Wicked Road to Hel (League of Guardians 1)

Declan watched as the tattoo moved along the side of Samael’s neck. It shifted and for a moment was out of focus, until it settled once more into the bed of vibrant color that adorned the demon’s flesh.

“What is that you want?” Cale asked.

Samael set the bowl of nuts back onto the counter and then spoke. “My hands are tied. I can help no longer.”

“What the hell does that mean?” Declan was close to losing it. He hated games. “You’re talking in riddles. Why are you really here?”

The demon lord stood and placed the aviators once more over his eyes. “I came to make a deal.”

“Your deals are never what they seem, brother.” Cale’s words were so low Declan was barely able to catch them.

“This one is quite simple. I’ll provide safe passage to the underworld and you”—he pointed to Declan—“will retrieve the children from Lilith’s clutches. Get them to safe haven.”

“You’re full of shit,” Declan snarled. “Two nights ago you had a band of fucking ghouls on Ana’s doorstep and they were after Kaden. None of this is making sense.”

“Two nights ago I still had possession of the other two.” Samael shook his head. “The game has changed. I no longer have them.”

“How the hell did that bitch get her hands on them? Are they still alive?” Declan was breathing hard, his anger palpable.

“The details aren’t important, but trust me. They live. They’re no good to her dead.” Samael’s brows furled and his mouth tightened. “I will do whatever it takes to make sure Lilith never gets her hands on the mark of seven.”

“Just as the Seraphim can never have them,” Cale added.

Samael nodded. “Seems we are on the same page, brother.” The demon turned to Declan. “Believe what you will but know you have until tomorrow evening to give me your answer.”

“Or what?” Declan asked, his voice tight. “I don’t like being pushed into a corner.” And yet it was so much more than that. The thought of diving into the pit of darkness below, of seeing Lilith again, filled him with dread. No one knew of his torture at her hands, though he suspected Samael had an idea.

The demon shrugged his shoulders and moved away. The air around him blurred and his image wavered until he disappeared altogether, yet his words echoed inside Declan’s head.

“Do this, sorcerer, or I will kill the children and make it my mission to hunt down the rest until they are no more.” Soft laughter echoed eerily in his brain.

“And then I will take your vampire.”

Chapter 13

It was hours later when he returned. Ana knew the moment Declan stepped foot inside her home because the energy in the air shifted. She drew a deep breath and rose from the kitchen table.

She and Nico had made it back to the mansion without incident, but as the night wore on and Declan remained absent, she’d begun to worry. It had taken every ounce of control she had to stay and not rush back to the Lounge. But with Kaden to watch over and the woman Francesca as well, she knew she needed to be vigilant and stay put.

Declan was one of the Seraph now as well as a powerful sorcerer. He could look after himself. Yet her mind ran through all sorts of scenarios, each of them ending with her sorcerer dead or gravely injured.

It had been years since she’d worried so, and anger pinched her cheeks red as she listened to his slow gait. He walked as if he had all the time in the world. Not a care to bother him. He paused, just beyond the doorway, and for a second she thought he’d turn and leave her.

She bit her lip and considered slipping out the back. Did she really want to face him when she was a vulnerable mess? On one hand she wanted to bitch slap him for worrying her, but on the other . . . she didn’t want to dwell on the things she craved.

Ana knew she’d be better off alone in her room or out hunting. Even now the hunger inside was making noise. She’d ingested nearly a decanter and a half of blood and yet it did nothing to quench her thirst.

With Declan back she could breathe easier. He would keep her charges safe. Decision made, she was at the door in less than a second, her hand on the knob.

“Don’t leave.”

He sounded weary. She stared out into the darkness beyond the windowpane. It had rained again. She smelled the dampness of it, saw the glistening drops that clung to his hair and sat upon his skin as she gazed at his reflection.

An image of her tongue slowly licking them away flashed before her eyes and her mouth went dry.

Ana heard his heart beating steadily. The rhythm called to her like no other and she shuddered as she closed her eyes and prayed for strength.

“I need to hunt,” she said carefully. “I’ve been waiting for hours.” Accusation rang in her words. Her hand closed around the doorknob once more and she was about to yank it open when he spoke, so softly she barely heard his words.