Wicked Road to Hell

by Juliana Stone

  It was impossible of course. Lilith was one hell of an adversary. Ana would have to play it cool if they dared grab a chance to leave this screwed-up version of Hell they’d fallen into.

  Instead she squared her shoulders and stood with legs spread wide, hands loose at her side. She knew Declan was there, just beyond Lilith. She could smell him.

  “This is your vampire?” The tall blonde arched an eyebrow and laughed. “Declan, I’m surprised.” Lilith moved aside, uncaring of her nudity, and gently swept a long golden curl behind her ear. Her breasts lifted, just so, and the smile that graced her lips would make a Cheshire cat proud.

  Ana’s gaze narrowed onto drops of blood near her right breast, twin smears of crimson against porcelain. Lilith turned slightly, looked behind her, and shook her head. “She’s less than ordinary and so small.”

  She saw him.

  Ana’s breath caught in her throat and pain lanced across her heart. Declan was shirtless. The scars along his chest, the ones she’d kissed with love, were smothered in blood. His blood.

  She swallowed, her gaze rose slowly, and she blanched when she met his eyes. They were flat, his face hard, full of anger. His gaze narrowed and Ana was more than a little pissed to realize his anger was aimed directly at her.

  There was accusation, disbelief thrown in as well.

  She tried to ignore the crimson that shone upon his lips, but couldn’t.

  He’d fed from Lilith.

  “She doesn’t smell like a vampire.” Lilith’s gaze returned to Ana. “She smells like demon.” Her eyes narrowed. “You’ve been feeding from my boys.” The china-doll face cracked, the eyes no longer sky blue but crimson. “You’ve been feeding from my Declan.”

  It took all sorts of mental strength for Ana to remain quiet.

  Lilith was inches from Declan and she sniffed, her face wrinkling in distaste. “She’s the one who turned you. I should have known. You’re not as sweet as you once were.”

  Her long, elegant fingers reached out and she ran them down Declan’s cheek. Laughter bubbled from inside her, falling like musical notes. “No matter.” The laughter stopped abruptly. “I shall be your breakfast, lunch, and dinner.”

  “You will not touch him.” Ana’s anger erupted but she underestimated the queen’s power. Lilith had her by the throat before her words had even left her tongue. The demon held her aloft and her legs thrashed wildly as she struggled to break the grip. She didn’t need to breathe per se, but it would take nothing for Lilith to snap her neck in two.

  “I will end you.” Lilith glared up into her eyes. “And since this is my Hell, I will look forward to repeating it, every single day.”

  A ribbon of black bled through her vision and Ana hissed, her fangs fully extended as she tried to break the queen’s grip.

  “Put her down,” Declan growled. His tone commanded attention and Lilith paused, a perplexed expression marring the perfect features.

  Lilith squeezed a little harder, her nails digging into Ana’s flesh, and the smell of her own blood filled Ana’s nostrils. Shit, she’d already lost too much. She was weak and ceased her struggles.

  Lilith arched a brow and let Ana fall to the ground. A loud groan escaped as she hit the stone hard. She rolled over and staggered to her feet. Declan was at her side in an instant. His face was full of concern, but he was angry.

  “Not a great time to disobey my orders.”

  “You would do the same,” she rasped, her gaze never leaving Lilith. Her throat was fucking killing her. Why didn’t Declan attack?

  “When the moment’s right, you run. Got it?” His words were a whisper against her ear.

  Lilith leisurely fingered a long strand of her blond hair as she paced in front of them. Her full lips were softened by a smile that never left, and it widened as she stopped abruptly.

  “Does she know the details of your stay down here, sorcerer?”

  Declan tensed beside Ana and his hand dropped from her waist.

  “What’s done is done and I don’t care to know.” Ana glanced at Declan as she spoke and hated the way his face was closed, his emotion turned off.

  Lilith ignored her; her electric eyes never left Declan. Her hands dropped to her naked breasts and she slid her fingers over the plump flesh. “Remember what it felt like? To be my lover, to have your hands on me?”

