She smiled at him and murmured, “Okay.” Her eyes slid closed, and even though she agreed with him, she knew, she’d never forget this dream. She would never, ever forget him.
Chapter Twenty-Five
“How did we fail?” On a hilltop overlooking the convention center, Aiden viewed the damage with a dispassionate eye. A dull roar filled his head, the fury he managed to contain. An uncontrollable rage wouldn’t get results, and he needed results.
“They weren’t alone. The UnHallowed were with them.” A Spaun cowered at Aiden’s feet.
“Four of them were there. Former Archangels of Atonement and Storm, and two others, lesser warrior class fallen angels known to associate with the UnHallowed. Bane and Gideon are their names,” Rophus spilled in a rush. “A Hazk died attempting to snatch one of the females.”
The Crossroad demon materialized next to Aiden. “The UnHallowed weren’t in the ladies’ room with them.”
Aiden pivoted and gave her his full attention. “You were there?”
She waved a hand at her attire, a long black dress with silver and black heels. Her only accessory, a pair of teardrop diamond earrings. “Why else would I be dressed like this?”
She did seem to favor low-rise jeans and tight shirts. “And? Do you plan on getting to the point?”
“The point being, men don’t enter ladies’ rooms. Amaya and Dina were alone long enough to be extracted and your demons failed. The battle raged outside long enough to make it possible.”
“The UnHallowed were stronger than anticipated,” Rophus snarled. “Crackus nearly died—”
“That’s why you were supposed to target their women,” Aiden said, venom in his voice.
“Well, they were strong too.” An Ifirt shuffled forward and bowed long enough for his forehead to scrape the dirt.
“Let me guess, you weren’t in Siberia.” The Crossroad demon folded her arms across her chest and snorted her disgust.
Though he shared her annoyance, Aiden growled low. “What does Siberia have to do with anything?” Siberia ended for him when Taige almost took his head. His knowledge of events were second and thirdhand.
“Those two women showed up in Siberia and saved the UnHallowed.” The Crossroad demon volunteered.
Aiden had heard as much but wasn’t completely convinced. “What do you mean saved the UnHallowed?”
“Taige had them right where he wanted, then girl posse showed up and saved the day. There were four of them. The two females tonight, Amaya and Dina were there. Where were the other two, Scarla and Sophie?”
“You know their names?”
“I make a point to know the names of all my enemies.” She smirked, full of confidence. “The two at the convention center were formidable, as they were in Siberia. They had empyreal swords, which leads me to believe they are angels.”
“Angels or archangels?” Aiden pressed. The difference was vital. Only the grace of an archangel could open the Cruor.
“Angels, going by their aura, and weak ones at that,” the Crossroad demon added.
“Angels fraternizing with UnHallowed?” Aiden pondered the unusual arrangement. How to use this to his advantage?
He’d heard about the light show in Siberia. Last week his spies sighted two UnHallowed, the one called Tahariél, former Archangel of Purity, and Zedekiél, former Archangel of Mercy, walking together. In the Sun. If that were the case, former no longer belonged in their titles.
And that meant one of them could open the portal to Hell. Any one of them who were in Siberia.
“What choice does the Celestial Order have but to fraternize with the UnHallowed when their army has been defeated? Now, Scarla didn’t have a sword but that female is half UnHallowed. This is well-known in the Crossroad demon world. By all rights, she should be dead for the beating she took in a cage match; however, my sources spotted her shopping a week ago. She’s made a complete recovery.
Aiden tapped his chin. Some of this information he already knew, but the Crossroad demon brought fresh eyes to the issue. “If she is part UnHallowed, then she shares a link with them. Getting her would be a coupe. Bringing her in will be impossible.”
The Crossroad demon nodded in agreement. “Which leaves us with the fourth female, the weakest link, Sophie. She wasn’t there tonight, and my spies have not seen her since Siberia. For a price, I will find her and deliver her to you.”
Aiden reached for her throat. His human façade peeled away, revealing parchment skin covering an oily substance pulsing underneath his skin. The Crossroad demon vanished, leaving him grasping air.
