by D. D. Miers
“That’s enough.” Kieron moved toward the door and held it open wide, his signal that this meeting was over. “Ms. Davenport will be moved tomorrow.”
“You’ll take her to the O’Shae druids, then?” Daegus sounded hopeful, pleased even.
“No.” Kieron looked straight to me. “There’s only one place where we can out-magic him. We travel to the Demon Kingdom.”
Chapter Six
We were headed into the underworld, the Demon Kingdom, in the most absurdly underwhelming way.
The Harry Potter nerd inside of me assumed we’d be traveling by magic doorway or a flying horse-drawn carriage or even by broomstick. A magic portal toilet would have been acceptable. Instead, my magic vessel was a black Mercedes Benz G500 Luxury SUV, rugged and powerful, but classic and intimidating. The kind I placed on my goals board for when I’d graduated college and became a bestselling author.
Not like any of that was ever going to happen now. My entire life had been hijacked by destiny.
Four hours had passed since our caravan left Kieron’s estate. Tool played from the speakers as Marcus drove the front car in the caravan and Dominic, another member of the Triae, rode shotgun. I wasn’t sure if Kieron had told them to ignore me, but I’d gotten nothing but silence for the entire drive.
Dominic and Marcus argued over the music choices while I stared out the tinted passenger window, watching the gray-blue sky fade into a burnt orange before it melded into shadows behind the distant mountains. I deliberately averted my eyes from the man seated opposite me.
There’s nothing more fun than a road trip to hell with the someone you’ve just had one of the most awkward conversations of your life with.
I was desperate for a distraction. Reading was out of the question, since it made me nauseous, and I couldn't sleep, not with the nervous energy bouncing in my stomach. I tried to count as many trees as I could as we drove by, but I quickly lost count. And the road signs along the way were only so interesting.
But I was done with the silence.
“You do realize what a letdown this is, right?”
Kieron glanced up from the book in his hands. Yes, the dark Greek god seated beside me was reading, and it was one of the sexiest things I’d ever seen. He held the book so gently in his hands, so carefree, it was as if he sat in a screened-in porch in the middle of summer, maybe sipping some lemonade, lilacs and roses all around him. Not that any of that would look natural around a man like Kieron, but you get the idea.
He waited for me to finish my thought.
“Why aren’t we just magically disappearing? I mean, a car is so boring—so average.”
“And what exactly did you expect?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. Some kind of magic.”
“Ms. Davenport, sometimes the simplest option is best. And the safest.”
“That’s it?” I raised my hands to quote him. “The simplest option is best.”
“Mortal travel has its advantages.”
“Which would be?”
He slipped a bookmark in and closed the cover. “It keeps us off the grid, so to speak. If we want to keep your location concealed, it’s the best way to do so. Unless, of course, you choose to go gallivanting into unknown portals again and put everything at risk.”
“I didn’t go because I thought it would be fun. I knew the danger—”
“And yet you still went.”
The anger sizzled in me like oil on a hot pan.
“I went because I didn’t—I won’t—let anyone do that to me. Not again. I’ve had too many people in my life take what they want from me. Not anymore.”
A deep understanding flashed in his eyes before I snapped back into my seat and turned away. He knew I had overheard them talking about me.
I hadn’t raised the white flag, but he relented anyhow. He didn’t push me further or ask questions. And I sure as hell wasn’t going to confide in him.
“She would expect us to use magic.” The sharp edge his words had held earlier abated.
Yasinda. Would talking about her ever stop being weird AF? I wasn’t sure I would ever be able to move passed the tension between us whenever her name came up.
I tucked a loose strand from my ponytail behind my ear and faced him. “Why?”
“It’s been a long time since I’ve used anything else. She wouldn’t expect it.” He turned and looked to the window.
