“Invasion,” one whispered. “Trap,” said another.
Her nerves tensed. Had the God Warriors come for her? Were Russell and Rajiv with them?
A servant rushed into the banquet hall and whispered something to Darafer, who nodded with a smirk of satisfaction.
Lucifer scowled at the demon. “If you fail, you will suffer for it.”
“The plan is working, master,” Darafer insisted. “Gabriel is within your gates, within your grasp. We have the God Warriors surrounded. They cannot leave!”
This announcement caused more excited gossip among the guests.
“Gabriel brought those wretched vampires and shifters with him, too,” Darafer continued. “Some of them are the murderers of your guests at tonight’s table. Soon we will capture them all!”
The guests snickered and clinked their wine goblets together.
Did that mean Russell was among the invaders? Jia glanced over at Master Han. He wasn’t drinking with the others.
Another servant burst inside the banquet hall. “Master, the invaders have entered the palace!”
Lucifer waved his hand, and all the snakes transformed into demons armed with wicked-looking swords. Jia cringed. There had to be fifty of them.
“Bring the girl here,” Lucifer ordered, and two servants dragged her down the length of the banquet tables. She passed by several dozen demons, who glared at her with red, glowing eyes, then she was tossed onto the dais. With her heart pounding, she scrambled to her feet. Here, she could see the double doors that marked the entrance to the room. They were closed now, but any second, they might burst open, and Russell might appear.
“Let them come.” Lucifer took a sharp dagger from his table and sliced his arm, letting his blood seep down the blade, coating it red. He stabbed his dagger into a peach, and it shriveled into a black glob. “We’ll see how well they handle demon blood.”
Chapter Twenty-five
“I can hear them inside,” Briathos whispered as he paused outside a set of double doors.
“Let’s do it.” Russell grabbed a door handle, and Roman took the other. Connor and Howard lifted their swords, ready to charge in.
“Hold on.” Briathos tilted his head a moment, concentrating. “All right, I’ve alerted the others. They’ll be coming soon. We should wait—”
Russell flung open the door and rushed inside, followed by his friends. They came to a quick halt when several dozen armed demons hissed at them.
Howard winced. “Guess we should have waited.”
“Impatient mortals,” Briathos muttered as he extended a flaming sword toward the demons to keep them back.
Russell spotted Jia immediately, and a surge of relief spread through him. Even though she was surrounded by demons, she looked well. She immediately grinned, her eyes sparkling, but then she glanced nervously at the guy at the head table. That had to be Lucifer. And there was Darafer, seated at the first couch. A few of the other guests were recognizable—Casimir, Corky, and Rhett Bleddyn—but Russell’s gaze shifted quickly to the last couch on the left where a human form was hunched over the table, his head bowed.
“Markos,” Russell whispered, and the lifeless shadow that resembled his brother raised his head.
Russell’s breath caught. He’d expected to see rage or hatred in his brother’s eyes, not shame and despair.
“Markos,” he repeated, stepping toward him.
His brother lifted a hand to stop him, then glanced quickly at the armed demons and back to Russell.
A warning? Russell’s chest tightened. Was Markos worried about his safety? Damn. A wave of anguish struck Russell hard. He’d wanted so desperately to connect with his brother while he’d been alive. It seemed to be happening now, but it was too damned late.
“Aw, a family reunion,” Lucifer murmured. “How touching.” He motioned to the empty couches positioned along the end table. “Take a seat. Keep your brother company. It’s the least you can do after murdering him, don’t you think, Russell?”
Bile rose up Russell’s throat. The devil knew him by name. And knew his crime.
“Release Jia, the were-tigress,” Briathos demanded as he pulled Russell back. “Give her to us, and we will be on our way.”
“Why the hurry, Briathos?” Lucifer’s eyes narrowed. “Have a seat. Join us.”
Briathos gritted his teeth. “I will never share a table with you. Give us the captive.”
Lucifer snorted. “Such manners. Really, I expect an angel to be better behaved than that. Can’t you see I have guests? They’ve been waiting for you.” He motioned to the seven guests. “What do you think, Casimir? Isn’t it marvelous to see Connor again? After all, he’s the bastard who beheaded you.”
