The Darkest Kiss

the nearest tree, one with red leaves that made the branches look like they were bleeding, and began carving X's in his arm. With the sharp slices and release of blood, real blood, some of his anger drained.

If Danika could see you now…

He snorted. She already hated him. To see him like this would hardly deepen an emotion that was already boundless.

In his pocket, his cell phone buzzed and he uttered a frustrated sigh. Sabin had supplied him with it a few weeks ago. Reyes wasn't sure he liked it—sometimes a man needed to be free of everything, even contact with others—but he'd kept it. Just in case something happened.

With a growl, he dug it out and flipped it open. 'What?'

'Aeron has escaped,' Maddox said without preamble.

Everything inside of Reyes screamed in denial. In protest. In rage and more of that damned helplessness. He'd known this day would come. He just hadn't expected it to come this soon. Should have swallowed your love for him and chained him. 'How long?'

'Last time I saw him was twelve hours ago.'

As Wrath, Aeron would be able to find Danika no matter where she was hiding. He would sniff her out and use his wings to reach her quickly. 'I'll find him,' Reyes said.

Before he could disconnect, Maddox added, 'Torin had me place some kind of tracking dye in Aeron's meals, just in case. He'll e-mail the coordinates you need to your phone. I called you first, wanted you to know because… you know. Just bring our friend back. Alive.'

Reyes didn't answer. He couldn't. If he failed in this, Danika would die.

If she wasn't already dead.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

'NICE HICKEY,' WILLIAM SAID at breakfast the next morning when he spied Anya's neck.

I do not blush, I do not blush. And yet, her cheeks heated. Damn Lucien and his wondrous mouth. And speaking of Lucien's wondrous mouth, he'd used it to pry information about the All-Key out of her this morning.

She knew he was looking for a way to take it from her without destroying either of them so he could get the god king off her back. He'd begun sucking on her nipples right after he'd questioned her and she hadn't wanted him to stop. She'd ended up telling him the key was bonded to her, body and soul, as much a part of her as his demon was a part of him. That's why the giver weakened; they were giving away a part of themselves. She had seen disappointment light Lucien's eyes and it had stirred something tender inside her. He of all people would understand the danger of losing a vital part of yourself.

She sighed. Right now, she, Lucien and William were sitting at a small round table; eggs, bacon and pancakes were spread over its surface. The air was syrupy-sweet and salty crisp, the food itself perfectly prepared.

After dressing in a decadent white cashmere body suit, she'd flashed to her favorite diner in Atlanta, ordered the feast and flashed back. And yes, she'd pretended to cook it herself. Warriors that they were, the men had yet to praise her efforts, which was completely unacceptable. They thought she'd slaved over every dish and yet they hadn't even said thank-you. Bastards.

She sat between them. Lucien kept a stern eye on William, growling whenever the sexpot reached in her direction. His possessiveness was just too cute. No wonder she had spent the entire night in his arms, unable to force herself to leave him. He made her feel desired. Well, that, and also safe. She'd never spent an entire night with a man before and hadn't known there'd be an endearing—and addicting—sense of security on top of the intense physical pleasure.

'I have told you to keep your hands—' Lucien's words trailed off, and she felt his body go rigid.

Anya turned to him. Both of his eyes had gone blue. She grabbed on to his arm. Time for the two of them to collect souls, it seemed.

'I must go,' he said.

'You're taking me. Remember?'

He shook his head. 'You will stay here.'

'Don't make me go invisible on you and follow without permission.'

'Like before.' A resigned statement. 'I have not been able to figure out how you did that.'

She shrugged. 'I'm Anarchy, remember? I don't obey the laws of nature—or anything else.'

'What are you guys talking about?' William asked.

She ignored him. One, because she knew William would hate it and quite possibly throw an amusing fit, and two, because she knew Lucien would disappear the moment she turned her attention from him. 'Leave me behind, and I'll sit in Willie's lap the entire time you're gone.'

William grinned, curiosity forgotten. 'Leave her behind, my man. I'll take extra special care of her.'

Lucien bared his teeth in a fierce scowl, but he twined his fingers with Anya's. 'Fine. Let's go.'

He dematerialized, taking Anya with him. They entered the spirit world, everything becoming a collage of bright colors and lights. Lucien floated quickly to a badly burned, still-smoking shop in…Shanghai, she realized, glancing at the surrounding buildings of red and white, with pointed tops and sloped roofs. She could almost smell the foods being sold at the street market.

There were several bodies lying on a charred floor. Never loosening his hold on her, Lucien went to the first, the closest, and dipped his hand into the man's chest. A gasping spirit emerged, flailing against Death's hold.

The three of them were poised at the gates of hell in the next instant. The heat nearly melted the skin from her bones. She shuddered. The shouts, the tormented cries. Was this where she would go if Cronus had his way and she died? Just the thought of it sickened her.

'He purposely set the fire,' Lucien said through clenched teeth.

This isn't about you right now. This is about Lucien. She released his hand and moved behind him, winding her arms around his waist and offering comfort, reminding him that he wasn't alone. His muscles were tense, but slowly they relaxed.

Two large boulders drew apart, opening a wide chasm. Multiple pairs of scaly arms reached up, and Lucien tossed the flailing spirit at them. Evil laughter erupted, followed closely by beleaguered screams.

Many times during any given day, Lucien witnessed this terrible scene. Anya kissed his ear, drawing his attention from the flames. 'Lots of people die. Every minute. Every hour. Why don't you have to escort all of them?'

'Some remain to wander Earth, some are reborn and get the chance to start anew. Some, I think, are escorted by angels.'

Ah. She should have known. She'd run into a few angels herself over the years. Beautiful creatures, if a bit haughty. 'The souls escorted by you are the luckiest. Ready for the others?'

Lucien nodded, and he appeared less strained.

The other two humans must have been good little boys because they got to go to heaven. As always, the pearly gates made Anya gape. They sparkled with jewels and mesmerized with their hum of power. Beyond them, a cherubic choir rejoiced, their voices soothing, somehow delighting each of the senses. Wow.

I want to come here if ever I die.

When have you ever been good?

I'm good. Sometimes.

'Thank you, Anya. For coming with me. For comforting me.'

'My pleasure.' She and Lucien popped back into William's kitchen. The sexpot was still sitting at the table, but Anya's gaze snagged on her lover. Lucien was watching her, heat in his eyes. Heat and awe and appreciation.

'And where did you guys go?' William asked.

'Nowhere.' She concentrated on William, Lucien's stare making her squirm in her seat. 'So where are your women this morning?'