He smirked. “The way you’re looking at me, I know what’s on your mind and we don’t have time.”
“You’re trying to say I won’t be able to suck you off by the time Brian is done with his shower?” I boasted.
He arched one of his perfect blond brows. “You insult me. Think I’ll come in ten minutes or less?”
“You’re insulting me, like I don’t have the skills to make you come that fast.”
Raphael laughed. “You were very impressive earlier. My cock in your mouth, and I thoroughly enjoyed your skills. But as I recall, it took some time before I busted my nut.”
“Man, we’re wasting time talking. I could have already been sucking your cock. Besides, that was after you’d already shot off a load in my ass,” I pointed out.
Raphael pointed to the bathroom when he heard the water shut off in the shower. “Like I said, we wouldn’t have enough time for what you want to do.” He rose just as Brian opened the door, towel in hand as he brushed it over his wet hair.
“Did I miss anything?” Brian asked.
“Not a damn thing,” I said, walking past him into the bathroom. I couldn’t help it, I really wanted to see that look of submission and ecstasy in Raphael’s eyes again. Raphael was right, though, had I started, we would have both been disappointed that I’d have had to stop. We really didn’t have the time.
I stripped and climbed into the shower and he joined me. No kinky business kicked off and he got out of the shower before I did. I had a lot more scrubbing to do, but when I was done, I joined them in the bedroom. I looked on the bed and saw one of my jumpsuits laid out for me.
“I hate that one, so that’s the one I would sacrifice,” Brian said.
I picked up the pants. “Why do you hate this one?”
“I don’t know what the hell possessed you to get a plaid ass jumpsuit,” he replied.
“This is Burberry,” I said.
“And I hate Burberry.”
I laughed. “Just for that, I’m not going to wear this one.” I walked into the closet and found a black jumpsuit and put it on.
“Now you’re being petty,” I heard Brian say from the bedroom.
“Come on, Andre, we’ve got to go,” I heard Raphael call out.
I slipped on my gym shoes, then joined both him and Brian. He was wearing khakis and a green button-down shirt, looking stylish like a motherfucker. Like his ass was going to brunch and not war.
“You need some combat boots and pants, just one outfit for fighting,” I told him.
“And ruin my reputation? I think not.” Raphael took my hand and Brian’s and then he teleported us to where the king was tucked safely away. Well, after this spell, this place wouldn’t be so safe.
Vahiel checked his watch, then looked at us. “Cutting it close.”
“We’re here,” Raphael said as he released our hands.
To that, Vahiel just laughed. You could tell that he and Raphael had had a long and loving friendship. And frankly, Vahiel was just a cool ass demon to me.
“Turn to address your king,” I heard Nasini say.
We turned to see Adriel looking all royal and shit as he sat in a comfortable Lazy boy with his feet up. We three bowed to him, giving him all the respect he was not only entitled to, but what he had also earned.
“My King,” we said at the same time, the way Raphael had taught us.
“Rise,” King Adriel said.
We did and remained silent as he regarded us. His gorgeous silver eyes studied us in a way that not only seduced me, but made me cautious. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking.
“I am pleased that your triumvirate has worked out its issues,” Adriel said.
“Thank you, my King,” Raphael said, speaking for us as our leader.
“And Lord Oria and Dakkar have both spoken highly of your skills in battle and interrogation. I expected nothing short of such excellence from my Agoto knights,” he added.
“Thank you, my King,” we all said at the same time.
“Relax, my Agotos, you are here because once Vahiel has completed his spell, we will need to plan our attack. Hopefully, our final one on Mahmet and my brother. So, please make yourselves comfortable,” Adriel said, then gestured to the other sofas and chairs around the room.
As I looked around, I noticed some of the demons from the night we all witnessed the ascension of Lord Nakai. I think all of his lords were present, and a few other demons I wasn’t so familiar with. We did as the king had commanded and sat our asses down and waited for Vahiel.
Dakkar was lounging on the end of the sofa. He was checking out Raphael and myself, and I didn’t need to know how to read minds to know what was on his. He’d already fucked Brian, I was sure of it. His appetite was quite healthy if he was looking at Raphael and me too.
