Chapter 13

13

J inx loved the forbidden forest. The dense canopy of ancient trees blocked out most of the sunlight, casting the forest floor in deep shadows. She padded silently through the underbrush, her tiger form blending with the dappled darkness. Her whiskers twitched, catching the scents of moss, decay, and magic.

Ethereal wisps of mist curled around gnarled tree trunks, their tendrils reaching out as if to caress her striped fur. She revelled in the cool touch. Here, in the forest, she could breathe freely and think without the constant clamour of her pesky human thoughts. But in the next moment, she contemplated life’s very meaning. A soul was not the eternal, indestructible essence she always believed it to be.

They were fragile, fleeting things, as mortal as our physical bodies , Jinx mused, earning an irritated chuff from the tiger. She quickly apologised. She was supposed to be chillin’.

The tiger’s bi-coloured eyes gleamed as she emerged into a clearing, her senses alert for any sign of danger. But all was calm and peaceful; the only sound was the soft rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze. She padded further into the clearing, drawn to a large tree at its centre. As she approached, Jinx noticed that the tree seemed to emanate a faint glow, its gnarled roots snaking out in all directions. Curiosity piqued, she cautiously circled around it, sniffing and inspecting every inch. But there was nothing particularly remarkable about the tree itself.

Just as she was about to turn away, a whisper in the wind caught her attention. She froze in place as she listened intently, her ears swivelling to catch the sound. It seemed to be coming from the tree itself, a faint cry that tugged at her heartstrings. Without hesitation, she leapt up onto one of the lower branches, her muscles rippling beneath her fur as she climbed higher.

She spotted a small bird nestled in the branches as she reached the top. It had soft, downy feathers in shades of red and bronze. Jinx opened her mouth wide, tasting the scents in the air. The tiny bird carried a faint smell of rain and earth, its ruffled feathers wet as if from a recent shower, and it uttered another desperate cry as Jinx approached. Instead of seeing dinner, the tiger's heart swelled with compassion. She gently nudged the bird with her head, coaxing it from its branch and onto her back. The bird chirped gratefully, completely unafraid, and snuggled into Jinx's warm fur as she descended from the tree.

She set the bird down carefully on a soft patch of grass and watched as it fluffed its feathers and preened itself back to dryness. She made herself comfortable, and the bird cocked its head curiously before bursting into song, filling the clearing with melodious notes that lifted Jinx's spirits. Eventually, the bird finished its song and hopped onto Jinx's paw before taking flight and disappearing into the trees.

With a contented sigh, Jinx lumbered to her feet and turned to make her way back through the forest. Her little feathered friend had given her the brain break she so desperately needed. Having spent the past week further researching the history of Purgatory, Earth, Heaven, and Hell, she felt like she needed to take a steel brush to her mind. Preternaturals were vicious bastards, and humans were somehow worse. Then there was the whole coming to terms with one’s own mortality thing. Not to mention being biologically and spiritually linked to a hot demon king that could never be hers. It was a lot.

They hadn’t discovered anything further. Nothing to tell them why Z was killing off members of the founding families. However, they were now positive that he was. Lucifer confirmed that the influx of human souls was from one very special bloodline. The thought of Heaven and Hell running out of souls and possible species extinction was wild. Everyone, including Phaedra, Mercy, and a big portion of the Horde, had been working nonstop to locate Z. But the skinwalker was proving too elusive. It was taking a toll on both Brax and Mikhail, and it pained Jinx to see it.

Just as she was about to shift and pull her clothes back on where they rested on the ground near a large boulder, another sound met her ears from deeper within the trees. Without hesitation, she ran towards the sound. As she neared, it grew louder, transforming into a low, rumbling growl that sent shivers down her spine. She crouched low, muscles tensing beneath her striped coat, ready to spring into action. A pair of glowing eyes emerged between the twisted trunks of two ancient oaks, followed by the massive, shadowy form of a hellhound.

Jinx relaxed slightly as recognition dawned. It was Styx. That wasn’t a shock. The hellhound loved the forest even more than she did. But what was surprising was the fact he wasn’t alone. Beside him stood another hellhound, sleek and lithe, with hide the colour of midnight and eyes that shimmered like stars.

Styx's hackles rose, his muscles tensing as he positioned himself between Jinx and his companion. A low growl rumbled from deep within his chest, echoing through the forest like distant thunder. His dark red hide seemed to absorb the scant light, making him appear as a living shadow. The female hellhound seemed unperturbed by Styx's display. She sat calmly, her starlit eyes fixed on Jinx with curiosity rather than fear.

Jinx immediately shifted, staying crouched and non-threatening. “Easy, boy. It’s just me.”

Styx's protective stance faltered for a moment as he sniffed the air, Jinx’s familiar scent wafting towards him on the breeze. His big body relaxed, and he leapt into her lap, his tongue lolling out in a happy doggy grin. She wrapped her arms around him, scratching behind his ears as he licked her face.

“Hey there, big guy,” she said with a grin. “Who's your friend?”

Styx nuzzled against Jinx's hand before sitting up and turning towards the female. He nudged her with his nose as if introducing them. Jinx reached out her hand, staying perfectly still as the other hellhound stretched her neck, taking in her scent. The female hesitantly sniffed at Jinx's hand before allowing herself to be scratched. A small whine escaped her throat, and she leaned in more.

“You're a beauty,” Jinx said softly, smiling at the beast.

Styx barked in agreement, his tail wagging happily. The female's tail suddenly entwined with Styx's, and they nuzzled each other affectionately. Jinx’s jaw dropped when the female lay down, baring her stomach. “I guess you’re more than friends, huh?” she questioned, eyeing the bulging belly in front of her. The pretty hellbitch was very clearly pregnant.

