His anger boiled to the surface, and he fisted his palms. “You will never speak of her in that manner again. Do you understand?” He had done many unsavory things in the past several months, but he loved his daughter. She was the only link left to his real love, his dead mate. Lowan had sucked all decency from his soul, but before he went totally mad, he had to at least make an attempt. Already the darkness pulled at him and tried to cloud his mind, but he fought with every ounce of energy he had left. Time was running out.
He understood Oroumea’s real reason for anger. She felt jilted out of her role as ruler. She had thought he would be her ticket to power. “You will be taken care of should I meet my demise.” He held out a piece of paper, and she snatched it from his hand.
“What is this?”
“It is the location to all my riches. Centuries of precious metals and gems worth untold wealth. Should I fail to return, it is all yours. There is enough there to buy the power you seek.”
Her bottom lip curled up. “And I’m not required to share this?”
“No. All I ask is you help me find a way to reach my daughter, and then should it become necessary, get her to my people. They will care for her, and you shall be free.” He didn’t mention the fact he had another stash hidden, one he would save for his children.
She tucked the paper between her breasts. “Done. Let me check on a few things. I’m sure I can get you in.”
He took a swig of liquor. “Excellent. Oh, and the treasure is protected by a spell that can only be broken by my death or by me in person.” He refilled the crystal glass. “Just in case you were thinking of simply running off with the spoils.”
She sneered at him then fled the room.
“Yeah, I thought so.”
Chapter Fifteen
Caleb and Lileta stood in a large room covered with black marble floors and red lacquer walls. In front of them was a large throne made of gold and adorned with human skulls. Hades sat, his hands perched on two gilded cobras that looked as if they were crawling up the front of his dais.
A Wendigo stood on either side, their jaws slack, exposing a mouth full of razor sharp teeth. Caleb flinched. He’d rather tangle with Hades himself than either of these two demons.
“Why the hell are we here?” he asked.
Lileta smacked him in the gut, her eyes narrowed. A wisp of raven hair had fallen free of the pile she had on top of her head. Damn, she was sexy when pissed. He’d have to remember and rile her up more often.
“Several reasons. One, I need your damn goddess out of my realm. She is creating all kinds of havoc.”
Caleb crossed his arms over his chest. “Well, no fucking shit. I seem to recall that was the sole purpose of coming to this…pardon the expression, Hellhole.”
Lileta planted her face into her palms as if trying to hide then dropped her hands to her side and straightened. “My Lord, I don’t understand why you’ve brought us here.”
Hades’s black gaze drifted over Lileta. “Two, my demon must pay her dues.”
Caleb’s vision became masked in a haze of red. No fucking way was he touching her. God or no, he’d kill the bastard.
Hades leaned forward, his fingers steepled under his chin. “My dear, do you really think to waltz into Lowan’s home and snag the goddess? Do you even know where she is?” His gaze traveled from one to the other. “I didn’t think so.”
“Why in the fuck don’t you just go get her yourself? After all, you’re the god of this realm.” He knew Hades was up to something; it was time to find out what.
The deity tapped his fingers on the arm of his throne. “It is not my destiny.” He pointed a finger at Lileta. “But it is hers.”
Caleb’s head snapped to gaze at his mate. Her eyes as big as golden coins. “What do you mean her destiny?”
“She doesn’t know about her father, do you, Lileta?” Hades asked.
Lines creased in her forehead. “I don’t understand what my father has to do with this.”
Hades rose and stepped off the dais, his tall frame shadowed over her. Caleb went to lunge for the god but found his feet glued to the marble floor.
“I don’t speak of your stepfather, but the man who planted his seed in your mother’s womb,” Hades replied.
Lileta’s lips parted, and Caleb could see her breathing increase. “Did you know my real father? Mother never told me much about him. Only that he died when I was a babe.”
Hades touched her cheek. “While I adore your mother, I disagreed with her decision to withhold your father’s identity. However, I kept her secret, until now.”
“I-I don’t understand. Why would she not want me to know?”
Hades flashed a grin only the devil himself could conjure. “Your father is none other than Lowan himself.”
