It wouldn’t be a pretty life, it would just be one with less torture.
“And why wouldn’t I plot my revenge?” Selene asked, hands going to her hips. “It will be my life’s quest to get off this wretched plane and have my retribution. Nothing will change that.”
I took a step closer. “No you won’t.”
“Like hell I won’t,” she insisted, snarling at me.
“Nope,” I said. “Because you’re going to swear an oath to us you won’t. And for helping you escape this ongoing torture, you will forswear your revenge on us. Plus”—I rolled my eyes—“it’s not exactly revenge when you’re the one who started it. This is all on you. Keeping that in your mind would be incredibly helpful.”
“I will swear no such oath,” she snapped. “I refuse to stay in this hellhole and you can’t force me to say the words.”
“Selene,” I explained as patiently as I could, “we’re talking about giving you a gift, and in return you will help us defeat anything we encounter on the way. The Sholls is actually the perfect place for you.” I waved a hand in front of her unhealed face and shaved hair. “You should be able to start a new life… in a cave somewhere… we know how you love them. But if you stay here you will be killed again and again and subsequently come back again and again.” Exasperation leaked around my voice. “And it wouldn’t hurt you to take some time out to figure out why you’re such a stone-cold witch.” Before she could interject, I put my hand up. “And, really, it’s the only option you’ve got so stop arguing.”
“Jessica is right,” Lili offered. “You infuriate the Prince and your very nature makes you highly uncooperative. No one can discipline you adequately, and since you cannot die, you will get no relief in Hell. It will continue to be… hell. It’s my guess that you haven’t seen the worst of our tortures yet or you would not be opposed to leaving. I would choose the Sholls over the Underworld if I were not welcome here. It’s a gift to get such an opportunity.”
Rourke crossed his ample arms over his chest, matching my stance. “Why are we standing here making deals with her? She needs to suffer for what she did to us. Daily. I say we give her back to the guards. Or tie her up here and let her be found.” His eyes yielded a kaleidoscope of emotion; likely he was remembering what he’d gone through under her ministrations.
The man had a point.
“If we could kill her, I would agree with you,” I answered. “But if the Prince can’t, I don’t think we’ll be successful. The Sholls is no picnic, believe me. She will have a hard time carving out a place for herself, but she will be out of our hair with no chance of escape.”
Ray stepped in. “What if I took her soul? She might die then.”
Selene stamped her foot, reiterating how childish she’d always been. She was the quintessential supernatural who’d never grown up. “You can’t make decisions for me when I’m standing right here.” Her fists were balled. She was infuriated she had no power, and she knew that if she struck against us, it would be futile. But if she could’ve, she would’ve blasted us all without a second thought. “I will not let any of you manipulate me like this.”
I gave her my full attention. “Would you like to continue your happy fun time in Hell? Or would you like another option? I think we all deserve medals for even discussing this.” No supernatural I was aware of knew anything about the afterlife. There were ghosts, but no one knew what really happened when a supe died a true death. “My mate wants to leave you for dead, but if we could give you true death would you take it? Or do you prefer the option of fending for yourself in the Sholls?”
“I prefer neither,” she cried as she launched herself at me.
Old habits die hard.
I swatted her away like a mild irritant. It was hard to remember her in her former glory. She hardly resembled the porcelain doll full of vigor who had just, a short time ago, made my life a living nightmare. My wolf snarled at my humanness, which she considered my weakness, wanting me to end Selene once and for all. In the realm of the supernatural, having mercy was atypical behavior.
Before she could come at me again, Ray scooped her up, keeping his arms firmly locked around her waist. She struggled for a moment and then gave up.
I met Ray’s gaze. “Do you think you can take her soul?” I turned to address Lili. “Her soul is promised to the Underworld, correct? Do we rob the Prince by having Ray reap her soul right here?” That plan didn’t sound half bad.