She reappeared a few feet away on the hillside. The glow from the city behind her, casting a halo over her entire body. The sight unnerved Aiden. Demons with a halo, unheard of. So why did his skin shrivel and ice crawl down his spine? “You can probably find her without me,” she said. “That will take time you don’t have to waste. Plus, you’ve tried brute force multiple times and it hasn’t worked. You need a subtle touch, which you completely lack.”
“What is your price?” Aiden demanded, ready for the conversation to be over.
“When your Demoni master is released, I want to be by your side when that happens. See, nothing too difficult. An intimate introduction is all I seek.” She opened her hand in supplication.
For what purpose? His Lord belonged to him. His to worship. His to love. He wouldn’t share. But he had other considerations. Vastly important things.
If one of the UnHallowed cared about the human female enough to put their immortality in jeopardy, as she’d put her mortality in jeopardy for them, Aiden would have the Cruor and the means to open it…possibly.
His thoughts went to the other Cruor. Similar to the original, yet different. Would the blood of an archangel work on it or did it require something else? And where did it lead to?
Did the Crossroad demon need to know about the second Cruor or the fact he would not share his Demoni Lord? Not with her. Not with anyone. However, while she still had value to him, he would agree to all her demands.
Aiden smiled through his jealousy and said, “Find her. Get me the Cruor and you will have your intimate introduction.”
The Crossroad demon grimaced, then nodded. “Agreed.” She vanished and reappeared standing in front of him. “We have a deal?” She extended her hand, palm up and split open. Blood pooled in the center.
“What is your name?” He couldn’t keep referring to her as the Crossroad Demon. She smiled and suddenly her appeal registered. She was a beautiful creature.
She purred, clearly delighted he’d finally asked. “Celine.”
He should tell her to save the flirtation for someone else. It didn’t work on him. Instead, he took her hand in his and shook. Her vanity would be her downfall. “We have a deal.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chay went from a restful slumber, curled around Sophie’s naked, sleeping form, to wide awake, empyreal blade clutched in his hand ready to kill.
It took him a second to realize the sense of imminent danger, fury, determined focus, and the bloodthirsty need to kill wasn’t his own. The emotions filtering through the shared pathway belonged to Rimmon, Kush, Gideon, and Bane.
“What now,” he mumbled and sent his sword away because he needed to touch her one more time. A gentle caress of her arm, the curve of her cheek had her sighing and angling her head toward him. He waited for her eyes to open, instead, she fitted her bottom intimately to his groin, smiling as if she were pleased with his rock-hard condition, and slipped back into a deep sleep.
Chay brushed a kiss across her lips, then left the warmth of her body. Before he left her, he stretched his senses as far as they could go, searching for any threat. Certain Sophie was safe, he strengthened his imprint on her. He entered the shadows naked and exited clothed, his blade ready.
A brisk wind swirled around the railroad trellis he stood on. Next to him, Sam, Ioath, Gadreel, Zed, Daghony, and Rimmon. “Where’s Bane, Gideon, and Kushiél?” Chay deman
ded.
“Bane and Gideon are seeing to their women. Kush is seeing to a friend of Amaya’s who was caught in the crossfire.”
“Were Amaya and Dina hurt?” Chay braced for the answer, dreading if the news was bad.
“Considering the attack specifically centered on the women…” Rimmon let that sink in before continuing. “Amaya and Dina are more than capable of handling their shit. They killed every demon stupid enough to come at them. They were injured but they’ll heal.” Respect layered every word.
Chay gave another quick survey of the area and realized one of their number wasn’t here. “Where’s Tahariél?” Sam barked, beating Chay to the punch.
“He was busy,” Daghony volunteered.
All knew what that meant. Even with the grace infusion from Braile, seemed Tahariél continued to suffer from his affliction. Some called it a curse. To others, the former Angel of Purity was a horny bastard who needed to get laid—a lot. From whomever was available. But not coming to the aid of the UnHallowed when there was a crisis because you were busy fucking—inexcusable.
