Page 55 of Stalked By Pestilence

Traitor.

“I’m with the boys on this one. I already lost you once,” she said, her smile fading. “I can’t lose you again, Ems.”

My fight died with her whispered confession. “Ash, you sweet little bitch.” The happy laughter coming from Zelus made me smile against my will. I threw my head back in mock petulance. “Fine. Go hither with the both of you.”

Asha was already on her feet and bending to plant a smooch on my cheek. “I promise we’ll be as fast as possible. You’re safe here.”

I thumbed at the asshole holding me. “Debatable.”

His little amused chuff tugged at my lips, and my bestie caught every unwanted second of it. With a wink, she grabbed Thanatos and they were already gone when I blinked. I needed to learn that trick so I could disappear myself away from Zelus.

Now it was just me and this asshole in a huge Dracula castle.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Zelus

“Grovel,”was all her flat mate whispered to me before leaving, soft enough that Emily couldn’t hear.

The object of my desire, my affection, my bloody fucking future was in my arms after I’d been terrified I wouldn’t get her back. But my pretty little viper was clever and resourceful. Somehow, without any idea how to navigate the perilous depths of Hell, she’d found her way to Lucifer’s throne.

I’d nearly thought it’d been him to take her when I caught sight of her, but the confusion that passed through the first fallen angel’s eyes suggested otherwise. Then came thereal twat responsible. Astaroth. My bird had played him for a fool, and I was bleeding chuffed.

She wandered ahead of me, refusing to let me touch any part of her, but she’d never understand how the mere sight of her somewhere I was would always be enough. Knowing she was protected in Death’s realm was enough.

Brushing back her hair, the seductive curve of her neck came into view. My mouth watered at the sight. Yeah, I was full of lies if I thought keeping my hands to myself would be enough.

She scanned every room as if she meant to catalogue the amenities and set down roots. What I wouldn’t give to have her wander my home in my realm the same way.

“I can’t tether her there. Her soul wouldn’t survive the journey. She’s weak, Zelus. Weaker than any soul I’ve collected.”

Thanatos had squashed my dreams before they’d been given life. He couldn’t fathom a reason for her fading soul, and he’d made me promise to not speak of it to either Emily or Asha. I’d fought him on it, but he promised to look into it.

But how much time we had, he couldn’t say.

Emily paused at a door, a smile tugging at her mouth. “That bitch.”

Sneaking closer, I peeked into the room. On the bed, rose petals were scattered and formed a big heart. Candles were lit and set out on every surface of the bedroom, flickering their welcome. Champagne had been left in an ice bucket with two glass flutes beside it. Hung on the door was a plaque that read “Emily & Zelus’s Suite of Love.”

I’d never regretted trying to kill someone as much as I did that feisty redhead. She’d done this unworthy bloke a solid.

My Viper’s eyes jerked over to me, and I expected venom, but then she said, “Guess this is ours.”

Ours.

I crowded her against the doorframe, sneaky grin on my face. “Ours, you say? Does that mean you forgive me, love?”

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” she grumbled, but I saw the smile she tried to hide. “I’m not a total jerk. I know what it took to protect me.” Her two-colored eyes that she’d carried straight into her afterlife lifted to mine. I was ensnared instantly. “If any of this has taught me anything, it’s that things can change in a blink of an eye. I don’t want to waste any more time being angry.”

I didn’t expect the words coming out of her mouth, and certainly not the kiss that came after. Her arms circled my neck and dragged me down. No hesitation. All demand. My Viper knew what she wanted and she took it.

She teased my tongue with hers, toying with the piercings I kept in both forms. Her sweet taste was enough to dislodge a groan of need. And when I lifted her, those strong legs went around my waist and clung on tight. Another sound fled my mouth into hers. Then it was a mad dash for the bed.

She snickered as she hit nothing but petals and one flew up and smacked me right in the face. “Bitch slapped by a rose petal,” came her raspy comment, tainted by giggles.

I grinned and put one over her mouth. “And this is a hush petal.”

We didn’t have control over this world the way her mate and Dead did. We’d be left to wander inside it much like the mortal plane, but I quite enjoyed the fun of it.