His laughter echoed in the chamber. It was an empty threat and he knew it.
“You think you can hurt me, baby girl?”
He twisted her arm behind her back and drew her to him. She yelped. Firmly grasping her ponytail, he pulled, throwing her head back and forcing her to look up at him. Arousal slammed into her with the force of a freight train. Her cheeks warmed and she had to fight the urge to look away. His blue eyes softened, as if he knew the effect he had on her. Damn pretentious Guardian.
“Release me,” she said through gritted teeth. “Or I’m going to kick your balls.”
Seamus flinched, but didn’t move.
“Go ahead. If I fall, you’re going to fall with me, babe.” He lowered his head, his warm breath fanning her ear. “And won’t that be fun? Just like old times.”
“Fuck you, Seamus. I don’t have time to waste.” She raised her knee to kick him, but he was faster. Spinning her, he pressed her back to his front. She screamed in outrage. His arms wrapped around her in a firm lock.
“Bloody bastard.” She breathed hard through her nose. She had to calm down and think of a way to get rid of him. What could she possibly do? The thought entered her mind like snake’s poison rushing and settling through her system.
Give into him.
Her nipples hardened at the thought and cream coated her panties. No. She adamantly refused. She didn’t have time for this. She had to save her sister before she succumbed deeper into despair and into Sloth’s lair.
“You know,” Seamus voice was hoarse as he whispered in her ear. “There is no way in heaven or hell you’re going to go in there without telling me first why you so desperately need to enter. Aslan and the council are on your tail. You’ve been acting out of character. I can help you, Kaila.”
“You can’t stop me. No one can.” The words sounded ridiculous to her own ears. He could and he would.
“Can’t I?”
He squeezed her against him and she bit back a groan.
“I think I could do anything with you right now and you’d say, ‘Yes, Sir’. I can smell your arousal.”
Kaila flushed. One of his hands slid down the curve of her waist and rested against her hip. His fingers grazed her flesh. She hissed. Tortuously slowly, he moved them upward in a gentle caress. Her breath caught. She closed her eyes, wanting more and hating herself for it.
“Kaila.”
His voice cracked, showing that he was just as affected. He was so close his erection rubbed against her.
“No,” she mumbled.
“Kaila.” Seamus’s hand slid out from beneath her shirt. He stepped back and spun her around. He held her wrists in a punishing grip. She swore, and in exchange, he flashed his pearly whites.
Kaila took in a deep breath. His masculine essence wrapped around her. Damn it. She glanced back at the door. The horrid scenes of Sloth and his brothers’ tortures glared back at her. So many had succumbed to their eloquent ways. Many she’d been able to halt, but many she hadn’t. Melisa would belong to the first group. The necklace her sister had given her when they were children weighed around her neck. It grounded her. Melisa was at the hospital being treated—but she was so far gone, Kaila knew only one thing would work. She had to try. She looked back at Seamus, who was patiently waiting for her to come to a decision.
“I need to go in there, Seamus.”
“Why?”
“Because he’s got Melisa.”
“Mel?” Deep lines appeared on his brow and his hold on her slackened. “But I saw her a month ago and she was doing fine. How?”
“I don’t know how it happened. It was fast, or maybe—” She swallowed back the words stuck in her throat. Maybe it had been her own fault, maybe she’d failed to notice her sister’s scream for help like the people on the door.
“Don’t think that.” Seamus shook her arms, jolting her back.
“I-I don’t,” she stammered. “Anyway, that’s why I need to go. I don’t know how he got to her, but it’s a personal affront. She’s too far gone and I won’t let the bloody bastard take her for good.”
“Your mind—”
“My mind what? Too fragile for the underworld? I’m here, ain’t I? And I’m not dead. May I remind you that though I’m partially human, I’m also a Guardian? So go fuck one of your demon spawns and leave me alone.”
A brief flash of hurt showed in Seamus’s eyes at her choice of words, making her regret them. Damn it. Stupid, sensitive Guardian.
“Seamus,” she began.
