by Tara West
I danced around the hallway, unable to contain my excitement while I waited for the monkey and his big, ugly guard friends to unlock Aedan’s door.
“I get to see Aedan! I get to see Aedan!” Excitement and apprehension warred in my gut. On one hand, I couldn’t wait to see my fiancé again, on the other hand, I feared he wouldn’t be as excited to see me. I mean, I knew he’d intended on committing to me for better or for worse, but I highly doubted those marriage vows implied “just in case your wife gets turned into a smelly, ugly dog/human.”
I hoped my fiancé had been true to his word and faithful to me. It wasn’t hard at all for Sarge and me to keep our paws off each other, even though Sarge kept drinking horny bath water. Besides, if I’d wanted to cheat on my fiancé, Sarge would have had to climb a ladder to mount me. Call me crazy, but a two-foot ankle biter packing a Vienna Sausage and two berries wasn’t exactly my type anyway.
After an interminable several seconds of waiting, Aedan came out of the room. My breath hitched as I studied his body language for any signs of deception. When he flashed a wide smile and held out his arms, my heart-rate pumped overtime as I bound toward him. I skidded to a halt when Melanie stepped outside the door, ducking behind Aedan’s shoulder.
My ears flattened against my skull as I growled and then barked. “Back off, bitch! He’s mine!”
When she gasped and stepped back, I wasted no time in staking my claim. I’d thought about pissing on Aedan’s leg, but I suspected he wouldn’t appreciate me marking him in that way, so I threw my furry arms around him and proceeded to lick him senseless.
“Easy, sweetheart,” he said as he pulled me against him. “It’s okay.”
I arched back, narrowing my eyes as a low growl shook my chest. “Were you faithful?”
His gaze didn’t falter as he cupped the sides of my face and looked directly into my eyes. “Yes.”
I couldn’t help myself. I had to lick him all over again. He laughed and itched behind my ears, which I really, really liked.
“Ahhhh,” I groaned as my eyes involuntarily shut. It felt so damn good, I almost forgot where we were and what we were doing. But then the sound of a monkey’s squeal behind me brought me back to my senses.
I turned around and barred my teeth at the tiny dictator. He hissed and jutted a foot forward.
Then Sarge came barreling out of the room with all of the power of a miniature steam engine, his tail set to full throttle as his barker heralded his arrival. He chased the monkey with no fear. The monkey let out an ear-piercing screech before ducking under a bull-creature’s legs. Sarge chased him down the hall and back until the monkey jumped onto a guard’s shoulders.
I was worried the guard was going to kick Sarge, but the beast simply stood there, steam blowing out of his nose, his gaze centered on me and Aedan while he clutched his spear in both hands.
That’s when I realized I’d branded that bull when he’d attacked Aedan in the dining hall. I recognized the white spot above his eye and the way one horn twisted sideways.
Well, shit. I hoped he didn’t have any plans for that spear. I eyed the bull while fingering the compacted poker I’d tucked under my belt. I knew the poker was no match against a nine-foot spear, but it was better than nothing. Besides, I remembered how the beast had yelped when I’d branded him last week, and I hoped he didn’t want to risk getting burned again.
He tightened his grip on the club before grunting. “We go to break our fast now.”
Aedan and I shared guarded looks before falling in-line behind the Taurus. Warmth filled my chest when Aedan reached for my furry hand. Did he still love me, despite my physical appearance? I turned my head to see Melanie, her face as white as a sheet while she walked beside Sarge. I caught her gaze for the briefest of moments before she looked away from me.
Oh, yeah, that slut was guilty of something. And just like that I knew Melanie hadn’t made Aedan’s confinement easy. She’d probably tried to seduce him—and failed.
Bitch. My man is loyal no matter how much hair I have on my nipples.
Then I thought of something. Why hadn’t Aedan asked if I’d been unfaithful? Sure, I got that he didn’t view Sarge as much of a threat, or maybe he didn’t think I was a catch, but I did have offers from the sirens.
“Aren’t you going to ask if I cheated?” I whispered to him.
Aedan flashed a sideways grin. “I know you didn’t.”
