“I love you, Lailah. I’ll love you for forever,” Hunter said, and he laughed when she laughed.
“I love you too.” Lailah said in-between kisses. “I never thought I would hear those words from your mouth. I was willing to die because I never thought I would hear those words.” Tears were still streaming down her face, but Hunter was pretty sure they were tears of joy so he let her cry as she kissed him.
After several minutes, he pulled back, “Don’t ever try to be a martyr again.” Hunter tried for a stern voice but wasn’t sure how it came out.
Lailah just gave him a huge smile that was ruined with the tears on her face. “Okay.” And then she threw her arms around his neck again.
Hunter sat up taking her with him, “Where exactly are we?”
Lailah looked around, now she wasn’t glowing like a lighthouse she took a good look around. “Um don’t really know. I would think somewhere deep in the earth.”
Hunter had to agree. “Are all the souls taken care of?”
Lailah nodded, “It almost seems anti-climactic. I would have thought there was more to it.”
“Let’s not look a gift horse in the mouth,” Hunter said looking around.
Lailah giggled, “That is the strangest saying, don’t you think? Where the hell did it come from? And who is looking in horse’s mouths anyway? I am totally going to Google it when we get mortal side,” Lailah said as she climbed to her feet. “Tell me you love me again.”
Hunter rolled his eyes, “I love you,” he said and kissed her on the forehead.
“Very sweet.” Hunter turned to find Grayson a couple of feet behind them. He looked around, the Sword of Light lay in the dirt between them. Without all the souls pressing against his skin, Grayson actually looked like a normal man. Then he blinked and Hunter saw it, something was in his eyes. “You may have done away with my souls. But I’m still here.” Grayson said with a casual shrug.
Grayson didn’t say anything more but lunged at Hunter, plowing a shoulder into Hunters' stomach. Hunter felt all the air get pushed out of him as he flew backward, then he came to an abrupt and jarring halt. When Hunter opened his eyes he was seeing stars.
Hunter saw a white blur come in on his left, if he had the breath he would have screamed for Lailah to get out of the fight. But he wasn’t seeing right and he didn’t have the breath to tell her to stop.
Grayson shook Lailah off and then backhanded her. Lailah was flung to the side and crumpled to the ground. Now along with the stars Hunter was seeing red.
“Why won’t you just die already?” Hunter asked pulling himself to his feet. Grabbing Grayson he pulled him close and punched him solidly in the face taking great satisfaction when his nose broke under his fist.
But Grayson just smiled under all the blood, “The Tribunal made me immortal. Isn’t that a requirement for being a Reaper?” Grayson asked showing bloody teeth.
Hunter shook his head and punched Grayson again, “That is going to make your punishment so much sweeter,” Hunter said.
Grayson twisted out of Hunters grasp and moved just out of reach. Hunter scrambled after him barreling into Grayson and slamming him into a wall of rock. Both men grunted. “Where do you think you are going?” Hunter growled.
“Killing the Angel will hurt you,” Grayson snarled. “I would dearly like to see you weep.”
Hunter slammed Grayson against the wall again for good measure, “Sorry to break it to you, but the Angel is immortal.”
“Ah, but how would she fare if I reached inside of her and ripped her soul out?” Grayson asked.
Hunter slammed his fist into Grayson’s face. “Get anywhere near her. And it will be the last think you ever do.”
Grayson smiled around his broken and bloody mouth. “Hurting her is going to be so much fun.” Swinging up his arms he blocked Hunters hands as Hunter swung at him again. Then planted a solid palm to Hunters' face, snapping Hunters head back painfully.
Hunter shook off the blow, but by the time he did Grayson had moved off.
Lailah watched Hunter and Grayson exchange blows, they were evenly matched. She tried to intervene several times but she knew if she jumped in she could distract Hunter causing Grayson to take advantage or draw Grayson’s attention and cause harm on herself which would upset Hunter, but it could also help him. Or hurt her? Lailah just didn’t know, and she didn’t know if she could find an opening, but Grayson was focused on hurting her to get at Hunter. So he had nothing to lose. And a man who had nothing to lose was a desperate man, he could do anything at this point.
