He folded his arms. “You are safe here. I will bring it to you.”
Not good enough. “Well, if that’s the best you can do. I’ll wait for Agone to return. He’s strong enough to protect me long enough to get takeout.”
She blinked, and he was in front of her. “I know what you’re doing.”
“Oh?”
Gold rimmed his electric blue eyes, a precursor to his anger. She didn’t sense anger from him. Concern and protection, but not anger. And worry. He was really worried about her.
“I’ve killed two”— she flashed deuces in his face — “demons. A darkling and a siv-e. I’m a badass, in case you didn’t know. I can handle my shit long enough for a meal.” She folded her arms and glared up at him.
“I know exactly what you are.”
If he says a bitch, I’m punching him.
“A badass.”
It was good to hear him acknowledge it. “I’ll Google a restaurant. Ever had seafood? Calamari? No. Oysters. I’ll feed them to you.” What the hell was she doing? Now she couldn’t get the image of him slurping down oysters and licking the juices off his full lips out of her head.
An almost smile flirted with his mouth. Damn. What would it take to get a full on “I’m happy” smile from him?
“Takeout.” His voice rumbled through her. “I will take you for seafood, and we will return here. After we train.”
She held out her hand. “It’s a deal.”
Seren’s hand swallowed hers in rough warmth. He reversed the grip and next thing Eden knew she was on the ground with Seren standing over her. “Hand to hand combat begins now.”
Chapter 17
Agone had been in Hell too long. The need to return to Eden burned worse than the lava fields in front of him. Her safety wasn’t his concern. He trusted Seren with her physical care. Her emotional care was another thing.
Seren fought the bond. Agone had no doubt Iaiél knew one of the outcomes of seeding the infants with grace and ichor would create a bond between the immortal beings picked for the job of protector. A sexual bond. Agone wouldn’t have given a shit if the pain Seren suffered was his alone to bear. But the pain from an unfulfilled bond would reverberate to all parties, Agone included. Pain was an old, intimate friend, a lover.He would not sit by and let Eden suffer. Seren needed to get over himself.
Eden. Just the thought of her had lust coiling through his body. He woke to her hair draped across his chest, her form curled into his side. It was that moment when she slept next to him with complete trust he’d take care of her — Him. A demon — not when her beautiful body was first displayed to his greedy eyes, not when her taste first coated his tongue, not when he first breached her core, that he knew he was lost. Totally lost in her.
He’d never slept with Ayleth. They fucked. Never made love. Ayleth was dust in the grave, yet her presence lingered. Seren wasn’t the only one who needed to leave her buried.
“Agone.”
He whipped around, his axe in his hand. Eleven demons approached. He knew them by their massive sizes and distinct shapes before the light from the lava fields illuminated them. His men, Second Order demons. And his Prince.
“What’s happened? Why are you here?” he demanded.
Belial approached, eyeing him with distaste while the rest hung back. Whatever he had to say was for Agone’s ears alone.“You stink of human, brother.”
That he did, and it pleased him. “Why wouldn’t I when you sent me amongst them?”
Belial’s nostrils flared for a deep scenting of Agone. “You smell of human cunt,” he growled.
Agone bristled. His horns flattened against his skull, a precursor to an attack. It wasn’t the first time he and his men fucked a human. First Order demons didn’t leave Hell often. When they did, after whatever mission they were assigned was complete, it was to find companionship from both sexes.
Agone took in the long blond hair, mocha skin, and brown eyes. His prince’s human appearance wasn’t a pleasant surprise. Why would a prince choose a human appearance in Hell? Belial had him by an inch and nothing else. He may be a prince, but they were evenly matched, especially after Agone bonded with Eden.She made him stronger. He doubted Belial knew that was one of the benefits.
“That is not what you had me travel to the lava fields to tell me.”Get to the point.
Belial scrutinized him. “A conclave has been called. I cannot show without the general of my demons at my back. Come.” Belial dropped a heavy hand on Agone’s shoulder and opened a portal.
Was Belial for real? A fucking conclave. They could be locked in the chamber for years. Centuries! He sent him to find Eden, to protect her. To claim her. Now Belial wanted him to leave her on her own.