“Oria said that you were quite vicious in dispatching those demons,” Dakkar said, his eyes on me.
“Me?” I asked for confirmation. Nothing was more embarrassing than taking credit when it wasn’t directed at you.
He nodded. “All of you, but you in particular seem to really enjoy the kill.”
I shrugged. “They deserved that and more. One for betraying our king, that is first and foremost,” I said. Knowing what Adriel had done for Raphael all those centuries ago and the fact that he’d rather be a weaker demon than take innocent souls gave me a newfound respect for him. I already respected our king before I knew this. Lord knew he had put my ass through the ringer when I’d first become a demon. But… I didn’t know… maybe I loved and appreciated him more because I knew more about his character now.
“What are the other reasons?” Dakkar asked.
I realized I had drifted off into my thoughts. “Secondly, I just like killing demons who deserve to die. These bastards are out there killing people. I like to give them what they put out.”
“You do know that every demon within our king’s army has and will continue to kill humans. You, yourself, and your mates kill humans,” Dakkar pointed out.
I nodded. “True, but we make efforts to kill guilty humans… well, at least I know that Brian and I do. I can’t speak for Raphael.” Fact was, I knew Raphael tended to lean closer to humans with yellow and red auras, but he’d just as easily suck down the soul of a human with a black aura as well. He did make efforts at least, not to feed on pure innocence, humans with blue auras. So, I guessed that was something.
“So, by your logic, even I should die,” Dakkar said.
I blinked because I had been caught off guard by his statement. “I don’t follow?”
“If you think a demon should die because they kill people, well, that’s a lot of demons to kill. I don’t really care if the person I feed on is a Good Samaritan or not. They are human, just as an animal is to them, they are sustenance to me. Honestly, the only thing that separates the demons you slaughtered today from those in this room is because we are all aligned with King Adriel. We are all loyal to him,” Dakkar said. “You can have your preference, but you don’t have a right to a moral high ground. We are all killers… hunters, if you will. If it eases your conscious to feed on those who you deem evil, that’s fine. But it’s all a… placebo… if you will. An illusion of righteousness. You killed so violently today, not because you felt you were dealing out justice. You did so because you enjoy killing and there isn’t anything wrong with that. As a demon, it’s encouraged.”
Had this motherfucker just read me? Was he right? Was I being a hypocrite? Shit, maybe I was. All demons killed humans and I didn’t look down on all demons. I didn’t think Raphael, Vahiel, or Rohan needed to be punished. Come to think of it… I didn’t too much think about them at all. Hell, I would bet Isabelle and Saleah killed indiscriminately. Maybe I did just say that shit because it made me feel less… I didn’t know… demonic that I enjoyed killing.
“So? Am I right?” Dakkar asked me.
I looked him square in the face. I could tell the others in the room were watching us, some seemed to be
only mildly interested in the discussion while others like Raphael and Brian were intently waiting for my response.
“Yeah, I guess I do. Perhaps I didn’t want to admit it, but…” I shrugged. “Fuck it, yeah, I enjoy killing demons and humans that piss me off. It’s easier to kill demons because I know they are killers too, doesn’t matter which side they’re on. The only reason I don’t kill every demon I come across is because, like you said, they are in our king’s army or in allegiance with him.”
Dakkar chuckled. “I like you. And if you survive… I plan to fuck your brains out.”
Well, that took me aback. Demons were bold as hell, especially older ones like him. I smiled. “At least I have something to look forward to.”
“God, Vahiel, how much longer for that potion?” Rohan called out in an aggravated tone.
“Got somewhere to be?” Vahiel snapped back.
“I’m just bored. If I’m not killing our enemies, I’d rather be enjoying the amenities of this world,” Rohan said.
