Page 50 of Hell-Bound

His eyes moved to The Holy Transgression, which was lying on his desk amongst the piles of papers.

Ren’s throat became very dry.

“It’s just a weapon—”

“Don’tlietome.”

He stood up from his desk and leaned in, fangs bared, threatening.

“Fine.” She steadied herself. “It was given to me as a defense againstDevilswho might try to harm me. Nothing more.”

His red eyes locked on her face as if trying to read her. He reached for the dagger and clutched it in one hand. His eyes darkened, and his hand slowly changed into a monstroustalon. He squeezed, and with what looked like very little effort, the dagger shattered, pieces littering the floor.

“You willneverbring a holy relic of Nainaur into my presence again,” he growled.

She just stood, stupefied. He had just destroyed what she thought was a gift from agod.

“Well, now you’ve done it!” she barked, exasperated. “How am I going to protect myself!”

He moved in a flash, stopping right in front of her and looking down through long black eyelashes.

“Oh, my sweet Ren, haven’t you realized it yet? The King of The Hells would never let anything happen to you. You are too precious to me,” he stroked a menacing claw slowly down her cheek, a gentle caress.

“The King of The Hells? Why does he care aboutme?”

This time, Azur opened his mouth, shocked. He bellowed a laugh.

“Sweet innocent, Ren! Did you not know who I was? I am your king.”

Ren took a step back.

“You’rethe King of The Hells?”

She put the pieces together. Xarek terrified of her and mentioning the risk of summoning Pelegros.

“You not only belong to a Devil, but you belong to the lord ofallDevils,” he said, spreading his arms wide. “Themostegregious and sinful of them all. Congratulations.”

I am so fucked. What did you do, Renata?

“I usually demand my charges to bow to me, but I find disingenuous loyalty bothersome. I’d rather bask in your proud stubbornness—Your lust, your wrath. It does delight me so.”

He winked.

“I donotlust after you!” she fumbled.

Another laugh.

“Ren, you reveal too much of yourself. I never mentionedme.”He cocked his head to the side. “But it isn’t surprising.Most females can’t contain themselves. I am thegodof lust. Icreatedit.”

Suddenly breathless, she searched her mind for a way to change the subject.

“A…god?”

“Yes, your Mortal god hides away, only getting involved when they feel like it. I, on the other hand, prefer a more…intimate approach.”

“Well,Your Highness,” she barreled on in an attempt to not think about the consequences of talking back to a god,“as safe as I feel about you jumping to my rescue every time, you’ve told me you can’t enter Wyvryn’s domain, and you’ve broken my only means of protection. Not to mention that if I hadn’t had it, I would have been long dead before youhonoredus with your presence.”

His eyes flashed threateningly, but his smirk remained. He stood at his full height and adjusted his silk vest.

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