Defiled: A Dark Paranormal Romance

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Defiled: A Dark Paranormal Romance Page 20

by Piper Stone


  “Because I’m the daughter of a Georgia minister whose turned his church into nothing more than a horrific cult? A man who quite frankly harbors an evil side of his own? He’s greedy and uses every dime of the monies given to him by his poor members to fund his bank account. I’ve seen it. I found his worth. The bastard. He condemned me for being a... an abomination and he’s a thief.”

  “You are not your father.” I bit back the remaining words, the finality to the story that she needed to learn. That would come in time and I could only hope that she would forgive me.

  Sadie remained quiet, merely studying the exterior. “Marry a monster. I’m supposed to agree to becoming your wife and I suppose bearing your children?” She pressed several fingers over her mouth, doubling over as she released guttural sounds.

  “That is your choice and yours alone.”

  “You mean, you can’t force me to marry you?” Tipping her head in my direction, she laughed bitterly. “Why don’t I believe you? You’re basically the devil. You can do anything you damn well please, including incarcerate me. That’s what you’re doing right now. Oh, right. You’re protecting me.”

  I locked eyes with hers, feeling guilt and remorse, two emotions that the devil’s son should never feel. I was weakening, losing more power hour by hour. The council had wanted me to be very mortal, capitalizing on my inabilities to even find the key, hoping that I would fail. “I am little more than a man because of my harsh punishment, Sadie, but one who cares for you deeply. There are books, sacred journals that will provide additional information. I can assure you, the danger is real. The gargoyle that was sent was one demon drawn from the very depths of hell by my brother. There will be more of them coming and in force. They will stop at nothing to take you away.”

  Sadie’s eyes opened wide. She gave me a simple nod of understanding. “These are the same ancient texts required for this changeover in rule. Correct? Some ceremonial bullshit that must be gone through.”

  “Yes.”

  “What else are you hiding from me, Christoff? I know you, or at least I know the mortal man. What else do I need to know? If I make such an important choice, what are those things you haven’t told me about my decision?”

  “If you become the queen, you will forever be in danger. You will always need protection as will children born of our creation. You will never know true peace and never be allowed to return to Earth. You will have everything you desire, but the life you know will end.”

  “Then whatever choice I make doesn’t really matter. I’ll always be in danger, looking over my shoulder for the next creature to cut me into ribbons.” She burst into bitter laughter.

  “Yes. I will never lie to you.”

  She inched closer, still keeping her distance. “What about leaving? Can you leave the kingdom of darkness, choosing life as a human? There are so many wonderful aspects about the human race. Yes, there are people who do evil deeds, but the vast majority are amazing, creative and vital people.”

  “If only I could leave, Sadie.” She could have no idea how much I’d longed to leave damnation. The times spent with her as almost entirely human were some of the best I’d experienced. “If one of my brothers ascends to the throne, I assure you that they will relish in the destruction of humanity.”

  She held her breath as I slid my fingers down her arm, my cock swelling instantly. I studied the hard pulse in her neck, the way her jaw clenched from the touch of a monster. She could never love me, and I could never let her out of my sight.

  “What about this prophecy? What if all the keys are destroyed?” she asked almost innocently, although I could tell she had no faith in what the answer might be.

  I honestly had no knowledge of that particular scenario. That had never crossed my mind.

  “My birthright is the throne.”

  “More evil. More killings. Stealing more souls.” She spat out the words.

  As always, she enjoyed taxing my patience. “The devil does not steal souls, Sadie. As you pointed out, there is significant evil in this world. We harbor the damned, keeping them from returning to Earth.”

  “Ah, then you should be given a medal, but you still didn’t answer my question.”

  “Then I assume there can be no change, no End of Days, but the quest is important nevertheless. The keys must not be kept in the hands of the priests.”

  “Interesting. Because you prefer the destruction of heaven versus hell.”

  “Things aren’t that cut and dry. As I already mentioned, there are several factions of demons prepared to fight, archangels who are poised for battle. My father doesn’t have the ultimate control,” I admitted, perhaps for the first time. “However, I will obtain the key necessary to take my rightful place on the throne. I will do what’s necessary to protect my family. You have an important decision to make. There will be no outside influences from either side. You are free to make up your own mind. The choice lies in your hands. I hope you will learn to trust me.”

  “I have no real choice in any manner, Christoff. Then again, I suppose I never did. I will ask you one last question. How much does my father know?”

  This time, I hesitated.

  Exhaling, she shook her head several times. “He knew all along. That’s why he never loved me.”

  “Your father doesn’t know how to love, Sadie. He is a selfish man, losing his way years ago. He didn’t deserve to have a daughter like you.”

  She recoiled, taking backward steps, a flush creeping up from her jaw. “There is more to this. I know in my heart. You want me to trust you, to obey you, but you won’t level with me. What you’re requiring isn’t fair.”

  “I agree.”

  “Why did you save me that night in the rain?”

  I clenched my fist, hissing from my first reaction. To take her, use her, devour her. “What your father was prepared to do would have meant your death. I couldn’t allow that.”

  “And fucking me?”

  “A method of protection. Staining you with my scent, warding off all evils.”