“We should leave.” Zed eyed the growing presence of police and ambulances. They all did.
“Surveillance cameras and cell phones?” Sam asked.
“I’m on it,” Gadreel said and vanished.
The rest followed suit, vanishing into the night. They reappeared at the farm, where Chay took to pacing the length of the living room. He created a path from the archway entrance to the sliding glass door leading to the pool.
“I’m tired of returning to fucking chaos.” Especially when it yanked him out of Sophie’s arms. Twice, he’d taken her, their sex-frenzied, bordering on obsessive on both their parts. For the first time since the Fall, contentment settled over him. Peace filled him, only to be snuffed by a sense of doom. The UnHallowed were under attack, again.
For once, it wasn’t Scarla bruised and broken in front of him. Rimmon, Bane, Gideon were fine enough. Dina and Amaya were bruised, but healing fast.
“Explain.” Chay spoke for the rest of the group lined up behind him.
“Hello? We were attacked,” Amaya snapped as she stretched out on the sofa, her head resting on Bane’s lap.
Patience too thin to deal with her, Chay glared at Bane.
“Spaun showed up in force,” Bane said.
Rimmon spoke up. “I estimate thirty or more. Good thing they cut the lights. I herded the people to the exits while Kush, Bane, and Gideon brought the pain.”
Leaning heavily on Gideon, Dina pushed away from her husband and stood. Her bearing stiff, intense. She stepped to the UnHallowed as if she were addressing her troops in the Celestial Army. “The attack wasn’t staged for the UnHallowed. They wanted us.”
Amaya sat up, wincing. “Yeah, and they weren’t shy about using an innocent bystander. They held Pilar captive. Dina and I were about to make our move when Bane and Gideon snatched us out of the bathroom.” She jabbed an elbow into Bane’s side.
He grunted and hauled her in for a kiss to her temple. “You’ll always come first with me.”
“This time they sent Ghouls and Spaun. Harder to kill than Darklings.” Gideon crossed the room and poured himself a vodka at the bar.
“The news is reporting it as a terrorist attack.” Rimmon joined Gideon at the bar. “I cleaned as many minds as I could. Some may have slipped by. Could’ve used some help.” He glared at Bane and Gideon, who glared back.
“I saved my wife,” Gideon growled.
Prepared to separate the two if necessary, Chay watched Rimmon’s gaze narrow and dart between Gideon and Dina, who came to stand next to her husband.
Don’t, Chay silently prayed. Rimmon had three priorities, himself first, money a close second, and the UnHallowed a distant third. Nothing else equated. One wrong word and Gideon would gut the former Archangel of Storms. The others may stand and watch, but disrespect any lady in this house, and grace will spill. In the end, Rimmon tipped his head to husband and wife, and veered away mumbling, “Well know for sure if strange stories pop up on the internet.”
Shadows gathered in the corner of the room and Kush stormed out. He pulled up short, his gaze skimmed over everyone. “What the fuck happened now?”
“Just Rimmon being an asshole. How’s Pilar?” Amaya asked.
“Left her in her bed. She’ll wake with a headache and no memory of the events in the ladies’ room,” Kush replied.
“Thank you for saving her, Kushiél. I’d never forgive myself if she got hurt because of me.” Amaya crossed the room to the former Archangel of Atonement.
Suddenly sheepish, Kush ducked his head. He gave her an awkward pat on the back, and mumbled, “No need to thank me.”
“Aww. Are you blushing?” Zed snickered, earning him a crimson glare from Kush.
Bane stood. “Let’s focus, people. We knew they’d regroup. Our mistake was thinking they’d have the balls to come after us, not our women.”
Ioath perched on the arm of the leather sofa. “It’s what I would do, focus on the weakest link.”
“Weakest link? You do realize we saved you?” Hands on hips, legs braced apart as if in challenge, Dina faced the Archangel of Demons.
“How many times do we have to say thank you?” Ioath grumbled loudly. “This isn’t about gratitude. You were a target because they thought you were human. They didn’t know Braile infused you with his grace. You’re more angel than human. More angel than any of us.”
