Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine

Mal

Lifting his face to the sky, Mal smiled as thunder rolled above him. There wasn't a storm coming. It didn't storm in Hell. Another mating had taken place.

"Why does that keep happening?" Furfell grouched beside him.

"Mating," Mal informed him.

Furfell's eyes widened. "That many?"

It had been three days since Mal had been gifted and promoted to a Duke. His Lieutenant's responses still amused him. They'd taken one look at the new marking that declared him a Duke and laughed. Happily at him. Mead had appeared in their hands as they drank together.

The celebration had been short but perfect for Mal and his most trusted demons. His Lieutenants had asked questions that Mal had tried to answer the best he could. It was now beyond obvious that he should have asked Lucifer more questions. In his defense, he'd been shocked silent.

There were old legends of when the first elite had gotten promoted, but the stories passed down over generations had evolved into myths. They weren't myths. Mal could testify to that.

"Fourteen and counting," Mal said.

Furfell shook his head. "It's unbelievable."

Mal snapped his whip when one of the souls he was torturing stopped moving the heavy boulder up the hill. For every inch the boulder rose, the hill did as well. The souls would keep pushing until Mal got tired. Newsflash! Mal didn't get tired.

Furfell cleared his throat.

Mal glanced over.

"Your mate invited me and Somari to dinner tonight."

Mal nodded. "Crannell and Yuri are coming next week."

Furfell dug the toe of his hoof into the sand. He was one of the few demons that had more visible demon features. "Should I bring anything?"

"What would you bring?" Mal asked with a frown.

Furfell growled. "I don't know! That's why I'm asking! I was reading this book and—"

"You read?" Mal asked. "Books?"

Furfell glared. "Yes, I read."

"Okay." Huh, Mal hadn't known that about his lieutenant. As long as they'd worked together, he should know more about their hobbies, shouldn't he? Adam would say yes. Adam probably knew everything about everyone he met in the first hour. Damn, he loved his mate.

"Are you listening to me?" Furfell demanded.

No. "Yes."

"So in this book—"

"What's the book about?" Mal asked, suddenly curious.

Furfell growled before yanking the whip from Mal's hand. He snapped it on the sand, but it didn't come anywhere close to hitting Mal. Even Furfell wasn't that brave.

"Sorry. Go ahead."

"Anyway," Furfell said. "In this book when someone is invited to dinner, they bring things to the host. Like wine or flowers. So should I bring your mate something or not?"

Mal really wanted to know about this book. Furfell didn't seem open to discussing it though. He shrugged. "I don't know." Should he take his mate flowers? Would Adam like that?

"Not helpful," Furfell complained.

"I…"

"Don't humans like stuff like that?" Furfell demanded. "Getting gifts?"

"My mate is fae," Mal said. It was all he could think to respond with.

Furell tossed him back his whip. Mal caught it one-handed.

"Great! Now I need to find a book about fae. Wasn't bad enough I had to trade for some stupid book about a human…" Furfell stalked off as he mumbled to himself.

Mal had no idea what the fuck was going on around him. "What's the name of this book?" he called out.

Furfell flipped him off before he disappeared.

Mal chuckled. His mate was really changing things around there. He turned and snapped his whip at the lazy soul again. Then again some things never changed.

* * * * *

Adam

The reception area was gorgeous. Done in differing shades of green that went beautifully with the plants that his mother had sent, Adam found the space soothing and comforting.

"Wow!"

Adam turned and grinned at Seb and Ari and Jasmine. He immediately dropped to his knees to give Jasmine all the love she deserved. "It's nice, right?"

"It really is," Seb said.

"My minions are the best," Adam boasted.

His friends laughed like he intended.

"Hey, we were just going to grab some lunch and wondered if you and Levi wanted to join us," Seb said. "Where is Levi?"

Adam rolled his eyes before he motioned toward the glass door while rising. Which opened as Gammer ran inside.

Adam caught his demon by the shoulders to keep Gammer from running into him.

"Gammer, you okay?" Adam asked as the demon panted in his face.

Gammer nodded. Shook his head. Nodded.

"Okay, buddy." Adam directed Gammer to the long white couch and sat him down. Crouching in front of him, Adam held on to Gammer's knees, offering his strength. His calmness.

"Here." Ari passed him a bottle of water.

Adam twisted off the top before bringing it up to Gammer's mouth. "Drink this," Adam advised.

Gammer's hand shook as it covered his and he tipped the bottle, drinking all the water in one swallow.

Wow.

Gammer handed the water back before he closed his eyes. A few long breaths later and Gammer gripped Adam's hands with his own.

"Better?" Adam asked.

Gammer nodded.

"What happened?"

"Montelo!" Gammer exclaimed.

"The gorgeous demon with bright blue eyes and a crush on you?" Adam replied. He hadn't seen the other demon since the day he'd stopped by to check on Gammer.

Gammer nodded.

"What about him?"

"Mate," Gammer said quietly.

Adam frowned. He'd really thought that Montelo was Gammer's mate. He hated being wrong. "He found his mate?"

Gammer shook his head. Nodded. Shrugged. Then dropped his head.

