The Darkest Torment

by Gena Showalter

  Welcome to the Realm of the Forgotten.

  To enter, you needed a key. Only Baden and Galen had one.

  The longer he stayed here, the more likely his memory was to fade from the minds of everyone he’d ever met. A calculated risk. He didn’t want Hades to forget him. More missions meant more points.

  In return for the key, Baden had to arrange a date between Galen and Legion. Or Honey. Or whatever the demon-girl-turned-human called herself these days.

  Aeron loved her like a daughter. After the terrible abuse she’d suffered in hell, the male had done everything in his power to heal her mind as well as her body. While he’d had no trouble with the latter, he’d had no luck with the former. She suffered still. Maybe Galen was the answer. He and the girl had history.

  Muted voices drew Baden around a corner and into a spacious kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances and white quartz countertops. His woman—his sweetest torment—came into view, and his body hardened, readied for her.

  Had my fingers inside her. Want them there again.

  She’d taken a shower and changed her clothes. A pink tank top and faded jeans made her look feminine and delicate—but he wanted her naked.

  She placed bowls of food and water in front of the dogs while talking to—

  The name clicked, and he realized why he’d once forgotten it. Fox, the new keeper of Distrust. She’d been here all along.

  Stay away from Fox.

  Words William had once said to him. Why?

  Galen’s right-hand woman—back when he’d led the Hunters—had black hair, blue-gold eyes and angular features. She was slender but obviously tough. The kind of woman Baden had always found most attractive, and yet she couldn’t compare to the delicate Katarina.

  “—he like?” Fox asked. With Distrust as her companion, she must be in a state of mental anguish at all hours of the day and night.

  “Stubborn,” Katarina said. “Aggravating. Distrustful—”

  “That, I can understand.”

  He—as in me?

  Baden pressed his tongue to the roof of his mouth.

  But Katarina wasn’t done. “Infuriating. Annoying.” A heavy sigh. “Witty, sexy and protective. Too protective!”

  She thinks I’m sexy.

  Galen sat at the table in the corner, sharpening a blade. Their gazes met, and the male shrugged, all Women!

  “You failed to mention someone else lived here,” Baden remarked.

  The girls jolted, facing him in unison. Katarina’s jaw dropped.

  “You’re covered in char,” she said.

  “I am.” He looked away from her, his gaze colliding with Fox, a sense of effervescence between them.

  Longing? For her? No. Never. Had to be for Distrust. But Baden wanted nothing to do with the fiend. He wouldn’t miss a cancer that had been cut from his body, or any other disease he’d shed.

  Except, at times, the demon had been his only source of companionship. Even with the other warriors around him, he’d often felt isolated.

  But feelings weren’t always accurate, were they?

  Smoke began to waft from Fox’s dark hair, the strands becoming flames. The demon was enraged? Because of him?

  “Whoa,” Katarina said to her. “What’s happening to you?”

  Fox rubbed her temples, the flames dying. “Sorry. Still learning control.”

  Galen smiled at Baden. “Would you believe I forgot about my dear Foxy Roxy?”

  No, but he wasn’t going to bust a nut about it. “I need weapons. The best you have.”

  Katarina glared at him. “Are you ignoring me?”

  “No.” A short but accurate response.

  She pursed her beautiful lips.

  Fox waved at him. “Nice to meet you. I guess.”

  His gaze returned to her, Destruction pawing at his mind.

  She’ll turn on us the way you almost turned against your friends. Kill her now.

  Cold-blooded murder will never be okay. Katarina’s voice echoed inside his head.

  Galen stood, saying, “You want weapons, I have weapons. This way.”

  Baden followed him down a long hallway.

  Katarina raced to keep pace beside him. “Why do you look like you caught fire? And why do you need weapons?”

  “I’m at war. And I’ve been given another task.”

  “Is the new task super dangerous?”

  “Of course. Why? Are you going to insist on accompanying me?” He opened his mouth to remind her of her weakness and his strength, how she needed him but he would never need anyone, only to recall her threat to leave him.