Then Lailah remembered the sword Hunter had arrived. When she located it she ran and grabbed it, now she just needed an opening.
Grayson taunted Hunter relentlessly, telling him he was going to hurt Lailah. And Hunter was getting sloppy in his anger and Grayson was able to get away from him.
In the blink of an eye, Grayson was standing in front of Lailah with a maniacal smile on his face, Lailah hefted the sword up. He looked at the sword with a sneer on his face. “Did you miss the part where I am immortal?” he snapped.
Lailah shrugged, “No, but you can still bleed,” she taunted and swung the sword awkwardly at him. She sliced Grayson in the shoulder but it wasn’t a bad wound and he didn’t even seem to notice it.
“You are going to have to do better than that, little angel,” Grayson laughed.
Lailah pointed the sword at him and smiled, “I’m just getting started,” she bluffed. Grayson narrowed his eyes and then barreled toward her. Lailah kept the sword up and Grayson was forced to move to the side or impale himself on the sword. Lailah turned and swung the sword with everything she had but still the sword was too heavy for her and all she was able to do was slice Grayson in the leg. But it was enough to stagger him backward.
“Still going to have to better,” Grayson growled.
“Stopped you didn’t it,” Lailah screamed at him, dropping the sword tip into the dirt in front of her.
She watched over Grayson’s shoulders as Hunter advanced from behind him. She thought for sure this was when Hunter would get the upper hand. But the second Hunter was about to attack, Grayson turned around like he had eyes in the back of his head.
Lailah stomped her foot, how was that possible? And then she remembered Grayson probably did have eyes in the back of his head. It was possible he had one or two souls left in his body, and they were keeping watch for him. They were going to need to either draw those souls out or subdue the bastard.
Lailah picked up the sword wondering why it felt so heavy, she had extra strength from being an Angel and since this sword was an Angel made weapon it should be easy for her to wield, but it was harder and harder for her to pick up. She looked down at her hands and then gasped, her light was starting to go out.
And then Lailah realized how tired she felt, dropping the sword she looked at her hands turning them over. Blackness was starting to work its way into her veins.
Lailah looked around. Then she realized it. She gasped as she noticed the gates in the distance. And it came to her in a rush. They weren’t deep in the earth, they weren’t even on the mortal plane. And it all made complete sense, why her Angel abilities were suddenly going out…
“Hunter?” Lailah whispered his name and pointed. How had she not noticed where they were? How could she have not been able to tell?
Lailah watched as Hunter punched at Grayson, and she knew the only thing holding back the dark, holding back whatever lurked in the depths of the darkness was her light and she was fading quickly.
“Hunter,” This time, Lailah screamed his name.
“What?” Hunter screamed back.
“You need to hurry,” Lailah cried. “I don’t have much time.” Lailah collapsed to her knees her breathing now becoming labored. Her eyes fixed on the Gates… the Gates of Hell in the distance. The problem was, they were on the wrong side.
Chapter 11
Hunter saw Lailah go down onto her knees and everything went a little
black. Grayson laughed, “She is dying, and there is nothing you can do about it Reaper.”
“Fuck you,” Hunter said. Finally finding the strength that had evaded him Hunter slammed a punch into Grayson’s face lifting Grayson and staggering him back. Hunter followed it with a front kick to his stomach. Grayson flew back landing precariously close to Lailah. Hunter ran and picked up the Sword of Light he took it and impaled Grayson with it through his right shoulder into the dirt.
Grayson let out a horrifying and painful scream. His hands going to the sword now nailing him halfway to the hilt into the earth.
“Don’t move,” Hunter said giving the sword an extra shove. Grayson let out another moan of pain. Hunter left him and collapsed into the dirt next to Lailah, “Lailah, what can I do?”
“We need to get out of here,” Lailah whispered, pointing to the gates in the distance.
Hunter looked up and finally realized where they were. He felt the blood leave his face. “Fucking Hell.”
“Yeah, you think?” Lailah said. Hunter saw the darkness in the tips of her fingers and knew she was in trouble. The edges of her lips had a blue tinge to them. “I can’t help you?” Lailah cried.
