Page 77 of A Spark Of Revenge

“They must have been forced to come that way,” Nox growls, turning on Razar. “I need you to take three units and scout the area. Make sure the Hunters come from the gatehouse and give me a time estimate on the Seniorem if you can,” he instructs. Razar nods, then heads for the door, tearing it open and disappearing within.

“I’ll get Elaine,” Creed mutters, squeezing my hand before rushing after Razar.

“Tell her Senior Ivanov and the Volkov Units are here,” Nox shouts after him before looking at Valen. “Get this castle warded and ready for battle by nightfall,” Nox says calmly, and Valen nods, pressing a kiss to my forehead and then leaving the rooftop.

The Russians start to move and I step back a little, wanting to watch their descent. Strong fingers wrap around my elbow when I lean back on the railing, and I look down to find Jesthren's fingers gently tugging me away from the side of the castle.

“Don’t get too close. It’s dangerous,” he says with a small smile, letting me go the instant I’m not pressed against the railing.

“Do not touch her!” Nox growls; his hand darts out, wrapping around my wrist and yanking me away from his brother. I go to yell at Lennox, but his eyes aren't on me; they’re on his brother, and his hands are shaking.

What the hell?

“Yes, I know,” Jesthren agrees, raising his hands in the air and nodding. “I just didn't want her to fall, Lennox.” Nox growls, and I yank my hand away from Nox, glaring at him when his eyes flick back to me in surprise.

“Go back to your bloodline and get your fighting leathers on, Ranger,” Nox growls, pushing me toward the door the guys left through, and I stumble. Jesthren reaches out to catch me but stops at Nox’s feral growl, and I throw my arms out, steadying myself before I fall. “Now, Meyer!” he roars, and I can feel the magic in the air around us. It's almost tangible, and it takes me by surprise. I’ve never felt this before.

An odd pressure rubs against me, and I shiver, wanting to bend to its will, but something else rises. I look over at Nox and cock my head to the side, making his anger falter as his eyes widen. The spot on my wrist starts to tingle as warmth burns in my belly, and I smirk as Lennox’s magic slowly lessens.

“Don’t push me, Lennox,” I growl, pushing whatever magic he’s using to make me feel uncomfortable back at him. This time, it’s Nox who stumbles back, his dark green eyes widening in surprise before I turn and leave, my heart racing in excitement and my mind spinning in confusion.

What the hell just happened?

THIRTY-SEVEN

Creed

Racing into my room, I slam the door behind me as my mind spins with excitement, nerves, and fear. This is who I am. A warrior… a fighter… a Demon. I excel at war, and I thrive in the chaos it creates. I live for the thrill of endorphins before a battle, the bloodlust that courses through my veins as I sharpen my blades and strap on my armor. But this new fear that resides deep inside me—the feeling of dread pooling in my stomach as the sense of foreboding hangs in the air—is a new sensation for me, and it's all because of one thing. Or rather… one woman.

“Meyer,” I growl her name as heat fills my blood. Intense need for the tiny half-Demon floods me, making my length strain in my pants as I yank my simple black t-shirt off over my head and reach for my thicker blood-absorbent one. I throw it on before grabbing my Dragon scale armor and strapping them to my chest and arms. Then I temper my lust and focus on the more important things in my life.

First and foremost, I will ensure that everyone I love and care for survives the next twenty-four hours, and then I can focus on showing my Lemon Drop that I meant what I said. I need to show her I’m worth a second chance and that I will do everything I can to earn her trust back. The need to have her in my life is like a physical ache in my chest that I can’t relieve. I already knew there was a physical attraction; I knew we were magically compatible the moment I scented her. But this is starting to go beyond that. I feel entranced, like I’m spelled whenever she’s around. Meyer is a drug that I will gladly and wholly lose myself to.

I almost lost it when Valen came into Nox’s office, telling us that Meyer had another nightmare last night. Nox did freak out, standing from his chair so fast that it flew back against his office wall. He was just about to charge out of the room to find Meyer when Valen told us she was fine. He’d been able to wake her before anything terrible happened besides a panic attack he talked her down from. Nox had calmed down, and to my surprise, Razar stepped back into the shadows, hiding himself again when he knew Meyer was okay.