  Perhaps I need...her?

  “Uh—no,” she said, disappointing him. “You have a job, and I have a job. The care and feeding of my new pets.”

  “Don’t you care whether I live or die? Shouldn’t you want to watch my back?”

  With a snort, she patted his arm. The skin-to-skin contact was paired with a lance of pain. He sucked in a breath, and she jerked her hand away. And yet, without her touch, he only felt a keen sense of disappointment.

  Galen stopped inside a bedroom he’d turned into a warrior’s wet dream. Shelves lined the walls, and guns of every caliber, swords, daggers, grenade launchers, flamethrowers, and so much more filled the shelves.

  “You’ll want to change.” With the press of a button, a closet opened, revealing an array of garments. Galen selected a black T-shirt and tossed it at Baden. “There are slits in the back for wings. You can use them to hide a pair of swords.”

  Baden made the exchange. “I’ll also need a phone.”

  Galen dug one out of his pocket and tossed it, too. As he stomped from the room, he muttered, “The former leader of the Hunters is now reduced to babysitting. FYI, this wasn’t part of my life plan.”

  Baden texted Torin: reached new place am fine you guys still good.

  No typos. A first for him.

  Before he pressed Send, Katarina read the screen and said, “Don’t forget to add LMDO.”

  He searched his mental files, but couldn’t place the acronym. “Why?”

  “LMDO. Laughing my dentures out. You know, because you’re so old.”

  He glared at her and pressed Send so hard the phone cracked. “Do you need another reminder that my age doesn’t matter?” He stuffed the device in his pocket. When can I fill her with my fingers again?

  Next time, he wasn’t going to wear gloves. He could tolerate the pain in order to receive the pleasure. And there would be pleasure. The heat and wet of her...the tightness, her inner walls clinging to him...

  She pretended not to hear him. “Or maybe you should have used BFF so BTW. Best friend fell so bring the wheelchair.”

  Destruction...laughed? The sound, whatever it was, should be labeled cats being murdered.

  “You’re more angry with me now than before, when I accused you of betrayal—for which I’m deeply sorry,” Baden remarked. “Why?”

  A blush stained her cheeks, intriguing—and delighting—him. How low did it go? “I’m always angry with you. You’ve insulted me numerous times, and now I discover you’re holding another woman hostage.”

  “She’s not my hostage, and I was wrong to insult you. I will beg your forgiveness later tonight. On my knees. While you sit before me.”

  She shivered, then she gaped at him. “Wait. Let’s backtrack. Did you, a male, just admit to wrongdoing?”

  “Surely not,” he quipped. “Such an unprecedented event would be marked by a chorus of singing angels.”

  She grinned at him, but her amusement faded fast. “I saw the way you looked at her.”

  The darkness of her tone...was she jealous?

  If possible, he would have grabbed Destruction’s arm and held it in
the air. They were champions who’d just won a mighty battle.

  “How did I look at her?” He sifted through the weapons, selecting two daggers, a semiautomatic and three extra clips.

  “Like you’re looking at those weapons,” she said, a little shrill. “As if they’re the answer to all your problems.”

  “She carries a part of my past. But I’ll only be handling the weapons, not Fox. My desire isn’t for her.”

  The pulse at the base of Katarina’s neck fluttered. “Who is your desire for, then?”

  He closed the distance between them, his gaze hot on her. Rather than answering her question, however, he said, “Don’t pick a fight with her while I’m gone.”

  Anger crackled from her. “Do this. Don’t do that. Bastard! I will do what I—”

  “If she were to hurt you, I’d have to kill her, and then the demon would roam free or perhaps even try to inhabit me again.”

  “Oh. Well. When you have such a valid reason...” Katarina melted against him and reached up to toy with the ends of his hair. “Besides, I’m too sweet to pick a fight with anyone.”

  “You definitely taste sweet.”

  A slow smile. “Am I a triple-X-rated porno in your mouth?”

