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

by G. K. DeRosa

  Talon brushed his lips over my forehead and smirked. “I’ll meet up with you girls when I’m dressed.”

  “Sounds good.” As soon as he disappeared around the corner, I turned to Beelis. “Nothing from Garrix?”

  He shook his massive head. “No, my liege.”

  I tried to suppress the disappointment as I followed my guards to the sitting room to meet Ella. It was late for a surprise visit, and I hoped she didn’t come bearing bad news when I was finally in a good mood.

  Ella paced the length of the fireplace, her blonde ponytail swaying in time with her quick steps.

  “Is everything okay?” I blurted.

  She jumped and clutched her chest. “Geez, Azara, you spooked me. And yes, everything’s fine. I just came to tell you I heard from Hayden.”

  My heart constricted. I’d been so worried about the guys, but with everything going on, I’d barely had time to focus on their safety. I’d made Ella promise she’d let me know as soon as she’d heard anything.

  “How is he?”

  “He’s fine. Hiding out in Celestia with the other angels, despite his fallen status. Apparently, the SIA isn’t too keen on invading the angelic realm.”

  “Thank the gods for that.”

  “Hayden also spoke to Dallas. He’s in the human world actually, getting back to his roots.”

  “Texas?”

  “Yup.”

  A smile parted my lips. At least they were both safe.

  “Hayden wanted me to let you know he missed his little pumpkin and can’t wait to see you in your hot dark lord outfit.” Her lips twisted into a scowl. “Anyway, I’m going to visit him in Celestia tomorrow so if there’s anything you want me to tell him, I can pass it along.”

  I arched a brow. “Wait, are you and Hayden a thing?” I’d gotten a romantic vibe from my angel bunkie last time he’d mentioned her, but I hadn’t had time to get nosy.

  Crimson flushed her cheeks as she shrugged. “I’m not sure what we are yet, but this time apart has sparked something.”

  Talon strode in, interrupting our conversation. “Everything okay?” His eyes darted to Ella and back to me.

  “Yeah, I was just filling in Azara on Hayden and Dallas. They miss you both and can’t wait to come visit.”

  I squeezed my eyes shut and sent a prayer to all the gods that we’d be reunited soon. Things would never be the same, but somehow, I hoped we wouldn’t spend the rest of our lives running from the SIA or from a war-ravaged future.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Hushed whispers woke me from a fitful sleep. My lids slowly fluttered open to the pre-dawn haze, and my hand instinctively searched the cold sheets beside me. Talon? Shaking out the sleepy fog, I rubbed my eyes and focused on the two dark forms in the attached chamber.

  One I recognized immediately, and the frantic thumping of my heart relented. It took me a second to make out the other shadow behind Talon’s broad form. GG. I leapt out of bed, sprinting through the dim bedroom.

  Talon’s head spun toward mine before I’d made a sound. The mate bond grew stronger by the day. Sometimes the intensity of the connection frightened me. To be so intimately tied to someone, to feel so raw, so bared open was like nothing I’d imagined. His anxiety flared through the connection as I neared. My heart plummeted. Did Garrix come bearing bad news?

  “What happened with the Coven Council?” I practically shouted as I reached the silent men.

  “Everything’s fine, little princess.” Garrix gave me an indulgent smile. “It all went according to plan just as I’d envisioned it.”

  My head whirled toward Talon, his concern still seeping through our bond. “Then why are you so worried?”

  My mate’s lips pressed into a thin line, his jaw strained.

  “Wait, did you say envisioned, GG?” I spun back to my grandfather.

  “Come, sit. I’ll tell you all about it.” He pulled a chair out and positioned it in front of the flickering hearth. “I was just catching Talon up on the new developments.”

  The tense set of Talon’s shoulders had my nerves on high alert, his anxiety spilling through my veins. “I think I’ll stand.” I wrapped my arms across my chest, protecting my heart from what was to come. Something had my mate out of sorts and if it wasn’t Garrix’s news, what was it?