My girl has us all on edge, even those of us who claim they don’t want her. I’m honestly looking forward to them realizing they are even more protective over her than Valen and I are. I was expecting Nox to fall eventually, but Razar has been a surprise. Sure, I’m almost positive half of his interest in her is her ability to kick him in the balls and stab him without dying at the hands of his monster. But I honestly thought I was going to have to protect her from him for the rest of our lives. Yet, here I am, willingly letting him talk to her and guard her during dangerous situations.

I scowl at that thought, remembering what happened the night before on the wall. I can't believe he tossed her off it like that! What if she had been hurt and then stranded down there with the Beastia? I take a mental note to challenge him to a fight when we have some time. It’s been far too long since I’ve knocked my brother on his ass, and now I have a good reason for it.

My door opens, and Jesthren walks in, his clothes changed from the ones he was wearing earlier on the rooftop of the castle. He’s now sporting Hunter fighting leathers that stretch over his massive chest, and I briefly wonder if the fabric will shred the moment he flexes a muscle. Without a word, Jesthren grabs my remaining armor and helps strap it on; reaching the buckles I struggle to clasp on my own and making a sound of approval in the back of his throat as he cinches the one around the top of my shoulders.

“You’ve grown, Heldakar. The last time I helped you into these, you were two notches smaller than you are now,” he grumbles, slapping my shoulder with his big hands and making me laugh as I stumble back. It's true that I have put on a significant amount of muscle since coming to the human realm. After Archer died, I trained relentlessly with Lennox, needing the physical relief from the torment and guilt I had over my brother's death. I’m not even close to being as built as Lennox or Jesthren, but I’m not as small as I once was.

“Nox has been keeping us busy,” I admit with a smile, turning to look at my oldest brother with a grin. I’d missed this big bastard. Sure, he throws a wrench in our little family unit when it comes to Nox, but he’s been my big brother for almost my entire life. Mom and Dad adopted me when I was only four years old. I’m the second youngest in the family, and I’ve never not had Jesthren in my life.

Jesthren's smile falters at the mention of Nox, and he sighs, walking over to sit on my bed as I start strapping weapons to my body. “I need you to talk me through this, brother,” he admits, looking conflicted. “What's going on here? I know the basics. The Hunters are rebelling and foolishly trying to steal magic that doesn't belong to them. They somehow have located and moved Inanis’ sarcophagus, and they are divided. It’s a civil war, and the Hunters are divided, as far as I can tell. Why are we involved in a fight that doesn’t concern us? I’ve tried to get information from Garthelaun, but he’s been less than forthcoming on the matter,” he grumbles, running a hand over his short-cropped hair as he watches me ready for battle.

“You act surprised that Nox doesn't trust you. His actions are a product of your treatment over the last thirty-six years, Jesthren.” I laugh, shaking my head when Jesthren scowls and then nods.

“You’re right. I haven't been very… brotherly toward him. But the boy is just as hot-headed and temperamental as he’s always been. Garthelaun doesn't think before he acts, and now look at us,” he says in exasperation, waving a hand at me and then at himself. “We’re fighting a war for mortals. Protecting a castle that isn't our own,” he points out, and I shake my head.

“First off. His name is Lennox on this side of the Veil, and he’s talking about keeping the name even when he returns to Versipellis. My name is Credence, though I do prefer Creed,” I tell him, making his nose wrinkle in disgust.

“Out of all the souls you have killed and names you have earned, why keep a mortal one?” he asks in confusion, and I shrug.

“This name has cost me the most. The man I took it from may have been mortal, but I lost a brother, and I’m currently fighting to form a Legion with a girl I want. This name has seen me through the lowest of lows, but it has also brought me some of the best things that I now cherish over anything else.”

“A half-blood female?” Jesthren asks in shock, looking at me like I’ve gone crazy. “Meyer Smith is beautiful, to be sure. And I can even understand why Valen wants her as his mate. She holds Dream Walker blood, and it will be a driving instinct for him to claim her as his own. But you’re a Prince of Versipellis, Creed. You don't have to share a mate the way other Demons do.”

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