The Keepers of Hell Box Set

by Danielle James

  He kept eye contact with her, telling her what he couldn’t put into words. She meant everything to him. She wasn’t just his mate, he respected the hell out of her. She was brave, strong, and had a beautiful soul. Fuck, he loved her.

  As soon as he realized it, Jamie knew he wouldn’t be able to hold on long. He got up quickly, taking her with him. “Come with me,” he told her, pulling out of her body.

  Laura didn’t know what he had in mind, but she did as he asked. He led her off the mattress and around to the foot of the bed. He gave her a wicked grin as he spun her around so that her back was to him. His hands moved down her sides, over her hips and then to one leg. He lifted it, setting her knee on the mattress. Then he pushed her back down so that she was leaning over the bed, her legs spread for him, her weight supported on the one foot still on the floor.

  He lined himself up behind her, holding her hips and entered her from behind. Laura cried out as he filled her to capacity. She couldn’t talk, couldn’t think. All she could do was take him as he thrust into her body over and over again. He reached around to rub at her clit and Laura screamed as he pulled another orgasm from her.

  “Fuck, fuck, fuck,” he growled as she came around his cock. “I have to—I can’t—damn it.”

  He spun her around and laid her back on the bed with her ass at the edge. “Are you ready?” he asked.

  Laura didn’t hesitate. She knew he meant to mark her and for her to mark him. “Yes,” she told him. “Make me yours.”

  Jamie used his nail to cut the skin on his shoulder, and then thrust back inside of her, holding her legs around his hips. He brought his body down to hers and kissed her hard. Then he sucked at her neck. Laura wasted no time finding the small trickle of his blood on his shoulder. She sucked at the cut, taking him into her, and accepting what he offered her.

  Jamie gave her everything he had to give. He felt the burn of her marking him and it was nearly too much. His fangs ached and he struck at her vein, hard. The taste of her blood was all he needed as he felt her body give in to him again. He held on as one hell of an orgasm took over his body. He shook so hard that his knees nearly gave out and he released her neck to throw his head back to roar his pleasure. She was his now. Forever.

  Epilogue

  “The crops are healing,” Jake said with a smile. “Things are returning to normal.”

  “I can’t believe that Train took office,” Kaia said. “Although, he seems quite a bit different than before. Without Pestilence’s influence, he seems like he really might do alright in the White House.”

  “I hope so,” Jensen agreed, pulling Kaia into a tight embrace. “We all need a little peace.”

  “I thought the government wasn’t going to let him take office,” Lacy pointed out.

  “I know,” Kaia agreed, “but his ideas are not what they were at first. He’s changed. Maybe they’re gonna wait and see how badly he screws up first.”

  “Could be,” Lacy agreed thoughtfully.

  “Speaking of change,” Lucas said, “can you believe what Laura did? And that she was sent back to him?”

  “Never underestimate the power of love,” Ryver told them. “She did a good thing. She deserves to have some kind of future with her man.”

  “You think Jamie and Laura might come out of that room anytime this century?” Kaia laughed.

  “I wouldn’t look for them,” Ash answered. “When Elizabeth and I made it official … let’s just say Antonio gagged. A lot.”

  They all laughed and talked, relishing the quiet and the normalcy that had somewhat returned to Hell. It would take time, but the world would heal. It was already well on its way. When Ash said he was getting rid of the horsemen’s boxes, he wasn’t joking around. He had taken them from the Earth and tossed them into the deep, dark abyss of space. By now, they were probably being sucked into the sun. Ash opened a bottle of champagne and poured a glass for himself and Elizabeth, and then passed the bottle around for everyone else. When all the glasses were filled, he lifted his glass. “To Laura, the bravest of us all.”

  “To Jamie, for having more faith than any of us,” Lacy added.

  “To Lacy,” Kaia said with a grin. “For always teaching.”

  “To Kaia,” Jake said. “For overcoming more than any soul should ever have to.”

  “To Jake,” Lucas said. “For taming his fire and using it for good.”

  “To Lucas,” Kaia said. “For being the kind of soldier that we all want at our backs.”

  Ash stood and held his glass higher. “To all of you, for being so much more than my Guard. For being the bravest and the strongest, but most of all, for being my family.”

  “Here, here!” they cheered and drank from their glasses.

  The party was short lived as Antonio materialized in the middle of the celebration, his face grim. “I have specific instructions to take you all somewhere and you are to follow me, no questions asked,” Antonio said seriously. “Now.”

  “Fuck,” Ash cursed. “What now? Can we not just have one minute of peace?”

  “Sweetie,” Elizabeth said softly. “You knew when you took this job that it was full time. Go. I’ll be here when you get back.”

  “No, you won’t,” Antonio said. “You’re coming too. All of us. Bring your mates.”

  “Oh no,” Kaia whispered. “What could be so important that we all have to go right now? I don’t like this.”

  Lacy studied Antonio for a moment and then said, “Okay, let’s do it.” She knew that while he was maintaining a serious exterior, something was making him very, very happy on the inside. “Something tells me this won’t be as bad as we think it will be.”