  Ana was sickened by the pink tongue that escaped as the demon started to pant. The bitch was aroused.

  “To be inside me?” Lilith’s face changed, and once more Ana saw the true monster behind the mask. “To kill with me?”

  An invisible hand was once more upon her and Ana grunted as she was thrown to the floor. Her arms and legs were spread wide.

  Declan’s gaze followed a trail of blood that was now flowing freely from her side and frustration brought tears to her eyes. She tried to move but it was no use.

  “She looks yummy, doesn’t she?” Lilith asked. She knelt beside Ana and beckoned to Declan. “Don’t you want a taste? I don’t mind but you’ll have to wait.” The demon grinned and Ana watched helplessly as the bitch’s fangs slipped from between her lips. “I’m not standing in line, sorcerer. I’ve never been one for sloppy seconds.”

  Ana glared at her, all the hatred and fear inside, coloring her eyes to midnight. “I’ll never let you take from me.”

  Lilith smiled. “You insignificant bitch. That’s what they all say, even your precious sorcerer. A little secret?” She glanced up at Declan before bending lower. Ana flinched as the warmth of Lilith’s breath slipped across her skin. “I don’t care.”

  Ana’s muscles tightened. She gathered what strength she could and looked up into Declan’s eyes. They were cold, flat. The air around him shimmered, but Lilith couldn’t see this. She was much too busy licking Ana’s skin as she slowly made her way toward the beating pulse at her neck.

  What arrogance. To assume Declan was no threat. To assume he would follow like a pathetic fool. Lilith had no fucking clue.

  In that moment she knew Declan would get them out. He would settle for no less.

  “Take your hands off my woman.” Declan’s words were spoken slowly, each one enunciated with care.

  Lilith gazed down at Ana, tucked a piece of auburn hair behind Ana’s ear, and shrugged. “I’m going to enjoy eating you.” She ignored Declan and continued, “And then I’m going to have sex with my sorcerer and we’ll both feed from you.” She giggled. “You won’t like it, but I sure as hell will.”

  The ground shook and the energy around Declan erupted into a shower of sparks.

  Lilith’s face contorted into a grimace and she snarled as she turned from Ana to confront Declan. She rose and her body started to twitch as if she was unable to control the anger inside her. “You think to challenge me? I am the queen, you belong to me.”

  The invisible restraints slipped from her limbs but Ana remained still, biding her time. And of that, there wasn’t a whole hell of a lot. She was getting weaker by the second.

  Declan snarled and took a step toward Lilith. “Things have changed. I’m no longer without magick. My power has been infused by your darkness, why else would I take from you now?”

  “You belong to me,” Lilith hissed.

  Declan ignored her. “My power has been balanced and magnified tenfold by the Seraphim.” He snorted. “I’ve got a newsflash for you. You’re the queen of fuck-all.”

  He charged forward and smacked her so hard, a tooth went flying. The shriek that escaped Lilith was wretched enough to break glass. She staggered backward and Declan kicked her hard once more.

  He turned to Ana. “Run.”

  She rolled over and was up on her feet, though a wave of dizziness made it difficult to stay upright.

  “You will regret this,” Lilith bellowed. “No one touches me like that.” She growled like an animal and lunged forward, screaming in frustration as she tried to get to Declan, but was held back.

  “The only thing I regret is the fact I can’t toast you
r ass when we leave.” Declan’s hands wove a spell and though the queen fought like hell, her arms slowly fell to her sides and her mouth was sewn shut. “That’s better. You’re more annoying that nails on chalkboard.”

  A strangled sound escaped her, but nothing more fell from Lilith’s lips.

  An arm touched Ana’s shoulder and she turned, shocked to see Daniel and Alex.

  The three of them watched as Declan stood inches from the impotent queen of Hell. His hands hovered above her face and Ana felt a sliver of triumph when she saw the demon flinch.

  Declan’s fingers lifted the heavy chain that hung from her neck and he yanked it over her head, hard, taking a huge chunk of hair with it. Lilith fell to her knees, chest heaving as she struggled against the invisible restraints.

