Page 65 of Hell’s Half Acre

“You think?” He wiped at a cut on his cheek and winced. “I just went a few rounds with him. He’s stronger than ever.”

“Maybe. But everyone has a weakness.”

Brassle shook his head. “All his weaknesses have fangs. I’m not willing to risk rabies.”

“You’re such a coward.”

“Realist.” He vanished from the chair where he’d been sitting.

Shaddix stood there, fuming and debating. In spite of what Brassle said, she felt like she was on to something.

The more of them after Luke, the better chance they had of breaking him.

He was currently distracted, chasing his demons and protecting that little bitch partner of his. What better time to strike?

She just needed to get some of her other siblings to cooperate.

Intending to leave, Trinket turned over in bed, and picked up his clothes from the floor.

Sorath grabbed a fistful of his hair and pulled him back. “Where are you off to, maggot?”

Grimacing in pain, Trinket did his best not to wince. “I thought you were through with me, my lord.” As one of Hell’s top generals, Sorath owned any creature here who ranked below him.

That included Trinket.

One of Lucifer’s original fallen angels, Sorath was a creature of exquisite beauty. His dark skin and long braids framed a face of perfect proportions.

He was also the angel Lucifer had sent to banish Luke from Hell. If Luke had a friend in Hell, other than Helly, Sorath would be he.

Which was how Trinket had first met Sorath.

While Luke had frowned on their relationship, and so had Trinket, Sorath had refused to be deterred.

He thought of himself as a ruler, and no one else’s opinion mattered. The beast took what he wanted, everyone be damned.

I should never have come back here.

It’d been stupid. He’d thought to slip in and out without anyone noticing.

Sorath noticed everything.

And with an angry sneer, he kicked Trinket from the bed. “Go on. Get out of my sight. I have things to attend.”

Landing on the floor, Trinket leveled his breathing so that he didn’t flinch from the pain. Yeah, he didn’t miss any of this.

All I want is freedom.

If Luke returned home like he wanted, Trinket would have no say. He’d be relegated back to this role.

I won’t let that happen.

Whatever it took, he would make sure that he stayed out of Hell. That none of them ever came back.

This is my last time.

Even if he had to sacrifice Luke.

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