Their Secret Obsession (A Reverse Harem) by Pippa Moon novel Chapter 170

Kane POV

"Are you coming? Or are you leaving your brother to do everything?" The demon mocked as Knox strode through the portal without hesitation. I swallowed hard, my heart thudding in my chest. Narrowing my eyes and taking a deep breath, I followed suit, stepping into the abyss beyond.

"I am going to barf!" I heard Knox scream, a small smile toying at the edge of my lips, although I got it; the transition was jarring, to say the least. One moment, you're in the familiar world; the next, you're surrounded by the oppressive aura of hell.

"Hold it together!" I uttered, more to myself than my brother, as I landed on unsteady feet and looked up at the cathedral, if one could call it that.

"What is this place?" I gasped, seeing death, decay, and flames lick at the walls, casting eerie shadows that danced across the warped architecture. It was a grotesque mockery of the sacred god mortals worshipped. I scanned the desolate interior, a shiver running down my spine, seeing the flames of hell flash beyond the stained windows and the outlines of beasts flying around freely.

"Chase, please!" Then, I saw her. Charlotte, her voice weak and racked with guilt. She sat in a pew, her form slumped, and her whispers filled with sorrow. My gut clenched at the sight of her anguish, seeing her eyes dulled by remorse.

"Princess." I whispered, the sound barely audible over the purr vibrating from Knox's chest at being close to her again. Without hesitation, he strode toward her, his movements purposeful, although she barely lifted her eyes to glance in our direction.

"Angel?" Knox announced. Unable to stay rooted or care much for the demon lingering beside us, I followed my brother. My steps heavy with dread seeing Knox reach her, I watched his hand extend, ready to cradle her, to offer solace in this nightmarish realm, but he paused, his eyes dropping to the figure in her lap.

"Charlotte?" My voice was gentle and filled with concern. My heart sank like a stone, seeing the source of her distress. Chase lay motionless in her arms, his front covered in blood, his body twisted in pain. Charlotte's anguish was deadly palpable in the air.

"Look at what you've done!" She roared as she looked up, tears streaking her cheeks, and for a moment, our eyes met. Panic devoured my soul for a second, thinking she was talking to me.

"Look at him!" She scolded Astaroth, while she gently rested Chase on the pew, so she could stand. There was a flicker of recognition as her eyes met mine, a spark of something familiar amidst the chaos ripping her apart, but as quickly as it flashed in her blue hues, it was gone. She pulled her gaze away and to the demonic wretch behind me.

"What happened?" I asked, watching as her legs moved quickly, pushing past me to bang her clenched fists on Astaroth's chest, in a fury-fueled tantrum.

"Ask him!" She screamed at the powerful creature, but he said nothing, did nothing, he just let her get her anger out. With patience and understanding that made me suspicious of his real intentions, I could have sworn from the flicker in his eyes that he enjoyed her touch. Jealousy ripped through me briefly before my brother's shocked voice filtered through the room.

"Is he dead?" I heard Knox ask, his voice low as he approached Chase cautiously while I swooped in and pulled our little mate off the demon who had caused her and my family such pain. But she was quicker and lunged at Astaroth again with double the outrage she had moments ago.

"Not yet!" Astaroth smiled, his eyes watching our mate with far too much interest, something I hoped, for his sake, Knox had not picked up on. Because if it irritated me, it would enrage Knox. Luckily for everyone, I knew better than to challenge this prick in his realm, but I would be dealing with him and my concerns soon enough, of that he could be sure.