The fallen angel stepped in front of me to block my view of Locke. “Baby, enough. He’s your past. I’m your future. Leviathan, we’re leaving as soon as the gate is destroyed,” Daniel snapped.
Locke let out a menacing growl. His hydra was begging to break free. Leviathan ordered a group of soldiers to surround the shielded guys, and another group to watch over Locke. The remaining soldiers were instructed to stay close to me.
Daniel and Leviathan walked me to the gate. “Evelyn, I want the gate destroyed now. I can guarantee that you won’t like the outcome if you betray me again.”
I looked back at Locke and told him that I love him through our bond. I know I need to tamper with the gate just in case things turn to shit. I just wish I knew how to go about it. It looks like I have to wing it.
Kneeling in front of the gate, I closed my eyes and dug my hands into the soil. I called on my power, and I focused on my love for my family. They have always protected me. Now, it’s my turn to keep them safe.
My guys won’t think twice about popping into Hell to help us. I can’t allow that happen, though. Until it’s safe, I can’t let any being portal into Hell. At the same time, I didn’t want to trap beings here.
The heirs, Abaddon and countless other innocent demons in Hell, are in danger. I needed to allow them to portal to Terra. I focused on my love for Locke as my power continued to work its magic on the gate.
This is just the beginning of our story. I want to marry Locke and have little stormy eyed babies with him. I refuse to let this be our end.
I heard gasps all around me, which broke me out of my trance. I looked up at the gate and saw that it was completely covered with golden vines and roses. It was beautiful.
As soon as I stood up, two guards popped in front of me and quickly cuffed my wrists. Anger tore through me as I felt my power freeze. I elbowed the one soldier in his face.
Catching him off guard, I grabbed his sword from its sheath and stabbed the other guard in the chest. In a blink of an eye, the first soldier was met with the same fate and reduced to dust.
I quickly looked over at the guys and was shocked to see that the shield was still protecting them. Since my wrists are cuffed, Ash or Locke must be powering the shield. All that matters is that they are safe for now.
Leviathan began to slow clap. I gritted my teeth and tightened my hold on the sword. “You’re beautiful, powerful and skilled with a blade. A triple threat,” Leviathan commended as he slowly approached.
I narrowed my eyes at the king. “The keyword is ‘threat.’ I did what you asked now let us go.” He let out a booming laugh.
“You are quite brazen, but I like your spirit. I first need to test your work. Then we can discuss our next steps.” Crap. I need to get the guys out of here. I mentally told Ash to free Abaddon from his cuffs. I hope she can do it.
Then I remembered that Miles might have the ability to read minds. Thankfully, Miles was already looking in my direction. I locked eyes with him and mentally explained that Ab needs to pop them to Terra as soon as he’s free.
Miles nodded and started whispering to the guys. Ab will be pissed that he can’t pop back to Hell, but Locke and I need our family to be safe. Leviathan picked up his phone and instructed someone to portal into Hell. His smile widened as he hung up.
“Excellent work, Evelyn. It appears that beings are no longer able to portal to Hell. Now, we need to make sure that beings cannot leave Hell. Marcus, I need you to portal to Terra.”
I knew his lackey would vanish, and Leviathan’s bellow confirmed it. My eyes flew to the shield, which was now empty. I did it! I couldn’t hold back my grin.
Leviathan followed my line of sight. “What did you do?” Leviathan snarled. He looked at me with pure disdain. I could tell that he was about to say something but stopped when a bolt of lightning lit up the sky, and the ground began to shake.
Deafening roars filled the air as my beautiful hydra appeared on the hilltop. Its massive wings were outstretched, and hellfire shot out from all three mouths.
“What is that thing?” Leviathan asked in disbelief. My smile widened as one of the beast’s heads focused on me. “Your end,” I replied without taking my eyes off of the hydra. Daniel put his hand on my shoulder, and all Hell broke loose.
46
Locke
My girl never ceases to amaze me. I’m so fucking proud of her. Not only was she able to alter Hell’s gate, but she single-handedly saved Cerberus, Abaddon and my brothers. Hell, she saved millions of innocent beings without them even having a clue. The guys will all be furious at her for keeping them out of Hell, but Eve made the right call.
