by V L Moon
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Chapter Sixty-Seven
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From his position at Malachi’s side, Roman watched Copi disappear through the smoke. He knew the hybrid followed Darklon. His vow to his king and his honor kept him rooted to the spot while every cell in his body screamed for him to give chase. He barely registered the demons and only snapped his attention away from the portal when the swarm of rival Nephilim crashed their party.
“Go after him.” The authoritative voice in his head could only be one person. His head swiveled and his gaze clashed with crimson fire. “It’s our only chance.”
Roman didn’t stick around to argue with his king. He sprinted across the ballroom with Tobias hard on his heels. At the edge of the scarred and burned floor, he dropped to one knee and concentrated. He knew Darklon’s signature, but it just disappeared as if the male had vanished through the portal. Was that even possible?
A feminine shriek from outside the ballroom dragged him back to the melee around him. A mere thought ported him toward the sound. He found Copi with the self-appointed Nephilim queen pinned to the floor. He sat astride her with her wrists bracketed by his palms.
“Tell me where he is, or I will slit your throat right here and now.”
“You can’t hold me down and cut my throat,” the female sneered at him.
“I think I can help him with that.” Roman strolled up beside them and leaned down to stare into her face, letting the light glint off of his extended fangs. “And, I don’t need a knife.”
The female started to struggle in earnest, but Tobias added his considerable weight to Copi’s large form. Roman grabbed her by the chin and tilted her head back, exposing the smooth column of her throat. “Best start talking, bitch. Your little army is turning on you, Rhys hates you and Darklon is only using you. He doesn’t care about anything but Malachi’s throne.”
When she remained silent, Roman twisted her head harshly to the side. He bent low scraping his fangs against her skin before whispering in her ear. “Do you know vampires can keep their prey conscious right up until the last beat of the heart, and they can cause either intolerable pain or intense pleasure? Care to find out?”
Onoskelis gave up the fight. Her body went limp. Roman loosened his hold enough for her to turn her face back to them. Hatred burned in her eyes. “He’s in Croatia, a safe house there under the name of Val DeBourneo.”
Roman stood up and grabbed his mate by the ruff. He pressed his forehead against the wolf and closed his eyes. “I love you, Tobias Chamberlin. I have to go after him before he moves my father. Come with Copi. I’ll be waiting.”
He started to port when strong fingers closed around his wrist. “The kill is mine. Darklon’s blood is my right.” Roman nodded at Copi.
“You just come and bring our king and my mate. I’ll find him and keep him there.” With a last caress of Tobias’ fur, he ported away.
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Roman had barely disappeared when the fight from the ballroom spilled over into the corridor. In every direction, vampires fought Nephilim, who in turn fought against their own kind. Onoskelis screamed drawing the attention of her fighters. The Nephilim swarmed to protect their queen. Copi somersaulted free and landed with fangs bared to face the horde.
Tobias crashed through the crowd of warring bodies. He tore at limbs and ripped out throats until his muzzle dripped crimson. Next to him, Copi decimated a Nephilim. The hybrid vibrated with uncontrolled anger. They barged into the ballroom and fought their way up the steps where Malachi fought. The king snarled and tore the wings from the Nephilim facing him. The lifeless body crumpled against the scorched floor.
Laziel and Rhys played havoc with the legionnaires. Demon screams pierced the air while their blood ran in rivers across the floor. They worked in tandem, ferocious and beautiful to watch. Tobias turned his attention to the rest of the battle.
The scent of blood heightened the vampires’ ability to fight. Their thirst turned them feral, leaving the Nephilim seriously out ranked both in numbers and skill. Malachi’s people were trained well. Even the civilians had been trained to fight and defend themselves and their king.
Screams and grunts saturated the air, mingling with the sickening stench of brimstone and blood. Feathers and broken wings lay strewn across the gore soaked floor as the fighting escalated into an all-out frenzy of razor sharp fangs and torn flesh.
