It struck him then that she hadn’t made the connection yet of what her sire truly was.
“A Guardian in my home,” Wrath said, power seeping into each syllable.
“When assholes snatch my mate, I let nothing stand in the way of getting her back.”
With a flick of his fingers, Wrath dismissed the guards. Only the two without the uniforms remained.
Týr knew exactly who they were. One he’d tried to kill a while ago, and the other with the faint glimmering red sparks all over him he planned to eviscerate as soon as he was done here. The fact that Kira had had to defend herself and touch this shithead for her power to manifest had Týr’s teeth gnashing.
“I detected you the moment you arrived in this domain,” Wrath said. “However, you hadn’t come into my fortress, so it didn’t warrant a hunt while outside its boundaries…” Wrath nodded to the window. “You’re lucky to have survived the wards.”
“Wards?” Kira gasped, glowering at her sire. “You deliberately hurt him?”
“They’re there to protect you, Kira,” Wrath said, tone cool.
Týr’s chest constricted, watching his mate stand up to this primeval and very, very dangerous male. He’d already realized it was a test of some kind, to probably fry his ass if he failed. But then he was a stubborn bastard. Shit like that wouldn’t stop him, not when it came to Kira. He was damn grateful for the extra protection it had given her.
“How did you get through the wards?” the ass with the red sparkles asked.
“Painfully.”
The brother snorted.
Týr strolled across to where Kira stood in the middle of the room as if keeping both sides apart and drew her into his arms. He brushed his lips over her hair, fixing the fucker who’d dared to claim his mate with a deadly stare. Except the bastard was eyeing him like damn candy.
“Is this when I fight one of you assholes to the death?” Týr drawled, deliberately letting his focus remain on Sparkles.
“No—no!” Kira slapped her palm against his chest, her heart pounding so loudly, he could not only hear it but also taste her fear. “I don’t want those fights.”
Please, Týr, please don’t push this. He could almost feel her panicky thoughts. Her eyes performed a frantic tennis match between her sire’s goons and him, so he stroked her back, soothing her.
“No. No death-fight is required…” Those cold but distractingly glowing lime-green eyes nailed his, and Týr realized that this male already knew he had claimed Kira as his. “Since your scent marks her.”
Kira stiffened in his arms.
Týr said nothing. Why reiterate what the Sin obviously already knew. But that cold stare still locked on him whispered of untold horrors, had his intent been to harm Kira. Her sire was one of the very few beings who could kick his ass—no, make that kill him—if he’d been screwing around.
“Later this eve, you will accompany my daughter to the assembly as her mate for her presentation rite of acceptance.” An order.
“What?” Kira demanded, tone perplexed. “What presentation?”
“So my legions will swear their allegiance to you as my blooded daughter. Your safety is and always has been my priority.”
“And mine,” Týr added.
Wrath eyed him with an enigmatic stare. The Sin’s focus shifted to Kira, and his expression softened about as much as this fortress could. “Kira, your mate, I deem, would want to get a little more acquainted with our way of life.” Those eerie eyes flickered to Týr. “Réomer heads to the training fields.”
Another order. This Sin and Michael had probably traded notes in another time, considering both were as old as dirt.
“Kira, would you care to accompany me for first meal, or would you prefer to have it in your chambers?”
“Here. In my chambers.”
“Very well, I will see you later in the day.” With a nod, Wrath walked out. The march of thundering booted steps echoed seconds later.
Kira swiveled to him, dread brightening her beautiful eyes. And there, in her irises, he saw the same streaks of lime-green. She bunched his shirt as if to keep him there. “Týr—”
“It’ll be okay, elska. I could do with a…workout.”
“Please, please don’t kill anyone.”
He unhooked her clamped fingers, cupped her face, and kissed her on her mouth. “Stop worrying, I got this. Who’s Réomer?”
“That would be me,” Riley said, pulling his attention to the cool-faced demon he’d tried to kill a year ago. Then he added, “Didn’t like the name. Went with Riley back on Earth.”
