Hell Gate

by Veronica Eden

It’s always the reason I ended up returned, like an unwanted Christmas present. A reject, that’s me.

“A girl. It’s been a while since the gate’s been disturbed by a woman. Hi, pretty thing. I’m going to enjoy every minute with you.” He winks and my head jerks. Horny Fuckboy taps his buddy on one of his massive arms.

His touch should make my skin crawl, yet it doesn’t, stirring a strangely pleasant burst of warmth in my chest—a warmth that doesn’t make me frightened of losing control.

“Get on with it? Love to. I’m as eager to have a taste as you are to be eaten, lost girl.”

I stamp out the weird flutter in my stomach. No, body. We don’t get the warm fuzzies for someone when we’re in danger, dummy.

feel the swipe of his hot tongue trailing a path up my throat. Is—is his tongue split?

I hold my breath, pressing my thighs together against the flood of liquid heat.

“In fact, just wait until Halloween in a few weeks. As soon as I turn eighteen, I’m leaving Brim Hills in the dust.” A dark, amused huff leaves him. “You think I’ll let you escape? Go ahead. Run. Wherever you go, we’ll find you.”

“Watching from afar? Stalker. Why are you following me, too?” The side of his mouth tugs higher as he checks me out without bothering to hide the sensual drag of his gaze. “Why wouldn’t I? You’re a knockout.”

Always left behind. Always unwanted.

“Did you also follow me? Have you been watching me?” He crosses his arms, making his rugged muscles appear bigger. “I tracked you by your scent, little stray.”

Each tiny movement I make, Alder tracks with the hunger of a predator, a hunter. If I run…he’ll chase me until he catches me. Maybe push me face down into the dirt, wrap his huge hands around my hips and⁠—

“I’m over this game. If you guys don’t stop stalking me, I’m out of here.” “I’ll always know how to find you. I’ll enjoy it every time I have to hunt you down until we fulfill our duty and take what’s ours.”

“I warned you, Lily Sloane,” Valerian growls in my ear. “Time to pay the price. For all the trouble you’ve caused us, your soul is going to taste so fucking sweet. No more mercy, no matter what you are. You’re done.”

“There’s no escape. Be a good girl and die for me.”

Twisting free of his grasp, I spit. Saliva splatters his face, hitting him across his mouth and chin. He stills. Trapping me in his penetrating gaze, he licks his lips, tasting my saliva. I gulp at how wrongly attractive it is when he does it.

“Oh god,” I choke hoarsely. “No gods here, darling,” Valerian says. “Only demons.”

The world around me can burn to ash if I can have more of this.

Matthias’ touch is like a drug and with Valerian watching intently, I’m close to shaking apart, the tightly-wound coil of need about to snap and tip me over the edge into oblivion.

“There’s something about you. Something we can’t stay away from.”

The demon council is. They expect a soul.” “But you won’t kill me,” I say slowly. “Can’t,” Alder cuts in with a glare. He scrubs his brown hair. “And we want to know why. We’ve never failed.”

“Perhaps once we understand what’s different about you, then we’ll find a way to feast on you,” he croons.

“No!” Alder bellows. “Don’t touch her!”

There’s barely any room for his huge frame, but he wedges between us, acting as my shield. My heart clenches painfully. No one has ever cared about my safety. Never, not even as a small girl.

It’s not lost on me that the last time we were all here together I was running from them in terror, believing they were playing a cruel prank on me. Now the three of them position themselves around me while we navigate the headstones as if they want to keep me safe.

“Nah. We’ve captured you. We’re not letting you go yet, lost girl.”

“You’re ours.”

“I dunno, I’m really digging this on you. It has easier access than that hot little pair of shorts you had on.” Alder smacks the back of his head as he passes us with long strides. “We took your bag when we stole you.

“Do you prefer pretty girl instead?” He chuckles at my blush.

He lowers his hands and the sparks ignite into flames. I start to yank my hands away but he stops me. “Wait. I won’t hurt you. It’s a bit strange, but I feel like I could never consider hurting you again. The thought of you hurt is…” He pushes out a stilted laugh, unlike his usual relaxed nature. “Painful.”

“I think you’d ignite the hottest inferno. I want to burn up in your fire.”

“If you continue to cower in fear every time you use your power, it will only fail you. That power is yours, Lily. Take it. Use it. Bend it to your will.”

“No! I’ll—” I trip over my threat to kill him if we leave the others behind, the word sticking in my throat. A sharp pain stabs into my chest, pricking my racing heart. I claw at my shirt, panting. “Don’t fucking leave yet.”

They’re my brothers, but protecting you is more important.”

He caresses my hair and cups my cheek. “Sleep on me whenever you need.”

“Anything you want, I’ll give you, Lily.”

“For once, just do as I say without arguing about every little thing.” “You’re infuriating,” I shoot back hoarsely. “Likewise, little flower.” He nips my neck, the prick of his fangs teasing my skin.

Maybe that would end this obsessive need to keep you near, to keep you for myself.”

“But I’ll take you on as long of a ride as you want, babe. We won’t stop until you’re screaming.”

My heart stutters, then beats harder at the way he says our home. Like I could belong there without question.

“You came along and somehow you’re the glue that makes us work together.”

“You’d look way better in my shirt.”

“Here, beautiful.” He has a small wildflower he twirls between his fingers. “I found this on the other side for you. A flower for my petal.” Cheeks flushing, I accept it. “Thank you. What’s this for?” “Because I love your smile and I’ll do anything to earn it,” he murmurs.

“Then it’s my job to make up for all the smiles you’ve missed out on. I promise to make you smile every day.”

“You’re the perfect height now.” Matthias dips his head and captures my lips. My stomach bottoms out and my fingers twist in his shirt.

I’m not used to anyone looking at me like this, like I’m the only thing they need in the world. “Wow. You’re even more stunning after you’ve been kissed, petal.” His eyes roam every inch of my face greedily. “I’ve wanted to do that for weeks.” “You have?” I breathe. “Since the first moment we met.

“Your scent is so intoxicating, Lils. It’s euphoric. Even just holding you like this makes me want you. All of you.”

“When I saw Vale all over you at the rest stop, all I could think was mine.”

“I don’t care what Vale or Alder want, Lily. I’m fighting for what I want—fighting for you. I’m done holding back when everything is screaming at me to make you mine.” His. I like the sound of that, my heart beating faster.

“That’s a bond you feel. They only happen when you’re near the connection it wants to make. It means I’m your fated. That I’m yours and you’re mine. In the underworld, a fated bond with your demon mate is considered a sacred gift.”