  “I didn’t. Whispers of shit hitting the fan in the Big Easy are why I’m here. I thought I’d check it out.” He shrugged his shoulders. “I caught your scent several hours ago and followed you back from the Voodoo Lounge. Your wards are strong, they prevented me entrance to the house.”

  Declan clenched his hands together tightly. He had a decision to make. Cale was one of the oldest of the Seraph, at least that’s what he’d been told. Truthfully he had no clue what the hell he was, but next to Bill, he was the go-to guy. He had a reputation for being a cold son of a bitch, but he was fair.

  His gut told him that Cale could be trusted. His mind told him he’d be a fool to chance it.

  “Do not start a war between us, sorcerer. It cannot end well for either one of us.”

  A muscle worked its way sharply across Declan’s jaw. Fuck, he hated being put on the spot.

  “They’re collecting the mark of seven.”

  Kaden moved in closer to him and his chest tightened. The boy had been on his own for so long and yet was willing to trust a total stranger.

  Cale’s eyes widened. It was obvious he was surprised. “Do the Seraphim know?”

  Declan nodded. “It’s why I was sent here.”

  Cale studied him in silence and when he finally spoke, his voice was subdued. “They will destroy them. The Seraphim will never let the mark of seven come together. They’ll never chance something coming to fruition that they don’t fully understand.” He nodded at the teen. “He is one?”

  “The fifth mark,” Declan answered quietly, though the tingle of power still burned at the edges of his fingers. He’d have no problem letting it fly if Cale made one wrong move.

  “I’m like right here, ya know?” Kaden stepped forward, his face twisted in anger. “Don’t talk about me like I’m a moron. Like I don’t understand what’s going on.”

  Cale ignored his outburst. “Bill sent you?” At Declan’s nod he continued, “And you would defy him?”

  “Bill gave the boy a protector. He doesn’t want the council to get their hands on him, either.”

  “A protector?”

  “A vampire.”

  Cale’s eyes narrowed but he remained silent.

  “It’s the right thing to do. I will not hand him over to certain death.” Declan widened his stance and drew his shoulders square.

  Cale frowned. “Death will follow him. You know this.” His eyes strayed back to the teenager. “But I agree. It seems cruel to destroy something before it’s had a chance to mature. To shine.” He flashed a wicked smile. “Besides, if the mark of seven turn to the dark side we can always take them down later. There is no expiration date when someone has been marked by the Seraphim.”

  Declan turned to the teen. “It’s nearly sunrise. We need to get you back before Ana freaks.”

  “Ana is the vampire?”

  It was Kaden who answered. “So what are you exactly?”

  “That, my friend, is a question for another day.” Cale looked at Declan. “You got a plan?”

  “We’ve snagged us a necromancer and she’s tied to Samael.”

  “Samael?” Cale laughed softly. “Son of a bitch. He’s topside?”

  “He’s not made an official appearance yet but he’s close by. We’re hoping the woman will be able to point us in the right direction. Ransome has her at the Voodoo Lounge.”

  Cale snorted. “So you don’t really have a plan.” It was a statement.

  “Nope,” Declan answered.

  “Excellent.” Cale smiled and started forward. “I’m hungry. You guys have eggs?”

  The first rays of light were just beginning to ride the horizon when they returned to the mansion. They stopped in front of the gate and Declan glanced at Kaden. “His body signatures need to be woven into the spell or he can’t cross. Have you ever done that?”

  Kaden shook his head. “No.”

  “You wanna try?”

  Kaden hunched his shoulders forward and stuck his hands in his pockets. “Sure.”

  Declan glanced at Cale. The Seraph watched the boy closely. He turned back to Kaden. “All right. You need to visualize his energy.”

  “How do I do that?”

  “Concentrate. Open up your mind.” The teen closed his eyes and his hands fell from the pockets of his jeans as his body relaxed. “Feel it, every single nuance that makes him different from you, from me, from Ana. Can you see it? In your mind?”

  Kaden nodded and the boy’s fingers shook as his power unfurled. “This is so freaking cool,” the teenager whispered.

  “Yeah, you won’t be finding this shit on the Internet.” Declan smiled and moved closer to the teenager. “Now once you have his signatures memorized you need to draw them into the charm. Layer them in amongst the magick.”

  Declan watched in silence as Kaden’s hands drew intricate designs into the air. Energy flew from his fingers, lighting up his work briefly before it disappeared.

  He glanced at Cale and found the man watching him. Their eyes connected and Declan’s jaw clamped down tightly. He would not let anyone harm the teen. That was both his promise and his mission.

  “I think it’s done.” Kaden’s eyes flew open and the excitement that shone from within them was contagious. His cheeks were flush and his breaths were ragged.

  “Are you sure?”

  At Kaden’s nod both he and the teen walked through the gate and turned to face Cale. “You coming?” he asked as the Seraph hesitated.

  “You sure he’s got it right? What happens if he screwed up?”

  “Your ass will be fried,” Declan answered.