Jorn’s growl vibrated through the air as he jumped into the throng to take out the male threatening Khad. Little brother didn’t need the protection. Khad easily clamped his jaws around the Nephilim’s throat before dragging him to the ground and thrashing his head back and forth until he ripped the creature’s throat out.
“Where’s Roman?” Malachi snarled.
“Onoskelis gave up Darklon’s location. He ported out after him.” Copi backhanded a Nephilim and followed it with a roundhouse kick. “I can’t port; I need the jet.”
“Go and take Saul with you.”
Tobias sprinted for the exit. Copi followed hot on his heels. At the door, he cast one last look toward his father and Khad. The wolves had backed up to take position next to their King. Their King? The thought was fleeting and quickly brushed aside by a loud mental shove from his father.
Return safely my son with your mate and his kin.
With a quick yip, Tobias exited into the private hallway leading to Malachi’s chambers. They skidded into Saul and his new bride. The pair embraced. Kimberly tried to hide the fear in her eyes, but Tobias could smell its sour tang.
“Port straight to Malachi’s anti-chamber. Mirabella will be there. Both of you keep Destahny safe.” Saul leaned in and kissed his mate.
When the female disappeared into thin air, Tobias, Copi and Saul sprinted for the exit. Saul took the lead, but Tobias easily caught up. He wanted to change, make the journey in his human form, but with no time to shift, he ran alongside. Copi ran beside him, a silent wraith seething with aggression and anger.
On the airfield, the big assed red demon leaned against the boarding stairs. “Laziel and Arial are cleaning house. I’m porting to Roman so he isn’t in the field alone. If the wily bastard thinks to hide in the labyrinths of Hell, I can find him.” The demon smirked sending a chill down Tobias’ furred spine. That male was dangerous.
With a salute, Bastian dissipated into thin air. Tobias wished he had the ability to cover great distances in the same way as Bastian and the vamps. Even if it was in the luxury of Malachi’s private jet, it still meant hours before he got to Roman. Thank fuck he wasn’t going alone.
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After the demons were dispatched, Laziel moved in tandem with Lachi. He orbited around the male like a satellite. Fear lanced his heart. Demon spawn possessed the ability to harm the heart that he held within his own soul. He would die a thousand times before allowing that to happen again.
“Azarian, go and protect our daughter. Your people have the Nephilim under control.” Laziel swung his sword in an arc, slicing through the throat of a large Nephilim. He decapitated the male and found himself covered in blood as the body jerked once before falling to the floor. A loud shriek cut through the pandemonium. The door crashed open to reveal a furious Onoskelis. Hell’s flames swirled in the amulets in her hands. Screaming incantations, she launched flames at the fighters.
“Go!” Laziel growled as a second wave of Nephilim stormed through the doors.
With a curse, Lachi ported away. Laziel breathed easier and stepped into the fray.
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Khadlyn lunged, gripping and tearing through the wings on the Nephilim’s back. He stuck close to his father. He watched while his Summus reared up on his hind legs and slashed across a Nephilim’s stomach, spilling his guts out onto the floor. Khad flung the carcass across the floor and took position at his father’s side.
I’m proud of you son. You have the heart of a true Summus. I need you to do something for me. Tobias had to leave. Find the King and take Tobias’s plac
e. Protect Denali as you do me.
Khad answered with a low whine. He rubbed his nose along his father’s neck. Then, he ran, careening through the cavernous underground of the royal enclave in search of the vampire king. Jorn’s voice rang in his head, screaming at Khad to follow the scent. Denali’s scent was strong. It was ingrained within the walls and paved the walkways along which he ran, overpowering every other scent in Khad’s path.
Trust in your wolf; let him lead the way.
Khad opened his mind and did exactly as his father instructed. He gave himself over completely and shook off the attachment to his human form. His mind expanded. For the briefest of moments, he was sure he felt the warmth of Shaver’s touch lovingly caress his thoughts.