Right. But at the sight of his mate’s worried face, Týr winked and walked out. Her frustrated sigh drifted to him. He bit back a smile. This female. He’d lay down his life for her, but he couldn’t blame her for the skepticism since he had no idea what he’d do. However, for her, he’d try not to slay the savages.
The brother and dickhead waited for him to pass and then followed closely, like he was a damn prisoner. The menace of guards shadowing Wrath had already disappeared.
As the door to Kira’s chambers shut behind them, Týr jabbed his elbow hard into Sparkles’ gut. The demon grunted, doubling over.
“You going to bash up everyone who looks at her?” Riley drawled.
“No, just dickheads who dare to touch or try to claim her.”
Riley nodded, those green eyes as penetrating as his sire’s. “Good enough for me. That’s Nicor, by the way.”
“Traitor,” the demon groaned through a pained breath as they continued down the hallway. “The thanks I get for trying to keep her safe.”
“All part of the job. You are Wrath’s right-hand, after all,” Riley retorted, opening a door leading into a stairwell. As they walked down the gloomy, twisting stairs, the brother added, “Besides, I owe you.”
Sparkles grunted. “You’re still going on about my pseudo-threat to your mate?”
“You really don’t want to go there,” Riley warned. “I won’t stop with a jab.”
“Guess my job here is done.” The demon took off down the stairs.
The moment they hit the ground floor, Riley said, “I may have known my sister for a short while only, but you I do know. Hurt her in any way, and you’ll wish you had killed me that day. Oh, and dematerializing, along with the use of other powers inside the fortress is blocked.”
Týr didn’t bother to respond. He’d never deliberately hurt Kira. He paused at the huge entrance of the fortress, taking in the vast, dusty courtyard rife with soldiers. Two shit-tall demons—probably over seven feet, sporting leathery, russet-toned skin and chainmail armor—stood sentry at the enormous black gates some distance away.
Exploring the training fields of the Dark Realm was definitely not on his to-do list. Since he had other things urgently requiring his attention while here, he said, “Raincheck on the tour.”
Riley shrugged. “Figured you would. But, at noon, I’m off to meet with someone regarding the missing human children. You can go track on your own. Or, wait a little while, do the tour, then come along.”
Týr narrowed his eyes.
Riley shook his head. “I don’t know what it is with you and your hatred of my species. Anyway, Kira told me about the kids. Come. Stay. Your decision.”
Týr reminded himself of his new rule—can’t kill my mate’s sibling even if he is an asshole.
It had been hours since Týr had left with Riley and Nicor, and his playful wink hadn’t reassured her at all. Kira prowled the room, slowing down at the window. She swiped the dampness from her brow, surveying the barren landscape. It wasn’t any different from her earlier curiosity when she’d just gaped at the desolate lands and the remote, inky river snaking like a thread between the dunes.
Yep, all remained the same, humid and hot, except the sky was a lighter shade of purple now. And the distant volcano appeared to have let go of its furious temper and now half-assedly disgorged its fiery spittle.
Ugh. She made her way back to
the couch and sighed at the few books on the wooden table Riley had sent to her room. Much as she loved reading, right now, she wished she had a TV here to distract herself.
Someone rapped loudly on the door. Her heart nearly frog-leaped out the window.
Dammit. Inhaling a sharp breath, Kira marched across the room, opened the door, and found herself facing one of those daunting, expressionless demon guards in black and gray that followed Wrath like phantoms. And this one had deeply furrowed ridges on his brow and short black horns.
“Your sire requests that you join him in his study.”
Oh, great. Alone-time with the intimidating man who was her father.
A hand pressed to her heaving stomach as if it would stop her from wanting to hurl, Kira followed the guard. The two posted at her door shadowed her.
As wary as she was, it was too surreal being here in Stygia, living in this fortress with her father… A demon.