  “Stop that,” Antonio warned her. “You don’t get to use your mojo on me.”

  Lacy shrugged, unafraid of the vampire. “Let me go and get Liam. I’ll get the newlymates as well.”

  When they were all together, Antonio said, “Okay, follow me,” and flashed himself away.

  Ash, his mate, his Guard and their mates followed suit. They all materialized together in a strange place.

  “Where are we?” Elizabeth asked, trying to make sense of what they were seeing, which was a lot of nothing, really. They were somewhere that seemed to exist in its own bubble. Somewhere that the rules didn’t apply to. There was no visible ground, yet they were definitely standing on something. As far as they could see, a fog covered the ground that was only about ankle high.

  “This, my friends,” Antonio said with a beaming grin, “Is Heaven.”

  “I don’t understand,” Ash said, shaking his head. “I thought it would be … different.”

  “Well, it’s not Heaven proper, you have to go through the gates.”

  “I don’t see any gates,” Shelly said with a little apprehension. “Maybe they won’t let us in because I am a demon.”

  “Nope,” Antonio said. “You only have to ask.” And then he moved several paces in front of the group. “Hey Peter? Wanna let us in?”

  A set of gates appeared out of thin air.

  They all stood in awe of the golden gates in front of them. The beautiful metal reached up into the sky, much higher than any of them could see. The misty cloud cover that surrounded the bottom of the gates and their ankles swirled and moved as if it were a life force all its own.

  "Is this really it?" Laura asked.

  Jamie smiled down at his mate, loving the way his mating mark graced the side of her neck and took her hand into his. He didn’t have to think about the question. He knew it in his soul. "It really is."

  The gates swung open wide, allowing them inside. The mist cleared and there was a stone pathway that led into the horizon. "Well, come on then," Ash told them, taking the lead. His Guard followed him, along with their mates.

  "I'm telling you, you're gonna love this place," Antonio said with a wide grin. "Nothing like it in the universe."

  "I should hope not," Lacy said absently, taking in her surroundings. The further they walked along the path
, the more things became visible. Bright, green grass stretched over the landscape, over the rolling hills in the distance, beyond the horizon. Trees of every species grew sporadically, dotting the scenery with brilliant greens, golds, and even blooms.

  "This is the gardens," Antonio said, nodding to the growing plant life. Roses, daisies, and any other kind of flower imaginable lined the walkway, filling the air with their fragrant aromas. The sky was a gorgeous shade of baby blue with pure white clouds moving lazily across it.

  "I can't believe this," Ryver whispered.

  "Me either," Lucas agreed.

  An angel approached them and shook Antonio's hand. He had short, dark hair and a leather jacket, complete with the same whiter than white wings as Antonio had. "Good to see you," he said.

  "How's it going Zeke?" Antonio asked, giving the angel's hand a hearty shake.

  "You know, same old, same old," Zeke answered. A chime went off and he pulled a tablet out of his pocket, much like the ones they used in Hell. "Damn it, Chloe's at it again. I gotta go." And then, the angel disappeared.

  "Zeke is a Guardian," Antonio explained. "And his charge is an adrenaline junky."

  "Oh wow," Kaia said on a laugh. "I bet she keeps him busy."

  "You have no idea," Antonio agreed. "Come on, not much further."

  They kept walking until they came to a bridge leading up to the largest building Jamie had ever seen. It appeared to be made completely of glass, the color shifting and changing with the light. In front of the bridge were four angels dressed in battle gear. "It's about time you brought your ass back here," one of them said to Antonio.

  "Good to be back," Antonio agreed. "Guys, this is my crew."

  "You really are a warrior angel?" Jamie asked.

  "Yep," Antonio answered with a grin. “Told you I was.”

  “I just thought you wore all that gear because you thought it looked good on you,” Jamie admitted.

  “It does,” Antonio laughed and took his best warrior stance. "And this is where we stop. That building there is headquarters. You guys have to decide if you want to go in."

  "What do you mean go in?" Jake asked.

  "I mean, as your reward for putting the horsemen back and killing Balthazar up properly, the Big Guy has offered each of you a home here. You just have to decide."

  "Are you serious?" Laura asked on a shaky breath. "We can go to Heaven?"

  "Isn't that what I said?" Antonio asked. Ash was smiling, something that was rare to be seen.

  Jamie wanted to go, but at the same time, he didn't. What would he do in Heaven? "Is this a one-time offer?" he asked.

  "You see, that's the thing about our Father. He gave you free will and the invitation is always open." Antonio put his hand on Jamie's shoulder and grinned. "You can change your mind."

  Jamie looked down at his mate. "What do you think?"

  "I am happy wherever you are," she answered and meant it. “My Heaven is with you. No matter where it is.”

  Jamie looked at the building and then at Ash. "Are you staying?"

  "No," Ash answered definitively. "I am going to continue my job in Hell."

  Jamie nodded. "Ok, then I think for now, I would like to stay with you. You need someone to keep you in check."

  Ash nodded his approval.

