Page 14 of Mayhem and Ember

“Release me.” I glared at my brother. “Let me go, and I will spare her life.”

“You and I both know that’s a lie.” Chaos crossed his arms. “But if you even attempt to harm my witch, the dark prison will feel like a vacation in paradise when I’m finished with you.”

I would like to see him try. “Why did you summon me?”

“We need your help,” Ash said.

I glanced at her, dragging my gaze down her form. I saw nothing special about the woman who had entranced my brother. Aside from the color of her hair, her features were unremarkable. “Did you not learn from our previous encounter with a witch who needed our help?”

“These women are not Isabel. They won’t betray us like she did.” He slid his arm behind her waist, pulling her to his side to drive his traitorous point home.

My hands curled into the tightest fists my talons would allow. “Release me.”

“We will when you learn how to behave,” the purple-haired witch said, and I focused on her for the first time.

Titling my head, I studied the woman. She wore tight black pants over her long, slender legs, and a matching shirt clung to her curves, reminding me of how long it had been since I’d felt a woman’s touch.

I tore my gaze away, lest I become entranced like my idiot brother. “How long was I imprisoned?”

“Nearly four centuries,” he said.

It had felt like an eternity. “And you?”

“The same. I’ve only been free for a few weeks, and we are running out of time.”

I scoffed. “Time is irrelevant to an immortal.”

“The veil is thinning,” Ash said. “In a few more weeks, there’ll be nothing left to separate this world from yours.”

“A problem not of my concern.” I slammed my shoulder against the circle, and the magic pushed back, vibrating through my muscles and making my skin crawl. “Who created this ring?”

“We all did,” the purple-haired witch said, “and if you don’t learn how to be a good little demon, you’ll never get out of it.”

“Ember…” Ash said, warning drawing out her words.

They all did. I pressed my palms against the invisible wall. Perhaps these women weren’t as powerful as I once suspected. Allowing the magic to seep into my skin, I sorted through the essence of each witch who cast it. Three lesser vibrations consorted with three more of immense power. I disregarded the lesser and focused on the latter.

When the magic registered in my psyche, I jerked away, fuming at what I’d discovered. “Traitor,” I growled and jabbed my talons into the circle, hoping to tear it apart. The energy pulsed but did not give.

“You aided five witches to entrap me?” I thrust my horns against the wall, punched, and kicked. Still it held strong. “You will pay for what you’ve done, brother. Lucifer will hear of this.”

Ember had the audacity to laugh. “So basically…” she chortled. “You’re threatening to run home and tell your demon daddy that your brother hurt your feelings.”

“Insolent witch!” I roared and pounded against the circle. How dare a mortal ridicule Mayhem. “I will kill you all.”

She shook her head, crossing her arms over her chest as she took two overconfident steps toward me. “We’ve already exorcized and vanquished you once. You think we won’t do it again?”

“Seriously, Em.” Ash grabbed her arm. “Can we not provoke just one demon?” She looked at me. “The sooner you calm down and listen, the sooner you’ll be free. We’re on the same side, believe it or not.”

“I will never be on a witch’s side.” I roared again, the sound building in my gut and belting out at a decibel loud enough to shatter their eardrums. The witches clutched the sides of their heads, their knees buckling beneath them as I continued my auditory assault.

“Mayhem, stop,” Chaos demanded.

I roared even louder.

7

EMBER

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