Free Inferno-Kat 2 by Vivi Anna Page A

come out of a dreamlike trance. Turning, she glanced down at Baruch, whom she had been sitting on, his cock embedded deep inside her. Shaking her head as if coming to her senses, she tried to scramble off him, but Baruch grabbed her around the waist and flipped her onto her back.
    Dread surging over him, Hades watched helplessly as Baruch raised his hand over Kat, long talons poking grotesquely from his fingers. With a final glee-filled glance over his shoulder at Hades, he brought his hand down, imbedding his sharp nails into her chest, twisting them deep.
    “No!” Hades screamed as he scrambled up onto the railing. Teetering there on the edge, he took a deep breath and jumped.

    Hades bolted up from the bed, gripping the sheets tightly in both hands. Cold sweat slicked his entire body, and he felt dizzy and light-headed. He flopped back down onto the mattress, afraid he might vomit. By the taste in his mouth, he assumed he had already, once or twice.
    The door to his bedroom opened, and Mary came rushing in, a basin of water clutched in her hands. She sat down on the bed beside him, setting the bowl on the end table and tucking the bedcovers up over him. Wringing out the wet cloth, she set it on his forehead.
    Although he was vibrating from icy shivers, the cool, wet cloth on his skin felt pleasant, and he sighed. “How long have I been out?”
    “Five hours, about. The sun is starting to rise.” Mary set the cloth back in the bowl. “You cried out earlier. Were you dreaming?”

    Hades nodded. “Nightmare.”
    “About Kat?”
    “Yes.”
    She looked away from him and fiddled with her fingers. “I was wrong about her, and I’m sorry.”
    Hades grabbed her hand. “No, I’m sorry, Mary. I made a mistake coming here. I should’ve known I couldn’t hide from my past.” He squeezed her hand tightly. “I don’t belong here. I must leave as soon as I can.”
    She nodded. “I thought as much. Leucothea has been pacing like an animal for the past two hours, anxious to be leaving.” She took her hand back and patted him on the side, where he knew she had bandaged him up with the skills she had gleaned from her doctor cousin. “I told her you were not quite ready to go. You still had some healing to do.”
    “How long do you think?”
    “Another day at the least. Your ribs need to set.”
    “I can wait till the sun is at its zenith. Any longer and…”
    Mary smiled and nodded. “I knew you would say that, so I have packed a bunch of herbs and healing remedies in a satchel for you to take with you. I have shown Leucothea how to apply them.”
    “Thank you.”
    Nodding, she stood and walked to the door. “I will let you rest. You will need it.”
    “Mary, I…”
    She looked over her shoulder at him, and he could see the regret and loss in her eyes. “It’s all right, Hades. You never promised me more than friendship. And that is what you gave me. I see the love you have for this woman. I understand what you must do.” She stepped through the door and started to close it behind her. “I envy her that,” she whispered and then shut the door.
    Hades stared at the closed door, feeling regretful. Mary deserved so much more than he could ever have hoped to give her. He wished she would not stay alone for long. A good woman like her deserved love and respect. He could grant her the one thing but not the other.
    No, his love was reserved for one woman.
    A woman so stubborn and hotheaded his lips twitched just thinking about all times they had argued. He prayed to God that he would get to her in time. That he was strong enough to reach her and keep her from turning. If he had to, he would offer his own blood to keep her his. If that meant being her food supply for the rest of his life, then he would do it. Anything to keep her from Baruch.
    Because he knew the next time Kat encountered him, she would not be able to resist him. Hades had seen it in his dreams, and he felt it in his soul. The Dark Dweller had