Marked by Hades (21 page)

Chapter Thirty-Seven

“I don’t see your Mark.” Theo elbowed Justin as they approached the hidden splice Dyre said would lead them to Evania.

“Didn’t work.” They’d touched more than they ever had last night. It took all of Justin’s strength not to make love to her. While he enjoyed their time together and felt refreshed from it, he was sad he didn’t get his Mark.

It felt as though he never would. “We’ll get answers from this Evania. I vow it.” Theo slapped his back.

And hopefully, the green he’d seen—or thought he’d seen—come through Dyre’s pitch black eyes would be permanent. He didn’t dare get his hope up, but it was starting to soar, regardless how hard he tried to stomp it down.

“Any whereabouts on Pario?” Hopefully changing the subject worked to distract him.

“No, but there was an ancient burial site vandalized in Egypt. The local Gatekeeper, Adjo, sensed a splice, but when he arrived, it was already trashed.” Theo pushed some tree branches out of the way as they navigated the overgrown path to the splice. “Does she know where she’s going?” Theo nodded ahead to Dyre.

“Yeah. It’s one of Aggie’s secret splices.”

“Damn it. Those demons are getting too powerful.”

“That’s why you have a Mate 2.0, brother.” Justin nodded to Sadie. “You two are going to clean things up.”

“You’re treading new territory, too, brother, with your choice of Mates.”

“Choice. You’re funny.” Justin smiled. “The Great One sure knows how to pick ’em, doesn’t He?”

“Indeed.” Theo nodded his head. “But back to Pario. It’ll take Adjo some time to see if anything was stolen, but my guess is there was.”

“Artifact,” Justin said.

“I’ll be interested to see what was taken and its power.”

“At least we have three of the seven.”

“Here.” Dyre slowed. “It’s just past these trees.”

Theo and Justin stepped in front and peered through the foliage.

“Let’s hope there isn’t a rock monster on the other end of the splice like there was when I escaped.” Sadie smacked Dyre’s shoulder.

She grinned. “Sorry about that.”

Theo growled.

“Stuff it, Gatekeeper,” Sadie said playfully. “It’s all good. We’re pals now.”

Justin turned his focus to the open space before them. It wasn’t much more than a patch of grass, fifteen feet by fifteen feet, hemmed in by overgrown trees and bushes. Just above the rock in the center of the space, a ripple in the air revealed the splice.

“So, this splice was created by Aggie, and it’s open for any demon to come through without detection? Anyone else know about this splice?” Theo asked.

“Yes, undetected. No. Sadie killed the only other one who knew.”

“Pario and Aggie seemed to have swapped many talents and secrets, so there’s a chance others know,” Theo said. “Why did you never use it to be free of Hades?”

“Agares told me of it after we agreed I would stay with Sadie. As my reward he would go through the splice with me and help me find a life.”

“Deceptive little bugger,” Sadie said.

“Yep. Now get ready. Demons were crawling all around her house last night. This could get messy.”

Theo drew out his Mavet, as did Sadie. “I’m ready to send a few of them to ashes for eternity. How about you, love?” He winked at his Mate.

“Bring it.” She stepped behind Dyre. “I’ll cover our backs. Theo, you got lead?”

“As you would say, love,
Bring it
.”

They all laughed, then a hush fell over them. Justin tossed up a quick prayer to The Great One for safety and another one that they’d find the cure for Yvonne’s punishment—
er
—Dyre’s punishment and bring Yvonne home safely.

There was a phantom ache in his neck that needed tending to.

“Three…two…one…” Theo surged into the splice.

After seconds of wind, howling, and frigid air, Justin landed on a hard granite surface. Dyre bumped into him, but stayed upright. Sadie brought up the rear, Mavet at the ready.

“Clear,” she whispered.

Theo led onward, staying close to the shadows of the trees—if that was what you could call them. No leaves. Only warped, tangled limbs that were smooth as stone and had pointed tips on the branches. They were more like overgrown thorn bushes.

The ground beneath Justin’s boots crackled with dry, brittle twigs. The typical orange Hades sky beamed above them, no sun or clouds, just…orange.

Heat streamed over him, sending sweat coursing down his face within seconds.

Tiny fingers gripped his belt loop, and he looked back. Dyre winked.

