1. Livy

CHAPTER ONE

LIVY

I was shaken awake by the sound of wind rattling a window. Cupping my forehead, I took in my foreign surroundings.

I laid atop a canopy bed in a dimly lit room. Beautiful. It looked like something out of a fairy tale. The room was cold and quiet. The walls were a flawless white with gold spiral patterns trailing along the floor moldings.

Paintings adorned all four walls, showing scenes from bloody battlefields in foreign lands. They were dark and dreary: most displaying silver armor clad soldiers standing atop their bloody, decimated enemies.

I lurched myself up off of the bed, finger combed my hair back when reality dug in. Wait a minute. It was all coming back to me. The last thing I remembered was leaving through a portal with the Demon God. He promised me revenge on Payton, Chasten and Blake.

My mouth soured as their faces nestled in my head. Those bastards! They were the ones who killed my parents and they dared to keep it all a secret, denying me justice. It was them. They drove me here, right into the belly of the beast .

I jumped out of bed and skimmed the floor for my shoes. There were none, so I went over to the closet and rummaged through it.

Wherever I was, it was right where the Demon God wanted me. If he wanted me ‘here', then ‘here' was the last place I needed to be.

I was so furious and angry with the demi-gods that it clouded my judgment. What they did made me irrational enough to jump headfirst into a dark hole with the Father of Evil. What was I even thinking? This man was a criminal, committing hostile takeovers against wolf packs all over the world.

He wanted to rule the world. Nobody was safe from his greedy, power-hungry fingers. Not the shifters, mages or even the humans were safe from his twisted plans.

They were the ones who killed my parents. The moment I heard them admit to it, I was determined to have my revenge. But perhaps I was too hasty. I should have come up with a plan to kill the demi-gods while they were still injured. That would have been the best way to get my revenge, but instead, I let my anger get the best of me.

I wanted to hurt Chasten, Payton and Blake so badly that I called on someone powerful enough to help me, that I wouldn't fail.

Before that, I was the prisoner of demi-god monsters. Now I was in even deeper shit than ever before. I was being held by the most powerful monster of them all, Malek.

I needed to leave, and fast.

I rummaged through the walk in closet. It was in disarray, a stark contrast to the immaculately clean room. A heaping pile of clothes formed a mound inside it, with hangers strewn about. It looked like someone ripped all the clothes down desperate to find just the right outfit for a party. Whose room was this?

I reached into the clothes mound and felt something strappy. I pulled out two pairs of heels, some flip-flops, then a pair of black sneakers.

A little big, but they'd do me just fine I thought as I drew the sneakers on.

The tap of light footsteps sounded, growing louder as someone seemed to approach the bedroom door.

Tightening my shoelaces, I made a break for the window. With no time to gather any supplies, I wrenched the window open and climbed out onto the ledge.

Thanking the gods that I was only on the third floor, my back hugged the concrete. I slowly inched along the ledge that lined the outside wall.

At the end of the ledge, I saw a metal gutter and grabbed hold, laddering myself down the side of the building.

My feet hit solid ground and I gave a sigh of relief, proud I'd made it this far. Malek was a millennia old god, and a king with millions of loyal subjects. It wouldn't be easy to escape him.

The courtyard just outside the building had a lush garden with green grass and rose bushes popping up here and there. The expansive grounds were perfectly manicured with loving hands, not what I'd expected from a demon's lair.

I turned to see the building was an enormous castle that cast a wide shadow over the quiet courtyard, giving the otherwise beautiful space a lonely and somber feel.

The Demon King had fancy taste. I supposed only a fool could live for thousands of years without getting fabulously wealthy. By the look of this place, Malek was not that fool.

A twenty-foot stone wall wrapped around the palace grounds, fortifying it from prying eyes. I skirted the wall until an opening came into view.

It was a small, well-guarded opening in this fortress of a place. The opening only went far enough across to allow one car in or out at a time. A tall, shiny steel gate laid wide open like sleeping wings.

Though the gate was open, an electric boom arm formed a barrier to outgoing traffic. The boom went up and down allowing cars through.

Five tall, muscular guards in black uniforms with navy-blue caps stood at the gate. The guards appeared human but that didn't fool me. They smelt of sulfur, they had to be demons.

They checked the train of cars that lined up, waiting to pass through the exit. The guards looked mean and uncompromising, scowling nastily as they checked the driver's papers.

