Wicked Road to Hel (League of Guardians 1)

Declan stared at the teen in surprise. Ana’s mouth was pursed tightly, her pale face nearly ashen.

“Kaden, what the hell? We agreed to keep that information private.” Ana began to pace. “Unbelievable,” she muttered.

Declan had heard stories about the mark of seven. Most he’d assumed were whispers of fantasy. Ana’s pissed-off face told another story.

The mark of seven was real.

This changed everything.

He took the final few steps toward Ana, who’d stopped in front of Kaden. “Move.”

Ana opened her mouth to protest and he shut her down quick. “You can’t begin to comprehend what this means.” He glared at her. “I won’t hurt him.” He meant it.

She eyed him warily and then reluctantly moved aside. He found himself inches from a teenager who stared at him with eyes that flashed anger, confusion, and pain.

“Let me see it,” he said firmly. “I need to make sure.” His words were pointed and it was obvious he wouldn’t take any shit from the boy. The teenager slowly lifted his T-shirt over his head and turned around.

Declan’s eyes were riveted to the intricate mark on Kaden’s left shoulder. It was strangely luminescent, with red and black dominating—a symbolic etching with an eye in the middle, surrounded by vines in the shape of wings and horns.

“That’s fine, you can put your shirt back on.” He waited in silence as Kaden did so. Questions were firing off in his brain at a rapid pace.

Declan eyed the teenager closely. “Who else knows about the mark?”

Kaden shrugged his shoulders and averted his eyes. “No one.”

Liar.

Declan was fast losing patience. “Don’t screw with me, understand? I find it hard to believe that you’ve reached the age of sixteen without anyone seeing it.”

“It didn’t . . . the mark didn’t show up until about six months ago.”

This surprised Declan.

“Kaden, has anyone else seen the mark?” Declan asked once more.

Kaden’s face darkened and his lips thinned. “Why does that matter?”

“It matters because you’ve got a pack of demons after you who answer to Samael and he’s someone you don’t want to mess with. Not to mention the Seraphim are interested as well. Someone tipped off those bastards.”

“I just want it gone.” Kaden’s chest was heaving as he fought for control.

Declan shook his head. “Sorry, kid, I don’t think this is the kind of tattoo you can have removed. You’re stuck with it.” The boy’s face whitened at his words but Declan pressed forward. “I need to know who else has seen this mark.”

The teenager rolled his shoulders and Declan noticed a telltale blush creeping up his neck.

“Was it a girl?”

Kaden’s eyes stared down at his shoes and he shoved his hands into his pockets. “Yeah,” he muttered quietly.

“And her name would be?” Declan continued.

Ana was once more by Kaden’s side and she gave him a quick reassuring squeeze. “This is important, Kaden. Who saw the mark on your shoulder?”

“Claire.” He looked up at Declan, his eyes dark with pain, rage. “She wasn’t just my girlfriend, you know? She was my best friend.” Kaden scuffed the floor with his sneakers. “She was the one they . . .”

“That they what?” Declan glanced at Ana. The pain in her eyes made his gut clench.

“They killed her. In my room.”