I-is everything okay? the woman stuttered.
Ive been looking for you, a male voice interjected from behind him.
The power that wafted from that voice startled him. Disaster, too. The demon yelped in sudden fear and hid in a far corner of his mind. Kane spun and met the gaze of a Sent One. The warrior wasnt anyone he knew personally, but he recognized the green fauxhawk, the Asian features, the gleaming white robe and oh, yeah, the impressive white-and-gold wings arching over wide, muscled shoulders, sweeping all the way to the floor.
Who are you and why are you here? Kane liked the Sent Ones. He did. Theyd helped his friend Amun, the keeper of Secrets, at the worst hour of his life. They were training Pariss wife to lead the Titans out of darkness and into light. They hadnt killed Aeronnot permanently, at leastwhen he married into the family. But now wasnt a good time.
Uh, who are you talking to? the woman asked.
Im Malcolm, the warrior said, acting as if she wasnt there. Im here to check on you. We knew you were in hell, but heard you had escaped. I was told to find you and verify that you were indeed alive and well.
Im alive. But far from well. Is that all?
O-kay, the woman said. I dont care if you can save me from the end of the world or not. Im out of here.
Footsteps sounded but Kane never diverted his eyes from the Sent One before him.
Malcolm crossed his arms over his massive chest. No, thats not all. Six demons killed Deity, our king, and those demons are now living on earth, desperate to possess as many humans as possible. If youre well, you are to help us find them.
Yeah. Hed heard about the kings death, and knew thered been a change of management in the skies. I cant help you right now. Sorry. Look around. Youll realize Ive got too many problems of my own.
A pause. Then, I just came from the realm of the Fae. Where you were married?
Yeah. Kane held up his left hand and wiggled his fingers, shamefully making light of a symbol he cherished. So.
So, the woman you were kissing was human. The warriors gaze moved awayonly to return in a snap and latch onto the ring. Where did you get that? The question was uttered quietly, yet lashed like a whip.
Nerve-endings raw, Kane snapped, What business is it of yours?
Something dark crossed over the males features. He ignored the question, demanding, What are you doing out here, without your woman?
Destroying my life. He closed his eyes for a moment, desperate to escape the harsh reality of those words. Watch me as I dont discuss that with you.
The warrior tapped two incisors together as he looked at the ring, then Kane, then the ring, then, finally, Kane. I can guess. You carry Disaster, and youre trying to feed the beast to keep him calm.
Hearing it stated so plainly irritated him. If you knew, whyd you ask?
I wondered if you knew.
Well, now that were clear, you can go.
Malcolm tilted his head to the side. Do you plan to kill the demon?
Yes.
Youll die, too.
Maybe not. Aeron used to be keeper of Wrath, but hes now demon-free and living large.
Aeron was given a new body.
So Ill get a new body, too, Kane said. Maybe there was a store somewhere.
Thats not how it works.
Look. The demon left me before when Tink had sucked him out and I did just fine.
You were only alone for a short period of time.
And he knew that, how? Yeah. So?
So, the creatures departure emptied you out. Eventually you would have died.
Disbelief would have wasted time. Sent Ones couldnt lie. Frustrated, Kane scrubbed a hand down his face. Explain.
Think of a cup filled with oil. When the cup is tipped over, the oil spills out. Soon there is nothing left but emptiness.
And Kanes body was the cup.
Man cannot live on empty. Malcolm paused, said, Tell me. Do you hate your wife?
The moment of camaraderie was ruined. He stilled, preparing to attack. Back off, warrior. I wont hesitate to snuff you out.
Ill take that as a no, you dont hate her. Then why were you kissing another woman to calm the demon? That wasnt necessary.
Kane palmed a dagger. How dare this piece of The words that wasnt necessary registered, and he stilled. What do you mean, that wasnt necessary?
You Lords of the Underworld, Malcolm said with a shake of his head. Youve been dealing with the evil for so long, youve simply accepted it. Youve stopped fighting it.
I fight it every day.
Do you?
He sucked in a breath. Youre on dangerous ground again, my friend.
Unaffected, Malcolm gazed down at the ring. What you feed grows stronger. What you starve eventually dies.
O-kay. Youve lost me.
Are you always this obtuse?
Are you always this rude?
Yes.
Sent Ones and their honesty, man. Im feeding the demon to calm him. Hes acting up and putting my woman in danger.
No, feeding the demon is whats putting your woman in danger.
I dont get what youre saying. Help me understand. He would do anything to walk away from this day with Tink at his side. If I starve the demon, hell throw a tantrum.