  “As you know, I’ve served on the Coven Council for decades now, along with a few of the other members. Some were privy to your mother’s situation all those years ago, so news of your powers didn’t come as a complete shock. The question was what to do with that knowledge.”

  Images of being poked and prodded in a dungeon similar to the one I’d endured at the hands of Thax rocketed through my mind. A chill raced up my spine, and goose bumps puckered my skin. “And what did they decide?” I forced out.

  “I told them of your current situation—all of it, Thax, the SIA, your new dark lord status. They were hesitant at first. That is until I showed them what I saw. Now, they’ve agreed to let you be.”

  My brows slammed together. “You did have a vision!” I knew it. Yesterday when he’d touched me, he’d acted so weird. “What did you see?”

  “A very different world than what the oracle foresaw. One in which female warlocks thrived as the new leaders of the Underworld. A greater equality for this realm and a tie to the Coven and Brotherhood of Dragons.” He glanced from me to Talon and back. “Your offspring will provide the balance so desperately needed within our realms.”

  My head spun. Holy dragon babies… For real this time. “How can you be so sure? I thought you said visions were fickle. A few days ago, Remy said we’d all be at war.”

  “Because something has changed.” His head dipped, his piercing gaze intent on my stomach. My hands instinctively cradled my belly. “I’ll leave you and Talon to have a moment in private. I’ll be outside if you have any further questions, I’d be happy to answer them as best I can.”

  GG crept out of the room, and my eyes darted to Talon’s. My cheeks flamed as his gaze lingered on my stomach. “Talon, what’s going on?”

  “You’re pregnant,” he whispered, and a wave of joy, fear, and uncertainty punched me in the gut. The emotions were so powerful I staggered back, falling right into the chair GG had positioned for me earlier. Talon stepped closer and kneeled in front of me. A pair of molten orbs met mine, quicksilver set aflame, a turbulent storm of emotions quivering below the surface.

  I sucked in a sharp breath, my own sentiments momentarily swallowed up by his intensity. “Pregnant?” I squeaked. “But how?”

  He smirked. “Well… do I need to explain the logistics?”

  A nervous giggle bubbled out, and I ran my hand through my disheveled hair. “But I was using that stuff from the prison commissary.”

  “The mate bond has been known to overpower even magical contraceptives.”

  “Now you tell me.” I punched him in the arm and he pretended to wince, which I appreciated.

  “Maybe I was only trying to increase my chances of a yes.” A mischievous smirk curled his lips.

  “A yes?”

  He slipped his hand into his pocket and revealed a small red box.

  My heart jackhammered against my ribcage, and a slight tremor raced through my body. My eyes locked on the square package as he slowly lifted the lid. I drew in a shuddering breath as the antique diamond ring was revealed.

  “You own my heart, body and soul. For dragons, there is no commitment more sacred than the mate bond, but perhaps this will make it official for everyone else. There will never be anyone more perfect for me than you. You are the air that I breathe, the frantic beats of my heart and the other half of my soul. Soon you will be the mother of my child, making me the most blessed man in all the realms. There is only one thing that will make me happier: will you marry me, amó?”

  I flung my arms around Talon’s neck as tears streamed down my cheeks. Crushing my mouth to his, I mumbled a yes against his lips. As his tongue entangled with mine, echoing the rush
of emotions swirling between us, my heart was so full I was certain my ribcage would crack.

  Engaged, pregnant, and a dark lord of the sixth realm… not exactly what I’d imagined before my twentieth birthday, but I was happy. Which was the craziest thing of all.

  Talon stood, pulling me up with him. He held me out to arm’s length and swept a lock of unruly hair behind my ear. “May I?” He held up the sparkling ring, and my heart tripped on a beat. I nodded quickly, all the words getting stuck in the knot of emotions in my throat. “It was my mother’s, and I know she’d be honored for you to have it.”

  I held out my hand, my fingers trembling as he slipped it on. The antique silver band shone as brightly as Talon’s luminescent irises. A silver dragon coiled around the diamond, its wings completing the circular band. “How did you get this?” I figured he didn’t carry his mom’s wedding ring around on a regular basis.

  “I had Ella bring it.”

