Page 6

Seneca frowned at the demon who was guiding her down the hallway into an area of The Manor she had never been in before. He gripped her bicep as he dragged her along with him, his large hand wrapping around her entire upper arm with ease. Although his grip was firm, it didn’t hurt. While she didn’t like him touching her, she didn’t try to escape his hold.

There would be no point in that anyway.

Besides, she wanted to speak to his boss, so arguing with him would have been counterproductive. She was dripping rainwater all over the expensive carpet lining the hallway, but she considered that a fair trade for being manhandled by him, regardless of how gentle he was being with her.

It was petty as fuck of her, but she was all about embracing the revenge aspect of her rebirth, in every form.

When they came to a stop in front of a closed door, she realized her big escort was practically shaking in his biker boots. His strange reaction made her own nerves increase to a distressing level. Her luck had gotten her this far so she had to believe that everything would be okay.

She had prepared herself to talk her way into The Manor during the short drive over to the private club, but she hadn’t expected them to turn her away before she even had a chance to get out of the car. Ignoring the guard’s warnings, she had hopped out and begged him to let her speak to Arson.

When the guard insisted they were closed for a private event, she had been both relieved and slightly baffled. Since Shadow had hosted her surprise birthday party at the nightclub during her last life, she knew The Manor hadn’t been closed. That difference was confusing, but it meant there wouldn’t be as many people to save this time around.

Acting on instinct, she had blurted out the raw truth to the guard. She had to speak to Arson about an urgent matter or people at The Manor would die. While that sounded like a wild statement, the shifter must have heard the ring of truth in her voice. He’d still been skeptical enough to send someone inside to verify that she wasn’t just some crazy chick, though.

She couldn’t really blame him for that.

Since she wasn’t a member of the private club, she understood their reluctance to let her in. Having Arson confirm that he knew her had paved the way inside, but she still had to convince him to help her.

She just wasn’t sure how much to tell him.

“This is it,” the demon announced.

“Great. Thanks for…” Her words trailed off when he simply disappeared without another word.

She glanced down the hallway to make sure he had really teleported away without any further explanation and just left her there. Sure enough, she found herself alone in the hallway. The few times she’d been to The Manor as a guest, the staff had been exceptionally courteous.

That made this demon’s behavior even more alarming.

Thankfully, there was only one doorway at the end of the hall so she assumed that was Arson’s office. Feeling slightly embarrassed about her disheveled appearance, she tried to fix her hair as she moved to stand in front of the door. She wished she’d had time to stop in the bathroom to do some damage control before meeting with the owner, but there had been no chance for that.

She could try to find one now, but she didn’t want to be accused of sneaking around where she didn’t belong. Before she even had a chance to knock on the door, it slowly opened on its own in ominous welcome. Evidently, he already knew she was there. Taking a deep, calming breath, she stepped forward into the dark room. She froze when the door automatically slammed closed behind her.

Talk about a jump scare.

Or it would have been if she hadn’t been raised on horror movies and scare tactics. If he’d been hoping to make her flee in terror, he really had the wrong girl. Even so, she had to grumble to herself about the dark angel’s perverse sense of humor.

The room was dark compared to the well-lit hallway she’d just come from. It wasn’t completely blacked out, but it was shadowed enough to make it an intimidating space to be in. The candlelight should have been soothing, but somehow it made the dark interior even more foreboding.

Like walking into the very pit of Hell itself.

That thought made her want to giggle. Obviously, that was an inappropriate response to the situation, but she couldn’t help it.

Been there, done that already.

To her surprise, the reminder of her trip to the Hell Realm helped her relax a little. Since she’d been to Hell and back, Seneca had already faced the worst outcome that could possibly happen. After the nightmare she’d experienced during her last life, she was sure she could handle a simple conversation with the dark angel. And if he didn’t believe her or chose not to help her, the fallout that happened would be on him.

“Umm…hello? Arson?”

“Over here.”

As she glanced toward the sound of his voice, she realized he wasn’t the only one in the room. There was another dark presence that gave her an overwhelming urge to run in the opposite direction. No, that wasn’t quite accurate. She actually felt conflicted. As much as she wanted to escape, she also wanted to stay. It was like she was being pulled by a magical tether that was tempting her deeper into the darkness, making it impossible for her to flee.

She might be a witch with her magic fully awakened, but she was still essentially human. Since her senses were nowhere as acute as other supernaturals, it was no surprise her eyes were taking a lot longer to adjust to the dim candlelight. She could use a charm to enhance her vision, but all of the spells she had learned during her previous life were a jumbled mess inside her head.

