Chapter 4

Chapter

Four

The warden stared at me from across his desk, looking so much like Ruin I had to blink until his face returned to normal.

What was with me? He didn't look that much like the high lord of Savannah. Sure, they both sported piercings and tattoos and preferred sleek black suits, but Demarcus's arctic appearance was chilling to the bone. His gaze could freeze me to the highbacked chair Gershan shoved me into.

Demarcus cleared his throat. "I heard you and Lord Ruin Bacchus are close."

What the ever-loving hell?

"Can you read my mind?" I blurted.

The warden cocked that pierced eyebrow. "Were you thinking about him? And I thought you only had eyes for Fane Maverick."

Heat rushed into my cheeks, and I squirmed in the seat. "It's not like that." I folded my arms. "You just remind me of him. "

His lips pursed. "I've heard that before, but don't worry. I don't take offense."

"If anything, it's a compliment. You should be so lucky."

He stood and walked to a small bar in the corner, his office something out of a gothic manor with dark wood, baroque wallpaper, and shadows where ghosts would hide. "Are you close with Ruin?"

"What? No. I just know him." I dragged my fingers through my tangled locks, catching on knots that would probably never come out.

Demarcus poured something into a glass, strolled to my side of the desk, and placed the cup in front of me. "Lemonade?"

My brows slammed down even as my mouth watered. "How did you know…?"

His lips slanted in a crooked smile that was both creepy and sexy. "Like I said, Ms. Teague, I know everything."

I kept my hands in my lap as he returned to his cushy leather chair. Why didn't he refer to me as prisoner 487331? Was he trying to get in my head? Did he want something from me?

Most people did.

"It's not poisoned," the warden said, sipping his drink, some blue concoction. When I refused his offering, he grabbed the crystal tumbler, put it to his lips, and swallowed. "See? Nice and refreshing."

My mouth begged me to chug the sweet and sour liquid I'd developed a craving for after Fane turned me. Stale, lukewarm, and dirty water was the only thing I'd had in months. Finally, I couldn't resist temptation and snatched the glass, gulping it. My tastebuds rejoiced and partied on my tongue .

"I know about the Infernal Sol."

The warden's words had me choking on lemonade. "What?" Panic sliced through my insides. Oh shit . Venna wasn't the only one who wanted the amulet. Was this why he allowed her to bring me to Heldrok? Did he want a piece of the ancient magic?

"I don't care about that." He grabbed my empty glass and went to the bar to refill it. "I have no interest in the Infernal Sol, but Ruin does."

I slammed my fist into my chest to clear my airways. "Pretty much anyone who finds out I have it wants it."

Demarcus took his seat. "But Ruin wanted it before the amulet chose to hide within you. He hired Fane Maverick, and the demon shifter sold you to the high lord."

My eyes narrowed. "He didn't sell me."

"Do you defend him because of this mysterious bond? I know it's more than Fane biting you." He motioned his finger to my neck tattoo. "You both have developed lots of little abilities."

The color drained from my face, and the lemonade in my stomach roiled. "I don't know what you're talking about."

He tsked. "Don't worry. This secret will stay with me. Venna will never know the depths of your bond with Fane. I don't particularly like the royal. Actually, I can't stand her."

"Then why are you letting her torture Fane and me?"

"Unfortunately, I owe her a favor, and this is what she requested." He lifted his hands as if to say the matter was entirely out of his control. "Otherwise, I wouldn't allow her into Heldrok unless it was in a cell. I'm not a total monster."

I scoffed. "You just let Fane's mother rot in here for no reason. "

"Ah, yes, Kesandra." His mouth curved into a smile that almost warmed his eyes. Almost. "She's a lovely creature. I'm glad she's free of this place."

"Why didn't you just let her out if you think she's so lovely?"

He sighed and laced his fingers on the large desk. "I may be the warden, but there are certain things even I can't do here." His gaze danced around his office as if someone invisible was watching.

"How convenient." I gulped the lemonade, knowing it would be the last good thing I tasted for a while.

The warden sipped his blue drink and slowly licked his lips. "Believe me or not. I don't care."

