Darkness Devours by Keri Arthur, now you can read online.
Chapter 1
We do what we have to do—we track these people down by whatever means necessary.
The words weren't mine, but they ran through my brain nevertheless, going around and around, chased by echoes of pain and heartbreak as I stood on the footpath and stared up at the multistory building in Southbank.
I'd never been inside but I'd driven past it many a time. And, more than once, I'd stopped here at the curbside, sharing a lingering kiss, reluctant to let what we'd experienced the night before come to an end.
I'd been so in love. Stupidly, foolishly in love. And it had all been a lie. Not on my part, but his.
Jak Talbott—the werewolf I thought I'd spend the rest of my life with—had wanted nothing more than a good story. And he'd got that, mixing lies with reality so deftly it was hard to pick them apart. Mom had sued both him and the paper over the story, but in the end had settled out of court rather than have her name—and possibly mine—dragged endlessly through the gossip mags while the court case was ongoing. But mud tends to stick, even if it isn't true, and she lost several lucrative TV spots because of it. Not that that had particularly worried her. She'd been more concerned about the effect of Jak's actions on me.
And my reaction had been fairly intense. Even now, two years later, I avoided anything resembling a deep or lasting relationship, preferring the fun but emotionally sterile liaison with my Aedh lover, Lucian.
Meeting Jak Talbott again was the last thing I ever wanted to do.
I crossed my arms and rubbed them lightly. The midday sun held plenty of warmth, but it didn't chase the chill away from my flesh.
We do what we have to do—we track these people down by whatever means necessary.
Fine words, but did I have the courage to actually follow them through? After standing here in front of this building for the last five minutes, I wasn't so sure that I did.
I glanced at my watch and saw it was a few minutes past twelve. If I was going to run, I'd better do it now…
Awareness tingled across my senses and I looked up the steps to the building's entrance—straight into the intense black gaze of Jak Talbott.
I can't do this, I thought, as all the old pain and hurt rose, threatening to drown me all over again. I just can't.
But even as that thought crossed my mind, the inherently stubborn part of my nature rose, as well. I straightened my spine. Clenched my fists. I could do this. I needed to do this. Not only for the sake of my heart and any future relationships I might have, but also because saving the world from the hordes of hell might well depend on what happened here with Jak.