Forged by Fate by Reese Monroe Read Free Book Online Page B

familiar with this part of Hades that he could tell, and he’d seen much of it. Splices to locate demons on earth stayed open until the vanquish was complete for Theo to return home. Hopefully, this unique splice did the same.
    A whiff of vanilla teased his nostrils. But it was quickly followed by the foul stench of fear. Anger. Desperation.
    Finally, the end of the ceiling-less tunnel came in sight. Seven demons formed a semicircle around Sadie with Aggie standing in the center. Aggie’s red eyes flamed.
    One demon held Sadie by the neck and shoulder, nails digging into her tender flesh.
    A roar burned through Theo’s throat and rushed out his mouth. One push off the bike, and he was airborne, aiming straight for Aggie, who smiled and vanished, only to reappear beside Sadie, dagger to her throat.
    Theo’s fangs dropped and blood burned through him as his muscles tightened, preparing for battle. No, they would feel his wrath. Judge, jury, and executioner were the three words to describe Theo.
    Yet he’d sentenced and convicted Aggie three times, but somehow the demon continued to return to earth.
    Theo froze, reading the situation. The demons hadn’t moved. And they wore ceremonial garb. No, sacrificial garb.
    Shit.
    “You will unhand her.” Theo calculated the odds of his super speed. Was he fast enough to get to Sadie without harming her too greatly? She’d been through so much recently.
    So much she’d run from him.
    And once again, he hadn’t protected her. That pumped his blood three notches hotter than it already was. His muscles twitched, begging for action. To kill.
    “Such a beautiful, fragile human.” Aggie smiled and brushed his knuckles along her bare shoulder.
    The one with Theo’s brand. The Mark they shared, declaring them Mates. Showing all males she was not available.
    Even humans, though they didn’t know it.
    Sadie tensed and fixed her stare on Theo. He opened his mind to hers but saw a fury of thoughts raining down. He couldn’t quite grab one to hear completely. Wait, she was running through scenarios, options to get herself out of the situation. Yes. His woman was strong. She’d fight.
    He widened his stance, inching his hand toward the dagger perched at his hip. But if he got one to her, could she wield the Mavet since they hadn’t mated yet? Normally the Mates couldn’t until—
    Trust her.
    The Great One’s voice was calm yet piercing. Yes. He would trust her. She was strong. Stronger than even she knew. She could handle the Mavet.
    “Aggie, you really are daft, aren’t you?”
    The demon hissed.
    “My woman would never be fragile.” Theo grinned slowly, praying to The Great One that Sadie understood he needed her to fight. To use her skills as a black belt and her strength as a Shomrei Mate. “You know what that means?”
    He nodded at Sadie and silently said, Be ready.
    She winked.
    Actually winked.
    This might work .
    He tossed one of his daggers toward Sadie while he sped at Aggie, pulling out the second dagger from his thigh holster.
    Sadie snatched the weapon from the air and sliced at the claws holding her.
    One dive forward had her rolling on the ground. Theo easily plowed through the first wall of demons that swarmed in front of her, and then jumped over her as she rolled away from Aggie.
    Theo sank his dagger in Aggie’s neck.
    Wait, it wasn’t Aggie. Instead, it was one of his minions. The creature flopped onto the ground, foaming at the mouth. Theo whipped around and found Sadie engaged with a giant demon. His nails sparked against the blade.
    “Stab them anywhere,” he yelled as he charged the scuffle. The rest of the demons fled.
    But he knew they wouldn’t be gone for long. They’d be back, and in greater numbers.
    Sadie pierced the demon’s thigh, and it sagged to the ground.
    “Now that’s just not fair,” Justin said from the distance. “She can handle the Mavet and your Companion can’t.”
    Sadie jumped away from the demon that lay immobilized on