Hellbound Warrior: (Dark Warrior Alliance Book Five)

by Brenda Trim

  She lifted her head and glared through blurred eyes. “He isn’t a demon. He’s a cambion and he’s mine! Save him,” she begged. Raphael had come to a halt and was standing above them.

  Raphael was as powerful as she remembered, and, agitated at the moment, if she wasn’t mistaken. Although, he appeared calm and serene on the outside. His black hair was cut short and stood out against his massive white wings arching behind his back. But, it was his green eyes that captivated her.

  “You don’t know what you are asking, Illianna,” the archangel warned.

  “So, it’s possible to save him,” she ejected, hope flickering to life. “I know he’s an honorable man who deserves to be saved. Without him, I wouldn’t be here right now. None of you saved me, he did!” she spat, glancing around frantically, searching for Dante and Kellen.

  “Where are they? What did you do to Dante and Kellen? Don’t kill them,” she implored.

  “What have they done to you? Why are you protecting demons?” her brother Araton blurted, confusion clear as he studied her.

  “They saved me, no thanks to you,” she growled, angry that they were being prejudiced, unable to see these men for who they really were. Their attitude shouldn’t be a surprise, she thought. She had been the exact same way when she met Rhys and his friends.

  Raphael flared his wings, placing his hands on his hips. “We didn’t know where to find you, Illianna. We searched and have continued to search for a hundred years, none harder than your brothers. We had no idea you were in Hell until Rath told us. I wasn’t able to reach you until your cambion gave the ultimate sacrifice to save your life,” Raphael explained.

  “He saved me more times than I can count, and how did I repay him? I denied his claim on me. I should have told him he was a good and worthy man, that I wanted him, too. Please save him,” she begged Raphael.

  “You know the rules. I cannot save him without sacrifice,” Raphael replied grimly. From the very beginning, somehow she had known she would be asked to forfeit her life in exchange for Rhys’.

  Was she prepared to give up her life in exchange for his? Her answer was immediate and implacable. Yes, she would give up anything to save Rhys. He fought for the Goddess, protecting the innocent and fighting for the side of good, just like her brothers. The world needed Rhys in it and she needed to know Rhys was alive and well.

  Looking back to Raphael, resolve set, she nodded her head. “I understand and am prepared to be sacrificed to save him. He is needed by so many.”

  Her brothers jumped to their feet, cursing and objecting. Raphael waved a hand, silencing them.

  “It is not your life that is required, Illianna, but your wings. You need to give up your angel status,” the Archangel informed her. “You will be cast to earth to live a mortal life. You can choose to mate with this cambion and share his lifespan, but you will lose all your angelic abilities and privileges.”

  She glanced back at Rhys. He had become her world in a matter of days. She couldn’t imagine a life without him. That had become evident when she dove off a cliff in the Underworld to save him.

  “I choose him,” she replied, cupping Rhys’ cheek and placing a gentle kiss to his lifeless lips.

  “It is done. For what it’s worth, Illianna, I am truly sorry we weren’t able to find you sooner,” Raphael murmured, ignoring her brother’s objections.

  “It’s alright, Raphael. You can’t know everything, and besides, you weren’t meant to find me. Rhys was,” she replied, feeling the truth of that detail sink in.

  “I will miss you, little one,” Raphael murmured before he laid his hand on her head. For the second time in a matter of minutes, she was caught up in a windstorm of epic proportions.

  When the gusts settled, she found herself in a strange room. The wood floors gleamed and the bed beneath her was firm and covered by silk sheets. There were strange fixtures on the ceiling that emitted a soft light. Some of the room’s furnishings were familiar, while others, like the black rectangle hanging on the wall, were not. Instinct told her they were on earth. Trusting that they were safe, she laid down next to Rhys.

  Inhaling, she tried to access her angelic powers and nearly crumpled when she didn’t find it. Joy, happiness and the power they provided had always been at her core. It was those powers that had kept her going during her imprisonment, yet now it was a gaping void. The sacrifice was worth the loss because the demon next to her was her other half, and, without him, no life, even an angelic one, would have been worth living.

