Page 24 of Dormeo
He doesn’t answer, he never does, but I know he hears me, and I know he’ll do as I ask. As will my hound. He lets out a low whine, unhappy about not accompanying me, but rightly assessing that the greater danger is here.
Rose is defenceless, and if any of the upper demons nearby can sense the level of strength she’s imbued me with, they’ll try to steal her and take her, with force if necessary.
I can’t let that happen, because my father will never let me live it down. No other reason.
Slamming the door behind me, I repeat that to myself as I stalk through the dark corridors, daring any of the creatures lurking in the shadows to dare break into my home. They know what the sentence will be if they attempt to get to her.
As they shrink back from my bared teeth, I roll my shoulders, knowing their acquiescence is only temporary. The message I sent by leaving one of their brothers bleeding out in the hallway has clearly slipped from their minds.
I need to deal with this and get back before someone gets brave and stupid.
“I’ll join you, brother. I could do with working off some energy, and Barghest and Bronx have it handled. The sooner you get back here, the better. And the further I am from her, the less chance I’ll do something reckless that will cost me my head.” Gaap slaps me on the shoulder and falls into step beside me, his enthusiasm for bloodshed and violence welcome.
Whoever these idiots are that think they can come to my home, to hell, and steal back something that doesn’t belong to them that they don’t deserve, just to garner wealth and status, they’ve got another thing coming.
11
ASH
The stench of blood still clings to me as I stride through the dark corridors, another would-be hero's final moments replaying in my mind. His true nature revealed in those last seconds – how he planned to "tame" Rose once he had her.
My steps falter as I round the corner. The heavy door to my chambers hangs askew, wood splintered around the lock. Fury rises in my chest as I hear the high-pitched squeals of imps and the thunderous growl of my hellhound.
I burst through the doorway to find chaos. Barghest has a writhing imp clamped in his jaws, shimmering blue flames licking over its struggling form, as sharp teeth pierce their thick hides. Three more swarm around him, trying to dodge past him while trying to avoid his sharp claws.
Scanning the room for Rose, a crash from my bedroom draws my attention. Before I can reach the doorway, two imps sail through the air, screeching as they’re tossed over the balcony. Bronx emerges after them, his massive stone wings tucked against his sides as he squeezes through the entrance. His eyes glow with ancient power as he swings one clawed hand atanother imp, catching it across the chest and leaving a gaping, sucking wound on its torso.
That's when I finally spot Rose. She's pressed into the corner behind my desk, golden hair dishevelled, nightgown torn at the shoulder. More imps reach for her with greedy hands outstretched, and red clouds my vision. My tail lashes out, impaling the nearest imp through the throat before he can turn. The others scatter, but they're not fast enough. I catch one with my claws, ripping his head clean off. Another makes it halfway to the door before my tail wraps around his ankle and yanks him back.
"Please," he squeaks as I lift him by his scrawny throat.
I squeeze harder. "Everyone knows she's under my protection. I warned you all."
"We just wanted a taste..."
I drive my claws into his chest, twisting until he goes limp. The remaining intruders freeze, trapped between Barghest's flames and Bronx's massive form.
As I drop their dead companion, they make a desperate lunge toward the front door.
My tail catches him mid-leap, slamming him against the wall, pressing the pointed tip against his throat, just hard enough to draw blood.
"You're going to tell everyone that anyone who comes near these chambers without my express permission dies. Anyone who looks at her wrong dies. Anyone who even thinks about touching her dies." I press harder, blood welling around my tail. "Slowly. Painfully. While I take my time making them regret ever being spawned. Understand?"
He nods frantically. I release him, and he scrambles away, leaving his dead companions' corpses behind. In the blink of an eye, they crumble into piles of dust.
Only when his footsteps fade completely do I turn to Rose. She's still pressed against the wall, chest heaving, pupils blown wide. The scent of her fear mingles with something else, something headier, more primal. Her tongue darts out to wet her lips as she stares at me, and despite the violence she just witnessed, there's heat in her gaze.
"Are you hurt?" I ask, forcing myself to keep my distance. The need to touch her, to verify she's unharmed, wars with the awareness that I probably look terrifying right now, covered in blood, both old and fresh.
She shakes her head. "Barghest and Bronx... they protected me." Her voice trembles but strengthens as she continues. "They didn't even get close." Her eyes dart to the blood on my clothes. "You're hurt..."
"Not my blood," I say shortly, not wanting to explain my absence. Not yet. "I should have been here."
Bronx rumbles in acknowledgment before retreating to his post, resuming his statue-like vigilance. Barghest pads over to Rose, letting her bury her shaking fingers in his fur.
I move to the bar and pour us both a drink. Rose accepts the glass, draining it in one swallow. Her eyes burn with questions she's too afraid to ask.
"I should fix the door," I say roughly, needing distance from the intoxicating mix of her fear and arousal. "Make sure no one else can get in."