Lileta stumbled backward. Disbelief and pain contorted her face, and all Caleb could do was watch. “You bastard! Lileta, Angel, he lies. There is no way that fucked-up piece of shit is your father. You’re too good to be his daughter.” He glared at Hades. “Why are you doing this?”
The god turned and walked back to his throne. “I speak the truth, and if she searches her soul, she will see it for herself. Your power has grown stronger since you were freed of the shackles that bound you. I’m right, aren’t I?”
She licked her lips; her gaze flicked to Caleb, and he could see her anguish.
Damn it!
“Why did mother lie to me?”
“Don’t blame her. She had your best interest at heart. She was young and thought she was in love and then discovered Lowan’s dark side.” Hades sighed. “He didn’t know she was with child. I arranged for the mating of her and your stepfather. We are the only ones who know your true identity.”
“Why tell her this now? Why at all?” If Caleb could free himself from the god’s hold, he’d fucking pummel him. The pain on her face ripped him in two, and his dragon twisted and screeched to be released. Unfortunately, he’d been unable to shift since coming to this realm.
“Because as I said, your goddess needs to be removed. Lowan is using her blood to open fractures and allow my demons to escape.” He leaned toward Caleb. “Your mate is the only one who can find him and free her.”
“What? I don’t understand. Why can’t you find him?” Lileta asked.
He leaned back; his faced looked haggard, and he let out a long sigh. “Drayos was my son. Lowan, your father, is a demigod.”
“Shit,” Lileta whispered.
“This gets more fucked up by the minute,” Caleb replied.
Hades inclined his head. “Indeed and you, Lileta, can connect to him and find the goddess. He will never sense you since you are part of him.”
“Then what?” Caleb was certain he wasn’t going to like the answer.
“Then she goes and rescues Qadira. Nothing more.”
He narrowed a brow. “She’s not expected to kill him?”
Hades tossed his head back and laughed. “While that is a novel idea, she is not that strong. I’m afraid the blending of Drayos and Eliza created something stronger than any of us imagined.” He steepled his fingers. “There is only one who can battle Lowan and possibly win.”
“Who?” Lileta and Caleb asked in unison.
“I cannot reveal that yet, but the time will come.”
Caleb growled. “You’re a fucking god. Why don’t you kill him yourself?”
Hades raised a brow. “You ask me to kill my grandson. That I cannot do.”
“Why doesn’t Zarek kill him then? Or any of the other gods?” Lileta asked.
“If only it were that easy. The battle of Jumaria brought laws that prohibit a god from smiting another.” Hades leaned forward. “Can you imagine the havoc if we went around killing each other over every little skirmish?”
Caleb could well imagine. Now they were stuck with a fucked-up love child who was part god and part vampire guardian, and his mate was stuck in the middle of this mess. He didn’t like it. Not one fucking bit.
“Fine, I will find the goddess.” Lileta looked at Caleb. “The sooner the better then we can leave here.”
His heart froze at the thought of her going into Lowan’s territory; it had never been part of the deal. If anything happened to her, he would rip Hell apart then work his way to the surface. Destroying everything and anyone in his path. He came to a sudden realization.
Fuck me, I’m in love with her.
* * * *
“You can’t stay in my room,” Lileta stated as she tossed her bag to the bed. Hades had insisted they stay there and rest then she would go into a trance and try to find Lowan. The whole idea made her sick, but what choice did she have?
“The fuck I won’t.” Caleb pinned her with his green gaze. She had come to learn when he was upset or full of desire, his eyes changed from brown to green. Funny, she really adored the emerald fire that burned in their depths. Her memories switched back to the other night when he had brought her to orgasm and then again when she found herself in his lap. His eyes had been the greenest she’d ever seen them, and no doubt he would be one hell of a lover. Her body tingled to find out.
She turned her back to him, lest he see her lust.
“Don’t think you can hide from me, woman.” He slid in behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. His nose touched her neck and inhaled. “I scent your desire.”
“You don’t play fair. Of course, I desire you. I can’t deny what nature has intended for us. You know as well as I what the consequences will be if we mate.” She also knew her heart would break. As much as she had tried not to, she had fallen in love. Hard.
