21 Shades of Night, page 91
All those years of different martial arts disciplines kicked in and I used the momentum of the second demon and spun him, tossing him into the first asshole. More demons came out of the woodwork and I have no idea how many I took down before the click of a hammer caught my attention. I turned toward the noise.
Lucifer held the barrel of the gun against Lebaron’s temple.
“I think that’s enough, don’t you?” he asked.
“Fuck you,” I snarled.
“Let me put it a different way. If you don’t cut the shit, I’ll blow his brains out.”
My fists clenched as tight as my jaw and I sent a glare, but when the remaining demons grabbed me, I didn’t struggle. Instead, I let them pull me into the center of the warehouse, over the dead bodies of over a dozen demons to where the chains awaited.
My chest rose and fell with the fury filling my cells, making the fear seeded in my stomach abate. Fabric ripped and I jerked my shoulder away, reviving a fraction of my fight as they stripped the shirt off my back.
A growl formed in my chest until Lucifer clucked his warning, tapping the gun on Lebaron’s temple as a reminder. When the first stab ripped through my left shoulder, a protest of pain peeled from my throat.
The burn of the platinum hook locked my ability to reason and when they pierced my right shoulder, I started spouting curse after curse, alternating between my native Greek and English. Each wrap of the chain around my arms burned and the fuckers had the audacity to laugh. There wasn’t a god damn thing I could do now and I struggled to remain standing under the crippling pain.
Lucifer gave a nod and one of his henchmen turned a crank, tightening the chains until my arms stretched to the sides.
Lebaron just stared at the spectacle, his eyes blinking rapidly and his mouth hanging open in shock. I could tell he didn’t have a clue what was coming.
“You’ve made your point. Let him go,” I said, mustering up enough anger to send a glare at Lucifer.
The report of the gun silenced Lebaron for eternity and I bit down on the flash of envy that gripped me at his quick death. What I had coming was worlds away from quick and I ground my teeth together, grasping at the fleeting fury, trying to hold onto some semblance of sanity.
Lucifer glanced into the darkness to my right and I followed his gaze. A man stepped out of the shadows. A human, and the anger came back full force, enough so I lunged against the chains, the motion creating a ripping agony in my shoulders and I thundered my discontent.
I knew exactly who this fucker was and he waltzed up in front of me, his smug expression just as infuriating as the memories of how he treated Naomi.
“You’re the asshole who sold her out,” I said, my voice raw from pain.
“Yes, and you made the mistake of intervening.”
I allowed a smile to form. “The mistake was yours.” I straightened, standing tall. I narrowed my eyes, inspecting him in a way that made him shift uncomfortably, his eyes bouncing from my face to the barbed hooks piercing my skin.
“What kind of loser sells out his girlfriend because he can’t get into her pants?”
“Shut up,” he snapped.
“And while we’re talking about that, why was it you couldn’t get her to do the deed? Oh yeah, it must be because you’re a world class dick,” I taunted, pushing his buttons and watching his aggravation grow.
“Like she would ever sleep with a vampire,” he laughed.
I raised an eyebrow and produced a knowing smile, letting my mind flow over every nuance of her. The memory gave me strength and I inhaled.
“Mhm, and she was so fucking good.”
I let the words hang on the air, enjoying the effect they had on her ex. His face turned a shade of red that I wasn’t readily familiar with, one usually reserved for heart attack victims.
“Worth dying for?” Lucifer asked.
“Yes.”
Both Lucifer and Mark blinked, not expecting my immediate answer or the smile that accompanied the single syllable.
It took a second and Mark’s face scrunched into a mask of anger. His brass-knuckle-clad fist slammed into my cheek hard enough for me to stumble back a step, but the chains kept me in place. He didn’t stop with just one swing either, and the brass knuckles he wore were platinum-plated for maximum damage.
I blinked away the gray spots in front of my vision in time to see Mark pick up a whip from the table. He had worked himself into a frenzy while Lucifer leaned against the car, watching the beating with amusement. The rest of the demon horde had spread out around the perimeter, to watch the show.
The first snap of the whip sliced a trail through my back, dropping me to my knees and forcing a bellow of anguish from me. A pain-filled haze gripped me, tearing at every cell and my gaze rose to the windows.
“Michael, keep her safe,” I whispered at the night sky and another crack of the whip followed.
The sunrise couldn’t come fast enough.
Chapter 35
Naomi
PISSED DIDN’T BEGIN to describe the fury cramping my muscles as I stomped down the breakdown lane toward the distant police strobes. The frigid winter wind tossed my hair behind me, but I hardly felt the bite of it. It wasn’t until I got closer to the checkpoint that I noticed the effect of the chill and my gaze shot to the barricade now within sight.
I slowed, listening to my internal alarms instead of barreling through like a crazy banshee. When the procession of cop cars rolled away from the scene, I caught a glimpse of the Lebaron and I almost sprinted, until I saw the driver’s profile.
A chill settled over me and I could feel the growl form in my throat.
Mark was driving the car, which meant only one thing.
They had Damian.
I took a step toward the cars and stopped, unsure of what to do next. All of my instincts told me to turn and run in the opposite direction and I knew that’s exactly what Damian wanted. He wanted to die knowing I was safe and I bit down at the flare of anger.