  Sadie opened her mouth as if to retort then looked away. “Fine. What now?”

  I’d kept the dagger wrapped, ready for her. I had things to take care of. I moved toward the bar, lifting the implement in both hands. “This will keep you safe. The only method of killing demons.”

  She narrowed her eyes, glaring down at the wrapped cloth then back into my face. “You really believe there will be additional demons hunting me.”

  “Dozens if not hundreds. You will be safe in this house, but this is added protection.” Safe. I knew at some point the monsters would find a way in. The quest needed to end as soon as possible.

  Taking the jeweled piece from my hands, she hesitated before pulling away the edges. “A knife.”

  “A sacred dagger to be exact, one as old as time. This was given to me by my father for the queen.”

  A short laugh was followed by a groan as she ran her fingers along the carved handle. “You expect me to use this.”

  “In order to save your life? Yes. The powers within you are strong, growing every day. Your faith alone will allow that very power to annihilate every type of demon. You will do what must be done if necessary. I must leave the house. Keep this with you at all times.”

  “Powers? Fantastic,” she huffed sarcastically. “Now I’m superhuman.”

  I knew there was no amount of comfort to ease her pain. “I must be going.”

  “Where are you going, the university? I’ll go with you.”

  Her tenacious nature was far too appealing. “You’re not going anywhere. My powers are fading more every day. Where I’m going doesn’t matter at this time. I need to do this alone. You will stay in the house while I’m gone. Demons won’t enter this space, but just in case any of them attempt to breach the perimeter, the dagger will provide you safety.”

  “As long as I kill it.”

  I cupped her face, hissing under my breath. I was aching for her, longing to spend the night
beside her naked body, basking in the glory of our union, but there was too much at stake. “Your instincts will tell you what to do. I will repeat. You will not leave this house. Do you understand?”

  “Yes. Fine. I’ll do what you ask. For now.” She pulled the dagger against her chest, allowing the cloth to float freely to the floor. “Our conversation isn’t over, Christoff. You can’t expect me to accept everything you’ve told me without proof.”

  “No, and I will gather you all the proof you need.” I wanted her badly, my cock throbbing to the point of intense pain. She was the very gentle yet provocative woman who challenged everything I’d been taught, attempting to free the better man inside. Sadly, she was mistaken about who I was. I had no goodness inside of me, no method of altering what would occur. I could only hope she’d become my bride, succumbing to the darkness.

  If not, all was lost.

  Lowering my head, I pressed my lips against hers, relishing in the subtle yet powerful flavor, electricity rocketing through me. I wrapped my arm around her, pulling her close, realizing that with a simple flick of her hand, she could thrust the dagger into my heart, ending my mortal life.

  Her moan was a sweet reward, her other arm sliding around my back, her long fingers digging into my skin. We were far too connected, our tethering a true weakness, but I would keep the woman that I’d fallen in love safe with all I had.

  I slipped my tongue past her lips. There was no resistance, only a mere acceptance of what she knew this meant. As she wiggled in my arms, undulating her hips against my throbbing shaft, I allowed a vision of the future.

  And it scared me to death.

  * * *

  The light freezing drizzle kept the majority of vehicles off the roads, people cocooning in their homes, sequestered by a blazing fire. They had no idea what evil surrounded them or how close they were to a true apocalypse. There was one path to take, the only one that could lead to salvation. Sadly, the sense of foreboding remained, a knowledge that there was more to the prophecy.

  I’d forced myself to try to remember more of my mother’s teachings. She’d never been a true believer even though she’d come from a strict religious family. While she rarely talked about her previous life, what little she’d mentioned about her family intensified her sadness. She’d loved her life, a large happy family full of joy.

  Even though I’d always known she loved my father, her loyalty remained torn between two worlds. Would there be any difference for Sadie? Maybe she would learn to tolerate a choice, even learning to love me in her own way, but I knew in my blackened soul that she would never be truly happy.

  How could she be?

  I moved through the darkened streets, taking no chances of being seen. The drive allowed me to gather a sense of what demons were lurking, biding their time. Everything was remarkably quiet. Too much so. The dusk before the dawn.

  My diminished powers didn’t hinder my ability to get into the building in any regard. Disabling the security system was well within my abilities. The map delivered by Lucifer had been crude in design but detailed enough to indicate the building and the floor. As far as the key itself? There was zero information. I had a feeling that no one in the kingdom of darkness had that answer.

  But I would know the moment I laid my hands on it.

  Or so I’d been told.

  The aging building had a musky smell, the kind of moldy aroma that seemed accentuated on dark, lonely nights. There was a hallowed feeling, the aura prickling my senses and as I walked through, I gathered a whiff of thousands of warm bodies, all in their own quest for knowledge. A strange concept of trepidation added to the foreboding feeling. Even as I brushed it aside, the almighty reverence that would forever fill the hallways was suffocating.

  The building was very much alive, reacting to evil infiltrating hallowed grounds.

  There were no lights on, no indication that anyone was still inside, the only sounds the hum of various heating systems. I walked carefully to the fourth floor, taking the stairs, curious as to what additional security methods were in place.