  Glancing down, she saw him smiling up at her, his wounds gone, not even a scratch marred his neck. “Oh my God, you’re alive,” she squealed, crawling across and pulling him to her chest. She wrapped her arms around him, squeezing so tight, she was sure she’d leave bruises.

  “Much to my surprise, I seem to be alive and well. And, back in my rooms at Zeum. How did that happen?” he asked, kissing her cheek in a path across her jaw and down her neck.

  It was then she realized she hadn’t hugged her brothers or said goodbye. She tried to reach out to them, but felt nothing. She tried again, but the telepathic channel they used was not just blocked like it had been when she was in Hell, but gone altogether. It was the price paid for saving Rhys. She was no longer an angel. She missed her brothers and mother and wished she could see them one last time, but didn’t regret saving her mate.

  “Raphael saved you,” she replied and then explained everything that had happened, leaving out the part where she gave up her status as an angel.

  His large hands slipped under her top and ran up her wingless back. “I can’t believe an Archangel would save a demon like me…wait. What happened to your wings?”

  “They’re gone,” she told him, not wanting to talk about it. She was certain he would be mad, and, right now, she needed him more than ever. She was vulnerable in a way she never had been.

  “What does that mean? What did you do?” he asked, forcing her to look at him.

  “I’m no longer an angel. That was the price for saving you,” she revealed, watching anger, fear and confusion cross his face.

  “You did that for me?” he asked, incredulous. “Why? No one has ever sacrificed so much, not even my own mother. I love you, Illianna, and I will make sure you never regret giving up Heaven for me,” he murmured, claiming her lips in a searing kiss.

  Her mouth welcomed him, marveling at his soft, sweet lips. His eager tongue stroked against hers, inviting her to a sensual encounter…one she accepted wholeheartedly.

  By the time he broke the kiss and began nuzzling her ear, she was panting and ready for more. “I know how you can thank me,” she husked. Rhys was the only person with whom she could explore her dark side. With him, she could let go and fulfill her deepest, darkest desires. He satisfied every sexual fantasy and sparked others she wasn’t aware of.

  “Over and over again,” he promised, laying her on the soft sheets. He sat back on his knees and tugged his blood-soaked shirt over his head, tossing it aside and hers quickly followed.

  She didn’t think he could get any sexier, but the lights in the room worshipped his muscled body. He was spectacular, the quintessential representation of power and strength and her mouth watered, craving more.

  It didn’t matter that his skin was covered in dried blood. She needed him now in the worst way. Reaching up to rid him of the remaining clothing, he batted her hands away.

  “Not yet, Luscious,” he murmured. It never failed every time he called her Luscious, she was instantly wet. “I am getting you naked first and paying homage to your perfection. If my pants come off that won’t happen.”

  She smiled up at him, blossoming with her newfound freedom to let go and enjoy the wicked things he wanted to do to her. Shedding her reservations was invigorating and she swore she purred as his hands expertly removed her shoes, pants and panties before sitting back and looking his fill. Wanting to incite him, she trailed her hand everywhere his eyes roamed.

  “Is this what you
want, Angel?” he asked, replacing her hands with his own.

  He dropped his huge body over her and took her mouth again, his tongue darting in ways that mimicked what she craved him to do to her sex. His hands roamed over her breasts, caressing and pinching her taut nipples. Unable to help her reaction, she arched into his touch, enjoying the way he chuckled into her mouth.

  Lifting his head, he smiled wickedly as his hands held hers to the mattress above her head. Her body flushed with heat as he spread her legs with his thighs and slid into the space he’d created. The feel of his leathers against her flushed skin was erotic and maddening.

  She wanted flesh-to-flesh contact, but apparently he was in no rush to give her what she ached for so she wrapped her legs around his waist, squeezing him tightly, providing friction where she needed it most. His large palm ran down her leg as his lips enclosed one of her nipples and sucked hard.

