Darkblood Prison: Demon Dark Lord (Supernatural Prison Squad Series Book 4)

by G. K. DeRosa

  “I can’t.”

  “Look at me, amó.” His warm hands framed my face. My head spun and if it weren’t for his tender hold, I was certain I would’ve collapsed. “Call for Ella. We’re going to need backup.” He released me, and the snap of his emerging wings hastened my movements.

  I pried my eyes open but kept them firmly focused on his. “Okay,” I muttered. Wading through the tangled web of thoughts I searched for my cousin. Ella, I need you.

  Be right there. Her answer was instantaneous, and a wave of relief washed over me.

  At least a dozen guards stormed in and Talon’s shoulders strained, making them even broader than I thought possible. I forced myself off the floor and peered around his massive back. Confused mutters filled the room as the narkins stared at the floor. I still hadn’t dared a peek at Delacroix’s remains—if there were any.

  The soldiers pivoted as one and trained their spears in our direction. I gulped. I was in no mood for a throwdown.

  “Bend the knee to your new liege.” Remy’s voice boomed over the disorderly narkins. The guards paused for only a moment before their weapons clattered to the floor as the unwieldy creatures dropped to one knee.

  “Liege. Liege. Liege.” Their beastly voices took up the call.

  “This is not happening,” I muttered. I took another step behind Talon, wanting nothing more than to disappear into the ether. Why did I come here? Why couldn’t I have listened to Talon and stayed in our romantic bubble in Spring Court?

  “It has happened, my liege,” Remy crooned, his arms outstretched and palms up. “Just as I foresaw. You’ve slain the dark lord of the sixth realm and since his reign was never officially confirmed, his throne is yours.”

  Who made up these stupid rules? “I. Don’t. Want. It.” Magic flickered across my skin. I was two seconds away from opening a portal and getting the hell out of here. Living on the run from the SIA had to be better than this.

  Remy’s freaky eyes caught mine. “Don’t even think of fleeing if you care an ounce for the poor humans. With the seat of the sixth realm vacant, your subjects will be free to come and go as they please. Is that what you want for your precious humans?”

  My gaze cast down to the floor, and I accidentally caught a glimpse at Delacroix’s charred remains. Oh, vomit. A swell of emotions tangled in my gut at the sight of the defunct dark lord. Despite everything, I’d grown oddly fond of the hellus demon during my stay at Darkblood Prison. We’d forged some sort of twisted understanding.

  “Don’t feel sorry for him,” Talon muttered in my ear. “He tried to kill you.”

  “Only because Remy was whispering in his ear, feeding him lies.”

  The seer waggled his finger at me. “They were not lies. I was right about you killing him, wasn’t I?”

  “It was an accident,” I shrieked. “I was trying to kill you!”

  “It doesn’t matter. It still came to pass, and I simply warned him it would.”

  The subtle perfume of magic flared my nostrils, and I spun toward the entryway. Ella. I barreled through the narkin guards who still remained on their knees and searched the hallway. Come in but stay hidden. You’re not going to believe what’s happened.

  No problem. Ella’s invisible form crept by me, and I followed her back into the room.

  The guards stared at me expectantly. Oh, gods. “You’re dismissed or whatever.” I shooed them off, and all but two lumbered out of the room. Remy hobbled after the pack, whispering something I couldn’t make out.

  The remaining soldiers neared and the taller one bent his head, his floppy ears folding over his wrinkly face. “I Beelis and that Artis. We protect liege.”

  “Yeah, yeah sure.” I waved a nonchalant hand, and they took their posts on either side of me.

  “Now what?” Talon arched a brow at Remy.

  “Now we must hold an assembly to declare Azara’s ascent official. No stalling like with Delacroix.”

  I shot Talon a scathing glare. “This isn’t happening. We’re not declaring anything official.” I spun at Remy and jabbed my finger in his bony chest. “Pick someone else.”

  He exhaled an exasperated breath and impaled me with those creepy white eyeballs. “It is not up to me. This is the way of the Underworld. When one dark lord is killed, the next one rises.”

  “Well, I forfeit my spot.”

