“Do you know the details?” MJ asked Oliver.
He bowedhis head. “Not sure I’ll ever forget the day our mothers were murdered and my sister was taken.”
Seven Hells.
I latched onto his shoulder and waited until he met my gaze. A twinge of pain tightened in my chest. His eyes were so much like his father’s, it was uncanny. One day, I’d have to tell him about Gabriel.
“Our priority is to get Lucille out alive. If your sister is there, we’ll bring her too. But if she isn’t, we may not be able to rescue her this time. Can you handle that, and help us break the prince from Lilith’s influence?”
Oliver shook his head. “Lucille’s always the priority, isn’t she?”
I didn’t like his tone.
“Yes, but?—”
“No buts. My sister has always been put on the back burner, even with the King of Hell. She does not matter to any of you. She will never be a priority.”
“I swear?—”
“You don’t have to promise me anything. Of course I’ll help save my best friend. I’ll even help save Aspen. But after that, if I have to, I’ll search for my sister alone. I owe her that.”
Honorable and wise, just like his father.
“Once Lucille is safe back in Hell, I will personally help you find her.”
“We’ll help too,” Alexei said, pointing between him and MJ. She rolled her eyes, but I knew she agreed.
Oliver nodded quietly. “Okay. So I try to remind Aspen about his mother’s murder. But how are we going to do this?”
“Blackout. Sense. Gather. Plan. Attack,” Alexei advised.
I agreed.
Rune pressed into my side and whimpered. I imagined she could feel something from Lucille, but I couldn’t check in. I knew I wouldn’t be able to handle her emotions. Not without going off the deep end.
“MJ, guard Oliver. Rune and Alexei are at the front with me.”
We got into formation, then followed the discolored footprints in the marble hall. The pet was leading us to them. Either he was fighting the runes and wanted us to rescue Lucille, or this was yet another trap.
The trail turned a corner. I paused our group.
“I don’t have my full powers here. My reserves are at half. Blacking out the throne room will take a good portion of that. I’ll need to save the rest for Lilith and Lucille. That means you three are on the pet and any other threats.” I looked between my second and third, then shifted my attention. “Oliver, focus on breaking him free. Everyone understand?”
They all nodded.
I ran my hand along Rune’s jaw, tilting it up. “Eat any threat you see and protect our soul.”
Rune bared large canines, sending a feeling of vicious intent through the bond.
A familiar scream pierced through the double doors. My body tensed, every muscle rigid as a drawn blade. A deadly calm washed over me, colder than ice, and in its wake… pure, raw rage. I wanted blood for that scream. And I would claim it—mercilessly, and without hesitation.
Chapter
Fifty
LUCILLE
Iopened my eyes to find myself in Aspen’s arms. Two large doors loomed behind him, blurred by his blue flames. Dark, haunting marble comprised the walls, veined with red cracks. To the left and right, rows of towering circular pillars framed archways draped in mauve fabric. The curtains whipped in a vicious wind, revealing balconies and the brooding Elorian sky. But the air never reached us, blocked by Aspen’s searing barrier.