I didn’t know whether I should have been elated he trusted me, or deflated because he assumed nobody wanted to have sex with me. “You do?”
“Of course, and not just because you’re man’s best friend.” He let go of my hand then wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “Because you’re my best friend.” He cupped my chin, looking deep into my eyes. “And I love you.”
My tail drooped, as I fought the urge to look away. “Even though I have dog breath and I drank from the toilet?”
He squeezed me tightly. “Ash, no force of heaven or hell could make me stop loving you.”
I saw no repulsion reflecting back at me. Only love. “Oh, Aedan.” I turned into his embrace. How could I have ever doubted I was meant to be with this man for all of eternity? “I love you. I’m sorry I had my doubts about you and her.” I couldn’t bring myself to say Melanie’s name. I knew deep in my heart it wasn’t her fault the Devil had put them together, but I still couldn’t help but dislike her. Maybe it was a dog thing, and I’d stop being such a bitch after we ascended.
“Don’t be sorry,” he said. “This place tends to bring out the worst in us.”
Boy, that was the understatement of the century. I had a furry anus and a raging case of fleas. Physically speaking, I was at the lowest point in my existence. I hadn’t even felt this down on myself after gaining the freshman fifteen, errr 20, in college. But mentally and emotionally, I knew these trials and tribulations would make me stronger—if I survived captivity and miraculously escaped.
“Aedan, I never want to be separated from you again.” I clutched his back while his love infused my soul with peace. “Over a week without you has been unbearable.”
“It has been for me, too. I don’t know how I ever got on without you.” He brushed a clump of fur out of my eyes. “What do you say when we get out of here, we extend our honeymoon?”
I practically sprung up with joy. An extended honeymoon was just what we needed, and I didn’t give a damn how many credits we spent. “That sounds wonderful. If we get out of here,” I added hesitantly before a guard prodded us forward.
We walked toward the edge of the staircase, hand in hand. “We’re getting out, Ash,” he whispered into my ear before squeezing my hand. “Chin up, sweetheart.”
The Devil was waiting for us at the bottom of the stairs, his lips stretched in a thin smile. He looked less than pleased as his heated gaze centered on the apex of mine and Aedan’s joined hands. Several creatures stood behind the Devil, rubbing their hands together and licking their lips as if they were salivating over the smell of barbeque. That’s when I realized we were the barbeque. I could tell by the devious gleam in the Devil’s eyes, we were about to get roasted.
“Ahhh, there’s the happy, loyal couples.” He clasped his hands together, scowling at Santiago. “So you’d rather hump pillow cushions and play with yourselves than seek pleasure from my beautiful sirens. They were quite upset by your rude behavior.” He heaved an exaggerated sigh. “I had to console them in the only way I knew how.”
“Better you than me,” Aedan grumbled.
I froze, giving Aedan’s hand a warning squeeze.
The Devil cocked a brow. “You think so?” He pulled out his serpent wand, pointing it directly at Aedan’s head.
I tried to block Aedan, but he pushed me behind him.
“Stay back,” he warned.
“Me?” I hissed. “I’m already hexed in case you didn’t notice. Play nice, Aedan,” I begged. “Please.”
Our host wildly waved his wand while pacing the floor. �
�It seems you’ve forgotten my first rule. No pleasure is too sordid, carnal, or disgusting.” He stopped, turning to us with a Cheshire Cat smile. “Aedan O’Connor, as a guest in my hotel, you are obligated to follow my rules.”
Aedan stiffened. “I’m obligated only to follow my own heart.”
Satan tossed back his head and laughed. “Oh, my. You certainly are hopeless. And what’s your heart telling you now?”
“None of your damned business.” Aedan folded his arms, widening his stance.
I cringed as my heartbeat banged like a drum in my ears. How did I know Aedan was going to say that?
Much to my surprise, the Devil lowered his wand, merriment dancing in his eyes. “Oh, how you amuse me, Aedan O’Connor.” Then he turned to the gathering crowd behind him with a disinterested slur.” “Who wants to play a game?”
The crowd, which had grown double in size, hooted and hollered.
“We’ve played enough of your games,” Aedan said.
