“If I didn’t know better, I would think you didn’t trust me to go on my own.” He was overdue for a visit with his mother and would probably get an ass chewing for it.
She linked arms with him and a portal opened in front of them. “I don’t. So, let’s go.”
Chapter Twelve
“Did you find the item I requested?” Lucifer asked, hardly able to contain his excitement. Was it possible he was finally going to be free of this damned prison? He dared not get his hopes up until he was actually busted out.
“Yes, master. The witch assured me this was the highest quality piece of shungite.” Mark laid the piece on the table. Lucifer sent out what power he was able to unleash and tested the crystal. It was perfect and ready to receive dark magic.
“Good job,” he cooed.
“What are you going to do with this?” Mark asked.
Lucifer grinned to himself. “It’s not what I will do with it, but what you are going to do with it. This crystal is going to catch us an angel. But not just any angel. One created by my father himself.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Of course. They say, whoever holds the key to the Gate of the Gods will be able to open it and use it for their purpose. Soon, that chunk of rock will give me the key and my freedom.”
“Isn’t that the place in Peru?”
“It is indeed. Now, listen carefully. Did you gather the other ingredients I asked for?”
Mark held up a bag. “Yes, master. Blood from a young goat. A paint brush. Dragon’s blood incense. Cedar, clove, wormwood, and hellebore. Did I forget anything?”
“Perfect. Now, time to get started. First thing is to face east and paint my symbol on the floor using the blood.” Lucifer watched through the haze of his sister’s power as Mark took the items from the bag and placed them on the floor. Opening the jar of blood, he began to paint the Sigil of Lucifer. Once that was done, he tossed the items into a trash bag.
“Now, place the incense in the center and light it. Careful not to smear the lines of the Sigil.”
Mark lit the Dragon’s blood and placed it on the floor.
“Next, place the crystal three inches to the east of the incense, and gather the herbs. Crush them over the Sigil. When you’re done, be sure to stand the hell back.”
“Master, what will happen once I complete this task?”
“I will be able to channel enough power to summon a demon of dark magic. Now, on with it!” he growled. His patience waned. He was so close to freedom, the taste on his tongue was bittersweet. Moments later, the scene was complete and Mark stepped to the far wall. Lucifer closed his eyes and forced everything he could muster to the incense wafting through the tiny room. His power mingled with the smoke as it swirled back to the floor. He murmured words of Latin and the smoke turned into a small vortex, which spun in the center of his Sigil.
The lights in the room were snuffed out, and a fire burst to life in the symbol on the floor. The crystal began to spin and a cloud of red smoke billowed upward. Seconds later, two fierce eyes glared with malice at Mark Copper. The demon, whose body was a terrifying mass of muscle and sinew covered in thick black skin, shuffled its hoofed feet. Lucifer laughed. He had summoned his Lexarli demon.
“Seskel,” Lucifer said and the beast looked his way, blood coating his thick fangs, an indication he had recently fed.
“Wh-what the hell is that?” Mark asked, his body pinned tight to the wall.
“That is a Lexarli demon. The most vile creature and very adept at black magic. He resides in the depths of Lulerain, only to come out when summoned.”
“Lulerain?”
“Ahh, my dear vampire. Lulerain is a place not even I wish to visit. Seskel will embed his darkest magic into the crystal. You will then find a way to plant it on Rhea, thus rendering her powerless. Then... Then my dear friend, you will bring her to me.”
Tegan leaned in and kissed his mother on the cheek. “Thanks for talking to me.”
“I’m just sorry I didn’t have better news. This is a choice you have to make on your own.” She touched his arm, offering the comfort of a mother. “I think you know the answer though.”
He nodded. “I know. Yes, it would have been easier had you told me I was definitely Rhea’s mate. I knew deep down there was the possibility I wasn’t.”
“You’ve simply forgotten how to trust your instinct when it comes to women,” Sherease replied.