Figuring that sweet talking those demon guards a less than brilliant plan, I decided to go with a more covert approach. I stayed low, utilizing the cover of rose bushes as much as possible.

Wiping the sweat from above my brows, I crept to the vehicle at the back of the line.

It was a white SUV with a wrinkled, gray-haired old man behind the steering wheel. Looking like he was one good screw from a heart attack, he'd be the least likely to trigger extra screening or scrutiny from the cars.

I shimmied under the vibrating SUV, the smell of motor oil and exhaust tickling my nose. Grabbing hold of the bolts that held the undercover in place, and grounding my sneakers on the back axle shafts for leverage, I securely fixed myself to the machinery.

It took all the muscles I had to stay in place as the SUV began rolling up the line.

The vehicle tugged along, braking every few seconds as the guards checked the cars ahead of us one by one.

We'd finally reached the front, and the driver spoke with someone. I didn't hear much of the conversation with the guards, but after a few minutes, the SUV drove freely, picking up speed as it seemed to go down a road.

The wind howled like wolves as we moved further from the palace. For the first time in memory, I was no one's prisoner and freedom tasted sweet.

I could hardly believe that I'd been able to penetrate the Demon God's defenses undetected. Me, little old Livy. I'd gotten away. I'd bested an ancient, all-powerful deity and it wasn't even lunch time.

The car halted in a place with a flurry of voices. I crawled out from under the SUV, patted myself off and mixed into a thick crowd of people or demons, rather.

Shops and buildings resided on both sides of the road. Most of the demons appeared totally normal, like shifters in human form, as they traversed the sidewalks of the bustling shopping district.

I studied the crowd, noticing that about a third of the demons didn't appear in human form. These demons had rough, gray, leathery skin, sharp claws and fangs. Their facial features were out of proportion, with their eyes, noses and mouths all converging in the middle of their faces.

Though they appeared monstrous, these demons dressed in jeans, sundresses, T-shirts and shorts just like shifters did. I was fascinated watching them. I had no idea that demons came in such different forms, shapes and sizes.

Every demon I passed was cloaked in the faint scent of sulfur and smoke, confirming they were spawned in the flames of the underworld.

Demons at a roadside stall on my left bartered over laptop and cellphone prices. Past that stall was one that sold brightly colored hats that were on sale. The demonesses descended on the hat shop, happy for the chance to snag the best deal.

This had to be like a Black Friday street side bazaar, I'd never seen so many people in one place.

"Out of my way. I said move it! A palace sanctioned search is underway. Clear the sidewalk." A voice barked out, sounding very irritated.

To my horror, six palace guards shoved their way through the scattered masses. Five more guards poked their heads above the crowd on the opposite side of the street, their eyes inspecting every face they passed.

Shit. They came after me faster than I thought. I was a fool to think Malek might just let me leave .

I ducked low, using the crowd as cover and sprinted further away from the guards.

The palace guards barked their orders louder and more aggressively. Intimidated, the shoppers started scattering, diminishing my cover.

I was in an enemy territory, one that was on the verge of waging war against all non-demonic life. What would happen if Malek's guards captured me? Obviously, I'd be taken to the Demon God, but what then?

I made a deal with Malek to get revenge on the demi-gods but that didn't mean I was safe. He didn't need me in order to kill Chasten, Blake and Payton.

The fact that Malek took me could only mean he needs something from me. If I were captured, would I be questioned, tortured for shifter pack secrets that could help the Demon God gain an advantage in his war plans?

"10:15 to Notley! Hurry aboard, we leave in two minutes!" A middle-aged demon male, wearing a black cap and jeans jacket stood at the open door of a big black bus. The bus driver's gut stretched halfway to Montana, and his eyes drooped like he hadn't slept in years.

I ran to the driver as the guards fanned out in every direction. With no money, I could only pray the driver takes me at least a couple blocks before kicking me off the bus. But with so many people combing the street, leaving the area was my only hope.

Five demons stood ahead of me in line and the driver beckoned us onto the bus with an inward wave. I dipped my head, keeping close to the redhead in front of me.

The redhead cleared the doorway, but before I could join her, the driver's arm went up like a gate.

"A new, pretty face." He gave two sleepy eyed blinks; his mouth opened wide enough to catch flies. "Got a ticket, Miss?"

"You didn't ask them." I laughed, trying to sound unperturbed .