Hunter was stunned into silence. He didn’t know if he could Flash them out of here. Did he risk making a run for the gates with Lailah in his arms? Hunter looked into the shadows slowly closing in on them. And for the first time in Hunters life saw things truly terrifying to him. Looking back at Grayson and the Sword of Light he knew he could make a stand. He just didn’t know for how long. Grayson would have to fend for himself, but Hunter wouldn’t allow anything to get near Lailah.
“Try to Flash us out,” Lailah said desperation obvious in her voice.
Hunter grabbed Lailah and put a hand on Grayson and tried to Flash them but, nothing happened. He closed his eyes and tried again. But when Hunter opened his eyes they were still there.
Grayson started to laugh. “We are stuck in Hell together,” Grayson laughed.
Hunter growled, “No, you are stuck here. And those things in the shadows, they are going to eat you for dinner for eternity,” Hunter said.
For the first time since meeting Grayson, Hunter saw fear in his eyes. “I see you finally comprehend the situation,” Hunter told him.
Hunter turned back to Lailah and laid a hand on her trying to just Flash them, but nothing happened. “We are going to need to make a run for the Gates, sweetheart,” Hunter told her.
Lailah nodded. “But what guards the gates?” Lailah asked her eyes round with terror.
“We will deal with that when we get there,” Hunter said pulling Lailah to her feet. “What can I do for you?” The darkness had moved to encompass most of her fingers now. And her light had dissipated, the shadows moving in around them. Now Grayson was the least of their worries.
“Bet you wish you hadn’t come after me now,” Lailah said to him.
Hunter grabbed her, looking deep in her eyes. “I would walk through Hell ten times over for you.” And then he kissed her hard. Hunter noticed she brightened up a little when he did it.
“You say that now, but wait and see if we get out of Hell first,” Lailah whispered to him. Holding him close for just a minute. “What about him?” Lailah asked pointing to Grayson.
“He is a liability,” Hunter said. Then he pointed Lailah in the direction of the Gates of Hell, “That is where we are going, do you see them? Home is on the other side of those Gates.”
Lailah nodded, “I don’t want you to look back. Just concentrate on the gates,” Hunter said. Lailah nodded again.
“I love you, Lailah.” She nodded and he kissed the top of her head. “Ready?” Hunter asked.
Once Lailah nodded the third time, he pushed her forward.
“RUN!” Hunter told her.
Lailah startled but then started to run. Hunter turned to Grayson, “Enjoy your time in Hell, you bastard.” Hunter pulled the Sword of Light from Grayson’s shoulder and took off after Lailah. Making sure he stayed within her halo of light.
Grayson wasn’t as lucky, he scrambled but wasn’t quick enough. And whatever was waiting in the shadows pounced the moment the light left. Hunter caught up with Lailah as the first of Grayson’s screams pierced the quiet landscape. Lailah’s steps faltered, but Hunter caught her.
“Don’t stop,” Hunter said pushing her forward.
“He’s immortal,” Lailah said, looking over her shoulder, for just a second.
“Yes he is,” Hunter said.
Several minutes later Hunter sensed something moving up on his left and he grabbed Lailah and pushed her to the ground as it moved over the top of them. Hunter rolled them putting a hand over Lailah’s mouth he shook his head so she wouldn’t make a sound. Hunter rolled free so her light shown around them. He was afraid Grayson’s cries would wake anything within hearing distance and it had.
Now the shadows around them teamed with things Hunter didn’t want to know about.
“Move,” Hunter said. Lailah climbed back to her feet keeping an eye on Hunter Lailah started to walk. Hunter walked with his back to her, they were two hundred yards from the Gates and Hunter knew this was probably the most dangerous part. He didn’t care about himself, all he cared about was getting Lailah out of Hell.
“Slowly,” he whispered over his shoulder.
“No one gets out alive,” came a garbled whisper from the shadows.
