Page 38

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October 31, 2334

S hadow popped into the living room of akri’s New Orleans house where Simi was lying on the floor with her legs stretched up along the wall. Simi frowned as she realized Shadow stood between her and her barbecue-flavored popcorn.

That was never a good place to be.

So she arched a brow. “Problem?”

“I’ve found Thorn.”

Oh! In that case, she’d forgive Shadow for blocking her popcorn since he brought such happy news. “Where is he?”

“Raining hell all over the human world.”

“What?” she gasped, sitting up and tucking her legs under her body.

Shadow used his powers to conjure an image of Thorn and his army as they were fighting against humans, Daimons and Dark-Hunters on what appeared to be the Vegas Strip. Simi hadn’t seen anything like this since the Primus Bellum.

There were bodies everywhere.

How could that be her Thorny? Yet there was no denying his demon form that she’d only seen when he was extremely upset or angry. “What’s going on?”

“He’s aligned himself with his father.”

No. That made absolutely no sense to her. “Thorny hates Noir … I don’t understand.”

“No one does. Nick and the others are heading to Las Vegas where Thorn is systematically tearing down everyone and everything he can.”

Her heart pounding, she went to the kitchen to check on akri. He was with his brother, akri-Styxx. Bethany and Tory were with them as they discussed the best way to deal with Thorn.

Why hadn’t one of them told her that Thorn had been found?

Worse? Simi was terrified by their plans that included killing him. “You can’t hurt Thorn, akri.”

“I’m not sure if we have a choice.” He gave Styxx a sad stare. “He’s more powerful now than he’s ever been and let’s face it, he was never weak.”

Bethany scratched at her neck as she stared at wall where the PC had all their plans laid out for them to review and discuss. “We could always try and bind his powers.”

Akri sucked his breath in sharply. “It’s a good thought, but I don’t think we can.”

“Then the Malachai can stop him,” Styxx reminded him. “He definitely has the powers.”

Simi wasn’t sure about that either. It sounded good except for one thing. “The Malachai almost killed Thorn the last time they fought.”

“That was Adarian,” akri reminded her. “Not Ambrose.”

“True, but what if the old Malachai takes control of Nicky? Nicky might not even know he’s hurting Thorn. He might just do it.” That was her fear. How could they save Thorn without killing him?

Akri arched his brow. “We can’t let him continue to destroy humans, Simi.”

“Why not?”

His gaze turned droll. “You know why.”

It was wrong. That was what akri always said. Humans needed to be protected.

Pfft on that!

Worse? Thorn would most likely agree. But Simi couldn’t stand the idea of Thorn being harmed because of some smelly humans.

Everything came back to them. Why were they so important anyway?

Even so, she would respect akri’s opinion. Most of all, she’d respect Thorny.

“Fine, akri. I want to go with you.”

Akri arched a brow. “I’d rather you stay, Simkey.”

If it was anyone else, she might. But this was different, and she wasn’t listening. “This is Thorn. I won’t stay behind.”

Not for anything.

She loved her Thorny, and she wasn’t about to let them kill him if she could help save him.

Akri nodded as he finally relented. “We need to head out. I don’t want to leave my kids fighting alone.”

True. While Sin and Kat were great warriors, Simi had no idea how Mia or her little brother Karadin would do in a massive battle. Even though they had impressive powers, they weren’t the seasoned fighters that their parents were. Mostly because no one wanted them to fight.

It was too scary.

Without waiting on the others, Simi used her powers to locate Thorn and teleported to Vegas. Akri and the others would catch up.

But first, she had to find her best friend and see what was happening.

Not that it was hard to find him. His army had laid waste to the entire Vegas strip.

There were bodies and fires everywhere. It looked like the whole place had been firebombed.

Simi paused as she finally understood why akri said and did the things he did. Humans were frail, and no one was prepared to deal with the ferocity of an army of demons coming at them. She actually felt sorry for the poor people who’d died and especially the ones who were wounded, trying to find shelter from an army bent on their deaths.