Lili shook her head. “Something has gone wrong with her capture anyway. I think no one here one understands why. But whatever you do, you must do it soon. We have to leave this area. It’s a miracle no demon has found us. The Princess must be keeping them occupied, but it won’t last for long.”
“Ray,” I asked. “What happens when you take a living soul?” Ray had just figured out he was a reaper, and had taken down a Strigoi, the equivalent of a vampire ghost. But he had never sucked a living soul out of a body before that I knew about.
“I have no earthly idea,” he answered as Selene started to squirm. “But my body is telling me I can do it and her soul is screaming for a release.”
I walked forward, placing a hand on Selene’s arm. She tried to shake me off. “Don’t touch me,” she snapped.
I ignored her and nodded to my brother. He moved forward and grabbed Selene’s other arm. Rourke stepped in behind me. He’d been silent but I knew this was his vote. I placed a hand on Selene’s carotid artery. She tried to move her neck away, but Ray held her still.
I sucked in a sharp breath.
“What is it?” Rourke asked.
“I know why they can’t kill her. You’re not going to believe this—but I think she’s already dead.” As I spoke I sent my magic into Selene and found darkness, with only traces of her vibrant red magic signature scattered here and there.
“What are you talking about?” Selene barked. “I’m clearly not dead, you beast! I’m alive and breathing.”
“I seems your godhood is holding on to a shell, Selene.” I shook my head. “I think the only thing left in there is your soul. You must have an incredibly strong one.”
I dropped my hand and turned to Rourke. “I can’t let Ray harvest her soul. None of us understands what’s going on here, but she’s clearly already dead. I can’t help feeling like finding her like this was supposed to happen.” I glanced at Selene. “How did you know where to find us? None of us sensed you were near. We’re some of the most powerful supes on the planet and we detected nothing from you.” I angled my head back and took in a deep breath, along with my brother, just to be sure.
We both snapped our heads up at the same time.
She carried no scent.
For the first time, Selene appeared a little flustered. “I… I,” she stuttered. “I don’t remember. The Prince killed me again… and when I woke up, I heard your voice, so I followed it.” She brought a hand to her forehead for a second. Ray dropped his hold on her waist and stepped back, surprise lining his features, which certainly mimicked our own expressions. “But I can’t be dead. I’m not supposed to… die. Dying is for humans and… weak supernaturals. I’m above that. I am immortal.”
There was a shout in the distance.
“We can’t linger here any longer,” Lili said. “It’s only a matter of time now.”
Rourke prodded the small of my back. “Come on,” he said. “We need to move.” He ushered me forward, glancing at Selene as we passed. “If you know what’s good for you, you will follow us. Of your own accord. We can decide what to do with you when we have more than a minute to spare.”
Lili started down a new tunnel and we all followed. Including Selene.
I had no idea what we had just uncovered, but I was certain it was a one-of-a-kind situation. And to be very honest, I was damn tired of one-of-a-kind situations. They were sticky and hard to deal with. But the good thing was that nothing surprised me any longer. Unique experiences seemed to follow me by the truckload and I had to make my peace wi
th it or go crazy. Do you know why this happens to us? I asked my wolf. Why do we attract all these unexplainable things? My mate is one of a kind, now so is Ray. Lili and Selene. Naomi is the only vamp I know without a bond to another vampire, and Danny is the only wolf on the planet whose Alpha is female. Things in my life are always complicated. I had to believe this was all working toward a purpose. I just had no idea what it was. My wolf shook her head, flashing a picture of us surrounded by our family. I know, I feel the bonds too. I guess we’re just going to have to wait and see.
“Where are you leading us?” Rourke interrupted my thoughts as he asked Lili. We had gone down several tunnels and a few stairways, each one seeming smaller and more remote than the last. “We need to move faster.”
“We are heading to the Prince’s private quarters,” she declared airily, not entirely pulling off unaffectedness.