Malcolm leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest. So what. When you deprive your body of food, your stomach begins to hurt and grumble loudly in protest. The demon is the same. When it becomes hungry, it acts up. Deny him satisfaction, and his power to throw tantrums will weaken.
Feeding, and starving. Life, and death. I can kill the demon this way, Kane said, a light dawning in his mind. I can starve him to death.
Exactly.
Emptying me out.
The Sent One shrugged. Yes, that, too.
Killing Kane, as well.
Realization slammed hard, but true. To keep Tink safe, forever, he had to die. And if he died, he would never have his revenge against Disaster. How could he? They would meet the same fate.
There would be no happily ever after for him.
He wanted to protest. To fight this. There had to be another way. A way that would allow him to live with his wife for an eternity, to watch Disaster perish and finally have the last laugh. But just then, with the Sent One watching him with the barest measure of pity, he knew there wasnt. And in the end, he would rather die, knowing Tink was safe, than live, knowing he was putting her in danger.
She was more important to him than...anything. Even vengeance.
Heart racing, Kane said, I have to go. But he paused a few feet away, a memory sliding into place. I dont know how to help you with your demon problem, but I do know you have a friend that disappeared, he said, remembering what hed heard about the Sent One, Thane, from Taliyah. Malcolm stiffened. I heard he appeared in one of the Phoenix camps. The one with a new king. I believe theyre holding him captive.
Hope flared in Malcolms eyes.
Kane leaped back into motion. He would do this. He would starve and kill the demon, and then die himself. He wasnt sure how long it would take. It would be best to call Lucien, and have Tink whisked to a safe zone now, before Disaster began to act out from hunger pains, but he wanted to spend every one of his remaining seconds with her.
When the demon acted up againand he wouldKane would just have to find a way to shield her. Because if he was going to die with a smile on his face, he needed her by his side.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
THE MOMENT KANE burst into the hotel room, Josephina launched a pillow at his head. He stopped in his tracks, and she launched another.
You snake! she shouted. You horrible, despicable snake!
The door shut with a loud thud. He held up his hands, all innocence. As if he wasnt a lying, cheating scum whod betrayed her the day after their wedding.
Tink, its just me.
I know! She jerked the ring from her finger and threw it at him. The monstrosity slammed into his chest before thumping to the floor. Angry beyond measure, she picked up the gun hed given her and pointed the barrel at his chest. Her hands were shaking, her blood as hot as fire. I said no, just to save you, but you insisted I marry you.
Darkness descended over his expression. You plan to murder me to get free of me? So softly asked.
Tearing her up inside.
Tears welled in her eyes. His hair was tangled, his eyes bloodshot, and his skin pallid. Obviously, too much pleasure with the blonde from the sidewalk had drained him. His clothing was wrinkled and tornhad the female gotten rough with him? Her stomach heaved.
Yes! I saw you with her, she croaked. Saw you kiss her. After youd had sex with me and promised to be faithful. A few hours ago, she would have called it making love.
But never again.
A muscle ticked in his jaw, the catalyst to a deep, dark coldness that began to fall over his features. You invaded my mind.
Planting her feet on the floor, she raised her chin. I sure did. At first, shed been so excited by her success. She was bound to Kane in a way shed never been bound to another, so, of course she could reach him the way shed never reached another. But then shed realized there was a pretty female standing in front of him, and he couldnt take his eyes off of her lips.
Josephina had wanted to die.
Shed also wanted to kill!
Tink, he said.
Dont Tink me! Im not your Tink. Not anymore.
Put the gun down, and Ill explain everything that happened.
I dont want the gory details.
He raked a hand through his hair, causing the strands to stand on end. Give me a chance. Please.
I did! And you betrayed me at the first opportunity.
I hated every moment of it, I promise you. Disaster wanted her, I didnt. He was destroying everything around me. I wanted to calm him down, that was all. He promised to leave you alone if I kissed her, and I wanted so badly for him to leave you alone.
She hadnt been able to hear Disaster while in his mind, but shed certainly heard Kane. Swear it, she remembered him saying. Swear youll leave Tink alone.
One of the tears escaped, slid down her cheek. What would you do if the situation were reversed, and I smashed my mouth against some strange man, just to save you?
His eyes narrowed. I would have ripped him to pieces, put him back together and then ripped him apart again. He approached her, aggression in every step. I made a terrible mistake. But I promise you, I wouldnt have done anything more.
It doesnt matter. It still hurt.
Ill never do it again, you have my word. Another step closer. A Sent One came
Sent One? And stay where you are!
He froze, his mouth curved in a tortured frown. A Sent One is a winged warrior tasked with fighting evil, like an angel, only...not. He told me to starve the demon, no matter what Disaster does, and eventually youll be safe.