He gave a rough laugh. “You are right about that. I find it difficult to trust anything. What if I give her my heart and lose her?” He shook his head. “The world will not survive my pain again.”
Sherease offered a warm smile as she touched his face. “My son. I know life has not been kind to you, and my heart hopes this time it will be different.”
“I know what I need to do now.” He slashed open a portal and entered high above the New York skyline, which was beginning to come to life. Cloaked, he winged his way back to their penthouse and made his way inside. Everything was quiet, and he sensed Rhea upstairs in the bed. He debated whether to wake her or not and decided he would. Heading up the stairs, he entered the room they shared and stood for a moment just inside the doorway. Rhea faced him, her eyes closed. Her hair fanned out over the pillow, and he wanted to feel its silkiness against his skin. He closed his eyes and opened all his senses, dropped the barriers he had built up over the decades, and simply allowed himself to feel. Warmth rushed over his skin and his soul stirred. Restless for the female in the bed. Anxious to claim his mate. It was in that moment of contemplation, when he finally allowed himself to become vulnerable, that he knew with certainty Rhea belonged to him.
He would trust again. He would allow Rhea to keep his heart.
Pulling off his shirt, followed by his jeans then boxers, he crawled into bed. Rhea’s eyes popped open.
“You’re back,” she whispered. Her brow arched. “And naked.” A wicked grin curved her lips before she reached out and traced warm fingers down his chest. Before she could go further, he captured her wrist and brought her fingers to his mouth, kissing them.
“Thank you for giving me some time.”
“I know it was a bit of a shock.”
“I now realize we belong together. We are destined. I feel it in my soul that you are my mate.”
Her mouth curved before she leaned in and captured his mouth. Their tongues clashed as he rolled her to her back, thankful she was already naked. His soul was impatient to be close to her, become a part of her. He spread her thighs and entered her in a swift thrust.
“Oh, Tegan,” she murmured between kisses while he took her, slow and sensual.
He moved to her neck and suckled her skin, eliciting a gasp before he made his way to her breast. With teasing swirls, he pulled the nipple into his mouth.
Her back arched and she wrapped her legs around his waist, thrusting her hips.
This woman was going to undo him.
He braced one arm, while running his other hand across her soft flesh until he reached her sex. When he brushed his thumb over her nub, her body shuddered.
“Yes,” she whispered.
Their power unleashed and swirled about the room, but he kept it confined so it would remain undetected. Both of them were on the edge and he was determined to hold out until his mate was ready. They would fall into bliss together. Moments later, they dived. Her sheath tightened around him as she came undone, taking him with her. He claimed her moans with his mouth as his shaft swelled then released. Spilling, giving everything he had to the female he realized had stolen his heart.
Moments later, they both lay breathless in a tangled mess of limbs.
“Incredible,” Rhea said.
Tegan looked over at her. Stared into her blue depths. Blinked.
“What’s wrong?”
He squeezed his eyes shut then opened them again. He didn’t want to believe what slid across his soul, but there was no mistaking it. He jumped from the bed, his heart racing and hi
“Tegan?”
“What the fuck? Did you really think this would work?” He didn’t even recognize his own voice anymore, it was filled with so much pain.
“I don’t understand. Tegan, tell me what’s wrong.” Rhea crawled from the bed, her naked curves still a temptation.
“How could you do this to me? I trusted you.” He shook his head as he took a step back. He would not allow her to touch him. “I never would have expected this from you.” He watched in horror as her mouth fell open. He had hoped to be wrong, but her expression confirmed she was a traitor.
“I was going to tell you.”
Confirmation from her own mouth. But why? “Tell me what? Another of your lies? I will not do this.” He ripped open a portal, not giving a shit who felt his power. He needed to flee before he throttled the woman standing in front of him. How could they do this to him? How could she pretend to hold Ana’s aura? Her very soul? He didn’t know what magic Rhea was using, but there was no way in hell he was sticking around to find out.
He stepped through his portal, not even looking back.
