The Redemption Series

by Melynda Price

  He dragged his thumb over her nipple, pinching it against his finger until she moaned her pleasure. Her hips instinctively arched, and he ground his arousal against her core. His cock pulsed, warning him the end was near, but there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it. She must have felt that riotous kick because she gasped, in pleasure or shock he couldn’t tell, but her mouth suddenly tore from his, breaking their kiss as she struggled for breath and begged, “Haden, stop! Please…I’m begging you. Do not make my body betray me like this.”

  Apparently, he wasn’t the only one close to coming. It didn’t matter that she was still clothed, and he partially—the passion, the chemistry burning between them would find completion, anyway. He knew she’d never forgive herself for allowing him to give her that kind of pleasure, for ringing that intimate release from her body—be it against her will or not. She was no more able to control her impending climax than he was his.

  Would he have heeded her plea and stopped? He’d never know because as soon as the breathless cry left her throat, a fist began pounding against the door. Olivia jumped, startled beneath him. The mindless passion quickly fleeing her emerald eyes was replaced with accusing anger and then fear as her gaze darted toward the door. She shoved at him in earnest now, trying to buck his oppressing weight off of her.

  “Get off me,” she grunted, slamming her fist against his chest, her voice shaky from unshed tears now teeming in her lids. “If this is how you intend to save my life, then I’d rather die!”

  No, she wouldn’t—but if it made her feel better to say so, then whatev’s. He’d been prepared to weather the storm of her wrath. Hell, he probably even deserved it. He was more than willing to carry the weight of her guilt, far be it for him to point out that this little dry fuck had been consensual. The only thing saving his masculine pride right now was knowing that she’d been as rocked by it as he was. She could never again deny that she didn’t want him. And although it was a piss-poor consolation prize, it was better than nothing.

  “Keep it up, sweetheart, and you might just get your wish,” he growled, rolling off her and planting his feet on the ground. “I’m coming!” Haden snarled at the door when the incessant pounding continued. Stomping across the room, he wrenched it open. “What the fuck is the big emergency?”

  The demon’s gaze darted over Haden’s shoulder toward Olivia, and he moved a step to the right, blocking his line of sight. “Gahn wants to see you. Now.”

  “I said I’d be down when I’m finished.”

  “You look finished right now.”

  The hell he was. His pulse was pounding in his ears, his skin felt too tight for his body and his bollocks ached like they’d been nailed with a sledgehammer. This had been a bad fucking idea.

  The demon’s dark brown gaze swept over him, lighting on his cut lip, then to his chest that still bore red marks from her claws. The scratches wouldn’t last long. Perhaps he’d better go see Gahn while he still looked worse for the wear.

  “Tell him I’m locking the female up, and I’ll be there shortly. Where exactly might I find Father?” he asked, mockery thick in his voice.

  “He’s in the common room. I’ll take the human below—” the demon offered, lust firing in his soulless eyes, pupils dilating as he must have just now caught Olivia’s scent.

  “You will not touch her,” Haden growled, taking a step toward the bastard scum and forcing him back from the doorway. “She’s mine. Unless you want to challenge me for her?”

  Fury flashed in the demon’s eyes, and for a moment Haden wondered if he’d do just that. But he must have thought better of keeping his head because that cold defiant gaze dropped submissively. “I’ll inform Gahn you’ll be down shortly.”

  Haden grunted his acquiescence and then slammed the door.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  She’s mine…? Oh Lord, what had she done? Her mind was still spinning, still whirling with shame and disgust for what she’d allowed to happen when Haden grumbled, “Come on, Olivia. We have to go.”

  He avoided meeting her eyes when he turned toward her, as if he, too, were having a bad case of regret. A tremor of fear rippled through her. Go? Was he kicking her out?

  “Go where?” she asked.

  He didn’t answer her as he walked over to the bed and grabbed the blanket, jerking it out from under her.

  “I can’t believe you. You’re kicking me out because I told you to stop?”