“I have to let the potion heat up to the right temperature, which will be about ten more minutes,” Vahiel said, then he turned and walked toward us. “In the meantime, we need to go over our final strategy, because this is it. Right now, I have the protection barrier up and no demon can find us, but as soon as it’s lowered, this place will be attacked. At the same time, the Dogu Stone will take us directly to where Katashniel will be hiding. He won’t be alone and will most likely have his most powerful demons at his side. He will be weakened, though, as will our king.”
“I will be?” Adriel asked from across the room. It was the first time since he’d last spoken to us that he chimed in to the conversation. Of course, he held a presence even silent and still as a statue and I was sure he was reading everyone’s emotions as we conversed.
Vahiel bowed his head. “Yes, my Liege, the spell links you to your brother, it will be painful for a time, but it will pass.”
Adriel actually rolled his eyes, which was kind of funny and very human. He was clearly agitated he would have to experience some discomfort. He sighed, then waved his hand, giving Vahiel permission to continue.
Vahiel turned back to us. “I will stay here to protect our king as will Dakkar, Nasini, and Nakai as his lords. Raphael, Isabella, Jerica, Tazir, Daylan, Dane, and Felice will also remain. Once that barrier goes down, countless demons will converge.”
“They will fall at our king’s feet,” Nasini said, and there was a wicked smirk on her face like she was anticipating the battle.
I was sure she was, because the bitch was bad. She, Ade, and Isabella had put the biggest hit on Katashniel’s army when they killed hundreds of souls escaping from hell at one time. Their Agotos were powerful as all fuck.
“You’ll be by my side, Nasini, in protecting our king,” Vahiel said.
She nodded. “Always.”
“As for those of you who will go to Katashniel, Oria will lead. Rohan, Silas, Brian, Ade, and Andre will join her,” Vahiel said.
I couldn’t help but notice that our fight party was a little bit smaller than the one protecting the king, but maybe that was all we would need. I mean, if Oria could cripple multiple demons at one time and Ade could suck a hundred souls down at one time, Brian and I would be ashing and slashing. I didn’t know what Rohan and Silas were capable of, but they were both lords. So, that meant they were the baddest of asses and I was actually looking forward to seeing what they could do.
“The Dogu Stone will do the teleporting, right?” Oria asked.
Vahiel nodded. “You just hold it. Everyone stay connected and it will take to you where he is. Which is why I said this is a plan that Mahmet can’t prevent.”
“But what if he has a barrier up?” Raphael asked.
“That’s why I have to lower the one here. That’s why our king will be paralyzed. The barrier is connected to our king and by eliminating it, what happens to our king happens to Katashniel, which brings me to the point, and it’s most important,” Vahiel said.
“Yes, please, elaborate more on how this spell of yours works, dear Vahiel,” Adriel said, and he actually uncrossed his legs for this one. “I don’t quite fancy having my life force linked to my brother’s.”
Vahiel licked his lips and for the first time ever, I could sense a bit of apprehension. Nervousness? Naw, it was fear. “I know, my Liege,” he began, then walked over to Adriel, lowering himself to one knee, head bowed. “But it was the only spell I could think of that would guarantee Katashniel’s capture.”
“What if he tries to teleport?” Rohan asked.
“He will not be able to, as I will cast a spell on our king that will prevent him from teleporting as well as from moving or using his powers,” Vahiel said.
“Oh, this just gets lovelier,” Adriel drawled, tossing his arms up in the air in exasperation. “What the fuck, Vahiel?”
“My Liege, you will be protected by your fiercest demons. No one will harm you,” Vahiel said.
“And if they harm you? Then what? You would have left me vulnerable,” Adriel complained.
Vahiel shook his head. “I have linked the spell to my own lifeline as well. If I die, all of the magic I cast goes with me, leaving you back to your full strength. However, Katashniel will also return to form.”
“Which is why we can’t fuck up,” Nasini said.
“We really do have one fucking shot,” Dakkar added. “I like those odds.”
“Please don’t be cross with me, my Liege,” Vahiel said, still bowing before Adriel.
