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Because from what I saw in Callum's mind before he effectively shut me out would be a challenge for us to overcome. The images had been fragmented but disturbing—armies mobilizing, ancient pacts being broken. Something darker than usual brewing in the realms.

But he wasn't coming to harm Rowen. Instead, he came to tell him devastating news.

"I want you to sleep, darling." I cupped her cheek, running the pad of my thumb over the apple of her cheekbone. Too soft. Too tempting. Just too much. The contact sent another rush of her thoughts into my mind—confusion, attraction, and underneath it all, a fear she was fighting tooth and nail to suppress.

Confusion swirled in her bright blue eyes and her lips parted to argue with me. Sierra always wanted to argue. It was one of the first things I'd noticed about her years ago—she questioned everything, challenged everyone. Never taking anything at face value. A survivor's instinct.

I stopped her with a finger over her lips, feeling the cool metal of her piercings. "No protests. Sleep." I pushed the compulsion deep into her mind, not gentle but necessary, and saw her fight it for a moment before her eyelids blinked heavily. Even with my power washing over her, she resisted—stubborn to her core.

"Hate you," she slurred as she slumped forward onto my chest, her body finally surrendering to the spell.

"I know, darling girl." A slice of pain ran through my chest and I sucked in a harsh breath. I wasn't accustomed to feelingpain of the emotional variety. Physical? Fuck yes. I was stabbed, shot, punched, and fucked until I bled. Pain was the currency of my existence, had been since the day I was handed over to Rowen. But I didn't let anyone touch my heart.

Until this little hellfire.

Fifteen years ago

“Archer!” Rowen snapped, getting my attention to shift away from the window that looked out onto the gardens of his estate.

Contrary to popular belief, Hell isn’t all fire and brimstone. In fact it’s just like another realm of earth. A sun. A moon. Trees, plants, water. All the normal earthly realm shit.

Just a bit…drier.

And lonely.

For years I’d been struggling with the unyielding monotony that my existence was. Hunt down bad guys. Kill those who betray Rowen. Serve as his bodyguard. Be his best friend. Allow him to fuck you seven ways to Sunday. Okay, that last one I didn't hate so much.

Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

For centuries.

Don’t get me wrong, I’d have willingly served by Rowen’s side, that’s how much I believed he was the right leader for our corner of Hell.

But even I got bored of killing sometimes.

“Are you fucking listening?”

I let out a heavy sigh and turned my full attention back to my lord and master. It was fun to tease him with the title.

And it usually got me bent over something, or shoved against the nearest wall with my ass spanked and fucked so I’d take it.

“As much as I know how you love to tease me, I need you to actually pay attention this time.” Rowen pinched the bridge ofhis nose and my brow furrowed. He never used this tone. One of frustration and utter impatience.

Rowen was always in it for the long haul. And if that meant waiting minutes, hours, or even days and years, he did it with no problems.

“What is it?” I asked seriously, rising to my feet and moving away from my window to the outside world.

“There’s been a shift…” he paused, searching for his words. “There’s a girl who’s coming into her powers and…”

He stopped speaking and the far away look in his eyes as he searched through time and space appeared. I was being impatient today as well, so instead of waiting for him to reply, I just peered into his mind.

The breath left my lungs as I saw the first vision of her.

An omega.

Not only an omega but one gifted with the power of the moon goddess. How long had it been since we’d seen a magic kissed Omega? A century?

“Just about,” Rowen answered my silent thought. Touché boss man.