The Reckoning

By Torri Heat

Luc, a demon Mare, and Joelle, the sassy woman he started out tormenting only to fall in love with, must travel to hell to save Joelle from a fate worse than death -- eternal damnation. But when they arrive, they’ll be damned if they’re putting up with what they find.

Betrayal, tricks, and a twist of fate have them questioning reality and their love for each other. Will either of them survive?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Changeling Press
• Release date: Aug 6, 2021

Book preview

Chapter One

Joelle

People always told me falling in love was a slow death. That one day, I’d wake up and I wouldn’t know any different. That I’d accept my fate, letting the current of my life drag me where it would. I had disagreed. And it turns out I had been right. When love found me, I fought it. I saw what was happening, and I denied it. I clawed my way out of that rushing river, needing to be in control of my destiny. It didn’t matter. Once I found my way out of those whirlpools and rapids, Luc was still there waiting for me. He’s always been there. Watching.

Even as I watched his chest rise and fall with the easy breaths that came with sleep, I knew he would be aware of my presence. It was a heavy feeling, knowing someone was watching you at all times. Sometimes the need for independence splintered across my heart, pulsing through my body. But I wasn’t trapped. I could run. If I wanted. I could grab the pocketknife I had stashed in my boot before we left the cabin and leave him bleeding in the wake of my freedom. If I wanted. I didn’t. Did that mean I loved him? Probably. But I wasn’t sure how to actually tell Luc.

The thoughts zapped through me, and my chest tightened in response. I rolled over in the lumpy bed, grabbing the prescription pills Luc had filled for me at the pharmacy and swallowing one dry. A fake name, a scribbled signature, and a charming smile from Luc provided me with not only my anxiety pills, but a prescription for a birth control patch as well. I flopped back over, resting my arm gently on Luc’s cool chest. The early grey light of dawn was seeping through the thin, faded curtains, giving his lean physique even more of a marble-like look than normal. Before I could stop myself, I dragged my finger slowly down his chest, enjoying the way his body flexed under my touch.

I know you’re watching me, love. Luc’s voice was a deep rasp, still thick with sleep. It’s early. What are you doing up besides interrupting my sleep?

I continued my perusal of his body until he snatched my hand with his own. I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye, but his eyes were still shut. Couldn’t sleep. This bed is uncomfortable. I slipped my free hand to his neck, twisting my fingers in his messy blond hair.

We had left the cabin a week ago, when Luc had noticed some signs of scouts around the cabin’s perimeter and deemed our safe house no longer secure. We had been using the cabin as our base while Luc waited for his friend in hell to contact him. But it was no longer safe, so in the dead of night we had fled in Donna, Luc’s car, zigzagging through the quiet towns and backtracking on ourselves. As the dark gave way to the morning light we had found ourselves at a small motel, abandoned with the exception of us.

Luc laughed, the sound echoing in the sparsely furnished room. I know. I promise it won’t be much longer. Luc’s connection from the other realm had yet to get into contact with us, and he wouldn’t allow me outside for more than a moment or two of fresh air at a time, and only at night. I was going to lose my damn mind, even more so than my current state of being.

I sighed, tugging on his hair until his dark eyes opened. I’m bored. Entertain me.

He raised his eyebrow, releasing my hand. And what did you have in mind for said entertainment?

I swung my leg over his hip and gave him an easy smile. Well, devil dog…

No nicknames, Luc warned, crooking a finger under my chin so that I met his gaze.

I pushed his hand away. Yeah, yeah. I tightened my fingers in his hair, drawing the lightest moan from his lips. Maybe we could…

Mmm… love, I don’t think you even need to finish that sentence. I’m in.

I grinned. Then maybe we could go for a walk outside?

Luc sat up abruptly, and I fell backwards against my pillow. Absolutely not.

Come on! He couldn’t keep me locked up in here forever. I was ready to dig my way out through the stained carpet. I just needed a spoon. "Luc. You can’t be fucking serious. I’ve already counted the number of tiles on the ceiling. I’ve watched every episode of Maury known to mankind. I need to leave this motel room."

No. Not happening.

Luc’s stare was cold, and I knew that in his mind the discussion was over. I glared at him and threw myself out of bed, storming toward the small bathroom at the back of the room.

Where are you going?

To shower, I spat. Do you need a play by play of exactly what I plan on doing in there or am I free to go?

Love, I’m -- I cut him off by slamming the door, rattling the weak frame. I had no interest in hearing his sorry excuses for apologies. I’m sorry I have to keep you locked up in this room. I’m sorry you can’t go outside. I’m sorry that a bunch of demons from hell are hunting you down. Okay… maybe the last one was partially true. But he had another thing coming if he thought I was just going to rot away in this motel room for the rest of my life. I could do that just fine back in my apartment, and at least my place didn’t smell like a chain-smoker had died under the bed with his fifteen cats. Fucking Luc. Thinking he could control every situation. Thinking he could control me. His contact better get in touch today, or there would be hell to pay.

The creak of the doorknob told me Luc was entering the tiny bathroom, invading my small sanctity. Joelle. Love. You know why I can’t let you leave. It’s for your own safety.

I turned on the shower, stripping my shirt over my head. Wasn’t anything he hadn’t seen before. I’m not asking to go buy drugs, Luc. I just want to go for a walk. No one would see us.

I’m sorry. No.

I shoved my pants over my hips before stepping into the steam. I couldn’t look at him. Just leave me alone.

Fine. Luc’s voice was tight. I couldn’t see his face behind the yellowing shower curtain, but I knew he was pissed. Good. Served him right. You don’t have to agree with me. But it’s the way we’re going to do things. I have to go out and get a few supplies. I won’t be long. Can I trust you won’t get into any trouble while I’m gone?

I didn’t respond. My silence was answer enough. Luc cursed under his breath, and I heard the bang of the door as it swung shut behind him. Asshole. I quickly washed my hair using the shampoo from the tiny bottle, and turned the shower off, grabbing one of the thin scraps of fabric the motel deemed towels. Luc wasn’t in the room, having already left to do whatever it was he did when he was gone. Probably sat around on street corners pouting until his contact came through. Jerk. I dug through the small backpack of clothes we had brought with us, finding a semi clean pair of pants and shirt. They would do for what I had planned today. I had a taste of freedom when Luc and I escaped from the city. A taste of what it was like to feel alive again. And I wasn’t going to sit inside and waste my life watching couples fight over paternity tests. I was going to go for a fucking walk -- Luc be damned.

The weather had warmed up since we left Chicago, and the taste of spring was in the air as I opened the scratched door. I