Marked by Hades (15 page)

The Great One. Dyre knew little of the entity but had heard some. He often guided with mysterious commands, and in some cases, long spells of silence. Agares had once told her The Great One thrived on the journey his people had to go through.

She’d always thought that strange.

Gavin tensed, and his spine went straight. “Shit.” He zipped up her pants. “Looks like our secret rendezvous will have to wait for another time.”

“Your master calls.” Dyre snickered as she ran her finger along his jaw.

“Yes, but he shares his belongings with those loyal to him.” He sucked her finger into his mouth and gave it a gentle bite.

Yeah, that prick Pario thought he owned her, but maybe if she got closer to Gavin, she could learn more about her time on earth. He was lying about something. But what?

Didn’t matter. If she got possession of the Artifacts, maybe she could use them to barter with an archdemon or the Council. Hell, maybe a Shomrei warrior would help her gain her freedom if she had the treasures.

At this point, she’d do anything to return topside. To be on her own, free from demons. And then she could really enjoy the splendors of earth to the fullest.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

“And where do you think you’re going, pet?” Pario asked Dyre.

“I’m not a soldier, Pario. I told you where the ring was. You and your gang go in and get it.” She paced the small hotel room across the street from the run-down building she’d told them the ring was in.

She’d yet to sneak away to the safe-deposit box to snatch the ring, and she was getting antsy.

What if she couldn’t get it? So much was riding on this. Failure wasn’t an option.

“What are you going to do while we’re gone?”

Oh, good, he was buying it. She let out a killer grin and dragged her forefinger along the neck of her low-cut shirt. “Maybe I’ll draw a bath and get ready for your return.”

“We won’t return to this place. We’ll be celebrating at the best hotel…for a few days.” He palmed her butt. “And very often.”

“Sounds perfect. Where will we meet?”

“No need. You’re coming with.” He shackled her leather-clad wrist.

Even though she was no longer lethal to touch, she’d taken a liking to the fashion. Or maybe it was more trying to hide behind the leather barrier. She was so worried Pario would discover her plan.

He’d kill her for sure.

“Pario, no. You’ll get me killed if you make me go.”

“I’ll protect you.” He grinned.

Damn, he didn’t trust her. Was he onto her?
Shit.

“Fine. Give me a weapon or something.” She offered her palm, waiting.

He slapped a dagger in her hand. “This is a modified version of an Angel Killer.”

“The Gatekeepers can survive the poison.”

“True. But maybe we’ll catch Companions with it and keep their Gatekeepers too busy to heal them. Killing Companions is always fun.” Pario rolled up the blueprints to the building and tossed them to his demon sidekick. “Burn these. Erase all trace of us.”

A tickle skittered up Dyre’s spine, prickling the hairs at the base of her skull. She shivered and looked around. A twinge in her shoulder had her scratching at her leather. What the hell was that?

Whatever it was, she didn’t like the unsettled feeling it ignited. Something felt…off.

“What is it?”

“Nothing.” She shoved the dagger into her ankle holster. “Are we going yet? Darkness of night is our friend, right?”

Pario grinned. “My little soldier.” He yanked her to him and planted a harsh kiss on her, branding her and threatening her all at once, as if he knew her plans.

The bank opened at nine o’clock the next morning. She’d have to sneak away during the heat of tonight’s battle, because if she ended up at the hotel room with him, he’d never let her out of his sight.

“Stay by my side at all times. If I have to get a leash, I will.”

“Give me a break, you jerk.” She pulled out of his grip. Even though Agares was a lying son of a bitch, she sure missed how he catered to her needs. Compared to Pario’s behavior, she’d take the lies.

“Let’s go.” Pario whirled around, and the group of demons followed him.

Within minutes, they’d navigated down three flights of stairs and gone out the back of the shabby hotel. Her heart skipped a beat, and that chill shivered up her spine again. Okay…something was going on.

She threw a glance over the hallway behind them as she stole through the doorway, but her gaze didn’t land on anything other than plain walls. Dim. Cold.

Yet she felt a spark, deep in her stomach. Hope? Maybe this would work after all.

