Marked By Hades (Entangled Embrace)

by Monroe, Reese

  “How?”

  “Not sure. I don’t remember anything other than waking in Pario’s—”

  “I know, but how do you know the witch helped you?”

  “Pario told me what he’d done, and I know Evania. She used to serve on Lucifer’s direct council.” She leaned forward, resting her cheek to his once again. “And if she reversed their punishment, maybe she can bring it back?”

  Hope flared deep within his heart. His immediate response was to snuff it out, but something made him pause. Could there be a way to bring Yvonne back? “You’d sacrifice Dyre for Yvonne?”

  “If it means feeling this way every day…” She pulled out from his neck. “Then yes.”

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Justin led Dyre from the plane, holding her hand. She told herself it was because of their night together and not the fact that he had to keep tabs on her. Pario had done the same thing that night they’d bombarded the fake location for the Ring of Episteme, but Justin’s hold was different.

  It wasn’t around the wrist. His fingers weren’t twined with hers, but still, he held her hand. His grip wasn’t possessive and dominating. It was more guiding, tight enough to remind her he was in control, but not threatening.

  Such a complicated Shomrei this Justin turned out to be. At first, so repulsed by her touch, but then, when he gave in, he was so gentle, tender with her. Loving.

  She craved it. Craved him. But she also knew his kindness toward her might only be because of the human she once was. He wanted her back. That thought stung a little, but she shoved it down. So what. He was there, holding her, and he’d held her most of the night.

  “Now where, Dyre?” Theo asked as he and Sadie came up beside her.

  A ping of guilt rattled through her when she looked at Sadie. Dyre had kept her drugged and locked up for three months at Agares’s bidding. And nearly killed Theo in the process, which meant she’d nearly killed Justin as well.

  Yet Sadie’s gaze upon her wasn’t harsh or judgmental. If the situation had been reversed, Dyre would have gone for Sadie’s neck already. What was this confidence and hope the Shomrei had?

  “The bank is less than an hour from the one that had the ring. I rented a safe-deposit box,” she said as the group moved toward the SUV at the end of the tarmac.

  These Shomrei traveled in luxury.

  “How’d you get money and get away to do all this?” Sadie asked as she piled into the back seat with Dyre.

  “Love, sit up here with me. Justin will stay by Dyre.”

  “No. It’s okay.” Sadie patted the Gatekeeper’s shoulder. “You two work out your strategy.”

  He held her gaze a second, then nodded. Justin shut Dyre’s door and went around to the front seat.

  “So, how’d you finagle all this?” Sadie asked again.

  The inquisitive young girl nodded as if encouraging her to open up. Irresistible, this little Shomrei Mate was.

  “Pario never left the Artifacts behind. He took them wherever he went. When we got here, he was wrapped up in planning the attack on the fake location. When he sent Gavin, his prize minion, up north to a small compound of new demons to enlist some help, I begged a ride with him. It took a little convincing, but Pario shared me with Gavin, so he trusted the demon.” Dyre smiled as she remembered manipulating them both to get her way. “I stole some money and the Artifacts he had and went up north. Gavin doesn’t watch me as closely as Pario, so I sneaked away under the guise of a shopping spree.”

  “He let you shop?” Sadie asked.

  Dyre leaned in and whispered. “Gavin’s putty in my hand when he gets a little something-something. Anyway, he sent a newbie demon with me. I killed him, cut up my clothing a little, and claimed Hunters attacked.”

  Sadie glanced to the front seat and back, her eyes filled with sadness.

  “Only thing that doesn’t add up was that Pario said he had three Artifacts, but all I found in the drawer were the Thata and the Sword of Terentia. The ring had been stashed by Agares, and Pario didn’t have that, so I’m not sure what the third one was that he claimed to have.”

  “He could have kept it at a separate location for security reasons,” Sadie said.

  “Possible. Pario did make me stay topside with Gavin quite a few times while he made trips to Hades. So he may have hidden it there.”

  Giving information like this, especially to Shomrei warriors, was high treason once again. She was half surprised Lucifer hadn’t come up here already and set her ablaze.