  “Until someone else is chosen, you are the dark lord of the sixth realm.”

  “Who can choose someone else?” Talon interjected.

  “Certainly not by democratic standards if that’s what you’re getting it. Either Azara must be killed by a usurper or deposed at the very least.”

  “I’m sure there are tons of power-hungry demons who’d love to be the next warlord. I’d be happy to enable the transition.”

  Remy rolled his eyes but somehow it didn’t have the same effect since the pupil, iris and surrounding white all bled together.

  My thoughts zipped to Drayax, the warlord of the third realm, who’d tried to kill me. I was sure he’d be thrilled to take my place. I eyed the seer, a deranged excitement setting his unnerving irises ablaze. “Get word to Drayax that I’d like to meet with him.”

  “Azara…” Talon hissed.

  “He won’t try to kill me if I’m offering him my throne. He couldn’t be that stupid, right?”

  My dragon mate grunted. “I wouldn’t count on it.”

  Muffled chants rose around us, and the hair on the back of my neck rose. What in the Underworld? Talon darted to the barred window overlooking the front of the castle.

  “Azara, you better take a look at this.”

  I raced over and Ella’s spectral form shot beside me. For a second, I’d forgotten she was still here. Peering around Talon’s wide shoulder, down to the ashen road leading up to the drawbridge, my jaw nearly unhinged.

  Hundreds of demons filled the gray expanse, chanting as they marched. “Dark lord Azara has risen, long may she reign. Dark lord Azara! Dark lord Azara!”

  Oh no, no, no. How did they find out so quickly?

  “We might as well be waving a red flag at the SIA.” Talon scowled at the dark mass of approaching demons.

  “They’ve come to pay homage to their new liege,” Remy hummed as he gazed out the adjacent window.

  “How did they get here so fast?” I pressed my fingertips to my temples, a headache coming fast. “It was you! You told the soldiers to alert the realm?”

  A sly smirk stretched the seer’s thin lips. “There are always demons milling around the confines of the castle.”

  I whirled to the narkin guard beside me, cursing. I couldn’t tell one from the other, not like I remembered their names anyway. “You, tell the soldiers to get them out of here.”

  The taller one dipped his head and lumbered out of the chamber. Another guard trudged in to take his place a moment later. I jabbed my fingers through my hair, pulling them through and yanking at the ends. How is this happening?

  “Remy!” I cried. “Why are you still here? Aren’t you supposed to be arranging a meeting for me with Drayax?”

  He dipped his head. “Yes, of course, my liege.” He tugged on his robes and drifted out of the chamber. “And have someone come collect Delacroix’s remains,” I called out after him. I could’ve magicked them away but somehow that felt wrong.

  Talon slammed the door behind the seer, and I scanned the empty chamber. Only Talon and I and two guards remained. Drawing in a breath, I turned to the narkins beside me and muttered, “Dormitem.” A flicker of iridescent purple light darkened my tattoo and the pair of soldiers collapsed, their massive bodies hitting the floor with a thud.

  “It’s about time.” Ella materialized before us, a sheen of sweat glistening her brow.

  “Sorry, cuz.” I wrapped her in a tight hug.

  She glanced at the sleeping guards, then at the pile of bones and ash in the center of the room. “What the hell happened before I got here?”

  I motioned at the cluster of chairs
encircling a fireplace at the far side of the dark room. “We need to sit down for this.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  “I am not sitting on that thing.” My lip curled as I glared at the ginormous onyx throne on the raised dais. My two head guards, Beelis and Artis, already stood at either side of the monstrosity, jagged rock jutting out from the back. Skulls carved into the rock, gaping holes of black glaring at me. Tiny sharp teeth lined the edge of the stone backrest—could it be brimstone? I wouldn’t be surprised. It didn’t look remotely comfortable, and I wanted nothing to do with it.

  Remy floated by, his robes swishing as he ascended the steps to the dark lord’s extravagant chair. “It is tradition. The new liege must sit in her throne to greet guests.”

