Free The Darkest Fire by Gena Showalter Page A

screams. Had the pain and suffering been heaped upon him , he would not have cared. Would have laughed and fought all the harder. But Lucifer, brother to Hades and prince of the demons, knew exactly how to strike to ensure the desired results.
    â€œI expected differently. You are a warrior, so strong and assured.”
    Yes, he was a warrior. He was also a slave. “I am sorry.”
    â€œI will pay you to help me,” the goddess insisted. “Name your price. Whatever you desire shall be yours.”

CHAPTER TWO
    Whatever you desire shall be yours , she had said. If only, Geryon thought. He would ask for a single taste of her lips. But he would not risk the suffering of the innocent— why do you bother with them ?—simply to sate his craving for the lovely goddess.
    The question that had drifted through his mind had him gritting his teeth. He bothered because without good, there would only be evil. And he had seen too much evil.
    â€œI am sorry, goddess. As I said, I cannot help you.”
    Her delicate shoulders sagged in disappointment. “But…why? You want to keep the demons inside of hell just as much as I do.”
    Geryon didn’t want to tell her his reasons for refusing her, was still ashamed after all these centuries. Tell her, however, he would. Perhaps then she would return to the old ways and pretend he did not exist. As it was, his craving for her was growing, intensifying, his body hardening. Readying. She’s not for you .
    â€œI sold my soul,” he said. He had been one of the first humans to walk the earth. He’d been content with his lot and enraptured by his mate, even though she’d been chosen by his family and had not desired him in return. She had grown sick, and he had despaired. He had cried out to the gods for assistance, but they had ignored him. Then Lucifer had appeared before him.
    To save her and finally win her heart, Geryon had willingly given himself to the dark prince—and found himself transformed from man to beast. Horns had sprouted atop his head, and his hands had become claws. Dark, carmine fur covered the skin on his legs, while hooves replaced his feet. In seconds, he’d transformed, more animal than human.
    His wife had healed, as his contract with Lucifer stated, but she had not softened toward him. No, she had left him for another man. His hands fisted, claws digging deep into his palms, as he refocused on the goddess. “Though I wish otherwise, my actions are no longer mine to command.”
    The goddess studied him, her head tilting to the side. He shifted uncomfortably, such scrutiny unnerving given his sickening appearance. To his surprise, revulsion did not darken her lovely gaze as she said, “I will see what I can do.”
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    Inner Corridors of Hell
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    â€œLucifer, hear me well. I demand to speak with you. You will appear before me. This day, in this room. Alone. I will remain exactly as I am.” Kadence, goddess of Oppression, knew to state her wants precisely or the demon prince would “interpret” them however he wished. Were she simply to demand an audience, he might whisk her to his bed, her arms and legs tied, her clothing gone, a legion surrounding her.
    Several minutes ticked by and there was no response to her summons. But then, she’d known there wouldn’t be. He enjoyed making her wait. Made him feel powerful. She used the time to eye her surroundings. Rather than stone and mortar, the walls of Lucifer’s palace were comprised of flames. Crackling, orange-gold. Deadly.
    She hated everything about this place. Plumes of black smoke wafted from the blazes, curling around her like fingers of the damned. So badly she wanted to wave her hand in front of her nose, but she did not. She wouldn’t show weakness—even with so small an action.
    Did she dare, she knew she would find herself drowning in the noxious fumes. Lucifer loved nothing more than exploiting