Page 27 of Hell Gate

“To keep humans from wandering into the underworld on their own, as they used to. It’s part of the treaty between fae and mortals in the aftermath of the war that divided the realms,” Alder says. “The gates are still used for hunting grounds as part of the old sacrificial quota.”

“And bridges between the mortal and underworld realms,” Matthias adds. “They’re our only access points. We can’t just blip back and forth wherever we want. There’s a barrier that separates our realms.”

“Yes. But they’ve become a secret, another myth,” Valerian interjects in an acidic tone, his hatred unmistakable. “To ward off humans too smart to meddle where they should keep away from predators. The number of souls consumed has dwindled because of this change. Don’t look so nauseated. This is how the world works. There’s nothing you can do about it, no saving the humans from what awaits them. It’s not as though your kind are endangered. They are the prey and we are the predators.”

I hate that he’s right. The world sucks—I know it better than most.

“Humans can’t be your only food source.” I hope they’re not.

“No, we eat and drink regular food.” Matthias laughs, tipping his head back against the headrest. “Most demon fae aren’t all like blood suckers and incubi that need to feed on specific things to survive, though we’re definitely the best looking of the bunch. Souls bolster our strength. We’re closer to our hellhound cousins with the ability to shift some of our appearances. Only difference is they can fully turn into beasts to hunt for damned souls marked for Hell.”

“Vampires are real?” I choke. “What’s next, aliens?”

My love of fantasy and isekai manga has only helped me process the existence of more than one world with magical beings so much. I rub my pounding temples. Alder reaches across and pinches the back of my neck, his fingers warmer than normal as he massages a pressure point that helps with my stimulation overload headache.

Between the three of them, Alder and Matthias can’t stop touching me, finding little excuses to brush against me or put their hands on me. I’m not used to the feeling at all, but it’s…

Well, I don’t hate it. No one will catch me admitting it out loud, though.

Maybe I’m already addicted to the odd tingling thrill that runs through me whenever they do it. I tuck away the thought, not willing to unpack how pathetic I am for buckling to the first sign of attention after going so long without it. This is temporary. It’s not like they’ll stick around when their place is in the underworld.

Needing another distraction, I ask, “Do you have horns? Is this just some skin suit you put on for my sake to blend in?”

Matthias snorts. “This is how we look. Most of us stick to a fully human appearance when we’re topside. Makes humans easier to hunt. Demon fae aren’t all red little monsters humans depict us as. Different bloodlines have different traits. Tails, horns, scales—there’s a she-demon I know with wings. The three of us just have claws, fangs, and these ears.” He rakes his blond hair back and his ear shifts, extending into a pointed one like an elf’s. He smirks, eyes dancing. “It means our dicks are huge.”

“Matthias,” Alder grouses impatiently. “It’s a mark of our strong bloodlines, you imp. Different appearances like horns come from crossing bloodlines with other underworld beings. The original demon fae were made in the old gods’ image.”

“That’s enough,” Valerian says. “We still don’t know what she is. Until we do, we can’t trust her.”

His callous words slice into me, leaving a hollow space in my chest. He's the only one who stops himself from creating a connection between us when he reaches for me. It shouldn’t upset me because I hate him right back, yet I can’t stop the flood of disappointment.

“I’m right here, dick.”

He ignores me. With a huff, I lean against the window and stare at the town we’re leaving in the dust. Leaving Brim Hills was my goal, though I never planned to do it with company.

My heart skips a beat when we pass the faded sign that saysnow leaving Brim Hills, come back soon.

They’ve pulled me into a world I never knew existed. Somehow in the span of a couple hours I’ve gone from reject orphan to kidnapping victim to a fugitive soul on the run with my enemies, bound together as allies until we find out what’s different about me, and why it matters to the demons beyond the gate.

CHAPTERTEN

LILY

We drive until shortly before dawn, stopping at another motel outside of Manhattan on the New Jersey side. I wake with my head pillowed on Alder. All he says in response to my raised eyebrow is that he didn’t want my neck to cramp from how I fell asleep. When I ask why we’re stopping here, Valerian says he wants somewhere to lay low and blend in with human scents. The denser population of the cities masks their distinct scents.

They let me sleep until early afternoon in the stuffy motel room. I’m surprised I managed to sleep at all, not used to letting my guard down around those I can’t trust. As I peel my eyes open groggily, I groan at the dull ache throbbing in my temples.

“I told you I should’ve helped her sleep.” Alder’s deep, rumbling voice comes from the corner of the room. “She needs rest.”

“She’ll be fine. It wouldn’t have worked anyway. She came out of it on her own when you knocked her out.” Valerian stands over me. “Up.”

I give him the finger. There’s something about his pompous attitude that pisses me off even more when he’s being demanding in his crisp British accent. “Are your manners crammed up your ass next to the barbed stick stuck there?”

He disregards my snarky remark, his chiseled features impassive. “It’s time to test what you are, if not human.” Leaning over the bed with a hand planted on either side of me in the sheets, he narrows his eyes, his smoky scent changing from sharp to something smooth and spiced. “Stop being a petulant brat. Get out of the fucking bed, or I’ll drag you out myself.”

I freeze, trying not to breathe in his scent and failing spectacularly. It’s alluring, making my mouth water. An ache builds between my legs. Oh god, his scent is turning me on. I have to hold on to my hate for him, not wish for him to close the distance and crash his full lips against mine.

His blue eyes flash brighter, then the color disappears, his eyes darkening with unmistakable, heady lust. He clenches his fists in the sheets as his gaze searches my face like he’s savoring the flush of my cheeks, my parted lips, the movement of my throat when I swallow thickly. His face lowers another inch, his mouth practically touching mine. My stomach dips and I rub my thighs together, barely aware of anything outside of his inescapable stare.

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