  Cale arched a brow. “Good to know.” He then stepped through the protection charm with ease. He looked at Kaden and nodded. “You’re a fast learner.”

  The teen seemed a little embarrassed. “Thanks,” he mumbled, and turned, his hands once more shoved into the front pockets of his jeans. He shuffled his way down the path that led to the porch.

  “The boy is impressive.”

  Declan nodded. “He’s definitely special.”

  “He has a darkness inside that troubles me.”

  Declan glanced at the warrior as they started down the path. “What do you mean?” He’d not sensed anything out of the ordinary.

  They stepped onto the porch and slipped into the house. Cale paused and lowered his voice. “I can see the purity of his soul but it’s surrounded by poison, tinged with the color of blood.”

  An ominous feeling washed over Declan at the Seraph’s words.

  “Only time will tell if he defeats the parasite that is slowly growing inside of him.”

  “None of us are pure of heart. Not even you.” Declan unclenched his hands as his eyes followed Kaden down the hall to the ba
ck kitchen.

  “Agreed,” Cale said as he walked by Declan, “which is why he lives.”

  Declan ran his hands over his face wearily. Goddamn but he needed some shuteye. He eyed the small settee and blanket he’d abandoned earlier. Fuck it, he thought. A few hours’ sleep would do him good. He wasn’t Cale’s bitch. The dude could make his own breakfast.

  From two stories up Ana listened as Declan settled himself onto the settee once more. It had taken everything inside her to resist following him and Kaden from the house earlier, but she trusted the sorcerer. She knew he’d never hurt a child.

  The newcomer they’d brought back, however? That was a different story. He frightened her. His energy was different. It was powerful, in the way an ancient was. Their energy was always more subtle. More dangerous.

  She jumped from her bed and crossed to the largest window in the attic. Outside, the sun was just beginning to make her way upward and below, the rays only managed to emphasize how tired and neglected her estate had become.

  Totally fit the owner.

  She moved away from the window, deciding if she didn’t look at it she didn’t have to think about it. Ana quickly changed into clean clothes, freshened up, and then slid down the stairs in silence.

  Nico greeted her on the second level. The jaguar warrior was unshaven, dressed in a T-shirt and jeans, his feet bare. She had to admit the Mohawk, while unconventional, somehow suited him. The nose ring? That she could do without.

  “Where were you at last night?” Nico’s voice was gruff, as if ill used. She knew from experience the jaguar was a man of few words.

  She led the way down the stairs and kept her voice low, though she knew if Declan wanted to listen in, he’d have no problem. “I had to feed.”

  Nico grunted at her answer and she paused at the bottom of the stairs, creeping forward softly. She glanced into the parlor, and though it appeared that Declan was fast asleep, she couldn’t be sure. His face looked younger in repose, the lines softer.

  An overwhelming urge to touch him, to trace the softness of his mouth tugged at her. As always the hunger she felt for him was there. She turned away, resentful, and headed toward the kitchen.

  The nauseating scent of eggs hit her before she entered the room. Kaden and a stranger sat at her table, busily shoving the disgusting crap into their mouths. Nico leaned against the counter, his face stony, his eyes narrowed as he gazed at the two of them.

  The tall, imposing man at her kitchen table concerned her. She couldn’t get a read on him.

  “Who the hell are you?” Ana asked bluntly.

  She crossed to the fridge and grabbed a bag of blood. She felt his gaze on her as she threw the bag into the microwave and pressed the required buttons. Rationally, she knew that if Declan trusted him so should she, but there was something about this man that put her on edge. He made her uneasy, and for a vampire that was saying something.

  She glanced at Nico once more. The jaguar gripped a coffee cup in his hands; his knuckles were white and his eyes were round balls of anger.

  “The name’s Cale.”

  She swallowed and turned. He was one hell of an attractive man, she’d give him that. Dressed the way she liked, jeans and leather. He was all male, rugged and ripped, with golden eyes and a wicked smile. The man oozed charisma and power.

  He was definitely dangerous.

  She grabbed her blood and poured herself a drink. Nico continued to watch in silence. He was definitely not in his happy place.

  She took a long sip. “I guess what I meant was, what the hell are you?”

  Cale finished his plate, pushed it away, and stood. Ana tried not to flinch but the man was freaking enormous. He was tall, with broad shoulders and powerful limbs. Her muscles tightened and she put her glass down carefully.

  She had an aha moment. One that said the shit was gonna hit the fan.

  “I am Seraph.” His voice was like silk.

  She glanced up at Nico, eyes wide as her fangs broke skin.

  What the hell? The shit was definitely gonna be flying. Her fingers were clawlike weapons and she attacked with a vicious cry.

  Her small body flew through the air and she hit him hard. Everything faded from the palette that was her world. The dull gray walls, worn linoleum no longer existed. Only this man. This enemy.

  The two of them tumbled to the floor, her fingers digging into the soft flesh of his neck as she squeezed with all her might.

