Lost in Time (Blue Bloods 6)

Ben nodded slowly.

Allegra held her pose. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply. She could feel him watching her, memorizing every line, every curve of her body for his work.

There was no sound for the remainder of the hour but that of the quiet taps and soft strokes of a paintbrush on canvas.

“Good,” he said, meaning she could release the pose.

She wrapped herself in a robe and walked over to look at his painting. “Best one yet.”

Ben put away his brushes and pulled her onto his lap.

“I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Me too,” she said, sinking into his arms. She traced the veins on his neck. Then sank her fangs deep into his skin and began to drink deeply.

Ben leaned back, and soon the robe fell away and they were together.

It was the happiest she had ever felt.

Allegra could almost convince herself that they would be able to live here together for the rest of their lives.

TWENTY-EIGHT

The Brides of Lucifer

Theyweredeepunderground,onapathbeneaththenecro-polis leading to a subterranean stairway. Schuyler stumbled on a rock and cut her ankle. It was hard to keep balance as the men alternately pulled and carried her to their destination.

Their attackers had blindfolded them after they’d fallen through the void, and while she knew they were in the underworld, she wasn’t sure how far down they had taken her. Were they through the gate already? Had her plan worked? But if they had breached the Gate of Promise, where was its keeper?

And what did they do now that Jack and the rest of the team had no idea where they had gone? Did they fight? Did they wait? Schuyler decided to wait. Finally the marching stopped, and her blindfold was removed. Schuyler looked around. She was in some sort of waiting room, and she did not see Deming or Dehua anywhere. She was alone with her captors, two swarthy men who looked at her appraisingly. The Red Blood by her side slobbered over her. “Our masters will reward us. You’re a pretty one.”

Schuyler’s stomach tightened, and she comforted herself with the knowledge that she had Gabrielle’s sword hidden in her robe. When the time was right, she would be able to fight her way out of here.

The door opened, and a female demon entered. Schuyler had never seen one before. Jack had told her about the different creatures of the underworld, of the demons that lived in Helheim, who’d been made from the darkness and breathed the Black Fire.

“What did you bring in?” she asked. “We got twins in the other room. Nice one. Lads will like that. What’ve we got here?”

Schuyler’s attackers pushed her forward. “Worth the top bride price, this one is.”

“Take off your hijab,” the demon barked. “I want to see what we’re buying. Go on, now.”

Schuyler slipped the garment over her head, pocketing Gabrielle’s sword, which had collapsed into a small knife in her fist. She stood in her slip and crossed her arms before her chest.

The demon leaned forward and sniffed her. “What have you got in your hand, missy?”

Before Schuyler could react, the demon’s hand clamped down on her wrist and squeezed tightly.

Schuyler’s knees buckled from the pain, and she had no choice but to open her hand and give up her weapon.

The demon picked it up, and the knife transformed into a long gleaming saber. “Just as I thought. This is a sword of the Fallen. Have Baal take a look at it. And warn the others—they might be just like her.” She put her meaty hands on her thighs and smiled. “Thanks, boys, you did well. The bosses will find some angels in their beds tonight.” She smiled. “Go on now, out with you. The trolls will pay you at the till.”

The men shuffled out, and the demon studied Schuyler.

“This is an interesting proposition. You’re not exactly what we asked for, but I think we’ll find someone who’ll like you just the way you are.” She left the room, banging the door behind her.

Once Schuyler was alone, she paced the entire length of it, trying to find an exit, as the door was locked with an invisible spell and the walls were made of solid rock. She tried everything, but no incantation even moved the rock an inch.

She tried to quell the panic that threatened to wash over her, and forced herself to think. She’d lost her sword, but surely she could find something else to defend herself with before it was too late. Yet before she could form even the bare bones of an escape plan, the demon returned, and this time she was not alone.