by G. K. DeRosa
Vander pressed me closer and my body leaned into him, reveling in his woodsy scent. He nuzzled my ear, and a wave of goosebumps puckered my skin. “I never knew you were such a good dancer,” he whispered. His warm breath incited another round of chills.
“I’m sure there are some things you don’t know about me, despite years of stalking.” I laughed and tossed my head back. My mind swam, tiny bubbles of Fae wine muddying my thoughts.
“That was a low blow, Azara.” He chuckled and dipped me backward so far my hair swept the floor.
From my new vantage point, the scathing glares of a few dozen supes razed over me. When Vander pulled me back up, I scanned the crowd that had formed around us. “What’s up with that?” I hissed into his ear.
“Relax, they’re just enjoying the show.”
The hair on the back of my neck bristled. I glanced between Dallas and Hayden, but both were preoccupied with the evening’s festivities. Even Logan was MIA. I shrugged off the unease and focused on the attractive shifter grinding against me.
He went for his flask, but I snatched it from his fingertips before it reached his lips. The cool, crisp liquid soothed the burn in my throat. No matter how much I pushed my demon urges down, they always boiled up to the surface.
“You should probably take it easy on that stuff.” Vander shot me a disapproving pout, his fingers reaching for the flask.
“Oh, please don’t start with me. I thought you were supposed to be the easygoing one.”
His brows knitted, and a deep line creased his brow. “I am. But I’m not completely irresponsible either. If anything happened to you…” His words trailed off, and his deep hazel eyes fixed on mine.
Yummy, Azara, let’s have a little taste. My inner demon’s voice boomed across my head in stereo.
Vander’s head tilted toward mine, and my lips parted. The hunger tore at my throat, like a raging fire brewing in my core. His hands tightened around my hips, and he pressed my body flush to his. His desire brushed against my leg, and heat ignited in my lower half.
Darkness seeped into my vision as my demon struggled for control. Vander inched closer with every beat, every sway of his body pressed to mine. I licked my lips, imagining the feel of his mouth against my own. At least I could have a little taste. If I couldn’t quell my demon urges, at least I could satiate my carnal ones.
Hayden appeared over Vander’s shoulder, a frown carved into his angelic face. “If you’re doing this with her, at least have the decency of doing it in private,” he hissed into Wolfy’s ear.
I kept my gaze on the dancefloor and pretended I hadn’t heard. What the hell? Talon had no claim over me. I could hook up with whoever I wanted, wherever I wanted.
The demon black eclipsed my irises, and I happily lost myself to the darkness. I threaded my fingers through Vander’s soft hair and brought his lips to mine. It took less than a second for him to yield, for his tongue to tangle with my own. Hayden’s searing glare bored into the side of my face as I deepened the kiss. My lusty demon surged to the surface, and I let her take the wheel. I wanted to escape; I needed this.
“Vander, seriously,” Hayden growled.
His lips wrenched free of mine, and he took a step back. Squeezing my hand, he tugged me closer. “Back off, Hayden,” he barked. “Talon practically gave me his blessing.”
“Because your brother is a self-loathing idiot who’s still punishing himself for failing her. You really think he wants to see you two together?”
Vander shrugged. “I don’t know what he wants anymore.”
“How about what I want?” I poked my head between the arguing males then lifted my flask and shook the empty container. “I want a refill.”
Vander ticked his head at the opposite side of the rec room. “Flix and Valeria are that way. Maybe they’ve got another stash.”
“Do you really think that’s a good idea?” Hayden’s eyes darted back and forth between us.
“Don’t worry, I’ve got this.” Vander’s arm snaked around my waist, and he ushered me toward the circle of Fae.
I could get used to this friendlier version of my wolfish protector. He was much easier to manage than the stubborn dragon. And yet the stubborn human side of me clung onto Talon with such fervor it wasn’t easy to shake.
“Hey girl!” Flix’s vibrant green eyes lit up at our approach. “I saw you breaking it down out there.”
“Looking good,” Valeria crooned.
“That’s actually why I’m here.” I lifted my empty flask and pouted. “I’d like to keep the party going, but I’m all out.”