  His arms went around her body and they crashed into the pantry. She barely avoided the cans that tumbled out, though the stranger wasn’t so lucky. She smiled viciously as several large ones cracked his skull on their way down. To think that Declan had let a Seraph warrior into her house was unbelievable.

  She’d deal with him later.

  Vaguely, Ana was aware that Kaden was shouting at her, but the red haze that floated in front of her eyes left no room for anything besides the need to inflict pain. A lot of it.

  She hissed and opened wide. She would kill the bastard and ask questions later.

  She managed to get close. Her fangs were a whisper away from breaking skin when his large hands sank into the thick hair at her nape. His fingers closed around her head, and she knew in that moment if he wanted, he’d have no problem crushing her skull.

  She lay on top of him, chest heaving, her body aching with the need to act. The Seraph held her for what seemed like forever, and she wanted to spit in his face at the smile that slowly spread across his face. Didn’t matter that the dude was Hollywood handsome; a broken nose would go a long way in making her feel so much better.

  “So”—his smile widened—“you’re the little vampire.”

  Her eyes narrowed and she hissed. “Why are you here?”

  “Why are you?” he countered.

  She tried to shift her body but the bastard held her tight, and as she wiggled her ass, his smile widened. Ana’s frustration boiled over and she swore loudly, a long string of profanities spewing forth that was impressive in its diversity.

  “I won’t let you hurt him,” she managed to get out.

  He cracked a smile and her fury increased tenfold.

  She stilled, her mind making calculations as she stared back at him. Her fangs had retracted but if she could get close enough somehow and latch on, she might have a fighting chance of killing him.

  “You could try.” He whispered as if he knew what she was thinking, “But I’m not so sure the end game would turn out the way you expected.”

  His right hand loosened from her skull and slowly slid down her back.

  “No?” She was breathing hard. “I’m thinking I’d enjoy draining you.”

  “I’m sure you would.” His hand continued downward and he whispered, “I’m sure I would.”

  Ana let her fangs slide out once more. His hand was now on her hip. “You should know,” she began, “I won’t be responsible for what happens if you don’t remove your hand from my ass.”

  His voice dropped to a whisper. “Promise?” He laughed softly, and that only infuriated her more. “And what exactly is going to happen?”

  “I can’t say for sure but I can pretty much guarantee it will hurt like hell.”

  Declan’s words slid between them and Ana felt the man beneath her still. He shifted, looked behind her, and grinned, though he kept his grip tight on her body. “O’Hara, why you going and spoiling all my fun?”

  “Take your hands off her or I will start a war.” Declan was dead serious. The room flooded with dark energy. It slithered along Ana’s body, electrifying her cells in a way that was wrong. And yet so right it was shameful.

  The man beneath her tensed, his eyes darkened. He didn’t like being threatened. Ana hissed at him and as his arms loosened, she pushed away, rolled to the side, and was on her feet in seconds.

  “Why the hell is he here?” She turned her fury and general frustration on Declan. “A Seraph? Are you kidding me?”

  Nico pushed away from the counter. “You bo
ys duke it out. I need to run.” Ana watched as the jaguar warrior headed for the back door and yanked it open. His hands were already at the waistband of his jeans but he paused, and his eyes were cold as he glanced toward the Seraph warrior. “I’ve pledged my allegiance to this boy. Do not think to harm him or I will hunt you.”

  Ana turned back to Declan, ignoring the tall man to her right. “Are you going to explain?”

  Declan’s eyes flickered past hers and settled upon the intruder. “His name is Cale. He’s one of the Seraph, same as I.”

  She turned and kept her barely controlled anger under wraps as she studied him.

  “And he’s here because?” she asked Declan, though her eyes never left the stranger.

  Cale ignored the question, but smiled widely and winked at her. “Seriously? Your”—he made quotation marks with his fingers—“save the mark of seven kiddies is an exclusive club? What do I need, a password?”

  “I don’t want you here,” Ana spat. “I don’t trust you.”

  Cale’s demeanor changed instantly. The warmth fled his eyes and his voice dropped. The man was scary powerful, and a chill raced along Ana’s flesh.

  “I’m not promising we can accomplish what it is you intend to do. The hounds of Hell themselves will come after him”—he pointed toward the teenager—“and they’ll bring everything that they’ve got. The destruction they will wreak, the havoc that they’ll commence will be beyond anything you can comprehend. The mark of seven is the ultimate weapon and one that begs the question . . .” His voice trailed off as he turned his attention onto Kaden.

  Kaden faced the Seraph and spoke clearly. “What’s that exactly?”

  “Well, the obvious, my friend.” Cale shook his head. “There are two sides to this scenario and as of now we have no clue which side you’ll land on.” He nodded toward Declan. “The sorcerer and the vampire are willing to lay their lives on the line for you. That tells me they believe you’ll land somewhere in the middle.” He arched a brow. “The middle is good.”

  Cale moved away and Ana was glad to have a bit of distance between them. She exhaled softly. Declan moved closer to her and they both faced the Seraph together.

  “I’m not convinced that will be the outcome, however, I’m willing to see how this plays out.”