by Piper Stone
“Jealousy now, Cain? That doesn’t become you.”
His eyes flashed anger for only a few seconds. “Simple facts and I am a realist. Our mother taught you much more than she ever did either Judas or me. And yes, I used to resent you, but in truth, I’ve come to accept that your leadership on the throne is required. I have no intentions of taking your place.”
Whether or not I could believe him didn’t entirely matter. The danger remained. I moved toward him, jerking the cross out of his hands. There was no reaction, either good or bad. He watched in fascination as I touched the other pieces, including a section of a crown that predated Jesus. Nothing caused a reaction in any manner.
“My guess is that you can pry open the other cases and you’re going to find the same thing. I suggest that the keys mentioned in the prophecy have nothing to do with expensive trinkets. I do know we’re running out of time, game or no game.” Cain’s voice held resignation. “We are at war, brother, not with the kingdom of heavens, but with ourselves. Our greed. Our lust. Our gluttony. Whatever you’re hiding from the woman you’ve fallen in love with, don’t allow secrets to destroy her.”
Secrets. I had a difficult time believing that what my father told me was the truth, but Cain was right. She deserved to know.
“You may be right, but the simple fact remains that we cannot allow the End of Days.” I pulled away from the case, snarling under my breath. More riddles. More lies. Exactly what I was used to.
He grabbed my arm, keeping me in place. “I had no idea what to expect knowing you were mostly human. You reek of her scent but even more, you’ve changed. Your love for a human has changed you, no doubt in the manners that changed our father. You have the ultimate gift, dear brother. I suggest you made your decisions wisely.”
I yanked away from him, taking gulping breaths. The unsettling feeling resurfaced. I could smell the stench of demons.
Cain took deliberate steps toward the door, stopping only once. “I will pray for you, brother.”
His words were of utmost defiance. To our kind. To our father.
But not to our mother.
A swell of emotions rolled through me, skittering into every cell and muscle, creating cramps as well as intense images.
My mother’s face.
Various sacred books.
Images of scarred creatures.
And hearts sketched out of love.
I stormed toward the door, another case catching my eyes. Using my elbow, I slammed it against the tempered glass, reaching in and snatching the two-inch-thick book, a story foretold by the prophets.
Now I’d find out the truth.
I sped back to the house, all my senses in overdrive. As soon as I pulled into the driveway, I knew something was wrong. I threw the gear into park, barely cutting the engine before exiting the vehicle. I couldn’t feel her. There was no sense of her presence.
“Sadie.” There was also no sign of a break-in and demons weren’t creatures to be stopped by a mere door or window. I stormed through the house, looking for any signs, finding a simple note on the coffee table, the lovely cursive writing intensely female.
Christoff,
I am no queen to anyone. I don’t believe in fairytales or ancient stories. I do believe in karma as well as the truth, and I need answers. I’m going to follow my heart and see where it takes me. Take care of yourself. You are truly a wonderful, honest, and decent man. Please remember that.
I will always adore you.
Sadie
“No. No. No!” I roared, throwing back my arms, the house rumbling from my vehemence.
I glared at the note and after a few seconds, I was unable to see clearly. Blinking furiously, I rubbed my fingers across my cheek, finally holding them into the light.
Tears.
I was fucking crying.
Only they were tears of blood.
Chapter Fifteen
Sadie
“There is nowhere you can run, no place you can hide to get away from me, sweet little Sadie. You belong to me,” Christoff growled as he stood over me, his eyes sweeping my naked body. “You are my possession until the end of time.”
His husky voice thrilling, I shivered as his hot breath skated across my face, every cell in my body on fire, ignited from deep within. And still, terror furrowed in my stomach, forcing my legs to quiver. He was going to ravage me, devouring every inch of my body.
Shame riddled my mind, my entire world shattered from the realization that I hungered for this man—this monster. I should be revolted, disgusted, but everything about him brought dangerous and reckless desire.
I would do anything he asked, succumb in any manner that he required.
I’d been shackled, awaiting his return, the hours of being alone, pinned against hard rock had been mortifying. I’d been a bad little girl. Wicked.
And now I would be punished.
Just like I deserved.
“Yes, sir,” I whispered, dragging my tongue across my lips in a seductive manner.
Snapping his hand around my throat, he squeezed as he twisted his head, dropping inch by inch until he was able to drag his rough tongue down the side of my face.
Even though I fought to breathe I kept my eyes on him, my master and my savior.
He raked his long nails down the length of my neck, crawling his fingers down to my breast. “You are so beautiful, but so disobedient.”
I opened my mouth to speak but the ragged hiss was all I could manage. Stars floated in front of my eyes, my entire mind becoming foggy. Every move deliberate, he took my nipple between his finger and thumb, pulling then twisting in an agonizing fashion. Pain tore through me, the stars becoming lightning bolts. I was dragged into near unconsciousness, gasping for air.
Releasing his hold, he crushed his lips over mine as he thrust his hand between my legs, plunging all four fingers deep into my pussy.
Wincing, I stretched my legs wide open, just like he commanded, even though I struggled with my shackles. The thick leather straps dug into my wrists, shooting white-hot heat straight into my slickened pussy.