Straightening her spine, she continued along the slightly familiar hallway where burning torches cast pools of light to brighten the way. The stiff-faced guard opened the tall, black door, and she cautiously stepped into the vast study.
An enormous shadow moved alongside the huge, ebony desk set in the tower part of the chamber.
Oh, shit! She scrambled away, her back hitting something behind her, her hands grabbing a wooden shelf. A dragonish monster with blackish red scales appeared from the darkness, its enormous reptilian head almost touching the tall, domed ceiling. A snarl rumbled from its throat, and the small car it called a head lowered to her, its gigantic fangs an inch above her head. Slitted black eyes watched her as if it spied some tasty snack.
“Enough, Erogus.”
At Wrath’s low command, the monster instantly withdrew to lay down meekly again like an easygoing pussycat, its massive head resting on its front paws tipped with deadly talons.
“Wha-what is that?” she gasped as her father entered from an adjoining room.
“A wyvern.”
“You should seriously consider a cat as a pet.”
Wrath’s eyes flickered in amusement. “I’ll take that under advisement. Did you have your morning meal?”
“Yes, thank you.” She looked around the room and cautiously moved to the window on the opposite side, needing more space between herself and the man and his pet.
Kira leaned against the sill. Her shaky legs made her desperately want to sit, but that would put her too close to them.
Wrath stroked the beast’s scaly head and studied her. Struggling not to squirm under his intense scrutiny, the words gushed out, “What happened to my mother?”
Desolation flashed in those usually cold eyes, startling Kira. And then she knew, her fear vaporizing at the truth. “You loved her.”
Several seconds ticked by before he nodded. “But our lives didn’t make it possible for us to be together permanently.”
“I don’t understand. Demons live in my world. Some, I’m told, even take humans as mates.”
“Yes, I am aware,” he murmured, his stare taking on a contemplative edge. “You don’t really know what I am, do you?”
Where was he going with this? Her attention shifted to the wyvern and back to him. “You’re a demon, obviously a rich one, considering you live in a black castle—”
“I am Wrath.”
“I know, you just said so.”
Amusement lit his eyes. “It’s not just a name, Kira.”
She blinked in puzzlement, absently tugging at the beaded bracelet on her wrist. “Then what else would it…” The words died in her throat. Wrath. She’d heard of the Seven Sins before but…her father? “You-you’re—” Her knees gave way. “You can’t be—I can’t be…”
Wrath snatched her up before she could fall, and gently deposited her on the couch she’d avoided, hunkering in front of her. She stared into his face. Into the eyes of the Sin of Wrath…of anger, rage, and madness.
“Now do you understand why I cannot reside on Earth?” Those eerie eyes skimmed over her face. “A being like me cannot be on the human realm for too long. It will start a war of unimaginable proportions with the Celestial Realm.” His tone remained calm, easing her a little.
“Then my mother died alone in the crash?” she whispered, forcing her mind to move past the terror that froze her.
“No. She was…murdered. Here.” Those unmovable features tightened in grief.
“What? She was here with you? Then why couldn’t you save her if you’re an all-powerful Sin?” she demanded, distress churning her stomach.
“I would have if I could. I had been called away when it occurred, and I found her body too late.”
“Do you know who did it?”
Wrath rose, ice slithering back into his flat, lime-green eyes. “I found the ones responsible. My enemies thought to weaken me by killing her. Now, they suffer the same fate as she did. Every day. For eternity.”
Kira didn’t know her mother and had yearned for her a lot while growing up. But to witness her sire’s pain, as fleeting as her glimpse of it had been, made it all the more devastating.
At the thought of losing Týr, her heart felt as if it would split in two. She understood that no words could ever take away the anguish. Still… “I’m so sorry.”
“It is not your fault.” Wrath leaned against his desk where he remained silent for a moment. “My only regret is that you lost us both when you needed us the most. But your grandmother raised you and gave you the safety and comfort I could not.”
Yes, Gran had been there for her through every step in her life. “She’s been wonderful.”
