19. Damon

Chapter 19

Damon

E lliott and I stood at the rear entrance of the warehouse, waiting to initiate my plan. My tentative allies had promised to be here five minutes ago, and I was beginning to wonder if all my efforts had been for nothing. Demons were typically honorable. They wouldn't make a bargain they didn't intend to keep.

But they weren't here.

I eyed the black onyx stone laying on the ground a few feet away. It was the marker my allies would use as a locator. Their portal from the Underworld should've already opened.

But it hadn't.

A surge of fae magic shook the warehouse, startling me. Elliott's attention shot to the back door. Another blast of magic rattled the high windows.

"I'm done waiting," Elliott said, pulling off his gym shorts and shifting to his wolf .

Dread filled me as I snatched the onyx stone from the ground and followed Elliott. I could defeat the fae in the warehouse, but it wouldn't stop them from coming back. I didn't want Lorna living in fear, nor did I want the constant threat looming over us.

I forgot all about my well-laid plans as soon as I stepped into the warehouse. Elliot must have felt the same, as he hadn't made it more than a few steps inside. Our mouths dropped open.

Nathan, Kenrid, and Lorna stood together under a magical shield so thick I could see it. Most wards and magical shields could only be seen if they were triggered. This one shimmered under the dim lights, its translucency blurring the image of the ones it protected.

Kenrid was the strongest weaver of wards I'd ever met, but he wasn't that powerful. Or was he, and I'd misjudged him?

The fae queens were on the other side of the room, just in front of the main doors. Their guards threw spells at Kenrid's shield, but it didn't falter. The Winter Queen—dressed in all black as usual—pushed one of her soldiers into the shield. As he triggered the shield's magic, he let out a cry of agony that echoed through the warehouse. Elemental fire, in a deep shade of purple, engulfed the fae's body and consumed it in seconds.

I'd seen enough. I dropped the onyx stone at my feet and released my demon.

"Don't give them an easy target," I growled at Elliott. "I'll draw their spells and attention first."

His wolf snarled at me, and I hoped he'd listen. Lorna would not forgive me if she lost her wolf.

I launched myself into the air, soaring over the top of Kenrid's shield and slamming my cloven hooves into the concrete floor. I stood firmly between my enemies and my allies and stretched my wings. They caught most of the spells cast by the fae. I had to trust that Kenrid had enough strength left to deflect the ones that made it past me .

My sudden appearance made the fae guard falter in their attack. I didn't wait for them to recover. I slapped my open palms together, sending a concussive wave of dark magic at the guards. It threw them against the back wall along with their queens, who erected hasty shields around themselves—but not their faithful soldiers.

Tendrils of my magic raced out and bound the fae guards, choking out their magic—and their lives if I didn't release them soon. The queens glared at me. I smiled back at them, stoking the embers of Hell's fire etched in the runes on my scales. Their faces paled, and the smell of their fear made me laugh.

"Stupid arrogant beings," my demon thundered. "What made you think you could threaten my mate and survive?"

"Demons do not mate with other supernatural creatures!" the Winter Queen spat, pushing her long black braids from her face. "The dhampir is not your mate."

My tail slammed into the floor, cracking the concrete. "It's no secret that you used demon DNA in your experiments. Just like it is no secret that you planned to imprison the vampires to fuel your dhampir army," I countered. "I had no intention of bringing your treachery to the Lord of the Underworld because your plans had been crushed without my intervention. But now …"

"Your threats mean nothing!" the Summer Queen screeched, drawing the sword from its sheath on her hip. "You were cast out of the Underworld eons ago. Don't act like you have any sway with their royalty. Now get out of our way. The dhampir belongs to us. She is our creation to do with as we please."

I roared at the ignorant fool. She would never take my mate. "I will kill you both if you touch her!"

The Winter Queen laughed, but it was obviously forced. Her voice trembled when she spoke. "You would risk all the realms over one silly girl? "

"You will throw away your realm and the lives of your people over one girl," I growled. "I would burn all the worlds for my mate."

I drew in a deep breath and siphoned the magic from all the fae in my path. The influx of power felt amazing, almost as good as being in my home realm. It replaced all the energy I'd drained to maintain my human form for the last several hours.

I'd wanted to do this very thing to Brance and his minions, but I hadn't been able to pinpoint my targets that day. Everything in front of me would be drained. The guards fell to the floor, deathly pale and barely breathing. The queens cried out, trying desperately to hold onto their pitiful shields.

A slow clap made me pause. I'd recognize that deliberate, insincere display of arrogant indifference anywhere. I rolled my shoulders and glanced around the room. Elliott was prowling along the far wall toward the queens. Thankfully, he hadn't reached them yet. Kenrid, Nathan, and Lorna were still ensconced in Kenrid's shield, which was quickly fading.

