The Darkest Torment

by Gena Showalter

  Baden dressed in his customary black shirt and camo pants before strapping weapons all over his body. He took hold of her wrist, staring at the hand clasping the coin—debating what to do?—before framing her cheeks with his big hands.

  “I want you immortal.” His tone was firm, unbending. That he hadn’t simply tried to take the coin...well, it proved just how much he trusted and admired her.

  “I know,” she said softly.

  But he wasn’t done. “I love you, and I must have you in my life. Without you, I have nothing. Without you, I am nothing.”

  I am his strength, she realized, her eyes growing wide.

  “And I don’t want to put any pressure on you, but without you I will destroy the world and everyone in it.”

  She choked on the combination of a laugh and a sob.

  Once upon a time...

  He is my new story.

  Love changed everything, didn’t it?

  She gave him a gentle kiss, a silent moment of communion. “I love you. Love being with you. But I also love the hounds.”

  As she lifted her head, Roar nudged her leg.

  —You go to Hades, we go to Hades—

  “No.” She shook her head. “I don’t like the thought of you in danger.”

  “Imagine how I feel about the possibility of you in danger,” Baden began.

  Roar prodded him out of the way, letting the warrior know he wasn’t part of the conversation. —Hades knows we follow you. He will want you in his employ and will stop at nothing to get you. Do not agree. Our ancestors bled to free themselves from his rule. We will not make light of their sacrifice and submit to him.—

  “Was he cruel to them before he killed them? Your ancestors, I mean.” How much pain and misery had he dished?

  —He blamed the entire race for the centuries he spent imprisoned.—

  So, yes. Yes, he’d been cruel. Probably more so than she could even imagine.

  “The man Hades is today isn’t the man he was in the past,” Baden said. He couldn’t hear the hound, but he could guess what had been said based on her response. “There’s good in him. I’ve sensed it, even seen it.”

  And had come to love it, she thought. Had come to love the man himself.

  —Your mate is blinded by his bands.—

  Or the hounds were blinded by their hate.

  —We will go with you. Get used to the idea.—

  “All right. But I’ll have to hold on to you when Baden flashes me.”

  Roar gave her a just try it look and shook his head, dead fleas falling from his fur. First order of business when she returned: giving the entire pack a bath.

  Wonder how they’ll react to that.

  —I know you’ve only just met me, girl, but surely even you can sense my power. We will never need the warrior’s help.—

  Great. She’d offended him.

  “We must go.” Baden tugged her to his side. “Whatever happens, remember that I love you, that you are my top priority, and I will allow no one—no one—to hurt you or the hounds.”

  “I love you, too.” She rested her head on his shoulder, trusting him, and by the time she’d wrapped her arm around his waist, he’d already flashed them to Hades.

  A new room took shape—a throne room. The sight of it shocked her and, before she’d met Baden, might have made her vomit. Blood splattered the walls. Screams sounded in the distance. A pile of dead bodies rested in the corner. The pungent scent of what could only be brimstone stung her nostrils. And the throne itself—compiled of human bones—was a monstrosity. Now she merely thought: Hades should fire his decorator.

  The male sat on that throne with a bored expression, as if he hadn’t ordered their attendance. An old man wearing a robe stood at his right, and four warriors were lined up at his left. Those warriors were a lot like Baden: scary-ass sexy.

  Every man on the royal dais stared at her, taking her measure.

  She released Baden to give them all a double-birded salute.

  They were amused.

  Roar and Werga appeared in front of her, and the group stopped laughing.

  Hades canted his head at the hounds. “Told you.”

  The other males stared with awe—and maybe horror.

  “Onward and upward.” Hades spread his arms in welcome. “You are Katarina Joelle and—”

  “She is mine,” Baden announced. “My woman.”

  “I am Hades,” the man continued as if he hadn’t been interrupted. “I’m sure you’ve heard of me. I’m the king of the underworld.”

  “You mean the king of this realm,” one of the men piped up.

