Demon of Darkness (The Hellbound Hellion #2) - Tansey Morgan Page 0,8

here.”

“I may be more of an expert than you are, but you’re the Prince, and you’re fresh. You have more power than I do right now. I pulled you out of that nice dream you were having, but you’re going to have to do the heavy lifting from here. I’ll help with whatever I can, but I don’t know what state I’m in.”

I paused to think, pacing but not moving. “Using my powers did something…”

“Yeah, you pissed it off. I tried that once, but this place almost came crashing down around me.”

“So, let’s keep pissing it off.”

“Didn’t you hear me? I almost brought this place down.”

“Maybe that’s how we wake up?”

“Or maybe that’s how we die.”

I stared at her, my fingers flexing. “I am Dagon, firstborn Lightbringer, Prince of the Golden Seraphim. I’m not about to allow myself, or you, to be slowly digested by this monster.”

Isla had been about to speak up, to maybe object, but she kept her mouth shut. I turned my eyes up at the ceiling, shrugged my shoulders, and bid my wings to stretch. Shutting my eyes, I summoned my Light, bringing light into the darkness… and sure enough, the cavern started to fall on top of us.

CHAPTER FOUR

Jericho found us a quiet motel just off the freeway. It wasn’t much, it wasn’t glamorous, and it probably wasn’t all that clean, but it was cheap. Considering Arael and Zephon didn’t carry money, and I didn’t have any to my name, we were relying on Jericho fronting the bills that came our way, and he was gracious enough to prop us up.

It was probably a little overkill having me next to him while he spoke to the desk clerk. I mean, how much of a discount could you possibly expect to get at a roadside motel? Exactly none. But I was, with a little flirting, able to secure us a key to the vending machine so we could have as many sodas and snacks as we liked.

“That was like a masterclass in manipulation,” Jericho said as I deposited packets of chips and drinks in his waiting arms. “Should I be worried you’re doing that to me?”

“Who says I’m not?” I asked, grinning at him against the light of the vending machine.

“Really?”

“I’m not. I promise.”

“How would I even know?”

I grabbed the final can of soda and shut the door closed, locking it when I was done. “I guess you wouldn’t… but you believe me, right? We’re going to pay you back.”

“I believe that. To be honest, though, I’m not in this to get paid back. I’ve seen enough weird shit to know something big is unfolding all around me, something that’s going to reach a boiling point soon. When that happens, am I going to be happier counting the pennies I got back from helping you, or doing something to make a difference in the world?”

I paused and stared at him, at the light bouncing off his eyes. “I really admire that, you know.”

“You do?”

“I do. There aren’t many people like you out there. And, if I’m honest, it’s one of the reasons why I’m not going to try to get an ounce more from you than I need. You’re one of the good guys, Jericho.”

“Yeah, maybe.” He turned and started walking away a little briskly. “Anyway, you should probably get some sleep. I need to get Shelley up and running again. I can probably do it, but it’ll take some time.”

“You need to rest, too.”

“I know, but if I can’t get Shelley back on the road, then we can’t get to where we’re going.”

“Do you think you can get her working by yourself?” I can go back to the guy and ask if there’s a shop around here.”

Jericho shook his head. “I have all the tools I need in the back. And I’ve got energy drinks.” He set the snacks and drinks down by the door to the room that was going to be mine and unlocked the door. “I’ll be fine.”

I walked up to him, picked up a couple of drinks and chips, and offered him a soft kiss on the cheek. “Thank you,” I said, my voice low. “Get some sleep, though. Promise me.”

Jericho’s face reddened. “Yeah… I promise.”

Nodding, I let myself into my room and kicked the door shut behind me. The place was clean… more or less. At least, it looked clean, but it was old. The floor was covered in dull, brown shag carpeting, and the pastel yellow wallpaper was peeling