Page 67 of Hell on Wheels

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Page 67 of Hell on Wheels

Damon chuckles under his breath, giving me an amused look. I doubt Cheshmak gets how ironic her choice of insult is, but our girl will not go low just because her target did. Rogue’s not the type to fight her battles with hypocrisy.

“What the hell are you talking about? Fine demon men like the Gemini don’t belong with trampy Fae with no value to our world,” Cheshmak sneers.

“Oh, shereallydoesn’t get it,” Archie mutters under his breath. “This is going to be bad.”

Rogue stands taller, lifting her chin as her wings flutter freely behind her. She’s not a damn bit ashamed of being part Dark Fae, despite the rumors and innuendo about them. Because of her role as a Guardian, she has to be oh-so-careful, but the confidence Mina damaged when she betrayed her is coming back. I canfeelthe derision in her through our bond as she gives the Cubi a hard look.

“Slut shamingandspeciesism? Wow,” she breathes out, her voice full of disgust. “You’re a piece of work, Chessmaster.” The demoness shrieks in indignation as our girl purposefully mangles her name—an insult demons take seriously. Names hold power and Rogue just made her sound like a fool. “I don’t owe you a damn thing, but you should learn to identify people better before you toss out insults.”

Hissing like a serpent, the succubus loses some of her glamor, showing the darker form of her demon in a slow flicker. “My name isssss…. Chessssshmak. I am over a thousssssand yearsss old. Men fear even a whissssper of my name in the sssshadowssss, little girl.”

Rogue snorts, tossing her head arrogantly. “I don’t give a shit who you are, Keymaster. I’m neither a male nor fully a Dark Fae. If you had half a brain in your head, you’d know I’m more kin to you than the boys are. And I don’tneedmy inherited powers to control anyone. They want me without being manipulated magically.”

The argument finally piques Reb’s attention and when he hears his step-sister defending herself to the shining demon, he gives me a pointed look. We knew this would be a mess, but D and I didn’t expect our mother deciding to thumb her nose at our autonomy quite so publicly. Damon nods at me and I suck in a breath. If we want this to end and not get repeated, it’s time, even if my parents aren’t in the room.

I reach out, grasping Rogue’s arm gently. “Let’s leave this relic to stew in her own pheromones, Princess. We have something to do.”

D grins broadly at the others, his smugness practically emanating from his body as they all roll their eyes. “I’ve been waiting for this all night.”

“If anyone so much as touches a hair on her head…” Rebel warns in a soft growl.

Rogue sighs as he finishes his sentence, “… you’ll hold every one of them accountable, blah, blah, blah. Damn it, Reb, I’m a big girl and a Guardian. Stop acting like I’m a fucking damsel.”

“You’llneverbe a damsel, Princess. He’s just a stubborn asshole who can’t bear to think of you in the state we found you in last week. Give him a little leeway,” I reply as I lead her through the thick crowd of demons milling around the room. They’re all busy making connections and deals with one another—that’s part and parcel of a Gemini party.

But we need their attention now because I only want to say this shit once.

Once Damon and I are on the stage with the musicians, I signal for them to cut the sound and tap the mic once. I shouldn’t need to do more than that; I’m the goddamn heir to the GeminiMafia. My smile widens when everyone freezes, turning to face the stage where my twin and I flank our new mate. The looks they give us range from fear to curiosity, but no one says a word as I hold the room. Power is being able to command silence and sit in it comfortably, so I continue doing so for a few moments to show that I can.

“Good evening, my brethren,” I begin with a charming grin. “Tonight is a special night indeed. For many years, the future of the Gemini twins has been a topic of much discussion. As the children of the leader of our organization, Damon and I represent the future.”

There are soft murmurs and people look around, probably hoping to see Luca and Lola emerge from their clandestine meeting. That’s not going to happen, but I don’t blame them for checking. Demons always have to know who’s the most powerful dick in the room; it’s part of our culture.

Damon clears his throat, and the room goes quiet again. “We’re here to quell the rumors and re-assure you that you will be in competent, stable hands when the time draws near. Between the two of us, all aspects of our business will be run so smoothly that everyone will continue to swim in their wealth for millennia to come.”

“It is my greatest honor and pleasure, my fellow top world dwellers, to introduce our newly bonded mate—Rogue Kelly.”

That’s when the room goes absolutely bonkers.

“That is enough!”

Luca’s booming voice echoes through the room loudly enough to rattle the windowpanes. Neither Damon nor I react—it’s better if we don’t. Our father values strength and appearances above damn near anything else. If we want him to accept our relationship, we have to present a united front he respects, which includes Rogue. A quick glance at our girl almost makes me break character; she looks so bored with the entire situation that she might as well be doing someone’s taxes.

Fucking perfect.

“Father,” I say as he strides through the crowd as it parts like the Red Sea in legends. “How lovely of you to take time out of your busy schedule to give your approval of our bond.”

The rest of the room can’t see the fury in his expression as he approaches the stage, leaping onto it with the lithe grace of a level ten demon. Luca Gemini didn’t rise to the place he holds in the echelons of demon hierarchy without massive power and a reputation to match it. His eyes smolder at my twin and me as he continues to stand with his back to the room.

That’s another enormous power move—having enough influence to give a crowd of people your back without fear of being stabbed in it.

His voice is cloaked so only the three of us can hear it as he snarls, “What the fuck are youdoing?”

Rogue gives him a look as if he’s an absolute fool before she snarks, “Obviously we’re announcing our mating to your guest before I gut one of the nasty bitches your wife has been sending to feel up your sons. Was that not obvious?”

“Holy fuck,” Damon mutters in disbelief.

I don’t blame him.No onetalks to Luca like that, not even us. Hell, I don’t know if anyone’s ever spoken to him with such utter disdain and disrespect then remained breathing. But before I can cut in to smooth over her faux pas, something truly miraculous happens.




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