  “No, you’re better.” Far better. Finally, he told her what she wanted to know. “You are the one I desire.”

  Beaming at him, she said, “Why don’t you remind me about my affection for your mouth, hmm?”

  Denying her wasn’t a possibility. He dove down for a swift kiss, meaning to roll his tongue against hers once...maybe twice...but found himself backing her against the wall and feasting. He clasped her ass and hefted her off her feet, forcing her to wrap her legs around his waist. He ground his erection at the apex of her thighs, drawing a ragged gasp of need from her.

  “I’m remembering a lot of other things, too.” She purred as she arched to meet him thrust for wanton thrust. “Like the way your body makes mine feel. Hot and achy...needy.”

  If he didn’t leave now, he wouldn’t leave at all. Get the necklace, gain a point, finally have Katarina.

  He wrenched away, leaving them both panting.

  “Be naked when I return.” His tone—as hard as his shaft—offered no room for argument.

  Shivers rocked her, but she maintained a bored expression as she said, “Ask nicely.”

  For this, he would beg. “Be naked...please.”

  “And deny you the privilege of undressing me? No! I’ll be fully clothed and you’ll thank me for it.”

  Must have her now.

  Yes—no! Must leave. Task first, woman second.

  For the first time, his priorities seemed...off.

  “I won’t be gone for long.” He palmed a dagger and a semiautomatic and flashed directly to the forest nymph...who was at a cocktail party. Water surrounded a clear dome, but the dome itself was dry. Crowds of immortals filled the space, like sardines in a can, each decked out in formal attire, the women in gowns and the men in tuxes.

  Baden was seriously underdressed. And Destruction wasn’t happy, closed in by vampires, shifters, sirens, Harpies, Fae, Goblins, Gorgons, witches, even a Cyclops.

  Calm. Steady.

  A waiter passed with a tray of what looked to be Jell-O shots. Odd, considering the decor and the attire.

  His ears twitched as a familiar “whoo hoo” rang out. Tense, he pushed his way through the masses, hissing anytime someone brushed against him. He passed towering marble columns chiseled to resemble Poseidon and came upon the nymph—who teetered on her feet beside Taliyah. The two were doing shots and sucking limes.

  Behind them stretched a dais where Poseidon watched their antics from a throne made of coral. Baden knew the male spent half of each year in the water and the other half on land, weakened because of some kind of curse—but then, wasn’t every man’s downfall because of a curse? This was a land/legs month.

  His attention remained fixed on the nymph, his features set ablaze with unfulfilled desire.

  “This time,” Taliyah said, her words slurred, “we’ll do the shots while I’m you and you’re me. Quick, let’s switch clothes and jewelry.”

  Baden tensed. She was here to steal the necklace, too, wasn’t she?

  As if she was completely aware of her surroundings—and Baden’s presence—she peered over at him and winked.

  “Dude! That’s the best idea ever!” The nymph reached for the clasp at her nape.

  Poseidon jumped up and roared, “Don’t you dare.”

  Many of the guests flinched.

  Taliyah scowled, but quickly schooled her features to reveal only mild disappointment. “Now our shots won’t taste as good.”

  “I know, right!” The nymph gave the sea king a thumbs-down.

  Everyone leaped out of his way as he stormed to her side. He clasped her arm, and two men—guards, by the look of them—closed in. “Take her to her quarters. Remain outside her door. No one enters, no one leaves.”

  “Boo hiss,” she called as she was “helped” away. “The party was just getting interesting.”

  Baden shared a last look with Taliyah—a glare—before sinking deep into the crowd to keep from drawing Poseidon’s notice.

  “Oh, look at you, a juicy slice of man meat.” A redheaded Harpy petted Baden’s arm, making him glower. He jerked away from her, only to bump into another Harpy. This one was black and extraordinarily pretty with amber eyes and pouty red lips. Know her...

  Her identity clicked. She was Neeka the Unwanted. Taliyah’s best friend. Once a captive of the Phoenix.

