Devil's Domain

By Laura Prior

The Devil has stepped into play. The armies have united, the battle has begun ... and the losses are mounting up as the Devil unleashes a torrent of evil onto the allies.

With the loss of two of her closest allies, Jasmine turns to the darkness inside her as she comes face to face with the final horseman.

But hope is not lost.

Her heritage might be angelic ... but her nature demands annihilation.

The eighth and final book in the Falling series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Laura Prior
• Release date: Sep 16, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370907359

Laura Prior

Laura Prior lives in Melbourne Australia with her fiancé, two daughters and two dogs.

Book preview

Dedication

This final book is dedicated to Bella Annie Longhurst.

I look forward to every day, hour, minute and second that I get to spend with you.

Prologue

Lucifer

Shivers of cool air rush over me. The touch of freedom—it beckons, teasing my senses, giving me a tantalizing taste of what is soon to be mine. The heat is less stifling, less inhibiting than before, as if it knows it can no longer hold me within its bounds. My release is so close, the taste of her skin closer, barely separate from the slivers of my tongue. Her feet, her own free will, will lead her straight to me, to my door, to her doom.

Her allure is intoxicating. I’ve never met a foe so delectable. I can taste the darkness on her soul where she stands, feel the stain of her misdeeds spreading across her mind, polluting. The others wash over her, their confused and mixed souls sailing past her like tides, some easing her strain and others, the ones I adore, encouraging her towards madness.

She has taken my pawns, even the larger predators that I sent to capture her. She has not only managed to elude me, but kill as though she were Death himself. I have heard of her exploits, her forays into my world, and her pointless mission to save humanity. But that is the crux—this is my world and she’ll never come out of it alive.

Even now, she plies herself liberally, stresses over miniscule difficulties, pondering and agonizing over decisions that will have no impact whatsoever. She is merely a toy, one with whom I watch with much amusement as a child would play with an ant. She is minute, insignificant in her size and stature, insignificant in my plans.

The small, weak female approaches often, peering into the madness of my domain as if about to take a hesitant step, then retreats, pulled back by creatures of darkness and light, each taking a piece of her soul and holding it away from her, though she so desperately wishes to be destroyed.

I will have my way with her. One day, one moment in time, she will step onto the precipice and tip over, and then I will trap her forever, another soul for my amusement, a spider whose legs can be pulled off one by one. I will burn her wings like a moth and laugh as she struggles for freedom knowing she will never reach it, knowing it is as intangible as dreams.

Her protector comes and goes. He is once more by her side, pulling her out of my grasp, but as is always the way, when his glow fades she will return to my side like a faithful dog. When she returns I will whisper, teach her to give in to the evil that she longs for, and give her a tantalizing glimpse of the murderous beast she will soon become. She will be my slave, my weapon.

I turn my head as I hear the whimpers of my previous victims, snarling as I remember how they lured me in, how I was duped into believing they possessed the key to my freedom.

No. This girl is the one. Only a dagger as sharp and deadly as she can be the one to free me and with her soul in my hands I will obliterate the walls penning me in. I will beat down any who stand before me.

With the Dagger of Lex, I will once again rule my domain.

Chapter 1

‘Never love anybody who treats

you like you’re ordinary.’

– Oscar Wilde.

Bands of steel wrapped around my torso, hands gripping either side of my body. The pressure was painful—gravity sucking me down while being wrenched up and away. My breath caught, my neck aching as I was manhandled awkwardly—arms, hands, and legs digging into my flesh. My heart pounded erratically, a dull ache pressing on my chest as I fought for breath. The sharp adrenaline that had coursed through me waned and my terror subsided.

I’ve got you, Zach whispered into my ear. I’ve always got you.

I lifted my head and pressed it back against his chest, the muscles hard and warm against me. I turned my face into his neck and sighed, trying to calm my breathing and compose myself. Between the tense stand-off with Raphael and falling through the sky, unable to bring up a portal to save myself, my nerves were fried. Still, I was resolved; I was determined to be in the thick of the apocalypse. I’d do my damned best to keep my friends safe and if I died trying, then so be it. I would never be able to live with myself if I cowered away up in the heavens, crouched down behind my brothers while my best friends fought for their lives.

I wasn’t particularly brave, and I definitely didn’t think of myself in heroic terms, but if I didn’t do this, then what was the point of the last few years? I might have railed against following the path set out before me, annoyed at someone else choosing the way I lived this life, but regardless of others telling me how I should act and what I should be doing, I had strength and gifts and I would use every single one of them in defense of my friends, my family. If everyone had a reason for living, then surely this was mine.

