Page 27 of Hell Bound

As he launched himself at me, thoughts of what Lilith could be facing at this exact moment raced through my head.

My fist connected with his chin with a single clean strike. Odragir’s teeth clacked together and several demons audibly groaned, cringing at the sound of shattering ivory.

He flew backwards, toppling to the floor like a puppet with its strings cut. Bloody drool dripped over his chin as Vibek and Arand rushed in to scoop their fallen leader off the floor.

I straightened up, the wounds in my throat already healing.

“Morningstar proves himself yet again.” Asmodeus laughed, raising his goblet to me in a mocking toast. “Good dog.”

It took everything in me to keep myself planted where I was and bow.

I craved the taste of his blood, but all the wolves knew what happened when we tried to get that close.

By the time I stood upright, Asmodeus had already forgotten the entire exhibition. Tavila sat in his lap, giggling as she ran her fingers through his hair.

I stalked out of the circle of demons, heading for the wolves’ table.

“Jovran. Deasley. Killian.”

They were one step behind me, as always.

“Don’t do what I think you’re going to do, Commander,” Jovran said darkly.

She’d had a ten minute head start. More than enough time to make it over the bridge and to the edge of the forest. If she’d gone over the balcony, she was likely injured on top of everything she’d face in the dark.

My skin was crawling, my wolf clamoring to shift and run.

I turned just long enough to stare him dead in the eye. “Do you want to challenge me to lead this pack right now, or can you put your shit aside and follow?”

My hands were clenched, still blood-soaked, still clawed. Jovran’s lips thinned, but he didn’t make a play for my position.

“Lead on, Commander,” Deasley said cheerfully. “Pyp’s coming.”

We slipped out through the side door, and the smaller, white-haired form slid in amongst us.

“The queen’s—” she started to say, and Jovran held up a hand.

“We know.”

Pypentha scowled, but unlike Jovran, at least she was ready and willing to go without complaint. “Rude. At least allow me to finish my sentences.”

I snarled, and the lot of them fell silent before Jovran could snap back at her.

“We start from the bridge.”

Then I let the wolf out, my form rippling as I fell to all fours, my clothes exploding into tatters. Heat seared my throat, burned my paws as the hellfire within me was unleashed.

I felt the others follow suit, falling into pack formation as I charged through the hall towards the doors.

The gate guards let us pass without a word, and the sickly smells of food and perfume faded. The wind brought copper and ash: the lake of blood, the burning lands, and beneath it all, the faintest trail of apple blossoms.

Lilith.

How could she still smell the same?

I followed the trail over the bridge, my paws sinking into moist earth as I padded around the edge of the lake. Languid waves rippled towards us, carrying the copper stench, but there was a soft imprint in the wilted gray grass at its edges.

Pypentha pushed past Killian, shoving her nose into it and vying with Deasley for the first sniff.

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