“I’ve always wanted to leave, but have never had the means to do so.”
“Well, this is your chance.” He tipped back the last swill of his beer and set the glass on the bar. “I have to leave and head back. You can Google me all night long and see that I’m who I say. Call that number and I will send a limo and my private jet to pick you up. You can have a room in the hotel. I promise, no strings attached.” His charm and demon good looks would bewitch the pants right off her. He just needed the chance.
“I’ll think about it.” She tucked the card into her back pocket and suddenly he was jealous of the tiny piece of glossy paper.
He tipped his head. “Fair enough.” Then headed for the door.
“Wait!”
He stopped dead in his tracks and held his breath. Had she changed her mind already? “Yes?” he asked and turned slowly.
“My name, it’s Ranata.”
“Beautiful name.” He pulled open the door and stepped into the cool night air. Took a deep breath and scanned for any humans before he flashed.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Seth settled into the chair next to Daniel, prepared to pour over files and video in the hopes of figuring out where Lowan had landed. Things were quiet. Too quiet. He stared at the empty seat across the table. The last time he’d been to their New York home, Garin had taken up position there. He buried his emotions. There would be no room for those in this war. His goal? Kill Lowan.
“Dude. I can’t believe the bastard actually found a way in. You guys figure out how he did it yet?” Daniel flipped through folders and shoved papers aside.
Seth turned to look at the young man. A Chosen, his family had worked for the guardians for generations and it was times like these their true worth shined through. Having humans planted worldwide was bound to turn up something. “No idea.”
The kid cleared his throat. “I see you’re talkative as ever.”
He refused to allow himself to get close to anyone lest it be used against him later. “Show me what you have.”
Daniel shoved a flash drive into the laptop. “These are sites that have been known to hide cult activity. You know, devil worshippers.”
“I know what they are. Idiots haven’t a clue what’s in store for them. I’ve no doubt they will be who Lowan seeks first.” Seth would be willing to bet his life on it.
The scent of strawberries permeated the air.
“There you are.” Her silky voice softened his heart, but he steeled his features before spinning to look at her.
“Why are you here?”
“Who’s that?” Daniel leaned in and whispered.
The redhead with sea blue eyes sauntered forward. Clad in black leather pants and a tight-fitting, white tee, she was a vision. “Hi, I’m Katie. Seth’s mate.” She slid Seth a sidelong glance.
Daniel’s eyes widened. “Holy shit, dude. You didn’t tell me you mated.”
Seth curled his lip. “I haven’t.” He glared at Katie. “I hope you came with news about your father, otherwise you can take a hike.”
Her hands flew to her hips and sat there as her gaze bore into him. “I have no news and you are plain rude.”
Daniel fumbled with the folders, stuffing papers back inside. “Uh, maybe I should leave you two alone.”
“Why? She was just leaving,” Seth growled.
Katie moved in and took the chair on his other side. “Sorry. We need to talk.”
“No, I need to work. Daniel and I were...” He turned to find the kid had left him high and dry. “Traitor,” he whispered under his breath. He spun his seat to face her. Leaned back until the springs groaned under the stress and folded his arms across his chest. “Fine. Speak.”
“I’m joining in the search for Lowan.”
He dug his fingers into his biceps, but kept his expression veiled. “Why?”
“I signed the club over to my assistant so I need something to do.” She chewed her bottom lip. Something he’d learned she did when nervous. He had to suppress a growl and keep his ass firmly seated, otherwise he was going to toss her over his shoulder and carry her to the nearest bedroom. If he even made it that far.
“Might I suggest you go shopping in Paris, or lie on the beach in the Mediterranean?”
She rolled her chair until their knees touched. Heat radiated off her and snaked across his skin. Gods the woman was tempting fate. “I’ve been fighting since I was a young girl. I can help you.”
“I don’t need your help and I sure as hell don’t need you ordering me about.”
