by Sidney Ayers
Flapping his wings, Gerardo bound into the air. With a quick flick downward, he descended and motioned to Frankie to join him. “Hop on.”
“You gotta be joking,” Frankie squeaked. “Honey, I like you… but not that much.”
Fists clenched, Gerardo drew his lip straight. “This isn’t a joke. Do you want to help Lucy or not?”
“When you put it that way, how can I refuse?” With a quick jog, he bounded toward Gerardo and grabbed a bunch of feathers from his shirt. Flinging a leg over Gerardo’s back, he climbed on. “I’ll just imagine I’m Perseus riding Pegasus in Clash of the Titans.”
“Whatever floats your boat. Now hold on tight, it’ll be a wild ride.” Without a further utterance, Gerardo flapped his wings and burst up toward the heavens, a streak of dust following in his wake.
“Ooooh-weeeeee!” Frankie’s voice echoed in the distance.
Now came the bigger task. Breaking through Belial’s block. He turned his gaze to Kalli, who paced the snow-blanketed road, her footprints converging on one another. Fists clenched, she grumbled. “Fuck it. I’m calling in the Fore-Demons.”
“No, you’re not,” Rafael growled, grabbing her by the lapels of her trench coat. His gaze blazed. To call in the elders signified defeat. He hadn’t failed Lucy yet. Scratch that. He would not fail her. “I’ll call in Dominic. The three of us should be able to break through the block.” The flame firmly burning beneath his ass, he closed his eyes. “Dominic Duvane!”
“Whoa, buddy,” Kalli said, waving him off with her hands. “Take it easy.”
Rafael unlaced his fingers from leather, smoothing out the wrinkles along the lapel. “Sorry. I just—”
“Love her?” Kalli’s lips swept into a devious smile.
He kept his emotions as tamped down as possible. “I’m supposed to protect her.”
“You keep telling yourself that, Rafe.”
A fierce burst of wind rushed in, sending a knotty strand of Kalli’s hair in a violent barrage against her face. Ice-cold crystals sliced through the air as the winds continued their wanton spinning. Dominic, gaze narrowed, swiped a few snowflakes from his leather-clad arm. Clutching the sword at his side, he scanned the area. “Need help, huh?”
Rafael wasted no words. Time was near extinction. “Belial’s blocked the area. We need your help.”
“If we concentrate, we can push through the block. All three of us are strong enough. Rafe especially, more than he realizes.”
Dominic raised an eyebrow in bemusement. “Oh, is that so?”
“Kalli thinks I’m the chosen.” Rafael snorted. Him? Chosen? But it was supposed to be Coby. He balled his fists. And it still would be. Rafael had never been so sure of anything in his life. He didn’t want to be chosen. He wanted to be loved… by Lucy.
Lucy. Who knew in a matter of a few days he could grow so attached. Who knew a saucy minx of a beautician could wrap him around her finger and then some. Who knew he’d fall in love again. He certainly didn’t.
He’d tried to blame his initial attraction on the untapped sexual energy she radiated. But it wasn’t that at all. This attraction went deeper, under his skin, to his loins… and straight to his heart. Blast it all. He had to save her. His sanity depended on it.
“What are we waiting for?” he barked. “Let’s do this.”
***
Belial, in his swirl of cinnamon and brimstone, hovered over her, the sickening smirk still wide across his face. Had she not been cuffed in silver, she would’ve gladly rearranged that annoying smile.
His long clawed finger traced a lock of hair from her face, sending shivers of revulsion worming their way through every receptor in her body. “I feel your tremors. Excited, are you?”
“Oh, don’t you wish.”
His eyes sparked gold and he clucked his tongue. Lamia stood to his right, arms snaked around each other, annoyance etched firmly into her face. Another countenance she wouldn’t mind reshaping.
“Is that any way to talk to your betrothed, m’dear?” His words, intended to be smooth as honey, scraped like a Brillo pad.
“I’d rather marry lump of steaming horseshit than you.” Lucy jutted her chin out. “Smells better, too.”
Belial shrugged, grabbed her around the waist and hauled her up to face him. His gaze burned like two giant amber flames. A look that would normally send people trembling in their boots only filled her with anger. She clenched her fists, silently cursing the silver cuffs that still bound her wrists.