He released her wrists. “Go on. Try getting in. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“What?”
“I’m not going to stop you,” he said.
He stepped aside and crossed his muscled arms across his chest. Kaila tore her gaze away and focused her attention back on the door. She placed her palm on the worn wood. Pain shot up her arm and she cried out, snatching her hand back. Tears filled her eyes as she cradled her hand. She barely registered Seamus’s arms around her until the touch of his lips on her forehead mingled with sweet words sent her mind reeling.
“Get off,” she yelled.
“Kaila, you’re hurt. Don’t you see—”
“I’m fine. It was a minor sting. Physical reaction to the doors of a Sin Lord. Normal. I was stupid, should’ve realized he’d have something prepared. I mean, the Inferums at the door were too easy to kill,” she rambled, in a desperate attempt to distance herself from Seamus.
“I agree, and that’s why I think—”
“I don’t care what you think, Seamus,” she cut him off.
“Kaila, please.”
“Listen, Guardian, either you stay or you go, but get out of my way.”
Kaila shoved him aside and strode back toward the door. Behind her, Seamus let out a string of loud curses.
“Here, let me at least—”
“Forget it, pretty boy.” With one hard kick, she threw the heavy doors open. “Doors of hell burn on flesh, but not on steel boots, babe,” Kaila said. She grinned. His laughter was rich and velvety, curling its way into her chest like something she didn’t want. Damn man. She had to get out of there before she did something stupid.
“Goodbye, Seamus.”
Before he could stop her or talk her into being sensible, she stepped through and into the unknown.
Chapter Six
Kaila blinked repeatedly in an attempt to adjust her eyes to the impenetrable gloom. She swallowed as uncertainty crept over her. What had she gotten herself into? Cold sweat rolled down her back. Her breathing sounded loud and ragged in the deadly silence. She needed to move, but her feet seemed cemented to the ground. The thought of returning to Seamus and asking for help crossed her mind and she glanced behind her. Her hands trembled. The doors were gone, replaced by darkness. The air grew oppressive. Her heartbeat thrashed in her ears. She took a step in no particular direction. Her knives felt heavy in their sheaths against her thigh. The comforting weight infused her with courage, and she took another step. Her head began to clear. She needed light, a flashlight. She smiled to herself as she reached for the strap of her backpack. Her fingers brushed against her bare shoulders. Her stomach dropped to her feet. Desperate, she palmed her back. It was gone. In her haste to leave Seamus, she’d forgotten it. Tears pricked her eyes. She couldn’t continue without her provisions.
“I think you forgot something.”
Kaila jumped at the unexpected voice and the sound of rattling objects.
“Seamus?” she asked.
“That’s right, babe.”
His fingers curled around her upper arm in a firm grip. Relief swept through her.
“I’m here. Couldn’t quite leave you to battle Sloth alone, could I?” he said.
His tone was gloating, and the momentary comfort she’d experienced knowing he was there, evaporated. She pressed her lips together to keep from retorting.
“Especially if the first thing you did was kick open the door and leave your bag behind,” h
e continued. “Tsk, tsk, Kaila. I thought they’d trained you better.”
“They did, but clearly they didn’t do the same with you.” She clutched his wrist. “You took my things and have been hiding in the shadows, watching me panic all this time. That’s low, Seamus. Give me back my stuff and go do whatever it is you have to do.”
He chuckled.
“You never let me help, anyway. Hold still, I’ll hand it to you.”
His fingers glided over her arm and toward her palm. Her fist relaxed naturally, as if Seamus’s mere proximity was enough reason for it to do so. She chewed on her bottom lip, fighting the temptation to hold his hand. The feeling evaporated as soon as he placed the strap of her bag into her hold. Kaila pulled away, heaving a sigh of relief.
“Thanks.”
Quickly, she searched for the pocket flashlight she kept in a front compartment, then slung the backpack over her shoulder and checked to make sure it wouldn’t fall. She clicked on the lamp.