  “You will never be free of me.” She spit the words out and fell over, exhausted from the effort it took to speak.

  Declan turned, his eyes pained as they connected with Ana’s. “That I don’t doubt,” he muttered.

  Ana wavered on her feet. She needed blood. Declan offered his wrist and she latched on as he addressed the teens. “We need to vamoose. My magick won’t hold her for long.” A growl slid from the ever-present fog. The hellhounds were stirring.

  “You got enough?” He was breathing hard. Ana licked one last drop, ignored the “ew” that Daniel muttered, and shook her head. She was good to go.

  “Declan . . .” I’m so sorry. God, what you went through.

  Declan started forward. “We need to get out.” His face was harsh and it was obvious conversation was the last thing on his mind.

  They exited the room and rushed down the stairs. Daniel and Alex had no trouble keeping up, but with the urgency of the situation and rescue close at hand, it wasn’t surprising.

  They flew across the terrace and as they entered the maze shouts and screams followed behind them.

  Declan shouted. “Move, faster!”

  Ana grabbed Alex and dragged her along, her legs flying over the path they’d trod earlier. The hellhound was where they’d left it, and she leapt over the animal, Declan and the boy close on her heels.

  Dark, thunderous clouds gathered overhead, an insane screech flew from within their depths. Alex whimpered and Ana chanced a glance upward. Hundreds of small, black, daggerlike things flew from their midst and her eyes widened in horror as they focused.

  They looked like deranged cockroaches with giant wings and big-ass fangs.

  Ana had never seen anything like it.

  “They’re full of poison. Don’t let them get close enough to bite.” Declan shot a bolt of energy up at the sky as they plunged into the cool depths of the forest. No words were spoken, fear clogged her throat.

  They skidded to a halt near the black wall and Declan peeled back the layer of darkness. Ana shoved the girl through, clenching her teeth as one of the roaches zipped by. She jumped after her and whirled around as Declan and Daniel slipped through.

  Declan held his hand aloft and the wall fell in place, though a roach squeezed by at the last second. Its fire engine red eyes blazed as it locked onto Ana. She snarled, but Declan toasted the little bastard before it could reach her.

  There was no time to talk, Succubus Blues was around the corner.

  “We’ve got five minutes.” Declan’s voice was tense. “There’s no room for fuckups. Keep your head low and don’t make eye contact with anyone. Understand?”

  Ana nodded. “Let’s go.”

  “I’m serious, Ana.” Something in his tone made her stop and look up. “I can’t lose you.” His lips were tight. “Not now.”

  Ana whispered, “I’m not going anywhere”—she flashed a smile—“but up.”

  Declan led the way and they followed the sounds of music, voices, and general mayhem that spilled into the street from the club. The square was full, lots of bodies milling about, some fighting, some sexing.

  They ignored all and headed straight for the door. A huge mountain of demon was at the door. Ana didn’t remember him from before. She stopped, uneasy.

  “No illegals allowed into the club.” The demon nodded toward Daniel and Alex.

  “We’re escorting them back to processing,” Declan said smoothly.

  “On whose orders?” The demon was not going to make it easy.

  “Lilith’s. So unless you want to explain to her why these two puny exports from the human realm were late for processing, I suggest you move your ass.” Declan glared at him and took a step forward. “She wasn’t exactly in a great mood. Her garden party was interrupted.”

  The demon stood back though his eyes followed them closely. “Go straight to processing. I don’t need any problems. My shift is almost over.”

  The club was loud, the energy even more frenetic than just an hour before. Ana held tight to the teenagers as they followed Declan through the crowd. She felt eyes upon them but ignored everyone save for the man in front of her.

  They reached a set of stairs that led to a small alcove up top. Declan paused. He turned around and she didn’t like the frown on his face. He looked down at her, his voice tense.

  “Mountain man is still watching us. A bunch of guards are gathering.” He looked at the teens. “Once he sees us take the stairs they’ll be after us.” Declan nodded toward a nondescript door, half in shadow near the end of the bar. “That leads to processing but we’re heading for the phone booth up there.”