  Why is he still breathing? My she-demon’s voice slithered through my mind. She wasn’t out of line. I’d been thinking the same thing—or at least throwing him in the dungeon to rot. The truth was I needed him alive for his all-seeing powers. I hoped if everything went as planned, my future would change, and he was the only one who could confirm that. Plus, he seemed to have a good handle on the guards.

  “All five warlords will be here tomorrow?” Talon interjected. His constant presence at my side was the only thing that got me through the night. I’d woken up at least a hundred times, half expecting SIA agents to bust down the castle door. Since it never happened, he’d convinced me we were safe here for now. Safe in the Underworld, ironic, right?

  “No, Briden’s seat is still vacant. The second realm remains leaderless. But yes, the other four will come.” Remy held out his hand and motioned toward my throne. “Give it a try at least.”

  Talon’s fingers laced through mine, and he squeezed my hand. His warmth seeped through the icy cold that had taken permanent residence since Delacroix’s untimely demise. “Sitting on the throne won’t make it official,” he whispered.

  “I know but still…”

  “I don’t think Remy’s going to leave you alone until you do.” A crooked smile twisted his lips. Talon was actually enjoying this.

  “I’m not putting on the corseted leather outfit if that’s what you’re hoping for.” I shot him a wicked smirk, and a lusty wave crashed over me. With a huff, I stomped up the steps and gently lowered myself onto the spiky throne. The unyielding rock sent a chill up my spine, and I scooted to the edge. I didn’t dare lean back, too scared my hair would get caught in the jagged teeth protruding from the top of the ominous chair. Not to mention the likelihood of impalement by one of the serrated rocks jutting out the side.

  I leapt up and marched down the dais. “Done. Now what?”

  A swirl of dark smoke materialized in front of the dreaded throne, and my guards let out a snarl. Talon tensed and his fangs dropped, a menacing growl rumbling his chest. Claws tore through his knuckles a second before his wings snapped out.

  The pungent odor of sulfur and ash filled the room, and the strain in my shoulders relented. I knew that smell. A familiar dark form coalesced from the haze, and I released the breath I’d been holding.

  Issue number one: strengthen the castle’s wards. Talon’s words raced down the bond.

  I shot him a smirk before turning to our guest. “Luci!” I was so relieved to see my grandfather, I forgot I was supposed to be mad and pulled him into a hug. His fine silk suit caressed my cheek as I pressed him close, his familiar scent a soothing balm to the crazy.

  “Hello, my dear.” He held me out to arm’s length, his intimidating stare raking over me. “I couldn’t believe it when I heard, but I see it is true, you have claimed your throne.”

  “No, I haven’t,” I spat, remembering my annoyance.

  Remy approached and bowed so low I thought his frail form would topple right over his cane. “My king,” he mumbled, his eyes cast down. “I’ve been attempting to facilitate the dark lord’s transition, but your granddaughter is proving rather hesitant to take her rightful place.”

  “I’m not being hesitant. I don’t want it.” I pinned my hands to my hips and stared up at my grandsire. “No, actually, I refuse to take it.”

  Lucifer cocked a dark brow. “Then why are you still here?”

  Good question. “I’m kind of on the run from the SIA right now,” I muttered.

  A chuckle tittered through his full lips as he glanced from me to Talon and back. “I thought that’s what the dragon was for.” Luci’s dark gaze settled on my tense mate, and his nostrils flared. Then his eyes widened, and the flames of hell danced across the profound abyss of his pupils. “You didn’t!” he roared.

  A tremble quaked up my spine as Luci’s fiery gaze lanced into me. “What?” I stuttered.

  “You mated with the dragon?” He jabbed his fingers through his hair, driving up the perfectly gelled obsidian strands. “How could you do something so reckless?”

  Heat surged up my neck and blossomed along my cheeks, seeping all the way to my ears. Talon inched away, and I wanted to smack myself. He must have felt the swell of insecurity through the bond. I reached for his hand and tugged him to my side once again, in spite of Luci’s scathing glare. “I love Talon, and I want to be with him.”

  He loosed an exasperated breath and paced in a tight circle. “And you could have, without tying yourself to the overgrown reptile for the rest of your life. Did he not inform you of the side effects of dragon mating?”

