Page 33 of The River of Fire

Daniel walks up to me and grabs my shoulders. “It does not matter, Kevin. Being elsewhere likely saved your life,” he says kindly, as always. I don’t deserve the kindness.

“Maybe I could have done something…” My voice is pathetic and lost.

Ramel snorts. “You would have done something against what is likely to be the oldest archdemon in Hell?”

I squeeze my fists. There has to be something we can do. “What does the letter say?” I ask Maalik, nodding at the paper.

“Only that he has her, unharmed, and that we should consider your safe return a gesture of goodwill,” he explains, and Corson laughs.

“She’s going to return bowlegged and dehydrated.”

“I didn’t know he still cared to fuck anything, with how old he is.” Ramel’s voice is full of mockery. “Can he still get it up, youthink?” he adds.

“This isn’t a joke!” I yell. “She’s in an archdemon’s stronghold! We need to do something!”

Maalik shakes his head, “While we could likely manage to kill a good deal of his army, even all of us together are no match for him. It would end with us decimated and Lana still in the same circumstances.”

“I do not believe he will kill her,” Daniel adds. “He seems to be fixated on her, for whatever reason. He came to her aid twice.”

“What if she’s alive but doesn’t want to be?” I snarl, and Daniel bows his head. “Whatever.” I turn towards the armory. “If you’re cowards, I’ll go get her alone.”

“Don’t be foolish!” Ramel grabs my arm. “You will only get yourself killed!”

“Let him go,” Maalik says, quieter than normal.

“Excuse me?” Daniel gasps at him.

“We can’t imprison him.”

But I’m already leaving, not caring to hear them finish the argument.

I arm myself and take some provisions from the kitchen. I’m not completely crazy, I know it’s going to take me all day to reach the gates of his fortress.

No one tries to stop me as I leave Purgatory to find my friend.

Chapter 25 – Lana

The sound of a heavy door clicking shut makes me emerge from the warm cocoon of sleep I’m wrapped in.

“You’re awake,” the most erotic voice in existence says.

I remember what I let him do to me, what I begged him to do to me, actually, and I flush. Not looking at him I ask, “How long have I been asleep?”

“A day.”

“A day!” I sit up and the blanket pools on my lap, exposing my naked breasts. I scramble to cover myself but it’s too late.

“Mmm,” Ashtaroth purrs, the sound hitting me straight in the gut. Well, a bit lower. He grabs the tops of my arms and pulls me up. Now I’m completely naked. “Lovely,” he says with a deep growl, then pushes me back against the wall. “I think it’s time your mouth acquaints itself with the cock you willworship as your god.”

I can’t help it. I look down at his crotch. I didn’t get a chance to see much of it while he was fucking me, but I would really, really like to.

A knock saves me from dropping to my knees and tearing his growing erection free from his pants.

“What?” Ashtaroth growls at the (un)timely interruption.

“My Lord,” a timid voice sounds through the door. “There is a Cambion boy at the gates. From Abaddon. He, ah, requests to see you and we are uncertain how to proceed.”

Kevin! It must be.

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