If he could just get to the gates he could shove Lailah through then she could Shift to anywhere she wanted. That was his plan, just get her to the Gates. Something else flew at them and Hunter instinctively raised the sword, it impaled itself onto the sword and dissolved into dust. Causing the shadows to hiss and howl.
This was bad, they were getting pissed, “Run, Lailah.” Hunter turned and pushed her. “RUN”
They both made a mad dash for the gates, he could see Lailah had absolutely nothing left. She was gasping for air, and if he didn’t get her across the gates soon they were both going to be fodder for whatever was in the shadows. When they were within ten feet Lailah finally faltered, Hunter didn’t miss a step he picked her up. Swinging her into his arms, the light shining around her just enough to incase the two of them.
Hunter was at the gates now, when the booming voice stopped them in their tracks.
“Halt.”
Everything stopped, the shadows, the very air around them seemed to shiver and then stop. Hunter looked down at Lailah and then sent up a silent prayer for help to whatever gods where listening. Lailah looked so fragile it broke Hunter’s heart. If he didn’t get her on the other side of the gates Lailah was going to die from the darkness, but if Hunter didn’t stop it could mean his death.
Hunter pressed on, “Lailah?” Hunter whispered. “You will need to go through the gates yourself.” Hunter pushed her to her feet. All she needed to do was slip through the massive gates they were so huge and she was so small she could squeeze through. Lailah nodded, and pressed herself through, collapsing on the other side.
Hunter breathed a sigh of relief, “Now get up.” Lailah twitched a couple of times then her eyes opened. Her breathing coming back to normal. She was going to be okay.
“Are you happy, Reaper?” The words worked themselves over Hunter like a thousand little pinpricks. “Now that you have disobeyed me?” The voice was a thunder, a bolt of lightning through his body. And it took everything Hunter had to remain on his feet.
Hunter turned to try to see where the voice was coming from, but the darkness was all encompassing. He couldn’t even see his hand in front of his face anymore, if he thought things couldn’t get any worse he had been wrong.
“I apologize.” Hunter looked down. Subjugating himself to the darkness. He had disobeyed and he knew he had to pay the price.
“You apologize? Like some lap dog, like some minion?” There was a swirl in the darkness and a figure appeared. Lucifer was a large muscular man, covered in tattoos. Long hair that brushed his shoulders. He stalked toward
Hunter, Hunter should have backed off, should have bowed to the ruler of Hell. But he held his ground.
“I don’t need another lap dog or minion,” Lucifer said and backhanded Hunter.
Hunter slammed into the Gates they sizzled at his back burning off his t-shirt and Hunter stumbled away from them hissing in pain.
“Where is Dante?” Lucifer demanded.
And then Dante appeared. He looked from Hunter to Lucifer. Then crossed his arms over his chest, “Explain to me why one of your offspring is in my domain with a female.” Lucifer pointed to Lailah who was still trying to pick herself up off the ground.
Dante raised one perfectly sculpted eyebrow in Hunter’s direction. Then turned to Lucifer, “Did you get a soul out of it?”
“That is not for you to question,” Lucifer spat. “He was caught fighting and dispatching souls in my domain. Then he took her, and thrust her through my gates, after I had issued him a warning to halt.”
“He dispatched souls in your domain?” Dante asked, then turned back to Hunter. “Is this true?”
“I was not aware that I was in Hell,” Hunter said in his defense.
“How many?” Dante asked.
“Between him and his bitch?” Lucifer asked. Making Hunter want to punch him in the face for the insult. “Three hundred and sixty-seven.”
Hunter had thought there had been more, but Lucifer was meticulous when it came to souls so he wouldn’t be surprised if Lucifer had sat back with a counter and ticked off each and every damned soul he and Lailah had disintegrated earlier.
“What if I promised to punish him?” Dante asked.
“NO,” Lailah screamed. Hunter groaned she had regained enough strength to get to her feet and was pressed against the Inferno side of the gates. But Hunter was at least glad she was smart enough to not try and squeeze her way back through.
Lucifer turned to her, “Would you like to come back through my Gates and speak with me directly regarding the situation, Angel?” he spat the last part with such disgust it was obvious he thought very little of who and what Lailah was.
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