"Then what do you care about?" He'd called me in here for a reason. Was it just to let me know he had all this information on me, including my bond with Fane?

Did he know what caused it? Besides the obvious?

"What's Lord Ruin doing in his lab?"

My spine jerked straight, and the hairs on my nape stood up at Demarcus's interest in the demon lord. The warden seemed like the type to prefer the old ways, so if he knew about Soulvation, he'd probably do anything in his power to stop it.

"Why don't you just ask him yourself?" I crossed my arms and leaned into the back of the chair. "I don't know anything."

His mouth twitched into a smile. "You're quite the loyal creature, aren't you, Ms. Teague? That quality is hard to come by in young ones like you."

Young ones? He made me sound like a child.

He raked his hand through his purple locks. "I wish I had more allies like you."

"Maybe if you weren't a bad guy, you would. "

"And you think Ruin Bacchus is a standup nightworlder with noble causes?" His chuckle had my muscles tensing in preparation for a fight. "We've had quite a few crazed demons ending up in Heldrok because of their behavior. Did you know that they all came from Savannah?"

Ice ran through my bloodstream, but I tried to keep the shock off my face. "What are you implying?"

"There's always more to the story regarding demons like Ruin."

"And you?"

He shrugged. "Perhaps."

My flesh felt frozen as he continued to stare. Was he trying to blame these feral demons on Ruin? Did Demarcus think the demon lord was doing something in his lab to make them batshit?

No way. I didn't believe Ruin was some philanthropic hero, but he cared about his own kind. Demarcus was trying to make me doubt the high demon so I'd spill information about his secret work.

"It was lovely chatting with you, Ms. Teague." He pressed a button on his desk phone—they did have phones in Heldrok—and Gershen opened the door. "I'm finished with Ms. Teague."

The demon guard nodded and cuffed my wrists as soon as I stood. "Shall I return her to her cell?"

"No," the warden said. "Take her to the cafeteria for dinner with the general population."

As Gershan led me into the cafeteria, the pungent aroma of meat swam up my nostrils, and hunger pangs assaulted my stomach. I didn't even care what kind of meat was cooking. I was starving .

Rows of circular tables full of prisoners in multicolored uniforms stretched through the large stone room. Guards patrolled on the second-story balcony while more toured the bottom level, their hands never far from their collection of weapons.

My search through the throng of inmates was a waste of time. Fane wasn't there, or I would have sensed his presence.

"Get your food and find a place to sit." Gershan snatched my hands to unlock the cuffs. "Try anything, and you'll end up in a torture room or maybe one of those cages." His grin made me shiver as he shoved me toward the line.

I rubbed my wrists and tried to peek over prisoners to check out the food lining the metal tables in front, but most blocked my view. My lips thinned, and I finally gave up on getting a glimpse.

Whispers permeated the cafeteria, and prisoners' eyes drilled into me as they sneered. What was their problem? Had they heard about the fight earlier? Had it landed me on everyone's bad side?

Maybe it was good that I couldn't use the ancient demon magic right now. I'd tear them apart if I could.

When I finally grabbed a tray and waited for the vampire to serve me some mystery meat, she just glowered.

My brows knit. "Are you going to give me some or not?"

She scoffed. "Not."

"Why?"

She kept the tongs out of my reach. "I don't serve anyone on Sorin's bad side."

The realization struck me, and I held back my string of curses. That giant, oversized creep was already attempting to turn the inmates against me. It wouldn't have mattered until the warden decided to drop me into gen pop instead of keeping me isolated.

Just perfect.

Fire bled through my veins, but before I could attack her—or at the very least grab a piece of sizzling meat—a guard at the top halted and rested his hand on the gun dangling from his belt. The weapon probably held magical bullets.

I ground my teeth and moved on, encountering three more inmates who refused to serve me. When I reached the end, I snatched a piece of burnt bread, two strips of meat, and a metal cup of water. The demon snarled and prepared to dart around the line to fight me, but I slipped away.

Every table was occupied, and as I neared each one, scathing glares greeted me. If I sat down, my tray with my puny dinner would end up on me or the floor.