She placed her hands on his thighs and leaned in. He tried not to notice the rise and fall of her cleavage as her breasts nearly spilled out of the V-neck tee. The woman was trying to seduce him. “I promise not to give commands.”
He planted his boots and gave a shove, pushing his chair back a few feet. He needed distance. Another state wasn’t even going to be enough. “Then work with one of the others. I’m sure Gwen would love some female company.”
She leaned back on a sigh. “Okay. I’m not lying about wanting to help, but I also have an ulterior motive.”
Finally, the truth was going to come out. He could hardly wait for it. “I’m all ears.”
“I’ve never made friends easily. I don’t trust and I’ve always carried this fear of something happening to those I care about so I simply don’t care.”
“I can relate.” Gods knew his life had been spent wondering when it would end. Never wanting to get close for fear of hurting someone and when he had, well, Garin had lost his life because Seth had been too fucked up in the head to save him.
She brushed imaginary dust from her leather pants. “You and I have been through a lot in our short time together.” She looked up and blue eyes met his. “I give a shit about you and I want to give us a shot.”
He blinked. Not what he’d been expecting.
Had she just blown it? He stared at her, his expression giving no clue to what he was thinking. She’d never opened herself up, but here she was waiting for him to break her heart. She swallowed down nerves. “I promise to let you give the orders. You were right, I don’t know shit.” Say something!
“What are you saying? Exactly.”
Is he kidding? She tried not to fidget. Wasn’t good at this stuff. Deep breath in and exhale. “I’ve never been a big believer in love at first sight, but you’ve done something to me. I find I don’t want to be without you.” She managed a smile. “Even though your ego is as big as a damn mountain.”
The corner of his mouth twitched. “I’m still not certain I understand what you’re trying to tell me.”
She was going to kill him. “You stupid fuck. I’m trying to say I love you.” His features softened and she swore she witnessed shock in his eyes. Had he really not been expecting her to confess? He was more wounded than she’d first thought. Sucking up the rest of her courage she rose from her chair and took the three steps to him. Knelt in front of him and took his hands in hers.
“Don’t push me away. I know you hurt for your friend.” She kissed his right hand. “Let me be your rock. For once you don’t have to go it alone.” She searched his eyes and witnessed turmoil. He struggled, now she had to give him an out. “I’m not asking you to love me back. Only to give us a chance.”
He rose, scooped her up and flashed. When she opened her eyes, they were in a bedroom, she assumed still in the house. She didn’t have time to study her environment before his mouth took hers. She parted her lips and his tongue slipped inside. He tasted of desperation. She ran her fingers through his hair and pulled.
He gripped her ass and rubbed her against his erection. Fire ignited deep inside her and brought a heightened sense of desire. Gods she needed him inside her now. He broke free and kissed down her neck, she tilted her head for better access. The thought of his fangs deep inside her had her on the edge of orgasm. When he’d kissed his way to her cleavage he stopped and looked at her. His eyes blazed with pure male lust.
She
shivered.
“You are powerful now?” His voice had dropped low.
“Y-yes.” She knew he inquired about her goddess powers, but less talk, more action. She fumbled with his belt.
He clasped her hands to her side. “Look at me.” A hard command she dared not disobey so she lifted her head.
“We will get a few things straight. First, you will prove to me you can take care of yourself. If the fighting gets too intense, you will leave.” She started to protest, but his face hardened. “Either you will agree or this ends now.”
“Fine.” She could relent, for now. “What else?”
There was that evil grin she’d witnessed before. “I will own you. Heart, body and soul and your pleasure will be mine to command.”
Christ, he already did. “O-okay.”
He released one wrist and ran his hand under her shirt. With a quick flick, he’d managed to unsnap her bra. Heated fingers reached around front and tweaked a nipple. Her knees went weak and she was grateful he still held onto her.
In seconds, he tore off her shirt and bra and flung them to some remote corner of the room. His mouth found her breast, his tongue swirled over the rosy protrusion and fangs scraped.