  He paused and cast her an offended scowl. “You actually believe I’d be that big of an ass? Never mind,” he grumbled, grabbing a pillow and tucking it beneath his arm. “Don’t answer that.”

  “Where are you taking me?”

  “The dungeon.”

  “What?” Her gaze fell to the crescent-shaped claw marks riding down his muscular back and her cheeks heated with embarrassment.

  “What are you so worked up about?” he grumbled, shooting her a scowl. “I thought you said you’d rather die than have my protection.”

  Yeah, well, that was before she believed she might actually die.

  “Haden don’t lock me down there…”

  She yelped when he none-too-gently grabbed her arm and began dragging her toward the door. “I don’t expect you to believe me, Olivia, but that’s actually the safest place for you to be right now.”

  He was right. She didn’t believe him. Being locked in a dungeon sounded like the exact opposite of safe. “Haden, please…” She struggled against his grip as he dragged her into the hall.

  “Olivia,” he snapped impatiently. “I don’t have time for this shit. You can either walk with me or I’ll toss you over my shoulder and haul your ass down there. Your choice.”

  “I hate you,” she grumbled, taking a grudging step behind him.

  “Yeah, that’s not news to me. And FYI, those words tend to lose their sting when uttered over and over. I’m well aware of your feelings toward me so you can cease enlightening me. Watch your step, the stairs are steep.”

  Not only were they steep, but she couldn’t see a damn thing except for the sporadic glimpse of light cast from the lit sconces on the wall every fifteen steps or so. Haden led the way, and in order to keep her balance, she was forced to hang onto his shoulder. He’d yet to put on a shirt, though she was loath to understand why, she suspected his lack of clothing was intentional. The moment her hand connected with the warm flesh-covered steel of his shoulder, his muscles tensed beneath her touch. He didn’t speak. In fact, the closer they got to the bottom of the stairs, the tenser he seemed to become.

  What memories of this horrid place plagued him? What terrible fate would befall her down here, trapped within the bowels of hell? If Olivia thought there was anything she might do or say that would convince Haden not to leave her here, she’d have wholeheartedly tried. For surely this would prove a fate worse than death.

  With each step, the air grew acrider, the sharp bite of sulfur stinging her nose, making her throat raw. Her heart rioted inside her chest, the urge to run becoming a mounting desperation clawing inside her to get out. But where would she go? She was stuck here in this realm with no hope of escape. As much as she cursed Haden for dragging her down here, she also knew he was the only ally she had. He claimed this was the safest place for her to be, though she didn’t see how that was possible, right now she had no choice but to trust him. Either that or she’d most assuredly lose her mind.

  Haden paused at the bottom step. “Here.” Suddenly the blanket and pillow were thrust at her and she grabbed them with both arms to keep the bundle from hitting the floor. The sharp chink of stone striking stone echoed up the stairwell as sparks exploded against the wall. A burst of light whooshed as the torch caught fire and Haden lifted it from the sconce before heading left. “This way.”

  His gruff determined voice broached no room for argument and Olivia followed behind him. When they passed the first cell, he swung the torchlight toward the opening and cursed. Olivia gasped, dropping her blanket and pillow.
r />   The cell floor was stained dark crimson, splatters of blood painting the walls. Hanging from a loop, imbedded in the stone, were four chains, and at each end was a cuff. Whoever had been here last had died a horrible, brutal death.

  Oh God! This could be her. She could be next! She couldn’t stay down here! In a moment of panic she grabbed Haden’s arm, nails digging into the flesh-covered steel of his bicep. He turned to face her. “I can’t do this!” she cried, throwing herself against him. “Please, Haden don’t leave me down here!”

  He muttered another foul oath and wrapped his arm tightly around her. She pressed her face against his bare chest and squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block out the horror. His pulse jumped, she could hear his heartbeat thundering inside his chest, feel the kick rioting against her cheek. She was past trying to hold back her tears, letting them flow as she begged him not to leave her. When he hissed in a breath and flinched as if she’d burned him, she knew her tears of grief had hit his chest and were no doubt running along the sculpted trail of his abdomen.

