Alice Takes Demonland

By RaShelle Workman

The Society is in chaos and there are those who question whether King Wrythe should still wear the crown or if he is a traitor. He must prove himself to his people all over again as well as fight against the one opposing him for power.

Alice supports Wrythe one hundred percent and is determined to be there for him in any way possible. In fact, after what she saw deep in Demonland's underground, she would rather die than let Wrythe's opponent anywhere near the throne.

Ever since she followed that blasted white rabbit down a demon hole, her life has also been consumed with the Trial of Three. It's affected her at every turn, including her feelings for Kade and the king. Thankfully, Professor Pops and Abernathy the dragon are there to back her up, even if they aren't allowed in Demonland.

Kade is there for her, even though he's completed his orders and has been commanded to stay away. When Alice is with him, everything feels right. Their kisses have made her grateful she's the Queen of Hearts. If only there was a way to help his superiors see how great the two of them are together. With the second trial looming, she must choose between her people and her heart. Love and destiny. But giving up either isn't something she can live with.

__________
DEMONLAND SERIES:
Alice in Demonland
Alice Fights Demonland
Alice Takes Demonland
Alice Ignites Demonland

• Language: English
• Publisher: Booklover Legion
• Release date: Sep 20, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463150290

RaShelle Workman

Booklover Legion brings together authors and readers who love: ya fairytale reimaginings, supernatural suspense, paranormal cozy mysteries, steamy contemporary romance, heartfelt romantic suspense, sweet romance, sexy ya science fiction, and paranormal romance.Authors include:RaShelle Workman ~ YA Fairytale ReimaginingsRachel James ~ Supernatural SuspenseBess Morgan ~ Paranormal Cozy MysteriesRuby Carr ~ Steamy Contemporary RomanceLayla Jones ~ Heartfelt Romantic SuspenseAnn Hardy ~ Sweet RomanceShelly Saber ~ Sexy YA Science FictionCaroline Asher ~ Paranormal RomanceBooklover Legion is a subsidiary of Polished Pen Press, LLC.

Book preview

1

Dying will be worth it, if it means you die too, I said, forcing myself not to look at Kade. He didn’t agree with what I said, but the Devil needed to know I was serious. The time for games was over. As I stared into the evil blue eyes of my father, it was clear, my life had never been my own and it never would be. Especially if the Devil had anything to say about it.

We were deep below Demonland and the temperature was sweltering. Sweat beaded along my hairline and trickled down my back. I forced myself to ignore it and quickly glanced at Wrythe. He was still suffering from the troll magic the council members had used to torture him. They’d paid the ultimate price. My heart hurt over all the death, including Peter’s, as well as the suffering of my king. But if I didn’t deal with my father, none of us would live much longer.

The Devil raised his eyebrows. Really? You’re okay with ending your life before you have a chance to live it? He sauntered forward, his hands tucked into his front pockets like he had all the time in the world. And before I realized what was happening, he flicked his head and flung me through the air. I crashed through one of the prison stalls, my head smacking against the back wall. I heard Kade yell my name as everything went dark.

But only for a moment.

Before I could force myself to my feet, I was in a place I didn’t understand. All around me was stark white, without walls, a floor, or a ceiling. The white just went on and on without a beginning or an end. I gazed around in wonder, torn between the beauty and loneliness of the place, until from somewhere behind me came bright, colorful lights in oranges, greens, reds, purples, and blues. They flashed, buzzing around me like irritating gnats. When the lights droned past my ears, I heard voices. The lights could speak! Some were words of encouragement. Others, not so much.

What is she?

Where did she come from?

Do the archangels know about this abomination?

I rolled to my knees as one voice cut through the others. She is the answer. The one we’ve been waiting for!

Yes, the prophecy.

What the hell did that mean?

Almost as soon as they appeared, the lights vanished, and I was once again in the dark and dirty stall below the compound. Kade was beside me, his face contorted with worry.

Can you stand? he asked, his voice soft.

I think so, I said, regarding him with renewed interest, not because he was so incredibly handsome, though that was true enough, but because he was backlit by a shining light. It was as though his body was struggling to contain all of the light within him. You’re glowing, I said as he pulled me into a hug.

