Dark Divine (The Divinities Book 3) Page 9

  “Stop reading me, vampire.” Lex held her stare. There was a slight tease to his telepathic tone.

  She pressed her lips together to hide a smile and sent a thought back, “Just call it a healer’s instinct.”

  Willing her fangs to lower, she popped a bag of blood to them while Ayden began the meeting.

  “Teddy-Bear is missing, and now more of the Dark Divine are disappearing. Kalissa called Sindee at the law office this morning, and when she didn’t get an answer, she called her assistant. Sindee didn’t show up for work yesterday. And hasn’t called.” Ayden let out a sigh and rubbed circles on Kalissa’s back. “We know Khan wants to make an evil version of the Sinew. But why bother when he has TB?”

  “Wait,” Khloe spoke up, “Do the hounds have the Sinew on them? I thought they sent it to a secret hiding spot when they fought with us.”

  Zach nodded. “I’m hoping that is the case. We still have to go get them.”

  “It’s not your fault they’re there.” Ayden studied Zach for a moment.

  Jagger gave Zach a nod and met Lydia’s stare. “The demons were commanded to take the hounds. Samoan got to Ryn and tortured him until he spilled everything he knew.”

  Lydia’s chest tightened. “Is he…?”

  Lex growled. “He’s alive and safe for now.”

  Relief eased some of her tension. Even though she felt Ryn was off at times, she wouldn’t wish him harm. “Samoan needs to be stopped.”

  “The bitch needs to die,” Khloe added with a growl.

  Mel nodded. “At least she needs to be knocked off her throne and made to feel a fraction of the pain we’ve felt at her hand.”

  Yeah, take something from her. Make her suffer. “Kill Demetrius.”

  “I’m game.” Khloe held up a hand and grinned from ear to ear.

  Ayden shook his head. “We can’t just go in and kill him. Good gods, what is wrong with you people?”

  “Human laws don’t apply to Demetrius.” Zach ran a hand through his hair. “Just because we pledged a vow to uphold the laws and protect the humans... This is different. The demon needs to be taken out so we can focus on Khan.”

  Ayden rubbed the back of his neck then pressed his forehead to Kalissa’s shoulder. “What do you propose?”

  “Lydia and I can go in. Today. He’d never expect a daytime attack.”

  Lydia shot a glance to Zach. He was serious, and his dark elf half was showing. The war had gone on long enough. “With Demetrius out of the picture, we can work on taking out Khan. Samoan will be grieving and off her game.”

  “Fine.” Ayden Glanced over his shoulder to Lydia. “Use your curse to your advantage.”

  “I plan to.” She met Lex’s stare. “When do you leave for the Underworld?”

  “We’ll leave at sunset.”

  Lydia nodded. She was going to bring Teddy-Bear back and help search for Sindee. But she was also going to face Samoan after the demoness realized her dear ol’ dad was dead. The bitch was going to wish she’d never cursed Lydia.

  Zach and Lydia crept along the backside of Demetrius’s warehouse. The business looked closed. No one came in and out of the loading docks or the front doors. Then again, Demetrius used the warehouse for more demonic activities. Ones Zach and the others weren’t quite sure about. They didn’t know what went on.

  “Do you think Khan gave Demetrius this warehouse gig to keep him busy?”

  Lydia laughed. “I think so. But he is living on this side so he’d need money to live, too.”

  Why did she have to be so serious? Moving closer to her, he whispered, “That too, but seriously, what does he do for Khan?”

  “Besides be a pain in the ass?” Lydia smiled and then nodded to the door. “There are two Lackeys standing guard on the other side of that door.”

  The corner of his mouth lifted. Khloe had dug into the business records, and from what she could tell, no humans worked inside the warehouse. And if they did, they were most likely shells anyway. Their free will stolen by the Regals, turning them into slaves.

  They would be better off dead. Once the humans’ minds had been wiped and controlled to the extremes Demetrius took them, there was no coming back from it.

  “You ready?” Lydia asked.

  “Yep. Let’s do this.”