  A tangled moan tore from her throat, and, without conscious instruction, she thrust more of her breast at him. He devoured her flesh while he gently rocked his lower body against hers.

  “Take me now,” she begged.

  He lifted his body and she opened her mouth to protest until his hand slid between them and traveled to the juncture of her thighs. Finally, the place aching to be touched. He stroked a finger through her wet folds and circled her clit, eliciting a moan. Her pelvis lifted, rubbing against his finger.

  “I need more,” she pleaded. She may expire from unmet need if he didn’t give her what she wanted soon.

  Inserting one thick digit inside, her mind splintered as pleasure swamped her. Looking down, she watched as he kissed a path down her stomach. Glowing rainbows met her heated gaze. He had to be, hands down, the most gorgeous man to ever live.

  The connection they shared was stronger than ever, nearly bringing tears to her eyes. She felt how much he cherished her. His mouth latched onto her clit and licked and sucked as his finger thrust in and out.

  “You taste like heaven. Wings, or not, you’ll always be my Angel,” he vowed.

  She made some incoherent sounds in response as he teased and tormented her, bringing her to the edge of orgasm. He didn’t relent as she pressed her core towards his face. He obliged by cupping her ass and bringing her even closer. He added a second finger and sucked her clit, making her detonate into a million pieces. The most shattering orgasm she’d ever experienced.

  “Goddess, you’re so tight,” he murmured as she came down from her climax. “I’m going to embarrass myself and cum in mere seconds when I finally get inside you.”

  “Stop torturing and take me, Demon,” she demanded, already aching for more.

  “My greedy little angel,” he said with a wicked smile as he finally, rid his body of his leathers.

  “Who wouldn’t be greedy with everything you have to offer,” she purred as she grabbed onto his big, thick cock. It kicked in her hand and he dropped his head back, groaning under her ministrations.

  Those vibrant eyes snapped back to her face and she saw the intensity of his need for her. Any sane woman would have been frightened by the look in his eyes, but she preened and lay back, spreading her legs, offering herself up without hesitation.

  He positioned himself at her center, rubbing his long shaft through her wet folds. Maintaining eye contact, he pulled back and thrust inside in one hard move. She was more than wet and ready for him, but her breath still left her in a rush with his large size.

  She closed her eyes against the pain and pleasure of his possession. He was by far the biggest man she had ever been with and he filled her completely. He touched nerve endings she didn’t know she had.

  Her eyes snapped open when he murmured, “You’re mine, Luscious. There is no going back now.”

  “Yes. I’m yours,” she whispered, accepting his mate claim.

  He thrust deep and hard and with each descent, his pelvic bone hit her sensitive clit, making her shudder. He was all around her, inside her, everywhere. She panted and her heart beat erratically as he pounded in and out of her body.

  Rhys unleashed a wildness she hadn’t seen from him as he licked and sucked her breasts while he fucked her in a way she had never experienced. No one had taken her this hard or made her body sing like Rhys. She was weightless, floating on a cloud in Heaven again. Of course, he would be the one to take her home.

  He twined their fingers, resting his weight on his elbows as he worked her body like his life depended on it. His arms caged her and made her feel safe and protected despite the powerful thrusts he delivered. He wanted to pleasure her and she wanted to experience all of it. That was one constant she knew she could count on for the rest of her life.

  He released one of her hands and cupped her cheek, capturing her gaze as his body slammed into hers. Her core clenched and every muscle tensed, telling her she was close.

  “I love you, Rhys,” she declared, freeing her other hand so she could grab his ass and pull him deeper. Her body moved and her breasts bounced with every movement, brushing his chest. The sensation was electric and took her even closer to the edge.

  She had no idea how he did it, but his cock grew inside her, becoming thicker and harder and his eyes blazed on fire. The moment was perfect and she didn’t want it to end. She wanted to stay like this with him forever.

  “This is just the beginning, Angel,” Rhys murmured as if he’d read her mind.