Ari lowered himself beside Gammer. His wide shoulders pressing against Adam's. "Gammer?"

Gammer's head snapped up to look at Ari.

"Are you Montelo's mate?" Ari asked gently.

Gammer's eyes widened before he nodded.

Adam grinned. "I knew it!"

Ari nudged his arm. Adam was confused. Wasn't this a good thing? Gammer had liked Montelo. Adam had seen it.

"It's overwhelming, huh?" Ari said. "A little scary?"

"He came into his full powers last night. He's a warrior!" Gammer cried.

"Yeah." Ari patted Gammer's knee. "I've been there. But you listen to me." Ari gripped the back of Gammer's neck and tugged him forward. "You are Montelo's perfect match. The fates do not make mistakes. Just look at the Master and Adam. You can trust that what Montelo feels for you is true." Ari kissed Gammer's forehead. "You are enough for your mate. You are worthy. You are perfect."

Tears fell from Gammer's eyes. "He said he already loved me. That he's always loved me."

"And you love him," Adam said quietly. He hated seeing Gammer so upset. It was a good thing that he was getting better at controlling his moods or several things would currently be on fire in his office.

"I do!" Gammer whispered like it was a secret.

"Then congratulations, Gammer. On finding your mate," Adam smiled at him.

"I can't…we can't," Gammer stammered.

"Can't what?" Adam demanded.

"Mate," Gammer said sadly.

"Why not?" Was someone giving them trouble?

"He's a warrior. I'm… I work for the Master."

Adam wasn't seeing the problem. "And?"

"How would that even work? I live at the core. He lives here," Gammer said.

"Then you move here to be with your mate. Or he moves in with us. You can keep working with us or find something here—"

"I don't want to leave you," Gammer said quickly.

"Okay." Adam was actually relieved. He loved Gammer but his demon's happiness was what was most important. He'd let Gammer go if that was what Gammer wanted. "Logistics can be worked out, Gammer. Your mate trumps everything else."

Gammer bit his lip. "I can have both? My job and Montelo?"

"You can," Adam assured him.

"I have a mate," Gammer said quietly.

"You do. And he is a very handsome demon." Adam grinned. "Maybe you should go find him? I take it you ran away?"

Gammer ducked his head. "I panicked."

"Let's find him." Adam rose and offered his hand. "I want to welcome him to the family."

Gammer jumped up then hugged Adam. "Thank you, thank you." He released Adam to hug Ari as well.

The two demons hugged tight.

"Thanks, Ari." Gammer sniffled in Ari's neck.

Ari patted his back. "I know all the feelings and thoughts going through your head right now. Talk to your mate. Let him assure you that you are exactly what he wants. Don't allow your fears to keep you from your mate like I did."

"I won't. I'll find him right now."

There was a roar from outside.

"What was that?" Seb asked.

Adam was already heading toward the door. One fire put out and now something else. He pulled open the office door and could hear yelling. Adam followed the loud angry voices around the front of the building and farther until they reached the training yard.

Montelo and Zacorah were facing off in the middle of the training yard. Levi had a hand on Montelo's chest as he stood talking to him as Atom had an arm around Zacorah's neck, holding him back.

"Montelo," Gammer whined.

Shit! Adam glanced at Ari. "Keep him here."

Ari nodded before wrapping an arm around Gammer's waist. Seb grabbed one of Gammer's hands and Jasmine settled on top of Gammer's feet. Yeah, Gammer wasnt going anywhere.

Adam strode forward, trying to take in the scene.

The warrior demons were bigger than most other demons in the realm, which meant of course they towered over him. Adam passed small groups who watched the two demons in the middle of the field curse at each other.

He eyed the scene before he caught Atom's gaze. "What's going on here?"

Zacorah turned hate-filled eyes on him. "This is your fault!" he bellowed.

Adam shrugged. "Probably. What did I do this time?"

"Everything was fine before you came, and everyone started finding their mates!" Zacorah yelled.

"It doesn't matter," Montelo growled and bared his fangs. "Gammer is my mate! You won't talk to him! You won't touch him! You won't even think about him!"

Before his eyes, Montelo seemed to grow.

"Fuck you! I'll have what I want!" Zacorah shouted back. He grew as well.

If Adam didn't stop this, they were going to have a full-blown demon battle on their hands. Even now Atom was struggling to hold Zacorah back.

"He's not worth it," Levi said quietly to Montelo. "Look. Look at your mate over there. He's frightened. Not of you, but for you."

Montelo turned his head and clearly spotted Gammer. He shrank in size. "Gammer."

"Montelo!" Gammer raced across the field and into Montelo's arms. They were kissing and rubbing up on each other a second later.

"Well." Adam clapped his hands. "Guess that's worked out."

Zacorah roared and broke loose from Atom. He lunged at Adam. Atom tried to tackle him. Levi shot out an arm, his flesh turning to stone, and clotheslined Zacorah, knocking him on his ass.

Adam lifted his hand to defend himself and shot flames from his fingertips. The fire arched toward Zacorah and hit him in the center of his chest.

Zacorah screamed.

The sky darkened.

Lights flashed.