  My brows knitted as I regarded his blazing eyes. Happiness rushed through the bond, his and mine twirling together in an endless loop. “But Ella came yesterday, before GG’s vision.”

  “I had a feeling you were pregnant before that, amó.” His arms encircled my waist, and he drew me into his chest.

  “What, how?”

  “I’m your mate. It’s my job to know everything about you. I sensed something a few days ago. By my best guess, you’re only a few weeks along.” His hand snaked between us, and he lay his palm on my belly. “I always knew I’d make you my wife. I was just waiting for the right time.”

  “Like now?” I chuckled. Nothing like an impending marriage and a new baby to juggle along with my new dark lord duties.

  “You heard what Garrix said. This baby is going to change everything.” He removed his hand from my stomach and poked my nose. “You are going to change everything.”

  I released a shaky breath. “Now we just have to let the other warlords know I won’t be accepting any of their proposals.”

  “It’ll be fine. I’ll be by your side, always. You thought my dragon was protective before? Just wait until you see what he’s like now that you’re carrying our child.”

  “Oh, brother.” I laughed and pulled Talon into another kiss. With my love at my side, I could handle whatever came next.

  A quick knock at the door pulled my attention from the steamy kiss. I groaned and tore my lips away.

  “That’s probably your grandfather.”

  “Right.” I was sure there was more he had to tell me. It couldn’t have possibly gone that easily with the Coven Council. A part of me didn’t want to hear it though. For the first time in forever, I was happy. Terrified, but happy. I wanted to remain in that bliss-filled bubble for as long as I could.

  “Azara!” Garrix’s voice seeped through the door. “There are still some important matters we need to discuss. You can celebrate with your mate later.”

  “Ugh.” I released Talon and stomped toward the door. “You mean, my fiancé.” A huge smile spread my lips, and I flashed GG my ring.

  He mirrored my expression, the smile actually reaching his azure eyes. “Congratulations, little princess. You better tell your parents soon or your father will have my head for keeping this from him.”

  “I will this time, I promise.”

  “Good. Now, are you ready to hear the rest?”

  No. “Sure.” I opened the door all the way and ushered him into the sitting room area. The sun’s rays lit up the dark space as dawn turned to a new day. I settled into the couch and Talon folded down beside me. “Let’s hear it then.”

  Garrix began to speak but despite my best efforts to focus my thoughts kept running away with me. Our dragon-demon-warlock child would be the next dark lord, and everything would change. The Underworld had never seen anything but demon leaders. I couldn’t help the twinge of fear that streaked through me at my baby’s uncertain future. At least we’d managed to avoid war for now, but how long would that last?

  “Are you listening, Azara?” Garrix’s snappy tone tore me from my musings.

  “Sorry, yes.”

  GG went on about the Coven Council wanting to meet me to confirm my powers in person and to arrange an assembly to share the news of female warlocks to the entire realm. It was all a bit overwhelming, but I slipped my mask on and nodded every so often.

  Talon squeezed my hand, my doubts surely bleeding through our bond. We’ll survive this just like we’ve survived everything so far.

  I tightened my hold around his palm. I know.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  “It’s not possible.” Remy squeezed his eyes closed as he cradled the oracle between his wrinkled hands. “How could this of all things change the future?”

  I shot him a smug smile and leaned into my mate, the ties between us crackling with intensity. It was like the mate bond was happy we’d made things official with the engagement—and the baby. As soon as GG left, I sought out the seer. Not that I didn’t trust my grandfather but having a second all-seeing opinion couldn’t hurt, right?

  “You were the one who foresaw female warlocks in our future. How hard is it to believe?”

  “That’s not the part I don’t understand. I am simply shocked that your child would change the course of history after everything I tried for years.”

  I cradled my non-existent belly and glanced up at Talon as a deluge of love poured through our connection.

  “We were just meant to be,” he whispered and squeezed my hand.

  Remy grunted, keeping his watery eyes intent on the glowing rock in his lap.

  “It almost seems as if you wanted the war to come.” I stalked closer to the brimstone throne, and the chair he filled beside it. “Or was it simply a way to keep me on a leash? Keep me dependent on you and your visions?”