He plunged in a savage manner as he sucked on my tongue, his guttural sounds like an animal in heat as he took exactly what he demanded.
Possession.
Toy.
Slave.
I was that and so much more.
I shuddered from his brutal actions, every muscle tense. The kiss became crazed, his hunger increasing. When he broke the moment of passion, tipping back his head, his engorged red eyes peered back and me.
Evil. Evil. Evil.
His features were suddenly mangled, grotesque in every way, but I adored my master, worshipped him.
Sexy.
Dominating.
Perfect.
As he plunged harder and faster, he studied me, his mouth twisting in various formations. He swirled his finger around my clit over and over again, delighting in my scattered purrs and the way my body quivered from his touch.
He thrust in deeper. Harder. I gasped, tossing my head from side to side as the pleasure increased, raw bliss shooting through every inch of my electrified body. Panting, I clenched my fists, digging my nails into my skin, the combination of anguish and ecstasy blinding.
“Do you want to come, my queen?”
“Yes. Please, yes, my master!”
He curled his lip, allowing a series of growls to push up from his throat. “You forget what I’ve always told you. Pain before pleasure.”
Yanking his hand away, the cold air wafting against my pussy was mind-blowing. “No. No! I’ll be good.” My body convulsed, rocking forward in a desperate attempt to have his fingers pleasure me again.
“Yes. Yes, you will.”
He thrust me face first against the cold stone and within seconds, I heard the swishing sound of the strap. I held my breath, screaming inside as he brought down the thick leather once. Twice. Three times.
The rush of adrenaline mixed with the anguish, stealing my breath, my brui
sed bottom already aching.
“Such a bad, bad little girl.”
Crack!
Boom. Click.
I jerked up, blinking several times, my stomach in knots. Everything was dark. So damn dark. Where the hell was I? I heard noise. Lots of voices. Fear slammed into my gut and I bit back a scream. Then I homed in on a rumble of an engine.
As my eyes became used to the darkness, I finally took a deep breath. A bus. I was on a Greyhound bus. Fuck! I fisted my hand, digging my nails into my skin until I could feel the intense pain. I’d been dreaming.
Fantasizing.
“Jesus,” I whispered, folding my arms. I was freezing to death even though I knew heat was blasting through the small vents. I carefully looked around, eyeing the various passengers. While many of them were asleep, several were carrying on a conversation, others watching some manner of television or a movie.
But everything was completely... normal.
And devoid of the devil.
I bit back another cry. God, I was exhausted. The engine was actually soothing, more so than I would have imagined. At least I was taking action, in full control of my life. My. Life. I wasn’t interested in being anyone’s queen. Not now.
Not ever.
My decision to leave had taken a few seconds, knowing that if I didn’t then, I never would. I grabbed what few clothes I considered useful and my purse and took off running, emptying what I had left in my meager bank account. After the bus ticket, I had exactly six dollars and twenty-two cents left. That was plenty for now.
I leaned against the headrest, staring out the scratched and foggy window. Toward nothing. I could see nothing in the darkness. And I was so very cold, but the frigid nature had little to do with the temperature in the bus. I was petrified, angry with myself for trusting him, but even worse for trusting the woman inside.
He had to be crazy. Maybe I was the crazy one, imagining everything I thought he’d said. The devil? The End of Days? I knew where to find the answers and the asshole wouldn’t refuse me. I glanced at my watch, shocked I’d actually been asleep for almost six hours. It would be dawn soon and I was getting closer.
Would Christoff come after me? Would he attempt to take me back? Would he make good on his... threats? Nothing made any sense. I had a sudden urge to use the bathroom, fearing I wouldn’t be able to hold back the nausea any longer. I jerked to a standing position, almost crawling across the other person in the one seat beside me and literally tumbling into the aisle.
I couldn’t get his face out of my mind, his sexy and gorgeous eyes. So compelling. So dominating. Bits and pieces of the dream filtered into my mind as I made my way to the back of the bus. Once inside the tiny locked room, I glared into the chipped mirror. The reflection staring back at me was haunted, no light in her eyes. She was terrified that the prophecy was real, marrying a monster the only way to save humanity.
A single tear slipped past my lashes, trickling down in slow motion. I turned on the water, splashing the cool liquid onto my face. My stomach continued to churn but I refused to give into either my despair or my fear. I stood back, grabbing a paper towel. Everything was going to be all right. I wasn’t entirely certain how, but there had to be a key.
I almost laughed at the thought. Was there a chance what he was saying was the truth? Christ. Now I was repeating myself. Another glance and I yelped. Christoff. I could clearly see his face peering at me.
Beckoning for me.
My possession.
My queen.
His sensuous words seared my skin.
I turned sharply, looking behind me. There was nothing there. Another nervous laugh popped from my mouth as I raked my hand through my hair. I had resolve. I had courage. I had strength. I was going to figure this out on my own.
When I finally opened the door, I could see several faces peering over the seats in my direction. Just who was the crazy girl screaming in the bathroom? I held my head high even though my legs were quivering as I moved from seat to seat. The bus was going over a patch of rough road, making my walk even more difficult. I could see a group of people surrounding an iPad only two seats ahead. They were watching the news.