A strong hand gripped her wrist and yanked her to Pario’s bulky body. “Focus, Dyre.”

She stood behind him and nodded. They kept to the darkness as they moved three blocks up, crossed the street, and worked their way back to the building directly across the street from their run-down hotel. Pario kept her close, painfully holding her wrist most of the time.

Sneaking away might be harder than she’d thought.

“A team of three per floor. Scour each room. Find the ring.” He waved some of the group away, and they disappeared into the building or around the crumbling corner.

“Hold on.” Pario wove his arm around her waist and propped her arms on his shoulders. “We’re going in from above.”

One great thrust of his tree-trunk legs had them airborne. They landed on the roof of the building with a thud.

Dyre stumbled to the side, gaining her equilibrium. “How?”

“Lots of tricks in here.” He tapped his forehead as he stepped forward. “Don’t you even
think
of betraying me, Dyre. Or should I call you Yvonne?”

She gasped.

“Your humanity is oozing from your skin like a pus. Just like when you were with Agares.” He grabbed her by the throat. “I will not tolerate that the way he did. Agares was weak. He lost sight of the goal coddling you.”

He released her, and she fought for air through her tight throat.

A boom rattled the floor they stood on, and she couldn’t believe the building didn’t collapse.

“Showtime.”

They took off to the door on the roof and descended the stairs to the third floor. Her heart pulsed a panicked beat. Pario knew, even more than she’d suspected, about how Agares had treated her. How she was different from the other demons. Should she dare try an escape?

Or maybe she should just jump in front of a sword and let her head tumble.

They stole through the door to a room that didn’t have any walls, only a few beams throughout the entire floor. Two gigantic beings wrestled in the middle, another pair sparred near the far corner. A set of wings sprouted from a girl who jumped up and kicked a demon in the face.

Sadie.

She rammed her dagger into the demon’s skull and said, “
Reverto ut Abyssus
.”

Yes. That was the Gatekeeper’s Mate she had helped escape.

“Gatekeepers.” Pario hissed like a snake, then charged with a roar, dragging Dyre along for the carnage.

The front of her foot caught a piece of shredded wood, and she lurched forward. Pario must have been lost to the heat of battle because he released her and roared into the chaos.

Maybe the Gatekeepers would destroy him. That’d make things much easier.

She rolled on the floor, then hopped to her feet and backed up to the wall beside the door so she was out of sight. Her heart clamored to get out of her chest.

Breathe. Breathe.
The dust filtering through the air tickled her throat, sending her into a lung-rattling cough. Or maybe it was the stench of week-old food in this room. She wasn’t a fighter, that part she’d told Pario was true. Sure, she could defend herself if needed, but having never done battle for a soul or faced off with a warrior, she’d surely perish if she stayed here.

She glanced around and saw Pario engaged with Sadie. A raven-haired guy shoved Sadie to the side just as Pario’s dagger plunged into his chest. It would have hit Sadie’s shoulder.

Theophilus
.

It had to be. Only Sadie’s Mate would take a wound for her like that. Dyre had heard stories about his legendary battle skills. He’d vanquished thousands of demons to Hades with his lethal Mavet daggers.

To see him in person, though…the stories hadn’t done him justice. An image of a blue-eyed version of Theophilus flashed before Dyre’s eyes. He smiled, and a sense of hope swarmed over her. She’d seen those eyes before in her dreams.

Shaking her head of the thoughts, she focused, needing to get out while she could. She darted out the door and up the stairs she and Pario had just come from. A metallic film coated her tongue. She could do this.

Had to.

She scrambled to the edge of the roof and looked over the side. Jumping was the only option at this point. It would hurt, but she’d survive, and she’d be free from Pario’s watchful eye. It was only a few hours until the bank opened, and she could hide out until then.

Checking over the edge again, she didn’t see any demons below. She pulled in a deep breath and scanned her surroundings one last time.

Wait. The building next door wasn’t very far away.

“Yes. I can make that.”

She shuffled back and readied herself for a launch. Knees bent, hands fisted, she counted down.

Three.

Two.

One
.

With a demonically charged push, she darted forward, pumping her arms. One leap launched her onto the little wall enclosing the roof, and she pushed off.

