Deadly Desires

by Jennifer Salaiz

  The Soul Collector 3

  Deadly Desires

  Now that Marcella knows the details of her past, she’s never feared her creator more. Messages from her previous life reveal that one of her men is the key to defeating the ultimate evil. As the recruiting begins and surprises play out, Marcella knows that things are going as planned. But are the consequences going to be worth the actions, or will she be swept away by the one man she was created for?

  Samael watched Marcella die in her previous life. The day has haunted his dreams for as long as he can remember. As he gives into the queen he’s always loved, he knows there’s only person who can stop them from being together. His father. Will he and her four knights, Dominic, Jason, Ambrose, and Donavon, be enough protection while they unravel the clues that will save her, or will the devil himself find Marcella first?

  Genre: Contemporary, Fantasy, Multiple Partners, Paranormal, Vampires/Werewolves

  Length: 73,576 words

  DEADLY DESIRES

  The Soul Collector 3

  Jennifer Salaiz

  POLYAMOUR

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  ABOUT THE E-BOOK YOU HAVE PURCHASED: Your non-refundable purchase of this e-book allows you to only ONE LEGAL copy for your own personal reading on your own personal computer or device. You do not have resell or distribution rights without the prior written permission of both the publisher and the copyright owner of this book. This book cannot be copied in any format, sold, or otherwise transferred from your computer to another through upload to a file sharing peer to peer program, for free or for a fee, or as a prize in any contest. Such action is illegal and in violation of the U.S. Copyright Law. Distribution of this e-book, in whole or in part, online, offline, in print or in any way or any other method currently known or yet to be invented, is forbidden. If you do not want this book anymore, you must delete it from your computer.

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  A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK

  IMPRINT: PolyAmour

  DEADLY DESIRES

  Copyright © 2013 by Jennifer Salaiz

  E-book ISBN: 978-1-62740-718-2

  First E-book Publication: November 2013

  Cover design by Harris Channing

  All cover art and logo copyright © 2013 by Siren Publishing, Inc.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  PUBLISHER

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  Letter to Readers

  Dear Readers,

  If you have purchased this copy of Deadly Desires by Jennifer Salaiz from BookStrand.com or its official distributors, thank you. Also, thank you for not sharing your copy of this book.

  Regarding E-book Piracy

  This book is copyrighted intellectual property. No other individual or group has resale rights, auction rights, membership rights, sharing rights, or any kind of rights to sell or to give away a copy of this book.

  The author and the publisher work very hard to bring our paying readers high-quality reading entertainment.

  This is Jennifer Salaiz’s livelihood. It’s fair and simple. Please respect Ms. Salaiz’s right to earn a living from her work.

  Amanda Hilton, Publisher

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  www.BookStrand.com

  DEDICATION

  To all the readers and fans who have e-mailed over the last three years. Thank you for your patience. I hope you all enjoy the ending to this series. It was such a pleasure writing it.

  And to Terri, a fan, and a new friend. I’m so happy we had the chance to meet.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  About the Author

  DEADLY DESIRES

  The Soul Collector 3

  JENNIFER SALAIZ

  Copyright © 2013

  Chapter 1

  Blood and random body parts covered the battlefield as Dominic surged forward. His sword cut through the air in slow motion, and he watched as black blood from the tall demon sprayed across his already dark forearms and chest.

  The ground was saturated in the thick substance. With every step he took closer to the fortress, he could see how much the amount of devastation increased. The white glow emanating from his sharp blade broke through the dimness of dawn while he swung again. He was so close to making it to the safety of the castle’s walls, but the demons were thick.

  Dark clouds rested heavily above, and Dominic took a deep breath as the wind picked up. The gust of air that hit his face was ice cold, yet suffocating at the same time. And he knew what that meant. The drop in temperature was a clear indication that the one person they all feared the most had just arrived. The Devil, himself.