Dear gods, she couldn’t take much more. “Seth...”
“Yeah baby?” He looked up from her breast.
“I need you.”
“You’re not ready yet.”
Seriously? She was ready to spontaneously combust. He grasped the waistband of her leather pants and peeled them down her thighs until they were a puddle at her feet. She tried to kick them off, but when he slipped a finger along her thong and dipped it inside, her brain turned to mush. A second finger slid in next to the first and with a flick of his wrist, he twisted, stretching her.
She moaned.
His mouth found hers and swallowed her cries of pleasure and when she was on the brink, he pulled away. “Bastard.”
He grinned and pushed her to the bed. When her back hit, he grabbed her pants and yanked them free.
Katie lay on the bed with only a thong and a pair of three-inch black heels. Seth restrained himself as he pulled his shirt over his head. His jaw so tense he thought his teeth would crack under the pressure. Next, he unhooked his belt and pushed his jeans to the floor. Toeing his boots off he managed to untangle himself before he took a nosedive. When she had said those three little words, he’d nearly come undone. Never had he expected her to fall in love with him. The fucked-up-in-the-head psychotic who still didn’t know if he was coming or going. Yet, she wanted him. He worried for a moment she might change her mind, but he had to shove it aside.
He leaned on the bed and crawled up her body. Shoved three fingers in the waistband of her thong and ripped it free. “Now you’re naked.”
She giggled. “I still have on my shoes.”
He curled his lips upward. “I know.”
She flashed her own devil-may-care grin. “Kinky.”
He touched the tip of his cock to her entrance and held it there. “I’m a dangerous man, Katie.” She tried to impale herself on him, but he pinned her down.
“I like danger,” she breathed.
He slid in a fraction of an inch. “My hunger is primal. I’ll take you fast, hard and often.”
She whimpered. “Dear gods, I hope so.”
He lost his reserve and slid home. Seated himself deep in her heat. When he opened his eyes to look at her, he was taken aback. Love and desire swirled in her blue depths and he knew if he’d only drop his wall of defense he would feel her emotions. Dare he? He swallowed hard, tore down his barrier and let her in. He’d felt the emotions of his brethren, but this was so much different. So much more. He wanted to melt into it. She loved him. With his voices gone, for the first time he was able to truly experience the gift that had been blessed to him. His mate.
He grasped her hips and began to rock back and forth. In and out. Rubbing his thumb on her clit as he picked up the tempo.
“Come for me, baby.”
In seconds, she fractured and screamed his name. Her orgasm coated him and her muscles squeezed. His own release had him tipping his head back and groaning. When he’d finally come back to earth he lay down next to her. Cupped her cheek.
“Maybe one day you can teach me how to be gentle.”
She smiled sweetly. “Maybe, but I kinda like you rough and raw.”
“Baby, swear to me if I tell you to go home you’ll leave. No arguing, no questions.”
Her brows furrowed. “I said I would. What’s the matter?”
He wanted to speak what was on his mind, but the words stuck in the back of his throat. In a panic, he put his wall back up so she wouldn’t feel his emotions. “If anything were to happen to you, Lowan will be the least of humanities worries.” It was the only thing he could give her at the moment.
Chapter Twenty-Five
“This is like old times, my friend.” Baal settled himself in for a long wait. He and Marcus were staking out a spot deep in the forest of the Black Hills. The place was remote and had all the indications of being a sacrificial ground used by devil worshipers. Baal had them shrouded in magic so they could get a close up view without being detected.
“Sorry, but you are not who I wanted to spend my evening with.” Marcus ran a cloth over his dagger, polishing it to such a high sheen the moonlight reflected off it and nearly blinded Baal.
“Well, I can’t say I blame you. Hell, I’d rather spend time with Cassie than your sorry ass.”
Marcus flashed the blade under the demon’s nose. “Careful, old friend. You know how I get about my mate.”