The jolt of landing on the neighboring building’s roof registered through every bone and splintered all the way up to her skull. Momentum thrust her forward, and she tucked into a somersault.

She lost track of how many revolutions, but her shoulder smashing into a wall stopped her abruptly.

But she’d made it. Now, all she had to do was survive the night, then head to the bank in the morning to get the ring.

She’d be home free.

But when she heard a growl rip through the air and saw two glowing eyes staring down at her, she knew her odds had just plummeted.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

“Six,” Justin yelled as he raked his dagger through a demon’s neck. Black blood arced through the air, and the creature slithered to the floor.

Another hopped onto his back. He turned and rammed the bastard into the brick wall. Cracking ribs registered through Justin’s body.

Halena tossed her dagger, and it landed in the demon’s shoulder. “
Reverto ut Abyssus
.”

The demon vanished, and Justin palmed the wall to stay upright.

“Seven.” She grinned.

Justin. Third floor is clear.

“Shit.” Justin punched the wall. His knuckles cracked, and Halena gasped. All the floors were cleared! No ring.
And
he’d lost his bet with Halena by
one
kill.

Halena perked up and tilted her head. “Come on. We’re done here.” She grabbed Justin’s bleeding hand and tensed. “
Connard
,” she whispered.

Yeah, he was an idiot all right.

Halena absorbed his injury but didn’t let go of his hand. She guided him out the door, and within minutes, they met up with Theo and Sadie at the front of the building. “Bust.”

“I’d say. The building was clean.” Theo shook his head. “Not even a hint of anything having ever been here.”

“Beckett and Wesley?” Justin asked, removing his hand from Halena’s grasp. She’d been a little too touchy for his liking, and since she’d won the kill bet, she got to choose the prize. That had him a little worried.

“Heading back to headquarters to find out how the intel was so wrong.” Theo reached for Sadie’s hand. “Come on, love. Let’s get you out of the cold.”

“Regroup at headquarters, ten sharp.” Theo nodded at Justin. He didn’t say anything, but Justin knew by the sadness in Theo’s eyes that he’d hoped to find Yvonne as well.

Halena faced Justin and said, “I won, so I’m going to collect.”

Shit
. What was she going to ask for? He followed her down the sidewalk, hands shoved in his pockets to stave off the chill. Considering it was about two in the morning, the streets were pretty bare.

“You kicked ass,” Halena said. She rubbed her hands together and shivered. “
Merde
, it’s cold out.”

Silently, he nodded in agreement, not really sure what to say. He just wanted to go to the hotel and sleep. Usually after a battle he was geared up, needed something to come down from the high, but lately, it hadn’t been that way.

Nothing but sleep worked. Maybe it was because he saw Yvonne there. She was always smiling and laughing in his dreams.

“…what my prize will be.”

He stiffened. “Sorry?”

“I know what I want for my prize.” She smiled.

In a classic, almost elegant way, she really was beautiful, which was completely in contrast to her attitude. Long red hair rested just below her shoulders normally, but tonight, it was pulled tight in a bundle on top of her head. Some of her bright strands had fallen out, though, during battle. Smudges of soot and blood spattered her face, but her green eyes shone through it all.

Green eyes. Like Yvonne’s. “What do you want?”

“You.”

He stopped dead in his tracks. This was the moment of decision. One he’d been avoiding ever since she propositioned him about stepping in as his Mate since Yvonne was gone.

Did he want that with Halena? If he crossed this line with her, if…no, it was
when
…when she got her Mate, he’d be left out to dry.

There was a time when he’d be okay with that. Just seek his pleasure, then when it ended, it ended. There wasn’t an emotional connection.

But he was different now. Yvonne had changed him, changed his outlook on things.

“Justin?” Halena, only an inch shorter than him, stepped into his line of sight. “Did you hear me?”

He jammed his hand into his hair. “Still wigging out after the
you
part.”

She nodded for him to keep walking. “Yeah, I noticed that. Do I repulse you that much?”

“No.” He answered way too fast. It wasn’t
her
that freaked him out, it was the thought of
them
together. No, it was the thought of him with anyone but Yvonne.

