Page 45 of Quintus

“What the hell do you have to do with this?” Quintus demanded.

“I don’t take trips to Hell often. Was there on unrelated business. Purely out of necessity. I haven’t been in a while and took a wrong turn. Can happen to anyone. Opened up the wrong dungeon door and there she was.” Thorn gave a loud sigh, raising his eyebrows. “I found her in a rather unsavory place. Eighth dimension of the court of demons.”

“If she’s in Hell, did it ever occur for you to leave her there? Maybe she’s not who she says she is,” Viktor suggested.

“You don’t understand. She was in a section where the innocents reside. And she was asking for you. And so…I contacted Absinthe. No offense, but you’re not the kind of warm and fuzzy vamp I’m looking to help. To be honest, this could have gone either way. I could have easily left her there, but I owe Absinthe a favor.”

“A favor for what?” Quintus asked.

“Ah well, you know we all need a bit of witch’s help every now and then. It happens. Debt’s clear now. She seemed to think you were in love with this waif but it all seems a little anticlimactic now.”

“Quintus.” The female lifted her eyes to the vampire. “Please…what’s going on? I’m…”

“Mao…” Quintus shook his head in disbelief.

Gabriella’s stomach turned hearing the woman’s name on her mate’s lips, yet it was the softening of his eyes that stirred her beast. This intruder threatened to destroy the fragile relationship she’d built. She closed her eyes willing her wolf to retreat. Mate. The territorial urge warred with her humanity.

“I’ve been to Hell,” Mao said, her hands outreached. “Please…I need you…”

As she fell to her knees, Quintus rushed to her side. Gabriella held her breath as he scooped the female into his arms.

“Mao…” Quintus gazed at his old lover then looked up to the demon.

“She needs comfort. Give her blood,” Thorn suggested. “Shifters. They’re practically as vulnerable as the humans.”

“What?” Gabriella gasped, shock rolling through her body.

“The trip from Hell. It’s not exactly first class. More like being in the back of the bus.” Thorn brushed his palm over his sleeve. “Suit held up well though.”

“You mean you left her there after you found her?” Quintus growled, his focus on Mao.

“What did you expect me to do? I don’t know who took her or how she got there. For all I know she deserved to be there. Demons aren’t exactly the most forgiving people. I only took her once I knew I could deliver her to a reliable owner.”

“Quintus doesn’t own her,” Gabriella protested. Her blood boiled in anger. A vampire couldn’t have two mates. Her beast clawed to emerge. She closed her eyes, breathing deeply. No shifting. No shifting.

“Sorry, love, but look at them. Clearly they were supposed to be together.”

“Knock it off, demon.” Viktor placed his hand on Gabriella’s arm but she shoved him away.

“Don’t touch me,” she hissed, her eyes glowing red. Fire burned hot in her belly. Her wolf desperately scratched at what remained of her human psyche. Nothing could keep her beast at bay. “I’ve got…I’ve got to get out of here.” Gabriella scanned the room, planning her escape, her chest heaving.

“Viktor, take Mao,” Quintus ordered, cradling the lifeless woman in his arms. “I’ve got to get Gabriella outside.”

“No. I can’t do this. You have another mate…no, I don’t want…” Gabriella’s vision blurred as her wolf emerged. Rage drove the feral beast toward the surface, her claws extending.

“You try to do a nice thing and it all goes to shit. Good intentions.” Thorn shrugged with a sardonic smile.

“Shut the fuck up,” Quintus spat at the demon. “Viktor, come take her. Now.”

The room spun as her wolf emerged. Gabriella clawed at the fabric of her dress, the full moon compelling her to shift. She lost control, helpless to thwart the change. The possessive nature of the animal drove her, and within seconds, the pads of her feet hit the ground. With the transformation complete, Gabriella pressed to all fours, her attention set on Mao.

“Easy, bella. You don’t want to hurt anyone,” Quintus warned.

A ripple of his power danced over her fur, but Gabriella reflected it and sent his energy dissipating into the air.

“Settle, Gabby,” she heard Hunter say. Gabriella twisted her head to face him. His commanding voice resonated, yet he wasn’t her Alpha. The only one who she’d given power to had been Quintus.

“What the hell is going on here?” Absinthe asked, rolling her eyes. “I bring you a gift and you shit on it. All of you. I’m done.”