10. Azrael

CHAPTER TEN

AZRAEL

P ain. Endless, searing pain. Hester's face flashed before me, her eyes wide with terror as Clauneck's shadowy form engulfed her. Then Josephine, her lips parted in a silent scream as the cult's blade descended.

I thrashed against the cage's bars, my glyphs flickering weakly. I couldn't break through. Couldn't save her. "No!"

Clauneck's laughter echoed through the chamber as the visions of horror dissolved. "Still fighting, Azrael? How... amusing."

The gathered audience of underworld denizens snickered. The clink of coins on bets rattled through the crowd. How long I lived. What torments I suffered. A never-ending game for the lords and ladies of the underworld.

I spat blood, glaring at the demon. "Go fuck yourself."

My head throbbed. My body ached. He'd let some of his heavy hitters into the cage, then spun thick visions to keep me from any rest.

But if he held me, if he tried to tenderize my every inch, he didn't have Josephine.

His vessel's angelic features twisted into a sneer. The fucker was gearing up for another round of torture. I braced myself, determined not to give him the satisfaction of hearing me scream again.

A fool's impossible hope.

But before he could start, he stiffened. His head snapped to the side, nostrils flaring. "What the?—"

The cage rattled. Screams echoed through the halls. I grinned.

"What did you do?" Clauneck's eyes blazed with fury.

"Me?" I laughed. The sound was harsh, edged with madness and triumph. "I've been in this cage, remember? Your hospitality leaves much to be desired."

Another tremor shook the palace. Cracks spiderwebbed across the marble floors. Clauneck's minions scurried about like rats fleeing a sinking ship.

"Sounds like you pissed off the wrong person," I commented, turning my sprawl across the floor of the cage to a relaxed lounge. As relaxed as broken ribs allowed.

Clauneck rose from his throne and stalked toward me. His hands flicked through the motions of a spell, the words hissed through gritted teeth.

But the ground only rumbled harder. The walls shook, bits of debris raining down on us. I grasped the bars, clinging to them as the cage swung.

She materialized in the center of the room, a vision of terrible beauty. Gone was the scared, confused woman I'd stolen from the altar. In her place stood a queen of shadows, her skin glowing with power and her eyes burning with righteous fury.

The demon's face paled. For the first time in centuries, I saw fear flicker across his features.

It was delicious.

"Hello, Clauneck," Josephine purred, her voice a deadly caress. "Looking for this?"

Alain knelt at her feet, his body bent and shivering. Dark energy coiled around his neck and tethered him to her. She jerked the leash, and his body contorted in a painful arc.

"You," the demon snarled. "How dare you enter my domain? Fuck with my followers?"

"Your domain? Not anymore. Your followers?" Josephine's laugh was cold and sharp as a blade. "I gorged myself on their power."

I chuckled, the sound as raw and grating as it felt in my throat. "Looks like someone got sloppy with the knife play, Clauneck. Your pet there fucked up big time."

Clauneck turned icy eyes on Alain. A muscle along his vessel's perfect jaw twitched as he realized the threat that forced her way through his wards and stood before him.

The only kind that could truly threaten a demon.

"You nicked her?"

If Alain looked pale before, he went white as death. He dropped to his knees, hands clasped in supplication. "Forgive me, Master. I... I didn't realize?—"

Clauneck lunged for Alain, his form blurring with demonic speed. But Josephine was faster, yanking the leash and pulling Alain just out of reach. The demon's claws sliced through empty air, missing their mark by mere inches.

My Josephine dug her fingers into Alain's hair, wrenching his head back. His eyes rolled wide with terror. Good. Let the bastard suffer.

"Such a good puppy," Josephine crooned, her voice dripping with poisoned honey. "Leading me all the way back home." Her gaze locked with Clauneck's, a predator cornering its prey. "I think he deserves a reward, don't you? The privilege of watching his master destroyed."

The remaining servants skittered out of the room, leaving only Josephine, the demon, and me. The three of us, locked in a strange triangle of captor and captive, pawn and victor.

I couldn't tear my eyes away from my mate. She was stunning. Devastating. And more powerful than I could have imagined.

The thought shouldn't have sent a bolt of arousal straight to my cock.

The demon's shock lasted only a moment before his lips curled back in a snarl. "You dare challenge me, mortal? You're nothing. A sacrifice for me to enjoy. I can crush you in an instant."

His hands swept through the air, twisting in arcane gestures. A pulse of power burst through the room, slamming into Josephine. She staggered backward, her face tight with pain.

With a flick of her wrist, she sent him flying across the room, his body crashing into a pillar with a sickening crunch.

Josephine moved with deadly grace, each step bringing her closer to Clauneck. The demon lord struggled to his feet, his vessel's perfect features marred by fear and rage.

"Nothing?" Josephine scoffed. "You are nothing but a parasite, demon. A pathetic little insect feeding on the weak. And now the last flicker of your followers will serve a better purpose. Like helping me get rid of you."

He threw another spell, and she deflected it with a wave of her hand. She was so close, now. She stopped mere inches from Clauneck, towering over him.

"I am your ruin." Her voice rang out, loud and clear.

She curled her free hand into a fist. Clauneck's face contorted, his body bowing backward as he let out a guttural scream. His hands flew to his chest, his fingers scrabbling against an unseen force.

A dark mass of energy forced its way out of Clauneck's chest. It was beautiful and horrifying, swirling in front of Josephine like an extension of her body. She gripped it, her fingers tearing through the strands of Clauneck's essence, sending motes of light floating in the air around her.

Clauneck's body went limp, falling to the ground. Josephine's hand tightened, and everything that had been Clauneck tore apart, dissipating into nothing.

The door of the cage swung open with a creak, and I stepped out on shaky legs.

Josephine turned, her expression fierce. But she softened when she caught sight of me, her eyes roving over my battered form.

But her gaze hardened as Alain threw himself at her feet. "Please! Have mercy," he sobbed. "I never wanted to hurt you."

"Oh, no? Didn't want to lie to me? Use me? Try to kill me?" Josephine's voice was devoid of emotion. "How long did we date, you utter worm?"

"S—six months," he stammered.

She jerked her chin toward the now-empty cage. "Then you'll swing for six months before I grant your plea and let my reaper take your soul to do with as he pleases."

Alain's wails echoed through the chamber as Josephine flicked her wrist. His body hurled toward the gilded bars. The resounding clang spread a savage grin across my face. My mate was magnificent in her revenge.

I took Josephine's hand, feeling the raw power thrumming beneath her skin. I knew what I had to do. What felt right in the very marrow of my bones.

Without a word, I led her to Clauneck's abandoned throne. The seat of power that had loomed over me for centuries, a constant reminder of my servitude. But no longer.

At the base of the dais, I turned to face her. Slowly, deliberately, I sank to one knee. Josephine's eyes widened in surprise as I took her hand, pressing my lips to the back.

"My queen," I murmured against her skin.

I meant it with every fiber of my being. She was the ruler of my heart and soul. She was my everything.

Her fingers cupped my jaw, tilting my face up to hers. Her gaze was hot, hungry, as her thumb traced my lower lip.

"We rule together," she said softly. "Or not at all."

And fuck, what a glorious reign it would be.