Leviathan is about to lose his mind, which means that I need to get to Eve. The issue is that there were thousands of soldiers surrounding her. My hydra pushed to the surface and partially shifted my hands. The cuffs snapped in half, brilliant. Immediately, my power began coursing through my body.
I needed to get a better vantage point. I left my guards in confusion and popped to the top of the hill. First, I need to make sure that not one of these assholes can portal to safety.
With a single thought, my power created an invisible dome that covered the entire area. The only way these beings will get out of here is in a body bag. Now, it’s time to take these fuckers down and get my girl.
I shifted and took a backseat to my hydra. He let out a roar and immediately locked eyes with Eve. Fuck, her smile is beautiful.
It was like a switch flipped as soon as I saw Daniel touch her shoulder. I was blinded by rage. Just to ensure there were no survivors, my hydra decimated the hilltop.
He then flew down and circled over the soldiers. All three heads let out another roar and turned at least half the soldiers to dust with his hellfire. It was too easy, so he landed in front of the remaining soldiers.
They started attacking with their power and weapons, which they soon realized were useless against the beast. Thunder boomed as streaks of lightning lit up darkening sky.
“Retreat!” one of the leaders bellowed. The soldiers began to scatter, but I knew they wouldn’t get far. They sealed their fate when they tried to take down my girl’s best friend.
My hydra extended his massive wings and took to the air. He herded a large group of soldiers together by creating a wall hellfire around them. He landed in front of the terrified group, and all three of his heads viciously tore into them.
My need to protect Eve was starting to become overwhelming. My hydra stopped playing around and turned any remaining soldiers to dust. Bodies and ash littered the ground.
A bolt of lightning pierced the sky just as my hydra turned his attention to the last beings standing. Eve gave me a blinding smile as Leviathan, Daniel and Hannah paled.
My hydra menacingly growled as he stalked toward them. Hannah let out a shrill scream and hid behind Leviathan. Daniel protectively wrapped his arms around Eve, which pissed me the fuck off. I immediately shifted back and was vibrating with fury.
My golden wings sprouted from my back, and my eyes turned to pure gold. I fixed my glare on Daniel. “Touch her one more time, and it will be the last thing you ever do. I want Eve now.”
Daniel immediately dropped his arms. I guess he isn’t as dumb as I had thought. Leviathan stood to his full height, acting as if he wasn’t scared shitless.
“That was an incredible show of power, Locke. You truly are a force to be reckoned with and would make an excellent addition to my court. Join me, and I will make sure that you finally get the recognition and accolades that a man of your caliber deserves.”
This man is so fucking delusional. Doesn’t he realize that this game is over? I guess I should let him know who he’s truly facing. I looked up at the sky and called for a thunderbolt.
Leviathan and Daniel’s eyes widened as I began twirling it in my hand. I could smell their fear. “A walking god? Impossible,” Leviathan whispered. Suddenly, his features twisted with rage.
“The Archangels lied. The sur
ge of power we felt had nothing to do with the wards. It was from your awakening!” He must have tried to portal out of here because his face paled.
“Never start a game that you can’t win, Leviathan. You sealed your fate as soon as you touched what’s mine. Let Eve go now.” I slammed my thunderbolt against the ground, causing a tremor.
“Baby, calm down. Let’s get out of here, and I’ll make you feel better,” Hannah purred as she looked me over. I could feel Eve’s rage through our bond.
Suddenly, Hannah was being mauled by a massive white tiger. Her shrill screams could probably be heard on Terra. As much as I wanted her gone, I didn’t want murdering Hannah to be on Eve’s conscience.
“Little hellion…” She crossed her arms and huffed. “Fine. Ash, enough,” Eve muttered. Hannah held her hands to her face and was sobbing on the ground. Leviathan and Daniel didn’t even bother to help her.
They were just staring at the tiger. Ash began slowly pacing as if she was waiting for her next command. It immediately reminded me of Cade. I patted my leg, and Ash prowled over to my side.
I scratched the tiger’s head and looked up to see two Eves. As if I couldn’t tell the difference. “Clever,” I said flatly. Well, now we know who was posing as me in Eve’s room.