"I've seen all of them before. No need to look so worried. I won't bite you." He assured me, smiling warmly. "If you don't have a ticket, I'd be more than happy to help a pretty little lady like yourself find the ticket booth."

He took my hand without asking and shouted for the passengers to hear. "Be right back, folks."

‘This really isn't necessary. I'll probably just take a taxi." I tugged at my hand, but his grip was firm. He walked us down the sidewalk and passed several demons, none of which were a guard.

"A taxi, at those prices? Nonsense!" He chuckled. "A bus ticket will only set you back five derecko. The taxis round here will take notice of your accent and they'll scam you real good."

A ticket booth with a sign that read, ‘Demon City Public Transport Authority', stood about six feet ahead.

"Really. I don't need a ticket; I'll just be on my way." His palm, now moist from sweat made it easy for my hand to slip from his grasp. "Look, I know you're just trying to help but I have to go."

I left the driver behind me looking for guards.

A sweaty hand ensnared my shoulder.

"Didn't you hear me? I said I'm fine." I cursed, turning around to stare daggers at the driver. Sweat glossed over his face as he gave me a funny screw faced look that I didn't understand.

"Hu- hurry!" He stammered, "Grab her before she gets away!" The driver yelled, flapping an arm up and down.

A gang of green, leather skinned demons descended on us like vultures to a fresh carcass.

"This one's pretty cute. She even smells like the forest." One of the green skinned demons reached a hand out and combed it through my hair .

"Get your dirty fingers off me before I make you eat them!" I snapped, glaring at him murderously.

The four of them laughed like my threat was a joke.

"What the hell is this? You said you were taking me to buy a ticket." I demanded of the driver.

"You're a far way from home, little she-wolf. My ‘thraxy' friends here just want to have a chat with you." A dark shadow crept over his face as his smile grew menacing. "Once they're done, I'll give you a ride for free, okay? Wherever you wanna go."

"Fuck off." My foot launched into his belly, knocking him onto his ass.

I shifted to the balls of my feet and took off through a gap in the demons.

A sea of strong arms grabbed me, overwhelmed me on all sides, pulling me under.

I screamed and kicked, bit and scratched, but there were too many of them. They moved with lightning speed, carrying me toward a red sedan parked on the sidewalk.

I yelled for the palace guards. The bones in my back cracked as I initiated the shift. Mellow's voice whispered, but before she could howl, something hard and heavy clunked me in the skull once, twice, and by the third time, I couldn't move.

All I could do was watch as my limp body was thrown into the back of the sedan. The driver ran off somewhere unseen as the other three demons crammed into the car and drove us away.

Something clacked, stirring me awake just in time to feel a cloth strap around my forehead .

The room spun and I was surrounded by three dark, shadowy figures.

Furious and ready to kill, I tried to reach for one of the shadows.

My arms were caught on something, and I couldn't move.

I was strapped into some type of contraption. Both my hands were tied high above my head. My feet were tied together and strapped below me so that my body was pulled tight, stretched out like a rubber band. There were wheels and cogs attached to a pulley system on my right, buttons and knobs on a control panel to my left. "What the fuck is this?"

This thing looked like some type of medieval torture device, the kind you'd expect to see in Dracula's castle.

"Let me out!" I roared as dark shadows descended, coming into sharper focus. It was the three leathery skinned demon's from earlier.

"Been a long time since we got to use this bad boy." A demon in a black blazer and white baseball cap strolled up and smoothed his claws over the control panel. "Back in the underworld, we used to have fun like this all the time."

He shot me a fang-filled grin.

"What is this thing?" I tried to break my restraints to no avail.

"Let's just say you're about to get a whole lot taller." The shortest of the demons flanked me on the right. He swept his greasy black hair out of his ugly face. "By the time we're done, you'll be ready for the runway, no heels necessary."

The three demon's snickers sound like the swish of a saltshaker.

I needed to remain calm and find out what they wanted. With any little luck, I might be able to talk my way out of this.

"And to what do I owe this torture session? I assume you weren't just hanging around the market, waiting for a random wolf to stroll by for you to kidnap." I said calmly, trying to show no fear .

By the looks of them, these were low ranking demons, but they weren't stupid. They must have wanted something more than the fun of hearing my neck snap.

"She's a smart one. I like her." The third demon spoke. He was tall and lanky with a bald head and a thousand wrinkles on his face.

