The Hell Dimension Series Book 4
To Slay a Monster, I Had to Become One.
Living in Hell meant fighting. Power and cruelty ruled here. That needed to change. My five mates and I planned to do just that, even if that meant going to war with Lucifer himself.
What was worse than having five mates in Hell? Fighting with those mates.
I didn’t want this mating because it’d put everyone I loved in danger, but the assholes still claimed me in front of the Goddess Nyx. There was no going back from that shit.
The burning desire inside me for each of these men didn’t mind the bond, but when they all ganged up against me, I left. I took all the responsibilities of protecting the Dark Souls Academy with me. There was no way these pricks were treating me like a child. My power status outranked all of them now, and they didn’t like that. If we couldn’t work as a team, I’d work solo. I’ve done it my whole life.
I had the power now. War was coming, and I needed to be ready. I just hoped I could do it without my mates because I would have to unless things changed.
There was too much at stake to show weakness, even with my mates. There was no more playing it safe. If I had to torture and unalive everyone in Hell, I would at this point. To slay a monster, I had to become one. Demons fought in blood, after all.
I wouldn’t stop until Lucifer Fucking Morningstar lay at my feet. The big question was, who was going to win this upcoming war? A darkness was growing inside me, and I wasn’t sure I could hold it back. Or if I even wanted to. The numbness it gifted me kept me from breaking down. I had to keep my fingers crossed so the darkness wouldn’t swallow me whole.
AmazonExcerpt from Dark Souls Academy: The Sacrifice © Copyright 2024 Tosha Y. Miller
CHAPTER ONE
The Dark Souls Academy was eerily quiet. Not even the magical Fae trees made a sound. They usually swayed to their own rhythm, but they sensed the imminent death in the air. Or maybe, they knew me too well. All my nights involved hunting since I became Queen of the academy.
My eyes scanned our surroundings. The Fae creatures I had saved from a demon classroom watched my every move. Their beady eyes were creepy but welcomed. They were the first alarm if anyone came near. My magic was the second, and my senses the third. When hunting demons, one must use every tool at their disposal. Especially when dealing with fervent powers.
Considering we stood in an academy in Hell, death wasn’t unusual. New demons arrived every week. Some weren’t a threat, but others were strong and malevolent—a lethal combination. I wasn’t shy when it came to ending someone who deserved it, but my best friend Lilah was a different story. And tonight’s kill would be all on her.
Her fear saturated the air around us, palpable, like a skunk’s spray. I could smell the sour stench even through the humid, burnt hair and brimstone-scented air. My demon side eagerly fed on Lilah’s emotions, savoring them like a cold drink on a hot day.
Okay, remember to be quiet. Always think that your opponent is stronger than you, so sneak attacks are the best way to hunt. One sneaky strike can put the odds in your favor no matter how big your opponent is. I spoke into Lilah’s mind through our bond.
I glanced at my mark on her arm—a half skull with a lit candle on top—and couldn’t help but smile. The tangerine and fuchsia flames, edged in lapis, gleamed brightly on her milky skin. Even the wax melting onto the bone glowed faintly.
Watching it still tripped me out. Most demons had dark, ominous marks, but mine was vibrant and full of life. It was the perfect tattoo on her lower left arm. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t be permanent, not until I was over one hundred years old, but the temporary mark still served its purpose. Even if she was contracted to another demon. For a little while she was mine again. My mark was something I was proud of. It told all of Hell that she was under my protection.
I don’t know if I can. Her voice trembled with uncertainty.
I knew she had it in her. The demon side of her was feeble, but it would help. Even if I didn’t know what kind of demon lived inside her, all demons could kill.
I squeezed her shaking hand, giving her my support as we crouched in the bushes like small animals seeking shelter from a storm. The forest liked me, so the leaves and branches wrapped around us like a protective mother. But we were the storm about to hit.
Yes, you can. The Minotaur attacked you today. He deserves a much slower death. Come on, the Soul Building and I can’t always be there to protect you. With your new power boost, you’re strong, but some demons are stronger. I need you to be able to protect yourself. You know what’s coming.
Sacrificed demon souls filled the academy building. Souls that helped protect the school and had teleported Lilah away just in time, but it was close. She spent most of the day with my energy balm on her, so she could heal faster. My heart still thrashed in my chest about how close I came to losing her. It was why she needed to learn to become a killer. Hell was no place for the soft.
Are you sure your Demarcus can’t, like—
No. You need to do this. This demon is going to keep hurting people. He deserves this.
She shook her head and bit her lip. The fear made her eyes constantly dart around. Maybe we should do this tomorrow? You’ve been training the rest of the faction all week. Don’t you want to go watch a movie? An episode of Charmed?
Nope. Put your big-girl panties on. If you don’t want me to make you stay in the Lower Haven until I take care of Lucifer, you need to be a fighter. And demons fight in blood.
That did it. That had become the motto I told all the slaves who were too scared to fight. Only monsters could defeat other monsters.