I will never joke about eating humans again.

Because this wasn’t a joke.

Biting her lip, Simi flew to where the worst of the fighting was taking place. Demon fire and god-bolts rained down from the battle. Demons flew overheard, screeching and dipping toward their victims.

Because it was daylight, there weren’t any Dark-Hunters on the street. Instead, their army was made up of Daimons who were now able to tolerate the sun. Most of them she remembered from her visits to Sin’s casino. They were good Daimons who took care of their patrons.

Simi paused as she saw Karadin fighting a demon on the street. Fury darkened her gaze. How dare anyone attack her baby! Karry was precious!

Okies, she admitted he was a grown man who was a carbon-copy of his father, but still …

Karry would always be her baby no matter how old he got.

Her gaze narrowing, she changed from her black feathered wings to her leathery battle wings and headed straight for them.

“Get off him!” she snarled as she dove for the demon who looked up at her in shock.

Without hesitating, Simi grabbed him and tore a chunk from his neck. Blood soaked them both, but she didn’t care. Her only goal was to protect her nephew.

Panting from the fight, Karadin looked at her incredulously. “Wish I could do that, Aunt Simi.”

She wiped at the blood on her face with the back of her hand. “You don’t need to. It’s why the Simi’s here.”

Another demon started for Karadin, until he saw the demon at her feet. Eyes wide, he turned and ran.

Normally, Simi would have given chase, but right now, she had to make sure her babies were all right. “Where’s your sissy?”

“At the casino, holding back a group that was trying to break in.”

“Why did you leave them?”

“I didn’t mean to. One of the demons picked me up and carried me off.”

She gaped. “What?”

“I stabbed him, and he dropped me. I was trying to get back to the casino when you showed up.”

Her stomach lurched at his news. “Were you hurt?” She lifted his shirt, looking for wounds.

Protesting, he backed away with a smirk. “I’m fine, Aunt Simi. Unless they cut my head off, I’m immortal.” He rubbed at his back. “But it wasn’t comfortable being air dropped. A gentle landing would have been nice.”

Fury consumed her. “Show me the demon who dared!”

He gestured at the one she’d bitten and killed.

Oh. “Wish I’d known. I’d have made him suffer longer.”

Karadin laughed. “You sound like Mom.”

The Simi had no doubt about that. Katra was fierce when it came to her children. It was a family trait.

“Let’s get to them.”

Nodding, Karadin headed back to the casino while Simi made sure no demon came near him. She was the mother duckie protecting her duckling.

By the time they reached the casino, akri and the others were there.

The moment akri saw Karadin, he grabbed him into a tight hug. “Your dad told me what happened. I was just going to look for you. Are you all right?” He stepped back to examine him.

“He’s fine, akri. The Simi already checked.” She looked their group over. Akri, Sin, Kat, Mia, Tory, and Urian. “Where’s akri-copy?”

Kat pointed to the doors. “He and Bethany took off to fight demons.”

Oh …

“I’ll go join them.” Simi left before anyone could stop her. Her plan was to route demons until she found the big guy she was wanting to see more than anything, but she’d barely gone outside before she saw the main demon she’d come to see.

Thorny.

Wings spread, he flew after two Daimons.

Simi cut him off.

Thorn started to hit her, then paused as he recognized her. Disbelief swept across his face. “Simi?”

“What are you doing?” The question was barely out of her mouth before he grabbed her and vanished.

By the time Simi could see again, she was in Thorn’s home, inside his throne room. She expected him to let her go, but instead, he continued to hold her.

Simi savored the sensation. “Thorny?”

“Is it really you, Simi?”

His question confused her. How could he not know. “Of course it’s me. Why am I here?”

“Because …”

She waited for him to continue.

He didn’t.

“Thorn?”

Instead of responding, he leaned his head against hers and took a deep breath. He’d never behaved like this before. It was so peculiar to her.

“What is wrong with you?”

Thorn wanted to answer, but too many emotions rushed through him. The beast inside wanted blood.

