Page 9 of Hell Bound

Let it bounce off you, Lily. Don’t say anything—

“First off, I’ve never been married to you or anyone else. Second,” she went on with fake sweetness, “My name is Liliana. It must be so easy for a poor,patheticbastard like you to get confused, but I’m not your Lilith, asshole.”

Fuck.

Asmodeus drew to a halt, only an arm’s length away from her.

Tension radiated from my pack, which had arrayed around us. Their shimmering hellfire lit the dark hall of the Infernal Court’s entrance, painting Lilith’s skin and hair a vibrant red.

We all had an idea of what would come next.

I bit the inside of my cheek hard enough to draw blood. The copper taste filled my mouth, clearing my head.

I couldn’t step in, not without making things worse for her. And no matter what he was about to do to her, it was only the beginning.

But Asmodeus’s grin widened, splitting impossibly wide. “It seems your time in the mortal world has refreshed your spirit and given you a new outlook on life.”

Behind me, Odragir was panting in excitement, his eyes glowing with hellfire when I glanced back at him. I made a mental note to break a few of his ribs the next time we were in the training yard.

Deasley, the youngest of my pack, let out a barely audible whine, scratching the floor once in distress. He had watched out for her over her entire mortal life, even if she’d had no idea.

“Don’t touch me,” Lilith hissed as Asmodeus reached out to cup her cheek. Anyone who didn’t know him might think it was a tender caress, the kind a caring husband gave his wife.

She tried to jerk away from him, but he caught her chin in a tight grip.

Asmodeus swiped a thumb over the dried blood and it flaked onto his skin. He lifted his hand to his mouth and sucked his finger, closing his eyes like he was savoring a fine wine.

“You’re insane,” she whispered. Lilith looked revolted, but beneath the dread of what was coming next, I felt a brief flare of satisfaction.

I’d been covered in fresh blood when I’d touched her, but she still hadn’t shied away from me.

My Lily was still somewhere in there… even if she wasn’t supposed to be.

Asmodeus finally opened his eyes and looked down at her, flecks of the mortal’s brown blood painting his lips.

There was a fraught silence, and then he snatched her hair, moving as quick as lightning.

Lilith let out a shriek as he ripped her forward, holding her by those thick locks like they were a leash.

She barely managed to hold herself upright, hands flying to her scalp.

The fright and pain on her face was almost too much to bear.

I dug my nails into my palms.

Don’t interfere, it will only make it worse for her.

Much, much worse.

“Insane?” Asmodeus asked, jerking her again as he chuckled at her sudden, shocked tears. “I am many things,Lilith, but that is not one of them. Since you seem to have forgotten, allow me to enlighten you.”

He lifted her by her hair. She let out a horrible wheezing scream, her toes scrabbling for purchase on the marble floor.

“I own you. I can, and will, make your life a living hell.”

Lilith’s body jerked like a marionette as he shook her by his handful of hair.

“AndI will always be five steps ahead of you,” he hissed, lifting her another inch before he unceremoniously flung her down. “Remember quickly, my beloved wife, before I decide that my collection needs a new addition.”

---