CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“We should return to the house. If the Malakhim found you once, they will do so again. My home is shielded, so sensing you will be difficult for them, although not impossible.” The Seer nodded and made her way back to the lodge. Hades watched her go. His sons would soon be here, and Greed wasn’t going to be in a talking mood.
Following slowly behind her, his mind wandered to the Malakhim. He hadn’t been informed by Apollo of the reason the Seer was taken. He figured it was so they could have her power, but something felt off. He made a mental note to ask the human about it, when she wasn’t so pissed at him.
A flash of brilliant light lit up the lodge, signaling the arrival of Apollo. The bestial roar indicated Greed was indeed with him and his brothers had clearly lost control of him. Hades took in a deep breath. This was hardly going to be a pleasant family reunion. He just hoped not too much damage would occur to his home. Persephone really didn’t like mess.
Isabelle saw the flash lighting up the house. The roar of rage had her breaking into a run. Bounding up the stairs, she yanked open the door. Greed was on the floor, five of his brothers literally pinning him down. Asmodeus hovered in his mist form, solidifying into a male who looked like Hades in build and face. She guessed this was Persephone’s desired form. Speaking of the small woman, she was standing, hands on her hips, staring down the men.
Greed struggled under the weight of his brothers, his voice hoarse as he spoke. “Where is she? If he’s harmed her, I will tear him apart!”
Apollo moved away from the dog pile of demons on top of Greed to stand beside Persephone. Clearly he knew when it was best to make a hasty retreat.
Hades entered the house behind Isabelle, staring at the scene before him. He must have caught the end of the threat, because Isabelle heard him sigh. Placing his hands on her shoulders, he moved her to the side and stepped into view.
“You can try and tear me apart, Mammon, but that would be a mean feat. Especially considering your female is alive and well, watching you act like a beast.” Greed’s feral eyes locked on Hades, the realization sinking in as his gaze found Isabelle.
The fight left him in a rush, his eyes echoing his inner disgust at his own actions. Turning his face away from her, it was clear he didn’t want her to see him like this. He remained silent as his brothers, one by one, slowly released him. He pushed himself to his feet and turned his back to the room, refusing to look at anyone, even Isabelle.
“Now, seeing as everyone is calm—well, calmer—let us please have a civilized conversation, without the mess and breaking of my furniture.” Persephone stared each demon right in the eye, and every one of them looked like scolded children. Isabelle had to admit this little woman had some power if she could render even Lucifer into embarrassment.
Hades went to his wife, kissing her temple. The whispered words he spoke only for her ears made a blush cover her cheeks. Isabelle couldn’t help but admire their love. Turning her gaze to the brothers, the five she had met and the two new additions lifted their gazes to her, waiting.
Isabelle’s eyes locked on Greed as she moved toward him. She felt like she hadn’t seen him for a month. He looked haggard, pained. The dark bruise on his cheek had clearly come from someone’s fist. He kept his gaze lowered as she approached him. Shaking her head, she reached out and touched his bruised cheek gently. His eyes lifted to hers, the pain within them a stark comparison to the rage she had seen only moments before. He was scared she had just witnessed the terrible madness within. Now he was terrified she would turn and walk away.
She wasn’t going anywhere, about time the stubborn ass learned that. His breathing was deep and steady, his hands in fists beside him, as if he were restraining himself from grabbing her. Isabelle realized she didn’t need her empathy to read him. She could see his desires in the shifting green of his gaze and the tight control he maintained over his body.
The room remained silent. She should have felt self-conscious with all eyes trained on her, but the only thing that mattered was removing the frown from between his eyes. Stroking her fingers over the purple mark on his cheek, she looked up, a small smile on her lips.
“You look like hell.” The demon blinked at her and dropped his gaze quickly, as if suddenly realizing he was a total mess. Torn shirt, unshaven, messy hair. Frowning, he ran his hand down his shirt, clearly agitated. God she hated seeing him like this. It was as if he were silently berating himself. Lifting her hands, she stilled his movements. His eyes jumped to hers. His gaze heated, his hands curling into fists. She knew he was torn between pinning her to the nearest wall, pulling her into his arms or having an emotional breakdown. She knew, because she felt the same way about him in this moment.
“Isabelle, I…” His words were stopped by her fingertips against his lips. He trembled under her touch. At this point he seemed to be surviving on sheer will alone. He lifted his hand and gently circled her wrist, placing her hand over his racing heart.
Isabelle smiled sweetly, running her fingers over some of the marks that marred his face. Later, she was going kick the ass of whichever of the brothers did this. Right now she craved him, and only one thing would ease the hunger.
“Mammon? Shut up and kiss me.” There was a second or two where she thought he would back away. The indecision in his eyes was terrible. Thankfully it lasted for only a second.
