Howl of the Wolf by N.J. Walters Page B

minutes to tidy away the bathroom and slip the two amulets around her neck again. Whether they worked or not was irrelevant. Her friends had given them to her and they offered comfort.
    There was no putting off the inevitable any longer. Her friends had to go home and she had to face this night alone.
     
    Hades peered out at the legion of demons that stood waiting on his every mood, every whim. Heat and steam surrounded them, making it difficult to breathe. No human, and not many demons, could survive here. They were deep in the bowels of Hell. These were his toughest, most single-minded demons. They were all tall, all thickly muscled and well trained. They would all, to the last demon, die for him, and they were his to command.
    When the time came for him to launch his plan to take over the world, there would be no mistakes. Whether or not Arand joined him or ended up dead remained to be seen.
    Agmar, the leader of the group, stood off to his right, his red eyes glowing with anticipation. The seven-foot demon was smarter than most, but not a threat to Hades, not like Mordecai was.
    “They are ready at your command.” Agmar bowed at the waist.
    Hades liked the demon’s tone and posture. It was one of deference. One that assured Hades the demon knew who was the master and who was the servant. “Good. Keep them training. I want them ready at a moment’s notice.”
    He turned and walked away.
    Agmar yelled at his men. “You heard the Dark Lord. Begin training.”
    Metal struck metal. Yells and the occasional scream of pain could be heard in the distance as Hades passed over a thin rock bridge that looked down upon a fiery river afloat with lost, lamenting souls. He paused halfway across to peer down at them. Such lovely souls, and all his. Soon there would be more.
    Mordecai was training most of his troops, but Agmar was in charge of Hades’ elite guard. These were the demons he would take with him when the invasion of the world began. He trusted them at his back in a way he could not trust Mordecai. These demons feared him. The serpent did not.
    But that would change. And soon.
    Satisfied all was as it should be, Hades continued on to his private quarters, reviewing his plans all the way there.

Chapter Four
    A renewed sense of hope filled Sabrina as she made her way home late the next afternoon. Although she’d thought she’d never be able to close her eyes after what had happened in her apartment last evening, she’d slept like a baby—once she’d managed to get to sleep. It had taken her several hours after her friends left before she’d even begun to relax. Every noise, from the creaking of the building to the swish of the wind outside her window had her breaking out in a cold sweat.
    Maybe the worst was over.
    And maybe she had some swampland she could sell to a northern land developer. She was lying to herself and she knew it. She had the sense that whatever was out there was simply biding its time. Waiting. Watching.
    “Shake it off,” she muttered. She’d had a great day in the Square, selling several more paintings and art cards, as well as doing several charcoal sketches that had immediately been purchased by the tourists who’d watched her draw them. She’d had an excellent month so far and had sold far more canvases than she’d anticipated. It would soon be time to hit the art shop for more supplies.
    Her easel, stool and remaining paintings seemed extra heavy today and she hitched them over her shoulders. She wished she lived a bit closer, or could at least afford a car. Maybe she should look into a rolling cart of some kind. Not a bad idea. She’d made extra money this month and could afford it. A cart would allow her to carry more paintings with her to sell in the Square, and she could write off the cost as a business expense.
    Pleased with the idea, she mulled over the possibilities as she continued her journey toward home. Her cell phone rang, interrupting her musings, and she sighed before