The Darkest Fire Read Online Free PDF Page A

that, too afraid of scaring her further by acknowledging the truth of her words. “When he reaches us, I want you to run backward. Press against the wall and scream for me if you see any hint of another demon.”
    â€œNo, I want to help you. I—”
    â€œWill do as I said. Otherwise, I will defeat him and leave this place.” His tone was uncompromising. Already he regretted bringing her here, whether the wall needed defending or not.
    She stiffened against him, but didn’t offer another protest.
    A cry of, “Mine, mine, mine,” rent the air.
    The creature closed in, faster…almost…there. Claws raked at Geryon as he grabbed his opponent by the neck. Multiple stings erupted on his face, followed by the trickle of warm blood. Flailing arms, kicking legs. Only when the temptation of Kadence’s hands fell away did Geryon truly begin to battle. He tossed the creature to the ground and leapt upon it, knees pinning its shoulders. One punch, two, three.
    It bucked, wild and feral. Saliva gleamed on its fangs as curses sprang from its bony mouth. Another punch. Still another. But the pounding failed to subdue it in any way.
    â€œWhere is Violence? Death? Doubt?” he gritted out.
    The struggling continued, intensified, terror leaping to life in those red eyes. Not fear for what Geryon would do, he knew, but terror for what its brothers-in-evil would do if they learned of any betrayal.
    Though Geryon hated for Kadence to see him kill—again—it could not be helped. That’s what they had come here for, after all. He raised his hand, spread his elongating, dripping nails and struck. The poison that coated his nails was a “gift” from Lucifer to aid in his duties and acted swiftly, without mercy, spreading through the creature’s body and rotting it from the   inside out.
    It screamed and screeched in agony, its struggling soon becoming writhing. Then the scales began to burn away, smoking, sizzling, leaving only more of that ugly bone. But the bones, too, disintegrated. Ash coated the air, blowing in every direction.
    Geryon stood to shaky legs. He kept his back to Kadence for several minutes, waiting, hoping—dreading—that she would say something. What did she think of him now? Would there be any more of her tending? Finally curiosity got the better of him and he pivoted on his heels.
    She stood exactly as he’d commanded, her back pressed against the rocky wall. Those glorious ringlets cascaded around her. Her eyes were wide and filled with…admiration? Surely not.
    â€œCome to me,” she said.

CHAPTER TEN
    Kadence had been unable to hold back her entreaty. Geryon stood several feet away, panting shallowly, his cheeks cut and bleeding, his hands dripping with his opponent’s lifeblood.
    His dark eyes were more haunted than she’d ever seen them.
    â€œCome to me,” she said again. She motioned him over with a wave of her fingers.
    The first time, he’d given no reaction. As though he hadn’t believed he’d heard her correctly. This time, he blinked. Shook his head. “You wish to…punish me for my actions?”
    Silly man. Punish him? When he’d saved her? Yes, part of her was angry that he’d kept her from the fight, that he’d threatened—vowed—to leave without doing what they’d come here to do. But part of her was relieved. I am not a coward. Not anymore . Next time, I will act. No matter his wishes, no matter mine.
    â€œKadence,” Geryon said, and she realized she had been staring at him, silent.
    â€œI would never punish you for aiding me.”
    Again he blinked. “But…I killed. I hurt another creature.”
    â€œAnd you were injured in the process. Come, let me attend to your wounds.”
    Still he resisted. “But you would have to put your hands on me.”
    He said it as though the thought should be loathsome to her. “Yes, I