Alec swore and bucked under her. She continued to take Ryder in and out of her mouth in a rhythm she knew would drive them both mad. And when she could feel the tension singing through the air, she reached up and grabbed his shaft, braced herself on Alec’s shoulder, and started to ride her demon.
Both men groaned as one.
She increased her speed, her body awakening again. Never did she get tired of this. Maybe there was something wrong with her, but she could fuck her husbands all day, every day, and never get tired of the pleasure they brought her.
Then, she froze. Alec swore. She slowly withdrew Ryder from her mouth, licked him again, and grinned.
“That’s going to cost you,” he whispered.
Pulling his cock from her grip, he moved behind her, stepping into the Jacuzzi-sized tub.
She waited in anticipation as he pushed her forward and thrust a finger inside of her from behind. Sighing in anticipation, she rubbed her breasts against Alec’s chest, teasing them both.
In answer, Alec reached between them and started to fondle her breasts. She shuddered, her inner-muscles tightening around his cock.
Ryder added a second finger to her from behind. “You missed me?”
She swore. “Yes.”
“Did you miss me inside of you?”
“Yes.”
He added a third finger, and she bit down on a cry a pleasure. “I’m going to fuck you so hard, Sharen. I’m going to fuck you until you can’t remember your own name.”
She whimpered as he withdrew his fingers, and then, she felt him behind her. Gritting her teeth and digging her nails into Alec’s shoulder, she braced herself as Ryder eased inch after inch inside of her.
When he came to his hilt, she knew her eyes had rolled back in her head, and her mind had turned to sludge. She couldn’t think of her own God-damned name as they began to thrust into her as one. All she could do was ride them, hard and fast, until she was coming again, and they were filling her with their hot seed.
Only then did she sag between them, feeling better. Not complete. But better.
They showered, dried each other, and climbed into bed.
An unspoken tension hung between them. Tomorrow they had a lot to deal with, not the least of which was to find Kade. But they didn’t know what other new horrors the day would bring, so they’d try not to ruin their time together by discussing them.
And they didn’t, even though she was sure none of them slept a wink.
Chapter Nineteen
Kade opened the one eye he could still see out of. There was a sound in the darkness. He was sure of it. Straining against the chains that kept him standing, spread and vulnerable, he tensed in preparation.
The shapeshifter moved through the darkness, still wearing Henry’s face. His expression was as dark and cruel as ever.
Without a word, the creature went toward his table of torture tools.
Kade flinched as the man’s hand ran over each of the many things he’d already used on him. Tools he’d never imagined in his wildest nightmares.
“I can’t decide if you really don’t know or if you’re just this stubborn.” The creature looked back at him, his hand curling around the handle of a whip. “So, which is it?”
Kade took several deep breaths, pulled at his reserves of strength, and spit.
The man’s lips curled in disgust. “What a fitting response—from a demon.”
He pulled the whip from the table and flicked the long, black weapon. Kade tried not to flinch again. His back still burned where the crisscrossed marks decorated his flesh.
“Here’s the thing, demon, I no longer need to know how to extract her powers. My father showed me... and he failed.”
Is this good or bad?
“My goal has changed, because I’ve come to realize that perhaps you and I should become allies rather than enemies.”
“In your fucking dreams.”
The shapeshifter chuckled. “Demons have never been accused of being overly wise. Why don’t you try listening first, beast?”
“I’m not interested in anything you have to say.”
“Even if it could overthrow Caine and save your little wife’s life?”
Kade stiffened.
The man leaned closer to him from behind, his hot breath disturbing as it puffed on his neck. “I believe that I’ve outlived my usefulness to my father. Now I’m no longer concerned with helping him achieve his goal. I’ve created my own. I plan to destroy my father and take his place.”
“And how do you intend to do that?”
“I intend to kill him.”
Kade’s mind raced. Was the shapeshifter telling the truth? Or was this another lie?
“It seems to me a lot of people have tried to kill him and failed.”
The shapeshifter moved from behind him and circled to stand just in front of him. “But no one knows his secrets the way I do. Or his weaknesses.”
I’m not sure about this, but let’s see where his plan goes. “So what do you suggest?”
“It’s simple really. You’re going to call Sharen and help me spring my plan.”
Trust the shapeshifter? “No.”
The creature’s hand tightened on the whip. “You’ll do as I say. Because if you aren’t a good little demon, you’re going to be a dead little demon.”
Fuck. Now what?
Chapter Twenty
Sharen walked the refuge in the early morning, breathing in the scents of the forest. Henry and Alec were asleep after guarding the grounds all night, so she’d taken over. So far, there was nothing the least bit suspicious.
Which was just how she liked it.
Moving to the edge of the protective barrier, she stared out at the rest of the woods. She could feel the pull of the magic this close to it. She was grateful that her witches had been reinforcing it daily to ensure it was strong enough to keep their enemies out. Suddenly, her phone rang. Sliding it out of her pocket, she frowned at the unfamiliar number, but answered.
