Chapter 23

Helena

Footsteps echo frantically downthe empty hallway as I flee from Raphael’s apartment, my heart pounding with fear at the loss of my pendant. It couldn’t have just fallen off, could it? As I burst out into the chilly night air, realization hits me like a ton of bricks. Wicked forces are at work. I never take off that pendant, which means someone must have stolen it with cunning and malice.

My steps falter briefly as instinct screams a name in venomous accusation—Kane. Lucifer’s vicious enforcer with smiles like knives, poison dripping from every word he speaks. I recall his bold touch grazing my protected chest earlier tonight, sending shivers down my spine, and later tossing coy barbs about my affairs being terribly hidden...

The truth spears brutally then—he orchestrated this loss, a desperate gateway back to my uncle’s good graces. He has inserted himself at court again for mysterious ends, but clearly hopes witnessing my gruesome downfall buys him permanent favor.

Rage wars briefly with despair at being maneuvered so cruelly. But wallowing changes nothing, and my window for action narrow swiftly. I must find some way to retrieve the pendant from its thief before Lucifer discovers my failure.

Squaring my shoulders, I stride purposefully to where my sleek black sports car waits nearby. The engine purrs to life and I aim it towards downtown, weaving expertly through sparse late night traffic. My family’s towering headquarters rises into view before long. I pull into the executive parking garage, my nerves jumping as the engine’s rumble fades, replaced by oppressive silence.

The DeLux stands dark and silent. Club hours ended long ago.

I punch in the security code with more force than necessary. The locks disengage with a heavy clunk and I shoulder my way inside the dark, silent club interior. My footsteps echo eerily across the empty dance floors, normally packed with gyrating bodies. It’s unsettling seeing the DeLux this way—like an exotic viper temporarily docile, but could quickly bare fangs again given the right provocation.

My steps quicken as I approach the executive offices, my nerves on edge. Before coherent strategy can solidify, I reach the carved mahogany door barring his inner sanctum. With a swipe of my security code, I finally gain access to Kane’s den. I know I will find my missing pendant here, hidden away among his treasures.

My jaw is clenched as I throw the door open, ready for whatever may be waiting on the other side. But there’s nothing. Just an empty and eerily pristine office, adorned with expensive leatherbound books and ancient relics. Every inch of the room seems untouched, not even a single paper out of place on the massive antique desk. A glass of whisky sits on the rocks, as if its owner has just stepped out for a moment and will return any second now.

Unease trickles down my neck as I realize I have no clue where Kane is. He’s like an elusive eel, slippery and impossible to pin down once he’s out of sight.

Just as I start considering searching his private chambers, muffled sounds echo from the hallway. I startle badly, embarrassment heating my face at being caught essentially breaking and entering. Hastily, I step back into the office, letting the heavy door swing nearly closed to observe covertly through the gap as footsteps approach.

To my immeasurable displeasure, none other than my nemesis himself strolls casually into view. I shrink further behind the door, pulse accelerating. Kane pauses before the office entrance, seemingly unsure why it stands ajar. I hold my breath as for one hopeful moment, it seems he might continue on down the corridor, ignorant my presence lurks mere feet away.

But just as fortune appears to grant me reprieve, his handsome face swivels unerringly towards my hiding spot, garnet eyes narrowing. “You might as well come out, pet,” he drawls. “Hardly courteous making me chase you...”

Scowling fiercely, I throw the door wide, refusing to be cowed by his taunts. Kane’s mouth curves into an infuriating smirk seeing me storm out bristling with outrage. He looks immaculate as ever, handsome in a three-piece bespoke dark gray suit, radiating renewed vitality and charm. The urge to claw that pretty face until bloody nearly chokes me.

“Well, well,” he murmurs, openly raking my disheveled form. “Is it customary greeting to break into private quarters unannounced?” One mocking brow arches high. “That’s quite barbaric... even for a low-class half-demoness like you.”

I bite back the torrent of scathing retorts gathering behind my teeth, refusing to let him bait me into losing composure so easily. “There’s nothing private between thieves and victims, snake,” I reply coldly. “Now where is it?”

Kane continues studying his nails in bored fashion, as if oblivious to the blazing fury radiating off me in waves. “Whatever do you mean?” he asks with sheer indolence.

“What have you done with my pendant?” I all but hiss.

“Pendant? I confess you rather lost me, pet.” His careless grin only fans the flames of my outrage.

Pet?I despise when he refers to me in such a condescending manner.

“The necklace you know damn well you helped yourself to earlier!” I stride forward until we stand toe-to-toe, jabbing one sharp finger into his chest. I am trembling all over, trying to restrain the instinct to simply start pummeling aggressively until he yields the precious heirloom back up from his conniving grasp.

I watch closely, but infuriatingly, his face remains neutral, almost puzzled by the confrontation. “You must be mistaken,” Kane replies evenly after a beat, reaching up to encircle the offending wrist firmly. “These are rather serious accusations without substantiation.” His gaze turns flinty and I try vainly to tug free as his grip tightens to bruising.

“But as it happens, I’m in a good mood. So, I’ll assist you in your little hunt.” His voice drops to a menacing whisper. “Now, where could it be? Have you given any thought to it?” A sinister pause. “What about that archangel you’ve been cozying up to? Raphael. Does the name ring a bell? Perhaps dear Uncle Luci might shed some light on this matter...”

“How dare you!” I gasp, incensed by his flippant goading when deceit lays so bare between us. My palm cracks sharply across Kane’s smug cheek before wisdom intercedes. We both freeze, his face turned from the force. I blanch, realizing the breathtaking stupidity of my impulse only when molten eyes slide back to meet mine, promise of violence brewing beneath the placid veneer.

I sputter an apology instinctively, though we have passed the point of civil discourse. But swift words scatter as Kane moves without warning. I brace futilely as his hand shoots out, quicker than sight, a vice-like grip crushing my jaw painfully upward to expose my vulnerable throat pulsing with adrenaline’s fruitless surge against this inescapable predator.

But the anticipated punishment never arrives. Confused and with my pulse racing erratically, I slit one eye carefully open. Kane looms mere inches away, clutching my chin motionless between his talons with effort. Intricate pupils contract against blood-red fury silently waging behind the human facade barely maintained. His entire body hums on a vicious frequency, promising savage retaliation for the insult I unleashed.

“We’ll soon see how brave you are when your precious uncle can’t protect you,” Kane hisses, composure slipping. “I’ve already dealt with Dominique. And don’t count on your archangel either,” he adds with a cruel grin. “No one’s coming to save you... pet.”

Dread curdles my gut at the implied threat, but I keep my face stony. I will not show weakness before this snake.

Kane leans in close, his breath hot and minty against my skin. “You’ll regret the day you crossed me, bitch.” His fiery garnet eyes bore into mine. “Now you’ll learn what happens to little girls who meddle in demon affairs.”

He nods towards the shadows where his cronies appear, their brutish features twisted with eager anticipation.

Futile defiance surges within me as the first blows rain down... I grit my teeth and push against my captors, but their grip only tightens. My breath comes out in ragged gasps as I struggle to break free. But it’s no use, they have me completely at their mercy.