Chapter 22
Club Doom was as frenetic and wild as it had been several hours earlier when Declan had first arrived in Hell.
He shoved his way to the bar, ordered a shot, and tossed it back, welcoming
the burn as the blood red liquid slid down his throat. His senses were hyper, his body tingled, and a weird sensation settled inside him. It was the blood. Ana’s blood.
His heart sped up at the thought of her. What they’d just shared was indescribable. It wasn’t just the sex. It was something much deeper. Ana DeLacrux belonged to him. She existed inside him.
He clenched his teeth tightly. He would do whatever it took to make sure they both made it out of the Hell realm with the children in tow. A smile tugged at his mouth. She was gonna be pissed when the sleep charm wore off. But she’d be safe.
In the meantime he needed to track down a certain demon.
“Back already?”
Declan tensed, cleared all emotion from his mind, and turned. The blond demon from hours earlier stared at him, an elegant eyebrow arched in question.
He smiled. “You complaining?”
She slid beside him. “No, not at all.” Her nostrils flared and his gut tightened as her eyes narrowed. “I can smell her on you. She’s different, that one. I can’t put my finger on it but—”
Declan cut in before she could continue and hoped like hell the panic he felt was invisible. “I’m looking for someone.”
“And I’m guessing that someone isn’t me?” She pouted.
“No.” He nodded to the crowd behind her. “A demon by the name of Seth. I’ve been told he hangs here.” The name was one he’d become familiar with during his forced stay in District Three. He knew that Lilith had no love for the demon and figured the feeling was mutual. Getting into District Three was nearly impossible, unless invited or thrown down.
He needed a way in. Like yesterday. Maybe Seth could provide access.
The demon’s fingers stilled and wariness crept into her eyes. “What do you want with Seth?”
Declan smiled. “That’s my business. Can you point me in the right direction or no?”
The demon chewed her lip, her eyes narrowed, and the smile that fell across her plump lips told Declan things were not going to be as easy as he’d like.
She ordered two drinks and shoved another into his hands. “I suppose that depends.” She licked her lips and finished the drink in one gulp.
Declan nodded, tossed his glass back and stared down at her. “On what?”
Her hand was on his forearm before he could move, her hip pressed hard against his crotch. “On what’s in it for me.” Her breath was warm against his cheek and her razor-sharp teeth scraped along his mouth.
His anger flared and he grabbed her wrist tightly. He grinned at her even as he spread fire along her flesh and lowered his mouth until it was inches from her ear.
“If you know where Seth is, I’d appreciate the information.” He relaxed his grip slightly. “As for payment”—Declan’s eyes went black—“I’ll let you leave with your head still attached to your body.”
She wrenched her hand from his and took a step back. “You’re a piece of shit, asshole,” she said angrily.
“I’ve been called worse.”
She glared at him, licked her lips slowly as a tall demon with an impressive physique sidled up beside her, intent on getting to the bar. Her gaze shifted. In the background the music continued to pound, a heavy beat that thrummed loudly in his chest.
Declan’s muscles were bunched into all sorts of tension. The need to move, to get things done had him sweaty and jumpy.
“When Seth is around he’s holed up three blocks over. A nice little area of town called the Dunes, though it’s the critters that hide in the shadows you need to be wary of.”
She turned and grabbed the demon between the legs, before pushing the male back into the darkness that skirted the corners of the bar.
Declan watched them melt from view, turned to the madness that was Club Doom, and slipped through the crowd. Hundreds of bodies writhed and moaned, high on the dark undercurrent that slithered along the ground, fueled by demon drink and whatever nasty-ass shit was being sold in the corners.