No, it demanded blood. Craved it.

And yet …

He remembered her. This was Simi. His Simi. The only creature in the world who had made him deliriously happy while knowing exactly who and what he was.

She didn’t judge him. Or care that he was the son of Noir.

In his mind, he struggled to think of the last time he’d seen her. She’d been wearing red. A short skirt and boots. Her hair had been in pigtails.

Today, she was dressed in purple. No horns, but her wings were now feathery—a sign she wasn’t going to fight him. And that she felt comfortable with him even though he was a monster.

He’d missed her so much. For so many reasons. And now she was here.

With him.

“I won’t let you go, Sim.”

Simi gasped at his words. “We can’t stay like this, Thorny. How in the world will the Simi be able to eat her barbecue?”

He laughed at her primary concern. “We’ll find a way. I’ll even make it extra spicy.”

Instead of letting her go, he tightened his hold on her.

“What are you doing, Thorny?”

He had no idea. He’d told his father that he would lead his army. His rage against the world had been absolute.

Until he saw Simi.

Now that he was holding her …

He didn’t care about anything else. “Stay with me, Sim. Stay with me because you want to.”

“Have you lost your senses or thrown them away?” Simi asked. “Akri was planning how to kill you just a little while ago and that was before you kidnapped his Simi. Now, he’ll be even madder.”

And Thorn didn’t care. “Please, Simi?”

Simi placed her hand against his cheek. “Tell me where you’ve been?”

“In hell.”

“Thorny—”

“I’m serious. I was held prisoner until the demon inside took over me.”

“Why you want to fight for your daddy? The Simi thought you hated him.”

“I do.” And he had no good reason for what he’d done. Now that his rage was gone … “I don’t know what they did to me.”

Why was he attacking the world he’d spent centuries protecting?

None of it made sense.

Whatever had possessed him was gone now. He even turned back into his human form.

“I can’t remember anything, Simi.” Nothing more than attacking. But again, he didn’t know why. There was just a huge hole in his memory.

It seemed like just yesterday he’d been in the theater room with Simi. And at the same time, it seemed like an eternity ago.

Nothing made sense. The world had gone insane.

No, he’d gone insane.

“How long as it been?”

Simi scowled at his question. He was serious. He had no idea. “Centuries, Thorny. Shadow, akri … all of us have been hunting everywhere for you. Where have you been?”

“I just remember darkness and anger.”

Simi pulled him against her for a hug. “You’re safe now.”

He nodded against her shoulder. “What have I done?”

“You made everyone mad.”

Thorn winced. Of course he had. “Can you forgive me?” He didn’t care if the others did. All that mattered was his little demon.

Simi stared at him aghast. “Always.”

That wasn’t the problem. The problem was akri might not. He wasn’t the most forgiving of beings.

He picked her up then and held her so tight that she could barely breathe. “I want to keep you here.”

She gasped at those words. “You know you can’t.”

“I know. I said I wanted to. But I could never hurt you, Sim. I think it’s why I came back to me when I saw you. You’re my touchstone.”

Simi didn’t understand. “Your what?”

“Anchor is what Nick would call it. You keep my beast tamed.”

For reasons she couldn’t name, that made her heart flutter. “The Simi keeps you tame?”

He looked away from her, then back. “I love you, Simi. I always have.”

She smiled. “I know.”

Thorn was aghast at her nonchalant tone. “What do you mean you know?”

“The Simi knewed it when you builted us the theater room. It was obvious.”

“Really?”

She nodded.

“Then why did I wait so long to tell you?”

“Because you knew akri would be furious.” Wrinkling her nose, she leaned against him. “And you were skeered.”

He laughed at the thought of him being scared.

Then again … he wasn’t exactly scared of Acheron. Just cautious. Only an idiot would piss off someone that powerful on purpose.

But he’d lived centuries without her. Centuries.

And he’d hated every single moment they’d been apart. “Do you think Acheron will kill me?”

“Well …”