Zagan had always known his meeting would evolve into a free-for-all. His legions had no idea of the Head Office’s major plan and he didn’t want to tell them because it would just make things worse if they got it into their stupid heads he’d been manipulated. He claimed Anael because he wanted to, not because of any Head Office plans. The angel was sweet and caring and Zagan never realized he’d missed that in his life until he had it. But apparently for his legions, mating an angel who couldn’t give him kids, or fight by his side was a wasted move that weakened his position. Fighting was the only way to prove those idiots wrong.
Of course, it would have been a lot easier if those who challenged his position came at him one at a time. But that’s not how demons worked. After fighting a few men off with a couple of swords, he realized that process was far too slow and could lead to him being overwhelmed. With over a hundred demons all hell bent on taking him down, calling on his bull form became crucial. Larger than any demon left standing with six foot long horns; his bull breathed fire from his nostrils and his bellow was loud enough to shatter ear drums.
Zagan pawed the floor as he eyed the thickest group of dissenters. The marble tiles were slippery under his hooves and he made a mental note to swap them for something non-slip; after he got out of this with his hide in one piece. Lowering his head, he bellowed out a warning and charged.
Bodies flew over his head and one guy got stuck on his horn. Shaking his head angrily, Zagan shook him off and spun around to drive through them again. A few hardy demons thought climbing on his back was a clever idea. Fortunately, his hide was tougher than armor plate and an angry smack from his tail soon dislodged them. Another roar, another charge and the demons scattered again.
“Jump him!” Ferris, one of his winged demon captains was hovering above the melee; his twin brother by his side. Both demons had the face and wings of a hawk in their shifted form, but their bodies remained human allowing to fight with swords if necessary. “Stop him charging.”
Cowards. Zagan pawed the ground again, daring anyone to get close. The fire heaving from his nostrils with every exhale kept many of the demons away, but he was being cornered. With a yell, Ferris swooped down swinging at Zagan’s back before darting out of reach. His brother, Ergon wasn’t so lucky, getting caught in one of Zagan’s horns. But the distraction caused other demons to get their own jabs in and Zagan tossed his horns, stamped his feet and lashed out with his tail determined to take as many demons out as he could.
A shout of alarm came from the other side of the hall. Had Lucifer come? Zagan didn’t think that was likely. Lucifer rarely got involved in legion business unless the legions were threatening trouble topside. Then he just annihilated them with a smile and a wave. Something else must be happening, but Zagan didn’t have time to see for himself. He was too busy trampling and crushing demons who dared to think his sweet angel was a detriment to their ranking in the Underworld.
Breaking through a crush of demons, he ground to a halt, his hooves sliding on the marble. There were demons pressing back towards him, but they weren’t facing him. They were running from something or someone else. He caught sight of Botis’s viper head, with some hapless demon stuck in his teeth and grinned. His friend loved to make an entrance. But it wasn’t Botis causing the terror on his demons’ faces. Zagan’s eyes widened as he spotted an unearthly bright glow.
Not Anael, please not Anael. Pushing his way through the retreating demon crowds he stopped as soon as he got a clear view of what was causing over a hundred demons to cower in their boots. Stunned was an understatement. Raziel was there. That was a given seeing as Botis had come to his aid. But he wasn’t the one striking terror in the demons. Zagan couldn’t take his eyes off the powerful sight of his pint-sized mate wielding a sword almost as long as he was tall. Hovering a foot above the air, his glorious white wings pulsing softly, Anael’s face had none of the softness and sweetness Zagan knew. He looked exactly like the pictures of old – an avenging angel carrying the only weapon in existence which could shatter a demon’s soul.
“LOVE IS NOT A WEAKNESS!” Anael roared swinging the sword in a graceful arc. “My bond with my mate empowers us both and is blessed on every realm. Anyone who does not get down on their knees and thank their king for their right to breathe will be run through. NOW!”
With Botis hissing beside Anael and Raziel hovering, resplendent with his own wings and looking on with pride, one by one over one hundred demons fell to their knees and kissed the ground.
“King Zagan, I presume,” Anael grinned at Zagan’s terrifying form. “Any chance I can ride on your back?”
Zagan wanted to laugh at his mate’s audacity, but instead he lowered his head in acceptance. Giving quick hugs to Raziel and Botis who then disappeared, Anael flew over the heads of the prostrate demons, landing lightly on his shoulders. “Once around the compound?” Anael laughed. “Might as well send a message to everyone down here at the same time. Saves going through this hassle again.”
Snorting his agreement, Zagan carefully clopped his way through the mess and debris. He stopped by Ferris’s side and kicked him. “Is he one of your captains?” Anael asked peering over this shoulder. “He should probably be in charge of clean up then, don’t you think? I’m sure this room is lovely when it’s not covered in blood and body parts.”
Zagan gave a look at Ferris that clearly said, You have your orders, and Ferris stumbled to his feet. “It will be done, Prince Anael. I beg forgiveness for my lack of understanding. I gladly offer my ass to my king as punishment.”
“I’m sure that’s more pleasure than punishment,” Anael’s frown returned. “How about you and your men get down on your knees and clean these tiles with a toothbrush instead. We don’t want to see a speck of blood in the grouting do we, mate? You know how finicky I am about a clean house.”
Flicking his horns and accidentally on purpose knocking Ferris to the ground again, Zagan trotted off, careful not to dislodge his precious cargo. He had no doubt his mate’s orders would be followed. If he had the right facial muscles he would have grinned.