Red Blooded

It wouldn’t be a pretty life, it would just be one with less torture.

“And why wouldn’t I plot my revenge?” Selene asked, hands going to her hips. “It will be my life’s quest to get off this wretched plane and have my retribution. Nothing will change that.”

I took a step closer. “No you won’t.”

“Like hell I won’t,” she insisted, snarling at me.

“Nope,” I said. “Because you’re going to swear an oath to us you won’t. And for helping you escape this ongoing torture, you will forswear your revenge on us. Plus”—I rolled my eyes—“it’s not exactly revenge when you’re the one who started it. This is all on you. Keeping that in your mind would be incredibly helpful.”

“I will swear no such oath,” she snapped. “I refuse to stay in this hellhole and you can’t force me to say the words.”

“Selene,” I explained as patiently as I could, “we’re talking about giving you a gift, and in return you will help us defeat anything we encounter on the way. The Sholls is actually the perfect place for you.” I waved a hand in front of her unhealed face and shaved hair. “You should be able to start a new life… in a cave somewhere… we know how you love them. But if you stay here you will be killed again and again and subsequently come back again and again.” Exasperation leaked around my voice. “And it wouldn’t hurt you to take some time out to figure out why you’re such a stone-cold witch.” Before she could interject, I put my hand up. “And, really, it’s the only option you’ve got so stop arguing.”

“Jessica is right,” Lili offered. “You infuriate the Prince and your very nature makes you highly uncooperative. No one can discipline you adequately, and since you cannot die, you will get no relief in Hell. It will continue to be… hell. It’s my guess that you haven’t seen the worst of our tortures yet or you would not be opposed to leaving. I would choose the Sholls over the Underworld if I were not welcome here. It’s a gift to get such an opportunity.”

Rourke crossed his ample arms over his chest, matching my stance. “Why are we standing here making deals with her? She needs to suffer for what she did to us. Daily. I say we give her back to the guards. Or tie her up here and let her be found.” His eyes yielded a kaleidoscope of emotion; likely he was remembering what he’d gone through under her ministrations.

The man had a point.

“If we could kill her, I would agree with you,” I answered. “But if the Prince can’t, I don’t think we’ll be successful. The Sholls is no picnic, believe me. She will have a hard time carving out a place for herself, but she will be out of our hair with no chance of escape.”

Ray stepped in. “What if I took her soul? She might die then.”

Selene stamped her foot, reiterating how childish she’d always been. She was the quintessential supernatural who’d never grown up. “You can’t make decisions for me when I’m standing right here.” Her fists were balled. She was infuriated she had no power, and she knew that if she struck against us, it would be futile. But if she could’ve, she would’ve blasted us all without a second thought. “I will not let any of you manipulate me like this.”

I gave her my full attention. “Would you like to continue your happy fun time in Hell? Or would you like another option? I think we all deserve medals for even discussing this.” No supernatural I was aware of knew anything about the afterlife. There were ghosts, but no one knew what really happened when a supe died a true death. “My mate wants to leave you for dead, but if we could give you true death would you take it? Or do you prefer the option of fending for yourself in the Sholls?”

“I prefer neither,” she cried as she launched herself at me.

Old habits die hard.

I swatted her away like a mild irritant. It was hard to remember her in her former glory. She hardly resembled the porcelain doll full of vigor who had just, a short time ago, made my life a living nightmare. My wolf snarled at my humanness, which she considered my weakness, wanting me to end Selene once and for all. In the realm of the supernatural, having mercy was atypical behavior.

Before she could come at me again, Ray scooped her up, keeping his arms firmly locked around her waist. She struggled for a moment and then gave up.

I met Ray’s gaze. “Do you think you can take her soul?” I turned to address Lili. “Her soul is promised to the Underworld, correct? Do we rob the Prince by having Ray reap her soul right here?” That plan didn’t sound half bad.

Lili shook her head. “Something has gone wrong with her capture anyway. I think no one here one understands why. But whatever you do, you must do it soon. We have to leave this area. It’s a miracle no demon has found us. The Princess must be keeping them occupied, but it won’t last for long.”

“Ray,” I asked. “What happens when you take a living soul?” Ray had just figured out he was a reaper, and had taken down a Strigoi, the equivalent of a vampire ghost. But he had never sucked a living soul out of a body before that I knew about.

“I have no earthly idea,” he answered as Selene started to squirm. “But my body is telling me I can do it and her soul is screaming for a release.”

I walked forward, placing a hand on Selene’s arm. She tried to shake me off. “Don’t touch me,” she snapped.

I ignored her and nodded to my brother. He moved forward and grabbed Selene’s other arm. Rourke stepped in behind me. He’d been silent but I knew this was his vote. I placed a hand on Selene’s carotid artery. She tried to move her neck away, but Ray held her still.

I sucked in a sharp breath.

“What is it?” Rourke asked.

“I know why they can’t kill her. You’re not going to believe this—but I think she’s already dead.” As I spoke I sent my magic into Selene and found darkness, with only traces of her vibrant red magic signature scattered here and there.

“What are you talking about?” Selene barked. “I’m clearly not dead, you beast! I’m alive and breathing.”

“I seems your godhood is holding on to a shell, Selene.” I shook my head. “I think the only thing left in there is your soul. You must have an incredibly strong one.”

I dropped my hand and turned to Rourke. “I can’t let Ray harvest her soul. None of us understands what’s going on here, but she’s clearly already dead. I can’t help feeling like finding her like this was supposed to happen.” I glanced at Selene. “How did you know where to find us? None of us sensed you were near. We’re some of the most powerful supes on the planet and we detected nothing from you.” I angled my head back and took in a deep breath, along with my brother, just to be sure.