“So you’re truly part succubus?” His fingertip traced down her cheek and slithered down her neck. Her skin crawled. He threw his head back and chortled, the sound slicing into her eardrums.
Fuck him. It was him and his stupid Infernati that had put her in this mess. She would give this man—demon, rather—a piece of her mind, and, hopefully, more. “What’s it to you, cinna-stank-licious?”
“Everything!” His voice boomed, echoing through the clearing. The tiny pink-trimmed chapel shook in protest. Lucy blinked. Hell had a chapel?
Rubbing her eyes, she scanned the area, surprisingly bright so late at night. Where was all that light coming from?
She spun around. Tall wooden totems with hideously painted faces stood surrounding a rock-lined fire pit. Sitting right in the middle of that pit was that damned—and she meant it in the most literal of ways—chest. She was more than ready to send it back from whence it came. If it weren’t for that chest, the scene would’ve been funny. Like a deleted scene from The Brady Bunch’s Hawaii vacation. Bad juju for sure.
“How’d you get that thing here?”
Lamia shook her head, the cackle bursting from her lips. “Does it matter? All that matters is that it’s here now.”
“Whatever.” She was probably better off not knowing, anyway.
Lamia rolled her eyes. “If you must know, I sent it to Belial while you were unconscious. Traveling isn’t just for demons you know.”
“You should start your own company.”
Lamia narrowed her eyes. “What the fuck are you talking about?”
She shrugged. “You could make yourself a fortune as a delivery company. Call yourself ‘In-Ex.’”
“In-Ex?” Larissa scratched her chin. “We don’t understand.”
“Infernati Express? Or maybe DPS–Demon Parcel Service.”
“We don’t want our secrets exposed… until we have the world under our control.”
She should’ve known these evil demons wouldn’t have a sense of humor. They never did. And there went her chance to stall them.
“Enough lollygagging! We need to start the ceremony as soon as possible!” Belial grabbed her by her bound wrists and dragged her toward the chest.
“Hey,” she ground through her teeth as she struggled away from his grip. “Is that any way to handle your future wife?”
“Ahh, my dear Lucia. It’s about time you embraced your new destiny.” His lips curved into a menacing grin. “Shall I ring your father? You need someone to give you away, do you not?”
“My father doesn’t give a shit about me or my mother. He only cares about all the sex fiends he controls.” The lie that flowed effortlessly from her lips still sent aching pain to her chest. Yes, he left, but now she knew why. He loved her mother and her and didn’t want them harmed by evil. Little did he know, though, evil always found a way. It was her duty to stop it. For the world, for her family. For Rafe.
“Sucks to be you, doesn’t it?” Swiping a strand of blonde hair from her cheek, Larissa sauntered next to her. The tight black leather clung to her legs with each step. “Serves you and your mother right. Lilu belongs with me.”
Yep. It was confirmed. Larissa was dumb. She truly believed she’d end up with Lilu and become queen? Had she not heard a word of what her partner in crime uttered? Or was she completely under Lamia’s control? Of course, she was.
Time to test the waters. “What will you do when Lamia kills Lilu?”
“She’s not going to kill h
im,” Larissa replied, her ice-blue eyes sparking.
“But he won’t be king anymore, and you’ll be nothing.”
Larissa growled, her nostrils wide and flaring. “Bullshit!”
Lucy scratched her chin. “That’s what she said when you were looped out in the car.”
“Enough!” Lamia bellowed. “Don’t listen to her. She’s trying to turn you against me.”
Larissa narrowed her eyes and turned her glare to Lamia, to Lucy, and back to Lamia again. “What will happen when you take over the Sexubis?”
“Nothing! Lilu will still be king of those not willing to join me.”
“Oh,” Larissa said, her brow scrunching. “I see.”
Something told Lucy she didn’t, but she wasn’t going to argue that point. The first step was to get the cuffs off. “So when can I get these things off?” she asked, with a clank of silver.
Belial stomped over to the pit and looked inside the chest. “Are you ready, my subjects?”
The shouts and wails erupted in the air. Moans and groans echoed in wretched agony. “Not quite ready.”
Oh hell no. If this bastard wanted to marry her, he’d have to do it without restraints. “Would you rather have a willing or unwilling bride?”
