Page 102 of Hell Bound

Lucifer

Jovran waited until we were back in pack quarters to turn on me.

“Do you remember the last time we rebelled, Commander?” he demanded, slamming the door behind him. “Do you remember what it cost?”

I stopped mid-stride, fingers flexing at my sides. Odragir’s drying blood cracked and flaked off.

Turning slowly, I saw Pypentha and Deasley standing close together, their eyes large. They hadn’t been present for the rebellion—Pypentha had still been free, and Deasley had been in the human world, tracking Lilith.

It had been the one time we’d risked everything.

And lost it all.

Among the casualties were my loyal Fallen guards who’d been beside me since I was a child. Who had the ill luck to be cursed into wolves alongside me because Lilith had caught my notice, and I didn’t return home as planned.

“I remember it perfectly.” My tone was acid, corrosive enough to eat away at Jovran’s newfound, blustering anger.

He floundered for a moment, then drew himself up again. Pypentha and Deasley watched with bated breath, clinging to every word.

I’d never told them the whole story, only enough to ensure they knew when to cooperate, and when to fight against the curse.

“Killian paid his price.” Jovran flung a hand out towards Killian, who sat in the corner staring at nothing. “Aquila and Felix paid for our rebellion. They wereyourpeople, Commander.”

I winced internally at the mention of Aquila and Felix. Hearing their names spoken aloud was tantamount to summoning a pair of ghosts.

They had warned me to back off on seducing the Infernal queen, which I did not heed.

Because of me, their freedom was forfeited and their wings burned away.

Yet they had still charged against Asmodeus with me five years ago.

That day, when we thought we’d break free… when they’d lunged for him, leaping for him across the throne room, Asmodeus had merely clenched his fist, his eyes on my Fallen comrades.

The chains of the curse had wound tight, tearing at their flesh and bones.

They’d exploded in midair, bodies ripped apart, blood spraying across Asmodeus and the watchers.

I’d landed in the pools of blood, skidding to a halt as the chains tore into me. Jovran had been screaming his war-cry, and it became a strangled yelp as he was also driven to the ground.

Even when I’d gotten close enough to land a blow on Asmodeus, his skin had barely split—and I’d been tearing into him with a savagery I hadn’t known I could feel.

Jovran finally slapped a hand against his chest, rattling his runes. “We followed you in a bid for freedom and we failed. All of us have paid heavy prices—we know what happens when we cross the king. And after all we’ve lost, you continue to do so.”

It had taken years for Jovran to forgive me for Travan’s death. Once he’d been subjected to the curse himself, he came to understand what it meant to serve Asmodeus.

Choices ceased to exist. There was only obedience and survival.

“What’s done is done.” I watched Jovran evenly, wondering if this was what would finally cause him to rise up against me. “But I will not let Lilith be broken down again.”

“You will make her breakfasterif you continue to see her!” he hissed. “When Asmodeus finally destroys her, it will be because ofyou.”

“Then join Odragir!” I roared. “Become a loyalist and lick Asmodeus’s boots if you like. I’ve made it clear to all of you: I live to serve the queen. She is my mate, and if I have to burn down this entire court and everyone in it to free her, I will.”

We glared at each other, claws extended, inner wolves struggling to break free and fight, settle this with tooth and claw.

“Or you can help me,” I added quietly. “If I free Lilith, I will free all of you. You are still my pack.”

Jovran’s eyes sparked with hellfire flames, but a soft sigh made his ear twitch.

---