“Aedan, please,” I cried as emotion tightened my throat, threatening to cut off my air.
“Oh, believe me. I haven’t even gotten started. Let’s play my version of Where’s Waldo? I call it, Where’s my twin? Sound like fun?” He turned to the crowd as they cheered. “Who shall we get to play the game?” He spun back toward us, frowning as if lost in thought. “I know.” He jutted his wand at Aedan. “You, O’Connor, for not following hotel rules. I normally punish guests who don’t listen, but it’s not every day I get visitors from heaven, so I’ve decided to punish someone else on your behalf.” His eyebrows slashed low over his brow as the crowd broke into laughter. “Your brother.”
A path of hair running down my spine rose up like a wave as a chill swept through me.
Aedan dropped his arms to his sides, balling up his fists. “What did you do?” he hissed, anger rolling off his skin in heavy currents.
The Devil honed in on Aedan with a serpentine stare, his forked tongue darting out of his mouth. “Oh, it’s not about what I did, but what you did by disobeying me.” He pointed his scepter at Monkey Hitler. “Show them the outside.”
The monkey jumped onto the banister with a squeal, sliding to the bottom and hopping over to the windows. He tugged on a cord, and the drapes opened, revealing the familiar meadow and bunnies. Then he hit a button on the wall, and the idyllic scene faded, replaced by several malformed creatures banging on the glass. I recognized Aedan’s brother, Callum, in demon form, the dragon scales shielding his torso and legs from most of the elements, though his hands and face were raw and bloody. His girlfriend Cara, whom Aedan told me was a fire demon, was lit up like a bonfire beside him. Katherine O’Connor and the other priestesses were slumped against the window, their blackened skin covered in angry red boils.
“My word,” the Devil snickered. “He’s hardly recognizable as your twin anymore. Let us hope he doesn’t scream too loudly, lest he’s discovered by my fire dragon.”
“You son-of-a-bitch!” Aedan charged down the stairs before I could stop him.
“Aedan, look out!” I cried.
But it was too late. My knees weakened as a giant spear whooshed over my head, the blunt end striking Aedan right between the shoulder blades.
My heart fell to my gut when Aedan tumbled down the stairs, landing at the Devil’s feet with a sickening crack.
Panic set my instincts into overdrive, and I leapt down to Aedan, tears streaming down my snout as I flipped him over. Blood poured from his nose as his eyes rolled into the back of his head.
“Aedan!” I lifted his limp body into my arms. “Aedan!”
Melanie knelt beside me, placing a hand on his forehead.
“Hands off, bitch!” I barked in her face, snarling until she backed up.
“She’s just trying to help,” Sarge squeaked before sniffing Aedan’s hair. “He’s not dead. Just unconscious.”
“He’s already dead,” I snarled. “All of us are.” I held Aedan against me, kissing his brow. “And I don’t need her damn help.”
“Oh, how intriguing,” the Devil tapped his pointed chin, his top lip curled up in a cross between a sneer and a smile. “A four-way lover’s quarrel.” He nodded to the guards beside him. “Put him in the dungeon. Send the redhead with him.” Then his black eyes turned to red, shining with malice as they centered on me. “Throw the dogs outside.”
Outside? Outside!!! We were his fallen angel guests from heaven. His leverage. He couldn’t treat us like that. “But, but, but!” I cried out. “You can’t barter with God if we’re burnt marshmallows.”
“Do you honestly think you’re worth anything to God?” The Devil slurred in a disinterested tone as he tucked his wand beneath his arm and picked grime from his fingernails. “The only reason I’ve let you stay in my hotel for this long was for my own amusement, but I’ve grown tired of you.”
I clasped my hands together in a prayer pose. “But you need us to negotiate, remember?” I hated what he had reduced me to, a cowering, whimpering dog forced to beg for my very soul.
“No.” My tormentor rolled his eyes before scowling down at me as if I was a wayward child. “I need you to draw in a much bigger bait, the Archangel, Cameal. Maybe if he knows you’re suffering, he’ll speed things along.”
“No!” I screamed as I was ripped away from Aedan by two strong hands.