  He stood statue-still. His breath ceased though the clamoring of his heart echoed loudly in her ears. She could sense his inner battle, and for the briefest moment she had a glimmer of hope he was going to take her back upstairs. But then all hope was shattered when he pried her away from him and hooked his knuckle beneath her chin, forcing her gaze to meet his determined stare.

  “Olivia, this is the only place I can secure you, the only place no one else will be able to enter. These bars are for your protection. This lock has only one key, and I will guard it with my life. No one can touch you in here. You have to trust me. This is for your own good.”

  “But I’m so scared!” she cried. “I just want to go to Landaketa where I’ll be safe. Please, Haden, take me back to Liam. I need Liam!”

  Something too brief to name flickered through his eyes before he quickly locked it down. “I know you’re scared, sweetheart. But until we know what Gahn is planning, neither you nor your child will ever truly be safe. Whatever it is, Olivia, it’s bad enough for Gahn’s second in command to turn against him. A price he paid with his life.” Reaching down, Haden picked up her blanket and pillow and led her past another cell as violently decorated as the first. He proceeded down the hall and then stopped at the third cell. Standing by the door, his hand gripped the bar so tight his knuckles blanched. “You have to do this, Olivia. Please do not make it any harder than it already is.”

  Olivia nodded, struggling to hold it together as she stepped inside the cell, thinking herein lay the overwhelming difference between Haden and Liam. While Haden could emotionally separate himself from any and all situations, Liam could never, would never, lock her in a dungeon—greater good be damned. If he knew what had happened, where she was, he’d move Heaven and Earth to get her out of here. Without another word, Haden handed her the pillow and blanket. She jumped when the cell door slammed closed with a clattering bang. Turning away, he paused to grab the key off the wall and shoved it into his pocket.

  “Believe it or not, Olivia, I’m doing this for your own good. With any luck, Gahn will tell me what I need to know at this meeting and I can get you out of here. I’ll return as soon as I can. I promise.”

  She said nothing to help ease the look of regret in his eyes. If she opened her mouth, she’d only shame herself more by begging for mercy from a cold-hearted Nephilim that didn’t know the meaning of the word. There had to be some other way to keep her safe. She refused to believe that being locked in a cell in the pit of Hell was the best option. As Haden turned his back and walked away, she bit the inside of her cheek to keep from calling out to him. She could only pray Liam came for her soon because the countdown to her insanity started the moment Haden slammed the cell door.

  Haden forced one foot in front of the other, refusing to allow himself even a glance back. If he saw those tear-filled verdant pools for even one more second, silently pleading with him not to leave her, surely the last of his flagging resolve would crumble. This was a dangerous game he was playing here, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Time wasn’t on his side, and neither were the odds he’d get out of this alive.

  Walking into the Dark Court, he’d come to terms with that truth—and he’d thought he had made his peace with it. He was fully prepared to trade his life for Gahn’s. No longer did the threat of the Abyss loom like a dark cloud shadowing his life, living a meaningless existence of the damned. And he had Olivia to thank for that. She’d saved him, refusing to give up on him even when she had every reason to. She cared for him—reached out to him, even when he had every intention of killing her. She taught him to love again. And sometimes love cost the ultimate price—a price he was willing to pay for her.

  As Haden stepped into the common room, he pulled Olivia’s necklace from his pocket and fastened it around his neck. The gold chain fit like a torc, the onyx heart-shaped stone resting against the divot at the base of his throat. The moment the clasp fastened, his flesh warmed where the stone touched. Liquid heat flooded his body in a supernatural rush of power and strength. It was a heady sensation—this paranormal presence, one that filled him with a renewed sense of ironclad determination, solidifying his will to see this through to the end.

