Eternity of Darkness (Divisa Huntress Book 3) Read online

  “She is quite spunky.” A soothing touch of darkness whispered over my skin.

  “Spunky doesn’t begin to cover what I’m feeling right now.”

  I couldn’t believe he’d tried to pull this crap on me. We’d talked about this. I thought I had made my position very clear. I was going to fight this battle alongside him. No way could I sit idling in the mortal world while Ashor risked everything, not knowing if he was alive or dead. If he got himself killed, despite it being a crippling sight, I had to be there to see it. I wouldn’t be able to accept his loss any other way.

  But of course, I didn’t plan to let Ashor die.

  “Don’t I know it,” Ashor muttered under his breath, feeling my annoyance from our link.

  I lifted my hand to whack him on the back of the head, but queasiness clutched my gut so suddenly and swiftly that I wasn’t prepared.

  Something was wrong.

  Violet eyes slid sideways to me. “What is it?”

  “I’m not sure. Something is coming. I can feel it in the air.”

  “They’re doing that thing again?” Angel commented, her voice distant for someone who sat across from me.

  “How annoying,” Chase grumbled.

  Aware that everyone was staring at me, I rubbed my palms over my thighs, trying to shake off this odd feeling. “I think I need some air.”

  Emma stood up. “I’ll go with you,” she offered.

  I hadn’t expected Ashor to let me go off on my own, but he said nothing as I walked away. A moment of panic zipped through me. What if he left? Snuck out without me?

  “I won’t leave without you. I’m not sure I could.”

  I rubbed at my temples, but I didn’t look back and kept walking into the hallway. “For your sake, I hope not.”

  Emma and I left the others to finish arguing over a plan B that probably wouldn’t work. Like Emma said, our plans rarely ever worked out, but not for lack of trying.

  “Thank you,” I said when we stepped outside, the crisp breeze slapping me in the face, but I didn’t duck or hide my head. Instead, I lifted my chin upward, embracing the cold as it whipped through the yard. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

  Emma secured a beanie over her red hair, the ends sticking out from the knitted material. “I can’t imagine what you’re going through, but I’m glad to see you.”

  I smiled. “God, I missed you.”

  Together, we headed down the steps on the front porch, a shadow trailing behind. I snuck a peek over my shoulder to see which of the Wild Hunt had followed. Draven. Of course Ashor would put a tail on me, but I was a bit surprised it wasn’t Apollo. He seemed to be assigned to Lexi guard duties. Draven usually stuck with Ashor.

  Emma didn’t seem to mind the extra company. “I’d ask when you’re coming home, but I’m guessing you don’t know either. What are you going to do, Lex, after the war?” She dug right in, going for the heavy stuff.

  I couldn’t deny that she was right. I didn’t know if or when I’d be back here. Didn’t want to think about having to make a choice. “My brain can only concentrate on one problem at a time, and that is currently stopping the Queen of Darkness from trying to get her claws into this world.”

  Snow crunched under our boots as we continued to walk in the front yard, sticking close to the house. Thank God I hadn’t worn heels today. There was absolutely nothing worse than ruining a stellar pair of Jimmy Choo’s.

  Emma shoved her hands into her coat pockets. Unlike me, she didn’t have a demon’s body temperature. I could withstand the cold a lot longer than she could. “I told you things were too quiet,” she reminded me.

  That she had, last year before I met Ashor and dropped out of college. I couldn’t imagine going back to that life without him in it. That spoke volumes, didn’t it? I didn’t want to live a life without the Prince of Darkness in it.

  As we drew near the edge of the woods lining the property, my ears picked up a sound that pricked my internal alarm. The cramp in my stomach tightened. “Do you hear that?” I murmured, even though I knew Emma wouldn’t be able to pick up the noise. It was faint for my ears; a human wouldn’t be able to detect the distant barking until it was too late.

  Emma and I hunted together often, enough so that she could read my body language, heard the change in my voice. “What is it?” she asked.