“Well, good thing I just asked for a coffee date, then.” She punched his shoulder. There was the brute Shomrei warrior he knew.

It was her soft side that was most disconcerting. She never showed it, but it was actually pretty nice.

But did Halena’s coffee date come with the expectation of a little Justin for dessert?

…

Dyre pressed her back against the brick wall of the tiny coffeehouse, watching the bank from the shadows. Two more minutes and the doors should open.

She patted the slight bulge in her waistband, confirming that the passkey and code were there. Her salvation.

She hoped.

On the edge of her vision, she saw the bank lights flicker on. After one last look to make sure she was clear, she darted across the street.

Once through the open doors, she went straight to the safe-deposit box guards. The strapping, six-foot-five guy eyed her from head to toe, then nodded toward the kiosk. She dug out the card from her clutch. One swipe brought up four boxes with stars in them.

7-6-2-2.

The screen flashed green, and a lock disengaged below the kiosk. She reached in and grabbed a golden cloth bag that had two ropelike straps.

“It’s to use should you need something from your unit.” The guard waved her to him.

In silence, save the squeak of her combat boots on the slick floor, they walked fifty feet to a vault. The guard nodded toward the man behind the thick glass, and a loud buzz sounded.

Dyre flinched and looked around to make sure she was still in the clear. The guard opened the massive door, and its hinges hissed.

“You have twenty minutes.”

The bulky guard stepped aside, leaving the vault door open enough for her to slide in. It was box twenty-three. Her human birthday had been February 23.

Despite Agares’s betrayal of her, she had to acknowledge he’d been sweet to her a few times and brought her presents for her birthday. More than likely, it was to manipulate and use her, but still.

She stopped in front of the prized golden door. Holding her breath, she drew the box from its slot. It was the size of a shoebox and much heavier than she’d expected.

Setting the box on the table in the middle of the sterile gray room, she glanced around again. With her free hand, she drew out the tiny key from her pouch. It was so small she’d been worried she’d lose it the entire time. One quick turn, and the lid popped up a fraction of an inch.

She let out the breath she was holding and opened the lid.

Sparkling beneath the fluorescent lights, a jeweled ring sent splashes of rainbow across the room. She clamped the lid down and glanced around. Still clear.

She propped it open again and lifted out the treasure. Cool metal with tiny gems embedded in the gold created swirls of designs. It was huge, clearly meant for a big finger. If she put this on, she’d be able to get into anyone’s mind with just a thought. Learn their secrets. Fantasies. Nightmares.

It was rumored to possess the power of foresight to the wearer. Did she dare put it on to see if she made it to freedom?

Despite the rumors of what this Artifact did, she didn’t know for sure what would happen. It might alert someone to her whereabouts, or possibly activate some sort of curse. What if it was good for only one use? It’d be worthless to her if it didn’t work. Then again, she wouldn’t have to tell anyone. No, she needed to stay under the radar and learn more about how this thing truly worked.

She carefully slipped the ring into the bag along with her belt pouch. Threading her arms through the straps, she tightened the small bag to her back. It was eerily quiet, resembling the calm before a storm. She pulled the straps tight, then replaced the box in the wall.

She had the ring. She’d done it!

Two light steps took her to the door, and her heart stalled as she saw Pario stomping around the bank as though he owned the place, checking every corner. She ducked behind the vault door. They wouldn’t let him in here, would they?

“Sir. Do you have business here?” the guard asked. Pario must have approached him. Shit, maybe she should put on the ring? Might help her get out of here.

“My wife is in here. I know it.” The tension in Pario’s voice was palpable. Dyre held her breath. How’d he find her? “Let me in there.”

“Sir. I’m sorry. It’s not possible. The man inside can’t be disturbed.”

“Man?”

“Sir.” Another voice joined the conversation. “We must ask that you leave at once, or we will call the authorities.”

Dyre knew Pario couldn’t afford that, but would he wait outside the bank for her? Somehow he’d known she was in here. Thank Hades the guard lied to cover for her. Could she have caught a break? Demons didn’t get breaks, did they?

Pessimism crept to the surface as she flipped through scenarios in her mind as to how to get out of this bank without Pario seeing her.

