Page 26 of To Dwell in Shadows
“It’s very telling that Prince Samael hasn’t told his so-called fated mate about this.”
“We have talked about it. Some.”
Selene started to ruminate on how disconcerting it was that Vanthee knew more about something related to Sam than she did, but then a broken cobblestone nearly made her face-plant into a puddle of mud. She caught herself, but not before completely soaking the hem of her dress. The contrast between the well-kept palace and the grounds was odd. Everything beyond the palace walls seemed neglected and run-down.
She followed Vanthee past a cluster of male demons loitering outside what looked like a decaying Southern mansion. As they walked by, the demons began to whistle and hoot. Vanthee made a disgusted noise. “Lust demons.”
Selene shot them a nervous glance, which, unfortunately, only encouraged them. One demon, wearing nothing but a leather jock strap, swaggered over and tried to sling an arm around Vanthee’s shoulders. Without a word, she raised her arm and delivered a swift backfist to his face. He fell to the ground.
A second Lust demon approached, trying to sniff Selene’s hair but found himself with a broken nose after Vanthee slammed his head into a nearby wall. A spray of blood painted the brick red, and the demon dropped with a grunt.
The third came toward them with a sleazy grin, reaching to lift the hem of Vanthee’s skirt with the riding crop he carried. She snatched the crop from his hand, snapped it in two, and rammed a jagged piece into each of his thighs. He howled, collapsing in a shrieking heap.
Vanthee turned to the rest of the Lust demons, eyes blazing. “Who’s next?”
Silence. Then, as if on cue, the remaining demons backed away, disappearing into the shadows of the mansion and slamming the door behind them.
Vanthee dusted off her skirt with a huff. “That’s what I thought.”
Selene’s jaw was halfway to the ground. “Okay… that was badass.”
Vanthee, already a few steps ahead, glanced over her shoulder. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It’s a human term,” Selene said, still a little breathless. “It means impressive. Powerful.”
Vanthee shrugged. “To your kind, perhaps.”
Selene quickened her steps to catch up. “How did you learn all that?”
“What? Defend myself? Everyone should know how to do that,” Vanthee snapped. “What else do you want to see?”
Selene scanned the dilapidated buildings around them, looking for something halfway welcoming or appealing. As she did, she kept seeing wispy, human-like figures drifting through the grounds. They seemed agitated and confused, but none of the demons paid them any mind. Were they ghosts? The thought sent a chill down her spine.
While she watched one of the figures vanish into thin air, a demon on all fours suddenly scrambled up a brick wall, startling Selene so much that she yelped. The demon paused to hiss at them through spider-like mandibles, its milky white eye sockets staring with such an eerie, otherworldly presence that Selene couldn’t help but shudder.
Vanthee noticed Selene’s reaction and laughed. “What’s the matter? Are your human sensibilities too delicate for our kind?”
“I’m fine,” Selene said, forcing a tight smile. “It’s just very different here.”
“This isn’t a realm meant for living humans.”
Selene hugged her arms to herself. “Is there anywhere that’s quiet or more pleasant? Like a gallery, museum, or a library?”
“You want to see the library? Fine. But I wouldn’t call it pleasant.”
Chapter 14
Sam gazed up at the towering doors of the Sanctum of Agonizing Rectitude with a mix of nervousness and excitement. The massive stone fortress was bound in thick iron chains, as if straining to contain something monstrous within. At the entrance stood a demon who resembled a statue more than a living being. His body was chiseled like rock, with a heavy brow, a square jaw, and powerful legs. His black hair was cropped short around small, antler-like horns, and his skin was gray-scaled, like that of the Drago race in Aurelia.
“Borias! Meet my son,” King Asmodeus said.
Since it looked as though Borias wore a permanent scowl, Sam was surprised when the big demon’s face broke into a grin. “So the rumors are true! Our prince is home,” he boomed. “It’s an honor to meet you.”
“Thank you,” Sam said.
King Asmodeus looked on proudly. “Borias is a Vengeance demon as well. He’s going to show you how he inflicts his gift on those who deserve it.”
“I’m looking forward to it,” Sam said. Anticipation thrummedfaster through him. The opportunity to unleash all the rage and vengeance he had bottled up for so long was here at last. What would it feel like? Intense, certainly, but would he be euphoric after? Peaceful and sated? Or would it awaken something darker, making him ravenous for more?