Leviathan moved behind both Eves. “Locke, please help me,” the fake Eve cried out. I rolled my eyes and let out a bored sigh. I just need to make sure that Leviathan isn’t working with anyone else, and then I’m taking him out.
“I will kill her if you don’t take down this shield, Locke. Hell was always meant to be mine! Lucifer is just an imposter, who’s dependent on the Archangels. He’s not even fit to be a ruler. I’m the True King! I won’t stop until every demon bows down to me!” he shouted.
I let out a humorless laugh. “You and what army?” So his grand plan was using Eve to close Hell off from Terra and Heaven? As if Lucifer would need the Archangels to help defend his title against this guy?
He has no clue how powerful Lucifer is in his own right. That seems to be a reoccurring theme with Leviathan. He underestimates the wrong beings.
“Just let me go. You don’t understand what Locke is capable of, Leviathan. He won’t just kill you. He’ll obliterate all of Hell, and nothing can stop him,” Eve pleaded.
“If I can’t have it, then no being should,” Leviathan sneered. I hated that she was scared. I hated that she wasn’t in my arms. I hated that she was being used as a pawn.
“I’m finished playing.” Without hesitation, I threw my thunderbolt at the fake Eve. Daniel’s body violently exploded, causing Leviathan and Eve to stumble backward.
I watched as Leviathan steadied Eve. Then, as if in slow motion, he punched his fist through her chest. Eve’s eyes widened, and my world began to crumble.
“No!” I thundered. Leviathan smiled menacingly. “I will rip her heart out if you don’t remove the…” He didn’t get to finish.
I ended his miserable life with a single thought and watched his lifeless body drop to the ground. What I wasn’t prepared to see was the love of my life’s heart in Leviathan’s cold hand.
I caught Eve just before she hit the ground and cradled her against my chest. “No. No. No. Stay with me, Eve. Please, I can’t lose you.” I lifted my head to the sky and let out a roar. “Save her! I don’t want your fucking thunderbolts. I’ll do anything! Take me instead! Just let her live!”
My shield dropped, and the storm was raging. I could feel the wind blowing angrily. The rain was coming down in sheets as lightning filled the sky. The ground was shaking violently, but I didn’t give two fucks. Nothing matters except for the girl in my arms.
I stared down at Eve’s beautiful face. I gently closed her eyelids and kissed her lips. “You have to come back to me. We’re not done here, Eve. We’ll never be done. You’re my forever. I love you, little hellion. Please, don’t leave me.”
I squeezed my eyes shut and willed my power to save her. I opened myself fully to her through our bond, just hoping that she could feel how much I love and need her.
47
Locke
My chest tightened as the storm raged around us. I shook my head. No, this can’t be happening. I refuse to accept that this is our end. Eve and I are supposed to have an eternity together, not just a moment in time.
I misread the entire situation. Leviathan was never going to let Eve go. Why the fuck didn’t I kill him right away? I pressed my lips to Eve’s forehead. “I’m so sorry, baby,” I whispered.
“You need to calm down, son. Let Raphael try to heal her. Please let him try,” Lucifer begged. I was so focused on Eve that I didn’t know anyone else was here. The gate must have reopened when... I shook my head furiously. I don’t have it in me to finish that thought. “Her heart…” I whispered.
Lucifer fell to his knees in front of me and covered his face with his hands. “No!” Abaddon pulled Lucifer to his feet and wrapped his arms around him. I could feel Abaddon’s eyes on me, but I couldn’t bear to look at him.
I squeezed my eyes shut and bowed my head. This is all my fault. I failed to save their little girl. I failed to save the girl I love.
I looked to the side as I felt something brush up against my leg. My breath caught. “Ash.” My head whipped around to Raphael, who must have noticed the same thing.
“The palace, now!” he shouted. Raphael tore his shirt off and wrapped it around Eve’s heart. I know he can only stay in Hell for an hour, so I immediately popped into Eve’s bedroom.
My hands were shaking as I laid her on top of the bed and covered her with a blanket. Ash curled around Eve’s feet in her fox form. I knelt on the floor and took Eve’s small hand in mine.