  “It sounds like Hellhounds.” I spun around to find out if Draven also detected the unmistakable howling, but the fucker was nowhere to be found. Where the hell is he? Had he gone to check it out?

  “You think an attack is on the way?” Emma frowned, not yet noticing that my guard had disappeared.

  I stared off in the distance, straining to hear which direction the low growling and howling came from, but I couldn’t pinpoint it. “I don’t know. Shit,” I muttered under my breath. “We should probably go back and—”

  Draven appeared in front of me.

  “We need to go,” he instructed as if he didn’t just materialize out of thin air. It was difficult to tell behind his scruffy beard, but I thought I detected a scowl on his lips.

  Lexi blinked. “Did he just…?”

  I understood her amazement well. The Wild Hunt was both mysterious and eerie. “Yeah. I think so,” I said, momentarily distracted from the real problem.

  “And that is normal, right?” she asked, looking for clarity.

  I had none to give. “Define normal, because I’m convinced normal doesn’t exist.” Another howl echoed deep in the woods, though closer than before. “Did you bring your bow?”

  Her nose wrinkled. “Shit.”

  7

  Hellhounds weren’t an uncommon threat around here. We dealt with them time and time again. What concerned me was who came with them. How many?

  Had we brought them here? Were they tracking us? Or were they here for Angel?

  Regardless, they would have to deal with me before they got anywhere near this house.

  Draven was right. It was time we left.

  “Keep Angel inside,” I ordered Emma as I stared at the trees, the demon inside me rising. “We’ll lead them away from the house, but keep your bow close tonight, and every night after.” I absolutely hated leaving when trouble could be lurking in the woods.

  Emma’s eyes steeled, turning into hard chips of emeralds. “Don’t worry about us. Just promise me you’ll be careful.”

  I turned toward the house, intending to inform Ashor of our unexpected guests, but he was on the porch, calculating eyes already assessing the situation.

  “I’ll be okay. I have Ashor,” I replied, unable to take my gaze off my mate. The brisk breeze ruffled dark strands of his hair as shadows gathered around him, creeping from the corners of the porch and under the house.

  Emma rubbed her hands together, chasing away the cold from her fingers as she followed my gaze. “He is quite impressive.”

  Despite the sun shining, Ashor remained cloaked in shadow as if he had a personal dark cloud hanging over his head. “It’s frightening sometimes the power he has.”

  “Are you referring to the power in his blood or the power he has over your heart?”

  Sometimes friends saw too much, and Emma knew how fiercely I protected my heart.

  I sighed, and without responding, I began walking to the house. The others had come outside to see what trouble stirred. Ashor's sudden departure had undoubtedly raised a few eyebrows.

  Apollo stood at Ashor’s side, each wearing similar degrees of seriousness.

  “You hear them,” I said when I reached the bottom of the porch steps.

  Chase nodded, leaning on the railings. “At least three packs of hounds. They aren’t alone,” he speculated.

  “Scouts,” Apollo said, his gold eyes sharp and clear.

  Ashor bounded down the steps, placing a hand on the small of my back. “We’ll split up, lead them back toward the gate.”

  Both Apollo and Draven grunted, understanding the assignment.

  Hardness etched over
Chase’s features. My cousin was used to giving orders. “Travis, Emma, and I will take care of any strays.”

  Ashor’s fingers pressed into my back, a signal.

  “I’m sorry, Chase,” I rushed out, knowing we had to hurry, but I wasn’t ready to say goodbye, not when it felt as if I’d only just arrived.

  Emotion rippled in his eyes, and Angel laced her fingers with Chase’s, offering me a soft smile of understanding. “You have nothing to apologize for. This is not your doing,” Chase stated, his gaze locked on Ashor, and it became clear just who my cousin thought was responsible.

  “He isn’t to blame,” I defended. “He can’t help who his parents are any more than we can.”

  Chase blinked. “Maybe not. But I still don’t like the guy.”

  Travis hurdled over the porch banister, landing in the snow near me. “You’re not going to hang around to see Dad?”

