Page 113 of Hell Bound

We ran through the forest, but I scented nothing. Even the Beast was asleep—or else many miles away.

I didn’t give a damn if he waylaid the Tainted delegation and crushed every single one of them underfoot.

When we’d run far enough, ensuring a path clear of monsters, the chains loosened. They recognized their master’s command had been obeyed.

I loped into an empty clearing, kicking up the black dust underfoot, and shifted into my demon form.

“Deasley, join me.”

He obeyed, shifting and looking around. That dead-eyed look hadn’t quite left his face. “Yes, sir?”

“We’re going to train.” I kicked a large rock out of the way and moved a large tree branch. Jovran shifted after us, gripping the bone runes around his neck. “You will learn everything we can teach you to ensure you win. We will not let you face Odragir without you being able to put up a fight.”

Jovran released the runes, rolling his shoulders. “Travan agrees with this.”

For the first time since Asmodeus’s announcement, a little light came back into Deasley’s eyes…

And died again just as quickly. “I’m the worst of all of us. Even Pyp can beat my ass with her pinky finger.”

I gripped his hand, forcing it upright into a fighting stance. “Release your claws.”

“Commander…”

“Release them.”

His claws slid forward, tearing through flesh, and gleamed dully in the darkness. “It’s hopeless.”

“Nothing is hopeless,” I snapped at him, angry at how easily he’d accepted his own death. “You have speed, so that is what you’ll use against Odragir. Teeth, now.”

Deasley sighed, but his fangs slid out, filling his mouth in a mimicry of a grin.

Jovran leaned against a tree, watching with one eyebrow raised.

I slid into a fighting stance, circling Deasley. “Look for an opening. You have the basics, and you know how to use the tools we were given. Speed is your friend in this fight.”

I lunged in, landing a scratch on Deasley’s shoulder that closed almost instantly.

“Any day now,” I growled. He turned to watch me, tightening up his form.

His first lunge was half-hearted at best, and I easily shoved him back.

But that dead look was fading again, his mouth twisting as he concentrated.

When he finally lashed out, landing a one-two strike across my chest, I was unprepared. He’d waited until I blinked, and his fists were as fast as lightning.

“Good.” I looked down, watching the scratches close and heal over. “Jovran, you’re up. Your build is closer to Odragir’s. He’s more of a head-on fighter—Deasley, remember how to break an opponent’s hold.”

He nodded, his jaw set with determination as he crouched, eyeballing Jovran’s loose stance.

I took Jovran’s spot at the tree, watching them spar as the moon passed slowly overhead. My internal clock counted down the hours until it would be safe to return.

I would find a way to break Lilith out of here… and I was determined not to lose a single fucking wolf in doing it.

Chapter27

Lilith

Snick.

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