Oh, Ill be safe all right, she said quietly. Ill be safe away from you.
Tink. He took another step toward her.
I said stay back!
He didnt. He increased his speed. Instinct kicked in, and her finger flexed on the trigger. Pop. The gun recoiled, smoke curling from the barrel. Horror filled her.
Kane was in front of her a second later, swiping the gun out of her hand and tossing her on top of the bed. Before she finished bouncing, his weight slammed into her, pinning her down.
Well work on your aim. Later.
Let me go! Josephina fought against him with all of her might, beating her fists into his face, his chest, trying to buck him off with her body. Not once did he try and deflect her blows.
Im sorry, he rasped. Im so sorry. I didnt want to do it. I hated myself. I hated being there. I hated the woman. I was sick about it. I just didnt see another way, but I should have done something, anything else.
Get off me! Let me go!
I cant. I cant let you go. I dont know how much time well have together, and I want to savor every single second.
She stilled long enough to glare up at him and pant, Do you have any idea what it feels like to see your husband kissing another woman?
Silence drenched with shame.
Silence that drove her into a deeper madness. She erupted, beating at him until her hands were throbbing and her lungs were burning from the forcefulness of her pants...until all she could do was collapse on the mattress and sob for the precious trust hed torn to shreds.
Kane rolled onto his side and gathered her close. He cooed to her, smoothing the hair from her face. His breath fanned over her cheek, and she hated the sensationbecause she loved it.
Finally, the sobs quieted. Her eyes were nearly swollen shut, and her nose was stuffed up. Every ounce of energy she possessed had drained from her, and yet still she tried to sit up. I dont want to
Just let me hold you, he beseeched. Please.
She relaxed against him because she had no other choice. Dizziness had taken root, and refused to leave.
His hands lowered to her neck and massaged, and she thought he was...trembling? I hurt you, and I dishonored you, and I am so sorry, Tink. Im so sorry. I was stupid.
She wasnt going to respond. She wasnt. But the words, Why did you pick her? slipped from her, and she cringed. The woman had been everything Josephina was not: blonde, as delicate as the Fae royal family, with smooth hands and pale skin.
He buried his face in the hollow of Josephinas neck, saying, I didnt. Disaster did.
That shouldnt have made her feel better. Nothing should have made her feel better. But...it did, she realized.
I know youre sorry, Kane. I do. I believe you werent acting from a place of desire. But I cant do this. I cant live like this, always wondering what youll have to do with other women to satisfy the demon.
Im going to starve the demon. I wont do anything to satisfy him ever again.
You say that now. But what happens when his hunger becomes too much to bear? How can I trust you?
What are you trying to say? he croaked.
She steeled herself. I had no idea I was such a jealous person, but I am, and I dont think thats going to change, and I dont think I can forget what I witnessed. So...Im...leaving you, Kane. I dont want to be with you anymore.
Warm liquid trickled down her skin, as if...as if...Kane were crying. Please, dont leave me. I need you. Ill make it up to you, I swear. Ill never even look at another woman, Tink. Ill cut out my eyes first. Ill never touch another woman. Ill cut off my hands first. His arms tightened around her. Please. Please. I need you. Ill be in hell without you.
Right now, she was in hell with him.
You wont have to put up with me for long, I promise. Please, Tink. Please.
He kissed her nape. He kissed her jawline. He kissed her ear and her cheek and her brow, her eyes and the tip of her nose. Her mind tried to compute what hed just said. Something about his words bothered her. Something about not having to put up with him...for...oh, my... He licked the seam of her lips, and she opened automatically, her newly awakened body craving what only he could give. Their tongues brushed together, and she tasted...salt. He had been crying. Because he couldnt stand the thought of being without her.
Desire bloomed, urgent, insistent, traitorous. Her blood heated, and it had nothing to do with rage. She tried to remain quiet and still, but the more he kissed her, the deeper he kissed her, and the deeper he kissed her, the more she moaned and groaned and writhed against him, desperate for more.
As she tried to fight her bodys response, he peeled her clothing away, then his own, but somehow his lips never left her, never gave her a moment to think past the pleasure. He stole the air from her lungs, provided her with air from his own. Without him, she couldnt breathe. Didnt want to breathe.
Skin against skin. Heat against heat. Softness against the most rigid steel. He surrounded her. He was hard, fully aroused, and hyper-focused on her. His gaze watched her, gauging her every reaction, his mind calculating his next play. His fingers moved on her, in her, stoking her need higher. His mouth followed.
Let me show you how much you mean to me, he pleaded as he rose up, placed himself at her core. Let me make love to you.