  Her claws dug into his arm and though she smiled up at him, an aura of spite surrounded her. “The necklace is ours. Leave or bleed. Your choice.”

  Baden grabbed her by the neck and squeezed before he’d even realized he’d moved. Damn it, beast! He released her just as quickly.

  She flipped him off, unperturbed. “Nice knowing you, warrior.”

  Alongside the redhead and Taliyah, she vanished in the crowd. Baden strode down the path the guards had used, cataloging all possible threats rather than flashing. When he reached a separate hallway, he spied one of those guards behind a potted plant, unconscious. The girls worked fast. Noted.

  He came to another fallen guard in front of a locked door, and knew he’d reached his destination. Wasting no more time, he flashed inside the room. A bedroom. The walls were painted sky-blue, with potted plants and flowers hanging in every direction. The three Harpies—Taliyah, Neeka and the redhead—enclosed the nymph in a circle. She fought like a trained assassin, not nearly as drunk as she’d appeared. Not drunk at all, actually. The four women clashed in a tangle of punching arms, cutting claws and kicking legs. They moved so rapidly he had to concentrate to pick up their individual movements.

  A flash of memory. One of his own. Sitting beside Paris, eating popcorn and watching immortal females “cat fight” just for a chance to date the male.

  Grunts and groans quickly brought him back to reality. A spray of blood. A tooth flew through the air like a discarded piece of candy.

  Baden used furniture to blockade the door.

  “Give me the necklace,” Taliyah commanded.

  “You don’t need it, bitch,” the nymph piped up.

  “Neither do you, whore.” Neeka punted her in the stomach. “You’re about to die.”

  “I’ve been assured I’m not dying for another year, at least!” The nymph again. “You have no idea what I’ve had to endure. I’d rather die than give it up.”

  “Well, I’m here to oblige you.” The redhead offered an aloof grin as she slashed with fingers tipped by metal claws. Unable to grow real ones? “It’s to be the next prize at the Harpy Games.”

  The nymph was good, but she couldn’t hold out against three highly skilled Harpies much longer.
Not many could.

  Destruction longed to dance in their blood, but even he recognized the unlikelihood of emerging unscathed.

  He flashed to the center of the circle, an advocate for the nymph, taking the next blows in her place. Claws to the neck. A fist to the kidney. A boot to the stomach.

  Sharp lances of pain were merely kindling for fury. It sparked. It grew and spread. It consumed him. He aimed his semiautomatic, quickly putting a bullet between the redhead’s eyes.

  She’d wake up...in a few days.

  He focused on Taliyah and fired off another shot. Expecting it, she dove out of the way.

  Claws sprouted from the ends of his fingers, and he lost his grip on the weapon. A weapon he didn’t actually need.

  The shadows were rising...

  Neeka yanked Taliyah toward the door as Destruction fed Baden a stream of information. The shadows were the offspring of Corruption. If left unchecked, their darkness would infect a host, directing his—or her—thoughts and actions.

  With a single touch, that darkness—like a virus—would infect these Harpies, too, and begin to direct their thoughts and actions.

  The wreaths, like armor, kept Baden immune.

  The Harpies grabbed the redhead and dragged her out of range. The shadows watched and writhed, eager for combat.

  Taliyah glared at him. “I want that necklace, Red.”

  “Hades will have it within the hour. If you ask nicely, perhaps he’ll gift it to you.”

  “You’re not understanding me. Give it to him, and I’ll make you regret it. A lot.”

  He had many regrets. He didn’t think this would be one of them.

  The shadows hissed, and even moved toward her. She hauled her comrades into the hall and kicked the door shut. The last thing he saw was her scowl.

  The shadows returned to their marks.

  A glass vase crashed into his head. As the pieces tinkled to the floor, he spun to glare at the nymph. Her eyes widened with horror when he remained standing.

  He showed her the semiautomatic then the dagger. “One way or another, I’m leaving with the necklace. Let’s do this the easy way. Hand it over.”