Hope flared deep in his chest, despite the black demon eyes that stared up at him.

“There,” she whispered and pointed up ahead. “See it?”

A small, run-down house came into view. The door was propped open, hanging crookedly. Smoke skirted out a broken window to the left of the door. “Shit.”

“It wasn’t like that last night,” Dyre said.

Theo stopped, holding up his hand, and ducked. Silence pounded like a kick drum in Justin’s head. Smoke spewed from the chimney as well, but it seemed too thick.

No, that was smoke from the roof.

“There were at least twelve demons here yesterday,” Dyre said.

The thought of Dyre facing them alone ignited an inferno of rage in Justin.

“I have trouble sensing since we’re here in Hades, but I don’t pick up any demons within our vicinity.”

“Me neither.” Sadie inched up beside Theo and touched his hand. The customary illumination around the contact point ignited. “Nope. Still nothing.”

Justin envied their connection.

Theo waved them forward. Sadie stayed by Theo’s side, and Dyre was beside Justin. Shattering glass rang out from behind the broken door.

They froze, Justin grabbing Dyre’s wrist. A strange Celtic language streamed out from the house. A window to the right of the door shattered, spraying shards of glass onto the dirt lawn.

They all ducked.

“Someone’s angry,” Theo said.

“What was said?” Justin asked.

“I’d rather not repeat it in front of the females.”

“I can’t interpret foreign languages unless I read them.” Sadie frowned. “But I can tell the guy’s pissed.”

Theo led onward and motioned Justin and Dyre to head around the north side of the structure.

The front door burst off its hinges, shards of wood spitting through the air like tiny wooden stakes. Justin pushed Dyre to the ground and covered his face with his arm. Some made it through the leather, stinging his skin.

Theo roared and charged.

Sadie followed.

Justin stayed outside, surveying the surroundings with Dyre. “What the hell?”

She shrugged, picking out some toothpick-sized pieces from her shoulder.

A figure soared through the air and landed about two feet from them with a puff of dust. The guy groaned and rolled onto his side, fangs dropped, but he didn’t get up.

A scrawny guy, not much for a demon.

“Zander?” Dyre said.

“Dyre!” The demon pushed up, and Justin stood in front of her. “Damn you.”

“Who is this?” Theo strode from the broken house.

Zander turned a circle, then planted his attention directly on Justin’s Mate and pointed. “You! You and your boyfriend, Pario. This is all your fault.”

“What happened, Zander?” Dyre stepped out from behind Justin.

“Pario’s demons came and destroyed everything in here. Her magic, spells, instruments. Everything.”

“Who is this, Dyre?” Justin asked, still keeping his focus on the rail-thin demon.

“Zander. Evania’s apprentice.” She looked to him. “What were Pario’s guys looking for?”

“Besides you?” He kicked the dirt and spit. “Damn Gatekeeper and his iron fists. If I were stronger, I would have turned you into a…rat or something.”

Theo laughed, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Look, Zander, we’re not here to hurt you or Evania. We need to talk with her,” Dyre said.

“About what? You’ve brought us enough turmoil,
Dyre
. You pathetic demon. I—”

Justin growled and stepped toward the mouthy, skinny excuse for a demon.

“Growl all you want, Shomrei.” He turned his focus to Dyre. “Why are you here?”

“We need to talk to Evania and find out what she did to lift Lucifer’s punishment.”

“Want to get back to Yvonne, do you?” The demon lifted his eyebrow.

“Yes.” Her voice held a hint of desperation, exactly what Justin was feeling.

“Well. You can’t talk to her.” He gestured to Evania’s smoldering house. “She’s gone.”

“Where can we find her? We need the magic she did reversed immediately,” Theo asked.

Zander’s shoulders slumped forward. “You can’t find her…she’s dead.”

…

“No!” Dyre fell to her knees, tears instantly springing. “No. She can’t be gone.”

“It’s all your fault. This lies on your shoulders. Yours and your boyfriend’s.” Zander stormed around Theo and into the house.

“Shit,” Theo said.

Justin rubbed her back, but it gave her little reassurance. The only one who could reverse the magic was dead. Dead because Pario had dragged her into this. She’d warned them all that what Pario had made her do would be the death of her. Of them all. And she was right.

“There’s got to be someone else who can help,” Justin said. “We’ll search above. There are many magical beings roaming earth.”