  Hades pursed his lips. “Yes. The men at my left are kings within their own domains.”

  Five royals in total, here to witness the coming events. Wonderful. “Well, who among you is the strongest?” she asked. “He’s the one I’d like to speak with.”

  This time Hades was not amused. “You’re a clever girl, aren’t you? Sow dissent and watch us fight for the title of strongest, allowing you to walk away unscathed. One day, we shall fight for the title, but today is not that day.” He stood, his big body encased in an Italian suit. “We’re still waiting for—”

  A flash of light had her turning—and facing Pandora. The woman wore a scarlet gown, the silk clinging to her curves like a second skin. Her black-as-night hair hung pin-straight around her face, hitting just above her shoulders.

  “Excellent.” Hades nodded with satisfaction. “Everyone is here.”

  Katarina noticed one of the kings peered at the warrior woman with white-hot desire.

  How interesting.

  She met Pandora’s glare. The woman who’d attacked her without provocation, who’d fought with Baden and betrayed him, as well as befriended him, and kept him sane during the worst years of his life—and death. They nodded at each other with grudging respect.

  “First order of business,” Hades said. “The game. My players are tied. Whatever am I to do?”

  “Kill them both,” the tallest of the kings called.

  “Give them to me,” another said, his gaze still on Pandora.

  Steps slow and measured, Hades glided from the dais. Have you realized the enormity of the gift I gave you?

  His voice...he’d spoken straight into her head, just like the hounds. And judging by the confusion on Baden and Pandora’s faces, he’d spoken into their heads, as well.

  Not just a piece of me, but a different version of me. Baden, the berserker. Pandora, the hellhound. He smiled a predator’s smile at the warrior woman. Don’t think I haven’t noticed your meal choices lately. But. While I will allow you both to live, you’ll have to fight for the privilege. Here and now. Show me who’s strongest, bravest. Him—or her—I will reward.

  He held out his hands to Katarina. “While Baden and Pandora beat each other into blood and pulp, you and I will chat, get to know each other better.”

  “No.” Baden moved in front of her. “I told you. She’s mine. You won’t speak to her without me by her side.”

  Hades waved his hand and Baden dropped to his knees, where he remained. “You’ll fight Pandora, as commanded.”

  He bared his teeth as tension pulled his skin taut. Was he battling the compulsion to obey? Was Pandora? She bore the same pained look.

  Katarina’s heart shuddered in her chest. She’d thought she’d had options. She didn’t. Not really. She could only trust Baden would keep his word to protect the hounds.

  “I have a better idea,” she announced. “You will release Baden and Pandora from your control. Without hurting or killing them.”

  Hades laughed. So did the men on the dais. Men who were killers. They had to be. They had dead eyes. Eyes that proclaimed: I take what I want, when I want, damn the consequenc
es.

  “Katarina,” Baden grated. “Don’t...”

  “I’ll grant your request,” Hades said to her, ignoring Baden. “If you agree to live here with me—with your hellhounds.”

  A line of hair stood up along the spine of both Roar and Werga.

  “No,” she said. “You’ll agree to my terms because of this.” Smug, she tossed the coin at him.

  He caught it without glancing away from her—and he smiled. “You found it.”

  She gave a single nod. “I did.”

  “Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news—oh, who am I kidding? I love it. Someone misinformed you, darling. Probably because I misinformed everyone who’s ever asked about the coin. It doesn’t buy you whatever you want. Not even a single wish.”

  No. He was lying. He had to be lying, trying to trick her. To force her to back down.

  Baden grabbed her hand, pulling her down beside him, hugging her and whispering, “The hounds will take you somewhere—anywhere—else. I’ll fight Pandora, and I’ll find you.”

  “No. I’m not leaving you, and I’m not letting you hurt your...whatever Pandora is to you. But I also can’t enslave the dogs. I just can’t. They would rather die.”

  “Katarina,” he said, his tone grave. “I’ll win. I’ll claim my reward. The safety of the hounds.”

