Page 85 of Hunted By Her Demon Wolves

Chapter Fourteen

Squeezed between Cadmusand Eilea, Phoenix clung to her mate during the flight. Her other mates and their cousins hooted and howled behind them, their thighs hugging Tan’yi’nug’s scales, their hands in the air like kids on a roller coaster. A handful of volucri creatures flew beside the dragon, their eyes wide with wonder while they buzzed in excitement. They were happy to be free of that hellish dimension. Phoenix was relieved so many had been set free, but she feared the cost had been too great. She squeezed the claw in her grip, thanking it for saving her and her mates. Then she sent a silent prayer to the claw, not knowing if it could honor her request, but hoping all the same that it would bring her mother’s soul back from oblivion.

Eilea’s back was stiff as she leaned over Tan’yi’nug’s neck. Something in her demeanor changed after they realized the crystal was lost. Cadmus had been able to recover two of the shards, but the other one was either buried somewhere on the second dimension or possibly with Tigress on the next.

She hadn’t realized what that meant for Eilea until Cadmus had told her that Tan’yi’nug couldn’t take her to the mortal realm. Hell’s dragons could only travel between hell’s dimensions. And with Jezebeth gone, they had no way to access the lamp. Surely, that didn’t mean Eilea was stuck in hell. They had to find a way to send her back to her mates and young children, because if not, then Phoenix had doomed Eilea to an eternity without her Amaroki family.

Eilea wouldn’t accept that outcome, which meant Phoenix’s mates would have to help their mother scour every dimension until they found the crystal. What if there were more Gorgos in the other dimensions? Or something worse than Gorgo?

She tightened her hold around Cadmus’s neck, her heart feeling heavier with each flap of Tan’yi’nug’s wings, for she feared their ordeal was far from over.

Once they reached the city, Tan’yi’nug let out a roar, and the people below burst into cheers. They landed on one of the castle turrets, and Phoenix’s heart sank even further when she saw Tor was in the crowd, his eyes lighting up when he saw her. How badly she wanted to sink beneath the beast’s belly and never be seen again. Cadmus helped her down, handing her off to Helius and Drakkon. They protected her from the mob, and soon she found herself alone in Hecate’s chamber with just the family and Tor.

Her sister was the first to reach her, clutching her shoulders and checking her for injuries. “Sister, are you okay?”

She silently nodded, unable to return the hug when Daeva took her in her arms. She felt dead inside, consumed by guilt, and so very tired. All she wanted was someplace quiet to cry by herself.

“I was so worried about you,” Daeva whispered, kissing her cheek. She pulled back, stroking a hand down her face. “Your skin has changed. You’re Bennu again.”

“Phoenix,” she whispered, her throat too constricted to say anything else. She hadn’t realized she had remained in her demon form. She didn’t know how or why she changed, but it didn’t matter. Nothing mattered. Her mom was gone.

Her sister nodded. “Of course. I’ll call you whatever you want. I’m just so glad you’re safe.”

She didn’t respond, couldn’t respond. She should’ve listened to them when they’d told her to wait.

She felt Tor’s presence behind her sister and wanted to run. She couldn’t look the alpha in the eyes when he tapped her shoulder.

Her alphas were confused, snarling when this other alpha tried to muscle in for a hug.

“It’s okay,” she said. “He’s my father.” When they gave her confused looks, she realized they had a lot of catching up to do. “I’ll explain later.”

And then Tor was hugging her, telling her he loved her, and it took all her willpower not to run out onto the balcony and fling herself off the tower. He didn’t know he was stuck in hell, but once he found out, she had a feeling he wouldn’t want any more hugs.

* * *

THOUGH HER HEART WASheavy, Phoenix forced a smile during the celebration of her mates’ return. Hecate threw a grand party at the palace ballroom where demons of all shapes and sizes came to welcome them home. The ballroom was lavishly decorated with four heavy pewter chandeliers, each holding at least a hundred candles. How they hadn’t set the buzzing volucri servants’ wings on fire, Phoenix had no idea.

She and her family sat at a long, raised table at the head of the hall. There was so much food piled in front of her that she could barely see over the table. Perhaps that was a good thing, since she didn’t care to talk to all the strange demons in fancy robes that fluttered around like butterflies on crack. Some of them approached her, expecting her to remember them, but she only had a few memories of her past life. Phoenix could’ve done without the crowd, but she appreciated the wine that flowed freely. Eilea and Tor appeared even less excited than she did to be there. Both had grim faces as they picked at their food. Eilea must’ve told Tor he was stuck here after risking everything to save Phoenix. How she wished Gorgo had obliterated her instead of her mother.

Phoenix imbibed so much that her head swam, but she didn’t care. She needed a way to numb the pain. Cadmus and Damon didn’t leave her side throughout the dinner. Helius and Drakkon walked around with their aunt and alpha cousins, but they checked on her often. Her mates had cleaned up nicely. They’d been completely transformed after a hot bath and clean shave, their silver skin shining beneath the candlelight. Tension clung to her alphas like shrouds, and she knew they wanted to leave the party as badly as she did.

Though she was famished, she could hardly savor the food. Her body and soul were both too weary. How could they expect her to celebrate? To make matters worse, Hecate didn’t mention her mother in her celebratory toast. She’d thanked Phoenix and Eilea for bringing home her nephews, but not a word about how Jezebeth had given her soul to save Phoenix, and subsequently Helius and Drakkon, from Gorgo.

Cadmus wrapped an arm around her shoulder, whispering in her ear. “Do you want to go someplace quieter?”

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