Chapter 22

Chapter

Twenty-Two

That same desire for blood and pain throbbed off Fane like when we first met, but now I felt it deep in my bones through the bond. He wasn't blocking me. He probably didn't realize he needed to.

The closer he came to my corporeal form, the faster his heart beat, and mine crashed with the same frantic rhythm. I reached a shaky hand out, laying it on his shoulder. Instead of slipping through, my fingers met a solid form.

"Fane?"

His head yanked in my direction, his eyes widening. "The fuck?"

My consciousness slammed back into my body, stumbling in the water. I'd expected the spell to have screwed with our bond, but he could still see, feel, and hear me.

I spun just as Fane reached me. "Just listen to?—"

My words cut off as he wrapped his hand around my throat to strangle me, and not in the fun way I liked during sex. This was to sever my air supply and force me unconscious. Would he then drown me or slit my throat and watch my blood turn the water crimson?

"Let me go." My fingers slipped over his, trying to break his hold. "You can't kill me."

His menacing laugh sent chills down my spine. "I can't?" He yanked me into his chest, snarling like a feral beast. "Watch me."

As black spots converged over my vision, I reached inside and pulled out whichever magic answered my call. It happened to be my demon side because as soon as I tapped into that power, my pupils elongated into black slits like Fane's.

This caught him off guard, allowing me to slam my arm across his, finally breaking his grip. I stumbled back and choked on air as my esophagus burned with each breath. Bruises would definitely form on my neck soon.

"What the fuck are you?" His nostrils flared as his muscles tightened beneath the wet shirt. "Shifters don't have eyes like that."

"I'm not just a wolf shifter." I widened the gap between us and circled toward the shore, walking backward. "Don't you remember?"

He followed me, matching my every step with his larger stride, bringing us closer. "I remember that you killed my brother."

My hand absentmindedly went to the claw marks on my side as I rose out of the water, catching Fane's attention. He growled, knowing exactly what the scars were from. "Venna had Kaspin put a spell on you."

"The only spell Kaspin performed was to help me find Warin's killer." He yanked the bloodstone out of his shirt. " This showed me his murder, and it's enchanted to lead me to his killer. And I found her."

I frantically shook my head as Fane followed me through the lake. "Venna brought us to Heldrok together. She had your mother and would only release her if we surrendered."

He scoffed. "Nice try. Venna is the one who got my mother out of Heldrok."

"Ruin did!"

Kaspin really screwed with his memories.

Water dripped down his body, and his black shirt clung to his shredded torso, revealing all the hard dips and curves I knew by heart. "You're going to pay for killing my brother."

"I didn't have a choice." My bare feet sank into the sand on the shore and then the grass. "He slaughtered four teens and a little girl. When he came after me, I fought back."

"That's bullshit. Warin would never kill innocent kids."

"He wouldn't, but something was wrong with him." I searched the ground for my sword but didn't stoop to pick it up. What the hell would I do with it? I wouldn't kill Fane.

I'd let him kill me first.

"We met months ago outside of Wrath & Ruin." I made the mistake of ignoring my surroundings, and my back hit a tree as Fane quickly closed the distance between us. "We were in Heldrok together for killing Venna's sister and Karn. She also?—"

He moved too fast and pinned me against the rough bark. His presence overwhelmed me—his warmth, the heady scent of leather and spice, and his familiar touch—and I melted into him despite the perilous situation. A moan slipped out before I could clamp my lips shut.

The disgust on the demon shifter's face almost fooled me, but when his gaze dipped to my breasts, his desire bubbled underneath.

He was still attracted to me even though he wanted to kill me.

That was how it had been at the beginning. Murder and lust.

"Don't let her do this to you, Maverick." My hand trembled as I reached up and ran my finger over the scar across his jaw. "She's using you."

He snatched my wrist and restrained it above my head. "She's helping me. I just have to bring you to her so she can get the Infernal Sol out, and then I can kill you. That's my payment for her assistance."

Voices echoed from the other side of the lake, and Fane's head jerked back. "Why are Ruin and Logan here?"

