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

Laurent’s lips thinned as he watched Magpie handle the priceless jewel. It was huge, the size of a duck’s egg and so clear it couldn’t be compared to any other jewel Beast had ever seen. The rich color, shine, and clarity of the Pigeon Heart couldn’t have been reproduced with plastic or glass, and even Beast was drawn to the glow it exuded when Magpie brought the stone to his face and took an ecstatic sniff.

“Magnificent. Pure. And so powerful. The perfect future heart for the creature to save us all,” he said, pressing the stone to his chest. “I will bring him to life once the time comes, and he will seal the open portal by walking through it, filled with all of my power. The Pigeon Heart will be gone, but so will be Baal. Locked out of this realm forever.”

Laurent took a sharp inhale. “That’s it? That’s all it will take? A living cork?”

Beast wished he wasn’t here to make such crude comments when he didn’t understand the issues Magpie was discussing. He squeezed Laurent’s arm discreetly, but Magpie’s expression didn’t lose any of its serenity. Magpie cocked his head, but didn’t even look at Laurent, massaging the ruby instead as if it were a baby.

“It’s no small feat, Laurent. Three centuries’ worth of pure energy and the finest ruby in this world. Once the creation of the golem is over, I will be as weak as a human, and expect you all to take care of my earthly vessel to the highest standards.”

Beast cleared his throat. “And the golem will seal the portal without any issue?”

Magpie sighed. “I can only hope so. If not, we’re doomed.”

Beast was glad to leave the claustrophobia-inducing cellar. But despite the contentment of finding out what the plan was—abstract as it seemed—Laurent’s behavior remained a thorn in his side. Magpie wasn’t the kindest of creatures, and the last thing they needed was to leave him with a grudge.

As soon as they were out of the secret passage, Beast excused himself and pulled Laurent with him, because that fire needed to be extinguished as soon as possible. He led the way toward the part of the building that had been affected by the fire ignited by Vars’s former lover. There had been too much going on since to waste time on extensive repairs, so they’d marked areas that suffered extensive structural damage with bright yellow tape and hoped the hangarounds would know what was in their best interest and stay away.

Beast lifted the tape and entered the damaged section of the building. Some of the floors had collapsed farther on, but this far from the epicenter of the fire the risk was low. Though the rubble and blackened walls should serve as warning to any trespasser. The air smelled of damp soot, and the empty windows let the breeze run freely, howling in the corridors like a pack of wolves about to chase down any visitor.

Beast took Laurent past a pile of broken furniture. The room they entered used to be a location for orgies, but its sofas and daybeds had become history. The demolished space was a wordless warning of what the world could become if things went according to Baal’s plan.

Laurent looked around as rubble crunched under their feet. “Why are we here?” he whispered.

“I need you on my side, so stop undermining me. I wanted to talk to you in private, but away from Vars or Magpie. We talked about the whole thing yesterday and you said you’ll follow my lead, so what are you doing questioning Magpie like that?”

Laurent crossed his arms. “I just want to point out any issues with Magpie’s plan. Our lives are on the line.”

Beast had to take a deep breath. “When the trees bear fruit, Magpie will use the ruby, and lock Baal out of this realm. It really is that simple.”

In the past couple of months, he’d let Laurent do all the research he wanted, but this was the time of making hard decisions based on the knowledge they had. And he would be the one to have the final word.

Still, he didn’t want to argue and reached out to Laurent’s shoulder. His husband stepped back with a grumble, but as he moved, Beast spotted a flicker of light on the sooty wallpaper and focused on the rubble beneath their feet. The burn of annoyance was instantly replaced by fear, and blood drained from his face when he saw a disturbance in the black dust. Half a second later, air blew from the floor, scattering the light debris, as if it originated in bellows operated in hell. A dozen pieces of broken glass unraveled, glimmering in the ashes between charred pieces of wood like bloodthirsty grins.

Beast tugged on Laurent’s hand. He sped up and wouldn’t stop until they passed the yellow tape and entered one of the rooms that remained unaffected by the fire. His palm was damp with sweat, but he offered Laurent a tense smile, pulling him into the safety of his arms.