She really needed a refresher course before she started throwing magic around.

Squinting a little, all she could see were two dark silhouettes sitting in front of the stone fireplace. She tried to figure out which one was Arson, which was easy enough when he sent her a jaunty wave of greeting. As her gaze tracked over to the stranger next to him, her eyes widened.

Not in fear, but in fascination.

The male’s eyes were dark, yet they glowed with an enchanting eclipse effect that she found strangely beautiful. Even from across the room, she felt the pull of his captivating gaze. She felt it drifting over her like a phantom caress, and she fought the urge to shiver under his intense scrutiny.

He was dangerous.

Even from a distance, there was no doubt about that. It would probably be best to stay away from him, but his very presence was magnetic, drawing her in with an irresistible allure like a moth to a flame.

Unfortunately for her, she’d only made it a few steps closer before she tripped on the edge of a throw rug she hadn’t noticed. Talk about making a memorable first impression. Resignation and embarrassment swept through her when she started to fall, and she shut her eyes as she prepared for the inevitable hard impact with the floor.

Less than a heartbeat later, a pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist, and she was lifted off her feet and secured against a hard chest. Her eyes popped open in surprise, and her breath caught in her throat as she found herself staring up at the male with the glowing eclipse eyes.

Everything else in the room faded away as she lost herself in his dark gaze. Up close, his eclipse eyes were even more beautiful. Like deep, endless voids, with a ring of silver light around the dark irises that made them glow bright. The contrast between the black and silver was striking, giving him an otherworldly allure that was only enhanced by the undeniable power radiating from him.

He was a massive male, with broad shoulders and a strikingly handsome face that looked like it had been blessed by generous gods. His perfect features were sculpted with precision, each angle and curve contributing to a visage that was nothing short of breathtaking. He had a strong, defined jawline, adding a touch of ruggedness to his otherwise refined appeal.

His masculine beauty was accentuated by his inky black hair and bronzed skin that looked like it had been brushed with shimmering gold dust. In truth, he looked like a dark prince from a fairy tale. However, the raw power radiating from him made him seem more like the villain than the hero.

Without thinking, she reached up and lightly brushed back the wavy strands of dark hair that had fallen in front of his face so they wouldn’t obstruct her view. Her wayward fingers trailed down his smooth cheek, then along his jawline.

Touching him so freely clearly wasn’t smart.

She knew she was taking liberties but simply couldn’t bring herself to give a damn. An action like that could get her in serious trouble, yet her curiosity was a driving force that overpowered her sense of self-preservation.

When his arms tightened around her waist, she wasn’t sure if it was in rebuke or an instinctive reaction to her touch. She started to apologize but choked on the words when he leaned down and inhaled deeply against her neck like she was a fine wine he was savoring. The brush of his nose against her skin made her heart skip a beat before going into overdrive, but she didn’t try to pull away.

She had a feeling it wouldn’t do any good if she tried anyway.

Besides, she was pretty damn comfortable where she was.

There was a connection between them that was undeniable. It was both thrilling and terrifying, but it was also difficult to trust. Especially after everything she had experienced during her last life.

“I scent death on you.”

The words were a low whisper of sound, but they were the equivalent of an ice-cold bucket of water to her senses. She wiggled in his arms a little in a silent demand for him to release her. Instead of completely letting go, he let her body slide down his until her feet were once again touching the ground. She was pretty tall for a human female and was often complimented on her long legs, but he towered over her with his much larger frame.

“I swear I showered before I came here.”

His low chuckle made her shiver, and goosebumps covered her flesh. When he lowered his head again, she instinctively tried to lean away from him. His hands braced on her back, holding her in place. When his lips brushed against the side of her neck near where her star-shaped birthmark was located, her heart began to race so fast it felt like she was going to have a heart attack.

Damn, he really was potent.

“No, lovely one. I mean you have been touched by death. As my mate, that is an affront to my senses. You are mine, which means nothing should ever harm you.”

His mate?

Shock tore through her at his possessive statements. He didn’t seem like he was joking, but the idea of being mated to this powerful supernatural seemed utterly ridiculous. She wasn’t sure who he was or even what he was yet, but she wanted it to be true. Wanted it as much as she’d wanted to live again.

That thought was a stark reminder of what he’d just said.

How the hell could he smell death on her?

The gods’ warnings about attracting attention from the powerful supernaturals rang through her head. Not even a day into her rebirth, and she’d already fucking failed. Then again, maybe not. Since he claimed she was his mate, that hopefully meant he wouldn’t turn her into the Supernatural Council or punish her for breaking whatever magical rules were in place regarding cheating death.

