Page 62 of Claiming the Dhampir

“That’s nearly twenty-four hours.” Kenrid frowned. “Do you really think it’ll take that long?”

I wanted to reach out and hold on to my guys or even take them with us, but Damon said they couldn’t come. They wouldn’t survive the Underworld’s magic for more than an hour.

“Damon won’t let anything happen to you.” Nathan stepped forward until he was right in front of me. His scent tickled my senses, but I was too nervous to be tempted by his blood. “Lucifer seemed sincere about protecting you. We all know how much Damon reveres his mate. He’s said numerous times that all demons feel the same way. I trust that you’ll be back.” As he cupped the side of my face, I leaned into his touch. “I have some groveling to do for pushing you away for so long.”

I didn’t think he needed to grovel, but I wouldn’t stop him, either. It was nice to be pampered. His hand slipped away, but his deep blue eyes didn’t leave my face.

“We won’t stay there any longer than is necessary,” Damon said. “In order for me to be Lucifer’s eyes in this realm, I have to be here. For all his other faults, Lucifer treasures mated pairs. He won’t separate Lorna from me.”

“I still don’t like it,” Elliott grumbled before nudging Nathan to the side and pulling me into a fierce hug.

I hugged him back and rested my cheek against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. Elliott’s magic wrapped around us, giving me that sense of protection and acceptance I loved from him.

As soon as he stepped away, Kenrid took his place. I held him tight while the scent of his cool summer rain wrapped me up and took away some of my anxiety.

When Kenrid released me, Damon pulled me tight against his chest.

“I’ve got you, little d’laej,” he said.

“I know you do.”

Damon’s magic flared to life, consuming us within the dark foggy cloud I’d seen a handful of times but never dreamed I’d experience it. The heaviness of his magic felt the same as always, until Damon’s living room disappeared. Total blackness surrounded me, and an oppressive heat washed over me, threatening to scorch my skin. I tried to blink away the burning sensation in my eyes, but it didn’t work.

I slid my arms around Damon’s waist and pressed my face against the hard scales on his chest. A few seconds later, it felt like I’d gone from a hot oven to a tropical rain forest in the middle of summer. The thick, wet air carried a strange floral scent. It probably wasn’t as hot as it felt, but the humidity was awful.

Damon loosened his hold but didn’t let go of my hand. His entire body was tense. When I looked up at his face, all the anxiety I’d managed to tuck away came surging back. The demon I’d seen at Alyssa’s home glared at something or someone behind me. His thick, furrowed brow shadowed the fire dancing in his eyes. His normally full lips were pressed into a thin line.

I slowly turned around and gasped. Damon and I stood on a small hill next to a wide, cobblestone path lined with tiny glowing flowers. The path ended at a set of enormous wooden gates with a metal cross embedded in the center. The gates had to be at least twenty feet tall. A stone wall extended from each side, continuing on for as far as I could see.

Thick, gnarled trees with purple and orange leaves circled the wall with a fifty feet —or more—expanse of sea green grass between the wall and the forest. Behind the wall, a castle blocked out the setting sun. This place made Nathan’s fortress look like a little cottage in the woods. Six towers rose from the main building that must have stretched across several acres.

Numerous other buildings lined the street wandering away from the castle and disappearing behind the wall in front of us — all of it built from the same black stone that glistened in the sunlight.

The sun hung low in the lavender colored sky. I wondered if it was always clear or just today. I also wondered if the sky was always that shade of purple or was it from the sunset?

“I guess it’s not all fire and brimstone,” I mumbled.

“Not this part,” Damon said. “This is Lucifer’s home. The environment changes with his mood.”

I glanced up at him, only to find him sneering at Lucifer’s home. “Will you tell me about your past?” I asked. “I don’t really want to go in there knowing nothing about you.”

Damon tore his gaze from the castle and looked down at me. The fire still smoldered in his eyes, but he looked a little less angry.

“Are you feeling okay?” he asked, rather than answering my question. “Your face is pale.”

I realized he was asking about the Underworld’s effect on me. “This ridiculous humidity is making me sweat like crazy, and I’m nervous about walking in there”—I pointed at the walled castle—“but I’m okay. Are there warning signs that this necklace isn’t working?”

“It’s not overly hot or humid,” he said. “I wonder if the amulet is creating a small bubble of magic around you. Are you having trouble breathing?”

I took several deep breaths, but it didn’t seem like I was running out of oxygen. The thought of walking around in my own atmosphere was not encouraging. I was almost tempted to take the amulet off just to see if my demon DNA was enough to protect me from the realm’s magic.

“No, I’m fine.”

“Let me know if anything feels off,” Damon said. “And yes, there are things you need to know before we go.”

He led me off the top of the small hill and stopped in the shadow at its base. I guessed there was some strategy in it, but there were more important questions. I should’ve known Damon would explain anyway.

“We’re not as easy to see if we’re in the shadows at the base of the hill,” he said. “Our silhouettes are obvious up there.” He pointed over his shoulder where we’d just been, then glanced back at the castle. “There are twelve orders of demons in the Underworld, the First being the most powerful and the Twelfth being the least powerful. My family was one of several in the Second Order.”

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