“Hello?”
“Sharen!”
Her heart lurched. It was Kade. “Are you—are you alright?”
“No, that sick fucking shapeshifter has been torturing me.” He sounded breathless. Pained in a way she’d never heard before.
“Where are you?”
“I escaped. I’m coming for the refuge.”
Her pulse sped up. “I’ll come and get you. Just tell me—“
“No, you’ve got bigger problems. The shapeshifter is in the refuge. He’s going to kill the witches and take down the shield.”
“No... Kade!”
“And then, Caine and his angels will attack. You need to prepare the demons for a final battle. And you need to use your magic. Do you understand me? You’re capable of ending this, once and for all.”
“How? How do I end this?”
“Set things right. You know how to do it. Deep inside. You might not remember, but instinctually you know how.”
She felt the magic of the protective barrier fluctuate.
Turning, she started run. She thought she had more time. She had to save the witches. But the magic was fading at an incredible speed, drifting into the heavens as wisps of multicolored light.
“Kade, the barrier is coming down!”
“Hang up, Sharen. I’ll be there soon. Trust me. Just prepare the demons for war!”
The call ended. She dropped her phone into her pocket and pulled her sword free.
When she exploded out of the woods, dozens of demons littered the lawn in front of the manor with looks of horror on their face.
“The shield’s failing!” Elle shouted, clutching her children against her.
Someone else ran out of the manor. “The witches are dead. Their rooms are a blood bath!”
Alec and Ryder came out of the manor, swords in hand, their expressions wild.
She reached them, her voice carrying above them all. “The angels are about to attack. The shapeshifter is in the refuge. Warriors, prepare to fight!
Everyone else, go to the basement of the manor and hide.”
More demons had begun to flood out of the manor as she spoke, but instantly, everyone shot into motion. Some of them were running inside, some of them were pulling blades free and joining her on the lawn.
Alec caught her by the arms. “How do you know?”
“Kade warned me. He’s coming here now. He said I need to use my magic. That I can save all of us, but I don’t know how.”
He stroked her cheek, his gaze holding hers. “You’ll figure it out.
The sparks of magic that were the shield faded to nothing. Within moments, shadows darkened the sky.
“Use your soul-blades!” she shouted. The angels already knew where they were.
There were perhaps three dozen warriors with her. And in an instant, they clutched swords that leapt with flames.
She took a deep breath, reaching for her magic, for her belief that they would succeed. Strength filled her, and her people turned as if feeling the wave of magic that moved over her flesh.
Clenching her jaw, she raised her sword into the air. “They might think this is a battle they can win, but they’re about to find out just how dangerous we can be!”
They shouted, raising their swords. “Yes, commander!”
The angels gave no warning as they shot down toward them. Instantly, swords clashed against swords and the sound of battle filled her ears. An angel flew toward her, but she ducked and rolled.
He landed in a crouch and gave her a wicked grin. “Ready to die, demon-whore?”
Her lips curled. “Try it, batboy!”
He came at her with all the recklessness of someone who fully expected to overpower her. To her surprise, she easily avoided his blow. Her quickness was a blur. She struck, moved, danced around him, struck again, and then severed his head.
She stared in shock, but didn’t have time to think further as the next angel attacked.
Her demons were close, fighting their own opponents. It scared her, catching sight of them out of the corner of her eye as she fought. They were still healing and exhausted from their capture, as were many of the demons.
They aren’t in any shape to take down dozens of angels.
So, I need to end this. And fast.
When she killed her next opponent, she looked out at the battle. They were outnumbered, at least two to one, and her people were falling with a quickness that terrified her.
What do I do?
And then, spells began to strike the demons as they fought. She turned in horror, only to see Rorde and a dozen Hunters exploding out of the woods.
If I don’t figure out how the hell to use my magic, we’re doomed!
She reached for her powers the same way she’d done in the past. She felt it warm and strong within her, but it was like sand, slipping between her fingertips. She couldn’t grip it, couldn't use it.
Not for a spell as powerful as I need to end this.
Her pulse filled her ears. The screams and cries of battle slices within her heart. Her people would die if she couldn’t save them.
Raising her hand, she formed a wavering red shield around them.
Instantly, the Hunters spells hit the shield and disappeared. At least if they wanted to attack her people, they’d need to get closer. They’d need to make it a fair fight.
But all I did is buy us more time.
And then, above them, the sky darkened. The familiar black and grey swirls told her that Caine was joining the battle.
She swallowed, sweat dampening her body.
An angel attacked and she killed him with the efficiency of a master swordsmen. Her mind focused elsewhere.
Reaching again and again for her magic, she tried to find the source of it, but it remained just out of her reach.
Rorde was suddenly before her. He stood with his hands glowing, and his expression dark. She gasped. His green flesh was peeling in chunks, and his eyes were sunken.
“Rorde?” His name was filled with pity.
His partially exposed teeth moved. “My only chance at becoming in an angel is to destroy you. To open you so that Caine can take your magic. And believe me, I’ll be successful.”