Belial scratched the golden growth of hair on his chin, his amber eyes sparking. “I suppose I can make some sort of arrangement for your release.” He motioned to Lamia. “Unlock her.”
What? That’s all she needed to do? Ask? She should’ve just laid the honey on Lamia earlier. Then again, never mind. The bitch didn’t even deserve a layer of lye.
“Is it wise, my liege?” Lamia asked, her head bowed to the ground. Now if that wasn’t a sight. The woman—erm—thing was a tool after all.
“Very wise. Now do as I say and stop questioning me!”
“Yes, my lord Belial.” She turned to Larissa. “The key?”
Wow. The Infernati worked on a pyramid scheme. If these demons were businessmen, Belial would be a billionaire and those below him wouldn’t know what hit them. How utterly ironic! But she wasn’t complaining. It would get her out of these cuffs after all. Then she could show these assholes her new kick-ass kung-fu moves.
With a nod, Larissa reached into her shirt and produced the key. Her face contorted into a contemptuous sneer, she brushed past Lucy. “Here, master.” Kneeling before Belial, she kept her face toward the snow-packed ground, her hand outstretched.
What the hell kind of nightmare did she end up in? A bondage peep show? What was next? Whips and chains? “If you expect me to get on my knees and kiss your stinky feet, you got another thing coming.”
“Oh, my dear betrothed, I do enjoy your sharp tongue. Such a welcome breath of fresh air.”
Fresh air, my ass. “Just what you need.”
Belial reached down, snatched the key and kicked Larissa out of his way. “Go.”
With a small squeak, Larissa stumbled and scurried off, on all fours, toward the ice cream parlor.
“Lamia, when are you going to get some real help?” Belial swept a golden curl from his cheek, a frustrated breath of air escaping his lips.
“She’s one of my best succubi.” Lamia’s gaze remained fixed to the earth below. “And my most loyal.”
“Devil help you then.” Belial dismissed Lamia with a flick of his wrist and dangled the key in front of Lucy’s nose, like a fisherman tempts a fish. With each swing of the key, he clucked his tongue. “Will you behave, my dear?”
Depends on what he meant by behave? Consorting with evil demons certainly didn’t constitute behaving in her book. “Oh, I’ll behave. You have my word.”
“How can I be certain, my dear Lucia?” His smile crept upward, taunting her. Keys jangling in the cold wind, he swung his hand back and forth. “After all, you’re blessed.”
“I’m an honest woman. Either you believe me or you don’t.” She gave her hair a nonchalant toss. “It makes no difference to me. I’ll get these cuffs off one way or the other.”
“What if I had something… or someone… you care about? Would you behave then?”
Her heart plummeted. Her stomach coiled into knots. “Oh God,” she whispered beneath her breath.
“What was that? I didn’t quite hear you.” His eyes sparked and menacing dimples formed in his cheeks.
Who did he have? Frankie? Gerardo? Her Mom? Rafe? Oh please don’t let it be Rafe. Shivers slinked up her spine. Despite the fear coursing through her, she raised her chin. She wouldn’t show this asshole weakness. “You might as well get it over with, Belial. I’m not one for surprises.”
“Fine. Either you behave or your precious friend dies.” He flicked his cape and spun around, the wind whipping it around his feet. Throwing the cape open, he threw back his head and chortled, the sound grating on her eardrums. In one hand, the glint of a ruby jeweled dagger sparkled in the glow of the stupid chest. But it was what was in his other arm that caused her skin to crawl.
Chapter 28
Her best friend, body limp and eyes closed, flung over his shoulder, like a worn-out Raggedy-Ann doll. With a nonchalant shrug, Belial hoisted her off his shoulder and tossed her to the ground.
Bastard.
Serah moaned, her head lolling to the side. “My head.”
Kneeling next to her friend, Belial grabbed her neck and angled her head to meet Lucy’s gaze. His dagger at her neck, he arched his eyebrow quizzically. “Do we have a deal?”
“I will behave,” Lucy said through gritted teeth.
“Good. I’m glad we’re in agreement. We’ll make a splendid couple.” Sheathing his dagger, he dropped Serah to the ground. “Oops.”
