Chapter 33

33

ROMAN

T he icy demon possessed the whitest hair and skin I'd ever seen. Apart from the blue flames dancing around his hands, he was pure alabaster, and extremely creepy.

You couldn't look at this prick for too long at the risk of going snow-blind. So, I inspected my surroundings instead—the frozen ground, the buildings engulfed by blue fire. Dead humans littered the ground, smothered in the azure flames or from severe body trauma. It was like a graveyard brought to the surface.

My God, the temperature was brutal. My coat might as well be paper against the bite of this air.

Allow us… the inner voices of Margarite and Lizard Guy hummed. Together, they pushed heat through me as if they'd cranked up the thermostat, lighting an extra fire under my arse.

"Welcome to the beginning." Andri's voice came out deep and viciously cold. An icy wind slapped my cheeks with every word that passed his lips.

Pixels glimmered in the sky, performing their multicolored dance. They were brighter than before, pulsing with wicked intent.

We were on the opposite side of the road to Horse Guards Parade. Demons stood guard at the arched entrance, along with some humans. It was the only building free of fire, but the fences were still covered in ice, icicles hanging from the windows of the famous structure.

The continuous fall of the dust gave the ice a glow up, the sparkles really popping. What a shame they didn't come with deicer.

"Do not resist, do not try to fight," Andri warned. "With one flick of my wrist, your lives will end."

My inner minions purred, hungry for his blood.

Patience… I waited for the right moment to strike, keeping Xavier's warning in mind.

The ice demon's eyes moved up and down my body. "I see there is no dagger in your chest now, sparkly one."

"Where's Ismael? In there?" I nodded to the parade entrance.

Andri smiled. "Butterfly warned me of a dangerous witch who may come to thwart the plan." He laughed, sending more of that cold wind at my face. "But you are nothing more than an ant."

My turn to giggle. "Been called worse. Anyway, ants are clever, enterprising creatures. I'm taking that as a compliment, Cheers. Thanks a lot."

Hmmm. Maybe I shouldn't be so cocky.

Movement around the entrance to the parade hinted at more bodies lurking in the shadows of arches.

Xavier grunted. "Lemon Drop…" He staggered forward, grabbing my shoulder for support.

"What's happening?"

Ten silver-clad witches stepped out of the arches, sauntering over to greet us. I caught the scent of lemons, saw the smirks on their faces.

Xavier groaned. I helped him to the ground, crouching by his side with an arm across his back.

The leader of the group, a woman with a silver baseball cap on her head spoke for the rest of them. "Evening, gents."

Man, what a nasty lemon stink, as if someone dropped gallons of lemony disinfectant on everything.

Xavier shivered, sticky with sweat.

Not my man… "Get away from here!" I bit out at the fuckers.

The leader shook her head. "We have to be here. His Majesty's orders. But glad to see Tanith's special sauce still works."

Her group laughed, along with Andri.

"You haven't seen her, have you?" she asked me.

"No." What a damn shame I hadn't been a witness to the button-eyed demon treating her like a pincushion.

"She'll be back, bless her heart," the woman said.

Excuse me while I piss myself and hurl at the same time.

"Anyway." She blew into her hands, rubbing them together for warmth before continuing. "We're taking Xavier inside because he's ours now. The king will be pleased to see his beloved."

"He's my beloved now," I countered, when I really should be keeping my mouth shut.

She chuckled. Oh, I was so fucking glad everyone here found everything so hilarious.

"Take him." The woman snapped her fingers and two burly men surged forward.

I got to my feet, ready to break some jaws. "Touch him and die."

"Roman…" Xavier panted.

His weakness only goaded me, drawing on the well of my new strength. I rushed one of the men, delivering an uppercut so nasty and so fast it broke his jaw and his neck. His corpse smacked the pavement, his head cracking open.

"Cunt!" the other guy roared, taking out his gun.

I went at him like a hurricane, my minions boosting my speed tenfold. I twisted his arm, claiming his weapon and unloaded a bullet into his chest, then took out three more.

"Remember the last time we met?" I said. "I'll fuck you up just like before."

I'd taken them all out, saved Xavier's delicious booty, and fell in love. They didn't win then, and they wouldn't win now.

Unfortunately, Andri flicked his wrist, setting me on fire.