Wicked Road to Hel (League of Guardians 1)

Declan’s face was grim. “Our objective is to get the kids out safely.” He arched a brow. “Understand?”

She nodded.

“I’ll get us in. They’ll be on the left side of the room—bound, of course—but you should have no problem setting them free. There will be a hellhound or two. Do you think you can handle them?”

And held the deadly dagger he’d given her loosely in her hands and smiled. “I don’t think I’ll have a problem.”

“Good. Concentrate on the kids and leave the others to me.”

“The others?”

Declan shook his head. “Don’t ask and don’t look at them. They make those maggot-infested shitheads look like playthings.” He glanced at his timepiece. “We have exactly one hour to get back to the platform or we’re on fucking vacation in the land of the lost.”

Adrenaline pumped through her. Ana cracked her neck. She was ready. “Okay, let’s do this.”

“One more thing . . .” She looked at him questioningly and stilled as his lips descended to brush over hers with a whisper of heat.

“Be safe, and when I say run, you run, got it? Do not hesitate. Get those kids out and into the forest.” He opened his hand and she stared at a glimmering ball of energy. “Take this.”

It was hot in her palm and quickly hardened into a solid mass. “What is it?”

“If something happens, if we get separated, use this to open the black shield at the end of the forest where we came in. You’ll have to retrace your steps to get back to the platform.” He paused. “Succubus Blues has a direct portal to the platform. It’s on the upper level.”

She shook her head, opened her mouth, but Declan gave her no time to speak. His eyes were intense. “There’s nothing to say. The situation is what it is. I need to know if you’ll get them out, back to Succubus Blues without me if need be. That’s why we’re here.”

She nodded as Declan stepped back. He could believe what he wanted. There was no way she would leave him behind.

“Ready?”

Ana stared at the door. She let out a breath, centered herself, and prepared to fight.

Chapter 29

The memories inside Declan’s head sickened him. He wanted to close his eyes and push them away. He wanted to hang his head in shame.

Instead he focused and took all the pain, hatred, and fear inside his soul and fed on the darkness that accompanied them. It was powerful shit and at the moment he’d tap into anything he could find.

Declan glanced at Ana. His love for her was also full of a power he could tap into and use.

It gathered in his gut and he held his hands outward, palms up, as the energy inside him burned and pulsed. It traveled through his veins, firing his cells and infusing them with his powerful essence.

His senses were in hyper mode. Since he’d taken from Ana, fed from her, everything was much more vibrant, clear, and his nostrils twitched as the scents that surrounded him settled in his chest.

He stared at the door in front of him and had a moment when everything faded away, like a wall of reality had been peeled back. He heard the breaths falling from his chest, the flies buzzing madly around the food and the screams.

They filled his head, gaining strength as they ripped along his skull. How many had he watched suffer at her hands? How many times had he participated in their torture?

Anguish sat in him. It was heavy but he ignored it and instead focused on the absolute hatred he felt for Lilith. It was potent—exactly what he needed to fuel his magick.

He touched the handle and winced as a bolt of energy shot up his hand. Lilith’s wards were strong but not nearly strong enough to keep him out. He smiled.

Dumb, arrogant bitch.

Declan whispered ancient words, powerful words, while his fingers wove a tapestry of magick in the air. They were beautiful, luminescent patterns that shimmered for several seconds before disappearing. As his hands worked faster, his breaths increased, his heart beat madly in anticipation.

His fangs broke skin.

He smiled as Lilith’s protection wards started to crack, and when he felt them crumble he looked to Ana. She stared up at him and he was humbled that she was willing to risk her life for him.