But if they were leaving our circle, how could Lucifer still feel them in the land at all? He was only connected to the Redemption Circle.
If only I could follow one. But that’d require finding one. Unless I released the infected we had in our dungeons under the guise of an execution and accidentally let them escape.
I heaved a sigh. It wouldn’t work. I didn’t believe Lilith was their only creator. And if she wasn’t… then someone else led them. Someone who prepared the infected Damned in the event they met me.
They’d never believe I’d accidentally let a prisoner slip through my grasp.
So that again left me with the task of finding one.
I rubbed my hands over my face. The pressure of everything, our utter lack of progress, screamed failure into my head.
Even Lucille added to the noise.
Her beautiful name rested in my mind before becoming squashed by the bitter image of her entering his room.
Before I lingered on those thoughts and my shadows threw a fit, I went to my closet and put on loose training clothes. Rune opened her eyes, growling softly.
“You can stay here,” I assured her. The grump.
Satisfied contentment hummed through our connection as she settled her head back onto the bed. Rune loved her sleep. When she rolled to her side, exposed her belly, and peeked at me, I snorted.
“You’re pushing it.” But I gave her a belly rub anyway.
I swore the little demon smiled, knowing I’d give in.
My shadows came out from the contact, intertwining with hers. They danced back and forth, from my skin to her nebulous fur, reacquainting themselves as if long-lost friends. We both enjoyed the peace and oneness we felt as we allowed our shadows to bond. I had to be careful, though. A Soulhound’s life was created by a soul ascending from the Immolation Circle, then solidified when they chose to bond, taking on their keeper’s power. If I let our shadows connect for too long, they’d eventually meld and come back to me, killing Rune. So I kept these moments brief and to a minimum. The price of peace was too high.
“Rest up, pup. I imagine tomorrow will be long.”
Rune licked my hand, then curled into a giant, undulating black ballas I left for the arena. I swore she only spread out when I was sleeping next to her, digging her paws into my back.
Passing the pet’s room quickly, I kept the barriers between Lucille and me thick and impenetrable. I didn’t want to hear or feel anything from her. I couldn’t.
The halls were quiet at this hour. Even the blizzard that had been pummeling the castle minutes ago had calmed. Maybe Lucifer was finally seeing reason.
Nearing the arena’s doors, a soft thunk sifted through the wood, then another.
Who else was up at this time?
Entering, I found MJ shooting arrows from one side of the arena to the other. She made hitting a target from three hundred yards look easy. After twenty years of witnessing her skill, she still impressed me. Her accuracy and efficiency with a bow were unparalleled by anyone I’d come across.
“Should I be concerned you’re up?” MJ called out, releasing an arrow with a twang.
I walked over. “Are you surprised?”
“No.”
“Should I be concerned you’re up?”
“It’s Knox’s creation day,” she stated, pulling back another arrow. Fire burst onto the tip before she let loose. Flying through the air, the flame grew and grew, hitting the target with a forceful blast. It melted the canvas and incinerated the straw base. “What’s your excuse?”
I arched a brow. “You do know we pay for those, right?”
MJ rolled her eyes. “I’ll give you back the measly Hellmarks you pay me.”
“Measly?” I scoffed.
MJ and Alexei were paid very well. Most of the higher-level military members were. If they desired, they’d have enough money to purchase a house in Hell. Although, I had a feeling Alexei enjoyed being in the castle and close to the barracks. People were his thing. Unlike MJ. Our military tended to avoid her if they could, finding her rough around the edges and blunt. A secluded home on the outskirts of Hoar Hollow seemed perfect for her, but she continued to stay here.