My gaze settled on my mate. The boy-band t-shirt and faded blue jeans she'd chosen to wear were still clean and unruffled. Her dhampir's black eyes stared back at me, but she didn't release the death grip she had on Kenrid and Nathan's hands. I glimpsed a vision of Lorna and Nathan biting each other's wrists and a swell of magic that surprised all of them.

I'd ask them about it later. Right now, I needed to focus on the new arrival.

"Traz'damon. Thank you for the invitation to this little party." Lucifer, the Lord of the Underworld, stepped out of the shadows near the back door. Right where I'd left the onyx stone .

He'd chosen to show himself in human form. A beard and mustache framed his mouth and covered his jaw. He was average height and average build, with light brown skin, short dark hair, and dark eyes. The perfect, non-threatening appearance. I knew better. The Lord of the Underworld exuded power, enough that even a simple human would steer clear of him.

I dropped to one knee and bowed to my liege, even though the queen was correct. I had been exiled from the Underworld ages ago. He was technically no longer my ruler, but angering him would only make this situation worse.

"Rise." Lucifer continued his slow stroll in my direction. "I didn't want to believe the story my most trusted commander told, but it appears he spoke the truth."

I rose to my feet and closed the distance between myself and Lucifer. I didn't want him anywhere near my mate. My bargain hadn't included an invitation for him. I'd asked the High Commander to bring a show of force. He'd agreed. Had I known he would run straight to Lucifer, I would not have asked.

Lucifer stopped when I reached him, but his gaze drifted over the room before returning to me.

"You have found your mate," Lucifer said.

I nodded but said nothing.

"You are not her only mate." His smile would've been charming, but I saw the cruel edge in his eyes. "Fate works in mysterious ways, does she not?"

I nodded again.

"Verbose as ever, I see." He stepped away from me, skirting around my trio of friends, and stopping between them and the fae queens. "Ladies, ladies, ladies." He shook his head, tsking like he spoke to a couple of children. "It appears I've been away for too long. You've had too much time to indulge in fantasies that will not come to fruition."

The queens flinched beneath their weakened magical shields. The Winter Queen straightened her gown and lifted her chin. I couldn't wait to hear what excuse she'd give to Lucifer.

"I am surprised to see you here in this filthy realm, Lucifer. "

"What are you doing in this lovely realm?" Lucifer asked. "I've heard the rumors, as well as the conversation that just occurred with Traz'damon, but I'm willing to listen to your version."

The Winter Queen frowned and glanced at her counterpart. The Summer Queen glared back at her.

"We're leaving," the Summer Queen announced, sheathing her sword. "I do not wish to waste your time with matters that we can resolve on our own."

A trickle of fae magic started to swell, and I readied my own. I would not let them leave. Laughing, Lucifer reached out with one hand, snatching at the air in front of him. The queens fell to their knees, their magic siphoned away before they could create a portal.

"How dare you!" the Winter Queen snarled.

Lucifer's human facade vanished, replaced by his true image. An enormous demon towered over all of us. Two sets of horns grew from the bone ridges on his head. Fiery wings extended from his back, and magical runes covered his scaled body.

The queens paled, and the stench of fear filled the warehouse. I glanced back at my friends to see that Kenrid's shield was no longer in place. Elliott's wolf had joined Lorna and others, wedging his large head between her and Nathan. The group slowly backed away from Lucifer. Not that I could blame them.

Lucifer's aura had been muted in his human form. Now that he'd embraced his true nature, the Underworld's magic radiated from him like a sun. My own body relished the feel of my home world. I would've soaked up the magic pouring from Lucifer, but I wouldn't risk his ire. I preferred his anger to be directed at the fae.

"Everyone bows to the Lord of Death!" Lucifer bellowed, his grating voice rattling the windows of the warehouse. "You will not presume to tell me what matters concern me. That you refuse to explain yourselves is the same as an admission of guilt. You will abandon your plans to conquer this realm or any others. You will not continue your research to weaponize any supernatural being. You will not pursue this lovely creature behind me or any of her mates. You will not harm anyone in Nathan Kaerne's clan."

He slammed his hoof into the concrete floor, creating a single jagged tear that raced toward the queens. They each jumped in opposite directions to avoid the bolt of magic entwined with the physical blow.

"Any deviations from my commands will be met with your death," Lucifer continued, his voice lowering to a moderate level. "And I will place a fae of my choosing on your thrones."

The queens rose to their feet without looking at one another. I could still smell their fear, but their looks of loathing confirmed one thing: their stupidity. Maybe a change in fae leadership was needed. These two couldn't seem to see past their own ambitions.

"Give me your oath," Lucifer demanded, his voice lowering with the intensity of his magic.

"I give you my oath," the Summer Queen said.

"I give you my oath," the Winter Queen echoed.

"All of it. Word for word." Lucifer's voice was now a mere whisper but no less commanding. "Deviate from my words and you will die now."

The queens recanted Lucifer's demands, hatred burning in their eyes as the power of their oaths wrapped around them both.

"Leave," Lucifer bellowed, "and take your soldiers with you."