He smirked. You hit your head pretty hard, Alice. I’m sure there isn’t a glow, he said, feigning innocence.

I couldn’t deny that. My skull pounded. It’s an angel thing, isn’t it? I said into his mind. The glow? I waited for him to respond. When he didn’t, I rolled my eyes. There had definitely been a light emanating off him.

You two are so in love. It’s sweet, the Devil said, jerking me out of my contemplations. Really priceless. He chuckled.

I ground my teeth. My legs shook, but I forced myself to face him. Shut up, I hissed.

The Devil ignored me. Does she know what will happen if the two of you consummate your love? He crossed his arms, gazing as us in question.

My face turned red with humiliation. Where did that come from? That’s none of your damned business, I said, but some of my words came out slurred. Gross, I thought.

You are my daughter; therefore, it is my business. It should be Kade’s too. Because sex with you will remove all angelic essence from him, he said and paused. That means he’ll no longer be an angel. His head tilted to one side.

My face burned. I couldn’t believe my father had picked this moment to have the sex talk with me. But was he telling the truth? Would Kade no longer be an angel if we made love? Was that the case if he slept with any Dark Moth? Or was it specifically because I was the Devil’s daughter? That seemed more likely, but I didn’t want to believe. You’re lying, I said, my breath coming out in rasps. I felt sick, probably from the head injury, but also because I loved Kade and Kade loved me. What would happen if we weren’t able to take that love to the next level? I looked at Kade, hoping he would verify the Devil was doing what demons always do. Lie. Is it true? I asked, holding my hands out in front of me.

Kade’s features were anguished. Yes, he admitted. That’s why the other night, when I disappeared… He ran a hand through his hair, clearing his throat.

Oh. It was all I could say. So not only did his superiors not want the two of us together, but if we were together, Kade would no longer be an angel. What would happen to you if you were no longer an angel? I asked softly, glancing at Kade from under my lashes.

I don’t know, Kade admitted, his voice trailing off.

The Devil laughed. He’ll die, obviously, he said.

Kade seemed to want to interrupt, but the Devil spoke first. If I can die, so can you, he said, narrowing his eyes at the love of my life. Immortality means long life, but the end will come for all of us someday. Maybe not in the way you imagine, but it’ll still be death, and I can’t wait to see that day come for you. He flung the words at Kade and my heart sank. The Devil wasn’t lying. Crap!

I swallowed down the mourning howl building inside of me. That can’t be, I whispered, at a loss. Finding my demon sire and destroying him had been my only focus for as long as I could remember. Now, everything I knew about my life, everything I’d trained for, my reason for getting up in the morning, was no longer an option, unless I chose to end my life as well. Worse than that, I now knew that the man I loved more than anything could never be with me in the way I so desperately wanted to be with him.

My rage grew and grew, red light cocooning my skin like a burning embrace. And I realized the Devil really had told those upper level demons to go easy on me. They all had, except one. Had that demon cared that the Devil would die? Or did he want the Devil dead too?

I was breathing heavily as my fury increased.

Stay calm, Kade said into my mind.

I’m trying, I responded, the red flaring brighter.

Try harder, he said.

I took a deep breath, feeling the cooling balm of the silver-white light suddenly race along my veins and snuffing out the red fury. Fine.

Now we’ve settled that, the Devil went on, how about we discuss the second trial? Have you decided who will live and who will die? As I said before, there’s no way out, especially now, dear Alice. He grinned, acting as though I hadn’t just discovered that my entire reason for being was useless.

My shoulders slumped. All I’d done—all the plans, and Abernathy and Professor Pops’ help—it was all for nothing. Nothing! I gripped my hands into fists at my sides, squeezing the demon orb with all my might, begging the thing to spring to life and give me a way out of this mess. But it remained cool in my palm. Finally, I shrugged, exhausted. Does it matter?

That seems a little morbid, even for my daughter, he said, his words dripping with sarcasm. How about I give you more time?

I perked up, hating how good that sounded but wanting it just the same. How much more?

He shrugged. It’ll be a surprise.

