Once upon a time...

Their story didn’t have to last long. She could train him and enjoy him for what he was—sexy, naughty and exciting.

“You will allow me?” He placed his hands—his big, strong hands—on her waist.

“Well.” The heat of him burned through her clothing, delighting her. “Not if you’re complaining, kretén.”

His lips quirked up at the corners. “No complaining from me, then. Only appreciation.”

He drew her closer, so close her chest pressed against his, and she thought she might be reconnecting with the rambunctious girl she’d once been. The girl who loved to laugh.

Giddiness made her dizzy. “Such a good boy.”

“A naughty one. When you smile you make me—” He stiffened, his eyes flickering with sparks of red.

Was the beast acting up?

Keep the interactions short and sweet. Always leave him wanting more.

“All right,” she said, as if she hadn’t noticed his negative reaction. “Give me an hour to prepare myself...for our mutual pleasure.” She pulled from his grip—swallowed a whimper as the heat he’d imparted quickly cooled—and walked away, giving her hips an extra sway. “I’ll make sure I’m worth the wait.”

The sound of his ragged groan followed her into the fortress, and for the first time in forever, she did laugh.

This was going to be fun.

* * *

Baden flashed to Aleksander, who was still locked in the eight-by-eight cell made of concrete and steel. There was no door. The only way in and out was to flash.

The male was huddled in the corner, caked in mud and dried blood. His hair stuck out in dark spikes, his eyes bloodshot and narrowed on Baden, his injured arm clutched to his chest.

Baden frowned. The bones in his wrist looked as if they’d grown a full inch since yesterday, which was impossible. Humans couldn’t regenerate like immortals.

“I’ll never tell you where I’ve hidden the coin,” the man spat. At least he’d stopped lying about being unable to find it.

“That’s all right. One of my friends is a computer whiz. He’s hacking into your bank accounts and transferring the funds to ours. By morning, that coin will be the only one you have left. Oh, and he’s also finding the name and location of every girl in your employ. Each will be freed, and your guards will be fired. Literally.”

Aleksander paled. “The last time Pandora appeared, she told me you’d taken a shine to my wife. Do you really want to leave Katarina destitute?”

Baden unveiled a smile so icy it chilled the room. He wanted the woman, and he would have her, but their date wouldn’t change their future. Sex...release...and one day, goodbye. Callous of him? No. A kindness to her? Yes. Better he hit and run than allow the beast to one day decide she was a threat they couldn’t afford to let live—which just might happen.

As she’d stood in front of him, the sun stroking over the dark hue of her skin, a well of tenderness had bubbled up inside him. He’d hated it as much as he’d loved it. He had to remain sharp, focused on winning his game. He had to survive the war between kings and help his friends find Pandora’s box. And he had to do it all while controlling the beast.

Katarina could help with the latter, no question, but at what cost to her?

“I won’t leave her destitute,” he said. “When the time comes, I’ll give her your fortune. She’s earned it.”

Aleksander hurled obscenities at him. “She’s mine, demon-spawn. Mine!”

Baden battled...something dark. “I’m no longer a demon and have never been the spawn of one. I’m worse. And you can’t do anything to stop me.”

Far from cowed, Aleksander kicked at him. “One day, you’ll regret your dealings with me.”

An undeniable threat. Now he dies.

Yes. Yes. The blood they would taste...the screams they would hear...

Vibrating with anticipation, Baden closed the distance. Aleksander shrank back—bastard was cowed now, wasn’t he? Too late. Baden grabbed his uninjured arm and palmed a dagger, intending to cut off his remaining hand.

Aleksander attempted to push him away. His wrist was longer, Baden realized, with three metacarpals already peeking through his skin like little white twigs.

There was only one way such a phenomenon was possible. He wasn’t human.

Hades possessed the ability to immortalize certain humans, but then, so did several different artifacts. The coin... Baden still hadn’t learned much about it, the details sparse. To use the coin was—supposedly—to force Hades to perform a boon. But what were the limits? The consequences?