His gaze skimmed her face. “You look a lot like her.”
“Who? Gran?”
His mouth twitched as if in a smile. It made her distrustful heart warm in the oddest way. “No. Your mother,” he said softly. “Except for your eyes. Right now, they appear a lot like mine, which, as the whispers in this domain inform me, are creepy.”
Laughter escaped her at his unexpectedly droll comment, but she needed answers. “Does Gran know about you and Mom? About me?”
“No. Your mother gave birth to you back on Earth. We thought it best for your safety to let you live a mortal life. After your mother’s death, I went back to Earth and installed the memory of us both dying in a plane crash in your grandmother’s mind and bound you from detection and any powers you might have inherited until your twenty-fifth birthday. It’s when I would have brought you back to Stygia for your presentation. But somehow, a little of your abilities trickled through—”
“Yes, changing colors—how exciting.”
A smile broke free at her droll tone, causing his cold visage to soften and become breathtaking. “That power, I will admit, is somewhat of a surprise. Any abilities, if honed correctly, can become quite a weapon. What you did to Nicor proved that.”
She sighed. “When I get mad, that happens now…” She really needed to put a lid on her stupid wayward ability.
“If you stayed longer, I could aid you. But you can train on your own. The mind is a powerful thing, always remember that.”
Kira wrinkled her nose. “Did you know about the Guardians, and Gran being their healer?”
“I know of them, but not the rest. It is better if I keep to what I do. My work has many layers, and time is not always mine. Moreover, I didn’t want to interfere in your life, chances are it would have happened if I kept track of you.”
“But you knew about Týr and me?”
“Not at first. I’ll admit, I was curious as to what a Guardian was doing in my domain when he first appeared, but then he vanished. He is good at tamping down his innate signature vibration, and I didn’t detect anything until he broke through the wards most would have died from. Then I knew. When neither of you left, I let it be.”
She nodded, really grateful for that. Sure, Týr was a badass and deadly powerful and could take care of himself, but still…
Unable to remain still, Kira leaped to her feet and paced around
the couch, avoiding getting too close to the wyvern. She chewed her lip, her mind racing with questions. “How did you meet my mother?”
“I’d gone to Earth in hopes of seeing your brother, though he would never believe that,” Wrath said dryly. “As I was leaving, she was in the direct path of an oncoming automobile. I rescued her…”
Even a Sin had a romantic first meeting with his mate. She and Týr fought. And that made Kira smile.
“Still wish you hadn’t come?”
She scrunched her nose and sat back on the couch. “In hindsight, I’d probably do all of it again. I mean, no normal person would ever imagine this”—she waved a hand around the place—“but I’m glad I’m here.”
“That is pleasing to hear.” Wrath’s eyes glowed that iridescent, neon-green. He straightened from the desk. “We will talk later. I have a little matter that needs my attention.”
She frowned.
“You know what I am, Kira. My work is neverending, passing judgment on the souls of the newly demised. Most wish they had led a different life.”
Kira blinked. Then the enormity of what her father truly was hit her with the impact of a hammer to the head. She couldn’t speak at the panic squeezing her chest. Her father—Wrath—was downright terrifying.
“When you are ready to leave, your guard will escort you back.” He made his way to her. She held completely still. “I am glad you are here.” He lightly touched her cheek. The sensation of his fingers on her skin swept through her like lightning. She gasped. But the room was suddenly empty. He’d vanished. And, she realized, so had her terror.
Kira sagged on the armrest, ragged breath sawing past her lips, and rubbed her tingling face, trying to absorb everything she’d learned from Wrath—a Sin. Her father.
Oh, boy! Her gaze shifted to the wyvern. “I have a dad who’s a badass.”
The creature snorted, sounding like a hissing steam engine, one clearly not impressed.
In a daze, Kira roamed the room and found herself near the arched window overlooking the barren gray landscape. The volcano was back to spitting out flaming lava.
Heart's Inferno (Fallen Guardians 4) Page 22
