Page 17 of Ravished By the Reaper

“Because it leads somewhere when a portalisopen. The fact it’s below ground suggests a connection to the underground realms. Maybe the minotaur king’s labyrinth or one of the dwarves’ jewel mines. No, I’ve not been to either, but I’ve heard stories.”

To my surprise, she doesn’t question me on those realms. Instead, she simply snuggles into my shadows. “Hmm. Nothing about this house adds up. Mismatched wings, doors to nowhere, a window that opens to a wall.”

“Does it match what your ghosts tell you?” I ask.

“None of them remembers even a rumor about when it was built or for what family. The exterior appearance has changed versions from a ceremonial temple to Rancho Adobe to whatever bastardization of Victorian this is.” She gestures at the narrow hallway we’re in with its high ceilings and hidden nooks. “Apparently, it has burned multiple times, but the house simply comes back. They say it’s cursed.”

I consider the several species other than human who could’ve crafted such a place to protect the ley lines, but only one stands out given the portal access and fire resistance. “More likely it’s demon built.”

“Like the one who led us both here.”

“Exactly.” We reach the end of the hall where a steep drop off leads to a cavern carved into the cliffside. At the bottom of what looks to be rickety stairs, a grotto of bottomless water sparkles. I hold tight to Hayden.

“Sit, Maximus,” she says. “It’s not safe.”

To my surprise, the dog drops onto his butt, shaking anxiously as he awaits her praise.

“He can’t be hurt,” I remind her. “You should be more worried about your safety.”

“Why?” She glances up at me without a trace of fear in her eyes. “You wouldn’t let me fall.”

Her trust in me? It means everything.

Peering over the side, she asks, “What would a demon want with a pool of water in their house?”

“Access to the ocean is my best guess.”

She frowns. “For something like a smuggling operation?”

“To make it easier for sea monsters to come inside.” I don’t fight her when she takes a large step back from the edge of the drop off.

“Wouldn’t they have a problem with the stairs?”

“Not necessarily. Some can walk on land. Others could find a way. You’ve seen what I can do with shadow tentacles.” To my immense satisfaction, she licks her lips as if she remembers exactly how I’ve pleasured her with them.

She clears her throat. “Any other hypotheses for the cavern’s uses?”

“In the Valley of the Gods, there are demigods who can cross worlds by riding sea horses that don’t need a portal. I can think of several reasons the demons would have wanted this cavern. I can think of even more why you shouldn’t go down there.”

Rather than argue immediately, she hesitates. “What am I supposed to tell the demon who brought us here when he expects me to give him a history of the house?”

“Ask him who in his family built the damn thing. Or who he pissed off enough to have revenants sent here.” I hate Theodopolis for dragging her into this and using her career against her. He used our being fated mates and the matching contract as a trap to make sure I wouldn’t let her leave, no matter the danger.

“You gonna beat him up for me if he doesn’t like those answers?” Her voice turns coy, teasing.

“Worse, we can send your friend Glenda to haunt him.”

She laughs. “You’ll never forgive her for popping up in the van that day, will you?”

“For interrupting us when you were about to come on my shadows? No. It’s why she’s banned from inside the van. Why all of them are banned from it. The last thing I need is to rend Bertie the Idiot Bard’s soul into pieces because I caught the creeper watching you in the little shower you have in there.”

She traces her hand through my shadows. “I would let you watch me in the shower.”

I scoop her up and move through the house toward the van like a monster possessed. “Excellent idea.”

CHAPTER NINE

Hayden

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