Page 61 of Beyond Fate

Raidh dropped to his hands and knees.

“Do me a favor,” Damon said without taking his eyes off the front of the restaurant. His gut told him that whoever was out there would try to get in. Since he was the only one in there, it was his job to keep Raidh safe. “Check the cupboards or whatever storage Mason has back there for cooking oil.” He reached down and grabbed Raidh shoulder before the fairy could slide into the kitchen. “Don’t go too far back there. I didn’t hear or smell anyone come through the back door, but I would rather err on the side of caution.”

Raidh nodded rapidly before Damon let go of him. Not even a minute later he returned with a gallon jug clutched against his chest. Raidh’s face was red, and he was grunting before he dropped the container on the counter. “I didn’t know oil could be so heavy.”

Damon didn’t comment. Now was not the time to tease his brother-in-law. He retracted his claws, grabbed the jug, then walked to the front door. Then Damon walked slowly backward, spilling splotches along his way.

Hopefully, whoever it was wouldn’t see the oil spots. Damon was counting on them slipping and falling. They wouldn’t stay down, but it would buy Damon enough time to get Raidh out of there if the enemy was more than he could handle.

When he was almost to the counter, the nails slid along the glass again. All Damon could see was a hand with thick, black claws. Damon began to pant heavily, feeling as if the happiness inside of him was draining out of him, leaving him with guilt and shame over what he’d put his mate and family through.

“Oh god,” Raidh whispered, tears in his voice. “I should have never involved Jaytee in my sordid mess. I never meant for any of it to happen.” He burst out crying. “If my father hadn’t paid Vicino to come after me, you wouldn’t have been put in that sleep. Look what I’ve done to you. I’m so sorry, Damon.”

This wasn’t right. Damon had accepted what he’d become. Was happier than he’d ever been. “Raidh, whoever is out there is drawing out our regrets and guilt. Can you counteract it?”

Because Damon felt the darkness inside of him trying to claw its way out. If it succeeded, he would attempt to drain the fairy of all his blood.

“I really need you to counteract this effect, buddy.” Damon felt his fangs straining to lengthen. He wanted to join Raidh behind the counter, to stay close to Jaytee’s mate, but he feared getting any closer to the fae.

Damon was left with no choice when the glass on the door shattered and in walked two men. They were Damon’s height and build, but one had short, black hair and the other was a blond, his long hair in a braid that hung over his shoulder.

“Look what we have here, Niall,” the blond said to his friend. “A cute little fae and…” He sniffed the air before his brow creased. “What exactly are you?”

Damon fought against the dark urge clawing inside of him. “I’ll be a gracious host and allow you to go first.” He tried not to breathe in Raidh’s sweet smell.

The blond bowed. “We are infernus incolae, but you can call us hellhounds.”

Damon’s blood ran cold. No wonder all his joy had drained away. That was one of the things hellhounds were known for, though this was his first encounter with the creatures.

Niall sniffed the air. “He almost smells like a Zantharian, but there’s something way off about his scent.” He frowned. “It’s your turn to tell us what you are, mutt.”

Nazaryth stepped through the broken door frame and stabbed the blond behind his ear. Damon’s brows shot up, and Raidh squeaked when the hellhound burst into dust. That was one hell of a way to die. But at the same time, Casimir followed behind the winged beast and stabbed his sword into the dark-haired man’s head with a snarl, ending the guy in the same way.

“Are you two okay?” Nazaryth asked as Casimir crossed the room, hurrying toward Damon.

But he slipped on the oil and fell right on his ass. He hit so hard Damon felt the floor vibrate.

“Watch out for the oil,” Damon said belatedly.

Nazaryth smirked down at Casimir as Damon’s mate sat up and glared at him. “Your timing sucks, nékah.”

“We’re okay.” Raidh nodded then started around the counter.

Too late Damon smelled the approaching enemy. They came from behind him, clearly gaining access through the kitchen.

Damon turned to find Elouan coming around the corner. Elouan drove his sword through Damon’s gut with a triumphant shout. Damon cried out, his insides feeling as if the fires of hell were burning inside of him. Elouan yanked his sword free as Casimir and Nazaryth attacked

Dropping to his knees, Damon clutched his stomach, hot tears coursing down his face as he thought of his and Casimir’s child. He thought of the conversation he’d had at this very counter with his dad, Kalen offering to build the pup’s crib by hand. How happy Casimir had looked as they’d stood in the bathroom mirror and his mate had touched the line of butterflies on Damon’s neck.

There was no way their unborn child could have survived the wound. Damon didn’t think he was going to either. The sword had been glowing when Elouan had skewered him, and already Damon felt himself weakening, unable to shift.

The entire building shook as a fissure raced along the floor while cracks climbed over the walls. Casimir, Nazaryth, and Elouan were unable to stay on their feet. Nazaryth spread his wings and hovered as the interior of the restaurant pulsed.

Aldrin appeared right next to Damon, hell’s wrath twisting his features.

“Help Damon!” Casimir flipped to his feet when the building grew still and raced toward him, dropping to his knees when his mate reached out to him. “It’s going to be okay, ceutyâ nétya,” his mate said through tears. He pressed a shaky hand over Damon’s stomach, blood instantly coating his hand.

Damon collapsed sideways, but Casimir caught him and lay him on the floor. He knew he wasn’t going to make it by the horrified look in Casimir’s cerulean-blue eyes.

---