A-all right, she managed to say. One last time.
His gaze met hers, and oh, the hurt she saw was devastating. She wanted to snatch back her words, but her own hurt choked them before they could form.
I will win you back, Tink. I will earn your trust, and youll want to stay with me.
He covered his massive length with a condom and sank inside her.
She cried out, arching to take him deeper.
He didnt move for a long while, just remained in her to the hilt, filling her, making her grow more desperate by the second. Her breasts ached, so needy. The crevice between her legs throbbed, practically weeping. Her skin burned, so feverish. Her body was the war zone, and he was the soldier determined to win it.
Kane, she said on a moan. I want...I need...
Me, Tink. You need me. He slid out...out...then back inside her, and this time, he slammed hard, making her see stars. Ill give you everything.
* * *
JOSEPHINA CAME AWAKE gradually, slowly becoming aware of the warm pool surrounding her. Warm pool?
She blinked open her eyes, wallpapered walls coming into view. She was in the hotel room she shared with Kane, she realized, and in bed. Kane was behind her, his arms wrapped tightly around her as if he feared she would run away. After lovemakuh, having sex, they must have fallen asleep. How many hours had passed?
Gingerly she sat up, and, body aching from the passion of the night, turned to face her husthe guy she was sleeping with. Horror filled her. Kane. Youre bleeding. His poor shoulder...there was an open wound, exposing muscle, maybe even bone, and a flow of crimson raining to the sheet.
Whats wrong? he asked sleepily, groggily.
Youre bleeding. I shot you, and we both thought I missed, but we were wrong, because now youre bleeding.
Like her, he blinked open his eyes. A slow grin lifted the corners of his mouth.
You spent the entire night with me.
Listen to me. Youre injured. I shot you.
No, you did miss. Disaster somehow drew the bullet out of the wall and gave it another try. He succeeded. Thankfully, the thing went all the way through. Now, did you hear the part about spending the entire night with me?
You were shot while I was sleeping, and you failed to wake me up?
You needed to rest. Like I was going to disturb you.
How could he act so casual while bleeding to death? She hopped from the bed and raced to the bathroom to gather a cup of water and clean rags. By the time she returned, he had rolled onto his back and lay propped against the pillows, the very picture of male satisfaction. She cleaned him up as best she could and applied pressure to stop the bleeding.
You should have told me, she chided.
I was content and didnt want anything to change.
Yeah, well. Im sorry I tried to kill you, she said on a sigh.
Dont be. I deserved it.
No, you didnt. She cut up the clean end of the sheet and wrapped the material around his shoulder, using it as a bandage. What you did with that woman, Kane...
I know, Tinky Dink, he said sadly. I know.
Tinky Dink. A new nickname. Her heart constricted painfully. You did it for me, and I get that, but it still hurts.
It will never happen again, I vow it, no matter what Disaster does or says. Youre the only one I want, the only one Ill have. A heavy pause. Will you stay with me? he asked quietly.
Would she? Hurt still swam through her veins. Kane had been hers. Hed chosen her above all others. Finally, shed mattered to someone other than her mother. No longer had she been a nothing. A servant and blood slave had become the envy of every Fae female and probably even some of the men. But who would envy a cuckold?
He said he wasnt going to do it again, like thousands of men had said to thousands of women throughout the years.
Maybe, last night, she could have walked away from him. But what the demon had meant as harmfulthe bullethad actually softened her. Seeing Kane in a small pool of blood, realizing how close shed come to losing him...
Im not ready to lose him.
Ifwhenthe demon acted up again, they could revisit this topic. Until then...
Ill stay.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
KANE ORDERED ROOM service. After he and Tink had eaten their weight in hamburgers and fries, he spent the rest of the day teaching her how to fight the biggest and the baddest of threats with her fists, blades and bullets. His shoulder gave him a little trouble, but he pushed through. She was an excellent student, a naturalunsurprising, considering she fought her way out of hell with no training whatsoever. She listened intently, put her whole heart into practicing, and what she lacked in strength she made up for in speed and cunning.
He was glad. He wanted her prepared for life without him.
Just how long would it take to starve Disaster to death?
Youll change your mind, the demon said, but he was no longer laughing.
Disaster couldnt imagine starving because hed never experienced it; even now, his appetite was sated. Seeing the sharp edge of hurt still hanging in Tinks eyes...yeah, Disaster had feasted. But that wouldnt last. Kane wasnt going to let it.
Whatever the demon threw at him, whatever danger he encountered, he was done acting the fool and catering to the very nature he despised. Tink was getting his best, and nothing less.