“Is that really what you want to do?”
Again, she saw the flicker of something. “It’s what I have to do.”
She tensed, allowing magic to flow into her hand. A Hunter’s spell, simple, but effective.
Rorde sent the swirling mass of black magic out, but instead of hitting her, it flew behind her. Turning, she stared at where Alec stood. His eyes were widened in shock, and his sword tumbled from his fingertips.
Screaming, she sent a powerful spell toward Rorde and his Hunters. They leapt out of the way as it exploded, sending earth flying. Running toward Alec, she caught him as he fell.
Touching just beside the deep burn on his chest and stomach, anger filled her.
“I’ll be okay,” he whispered.
She touched him. A red glow slid over his skin. He would be safe. For now.
A spell hit her. She flew back, her head striking the hard earth beneath her. For a second she couldn’t see, couldn’t breathe. She looked up and saw Caine coming for her, not far above her.
A mass of swirling blackness cloaked him from the view of the others, but he stood just above her, looking down. His dangerous beauty chilled her to her core.
“Your demons are losing,” he said. His words were whispered, but carried on the wind that swirled around her, as if part of nature itself. “They will die. Your lovers. Your friends. All of them.”
“No.”
She tensed, knowing she could rise, but she remained lying down, feeling her powers coursing through her. Something was changing within her, something familiar and strange.
Perhaps it was seeing his face... it was as if incased in them were memories she’d lost long ago. She could do things. She knew. She could stop him, but how? The solution was right there at her fingertips, but her memories swam away.
Caine flew lower over her, and the sounds of battle died away. Soon, his face was just inches from her own. “Give me what I need, Sharen. Release it. And all this can end at last.”
“What do I need to do?” she whispered.
He smiled. “The simplest thing in this world. Accept that you have lost. Accept that there is nothing left for you in this world anymore.”
She closed her eyes and reached out, touching his face.
His eyes widened. Memories flowed into her as cracks of light came over his face. Within him, he hid the truth of what she was and what she could do, and she began to riffle through his stolen memoires, grasping the pieces she needed.
He shouted, breaking free from her. “That was a mistake! You’ve become too dangerous for your own good, and now, I must lose what I wanted. But you too will lose Sharen... your life. At least this one. But be ready, I’ll be there in your next life, waiting all over again.”
She smiled, knowing what she must do.
Her thoughts filled with an image. The solution to everything. Time froze. And she imagined it, with tears falling from her cheeks, getting caught in her lashes. She imagined what she never could before. The solution to it all.
She had to put everything back into its rightful place. That’s all it would take. She had to embrace the hopes and dreams that her demons didn’t even see. The possibilities they didn’t know existed.
And she needed to make things right.
She felt her magic like golden water spring from within her heart. It ran out, flowing over the battle field, flowing over her people, and the angels, and the Hunters.
Things would be right at last.
Time moved slowly. Caine’s expression of horror filled her sight.
He withdrew back from her golden light, further and further. And she knew he intended to escape. Yet if she tried to stop him, she would lose focus on her task, which she refused to do.
And so, he’ll escape. To attack us another day.
Ryder su
ddenly leapt over her. And before she could react, his blazing sword sliced Caine’s head off.
Her mouth dropped open in shock. Ryder hit the ground near her, breathing hard, his expression intense.
Within moments, Caine’s body turned to clouds, and faded, disappearing into the darkness. Not turning to ash like the demons, but simply transforming into nothing.
She didn’t know what she imagined would happen with Caine’s destruction, but not this. It was as if the man never even existed.
And yet, he’s finally gone.
It’s over.
But it wasn’t. Caine’s death was just the beginning. She still needed to set things right.
Climbing slowly, carefully, to her feet, she felt her magic continuing to flow out of her. And to her surprise, the fighting had stopped. Everyone was staring down at their bodies covered in gold.
And then, the angels and Rorde began to scream. Their swords vanishing. Their bodies melting. And where once they stood, demon-like creatures crouched upon the ground. They were red, two foot tall beasts, with horns, and an inability to speak. Beings she recognized as Level One and Two demons. These were the forms the worst kinds of people took.
Their rightful forms.
The ground rumbled, caving beneath the low level demons as her people scrambled back. And then, the creatures were gone. The earth shook again, and the gaping holes closed, leaving no traces that the low level demons had ever existed.
The Hunters looked between where the angels had stood and where her demons waited, ready to take them on. Without a word, the Hunters turned as one and fled.
She had no doubt they would never see them again.
But she wasn’t finished. Not yet.
Her people emerged from the basements of the manor. The old, the young, the women, the children. Everyone was covered in the golden light.
They moved across the grass to join the wounded warriors who had fought so hard to protect them. In the air there was a sense that everything was about to change, that a miracle was taking place.
Taking a deep breath, she willed her magic to finish what it had started. To finish making things right.
And there, before her eyes, they changed. Dark wings sprouted from their backs, and an inhuman beauty lit their flesh.
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