I took a deep breath just before we dipped into a cloud, the moisture instantly soaking through my clothes. Chills set my muscles trembling. Zach tightened his arms around me, dropping a kiss onto my shoulder.

I squeezed my eyes closed tightly, my stomach somersaulting as he dove, his wings gliding us through the gray haze and out the bottom. It had been night when I had used my magic to open a portal, but with the difference in the way time moved between dimensions, I had no idea what time it was, or even what day. I opened one eye, peering down at the blue and green as we descended. It was still dark, but definitely not as black—more a dimness alike to predawn.

I scowled at how dry my eyes felt. My entire face was getting a good buffing from the wind.

Do you know where you’re going? I said, turning my face up to Zach. It was probably a stupid question; he had been flying for a few thousand years, but still, when I could see the sea getting closer and closer it felt right to check.

Don’t worry, babe. Zach kissed my shoulder again, biting the skin softly before smiling into my neck. He swooped, his wings taking us in a large arc.

His wings were magnificent, huge and billowing, powerful and commanding—just like him. I bit my lip as lust coursed through me. Who wouldn’t be turned on by an almighty angel with ripped muscles flying through the air?

We wheeled, wind blowing my hair in and out of my face as Zach swung us in a loop. Distinct shapes began to form beneath us—houses, farms, the sharp outline of fields. I tried to loosen my death grip on Zach’s arms, succeeding marginally.

Flying like this, I felt delirious and free, and I desperately wanted to remain in the moment forever. For a moment, everything had frozen, all thoughts of war, conflict, and terror briefly forgotten.

I bit my lip, fighting back a grin as Zach spun over onto his back, swirling us like a torpedo. His broad shoulders stretched wide, his arms squeezing me securely, and he began a sharp descent. My grip tightened and I held my breath, no longer relaxed despite having the utmost faith in my man.

We spiraled down, houses looming closer until, with a powerful sweep of his wings, Zach pulled to a stop barely three feet above the ground. I waited for him to put me down, laughing when he spun me in his arms, his lips crushing mine.

I wrapped my legs around his waist, my blood heating, setting my body alight. He stalked forward, his eyes locked with mine until he deposited me on a mound of gray stone, letting go. He gripped my knees, one in each hand, and wrenched them apart.

I felt so exposed, so open to him, despite being fully clothed. It was as though he could see right through the material of my clothes into me. With each rise and fall of his chest I felt an impact akin to an earthquake sending ripples through my body. I was in love with this male, and he was magnificent. Power exuded from him, seethed from his pores. He was deadly, dangerous, lethal . . . and mine.

He was sin, and lust, and desire.

His hands pushed up my thighs, reaching my apex, fingering deeply through the material of my trousers. His eyes were hard and focused, almost glaring at me, challenging me to stop him. I never would.

He raised one hand to my chest and pushed me flat atop the stone, running his hands to my calves to yank off my boots and throw them to the ground. He reached to my hips pulling my trousers down to my knees, dragging me until I was facedown. There, he held me with one hand while his other spread my lips and thrust fingers deep within me.

Mine, he growled, fucking me with his hand.

I gasped, ripples of pleasure tightening and relaxing through my lower abdomen. His fingers pulled out and he fit his dick behind me, spreading my cheeks and spearing into me directly, his balls slamming against me with each thrust. Facing away from him, I could only imagine his face, the concentration, the ferocity as he huffed out his breath, sliding into me with anger and passion—his two most heavily felt emotions. I could envision his tattoos and scars rippling over his skin with his movement, his muscles flexing as he shoved deep.

He took a step back, flipping me over to face him. I sat up and beckoned him closer, stretching my legs out to wrap around his hips. I reached for his shirt, pulling it over his head. I needed to see him—I needed to run my hands over every inch of him. He seemed to feel the same way, swiftly pulling off my top, and unclasping my bra to slide it over my arms.

His head dropped to my breasts, licking and biting one while rubbing his fingertips across the hard nub of the other. He sheathed himself in me, fucking me hard against the stone. Giving up on teasing my nipples, he anchored me against him, slamming me down onto him over and over until I thought I would combust from the agonizing friction.

I dropped my head back, closing my eyes to better feel the sensation of riding him. I dug my nails into his shoulders, using my position to lift up and slide down firmly. He pulled me close up against his body so that with each movement my skin rubbed against his, tantalizing my nerves.