“Justin’s right.” Sadie inched closer. “We’ll figure this out.”

“We should go,” Theo said. “I don’t like being down here any longer than need be.”

“What about Zander?” Dyre asked. “We just leave him here?”

“He’s a demon, what do you want us to do?” Theo asked.

“He’s all alone now.” She stood, holding on to Justin’s hand. “Maybe…what if he could help us on earth? Help us find someone magical. We could bring Evania’s spell books—oh, they destroyed them all.”

“Yes. Yes. I’ll go. Can I?” Zander darted through the doorway, looking directly at Theo as if he were the decider. “I can help.”

“How?” Sadie stood next to her Mate. “How can you help?”

“I just can.”

Dyre looked to Theo, then Justin.

“I don’t want to be here when Lucifer is overthrown. I’ll help you prevent it. I can do some magic. Scry for things. Artifacts, right? You’re searching for Artifacts?”

“What do you know of it?” Justin asked, tightening his hold on Dyre.

“Only what Evania told me.” He stood straight. “But I won’t say another word until you agree to let me come with you.”

“I could force it from you, demon.” Theo’s fangs dropped. “I don’t need you to voluntarily offer me the information.”

The little demon flinched, and Dyre knew Theo was prying into the demon’s brain.

Zander shut his eyes and squeezed. Theo grunted, then a smile curled the corner of his mouth. “Nice job, little one.” He looked at Sadie. “Did you get anything?”

“He won’t hurt a fly.” She grinned. “And if he does, then we’ll introduce him to Mr. and Mrs. Mavet.”

Theo laughed, and it echoed off the trees. Sure, they could laugh. They were mated and had their Marks. Dyre had a Mark, but it wouldn’t transfer to Justin because she was demon.
Shit
. And Evania was the only one who could fix that.

“See. I can do some things.” The demon jutted out his chin, then leered at Dyre. “And Evania shared much with me.”

He held her gaze for several long breaths but said nothing. “What do you know?” she whispered.

“There’s still a chance to get your heart’s desire.” He shook his head. “But that’s all I’m saying until I’m topside.”

“Theo, please,” Dyre pleaded. “If he knows something…”

“Go pack a bag,” Theo said. “And bring anything that might be useful. We must restore Yvonne.”

Zander grinned. “I do know a thing or two about that.” He darted into the house, and clanks and shattering glass followed.

Dyre turned to Justin, hope sparking again. “Maybe there’s hope yet.”

“Or he’s lying,” Theo said.

“But if he is…” Justin shook his head. “I’ll chance touching a Mavet just to slam it into his chest.”

The protectiveness and desire pouring off him warmed her heart. Soon she’d be with her Mate.

But could they trust this witch?

Chapter Thirty-Eight

“It was the Bracelet of Aoratos that Pario stole from that ancient burial site.” Theo slapped a file folder onto the kitchen table. “Renders the wearer invisible.”

“Great. A psychotic demon with a bracelet that makes him invisible.” Justin slumped into the wooden chair.

He had run out of patience. Two days had passed, and Zander still hadn’t told them anything useful.

The gangly demon paced the tile in front of the refrigerator, biting his nails. He was only five foot ten, but so skinny he looked taller. He had traditional black demon eyes, his skin was the color of cocoa, and he had black vines inked around his left wrist. The sign of his Mekhash clan.

Justin wanted to slug the guy, force him to talk, but Theo said to give him a few days.

The previous two nights, when Dyre and Justin were close, some memories from their time together before trickled through, but Zander had no real answers why this was happening.

No, Justin was certain the scrawny bastard had answers but was just stalling. Testing Theo’s vow to keep him topside if he aided them.

“Zander. What do you know about the bracelet?”

“Nothing. Never heard of it.” He stopped pacing and looked at Justin with wide coal-black eyes.

“I’m starting to doubt your usefulness.” Theo pinned him with a stare. “We’ve given you two days. We’ve proven ourselves cooperative with you. Even took you to town to mingle with humans.”

“You’re right. You have proven yourselves honorable.”

Dyre sat up in the chair, eyes wide.

Zander trained his focus on Justin. “You’ve not inherited your Ahavah despite touching Dyre.
”

“Captain Obvious strikes again.” Justin was going to pound him in about two point five seconds if he didn’t start talking.