  With her vampire super-speed, Lydia zipped to the doors and ripped them open. The Lackey guards whirled around but didn’t have time to react before Lydia twisted both of their necks. Then she dropped their bodies like a sack of potatoes.

  Damn, she’s hot. On the heels of that thought, her head snapped in his direction, and she narrowed her eyes. Then a slow, sensual smile formed on her lips. Desire rolled from her, but it wasn’t purely sexual. She was in hunting mode. “Demetrius is here.”

  Then she darted off to the back of the building, hunting down her prey. Zach let out a soft curse and followed. A vampire on the hunt was dangerous to her and those around her. It was a good thing no one else had come with them.

  Lydia disappeared behind a door in the far corner of the warehouse. A moment later, Zach entered the same room and skidded to a halt. Two Regals and Demetrius stood over Lydia as she knelt on her hands and knees, fighting to breathe. Zach’s heart stopped for a beat and then kicked up when rage shot through his veins. Dark magic was alive deep inside him.

  Demetrius would pay for harming his mate.

  Raising his right hand, he pointed at Demetrius. Power flowed to his fingertips, causing a blueish glow that spread to cover his whole hand. “You of all people should know not to mess with one’s mate.”

  Demetrius’s eyes darkened as he narrowed them. Zach opened his empathy and searched the demon. Pain, heartache, and rage stood guard over all other emotions. He’d lost a love. Samoan’s mother perhaps.

  Zach really didn’t care. “Was it a witch who stole your mate?’

  A twitch formed in his temple. Ah. Struck a nerve. “Demetrius waved a hand, and the Regals charged forward. Zach thrust his hand out, shooting a stream of energy at the demons. The blast hit them both, sending them flying cross the room. They crashed into the wall and crumbled to the floor.

  They would only be stunned for a few moments so Zach shot out his other hand, using Demetrius’s surprise to his advantage.

  Just as the blast hit the demon, Lydia reached up and grabbed his leg in an iron grip. Demetrius roared as flames covered his body.

  When Lydia released Demetrius, Zach went to her and drew her into his arms. “Are you okay?”

  She nodded. “Take me out of here.”

  She didn’t have to ask him twice. He teleported them to his riverfront condo. The need to have her close and make sure she was okay fueled the need to search every inch of her naked body.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “For the last time, Zach, I’m fine.” Lydia moved her hips against his, drawing a moan from him.

  With a low, growl-like sound, he met her gaze. “What happened?”

  She sighed. “They must have known the moment we entered the warehouse because they were ready. My thirst for his blood and death made me careless. I was too lost in the hunt.”

  “Well, that was our focus, and the point of going there.” Zach kissed her forehead. Fatigue started to settle over him. He’d used up a lot of power in the warehouse, more than he had since the night he’d killed his father.

  Lydia cupped his face in her hands, forcing him to meet her gaze. She gave a warm, sexy smile and drew his face to hers. When their lips touched, a warm flow of magic sparked between them. The magic filled Zach, energizing and strengthening. Gathering up the energy, he pushed it back into Lydia.

  She groaned and moved against him. In the next moment, they were naked, and Lydia cupped him, rolling his balls as she rubbed. Desire fueled the magic, intensifying the power exchange between them. If she didn’t stop, he’d come any minute.

  Gripping her wrist, he pinned her arm over her head. She smiled, showing the tips of her fangs. Fuck, if he didn’t get h
arder.

  She took that opportunity to push the power back into him. He gasped as it hit him suddenly, zinging off each nerve. Damn. The rush of magic felt too good, blending with his dark side.

  Staring down at her, he pushed his hips forward, entering her as he returned the power. She arched her back and screamed out in pleasure; her orgasm washing over him like his own. That was when he realized they were fully connected. By magic, body, and soul.

  When Lydia came down from the climax, she pushed another wave of energy into him. This one hit him harder. He roared and thrust deeper inside her, feeling her milk him and bring him to his own release.

  After pulling out, he fell to his side next to her and drew her close. “I think we just completed the bond.”

  “Yep.” She snuggled into him.

  “You’re okay with that?”