“No problem, sweetheart.” He held up a finger and twirled around to the circle of Fae surrounding him. A second later, he spun back with a full glass bottle. “Hand it over.”
My mouth watered as he poured the effervescent purple liquid into my flask. I’d always heard stories about Fae wine, and now I understood why. The sweet, bubbly taste was addictive. And this was the crappy, bootleg version.
“How about you, Vander?” He held the bottle up to my bodyguard and indecision creased his forehead.
I leaned into him and whispered, “Come on, Wolfy. You’re much more fun with a few drinks in you.”
His lower lip jutted out as he nodded, handing Flix his flask. “Just a little more.”
I tipped my head back and took a long sip. The fizzy liquid coated my tongue, setting my tastebuds aflame. I licked my lips as I tucked the container back in the waistband of my jumpsuit.
Vander grabbed my hand and jerked me closer as the Fae circle enveloped us. “You’re driving me crazy with that,” he growled as his gaze fixed on my lips. My tongue darted out, wetting them again.
I twirled around as I danced, grinding my back against his front. From the corner of my eye, I could feel the burning glares of familiar eyes. Logan, Hayden and Dallas were all trying to ruin my fun.
“Get it, girl!” Flix sauntered up in front of me, swaying his hips to the rhythm. He ducked down and lowered his voice. “Something going on with you and the shifter? Because you know, what happens at moon fest, stays at moon fest.”
I cracked a smile as I continued wriggling against Vander. His hands tightened around my hips with each gyration. “Honey, right now, I’d jump you if you’d have me.”
Flix burst into a laugh and took a long pull from his bottle. “I didn’t think it was possible, but I believe I like drunk Azara even more.”
“Me too.” She’s much easier to control.
We danced with the Fae until sweat poured off my brow. For a bunch of arrogant faeries, they were surprisingly entertaining. Despite the pleasant distraction, hunger clawed at my insides. I spun around to face Vander, his hazel eyes glassy. “I want to see the boneyard.”
His sluggish expression brightened, and his mouth curved into a capital O. “Sure, right now?”
I nodded and leaned in closer, brushing my lips against his. “If you think you can handle me?”
Vander cleared his throat, and a flash of crimson coated his scruffy cheeks. “Of course I can.” He squeezed my hand and jerked me toward the rec room exit.
“Later, faeries.” I wiggled my fingers over my shoulder, and Wolfy tugged me to the door. Three pairs of eyes burned into the back of my head as we left. I refused to turn around. Tonight, I was in control, and no one was stopping my fun.
The hallways were quiet as we rushed toward the door to the yard. My head spun with the dizzying effects of the Fae wine and desire pooled in my core. I jerked Vander to a stop in the middle of the corridor and pushed him up against the wall. I pressed my mouth to his, devouring his lips as my hands trailed over his back. Hunger burned my throat but with this magical cuff, my power was too faint to grasp.
After a few heated moments, Vander pulled back. “Let’s go to the boneyard,” he rasped out. “I don’t want—” He cut himself off, snagging his lower lip between his teeth.
Talon. The unspoken word hung in the air. A pang of guilt scorched through my insides, bu
t I swallowed it down. Pesky human emotions. “What are you waiting for?” I jerked his hand, pulling him off the wall and continued our flight down the hall.
Vander hauled the door open, and an icy breeze whipped dark hair across my face. Goose bumps puckered my arms, the thin tank top hardly enough covering, but I didn’t care. I inhaled the crisp air and bounded across the yard. A few inmates littered the snowy field, but most were inside the dozen wooden outhouses scattered along the fence.
A faint memory pricked at the back of my mind, but I tucked it back into the far recesses. I didn’t care to unearth any old memories; tonight, I wanted to make new ones.
A few of the old cabins rocked, and a wave of moans filled the night air. My core tightened in anticipation. Vander would make a pleasing lover. His fit form and obvious obsession with me would make for an entertaining evening. Not like those self-centered, arrogant dark lords of the Underworld my cousin had tried to force on me.
