Page 17 of Claimed By Shadows

“Hunter?” Lucifer’s deep voice breaks me from my anger on my Peach’s behalf.

“Apologies,” I rumble out, placing my bet before we continue the game.

What feels like scant moments later, I’m throwing my cards down, having lost that round, probably because I’m so damn distracted with Iris on the line.

“Sergi?” Lucifer asks, his body languid in his chair, his tone light as if this were no more important than any other game. Fuck him.

With a small grin, Sergi lays out his cards. Fuck.

“Looks like I’m keeping my pet after all,” he states, reaching out to grab the lead, but Lucifer’s hand darts out, halting Sergi’s before he can grasp it.

“Not so soon, Petrov.” My eyes widen when he lays down his cards. Sergi curses in Russian, but all I can focus on is Iris and the way her face turns ashen. She swallows hard as Lucifer takes the lead and stands. “We’re done for the night, wouldn’t you say so, Hunter?”

I snap my attention to him, my brain taking a moment to compute what he’s saying.

“Yes,” I agree, getting up and watching as Lucifer walks towards Iris. My jaw clenches when he leans down and whispers something in her ear that has her eyes darting to mine, her lips parted. What the fuck did he just say?

“Enjoy the rest of your evening, Petrov.” He gives Sergi a nod, who just sits there, his fists clenched and his nostrils flared. I glance up at Nikolai, who looks ready to declare war on the Fallen, his stare fixed on the lead that is now in Lucifer’s hand. “Walk with me, Hunter,” Lucifer commands, and although itgrates, I come around the table and stand on his other side, the twins at my back. I catch Nikolai’s burning stare and shake my head, telling him to leave it for now. His jaw works back and forth, but he gives me a slight nod, then turns to face the table where a couple of new people have sat down to play.

With Iris at his side, Lucifer leads us out of the room, through a door that’s off to the side of the one we entered. My skin prickles as we enter a quiet room, dimly lit, and find the other two Fallen including the twin’s cousin waiting for us.

“Some of our Enlightened brethren may disagree, but the Fallen do not condone slavery of any kind,” Lucifer states, walking behind Iris and pushing her hair to one side. “I’m sorry we couldn’t get you out sooner, Iris.”

Her wide eyes find mine, the sounds of the buckle being undone loud in the silence of the room. Then I watch as the collar falls off her neck, clinking sharply as it hits the floor.

“No favour required for this one,” Azazel informs us, the Irish lilt of his voice washing over me as my chest heaves. Is this really happening? Are they just going to give Iris back to us?

“You’re free, Iris,” Lucifer tells her, stepping away and tucking his hands into his suit trousers. “I suggest you all use the back stairs, through that door.”

Iris hesitates for a fraction of a second, then with a sob, she launches herself at me, and it takes all the strength I possess not to fall to my knees as relief leaves me lightheaded when my arms close around her shuddering body.

“T–thank you, Lucifer,” I rasp, looking away from the woman in my arms to find his dark eyes watching. The masks are eerie as fuck, there’s something about not being able to see their faces that leaves me on edge. “The Shadows are yours to command when you have need.”

He gives me a nod, then turns on his heel and strides back to the door towards the main room. The light and sounds ofthe game beyond wash over us as all three men leave without another word.

“C–can we go home, Hunt?” Iris’s broken voice cracks my soul in two, and I look down, my own eyes burning when I see her tear-streaked face.

“Yes, Peaches. Let’s take you home.”

CHAPTER TEN

“BRUISES” BY LEWIS CAPALDI

IRIS

It feels like a dream, like it’s not quite real as we make our way down some back stairs and out into the night. I’m surrounded by Hunt’s mint and rosemary scent, his tux jacket covering me, his arms wrapped tightly around me and lending me his warmth.

There’s a car waiting at the end of the alleyway we emerge from, the same driver with the scarred face behind the wheel. It should feel comforting in the familiarity, but it’s just a reminder that nothing has changed apart from me.

“I’m in the back with Iris,” Hunt declares, pulling the door open and ushering me inside. Before I can scoot over fully, the other door opens and Roman steps into the car, settling on the other seat so that I’m sandwiched between them both. It’s almost too much after yearning for them for so long, but the ache between my thighs reminds me I’m not the same girl I was when I saw them last.

“Fuck, Princess,” Roman rasps, his shaking hand coming up to cup my face as we start to drive off, Rowan in the front passenger seat. “Fuck.”

He places his forehead against mine, his voice thick and his hand trembling as he just holds me against him, breathing me in. I do the same, taking in deep inhales of his scent, wishing it could erase the past few weeks. My stomach is in knots knowing that nothing can change what has happened. Hunt has a tight grip on my hand, his thumb caressing back and forth over my skin, and the touch is so gentle, so reverent, that tears spill down my cheeks.

“I missed you all…so much,” I whisper, my free hand coming up and resting against Roman’s chest. His heart pounds so hard I can feel it, and it’s almost in time with my own, our bodies trying to be in sync again.

“We will never let him have you again, Princess. I fucking swear it,” Roman vows, pressing his quivering lips against mine, and I freeze.

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