She stared in horror as the supposedly potent light illuminated little more than a few centimeters in front of her. It had batteries. She’d checked—twice. They were brand new. She’d bought them a few days earlier. Yet, the white glow was nothing more than a pinprick in the awning darkness. Even one of those red laser beams kids liked to play with illuminated more.
A tremor ran through her. If she could not see, she could not advance. She could easily become sucked into a vortex of despair and sorrow, and die in the hands of any potential enemies.
“Kaila, point the light at my face,” Seamus said while taking her hand and moving it upward. The feeble light gave his blue eyes an icy gleam. She shivered.
“Human light will not work here, babe. Remember where we are. This is a Sin’s lair, where evil festers and grows.”
Kaila nodded. Searching for courage, she grasped the heart-shaped pendant, squeezing it with her thumb and forefinger.
“Are you trying to help me or scare me into going back?” she asked.
The corners of Seamus’s eyes crinkled as he smiled. “Both?”
“Idiot,” she murmured.
“Just a joke to alleviate the tension, babe.”
He grabbed her arm to stop her from walking. The mirth in his eyes disappeared.
“There’s no going back now, Kaila. The doors started closing after you walked through. I had to fight my way inside before they shut.”
Her stomach churned.
“I think Sloth might be setting me up,” she said in a hushed tone.
“Why? Have you done anything to piss him off more than usual?”
Kaila twisted the chain of her necklace. Had she inadvertently caused Sloth’s anger? Why else would he claim her sister and now trap her like this? She didn’t remember doing anything different from her usual job.
“Most of my patients are infected by him. Perhaps he has tired of me foiling his plans?” she suggested.
“I don’t think so. You’re a great psychologist, babe, but there are other HGs and Guardians constantly fighting him. You must have done something else to anger him.”
“Maybe,” she agreed.
“In any case, I’m sure we’ll be fine, Kaila. Remember what Professor Horus said, sure a sloth has sharp nails, but who wants to fight a sleeping animal? He’s not fun to deal with. This is going to be easy,” Seamus assured her.
“I’m sure you’re right.”
Kaila forced herself to smile. She didn’t share Seamus’s confidence. She had seen the damage Sloth was capable of and he was no sleeping animal. No, the Sin was much more dangerous. Still, there was nothing she could do about it now except move forward. Her goal was clear in her mind. She beamed the flashlight into the surrounding area. It was pitch black. Taking a deep breath, she stepped into the unknown.
“Kaila, wait.”
Abruptly, the world around her exploded with sounds. Howls, screeches, and hisses seemed to echo in the cavernous nothingness they were trapped in. Startled, she swung her flashlight back and forth and searched for the source of the terrifying noises.
“Don’t move,” Seamus said, placing his heavy hand on her shoulder. “There are two snakes at your feet.”
“What?”
“Snakes, beetles, and other unsavory creatures. I suppose the howling is coming from wolves, though God knows if they are supernatural beasts or not.” Seamus’s fingers dug into her shoulder. “By the end of this little adventure of yours, you’ll be glad I came with you,” he declared.
“You flatter yourself.”
“Do I? You’re so nervous, you’re not thinking straight, babe.” He caressed her face with a single finger. “Don’t you remember what advantage Guardians have over HGs? One of the main reasons why, beside our superior strength, we are constantly battling against Sins in their territory? Why we are sent to Earth as night Guardians?”
“Advantage?” she repeated. Guardians were stronger and faster than HGs, as well as having wings. Her mouth fell open. “You can see in the dark. You’ve been watching me fret while all the time you could see perfectly well all that was happening around us.” She curled her fists at her sides, digging her nails into her flesh to keep from attacking him. “You’re an asshole, Seamus.”
He chuckled and clutched her wrist. “Dying to hit me, eh?” He brushed his lips over her knuckles. “Maybe later, just like that fucking me option. I’ll take you up on that when we get out of here, but for now, since we both want to get out of here alive and save Mel in the process, I suggest you follow my lead.”