“It felt good to wield an empyreal sword again,” Kush said and received murmurs of agreement.
“They had to have followed you to know where you were,” Chay said to the five of them.
“How? Any demons within half a mile of here would have been known,” Bane argued. He marched over to the glass doors to the patio and yanked open the curtain. Moonlight reflected off the pond.
Zed stepped forward. “Dina and Amaya can’t travel through the shadows. They’re land bound.” He crossed to the sliding glass door and peered out. “The four of you traveled by car with Kush meeting you at the event. There is only one highway out of this town, two miles away. Any demon could wait there for the ladies to drive by and follow. That is our blind spot. That’s how they tracked you.”
“Shit,” Amaya groaned.
Chay headed for the shadows. “I have to protect Sophie.” Daeden’s warning ringing in his ears.
Ioath blocked his path. “Don’t. The demons may not be able to track through the shadows, but they can track us through our disgrace. Taige sliced, diced, and skinned us. We left our disgrace all over that mansion in Siberia. Enough to trace us anywhere we go. There are only two places Sophie will be safe, here under UnHallowed protection, or completely away from us. Being with you places her in greater danger.”
Chay grabbed Ioath’s throat and slammed him into a wall before anyone could react. Denial was ripe on his tongue, held in check by a dawning awareness. Ioath wasn’t wrong. Everything he’d said made too much sense. Fuck!
The easiest way to track a being was through their blood, or in the case of the UnHallowed, through their disgrace. The only thing keeping the Demon Army from storming the farm were the wards placed around the property and Amaya’s human ownership, even if she was a Halfling. Slowly Chay’s fingers unfurled from around Ioath’s throat.
Funny how no one came to pry them apart. Ioath was free, but not free to leave. Chay pushed him back into the wall with a hand to the center of Ioath’s chest. “You were there! All of you were there and heard the Reaper’s warning! I can’t leave her out there on her own.”
“Then bring her here.” Ioath shoved Chay, moving him several feet away.
If only he could. “Her mother has cancer. Her health is precarious, and Sophie will not leave her mother to die alone.”
“Have you imprinted on her,” Gadreel asked Chay, and received a nod. “If she is in danger, you’ll know.”
Even if that was enough to keep her safe, it wouldn’t be enough for him. Not after he’d hel
d her in his arms, had her warmth seep into him, claimed the missing piece of him, had a taste of her, not by a long shot.
“They coulda left us alone. Coulda taken the ass whipping, tuck tail, and lived another day. Now, they’ve really pissed me off,” Bane mumbled almost to himself.
Zedekiél stepped up. “They want a war. A real war. Well, they got one.”
“No more live and let live. We don’t stop until every demon is dead. Agreed?” Chay asked.
Each UnHallowed gave their response with a resounding “Yes.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Morning brought a boatload of questions; however, no recriminations. At least not on Sophie’s part. She’d left the bar intent on seducing one man, only to end up sleeping with Chay.
Classy.
Aching in all the right places, she propped her pillow behind her back and sat up. The empty space next to her needed to be addressed, but not before she had some coffee. Thank God the room had a single serve brewer.
No reason to hide the cellulite on her thighs, she pushed the covers away and strolled naked across the room. Good sex had healing properties. It put a sway in your strut as all your muscles synched with each other. This was how a body was supposed to feel after a night of phenomenal sex, vibrant, alive in ways she hadn’t been in two years.
Blame Chay.
Nope.
Her body would feel the same if she’d slept with… What was his name? Roger? Ronald?
“Oh God, really!” She took her coffee and retreated to the bed. The sheets held his smell, an earthy, woodsy scent she’d always associated with him.
He’d left without even a freakin’ note. “Don’t read into it.” Furthermore, there were more important things to worry about than fixating on Chay.
She gulped her coffee down, showered, and changed into fresh clothing, studiously avoiding any thoughts about her missing UnHallowed.
Really! There’s a pen and notepad on the fucking desk. I’m not gonna obsess about him. I’m not.
Only One I'll Have (UnHallowed Series Book 4) Page 18
