Page 38 of To Hell and Back
“It has to be another god.”
Anika appeared a few feet away from them. “We found no break in the wards. Dario and the others have already begun reinforcing the wards around the property with new safeguards.”
“Good. And the boy?”
“He is settled in the containment room.” When Anika smiled, there was a wicked gleam in her eyes. “I’m going back down to the dungeon to spend some more time with our guest. I’m still not convinced she gave us all the information she has on the black market.”
“Have fun,” Killian said.
With a nod, she disappeared.
“We have a dungeon?” Seneca asked.
“We do. Would you like to see it?”
“I think I’ll pass on that for now.”
Killian launched a fireball of black flames at the bouquet of flowers, immediately turning it into a pile of ash. The total destruction of the flowers made her want to laugh, but she didn’t think he would appreciate that at the moment. The sight of the black flames did make her curious, though.
“I saw black flames like that when I was in the Hell Realm with those gods.”
That made him pause. “With the new God of Souls and Goddess of Revenge? We haven’t discussed that part of your story yet. Perhaps we should pay them a visit.”
“We can’t. In this timeline, they aren’t even gods yet. They warned me only to contact them as a last resort since reaching out to them now might disrupt when they meet their mates.” She placed a hand on his arm to stop him from arguing. “I wouldn’t want someone to come between us.”
He sighed. “You’re right. But you said they have devil fire? I must know them, then.”
“Probably not the Goddess of Revenge. She was a low-level witch before she was chosen to become a god. But the God of Souls…is Braxton Lightbringer.”
“Lucifer’s son?” Killian laughed. “Well, fuck. It all makes sense now. I helped train that little asshole when he was younger. He also comes here to the villa whenever he needs a break away from his father. Does Luc know about them sending you back in time?”
“I don’t know. Considering they had to shove my soul into a cat to even speak to me, I didn’t get a chance to meet him during my brief visit.”
“They did what to your soul? You know what? Never mind. I think I need to wait until I’m a little calmer before I hear the rest of this story.”
Since he was still upset about the intruder, she said, “At least whoever sent the flowers doesn’t seem to be hostile.”
“They still got through my protection wards. For that alone, they need to be punished,” Killian said darkly.
“I’m sure that will be fun for you.” She smiled as she patted his chest, then she slid her hands up and wound her arms around his neck. “The good news is I get to stay. I guess that means you really are stuck with me now.”
She let out a loud gasp as he swept her into his arms. He leaned down and brushed his lips against her forehead. “Being stuck with you is exactly where I want to be.”
Instead of going up the steps to the entrance, he immediately teleported them directly into the villa. She glanced around the bedroom they arrived in and smiled when she realized how well it suited her. The room had a definite gothic feel to it, with dark wooden furniture, ornate carvings, and rich fabrics. Gossamer curtains danced in the sea breeze that drifted in from the open double balcony doors, and the pale morning sunlight filtered in, filling the room with warm and a soft, ethereal glow.
In the center of the room was an enormous four-poster bed draped with dark curtains that would completely block out the light. The frame was intricately carved with elaborate designs, and a mountain of plush pillows was piled onto the burgundy comforter that covered the bed. He didn’t seem like a pillow stacker, and the thought of watching him manually doing it made her want to grin.
Staring at the bed gave her other ideas that replaced any thought of humor with something far darker. She wondered what he slept in at night, then imagined him sprawled out on the bed with nothing but a silk sheet draped over his body.
He let out a growl as he tossed her onto the bed, his larger body coming down on top of her so that she was completely caged in. “Those are dangerous thoughts, mate.”
She smiled up at him, not the least bit afraid. Now that she didn’t have to worry about being sent back to the Hell Realm for her soul to be recycled, she could focus on fully enjoying her life with Killian. Things were moving fast between them, but why wait? She was ready to experience everything she had missed out on during her last life.
Starting with loving her mate.
Killian remained still as she lifted her head and pressed her lips against his. He kept his eyes open, unwilling to tear his gaze away from hers. He’d been fascinated ever since her gray eyes had started glowing silver. Watching the physical changes his magic was manifesting in her filled him with pride. It was proof of their mating bond and his claim on her.
The simple kiss was enough to ignite a firestorm of need within him. He knew he should take things slow even though the need to have her was like a compulsion, pushing him closer toward madness with every beat of his heart.