  Ana thought she’d heard and seen a lot of crazy shit since coming to District Three but this one was clearly bizarre. “A phone booth? Are you for real?”

  Declan flashed a smile, seeming to enjoy the absurdity of the moment as much as she. “I told you Lilith is all about Hollywood.” He turned and glanced upward. “That would be her ode to Superman.”

  He glanced at the kids. “Ready?”

  They nodded.

  “Let’s go.”

  They took the stairs, legs pumping hard, the kids first. Ana ignored the shouts from behind, though a blast that took out the railing beside her was almost too much. Daniel had the door open and Declan brought up the rear, latching it into place behind them as they piled in.

  Alex screamed as a blast hit and they shook from the force of it.

  The small booth was in complete darkness. There was no sound and then a blinding light swept over them. Ana experienced a weird distorted sensation. She blinked once and when she opened her eyes, they were standing on the platform.

  “There’s no time. The shuttle is moving.” Declan shouted.

  The four of them ran like lunatics and panic hit hard as shouts followed in their wake. The shuttle was moving slowly, gearing up to leave; however, once it reached the tunnel there was no way they’d be able to climb aboard. There wasn’t enough room between the vehicle and the wall.

  Things slowed down, noises receded into the background. Ana felt like she was one step behind but reached the shuttle first. The door was open and she saw one of Seth’s men motioning, his eyes fixed on the action behind her. She leapt up, ignoring the twinge in her side, and grabbed Alex, hauling her up while Declan cleared the landing with Daniel in tow.

  The door slid shut and the shuttle made a loud, creaking noise as it shuddered madly and then accelerated.

  The demon looked disgusted. “Nice entry, O’Hara,” he muttered before heading up front.

  Ana licked her lips. They were dry. She shivered and began to tremble. Declan’s eyes were huge pools of chocolate and she exhaled a shaky breath as she gazed into them. His arms wrapped around her and he pulled her close, burying his head into the mess of hair that lay in tangles at her neck.

  They said nothing and she was content to bask in his embrace, and take what comfort she could. Lord knew she needed it. Her journey was far from over.

  There was still vampire council business to attend to.

  Chapter 32

  The trip topside from District One was relatively painless considering the last twenty-four hours had been a mess. Seth gave them safe passa
ge from the dunes and Declan got his group to Samael’s private portal. It had taken less than half an hour.

  After all that.

  He inhaled a crisp shot of cool New Orleans air and glanced down at the woman beside him. She was subdued, and that made him uneasy. Ana was hiding something. His gut told him it involved Seth and the deal she’d struck with the demon for passage to District Three.

  She wouldn’t pony up and spill the details, which pissed him off. He frowned. Nothing was for free.

  “Someone’s following us.” Ana sounded tired.

  “They’re Ransome’s men.”

  “I’m starving,” Daniel piped in. “Shit, I haven’t had a burger in like days. I hope you have food. Lots of it.”

  “Are we almost there?” Alex’s voice was tremulous.

  “Just around the corner,” Ana answered. Declan felt sorry for the girl. She was clearly out of her element and just about done.

  “Francesca’s there, right?”

  Ana nodded but remained silent.

  An owl hooted as they approached the boundaries to the DeLacrux mansion. The darkness was thick, not a star in the sky, and the wind was chilled. He felt the eyes of the dead upon him and pulled the collar of his jacket up a little more.

  They stopped in front of the iron gates and he quickly wove Daniel and Alex’s signatures into the protection wards. Two minutes later they stood upon the large porch. The kids looked a little shell-shocked and unsure.

  A howl sounded behind them, echoing into the night. It was a signal from one of Ransome’s wolves. They were home.

  Ana’s hand was just reaching for the handle when the door was wrenched nearly off its hinges. Nico stood there, shirtless, fierce. Declan stared at the jaguar warrior in silence.

  “Cool Mohawk.” Daniel was in awe. “Cool tattoos.”

  Nico’s nostrils flared as his gaze traveled the group. They rested upon Ana before narrowing onto Declan.