Wicked Road to Hel (League of Guardians 1)

Declan flexed his hands and cracked his neck. “Kaden, move away.” His tone brooked no argument, and surprisingly the teenager listened. Declan waited until Kaden was safely out of reach before he looked up and spoke.

“I thought you were on assignment in Antarctica.”

The intruder jumped down and flashed a smile. He was tall, his dark hair worn short, military-style, and he was dressed in faded denim, big-ass boots, with Mötley Crüe emblazoned on his black T-shirt. “I was.” He offered no further explanation.

“Who are you?” Kaden stepped beside Declan.

The stranger’s eyes narrowed as he looked at the teen. He rolled his shoulders, cocked his head to the side, and smiled. “I think the question is . . . who are you?” He paused and glanced at Declan. “I was in the area and thought I’d check on my old friend.”

Declan’s fingers sizzled with energy and his limbs hung loose, at the ready. Yeah, because we’re so tight.

“The name’s Cale,” he continued, though the smile left his face as he winked at Kaden. “I’m one of the Seraph.”

Chapter 10

“Kaden, you need to go home, now.”

Declan moved in front of the boy and faced Cale with a snarl. “Who’d you manage to piss off? Seems to me coming after an operative already on assignment is grunt work.”

“Nobody sent me. Bill is with Azaiel as you know.” Cale held his hands out, palms up. “I’m here on my own.” Cale’s eyes were focused behind him and Declan clenched his teeth. He was going to have to have a long chat with Kaden about orders.

And the need to obey them.

“Cross my heart.” Cale winked, but when he turned his gaze back to Declan they were dead serious. “The underworld is closing ranks and some of the baddies have suddenly gone topside. They seem to be on the hunt for something.” He pointed toward the teenager. “You have any idea what that might be?”

“I have no clue.”

“Bullshit, O’Hara.” Cale walked toward them. “Word is they’re collecting”—he paused and his gaze slid toward Kaden—“something. You care to elaborate on that?”

“Son of a bitch,” Declan swore. The game had just changed again. How in the hell was he going to get the large warrior off his back? He eyed Cale closely. “What’s your interest in this?”

“Something big is going down. Bill is locked away at council with the rest of the Seraphim so that means we’re on our own. If you want my help you’d best spill.”

“How did you know I was in New Orleans?” Declan shot back, not willing to give in just yet.

“I didn’t. Whispers of shit hitting the fan in the Big Easy are why I’m here. I thought I’d check it out.” He shrugged his shoulders. “I caught your scent several hours ago and followed you back from the Voodoo Lounge. Your wards are strong, they prevented me entrance to the house.”

Declan clenched his hands together tightly. He had a decision to make. Cale was one of the oldest of the Seraph, at least that’s what he’d been told. Truthfully he had no clue what the hell he was, but next to Bill, he was the go-to guy. He had a reputation for being a cold son of a bitch, but he was fair.

His gut told him that Cale could be trusted. His mind told him he’d be a fool to chance it.

“Do not start a war between us, sorcerer. It cannot end well for either one of us.”

A muscle worked its way sharply across Declan’s jaw. Fuck, he hated being put on the spot.

“They’re collecting the mark of seven.”

Kaden moved in closer to him and his chest tightened. The boy had been on his own for so long and yet was willing to trust a total stranger.

Cale’s eyes widened. It was obvious he was surprised. “Do the Seraphim know?”

Declan nodded. “It’s why I was sent here.”

Cale studied him in silence and when he finally spoke, his voice was subdued. “They will destroy them. The Seraphim will never let the mark of seven come together. They’ll never chance something coming to fruition that they don’t fully understand.” He nodded at the teen. “He is one?”

“The fifth mark,” Declan answered quietly, though the tingle of power still burned at the edges of his fingers. He’d have no problem letting it fly if Cale made one wrong move.

“I’m like right here, ya know?” Kaden stepped forward, his face twisted in anger. “Don’t talk about me like I’m a moron. Like I don’t understand what’s going on.”