Darkness Becomes Her Read Online Free PDF Page A

know,” he answered honestly. “But she should be safe, shouldn’t she? You told me you’ve given her some of your abilities. Won’t that protect her from anyone who’d wish to do her harm?”
    “Out there, as long as she stays off Baal’s radar, perhaps. But in here… not necessarily. She’d be at Baal’s mercy, and he could strip her of her powers as quickly as he’s taken mine. This is his domain. Demons walk this world only because he allows it.”
    Luke took a deep breath, pushing down the anxiety that had begun to rise like bile in his throat. His palm swept over Varin’s bicep, following the path of a knotted scar that could have been fresh, or might have been there for centuries. Varin’s body called to him, inviting him to explore its secrets and discover its mysteries. He only wished he could do it in a warm bed, without the threat of constant pain and terror that accompanied their every moment in the Underworld.
    And he wished he could do it with Heidi.
    The gate to their cell opened with a screech that jolted Luke upright. Varin’s arm closed around his shoulder, pulling him close in a protective gesture that made his throat tighten.
    “Get up, scum,” a Demon Guardian said. “Baal has a surprise for you.”
    “Tell him to keep it.” Varin’s voice was cold as steel and just as steady. “We’re not interested.”
    “Oh, but you will be.” The Demon Guardian reached in and grabbed Varin by the arm, hauling his broad frame out as though he weighed nothing at all. “This surprise is like nothing you’ve ever seen before.”
    “What’s he talking about?” Luke murmured as a second Demon Guardian yanked him from Varin’s side.
    Varin didn’t reply, but he shot Luke a look meant to silence him. The message was clear. Whatever surprise Baal had in store for them couldn’t be pleasant.
    The demons half-dragged, half-shoved Luke and Varin down a long, winding tunnel. Torches flickered at regular intervals for a while, then gave way to lava streams that poured across the face of the walls.
    They walked past the torture chambers, where the screams of those condemned to suffer for all eternity reached Luke’s ears and faded into oblivion as they passed. With every step, the soul-numbing chill returned, banishing the warmth Varin had provided for such a short time.
    Luke glanced at his companion, anxiety knotting tightly in his belly. The muscles in Varin’s arms and legs rippled with tension as he walked. Bruises stood out vividly against his skin, but if he felt the discomfort, he gave no indication.
    The demons came to an abrupt stop in front of a streaming wall of flowing lava. The molten liquid poured down the rock face like a waterfall, soundless in its intensity. One of the Guardians reached through the cascading torrent of fire, not flinching when the lava made contact with his flesh and the scent of charred meat filled the air.
    Abruptly, the molten downpour ended, revealing a deep, lushly decorated cavern. Luke had only a brief glimpse of sleek black furniture and a real bed before his captor shoved him ruthlessly inside. He was vaguely aware of Varin landing on his knees beside him when a bright flash of blue light made him shut his eyes tightly against the brilliant illumination bursting from the center of the room.
    The light died down as quickly as it had flared. In that heartbeat, Luke forgot to breathe. There, in the center of the room, Heidi lay crumpled on her side, her knees drawn up against her stomach, one arm splayed out beside her head.
    Only it wasn’t his Heidi. This woman was the same height and weight, with the same perfect curves and long legs. A black leather bustier and tiny thong clung to her curvy form. Her skin was still impossibly pale; her red curls still the same wild riot as they framed her face.
    But, oh, God, that face. Dusky eyeliner rimmed each eyelid. Lipstick so dark as to be almost black filled in her full lips.
    Most astonishing of all were the two