That’s why he ditched me.
And I was damned if I’d let him die at the hands of Lucifer.
By the time I got to where the police barricade had been, all traces of the demons and Damian were gone and the flow of traffic had picked up again. I stomped my foot on the pavement and cursed under my breath. There was only one person that I could think of that could help and I turned, crossing into the small outcrop of woods lining the road.
“Michael?” I asked, hoping I had the ability to call my long lost relative.
The wind shifted around me and I turned, meeting the angel’s questioning gaze.
“They have Damian.”
“I know,” he said, crossing his arms.
My mouth dropped open. “So, what are you going to do about it?”
His gaze narrowed. “Watch your tone with me.”
I stepped closer, leveling a glare. “You can’t let him die.”
He closed the distance, towering over me. “I can’t intervene,” he said through clenched teeth, and I caught the measure of frustration in his tone.
“Why the fuck not?” I shot back, challenging him.
“Because they have the facility marked. I can’t get in and Lucifer can’t get out.”
His answer wasn’t what I expected and I saw the anguish in Michael’s gaze instead of the anger he displayed earlier in Damian’s presence. It was almost akin to a father’s grief and I raised my eyebrows unable to voice the questions that flooded into my head.
“He was supposed to be my son-in-law,” Michael said to my questioning stare.
“So, you care about what happens to him?”
Michael nodded.
I looked down at the ground for a minute, digesting the conversation and then my gaze snapped back to his. “You know where they took him.” It wasn’t a question and when he looked away, he confirmed it.
“Take me there,” I said and Michael laughed. “I’m serious. I can get him out.”
“Damian was right about you being naïve,” he said.
“I have to try,” I whispered, my lilt on the cusp of begging. “Please.”
His lips pressed together and he shook his head. “I can’t protect you and neither can he.”
“Did it ever occur to you that I can hold my own? After all, I’ve been able to get the drop on you a number of times.”
Wings fluttered and he sighed. “If I agree to this, the first thing you have to do is find the mark that looks like this.” Michael turned and drew a symbol on the tree that looked like a complex and detailed Chinese symbol. “And destroy it.”
“How?”
“If it’s on the glass, break the glass. If it is on the wall, scratch it so you put a break in the pattern. That will allow me to get inside.”
I looked at the symbol. “And it will allow Lucifer to get out.”
He nodded and I shook my head. “I want to tear his head off myself.”
“Damian expects me to protect you,” he started and I opened my mouth to argue, but he put his hand up, stopping me. “He expects me to protect you and considering how much he has done for me over the years, I need to honor that.”
“I cannot let him die,” I said. The thought of losing him made my heart hurt, like a bullet tore through my chest, producing an overwhelming panic. “I love him.”
Michael’s eyes closed and his chin dropped to his chest. “Naomi,” he started.
“I will not let him die,” I said, the force of my words brought his gaze back to mine. “Whether you help me or not, I’ll find them and I’ll stop them.” I turned to leave and his hand clamped down on my arm.
The transition of time and space warped my brain and when I blinked, we stood at the edge of a deserted parking lot. At the far end stood a large building made of brick and glass and steel. The second floor windows were what caught my attention and I turned, meeting Michael’s gaze.
“They’re going to let him burn, aren’t they?”
Michael inhaled. “Yes, that’s if he doesn’t bleed to death first.”
I took a step toward the building, unaware that Michael still held my arm. I looked at the grip that stopped me and then up into his eyes. “Let go,” I whispered.
“You’re not going to wipe out that symbol, are you?”
I debated on giving him a line of crap but somehow I knew he’d see through me, so I shook my head. “If I can’t save him, my choice is to die with him.”
Michael’s eyes misted over and he looked at the building before returning his gaze to me. “If you get out of there alive, I expect you to keep this information to yourself. Anger works with us and has for millenniums. If he knew I loved him like a son, he might not stay on the righteous path he’s on.”
“So all your threats?”
“Were serious. If he steps over the line again, I will destroy him whether I want to or not. I made an exception with you, but I won’t in the future. He cannot spill innocent human blood.” Michael raised his eyebrows. “Neither can you.”
“I have no intention of doing that.”
He smiled and with a nod, he held out his arm, exposing his wrist to me. “If you’re damn sure you aren’t going to destroy that mark, you will need some extra magic to have a prayer of pulling this off. But understand, if you drain me, I won’t have the strength to intervene,” he clarified when I took his hand.
“You won’t die?”
Michael shook his head. “No, I’ll just be out of commission for a few days. Take what you need, child.”
I hesitated and then brought the soft flesh to my lips. His sweet scent brought forth my fangs and I bit, closing my eyes and drinking his pure blood, feeling it fuse into my muscles like an armor plate. Revelation after revelation fed into my consciousness, things he had blocked the last time I bit him, and I sighed at the depth of the angel’s mercy.
Damian’s pain-filled voice echoed in Michael’s head. “Michael, keep her safe.”