Adriel leaned over and took Vahiel’s chin into his hand, lifting his face to his. “I trust you with my life.” He looked at the rest of the room. “I trust all of you with my life. I know your hearts and your loyalty is true, it is strong and just.” He released Vahiel’s chin and sat back. “Do what you must to take down my brother. In fact, I rather like the idea of bringing him to me alive. I will rip his heart out before him with my own hands. As for Mahmet, his betrayal deserves a worthy punishment. Lord Oria.”
She leaped off the sofa and walked very quickly to the king’s chair, Mary Janes click-clacking the whole way. She dropped to one knee. “My King, what will you have of me?”
“Bring Mahmet back as well. I will have his greatest fear made real before him, no illusion. He will die by it,” Adriel said.
The smile that spread across Lord Oria’s innocent, childlike features creeped me out to my motherfucking bones. Hell, I was glad I wasn’t Mahmet or some loser turncoat.
“That would be my pleasure, my King,” Oria said, then giggled. “Oh, the horrors I will conjure!”
“Umm, do the rest of us have to see it, my King?” Dakkar asked.
Adriel laughed. “Why Dakkar, do you fear what Mahmet might fear?”
Dakkar shrugged. “I don’t know, but I’d rather not find out, if it’s all the same, my King.”
“Those who wish you see, may watch. Once I have them captured, all but Nasini and Vahiel will be free to go,” Adriel said.
“I don’t know about the rest of you, but I want to watch,” Rohan said.
“Me too,” Brian said.
“You do?” I asked him.
He nodded. “That bastard has been a pain in my ass for months. Remember, for me, it started with Xora’s ass killing all those people. I couldn’t take her down like I wanted to, but I enjoyed watching her death at the hands of our king. I want to watch them both get what they deserve.”
Sometimes, Brian surprised me. There was a humanity in him that was gentle and sweet and one of the things I loved about him. But then, there was this side of him that was ruthless as fuck and I found that sexy too. I guessed you could say the same thing about me. Man, if my sister knew this about us, what would Sheila think? I’d never tell her, not if I didn’t have to. She knew enough as it was. Anyway, I was ready to get this show on the road, as they say.
“Is the potion ready? Do I drink it?” Adriel asked.
Vahiel rose, as did Oria. “It sho
uld be, my Liege.” He walked over to where the potion had been simmering under a white flame. So, it wasn’t even a normal fire that had been heating it up, but some mystical shit.
We all stood up, because once our king drank the potion, it was about to be go time. I was nervous because I didn’t know what to expect once we got there. Thankfully, Katashniel’s chaos powers would be silenced, but I didn’t know what any other demon was capable of. I figured I was just going to ash and flame, but not feed.
“Gather around,” Lord Oria said, and those of us who were going with her did just that.
“I think it best that I hold the Dogu Stone, Lord Regent,” Lord Rohan said.
“I suppose. You won’t be much help crippled by your own fears once we get there,” Oria said with a grin.
“Indeed,” Rohan gave her a respectful nod.
We all watched as Vahiel approached the king with the potion still smoldering. “I will need to cut your hand after you’ve drank the potion so your blood may soak into the Dogu Stones. You must hold onto one while the other leads us to Katashniel. Once the potion is in your system, it will hit you hard.”
“I don’t like being crippled, but if this works, you will be greatly rewarded,” Adriel said.
“It will work, my Liege,” he said, extending the drink to Adriel, who looked at it like a kid looks at having to take nasty cough syrup.
Again, he released a heavy sigh. “To you all, do not fail,” he commanded.
We all promised not to in our own way, with some of us referring to him as “King” or “Liege” and even “Your Highness”.
He must have been satisfied with our response, because he gave us a nod before reaching for the bowl. He placed it to his lips, then drank quickly. Vahiel caught the ritual bowl before it fell to the ground. Adriel growled in pain and folded into a fetal position; the pain he was experiencing was etched into his gorgeous features, distorting them. It jarred me a bit to see a being so powerful brought down to that helpless state. By the gasps of the others in the room and the distressed expressions on their faces, I knew they were just as unnerved as I was.
Fate: Limited Released Until April 30, 2020: Episode Three of Season Two Finale (Demon Gate Series Book 12) Page 6