She saw the moment the demon’s fragile control snapped. His hand roughly grabbed the back of her neck, pulling her hard against his body. Her lips parted on a gasp and then his mouth was on hers, his tongue seeking entry, demanding she submit. Every nerve came alive. How she had lived so long without his kisses, she would never know. The kiss was all heat and desperation—this was no sweet lovers’ embrace. This was a clear message. MINE.
The world around them receded. Only the taste of spice on her tongue mattered. Her arms moved around his neck, and she molded her body to his, pressing as close as she could while remaining clothed. The demon growled into the kiss, his hands roaming her body. She didn’t need empathy to know he wanted her now. She knew he needed to touch her, taste her, and assure himself no harm had come to her, just as she needed to do with him.
His stubble tickled her chin as he devoured her mouth, his tongue seeking and retreating, teasing over her own. Her whole body felt like an electric current was running through her veins. Her fingers dug into his hair, refusing to let the kiss end. She could feel him hard against her belly, and the mental picture of length sliding into her mouth had her body flushing with heat. The sound of someone clearing their throat broke through the haze, and awareness rushed back. They were kissing like teenagers in a room filled with people.
She pulled away quickly, her face hot. She was no doubt bright red, and she sheepishly glanced over her shoulder at their audience. Persephone fanned herself and let out a whistle.
“You two could set the house on fire.” She turned to her husband, pinning him with a stare. “Now that, dear husband, is how you greet the woman you love.” Hades grumbled under his breath as his wife left the room with a little jump to her step.
Isabelle covered her cheeks with her hands and buried her face against Mammon’s chest. If the earth could just open and swallow her, that would be perfect right about now. A deep laugh rumbled through Greed, and she felt his arms tighten around her body. Damn infuriating male was enjoying this. Asshole.
“I do believe I now understand why she wasn’t affected by me. Damn, I don’t think I could even remotely compete with that kind of heat. You two are one hot pair!” Apollo’s knowing smile was going to be slapped off his oh-too-handsome face in a minute. He winked and wiggled his eyebrows. Okay, make that thirty seconds.
Isabelle groaned, banging her head against the solid chest of her demon. Great, now everyone knew she couldn’t keep her hormones in check when Mammon was around. Just perfect.
She felt Mammon’s lips beside her ear, his voice pitched low so only she could hear. “I find I quite like the fact you get wet for me from just a kiss.” She considered making him pay for that, just not in this room with everyone watching.
“If you two are quite finished, could we perhaps talk about what happened to you, Seer? I, for one, would like to know what Michael thinks he is playing at.” Isabelle blushed furiously. Hades had been more than patient in waiting for them to stop making-out in his living room.
“Michael? As in Archangel?” Abaddon's voice broke the silence. Only then did Isabelle realize his face was a patchwork of purple and black bruises. Pulling back so she could see Greed’s face, she whacked him on the chest.
“Did you do that to him?” Greed winced at the smack, looking guiltily at the damage he caused his brother.
“Damn it, Mammon. It wasn’t his fault.” She whacked him again, harder this time. The demon released her and held his hands up in defense. He at least had the good sense to look sheepish about what he had done.
“It’s okay, Isabelle. It was sorta my fault. I should have sensed the angel sooner. I shouldn’t have left you alone.” Regret was thick in his voice. He dropped to his knees before her. “I swear it won’t happen again.”
Greed crossed his arms over his chest, drawing a withering gaze from Isabelle. She faced Abbadon. Reaching out, she flicked his forehead, right between the eyes. He stared at her in shock.
“There, that was your punishment. Now get up. I don’t want anyone kneeling before me like this. No one could have guessed an angel would just appear in my room and kidnap me. He would have killed you and Natalie. I would have never been able to live with myself…” Isabelle paused. Her mouth opened, shock registering on her face.
“Oh my god! What happened to Natalie? Is she okay?”
Abbadon stood. “She is fine, I promise. I wiped her memory of us being in the room. I did, however, leave a memory that you’re visiting family for a few weeks, so she doesn’t worry. Though she will have a tough time explaining the hole where the window once was.”
“Why was the window…no, I’m not going to ask. I guess Uriel caused it after he knocked me out. Thank you, Abbadon, for looking after my friend.” Isabelle could feel Mammon at her back, his hands gripping her arms gently. She sensed he needed to touch her, and she was fine with it. His caress brought her a level of stability when everything around her was changing.
“I guess I should tell everyone what Uriel told me.” Isabelle moved to the large couch, curling her legs under her. Mammon moved with her, virtually attached to her side. She reached for him, feeling his warm hand encompassing her own. She redirected her gaze to him. Using his strength to shore up her own, Isabelle told them everything the Malakhim had told her.
“Seriously? They’re going to wipe out humanity? What fucked up backassward thinking is that?” The demon who had finally introduced himself as Tanus, Sin of Wrath, spoke. His face seemed to be an eternal thundercloud of angst, although he appeared to be more accepting of her presence than he had been the first time she saw him.