“I still breathe after that kiss you gave me.” He moaned. “I want to kiss you again.” He sucked her neck between his lips and nipped. “I want to taste every inch of you.”
Gods, did she want it too. She needed to savor him, and the memory of his tongue sliding along hers caused her flesh to pimple. Lileta pushed from his embrace. “Granted, you’re alive, but that doesn’t mean sex won’t kill you.” She moved to the other side of the room where it was safer. “I need to talk to you about the rescue.” He wasn’t going to like this.
“You’re right. We should go over the details before we leave.”
“You’re not going.” There, she said it.
His gaze narrowed. “Come again?”
“You heard me. It’s too dangerous, so I’m going alone.” She wanted to shout
I love you and can’t stand the thought of losing you.
However, those words wouldn’t come. Her heart would break to utter them and be met with silence. No, it was far better to keep her feelings to herself. Somehow, she had to convince him this relationship was a bad idea then break all ties.
“If you think I’m letting my mate go on this mission alone, you are mistaken.” He spoke through gritted teeth.
She balled her hands and planted them on her hips. “Don’t think to try and dominate me. I’ll have Hades keep you here.”
“You wouldn’t dare,” he growled.
She pursed her lips. “Oh, I would.” They were now at a standstill; what would his next move be?
He scrubbed his hand over his face. “Fuck, woman, but you are stubborn. How can you even think to ask me to allow my mate to go into danger alone?”
“Because you would leave me behind in a second to go fight a battle.” She lifted her chin slightly.
“That is different.”
Oh, he did not just play that card. “How? How is that different, Caleb?” She asked through clenched teeth. “And if you say it’s because I’m a female, so help me gods, I’ll…”
“You’ll what?”
She wanted so bad to show him in some form. Shoot a fireball at him? No, he loved playing with fire. Send a thousand scorpions crawling over his skin? No, she couldn’t really bring herself to do him physical harm so that left only one option.
“Get out of my room.”
“I thought I already told you.” He crossed his arms over his chest.
“Oh, that does it.” She held out both palms in front of her and summoned a Wendigo. The creature tipped its ugly head.
“How may I serve you, My Lady?”
“Escort the dragon to his room.” She pinned Caleb with a stare. “And make sure he stays there.”
“As you wish.” The demon grabbed Caleb by the arm and dragged him out the door.
Finally alone, she sat on the bed and tried to wrap her mind around the fact that her real father…her blood, was Lowan. She wanted to vomit. She wished Caleb were there to pull her into his arms and provide the comfort and love she so desperately wanted. Instead, she had thrown him out.
“Probably for the best anyway. If I rely on only myself then I won’t be disappointed.” She dropped her head into her hands and wished for the pain in her heart to stop hurting so bad.
“You are such a foolish girl.”
She whipped around to face Hades. “I don’t remember inviting you in my room.”
He laughed. “You forget I need no invitation.”
She wrinkled her nose then sighed. “Why am I foolish?”
He folded himself into the chair across the room. “Why have you not mated yet?”
She blinked. “Really? You do want the dragon dead, don’t you?”
He leaned forward, his lip curled upward. “If that were truly the case, he’d be dead, stuffed and gracing my study.” He leaned back. “It’s obvious Qadira chose you for a reason.”
* * * *
Seth left Aidyn with a new assignment in hand—find that girl and the dagger. Now that it was his top priority, he once again stood where the incident had taken place. His plan was to try to scent her then find where she’d run to.
He was having trouble concentrating.
Voices ran through his head, demanding he do evil things. The man he’d taken blood from in order to save her had a soul as black as tar. Too many more of those and he would soon find his head detached from his body, courtesy of his king.
He shook off the insanity and cursed the dark stain that grew inside him thanks to Drayos. With his head a little clearer, he found a faint trail. Soon, the sun would come up and the city would awaken, making finding the girl even more difficult.
Seth moved away from the docks and headed west until he found himself in a small service alley between several buildings. Something glistened in the distance. His eyes narrowed, and then he realized what it was.