Xander unsheathed a set of swords capable of making a samurai weep. His tone held an edge of excitement. “Ready?”
“Ready,” Kagan and Chago called in unison.
The trio assumed a battle stance and low-pitched hums transformed to high-pitched squeals as the minions encroached. Soon the lighter was doused and darkness and an unholy screech heralded the attack.
A minion’s razor-sharp claw slipped between the Scion blockade to slice into her flesh, and Mira covered her head with her arms. Blood trickled warm and slow down her flesh and she closed her eyes, praying for salvation.
• • •
Lucifer settled into the cushions of his leather dais to watch the proceedings on closed-circuit TV. He propped one leg on the seat and adjusted the picture, zooming in on the small cluster of warriors. Night-vision green cast the battle in eerie luminescence.
Xander slit a minion’s throat before gutting another with his opposite hand. One had to give the Scion begrudging credit. Lucifer knew they couldn’t see shit, yet still they held their own. Chago and Kagan hacked their way through anything moving in front of them and averaged a kill per swipe. Divinity’s words from their last meeting returned. I have faith in my Scion. He did too.
Mira crouched in the center of the Scions’ tight circle, attempting to protect her head and face from the flurry of razor-sharp claws. Her arms were covered with cuts and her blood flowed freely, inciting the horde’s frenzy. They always did love a good snack.
The horde stormed against the skilled warriors, a unified force of utter chaos and low-hanging fruit for the battle-hardened Scion. Lucifer had no concerns about diminished capacity. Minions were disposable. He’d make more. He only wished they’d use their pea-sized brains and show more initiative in the fight.
Speaking of initiative … He’d granted Argus a rare furlough, knowing he was a flight risk. The demon was a lot of things, but boring not one of them. Celestial transformations rarely worked in the long run, and Argus was no exception. Even the Sons of El couldn’t contain his ambition. Now, in messing with the Seals, Argus had officially crossed the line. Greed wasn’t something Lucifer generally frowned upon, but when avarice turned to mutiny, it became personal.
Lucifer returned his focus to the TV and sneered. The three warriors were covered in blood and grinning like fools, hacking their way through the mass of scaly bodies.
Xander shouted something. Lucifer punched the volume button higher. Dammit! He must remember to get sound on those cameras before the next massacre.
The girl pulled something from Xander’s coat pocket and raised it high above her head. Lucifer zoomed in. The object glowed brighter and brighter while she chanted.
No! It couldn’t be. The remote clattered to the floor. He ran toward the passage below, rounding the last corner just as a bright flash and a sonic boom brought the roof down.
• • •
Xander grinned as minions scattered like shards across the smooth rocks to disappear into the murky depths. Light broke through. The warriors turned to squint into the beam streaming from the hole above.
“Guess we found our way out.” Chago held a hand above his eyes.
Kagan scowled at the amulet still swinging between Mira’s fingers. “What is that thing?”
“We need to get her out of here.” Xander sheathed his swords and grabbed the artifact, ignoring Kagan’s question. Antares was proving more useful than he’d imagined. He smeared greenish muck from his face and pointed to a pile of rubble. “We can climb up those.”
Chago nodded, waving Mira ahead. “Ladies first.”
Mira skittered up the rocks, followed by the warriors.
Once they’d all surfaced, Xander searched the area for something to plug up the huge hole. A new swarm of minions approached, arms and claws emerging from pit, seeking freedom. Kagan spotted a large boulder several yards away, and the three moved the rock into place with a heavy thud.
“Cristo! I forgot how bad they reek,” Chago said, surveying the accumulation of blood and assorted guts coating his body.
The group turned to leave, only to find their path blocked by Lucifer, the ground blackened and smoking beneath his clawed feet.
“Leaving so soon? I must admit to a few white-knuckle moments during the show. Overall, I’d give it an eight out of ten.” He gave a few claps of half-hearted applause.
“Get out of my way, culo.” Chago knocked into him, stalking across the field to disappear in a flash.