"Because we're friends," I said, my heart racing from the threat of Fane and the adrenaline pumping through my veins. If I could only make him see the truth, we could get out of this place together.

There was still a chance.

"They helped us escape from Heldrok." My free hand rested on his chest. "When Mykel caught you before we were free, you told them to get me to safety. We were supposed to come back, but Venna?—"

"Tate, are you okay?" Logan called.

Fane slapped his hand over my mouth before I could yell. "Don't even think of alerting them."

He would bolt the moment I did, and he was too fast for either of them. Nadia's magic probably wouldn't catch him either.

The demon shifter's nostrils flared. "She said you'd use the Infernal Sol's magic to trick me." He jerked his chin toward the forest. "You must be using it on Logan and Ruin too."

"Okay, Tate, since you refused to answer me, I'm coming over there," Logan shouted.

Fane cursed and backed away. "This isn't over, Tatum Teague." His lips curved into a sinister smile. "I found you once. I'll find you again."

A strangled laugh burst out at the same words he'd said in that alley. "Yeah, I know. You find things, Maverick."

His brows knit, but as Logan's footsteps grew closer, he pivoted and vanished through the foliage on the other side.

When the high demon appeared and saw my face, he hurried toward me. "What's wrong?" Thankfully, he was fully dressed again.

I dragged my hand through my snarled locks and then, remembering I stood in my soaked bra and underwear, I crossed my arms to cover myself. "Fane was here."

"What?" Ruin materialized in his all-black attire and peered through the nearby trees. "Where is he?"

"Don't bother. He's already gone," I said. The demon shifter moved like a ghost and nearly as fast as a vampire. "At least he won't kill me on the spot. Venna convinced him to bring me to her first so she can try for the Infernal Sol."

Logan pulled me from the tree and hugged me to his warm body. I would have shoved off anyone else, probably even Ruin. "We'll find him, Tate. And we'll get him back. I promise."

If we couldn't, I'd rather hand myself over to that evil bitch to keep Fane from suffering in her prison. He may no longer have bars around him, but he was still her captive.

I frowned as we walked through the outskirts of Vlehull, keeping to the shadows. This was the closest door to Earth and the most dangerous since it took us right through Venna's territory.

The last time I was here, everything was lively like any city. People roamed the streets, and the windows of houses were lit up. Fane and I had to be careful as we made our way to Logan's place.

Now? The city was desolate and abandoned. Some of the buildings were crumbling and the red streetlights were broken.

"What happened here?" I whispered as if I might disturb any ghosts hiding amongst the dilapidated structures.

Logan dragged his hand through his sandy-brown hair as his blue gaze roamed the cobblestone street. "Things have gone downhill since Venna took over."

My head snapped back. "She's worse than Karn?"

"At least Karn cared about Vlehull. He wanted it to be a top-notch Underworld city." Logan shrugged. "Venna doesn't give a shit about this place or the citizens. She only cares about power."

Ruin jerked his chin for us to turn left onto a narrow street. "She's spent most of her time in Heldrok with you and Fane or snooping around my territory." He cracked his neck and flexed his fingers. "I guess she doesn't need to snoop anymore since she knows why I wanted the Infernal Sol."

Knots fisted in my chest, and I stared at my boots as a bitter taste coated my tongue. "I'm sorry, Ruin. "

His hand rested on my shoulder. "Don't feel guilty, Tate. It's not your fault."

Yes, it was. I'd just add it to the growing list of grievances I needed to atone for.

"Tate, I didn't?—"

Nik lifted his hand to quiet us as his neon-green eyes brightened. My nape prickled at the mounting tension. Had Fane followed us all the way to Vlehull?

A figure emerged from the shadows, long ebony hair swishing around her thin waist as she hurried toward us.

"Kesandra!" Logan met her in the middle of the road. "What are you doing here?"

Air lodged in my throat, and I almost puked as Fane's mother hushed the high demon.

Warin's mother.