“I wasn’t there when she actually worked her magic on you, so I know only what she shared with me after she returned. Tell me what happened.”

Dyre stood. “I don’t remember getting to Evania’s.”

“You weren’t at her house. Pario dragged her topside to do the spell. Told her it wouldn’t be detected beneath his cloaked compound. If they’d done it in Hades, Lucifer would surely find out.”

“Cloaked. That’s why we couldn’t find it for so long,” Sadie said.

“Go on, Dyre,” Zander said.

“I remember Agares, enraged about my helping Sadie, then darkness, unbelievable pain, and then…waking in Pario’s bed. He said I’d been stripped of my demon as punishment for helping Sadie, and that I’d become human. So he’d gotten Evania to reverse the punishment. To bring me back.”

Zander drew in a deep breath. “Dyre betrayed Agares by helping the Gatekeeper’s Mate, and it resulted in the death of an upper-level demon—Agares. The Council instituted high treason. Had Lucifer boot you out of Hades.”

“We know all this, Zander. Quit stalling.” Justin let out a low growl.

The wimpy demon flinched, his face blanching. One thing was for certain, he wouldn’t hurt a fly, as Sadie had said.

“Lucifer himself is the only one who can institute such a punishment.”

“But I wasn’t only stripped of my demon, I was cursed with a lethal touch.”

“Yes. You were returned to your human form…but not.”

“Hell on earth for an empath, not being able to touch anyone,” Justin said.

“Yes. An empath. That makes sense. You feel things so intensely. Crave communion with others, interaction.” Zander grinned. “I remember Evania mentioning that. She was sure you’d go mad without physical contact within months of your punishment.”

Dyre glanced at Justin. “But I could touch Justin.”

“That baffles me. The only one capable of bypassing Lucifer is The Great One Himself.” Zander shook his head. “That’s the only thing I can think of.”

“The Great One? What’s he want from me?”

“I’m sure we’ll find out,” Zander said. “Anyway. When Pario came to Evania with the order to reverse Lucifer’s punishment, she tried to tell him she couldn’t do it. She was the most powerful witch in Hades. Once served Lucifer directly and often consulted for him on a contract basis. But even she couldn’t do what Pario was asking.”

“What are you saying?” Dyre’s hands gravitated to her neck. “Zander?”

The timid demon glanced from Theo to Sadie, then to Justin. Finally, his focus landed on Dyre, and he let out a long sigh. “Lucifer
himself
can’t even reverse his punishment. With the Council’s blessing, along with his magic, it’s eternal.”

“Obviously not. Look.” Justin pointed at Dyre. “Black eyes. Demon fangs.”

“Yet she bears your Mark. She never tripped your demon senses, did she?” Zander inched toward the foyer entryway as if he were going to run away.

He wouldn’t get far, but Justin didn’t want to freak the guy out any further, so he stayed still. It felt as if there was something much bigger about to spill from that demon’s mouth—something he didn’t want to hear.

“What’s all this mean, Zander?” Sadie asked. “She had the Mark when she was human, during her punishment. It vanished when Evania worked her magic and reversed Lucifer’s punishment.”

“Can’t reverse it.” Zander stopped. “Not permanently, anyway.”

“What?” Dyre’s eyes were wide, fixed on Zander.

“Evania’s magic will fade. It started fading immediately after the spell was cast.” Zander let out a breath. “You’ll be Yvonne again.”

“So the memories trickling through are actually bits of Yvonne returning?” Dyre asked.

Justin’s heart zinged with electricity as he looked at her. Right now her eyes were black as night, but they’d flickered green before. He hadn’t imagined it.

“Evania said that if you survived whatever Pario had in store for you, her magic would fade within the year.” He offered a sad grin. “And that she hoped you fried his ass.”

“My eyes are flickering green, the color Yvonne’s used to be, when I have those memories.” Her smile grew until tiny creases formed near her eyes. A full-face smile. Total happiness.

Justin couldn’t wait to see those green eyes again. He’d grown addicted to them before she’d turned herself over to Pario. And the little tease he’d gotten of them had been torturous, but maybe soon he’d see them permanently.

Justin skated his hand across the table and snagged hers. “So all we have to do is wait out Evania’s magic.”

“And dodge an invisible, ticked-off rage demon.”