A moment later, the fae were gone, but the threat to my mate didn't go with them. Lucifer never did favors without expecting something in return. I couldn't begin to imagine what he would ask of me.

"That was the most fun I've had in decades," Lucifer said, shedding his demon form and returning to the same human facade he'd arrived in. His aura also dimmed. "I could almost taste their hatred. "

It took a great deal of effort not to shake my head at his flippant comment. I also struggled not to rush to Lorna's side. She and the others were nearly at the back door. I didn't want to bring attention to their slow retreat.

But I should've known they couldn't escape Lucifer's notice.

"Don't leave on my account," he said, turning to face my friends. My family. "We have much to discuss, even though I must agree with the queens. This is not a suitable place to entertain royalty." Lorna snorted, and Lucifer smiled. "She has a sense of humor, unlike Traz'damon."

I knew that, but I didn't want the Lord of the Underworld to know anything about her.

"What do I owe you for today's assistance, my lord?" I asked, hoping to distract him from my mate.

Lucifer raised an eyebrow at me. I bowed, recognizing the admonition in his eyes. I ground my teeth with my effort to be silent. Lorna had no such concerns. She pulled herself free from Nathan and Kenrid and took a step forward.

"Don't," she warned. I heard the edge in her dhampir's voice. Her black eyes narrowed as she spoke. "Damon is the most honorable, unselfish, and loyal individual I have ever met. He does not deserve to be treated like he is beneath you or anyone else."

"Lorna," I breathed, wishing she would be silent. She had no idea how powerful he was or his lack of compassion, mercy, and care toward anything unless it benefited him.

Lucifer laughed, and I moved toward Lorna. Nathan, Kenrid, and Elliott did the same, until we made a barrier between the Lord of the Underworld and our soulmate.

"My goodness," Lucifer said, still chuckling. "I need to come to Earth more often. It's refreshing to see such dedication. The fates chose wisely for her and you. "

Lorna squeezed between me and Nathan, pushing my wing aside so she could see.

"I'm grateful for your help," she said. "Damon would've kicked their asses today, but it wouldn't have stopped them from coming back." She threaded her fingers with mine. I gently squeezed her hand in return. "We needed you to do that, but even I know favors like that aren't free."

Lucifer slid his hands into his pockets and considered us for a long moment. " Damon will be my eyes in this realm," he said, enunciating the name I'd chosen when I reached Earth. "And you will be presented to my court as is required."

I started to object—Lorna could not survive in the Underworld for the amount of time required for that—but Lucifer gave me another look. The one that said "Don't you dare challenge me."

He pulled his right hand from his pocket and strolled toward us. Our group closed the small amount of space between us, sandwiching Lorna even tighter. Lucifer stopped just out of reach and held out his hand, revealing a small pendant resting in his palm. A dark red ruby in the shape of a flame was centered in a pentagram. Faint magic surrounded it; I'd never seen this necklace before.

"This will keep her safe in the Underworld," Lucifer said, his expression becoming less harsh. "Her demon blood would likely be enough, but I would not risk a demon's mate. They are a gift to be treasured." The pendant slid from his palm and hung from a delicate chain. "Please take this, Lorna."

My mouth fell open. All demons shared the same opinion of their mates, but I never expected Lucifer to offer such a gift to mine. My family's actions centuries ago caused their deaths and my exile. I hadn't seen Lucifer or been to his court in hundreds of years.

My payment of being his spy wasn't an imposition. Not really. I'd already felt obligated to report any real threats. Hence why I went to one of the few demons I thought I could trust with my request for aid. I was missing something in Lucifer's intentions. He was never this nice .

Lorna extended her hand, and Lucifer gently lowered the pendant into her palm. The gem glowed faintly for just a moment before Lorna closed her fingers around it. She didn't say anything, which surprised me.

"You have a month to present yourselves," Lucifer said, stepping away and giving me his full attention. "Don't be late."

A cloud of portal magic enveloped the Lord of the Underworld. Then he was gone.

Lorna collapsed against me. Kenrid grabbed my other arm and slid to his knees. Nathan sat on the floor, leaning against Elliott's wolf. Alarm raised all the hair on my body. I gripped Lorna's arms and gently guided her to the floor.

"What's wrong?" My gaze darted from Lorna to Kenrid, then Nathan. I knew Elliott was fine because he'd been with me.

"We'll explain when we get home," Nathan said. "There's so much to talk about."

I looked down at my friend and boss. Deep shadows bruised his eyes, like he hadn't slept in a month. Lorna looked equally exhausted. Kenrid could barely keep his eyes open, and he swayed back and forth as if he were intoxicated—or completely worn out.

"Elliott, get the truck so we can take them home."

The wolf huffed, then sprinted out the back door. I pulled Lorna into my arms and held her tight. She mumbled against my chest, but I couldn't understand anything she said. I suspected she'd be sleeping before we reached the truck.