“What? Are you kidding?” I exclaimed. “How could you possibly take us into his home? How will we not be detected? That doesn’t sound like safe haven, that sounds like a hijack.”
“It’s not a hijack,” she assured me. “You’re talking to someone who is intimately acquainted with Hell and its ruler. Going to his personal rooms will take us far under their radar. Once there, I will be able to get a message out to the Princess. It’s literally the only place that will give us cover where no one will look.”
“If we’re in his quarters, and the Prince comes back, how do we flee?” Tyler asked. “I’m not letting my sister in there if there’s no way out.”
“There’s a secret passageway, known only to me and very few others. It will keep us concealed if need be,” the demoness assured us. She stopped, glancing around the group. “You’re going to have to trust me or this is never going to work.”
“Lili,” I said patiently. “Trust is earned and you aren’t there yet.” Everyone’s face was set. “But we don’t have another choice at the moment, so we will follow you. But be warned, if you’re leading us into danger we will retaliate.”
“I have no doubt you will.” She eyed Ray specifically. “But the warning is unnecessary. I’m not about to screw this up.” She started to move again, this time she began to jog.
We followed. The tunnels kept meandering. How did the demons ever remember how to get from one place to the next?
The last tunnel we turned down abruptly changed scenery about halfway through. Ray was ahead of me, his head swiveling. “What is this? Some kind of funhouse? One minute you have rock and the next it looks like we’re walking through a tree?” It did look like we were in a tree, if bark grew on the inside.
“We are passing through the living parts of Hell,” Lili said as she ran. “They are scattered within the demon-made parts. There are a number of levels and areas that grow organically and this is one of them.” She made a quick turn at the end. “We just need to go about five hundred yards more—”
The demoness stopped in her tracks so abruptly we all had to pull up so we didn’t crash into her. Once I saw the reason we’d stopped, I gaped.
There, standing at attention at the end of the hallway, was the biggest dog I’d ever seen.
It had two heads and a tail that hissed.
17
“What in the good goddamn is that?” Ray bellowed as we all peered at it. “And whatever it is, it’s blocking our path.”
“That is an orthrus,” Lili answered calmly. “And it was left to guard the Prince’s chambers.”
The thing growled at us, swishing its snaky tail around in circles. The tail actually flicked its tongue, arching over the dog’s back to stare at us.
“So,” I said. “This plan is turning out to be awesome. You guys have a run on scary beasts here, but this takes the cake as far as I’ve seen. That thing is huge.”
“I can take care of an orthrus,” Lili said firmly. “I just need a few things first.”
“Like what?” Tyler asked. “A one-way ticket out of here? Or a rocket launcher? That beast looks like it can tear us apart by breathing on us. It’s as tall as the damn hallway and just as wide.”
“It won’t attack unless we move forward and try to gain entrance,” she assured us.
Which was exactly what we were trying to do. “Well, that’s comforting,” Ray retorted. “I’m sure we can just stay here for a while and nobody will notice. And why wouldn’t that thing charging us? We’re an obvious threat. This place is backwards.”
“It’s trained to guard the entrance to the Prince’s private rooms and nothing more. It actually can’t see very well,” the demoness replied. “Which is why I need something like a blanket to cover its eyes.”
“A what?” I cackled. “You’re going to bring the scariest beast I’ve ever seen to its knees by covering its eyes with a blanket? It looks like Cujo there could eat us all for a bedtime snack.”
The thing paced back and forth and huffed out of its double snouts. My wolf had her muzzle open and a snarl on her lips. My fingertips tingled. I was close to changing.
Lili glanced at me like I was clueless. “A blanket and this.” She pulled a tiny vial out of her pocket. Her latex jumpsuit apparently had pockets.
“Is that a spell?” Ray asked.
“It is indeed a spell,” she answered. “It’s a special concoction I made long ago for some of the beasts here, including the orthrus. It will put it to sleep, but it needs to be ingested.”