  His clipped steps announced his arrival as he approached the dais where Gahn sat at the head of a long empty table. An overflowing trencher sat before him, a wine-filled challis to his right. Haden’s gaze darted to the servant standing in the corner, a full wineskin in hand, waiting for his summons as Gahn greedily consumed his feast of...what the fuck was that?

  “Would you prefer I comeback?” Haden asked when Gahn refused to acknowledge his presence. Nothing was ever easy with him, so why would Haden expect this encounter to be any different?

  “Come, sit,” Gahn commanded past a mouthful of food. He nodded to the server who rushed forward and placed a challis before Haden and filled the cup with wine as dark and rich as blood. Haden lifted the challis and sniffed. The metallic tang infused the fruity sweetness, confirming the drink was laced with exactly that.

  “You’re drinking blood now, are you?”

  Gahn swallowed his mouthful and chased it with a gulp from his challis. Reaching into his lap, he lifted a napkin with his long gnarled fingers and patted his mouth with the manners of a dignitary. The irony of this whole asinine charade snapped the tether of Haden’s nerves.

  “Why did you summon me? Surely it wasn’t to sit here and toast old times.”

  Gahn’s coal-black gaze swept over him, lighting on his bottom lip, then dropped to the scratches on his chest, before finally settling on the stone. “How was she?—a bit of a fighter, by the looks of you.”

  Haden settled back into the chair beside him, kicking out his legs in a negligent sprawl as he shrugged. “I’ve had better.”

  Gahn chuckled, a wholly unpleasant rasp that grated like sandpaper against Haden’s flesh. “Still pining away over that chit, I see? What was her name—?”

  “Anya,” Haden answered with a crisp growl. That bastard knew damn well what her name was. So this was how he planned to play this out? He’d test Haden’s solidarity by pushing his buttons to see if he’d truly moved on from the past. Not entirely creative, but effective none the less. Just the mention of Anya’s name sent a shockwave of rage flooding his veins. Tension sizzled through his body, drawing his muscles rip-cord tight. He clenched his jaw to bite back the ranting curses dancing on the tip of his tongue.

  “Touch a nerve, did I?”

  Haden’s hand clenched, gripping the arm of the chair. What he wouldn’t give to knock that arrogant smirk off this bastard’s face. “Are we going to sit here and dwell on the past? Because if it’s reminiscing you’re after, I’m done here. Perhaps it was a mistake thinking I could come back here and we could forge a fresh start.” Haden leapt up and the chair shot back, toppling off the dais steps. “Clearly you do not trust me, and you have certainly given me no reason to trust you. You think that just because you’ve
captured the human that you’ve won. That baby is a long way from birthed and her mate is coming for her. Say you do defeat him and manage to hold on to her, one Nephilim, that’s all you’ll get from that female. Is she worth the risk of bringing war to Sheol? Why would you want just one, when you could have a hundred? Let her go and I’ll breed you an army. You’ve known me as an enemy, now here’s your chance to have me as an ally. You may not want to admit it, but whatever you’re planning, you need my help to see it through, because I possess the key to your success, or your downfall—Immanuel’s Stone.”

  Haden could sense no emotion in Gahn as the bastard stared at him, his face a stoic mask of indifference. Then, using his tongue to work something from his teeth, he steepled his fingers thoughtfully and arched a brow. “You care for her, don’t you.”

  It wasn’t a question, more an accusation.

  “What I care for is not watching my life’s work fall in ruins because you’ve brought the wrath of a Ronnin army upon our heads. She isn’t worth it. The risk of keeping her here far outweighs the benefit. Send her back before it’s too late—.”

  A savage roar echoed through the common room, cutting off Haden’s bid for rationality.

  “What was that?” Gahn demanded.

  “That, Father, is the sound of ‘too late.'”

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  At the sight of Olivia’s wedding dress flagging from the window of the tower, the battle cry of pure fury ripped from Liam’s lungs. Jesse startled beneath him, rearing up and pawing the air, a shrill cry from the war horse accompanying his savage roar. Niall urged his mount forward, stopping beside Liam where he stood outside Hell’s gates, and cursed.