The Darkest Passion

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

OLIVIA COULDN’T BELIEVE what had just happened with Aeron—and what was happening now with Legion. Naked. Sex. Pleasure. Happiness. Hope.

All dashed.

Trembling, she bent down to retrieve her robe and wrenched the material over her head. Thankfully, Aeron’s wings kept her concealed the entire time. How she would have loved to bask in the afterglow. To discover if Aeron had been as affected as she was.

Sex was…so much more than she ever could have imagined—and she’d imagined a lot, since the first orgasm he’d given her. The pleasure, the satisfaction, the power of knowing you were driving someone out of their mind. The closeness, the sharing, the giving, the taking. Every minute was a miracle.

She’d been alive for centuries. Why hadn’t she been doing this all that time? Although, she suspected the act would not be the same with any other man. Only Aeron. Her Aeron. The man who made her ache…dream.

Legion’s high-pitched screeches drew her back to the present. “Bitch! Whore! I’ll kill you!”

Temptation laughed inside Olivia’s head. He’d been silent during the act, having gotten what he’d wanted. Why had he returned?

William still had a grip on Legion, but that grip could fail at any moment. Olivia kind of hoped it did. Someone needed to put Legion in her place, and she would be more than happy to do so. She wanted her afterglow, damn it!

“Dress,” Olivia told Aeron, hating that another woman—especially this one—was seeing him like this. All those tattoos should be hers, and hers alone, to feast upon. Visually or otherwise. She wished she could have licked them.

Next time.

Would there be a next time?

His expression was hard, unreadable, as he tugged on his pants and fastened them at the waist. Because his wings were still expanded, he couldn’t don a shirt. At least dressing spurred him into action. He kicked forward, wrapped an arm around Legion’s waist and hefted her into his side like a sack of potatoes.

The demon’s flailing never ceased. “Let me go! Let me at her!”

“You can go,” Aeron told William. “I’ll handle things from here.”

There were cuts on William’s face and arms, and all of them were bleeding. The warrior nodded, his lips twitching in amusement. “Good luck, my friend. Oh, and just so you know, a meeting’s been called. Entertainment room, ten minutes.” With that, he strolled into the hallway, shutting the door behind him and whistling under his breath.

Aeron carted his bounty to the bed and tossed her onto the mattress. She bounced up and down and tried to scramble off, gaze still locked and loaded on Olivia.

“Stay,” he barked.

Legion froze, glaring up at him—until an obvious sense of self-preservation took hold and she smoothed out her features. The self-preservation was quickly followed by determination, though, and she settled on the edge of the bed, elbows behind her, breasts thrust forward, legs on the floor but spread and ready to wrap around him.

“Care to join me?” she asked huskily.

Oh, no, she didn’t, Olivia fumed as Temptation yelled his own denial. Enough! She stalked forward, bypassing Aeron without a word, and stopped in front of Legion. Before either of them knew what she was about, she punched Legion in the mouth.

Legion’s head whipped to the side, her bottom lip split and already bleeding. Olivia’s knuckles throbbed, but she welcomed the sting. Try to kiss him now.

Hard, hot hands settled on her shoulders and spun her around. Aeron wasn’t looking at her but over her shoulder at Legion. “Stay.”

The command was met with a growl, but Legion obeyed.

Aeron’s gaze finally shifted to Olivia. Surprise began to swirl in those lovely violet irises, chasing away his fury. “I never thought I’d have to tell you to behave.”

She raised her chin. “I will not tolerate being called such vile names.”

“You won’t have to.” Once more his gaze moved to Legion. “Understand?”

The support surprised her. Was he…could he be choosing her over Legion? For a moment, Olivia couldn’t breathe. Could barely stand. There wasn’t time to bask in the wondrous sensation, however. Aeron moved around her as if she were already forgotten and crouched in front of Legion.

“There’s no need for you to hurt my—the angel. I love you,” he said. “You know that.” His tone was soft, caring now. “Tell me you know that.”

“Yes. I know it.” All the anger drained from Legion, as well, and she reached out, cupping his jaw, trying to pull him down for a kiss. “I love you, too.”

Aeron removed her hands with a gentle yet forceful jerk. “I don’t love you in that way. I love you like a daughter. Tell me you know that.”

First, anger reclaimed the demon’s features. Then shock. Then fear. All in the span of a single second. Her chin trembled, and tears of abject misery filled her eyes. “But I’m pretty.”

“You were pretty before, but that doesn’t change how I feel.”

Legion shook her head in denial. “No. You have to be with me. You have to—”

“That’s not going to happen, baby.”

