Alice Ignites Demonland

By RaShelle Workman

Two men from completely different backgrounds. One chance to defeat her demon sire. Alice has a shot at completing her final trial, but the angel realm is no Wonderland.

After a heartbreaking loss, Alice is mostly recovered and happier than she's ever been. Until the Devil forces her into the angel realm.

Ordered to attend the Seraph Academy with other misfit students, Alice soon discovers angels have weaknesses too. There's a war raging between two factions, and Alice is caught in the middle thanks to a centuries-old prophecy.

With the help of a talking weapon, Alice must figure out how she fits into the angel realm, complete the Devil's final trial, and hope her heart and the man she loves can remain intact when it's all over.

★★★ Alice Ignites Demonland is the fourth book in the #1 bestselling Demonland series. If you like unputdownable storytelling, well developed characters, and a magical romance, then you'll love RaShelle Workman's fast-paced and fun reimagined take on Alice in Wonderland. ★★★

✓ #1 in Paranormal Fantasy

✓ #1 in Horror

✓ #1 in Teen Romance

✓ #1 in Science Fiction & Fantasy

✓ #1 in Fairy Tales & Folklore

Scroll up and download Alice Ignites Demonland today! ♥

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Demonland Series:

Alice in Demonland

Alice Fights Demonland

Alice Takes Demonland

Alice Ignites Demonland

• Language: English
• Publisher: Booklover Legion
• Release date: Nov 3, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005234010

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

Pass the peas, Wrythe said, giving me a quick wink before his eyes found my mom’s. 

I smiled and took a bite of mashed potatoes. 

My mom picked up the bowl of creamed peas and handed them to me. Here you go, she said kindly. She wasn’t the biggest fan of Wrythe. It didn’t matter that he was a king. He was half-demon, and that made him not good enough for me in her eyes. 

We were sitting around the large dining room table in Professor Pops’ house. Okay, it was a mansion. The luxurious table could seat twenty, though tonight there were only Professor Pops, my mom, Wrythe, and me. 

Eating together once a week had become a habit in the last eleven months. And while spending time with my mom and Professor Pops wasn’t awkward, it was sometimes weird. Probably because they didn’t eat, but sipped human blood from silver goblets. I was curious where they got the blood, but I hadn’t dared to ask. 

More than that, I still wasn’t used to having my mom around. She’d been human once, nearly six hundred years ago. Then she’d become a revenant and finally a vampire. After killing a lot of people, the chayot discovered her and were ready to kill her, but somehow instead, she’d become an archangel. During her time as the angel of death, she got busy with the Devil, and nine months later, she had me. 

After that, they stripped her angelic powers and all memory of me. She was returned to her vampire state, though she still carried some angelic residue. Now that she had Pops back and remembered me, she was happy. 

Happy to have me in her life. Happy to be with Professor Pops. 

My mom reached over and squeezed my hand lightly. You look lovely tonight, Alice. Her face glowed with warmth. 

I glanced down at my black dress, the one Haven made. After I became a council member, she created seven more, one for each of the sins. Each dress was divine, and I cherished them. Thank you, Mom. So do you, I returned. And it was the truth. 

She was a stunning woman with fiery red hair and skin so creamy it looked like milk. Tonight she wore a sleek emerald dress that accentuated her slight form. Her long hair was down, and she wore makeup as well as jewelry, including a ruby and diamond engagement ring on her left hand. Everything about her appeared soft, but it was all an illusion. At one point, she’d led the armies of France to victory against England. And for years, she’d commanded the League of Huntsmen, a group of chayot and humans dedicated to hunting down rogue vampires and evil supernaturals. Sitting like she was now, at the dinner table beside Professor Pops, she looked like a regular, ordinary, albeit stunningly happy woman.

Me, on the other hand? 

Well, I wasn’t unhappy. 

You should ask Haven to make you a white dress, Joannie said. 

I lifted a brow in question. 

Or at least a gold one. She sipped her blood and swallowed. To represent the angelic part of yourself too, she added, as though she shouldn’t have to explain herself. 

I wouldn’t ask Haven to make me a dress. That just wasn’t done. She was a busy Moth. That she made me eight already went way beyond what she did for most Moths. 

Before I could tell my mom that, Wrythe answered. I’ll be sure to mention that to Haven, he said kindly. Alice would be stunning in a white or gold dress. He caressed my face with his eyes. 

That would be very good of you, she said, her voice holding only a slight chill.

After so many months together, I’d hoped she would take to Wrythe the way I had. Professor Pops liked him. Why couldn’t my mom?  

