The entire house shook and she heard glass breaking in the living room. The fight there was still going strong. Leander roared, the beloved sound making her eyes fill up. She swallowed hard, glad he was still alive but knowing there was still too much time left until midnight. Araminta had no idea how much, but she didn’t see how they were going to make it.
Her hands and knees were covered in demon blood and slime that burned her skin. Already blisters were forming on her hands. The demon she’d stabbed grabbed the edge of the kitchen counter and used it as support as he came at her once again. There was no choice left. She had to go outside, had to leave Leander alone with the other demons and Hades.
She hurried to the back door, cursing when the handle slipped in her grip. Araminta swiped her hand over her jeans, leaving a stain of demon sludge behind. Her fingers continued to burn, but she ignored the pain, turned the lock, twisted the knob and shoved the door open.
She stumbled out into the dark yard and took a breath of crisp spring air into her lungs. It steadied her and she ran out onto the grass, turned and waited for the demon to follow her. Even though he was injured, she knew the creature would be close behind.
Leander let out a roar that made even Hades cringe as he dispatched the final demon, dragging his claws across the creature’s throat before chopping off its head with his sword. Mordecai and Hades both watched him, the first one with a gleam of pleasure in his eyes, the latter with a hint of amusement.
He’d kill them both. But first he had to save Araminta, and after he did that, he promised himself he’d shake her until her teeth rattled. He’d told her to run, but she’d disobeyed him and stayed. He’d watched in horror, unable to help as the creature attacked her. The only reason he knew she was alive was that the demon hadn’t come back to fight him.
He whirled around and sprinted from the burnt and blackened remains of the living room, not caring that his back was exposed to his enemy. Nothing mattered but reaching Araminta. He jumped over a fallen bookshelf, shoved aside the dining-room table and almost skidded on a trail of demon blood as he entered the kitchen. Somehow she’d injured a full-grown demon that was more than twice her weight and had about a foot in height on her.
The back door was wide open and he practically flew through it. The demon was staggering toward her, sword raised. Araminta was holding a bloodstained carving knife in her hand.
Instinct kicked in and the lion took over. His clothing and sword disappeared in a flash as he leapt at the demon. Bones lengthened, muscles stretched, fur replaced skin and both hands became lethal weapons as his fingernails became claws. His powerful jaw parted on a roar of sheer fury.
The demon sensed the danger from behind, half-turning to meet him, but it was too little too late. Leander struck hard and fast, slashing at the demon with his claws, tearing the leathery armor from its body. Strong jaws clamped down on the creature’s head, shattering bones before ripping at what was beneath them. Blood spurted everywhere, covering him. He knew it burned, but he could barely feel the sting. All he cared about was the kill, the fact that this demon could no longer hurt his woman.
Araminta stood nearby, one hand over her mouth, the other gripping her knife. Leander dropped the demon and swatted it once more with a massive paw. Then he tilted back his head and roared so loudly even the leaves on the trees trembled with fear.
The sound of clapping reached his ears and he quickly turned to face the newest threat. Hades stood a few feet away, hands coming together once more. “Bravo, lion. That was quite a performance. Very impressive.”
Leander positioned himself in front of Araminta and then shapeshifted, letting the lion fade away as the man took his place. Clad once again in pants and boots, his sword in his hand, he stood with his feet braced to face his biggest enemy, the god himself.
Behind him, he could hear Araminta struggling for breath. He knew this was a lot for her to assimilate. In less than a day, her entire life had been turned upside down. She’d been attacked several times by demons and tossed in the middle of a war that had begun thousands of years before she’d even been born.
Yet she hadn’t run away to save herself. She’d engaged a demon, fighting alongside him. His chest swelled with pride even as his heart ached. He wanted to turn to her and take her into his arms but didn’t dare, not with Hades and the traitor, Mordecai, so close by. He couldn’t even bring himself to look at his former friend.
A soft hand touched his back. His tattoo rippled as the lion shuddered with delight. Araminta. Even now she was seeking to comfort him, to let him know he wasn’t alone. He took a deep breath and slowly released it. Adrenaline pumped through his veins, his muscles flexed and determination solidified. He would protect Araminta. Hades would not have her life or her soul.
Hades strolled forward and stopped just beyond the reach of Leander’s sword. He shook his head. “Such a waste of good fighting demons.”
“Then you shouldn’t have sent them,” he countered.
Hades laughed and Leander barely suppressed a shudder. There was something about the god that made him want to grab Araminta, toss her over his shoulder and run. Hades was too sure of himself, too confident. Leander glanced around, wondering if there were more demons coming.
Then he wondered why the humans living in the neighborhood weren’t peering over their fences. Araminta’s backyard might be filled with mature trees, but surely someone had heard something with his roars and the demons’ cries. He quickly glanced to his right and then to his left but saw no one. His acute hearing told him the four of them were alone.
“Oh, no one will bother us.” Hades flicked his hand toward the sky. “I’ve got a force field around this house. No one gets in or out unless I will it.”
Araminta stepped out to his left side and he had to fight the urge to shove her behind him. “Doesn’t that defeat the whole purpose of getting the warriors to join you?” She sounded so composed all he could do was stare at her. “After all, won’t Zeus and the others notice such a display of power?”
Her jeans and top were ragged with rips and holes burned into the fabric from the demon’s blood and saliva. Her hands were red and sore and he wanted to roar with the injustice of it all.
“Intelligent question, Araminta. I knew you were different from the others.” He frowned and shook his head as if disappointed “Just not smart enough. I thought you’d be happy to be rid of the warrior in exchange for the fulfillment of your dreams.”
Araminta chewed on her bottom lip, looking worried. Leander took a step closer to her, wanting to be close enough to protect her if Hades tried anything. And then there was Mordecai. He glanced at his former friend and found him standing in the shadows watching the drama unfold.
She tilted her head to one side and her braid fell over her shoulder. “You sound so familiar.”
Leander stiffened. That couldn’t be good. What connection had Hades made with her?
Hades’ smile made Leander uneasy. The god gave a short bow. “Allow me to introduce myself. You know me as Sam Black.”
Araminta stumbled and Leander caught her with his left hand.
“My agent?”
Leander looked from one to the other, trying to understand the implications. It seemed Hades had infiltrated Araminta’s life long before she’d freed him.
“Yes, Araminta. I’m the one who got you your big publishing contract. I’m the one who pulled your career out of mediocrity. You couldn’t have done it on your own. Without me, you’d still be nothing.”