The Darkest Torment (Lords of the Underworld 12)

Poor thing. Katarina lost track of her, though, when she ran into Baden, who was in the middle of a conversation with Torin.

“She’s a liability,” Torin said. “She trains dogs for a living. And you know what that means, right? She relies on the canines to see to her defense.”

Baden rubbed the back of his neck.

She almost backtracked, determined to avoid him, but curiosity held her in place. How would he respond?

“The scars on her arms finally make sense. She’s been bitten. Repeatedly.” He paused for a moment, nodded. “If trouble comes, we’ll protect her like we protect the children.”

That galled. Not that she reprimanded him. His opinion mattered less now than it had the day they’d met.

“Trouble is coming,” Torin said. “From the info I’ve been able to gather, Lucifer is doing his best to take out Hades’s closest allies. So far, two realms in the underworld have been hit. It’s only a matter of time before the bastard comes after us.”

“Perhaps I’ll send him a message,” Keeley said as she strode into the room. “Mess with mine, lose yours.”

Torin chuckled as he wrapped his arms around the pink-haired beauty. “That’s my sweet girl.”

“No,” Baden said with a shake of his head. “No making out in front of the dead guy. I’m— Katarina? Do you need—”

She slipped away without a word.

A day—two? three?—later, she stumbled upon a conversation between a woman named Anya and the black-haired warrior named William.

“He shouldn’t have come back,” William said. “And he shouldn’t be digging into the history of the bands. We have to stop him before he finds out...you know.”

“Your secrets.” Anya rolled her eyes. “Yeah, yeah. But it’s not like he’ll discover the truth. Hades ensured only lies are known about them, right?”

“A specialty of his. But you know as well as I that the truth is like the sun. It always finds a way to shine.”

“So what? If you try to stop Baden from digging, you’ll only pique his already piqued interest—and probably learn what it’s like to be split in two. Just leave him alone and let him stay here, okay. He hasn’t lost his temper more than twelve times.”

“A miracle, yes, but he’s only going to decline. Clearly he’s not laying pipe. If you know what I mean. Not playing hide the sausage. Not giving his new roommate a ride on the carnal—”

“Yeah, yeah. We both wish his girl’s favorite color of lipstick was penis,” Anya said with a shrug. “But it’s not, so we deal. The guys need him, and if they need him, he’ll fight to hell and back to ensure he’s here to help. You’re a man-boy so you’re as dumb as a box of rocks, which means you haven’t noticed he regrets leaving in the first place. And now, with the war between your daddy and Lucifer racing to level two...”

William sighed. “After Lucy’s defeat, I’m going to spank Hades for giving Baden those bands. Daddy Dearest should only be willing to die for me. I shouldn’t have competition for his affections.”

“Now you’re talking nonsense. Hades cares for no one but himself. Not even you.” Anya patted the top of his head. “You need rest. Why don’t you lie down and watch a movie with the lights off. And your eyes closed. And the TV off.”

Katarina padded off...and though she would never admit it, she searched for Baden this time. Where was he? What was he doing?

She had no luck finding him. In fact, he didn’t reappear until bedtime, and he was splattered with blood. After he showered, he made a pallet on the floor. All without speaking a word.

The next day, she overheard a conversation between Maddox, the warrior possessed by Violence, and Sabin, the warrior possessed by Doubt.

“How many points has he earned?” Sabin asked.

“As of this morning, eight. But Pandora has nine. Damn it!” Maddox punched a wall, which explained the many holes Katarina had found. “Hades has turned the Gentleman of Mount Olympus into a guilt-ridden assassin.”

“And that’s not even the worst of it. Baden says many of his points mark the death of a human possessed by—he still doesn’t know what. Hades called the creatures a gift. Monsters other monsters fear.”

“I’ll ask around. Maybe someone knows something.”

“Good. Torin’s been searching for immortals who might have worn serpentine wreaths before Baden, but so far he’s had no luck.”