I gritted my teeth, my body shattering around his. He gripped me, one arm a band around my back, the other digging into my hip as he slammed home, spilling within. We lay in silence, the sounds of the world settling around, coming back into focus.

He sucked in a deep breath, groaning into my ear. Did I hurt you, babe?

I lay my forehead onto his shoulder, relaxed and sated. Turning my face sideways, I smirked at him. Does it look like you hurt me?

He chuckled. I guess not. You look thoroughly satisfied.

I laughed. Then I guess you’ve done your job.

He moved back a step, letting me slide down his body. I reluctantly let go of him and retrieved my trousers and shirt, searching for where he’d flung my bra. It was a half-hearted effort; I was unable to prevent myself from looking up every few seconds, not wanting to lose sight of him for a moment.

He was beautiful. Every last rope of muscle, every curve of the tattoo swirl covering his chest was so precious to me.

God I missed you. I sighed. It wasn’t as if I was a complete loner, hitching my entire life onto the back of a man so that the moment he’d left me I’d ceased to exist, but those days where he hadn’t known who I was, when he’d actually disliked me, had been worse than all the rest of the shit I’d faced put together. I’d rather face a thousand demons than go through the heart-wrenching loneliness of loving him from afar again.

Zach’s face dropped, his eyes flicking down to the trampled grass beneath his feet. His hands clenched and unclenched. "I want to promise you that I’ll never . . . die again, that I’ll never forget you, but you know I can’t. We’re facing the apocalypse. In fact, we’re smack-bang in the middle of it, and though everything you said up there to Raphael makes me love you even more, our chances—"

I covered his mouth with a kiss. I know, I whispered. But let’s not tempt fate. The odds aren’t in our favor, but I’m still betting on us. I slipped my bra over my arms, reaching behind to slide the hooks in. "I mean, come on—who’ve we taken out so far? Three horsemen, Asmodeus, Mnemosyne . . . five of the most active players in the apocalypse. We have witches, valkyrie, harpies, angels, and the human rebellion on our side. Like always, we just need to come up with a solid plan."

Zach grinned, flashing his teeth in amusement. And a good deal of luck—we’ve still got Death to take out.

I pulled my shirt over my head, frowning as I realized Zach had brought us back to what remained of the safe house. I’d been so caught up with lust that our surroundings hadn’t exactly registered.

The ground had been ripped apart, a cavernous gorge rippling through the land on either side of the house from where Asmodeus had broken apart the earth, leaving a gaping hole of unknown depths.

The last time I’d been here we’d destroyed Asmodeus’s army and taken shelter in the nearby deserted houses. I didn’t know where our allies had gone but I was fairly sure they’d be around here somewhere, picking off any lingering demons and waiting for our next move.

I flushed. Do you think anyone saw us?

A deep voice growled from behind me. Chances are high.

Chapter 2

‘It isn’t where you come from; it’s

where you’re going that counts.’

– Ella Fitzgerald

I turned to the voice, mortified to see Maion perched on top of a pile of bricks. Heat flushed into my cheeks.

The angel stood up, tossing a blade high into the air and catching it with one hand, over and over again. I flushed again when Maion lifted an eyebrow as I stabbed my legs into my trousers and dragged them over my hips as quickly as I could.

I glared at the shaven-headed, muscular male, irritated by the very view of him. Standing half a foot taller than Zach, with fitted black, leather trousers, boots stopping just below his knees, and wearing a metal chest plate, he could easily grace the cover of a romance novel . . . of course, when he opened his mouth, I wanted to punch him.

I’m pleased to see you, Zach boomed, leaping over the rubble to clasp Maion’s free hand in his.

I would have been happier not to see so much of you. Maion cast a scowl towards me.

I stiffened. Well, it would have been nice if you’d announced your presence before we gave you your own personal show, I muttered.

My sister remains within? Zach ignored my comment.

Maion bowed his head. She does. She’s safe.

You seem calm, yet you know they have barred the gates?

Maion shrugged. She found her way back to me from death.

Nope, that was me. I muttered.

A gate will not stop us from being reunited. Maion grinned. I couldn’t leave you to fight this battle alone, my friend.

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, alone, as in without the army we’ve got on our side. I paused. Do we still have an army?"

Maion snorted. Children, witches, and dogs do not make an army? This battle belongs to the angels.

I nodded thoughtfully. Right . . . and where are they again? Are they here? Did I miss them? Oh, that’s right—they’ve locked themselves in their little vault, all safely tucked up while the rest of us clean the mess.

Does she ever stop talking? Maion turned to Zach.