A bull scooped up Aedan, tossing him over his shoulder as if he were a ragdoll before walking toward a long hall behind the staircase. Another guard dragged Melanie behind them.
I punched and kicked my captor. He grunted a response, flipping me upside-down, so that my jowls were facing his crotch. Oh, he made this too easy. I bit down hard on his bull bulge, Bobbit-doggie style.
He howled, dropping me to the floor. I scrambled beneath the legs of the guard who carried Sarge, biting him in the junk, too. I cried out when razor sharp teeth bit through my ankle. I kicked my hind leg, sending Monkey Hitler careening across the floor with a squeal. I jumped to my feet, fumbling for my poker.
“Look out!” Sarge yapped.
I ducked as a javelin flew above my head, slicing off a corner of my ear before jamming into the wall behind me, right into the console beside the door. A loud crackling noise came from the console. The door lifted about a foot off the ground, before slamming shut with a thud.
I clutched my throbbing ear, falling to my knees. Ouch! That shit hurt!
Sarge crawled into my lap, whimpering while licking blood splatter off my neck.
A guard stomped over to the wall and tried to pull out the spear, but he howled when a spark arched off the weapon and threw him back.
Satan frowned down at us. “Now look at what you’ve done, you bad, bad dogs!”
Two guards flanked him, steam pouring out of their snouts as they kicked up their hooves.
“Throw them out the back door,” the Devil said to them, “and muzzle them this time.”
* * *
No surprise that Thelix showed up a few minutes later with two muzzles. I figured her for the kind of girl who had a treasure trove of kinky sex toys.
She leaned into the bull, slapping the muzzles in his hands. “I want these back when you’re through.”
The bull made some odd chuckling sound while unfastening the back of the mask. He was the same beast with the white spot above his eye and the twisted horn. I got the feeling he was going to make sure my mask fit extra tight. I thought about fighting, but with four guards aiming their spears at my head, I decided to save my strength for a more opportune time.
I grunted when he jerked the mask over my head. I was pretty sure it wasn’t designed for a dog, because it squished my nose to one side. The mask didn’t fit Santiago at all, so they just tied a rope around his mouth while he fought like hell. He bit into a few fingers, causing them to moan like branded cows. But when the twisted horn guard slapped Santiago, causing his head to loll to one side, I jerked up, growling. The asshole turned to me with a snarl, binding my wrists and ankles before throw
ing me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
I flopped like a fish out of water while he carried me behind the stairway, the same direction Aedan had gone. He bounced me along as we walked down a dark, damp, stone hallway, reminding me very much of a dungeon in a medieval castle. Could this be where they took Aedan, too?
We walked for several minutes before stopping.
“Where you go?” a deep voice bellowed.
“We take guests out back.” My captor answered, his low baritone rattling my bones.
I heard a clanking sound like metal keys slapping one another and then an unlatching and a low creak. As we passed through another portal, I caught sight of the heavy wooden door with a barred window behind us. The place was dark like a cavern, lit with torches that hung from the walls. The stones were wet here, lined with black moss. I gasped when my captor lost his footing before clutching the wall for support. One false move, and the bull would fall on his furry ass, me along with him.
I hissed when a rat the size of a small dog ran straight up the wall beside us. I growled at it when he looked at me with red, glowing eyes, and he answered back with an ominous hiss as it barred its jagged teeth. We passed several cells with sobbing, naked creatures. Even though I knew they had to have been pretty bad to have landed in sub-level thirteen, my heart still broke for them. My breath hitched when I saw Aedan lying on a cot in the last cell, Melanie bent over beside him, smoothing a hand down his brow.
“Bffftch!” I mumbled as the leather contraption prevented my tongue from moving. “Git yer hands oth him!”
“Shut up, dog.” Steam poured out of my captor’s nostrils as he rattled me hard, shaking my skull as if it was full of marbles. Then I felt the cool metal of the poker as it slid down my arm, landing into my cupped palm. I fumbled with it for a few seconds before finding the switch that extended the weapon. I let out a slow and shaky breath, mentally preparing myself to hit the button. This was my one chance at escaping, so I had to make it count.