Unsure what to say, she hedged a bit. “That…is a long story.”

He pulled back enough to stare down at her. Obviously, he didn’t care for that response. In a placating gesture, she patted his chest. When she realized what she was doing, she tried to pull her hand away, but he covered it with his own, holding it in place over his heart.

He studied her in silence for several heartbeats, then he said, “You don’t seem afraid of me.”

“Oh, I am,” she blurted out honestly. “But I don’t react to scary things the way normal people do most of the time. Sorry, that was rude. I wasn’t really calling you a thing. I just meant—”

“Don’t worry. I don’t offend easily, little one.”

“That’s good, considering I tend to blurt out whatever is in my head. You said I was your mate. Is that true?”

His lips curved into a small smile as he nodded.

She thought he was handsome before, but when he smiled, he was sheer perfection. Damn, she worried she might start drooling when twin dimples appeared on his cheeks. They were as lethal as real weapons. It really wasn’t fair for him to be so freaking good-looking. It was easy to get distracted staring at him, but his silent scrutiny was starting to get to her. There was no need for torture when all it took was an intimidating staring contest to get what he wanted.

Ready to break, she swallowed hard. “Hypothetically, does that mean you would protect me if something bad happens?”

His smile immediately shifted back to a fierce frown as he snarled, “I will destroy anyone who dares to harm you.”

That vow should have frightened her.

Instead, it gave her immeasurable comfort. It was also a major turn-on. Even though he was scary as hell, she felt safe in his arms. She cherished it since that was something she hadn’t felt in a really long time. She had always considered herself fortunate for having people in her life who cared about her, but she’d never understood how intense a bond with a mate could be.

She’d dreamed about what it would be like to have a mate. Had spent hours speculating with her friends about who they would all end up with. But she’d never actually believed she would find her mate. Not when she had been a witch with no magic, and certainly not when she was a prisoner.

Literally stumbling into her mate’s arms after being reborn was nothing short of a stroke of pure luck. Not only was he devastatingly handsome, he also seemed to be the perfect person to help her on her revenge quest.

But that meant she had to trust him with the whole truth first.

The entire, sordid tale could wait, but she knew she had to give him something now.

Taking a deep breath, she blew it out slowly before confessing, “Basically, I died and my soul was sent to the Hell Realm. But the God of Souls and the Goddess of Revenge found a way to send me back. So, here I am.”

His brows furrowed. “There is no God of Souls or Goddess of Revenge.”

She winced, then sighed. “There will be…a year from now.”

“Now, this sounds like an intriguing story,” Arson called out from where he was still seated. When she glanced over at him, he gave her a friendly wave. “Hi, Seneca. What brings you out and about this rainy afternoon? I mean, besides meeting your mate. Then again, since he came here on business, you probably didn’t know he was here. You two are pretty lucky you found each other.”

She wheezed out a breathless laugh. “You don’t know the half of it.”

“Congratulations, anyway.” Arson grinned. “Never thought I’d see the big guy settle down. Killian might seem scary, but he…okay, he is pretty scary.”

“Watch it,” Killian growled in warning.

“As his mate, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about, though,” Arson hurried to explain. “I mean, besides the normal worries one might have being a reaper’s mate.”

Holy fuck, her mate was a reaper?

Seneca had no idea how to respond to that bit of information. As a reaper, he was one of the most formidable supernaturals in the six realms, while she was just a basic witch with a touch of luck. Talk about a magically mismatched couple. Perhaps her lucky curse really was a blessing, though. How else would fate have paired her with such a powerful mate?

“Arson?”

“Yes, Killian?”

“Leave.”

“Aww, come on, boss. Seneca came here to speak to me about something. I should probably find out what she needs before I leave.”

Killian savored the sound of her name while silently cursing the dark angel for interrupting them. He hated that Arson had stolen his mate’s attention away from him, even for a few seconds. He had realized she was his mate the moment she had stepped into the room and passed through the wards protecting the area. Her mere presence had been enough to stun him speechless.

That was something that hadn’t happened in…hell, ever.

After searching for his other half for over a millennia, he couldn’t believe she suddenly appeared on a random rainy afternoon. However, that is exactly what happened. While their meeting might have seemed like a coincidence, it felt like fate had stepped in to bring them together. Now, that hum of anticipation he’d been feeling made perfect sense, and her rebirth was probably the cause of the magical surge he detected.

He had felt her coming back to him.

