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I realize that he only sees me in my mortal form, my wings hidden from his sight. “I’m not sure yet.” I might need another couple of minutes to summon my bravery. Why am I afraid to face Dagan? I’m just as powerful as he is. He won’t hurt me. He needs me.
And unfortunately, I need him. Because if Adriel was the one who offered me as a bride to him for whatever reason, he has the answers. He will know exactly why Adriel did it, and I can use him as a buffer. I can use him as a bridge to get back to Heaven or at least to get into contact with my treacherous superior.
“Mr. Dagan is waiting for you. He has reserved a table on the rooftop, booking the entire restaurant to be alone.” The man takes a step back, his face twisting with his words.
I aim my blade and rush him, startling the man so badly that he stumbles and falls to his backside. Why didn’t I know this man was a demon? Why didn’t I see the Hell coursing through his veins?
I point my dagger at his chest. “You don’t belong on this plane,” I say, baring my teeth with my anger.
The demon scowls, flashing his true form at me. Fire lights his eyes and he growls. “Neither do you—”
A shock of fire blazes across the lobby, opening the floor a few feet away. A chain of fire snakes from the ground, wrapping around the demon, dragging him into the bowels of Hell without me even moving an inch. The floor closes, leaving the stench of sulfur and rotting eggs behind, and I cover my mouth with my hand, swinging my attention around the lobby.
Dagan stands at the elevator, a charming smile stretching across his handsome face. It’s as if his arrival steals away my ability to move or think or do anything. All I can think about is the kiss we shared, and the lust ignited in me that caught River in its net as well. My body buzzes and I force myself to break eye contact. Shaking my head, I force the unwanted thoughts away and tighten my grip around my dagger. I use my anger to push myself forward. I can’t let him think I’m weak. He needs to know that he can’t mess with me. I’m a warrior of Heaven and not his queen.
“My warrior, what a pleasant surprise. One of my pathetic Hell slaves informed me you’d be coming.” Dagan steps closer to me, rubbing his hands together and igniting fire in his palms.
I match his with my own, gathering all my strength to ready myself to fight if I have to. Because if he doesn’t give me the answers I want and need, this situation is pointless.
“Adriel cast me from Heaven to be your bride,” I say, finally composing myself enough to stride forward.
Something shifts in Dagan’s gaze, and if I didn’t know any better, I would think it was a blip of fear crossing his expression as he takes a step back. His muscles shift and move, pressing against the fabric of his luxurious suit, showing off a corded vein in his neck, bulging as he tenses in preparation to fight my attack with his own if it comes to it.
“Why? What did he get out of it?” My rage ignites my power, and it spills from my hands, shooting in Dagan’s direction like a river of fire and revenge, wanting nothing more than to devour everything in its path, especially Dagan.
“Riella, settle down. You’re going to set this place ablaze if you don’t, and I have just settled in. Why don’t we discuss this like reasonable beings, and you join me for dinner on the rooftop? I’m sure you must be hungry. I’m famished. This blasted plane really messes with one’s corporeal body, doesn’t it?” Dagan manifests a shield, blocking the fire and protecting himself before extinguishing it completely.
I summon my sword and point it at him, deciding that it’s probably best to do hand-to-hand combat against a Prince of Hell, who understands and knows how to use hellfire, unlike myself. “Don’t speak to me as if we’re friends. I need answers. If you don’t give them to me—”
Dagan rushes me, his movements so quick that all I have a chance to do is grab onto the front of his suit and swing him toward the wall. His closeness awakens something startling inside me, and I gasp and take an automatic step back. I like his closeness too much. It nearly draws me in to the point where I might’ve kissed him if I stay even a second longer. What is wrong with me? Why is it that I feel such attraction to such a monstrous entity?
“If you want answers, then you must join me. I promise I won’t drag you to Hell today. I’m actually rather fond of this plane, more than I realized. So please, be a good little warrior and join me. I have even picked out a dress for you.” Dagan waves his hand, sending flames across my body to eat away at my jeans and T-shirt, leaving behind a formal emerald dress with glittering crystals over the bodice. It hugs my curves and leaves nothing to the imagination, the front dipping low to show off my cleavage.
Exchanging my sword for my dagger, I jab into his side, stabbing him. “How dare you use your Hell power on me.”
Dagan grabs my wrist and yanks my blade free of him without trying to steal it, his features twisting with his anger, but he doesn’t lash out at me. Instead, he says, “It had to be done. It’s a formal occasion, and I can see that the blasted human hunters have already left an impression on you, teaching you to settle for their...lack of class and appreciation of the finer things of the mortal world.”
I don’t know what to say to him, so I just continue to glare, threatening him with the fire flickering across my palm in one hand and my dagger in the other.
“But don’t worry, my warrior. That’s an easily fixable thing. Those hunters will realize that you are out of their league. They cannot have a claim on you for you will be my bride,” he says, smiling with the words. Motioning toward the elevator, he encourages me to step forward with him.
As if my feet have a mind of their own, I follow his lead, my fire and dagger vanish, my body still going wild by his presence. He rests his fingers against the crook of my elbow, assuring I don’t change my mind. I step onto the elevator, turning to stare at the empty lobby.
“Don’t think I won’t cut your heart out and send you to Hell if you try anything, Dagan. I’m only here out of necessity. I’m well aware that you are using this to your advantage but know that I’m not and I will never be your bride. Those hunters are mine. If you so much as even breathe on them, I’ll cut you apart. I’ll feed you to the hounds of Hell.”
Dagan grins at me. “So feisty. I love it. I’m sure we can...work something out that will be advantageous to both of us. All I ask of you right now is to call a truce. Keep the hunters out of my business, and I will give you some answers.”
I don’t miss the fact that he doesn’t say he will tell me everything, which means I’m going to have to be picky about what I need to know.
“A temporary truce,” I retort, pulling my arm out of his grasp.
Again, he smirks, his face turning even more handsome with the gesture. “We’ll see about that.”
The elevator door chimes open, revealing a swanky rooftop restaurant with white leather booths and a couple of high tables. Glass lines the roof, giving us a view of the sparkling city around us. It almost looks as if I stand at the edge of Heaven, staring down at the mortal plane. It makes me feel as if I’m still in Heaven’s grace.
“Now, come on and enjoy the finest things of the mortal plane. I want to show you what is at your fingertips, my warrior. And maybe then, we can negotiate a deal.” Dagan touches my lower back, nudging me forward.
My heart flutters at the same time that it sinks into my stomach, my body and mind at war. I shouldn’t be so close to a demon. I shouldn’t be making a deal at all.