"You're supposed to be safe and protected in Savannah at Ruin's." Logan groaned and ran his hand down his face. "Fane would kill us if he knew you snuck back to the Underworld."

She peeked around. "Where is he?"

Now I really could throw up. Once again, because of me, her son was in danger.

"He's still in Venna's custody." Ruin stepped forward and rubbed the growing stubble on his jaw while searching for the right words. "We ran into some complications."

A line developed between her eyebrows as she noticed me, and then her shoulders fell. "Oh."

"Don't worry, Kesa," Nik said, giving her a reassuring smile. "We'll get him."

"I know." She waved her hand for us to follow her. "I found an empty house we can hole up in for the night. Venna's guards will see us if we attempt to cross through the doorway to Earth at this hour."

As sickness churned my gut, I hung back to put distance between Fane's mom and me. She wouldn't want to be next to her son's killer. She led us to an abandoned house that looked worse on the outside with falling shutters, broken steps and windows, and a crumbling porch, but the inside was still clean and cozy. There was even electricity.

How did that work? Was there an electric company demons had to pay to have power or?—

Seriously? Did that really matter?

Ruin pointed out a small room with a bathroom where I stripped and showered without the presence of other inmates. I was able to use shampoo and conditioner instead of a bar of harsh soap. Maybe I'd be able to get a brush through my hair now.

As the dirt and grime swirled down the drain, I couldn't help but think of when Fane and I showered in Logan's house in the Underworld. I'd poured my heart out to him, and he'd held me while I cried.

That was the first time I'd ever been vulnerable with anyone. After Fane handed me over to Ruin, I regretted every moment.

But now, I longed to repeat it.

Hot tears ran down my cheeks, mixing with the water. I'd fallen for the demon shifter so hard I couldn't get my bearings straight. And all he wanted to do was kill me.

After I stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around my body, I realized I had nothing except my dirty clothes to put on. Maybe the owners left something behind that I could wear. I opened the bathroom door and froze as Kesandra perched on the edge of the bed. The scars running down her left cheek and neck gleamed in the dim lights.

Instead of a sneer, her mouth curved into a delicate smile. "I thought you might need something to wear." She patted a pile of clothes next to her. "I found them in a drawer in another room. They're about your size."

"Thank you." I stumbled from the door and examined the black leggings, sports bra, and cut-off t-shirt. Wow. This was just my style.

"Logan told me what happened with Warin."

The blood drained from my face, my legs gave out, and I collapsed on the bed. "I-I am so sorry." I swallowed hard. "I didn't?—"

She lifted her hand to cut me off. "I don't blame you. Obviously, something had been very wrong with my son for him to do something so horrible." She shook her head and tucked ebony locks behind her ear. "You were young and had no idea about this other world living right next to yours. All you did was protect yourself."

I clutched the towel around me, water dripping from my damp hair. "If I had known more, maybe I could have helped him. Maybe I could have tied him up or knocked him out until someone else came along."

Kesandra gently patted my arm. "Don't play that game, sweetheart. And if he'd gotten away, who knows how many people he would have killed. Warin was a kind soul, and he would have had a difficult time dealing with that if he ever became himself again."

My head bowed, and I choked back another round of tears. "You must think I'm nothing but trouble. Your other son got involved with me, and now he's being controlled by an evil royal."

She pointed to a small decorative partition. "Why don't you get dressed over there? You're shaking like a leaf. You must be freezing."

I wasn't shaking from the cold.

Still, I grabbed the bundle of clothes and made my way behind the divider. "Did they tell you about Kaspin's spell?"

"They filled me in," she said. "Fane is strong. He'll come out of it."

I tossed the towel over the wall and quickly shoved on the underwear and bra. "Kaspin is a powerful witch, though. I'm worried about Fane."

"You'll be able to bring him back to normal."

After pulling on the leggings, I peeked over the wall. "Why are you so sure I can do that?"

His mother gave a knowing smile. "My son has had a very lonely life, and he never thought he was worth much to anyone beyond what he could do for them. But when I saw how he was with you at Ruin's—even for those short moments—I knew he wouldn't be doomed to wander the realms alone. He found someone."

