Wincing as I sit up from the fucking I’ve taken at the hands of Max, I study the bedroom. Black marble makes up the floors and walls. A huge empty fireplace dominates another. Two doors exist the spacious room. A window is to my right.

I spy a walk-in wardrobe to my left.

Clothes. That’s what I need.

Using a corner of the sheet, I wipe the sticky results of our sex clean from between my thighs. For now, that will have to do until I can find a bathroom.

Rolling gingerly off the bed, I hurry to open the wardrobe. I have no idea how long he’s going to be gone. If I hurry I can get the fuck out of here.

Rows and rows of suits greet me. Snatching a crisp white shirt off its hanger, I slip it over my shoulders and button it up the front. It’s oversized but keeps me covered.

Nothing personal sticks out. The place is cynically clean. Lacks any signs or uniqueness of its owner. Am I in another hotel?

Wiggling my toes, I note the marble which should be cold feels comfortably warm. Heated from beneath?

Padding to the window, I stop in my tracks. A harsh landscape stretches. Vivid orange cracks glow brightly, marking the lava flowing. Thick rivers of hot magma light the blackness, making the craggy, sharp rocks that make up most of the scenery discernible.

Where on earth? Then it hits me. I’m not on earth. Oh fuck.

Possibilities race through my head but I can come to only one conclusion.

Max stalks gloriously naked back into the room. A trail of shadows billows out behind him like a sinister cape. As he continues to move, they swarm over him, sheathing his form in a long black flowing robe. The coarse material pools on the marble floor, hiding his bare feet.

He’s Max, but he’s different. There’s a broodiness to him now. All the layers of sophistication and refinement he once had have been stripped away. A rougher, more primal version of himself.

“Is this Hell?” I ask, turning to meet his watchful gaze.

“One of the dimensions that falls under its rule, yes.” He confirms with a tilt of his head.

“Am I dead?”

He doesn’t answer.

I must be. My last recollection was being in the hospital broken and damaged. Now I’m healed.

It makes sense I would come here if I died. He’s the keeper of my soul after all.

Panic tightens my chest. I’ve always known I would die young, but now it’s happened I know I wasn’t ready.

I’ve just got my brother back. I need to make sure Snatch and the rest of my team are ok.

Resting my forehead on the cool glass, I watch the glow of the lava beyond.

I feel...defeated.

“I can see the darkness in you. It paints your soul a marvellous black. We’re more alike than you realise.” Max murmurs behind me.

Shifting my attention, I watch his reflection. “I’m nothing like you.”

“Yes, you are. That’s why I can satisfy your every hunger.”

What is this? Now I’m here he still wants me to be his whore and kill other demons for him on the side?

“No thanks. I think I've had as much as I can take of demon dick.”

A mix of annoyance and irritation play across his handsome face. “I will chew you up and spit you out if I have to, Mavi. Believe me, I always get what I want.”

I don’t doubt that. He’s arrogant enough. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to give him everything he wants.

“If I’m going to work for you we need some ground rules. I don’t mix work and pleasure. No more fucking.”

“If I want to shove my cock down your throat or into any other hole you have of my choosing you will take my hot seed, whether you want to or not.” He snarls, temper slipping.

Turning, I lean back against the expansive window. “I’m sure you’re used to getting your own way, but that isn’t going to happen with me.” I need to get smarter. Harder. Have to survive this and find a way to free my soul. “I don’t like you or your games. If I do this, you free my soul with no tricks.”

“You don’t have to like me, you just have to get the job done.” He spins something on a leather cord.

Gaze latching onto Gabriel’s amulet, I watch him twirl it from a finger.

Lunging forwards, I go to take it. “That’s mine.”

Hand snapping back, he hides it within the folds of his robes. “Something as powerful as this needs to stay out of your reach. I don’t need an Archangel breathing down my neck.”

My eyes search the room. Grinding my teeth, I storm across towards the bed. I’m done with his manipulations. His fucked-up mind games.

Rounding the other side of the mattress, I stoop to collect my objective.

“Are you going to sulk now, Mavi?” He taunts with a sneer.

“No.” Swivelling, I throw the dagger with practised accuracy.

Meeting flesh, it makes a satisfying sound as it embeds deep through the layers of his robes.

He’s lucky I wasn’t closer. I would take pleasure cutting out his evil heart and watching his blood spread over the elegant marble floor.

With a grunt, Max pulls the dagger lodged between his ribs free. “I’ll remember next time not to leave sharp objects around when you’re pissed off.”

“If you keep riling me I’ll do the Devil a favour and kill you first.”

One dark eyebrow raising, he smirks.

The sound of someone clearing their throat draws my attention. Standing in the open doorway, a hunched green skinned male is bowing low. Short, tawny brown horns poke from the nest of brown curls on his head. Peeking up, his red gaze sweeps over me with interest.

“Master, they’ve breached the outer walls.” He informs Max in a high squeaky voice.

Expression darkening, his jaw firms in a scowl. “Call in the reinforcements.” He orders, eyes flashing in displeasure.

“As you wish.” The green skin replies before scuttling away.

Crossing the room in purposeful strides, Max comes to a halt before me, the dagger I’d thrown at him still clutched in his grip.

“Go and take a shower. The bathroom is through that other door. I need to deal with the siege.”

Confusion threads through me. “What siege?”

He trails his fingers along my jaw. So close now that it makes my body stir with awareness that his cum still coats my inner thighs.

“One of the other Generals has decided he wants to take me out before I do the same to him.”

Arms crossing defensively over my chest, I look towards the window and the chaotic landscape beyond, but see no signs of a battle. “You all double cross the Devil then try to annihilate each other?”