  The seer’s eyes snapped open as he caught onto my menacing tone. “I can still be useful. There’s no telling when the future may change.”

  It was my turn to let out a grunt. “In that case, I suppose I can keep you around. A nice cell beside my cousin’s, perhaps?” My demon flickered to life below the surface, her deep sultry voice lacing my words.

  His lower lip trembled, and he released his steel grip on the oracle. “That would be a grave mistake, my liege. With my access to the outside world impeded, my visions would suffer. I would not be nearly as useful as I could be.”

  Make him beg. Talon’s deep voice tickled my thoughts.

  “I’ll think about it,” I finally said.

  Remy rose, gripping the overgrown rock once again and a tremor shook the man’s frail form. His eyes rolled back, nothing but eerie white eclipsing his orbs. A second later, his lids jolted open and a faint sheen coated his pale flesh. “They’re here.”

  “Huh?”

  Talon darted to the window and shoved the curtain back. He muttered a curse and whirled at Remy. “You’re proving less and less useful by the minute, seer.”

  “What is it?” I shot to Talon’s side and peered through the glass. My heart skyrocketed to my throat. What now? Dozens of demons approached the castle, only about fifty yards away from the drawbridge. Squinting, I called on my demon senses and focused on the horde. A curse tumbled from my lips as my eyes narrowed on the familiar warlord leading the pack. Unlike the other day, these were soldiers, not random, pissed-off demon rebels.

  “Drayax,” Talon hissed. His keen dragon vision was sharper than mine.

  “I believe you’ll also find a few of the other dark lords at his side.” Remy crept up beside me, a pleased grin curling his thin lips.

  “I’ll just have to explain that the position of consort has already been filled.”

  Talon’s fingers laced through mine and gave my hand a firm squeeze. “Let’s show those warlords exactly what their new dark lord colleague is capable of.”

  I nodded, and Beelis and Artis appeared in front of me. “We call soldiers now,” said Beelis.

  “Fine. Assemble half outside and keep the rest within the walls
. We don’t want them to see the full strength of our army all at once.”

  “Yes, my liege,” they barked in unison.

  I turned toward the door, but Remy placed himself between me and it. “I can come with you to speak to Drayax,” he said, tucking his hands into the folds of his trailing robe. “Perhaps he’ll be more willing to listen to me.”

  “We can handle it.” I tugged on Talon’s hand and barreled by the seer, ignoring his muttered protests. As soon as this was dealt with, he’d be moving into his new room, beside his old liege. After today, I was done with prophecies and visions. Whatever the future would bring, I’d face it with my mate by my side. Talon was all I needed.

  On our way to meet the approaching army, I summoned each of us a broadsword and dagger. It was a good thing Talon had instructed me in the use of all sorts of blades. Our days of training at Darkblood Prison seemed like years ago. I shook away the memories of the past, thankful to have them once again, and focused on the towering warlord a few yards ahead. I seared my gaze to his, and my she-demon rose to the surface. Which power would I use today if things got out of hand—demon or warlock? The possibilities were endless. The hint of a smile snuck across my lips, and Talon chuckled beside me.

  “Cocky, amó?”

  “No, confident.”

  “That’s my girl.”

  The weapons clanged against my hip as I crossed the drawbridge. Finding out about the tiny life growing in my belly had paralyzed me with fear at first. Then in the remaining hours of the night, I’d decided the baby would make me fearless instead. Talon had always protected me, and though I knew he always would, it was my turn to protect her. I wasn’t sure how, but I was certain she would be a girl. And she was going to be as badass as her mommy would become. Starting now.

  Drayax’s black glare bored into me as I crossed over the decaying bridge between the double line of narkin soldiers. The first thing I’d do once things were settled was to spruce up this crumbling castle. Thax had let it fall to ruins.

  I stepped up to the looming giant and coated my voice in ice. “Are you here to congratulate me on my pending nuptials?” I clasped Talon’s palm and lifted our joined hands, flashing him my new ring.