When he felt like hed pushed her hard enough for one day, he gave her a gentle nudge forward. Take a shower. We need to leave. I dont want to stay in the same location much longer.
All right. Panting, damp with perspiration, she disappeared inside the bathroom.
He wanted to join her, but didnt dare. Not until she invited him.
She emerged a short while later, a towel wrapped around her luscious little body. Hair as black as night dripped at the ends. Your turn.
He halfway expected her to be gone by the time he finished, which is why he rushed, and yet he found her standing in front of the bed, looking shockingly sweet in a black leather corset top with purple ties at the bottom and a long, puffy skirt with dark lace.
Whered you get the clothes? He cursed himself for not yet taking her shopping, as promised.
She shifted uncomfortably. Some guy with wings and a spike of green hair down the middle of his head stepped into view, dropped a bag, winked at me and stepped back out of view.
Malcolm, the Sent One, he realized with a bead of annoyance. Hed stepped from the spirit realm into the natural, clearly. You should have called for me. The moment his snippy tone registered, he cringed. Dial back the anger. She was in a fragile state where he was concerned, and he had to tread carefully.
Her eyes narrowed. There wasnt time.
At least she hadnt yelled. Very gently he said, Next time, if someone appears, no matter who or what they are, no matter how fast they appear and disappear, or if you think theyre my best friend, call for me. Okay? Please. Just in case I need to intervene.
She nodded stiffly.
Thank you. He dug through the bag and found a plain T-shirt and pants, dropped his towel and dressed.
Tink turned away, and he had to brush flickers of sadness aside. Things wouldnt always be this strained.
Lets take off, he said. Weve got a long journey ahead.
Where are we going?
Youve always wanted to spend time with the Lords of the Underworld, and I want to
Drop me off? she interjected tersely.
No. Im staying with you.
He got her outside, in the heat and light of the day, and scanned the crowds and buildings, searching for anything suspicious. This close to Times Square, there were flashing lights and stores everywhere, both offering great cover.
He dialed Lucien, but it went to voice mail. Next, he tried Torin. The warrior answered on the third ring with a curt, What?
O-kay. A very un-Torin-like greeting. As Kane led Tink around a corner and up to a coffee cart, he said, Im in Manhattan. I need Lucien to pick me up. Lucien could flash from one location to another with only a thought, even between realms. Me and my wife.
At the counter, he held up two fingers.
Torin sputtered out a very undignified, Wife?
Didnt the boys tell you? Lucien, Reyes, Strider and Sabin were at the wedding.
Theyve been a little busy thinking up ways to find Viola and Cameo.
Cameo? He tensed. What happened to her?
The same thing that happened to Viola. She touched the Paring Rod and vanished.
An instant flood of worry threatened to drown him. Whats being done?
Anya talked to some guy she met while in prison, Torin said. He helped create the Rod, and he assured her the females were still alive. Just trapped.
He pushed out a relieved breath.
Give me the deets about your girl.
Her names Tink
Josephina, she interjected loudly.
and shes half Fae. A royal, a daughter of their king. Wait till you see her. Shes the most beautiful woman ever created. But she has as many enemies as us.
Hey, she said. I dont have that many, and only one is my fault. Actually, no. The Phoenix is your fault, too. But thank you for saying Im beautiful.
Two steaming cups were set before him. He stepped aside to doctor both with cream and sugar, then gave one to Tink. He remembered the longing looks shed given the coffeepot during his breakfast with the royal family.
He watched as she sipped, closing her eyes to savor, and his chest constricted with a longing of his own.
time and place, Torin was saying.
Wait. Sorry. What was that?
Stop lusting after the ball and chain and pick a time and place to meet, the warrior repeated. Ill make sure Lucien is there.
Two hours. Sabins old apartment.
Consider it done.
He severed the connection. Then, seizing any excuse to touch his woman, he slipped the phone into a pocket of her skirt. Guard this for me, he said.
Will your friends like me, do you think? she asked, and nibbled on her bottom lip. The few Ive actually met have only seen me at my worst.
He heard the uncertainty in her tone. The wedding was your worst? Honey, your worst is most peoples best. My friends will love you. If not, Kane would hand out some serious beatings. Theyll guard you with their lives.
Yeah, but what if they think Im all wrong for you?
Impossible. Youre perfect for me. Besides, wait till you meet their wives. Or have you already heard stories?
She shook her head. New reports of your most recent exploits havent yet come in to the masses.
It was humiliating to know theyd never realized they were being spied on. Well, Sabin and Strider are consorts to bloodthirsty Harpies. Lucien is engaged to Anarchy. All three females are annoying, always stealing weapons out of my room, but as they would say, theyre simply amazeballsand so are you.