Lucifer, Raphael and Abaddon came into her room a minute later. “Please save her,” I begged Raphael. He gave me a sad smile and began to check her over.
I feel so fucking helpless. What’s the point of having all of this power if I can’t save the one that I love? I was feeling so many emotions that it was difficult to concentrate. The storm outside wasn’t letting up. Hail was hitting the windows, and thunder was booming overhead.
I felt two hands on my shoulders and knew it was Lucifer and Abaddon. I shook my head. I didn’t deserve their comfort. I failed them. I failed Eve.
The storm started getting stronger, and the ground began to quake. “Locke, I know how much you love her. We love her too. That’s why we need to hold onto hope right now.” I turned Eve’s hand over and kissed her palm.
Lucifer is right. I tuned everything out, opened myself to our bond and unleashed all of my feelings for Eve. I would do anything for this girl. I wish I could just rip out my own heart and give it to her.
Wait, my heart. I snapped my head in Lucifer’s direction. “What did the prophecy say about Eve again?” Lucifer looked down at me with confusion and then began to speak.
“The gods didn’t want the deity-blessed child to lose his way, so they locked part of his heart and soul in his destined mate. It was foretold that his mate would be kissed by the Heavens and fathered by Hell’s King. Together the path leads to hope and creation. Apart, the path ends with certain devastation.”
I closed my eyes and kissed Eve’s palm again. Raphael has been extremely quiet. Now, I understand why. I locked eyes with the Archangel. “You hear a heartbeat.”
Raphael nodded his head as a few tears escaped. He turned around, trying to compose himself. “It’s not making sense. I have her heart wrapped in my shirt,” he said with a shaky voice.
“I think the words in the prophecy were meant to be taken literally. Eve must have a piece of my heart.” I heard someone gasp and drop to the floor behind me.
Raphael was already on his phone, rattling off tools and machines that he needed. Then he turned to us. “I’m running out of time, but I’ll get her set up on the monitors. I can talk someone through whatever I’m unable to finish.”
I remembered that Eve typically has a quicker recovery when I’m lying beside her. I st
ood up and slipped into the bed. I positioned Eve so that her back was resting on me and gently wrapped my arm around her. I brushed Eve’s hair off of her dirt-covered face.
“Can someone get me a washcloth with some soap and water?” Abaddon went into Eve’s bathroom and came back with a washcloth and extra towels. I began to clean Eve’s face and neck. I wasn’t satisfied, so I took off her bloodied shirt. I swallowed hard as I saw the hole in her chest.
Being as gentle as possible, I reached under her and unclasped her strapless bra. I covered her breasts with one arm and started to unbutton her shorts. Raphael understood my intentions and helped take her shorts off. He then put on gloves, rubbed alcohol on her arm and gave her some sort of shot. It was likely something to fight off infections.
Carefully, I picked her up and walked into the bathroom. Abaddon already started the shower as Lucifer placed clean clothes on the vanity. I stepped into the shower with Eve and began rinsing her hair and body off with the handheld showerhead. I was careful to avoid her wound, which was already starting to get smaller.
A fully dressed Lucifer stepped into the shower and silently took her from my arms. He turned his head as I carefully washed her hair and body. “I’ll wrap her in a towel and keep her warm. Take a quick shower. I put some clothes on the vanity for you,” Lucifer said. I nodded my head as he walked out of the shower, leaving puddles of water behind him.
I took off my wet clothes and quickly washed the dirt from my hair and body. The need to get back to Eve was starting to become overwhelming. I dried off, got dressed and went back into the bedroom. Raphael was setting up monitors, Abaddon was remaking the bed and Lucifer was gently rocking a towel-covered Eve in his arms.
He stepped back into the bathroom and averted his eyes as I dressed Eve. I quickly brushed and dried her hair before taking her back into my arms. Lucifer kissed her forehead. “I’ll be back shortly,” he said.
Abaddon stuffed a few pillows behind my back as I got back into bed with Eve. I know he’s been holding it together for Lucifer’s sake, but Abaddon’s composure is unbelievable. “Locke, can you lift Eve’s shirt so that I clean the wound?” Raphael asked.
Unlocked (Hell's Throne Book 1) Page 25