  "Me too," Lucas said. "Just seeing this place, knowing what we are fighting for, it has purpose. I want to keep making a difference." Ryver held his hand tighter. She could go to either place but she would stay wherever her mate was.

  "I'm staying with Ash as well," Lacy said without hesitation. Liam wrapped his arm around her in approval. That was his woman. She never shied from her responsibilities.

  "I going back to Hell with you," Jake said, and then turned to his mate, “If that’s okay with you.”

  Shelly smiled and took his hand. “Of course it is.”

  Kaia bit her bottom lip. With Jensen at her side, she had a tough choice to make. Could she leave Hell for Heaven? It was an opportunity that she never imagined she would have. Would Jensen come with her? One look at his face and she knew he would go wherever she was. She loved her job in Hell. But …

  "Mommy!" The little voice rang loud and clear. "Daddy!"

  Kaia turned to see the little girl running at them, full force. She sucked in a breath and couldn't stop the tears from forming in her eyes. "Callie?" she said, kneeling down and opening her arms for her daughter. The little one leapt into her arms and cradled her neck tight.

  Jensen leaned down to join the hug. "I missed you lady," he said through his tears of joy.

  "Have you come to stay with me?" she asked, looking up at her parents.

  Kaia looked to Ash who nodded. "What about your Guard?” she asked. “You'll be one short. And short a leader of Murder. It feels selfish to stay here."

  "I can get a new guard," he said. "I think this is where you belong.” Ash smiled and asked, “Do I need to fire you?”

  “No,” Kaia told him happily. “I quit.” Kaia couldn't believe it. Her family was back together, and they were never going to be apart again.

  Elizabeth laughed and soon, they were all laughing with her. These wayward angels had become her family, and she was crazy proud of them all, especially her husband. He was stronger than he knew, and that made his crew stronger too.

  "Alright then," Antonio said with a smile. He reached out for Ash and shook his hand. "It has been an honor," he said.

  Ash laughed. "The honor was mine," he said. "You horrible pain in the ass."

  Antonio grinned and turned to leave. "See you guys later!" he called back over his shoulder.

  The Keepers of Hell watched as Kaia, Jensen, and Callie followed Antonio across the bridge with tears in their eyes. They were all sad to see them go, but bone-deep happy for them as well.

  Ash remembered the first time he met Antonio. It was his first day in Hell and Antonio had been waiting for him, sitting at his desk as if he belonged there. He helped him to find Jake. Memories came flashing through his mind …

  “You can. You have the appropriate appendages to do it. But, you gotta learn to fly before you can just leap into the air and take off.”

  Or when Jake and Antonio returned to Hell, drunk as fuck.

  “Right-oh, Capitan!” Antonio cheerfully chimed in. “Hi-ho, hi-ho, off to bed we go…” They walked, staggered, out of Ash’s office. They were weaving back and forth through the hallway, laughing under their breath. “Shhh,” one of them said. “Stand up straight, you fuckin’ dunk,” the other said. Ash even thought he heard Jake ask, “Doya think we kin git the redhead to go to bed too? She’s pretty.”

  Or when Lacy learned to use her gift and made Antonio afraid of her.

  “Why you running, Antonio?” Jake hollered from the sidelines. “You’re running from a girl!”

  “Fuck off,” Antonio shouted back. “You want in on this?”

  “No, I’m good.” Jake laughed. “This is way more entertaining.”

  Lucas and his insistence on saluting Ash.

  Ash nodded, then raised his right hand to his brow. "Gunney," he acknowledged Lucas for his title and nodded his head.

  Lucas saluted Ash in return. "Sir," he said sharply. "I'm ready to move on now."

  Kaia the day she received her wings and put Ash in his place properly.

  "I'm going somewhere that isn't here," she finally said. "I don’t want to talk to you for a while."

  Jamie, on his first day.

  “I won’t let you hurt her,” Jamie choked out. “Because she is my mate.”

  Ash had come to not only trust these angels, these lost souls, but to think of them as his family. He loved each and every one of them. In his mind, Ash heard His familiar voice and felt His presence wrap around him.

  “Well done, my son.”

  When Antonio, Kaia, Callie, and Jensen were out of sight, Ash turned to his guard. "Come on guys," he said. "Let's go home."

  The End.

  From the Author…


  Thank you so much for reading the Keepers of Hell Series. When I started writing this series, Ash came to me as a bad ass demon hunter with nothing else about what was to come. I sat down and started writing, letting the story take me where it may.

  I never imagined this is where we would go.

  I can’t tell you how many times these angels made me laugh, made me cry, and I still can’t go over the ending without shedding a tear for their happiness.

  If you enjoyed this book (and series!) please consider leaving a review!

  Thank you and mad love to you all,

  Danielle James

  [i] — Revelation 6:7-7˄ NASB

  [ii] — Revelation 6:7-8˄ NASB

  Also by Danielle James

  The Forbidden Love Series

  The Guardians

  Written with P. Mattern

  Fan Girl

  Heart of Atlantis

  Visit my Amazon page for all of these and more!

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