Invisible claws ripped my chest open, and I bit my tongue to keep from crying. Fuck. I wasn't emotional, but having Fane yanked away and turned into my enemy again had thrown me into chaos.

"I don't deserve him," I whispered, pulling the shirt on and stepping out from behind the wall.

Kesandra stood and closed the distance between us, cupping my cheek. "You thinking you don't deserve him just makes me more certain that you do, no matter how you two met."

A knock rapped on the door, and Ruin peeked in. "Everything okay?"

"Certainly." Kesandra gave me a kind smile and stepped away. "I'm going to make sure Logan isn't causing trouble out there."

Ruin snorted. "He's annoying Nik."

She shook her head. "You guys are like children. I'll have to put him in time out."

The demon lord chuckled under his breath as Kesandra left. "Nik and Logan will keep watch first so we can get some sleep."

"Thanks." I looked at the bed, exhausted but afraid to close my eyes. The nightmares would come.

He strolled in and slipped a small vial out of his pocket. "Any chance I could get a sample?" He winced. "I know this isn't the best time."

"It's fine." I'd revealed his master plan to Venna, and his brother—who may or may not be evil—probably knew too. It was the least I could do.

Ruin stepped closer. "I'll be gentle." His fingers dove into my hair as he tilted my head back, his opened mouth descending on mine.

My soul vibrated and dislodged from my core, but it wasn't a painful tearing like when Sorin or any other demon tried to suck me dry. I willingly let Ruin take some, and the demon lord clearly knew how to sip on a soul.

Heat slinked through my veins, and a soft moan slipped out. He was very good at it, indeed. Ruin knew how to make it pleasurable, and if I wasn't so wrapped up in Fane, I might have enjoyed it more. But the moment his lips brushed over mine, I drew away, cutting off the flow of my soul.

Ruin didn't seem disappointed as he blew the white, misty cloud into the glass vial, corking it. "Thank you, Tate. I can't tell you how much I appreciate this."

"Of course. You came to Heldrok to break us out." I put more space between us. "I owe you."

His attention flickered toward the bed. "Want some company?"

Fane, the one who didn't long to slaughter me, would knock the demon lord out for even suggesting that.

"I'm okay," I said, grabbing the towel off the wall divider and heading back into the bathroom to hang it on the hook. "Thanks, though."

His smile lost the sultry edge, and a softer one prevailed. "I guess I lost any chance with you."

He never really had one. "Fane and I are just…" I chewed on my bottom lip, still unable to explain all that entailed Fane and I. "Complicated."

Ruin shoved his hands into his pockets and shrugged. "When it's more than sex, it's always complicated."

"I think it's a little more so with us."

"Maybe." Ruin sauntered toward the door but peered over his shoulder. "I'll be in the next room, so if you change your mind, just call my name. I'll gladly be your distraction for the night." He winked and stepped into the hall, closing the door behind him.

I groaned and collapsed on the bed over the covers, the stale scent of the fabric swirling up my nose. Not that long ago, I was initiated as a raven and prepared to risk my life protecting humans from nightworlders .

Now I was holed up in an abandoned house in the Underworld with four demons and a witch while the guy I'd fallen for was hunting me. Oh, and I was no longer human. I was some freaky shifter demon mix with a powerful amulet concealed inside.

If only Hawk could see me now.

And if he knew what I'd done in Heldrok, he might even think me evil enough to kill.

Maybe I was.

I rolled onto my side and curled into a ball, closing my eyes. The nightmares would come, but I couldn't deprive myself of a few minutes of sleep. Exhausted, I quickly lost consciousness until something stirred me from the darkness.

A rough hand caressed my arm from my shoulder all the way to my wrist, turning me over onto my stomach. That same touch ran along my other arm. Something warm wrapped around my wrists, binding them together.

Binding them?

My eyelids popped open, and I jerked onto my back, staring at those mismatched irises.