Casimir sneered at Connor. “I’ll make him suffer for that.”
Connor scoffed. “Ye can try. How fortunate that ye found yer head again. Are ye sure it isna screwed on backwards?”
With a snarl, Casimir leaped to his feet. “You fool, you think you can mock me? You and your friends are trapped here in hell. We will torture you until you beg for death!”
Another guest rose to his feet. “Roman Draganesti, this time when we duel, I will be killing you.”
Roman sighed. “Ivan Petrovsky. While it is true that I bested you in a duel, I didn’t kill you. You were stabbed to death by those two women there.”
Ivan glared at two of the other guests. “Katya, Galina, I have not forgotten. I will make you pay.”
Katya lifted a knife. “Try it, asshole. I’ll kill you again.”
“With pleasure,” Galina added, raising her knife.
“Hello, Howard.” Rhett Bleddyn sneered at the were-bear as he tested the sharpness of his knife. “Welcome to hell.”
Howard glowered back at him. “I see you’re right at home here.”
“He should be,” Corky grumbled, scowling at Rhett. “That bastard slept with me and then killed me!”
Casimir stiffened, giving Corky a stunned look. “You slept with that disgusting werewolf? You were my mistress!”
“You were dead.” Corky shrugged. “And not all that good in bed, either. Your crooked arm was useless.”
Casimir huffed. “It was broken in the Great Vampire War and healed this way in my death-sleep.”
Rhett snorted. “You should have broken it again. I’ll break it for you.”
“Don’t bother,” Corky hissed. “He prefers to look like a freak.”
“Bitch!” Casimir threw a knife at Corky, who’d already thrown her knife at Rhett.
With a cry, Corky wrenched the knife from her chest and plunged it into Casimir. “Bastard!”
“Bloody whores!” Ivan hurled knives at Katya and Galina just as they retaliated.
Within seconds, all six guests collapsed on the tables, dead.
“What the hell?” Russell muttered.
With a sigh, Lucifer lowered his head and pinched the bridge of his nose. “It’s so hard to find intelligent help these days.”
Howard scoffed. “Anyone with any sense knows better than to side with evil. You’re a bunch of losers!”
The demons hissed as they brandished their swords.
“Not a good time to be insulting them, Howard,” Roman muttered.
“Aye.” Connor raised his sword. “The beasties outnumber us.”
“Not for long.” Briathos glanced back at the double doors as they burst open.
The rest of Briathos’s unit and all the other Vamps and shifters poured into the room.
“Did ye find her?” Angus asked.
“Jia!” Rajiv spotted her and waved.
She stepped toward them, but the demons yanked her back.
“There is no need for us to fight,” Briathos said. “Hand over Jia, and we will leave.”
“No. You’re all trapped here.” Lucifer stood, his mouth curling into a crooked smile. “You can resist, and we will torture you and kill you over and over. Or you can give in and join me. Your choice. But either way, you’r
e not leaving.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, asshole,” Russell said. “We are leaving. Wu Shen is leading an army of Han’s soldiers against you. Even the dead souls in hell are attacking you now.”
Markos’s eyes lit up.
Lucifer blinked, then turned to glare at Darafer. “What is this? A rebellion in my kingdom?”
Darafer shook his head. “That can’t be right. Those soldiers belong to me. They sold their souls to me!”
“Right,” Russell goaded him. “You made a bunch of superstrong humans and brought them here to hell, where they could rebel against your master.”
Lucifer’s eyes turned black as he glowered at Darafer. “You took their souls for yourself? You have betrayed me?”
“No! He lies!” Darafer grabbed a knife off the table and snarled at Russell. “You think you can mess with me? I’ll kill you.” He charged toward Russell, but Markos leaped in front just as the demon plunged in his knife.
“No!” Russell shouted, grabbing his brother, who stiffened with a gasp, his hands clutching at Russell’s shirt.
Darafer ripped the knife free, but before he could resume his attack on Russell, Briathos rammed the edge of his sword against the demon’s neck.
