Page 227 of Knight’s Retribution

The flames closed in on Diemos, engulfing him.

His screams lifted the hair on the back of Kyler’s neck. Mia was hovering above the ground now, eyes glowing, her red hair flying out all around her. She hit him with everything she had until she had nothing left, until she collapsed, falling from the air.

Zenon caught her, holding her to him protectively.

Everyone stilled, even the demons froze.

Diemos lay in a charred heap in front of the portal, unmoving.

“Is he dead?” someone said.

He moved then, a rattled gasp coming from him as he dragged himself toward the portal, quicker than should be possible. No one was close enough to stop him. Tobias was too far away to even attempt to use his powers, too depleted to take Diemos’s head, and if they let him go now, without using the dagger she and Rocco had found, this would never end. He’d recover, he’d heal, and he’d come back again and again. The same power-hungry monster he was now.

He was about to crawl through.

Kyler grabbed the dagger from the sheath on Rocco’s thigh and spun to him. “Throw me.”

Rocco growled but picked her up, trusting her, trusting her ability, and threw her, instantly sprinting after her as soon as he let her fly. She tucked and rolled, landing beside Diemos.

One of his charred hands shot out and grabbed her leg.

Kyler shoved him over onto his back, the smell of burned flesh singeing her nostrils.

He blinked up at her, his yellow eyes dull in his face. “I only wanted you to love me,” he choked out.

“You earn love, you can’t demand it.” She raised the dagger. “This is more than you deserve. Use this chance wisely.” Then she brought the dagger down with every bit of strength she had left, burying it into his chest, into his heart.

Then Rocco was there, pulling her to her feet and into his arms, his big body shaking.

Diemos convulsed, then seemed to pass out.

Silence fell over the alleyway, except for the sound of heavy boots approaching.

Kyler turned.

Lucifer walked toward them, fire dancing in his yellow eyes. Roxy, Ursula, and several other females who were obviously also handmaids followed. They had their hands up, their powers aimed at the portal, keeping it open.

With the use of the dagger, whatever Diemos had done to lock Lucifer and the handmaids out of Hell, obviously no longer worked.

Lucifer walked past them and turned to face everyone. “I’ll take it from here.” Then he crouched beside Diemos, and a tear slid down his cheek. “You stupid, little fuck,” he said and pulled the dagger free, tossed it aside, and scooped his son up into his arms.

Then he walked through the portal, the handmaids with him.

Roxy turned and waved, then the portal closed.

It was over.

Holy fuck, they’d won.

Chapter 32

The fatalities were few, thank fuck, and Jack was ready and waiting for the casualties.

Rocco held on to Kyler, Tobias and Scarlet beside them, as Laz landed on the balcony of the control room, Eve in his arms. Her face was covered in blood. “Jack!” Lazarus roared.

Jack rushed over.

“She can’t see. She can’t see anything.”