Zach smirked, winking at me. Often. As I recall, before you interrupted us, she wasn’t talking much at all. In fact, I think it could be your presence that sets her off.

Correct. Pulling on my boots from where Zach had dropped them, I turned away, stomping over the remains of our house, hearing the crunch of gravel as Zach followed. He gripped my arm, turning me towards him.

What are you pissed at me for?

You could have at least pretended to be annoyed that he saw me naked, instead of making jokes. I scowled.

Zach’s face broke into a grin. Ha ha! He took my hands in his. Babe, I’m not saying I want anyone else to see you naked, but after your brother just tried to murder you I think a ‘peep show’ is the least of our problems.

I pursed my lips. Okay, he had a point. It would be nice if you defended me for once, that’s all. It’s been a pretty heavy . . .

Day? he offered.

I grinned. "Try lifetime."

Zach leaned in, his full lips pressing to mine. I have no worries at all about you not being able to defend yourself if it comes to it. You’re a mean machine. You’re an actual walking, talking violation. Against all odds you’ve massacred our enemies and pulverized anyone who stood against us. You’ve reached into the afterworld and brought not just me, but Zanaria back to this life, too. He laughed. You’ve faced three of the horsemen and killed them!

I shrugged coyly, feeling a mixture of flattered and embarrassed; who didn’t love their man to mush on them? Not on my own.

Who else would have coordinated the events leading to it? The angels, the ones who should fighting beside us, have hidden themselves away, content to be spectators while you’re here commanding the troops. He dropped his forehead to mine. Who else would have stood by me when I couldn’t remember who you were? You’re unstoppable. Besides, I’d be more worried about you sending Maion off through a portal into some unknown realm than him doing damage to you.

I chuckled. Zach was right . . . for once. After everything we’d been through—separation, death, war, and now we were in the epicenter of the apocalypse—who really cared if Maion got a glimpse of my nips?

If you two are finished making out, do you think we could get on with this? Maion passed us, sauntering between the boulders and piles of bricks that used to form my home.

I pulled away from Zach with a grin and followed, picking my way carefully across the unstable rocks. Mud moved beneath my feet, squelching and sucking at my shoes. We’d really made a mess of this place. To think it had once been a beautiful mansion, a boarding school front housing dozens of nephilim, hiding them from the fallen and any demons who would want to hunt them. It hadn’t been perfect, but it had been home and now it was gone, ripped apart by the thousands of demons that had poured through Hell’s gap, incited by Asmodeus.

I took a deep breath, a heavy tremble rumbling though my chest. My home was gone.

But now Asmodeus was dead. Every cloud has a silver lining and all that.

We reached the edge of the road, the tarmac cracked and fissured, mounds of gray and black forming a waist-high wall. Maion leaped up and over, disappearing over the other side. I followed, gripping hold of the dirt to swing my legs over.

Bending my knees as I landed, I sprang forward, my fists raised as the figures standing there took me by surprise.

Sam jumped forward, wrapping his arms around me as Trev and Gwen looked on grimly. Jasmine! Thank God! Where the hell were you? He pulled me back and glared. We woke up and you were gone! We didn’t know what had happened.

I glanced over his shoulder at the others assembled there. Nikita from the human rebellion, Karen of the witch guard, Tyrise of the harpies, plus my mother and James, Blue Eyes, and Deshek, all stood staring at me like I was an apparition. Some looked more annoyed than others.

I winced. Sam was right; I hadn’t given any of them a moment’s thought before I’d opened a portal. We’d been sleeping in a nearby house, planning on lying low and regaining our strength before coming up with some strategies for ending the war.

Trev slapped me on the back, giving me a goofy grin. Yeah, next time you head off on a walk in the middle of a war zone you feel like leaving us a note?

Gwen pulled me to her, kissing me on the cheek. You’re okay? She glanced at Zach then back at me. Where were you? What were you doing?

I shook my head. I’m so sorry guys. I was talking to Michael—

Gwen scowled. "Michael? Why is he getting involved?"

"Michael was here? Zach asked, frowning. You’ve a few things to tell me, too, it would seem."

I shrugged. "He wasn’t here here. He was in my head. He told me a bunch of stuff, like to follow my heart and to carry on fighting."

"Why is he getting involved now? Gwen repeated, flicking her black hair over her shoulder in irritation. At my questioning look, she shrugged. He hasn’t wanted to help before . . . I’m just wondering what’s changed."

Nothing’s changed. He just said I need to fight harder. I rolled my eyes. "When I came to,