Kaila clamped her jaw so tightly, she reckoned she’d broken a tooth. If she could, she would get rid of him as fast as a dog shakes off water after a dip in the lake, but she needed him. She fingered her necklace. The cool metal of the pendant helped her focus. This was for her sister.
She nodded and they began to cautiously walk through the chamber.
She would follow Seamus out of this black labyrinth and, as soon as there was some light, she’d continue on her way without him. If she had been capable of staying away from him for sixteen years, she could do anything. This would be a piece of cake.
She had never been a needy woman and she wasn’t about to start. She’d always been strong. She’d basically grown up alone. Her father, a Guardian, had impregnated her mother and left. He died in battle. Her mother rarely spoke of him, and as far as Kaila knew, their encounter had been nothing more than momentary, blinding passion. Forced to bring her up on her own, her mother had spent her days working to give Kaila the life she thought she deserved.
“Stop,” Seamus commanded.
Kaila froze. “What is it?”
Even though she didn’t want to be with Seamus, she trusted his skills as a warrior. She’d trained at his side and knew he was one of the best at their job.
“There’s something—I can’t quite place it.”
She strained her ears, trying to catch some out-of-place noise.
“Something big is approaching.”
A rasping sound rent the air. He had pulled out his sword from its scabbard. She grasped her daggers, rolled her shoulders, and spread her legs into a fighting position. The darkness closed in on her. She was blind to the enemy.
“I can’t see.”
“I know. Don’t worry, okay? I’ve got your back, babe. Just—” He sighed. “Just stay out, okay? If you move, it could put you in danger.”
“Okay.” Kaila winced as the words came out of her mouth. She hated staying in place and out of the action. Her mouth dried as she waited for something to happen. She let out a series of slow breaths. Suddenly, a roaring cry rang out and a flapping sound, like sails snapping in the wind, filled the air. Seamus’s warmth vanished from her side.
“Seamus.” Out of reflex, she called his name and immediately cursed herself for being a fool. She had just invited the beast circling the emptiness above to swoop down on her. Another clamor echoed in the dark. Fuck. That meant there were two creatures.
“Kaila, don’t move,” Seam
us warned, his breath fanning her ear and making her jump at his proximity.
“What? Are you out of your mind? There are two of them and you want me to stay still?”
The bellowing beast came closer. A cool breeze crept up her spine as Seamus moved away. Fingers trembling, she clicked on the flashlight and tried to distinguish something in the dim light. Nothing. Another ear-splitting scream rang and a yellow eye swerved near her. Kaila blindly thrust her knife into the flesh of the monster. It hissed as she damaged some part of its long body. Conscious, it would come for her again, Kaila ducked and rolled to the side. The ground was soft and slightly wet, like grass in the early hours of the morning. She crouched in place, weapons at the ready. Her heart pounded and every inch of her tingled with anticipation.
She could do this. All she needed to do was focus and tune in to her surroundings. She closed her eyes and forced her breathing to slow. Her muscles relaxed. Her ears opened. They were in a jungle. Animals croaked and whistled, calling to each other. Others screamed and hissed, carrying out a battle of their own. Their pitch rose and fell, changing from more to less urgent, languid to frightful. In the distance, grunting and a whimper. Seamus was fighting and winning. Right? She didn’t have time to ponder the answer as her hair whipped against her face, indicating she was about to be attacked by her assailant. Positioning her daggers, she pressed forward just as the creature lunged. Her scream of exertion mingled with the fiend’s. Something scraped against her arm, instant pain traveling down the length of it.
“Kaila!”
She heard Seamus’s frantic cry, but couldn’t heed him now. She had to kill the damn snake trying to bite her. With one hand, she clasped what she hoped was the creature’s neck. It was firm and cold, like a lizard. She pushed it away. Her other arm was starting to feel numb, but she managed to run her knife across the animal’s soft tissue. Warm blood dripped over her. The brute shrieked and thrashed. She lost her hold on it and rolled to the side again in an attempt to escape. This was madness. She had no way of knowing how Seamus was doing or even if she had actually caused any real damage to the creature. For all she knew, it could be but a scratch.
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