The Darkest Fire (Lords of the Underworld 0.5)(10)
Author: Gena Showalter

"It is the life I am used to."

"But you deserve more!" Looking away from him, she traced a fingertip over the area he had clawed. "We had to do this. Or rather, I did. But I want you to know that if I fall, the wall will remain as it is, for it isn’t bound to me. I have been hurt many times over the years, yet it did not show signs of damage."

"I don’t care about the damn wall!"

Her eyes widened. Then she gulped and continued as if he hadn’t spoken. "Without me, there will be no one who senses when something is wrong. The gods will have to find someone new. I know you are now free, but would you remain there, vigilant, until that person is found? Even if Lucifer has already appointed a new guardian?"

"You are not going to die, damn it. Now tell me why Lucifer allowed you inside? He needs you outside."

Color fused her cheeks. Embarrassment? Guilt? "He also needs his wall protected."

Guilt, most definitely. It was there in her voice, echoing off the walls. "He could have destroyed or imprisoned the Demon Lords."

"If he could catch them."

"I’ll give you that." Geryon tapped two fingers against his chin, pondering the situation. "But Lucifer allows nothing, even those things he needs, without demanding some form of payment. What did he demand of you? And why did he allow you my services? Why release my soul? And where is my soul now, if Lucifer no longer has it?" Even as he asked the questions, a few of the answers shaped in his mind. He snarled low in his throat. "You bought me from him."

That color in her cheeks deepened. "Yes," she whispered. Her eyelids fluttered shut, the length of them casting spiky shadows over her cheeks. One of her hands rubbed at the amethyst dangling between her br**sts. "I’m not sorry, either."

Was his soul inside? "Did you buy me with…yourself?" If so, he would slay the prince before allowing one evil finger to touch this woman’s precious body.

A pause, her eyes slowly opening. Then, "No."

"Tell me." Anger was building inside of him. Anger with her, with Lucifer, with himself that this could have happened. What had this prized woman given up? Why had she given it up? He placed his hand over hers, not to hold her in place – powerful as he now knew she was, he doubted he could have done so – but to offer reassurance. He was here, he wasn’t leaving. "Please."

Her chin trembled. "I gave him a year on earth, unimpeded, to do as he wished."

"Oh, Kadence," Geryon said, knowing the other gods would have to honor her bargain – and would make her suffer for it. Everything inside him rebelled at the thought. "Why would you do such a thing?"

"To save you. To save me. To save the world beyond our reach. I could think of no other way. A single year to wreck his havoc seemed a small thing to trade in comparison to an eternity of demons roaming free." Her mouth opened, but rather than words she gave a pained cry. Quick as a snap, her skin bleached of color and she doubled over.

Concern instantly rocked him. "What’s wrong, sweet? Tell me."

"The demons…they’re at the wall. They’re…they’re killing me."

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Had Lucifer told the demons of her bond to the wall? Kadence wondered, pain slicing through her. Rather than come here to fight, they had gone there. Knowing she would weaken, die? Or, perhaps they had hoped to draw Geryon to them, leaving her here, alone and seemingly vulnerable to ambush. Or did they want her to come to them? So many alternatives.

The prince probably found the entire situation vastly amusing. He probably – a thought took root in her mind, nearly paralyzing her. If she were killed, he could have more than the agreed upon year on the earth, bartering for souls, causing untold havoc. He could have forever, if he so desired, and he could bring his demons with him, ruling his minions and humans.

He was a god, a brother to the sovereign. There was no guarantee he would be captured and sent back.

Of course, his betrayal of her hinged on whether or not he thought he could force his demons to obey him out in the open. Unless…was she the payment for their cooperation? If they didn’t know she was bound to the wall, Lucifer could "kill" her when it fell to prevent her from chasing them. They’d be grateful to him, might in turn pledge their continued allegiance to him.

Oh, gods. The possibility sickened her, for if it was true she had unwittingly helped him every step of the way.

He desired the wall’s protection, she reminded herself. At first, common sense piped up. That doesn’t mean he desires it now.

For reasons that had nothing to do with her internal pain, she couldn’t quite catch her breath. What kind of fool am I? She was so ashamed. So foolish.

"Kadence, speak to me. Tell me what’s wrong," Geryon insisted. He popped to his knees and swung around, kneeling between her legs. One of his claws gently, tenderly brushed away the damp hair clinging to her brow.

Her gaze lifted to his. Seeing him with so much concern in his beautiful brown eyes, she could not regret the choices she’d made. No matter what happened, he would be free. This proud, strong man would finally be free.

"I…am…fine," she managed to gasp out. Gods, she felt shredded inside, as though her organs were being ripped to ribbons.

"No, you’re not. But you will be." He scooped her into his arms and carried her to the back. To a room the owner must have used. He laid her on a thin pallet. "May I?" he asked, lifting the amethyst that housed his soul.

She had planned to present it to him once their mission was completed, a gift for his aid, but she nodded. Right now, there was a good chance she would not complete anything.

Slowly, carefully, he worked the stone from around her neck and placed it over his heart. His eyes closed. He was probably unsure what would happen. And at first, nothing did. Then, in gradual degrees, the jewel began to glow. A frown pulled at Geryon’s lips, and he grunted. "Burns."

"I’ll hold it for y – "

The glow exploded into a thousand pinpricks of light, and he roared, loud and long.

After the last echo sounded, everything quieted. The lights faded. Only the chain that had held the jewel remained in his hand.

His frown was lifting into a smile as his eyes opened. But when he studied his arms and then his body, the frown returned, deeper, more intense. "I should have…I did not…I had hoped to return to my former visage."

"Why?" She loved him, just as he was. Horns, fangs, claws and all. Wait – loved? Oh, yes. She loved him. She had considered it before, but had discarded the idea. Now, there could be no discarding. The emotion was there, undeniable as Death stared her in the face.