No time, Khadlyn. Move now, move fast.
Jorn growled. The scent of his father’s wolf assaulted his senses. Layers unveiled themselves; older, faint trails and new, fresher routes. They swamped Khad’s mind. He filtered through each one memorizing directions until he picked the one trail most frequented by the vampire king. He followed while absorbing the power of his father’s alpha wolf. It filled Khad’s lungs, energizing the blood that flowed through his veins. The strength it gave him was unlike anything Khad had felt before.
This is your birthright, my son. Use its strength to guide you.
Jorn’s voice urged him forward. Khad followed his nose along darkened corridors and trailed down a series of narrow stairs that opened up before an ornate door. Khad reared up onto his two hind legs and morphed his hand into its human shape. With a heavy push, he dropped back onto all four paws and listened for any threat. He was met with a stony silence and the friendly face of none other than the human Pope. Dressed in a simple white robe, the male led Khad to the side of the sparsely decorated room and pushed aside the huge floor length tapestry to reveal a hidden door.
“Follow the steps to the bottom, and then take a right. You’ll see two huge wooden doors. Keep them safe, young wolf. May God be with you.” The pontiff quickly blessed him, marking Khad with the sign of the cross, and then he was gone. Khad took each tentative step with trepidation. At any time, he could be faced with danger which would no doubt cause his untimely death. He wasn’t ready to die. He had unfinished business with Shaver. And, nothing or no one was going to get in the way of him telling that male how much he was loved.
Fangs bared, Khad lowered his head between his raised haunches and prowled down to where the holy pontiff advised him to go. The scent of blood lay heavy in the air. Khad could make out the faint echo of fighting as it drifted down the ornately decorated walkway. Hackles raised, he slowed his approach until he came to the huge wooden doors of the King’s private rooms.
Khad pawed at the door and turned to search the corridor for any sign of attack. When none came, he turned back to face the crimson glare of the vampire king.
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Chapter Sixty-Eight
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With the blood of his enemies staining his clothes, Malachi lifted Destahny free of her cradle and tucked her in tight against his chest. His gaze fell on the aguayo Laziel used. It took him a few tries to settle her firmly against him, but he soon had her secure.
“The Nephilim have invaded the enclave and brought along a few demon friends. Arial and Laziel are waging holy war in the ballroom.” He turned to face Mirabella. “No one comes through that…”
Pushing past her, he snatched the door open. The younger Chamberlin pup stood with paw raised ready to scratch at the wood again. They stared at each other for a few seconds before Malachi stepped aside. He would not refuse another guard for his daughter.
“Mirabella meet Khadlyn, Jorn’s last born son. Khadlyn, this young lady is a celestial warrior. Do yourself a favor and don’t piss her off.”
Khadlyn padded inside and Malachi shut the door behind him. “Gregori will keep his people upstairs. With the Vatican closed down for the night, human casualties should be minimal. Laziel will have erected a soundproof shield between our enclave and the Vatican proper. Good news, humans can’t stick their noses in our business. Bad news, the invading Nephilim can’t get out so it’s a fight to the death.”
“I should be out there with the other angels.”
“Your assignment is Destahny, so your place is here.” Unhappy, Mirabella crossed her arms over her chest. “Believe me, I understand. I would rather be out there doing what I do best; however, with the demons here, Laziel’s skills exceed mine. We have to be prepared in the event something catastrophic happens.”
Malachi cleared his throat. He did not want to think about Laziel injured while he was stuck in their mated chamber. Their daughter squirmed against his chest and emitted a sharp squeal. He stroked his flattened palm over Destahny’s back and bottom. “Your Papa is going to be just fine. He’s a fierce warrior.” The babe refused to be calmed, kicking her fat little legs against his abdomen.
“You’re safe, Little One; I would never allow harm to come to you.”
“What happens if we have to flee?” Mirabella laid a small hand against his forearm.