  I shook my head, stepping forward. “I don’t want to hurt him more or confuse him. I can’t come home. Not yet,” I added softly. It was why I came directly to Chase and Angel’s instead of going home. My joyous reunion would have to wait for another day, regardless of how much it sucked.

  My brother pulled me in for a tight squeeze. “I don’t want to let you go. I should lock you in your room.”

  A watery laugh bubbled out. “We both know that would never stop me.”

  Emma and Angel were next, and the three of us threw our arms around each other for one big hug. These girls were my best friends—my only friends. I couldn’t believe I was hugging them again, and there were fresh tears again, but not of joy, only harrowing sadness. No goodbyes were necessary; the water clogging our eyes was enough. Besides, I doubted any of us could actually speak.

  “Don’t get yourself killed, Lex,” Chase said gruffly. “My baby needs a godmother.”

  I was shaking as I pulled back, trying to smear away the tears. “You’re going to make me cry. Again.” I sniffed. “Protect them.”

  His silver eyes flared. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do to ensure their safety. “Always,” he promised.

  My life felt like it was only filled with goodbyes. Would there ever be a time when I didn’t ache from missing someone?

  Each step away from my house pierced me like a dagger to the gut. In. Out. In. Out. The pain sliced again and again.

  Our Hellmounts were where we had left them, eager to return to their domain. Kora pranced in the snow, her eyes darting left and right, sensing the enemy that waited in the woods. Her front hoof stomped the ground, sending flames licking up her leg.

  She was damn ready, and although she looked skittish, eyes enormous, I saw right into the depths of her soul. A fighter lived within waiting to break free.

  Apollo and Draven each took off in opposite directions, one to the east, the other to the west, while Ashor and I went straight north. We needed to make sure the Hellhounds picked up our scent, which meant we wouldn't head directly to the gate but rather toward the trouble.

  Kora’s nostrils flared the closer Ashor and I got to the unmistakable snarling, a sound unlike any dog or wolf was capable of making in the mortal world. Something almost tortured netted in the way they howled or barked, like they experienced pain unbeknownst to this place.

  Mere seconds after Kora flew into the woods, galloping alongside Treachery, a slash of darkness arched through the trees from the corner of my gaze. Between the speed Treachery set and the blur of snow-dusted evergreens, getting a clear picture of my surroundings became burdensome.

  Snow kicked up off the ground as Kora’s hooves sank into it, clouding the air around her in white powder that melted and steamed when it came in contact with the flames sparking off her legs. Her muscular body tensed at the arrival of the pack.

  The hounds nipped at Kora’s ankles, but she didn’t stop. Ashor steered Treachery deeper into the belly of the woods. Now that they were on our tail, he would open the gate. The world split several feet ahead of us, creating a rip that led straight into Hell’s Mist.

  Crunching snow mingled with labored pants of both horses and hounds. Kora and Treachery were truly fast, but so were the hounds. They were lean to the point of being bony, with dark, shaggy fur covering their skin, and red eyes blazing. One of the beasts lunged for Kora’s underbelly, desperate to get its teeth in her flesh. I let out a little shriek, afraid they might injure this horse who trusted me.

  “We just need to make it through the gate,” Ashor encouraged, his voice steady in my head.

  Easier said than done when you had nearly a dozen demonic dogs chasing you.

  Another one leaped at Kora, but this time its snout met my foot. The beast let out a piercing whimper before tumbling into the snow.

  Bastards.

  Kora jumped through the tear with scary precision. A ripple vibrated in the air, a shuttering shake. Treachery dug in his hooves, skidding to a halt as Kora rushed by, taking a few more gallops before slowing to a stop and turning sideways, blocking the way alongside Treachery.

  The Hellhounds burst through the gate one by one, snarling, bladelike teeth dripping with saliva. Ashor exploded them with his darkness, and all I could do was sit on top of Kora amazed.

  Three lower demons barreled into Hell. They took one look at Ashor and came to a stop. The expressions on their faces were almost comical, as if they realized how much they’d fucked up. Two of them were dead in their next breath. The third lowered his hand as if to surrender, but the Prince of Darkness didn’t take prisoners.

