The Darkest Torment (Lords of the Underworld 12)

His distaste for the subject was keen. “Some secured the underworld while others hunted and captured spirits who managed to escape. They communicated telepathically—what one knew, they all knew—and they could flash between realms.”

Her idea grew branches, horror sprouting at the ends like ripening fruit. “Were the people they bit...infected?” Her mouth dried. “Like, say, a werewolf.”

“In a way. But there were very few bite-survivors. Once a hellhound tasted someone’s blood, the need to feed on that specific person eclipsed everything else.”

What a relief! Her dogs couldn’t be hellhounds. If they’d actually bitten her, they would have devoured her. “How do you know this?”

“The male who imprisoned me controlled a pack. They...played with my limbs.”

Her stomach roiled. She ached for the boy he’d been. “I’m so sorry.” The words weren’t good enough. No words were good enough.

His grip tightened enough to make her cry out in pain.

He gentled his hold, saying, “As children, immortals cannot regenerate. But I’m more than immortal. And I never forget a wrong done to me. If hellhounds managed to survive, they must be eradicated.”

Despite her lingering horror about his past, protective instincts flared. To destroy an entire race for the crimes of a few? No!

—You need help?—

No, no. She projected her thoughts and prayed the animals heard. They were enclosed in the bathroom, but they were totally able to claw their way free. I’m fine. Stay where you are.

If she was wrong, if the race had changed, had learned to control the bloodlust and the pups were indeed hellhounds...if Destruction turned his wrath on them...

There would be hell to pay.

“Baden never mentioned a hellhound scent,” she said.

“His senses aren’t as highly developed.”

Keeping her expression neutral proved to be a challenge, but she did it. “Well. As you said, hellhounds are extinct. Centuries have passed. Your nose could be playing tricks on you. Or maybe hellhounds once lived here. The place is old. Now. Stop stalling and—roll—over.”

He obeyed at last, and she knew it wasn’t because he’d suddenly decided to trust her. He probably intended to test her. A test she would pass with an A++, gold star, or whatever grading system he used.

She trailed her fingertips down the ridges of his spine, over the knots between his shoulders and down, down to the tight globes of his ass, continuing until he melted into the mattress. Soon, he began to purr.

“You’re so hard and soft at the same time,” she said.

“You like this.” A demand, not a question.

“I do.” She increased the pressure of her touch, massaging his muscles. His purrs soon became...snores? He’d fallen asleep? Really? A smile tugged at the corners of her lips. Clearly, this beauty had just bagged and tagged two beasts.

* * *

As morning sunlight poured into the bedroom, Baden tugged on a pair of battle fatigues. He was a bit unbalanced. Destruction was calm, almost content—would he next break out in song like a Disney princess?

I’m happy.

I know. And it’s weirding me out.

Baden anchored weapons to his arms, his waist and ankles, his focus remaining on Katarina as she ate the “thanks for your help” breakfast Fox had delivered. Pancakes and eggs. There were dark smudges on her forearms. Definitely not dirt. Probably bruises. Anger... He’d handled her roughly. Next time he would have to be more careful.

Her features were soft, luminous, her skin still flushed from this morning’s debauchery.

The phone in his pocket vibrated, and he checked the screen. A text from Torin.

William wants revenge against the satyr & our help to get it

William would have to call in his favor if he desired Baden’s help. Two birds, one stone. “Where are the dogs?” he asked Katarina.

Her head canted to the side, as if she were listening for the pitter-patter of their feet. “In the backyard playing. Why?”

He frowned at her. “You can hear them from here?” The windows were closed, the yard on the other side of the palace.

Though color stained her cheeks, she shrugged off the oddity as unimportant. “I’m a momma bear, and they’re my cubs.” She smiled at him, the sweetness not quite reaching her eyes. “You and Destruction better not hurt them.”

Why would she say such a thing? “I would never. Why would you think otherwise?”

She licked her lips, clearly nervous. “Destruction mentioned his hatred for hellhounds, and I hope the hatred doesn’t extend to all canines.”