Page 108 of Reluctant Rebel

“You’ll stay here and do no such thing,” Jinx commanded in a no-nonsense tone.

He stared at her for a moment. “Is this what my life is going to be like from now on? You bossing me around?”

She arched an imperious brow at him. “I can guarantee it.”

Mikhail grinned, turning to look at Eric. “I’m one lucky bastard.”

“The luckiest,” Eric confirmed with a salute. “Excuse me. I see Styx wrestling with a manticore. I’m going to even the odds.”

As Eric bounded away, Mikhail rose to his feet. He felt a little shaky, but he was gaining strength quickly. He wasn’t about to hide when his people were fighting and dying. And as much as he wanted to lock Jinx somewhere safe, he knew it was her right to be beside him. “Come on. We need to remind Sabre to incapacitate and not kill where possible.”

The plan had been to capture as many of Z’s followers as they could until they could discern who was truly a traitor and who was being controlled. He wasn’t naïve. He knew it wasn’t possible to save everyone. But those who were fighting unwillingly were victims. He wanted to help as many as he could. He could see soldiers rounding up prisoners and knew his will was being carried out. But he also walked past quite a few bodies on his way to his brother and Sabre.

Brax was handling himself like the pro he was. His exoskeleton was still firmly in place, and as Mikhail watched, his massive fist connected with a vampire’s shoulder, sending him staggering. Brax then zapped him with his new legacy, knocking him unconscious. Draven plucked the vamp up, flying him to the Horde to secure, and was back within seconds, guarding Brax’s back.

“Any sign of Z?” Mikhail shouted, trying to be heard over the sounds of battle. He ducked when a female harpy literally came flying at him. Jinx knocked her out with a single punch to the temple.

“No. None,” Brax replied, moving closer. He toed the harpy with his boot, seemingly satisfied when she didn’t react. “If we don’t find him …”

“I know.” He could only hope that they find Z soon or that he would die from his injuries. It was a hell of a thing to hope for.

To his right, Sabre nimbly evaded inky tendrils of pure darkness as they lashed out at her like whips. A shadow demon hissed as it lunged forward, and Sabre's blade flashed as she parried the attack. “What's the matter, tall, dark, and gruesome?” she taunted as she launched herself forward, her sword cutting through the demon's shadowy defences.

The demon stumbled backwards, his form flickering and contorting in pain as he hesitated to attack again. Mikhail hoped Z’s influence was waning because he recognised the shadow demon as Perran, a usually honourable man. In a burst of black energy, the demon lunged at Sabre once again. Before she could slice his head off, Gage jumped between them.

“Don’t kill him. He’s a decent guy when he hasn’t been mind-fucked.” Gage ducked under the demon’s wickedly curved blade as it whistled through the air. Darkness took the form of a barb and lashed out to ensnare Gage’s ankle. With preternatural grace, he leapt, twisting in mid-air to avoid the attack, landing catlike on a headstone. “Perran!” he shouted.

But Perran couldn’t be deterred. He lunged, his claws slicing at Gage’s throat. Before he made contact, he stiffened, his whole body lighting up like a Christmas tree, before he fell to the ground. “Nice,” Gage praised Brax, jumping down. “Thanks.”

Brax dipped his head in acknowledgement before holding his hands up. He flexed them, and they all watched as the scales melted away. “I think I’m running out of juice.”

“Stay back then,” Sabre ordered immediately. “Stay with Mikhail.”

“I’m not going anywhere until I see Zagan’s dead body with my own eyes,” Brax growled, his amber eyes flashing.

“Ditto,” Mikhail concurred. He turned to meet the attack of another of Z’s minions, a hulking giant with gnarled hornsand razor-sharp claws. The stench of sulphur filled his nostrils, making him grimace in disgust. “Ugh. Why do you smell like that?”

The creature snarled, preparing to charge, when a voice as smooth as sin interrupted. “Because she's from the pits of Hell.”

Lucifer materialised in front of Mikhail, his presence stopping the raging female cold. “And she most certainly does not belong here,” he said, his tone almost bored.

Mikhail hesitated, unsure whether to feel relieved or suspicious of Lucifer's sudden intervention. The King of Hell had been adamant about his inability to help directly. “I can take her,” Mikhail said, though he wasn't entirely convinced himself.

Lucifer raised an eyebrow, a sly smile playing at his lips. “Can you now?” His white gaze was penetrating as if weighing Mikhail's very soul. “Let's not take any unnecessary risks, shall we? Allow me.”

Lucifer opened a veil with a flick of his wrist, much like Mikhail’s portals. He marched up to the huge woman, giving her a shove so she fell backwards, disappearing into Hell. “You’re welcome.”

“I thought you said you couldn’t help,” Sabre said with a scowl. She didn’t so much as glance at the bear shifter who tried to gut her with its claws, merely executing a powerful uppercut. The bear bellowed, collapsing onto its back.

“In matters ofPurgatory. But she was Hell’s domain,” Lucifer explained easily.

Jinx smiled warmly at the Devil. “Nice loophole.”

Lucifer grinned back, and Mikhail felt his hackles rise. The angel’s face was too perfect to be that close to his mate. As if sensing his thoughts, Lucifer focused on him. “Congratulations on your mating.”

“Thank you.” His short reply amused Lucifer if his chuckle was anything to go by.

“I better leave you to it.” Lucifer patted Styx, the hellhound having pressed against his legs, demanding attention. “One last heads-up … Z hasn’t made his way to Hell yet. Which means his heart is still beating. Watch your backs.”

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