“Get off me, creature from Hell!”
Her eyes were wide with surprise as he flipped her onto her back and pinned her. Cal was filled with such hatred and anger that his hands fastened themselves around her neck and he squeezed, contemplating ending the demon’s life with a quick snap to her neck.
There was a whoosh of air behind him and he glanced over his shoulder, finding a tall man suddenly occupying the space that had been empty a moment ago.
“Let her go, Vartik,” the man said, striding closer.
Gemma stumbled out from behind the man.
Cal immediately let go of the demon and rolled away and onto his feet in a single quick motion. He crouched in readiness, committed to destroying the male to get to his beloved.
Sanri rose, dusting herself off and scowling. “You Vartiks are no fun. I don’t know why I even bother to try anymore.”
Before Cal could open his mouth to respond, Gemma was rushing toward the other female. In a blur, she punched the demon in the mouth.
Sanri’s head snapped back and Cal felt a rush of admiration for his beautiful mate. Then Gemma was leaping for her, but the male demon grabbed her from the air and yanked her backward.
Cal saw red. His vision literally flooded with a haze as his mind snapped. “Keep your fucking hands off her,” he yelled, launching himself at the demon.
He stumbled suddenly, flying through empty air where they’d been a moment ago. He slid to his knees and whipped around, seeing the Seeker across the room, his elbow locked under Gemma’s chin, his hold tight on her throat.
Watching her little feet dangling above the floor as the demon held her in a chokehold was more than he could take. He sprang at the male again, unable to help himself.
And again, he was sliding through empty space. “Release her, you sick fuck!”
The Seeker gave him a wicked smile. “As fun as this would usually be for me, I’m afraid it’s time to cut the game short, kids.”
He dropped Gemma and she fell to the floor, hitting hard. Cal was at her side in a heartbeat, gathering her up in a tight hold. It felt so incredibly good to have her in his arms again, the real her, that he almost wept.
“Stay here and watch them. I’ll be back in just a moment.” Shadow looked in his direction. “And put your clothes back on.” Then the space the male demon had been standing in was empty.
Cal gathered his shirt and pulled it on, then fastened his pants. His movements caught the attention of the female demon.
Sanri folded her arms over her chest. “That was a cute trick,” she said. “Maybe you’re a little stronger than I gave you credit for.” Her smile was cold. “Good thing I enjoy a challenge. I’ll have you confessing your undying love for me before this is over, Vartik. All while she watches.”
“Never!” he shouted, but her words shook him. It had taken every ounce of his energy to escape his bonds. He wasn’t sure he could stand up to the full force of what Sanri could dish out.
“Try it, bitch,” Gemma said, pulling herself away and rising to her feet. “See what it gets you.” Her fists were balled at her side, her entire body taut and spoiling for a fight.
A rush of pride he’d never known filled Cal and he rose to stand beside her. “Thank you, Gemmaline,” he said, putting an arm around her.
This little woman, who’d suffered so much, was fighting for him with all the confidence of an army of avenging angels. If she wasn’t scared of Sanri, then he couldn’t be either.
Before the women could start exchanging blows, the male Seeker returned, the redhead demon female with him. Then he disappeared again.
“Well, well, well,” Dr. Beyhard said. “It smells like sex in here. Did I miss anything good?”
Sanri rolled her eyes. “It was an invitation-only affair, Beyha.”
The redhead scowled. She opened her mouth to start what Cal was sure would be a scathing reply, but before she could, the male Seeker returned, two more passengers in tow.
He released Juston and his dark-haired obsession, then moved to the center of the room. “We’re all here now, ladies and gentlemen. It’s time to tell you how this is going to go down.”
Cal saw that Dunkel was shaking, her hair in disarray. Juston was flushed, his breathing heavy.
“Who died and left you King of Hell?” the dark-haired demon said, attempting to smooth her hair back into place.
“No one died. They just committed treason.”