“Faccia di merda!” Kagan cursed, grasping Mira’s arm and flashing away.
Lucifer approached Xander, peering at the boulder-covered hole. He waved his hand to remove the stone then reformed the solid ground beneath. “Can’t have the little buggers getting out, can we?”
“State your business, Devil,” Xander said, his jaw clenched tighter than his fists.
“Where’d you get it, Scion?” Lucifer ran an appraising gaze over the warrior.
“To what are you referring?”
“Don’t play stupid, Xander. Antares.”
Xander pulled the talisman from his pocket. “You mean this?”
Lucifer eyed the burnished metal glinting in the setting sun. Lightning quick, he reached out to snatch the piece.
Xander was faster. He yanked temptation away and stuffed it safely in his coat. “I’m keeping the relic safe for Divinity.”
Lucifer snorted, leaning closer. “How’s the love life, Xan?”
“None of your damn business, Devil.” Despite his iron control, Zoe’s face flashed into his mind, the sting of her rejection a dull ache within his heart. Maybe she wasn’t the one after all.
“That bad, huh?” Lucifer grinned.
The weakened cords binding Xander’s fury snapped. His tone took on the sharp edge of a man pushed to his limits. “I will find my mate, Devil. Guaranteed.”
“Oh, I’m counting on it, my boy.” Lucifer shouted as Xander flashed away, his cryptic words following Xander into the wormhole. “I’m counting on it.”
• • •
Argus scanned the area surrounding the abandoned warehouse, Mira’s heavy file stowed beneath his arm. He checked his watch again. Half past eight. Argus ran a hand over his face to make sure everything was presentable. He’d consumed enough sugar to feed a small country before the damage had healed. Fucking Scion.
A black sedan rounded the corner and halted before him. Dark-tinted windows prevented him from seeing fuck — all except his own reflection. He stared at the closed window until the glass descended with a whoosh, revealing a well-dressed guy with sunglasses. Sunglasses at night? Great. Now this job had become a bad eighties pop song. Fan-fucking-tabulous.
“Get in.”
The door popped open, and Argus climbed in to sit beside the man he assumed was his contact. What the hell was the name on the answering machine again? Miller? No. Madsen? Shit. Mallory? Yep, Mallory. The sedan took off again, and he could feel the man’s gaze burning behind the aviator shades.
“Where’s the shipment?”
Argus pulled the file from under his arm. “Unavoidable delay. I’ll have her by the deadline.”
“Tolbert doesn’t do delays.” Mallory flipped the folder open and scanned the picture of the scowling girl, her mop of curly brown hair. He brought the photo closer, tracing his finger over the name below. “Mira Herald. Our source said she was killed years ago.”
Argus chuckled. “They lied.”
• • •
Divinity walked the center aisle of the Holy Name Cathedral, admiring the beautiful architecture while she approached the front pew. She always loved coming to her many homes.
She breathed in the smell of incense and wax while choosing a seat. Peace flowed unhindered through the room until it collided with a roadblock to her left — th
e man now occupying the other end of her bench.
“’Ello, dearie.”
“Aren’t you … out of your element?” Her gaze narrowed, her fingers drumming on the back of the pew.
Lucifer shrugged, stretching his legs out on the seat and leaning against the armrest. He fidgeted and squirmed to find the right spot. “Why are these seats always so damned uncomfortable?”
“What do you want, Devil?” Her foot tapped an impatient beat on the floor. She was not amused.
He smirked, one leg bent at the knee, his toes tracing patterns in the black muck now staining the cushion. “I had an interesting talk with our Mira today.”
“Yes, I know. Which part of ‘leave her alone’ did you not understand?”
His gaze traveled to the cathedral ceiling high above. “The Seal is ready.”
Divinity flashed him a hard stare, her ire rising with each passing second. “I don’t care if the Seal is half-baked and turning green, now is not the right time.”
“How much time is enough, really?” He studied her beneath hooded eyes, baiting her.