Several droplets spilled, tumbling down her cheeks. “Is this…is this because of the angel?”

“Olivia has nothing to do with what I feel for you.”

Olivia suddenly wished she were someplace, anyplace else. She shouldn’t be here. Shouldn’t be witnessing this private moment. Yes, that’s what she’d do. Go anyplace else. Her knees knocked as she walked to the door.

Stop! Where are you going? Temptation. When would the demon leave her for good?

“You’re lying!” Legion spat. “You love her.”

Her hand froze on the knob.

Silence. The answer…she had to know.

Then, “Legion,” Aeron said on a sigh.

Disappointment choked Olivia, but still she couldn’t force herself to exit. Not yet. Maybe he would—

“You can’t love her,” the demon shouted. “You have to love me.”

“I told you. I do love you.”

Stomach clenching… Say them. Say the words.

“No! You have to love me like a wife. You have to pleasure me with your body. Otherwise…”

“Otherwise?” he demanded harshly.

Olivia tensed. Oh, Deity. The bargain. She’d forgotten about Legion’s bargain with Lucifer. Dread, so much dread. She turned and pressed her back into the wood, shaking. Waiting. This, more than a declaration, she had to hear.

“Tell him,” she commanded. “He deserves to know.”

“Tell me,” Aeron parroted.

Legion gulped. “If I fail to seduce you in eight days, Lucifer will…he’ll…he’ll possess my new body,” she whispered. “If I fail, he’ll…he’ll use me to kill you and your friends.”

No. No!

Aeron flicked Olivia a quick, unsure glance, not comprehending Legion’s confession. “Physically, he can’t leave hell. He can’t—”

“He can. If he possesses her, he can do anything,” Olivia croaked, hand closing over her throat. Her horror didn’t last long. Blood chilled in her veins, numbing the emotion. She’d been so close to paradise, only to be thrust into hell. “He can breed her with anyone of his choosing, assume control of the Hunters, influence humans and turn them against you. He can even see into the angelic realm and slaughter my kind.”

Aeron’s spine became as rigid as a steel pipe. “Why would he want to do any of that?”

“Why else? Power. Freedom. Spite. He despises angels. They were supposed to follow him, yet they chose to remain with the One True Deity instead. But most of all, he despises the True Deity. His destruction is what Lucifer craves most. With his demon High Lords freely roaming the land, he’ll have a better chance of that.”

Enough of this foolishness. Shut her up, Temptation commanded.

Olivia ignored him, only to blink in bewilderment a moment later. Him. She’d already known the voice belonged to a male, but she now realized this male wanted her to win Aeron—and more specifically, for Legion to fail. This male wanted to prevent Legion from convincing Aeron to bed her.

Not a demon, after all.

Lucifer, she realized. Lucifer was her Temptation. He didn’t have to leave hell to cast his voice elsewhere, or to whisper to one particular person. He merely had to link with a soul open to corruption.

Bye-bye blessed numbness. Her horror returned, as did her dread, both mixed with shame. How could she not have known? How had she missed the truth? Stupid angel.

“Why would you make such a bargain?” Aeron demanded.

The tears continued to flow down Legion’s cheeks. “I wanted to be pretty. To be what you needed. I thought I would win you, make you forget the angel. I thought I would make you happy.”

Aeron scrubbed a hand down his face, his nails scraping, leaving angry red welts. “I can’t believe this. Do you have any idea what you’ve done? Do you have any idea of the things you’ve put into motion?”

Legion nodded, chin trembling. “I’m sorry. So sorry.”

A pause, then a sorrowful, “So am I.”

With those words, Olivia knew. She knew. He’d already made up his mind. Aeron would sleep with Legion. He would enter her body the same way he’d entered Olivia’s. To save the little demon from possession. To save his friends from Lucifer. To keep the Hunters from victory.

Tears filled her own eyes, but she blinked them back. With this act, Aeron would prove that what he’d done with Olivia meant nothing. With this act, she would leave. He had to know she would leave.

Had that knowledge made the decision easier for him? she wondered with a bitter laugh. No way she could stay here, knowing he’d bedded another woman. No matter the reason.

Olivia had her own choice to make, then, it seemed. She would leave, there was no question of that. Not now. But would she return to the heavens, possibly saving Aeron’s life, or simply travel to a new location here on earth?

Here, most likely, for how could she possibly return home now? She was changed, human in all the ways that mattered. She would be miserable up there, bringing joy to no one, least of all herself. She would be useless. And if ever she changed her mind about having returned, she wouldn’t be allowed to fall again. No, she would be put to death or permanently cast into hell. There could be no other choice for an angel who lost her way twice.

