Chapter 2 #2
Hell had many levels, which I’d traversed frequently.
Being the son of Satan did have some privileges.
The fact that I was thousands of years old meant there weren’t many things that shocked me, but being tossed into a realm filled with so much goodness was seriously fucking with my mind.
Not that I was all bad. I had walked a fine line, leaning more on the side of good, only doing bad if you considered the ones I punished were the truly vile and evil—the lowest of the low.
Worry for Raina’s well-being ate at me. She was too pale, and I didn’t know if she could get the nourishment she needed in the realm we were in.
My own blood was mixed with that of both my mother and father.
The good and the worst. Not knowing how it would affect her, I didn’t want to risk her safety.
Once we got to my home, I’d have one of my employees handle procuring a donor for her feedings—female, of course.
“Your mind blocks are very good, Demon.” The feminine voice came from next to me.
“Years of practice. You don’t want just anyone wandering around in your head.” The fact I’d been lost in my own musings and didn’t realize she was so close was a testament to my lack of control.
Jenna nodded. “How old do you think I am?”
For the first time, I looked at the being who’d changed into a purple maxi dress as she sat across from Raina and me in a large pink chair like a queen, without an ounce of fear.
At over six feet four, I intimidated almost everyone I met, especially with the amount of muscle I carried.
I knew I was a very impressive sight. Jenna, on the other hand, didn’t look a day older than mid-twenties, and maybe a hundred and twenty pounds.
At the outburst of giggles from the sprite, I narrowed my eyes. “You reading my mind again, Fey?”
“Truly, I look that young? That’s totally awesome, but I am a few thou older than that, I’m afraid. Like, probably much older than you, I assure you.” She wiped at her eyes.
“I don’t want to play the ‘I’m older than you’ game, but I’m up in the four-number mark myself.”
Jenna stopped and looked at me. “You’re almost four hundred years old?”
I shook my head. “No. I’m over a thousand.” I screwed my face up in a grimace. “Heck, I think I might be a couple, but honestly, I stopped counting. It upsets my mother.”
She held her hand up. “Your name is Creed, which means faith. Who are your mother and father?”
Knowledge was power in our worlds. My black eyes flashed red and then back to black.
“My father is the keeper of Hell, or the Devil himself. He has many names. Satan, Lucifer, Beelzebub, Dickhead. I could go on, but it could take a while. My mother is an angel whom he seduced. She had me, and shortly after I was born, gave me to him to raise.” I gave a negligent shrug.
“I guess because I didn’t quite look like a cherub and wouldn’t have been allowed to stay with her. They have shared custody, if you will.”
There was more to it, but I wasn’t willing to go into the details of my twisted family with her. I let my eyes flash red, knowing my skin would follow. The fact that we’d landed in this being’s realm must have a reason, and we were visitors. I would not be killing the woman on her home turf. Yet.
“Your father sounds like a lovely...oh, for fucksake, your father is an asshole. You know it, we all know it. However, he has his place. It’s just not here.” Jenna waved her hand around. “Or anywhere that has a temperature below hot as Hell. Pun intended.”
An undefinable expression flashed across her face. One that set off alarms in my mind. I hadn’t stayed alive as long as I had in Hell without listening to those warnings. I stood with Raina in my arms.
“Creed, you need to calm down,” Raina spoke for the first time.
I glanced down, seeing my red skin against her paler one. “I’m sorry, Eros.”
She smiled up at me even though I worried my other form would repulse her. No look of disgust or scent of fear came from her. She rolled her eyes. “Silly man.”
“You reading my mind?” I didn’t feel her presence inside me.
“No, but your face is very expressive.” Her hand traced my brow, soothing the beast within, then her eyes shut again.
“Come, I have had dinner prepared for you both.” Jenna glided forward, leaving us with nothing to do but follow. The comfortable room disappeared. A large estate resembling a modern-day castle appeared.
“You have a thing for kingdoms or what?” The sweet invitation grated on my nerves, making me want to lash out. I only wanted to take my Chosen home where I could ensure her safety, but instead, I was in some fairy land with a being I didn’t completely trust.
“Be at ease, Demon. If I wanted to kill either of you, I would have already. Your mate needs blood, and I have no wish to see either of you harmed. I am still not sure how you came to my lands, but in the waiting area, you were approved for entrance. Otherwise, you both would have been sent back to where you came from.”
I reeled from her words. “Meaning we’d both have gone back to Hell? How secure is this place, and exactly where are we?” My tone brooked no argument.
Jenna reached out and touched my arm. “Meaning you’d have gone back to your home, and she’d have gone to hers. I do no harm, unless provoked. Do not provoke me, Creed, Son of Satan.”
In that moment, I came to understand the facade the woman showed wasn’t truly who she was.
The laughing, joking woman hid a core of steel.
We definitely had some things to work out, and it wasn’t going to be easy.
I wasn’t used to taking orders, except from Satan, and that was only when I had to.
Although Jenna may be older, and this was her home, I wasn’t a boy, and I had a mate to protect.
I needed to make sure the home was secure. My own fortress was safe from my father and all his beings, but this place wasn’t mine. The feel of wards blanketing the perimeter grew stronger as we approached the structure.
Without a doubt, there were several things I knew for a fact.
One of them was that my father was going to want to kill me.
The other...I would kill for my mate. Not that I blamed the old man—hell, my father wanted to kill me on a daily basis, as did most who met me.
If they had the power to do so, they’d try, but most lacked the skill or balls.
However, this time Satan had a real reason.
I had never truly done anything to warrant his wrath before.
Not like I’d done this day, taking his consort.
“Your wards will keep out most, but will they keep out my father and his demons?” The hairs on the back of my neck rose, a clear indication we were being watched. “You should tell your people to stand down. I don’t want to hurt anyone.”
Tilting her head to the side, Jenna seemed to be mulling over my words, then nodded. “Follow me.”
I kept my laugh contained. “Absolutely. This is your home after all.”
Jenna raised her middle finger, but didn’t look back, making me laugh. Maybe we’d get along after all.
Raina stirred. Her gorgeous dark eyes blinked open. “Where are we?”
I looked around the grand entryway and had to admit it was pretty opulent, from the huge entrance with its white marble floor to the double staircases on either side.
I could imagine Christmas with garland and lights draped around the banisters, and a huge tree right in the middle.
Why the hell was I getting all sentimental?
I had no clue, but I immediately put the brakes on that train of thought.
My home was just as magnificent, though a bit darker.
Halloween in human terms looked more appropriate in my home.