  Sadie leaned in. “Why do all this? Something doesn’t add up.”

  Dyre gulped. “I needed leverage.”

  “For…”

  “Doesn’t matter.”

  “But showing us to your stash removes your leverage.”

  “I’m hoping by cooperating you’ll help me.”

  Sadie leaned in more, as if she were trying to see into Dyre’s mind. “Help you how?”

  “I want to live free here on earth, if not as my human self, then as a demon. I don’t wish to return to Hades and be a sex slave to those bastards down there.”

  Justin flinched and glanced over the seat, his brows furrowed.

  “I knew there was something different about you.” Sadie sat back. “You never wanted to be a demon, did you? Just survived, searching for your out.”

  “Agares had promised to help me return topside. Shed my demon. I never wanted it.”

  “Then how did it come to pass?” Theo asked.

  So much for just chatting with Sadie. “Doesn’t matter.”

  “But you were human. Two hundred years ago?” Theo asked.

  “Yes. Raised in Budapest.” Her heart cracked at the thought of her mom. Aggie had told her about her human life several times, and though Dyre didn’t remember much, she remembered her mother.

  Sadie let out a breath. “A demon has to choose the life of a demon. You—”

  “Enough with the questions. What’s the plan once we get to the bank?”

  “We’ll scout it out and make sure Pario isn’t there,” Theo said.

  “He’s branded me. He’ll find me if we’re out from beneath the protection of your compound. It’s just a matter of time.”

  “That’s what we’re counting on,” Justin said.

  “Are you okay with being bait?” Sadie asked.

  “It’s fine,” Dyre said. “What’s the plan?”

  “You go in and get the Artifacts. We’ll be ready if he shows up. Then I’m going to bury the Mavet deep in him and send him to Hades for eternity.” Theo let out a growl.

  “You really think it’ll be that easy?” Dyre laughed. “That demon has so many tricks up his sleeve. Did you know he can damn near fly? He cleared a three-story building with a single jump. He’s evaded your detection for weeks coming and going from Hades.”

  “What do you propose, then?” Sadie asked.

  “Sneak the damn things out of there and disappear. Then find this witch and be done with it all.”

  “Now who’s deluded into thinking things are easy?” Justin said.

  “I know where the witch is…or about where she is.”

  “Hades, right?” Justin asked.

  “Yeah, so?”

  “Three Shomrei and a traitor demon can’t just saunter into Hades undetected without drawing someone’s interest.”

  “If we’re sneaky, we can. And you’ve got Theophilus. No one can defeat him and his Mate.”

  The car jostled over the bumps of the gravel road, and Dyre grabbed the door handle to secure herself.

  “First things first. Let’s get those damn Artifacts onto sacred ground and then go forward,” Theo said. “I don’t care if I have to fight an army of Pario’s demons at that bank, we’ll get those items to safety.”

  Justin grunted in agreement.

  Sadie nodded. “We’ll all go in together. Dyre shielded by three Shomrei will be difficult to reach.” She looked at Dyre for a long breath, and her eyes flashed red. “You won’t be
tray us.”

  “You have my word. I will get the Artifacts and give them to you in return for your protection and aid in retrieving Yvonne.” She leaned in to Sadie. “But don’t even think about betraying me.”

  Theo growled, his fangs dropping as he looked over the seat. Justin grabbed the steering wheel.

  Sadie’s fangs dropped as well, but she made no move toward Dyre. “You have my word as a Shomrei.” She offered her hand and leaned in. “And as a sister-in-law.”

  Dyre stiffened, paralyzed by the words that came from Sadie’s fanged mouth. Sister-in-law. So, it was true. Yvonne and Justin had mated. No wonder he was so tormented by her presence.

  And no wonder she felt so drawn to him.

  She vowed, then and there, to get to the witch, Evania, to make things right, because Dyre wanted Justin to be hers—er—Yvonne’s. And she would kill anyone who got in the way.

  Even herself.

  …

  The sun dipped beneath a cloud, shooting golden and pink rays out as the day drifted toward evening. Justin tightened his grip on Dyre and hurried her along. They only had about fifteen minutes until the bank closed. So far, all was clear.

