Page 59 of Claimed By her Alien Prince

I didn't give myself time to think and I didn't hesitate. I swore to myself that I would never hesitate again. The one time I did would have cost me my life if it hadn't been for Azubah.

Holding the sword with both hands and moving in a wide arch, I aimed for the guard's neck, he had no clue I was right behind him.

Seth's eyes widened in disbelief. "Lilith, no!" he screamed, just as my blade sank into the guard's neck.

Behlial's attention turned from Seth to me. For a fraction of a second, I saw cunning in his eyes and realized what was about to happen before it did. He used Seth's momentary distraction, parried a blow halfheartedly, and swung his sword around before running his blade across my arm.

The pain from the blow was unbearable. I wanted to scream out in agony, but couldn't, I had distracted Seth enough. He was already having a hard time refocusing on Behlial's attack, fighting his urge to check on me.

Instead, I laboriously moved to my knees while I leaned heavily on the sword and tried to control my hard breathing. The pain was just as intense as I remembered from last time.

But contrary to last time, I now knew the pain wouldn't kill me. As horrible as it was and as horrible as the images were that assaulted my mind, images of all the terrible things you expected to see in hell, I clenched my teeth and moved away from the fighting men.

I needed to get somewhere where Seth wouldn't be able to see me. And while I was moving, the images in my head became more and more transparent. The less I gave in to the pain, the more the images lost their power.

Suddenly I felt arms underneath my shoulder. Azubah and Sara came to help me get to where the others cowered.

All fight seemed to have drained from them as well and together, the seven of us huddled by the pillar.

After a few moments, Phoebe asked, "What can we do?"

"Will our blood help you?" Dina inquired, shivering with fear.

"I don't think so," I managed between tightly pressed lips as another moan broke free.

I searched for Seth until my eyes found him moving in and out behind a pillar. To my relief, I realized that Behlial's movements were slowing. I didn't think the King of Darkness had practiced much swordplay or fighting lately, too secure in his position as king and too sure he had his sons properly cowed.

"We can get some vampire blood," Dinah offered.

The thought of blood, other than Seth's, touching me, repulsed me. No, it had to be Seth. I shook my head stubbornly.

Just then Marduk appeared. His eyes moved up and down Azubah to make sure she was alright before he offered me his hand from which blood dripped. Stubbornly I shook my head. "Help Seth."

"He's fine by himself," Azazel, said, joining us.

"Aren't there any other guards?" I managed between clenched teeth.

"They're all locked up in their quarters," Grigori smirked, also joining us. "Take some blood, it'll ease the pain."

"Only Seth can do that," I replied stoically, before once again rising with the help of my sword. I looked at the brothers challengingly. "Are you with Seth?"

My words were hard, even to my ears, but the pain was getting worse with every second, and it took all my willpower not to curl up in a heap and cry, to allow those horrible images to torment me again.

"Yes, we're all on the same side." Marduk nodded.

"Then, go help him!" I almost screamed.

They looked at each other before shrugging and grabbing their swords tighter again.

"You heard the lady," Azazel challenged the others, before they moved out as one.

Seth and Behlial were still by the pillar where I last saw them. Behlial was definitely slowing down, and his eyes narrowed when he saw the other brothers closing in, swords raised.

With a curse, he stopped and threw his blade aside, yelling, "I yield."

Iwassoengrossedin the battle with Behlial that I didn't see my brothers' approach right away, and Behlial's cry of,I yield, surprised me. But when I looked up and saw Azazel, Grigori, and Marduk approaching, I understood. Grinning at them widely, I said, "Took you long enough."

"You still haven't beaten that old man yet?" Azazel remarked dryly.

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