  Yes, but at what cost to his soul?

  Sharp fingers tangled in her hair, yanking her to her feet. She cried out. Baden and the beast snarled in unison. The dogs growled.

  She growled and twisted to bite Hades’s hand. Infecting him the way she’d been infected? Or did the link require conscious thought?

  The king released her, stepping away from her.

  She jumped to her feet, demanding, “What does the coin buy me?”

  He rubbed the wound she’d caused. “A chance to fight and kill me and take my crown.”

  Her stomach dropped. Fight Hades? How could she ever hope to beat him?

  “Don’t you dare,” Baden shouted at the male. “You touch her, and I’ll kill you.”

  “If only you could back up your threat with action,” Hades told him.

  Roar and Werga moved to Katarina’s side, brushing her calves to claim her attention. She looked down and met Roar’s troubled gaze.

  He rubbed his face against her biceps, his teeth scraping, cutting her skin, and a wave of dizziness hit her.

  —We are now linked for the rest of our lives.— Anger roughened his tone. She’d gotten them into this mess, and they couldn’t kill her to get out of it.

  Werga nuzzled her other arm before biting into her muscle. More dizziness...but it was accompanied by strength. Power. Animalistic, wild and savage. A burn at the ends of her fingers, worse than ever before. Little claws grew at the ends, and she couldn’t stop them. Inside her mouth, her teeth sharpened, cutting her gums.

  “What’s happening?” Hades demanded.

  “Did they just...link with her?” one of the warriors on the dais asked. “Willingly?”

  —Hades tried to force a link before he slaughtered our ancestors. He soon learned it cannot be forced.—

  She heard Roar’s voice so clearly now, as if he’d actually spoken the words, no filter between them.

  “They did,” Hades said, emotionless. “Well, Miss Joelle. I accept the coin and your challenge. Weapons are lady’s choice. If your hounds enter the fray, my allies will behead Baden without hesitation. I adore the male, but I’ve learned to prioritize.”

  He was going to fight her?

  Likelihood of Getting Bitten: 100%. Yes, she was scrappy and had fought kids in school, but she’d never been in an all-out brawl. How was she supposed to defeat a monster? “I don’t want to fight you.”

  “Too bad. The challenge was made as soon as you presented me with the coin. You can stand there if you’d like. I’m happy to do all the work.”

  Okay. There was no way out of this. She had to defeat him, despite the odds, and that was that. The pups—as well as Roar and Werga—now counted on her.

  “No,” Baden shouted, struggling with all his might to stand. “Fight me instead. I’ll be her proxy.”

  “Denied.” Hades removed his shirt, revealing row after row of muscles, his strength deadly, his tattoos strange. “You’ll stay right where you are, warrior.”

  More and more hellhounds jumped past an invisible curtain and landed inside the room. They raced around her, each scraping her with sharp teeth before darting away from her.

  No longer was dizziness a problem. She was too strong for it. So strong she wasn’t sure how her body contained it, wasn’t sure how she hadn’t morphed into the Hulk.

  “I’m waiting,” Hades snapped.

  Jealous of her connection to the hounds? “I choose hand-to-hand combat,” she said. With the claws, she wasn’t sure she could actually grip a weapon.

  “No. No!” Still Baden struggled, straining so forcefully a vein burst in his forehead. “Don’t do this. Please.”

  She tuned him out. She had to. Beating Hades would save her pups and Baden and Pandora. Two goals, one trial. No prob.

  She was so juiced on power the battle began to sound like the best—idea—ever. When she stepped forward, Baden’s struggles increased so forcefully, she could hear his bones popping out of place.

  Not tuned out, after all.

  —Focus! Let our instincts guide you. You’ll never survive otherwise.—

  Wonderful. She met Hades in the middle of the room. “I’m ready.”

  “Whenever you decide you’ve had enough,” he said with a smile, “all you have to do is pledge your life to my service and the pain will end. Until then...” He struck.