Forefinger curling beneath my chin, he brings my face back to his. “There can only be one ruler over Hell.”

“I want my clothes.” I mutter, staring into his bewitching gaze.

“I prefer you naked.” Leaning down, he plants a gentle kiss on my parted lips before stalking from the room.

Max’s actions baffle me. He goes from aggressive and dominant, to something softer in the blink of an eye. I don’t understand him. And I’m not sure I want to. He’s my enemy.

Releasing a deep sigh, I go in search of the bathroom.

I need to formulate a plan. How the fuck am I going to assassinate three powerful demons to free my soul? There’s no guarantee when I do that I’ll go to heaven. Working for Gabriel was supposed to give me a free pass. Now I'm not so sure that’s the case. What if I’m wrong? It would mean completing the mission and finding my arse still trapped here with the rest of the damned souls.

Padding into the bathroom I’m pleased to find a walk-in shower roomy enough not to feel cramped.

A jacuzzi and a deep sunken bath are also a welcome sight. Floor tiles in blue, they’re just as warm to the touch as the bedroom. It makes me wonder if it’s the lava that’s heating them from beneath? Has Max somehow harnessed it?

Fluffy white towels are neatly arranged in a shelved alcove behind the door.

Wandering further in, I discover the assortment of feminine bathing products left stacked in an open cabinet.

I can’t help wondering why Max has them here? Does he have other females he’s holding captive? Maybe a few demonic mistresses he has at his beck and call. The last thought irritates me. Why then use me if he already has whores to keep him amused?

Selecting a shampoo and conditioner, I move to the shower.

The need to clean him off my skin only grows.

Catching the corner of my eye, I jolt to a stop at my reflection.

My eyes are a darker blue. Deep as the arctic ocean. Red hair now ebony, it hangs loosely around my shoulders as black as a raven’s wing. Pale skin glowing with an ethereal quality, I look otherworldly.

A fragile looking ghost.

I’m not me. I don’t recognize who I am any more. Max has done this to me.

Anger building, I clench my jaw. He has a lot to pay for. I should have cut off body parts instead of just sticking the dagger in his chest.

Emotions brewing in a storm, I flick on the taps and stand beneath the down pour of water. It’s hot. Scorching, but I take the punishment as it blisters my flesh.

Working the shampoo into a lather, I forcefully massage it into my hair until my scalp begins to ache. Rinsing it clean under the cascading jets, I reach for the soap. Gliding over every inch, it washes away every hint of Max’s duplicity.

A noise disturbs me.

I’m not alone. Hair rising on the back of my neck, my focus shifts to a presence beyond the shower door.

Reaching out, I turn off the taps, ending the flow of water above.

Eyes narrowed, I bang the shower door open.

Fritz.

Shoulder resting against the wall, the lanky soul catcher gives me a sharp grin. His gaze runs over the length of my wet naked body with a gleaming male interest.

Finding a towel, I quickly cover myself from view. “What are you doing here?”

“We made a deal, remember?” His voice deep as thunder rumbles out.

With everything that’s happened it had slipped my mind. He’d helped me out, sending Nathan and Snatch to the hospital in exchanged for my help. Fuck it. My list of shit to do is just growing by the minute.

“You want me to fix a problem you have. I remember.” I reply dully, stepping from the cubicle. “What is it? Someone picking on you?” With a spare towel, I begin to rub my hair dry.

Hopefully something quick so I can get him off my back.

“I want you to kill Maxius.”

I stop mid motion blinking at him slowly. “I’m sorry, I think I misheard you.”

Fritz’s expression is deadly serious. “I want you to end him for me.”

Well this was unexpected.

“Why?”

“That’s my business and don’t pretend you’re not itching to do it after all he’s done to you.”

Humming in my throat in agreement, I rub the towel over my wet hair more vigorously. “I need to figure out if my soul is still stuck here before I can do that.”

A laugh springs from his cracked lips. “You’re not dead. Is that what he told you? You’re still very much alive.”

I frown. Max hadn’t answered my question when I’d asked earlier. Not dead means there’s a chance to get back to earth. Back to my brother and my team.

Hope wells up inside me.

“Take him out now while he’s distracted. It has to be now. I can’t wait any longer.” With a sweep of his hand, my gun, blessed ammo, and belt, complete with clips, appears on the floor at my feet. “This is a onetime deal. Once it’s done, I’ll take you home.”

“He’s in the middle of a battle outside.” I point out. “How the fuck am I supposed to find him?”

“Use your imagination.” Fritz rumbles back. With that, he vanishes, dissolving into air.

It’s there, all laid out for me. A way to be free. Biting my lip, I kneel to ghost my fingertips over my pistol. I’ve missed her. Yearned to feel the weight of her in my hand. It’s my happy place.

Checking the clips, I find them all loaded.

Max won’t be expecting this. A blessed knife might not have succeeded, but a dozen blessed bullets to the brain should stop him from breathing.

Determination settles over me bringing with it a calm.

Drying myself off, I gather my things and bring them into the bedroom. Leaving the weapon and ammo on the mattress, I hunt through the wardrobe again.

Nothing of mine is inside. Growling in frustration, I yank down another one of his shirts. This is ridiculous. It might be warm enough not to need clothes, but I like wearing mine.

Riffling through a drawer, I steal a pair of Max’s boxers. They’re a little big, but they cover what’s needed. Shrugging into his shirt, I button it up, trying to ignore the smell of his masculine scent wrapping itself around me.

Strapping my belt in place, I click it closed.

Without my shoulder holster I have to carry my gun in my hand. Not that I mind.