Page 27 of Ashes to Ashes

“She escaped that night. One of hundreds if you mean the beautiful one.”

“Aye, that one.” Leviathan threw the demon to the ground and didn’t bother to stop the creature from scurrying off. “Could it be that Ashe was the one who came to me?” Scoffing, he pulled the necklace from his pocket, tugging it close and inhaling, seeking out the human’s scent.

The gentle scent of the human did not fill his nose, but neither did the intoxicating honey of the demon.

Something was not right here. He’d fallen prey to sinful encounters with two women when he’d gone centuries doing little more than taking what he needed from them and casting them aside when he was done.

He looked to the only thing he had from the demoness—a silver chain with a diamond pendant dangling from its delicate center. Leviathan took in every detail of its craftsmanship. The shimmering silver metal glistened under the moonlight above, each link meticulously crafted and engraved with symbols of power that sent shivers down his spine. But it was what hung from the chain that held his attention—a small pendant, no bigger than a human palm, encrusted with glittering jewels that seemed to shine brighter than the stars in the night sky. From within its center, an ethereal light pulsed as if alive. As he brought it closer to his face, he could feel the heat emanating from it, like a beacon calling to him.

His breath hitched as he realized what he was holding.

A way to find your demoness.

A demoness’ necklace would only clasp around the owner’s neck—they were collars to their lords more than jewelry. And he’d ripped the mystery woman’s straight off.

The subtle scent he knew belonged to Ashe wafted up at him as he moved closer to the desk. It seemed she must have spent many hours in this room—likely being beaten.

Hard to imagine how quickly my head was turned by that human, at least the demoness makes sense.

Still, a pang of desire surged through him thinking about the human, and then a rush of concern, knowing she was out in his realm all alone.

She was merely the start of this. I must find the demoness and learn her name so she cannot run again.

Leviathan closed his eyes and imagined the ornate throne in his palace. In a blink, he disappeared from the study, reappearing on his throne with only a puff of smoke behind him.

The chamber was grand, filled with gargoyles that came to life at his appearance and bowed their heads in reverence. The walls were adorned with the skulls of his fallen enemies, each one a testament to his power. As he ran them over the carved edges.

Leviathan sat, ignoring the alternating emotions of fury at Belial’s murder going unannounced and determination to find this woman as they traded off inside his head. His throne was made of obsidian, cold and smooth under his fingers as agitation rode him.

Taking in a deep breath, Leviathan steadied himself before calling out for his servant, Ignis.

The scent of burnt amber and sulfur filled the air as Ignis appeared before him. Ignis bowed low, the movement fluid and graceful despite the smoke that trailed from him. “My Lord?”

Leviathan held up the necklace, feeling its weight in his hand. “We begin a hunt in my realm— and outside of it if need be!” He commanded, his voice booming through the room despite the cacophony of demonic conversations and sounds already occurring there. “Send word that I am in possession of a demon collar. When the owner presents herself and the collar closes, she will be my bride and rule over the realm by my side.”

Ignis’s eyes widened, a spark of curiosity igniting in them. “As you wish,” he replied with a nod before disappearing in a burst of flame and leaving only ash behind.

Leviathan knew this hunt would ignite a flurry of envy. Even those in other realms would seek to come and lay claim to the necklace he very purposefully did not show to Ignis.

When she came forward, not only would it lock, but she would describe it before the necklace even came to be near her neck. That beautiful demoness was going to be his mate— he would not tolerate liars any more than he tolerated her fleeing after he brought her to release, twice.

His thoughts drifted back to the hours before. He knew that only his mate would incite such a response from him, but as his eyes closed, it was Ashe’s ice blue stare that greeted him. An image of her fiery red hair cascading down her shoulders, her full lips curved into a smirk—she was unlike any other female human he had encountered before.

And then there were those eyes. . . ice blue and unyielding, yet also filled with an unknown power that drew him in. He could feel her presence still lingering within him and knew that she had never belonged with Belial.

Nor with you. She’s human.

Leviathan could shield his thoughts from her, but they seemed to travel back even now when he sought to claim another. Once he had his silver female, he knew the human would never again plague his thoughts.

For the first time in his long existence, Leviathan didn’t like the feel the eyes of his subjects on him. Even without looking, he knew they were not envying him, but judging him for the rash demand.

Let them judge, his fingers dug into the bone arm of the throne.I showed no sign of instability, their judgment will shift to envy in good time.

CHAPTER 15

The flickering fire in the stone hearth was the only illumination in the small cabin despite the darkness outside. Still, Ashe could not find peace in the dark. She hadn’t been able to since Belial dragged her down into it.

Her thoughts were different now, the dark bringing about a new discomfort.

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