Rhea trembled as she watched her mate vanish. “No. No, no, no!” She spun and located her robe, donning it as she ran from the room. “Tegan?” she yelled, descending the stairs but already knew he wasn’t here. When she reached the living room, she ran to the window, hoping to see him outside but he wasn’t there either.
He was gone. “Oh no. Somehow he must have sensed I’m with child and thought I meant to deceive him.” She had taken every precaution to keep it hidden until the time was right to tell him. She hugged herself. Could he have somehow found out about her mission too? She racked her brain, trying desperately to remember if she had been thinking about it when they were making love.
Damn, she couldn’t remember, but it made sense. His reaction would not have been so violent if he had sensed the babe. Yes, he might be angry that she had yet to tell him but he would not have stormed off. How did he find out about her mission to seduce him? Rhea needed to track him and explain, and she needed to do it before his trail grew cold. She turned from the window and started for the stairs when the buzzer rang. Immediately she was pushing the button, her hopes high.
“Yes?”
“Morning, Rhea. I’m here to see your husband,” Mark Copper spoke through the speaker.
She did not need this right now. “I’m sorry, Mark, but Tegan isn’t here at the moment.”
“Oh, well I have something he wanted. Can I drop it off?”
What the hell was this vampire up to now? She didn’t have time to mess with him, but the mission was still important. “Fine,” she sighed, allowing him access. A second later she unbolted the door, allowing him entry. Mark stepped in, his gaze landing on her robed figure and filled with hunger.
“I don’t mean to seem rude, but I’m in a hurry this morning. What do you need to drop off?”
He stepped forward and held out a small black pouch by the strings. “He asked for this. Is he coming back soon?”
“Not likely.” She held out her hand, and he dropped the silk pouch into her palm. The room spun and her knees began to buckle. She was going down.
Rhea hit the hardwood floor as the room faded in and out. She fought to remain awake as she watched Mark procure a pair of handcuffs from his pocket. He pulled her arms together and locked them around her wrists. He then took the pouch she still clutched and opened it to reveal a black crystal attached to a chain, which he placed around her neck. Immediately, she sensed the work of a powerful demon.
She managed to pull her head from a thick fog. “What did you do to me? You can’t think to get me out of here in the daylight.” Her voice was thick.
Mark pulled a phone from his pocket and dialed. “I have her. Is it clear?” He gave a curt nod then shoved the phone back into his pocket.
“Don’t you worry your pretty little head.” He picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder like a sack. One hand under her robe on her naked ass. She wanted to retch. Somehow, she had to get out of this mess.
They were in the elevator and when she thought it would stop at the main floor, it continued into the basement, which led to the parking garage. When the doors opened, a limo waited and she was shoved inside. Mark slid in beside her, speaking to the driver before he shut the door.
“You won’t get away with this.”
“I think I already did.” He pulled her into his lap as the car drove away. “I’ve been dying to taste you. Don’t mind if I do before I take you to Lucifer.” He brushed her hair away from her neck. “I don’t know what he has planned for you, but I’m hoping he will let me have you when he’s done.” Then before she could comprehend, he struck. His fangs penetrating deep into her neck. Pain radiated upward and pounded at her temples.
Father? Tegan? Can anyone hear me?
Everything faded to black.
Chapter Thirteen
A storm brewed, ready to unleash its fury, and it was inside of Tegan. It was all he could do to keep it tethered and not bring his wrath down on the mortal realm. There was only one place he could go, so he headed straight to Hell. When the portal ripped open, he stepped into the brutal territory of Owar. Raze was now the lord of this region, but it was still a hot bed of violence.
Exactly what he needed.
He spread his golden wings and let his angelic power flow. It was like a beacon, burning bright among Hell’s occupants. It didn’t take long before he had three demons circling him.
“Angel. Such pretty wings you have,” one murmured.
“Yeah, pretty. I bet they’d fetch a nice coin at the market,” another replied.
