“An attempt to flatter yourself?” She shook her head, clearly unimpressed. “Think about it. The demons weren’t put inside the box to save the world from evil. Evil was already here. The demons were put inside the box to keep people from obtaining the treasure.”

The word treasure was like a hook in his mouth, drawing him deeper into her story. “What treasure?”

Her entire countenance softened, and she said worshipfully, “The Morning Star.”

He racked his brain, came up empty. “And that is?”

“Something the Most High made, an extension of his power...a power far stronger than what even I wield. With it, nothing is impossible. The dead can be revived. Any disease can be cured. Demons can be removed with no adverse consequences.”

What she described...it was his every dream come to startling life. He could be freed from Disease and returned to his former glory. He could have the life he’d always desired...could have everything he’d ever desired.

He could bring Mari back to life.

He could have Keeley in his bed. Naked. His to do with as he pleased. No consequences.

He would put his hands all over her. He would trace her every curve and bask in the warmth and softness of her skin. He would make her moan and writhe, louder and harder than before. He would put his fingers inside her, take her that way first. Then he would lick up the honey she offered him. Then...oh, then he would fill her up with all that he was.

Torin’s entire life plan shifted. His end goal—changed. Hope—ignited.

Will stop at nothing to have the Morning Star.

“Knew you’d like that one,” Keeley said with a grin. “Humans originally owned the Morning Star, but Lucifer stole it and had it placed inside the box right along with the demons, most likely to frighten thieves away. Somehow Zeus got hold of it.”

“But if this Morning Star is so important, why give it to Pandora? She’s just one warrior. And an incompetent one, at that.”

“Think about it,” Keeley said again. “She wasn’t given the box for what she could do, but for what she couldn’t do—resist its allure. I have heard of her insatiable curiosity.”

“But...if that’s true, why didn’t Zeus open the box himself? And why punish my friends and me for doing so?”

“Silly warrior. He wanted the Morning Star, not the wrath of the demons. And you weren’t punished for opening the box...you were punished for losing it.”

Torin absorbed the inundation of new information, shocked to his soul. “If Zeus had been waiting for it to be opened, why not grab it while we were busy fighting the demons?”

“Someone beat him to it.”

“Who?”

“It doesn’t matter.” She stiffened, her attention whipping to the side. Her ears twitched, reminding him of a dog that had just heard a strange noise—and he would never, ever admit that aloud. Even though it was cute as hell. She scowled.

He barely stifled a moan, thinking she was about to retreat again.

But she said, “Hades’s minions have found me,” and jumped to her feet, swiping a blade from the kitchen counter.

CHAPTER TEN

EMOTIONS GOT THE best of me one too many times. Keeley tightened her grip on the knife. The minions had tracked her to this other realm. They wouldn’t settle for taunting her, as they’d been forced to do inside the prison.

Shall I bow to you, Your Filthiness?

Here doggy, doggy. A rat was thrown through the bars. Have a delicious snack.

Cackle, cackle. Oh, how she’d hated the cackles.

No, today they’d come to fight her.

Who—or what—had Hades sent this time? There were so many different kinds of minions to choose from. Animal-like. Humanoid. Nephilim. Spirits. And everything in between.

“Do you have any true battle experience?” Torin asked, swiping a blade from the kitchen counter.

Did he not remember being smacked in the face with a branch? “Some.” However, most fights with her ended in seconds, and she never even had to throw a punch. But she couldn’t go that route; she’d topple the house. Torin would be hurt—because of his stupid brimstone scars, she wouldn’t be able to flash him to safety.

“If you leave,” she said, “I can—”

He raised his hand, speaking over her. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“But—”

“No, princess. If you’re here, I’m here. End of.” A tone as hard as iron.

She stomped her foot. “Not end of!” The house began to shake. “I’ve got crazy-mad skills and I’m going to use them. Your presence hinders me. So you’re going to walk away, or I’m going to...going to...”

“Now, princess,” he said, and traced the line of her jaw with a gloved finger. “You concentrating on me?”

He’s calming me....

Knows me too well...knows he’s my weakness.

“I realize you’re Super Powerful Wonder Woman and all,” he continued, all seduction and heat, “but I’ve been itching for combat. I need it. So do me a solid and let me field this. Please?”

Must disregard the little flutter in my heart.

The shaking faded...ceased altogether. “Terrible plan,” she muttered. “I won’t be able to control my reaction if you’re harmed. Maybe it’ll be best if there’s not a fight at all.” Yes. Excellent idea. She pulled away from him—surely the toughest thing she’d ever done—and raced to the doorway, cutting her wrist along the way.