My heart ached when I thought of him reminiscing about her, longing for time passed, but who was I to talk? My mixed emotions for Dorian didn’t exactly make me innocent in this situation, and although Kieron didn’t want Dorian with me, he also didn’t want me himself. There was palpable desire between us, brought on by the magic bond we shared, but the last and only time we’d crossed that line, we’d stopped. It was a mistake he swore he wouldn’t, and I couldn’t, repeat again.
We were—by far—the most screwed up soul mates I’d ever heard of.
It was a mess. We were a mess. And I was so done with messes.
“If she hasn’t returned to her power yet, why are you worried?”
He glanced at me, his face a passive mask again. It was as though he could turn off his emotions like a light switch.
“Even if she is not watching, her allies are.”
“And she wouldn’t expect you to come here because . . .?”
“It’s been centuries since I’ve returned.”
“Centuries, huh?” I looked at my fingernails. “Technically speaking, that kind of makes you a dirty old man for making out with me.”
The intense focus returned to his eyes, and his bottom lip arched as if he held back laughter. Before it could break free, something in the air changed and a frigid tightening spiked through my stomach as the car dipped south. I watched through the front windshield as we headed toward a stone-covered tunnel carved into the mountainside. The small descent became a never-ending pathway toward the underworld. Small lamps hung atop the narrow arched roof, the only other source of light beside those from the car.
From the name alone, the Demon Kingdom, I amassed images of a fiery barren desert, scorching with uncomfortably hot winds and blazing heat, the exact opposite of what I saw right now.
At first, a misty haze slowly filled the passage, thickening with every mile until it morphed into a dense pillow-white fog, strikingly beautiful. I wanted to reach out the window and let it slip through my fingers. I lifted my palm up to the glass, letting the bite of frost press against my skin. Small star-shaped ice spots formed around the edges of the car. The deeper we drove, the colder it became, the heater inside no match for the unforgiving frost land.
When I’d finally convinced myself that I might never see the sky again, light breached through, revealing the end of the tunnel only a short distance away. The stone-covered walls gave way to a glass-like cave, while the road up ahead became a deep black pit, the sides layered with white fangs of ice. Each one captured the light and held it within their cold frames.
We crossed the final threshold and found ourselves back outside again. A vast land, with hills of white frozen grass, flourished on the ground. Sharp, jagged rocks shone like diamonds along the cliffs and enormous snow-covered oak-like trees bordered the road.
Hell had frozen over—and it was the most beautiful thing I’d ever beheld.
Luca flipped down his visor mirror and smiled at me. “We’re about to pass through the wards, Abby. Better prepare yourself.”
“For what?”
But he didn’t have to answer.
My ears plugged up as magic snaked around me, starting at the base of my legs and working its way up like a lover grazing a hand over my flesh. A heady sensation claimed my entire being and every erogenous zone on my body, including the ones I didn’t even know existed, were lusting to be touched—and there was only one person who could claim this fire.
I moved as far as I possibly could to get to the other side of the car, but it was no use. Hot, needy, and alive in every way, I was
like a junkie on a first hit. The kind of adrenaline high experienced when you’re about to jump out of a plane coursed through me at a hundred miles an hour.
I focused on the trees, the landscape, anything other than this feeling. I crossed my legs, uncrossed them, pinched my hand, dug my fingernails into my palm, but nothing helped. I raised my eyes to the window, hoping the icy terrain would melt the desire eating me alive. Instead, I found Kieron’s eyes. He stared at me through the reflection. Titanium-gray orbs surrounded by thick obsidian lashes touched me everywhere.
Though only a look, it was enough to have me practically panting on all fours. My need to get close dominated every other rational thought. The sensible lady in my brain and the horny she-devil were currently engaged in a war for control.
One taste, she whispered to me. What could be the harm in getting one more taste of Kieron?
A minor shift and his thigh grazed mine, releasing a confetti of emotions inside my chest. I wanted more. Needed more. I swirled around in my seat until I faced him. My blouse had ridden up my stomach, baring my trim waistline. The scarf around my neck had unraveled. The V of my top left the curves of my breasts exposed as my cheeks and lips flushed pink. I knew that I looked wanton—and I didn’t care.
