Belial's body shudders around the blade's edge, the point of it skewering him through his sternum in a sickening way. More blood drips down onto the ground, coating the front of his plate armor with thin rivets. I stare in horror as blood bubbles out of his mouth, his teeth clenching together in anger.He rips himself off of Sol's sword, stumbling towards me with purposed steps. I kick at the ground, trying to move away from the sharp end of that blade rearing at me but the branches only hold me tighter in place. My eyes screw shut as I wait for the blow to bring me into oblivion. I can't believe I'm going to die this way. Held down and covered in vines that leave me as a sitting duck for a Hell prince to come kill me. It figures, honestly. My karma has finally caught up to me and is now serving me my final killing shot because I've been stupid enough to fraternize with a damn demon.What surprises me more is the sword never severs my head but actually ends up sinking i
Over the next few days, I stay by Sol's side 24/7. He comes in and out of sleep quite a few times, coherent enough to understand where he is but not enough it keeps him awake for any amount of time long enough to talk to him. It worries me the longer he stays under but it's obvious him sleeping so much is helping. Eva and I are round the clock on taking care of his wounds and redressing the bandages like we're some kind of two-person medical team. I'm honestly so impressed with her I could cry and kiss the shit out of her. I'm sure once I have a minute to breathe and Sol's finally awake for good I'll do just that because she's been a fucking angel.Around the morning of the third day, Daelic surprises us both with a visit and a duffle full of supplies from Hell. "How is he?" I wipe my hands on one of the only remaining clean hand towels I have left in my house and slide off the edge of my bed. Eva and I had ended up carrying him all the way from the woods t
Six Months Later…"Welcome Brightvale graduates!" the headmaster's voice booms over the crowd. "Today we celebrate the graduation of our top fourteen students! Allow me to introduce them to you all."I feel Eva's hand grasp mine in a tight grip as we both straighten. I smile at the crowd of current students, past graduates, parents, and other attendees. Their faces blur together in a sea of excitement that brims within me. I can't believe I'm finally here, standing in front of everyone like this. It feels like a reality that I never thought could be possible. I search the crowd for the familiar faces of my parents, spotting them tucked in the middle of the second row of bleachers. They're dressed in their usual uniforms, both of them must have just been arriving back from the Embassy. I hadn't gotten a chance to greet them before coming up on stage, but I can tell that they're excited to see me standing up here.I'd told them very little about my strugg
"When Lucifer Fell,He did not do so alone.And from this perverse covenant sprang forth LegionAnd all of Heaven Wept."~ The Book of Lost DaysLilith 1:1 "Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been one week since my last confession—!"The confessional booth in Our Mother's Merciful Tears was cramped at best. I had to contort myself in a manner most unnaturally and painfully to continue servicing Father Jacobs, as per requisite as a freshly ordained Magdalena under the Order of the Knights Templar, Iscariot division. I did so with the tact one might expect of a demon hunter in my position, but that didn't mean I enjoyed it.For one, the demon was taking far too long.And second, it was the day of my sister's wedding, which was reason enough to be sore.As the eldest of seven daughters, it was considered…improper to not be married at the ripe old age of twenty-nine, and definitely a subject to be pitied according to the women around me. The fact that, my
"In bellis gerimus, pugnas vincimus.In victoria surgemus, pro pace defendimus.Sanguine ligamur, in familiis ligamur.Sicut lupi in iumentis, simul equitamus." "In the wars, we wadge are the battles we win.In victory, we rise for the peace we defend.In blood we are bound, in families, we are tied.Like wolves in the pack, together we ride."~ The Lovell Family MottoWritten on the Crest of Wolves located on the Family Manor,Sleepy Hallow, NY "Jonathan, can you hear me?"My brother-in-law's pale brown eye's dilated, which was a good sign. That meant the hypnotic suggestion was working. Father Jacobs had given me a wide berth of space once I'd dealt with the demon, so I knew the man wouldn't really object to this necessary step in the witness process.Especially not when he had his hands full with a hysterical Mr. and Mrs. Lyle.I'd been reduced to wearing some leftover clean clothes from the lost and found while the Sisters of Our Mother's Merciful Tears we
Remmy's POV "As the Heavenly Host wept for their lost BrethrenThe Angel of Storms had raged aloneFor he would never accept the FallenAs ever being truly lost."~ The Book of Lost DaysAdo, 11: 1 "You stink!" Rainwater, cold from a long night's wait, collected in a dirty tin, splashed me in the face. "Get out of here, you bum! Fucking get!""I'm not a bum, areshole." My legs were stiff, locked still in the kneeling position I'm struggling to get out off. The man, a butcher by the look of his filthy smock, kicked a can in my direction intending to hit me. A gust from my hidden wings was my only saving grace. "All right! I'm getting up, no need to be a dick about it!""Why don't you get a fucking job, you slob!" He tossed a dirty dish rag at me, trying to get me to rise quicker than my legs wanted. His lack of compassion shouldn't have stung, but it did. What little grace I still had left in me ached at the lack of goodwill towards his fellow man. Even if I was not a