Seneca was a beautiful female, with an enchanting heart-shaped face and shoulder-length blonde hair that shimmered white in the soft candlelight. Her flawless skin was smooth and unblemished, and she had a delicate nose and high cheekbones that added a touch of elegance to her features. Her gray eyes were framed by long, dark lashes, giving her a seductive appeal that contrasted with the innocent blush that stained her cheeks.

It was clear she was human, but that didn’t matter. The only thing he cared about was that she was his.

His mate.

The other half of his soul and his very reason for existing.

In an instant, his life had been irrevocably altered. It was as if a brilliant star had exploded in the center of his dark universe. He was no longer alone. He had someone to care for, to love, and to protect.

And he would fucking destroy worlds to keep her safe.

His mate hadn’t seemed to notice that he’d dried her clothing and hair the moment he’d wrapped his arms around her, but he figured she must be feeling a little overwhelmed by everything. He could relate. Lust surged hot and heavy through his bloodstream, making it difficult to think. He wanted to teleport her back to his villa where he could make love to her over and over again until neither of them could move, but her words stopped him before he could.

“Holy crap! I almost forgot why I came here. There is going to be a massive mudslide in a few hours once the storm hits and a lot of people are going to get hurt when—”

Arson shook his head and interrupted by saying, “The buildings on the property are protected against stuff like that.”

She huffed out an impatient breath. “The storm is going to get a lot worse than anyone predicted. Like crazy bad, and the mudslide is going to tear through here and cause a lot of damage. Especially when it hits the nightclub. That building will be completely destroyed, and people are going to die in the collapse. I wouldn’t joke about this. I lost my best friend when it happened the last time.”

Arson’s spine stiffened. “Shadow? Are you saying Shadow is going to die?”

“Not this time. I told her to forget about the surprise party she was planning for me and to stay home with her family. Now, I am trying to save as many people here as I can. But I can’t do that without your help.”

“This is crazy.” Arson held up a hand. “I’m not saying I don’t believe you. But it sounds totally crazy.”

“I swear I’m telling the truth.”

“I believe what he means is no ordinary storm could wipe out The Manor the way you are describing,” Killian clarified. “This sounds like a magical attack.”

Her eyes widened. “Well, shit. I hadn’t thought of that.”

When her stomach rumbled, it was an affront to his senses. Knowing his mate was hungry offended Killian to his core. She should never suffer from anything. When her cheeks turned pink and she slapped her hand over her stomach, he grabbed her hand and held it in his. He didn’t like that she was embarrassed by such a simple thing as a need for sustenance.

From now on, he would provide whatever she required. He would give her everything she could ever want or desire and learn to anticipate her every need.

Trying for a coaxing tone, he said, “Let’s have a meal, and we can discuss how we should proceed.”

When she smiled up at him, he felt as if his heart were beating for the first time.

Damn, she really was beautiful.

“I could eat.”

Arson shot to his feet. “Hey, shouldn’t we consider storm-proofing this place first?”

Killian shot him a withering glare. “My mate is hungry.”

“Food first. Got it.” The dark angel put his hands up in surrender. “We still have time before the storm intensifies anyway.”

He started to speak, but his words were cut off when his cane flew across the room. Stepping in front of his mate to protect her, he frowned when the cane simply vanished. A light tap on his shoulder had him turning around, and his eyes widened when he saw that his mate was holding a delicate black lace umbrella with a crystal handle.

She glanced down at it in confusion. “Umm, I think I caught your parasol.”

Apparently, the magical artifact had chosen a new owner. He wasn’t mad about it, though. In fact, he felt relieved it had switched alliances to Seneca since it would help protect her.

“That is a powerful relic that changes form to suit its owner.”

She eyed it skeptically. “I’m not judging or anything, but this doesn’t really seem to suit your style.”

“It doesn’t,” he agreed. “It has just claimed you as its new owner.”

“What? That’s crazy,” she sputtered. “But crazy seems to be my new default these days.”

Killian smiled at that.

“So, shall we eat in the dining room or somewhere more private?” Arson cut in.

Sighing again, Killian considered their options. He desperately wanted time alone with his mate, but the current situation called for him to be patient. Even if he wanted to get rid of the dark angel, they required more information in order to stop the magical attack from occurring. To do that, they needed to hear the entire story of her rebirth.

And he especially needed to know how his mate had died.

If someone had hurt her, he would make them pay. Even if whatever had happened during her last life hadn’t occurred in this one, they would be punished for whatever they had done to her.

He would make damn sure of it.

Killian wouldn’t stop until everyone who hurt her faced the full wrath of his fury. His vengeance would be swift and merciless, leaving no room for forgiveness. And there was no doubt he would enjoy every bloody second of it.