“It’ll pass,” Kieron said, through gritting teeth. Was he reassuring himself—or me?
“When?” I asked, practically panting.
“Soon.”
But I didn’t want it to and clearly neither did he.
I sensed it. He wanted me. Needed me. So what the hell were we waiting for?
Another five seconds and I would’ve jumped his bones in the back seat, putting on a show for Marcus and Luca. But I was saved the humiliation when the sensation passed. My body, my being, was still fully aware of him and the desire he stirred in me, but now it was manageable, enough to keep me from making an ass out of myself.
Marcus snickered from the front. “Damn, Abby. I expected something, but not that. Pretty fucking awesome—too bad you stopped.”
Great. I had no doubt every other member of the Triae, and perhaps the underworld, would hear about my little “moment” by the night’s end. Mortified with my own behavior and pissed that months of hard work had been ruined, I adjusted my rumpled clothes, covered the side of my face, and ignored everyone for the rest of the drive.
“Welcome to the low valley,” Marcus said, as we drove through a stone barrier.
An enormous medieval castle, ripped from the dark ages, stood at the end of the drive. Smoke puffed from the peaked chimneys, creating a steamy ashen vapor against the stormy gray-blue sky. The castle’s edge sat along the cliff overlooking a vast frozen plain. There was nothing ostentatious about this place. No landscaping, no adornments, nothing except the necessary.
The car slowed at the top of the rocky path beneath a stone overhang serving as an outdoor garage. I’d barely opened my door, when I noticed Kieron’s seat empty. When the hell did that happen? I looked to my right, then left, and saw his back as he slipped through the massive entry doors and out of sight. Slick bastard.
Guess I wasn’t the only one who needed some distance.
A gust of glacial wind rushed me, as though someone had shoved an ice cube in my throat and blocked the air. I’d experienced cold winters before. Weston had its share of them, but this was beyond the normal bitter chill. This was subzero, chapping my lips and turning my nose and cheeks beet red. The little hairs in my nose stuck together, and my back ached as shivers racked up and down my spine.
The raw biting sting of it combined with the arctic temperature brought icy tears down my cheeks. I tightened the scarf around my neck and tucked into myself. “And where exactly is the low valley?” I asked.
Marcus came around the rear of the car and opened the back hatch. “Near the Crayvak Stones on the borders of the Dark Fae city.” He pointed east toward a glowing green haze in the distance. “It’s hard terrain, even to those familiar with it.” He glanced to me from under his sunglasses. “I’d recommend not rushing off on your own out here, if you can help it.” He gave me a pointed look. “You’d die before we ever were able to find you.”
Nope. No matter what my legitimate reasons for taking off were, I was never going to hear the end of it.
I rammed my elbow into his side. “Ha. Ha.”
He coughed in false pain. “Relax, Abby. I’m just saying in case the idea came to mind.”
“If anyone else tries to get inside my head, you can bet your ass I’ll be snowshoeing out of here if I have to.”
“Now that I’d pay to see.” He set down two other bags before pulling out my duffel and tossing it into my arms.
Luca joined us. “You wouldn’t get far, not with the ice hounds.”
“Ice hounds?”
“Demon dogs of the underworld.” Marcus grabbed the last remaining items from the back and locked the trunk. “You’ve heard of the pigs that can chew through bone in under seven minutes?”
“Yeah?”
“These will tear you to shreds in under thirty seconds.”
I flung the duffel over my shoulder. “This place just gets better and better, doesn’t it?”
“You haven’t even heard the half of it.” Marcus smiled and nudged his head toward the castle. “Let’s go before my balls freeze off.”
The fire within the enormous living room created bright flashes of light dancing along the hall walls. Finally, warmth.
I sat in the corner in a red, velvety wingback chair, my hands clutching a hot cup of tea, courtesy of the house staff. Between the cluster of black thunder clouds outside, and Kieron’s antiquated decorations, it was like the beginning of every old-fashioned mystery novel.
