The Darkest Pleasure (Lords of the Underworld #3)(40)

Should be happy, should be happy.

But she wasn't. Tears were burning her eyes. She should hate this man for everything he'd done to her. Should, should, should. The word meant nothing to her at the moment. Bending down, she curled her fingers around one of the blades she'd stolen, not caring that her theft was now revealed.

Aeron had to die, and she had to kill him. It was as simple as that. He was a crazed murderer. He had hurt Reyes - not dead, he couldn't be dead - and he wanted to hurt her. Worse, he'd probably harmed her grandmother. It was clear her family would never be safe as long as he lived. Yes, he needed to die. Now or never.

Determined, she finally stepped into the cell. Lucien was too busy following the demon with the barrel of his gun to notice. She moved forward tentatively. Aeron's narrowed gaze locked on her and tracked her every movement.

"Legion," Aeron said. "Need you."

The scaled creature jumped onto his shoulders and held tight. "Me here." Bony fingers caressed Aeron's scalp. Words Danika didn't understand were whispered into Aeron's ear. Soft words, gentle.

Aeron's body relaxed, his muscles no longer clenched for attack. The red in his eyes faded.

Lucien paused outside the cell. "Danika," he said.

"Get Reyes out of here. His body can't take any more damage." Danika continued to inch forward. When she reached Reyes, she crouched beside him. Her gaze never left Aeron as she placed a finger on Reyes's neck, hoping to feel a pulse.

She didn't.

Don't panic. He was too vital, too strong to die here, like this. Wasn't he? He desperately needed medical attention. "Lucien. For God's sake, come get him."

"He's fine, and I am unwilling to lose focus with the demon unfettered."

Damn it! She couldn't leave him here. Truly, any more damage and there would be nothing left of him. Save Reyes or question/try to hurt Aeron? She didn't have to think about it. She latched on to Reyes's shoulders, knife flat - she would not release it - and tried to drag him. When Reyes was out of range, she could attack Aeron without fear for him. But Reyes's large body proved to be too heavy and she only made it a foot before stopping to catch her breath.

Aeron straightened, his knees bending to accept his weight, his hands curling to strike. Any minute, and he would attack.

"He was your friend," she said, pushing back to her feet to haul Reyes another few inches.

"But you are not," Aeron replied.

"No, I'm not."

He grinned, wicked, eerie. "Do you wish to hurt me, little human?"

"Yes." No reason to lie. The truth blazed in her eyes, she was sure. "I wish to destroy you."

"Try."

"So you'll feel better about what you plan to do to me? No, thanks. Not while Reyes needs help. But once he's out of the cell, you're mine."

For some reason, the conversation seemed to calm him as much as the little creature still whispering in his ear. "Do I scare you?"

"You? Scare me? Never again." Another inch. A few more, and she'd have Reyes's shoulders out the door.

"Why don't you come for me, then?"

"The difference between us is that I care about someone else more than I care about my own wishes."

"The Darkest Pleasure"

He lost his grin in a hurry. "You cannot care for Reyes."

She didn't want to, knew she shouldn't. But...Footsteps suddenly echoed behind her, saving her from trying to form a reply.

"The others are coming." Finally Lucien opted to help. He approached her, gripped the base of her neck before she could protest his touch. One second she was holding Reyes, the next she was inside Reyes's bedroom.

Dizziness assaulted her. When Lucien released her, she realized she couldn't stand on her own. She toppled over, her knees hitting the floor. She cringed at the action, but was too wired to feel the jolt. "What the hell did you do to me?"

"Stay here," Lucien said.

As she fought to stand, she glared up at him. "I don't - "

Without another word, he disappeared, leaving her gaping. Bastard! She couldn't, wouldn't, leave Reyes down there with that...that...animal. Should have killed the beast when you had the chance. Determined to return, she lumbered toward the front door. She tripped over a pair of boots and barely managed to stay upright.

"I told you to stay put."

Spinning, experiencing another wave of dizziness, Danika released a startled gasp. Lucien had appeared once more, stoic, uncompromising. He was cradling Reyes in his arms as he strode to the bed. Gently, he laid the still-motionless warrior on the mattress. The springs creaked.

Danika rushed to Reyes's side.

"Take care of him," Lucien uttered, a warning in his tone.

"I - will." The last was said on a sigh. He had disappeared again.

Almost afraid to look, she slowly turned her head. Her eyes landed on Reyes, and her stomach twisted. There were so many sides to him: captor, savior, demon, man. But he was still such a mystery to her, this being who had both threatened her life and saved it. And here he was, defeated. His throat was smashed, his Adam's apple smooth and discolored.

His chest was utterly still.

The tears that had stung her eyes so often this day now ran freely down her cheeks. How could someone so strong have been - Through the watery haze, she thought she saw his chest move, thought she saw his decimated throat constrict. Please! Let that be real.