I didn’t respond. The week wasn’t up. If he gave me more, that could only be a good thing. Maybe I could figure out a way to save both Wrythe and Kade. Why would you do that? I finally asked.

I have my reasons, the Devil said evasively. All of them will benefit me most of all, but you might as well enjoy the extra time as well, daughter.

That’s not good enough, I said, flinching at his use of the word that bound me to him in a familial way. I need specifics.

The Devil’s smirk grew into a full-blown smile. You have at least five days.

I glanced at Kade, his face unreadable. Why do you think he’s doing this? What’s his end game?

His designs are a mystery to me, but more time is good. Kade kept his face forward as he spoke into my mind, probably so the Devil wouldn’t guess what we were doing, but I had a feeling my father knew anyway.

Are the new terms acceptable? The Devil had his hands clasped behind his back.

Yes, I said, gritting my teeth, my body swaying.

Excellent. He let out a deliberate breath. But let me give you some fatherly advice to ponder.

What? I didn’t want to hear another thing from him, but I also didn’t want to be flung across the room again either. Though my bullet wound and stab wound were all but healed, I was still sore. Smacking my head against the wall didn’t help.

Your heart already knows what choice you should make, but you still refuse to admit it. I can’t imagine why. He shook his head. I’ll return in... when I feel like it. He swirled a finger, pointing it at the ceiling. You’d better help your king out of here and let the rest know he’s alive. From what I can tell, there’s a lot going on in the compound above. He smacked his lips together. The Dark Moths are in an uproar… The Devil let the words die and he vanished, leaving me, Kade, and Wrythe alone with the dusty remains of the dead Society members and Peter’s corpse.

At the thought of Peter, my heart sank. He’d been a friend. I cared about him. And even though the other Society members hadn’t been good, they still hadn’t deserved the end the Devil gave them. He’d obliterated them, turned them to dust like demons when they died.

Then I thought of what I’d seen on one of the floors above. The Dark Moth Society minus Peter and Wrythe had been as evil as any demons I’d slain, but it still hurt that they were dead. At least I hoped Peter and Wrythe weren’t involved. But that might be naïve.

The Queen of Hearts, that’s what the trainees called me. And they were right. I was all up in my feelings. I needed to get a handle on myself and fight through it. Wrythe needed to be saved as did the rest of the Society. Steeling myself, I decided not to think of the bright swirling lights and the voices and all the other crap happening around me, and just focus on what needed to be done.

Alice, Kade began slowly, but I held up a hand.

Help me get Wrythe up, I said, trying not to think about what could never be between Kade and I. Determined, I squatted beside Wrythe. Let’s get you out of here, I said.

Stupid life, I thought, ferociously.

Kade tried again. Please. I wanted to tell you, but I wasn’t at liberty to share. My orders— Kade stopped abruptly and growled.

I don’t give a damn about your orders, I seethed, getting an arm around Wrythe.

Kade put an arm around the king’s other side. Neither do I. Not anymore, he said with finality.

That was something, but I wasn’t sure whether it was too little too late, if he could do anything except follow orders.

We hefted Wrythe up together.

The king groaned.

Be careful, I said, feeling overprotective.

I’m going to free him. Kade moved one of his fingers over the metal cuff shackling Wrythe to the wall. A spark of white light flared from the metal before the manacle broke. Wrythe’s arm fell with a thud and he moaned, the movement snapping him back to consciousness.

Sire, I said, keeping one shoulder under his arm to hold him upright.

Alice? You’re safe? Wrythe asked, surprised. Now that the troll manacle wasn’t holding him, he began to heal almost immediately.

Yes, I said. I’m fine. Worry and relief for Wrythe replaced my wrath. I’m so sorry I got you into this, sire. I helped him take a step. Do you think you can make it to the elevator?

I can try, Wrythe said.

Kade put his shoulder under Wrythe’s other side and together we helped him walk.

Your wounds should heal quickly now. The troll magic in the cuff was keeping you from doing so before, Kade said, his words labored as he worked to help Wrythe out of the

Reviews for Alice Takes Demonland

[ItzMizDiz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

this book has a twist i never ever expected,WOW! its so catching....i loved this book n i hope u like it too