Page 54 of Legacy of Chaos

He secured it to the craft, pausing every time something growled or screeched nearby.

“This is so creepy.” A chill skittered over her skin as she looked around the platform and the tendrils of fog that slithered across the deck.

“It’s nothing compared to what will happen if the breach breaks wide open and brings Sheoul to our realm,” he said. “Ever been there?”

“Sheoul? Never. I was raised in the human realm, and I prefer to stay in it. Most demons are horrible.” She eyed him. “Why? Have you?”

“Yep.” He stepped back from the craft and admired his handiwork. “Been a long time, though.”

“Does StryTech do business with demons in Sheoul?”

“We do,” he said. “But I make them come to me, or I send representatives in my place.”

The sound of footsteps drew their attention, and they turned just as Taran cleared the last step on the ladder down.

“We’re good to go,” he said grimly. “All that’s left to do is pray to the deity of your choice. You’re going to need every advantage you can get.”

Chapter 12

The Thrones might have had a hard time getting Azagoth to respond to them, but Gabriel didn’t. He and the being known as the Grim Reaper had known each other for thousands of years, and while they definitely weren’t friends, Gabriel respected the cold bastard.

Gabriel used the portal designed specifically to access Azagoth’s realm and breathed a sigh of relief when it worked. A new addition to Azagoth’s island home, he had to turn it on for every guest, and if one tried to use it when it wasn’t activated, the result was…painful at best, and fatal at worst.

Gabriel strode along the beach path to the mansion at the end, where Azagoth stood, clothed exactly as one would expect the Grim Reaper to be dressed: black leather pants and a hooded, black cloak with a flaming scythe in one hand. He’d pushed the hood back, revealing his face, and as Gabriel approached, he ditched the scythe. Apparently, he couldn’t wear anything else, and if he tried, the Reaper clothes appeared instead. Punishment, apparently, for destroying Sheoul-gra.

“Jim Bob,” Azagoth said, using the code name Gabriel had used back before he’d revealed himself to Azagoth. “To what do I owe this unexpected visit?”

“Pour us a drink, and I’ll tell you.”

Azagoth inclined his dark head in a nod and pivoted on his booted feet. “This way.”

Gabriel followed Azagoth to the stone steps at the front of the house. “Nice place,” he said, taking in the two courtyard fountains and colorful birds flitting from tree branches to broad-leafed plants and tropical flowers. “You got lucky. Pretty much every angel wanted your head on a pike. Instead, you got this.”

“The beauty only lasts a few hours,” Azagoth said. “After that, this realm is a nightmare.” They mounted the steps, Azagoth’s cloak billowing around his feet. “But it’s more than I could have ever hoped for. Especially because it was my daughter who paid the highest price.”

“That…was bullshit,” Gabriel said.

Azagoth’s dark laugh rang out, and the birds exploded from the bushes. “Isn’t that what you guys are all about? Punishing people by hurting those they love?”

Gabriel couldn’t deny that, but it really all depended on who was in charge of Heaven. It also depended on who was being punished. Sometimes, the only way to hurt someone—like a demon or fallen angel—was through their families.

“It’s not a punishment I would have chosen,” he said. “Raika should have been allowed to choose her fate, not have it handed to her in the form of a curse.” He paused. “I hear she’s doing a great job, though.”

“She shouldn’t have to spend her life capturing dangerous demons thatIset free.” He ushered Gabriel into the building. “But she takes her duties seriously. I’m thankful she doesn’t despise me for her fate.”

“Why would she? You saved her mother.”

“And I don’t regret what I did. But I regret that Raika paid for my choices.” Gabriel took in the palatial setting as Azagoth poured a couple of whiskeys from the pub-sized bar. Beyond that, the entire back of the house was open to the outdoors, where two females in bikinis were lying in the sun near the pool. One was Azagoth’s mate, Lilliana.

The other, a slender female with tan skin and hair as black as Azagoth’s, stretched her arms high and yawned, arching her slender back and thrusting her plump breasts toward the sun. Holy shit, she was hot. And he was envious of the sunbeams that got to caress her—

Wait…was she…?

“If you stare at my daughter for another second,” Azagoth growled, “I’ll remove your eyeballs and serve them in your drink like olives in a martini.”

Gabriel laughed, even though he had no doubt Azagoth was serious. He was pretty certain he could take the guy in a battle, but he wasn’t sure enough to risk testing that theory. Azagoth was a ruthless son of a bitch, and crossing him wasn’t wise, whether you were a demon or an angel.

He took the glass from the other male and turned away from the temptress by the pool. “What do you know about the Gehennaportal?”

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