A lone female inmate dressed in a gray uniform in the sea of red, blue, orange, purple, and green caught my attention and waved me over.

Gray? What the hell was gray?

I hurried over and sat across from her even though I preferred to be alone. "Thanks," I muttered, hoping she hadn't lured me here as a trick.

"No problemo ." She nibbled on something that resembled a French fry. "You looked like you needed a friend."

My brows slammed together. "I don't need—" The rest of the words stuck in my mouth as I studied her, not believing my senses. "You're a raven."

"Guilty as charged." She motioned to her jumpsuit. "That's why I'm in gray. And why everyone looks at me like they want to crack my skull open and suck out my brain."

It took several moments for my mouth to regain movement. "How did you end up here?"

She shrugged, her long ebony locks sliding against her olive skin. "Long story."

I searched the cafeteria for other inmates in gray. "Are there more of you?"

"Not currently. I'm not Heldrok's first, but we are rare, considering we don't normally enter the Underworld unless there's a reason."

Like going on a secret mission to retrieve a dangerous amulet.

"I'm Maddie."

"Tate," I blurted, still caught off guard by her presence. She couldn't have been more than twenty-four, and The Calling spell still vibrated within her. At least she had her super senses. I couldn't imagine a human lasting long in Heldrok otherwise.

Maddie sipped her water and then took a bite of her meat, wincing. "You get used to the food. You're a shifter, so you probably like any meat."

"I wasn't always a shifter," I muttered.

Her brows rose. "Oh, a bitten wolf. How long ago?"

"I'm not sure. I've been here for a while, but they kept me separate from everyone else until now."

A female in purple slinked toward us, scowling. "Don't think you're safe, Maddie, because you have a little friend. She's on Sorin's shitlist too."

"Don't be jealous, Carina." Maddie leaned her chin in her hand. "Green isn't your color, and that permanent frown makes you look constipated. If that is the case, I can understand the sourpuss expression. Maybe you can get something in the infirmary for that."

I couldn't stop the snort from slipping out as crimson bled into the witch's face.

Her blue locks whipped around as she turned to me. "I heard you nearly got your ass kicked in the cages. You're lucky Knox broke up the fight, or you'd be lying in a puddle of your own blood and piss."

My fingers tightened around my fork. "You think so? Why don't you kick my ass right now, witch?"

Carina opened her mouth, but a large shadow descended across the table. "Sorin, I was just telling?—"

"Leave, Carina." The huge high demon shoved her away from our table and slapped a hand on it, leaning toward me. "Now that you've gotten a little taste of how your life in Heldrok will be, are you ready to apologize and pledge your loyalty to me?"

Unlike Carina, danger pulsated off Sorin, pouring ice through my veins. Because of him, I'd already gotten into a fight and had to practically steal my dinner. I could only imagine how much worse it could get. He clearly had more privileges than the usual inmate since he and his friends had their own rec room.

Of course, I was stubborn and not about to show weakness. If I bent to this, he'd make me bend further until he broke me. Might as well go out fighting.

"I'm good. I'm more of a loner anyway." I casually sipped my water, hoping he couldn't detect the tremors in my hand.

His lips tilted into a crooked smile, pulling my attention to the scar slicing them. "I'll have a guard bring you to my cell tonight to get acquainted. You'll change your mind."

The way he said acquainted had my gag reflexes engaging.

"No thanks." I didn't break eye contact, but I felt every inmate's gaze as the atmosphere in the cafeteria thickened.

"I don't think you understand, Tatum. This isn't an option. If I want you in my cell, you'll be there." When he spared Maddie a glance, her cheeks turned a sickly shade of green. "Isn't that right, Mads?"

Her fingers curled around the edges of her tray as if she wanted to hurl it at him. "I hope you choke on a soul one of these days, maybe mine."

His chuckle made my skin crawl. "Aw, Mads, your soul isn't that great." His stare traveled down her body, partially hidden by the table. "You're all right in the sack—for a raven."