“Drop your weapon,” Briathos ordered. “And back away.”
As Markos crumbled to the floor, Russell fell to his knees, holding his brother. “Markos. You shouldn’t have done that.”
“I had to.” His brother grimaced with pain. “You’re still alive. I’m already gone. It doesn’t matter what happens to—”
“Don’t say that! You matter to me.” Russell’s eyes burned with tears as he touched his brother’s face. “I’m so sorry, Markos. I never meant to kill you. No matter what you did, I still love you. I wanted to save you.”
“I know.” Markos struggled to breathe. “My fault. I asked . . . Darafer to bite you. I was wrong.”
“I should have saved you somehow.” Russell’s heart squeezed painfully. “I will save you! I’ll take you out of here!”
“Too late . . . for me.” Markos’s eyes flickered shut. “Be happy.” He went limp in Russell’s arms.
“No!” Russell held him tight as tears ran down his face.
“Since you love him so much, why don’t you stay here?” Lucifer smirked. “He’ll be back in an hour, you know.”
“Master, let us kill them all,” Darafer pleaded.
Briathos kept his sword pressed against the demon’s neck. “Release Jia, and we will leave.”
Lucifer scoffed. “And where will you go? The gate is blocked.”
“Wrong again, asshole.” Russell rose to his feet. “Wu Shen and his army are taking the gate.”
Lucifer’s hands fisted, and he turned to the nearest demon. “Check on it.” After the demon vanished, Lucifer pulled a long dagger from a blackened peach. “I think you lie, Russell. This weapon is coated with my blood. Once I have proof of your lies, I will use it on you first.”
The demon reappeared and fell to his knees. “Master. Our army is surrounded by God Warriors and rebels. The gate is open, and dead souls are trying to escape!”
Lucifer’s face turned red with rage. “My own people defy me?” He glared at Darafer. “My kingdom invaded. My people rebelling. And now, they’re escaping!”
“Master, please!” Darafer pleaded.
Briathos stepped back as Lucifer flew toward the demon and stabbed him through the heart with the blood-coated dagger.
Darafer screamed and collapsed onto the ground, where he writhed a few seconds before disintegrating.
The demon was dead, Russell realized. He’d thought only the Heavenly Father or an archangel could kill the demon—but then again, Lucifer had been an archangel at one time.
Lucifer breathed heavily, his teeth gritting as he glared at Briathos. “This is my domain. Get out. Take the girl and go!”
Jia ran toward them. “Russell!”
He grabbed her, hugging her tight. “Jia. Thank God.”
Lucifer hissed. “It is me you should thank. Now get out of here!”
“My brother—” Russell started, but Lucifer’s eyes turned black.
“He’s mine.” Lucifer turned to the demons. “As soon as they’re gone, close the gate. Quickly!”
After one last look at his brother, Russell linked his hand with Jia’s and turned toward the door.
“This way!” Briathos and the God Warriors led the way as they all dashed for the palace doors.
Outside, Gabriel and his God Warriors had the demon army subdued, while Wu Shen’s army was guarding the open gate.
Russell paused just long enough to look Jia over. “Are you all right? I was so worried about you. Those bastards didn’t hurt you?”
“I’m great!” With tears in her eyes, she hugged him, then turned to give Rajiv a hug.
“This is Lady Yi-soo,” Rajiv introduced the woman next to him as he took her hand. “Let’s go!” They ran for the gate.
“Who is she?” Jia asked.
“Long story.” Russell grabbed Jia’s hand. “Let’s go home.”
Russell and Jia hurried for the gate. While he’d stopped to make sure she was all right, the other Vamps and shifters had gone ahead and were already passing through the gate. Just as Rajiv, Russell, and the two women drew near, Han’s three vampire lords jumped into their path to stop them.
“You dared to kill me!” Lord Qing yelled at Rajiv, then swung a sword at him. “I will have my revenge.”
Rajiv jumped back, then Lord Qing turned on Jia. She ducked as his sword swooshed over her head. Russell leaped in front to defend her, but Lord Liao attacked him, and he was forced to fight him off.