I stiffened and my eyelids flew open, meeting Michael’s gaze before my teeth retracted and my head swiveled toward the warehouse. I dropped his hand and bolted toward the building. Within two paces, I transitioned and my fury and panic melded into the perfect cocktail, giving me the speed and focus I needed.
Scanning the front of the building, I honed in on a lower level window next to the left corner and headed straight for it. The glass disintegrated the moment I launched and when I landed inside the small room, I rolled, coming to a standing position in my human form. I glanced over my shoulder and gave a nod of thanks to Michael. He returned it with a look that begged for me to be careful and then he was gone.
I stood in the dark room, letting my eyes adjust and mapping out my strategy, debating on what to enter the belly of the warehouse as. I knew my tiger form was a force to be reckoned with, but not knowing how many demons were on the other side of the office door left me at a disadvantage. I needed to get close to where they held Damian and that clinched my decision.
If they thought I was human, I’d have a better chance of getting to him.
I reached behind me, digging the gun out of my waistband and checked the clip. I had four bullets left and I inhaled, steadying myself for what would come after they ran out. I closed my eyes and flipped off the safety before stepping to the door.
A short hallway greeted me and the creak of the hinges was masked by another sharp cry. I bit down on my lip, forcing myself to move slowly instead of listening to the building panic inside my muscles willing me to rush.
I knew once the first bullet flew, my element of surprise would shatter. I stepped into the shadows and got my first look at the set up, focusing on the exterior walls instead of the spectacle in the center.
I counted a half dozen within range and steeled myself for action. Lining up the closest demon’s head in the gun sight, I exhaled and pulled the trigger. My shot was true and he went down. The burn of glares hit me and I ignored it, turning and taking out the second demon before he could step in my direction. They moved fast and I got the last two shots off before my gun clicked empty.
Tossing the useless shell away, I yanked both knives from my belt, wielding them as the demon hoard approached. My mind raced and I had to keep the strength pounding my muscles in check. Everything I did had to scream human, otherwise my chances of getting to the center of the floor where Damian was would be killed just as efficiently as I had killed the first demon.
I slashed out, giving the impression of desperation until I was overwhelmed and disarmed. They dragged me, kicking and cursing all the way to where a police car sat and a darker version of Michael stood with arms crossed and lips pressed together in an amused smirk.
I landed at his feet and glared up at him from my hands and knees.
He looked to his right and an eyebrow rose. I followed his gaze and gasped. Damian was in worse shape than he had been in the woods. The sharp hooks piercing his shoulders sent a wave of nauseous fury through me and I kept it in check, storing it away for when I made my move. When his gaze met mine, I saw defeat and sorrow that stripped my soul down to my base instincts.
“You bastard,” I snarled and scrambled to my feet, glaring at Lucifer.
Lucifer’s hand reached out and grabbed a handful of my hair, pulling me close and inhaling through his nose. “My god, she smells heavenly,” he said, glancing at Damian. “How did you not feast on this girl?”
Damian’s gaze shifted to me and he forced himself to his feet, his features morphing into a grimace and I silently swore they all would pay dearly for torturing him. I glanced at the demons surrounding us, counting a meager five left to defend the building and they were close by, watching my struggle with interest.
“She’s Michael’s bloodline,” he whispered as if it was a reason, but I could see the confusion in his expression, confusion that Lucifer mistook as pain.
“You fucked this monster?” The question shot from the dark behind Damian, and I tensed, letting my mouth drop open with just the right amount of shock. Mark stepped from the shadows, a bloodied whip in his hand and I almost changed, just for the sheer joy of ripping him to pieces.
The hand gripping my hair stopped me from doing anything rash just yet, but I had to give a show, so I lunged toward him, yanked back by the hair, allowing a stream of unladylike curses fall from my lips.
Mark threw the whip on the table and approached me, his features contorted in rage. Lucifer pushed me toward him and I stumbled, catching myself to stand tall and defiant.
“You fucked him?” he repeated, pointing at Damian.
I shrugged. “What do you care? You sold me out,” I snapped and shifted, putting enough distance between Lucifer and me so I was now out of his reach.
Mark scanned me and then gazed at Lucifer. “I want to fuck her before you kill her,” he said, just like I thought he would. The prick was so predictable.
Lucifer gave a go-ahead wave and Damian growled a warning, but I focused on Mark.
“I’d like to see you try,” I said, daring him to step within range. I closed my mouth, ignoring the pulse in my teeth and the desire to tear into this bastard. No one in the room besides Damian knew what I was and when Mark stepped forward, I nearly smiled at his stupidity.
Instead, I shifted my weight, taking a ready stance.
“You think your little self-defense classes are going to save you?” he said, laughing.
“Maybe, maybe not, but I’ll at least get a couple shots in, maybe even ruin that pretty face of yours,” I said and the vain asshole paused, nodding to the beasts surrounding us.
“You fucking coward,” I yelled when arms gripped me, holding me in place as he approached.
He stepped close, his hands grabbing my coat and pushing it over my shoulders. The grip on my arms loosened as the demons stripped the garment. I jerked away from Mark’s touch, but the demons held me in place. He squeezed one of my breasts through the camisole and grinned.
“I’ve been waiting years for this,” he whispered and his fingers trailed to my belt.