She heard footfalls fading away from the vault, and she peeked around the corner. Pario’s back filled the doorframe as he barged out of the bank. She eyed the guard, and he winked.

Straightening her shirt, then tightening the makeshift backpack, she crept out. “Thank you.”

“I got a sense he was trouble. I apologize if I intruded where I should not have.”

“Ex-husband not willing to let go.” She grabbed his warm, smooth hand. “I’m thankful you covered for me.”

The way his eyes brightened when he smiled, she could tell it was genuine. If it were a different situation, she’d stay for a bit and talk with him.

Yes. Earth was well worth the risk of defying Pario, indeed.

By the looks of this guy, there would be men willing to indulge her need to touch and her desire to be touched.

Dyre hurried toward the revolving door. Toward freedom.

All she had to do was get to the other Artifacts she’d already snatched from Pario, and she might be able to bargain for her freedom.

He’d said he had three, but she’d only found the Thata and the Sword of Terentia in his drawer. Sure, the ring would have made three, but he’d made it sound as though he’d already had three.

Didn’t matter.
She
had three Artifacts, and she needed to stay focused to make it out of this alive.

Looking up and down the sidewalk as best she could through the revolving door, everything appeared clear, but she waited until a group of tourists passed by before hopping onto the sidewalk. Disappearing in a crowd was much easier.

The cold air bit at her face, and she drew in a frigid breath, shoving the worry from her mind. Almost there.

Almost free.

Gasps from the tourists surrounding her yanked Dyre’s attention to the side. Pario stalked down the alley toward the group, eyes fuming and fangs dropped.

The crowd scattered, knocking into her. She flowed with them, glancing over her shoulder, but Pario was upon them in a blink.

Screams in foreign languages surrounded her. A darkness streamed into her sight, and she growled. No. She would not let him take her. Never. She’d die first.

Knowing she’d never be able to defeat him, she grabbed her blade from her ankle holster. She’d bested the two minor demons from the roof last night, but Pario, he was one of the highest-level demons. Strong.

And so very old.

“I knew I saw you sneak into that bank.” He grabbed her arm just above the elbow and tugged. “You can’t escape me, Dyre. Ever.”

She swung the blade and sliced through the chest of his jacket, but his grip only tightened. He spun with her, and she found herself deep in the alley. The light of the morning sun trickled down, but they were isolated. Alone.

Damn it, he was going to get the ring.

But he didn’t know where the others she stole from his room were. That, at least, gave her something to grin about.

“What do we have here?” He reached for the strap of her bag.

Deflecting his advance, she poked at him. He grabbed her by the neck and propped her against the brick wall, effectively immobilizing her more than a foot off the ground. She kicked up, hoping to hit the vulnerable spot. Too bad she missed, because his grip tightened. Much longer and he’d snap her neck for sure.

He ripped the bag off her shoulders and released her. She landed on her feet but was met with an iron fist to her cheek. It spun her around and rammed her into the wall, face-first. White lights exploded in her vision as she sagged to the ground.

“I knew you were hiding something from me. You’re beginning to be more trouble than you’re worth.” He stalked forward, dagger in hand and eyes flaring blacker than pitch.

He’d crushed her larynx, so she couldn’t say a word. Every breath felt like razors. A salty, copper-tasting warmth oozed into her mouth, and she felt it creeping down her face, too.

“I’ll take my chances on finding the other Artifacts on my own, you human wannabe.” He towered over her and plunged the dagger into her neck.

“Hey!” A deep-timbred voice pierced through Dyre’s fear and the pain radiating through her neck and shoulder. It was soothing but determined. Familiar.

Pario ducked, and a blade sparked off the brick, inches from Dyre’s face, but somehow he kept his lethal weapon deep in her neck.

A man with jet-black hair and blue eyes sprinted toward Pario. “I knew I saw your piece of shit face around town.”

A woman with long red hair sprinted toward them, another dagger in hand. Mavet? Was that a Mavet dagger?

Darkness swam around Dyre’s eyes, filling them like a tide overwhelming the shore. Pario’s blade shifted in her neck, painfully slow, and he sliced the weapon across her throat.