Did you watch the game last night? Professor Pops asked Wrythe, changing the subject. 

I wanted to kiss my vampire soon-to-be-step-father.

I did, Wrythe answered, wiping his mouth with a napkin before cutting into his steak. Can you believe Adams threw that interception right before the half? he asked, then stuck a bite into his mouth. Even when he was chewing, he was hot.  

Ridiculous, Pops said, then took a big drink. 

For the next fifteen minutes, the talk was all about football. My mom joined in as well. She liked the sport nearly as much as the men did. 

That gave me time to think. Something I tried not to do, but sometimes it couldn’t be helped. 

As always, my mind went to Kade. After he died, I didn’t think I would ever feel anything but misery. Each day I woke, and every moment until I slept, my thoughts lingered on what I’d done: killed the man I loved. Styx tried to keep me fed, but I refused. Not only that, but I refused to see anyone, including Wendy. It wasn’t until Wrythe started showing up daily that I began to open my heart and live again.

He saved my life when I didn’t believe it was possible. Tenderly, he’d encouraged me to get back to work. My job was weapons training for the new trainees. Not only that, but Wrythe asked me to be the liaison for the demons who worked for us on level D10. At first, I refused, but Wrythe finally won me over, and truth be told, I enjoyed working with them. The demons there were different than those I’d battled and killed, in more ways than one. They weren’t mindless rats like I believed, but possessed thoughts and feelings and even gentleness.

Alice? Wrythe touched my hand, giving it a little shake.  

Sorry, what? I missed the question. I put down my fork and smiled. 

His eyes met mine, and they overflowed with so much love. 

My beating heart picked up speed. The man was glorious to behold. Long black hair. Piercing gray eyes. An incredibly muscled body and kissable lips. But he was more than that. He was generous and loved me in a way I sometimes struggled to comprehend. 

But I loved him right back. When I finally opened my heart, I’d clung to Wrythe. He became my everything. And loving him was as natural as breathing. 

He smiled. Are you ready for dessert? Your mother made it.

Oh, I returned his smile with one of my own. Definitely. I pushed away my plate. 

I’ll go get it, Professor Pops said and stood. 

I’ll help, my mom added and followed him out of the dining room. 

Did I drive them away? I asked, my tone only slightly teasing. 

Doubtful. They’re probably going in there to get a moment alone. Wrythe took my hand and kissed my fingers, sending a different kind of hunger shooting through my veins. 

Before I could act on my needs, Pops and Mom were back. She carried a bottle of non-alcoholic bubbly since the alcohol didn’t affect us anyway. Her face was unreadable. Pops had two glass bowls filled with something that looked like pudding. He set down mine first. 

For you, Pops said, giving me a strange smile. 

Looks delicious, I said, picking up my spoon. It looked like chocolate mousse topped with raspberries and whipped cream. 

Hopefully, it tastes as good as it looks, Mom said. I’m still practicing my cooking skills, and sometimes the directions are a little tricky. She rolled her eyes nervously. Her trepidation was endearing. 

I’m sure it’ll taste great. I waited until Wrythe had his, and then we dug in together. I put the bite in my mouth and was shocked by the bitterness of the chocolate. It tasted like she used too much. Not wanting to hurt her feelings, I worked to swallow. A glance at Wrythe told me he was struggling the same as me. It tastes good, I lied, grateful for the raspberries and cream to cut through.

Are you sure? I thought I might have used too much of the chocolate. Mom’s features were taut with anxiety. 

Maybe just a little, I admitted but took another scoop. Mom wasn’t a cook, and it didn’t help that she couldn’t sample what she was making. To her, it all tasted like ash. At least that was what she told me once. 

Pops wrapped an arm around her shoulders. You are amazing, my love. 

Wrythe scooped more onto his spoon but didn’t have the stomach to put it in his mouth. 

I figured I’d just gulp my bite down quickly, but as it touched my tongue, I felt something hard. I sucked and swallowed all, but whatever it was and then pulled it from my mouth. What’s this? I asked, looking at Joannie and Pops before glancing at Wrythe. 

All three were watching me intently. 

Surprised, I glanced down at the thing in my hand, my pulse quickening. Using my napkin, I wiped it off. Was it what I thought it was? A diamond ring? I asked, confused. 

Wrythe pushed out his chair and got down on one knee. With his seven-foot frame, we were nearly face-to-face. He gulped, and I saw a whisper of what looked like fear on his face. Alice, he said, taking the ring and dipping it in his water glass. Then he swirled it around until the water was brown and the ring was clean. 