  “Don’t leave my side, you hear me? You’re strong, but I’m stronger. If Pario and his gang show up, we’ll handle him.”

  “My hero.” She giggled.

  “Stop joking.” He had heard the pain in her voice when she’d mentioned being tricked into becoming a demon. Somehow he would make things right for her. But first, he had to keep her alive.

  She winked and tapped the end of his nose. “I’m not without my tricks, Justin. I’ll fight by your side if he comes. I won’t betray you.”

  He glanced down and was met with wide black eyes. She didn’t lie. Somehow he knew it. He had to trust. Maybe his time with The Great One that morning had empowered him. Led him to the decision he’d made.

  That he’d still mate Dyre, even if they couldn’t bring Yvonne back. If the Mark never surfaced, he’d marry her in a traditional ceremony.

  A Shomrei warrior with a demon. That’d go down in the record books for sure.

  The bank came into view, and Dyre’s grip tightened. The four of them entered the doors and met the wide-eyed stare of the guards. He could only imagine how out of place the four of them looked.

  “May…we…help you?” the receptionist asked from behind the golden-topped counter. Two guards moved to either side of her.

  “Hi,” Dyre said in the sweetest voice. “I have a deposit box I’d like to see.”

  “Do…do you have your passkey?” She motioned to the right. The kiosk screen blinked red, ready to receive a swipe.

  Dyre pulled a thin, credit card–looking item from her back pocket and stepped forward, releasing her grip on Justin.

  But he didn’t let her go. Instead, he moved along with her. Not so much out of mistrust but a desire to see the process and stay close to keep her safe.

  She swiped the card and entered four digits when prompted, 7-6-2-2. Trust for this demon increased with each movement. Never once had she tried to disrupt his view of the keypad, and he easily saw the pass code. The screen blinked green and read, “Please see guard.”

  The guard, one hand on his gun, stepped forward and said, “Come with me, Ms. Joyous.”

  Justin quirked an eyebrow at her, and she grinned. They stepped forward, and the guard said, “I’m sorry, only her.”

  “But this is my husband,” she said.

  The air left Justin’s chest at her calling him her husband. God, that sounded exactly right. A blinding white light flashed before his eyes and thunder clapped in his mind. His body tensed, and his heart stopped with such a force he coughed. A burn swarmed through his chest, over his shoulder and pooled at his neck.

  What the hell?

  The scent of lavender imprinted on his senses, and he knew the Ahavah Mark was calling to him.

  He’d felt it when the Mark had surfaced on Yvonne.

  Dyre flinched, her jaw muscles twitching. She shook her head, and her little body swayed.

  “Ma’am?” The guard reached for her.

  Justin tightened his grip around her shoulders, feeling the presence of his Mate so strongly he was almost intoxicated by it. “She’s just very tired. I’ll help her.”

  “Sorry, only those listed on the account can enter.”

  Dyre pulled in a deep breath and nodded. “It’s fine.” She scratched at her shoulder. “Um…I— He can stand right outside, though.”

  He dipped his head and led them several steps toward the vault. Off to the left another person stood post. They nodded at each other as the guard tapped out a thirteen-digit code on a keypad, and the vault door clicked open.

  Behind Justin, Theo and Sadie stood shoulder to shoulder, Theo facing the main entrance to the bank and Sadie facing them. Each scanned the area like the warriors they were.

  “Be quick. I’ll be right here,” Justin whispered, careful to keep from touching her ear. He didn’t need his Mark showing up on his skin right now. That’d freak everyone out considering his neck was visible.

  He couldn’t believe Dyre got the Ahavah. She was a demon.

  Only on the outside.

  The Great One’s voice sang through his mind.

  Dyre looked at him with wide eyes, and he nodded for her to move on. Had she heard the voice as well?

  She disappeared into the room. The guard closed the door until only a crack remained, and he stood in front of it. Justin hated not being able to see her, but he felt her. A subtle rush streamed through his chest, and a second heartbeat echoed in his ears. Calm, focused. Steady.

  Yvonne.

  Everything okay? Theo asked silently.

  Fine.

  What happened?

  Dyre just got my Ahavah.