T’was a dark and stormy night.
But I wasn’t alone. I had the Dark Summoner himself and the entire Triae to keep me company. At least physically.
Keiron sat at a mahogany desk beneath the window, his back to me as he read over who-knows-what. I chuckled, imagining the scene in Pride and Prejudice where Darcy writes letters to his sister at Bingley’s, and Elizabeth enters into a “war of words” with him.
Kieron reminded me of Darcy at times. Besides the formal way he addressed me, he was dark, mysterious, sexy, and arrogant. But let’s not forget, lethal as fuck. I wonder if Mr. Darcy held any supernatural secrets? Wouldn’t that have just made him twice as hot?
Since our arrival, two dozen more of Kieron’s men, many of whom I’d never seen before, were stationed around the castle. His “elite” team, as I’ve come to think of them, remained close by.
Roman leaned against the wall to Kieron’s left, his silent icy stare analyzing everyone and everything—but mostly, he watched me.
Other than “the guard dog” (as I so fondly referred to Roman) Marcus, Luca, Dominic, and Reagan lounged on the sofas discussing the recent events and plans for dealing with the Faedus, most of which revolved around ensuring I was protected while we were in the low valley, aka Kieron’s territory in the Demon Kingdom.
Reagan said I needed to stay inside. It was better for my delicate mortal health, after all. The cold was enough to kill me in minutes if I lingered out there too long. Marcus said I could be trusted as long as someone was with me at all times.
Reagan fell into the chair beside me, plopping her feet on the ottoman facing the fire. “And how are we doing?”
“We?” I laughed. “We are fine. Or as fine as I can be.”
“You know he kissed you, right?”
I almost spit out my tea. “Wait. What?”
She nudged her head toward Kieron, “It was kind of romantic.”
“And when did this happen?”
“When you were the fuck out of it.”
“Why—?”
“Did he kiss you?” she said, finishing my question for me.
I nodded.
“It was the only way he could reach you.”
“Reach me?”
“Yes, Rain Man.”
I watched him
from just above my mug. “How, exactly?”
“Oh, nooooow someone wants the details.” She gathered her knees to her chest and leaned onto the armrest, her eyes darting to make sure we didn’t have an audience. “Well, you were like fevered and sweating after we found you and he carried you back, totally Prince Charming style,” she giggled, “and then he sort of laid you down on the bed, your bed, and tried casting magic on you, but nothing worked.”
“And then what?”
“And then he watched you for a while, paced a while, and then finally came in during my and Luca’s watch and placed his hand under your head and kissed you.” She picked up the pillow and placed it in her lap, leaning on it. “Like really kissed you.”
Shit, why did she have to tell me all this?
Shit—why did I ask?
I glanced over to where he sat, or at least where he had been sitting, only to find the chair empty. My eyes traced the room, wondering when he’d left.
“Looking for someone?” Reagan teased as she tugged my hair.
“Shut up, dammit. Or I swear I’ll tell Luca everything and I mean—everything. Got it?”
“Damn, Abby. You’ve got it worse than I thought.”
I took a sip of tea to cover my blushing, “Har. Har.” I returned the mug to the side table. “And since we’re prying into each other’s romantic lives, how are things with Luca?”
“Complicated. Hot. Angry. Confusing.” She shrugged. “You name it.”
“So nothing much has changed, then?”
“Nope.”
The couch across from us squeaked as Marcus dropped down, arms stretched out wide. “You ready for your new training, Abby?”
“New training?”
“Oh yeah,” He laughed, glancing back to Luca and Dominic who stood watching our exchange. “We’ve gotten approval to up the game, kiddo. No more going easy on you.”
Months ago, I would’ve been terrified or dreading the thought of facing off against any of the Triae, but now, I wanted it. Needed it. I’d fall. Probably get my ass kicked over and over, but in the end, I’d be better, stronger, and faster for it.