"You see, here's our problem." The demon in the black blazer and cap folded his arms, leaned in closer to me. "We are a talented bunch of guys. We've got a lot to offer but no one's ever given us a chance, you know? The only jobs we get offered are floor cleaning and chimney sweeping. Nobody respects us thraxies. Just because we aren't as good looking as other demons, doesn't mean we don't have feelings."

The other three grunted in agreement.

Interesting. I remembered how the demons on the street didn't look the same. The demons must have a social hierarchy here with some on the bottom rung facing discrimination. I could use this to my advantage.

"No feelings? Gee, I don't know why anyone would make that mistake about you." I said sympathetically. "Look, discrimination of any kind is wrong. Why don't you take it up with the Demon King? Maybe he can help you."

"He's a king, not the stoner dude next door. The only way to even get an audience with him is if you've got information he's interested in." The demon in the cap exclaimed, tossing his hand in the air. "That's where you come in."

"Me?" I blinked.

"Don't play dumb. Where do you come from? Which alpha wolf sent you here? A she-wolf poking around Demon City all alone has to be a spy."

"Look, you're making a huge mistake here. I'm no spy."

"Look, Cutie. We've been nice so far. Want us to keep it that way? Get to talking. Now, who is your handler?" He cranked the wheel downward and pulleys shifted .

The ropes tightened around my arms and legs, pulling me hard enough to stretch the muscles in my back. It was only a warning. I wasn't stretched enough to hurt, not yet.

My mind raced a million miles per second. If I told them I'd been taken here by the Demon God they would panic. Then they'd probably decide to kill and dispose of me before Malek found out. I took too long to answer and their brows curled up in anger.

"Give her another couple notches. That'll loosen her tongue." One of them said, and the demon in the jacket acquiesced. He turned the wheel and my spine stretched.

Pain lit up like firecrackers along my spine, my shoulders burned like they'd been doused in acid. The wheel continued turning and the ropes pulled tighter.

I screamed in anger, cursing every expletive in the book. I summoned the shift, and my body shook vigorously as my bones began to rearrange into my wolf form.

The short demon darted for me. Reaching into a small velvet pouch, he pulled out a hand full of dark purple herbs. He crushed them over my nose and their burnt floral scent infiltrated my nostrils. My lungs burned and I coughed.

My body's vibration stopped as the strength to shift drained from my body.

"Keep the wolfsbane close to her nose, we can't afford to let her shift." The one in the cap insisted.

I turned my head to the side, attempting to avoid inhaling more of it than I had to. My lungs were on fire just from smelling it. Wolfsbane was a banned substance. Possessing it was a crime punishable by death in most packs. Even mages outlawed its use.

Leave it to demons to have the only drug in the world with the power to suppress a wolf's ability to shift .

"What is your pack's name and what is their emergency evacuation plan?" The demon in the cap squeezed his coarse fingers around my chin, prying my mouth open. "Talk!"

Malek had already infiltrated and launched hostile takeovers against dozens of wolf packs, killing their alphas, and bringing the packs under his control. Now these goons planned to get into the king's good graces by offering him intel on my pack, and help Malek infiltrate it.

I was about to tell him a random pack name and lie my way through his questions, but not giving me the chance to speak, the torture wheels turned once more.

It felt like my body was being ripped in two. Hot pain surged from my tortured wrists to my cracking ankles.

Moments from succumbing to the pain, a gust of cold air swept across the space as if someone had opened a door. The room descended into darkness and the scent of a newcomer drifted in.

A dark miasma permeated the room. It started as an essence, so subtle it was barely noticeable. The miasma grew, filling the room like a plume of smoke.

Someone was there, but only I seemed to notice as the demons continued their questioning, unperturbed by the dark, creepy mist ominously invading the room.

The demons threatened and berated me. The short demon set down the wolfsbane, pulling an open palm back, priming to hit me. Before his hand could connect, a tall dark figure emerged from the dark mist.

Reigning at well over seven feet tall, a pillar of angry muscle stood, glaring down at the demon with his hand raised. Demon God Malek's nostrils flared, murderous rage blackening his eyes. His lips drew up, showing an impressive pair of fangs, sharp as razor blades.

The demon trio gasped, their hands falling flat at their sides in pure shock.

Malek took a giant leap forward and the demon trio stared up at him, their mouths gaping in shared awe of Malek's impossible size. He looked like three buff men in one.

The trio trembled, unable to run, speak or even breathe as fright turned their brains to jelly.

In a raspy and menacing voice, Malek asked, "Is that my bride?"