  She nodded, this was the beginning and they were going to have many more nights like this. With that certainty, she gave herself over to her orgasm. Her muscles contracted and squeezed his shaft, milking everything he offered. He barked out a sharp curse and his face went as taut as his body. His movements stilled and she felt his seed leave his body in a hot rush.

  She felt the moment Rhys fed off of their sexual energy, taking it to provide what he needed to survive. It was shocking how much she sensed from now that she focused beyond the surface. His inner beast had been clawing beneath the surface and was now purring in contentment. Expecting to feel completely drained from how much he took, she was surprised when all she felt was mildly uncomfortable in various places due to his vigorous loving. And, surprisingly, she never felt stronger.

  He laid his forehead on hers, both panting for breath, their bodies slicked with sweat. Belatedly, she realized they hadn’t showered his blood from their skin and it was now mixed with their sweat, but she was too content to be bothered by it.

  Reluctantly releasing her grip on his ass, she wrapped her arms around his neck and breathed in their combined scent. Lifting her chin, she placed a kiss to his lips. This kiss wasn’t feverish and rushed, but slow and sensual. The connection she shared with him grew by the minute, grounding her in her new life.

  Several minutes later, he lifted his head and gazed down at her. His smile was all mischief and mayhem of the best possible combination.

  “I can’t wait to tell the others that I have been blessed with an actual angel for a Fated Mate. Let’s go hunt them down and see if Dante and Kellen arrived. I just wish we had come back with the amulet. At least Lucifer doesn’t have it anymore,” Rhys jabbered, clearly excited to be home.

  Her smile fell and a sigh escaped before she could stop it. “I’m not an angel anymore. Sorry to disappoint you,” she pointed out.

  With his thumb and forefinger under her chin, he forced her to meet his eyes. “You think having wings is what made you an angel? I’ve never met anyone with a purer heart. You don’t need wings to bring joy and happiness to others. Look at how you saved those souls in the Underworld, and, not to mention, how you saved me.”

  Tears brimmed and spilled out of the corners. “You really think your friends will like me?”

  “They’re going to love you, Illianna, but not half as much as I do,” he crowed with pride.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  Driving towards the eastside, Santiago’s obsession with a black-haired beauty continued. The female’s suspicious green gaze haunted him. Every time he closed his eyes, her r
ockin’ bod and generous rack played on the backs of his lids. Skin-tight jeans paid homage to her perfect ass and long legs…damn, he wanted those legs wrapped around his waist as he pounded into her welcoming body. And Goddess, could she wear a bigger shirt? The fabric had left little to the imagination, not that he was complaining, but he’d had a hard time concentrating on his job when all he could do was stare at her large breasts.

  Yeah, Tori Castillo had become his own personal demon for more reasons than just her good looks.

  The female was the sister to the male he had caught selling Angel’s Kiss. That slime, Miguel, had gotten what was coming to him for fouling the streets with that poison. He could still see the bastard moaning and convulsing in the alley where he’d sold the drug to an addicted shifter. The entire realm might be outraged at Miguel’s condition, but Santiago wasn’t sorry for what he’d done.

  Miguel deserved a taste of his own medicine. He would be addicted to the drug when he woke and his entire life would now revolve around procuring Angel’s Kiss. It was fitting, Santiago thought, given that he had encouraged and enabled countless supernaturals to ruin their lives. Miguel was a blight to society and the reason the realm’s lower class was growing by leaps and bounds.

  Every society needed all castes to function properly. Even the higher class, known as the upper-crust in his realm, served its purpose, although the wealthy were pretty useless in Santiago’s opinion, with their endless black-tie affairs and bogus fundraisers. It was the middle and lower classes that kept their community running smoothly. Without them doing their jobs, no one else would be able to do theirs.

  The Dark Warriors were at the top of the ladder in terms of wealth, but they were nothing like the upper-crust. They weren’t afraid of getting dirty. Hell, their jobs required it. Santiago couldn’t recall the last time he’d come home from a night of patrolling that he wasn’t covered in black blood and ash. There were times he couldn’t get it off his skin it was so thick.