“That one looks empty.” Vander motioned at a rundown outhouse on the far corner. His fingers tightened around my hand as he tugged me toward it. His thumb moved in slow circles over my palm, his movements quickening the closer we got.
He jerked the door open, and my eyes landed on the worn mattress on the floor. Ugh, this was disgusting. At least the bedding in Thax’s castle would’ve been more comfortable. Standing, then.
The door slammed behind us, and I reached for Vander’s zipper. It slid down with a satisfying zip as he got to work on my dangling jumpsuit. His lips moved over my body as we undressed each other in a haze of Fae wine.
He stood before me, his tanned flesh fully exposed and a smile hitched up my lips. I was right. He would make a satisfying lover. At least my carnal hunger would be satiated, since my demonic one would not.
Vander’s blazing eyes raked over my own naked body, and a sigh slid from his lips. “Azara, you have no idea how long I’ve dreamt of this moment. I knew the first day I set my eyes on you that you were special--.”
I pressed my lips to his to put an end to his inane ramblings. This was a physical need to be fulfilled and nothing more.
The door whipped open and a pair of inmates stumbled in, a frigid breeze blowing in behind them. Vander tore his lips away from mine as the stench of bootleg liquor filled the cramp space.
“Get out!” I hissed.
The male vampire turned to me, his eyes glassy but his pointy fangs on full display. Was he really trying to scare me? Even naked, this bloodsucker couldn’t intimidate me.
Vander scrambled for his jumpsuit as I squared off with the prisoner. “Forget it, Azara. Let’s just get out of here.”
The female grinned, flashing her incisors and another whiff of bad alcohol burned my nostrils. I leaned in and licked my lips as the insatiable hunger returned ten-fold. Perhaps a little vampire snack first wouldn’t hurt.
I drew in a breath and the vampire’s slim shoulders heaved. Her jaw dropped, but instead of her soul, the entire contents of her stomach spewed forth. Oh, gods. I leapt back in disgust as the stench of vomit overtook the alcohol.
Vander tossed me my jumpsuit, and I slipped into it as we raced out of the foul outhouse.
Chapter Eighteen
I darted across the snow-covered yard, eager to lose my overly eager shadow.
“Where are you off to in such a hurry?” Vander called out.
“I’d prefer not to fight off horny inmates for the rest of the evening. I’ll be returning to my cell now.”
His pouty lips twisted. “I thought we could hang out for a while.” He reached out his hand, but I ignored it.
“Tired,” I mumbled.
Vander continued to follow me despite the deep frown settling into his face. “Finally kissing you was different than I’d imagined… Maybe it was for the best that we were interrupted, especially given the faery wine.”
I grunted. I didn’t want to burn any bridges should the need arise again, but I did not want to rehash our hookup. “You don’t have to come with me,” I finally said. “I can make it back on my own.”
“No, I’ll walk you. Talon’s already going to hate me, and I don’t want to make it worse.”
My brows knitted as I watched the guilt flash across his expressive irises. “Why’d you do it then? If you knew being with me would upset your best friend?”
He snorted and huffed out a breath. “Because I’m stupid, and I knew a drunk Azara without memories would be my only shot. Pretty shitty of me, right?”
I shook my head. “The dragon had his chance, and he didn’t take it. I’m a free woman and can be with anyone I desire.”
His head cocked to the side as he regarded me. “Are you sure you’re okay, Azara? You seem different.”
“I’m fine. Now let’s go.” The wine-fueled haze was beginning to dissipate, and I’d lose my hold before long. I hoped to be asleep before that happened.
The rest of the walk back to block one was a quiet one—between us anyway. The loud music and drunk, bustling inmates around us provided the background noise we needed so speaking wasn’t necessary. It seemed that the prisoners were taking full advantage of their one night of freedom.
Once we passed the rec room and turned toward the atrium, the chaos settled down. Apparently, there wasn’t much sleep going on tonight.
“Azara, I hope I didn’t mess things up between us.”
I shook my head and waved a nonchalant hand.
“I’d like to give this a shot.”