  * * *

  Words Keeley had once spoken to Baden filled his head: If you have two wreaths and one immortal, how many problems will he face? Gold. Obviously. Because the heart bleeds secrets and doggies have claws.

  The problem—one gold coin, trapped in a bleeding heart.

  Then Pandora’s situation took center stage. In essence, she was a hellhound. Like Katarina. If Pandora was linked to a hound, hurting her could hurt Katarina. Maybe. Probably. He wasn’t sure how it worked, only knew he didn’t want to risk harming his woman. Ever.

  Then... Hades punched Katarina.

  His woman recoiled from the impact. Baden roared loud enough to puncture a lung.

  Free myself, flash her to safety, kill Hades.

  As he fought the king’s compulsion, he popped both shoulders out of joint and fractured several ribs.

  A frenzied Destruction helped him.

  Hades drew back his fist, intending to launch a second strike.

  “No!” Baden shouted.

  Too late. Hades struck Katarina in the face. Beautiful, delicate Katarina flew across the room. When she landed, she rolled with her momentum, shockingly graceful, and came up on all fours, like an animal.

  As blood dripped down her cheek, another roar ruptured Baden’s lungs. He knew Hades wasn’t fully engaged; he wasn’t surrounded by shadows. But it wouldn’t take much to kill a human. Even one bolstered by hellhounds.

  Have to stop this.

  He unsheathed a dagger and stabbed into his shoulder, reworking his plan.

  Remove my arms, remove the bands. Tackle Hades with what’s left of my body.

  Hades operated in the human and spirit realm. Baden, even as a spirit—which he would be without the bands—would be tangible to him.

  Shadows sprang from the marks on his other arm, eating at the dagger, protecting themselves. Without his body, they would have no host.

  “More?” Hades asked Katarina.

  Without a word, she launched forward and slammed into him. No, not just slammed. Ripped. She bit into his neck and tore out his trachea. As h
e fell, she spat the bloody cartilage and tissue on the floor.

  Baden stilled. Destruction gaped.

  Sweet Katarina could...win?

  Hades’s body had repaired itself by the time he landed. He grabbed Katarina by the ankles and tripped her. The moment she landed, he was at her side, grabbing her by the hair and tossing her across the room. She crashed into the wall, cracking stone. Dust thickened the air. Miraculously, she didn’t pause to catch her breath; she simply dove at Hades, snarling as she bit him.

  That’s our woman!

  “Take out his eyes then his throat!” Baden shouted, his voice layered, the beast just as determined to save her.

  She managed to claw out one of Hades’s eyes before he was able to bat her away. She only came back for more. He batted her away again and again, but she always came back. He couldn’t get rid of her. She came in high, clawing and biting his face and neck, and she came in low, clawing and biting his ankles and calves in a nearly successful attempt to hobble him. Her ferocity staggered Baden.

  “Pledge your life to me,” Hades demanded, “before I decide to end you for good.”

  “No!” Baden shouted. “Don’t do it.” The hellhounds would hate her, and she would never forgive herself.

  Snarling, she jumped on Hades and tore off his ear—with her teeth.

  Shadows began to rise from the male, and Baden knew they would destroy her. Not even the hounds could defeat them.

  No. No, no, no. Can’t let her die. Can’t. “Don’t let the shadows near you, Rina.”

  Baden put every bit of his remaining strength in breaking free. He would rather die than lose his Katarina. He would rather suffer eternally. Would rather cease to exist.

  Love for her consumed him, his desire to help her completely superseding the bond he shared with Hades. The bands on his arms began to heat...and heat...burning his skin...singeing and blistering. Sinking inside him. Branding him.

  The pain! His flesh cooking! Smoke wafted from him, but finally, blessedly, the bands disappeared, leaving only the tattoos behind, and he began to cool.

  Suddenly Hades threw back his head and roared to the rafters, as if he’d just had an organ removed. Or had a new one sewn inside him.