  “Of course he did,” I shouted. “I wanted this, Luci. Talon has been there for me through it all. He’s never let me down, not once. He hasn’t lied to me, kept the truth from me. Not like my own family. I’m lucky to have him and to be his chosen mate.”

  He shook his head, his lips pressed in a tight line. “You’ve condemned the young male to death, Azara. You are not meant to be together.”

  I gulped, a thick knot of panic swelling in my airway. “No, you’re wrong…”

  Talon cleared his throat and met my grandfather’s fierce gaze. “I love your granddaughter, Lucifer. I don’t know what you think you know, but we are meant to be together.”

  “No, you’re actually not,” Remy interjected. “But time will fix that.”

  My insides caved, a clawed hand constricting my lungs. My chest rose and fell faster as panic took hold. Talon’s arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me into his side, a surge of reassurance rushing through the bond and the spasms of fear receded.

  “They don’t know what they’re talking about,” he murmured against the shell of my ear. “I love you, and I won’t let anyone take you away from me.”

  Lucifer snapped his fingers, and a fuzzy image flickered to life in front of us. It was like a giant widescreen TV floating in the middle of the room. “No one will take her from you, dragon.” He pointed at the magical display and lowered himself into the dark throne. “It’s easier for me to show you than explain.”

  The blurry image sharpened, and a terrifying scene took shape. Dozens of Underworlders mobbed the streets of Manhattan, Times Square by the looks of it. Except the gigantic digital monitors perched on the high rises were shattered, the colorful lights dimmed. Cracked windows, shuttered doors and empty sidewalks were all that remained of the bustling downtown. Ominous creatures strolled the streets, deep crimson liquid flowing into the gutters.

  I sucked in a sharp breath and averted my gaze when mutilated human body parts filled the screen. “What is this?” I shrieked.

  “A future not far from the current path we’re on.”

  “But why?”

  Luci drummed his fingers on the stone armrest. “You are familiar with the way the wards work in each realm of the Underworld?”

  I nodded. We’d discovered they were specifically tied to each warlord, which was why demons were escaping when Delacroix had first usurped the throne. It wasn’t until his claim was confirmed that the mystical shield would solidify.

  “As we speak, demons are sneaking into the human world. With dark lord Briden’s recent demise and now Delacroix’s, the wards are unstable.”

  “I’v
e already convened an assembly,” I countered. “I’m offering my spot to one of the other warlords. The throne will be filled, and the fighting will come to an end.”

  He shook his head. “No, it won’t. Pure blood must rise for the ward to be strong enough. Not to mention the strength of will necessary to keep Underworlders reined in.”

  “So you’re telling me that I’m the only one that can stop this?”

  “I’ve been trying to tell you that for months.” He slowly rose and eyed the monstrous stone seat. “The throne will have who it desires, and no one else will suffice.”

  “I don’t believe it.”

  “Believe what you want, but there will be unrest in the Underworld and as a result chaos in the human one until the chosen warlords are confirmed.”

  Take it, Azara. The throne is ours. My power-hungry demon flared to life. “What if I agree to this? Would that also condemn Talon?”

  “You will agree because it is written.”

  I glared at Lucifer, tired of his vague responses. “What about Talon?”

  “He cannot sit beside you as your mate. Dragon blood would dilute the demon line even further. You need to choose an Underworlder as your consort. It’s the only way to stop this.”

  My head whipped back and forth, and hot tears welled in my eyes. No. This wasn’t happening. I blinked back the tears, refusing to cry in front of Remy, my guards or even my grandfather. This wasn’t new information to him; I was certain of that. And yet as usual, he’d kept the truth from me.

  “I’ll find another way,” I spat.

  “You won’t—”

  I threw my hand up, halting his tongue. “You have no idea what I’m capable of, grandfather.” I hissed the last word, instilling venom in every syllable. Did he even care about me or had he only played the role of the doting grandfather because he’d seen a glimpse of my future? Was that the reason he’d begged me to visit Delacroix in the Underworld the whole time, hoping I’d accidentally kill him and assume his throne? “Please, go now. I want to be alone with my mate.”