  She lifted her gaze. The blue and green coloring of her eyes glowed and swirled together from the leftover magic running in their veins. “Yes. I thought I could hold off, give myself time to adjust and help end this war before committing. But I can’t deny that I’m in love with you.”

  His chest tightened, and his heart expanded. “I love you, too.”

  She kissed him quickly on the lips before saying, “We can’t celebrate until we get Teddy-Bear back and end this war.”

  “Let’s get a shower and head over to the Divinity House. I’m sure Samoan won’t wait to avenge her father’s death.” He hoped the demoness hadn’t already gathered an army.

  Samoan had just entered Khan’s chambers when it hit her. Like being punched in the gut, she gasped, and her heart clenched. An achy tightness she hadn’t felt since the day her mother died threatened to consume her; pull her into the dark void of nothingness.

  Father.

  No. She started to shake. He was gone. She felt it deep in her soul. The small thread that had connected them from her birth was severed.

  Khan appeared in front her and cupped her face. A tenderness she hadn’t expected sparked in his dark gaze. “They will pay for this.”

  She nodded, not surprised that he knew. Maybe she’d spoken her pain out loud, or their growing bond was stronger than she’d realized. She may have threatened to kill her father many times, waiting for the day he’d betray her, but that was different. “This ends.”

  A wicked half smile lifted her lover’s lips. “You have a plan?”

  “We attack the Maxville Coven, take out everyone they love. Then, when they come running, we get them while they’re down.” Rage brewed inside her, making it hard to focus and stay put.

  “I have a better idea.” Khan’s cool, silky voice calmed her a little. “We have the hounds, so we wait for them to come and get them. Let them come to us. In our realm.”

  A slow smile curved her lips. Yes, they will want their precious hounds back. “We’ll have them right where we want them. Plus, we can introduce them to your new army.”

  Snaking his arms around her, Khan jerked her body flush with his. “We have much planning to do.”

  “Yes.” Desire heated her from the inside. The glow of power in Khan’s gaze made her needy for more. More of him. She threaded her fingers through his long, black hair and nipped at his lips. “Tell me all about how we’re going to destroy the Divinities as you fuck me.”

  He chuckled and pressed his hard, fabric-covered length against her. The barrier of their clothes annoyed the hell out of her, so she willed them away. Ah, that’s better. She groaned at the skin-to-skin contact and the feel of his cock brushing her.

  Taking him in her hand, she pumped. His moan was music to her ears.

  “The witches will not die a quick death.” He plunged two fingers inside her.

  “Yes.” The Divinities would pay for everything they’d done. They wouldn’t get away with messing with Samoan’s family. She was going to enjoy torturing each one.

  Chapter Sixteen

  They’d arrived at the Divinity House an hour ago, and Zach was already ready to run out the door screaming. The emotions and tension in the house seeped through the wall he’d thrown up to block his empathy.

  “So we go in, expecting to walk into a trap. Did you really think Samoan wouldn’t know the moment her father died?” Lydia crossed her arms and worked her jaw.

  Kalissa had had another vision. However, this one didn’t make much sense, and she was still trying to decipher it with Ayden. Usually, when a Divinity was pregnant, their Divine gifts were limited. But Kalissa’s visions had been firing off almost regularly in recent weeks.

  “The demons are restless, and there was a clear attack in the vision. I just don’t know if it’s the past or the future. Or maybe history repeating itself.” Kalissa hugged her belly.

  Ayden cradled his mate close. “I’m taking Kalissa to Noah and Vanessa’s. With me, Kris, and Angelica at the coven, Noah has backup in case of an attack there. Mel, Khloe, and Jagger will be here.”

  Desiree spoke softly from the back of the living room. “Mom and a few of the Dark Divine have the Oceanway Coven secure. We sent out a bulletin on Magical Enchantment.”

  Lex materialized next to the stairs. “The demons are on high alert in the Underworld. Word is buzzing about Demetrius’s death.”

  “Now is the best time to go in, before Samoan gathers an army.” Zach ran a hand through his hair.

