Page 108 of Knight’s Dominion

He clung to memories so vivid, it was like she was there with him.

Cold, unyielding manacles around his wrists and ankles clattered against the stone wall at his back, and the sudden movement caused the jagged steel to cut into his flesh.

A scraping sound came from his right. He didn't know how they entered his prison or if they were always here, living in the darkness with him. But the creature would cause pain, unspeakable pain, before it finally left him alone.

But first it would stalk, torment, until it became too much and the screaming would begin—his own screams ringing in his ears, echoing off the walls until his throat bled.

A claw sharp as a blade sliced across his stomach, then was gone just as quickly. Warmth ran down his thighs and dripped on his bare feet. The next slice was to his shoulder, then his side, until all he heard through his heavy breathing was the steady dripping of his own blood hitting the stone floor.

It finally struck, latching on to his shoulder. The creature wasn't in the mood to play with its prey today.

He threw his head back and screamed.

Light suddenly flooded his cell, so bright and warm it stole his breath and burned his eyes.

The creature shrieked and retreated. He strained to see, but he’d been in the dark too long. The creature screamed, kept screaming until it wasn’t able to anymore.

He blinked against the light. A shadow crossed him, the outline of a male filling a doorway. The doorway out.

“You were hard to find.”

“Who am I?” he rasped. “Who are you?”

The big male closed the distance between them and placed his hand on his shoulder, the touch was gentle, kind, warm. He’d been so cold for so long.

And with that touch, it all came rushing back. Every painful, horrific, awful memory.

He didn’t want them. He wanted them out of his head again, it hurt too much. They hurt too much.

“What the fuck do you want?” he asked thickly, because he knew who this male was now.

Who he was.

“I have a deal for you, and I think you’ll want to hear it.”

CHAPTER 30

Grace scanned the quiet streets as she, Chaos, and Gunner followed Zenon through an industrial suburb at the edge of the city. Kryos and Lazarus flanked Zenon and both sported worried expressions.

She didn’t blame them. Nerves were assaulting her belly as well and there was no controlling it. Not after discovering that Zenon was not only the son of Diemos, but also the grandson of Lucifer. Freaking Lucifer.

Well, apparently, Grandpa had told him how to find the beast, or was guiding him to it, or something—she didn’t totally understand. But whatever was happening, the knight didn’t look like he was fully aware of what was going on around him. His eyes were vacant, like no one was home, or at least someone else was in his driver’s seat.

What she did know was the beast wanted Zenon’s blood. Chaos had told her that through Zen, the beast would be able to track its true target: Lucifer. Basically, Zenon was bait to draw the monster out—

Zenon stopped suddenly and turned, head tilting to the side like he was listening to someone. His back arched and his eyes rolled up so all you could see was the whites.

“Jesus,” Laz muttered. “I don’t fucking like this.”

“Yes, sire,” Zenon said in an echoey, demonic voice, then he looked at Chaos, face contorted, every vein and tendon straining against his inked skin. “The old steelworks building across the street,” he said through gritted teeth. “I can’t…” He took a step toward the looming building, all shadows and sharp angles. “Let…go…” He took another step.

“Hold him,” Chaos barked at Laz and Kryos.

The two knights dove on Zenon, trying to hold him back. But it was like the male had tripled in strength. Gunner joined in, but Zenon fought even harder.

Zenon couldn’t enter that building in the state he was in. He’d offer himself to the beast and would get himself eaten. Grace had heard Chaos promise Mia when they left that he would bring her mate home safe, whatever it took. But right now, even with Chaos joining the fray, they were still having trouble holding back their brother.

A male dropped from the sky, seemingly out of thin air, landing in a crouch in front of them. His gold wings snapped in tight to his back before vanishing completely. His silver eyes slid to Chaos. “I’ve got him.”