Nadya's POV "Come on, let us have a taste, sweetheart! I won't bite—MUCH!"Coming boldly into Gehenna like this without any family or fellow Templari for backup had clearly been a mistake. Even if I did find Jonathan passed out in a blood fountain not too far from the south exit."I would rather you didn't…" It took every ounce of strength I had to hold her top arms away from myself, the second set flailed behind her, the angle too awkward to get a proper grip on me. "Seems like I might end up regretting it."The demoness had pinned me to a table, her body stretched out over mine, backward feet hooked over my heeled boots to keep me in place. The General of Lust wiggled her forked tongue at me, rolling it in a way that was meant to be suggestive. I mean, it was! Save for the leonine press of her mouth, which was odder than a true detriment, she was gorgeous. Drop dead sultry-eyed with a body that reminded me of mid-20th century pin-up girls: buxom and leggy."Come on
Remmy's POV "Later!" Abezethibod threw the table from the pair of us as the redheaded woman squared herself like she was about to get into a fistfight. With a General of Hell. She was either wildly overestimating herself, or she was more powerful than I'd anticipated. With her Grace, I was hoping it was the latter than the former, otherwise, she was in for a rude awakening of the life-ending variety. "I hope you know how to fight!"I scoffed at that, and the tingle of Grace still left in my reserves found upon my pride."I think I'll manage just fine," I said drily, removing my overcoat and sweatshirt so I was left in my t-shirt and jeans. The redhead woman looked at me like I was missing a few screws as I calmly folded my clothes and left them at the bar behind us. Well, she was a judgmental little thing, wasn't she?"You a warlock or something?" She dodged to her left, avoiding Abezethibod's tail strike, the leather whip leaving grooves longer than the man's current body
Gabriel's POVSix months later…"Who's next?" I asked, flipping through paperwork at my desk. The blinds were open, letting sunlight stream into my office. I'd admit that was the biggest thing I'd miss from my humanity—the sun. But I could enjoy the warmth as the high-end glass protected blocked out the rays. My tie was loose around my neck. Still hated the things. That didn't change. My suit jacket thrown on the coat rack behind me. I rolled my sleeves up, gazing over the recently closed cases, and filing them into the proper categories.VampireShifter.Ghost.Demon.Boogeyman.Etc. I'd make a new file if we came across a new type of monster.The scent of strawberries filled my nose as Lucy plopped onto my lap, setting her laptop down to scroll the schedule. I brushed her longer blonde hair over her shoulder, peppering kisses against her throat.When we were human, her pulse would jump, but her reactions were still the same. She'd lean against my mouth, h
Lucy's POVI was floating in the black. The call of the void beneath my feet. A bottomless ocean. Deeper than the heavens above. I watched the clouds split apart, beckoning me to rise, but I chose to sink deeper and deeper. Finding warmth in the abyss.A burning pain seared my throat, churning my stomach with an insatiable hunger as my eyes shot open. Air clawed into my lungs, even if I didn't need it. I felt cold. Usually, I could hear my heart beating in my ears.Blood rushed under my skin. Warming my cheeks.But I heard nothing.Felt nothing.Except for this nauseating hunger.Disorienting. The first face I saw was Gabriel's, leaning over me, fully dressed. The last thing I could remember was intertwining myself with him and Vivi. Finding a mind-bending pleasure as I soared.Intoxicated in the sensations. Until everything became cold. Chills and pain settled over my body, and it paralyzed me. I remember the pain heightening to a point where I couldn't breathe, my
Vivianna's POVI felt powerful.Like I was siphoning Lucy and Gabriel's power for myself. The more time passed and the closer they got to a full transformation, the more strength surged through my body. It was like nothing I had ever felt before.And there was a reason for it.All the pain had vanished, leaving euphoria in its wake. Addicting. Enough to drive mature vampires into madness. I blinked hard, holding on tight to my mind, not letting it sweep me away.Gabriel and Lucy were mid-transformation. The initial heat of my blood had worn off, sending them spiraling into a lust-filled hunger. I remembered my transformation. Delirious lust. Hunger. But I was confused. Lost in the haze. Pain embedded into every fiber of my being. My muscles ached as they stretched and strengthened. Agony clenched my heart as it slowly stopped beating.Alistair left me alone during the change. Let the fear consume me as I felt myself die. I was in the dark, buried in a box in a shallow gr