  Justin heard Theo’s mental gasp of breath, but immediately felt the resolve solidify as if Theo, too, accepted the rightness of it and welcomed the demon into the Shomrei fold. His brother had such admirable faith, taking The Great One’s lead without doubt. Without question.

  Congrats, brother. Celebrating after we get the Artifacts.

  And the celebration would happen between Dyre and Justin, in private and with no clothing.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Theo stopped the group, arms out to his side, twenty feet from the SUV. Dyre glanced around, suddenly feeling very nervous. “What?”

  “Damn it. I sense a splice.”

  Sadie nodded. “He’s not even bothering to cover them.”

  “Or this is someone new. It feels bigger. Darker. Dyre, is there any chance another demon knows about Pario’s plans? Aggie’s?”

  “Not that I know of.”

  “Pario’s called some bigger demons to come it seems.” Theo gestured toward the car. “Because if I’m feeling them, these demons have been vanquished before. Not the young ones we’ve been dealing with.”

  Fear tumbled down Dyre’s spine. She scratched at her shoulder, wondering what the heck was happening beneath that leather of hers. The air was so cold plumes of white burst from her mouth as she worked to catch her breath. It was as though she’d run miles.

  Something felt off. She clutched the bag around her shoulder. “We have the Thata and the Sword of Terentia. Let’s use it and splice to safety.”

  “I can create splices just as easily, but I must answer this call. Justin, you should take your Ma—Dyre to safety. Sadie and I will handle this.”

  “Or not.” Pario landed beside the SUV with a thud. He’d jumped down two stories from the building beside them.

  Justin yanked Dyre behind him and whipped out his weapons. Seven more demons crowded in from the street, not bothering to hide themselves from the public. Thankfully there were only a few bystanders, and they hurried away, gasping and whispering disbelief.

  “Dyre, you continue to surprise me.” Pario eyed Justin. “Siding with the Shomrei. You little devil.”

  She clutched the backpack and reached for her an
kle blade. An arm snaked around her waist and yanked her away from Justin. Flipping the dagger around, she plunged it into the leg of whoever was carrying her. He stumbled, landing atop her, but she pushed him off and jumped to her feet.

  It wasn’t Pario, but it was a rage demon and just as huge. Shit.

  She made a beeline toward the SUV, where the rest of the Shomrei were battling the horde of demons that had descended upon them.

  Theo had been right: they’d brought the big guns. If they got their hands on these Artifacts, it’d be catastrophic.

  Even though the ring was at the compound, these two would seriously tilt the scales in the demons’ favor. Especially if that third one Pario had mentioned before was still with him.

  Three for the demons. One for the Shomrei.

  And her bargaining chip would be lost. She needed the Gatekeepers to have all the Artifacts so they’d help her.

  A redheaded figure pummeled the demon attacking Sadie, and they all went down. She whirled around and buried her dagger in the creature’s ribs. “Reverto ut Abyssus.”

  Sadie rolled off the girl and faced another attacker.

  A demon tackled Dyre, and the momentum carried them beyond the SUV to the front of a bakery. Her head smacked the ground and stars burst into her vision. The tip of the Thata dug into her back, even through the thick leather coat she wore.

  A warm tongue dragged across her cheek. “Mmm.”

  It was Pario. Shit.

  “I’ll be taking this, thank you.” He whirled her around and smashed her face into the concrete. Stinging pain engulfed her cheek, and her eye felt as if it would explode.

  The giant’s weight suddenly vanished. Shattering glass rang out next, followed by a thud.

  “I see you’re quite fond of my demon, Shomrei. Her bite is stimulating, isn’t it?” Pario said, then clobbered Justin’s cheek.

  His head swiveled so much his other cheek collided with what was left of the shattered window. Blood streamed from his face, but he didn’t falter as he squared off with Pario.

  Pario was too much for Justin to handle, too strong and too wicked. She couldn’t let him get hurt.

  Dyre roared, fangs dropping, and rammed into Pario. The immovable force of Hades batted her off like a pesky fly. Halena came in for a try, and Pario budged that time, but only enough to evade the Mavet dagger aimed at his throat.