Dammit. I pressed my fingers to my temples and grimaced. “Can we talk about this tomorrow? I feel a headache coming on.”
He nodded and fell into step beside me. The shuffle of approaching footsteps spun my head toward the back side of the atrium. The door to block eight whipped open, and half a dozen demons poured into the hall.
Vander hissed out a curse and tucked me behind him. I bristled, a flash of darkness eclipsing my pupils.
One of the demons stepped forward, a female, with cascading forest green hair. Forestria demon. Instead of blood a strange sap-like fluid filled their veins, lethal to any non-demon and not particularly fun for us demons either.
“Out of the way,” Vander barked. The loopy haze cleared from his eyes in a flash.
“Relax, guard dog.” The female crossed her long arms over her chest. “We have a message from the dark lord.”
My heartrate spiked as visions of my traitorous cousin streaked through my mind. “What does he want?”
“You, dead.”
“He can try,” I snarled.
She chuckled. “He’ll give you three days to break out of here and go to him. Otherwise, he’ll accept your dead body as a truce.”
“That doesn’t sound like a good deal to me.” I slammed my hands on my hips and glared at the tall, lanky demon.
“It’s not up for discussion.” She tipped her head and twirled back to her demon friends. “Have a good night.”
Vander bristled beside me, anger skimming across his skin. I could practically taste it. He lunged at the female before they reached the door to block eight. His thick arms wrapped around her middle and dragged her to the floor. She let out a sharp screech, and her demon crew attacked.
Damned wolf! I sprang into the fight, grabbing the nearest demon and throwing him against the wall. His head bounced off the hard obsidian with a crash. Another one came at me, a dark gleam in his crimson eyes. He pulled a knife from the inside of his jumpsuit and sliced it through the air. I lunged to the side and avoided the brunt of the blade, but a sharp sting spread across my upper arm, a few inches from my tattoo.
My magic flared to life, slowly rising to the surface. The cuff was nothing compared to my warlock powers. I blasted another demon with a blazing ball of witchfire. He shrieked as the scorching flames licked up his hairy torso.
“Azara, watch out!” A deep voice echoed across the atrium and like a magnet, my body spun toward the sound.
A pair of smoldering silver irises locked on mine, and my humanit
y fought its way back to the surface. “Talon?”
Sharp pain shot across the back of my skull, and a curtain of darkness blanketed my vision.
“Wakey, wakey, little demon pumpkin.”
My eyelids fluttered at the familiar singsong of Hayden’s voice. I pried my eyes open, pushing back the heavy fog that weighed down my entire body. “What happened?” I forced myself up and immediately regretted it. My head swam, and a jackhammer drilled into my skull.
“You and Vander had a little too much fun with the Fae wine last night.” The beautiful angel sat at the foot of my bed, a halo emanating from his golden locks. Or maybe it was just my fuzzy vision from all the bootleg booze.
From over Hayden’s shoulder, I could make out a dark, brooding shadow pacing the length of the cell. His gaze was trained on the floor, but the erratic tick in the tendon of his jaw said it all.
“You don’t remember anything?” Hayden pressed.
“No, not really. I don’t even remember getting to moon fest.” My last clear memory was of the four of us drinking in Flix’s office. Then it was all a black hole of nothingness.
“I told you, T. Her demon must have snuck her way out when Azara’s inhibitions were down.”
“Or her faulty memory is a result of the copious amounts of alcohol she consumed,” he growled, still marching maniacally.
“I’m guessing I did something bad?” I ticked my head at Talon. “Is that why he’s all murder-y?” I searched my mind for any memories of the evening, the demons, the party, but it was all a blank slate. Had my demon taken over?
The dragon leapt across the room and landed an inch from my nose. I lurched back and hit the cold obsidian. His hot breath chased over my face as fire ignited in his irises, searing me to the wall. “Yes, you did something bad, Azara. You should’ve listened to me, but you didn’t as usual. Thax’s men surrounded you, and you and Vander were so drunk you thought a brawl with your cousin’s demon crew would be a good idea. Now the dark lord wants you to surrender yourself to him within three days or you’re dead.”