A Dangerous Demon King (The Sentinel Demons Book 4) Read Free Page B

intelligent blue-eyed gaze of the dainty angel who was still wearing a murderous expression.
    “Interesting,” the woman rasped, turning her attention to mowing down more Evils. “Where is he?”
    “We have to get through this hallway and down to the dungeon,” Sophie instructed, following close behind the woman and her sword. “He’s being held right beneath this room.”
    “You’re one of the special radiants . What’s your name, child?”
    Sophie wasn’t special in any way, and she didn’t understand the woman’s comment, but she kept following the mesmerizing blonde, convinced that this was Kristoff’s rescue team. His chance to get free and return to the human realm.
    By now, the dirt floor was piling up with the remains of the demons who were quickly meeting their demise and turning from goo to ash. Sophie just continued to plow through it, feeling nothing but relief as each Evil fell. Whoever this earthly female was, she wasn’t anything like the others who had died. In fact, her strength was almost palpable.
    “I’m Sophie, and I haven’t been a child for a very long time.” She’d grown up here in the demon realm, and although she hadn’t aged much once she’d reached adulthood, she was far from young, and she definitely wasn’t innocent. “Who are you ?” she asked hurriedly as she reached the door of the dungeon, turned the large metal key and yanked to get it open.
    “I’m Athena. Even though you’re an adult now, I assure you I’m old enough to call you a child,” she answered with certainty. “Do you already know you belong to Kristoff?”
    “I belong to no one,” Sophie shot back at her angrily. “I might be a prisoner, but nobody will ever own me.”
    Athena ducked through the door as soon as there was a lull of oncoming Evils and followed Sophie down the black, concrete stairs.
    “How did you know he was here?” Athena asked as she followed close behind Sophie’s rapid movement.
    “We…communicate. I know it sounds strange, but we can actually mind-speak.”
    “Not so weird since you have a rather important connection. Unusual perhaps, and it hasn’t happened this way in the past. But Kristoff is…different,” Athena answered. “It’s hard to tell how his mating experience will differ from other Sentinels since he’s a demigod, the first of his kind, and the king.”
    Mating experience? Had Kristoff found his mate only to be torn away from her and into the demon realm?
    Sophie didn’t understand much of what Athena was saying, so she focused more on finding and rescuing Kristoff. For some reason, it was critical to her that he lived and got back to the human realm where he belonged.
    “This way,” Sophie instructed as she led Athena down a dark hallway once they reached the bottom of the stairs.
    Athena made short work of the guards, lopping off their ugly heads, hardly hesitating in her determination to get to the demon king.
    Sophie sent Kristoff a mental message so he wasn’t taken by surprise.
    I’m with a woman named Athena. We’re coming to release you.
    Sophie’s steps faltered as Kristoff roared.
    She’s not a woman. She’s a goddamn goddess. What in the hell is she doing here? Is she alone? Dammit! The last thing I want is for her to die on a suicide mission.
    Athena was a goddess? No wonder she was kicking ass against the lesser Evils.
    She isn’t alone. I’m showing her where you are, and your Sentinels are doing battle with the Evils.
    Pointing Athena down another dark tunnel, the goddess turned left as instructed.
    Goddammit! They can’t be here. The toxins will kill them, and they have no powers. They’ll all be slaughtered.
    While most people would be relieved that rescue was in sight, Kristoff sounded angry that anybody had risked their life for him. Sophie thought it was admirable that he’d rather die than see any of his Sentinels and friends perish. She answered as she reached his cell, “They seem to be doing just fine,” she