“That’s what he said. Something about letting the race destroy itself. He wasn’t exactly clear on the details. Then he left me there, until Apollo found me, that is. Thank you for that, by the way. I’m pretty sure whatever these Malakhim had in mind for me wasn’t going to be good for my health.” The hand holding hers tightened. Turning her gaze to Mammon, she could see the green flames dancing in his eyes.
Hades remained silent through the whole thing, listening to every detail. “So the Malakhim have finally had enough of humanity and plan to eradicate it? That’s not going to work for me. Like all gods, we need the prayer of humans to remain in this world. We’re not the only species that require mortals to exist. Far from it.”
“We need more information to fully understand their plans. Killing humanity would be no small feat. Humanity has an innate ability to survive anything thrown at it.” Lucifer’s concerned voice came from the corner of the room, his gaze moving between his father and brothers.
“Let me see what I can find out. Maybe reach out to Gabriel. He is at least a reasonable man. I have never known him to follow blindly like this before. As soon as I have something, I will be back.” Apollo moved from his position by the couch and vanished from the room.
“Seven…” Everyone turned their heads to Hades. Elbows on his knees, fingers crossed, he rested his chin upon them. His seemed to be mulling over something. Finally, he sucked in a breath and sat back in his chair, pinning each of his sons and the Seer with his silver gaze.
“Seven is a power number. In all ancient texts and in current world numerology, seven is a master number. There are seven demons of sin, seven virtues of man, and seven angels of heaven. I would have to look into the old texts to see if my theory holds weight, but it seems just too convenient.” The people in the room looked from one another and back to the god.
“I had a dream…the first night I met Mammon. I didn’t think much of it until now. I had kinda been through a lot that night. The woman from my dream, she called herself Ilianna…” Isabelle slid to the edge of the couch.
Hades shot to his feet, eyes locked to the Seer, “Ilianna? You’re sure that was her name?” Isabelle nodded and Hades swore loudly.
Isabelle tightened her hand on Mammon’s, “Who is she?” The demons around her seemed equally confused by Hades’ outburst.
“The Oracle. The first woman born with the seven gifts of the Seer bloodline. She is the progenitor of your race, Isabelle. If she came to you, it was for good reason. Tell me what occurred in this dream.”
“She told me that the power of the Seers’ would return to the earth. The balance had to be maintained because judgment is coming to the mortal plain. That seven would fight against it.”
Hades looked away from her and began to pace before the huge fireplace. “Why couldn’t she just say go here. Turn left. Fight this guy and you will all live happily ever after?” Ze rubbed his face before standing. “Pops, I assume you have some kind of liquor here?”
“Cabinet, far wall. Best bring the bottle.” Turning his back to the room, he leaned against the fireplace, hanging his head. “So the Malakhim looked to unbalance the scales of sin? Letting the human race decimate itself, I would assume. It’s actually a good plan. Humans are masters at killing one another. They have spent the last thousand years coming up with new and inventive ways to meet death.” The silence in the room was proof enough everyone agreed with his accurate, yet macabre, statement.
The long silence was broken by the clink of glasses as Ze lined them up on the table. Pulling the cork from the bottle, he poured a measure of rich amber liquid into each glass. The brothers moved around the table, each wearing a somber look as they grabbed a glass. Isabelle figured they all needed a drink. It wasn’t every day you learned the world was in the firing line of some pissed off angels. Ze moved to his father’s side, offering a glass to him.
Isabelle studied the others. They almost looked like a real family. If real families were filled with insanely buff men who could melt polar ice caps with just a glance. She wasn’t the only one who noticed the stony silence. Persephone was looking around, chewing on her bottom lip. No doubt the goddess was coming up with some kind of plan to break the ice. Given what she knew about Hades, which, granted, wasn’t much, she could see why the Sins were so wary around him.
“Everyone looks so disheartened. This is the first time all of you have been in the same room and not been at each other’s throats. You can’t dwell on what is to come. You can only deal with what is before you. So to that end, we’re going to have a nice family dinner. Understand?” Persephone challenged all the males in the room. The brothers stared blankly at the woman who was, technically, their mother as if she had spoken a separate language. She seemed to falter when none of the males said a word.
Isabelle stood. For God’s sake, they were all socially inept. Fine, she was going to make sure tonight, at least, went off without a hitch.
“I think it’s a great idea. Persephone, would you like some help?” The little goddess smiled, relief evident on her face. She headed for the kitchen, And Isabelle turned to the men, hands on her hips, pinning each one with a glare.
“Dinner for ten is going to be a task, so make yourselves useful. Ze, Mammon, you’re going to help me and Persephone in the kitchen. The rest of you can drag that large table in here so we have plenty of room.” The demons looked from one another to their father.
“You heard the girl, best do as she says.” Isabelle grinned and nodded turning on her heel and followed Persephone into the kitchen. The last words she heard drifting from the room brought a blush to her cheeks.
“She is a bit amazing, that woman of yours Greed.” Had that been Tanus? Naaa, couldn’t have been…could it?