“Payne!” Sam shouted, the smoke starting to tighten his lungs as the glass high above finally shattered, raining down, the flames moving to devour everything exposed. Heat licked at his skin, but Sam ignored it as he jumped over the fallen tables and chairs to get closer. He caught her as she sagged, her eyes rolling and head slack. The mist that had encircled her arms flickered before disappearing, leaving nothing but dark skin painted gold.
A violent whine, the beams above quivering as the flames danced. Blinding.
“Fuck!” he shouted, picking her up beneath the knees to keep her close to his chest.
The hackles on his neck prickled, his senses on full alert as he clutched her tighter. Sam turned to find three men, their faces painted like death as they watched him with an intensity just as hot as the flames. Sam eyed the exit, teeth bared as Payne remained limp in his arms.
The first and second skulls stood as still as statues, while the third stepped forward, his face empty, flames crawling up his legs as if he felt nothing. His exposed skin bubbled, blackening before bursting apart to reveal bright red muscle. The paint on his forehead split, the flesh gone, melting as his natural bone emerged through.
There was a split second of nothing but the dance of flames before all three skulls moved in sync, as if they were one single mind. Sam tensed, but with his arms full he took a heavy hit to his side, expelling all the air from his lungs in the single blow. He fell forward, hold loosening on Payne as he caught the next kick, yanking the foot hard enough he heard the crack of bone. Another blow to his back, but he was already twisting, his claws slicing through flesh and muscle with an ease that turned his stomach. There was no cry, no recoil or shout of pain. The skull barely flinched as his skin fell away, moving forward to grip Sam in a damaging grasp.
“Enough,” a smoky voice rumbled, deep against the crackles and pops.
The hold around Sam’s arm dropped, and he let out a hiss as blood rushed back into the spot. He knew there would be a bruise, maybe even a fracture as he rolled his shoulder, ignoring the sharp pain that travelled all the way down to his fingertips.
A heavy whine, the ceiling cracking above them. Everyone tensed, and just as the centre beam groaned Sam threw himself over Payne, crouching over her body with his as the beam crashed down inches from her outstretched feet.
Dust, debris, and smoke choked him as he coughed, his lungs struggling as the flames came closer. They crept across the wood, circling around them in a deadly wall.
“Amazing, isn’t it. Almost like being able to control such an obstinate element,” the smoky voice said once more, a dark silhouette obscured by the smoke. “Imps have true talent in making such magic.”
Sam concentrated on breathing, dropping his head lower as he sucked in great gasps. “Who are you?”
A chuckle, but the silhouette remained hidden. “Leave the Death-eater, the flames would take her as a meal.”
Pressure at his back and sides, three sets of hands reaching to yank him to his feet. Sam hissed, but his arms were trapped, lungs burning as the smoke began to swallow him whole.
“Fuck yo –” A hand circled his throat, cutting off any remaining air.
The male cocked his head, red eyes assessing as his fingers tightened a fraction. He’d moved far faster than Sam could track, his sheer size eating up the space until he saw nothing but bare, slightly ashen skin.
“Your father’s been keeping secrets,” he said, mouth opening to reveal teeth sharpened to points. His horns curled, twisting down until the tips reached his jaw.
Sam tensed, unable to move as he became light-headed, and with his last remaining strength he pierced his claws into the Daemon’s arm.
“But how the Fates have blessed us with you.”
Chapter24
Axel
“This tea tastes like shit,” Axel muttered, scowling into the cup.
“Stop whining and drink it,” Titus said, wrapping his knuckles with fabric. “You’re not even supposed to be here.”
Axel glared at his cousin as he took another sip of the bitter liquid. “Kace said I couldn’t help with the kids, he didn’t say I couldn’t watch. Besides, it’s your turn to get the shit beaten out of you, and I wasn’t going to miss that.” He also didn’t want to be alone, not that he would ever admit that out loud.
The tea was doing nothing to stop his violent cravings, brimstone dominating his thoughts. His skin still crawled with need, and nausea threatened at every movement.
“I’m going to tell Laolao you said her tea tasted like shit if you don’t stop moaning.”
“You wouldn’t!” Axel’s shout was louder than he realised as twenty sets of young eyes turned in his direction.
Kace pursed his lips, expression stern as he forced the kids’ attention back to him.
“You’re going to get me kicked out,” Axel growled, keeping his voice low.
“You’re not supposed to be here anyway,” Titus chuckled, pulling his shirt off to leave him in bare skin.