I thought my heart would pound out of my chest. What are you doing? I asked, pressing the back of my hand over my mouth. Was he about to propose? It sure as hell looked like it. 

He gave me an enormous smile. Alice Blackburn, he started again. I love you and have loved you for months. He licked his lips. It was after you slew that demon in the parking lot of the Mexican restaurant that I first knew my feelings for you had become something like love. During that week, as I watched you, fought beside you, and got to know you, my feelings grew. You are so beautiful, determined, committed, and, might I say, kick-ass. He chuckled, and I laughed with him, releasing some of the tension. That was all it took for me to fall head over heels. Since then, I’ve done my best to show you what my love looks like, and I think you love me too. He paused, shifting his weight slightly. 

I found myself nodding my head. I do. Wrythe, I love you very much, I responded, feeling like I’d tumbled into a tub of ice. I was awake and alert as never before because I did love him. With all of my heart. Or at least as much as I could. But wasn’t love like a flower? With water and if given enough sun and nutrients, the bloom would last longer and would be much more vibrant. Wrythe was worth the time and effort, and we would be great together. 

Then will you do me the honor of becoming my wife? Queen of Demonland. To rule equally at my side? Had I heard a tremor in his voice? This moment was a big deal for him. He was showing all of his cards and doing it in front of my mom and Pops. 

Wrythe, I started and cleared my throat. Was saying yes the right thing to do? I bit my bottom lip as I debated, but only for the briefest second. Yes, I whispered, leaning in and kissing him. 

His mouth on mine was delectable, and as his hands gripped at my hips, it was just him and me and all the love and passion our kiss possessed. 

Pops cleared his throat.

Embarrassed, I leaned back. 

Wrythe took my hand and placed the grand and sparkly oval diamond solitaire on my finger. He noticed my hand was shaking and held my fingers. You’ve made me the happiest man in the world, he confessed, kissing the palm of my hand. It was intimate, and I shivered. I love you, he said. 

My eyes met his. I was still tingling with an electric fire. I love you, too. 

After my Mom and Pops offered their congratulations and several toasts, we used magic to port back into Demonland and right into my bedroom. The door was already closed, and Wrythe took the opportunity to spin me around to unzip my dress. We’ll announce our engagement tomorrow after dinner, he said, kissing one shoulder and trailing more kisses across my naked back.

At the feel of his lips and his five o’clock shadow against my skin, I sighed. His mouth was distracting, but I couldn’t help a small worry over what he’d said. Sure, most of the Dark Moths had accepted me and were even friendly, but if I were to marry their king? I didn’t know how they would take it. Are you sure that’s wise? I asked, reaching around to touch him. Maybe we should keep it a secret for a while. Turning, I unbuttoned his shirt, running my hands over his broad chest. His cologne was a heady but subtle combination of leather and ginger. Evocative enough that I wanted to taste his skin. 

I was desperate for him. To love and be loved by him. It was time. Tonight we would take our love to the next level. There was no doubt about it.

Wrythe’s eyes went dark, like thunderclouds before the rain. He lifted me onto the bed. I moved back until my head reached the pillows, and he followed, his eyes holding mine until he was above me. I couldn’t keep our engagement a secret even if I wanted to. You’ve made me the happiest Moth that ever lived. He bent and kissed each of my eyes, cheeks, and chin before his lips crashed into mine. 

I arched into him, clinging to his shoulders.

2

The next morning, when I woke, Wrythe was already gone, but his scent lingered. A red rosebud lay on his pillow with a note that was simple yet perfect. I love you, it said. A flood of love for the man filled my chest. Loving him was a gift, and I felt blessed having him in my life. 

I picked up the flower to smell the bud, and my thumb caught on a thorn. Ouch. A dot of blood appeared on my skin. Climbing out of bed, I went to the sink in the master bathroom and rinsed it off. By the time I looked at it again, there wasn’t any proof of a jab.

My ring caught my attention, and I turned my hand back and forth, allowing the diamond to sparkle in the light. Then I held it up so I could see it in my reflection. 

I’m getting married, I whispered at the woman looking back at me. A bubble of excitement raced along my veins. My reflection appeared eager, and I leaned in closer, looking for signs of the girl I’d been a year ago. At that time, I’d just turned eighteen and believed all that mattered was the Devil's death. 

Things in my life had changed dramatically. 

I’d changed. 

Removing the ring, I set it on the counter and went over to turn on the shower. As the warm water rushed over my body, I thought

Reviews for Alice Ignites Demonland

[ItzMizDiz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

i never hought this story would finish like this but i loved it!