Tegan produced a ten-inch blade and twisted his wrist, flashing the steel in the light. His gaze narrowed on the demon standing in the center. “Come take them,” he snarled. He was ready to get down and dirty.
The one to his right lunged first, apparently hoping to be the distraction so the other two could jump him. He pretended to be fully occupied as he and demon number one clashed blades. Demon number three came at him from the side; Tegan spotted him out of the corner of his eye. By the time the bastard reached him, Tegan had summoned a second blade and slashed out, making a wide gash on the demon’s chest, spraying blood everywhere. The acidic heat stung his skin, and he welcomed the pain. It was better than what he felt inside.
Demon number two swung, his fist connecting with Tegan’s jaw. The pain only fueled his foul mood. He threw one of his blades, lodging it between the fucker’s eyes.
Damn, that felt good.
The remaining two demons came at him. He decided to exchange his blade for an elemental sword. Something only ancient angels had and his was extra special. A simple straight blade, its plain looks were deceiving. However, he could call any element to his sword and right now Hell fire was what he summoned. The steel glowed red hot, and sparks flew when he swung. The demons attacking stopped, their black eyes wide with fear, but it was too late. He lunged and with the grace of any lethal hunter he struck them down, their heads rolling away in a violent eruption of flames.
Ripping from Hell’s thick air, more demons appeared. First it was five, but Tegan slashed through them with ease. Ten more appeared. Apparently they weren’t very smart. His blade dripped with demon blood mingled with Hell’s flames. His thoughts scattered, what he’d felt earlier… Ana had been there with him. Beside him, except she was dead, and Rhea had been the one lying next to him. He had nearly gone insane. Fuck, who was he kidding. He was insane and as he slashed through every demon that dared come at him, his soul grew darker. The flames on his blade burned hotter.
How could she have claimed to be his mate then hurt him so deeply?
“Come to me, you rotten fuckers!” he bellowed. “Ahhh.” Sweat rolled off him as he slashed and littered the ground with bodies. He folded in his wings to avoid being clipped, his mind now a haze and his vision red.
“Tegan!”
A voice shouted, but he shook it off and kept slaying until no one came at him.
“Tegan! Son of a bitch, what is wrong with you?”
Tegan scanned the area. Dozens of decapitated bodies spilled blood around him, yet he still held the urge to kill. Problem was, he didn’t know where to aim his anger. Not yet anyway, but he soon would. Someone was fucking with him. Was it possible Rhea was a victim? No. She had admitted her plans to tell him. He scrubbed his face. What would she have told him?
“Tegan, you okay dude?” Raze stepped into view. “I sensed a powerhouse in my area and figured there was a demon skirmish. Imagine my surprise when I discovered you.”
He blinked. “Shit. Ashley can’t find out about this.”
Raze nodded. “Then help me clean up your mess. It will be faster.”
“Yeah.” Tegan and Raze set to work. The bodies would eventually be claimed by whatever evil beings lurked beneath the ground’s surface, so they simply sped up the process. Tegan shoved his blade into the dirt, which summoned the claw-tipped fingers upward, claiming the mess he had left. In less than an hour, the place held no evidence of his recent destruction.
Raze wiped his palms along his jeans. “So, not that I have any love for most of these fuckers, but why did you come into my territory and spill blood.”
Tegan ran his fingers through his hair. Even though he was a leader of the hunters and Raze a warrior, they had crossed paths many times. Still, he didn’t want to spill his secrets to the now fallen angel. “I apologize. Some shit went down that I can’t talk about just yet.”
The other angel cocked his head. “I get it. You needed a place to vent.” His blue eyes sparked with mischief. “I know a good demon bar. Care to join me?”
Why the hell not. “Sounds like exactly what I need.”
Raze summoned his wings. “Come on then, it’s only a ten minute flight, and the succubus like to hang out there. That is, if you care to take out your aggressions by getting your brains fucked out.”
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