  Ropes of darkness lashed up from the shaded corners, twining around the demon like a vine of strangleweed, a plant that jabbed its roots into another and sucked it dry. That was exactly what Ashor’s power was like. The demon moaned as Ashor dismounted and walked toward him, unable to do anything but wait.

  Neither the demon nor I was expecting Ashor’s fist to smash into his face, but the sound of flesh meeting bone was unmistakable. “Who sent you?” Ashor demanded.

  The crazy idiot just laughed, blood like tar coating his teeth. He had a death wish, and from the rumbling in our bond, Ashor would grant him that wish.

  Ashor hit him again, and I winced. “Should we try this again? What kingdom do you hail from?” he demanded.

  “Half-breed, traitorous filth,” the demon spat, struggling against the bonds that held him.

  “Let me guess, my mother sends her regards.” Ashor whirled, walking away, and the darkness coiled around him unraveled like a spider’s web. Tiny hairs of ink covered the demon from head to toe, destroying him. Muscle ripped from flesh. Black blood splattered through the rip onto the snow. The demon was nothing now, his soul shredded along with his body.

  When silence descended, and nothing else surged through the gate, I quietly asked, “What about Apollo and Draven?”

  Treachery swished his tail, poised and waiting.

  “They will come,” my mate assured, not a worry line on his features.

  My eyes darted through the mist that clung around us, thick like a blanket. It was nearly impossible to see anything coming, not until they were so damn close to freedom. “Can we leave the gate open long enough to wait for them?”

  “We’ll guard it together. Nothing leaves, do you understand, luv?” He hoisted himself back onto Treachery.

  I nodded.

  “Half-breed, traitorous filth.” The words repeated in my head. I assumed the demons had been from the Court of Darkness, that this was all Kali’s doing, but I hadn’t thought about how the demons in his home court would view Ashor now that he was king. Did they really believe him a traitor? If so, that meant they wouldn’t turn their backs on their queen.

  We didn’t have to wait long. Kora’s ears perked up at the approaching rider moments before Apollo burst through the gate, Draven behind him. The Hellhounds and the demons chasing after them met the same fate as the ones prior. This time Ashor didn’t bother with any formalities, no interrogations, just went straight for the kill.

  Erlik and Beck were wai
ting at the court when we returned. Ashor didn’t give himself a moment's rest but went straight into receiving the details of their trip. Escorting the two into the still half sky-exposed throne room, Ashor dropped into the former queen’s throne of thorns and vines, his legs stretched out, leaning to one side.

  “Did they agree to the meeting?” Ashor asked, reaching out to wrap his hand around my wrist. He tugged me down onto his lap, and I was too drained to protest. I wanted nothing more than to curl up against him, but without the audience.

  It would have to wait.

  Neither Erlik nor Beck was fazed by my presence or position. “King Trist agreed to a meeting,” Beck informed us.

  “As will King Angor, but he made no promises that he will join forces with you. In fact, he made it very clear that he dared your mother to try and take his crown. Or you, for that matter,” Erlik reported. “I believe the king only agreed so he could intimidate you in person.”

  Ashor’s fingers came up to the back of my neck, gently massaging the tense muscles. “Good. I look forward to it.” Not an ounce of fret could be felt through our bond. He wasn’t the least bit concerned about Angor or his scare tactics. I wish I had his certainty.

  “They will be at the Hollow in two nights' time,” Beck advised, white curls tangled around his face.

  “Good,” my mate stated. “I will need the four of you to accompany Lexi and me.”

  I swallowed, tensing slightly. Ashor’s fingers paused their working of my sore neck. He was taking me with him. The meeting had been set. I didn’t know how to feel about seeing the other kings, but I had two nights to come to terms with it.

  Two nights didn’t give me long to shield not just my mind but my unstable abilities. I might have shifted, but I still had no real control over either. Ashor seemed to be finding the balance between his two powers. Going to the mortal world had proven so. He had used both without a hitch. To anyone other than me, no one would have suspected anything wrong.