But how could she stay here and live with herself, knowing she could have saved Aeron and hadn’t? Even though saving him meant that he would be with another woman?

Was she truly that selfless?

No, she wasn’t. She should have killed him when she’d had the chance and saved each of them this pain. Another bitter laugh filled her head, but this one escaped.

Aeron rose, the action stiff, uncoordinated. “We have a little time. We don’t have to take care of this right this moment.”

So he didn’t plan to sleep with Legion right away. That was a small comfort, at least.

“Thank you,” Legion said, grateful, pleased and shamed all at once. “I promise I won’t—”

He turned, cutting her off, and Olivia’s gaze ate him up. His masculine beauty, his power. No, she wasn’t that selfless, but she was that in love, she realized.

Love. The word echoed in her mind. She loved him. Fully, utterly, wholly, completely. He was the reason her heart beat, the source of her joy. She would die for him. He was strong and brave, fierce and caring. Giving, selfless himself. What wasn’t to love?

She would stay here with him until he bedded Legion. She would soak up every moment she had with him. And then…then she would return to the heavens. She would ensure Lysander kept his end of the bargain and petitioned the Council for Aeron’s life.

Still. That didn’t guarantee their cooperation.

Well, she would just have to find another way.

What a difference a few days made, she thought sadly. She’d come here resigned to Aeron’s approaching death, happy with the time they would have and determined to experience joy as humans did. Yet she’d spent time with her warrior, and everything had changed. She could no longer accept the thought of him dying. Of his courage and strength being extinguished.

“Don’t worry, Aeron,” she said, squaring her shoulders. “Soon I’ll leave, and you and Legion will be safe.” A promise welded to her soul.

Legion gaped at her.

Lucifer screeched an unholy sound inside her head.

Aeron’s lips pulled tight in a scowl, his teeth bared, his eyes red, glowing. Demon eyes. “I said we have time. We don’t have to take care of this now. Therefore, you will stay. Now, enough about that. I have a meeting to attend. I’m going to leave the two of you in here and you will play nice. Understand? You won’t like what happens if you harm each other, I promise you that.” He didn’t wait for their replies but stormed from the room.

Unlike William, he didn’t gently shut the door behind him. He slammed it, rattling the pictures on the walls.

After everything she’d just agonized over, realized and decided, a little compassion—and a goodbye kiss—wouldn’t have been amiss.

Olivia stared over at Legion. Legion stared back.

“Well,” Olivia said, at a loss. She still ached from Aeron’s possession. Still felt the wetness he’d left behind. Yet very soon this female would be with Aeron the way she had just been with him.

“I won’t stay here with you,” Legion lashed out.

“That makes two of us. I’m leaving.”

Grinning, Legion jolted upright. “You’re returning to the sky already?”

“Not yet. I’ll be listening to what’s said at the meeting.”

Her grin faded, but she glanced at the door. “Your ears are probably so feeble you’ll need someone there to interpret the murmurings.”

She offered no reply, wanting to hate the woman but unable to do so. Hate required energy, and just then she had none to spare. Besides, this demon would have been like her stepdaughter if things had progressed the way she’d wanted. More than that, Legion had done what was necessary to win her man. Just as Olivia had.

Only, Legion had won.

IT WAS GOOD TO BE HOME, Strider thought, gazing around the entertainment room. All the men and women were accounted for. All three thousand of them, it seemed. Except for Gideon, who—according to the gossiping hens and William, the gossiping cock, as he happily called himself—was in the dungeon making nice with the newest prisoner.

The warriors, with their big, hard bodies, seemed to consume every inch of space, saturating the air with testosterone. The women perched on the couches and chairs, forcing the men to stand against the walls. Those who weren’t otherwise occupied, that is.

Lucien and Sabin were playing a game of pool and talking amongst themselves, probably trying to sort things out before they spoke to the group. William was sitting in front of the TV, playing a video game. Aeron and Paris were in the far corner and passing a flask back and forth. Both looked miserable. Especially Aeron. His expression was carved from granite—livid granite—and his tattoos were stark against his now-pale skin. And his eyes…hell. They were demon red.

Still healing from that poisoned bullet? Or something more personal?

Strider had only been home a day, but he’d already heard about the man’s angel problems from three different sources. Cameo, Kaia and Legion—an unbelievably improved Legion. All three had been a font of conflicting information. Cameo liked Olivia, talked about how knowledgeable and helpful she was. Kaia talked about how delightfully naughty the real Olivia was. And Legion thought she was a bitch who would murder Aeron in his sleep.

