Just as I reached down to risk the adjustment, the tingling came again, this time more akin to a burn. Whatever the situation requiring my attention, it had escalated rapidly. With a frustrated growl, I manifested a death shroud, hoping the heavy folds of the dark robe would conceal my current predicament. Then I closed my eyes and followed the tug on my most primal of senses.
I was very much not alone when I arrived, and matters were, as predicted, rapidly devolving. Dozens of people were gathered in the main meeting space, all of whom turned to look at me.
“Grim? What the fuck are you wearing?” Sin blurted.
“Who cares what he’s wearing?” Malice snapped from beside a barely restrained Chaos. “Where have you been?”
“Should we run for cover?” Caspian asked. “I have it on good authority that one should not stand idly by when Death appears.”
But it was the last voice that drew my focus.
“A little dramatic, don’t you think, Grimsby?”
I pushed the hood away from my face and let it fall back as my attention zeroed in on the ruler of hell. “Lucifer.”
Merri’s gasp pulled my focus, her presence in the room doing nothing to ease my overwhelming arousal. This was not the time to lose control. Our greatest foe stood feet away, and all my body wanted was its mate.
“What’s wrong with him?” Thorne asked, concern in his voice.
“What do you mean?” Kingston whispered.
“His eyes are rolling around in his head, like he can’t focus.”
Caspian swaggered over, his lips twitching with laughter. “I recognize that look.” He moved in close, drawing a snarl from deep in my throat as he sniffed me. “Yup. Just as I suspected. He’s been dosed.”
“Dosed?” Merri asked.
“Pixie dust.”
“What the fuck, Grim?” Sin asked. “Since when do you get high?”
Lucifer laughed. “Seems like I timed my arrival perfectly. Grimsby is having a party.” He looked around. “What? None for us? How terribly rude. I guess we’ll just have to have a party of our own.”
“Is this guy fucking crazy? Even I know you don’t taunt the dude who can kill you with one touch. Especially not when he’s high as a fucking kite and probably lacking all impulse control.” If Kingston thought he was being quiet, he was mistaken.
Lucifer smirked, then stepped uncomfortably close to Merri, his eyes never leaving mine as he reached out to touch her.
I fucking snapped.
“Touch her and die,” I snarled, rushing to him with as much grace as I could muster.
Sadly, it wasn’t much. I sort of tripped over my shroud and went flying forward. I’d only just managed to get my feet back underneath me when Merri’s shout rang out in the room, freezing everyone in place.
“Grimsby, don’t!”
She’d thrown herself in front of Lucifer, eyes wide.
The anger boiling in my blood offered much-needed clarity. But when Lucifer smiled over her shoulder, jealousy took hold, and the world blurred in my periphery as the bones beneath my skin shifted, threatening to reveal my true face.
“Careful,” Chaos warned, recognizing how close to the tipping point I was. And what that meant for every soul gathered in this room.
But there was only one soul I cared about.
“Please don’t hurt him,” she begged.
Knowing she was protecting him only added to my rage. The lack of control made my words harsh, sharp enough to cut. “Why the fuck shouldn’t I?”
Pleading robin’s egg blue eyes met mine before she uttered three words that ruined me. “He’s my mate.”