Vivianna's POVI leaned against the headboard, my body flushing with heat. I could taste Gabriel and Lucy on my lips. Decadent and sweet. Rich and bright. Exactly how I imagined they'd taste together. Perfect accompaniments. My core tingled, wetness spreading down my thighs at the sensation of Gabriel's cock rocking against my slit. Lucy stared up at me, dazed with lust. Her pretty pink-tipped breasts asking to be licked. The taste of her pussy in my mouth. Heady and sweet, and I couldn't wait to sink my face between her thighs and use my tongue to make her come.But there was something I needed to say first. They had to know what was going to happen. "Once this starts, it won't stop," I murmured, my throat bobbing, the ache burning between my legs. I brought my nails to my collarbone and slit across the skin.The desire I felt kept me from feeling the sting, and I released small ruby droplets from under my skin. My blood would heal Gabriel now that I was strong again. All his
Lucy's POVThere was no time to react. Vivianna shoved Alistair against the wall, cracking the stone as Vivianna sliced through him with claws. Her face had morphed into that of a monster, with fangs and veins, while Alistair morphed into something resembling a wolfman. They disappeared into the darkness of the cave, but I could hear them.Every hit sounded like grinding stone. Heavy impacts. Blood spraying across the chasm. Hissing and snarling echoed off the walls, but I wasn't sure who had the upper hand, and I was afraid to think it was Alistair.Gabriel crumpled against the ground, and I ran to him, beaten and bloody. His shoulder was torn open, riddled with bite marks just like Alistair had shown me. God, he felt so cold. No shirt to protect him from the chill of being underground."Gabriel," I whispered, cupping his handsome face, bruised and pallid. Lacking his natural healthy, honey gold tan. "Baby." I stroked his cheeks with my thumbs and he groaned. A noise of pai
Lucy's POV"Are you sure, Lucy?" Vivianna asked like she desperately wanted me to say no. She wanted me to withdraw my consent. Give her a reason not to hurt me.Her heart cried out to me, begging me to leave her. Run before it was too late. But I wouldn't. Not when my husband was on the line.Rage burned within me. Alistair showed me Gabriel, chained up against a stone boulder, wounds weeping with blood. His chest was heaving, willfulness apparent in the cut of his rib. Even with his shoulders strained, riddled with teeth marks, he didn't lose himself. He was going to fight.And so would I.Anything for him. I was going to get my fucking husband back.My neck ached, bruised where Alistair claimed me. It felt like I was breathing smoke. Suffocating like ash in my lungs. Burning my insides. Searing me from the inside out.I could feel him in my head like he was wiggling his fingers in my brain. Trying to figure out what buttons to press to get me to do what he wanted. I
Vivianna's POVA sinking feeling filled my gut.Where was Gabriel? He hadn't returned after his meeting with William. The moon was high in the sky, the middle of the night. He should have been back by now. I turned to look at Lucy, still barely coherent, mumbling nonsensical words.Alistair wasn't ready to use her yet. I didn't like thinking about what he would use her for. All the things he did to me under his thrall…took centuries to heal from. Some I'm still healing from. She was sweating, small sobs breaking from her chest like he had her submerged into an eternal nightmare.Seeing Lucy in so much pain. So much terror on her face. It broke my heart. I reached out to comb my fingers through her matted curls, and I swear my touch relaxed her a little. Her nose unwrinkled, and instead of being afraid, she just seemed exhausted.So much sleep, but so little rest."Wake up, Lucy," I whispered, leaning down to press a kiss against her forehead. "Come back to me." Her eyeli
Gabriel's POVThe sun was setting.I was so close to town. Just a little further. No longer than a thirty minutes drive. Northpass had already slammed their doors, locking up for the night. I was absorbed by my thoughts.By my plans. Billy had answered most of my questions, and I wouldn't have gotten very far without him. In fact, I'd probably be dead in the water. Billy was callous and resistant, but he was good for his word.The sunset painted the sky with all sorts of colors, violets, and oranges. Beautifully disappearing into a night sky, only lit by a full moon. A brewing storm cloud perpetually floated above the castle, waiting to storm, but never able to. Like it was trapped in eternity with Vivianna.My mind wandered to them. How Vivianna would care for my wife. I should be there. Dampening Lucy's forehead with a cool cloth. Easing her fever and erasing her chill. I should be listening to her cries, holding her hand, and keeping her from falling too deeply.Bu
Gabriel's POV"So Elizabeth Bathory really was a vampire?" I asked, the journal open on my lap. My leg was crossed over the other, giving me a flat surface to work on while I face Vivianna.I took notes as I analyzed everything she had to say. It was like a dam of information had cracked wide open, spilling and overflowing the river beneath it.All of the pieces were falling together. The mystery of the portrait under the library. The missing people. How Vivianna enticed me.Vivianna had her legs parted, speaking easily, freely. She didn't have anything to hide now. She nodded, gazing at me with interest. "Elizabeth liked virgins. She'd host extravagant parties and every guest had to bring her a virgin. Alistair was a frequent attendee.""You said you slayed her. How?""The first fifty years of my curse was a bloody blur." She paused. "Pleasure. Death. Emptiness. I was so empty until one of Elizabeth's citizens grabbed my arm in passing, begging me to save his daughter from