Meanwhile, the third vampire, Lord Ming, lunged at Rajiv, slashing with his sword.
Russell stabbed Liao, then turned to help Jia, who was unarmed and still under attack by Lord Qing. She screamed as Lord Qing lunged toward her. Before Russell could reach them, Lady Yi-soo pierced Lord Qing through with her sword.
“Jia!” Russell grabbed her.
Rajiv finished off Lord Ming, then ran toward his cousin. “Jia, are you all right?”
“Yes.” She smiled at Lady Yi-soo. “Your friend saved me.”
Lady Yi-soo bowed her head. “It is an honor.”
Russell realized that all their friends were out the gate. “Hurry, let’s go!” He grabbed Jia’s hand and ran.
Rajiv and Lady Yi-soo were close behind. The God Warriors followed, then Gabriel held the gate open to let Wu Shen and his army out.
“Are they free now?” Russell asked Briathos. “What will happen to them?”
“Wu Shen and his soldiers will remain here outside the gate until the Heavenly Father decides their fate,” Briathos replied. “But since they were coerced by a demon, and then rebelled against Lucifer, I expect the Father will be merciful.”
With a loud bang, the gate to hell swung shut.
“You are safe now,” Gabriel announced. With a whoosh, all the swords of fire disappeared.
Lady Yi-soo looked at Rajiv and gasped. “You’re bleeding.”
Rajiv frowned at the cut on his arm.
“Allow me.” Briathos cut the sleeve away, then poured a vial of holy water on the wound. “This will cleanse away the evil residue so that it can heal normally.”
Rajiv winced. “That stings. Once we get home, I’ll shift and it’ll be fine.”
“But it’s still bleeding.” Lady Yi-soo untied the sash around her robe, then wrapped the silk tightly around his wound. As she tied it off, her robe began to gape open a bit. “Is that better?”
Rajiv tilted his head so he could see her white silk undergarment. “Yeah, I’m feeling much better.”
Russell snorted, and Jia exchanged a smile with him. He pulled her into his arms. “I thought I’d lost you.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I thought I’d be trapped there forever. I wanted you to come after me, but I was afraid you would and—”
“Nothing can keep me from you.” Russell cradled her face with his hands. “Not even hell.”
She smiled in spite of the tears in her eyes. “That’s my cowboy.”
“Anything for my princess.” He wiped away a tear that rolled down her cheek.
She embraced him tightly. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
After a moment, she nodded her head toward her cousin. “I’m gone for an hour or so, and Rajiv finds a girlfriend?”
Russell snorted. “First of all, you were gone for a week. I nearly went crazy.”
She blinked. “A week?”
“Six nights. And Lady Yi-soo came with the Korean delegation. Your fiancé is waiting for you in Tiger Town.”
Jia’s eyes widened. “Oh dear.”
“It is time to go back,” Briathos announced, and everything flashed black.
Chapter Twenty-six
Jia thought her heart might burst from joy as she gazed around Tiger Town. She was home. Russell was with her. All the Vamps and shifters were safe and grinning as they called their wives on their cell phones.
“The tents are gone,” Russell said as he looked around the courtyard.
“What tents?” Jia asked.
“There were tents full of ex-soldiers being changed back to normal,” Russell explained.
“The soldiers are most likely on their way home,” Briathos said. “While we were gone, a second week has passed by.”
Jia’s mouth fell open. She’d been gone two weeks? She glanced up at the moon. It was waning. She’d completely missed the full moon.
Leah and Abigail ran into the courtyard, squealing when they spotted their husbands. Were-tiger families embraced their loved ones who had gone to hell to bring Jia back.
She rushed over to them to thank them, but even those few minutes away from Russell seemed too long. She hurried back to him and threw her arms around his neck. “Have I told you recently how much I love you?”
He hugged her tightly. “I’m never letting you go again. That week was too much. I almost went crazy.”
“You told me.” She kissed his cheek.
Nearby, Rajiv kicked off his shoes. “I’m going to shift now so the wound will heal.” He pulled off his shirt and handed it to Lady Yi-soo. “You might want to turn around. Then again, you’re welcome to watch.”