“If you hurt her, I’ll be more than happy to send for her bodyguard.” Belial didn’t need to know this bodyguard was pint-sized with a voice that could break glass.
“Oh, do you mean him?” Belial snapped his fingers. A violent gust of wind sailed past her, an agonizing wail carrying in the air. A very high-pitched wail. The ball of ice slammed against a tree, silver chains snaking around Squeaky’s frozen form.
She needed to think—before she ran out of time. If she made the slightest misstep, her friends would die. She couldn’t fail. She had too much at stake. Besides, Rafe and Kalli couldn’t be far behind. Perhaps she could just go along with this charade for a little while.
“Do we have an agreement, Lucy?”
She raised her head to meet the embers of Belial’s gaze. If only she could extinguish those embers. “Yes—”
“No Lucy. You can’t.” Serah, slinking and crawling on the ground, gazed up at her, her eyes pleading. “Don’t let this monster—”
“Enough already,” he said with a deep gravelly growl. A cryptic smile contorted his lips as his wing tip loafers connected with Serah’s gut.
Serah groaned and curled into a ball. “Please…”
“Spare us the soap opera melodrama,” Lamia said, joining Belial. Reaching down, she grabbed Serah by the collar of her blood-speckled coat and dragged her across the snow-veiled earth.
“So do we have a deal?”
“My friends go unharmed.”
“Very well. Lamia, back away from the prisoner.”
With an irritated growl, she slithered away from Serah, her snake arms disengaging from her friend’s limp body. “She won’t stay like this forever, you know.”
“Who’s in charge here? You or me?” Belial, his eyes sparking, lashed out his hand. In a burst of bright light, a ring of fire erupted around Lamia’s scaly legs. Shaking his head, he chuckled, the sound, despite its quietness, came out low and menacing.
“You, my prince.” With that, Lamia slid away to join her partner in crime.
With an irritated breath, Belial spun the keychain around his finger, the clanging of metal taunting her. He took slow meticulous steps around her, his hands roving up and down her body. Her skin crawled and her stomach roiled. His toxic stench hung heavy in the air, growing thicker with each caress.
“You’ll make a
perfect wife.” He leaned in, his breath crawling across her skin. Grabbing her wrists, he shoved the key into the lock, the click music to her ears. His grip tightened on her wrist as he slid the first cuff off.
She sucked in a breath, fighting the pent-up rage. “Indeed, I will.” She’d be a perfect wife… for Rafe.
“Nothing will stop me, you know that?” Belial traced a saliva trail down her neck, his fingers working the lock of the other cuff.
“Ooh wee!” echoed in the distance. What was going on? Did he have Frankie now too? She’d have a nice long chat with Kalli after this ordeal was over. Fat lot of help she was guarding her friends.
“What in all that is unholy?” Belial growled. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he yanked her to him. “You didn’t behave, Lucy. Now your friends will die.”
Panic flooded her body. Twisting and yanking herself in the vice of his arms, Lucy looked up. High in the gray cloud-cover sky, a flutter of white wings flapped. Wings attached to a pink feather shirt clad body. Gerardo. But who was that gripping on for dear life?
“Ooooooooooooooh weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!” the figure on Gerardo’s back shouted louder, the southern twang singing through the air.
It had to be her imagination. “Holy shit,” she breathed, her heart thudding a wild beat. Gerardo? Wings? Flying? Her eyelids fluttered.
Belial’s grip grew stronger. Grabbing a handful of hair he yanked her head back. “You don’t truly expect me to believe you knew nothing?”
“I don’t expect you to believe anything,” she said, straightening her back and raising her chin.
Lucy’s gaze wandered about Belial’s makeshift encampment. Squeaky, still firmly chained to the tree, struggled against his bonds. Larissa, that evil bitch, growled and sent her fist sailing into the poor chimp’s cheek. Squeaky moaned, his head lolling to the side.
“Bitch!”
Serah scrambled to her feet and lunged at Larissa. Arms wrapped around ankles, Serah and Succu-bitch went sprawling. Snow flew, fists flailed, and legs kicked. Larissa took a bunch of Serah’s curly hair in her fist and slammed her face into the snow. Fingers digging into snow and frozen earth, Serah coughed and sputtered.
