Ruby Shadows (Born to Darkness #3)(18)

“You mean the courtesy you showed me when you told me I would have to…have to ‘yield’ to you while we were here?” she demanded.

I sighed. “So that is the crux of the matter. Of course—I should have known.”

“Yes, you freaking well should have.” She crossed her arms protectively over her breasts and I couldn’t help noticing that there were two spots of color high on her cheeks. “If you know anything about witches you know I can’t really ‘yield’ to you. At least, not all the way. If I do…”

“Your power will be halved. Yes, I know,” I told her gently. “But I am not asking you to give yourself to me simply for my own gratification, mon ange. It is a necessary sacrifice if you wish to travel through the Infernal Realm.”

She shook her head. “How can it possibly be necessary for me to have sex with you just to travel through Hell? I don’t understand.”

“No,” I said, cupping her cheek—which felt hot in my palm. “But you will.”

Her cheeks got even darker and her breathing seemed to quicken. She pulled away from me. “Don’t do that. Don’t touch me.”

“You must get used to my touch,” I told her grimly. “Before this trip is over you will feel my hands over every inch of your flesh.” I knew she wouldn’t like that part and sure enough, she opened that lush little mouth of hers to complain. I raised one finger, cutting her off. “Again, it will be a necessary sacrifice,” I told her. “As will the fact that while we are here, you will be traveling as my concubine.”

“Your what?” She shook her head. “Oh, no—I don’t think so. What the hell are you talking about, anyway?”

I was rapidly losing my patience. “What we are talking about is the fact that I am smuggling you—a living corporeal being with an intact and non-damned soul—into Hell,” I told her. “The only way anyone will believe I am doing this without suspicion is if you travel as someone of consequence to me—specifically, my concubine.”

“Look, Laish, I don’t care what kind of bargain we made—I am not going to be your sex slave the whole time we’re here.”

Her eyes were wide and angry which didn’t surprise me. I had known she wouldn’t like this little detail—which is why I had purposefully left it out before.

“You will be my concubine in name only,” I said. “But you will agree to this ruse or I will not take you a step further.”


“I…you…this is blackmail!” she burst out, obviously furious.

“Call it what you like,” I told her evenly. “But from the time we pass the Great Barrier until we reach the final circle of Hell—the Abyss—you will belong to me and obey my orders. And you will start by wearing this.”

I reached into the air and pulled out the outfit I had chosen for her. I didn’t intend to argue with her anymore. I enjoyed her sharp wit and her stubborn nature but in this, I would not be refused.

“Put it on,” I said, pressing the garment forcefully into her arms. “And let’s hear no more about it.”





* * * * *

Gwendolyn





I stared at the clingy red gown he’d shoved into my hands with shock and incomprehension. The fabric was incredibly thin and filmy and it had spaghetti straps, meaning I couldn’t wear a bra under it. It was going to show damn near everything.

“You’re joking,” I said, looking up at Laish, who was scowling down at me. “You can’t expect me to wear this thing. I might as well prance into Hell naked.”

“I assure you, Gwendolyn, that can be arranged.” His deep voice was steely and I could see he wasn’t going to take no for an answer. Not that it stopped me from trying.

“I’m not wearing this,” I said, trying to shove it back at him. “No way in Hell—literally.”

“Then there is no way in Hell that you are getting past the Great Barrier.” He nodded to the burning stone wall which encircled the realm of the damned. It rose hundreds of feet into the sky but it was still dwarfed by the gates. Glowing gold and red, their enormous wrought iron wings towered like a monolith over the Shadow Lands.

I put a hand on my hip. “What—you won’t take me in if I don’t meet your personal dress code?”

He frowned. “No, I refuse to take you in and risk someone knowing who and what you are because you are dressed like a second rate tourist.”

“There’s nothing wrong with my clothes,” I said defensively.

“No, if you are going on a tour of the Vatican or the Great Pyramid of Giza or some other Earthly landmark,” he snapped. “Here they single you out as an easy mark.”

I could feel my resolve wavering but I tried not to show it. “What—people don’t wear jeans in Hell?” I asked.

Laish gave my comfortable jeans a scathing look. “They do not. Those ridiculous trousers mark you for what you are—a living human in the lands of the dead and damned.”

“Is that really so dangerous?” I asked.

“In a word—yes.” Laish gave a short, sharp nod. “Even dressed in the clothing I have provided, you will be at considerable risk, Gwendolyn. Though I myself have no interest in your soul, there are many who think otherwise. Demons with quotas to fulfill who will be skinned or maimed by their superiors if they fail. Soul scalpers who make a living selling the unwary to the unprincipled. And simple thieves who steal whatever is unattended. Remember, Hell is the realm of sin and corruption. You cannot trust anyone here.”