  With a nod, Lex turned to the back door. Zach, Lydia, and Desiree followed. Once outside, Zach glanced to the barn and an ache formed in his chest. It was strange not having Teddy-Bear pop their large heads out and make some kind of smartass comment or point out the obvious. We’re coming for you guys.

  Lex faced him, Lydia, and Desiree and then exposed the amulet he wore around his neck. “Apertus.” The single word of Latin seemed to boom through the night air. A moment later, a large oval-shaped portal appeared and opened. “This opens up to my backyard in the Underworld. Your presences will be felt. The demons in the Underworld blame the witches for trapping them there.”

  Yep, Zach knew the history. The war between the demons and witches had existed since the dawn of time. Or so it seemed. It had been a group of witches who banished the demons to the Underworld.

  They stepped through the portal into a dim, almost colorless place. There were no firepits in this section of the Underworld. However, the magic drifting on the air was heavy like an invisible layer of fog.

  “I bet there are no fairies here,” Zach muttered.

  Lydia added, “If there are, they’re mean as hell.”

  Lex was the last one to walk through the portal so he could close it behind him. Then he grabbed Desiree’s hand and moved past them without a word, leaving Zach and Lydia to follow.

  Once inside the large, two-story home, Zach led Lydia to the open living room while Lex disappeared down the hallway. Desiree hung out by the kitchen island, wringing her hands. Sadness and anger mixed with her need to find her son.

  “This isn’t her fault,” Lydia whispered to him.

  He nodded and then spoke to Desiree. “We don’t blame you.”

  She glanced at them and frowned. “All the power I have, and I couldn’t detect a demon when I really needed to.”

  Lydia grunted. “Samoan isn’t a full demon. She fooled all of us.”

  Desiree shrugged. “I guess.”

  They fell silent for a few moments before Desiree changed the subject. “Lex says this used to be Hecate’s house before Khan took over.”

  Zach nodded. He could feel the goddess’s magical signature lingering in the air. He wandered if she came here to visit. “I can feel her here. It’s empowering. Like she’s with us.”

  “Because she is,” Lex said as he entered the living room with an armful of rolled maps. “She can’t enter this realm anymore. Khan banned her from it when she refused to help him tear down the veils to the three worlds. But she can be here in spirit.”

  He pointed to a large onyx sphere on the top shelf of the bookcase to their right. Zach studied it for a few moments
. Magic swirled around it, protecting it. “Is it risky to have it here?”

  “No. It holds no magic. It’s just a link to her. And the only way she can enter this realm if she has to.” Something is the Death Demon’s tone left a sour taste in Zach’s mouth.

  “And what happens if she has to?”

  “The punishment for breaking the banishing spell is death.”

  Lydia sucked in a breath, and Zach closed his hand around hers. Hecate loved her witches and her other children. She’d sacrifice herself to protect them.

  Lex rolled out two of the maps on the small, round table in the middle of the room. “There are no cell phones or Wi-Fi down here. Khan has cut all types of communications to the natural world. So we’ll do this old school.”

  Desiree stepped closer to the table as Lex started explaining the layout. “Khan’s castle is there.” He pointed to a spot at the foothill of a mountain. “We are here.” He placed a finger on an area not far from the castle.

  “Close, then. What about security?”

  Lex smirked and pulled out the second map from under the first. It wasn’t a map. It was the blueprints of Khan’s castle. “Jagger stole these after our village was attached. He wasn’t sure at the time why, but he said we’d need them.”

  “Nice,” Lydia breathed

  Desiree leaned in for a closer look. “Where would Matty be?”

  Zach narrowed his eyes at Desiree and opened his empathy. She wasn’t being selfish. Her heart was broken over her missing son. His safety was at the forefront of her mind. Beside him, Lydia fisted her hands. Before she could lash out at Desiree, Zach covered her hand. “It depends on Khan’s end game. That will determine where any of our loved ones are housed.”

  Lifting her gaze, Desiree frowned, and tears filled her eyes. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sound…”

  When Zach reached out to comfort her, Lex let out a warning growl. Zach lowered his hand and stared at the Death Demon. “You know I’m mated.”