She unleashed a fraction of her power. Golden light blazed forth from behind her pupils. Red flames burst to life in his. A small tremor rattled the church’s foundations, and she quelled the anarchy in a heartbeat.
“This is not your decision, Devil.” She lifted her chin, daring him to disagree.
His claw-like fingers riffled the hymnals, knocking them askew. He met her blazing stare head-on. “Doesn’t matter how much time you give them, they won’t use it wisely.”
“Nonsense.” She glanced at the tomes, setting them right again.
“Your warrior is involved with her.” The walls of the cathedral groaned and the tremors increased, shaking the towering, stained glass windows.
Divinity smiled. The chaos stilled. “I know.”
Lucifer’s red eyes blazed with curiosity. “What are you playing at, Divinity?”
“All in good time, Devil.” She rose with a placid smile, turning to face him when she reached the aisle. “All in good time.”
• • •
Mira struggled to free her arm once they arrived at his apartment. Kagan deposited her on the sofa and stalked to the bathroom. She’d barely registered the flash journey this time. She rubbed her sore biceps and yelled across the room, “Stop manhandling me, asshole.”
He leaned out and returned her glare. “Stop running away.”
“Where’s everybody else?”
“Wyck’s, I guess.” He disappeared back into the bathroom. His bloody clothes flew past the door a moment later. “I’m taking a shower.”
She stared. Mira wasn’t proud of how she’d handled the situation this morning, but damn, she was drowning. Again. Things were light years beyond her comfort zone.
Her nose wrinkled at the horrendous odor wafting from her blood-soaked clothes. A million times worse than anything she’d ever gotten in her nightmare. Dirty ass mixed with a healthy dose of skunk. Yuck!
Kagan emerged several minutes later, a towel secured around his hips. Mira practically tripped over her own feet racing to the shower, shedding her clothes on the way to escape the awful stench. He grasped her wrist when she passed. “We need to talk.”
She shook him off and continued into the bathroom, discarding the rest of her garments before sliding open the frosted glass door and stepping into the spacious granite shower. An abundance of soap and hot water eased the sticky mess from her body, but did little to halt the unease boring into her gut.
Mira had just finished scrubbing the last bit of smelly ooze from her skin and hair when the thud of the shower door diverted her attention. Kagan stood behind her in all his naked glory, his arms crossed as he watched her through the steam. Her first option was to retreat. Attempt to retain what distance she could. He stepped closer, blocking her escape. Option one — FAIL. Option two — babbling. “You said we were going to talk.”
“Later.” He traced the cuts and scratches covering her arms. Took the soap from her hand and washed her back. His warm, slick body beckoned her to relax while his hands massaged the stiff muscles of her neck.
Unable to resist, she leaned into him, her eyes closed. His lips brushed her temple, and she rested against his shoulder. He turned her, cupping her nape as his arms encircled her.
• • •
Mira shivered and Kagan smiled. She lifted her head, and he caught her soft moan with his mouth, his tongue slipping between her lips to play. He dusted kisses from her cheek to her ear then nibbled the sensitive lobe. She tangled her fingers in the short crush of his hair and he captured them, kissing her palm. He settled a hand on her lower back and brought her forward against him. Her heat brushed his cock, and his control slipped. Desire overrode his staunch resolve for communication. His body recognized what his mind had denied for too long. Mira was his Anim Fidelis. His fated mate.
He’d had an inkling since the first night, but had resisted. Scion didn’t mate. They fought, they killed, maimed, and conquered. They didn’t settle down for the white picket and two point five children. Kagan had discovered the supposed legend of the Anim Fidelis during his training. He’d read the ancient parchment in Divinity’s library and knew it for what it truly was. A curse. Being tied body and soul to another, fates twined until death. Yet here he was, holding the only woman who’d breached his walls, and he knew in his heart he’d die for her. Merda!