Anger built in my chest as I read between the lines. This prick demon didn't take no for an answer, and he used his size and power to abuse others, including Maddie. I didn't know her, and I shouldn't care, but experiencing that powerlessness myself made me too tuned in to her feelings.

"I'd rather spend the night being tortured." I chewed on the piece of meat masquerading as food. Hell, I hoped this wasn't human flesh. "Run along and find some other inmate to fuck with."

Maddie let out an audible gasp, and Sorin's eyes darkened, flashing with rage. His muscles twitched as he held onto his control.

He'd attempt to suck out my soul if he didn't have a dampening sigil. Then again, he did have special privileges. Maybe he found a way around the pesky magic .

"You just made a mistake, shifter." Harsh lines cut into his already cruel face. "Your time in Heldrok just got a lot worse."

"I'm shaking in my boots." I dropped the mystery meat and sighed. "I've fought bigger and stronger. I lived while they're all six feet under. Do yourself a favor and walk away."

What in the ever-loving hell was wrong with me? I didn't want to become this monster's plaything, but I shouldn't egg him on either. Was the Infernal Sol affecting me more than I thought, or had the days of constant torture addled my brain?

His low, chilling laugh spread frost over my spine. "We'll see how far that mouth gets you, wolf." His finger stroked the back of my hand, and then he marched away, flashing a smirk over his shoulder.

I'd definitely just made a dangerous enemy.

"This is bad, Tate." Maddie swallowed hard and took a sip of water, her hand trembling. "Sorin is not the type to give up. He'll hound you and fuck with your existence so badly that you beg him to stop. He'll make the regular torture rooms look like heaven."

"I'm being tortured by a demon princess and her favorite henchman. I doubt Sorin is worse than them." Still, knots fisted in my chest as trepidation swirled through my bloodstream. This moment would come back to bite me in the ass, but I wouldn't be thrown into his cell without a fight.

Maddie's head jerked back. "Why is a royal demon torturing you?"

I shrugged. "It's a long story involving killing her sister and their friend."

"Was that before or after you became a shifter?"

"Both. "

She studied me for a long time until her jaw dropped. "Holy shit. Were you a raven?"

"Keep your voice down!" The prisoners already hated me because I went against Sorin. They'd eat me alive if they knew I was a former raven.

Maddie leaned forward, her gaze darting around the room to ensure no one was paying attention. "Where did you work as a raven?"

A pang thrashed through my heart whenever I thought of my time as a supernatural hunter. "Savannah, Georgia."

Her fork clattered to her tray. "You've got to be shitting me. Me too!"

"Really?" What were the odds of us meeting in Heldrok, of all places? "When?" She must have left before I came, or I simply didn't remember her.

"A few years ago, I guess. Time doesn't always work the same here as it does on Earth. I'm not even sure of how long I've been here. Sometimes it feels like hundreds of years."

She must be a badass if she'd survived years in Heldrok. Hell, surviving just months was a feat.

"Is Coltrane still leading the Savannah chapter?" she asked. "Please tell me someone has replaced that egomaniac by now."

On instinct, I opened my mouth to defend the captain even though she'd unceremoniously kicked me out. "She's still there."

A smirk pulled at Maddie's lips as she gauged my reaction. "Let me guess. You're another runaway Coltrane indoctrinated with all her fancy promises of glory and saving the innocent." She rolled her eyes. "That woman is so damn predictable."

Another runaway ?

I blinked, replaying her words in my head. "What do you?—"

Sharp tingles erupted across my neck tattoo, and I slapped my hand over it as I clamped my mouth shut to keep a moan from bursting out. I hadn't felt anything like this since the last time Fane and I were in the same room…

As the door opened, a group of guards escorted a prisoner with bound hands and feet, and a chain wrapping his torso that connected his extremities. My heart went into overdrive, and every nerve ending sizzled in his presence.

Hair as black as midnight coiled around his face, partially covered by a metal and leather muzzle strapped to his jaw.

They put a fucking muzzle on him!

I couldn't breathe, and the cafeteria sounds faded as those mismatched eyes—one golden amber and the other blue—locked on mine.

"My fiera mika."