A Devious Descent (The Deviants #1)

CHAPTER 23

Zarreth

“S o, you want a traveler’s mark,” Dante states without me saying anything. I know he can see the future, but it’s still unsettling knowing he can use his abilities on you without you even knowing.

I stand before him in the same building Frankie and I stood not too long ago. Only this time, we’re in an office instead of a ballroom with demons fucking on the couch and succubi swinging from the drapes. “That’s why I’m here.”

Dante’s perched on a couch in the corner of his office. He uncrosses his legs, leaning forward as he drums his fingers together. “Nice wings!” He attempts to deter me. When I don’t respond, he says, “I told you she was your mate. Look at you, sacrificing your newfound freedom for a human. In-laws are such a drag.”

I ignore his remark, standing in front of him with my arms crossed over my chest. “What do you want in return? I know how rare it is to receive one.”

Only a handful of demons have the ability to bestow a traveler’s mark on another. It drains a lot of power, so usually they’re only reserved for spies or in exchange for something valuable.

Dante leans back, recrossing his legs, and waiving his hand in the air. “Oh Zarreth, you have nothing I want. However, if you do manage to somehow destroy Aradon, it’ll be worth it for me.”

I didn’t expect this to go so easily. Am I ready to leave Frankie behind? I know she’ll be safe with Ronin, but still. “How do I know you won’t go after Frankie while I’m gone?”

“I guess you’ll have to trust me. If it makes you feel any better, your mate is of no use to me. I have no plans to take over the Human Realm like Aradon does. I just want him gone so I can continue living as I have, in peace, in the realm that has become my home. And you, my friend, are the key to that. You and this.” He pulls a little white container from his pocket and tosses it to me.

“What’s this?” I open it to find a thin yellow, dissolvable strip inside.

Dante locks his eyes on mine, his theatrical demeanor giving way to a more serious tone. “This is the key to saving the future. It’s called K4. Don’t lose this. It will come in handy when you least expect it.” He stands, walking over to his desk, keeping his back to me.

So, Jess’ little boyfriend was right about the K4. But how the hell will this save the future? “You expect me to take this, not knowing what it does?”

He turns, facing me. “It will give you the strength of ten demons, unleashing speed beyond anything you’ve ever witnessed. It is the key to stopping Aradon.”

Definitely too good to be true. “So why don’t you take it?”

With knitted brows, his eyes bore into mine. “I like you, Zarreth, so heed my warning. Use this as your last resort. Once you take it, you will lose all reasoning. There is only a fifty percent chance you will survive, and an even smaller chance you will regain your sanity.”

I know damn well I won’t touch the K4, but I put it in my pocket anyway.

“Is this where the hell-humans came from?” It’s the only explanation that makes any sense. I know it can’t be that easy to make those abominations. There has to be more to it.

His face brightens, a menacing smirk pulling at the corners of his lips. “Hell-humans? I like that term.” He giggles. “I admit, I got a little careless with my experiments, letting a few get away. I guess I should thank you and Ronin for taking care of those minor inconveniences for me.”

After all his years, he’s finally lost his mind. “Aren’t you worried about the Elders?” If they find out he’s experimenting on humans, there will be hell to pay. They’ll come for us all, even Frankie.

Dante’s nostrils flare, jaw tightening. “The Elders are too concerned with themselves to focus on us. Besides, a great war is on the horizon. Greater than any of us have ever borne witness to. While the Elders sit twiddling their thumbs with their heads up their asses, I will be busy creating armies of hell-humans to protect the Human Realm.”

My jaw drops. After discovering Frankie, I knew the prophecy could be true, but hearing Dante talk about the looming war blows my mind. It’s happening. It’s really fucking happening. The realms as we know them might actually be destroyed.

Okay, I can’t focus on that right now. I need to save Nate, so I change the subject back to Aradon. “What makes you so sure I’ll be the one to defeat Aradon?”

He shrugs his shoulders dramatically. “Oh, I’m not sure. The future is very blurry where that is concerned. More than likely, you won’t make it back alive, but either way you need to go. The future depends on it.”

I scoff. He has no idea the lengths I will go for my mate. I’ll save Nate, and I’ll kill Aradon in the process. Squaring my shoulders, I hold out my arm. “Let’s do this then.”

With a cat-like grin slowly forming, he reaches for me, wrapping his long, cold fingers around my forearm. The chill beneath his hands transforms into a burning heat as he begins chanting, searing my skin, filling the air with the smell of charred flesh. Gritting my teeth, I endure the pain until it finally fades as if it were never there.

Dante releases my arm, stepping back. I look down expecting to find red, blistered skin. Instead, a dragon with five heads, representing each of the realms, covers my forearm.

He nods to my new mark. “Beautiful, isn’t it?”

I don’t care what it looks like, as long as it works.

With a sigh, Dante says, “Oh, Zarreth. I look forward to seeing you upon your return.” Grabbing his cane, he adds. “ If you return. I do hope so. I could use someone like you as an ally.”

Dante disappears, leaving me in a cloud of smoke as I pull out my phone. I shoot a text to Ronin, the only demon I trust to keep Frankie safe while I’m gone.

Watch over her.