Red Blooded

“If the Prince had Selene’s doppelganger spell the entrance, then there’s a good chance the clone is awaiting us in his chambers,” Lili intoned. “We must tread with caution.”

“Sounds like there’s a new mistress in town,” Tyler muttered. “And if she’s exactly like Selene”—he eyed the former goddess—“except more powerful, we’re going to have another epic battle on our hands.”

“I can break the spell in the wall. It’s enough like Selene’s,” I said, “and I’m familiar with her signature. But once it’s broken, is there a way we can quietly sneak up on this clone if she’s in there?” She had to be in there. The Prince of Hell needed a new resident spell caster to protect what was his.

Selene finally seemed to understand what we were saying and elbowed me out of the way. “If anyone is going to break this spell and kill this imposter, it’ll be me. I deserve retribution more than any of you, and think I know the best way to defeat myself.” She smacked her palms against the wall and closed her eyes.

Selene had little more than an echo of magic inside her, but as I watched, it seemed to be enough. The wall began to vibrate.

“How are you doing that?” I whispered, my head next to hers. “You shouldn’t be strong enough.”

“I created these spells. They were mine even if I didn’t wield them. This is one of my less extraordinary ones. It’s meant to mask something’s true nature. The door is here, it only seems as if it’s not.”

I stepped back and gave her room, turning to the group. “We’ve been lucky so far, no demons have found us. The Princess must still have them on lockdown, but I’m sure that will be over soon. When we get in, we deal with imposter Selene and figure out how to help the Princess defeat the Prince.”

That sounded easy, right?

Rourke gestured at Lili. “And once we get in there, I want to know exactly what’s in the new Scriptures you found, demoness.” He narrowed his eyes. “No evading our questions. We need to know what we’re dealing with and why the demons will go to war with each other—especially why the Princess of Hell is willing to help us escape. If you leave anything out, you will feel my wrath.”

Lili appeared uncomfortable. She wasn’t going to share the news willingly. I put a hand over my nose to block the increasing stink of the dead orthrus as I added, “Lili, there’s no way to get away from this. We need to know everything.”

She shifted on her feet. “What is written in the Scriptures is for demons only. We are not allowed to… share with others. It is forbidden.”

Rourke took a step forward, still bare-chested, his forearm tattoos jumping as he fisted his hands. “I don’t give a rat’s ass about your demon rules or laws. My mate’s name is written in your history books and I want to know what we’re dealing with, do you understand? I didn’t arrive in Hell to free her, only to find myself here”—he motioned around the tunnel—“for nothing. The only reason we haven’t escaped and gone back to our plane is because Jessica wants to be done with this ordeal. I agree, but only up to a point. Now it’s going to be your job to tell us what we need to know.” He bared his teeth.

She shrank back from his anger, but before she could answer, the wall wavered and the spell melted away to reveal a door.

“See.” Selene had a grim smile on her face. “I told you I could break it.”

Ray came up from behind and guided Selene by the waist, maneuvering her out of the way, and remarkably, she let him. “Great,” he said. “We’ll take it from here.”

Once she was relocated, she placed her hands on her hips. “You don’t need to treat me like a child. I’m strong enough to take my alter ego down on my own.”

“We’ll see about that,” Ray said, his face set. “We go in first, and if we need your assistance, we’ll let you know. If that lady in there is anything like you, it’s going to be one pissed-off clone.”

I glanced at the door warily. He was right. I’d already defeated Selene once and I had no desire to do it twice. “Is this the front door?” I asked Lili.

“No,” Lili answered. “We are entering from the back. If this other… woman… is indeed his new mistress, she will be keeping his house in the main rooms. If we go quietly we might gain a small advantage. Certainly she will sense us at some point—if she is indeed that powerful.”

Spoken like a true woman scorned.

Ray stood in front of the door. I glanced behind me. My brother’s face was set and Rourke appeared ready to do some damage. “Okay, let’s go,” I said. “The smell out here is killing me.”

My brother waved his hand in front of his face and then leaned over to sniff Rourke. “Jesus, dude, you need a shower.”

“Working on it,” Rourke growled. “There’s not exactly a public restroom nearby.”

“The Prince’s rooms are palatial,” Lili replied. “You will be able to clean up once we are inside.”

Ray edged his shoulder up against the door and grunted as he pushed. It gave, but only about an inch.

“What’s wrong? Is it too heavy?” I asked.

“No.” He pulled back. “There’s something blocking it from the inside.”

“If you can, try to pry it open it a little more so I can see what it is,” I told him, craning my neck around, trying to get a good angle.

Tyler nudged by me. “Let me see,” he said. “You go stand next to stinky.”

I chuckled, letting him do it, moving back by Rourke. I didn’t care how bad he smelled. I leaned my back against his chest and sighed. “Nothing can cover your natural scent for me.” I inhaled and grinned like a besotted teenager. “Molasses and cloves. Just the way I like it.”

His body rumbled with pleasure as his arms enfolded me. He leaned down to my ear. “You’re a handful, you know that?” His fingertips electrified me, sending currents of energy racing through my body.

“Mm, I know,” I replied, laying my head against his shoulder, gazing up at him. “But that’s the way you prefer it. If this were easy, you’d be bored. I know you adventurous types like life filled with action and I’m happy to oblige.”

He chuckled. “I could take nice and boring with you right now.” He growled low and ran his lips across my neck. “Long, boring… and slow.”