His vibrant energy was contagious, filling Dante to the brim. “Any starfish?”
“No.” Ollie didn’t sound disappointed. “There’s a bunch of little hermit crabs or snails or something. They’ve got little pointy shells. Come see.”
A crack like thunder ripped through the air, stopping Dante in his tracks. The space behind Ollie shimmered, the view distorting, and a figured appeared out of nowhere.
A tall, familiar figure with curling red horns and dark-red wings.
Dante’s demon bloodran cold.
Ollie flinched. “What was that sound?”
As he rose from his crouched position, Lucifer grabbed Ollie’s hair and forced him back down. Ollie’s knees hit the rocks lining the pool, and he thrashed, fear lining his face as he grabbed at Lucifer, trying to pull himself free.
“Dante!”
“Ollie!” Dante’s chest seized. He shot forward at an inhuman speed.
“Stop,” Lucifer warned, his tone calm, reminding Dante of pain and darkness. “Don’t come any closer, or I’ll crush his skull.”
There was no doubt Luc would. Dante stopped even though everything in him screamed not to. He was still too far away.
Ollie whimpered, his frightened gaze locked on Dante.
“Luc, what are you doing here?” Dante’s demon features screamed to come out, wings burning his back and tail strangling his waist.
His mate was in danger.
He had to get to Ollie, but Lucifer could kill Ollie with magic or his bare hands faster than Dante could reach him. Inhuman speed wasn’t an advantage if your enemy possessed it too.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
Why was this happening?
Dante’s phone buzzed in his pocket, probably Ash warning him he’d felt Luc leave the Realm of the Damned.
“I hope this goes better than our last meeting,” Lucifer drawled, suddenly casual. Dante didn’t buy the change in mood. “What’s this I’ve found?” He shook Ollie by the hair until Ollie made a sound of protest.
Lucifer yanked Ollie to standing and pulled him close,Ollie’s back flush against his chest. “Have we a human plaything?”
Ollie’s eyes left Dante as he strained to see over his shoulder. “What’s going on? Who are you? Please. I’ll do what you want if you let me go.”
Lucifer laughed, cruelty rolling through the air.
Could a lightning spell take out Luc without hitting Ollie? No. What a dumb idea. Any energy would flow through Luc and kill him.Fuck. How had this happened? Dante never should have left Ollie’s side.
The distance between them felt unfathomable.
All had been quiet. No one had hurt his birds, no news of any other demons, and no sign of Luc. Dante had become complacent.
“Luc, what are you doing? I’m happy to talk. No tricks this time. Your quarrel isn’t with Ollie. Let him leave, and we can deal with things between us.”
Ollie’s gaze slid back to Dante, a tremble wracking his body. What did he think was going on? Had he glimpsed Lucifer’s wings or horns? He must be so scared.
Dante’s heart burned. This couldn’t be happening. He needed to get to Ollie, but Luc didn’t make idle threats. If Dante came closer, Luc wouldn’t hesitate to kill him.
“I don’t want to let him go,” Luc whined. “If I do, you’ll shock me and try to capture me again. I need a shield. You made me take this pretty boy hostage to ensure you’d cooperate.”
Fucking asshole. “What do you want?” Dante ground out, clenching his fists.