Kaia thought Aeron would marry the girl. Cameo thought Aeron would kick the girl out and never see her again. And Legion thought she was a bitch and a murderer. (That was pretty much all Legion had said. Oh, wait. She’d asked Strider to kill that “bitch and murderer.”) When he’d refused, she’d threatened to pay someone to “do him prison-style.”

“I’m waiting,” Strider called. “Me no likes to wait.”

Finally, Lucien and Sabin ended their game, nodded to each other as if they’d reached an understanding and approached the front of the room. Conversations tapered to quiet.

Both men anchored their arms behind their backs, their legs braced apart. They were ready for action. Good thing. Everyone else in the room was tense and ready to receive that action.

“We called this meeting so that each group could bring the other up to speed on what’s been happening in Rome and Buda,” Sabin began. “I’ll go first. The Unspoken Ones want us to bring them Cronus’s head, but that little deed will free them, and if they’re freed…” He shuddered. “No telling what evil they’ll unleash.”

“However,” Lucien said, picking up where Sabin had stopped. “They’ve hedged their bets and asked the Hunters to bring them Cronus’s head, as well. Whoever succeeds in doing so, us or the Hunters, will be given the fourth and final artifact.”

The Paring Rod. No one knew what it did. Not really. Even if it was useless, Strider would’ve massacred an army to possess it. If there was the slightest chance it was powerful, and there was, it couldn’t end up in his enemies’ hands.

“But Cronus is a god,” Maddox said. And they’d all been up against the gods before. That’s why they were here, rather than in the heavens. That’s why they were demon-possessed. “We can’t contain him.” Despite the grim topic, the man had never looked happier.

Why? Later. The gods had always been more powerful than they were, able to strike them down with only a wave of their capricious hands.

“But he’s also possessed,” Cameo said. “His demon will have a weakness. All of ours do.”

Oh, the agony of her voice. Strider was too busy cringing to process her words.

“His demon is Greed.” This was said by Aeron, and the agony of his voice was a thousand times worse than Cameo’s.

Holy hell, Strider needed to gouge out his ears and—Wait, wait, wait. Backtracking. Cronus was possessed by Greed. Lucien had told him this already, but Cameo had made a very good point. All the demons had a weakness. That weakness made the warriors vulnerable. His was losing and the coma that followed. Anyone could attack him then, and he wouldn’t be able to protect himself.

What was Cronus’s weakness?

That kind of intel would be critical in a fight…not that he planned to fight the god king, but a guy had to be prepared.

From the corner of his eye, he saw Amun sign with his hands.

“What of Danika’s painting?” Strider translated. “The one where she predicted that Galen would take Cronus’s head?” For himself, he added, “I know we’re hoping we can change the course she saw, but maybe the way to change it isn’t to kill Cronus ourselves. Maybe we should increase our efforts to kill Galen.”

“But Galen has the Cloak,” Reyes said, striding to the couch, lifting Danika, sitting down and pulling her into his lap. “He might be harder to destroy than even a god.”

“Galen has the Cloak,” Aeron repeated, “so why hasn’t he acted against us? His troops have been here a while. So again, why haven’t they attacked us?”

Maddox shrugged. “Maybe they were waiting for their little Distrust experiment to succeed. And now that it has…”

“We have to strike first,” Aeron said, “and catch them unawares. Hopefully we can cut their numbers significantly, buy ourselves time to figure out what to do about Distrust and maybe even force Galen out of hiding.”

Good rationale, but was his bloodlust returning? Besides that glint of red in his eyes, his hands were clenched and his posture rigid.

“Will they be unaware, though?” Reyes asked. “What if they’re waiting for us to attack?”

The soldiers on the island had waited. That might be the new Hunter M.O. Plus, a lot of warriors were still recovering from that battle. They weren’t at their strongest, and their strongest would be needed for a victory of this magnitude. “And let’s not forget they’ve got Rhea on their side. No telling how she’ll aid them.”

“Not true,” Torin said, speaking up for the first time. He’d placed a speaker and monitor in the room so that he could attend the meeting without actually having to enter the too-crowded room. “I’ve spoken to Cronus. He’s distracting his beloved wife as long as he can today. That’s why I asked Lucien and Sabin to call this meeting now. Anything we do today, we do without godly interference. From the queen or the king.”

No one to hinder, but no one to help, either.

A murmur drifted through the crowd. And then a single word began to echo from everyone’s lips. “Yes.”

“We can’t sleep, anyway,” Maddox grumbled. “Not with Nightmares in residence. When are we going to get rid of her, by the way?”

No one had an answer to that. The other, however, was quickly decided. Tonight, they would attack.