Styx puffed out his chest like a proud papa and trotted in a circle.

“Is this why you like the Forbidden Forest so much? Because you’ve got yourself a little mate here?” The knowledge thrilled her as much as it pained her. She had a mate, too. One destined to provide her with babies she would never hold. “Stop it, Jinx,” she growled, frustrated with herself. The female’s head popped up in alarm. “It's okay, girl. I’m sorry,” she cooed softly. “I won't hurt you.”

The hellhound's tail gave a hesitant wag, and she lowered her head once again, allowing Jinx to stroke her obsidian flank. It was softer than Jinx expected, like warm velvet beneath her fingers. As she ran her hand along the hound's side, she felt the unmistakable flutter of movement within.

“Oh my,” Jinx breathed, her eyes widening. “Just how many hellpups are in there?” She turned to Styx. “And when are they due to come out?” Styx, of course, didn’t answer. But he did look proud as punch. “You’re a terror, you know that? Come on. How about we break the news to Brax that he’s about to be a grandpa?”

When she stood up, Styx didn’t budge. “It will be okay, big guy. I’m on your side, remember?” She leant down and whispered conspiratorially, “Besides, we both know Brax is a softie. He’s going to love puppies.”

Styx appeared to consider her words for a moment before rumbling his agreement. Feeling the chill of the forest on her naked skin, she shifted once more. Her tiger’s fur was much more suited to the environment. The three padded in companionable silence after the pretty lady thoroughly sniffed Jinx’s new form.

Just as they reached Jinx’s pile of clothing once more, a whooshing sound came from above. Styx and his girl darted into the trees, and Jinx crouched, belly to the ground. She watched guardedly as a huge black dragon circled once before beginning its descent. Its vast wings stretched wide, blocking out the light and casting an immense shadow over the clearing. The dragon's scales glimmered like polished obsidian, reflecting flashes of deep purple and midnight blue as it moved. Steam curled from its nostrils, and she could see the heat shimmer in the air around its massive head. Its eyes blazed like twin infernos, seeming to look right through her.

With surprising grace for a creature of its size, the dragon extended its muscular hind legs as it neared the ground. Its wickedly curved talons gouged deep furrows in the earth before it shifted into a familiar man. Dendey’s jet-black hair fell in tousled waves, framing a face that seemed carved from marble—all sharp angles and perfect symmetry. Vertical slits of inky black bisected vibrant orange irises, eyelids sliding across his eyes from the sides when he blinked.

The mercenary regarded Jinx for a moment before commenting, “You know, you’d make a nice throw rug.”

Jinx shifted, her long black and white hair covering the tips of her breasts but doing nothing to conceal the rest of her body. She didn’t give a shit. Shifters didn’t care about nudity. Fur was fur, and skin was skin. Dendey was shifter enough to be indifferent about his own naked flesh but arsehole enough to sweep his gaze over Jinx’s body. She stared at his junk in return, smirking when he coughed and used both hands to cover himself. He didn’t quite manage it, thanks to how well-hung he was.

Jinx led with, “And you’d make a beautiful purse. All those pretty scales …”

Dendey’s lips twitched, and for the first time, Jinx got a glimpse of the man beneath the hard exterior. He was devastatingly handsome. With that face and that cock, he was bound to be devastating in bed. “What are you doing here, Dendey? Sabre hates your guts. Giving her an opportunity to scalp you isn’t wise.”

Dendey smirked, oozing confidence. “I want to speak with the King.”

Jinx watched him cautiously. “So knock on his door. Brax has a pretty open-door policy. I mean, probably not for you. You did threaten to kill his mate. But you might make it a few seconds before he rips you a new arsehole.”

Dendey snorted in derision. “He could try. But I don’t want to see that king. I’m talking about King Mikhail.”

Jinx kept her face carefully blank. “He’s dead.”

“Please, let’s not play games. King Mikhail is very much alive and hiding out in the monstrosity of a place behind you. I want to speak with him,” Dendey demanded.

“He’s dead,” Jinx repeated deadpan.

Dendey tsked. “I really thought we were getting somewhere. I was going to storm the castle, so to speak. That’s why I’m entering from the forest. If you’re unwilling to help me, I can return to my original plan.”

Jinx eyed the dragon blandly, giving nothing away. “He’s dead.”

“Fuck!” Dendey yelled, pulling on the dark strands of his hair in frustration. “Will you stop saying that?! I know the fucker isn’t dead, all right? I’m a dragon . He’s been masquerading as Hound. Poorly, I might add.”

“Let’s say I’m buying into this little delusion of yours,” Jinx began. She felt nervous but was determined not to let it show. How the hell did Dendey know about Hound? “How would you have found this out?”

“Because I recognised him at the rebel camps,” Dendey said through gritted teeth.

Jinx narrowed her eyes. “Why would you be there? Are you saying you’ve been helping the rebels?”

He sniffed, crossing his arms over his smooth chest. “I don’t help anyone unless there’s something in it for me. Just tell Mikhail I need to talk to him. I’ll wait here for one hour. If he doesn’t show, he can say goodbye to the information I have for him.”

She didn’t trust him one bit. But her curiosity was peaked. “You have information?” Dendey nodded once, the muscles in his jaw flexing tautly. “You know, you could have led with that.”

Smoke curled from his nostrils. “You are an incredibly frustrating creature. I can see why Sabre likes you.”

“And you’re a real prick,” Jinx rebutted calmly. “I can see why Sabre wants to shank you.”

Dendey chuckled, swiping a hand through his messy hair. “Just get Mikhail. Please .”

The please sounded like he was chewing glass, but it was a start, Jinx thought with a smile as she turned and grabbed her clothes. She whistled shrilly, and the two hellhounds bounded after her.