Baal snorted. He knew first-hand and had seen the vampire’s fangs on several occasions when Marcus had hissed out a warning to another male. He couldn’t blame the man though. Marcus had been to hell and back and seen more heartache than any man should. Baal was glad the guardian had finally found happiness. It also had improved his mood immensely.
“What about you?”
Baal flashed a glance at the vampire. “Me what?”
“Do you wish for stability? A mate, children?”
The demon clutched his gut and tried not to laugh. “I thought you knew me better? I’m allergic to being with one woman.” He shuddered. “I break out in hives at the thought.”
Marcus laughed. “One of these days a female is going to chop your balls off.”
“A few have tried. Unsuccessfully, I might add.” Though he’d never admit it out loud, there had been a couple of close calls. Yeah, women didn’t much care for sharing their men so he mostly stuck to the immortal variety. They could care less and were happy to share in a good time until their mate came along. He inhaled. “I smell humans.”
“Ditto. I’d say the show is about to start,” Marcus replied.
They didn’t have long to wait before several people appeared in the clearing. All of them wore hooded, black robes. The one in front carried a tall staff with a skull on the top, it was evident he was the leader. Another shoved a young female, dressed in a white gown with a black sack over her head toward the front. Both warriors stiffened.
“I don’t like the looks of this.” Marcus pulled a second dagger from his boot.
“Neither do I. It looks like they plan a human sacrifice.” Baal pulled his own blade free. “We can’t simply rush in there or we’ll break our cover.”
The guardian pinned him with a lethal glare. “Then you’d best come up with a plan and fast. I cannot sit here and watch them kill her.” He looked back at the gathering crowd, his lips in a thin line. “I, more than anyone, want to find Lowan, but not at the expense of a human life.”
“It’s very possible she volunteered.”
“Don’t give a fuck,” Marcus snarled, his fangs extending.
“Okay, I’ll go in if I have to, but let’s see what they’re up to first.”
Twenty people gathered around the one who carried the staff and grew deadly silent. The girl was dragged to a makeshift altar while she tr
ied to fight off her captors. Okay, so much for her volunteering.
“Brothers and sisters. Tonight, I am pleased to tell you that our god has finally answered our call,” the leader spoke out. “He has sent us his very own grandson to guide us and show us the way.”
There were whispers among the crowd. Some questioned the validity of his statement, but kept their tones hushed enough only Baal and Marcus heard them.
“Tonight, all of our brethren across the world will show their thanks by offering the blood of a human female. Let this moment mark the coming of the darkness.”
The others began to chant in Latin as they tied the struggling girl down to the altar.
“Baal, now would be a good time for your plan.” Marcus’s voice was on the edge of panic.
The demon smiled. “Watch this.” He flashed and reappeared at the foot of the altar. Baal shifted his form so he had thick, black skin and red eyes. Two horns protruded from the top of his head and the top of his shoulders. He enlarged his small fangs until they would make even a vampire cringe.
The crowd stepped back including the two who’d been heading toward the female, their fists wrapped around the daggers that were meant to bleed her.
“Release the female.” Baal lowered his voice several octaves until it was a low rumble.
The gang dropped to their knees, including the one who had led the clan to the stone slab. He was the first to speak.
“M-my lord. Does the female not please you?”
“She will please me more alive.” He sensed the woman’s heart rate increase. Hell, he was scaring her as much as the assholes in front of him had.
“Of course, whatever you wish.” The leader snapped his fingers at the two goons in front. “Untie her.” They scrambled to do his bidding and pulled the female from the altar, dragging her to Baal.
“Now leave us so I may enjoy her at my leisure.”
The people jumped to their feet and scurried away. Baal detected the sounds of car doors being slammed and engines revved as they squealed out of sight. Before he could react, the girl ripped off her hood, screamed at him and took off on a dead run. Shit, he had forgotten to shift back and now that she was untied, she had no trouble escaping into the darkness.
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