In the Arms of the Beast (Kings of Hell MC 5)

As they descended, Beast heard the steady metallic thud ahead, and the noise grew ever louder as the four of them—he, Laurent, Magpie, and Vars—made their way toward the underground workshop. The noise was dull, like the clomping of devil’s hooves, and when Beast reached the downstairs corridor, his hand itched to seek out Laurent’s to protect him from painful memories.

But Laurent must have remained unaffected, because he approached Magpie and went on with the uncomfortable conversation from earlier. “We’re about to see it. Is it not time for us to find out what you intend with the ruby?”

Magpie stopped in front of the closed door, waiting as Vars knocked on the reinforced entrance in a coded sequence. “I see we have a doubting Thomas in our midst.”

Beast’s lips pressed together, and he shot Laurent a sharp glare before making the tiniest shake with his head.

The door unlocked, and Rev emerged, dressed in gray overalls. The white light behind him created a sharp contrast with the orange glow in the corridor, framing his bald head, large yet powerful body, and making prematurely deep wrinkles more obvious. His nostrils flared when he noticed he was face to face with Magpie, but he politely stepped back, letting them enter the space cramped with specialist equipment Rev used when working on stolen jewelry.

Metal bolts slid into place as soon as everyone was inside. But the moment the door locked, a flash of dread passed through Laurent’s features, leaving them pale and tense. He’d told Beast that gruesome memories of a powerful man threatening him with rape and death returned to him every time he entered those underground rooms, and Beast’s heart bled for him.

He stood closer and discreetly placed his hand on Laurent’s back, relieved to sense his husband relax somewhat.

Magpie waved his hand with a smile, heading toward the safe at the back of the room. “I understand your worries, my dear Laurent. I decided to keep my cards to myself until now, in case the jewel heist fell through, or if other circumstances made the plan unfeasible. To make sure you sleep soundly, Laurent, I will leave the Pigeon Heart with you until the day it’s needed. All I wish for now is to take it in my hands and feel its power. The ruby will be of use once the trees bear fruit.”

He made an annoying pause, as if they were involved in a play, not talking life and death, but eventually went on. “When I was still a young human being, and my thoughts were deeply tainted by the darkness of my own world, I followed Baal’s guidance, collecting rubies and the energy to feed them. I did my work, because I expected that the power would be needed for a higher purpose, but the results are all the same. During my years among humans, I have not wasted this power by enticing many people into frivolous pacts. It was to serve a higher purpose, and even though my goals have changed since then, my resources have only grown. Now that we have a ruby large and pure enough, I can use it to focus the entirety of the energy I’ve gathered throughout centuries. You have all seen Shadow’s original form. I can create a similar creature with the Pigeon Heart, and use it to stop Baal.”

“Is that how you were made, too?” Laurent asked softly.

The room stayed silent apart from the creaking of the safe door when Rev pulled it open.

Magpie clicked his tongue. “Yes, Laurent, it is indeed. But unlike Shadow, I was made with living flesh.”

“But your life has been so long already. It spanned centuries while poor Shadow is predicted to only have weeks left if he can’t obtain another gemstone. Does this mean the ruby inside you is as powerful as the Pigeon Heart?”

Magpie’s sapphire eyes narrowed. “That is correct. What’s keeping Shadow alive now is just a shard while the ruby inside me could keep me alive for millennia to come.”

Vars was the first one to lose his patience. “Laurent, where is this going?”

Laurent’s dark eyes caught the glow of the work lamps, hypnotizing Beast, who could barely comprehend the magnitude of Magpie’s potential. “I just wish to establish if there is another option, in case the Pigeon Heart couldn’t serve its purpose.”

Magpie frowned, but his gaze was fixed on the large jewelry box Rev removed from the safe. “What does it matter? I am working with you, because I want this world to continue. What would be the point of my sacrifice if I didn’t get to be a part of the aftermath? Don’t be ridiculous. The sole reason I want to fight for you all is the fact I find the comforts of this realm superior to living in Baal’s domain.”

Beast clenched Laurent’s shoulder. There it was, the selfishness Beast had learned to expect from this strange creature and the reason why Beast chose to trust Magpie. “How about you let him finish?”