  There were none.

  There were also no men standing guard, keeping their sacred vows to watch over what the majority of scholars believed to be the most valuable objects in the realm of religious artifacts. I found this strangely curious or completely naïve. Their arrogance as to the powers of the darkness would aid in their demise.

  The double doors at the end of the long hallway indicated the map was at least correct. As I inched closer, another scent assaulted my nostrils. I wasn’t alone. Twisting the handles, I flung open the doors, waiting just outside the doorway. The presence was positioned in one of the high-back leather chairs. The lack of light did nothing to reduce my vision, my gaze falling on the smirk covering his face as he sat in the darkness.

  “Welcome, brother. I was wondering when you’d show up.” Cain quickly moved to a standing position, the heels of his boots clicking on the tile floor as he walked away from the chair. “Quite frankly, I was wondering if I was wrong about you after all. You seem so powerful, even in that mostly human form.”

  I held my tongue, studying him as he walked closer.

  “Tell me, what’s it like to enjoy life as a human, devoid of the majority of your powers? Are you feeling weak, dear brother?”

  “Quite the contrary, Cain. I am enriched by the experience.”

  Cain threw his head back, laughing as he switched on a single lamp on the corner of the ornate wooden desk. “I must admit, you don’t look worse for the wear.” He took a deep whiff, wagging a single finger. “Ah, but of course. You are covered in her sweet scent. Such a beautiful human.” He moved even closer, the smirk turning into a sneer.

  His words enraged me to the point I could no longer curtail my actions. I issued a keening roar as I threw a single hard punch to his gut.

  Unprepared for my vicious attack, his body was pitched backward, slamming against the edge of the desk. He managed to grab the sides, pulling himself up, the look in his eyes one of hate. Cain threw himself at me, the force tossing us back several feet, skidding along the polished surface of the floor.

  I rolled on top, punching him in the face several times before he backhanded me. We fought for several minutes, twisting and turning on the floor, my anger fueled by the love for Sadie. There was no stronger power, the realization gutting.

  “Grrr...” The sound savage, Cain jumped to his feet, stumbling backwards as he wiped blood from his mouth. “You are stronger than you appear, brother.”

  I lunged forward, catapulting us both into one of the display cases, the sound of shattering glass filtering into the air.

  He grabbed a jagged piece, breaking it off, prepared to drive the sharp edge into my face.

  I snagged his wrist, using every ounce of strength to keep his arm away, exasperated from the frailty of my human form as the razor-sharp tip was pushed to within a few centimeters of my eye.

  Suddenly a smile crossed his face as he dropped the piece of glass, pushing himself off and onto his feet. He took several deep breaths before extending his arm, beckoning with his fingers. “You still got it, brother. I will give you credit.”

  Hissing, I took a deep breath before accepting the offer, struggling to my feet. “You were the one who attempted to have her killed.” The single flicker in his eyes told me one thing for certain.

  He hadn’t sent the gargoyle.

  “Sorry. Not me. You know me, brother. I go for the jugular. I also enjoy handling my own... what did our mother call it? Ah, yes. Dirty work.” Even his laugh was off-putting, odd for a man who spouted his superiority to anyone who came close. He raked his hands through his disheveled hair before wiping a spot of blood from his lip. “Not my style and you know it.”

  “Judas.”

  He shook his head. “From what I’ve heard, our wayward brother has his hands full. You know he’s more interested in the ladies than any quest for an unattainable goal.”

  Unattainable. The word was
an interesting choice.

  “What do you want, Cain?” I adjusted my shirt then wiped a bead of sweat from my brow.

  “I came here to warn you,” Cain said casually as he walked in a circle around one of the glass cases, running his finger along the edge. “Did you know that some of these artifacts are worth millions?”

  “So I’ve been told.” A member of the council was behind the gargoyle and an attempt at betraying my father. I hadn’t thought about that possibility, but it made sense. Not one of them wanted me to ascend to the throne, but would they risk my father’s wrath in removing what they considered to be a threat?

  He moved to another enclosure, peering into the glass. “I wonder if the delicious-looking cross is one of the keys. Could be. Imagine the irony.”

  “Cut the crap, Cain. You’re here for a reason and I’ll venture a guess that you haven’t found your own key as of yet.”

  “Sad but true, brother. I’d searched high and low, hiring some of the finest experts in all of Cairo and there is nothing to be found. Oh, and trust me, I’ve touched the majority of the most precious artifacts.”

  I was already weary of his antics. “What did you come here to warn me about?”

  He took his time, moving to another case and acting as if he had all the time in the world. My patience had reached its peak. He finally moved to the broken piece, lifting the eloquent cross from its velvet perch.

  “There is talk that the keys don’t exist, that we were sent on a wild goose chase. My warning is to trust no one, not even our father.”

  “Very interesting coming from you, brother, since we’ve never been close.” My relationship with Cain was almost nonexistent. We both preferred it that way.

  He fingered the cross, delighting in the holding something so blasphemous. “You were always the one I looked up to, Christoff. Not Father. Certainly not Judas. I knew you were something special, more human than devil and certainly adored by our mother.”

 

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