Then I heard the voice of a reporter, chills trickling down my spine.
“Meteorologists are calling the events catastrophic and unprecedented. As reported earlier, within the last five hours there have been three reported tidal waves in China, at least two hundred tornadoes touching down in the United States, four hurricanes on track to hit the United States within the next hour, a series of forest fires in Italy, and the list unfortunately goes on.”
The shiver that raced down my spine was paralyzing, my throat tightening until I had difficulty breathing. I tried desperately to inch closer to see the horrific news, but my feet were like lead, unable to follow directions from my brain.
“What? What is going on?” My voice sounded so feeble, useless.
One of the guys finally glanced back in my direction, narrowing his eyes. “A bunch of shit. Natural disasters occurring all at once. Now the religious freaks are claiming this is it. The end. Crazy assholes.”
But they weren’t crazy at all. They’d forewarned about this from long before I was born. I managed to inch closer, peering over the guy’s shoulder. The pictures were horrific, the scenes straight from a blockbuster disaster movie. Only I knew they were real.
I also knew exactly who’d caused them.
Christoff.
An effect of his wrath, punishment on the world because he couldn’t discipline me.
Well, fuck him.
I stood shaking, swaying from side to side.
He was pissed, enraged that I’d run away from him. I took several deep breaths, trying to keep from hyperventilating. What was I supposed to do now? Go back? Succumb? Pretend I believed him?
No. That wasn’t the answer. It also wouldn’t work.
“Are you okay? You look like you’re going to be sick,” the guy said, although he had little concern in his voice.
“Fine. I’ll be fine.” I needed to stay the course, follow through with my plans. Every step was difficult, but I finally made it back to my seat, huddling in the corner and curling my legs as close to the cold steel of the bus as possible. I didn’t want to hear anymore. Hell, I didn’t want to breathe any longer.
The nightmare was real. My eyes were heavy and I could no longer feel my fingers from the numbness. Dear God, please help me. Sleep. Precious sleep.
“You’ve broken every law in our land and I have no recourse but to punish you severely. Do you understand your sins as they’ve been discussed with you?”
The man’s voice was harsh. I could see him out of the corner of my eye, the strange-looking wig almost making me drop into a fit of giggles. Who knew the devil had a court of law? I glanced down, horrified to see my naked body, my wrists and ankles shackled by thick chains. In the corner was a steel cross, inverted just like the ones I’d seen in various demonic movies. Beside it was a table full of whips. My God. They were going to tie me to the cross and punish me.
“You can’t do this. I forbid you to do this!” Christoff thrust his fist into the air. “She is my wife and I rule the kingdom of darkness.”
The man in the center of the council rose to his feet, slamming his hands on the podium. “This is enough! You do not rule this land, Christoff, no matter if you are the new king. She is to be punished for her sins.”
“For loving? For being kind? Compassionate?” Christoff moved closer to the kangaroo court, twisting around until he faced the audience. “Our queen is irreproachable. She is our salvation and the very reason you are here, feasting off flesh and sharing in the joys of power. She is giving and caring, loving in a manner that I haven’t experienced for a thousand years.”
“You obviously have lost your way, Christoff,” the councilmember huffed. “Love is not our salvation. She is to be given forty lashes.”
“She is carrying my child!”
Bile rushed into
my throat and I instantly dry heaved, leaning over. I was clammy, my heart racing. Another violent nightmare and it had been so real. I’d been right there, terrified and Christoff had tried to be my...
Protector.
“Oh, God.” My whisper was almost inaudible. Every breath felt like sandpaper, the air stale and nasty. I pressed the back of my hand across my mouth to keep from retching. I had to get off this fucking bus. I was going to lose it. Lose my shit. Jerking up, I scanned the area, my breath strangled.
I sensed a face staring at me, no doubt terrified of the crazy nutcase. “I need to get off. How long?”
I heard him muttering under his breath. “Ten minutes until the next stop. Macon, Georgia.”
I was drenched in sweat, my shirt clinging to me. Blinking, I winced when the bus rocked hard to the right.
“What the hell is going on?” The cry was feminine and utterly terrified.
Craning my neck, I glanced outside, studying the swaying trees and the ugly black sky. “A storm?” Then I remembered what I’d watched just moments before drifting off.
“I’m sorry, ladies and gentlemen, we’re in a bit of a storm but we’re still rolling into the bus depot on time. Sorry about the rough ride.” The voice over the microphone had no confidence, the fear feathered in every word palpable.
“Rough ride? A nightmare,” another voice said, hissing afterward.
I grabbed my bag from under the seat, holding onto it for dear life. Why was Christoff doing this? He had to know I could be in danger.
What if Christoff wasn’t causing the storms?
The little voice inside my head held a singsong tone, almost laughing at me as if I was an idiot. However, there was some truth in the words. He had two brothers. All vying for the keys. Right? One of them could be trying to betray Christoff. That made more sense.
Shit. I was falling into the trap of believing in the bullshit. I sat on the edge of my seat, rocking back and forth. There had to be an explanation.