Love Begins in Hell (The Moon Journals: Part 1) by Ally Thomas

sparked between both of us and I closed my eyes as his mouth covered mine.  Yes, take me.   His tongue sent shivers of desire racing through me and I returned his passion.  I was shocked at my own eager response to his lips.
    ***
    “How did we get here?” I asked as he cradled me in his arms.
    He remained quiet for a very long time.  My question seemed to float along the air, threatening to fall into the water.  Lightly I touched my fingers to my lips and felt the wetness from his embrace.  My lips were still radiating and warm.  His kiss had sent new spirals of ecstasy through me.  I want you, I thought.  As I settled back in Dante’s arms, I relived our recent kiss over and over again in my head.  I relived our first kisses by the rock.  I smiled up towards the white canopy and enjoyed the feel of his arms around me.  Life with him would be Heaven.
    “By way of the river,” he said finally.
    “Yes, but where are we?” I questioned, remembering he had yanked me under the water.  “How did we get here exactly?” I repeated.
    Dante stood up quickly, almost dumping me out of the hammock onto the wooden pier.  “It doesn’t really matter,” he muttered.  “I wonder where they are.”
    “Who?” I snapped.  I felt abandoned at his hasty exit.  He should always be by my side.
    “Orlando and the others.  We usually meet here.”  His voice drifted off.  He had changed into a long-sleeve blue shirt, same as I had worn before, and a pair of gray jeans.  For some reason, I wore a flowing mint green linen dress that I assumed he had clothed me with.  That realization made my cheeks redden.
    “Dante?”  I added an authoritative tone to my voice, letting the last syllable drop with a hint of seriousness.  “I wanted some answers.”
    “This…” he announced, raising his arms to the sky, “is the Fanged Realm.  But it doesn’t matter, does it?” he growled.  “You’ll be on your way home soon and out of my father’s clutches.  He won’t take you as well, but I’ll lose you forever.”  He pounded his fist into the palm of his other hand.
    When I realized Dante was referring to my sister and aunt, a flood of wild grief ripped through me and I gasped.
    He whirled around.  Oh god, Elana.  I didn’t want to tell you, but now you must know.  They likely are dead.  I’m sorry!  I’m so sorry!”
    I covered my mouth in anguish preventing myself from saying anything because I immediately understood his meaning the same time he did.  My eyes widened and a large lump formed in my throat.
    Our eyes locked.  The passion in his eyes died and they became flat, almost as unreadable as emerald jewels.  He shifted his gaze to the water beyond us, refusing to look at me.
    “Who.  Is.  Your.  Father?” I uttered the words very slowly when I finally recovered my voice.
    “I can explain.”
    “Who is your father?” I screamed, bringing my feet down hard on the wood as I attempted to stand without any luck.  The wood of the pier beneath me cracked.
    “Let me explain.”
    “Tell me,” I growled.
    “Lord Lucifer.  The demon that probably killed your relatives.  He’s my father.”
    “No!”  Not wanting to hear Dante confess to a death sentence by association, I covered my ears and shook my head.  “No, don’t say that.”  I prayed the Wolf had not heard him.
    He’ll have to die too, Elana.
    “ No, I won’t let you ,” I replied inwardly to the Wolf.
    To extinguish the darkness in your father and mother, all demons will have to die.
    “I will kill the son-of-a-bitch myself, Wolf.  This is not your fight!” I screamed, realizing Dante had no idea what I was talking about.  Smothering back a sob, I fell into the hammock, defeated.  Tears streamed down my face and I hid my face from Dante who was standing over me.  I’d lose him too.  Death would take the one chance I may have at love, real love and I’d be powerless to stop it.
    “Please Elana.  I can