A pack of Hellhounds popped into the field, surrounding a still-screaming Zacorah.

Adam was yanked back and into strong arms and he knew that his mate had arrived.

Mal covered Adam's hand with his own.

Oh shit! He'd still been shooting flames. Adam didn't even know that he could do that!

"It's okay," Mal was saying. "It's okay."

Adam blinked at the scene in front of him. Everything had happened so fast that he really didn't know what to say or do.

"Adam, are you hurt?"

What was Bo doing here? Where did he come from?

"I think he's in shock," Levi said. He was right there beside Bo. Yes, Levi had been there the whole time. He'd helped. He'd stopped Zacorah from reaching him.

"No, I'm okay," Adam said quietly.

"Adam!" Mal hugged him tight. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah." He took a shaky breath before stepping away from his mate. "What did I do?"

"You protected yourself," Levi said firmly.

"Tell me what happened," Bo demanded. "My pack is ready to drag Zacorah away."

As Levi retold the story from his point of view, Adam looked around the training yard. Montelo and Gammer huddled together. Ash was holding Seb while Ari was bandaging Atom's arm. Other demons, the warriors, were standing around wide-eyed. The huge Hellhounds circled Zacorah where he still lay on the ground. At least he was no longer screaming.

Adam waved a hand toward Zacorah. "Should someone help him?"

"No," Mal growled. "The only way that you would have been able to summon flames is if you'd been directly attacked."

"He didn't touch me," Adam said. "Atom held him back and Levi knocked him on his ass."

"He would have kept coming for you," Atom said as he and Ari joined their little circle. "He was enraged."

"He wanted Gammer," Levi said. "When he heard Montelo tell Atom that Gammer was his mate, Zacorah lost it. He tried to attack Montelo, then it all went to Hell."

"Hey." A tall demon with large wings stepped up to Levi. "That was awesome. The way that you turned your arm into stone." He leered at Levi. "Can you turn anything else to stone? You know, stay hard all night?"

Levi stepped away and practically hid behind Adam.

"Woah, buddy." Adam scowled at the demon. "Not appropriate."

The demon snorted. "Just wondering what else the gargoyle can…make hard."

"Not now, Tristan," Atom warned. "Classes are canceled. Tell everyone to go home."

Tristan licked his lips. "Got plans, gargoyle?"

"I do and they're not with you. I'm not interested. Sorry."

Tristan narrowed his eyes.

"Move along," Mal growled.

That got the demon moving. He still kept glancing over his wings as he walked away but he went. Behind him, Levi shuddered.

"What are we going to do with him?" Atom pointed at Zacorah.

"He attacked a Duke's mate. My pack will take care of him," Bo said. "You sure you're okay?"

Adam nodded. "Took me a minute. Everything happened so fast. I didn't really understand what had happened. I'm fine now."

"We'll cancel dinner tonight," Mal announced.

"We will not!" Adam couldn't believe his ears. "Notel has been cooking all day. And we must celebrate Gammer and Montelo's mating."

"Gammer and Montelo are mated?" Mal asked.

"They will be." Adam pointed to the two demons who were once again locked in a passionate kiss.

"Huh, I didn't see that one coming," Mal said. "Good for them."

"So we're still having dinner," Adam said firmly.

"I just thought you might want to relax and rest," Mal told him.

"I feel better surrounded by my family," Adam replied. "What happened here today is terrible. But Zacorah was never going to have Gammer. Gammer didn't like him and Zacorah treated Gammer like shit."

Adam spotted the demon, what was his name, Tristan, leaning against the side of a wall while stroking himself outside his leather pants and staring at Levi. Levi's back was turned and he didn't even notice. "I'm going to teach these demons about consent," Adam growled.

"They are fully aware what consent means," Mal said. "Anyone who doesn't respect consent can be thrown to the Hellhounds."

"It would be our pleasure," Bo said. "Give us a holler if you need us." He stalked off to his pack.

"I don't even know what Bo or the pack is doing here," Adam confessed.

"Royalty was attacked in the realm," Mal said. "Of course the powers summoned the hounds."

"Royalty?"

Mal frowned at him. "I was promoted to a Duke. I know you know this because there was a huge deal about the tattoo."

Adam rubbed Mal's throat. "It's sexy."

Mal cleared his throat.

"Right! Focusing," Adam promised. He was at least halfway focusing.

"So…" Mal said.

"So…" Adam repeated.

"I'm a Duke of Hell," Mal stated.

"I know, mate. I'm very proud of you."

Levi snorted before he leaned forward. "That makes you a Duke too," he whispered.

Adam's eyes widen.

Mal nodded.

"I'm—"

"A Duke," Mal finished for him.

"I'm—"

"A Duke," Levi said.

"I'm—"

"Dude, youre a Duke," Seb said as he, Ash, and Jasmine all walked over. "This isn't news."

It was to him! "I'm mated to a Duke," he managed.

"Which makes you a Duke," Ash said.

Adam's brain was not following. He was a Duke. He was a freaking Duke. "I need more minions! At least ninety-eight!"

"You're not getting ninety-eight minions," Mal told him.

Ninety-seven was a good number too.