“And how exactly are you going to get that thing down its gullet?” Ray asked.
“It’s a curious beast,” she answered. “If I can get close enough I can toss it, and then follow with the blanket to subdue it before the dose takes effect.”
“I don’t like the sound of that. Why does it need to be subdued?” Rourke asked. “Shouldn’t the spell take effect immediately?”
“They are very large creatures,” Lili said. “It must absorb the entire spell… and before the potion takes effect there may be a few… complications.”
“Just spit it out already,” Tyler insisted. “What complications? What happens to it when it ingests the spell?”
“It will go a little crazy for a while,” Lili admitted with a sigh. “Which is also why we need something to shield both sets of its eyes. It can become quite… rambunctious.”
“Rambunctious in a small hallway isn’t going to work. Is it venomous?” I asked.
“Only the tail,” she warned. “Stay clear of it.”
“That sounds easy enough,” Ray snorted. “You’ve got to be kidding us, lady. There has to be someplace else to go.”
“There is no other place in all of Hell to go,” Lili countered. “This is it. We are in a secluded hallway that most don’t know exists. This orthrus has been stationed here likely since my first arrest. The Prince thinks even I cannot best it. But he is wrong, as usual.” Her voice was bitter. “He underestimates me at every turn and it will cost him dearly.”
The orthrus stamped its huge clawed feet and let out a dangerous howl. Its tail was as thick as my thigh and slashed back and forth over its shoulder. It truly was an awful monster.
“I shouldn’t have to mention this, but we don’t have a blanket,” I said, glancing around the group. “I mean, who really carries a blanket around anyway? Unless you have some demon ultra throw in your jumpsuit, Lili, you’re out of luck.”
Rourke moved between us, tugging off his shirt in one motion. “We’re getting this over with now,” he declared. “Not only are you going to get that vial in its mouth”—motioning to Lili and the potion—“but we’re going to hold that thing down until it goes to sleep. I’m not going to risk it damaging us. None of us have time to heal.” He glanced at Ray and Tyler. “Are you with me?”
“We’re with you, brother,” Ray said. “Whatever it takes.”
“I’ll take the tail.” Rourke motioned to Ray. “You take the heads.” He nodded at Tyler. “You take the flank. Get it to the ground as quick as you can.”
It wasn’t the best plan ever, but I might work. I nodded my h
ead grudgingly in agreement. Tyler turned to me, squaring his shoulders. “Once we get it down,” he added, “you three move down the hallway and open up a door. This thing is going to make noise. We need to be out of here quickly if any demons come running.”
“Got it,” I said, glancing at Selene. Her expression was still only one step away from shell-shocked. I guess finding out you’re already dead is a lot to take in, even for a queen bitch. A teensy bit of sympathy welled up in my mind and my wolf snarled, snapping her jaws at me. I know, but she’s pitiful. Why do we have to bear witness to her unraveling? That doesn’t seem fair. My wolf flashed me a picture of us with power, taking down evil. I know it’s our job. I also know that if Selene were at full strength she’d be trying to kill us and exact her revenge. I’m sorry, but that doesn’t make this any easier to tolerate. Did you get a good look at her face? My wolf gnashed her teeth. It doesn’t make me weak, it just makes me human. And guess what? I like being human. My wolf glanced away, nosing her muzzle at me. For a supernatural diva, that was a hard compromise. I understood why, but forgiveness and empathy were the only two things keeping me rooted in reality. And once I lost that, I didn’t want to think about what the world would look like.
Lili took Rourke’s proffered T-shirt. “I guess this will have to do. It’s bigger than anything else we have.” She shook it out.
Yes, yes it was.
“There’s no time to debate this,” Rourke said. “Let’s move. I want Jessica safe.” He eyed the orthrus. “If we make this a concentrated effort and act at the same time, we can best it, at least for a few moments. If that spell doesn’t work, it will be a different story.”
Red Blooded Page 16
