Page 110 of Hell Bound

Asmodeus had gotten what he wanted. The rest of the room was abuzz with chatter of the upcoming murder, and I could swear I heard bets being placed.

Who’d be stupid enough to bet on Deasley?

Guilt shot through me, but realism won out. A spade was a spade, and Deasley was not a fighter.

Lucifer said he was working on a plan to get us free, and if it hadn’t before, that plan now included Deasley.

No way would I leave him behind to be savaged by a bitch like Odragir.

The meal dragged on as I sat there in misery, wracking my brain for any way to save him.

The Crone could do magic, maybe she could help make him a better fighter. Or Jovran could ask the bones for help, see if there was something we hadn’t yet considered.

How do you think you’re going to save Deasley when you can’t even save yourself?

I frowned. My inner voice was a bitch, but she wasn’t wrong.

When he’d eaten his fill—of food, thankfully, since Tavila stood silently next to Hana over the course of the meal—Asmodeus lifted his hand in a “come here” motion. Odragir stood from his chair and strode to the dais with a swagger that he didn’t deserve to have.

“Yes, my King?” Odragir swept into an exaggerated bow, clearly still pleased that he was going to get to kill my friend.

“I would like to thank you for your exemplary service as one of my trusted wolves. You’ve proven yourself far more worthy than others. And so I’d like to give you a gift I’ve never given to any other demon as a token of my gratitude.”

“You honor me, my King.”

“Escort my wife back to her rooms.”

“Of course, my King. And then?”

“And then you are free to do with her whatever you wish.”

Chapter26

Lucifer

Iforced myself to remain in my chair, claws digging into the recently replaced table and sending a fine spray of wood splinters over the plates.

Lilith’s face had gone white with shock, and I’d heard the king’s words clearly from across the room.

Do whatever you wish with her.

Odragir’s shoulders had straightened, tension written through every line of his body as he glanced at Tavila, but he was nothing if not a king’s man.

The rolls I’d planned to sneak into my pockets for Lilith crumbled in my other fist, the wolf within howling and raging to be unleashed.

“Breathe, Commander,” Deasley said, but his eyes were glazed with shock at the announcement.

At his impending demise.

He could not win alone against Odragir.

“We’re not done here,” I growled, rising from the table. Lilith walked stiffly from the room, her shoulders back and chin high, but I knew her well enough that I could pick out the slight tremble in her hands, the faltering steps.

Odragir was right behind her, walking mechanically. Asmodeus beckoned Tavila, who bent down as he spoke in her ear.

Her lips twisted with distaste, but she nodded shortly, refilling his wine glass before sweeping away in a swirl of skirts.

Following Lilith and Odragir.

---