He grazed the area where her neck joined shoulder and bit down gently, marking her. She gasped and he quickly soothed the hurt, tasting the slight metallic tang of her blood before he withdrew. He cupped her cheeks, forced her to meet his gaze. His hips rocked against her. “No more running, Mira. You are mine.”
She bent and kissed his chest before nipping him in return. The brief sting of her bite ignited his arousal. He groaned, thrusting against her. Mira swabbed the tiny wound with her tongue before continuing her downward journey. She suckled his sensitive nipples then lavished attention on the mark below his navel, her fingers tracing the thin trail of hair leading to his manhood. Mira placed a final kiss on his hipbone before encircling his engorged shaft with her fist. All coherent thought fled Kagan’s brain, leaving only one searing need: Claim his mate.
• • •
“Mio amore.” His words were husky, thick, inciting a swell of pride and power inside Mira. He cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing her lips before pressing inside. She sucked greedily, her eyes locked with his. His head tilted back, and she released his digit to rain hot kisses over his powerful thighs. She urged him against the tile wall and moved between his spread legs to lift his swollen manhood. She pumped slowly, fondling his balls. His fingers trailed absently through her wet hair, and his hips thrust forward in invitation. She’d never done this before. Never wanted to. Now, she’d never wanted anything so bad in her life.
Her thumb slid across the soft, blunt head and he moaned. She leaned in, giving a lick to the sensitive crown before taking him between her lips. The tip pulsed against her tongue and she groaned, allowing more of his shaft inside. His hand drifted to the back of her head and she eased away to caress the throbbing vein on the underside, the tender area behind the crown. His deep groan increased the moisture pooling in her core. Her tongue dipped into the slit on the tip of his cock before she took him in her mouth again. This time, when his length brushed the rear of her throat, she relaxed, drawing him in deeper. He guided her, praised her, made her feel like the sexiest woman alive. His thrusts grew urgent and she caressed his balls, feeling his sac tighten, signaling his impending orgasm.
Mira grasped his buttocks, locking herself in place. He moaned her name, attempted to ease her away. She refused to be moved and met and held his midnight-blue gaze while taking him deep inside once more. His husky voice snagged on a groan. “Ah, Dio mio amore, sono verrò.”
His seed hit the roof of her mouth, and she eased up and swallowed, not wanting to lose a drop. His cries of pleasure echoed around her, his thighs quivering with the force of his climax. Her lips continued to caress his sensitive shaft until the waves subsided. Mira eased away and pressed a kiss to his mark. Spent, Kagan fell to his knees and gathered her close. “Grazia, carissima. I love your mouth.”
Mira smiled, her face buried in his chest. “Only my mouth?”
Kagan grinned. “Let me take a look.”
He picked her up and set her on the tile bench near the shower door. Kagan drew her knees apart and lowered his head between her legs. His tongue dipped inside her folds and her hands gripped his hair, holding him in place. He stroked her molten core before exploring her tight walls and lapping at her wetness.
She moaned. Watching him was the most erotic sight she’d ever encountered. His fingers joined his tongue in the delicious torture as he thrust first one then two digits inside her, rotating against her slick passage while his thumb caressed her swollen nub. Mira arched, her desire raging. His eyes caught hers and held. His lips circled her clit and he suckled, driving her to the brink and beyond. She climaxed hard. He continued to stroke her, his tongue and his fingers prolonging her ecstasy. After her body finally quieted, Kagan slipped free, pressing a final, soft kiss to her tender folds before pulling her to him beneath the cooling shower spray.
“Found another part to love.” He grinned.
“Hmmm.” Her love-sated brain registered his words, and she moved to get up. “Sorry, I’m a package deal.”
His arm locked tight around her middle. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“The prune look doesn’t suit me.”
“It’s time we talked.” He shut off the water. Kagan grasped her chin and tilted her face up to his. “What are we going to do about us?”
Mira shrugged. “There isn’t any us, is there?”
Seal of Destiny (Seven Seals Series Book 1) Page 17