“Laziel will not fail.”
“I don’t mean to suggest that he will, but you have to have a backup plan, an escape plan?”
He didn’t. In all of his years as King, he’d never felt threatened in his on home and not just because of Laziel. His Guard was well trained, disciplined and complimented his own skills. He glanced down at the top of Destahny’s head. Another life depended on him, one more important than his own. He needed to rethink his plans, but after the night’s visitors were dispatched.
Khad growled and turned to face the door. His fur stood on end. Mirabella drew the sword strapped to her back. Malachi palmed his gun, a Smith and Wesson five hundred magnum and the serrated hunting blade sheathed under his jacket. Both were effective against the Nephilim, but were useless if the demons had tracked them.
Mirabella took position at the front of their little group. Khad crouched in front of Malachi. Every muscle and cell in Malachi’s body flooded with adrenaline.
“Malachi?”
“Open the door, now.” Mirabella did not immediately comply. “Do it. It’s only Gregori. He stands no chance out there.”
“He’s human.”
“Yes, a close friend of your boss. He’s God on Earth as far as the rest of the humans are concerned.” A sharp look flashed over the female’s shoulder before she sheathed her weapon and twisted the knob.
Clad in his dressing gown, Gregori rushed across the threshold. “Malachi, thank the beloved Father. I was performing my nightly prayers when I had the strongest urge to speak to you.” The elderly human crossed the room and took Malachi’s hand, the one holding the revolver. “The Creator needs you. You must go to Laziel’s chapel. Right away.”
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Chapter Sixty-Nine
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Croatia
With Saul piloting the plane and using his ability to coerce and deflect the feeble minded humans, they were given a clear flight path to Croatia. Roman and Bastian eagerly awaited their arrival. Arial sat toward the back of the jet, his eyes dark and brooding. He’d joined them seconds before takeoff. His size and the blazing display of his wings still left Copi in awe. Angels. The thought of their existence left Copi speechless.
He well understood the male’s fierce adoration of his mate and his loyalty to his multi-species family. Laziel’s somewhat bizarre, yet, graceful persona left Copi somewhat mystified. But then, he was surrounded by wolves and vampires and they were making their way to a destination where a demon awaited them. It was surely one hell of a crazy assed world he’d entered with Vischeral.
The flight was grueling. It felt more like ten hours than the actual five. It had to be one of the longest flights of Copi’s life. Thankfully, the constant updates from Bastian and Roman proved vital in preparing them for what was to come. Bastian relayed that Roman had somehow managed to tap into the genetic link he shared with Vischeral in order to trace the
male. The sheer force of will it had taken to accomplish the task had wiped Roman out, but not before they’d managed to track his whereabouts to the port of Grad Rijeka, a coastal city on the shores of the Adriatic Sea.
Saul immediately made radio contact with the small Croatian airport on the island of Krk. Once they gave him permission to land Saul visibly relaxed. “Can’t control their minds from here. I need to be face to face.” The deep Russian accent was a little hard to understand but Copi understood most of what Saul said.
“This must really blow for you, it being your wedding night.” Copi felt a strange sense of remorse for the man. In some ways, they’d shared the same outcome. After being mated to Kimberly, Saul had been whisked away to fight. When he’d been turned, Copi had been left alone in a world he didn’t understand. He’d never had the chance to consummate his love for Vischeral, just as Saul had been robbed of consummating his wedding by sharing in the love of his mate.
“We share these things. Darklon will pay. We will make him pay.”
“And then some, my friend. Fucker’s gunna pay big time.” Copi growled his reply. The pent up aggression was rapidly growing inside of him. He could feel it festering like an open wound. The confines of the private jet, however luxurious, were making him irritable. Patting Saul’s shoulder on the way out of the cockpit, Copi paced up and down the small gangway, fists clenched and his skin prickling with tension. His mind swam with a riot of emotions. Anticipation and excitement warred against worry and anger.
