Inferno of Darkness (Divisa Huntress #2) - J.L. Weil Page 0,37

without raising warning bells. So we’re betting on your link to the prince and his crown as your ticket into the Court of Darkness.”

“Fabulous. So this plan of yours might backfire.”

She shrugged. “Isn’t the risk worth the price if it leads to what you want?”

“It changes nothing.” If I got caught, at least Ashor and I would be in the dungeons together. Our story really would be tragic.

A smile curled her painted lips. “I thought so.” She paused in the doorway on her way out. “By the way, you have visitors.”

My eyes panned to the clock beside the bed. It was midnight. Who would come knocking at this time of night? “Who is it?” I asked. I wasn’t going to get any sleep tonight anyway.

She nodded toward the hallway, sending her hair tumbling over her cheek. “Why don’t you go see for yourself?” Something in her expression was too cheery. It made me cautious.

Rolling out of bed with a groan, I tossed a T-shirt over my sports bra, catching a quick glimpse of the oath mark. I couldn’t believe tomorrow night I would be taking the long trek back to Hell. This fucking bargain with my mother better be worth it.

10

The apartment was bathed in darkness, not a single light turned on as I padded down the stairs to the main floor. Kira had stayed upstairs, muttering something about needing a shower. I hooked around the corner, hearing at least two voices coming from the family room. When Kira had mentioned visitors, my mind had been too occupied with thoughts of Ashor to really think about who would have the balls to show up at a demon’s house in the middle of the night.

But now…

I was curious. No one knew I was here beside my family. I didn’t have any friends in New Orleans. And as I was mulling over the short list of people, I heard a voice grumble, “What is taking her so long?” A voice I’d heard my entire life. It was followed by the impatient tapping of a foot.

It couldn’t be. Could it?

“Chase?” I whispered from the doorway that led into the family room.

Four heads swung in my direction, three with eyes that glowed in the dark. “Who the hell else are you expecting?” my cousin said dryly. Even in the dark, I could see his shithead smirk.

My lips twitched as I crossed my arms. “First of all, I wasn’t expecting anyone, let alone you. What are you doing here?” My cousin wasn’t alone. I glanced at the faces of my family: Travis, Angel, and Emma. What was going on? Suddenly, I was worried something happened. “Is it Dad?” I asked quickly, the smile that had started to form on my lips falling as I looked at my brother.

He wore a stony expression that relaxed a fraction at the concern for our dad. “The old man is fine,” he assured, calming the sudden spike in my heart rate.

My shoulders sank, tension leaving my body. “Okay, then what is this? An intervention?”

“She called me,” Travis stated flatly.

There was no need for him to explain who she was. I glanced sidelong up at the ceiling, cursing my mother. How could she do this to me? Why would she do this to me? She couldn’t possibly suddenly be a concerned mother. The thought made me gag. “When?” I prompted.

“Last night,” Travis replied. “She told me that you are leaving, about your plan to rescue him from—”

The tattoo at the base of my neck radiated tingles at the mention of Ashor. “Son of a bitch,” I muttered under my breath, cutting off Travis. I didn’t need to hear any more, but my brother went on.

“I almost didn’t pick up,” he continued. “But then I remembered you were here. I thought something happened to you at first, but then she explained.”

I stepped into the room, a stream of moonlight striking the side of my face. “Explained what?” Whatever Kira had told him was enough for my brother to grab my family and race to New Orleans. I just couldn’t figure out why. Why involve my family? She knew I wanted to keep them out of this mess. Like a demon, Kira never did anything without a reason. She and I were going to have another little mother-daughter chat.

“That you struck a deal with her and are going back to the underworld for him.”

“I have no choice,” I defended. “I think he might just start a demon war to keep me safe.”