“Come quickly, thing of Creed’s.”
I bit my lip to keep from snapping and followed. Once inside, my eyes took a moment to adjust to the light. The saying Creed had muttered about being in Kansas popped out, making Kyrene smile.
“Not what you expected? I may be a demon, but I do like my creature comforts. Make yourself comfortable.” The demon disappeared behind a sliding door.
Low, comfortable-looking chairs in hues of blues and pale pinks were so at odds with what I’d expected. I was still standing when Kyrene returned.
“I am sure you are hungry, but I don’t think my blood is good for your kind. I also can’t get any for you. The best thing to do is wait for Creed. He will come for you.” She flopped onto a huge chair, one that swallowed her small frame and looked as if she used it a lot.
“How do you know he’ll come for me?” Taking the seat across from Creed’s sister, I waited.
Kyrene smiled, a chilling expanse of her lips. Her teeth looked human. “Palease. You are here. He will come. The question is, how did you get here? Which I happen to know the answer to. Why haven’t you asked that one?”
“Alright, I’ll bite. How did I get here, and how do you know the answer to that?” If she were the one who brought me here to lure Creed back, I would kill her, and to hell with the consequences.
“Ah, I can see the wheels turning in your head. Yes, I did facilitate your return. You see, I, too, am a dream walker like you. I didn’t know you were my Halfling’s Chosen when I snatched you from your dreams. Old Satan Dearest left that littletidbit out, the bastard. I was to take you straight to him, but something had me stopping for a chitchat with you first, luckily for you.” She flicked a piece of lint off her shirt.
I unclenched my jaw. “So, you are his what…errand girl? You do as Daddy says?”
Kyrene’s eyes flashed to an eerie shade of red. “Watch your mouth, or I’ll send you to him without a backward glance.”
Standing, I glared down at the other woman. “Go ahead and try it.” I allowed my body to partially shift, readying for battle. No way in all the realms would I go without a fight.
“Fuckidyduck, I hate being good. It’s so much better just to snatch and kill. But no, I have to grow one of those conscious things,” she mumbled.
“You mean a conscience?” I watched as Kyrene began pacing, prepared to battle if the need arose.
Nodding, the demon waved her hand. “Whatever the word is, I don’t like it. Creed has been a very bad influence on me. My mother said he would be the death of me.”
“Your mother sounds lovely,” I muttered.
“She is very far from lovely. Trust me, you don’t want ever to meet her.”
I shuddered, knowing the other woman’s words were probably true.
I had been in and out of Hell for thousands of years, but usually of my own volition. The only time I’d needed help leaving was the last, and I’d never tried to enter without alerting anyone. I was the bastard son, feared by just about everyone, and with good cause. Now, I was taking in three beings who were so farremoved from ones who should be there, most likely on a deadly mission, yet I truly gave less than no fucks. Yeah, I was a bastard. The only thing I cared about was finding Raina and securing her safety. I’d then do my damnedest to ensure the men with me made it out alive, if not a little worse for wear. I owed them at least that much.
“Alright, men. Don’t talk to the locals. Don’t eat the locals. Don’t let the locals eat you. Any questions?” I asked once our feet hit solid ground.
Lucas raised his hand, but Kellen placed his palm over his face. “Shut it, or so help me, I will not be responsible if only one of you can make babies in the future.”
The man placed his hand over his dick. “I thought we were friends.”
Kellen shrugged. “I haven’t killed you yet.”
Damien looked up at the black sky. “Why?”
Fed up, I began walking. “Try to keep up and shut up for the love of all.”
Through my bond, I searched for traces of Raina. The fact we were unable to exchange essences pissed me off, making me damn everything I’d come from, all because of the fear of what my blood would do to her. My mind reached for hers.
Frustration ate at me. “Can either of you reach her?”
“Let me try?” Damien’s eyes swirled with power, flashing red.
Lucas jerked next to him, his body the exact replica of Damien’s. “What the hell is a Gallo demon?”
“She is with a being named Kyrene, but she isn’t sure if she is friend or foe. They escaped the Gallo but said they were searching for them.”