  Another demon rushed forward, and Dominic put everything he had into slaying the creature. Fire engulfed his bicep and he looked down where the sharp, dark claws had torn into his human skin. The sound of the heavy body hit the ground and Dominic groaned. Damn, his chest and arms had really taken a beating throughout this fight.

  Movement caught his attention and Dominic looked up toward the balcony where his queen was known to frequent. White fabric from her dress blew back in the wind, molding itself to her pregnant stomach. The golden glow from her collector eyes was afire as he watched men rushing toward her. They were crippled after only a few steps.

  Bright flashes of lightning lit up the land, giving him a perfect view of the surrounding area. He watched her raise her hands toward the sky and turn to face toward him and the rest of the battlefield. Fire erupted through the trees and grass. Dominic ran as hard as he could to make it through the barrier before it was too late. She was obviously cutting off any more demons from getting through, and if he didn’t hurry he was going to be trapped out here with them.

  Heat burned against his back and he swung his sword at the creature lunging for him. The blade cut across his chest and the creature fell at his feet. Dominic jumped over it, drawing ever closer to the large castle. His eyes looked back toward his queen and he felt himself all but come to a stop at what he saw.

  A man he’d never seen before stood in front of Marcianna. He was of slim build, but the muscle was well-defined behind his dark clothing. Dominic knew instantly who he was. Words were being exchanged, and he watched as his queen held her hand against the lower part of her rounded stomach. Bile rose to the back of Dominic’s throat. He was sure he was going to be sick.
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  The ground seemed to grab his feet, and he couldn’t move forward. All he could do was stare and watch what their lives had come to. From what had started off so right, so perfect, had now turned into the war he’d been prepared for since he’d met their soul collector queen. It was well known that she’d been dealing souls behind the Devil’s back. And that wasn’t a good thing since he’d created her to work for him. Her association to angels hadn’t gone well, either.

  Blue, glowing eyes turned in his direction, and Dominic could swear his heart nearly stopped. The Devil brought his hand up and pointed right at him. Marcianna’s gaze met his. They were a good fifty yards away, and yet to Dominic it was as though he wasn’t but a good ten feet from them.

  Dark hair flew out wildly as she shook her head. She tilted it to the side slightly, giving him the impression she was confused. Her body language gave the appearance that she was trying to convince the Devil of something. He knew Marcianna almost better than anyone, and he knew that was actually how she acted when she wanted something to get across.

  A smile came to the man’s face and air exploded from Dominic’s lungs. The morning rays of light reflected from the long blade that pierced through her stomach. Dominic felt his legs give out and the ground connected with his knees hard. The man looked right at him, and he watched as the Devil’s hand lunged forward into her chest.

  Samael burst into view from beside them. The pure shock and heartache that lined the demon master’s face burned into Dominic’s mind. A yell filled the air as Samael rushed forward with a hatred for the man that Dominic had never seen from someone before. Just as the Devil’s bloody hand withdrew from Marcianna’s chest, a man who looked almost identical to Samael grabbed him around the waist, holding him back.

  Fighting erupted on the balcony, but none more than what came from Samael as he tried twisting away from the man, who could only have been his brother. Marcianna fell to the ground in slow motion, and Dominic could already feel himself fading out. Pain exploded in his chest and he knew he’d been pierced by one of the demon’s blades, but he didn’t care anymore. His queen was dead…He was dead.

  * * * *

  Dominic bolted up in bed, trying to catch his breath. His chest still ached like he’d been stabbed all over again. He quickly turned to the middle of the bed and sighed in relief upon seeing his queen’s sleeping frame. It was imperative that he didn’t wake Marcella. All he wanted to do was gather her into his arms, but after the late night she’d had, he couldn’t bear to disturb her. Plus, she already knew how she’d died in her past life. There was nothing about his dream that she didn’t already know.

  The door to the balcony stood open and Dominic made his way to the edge, overlooking the land. A shuddering breath wracked his body. He could still see all the blood. Even though he knew the fight hadn’t happened here, he couldn’t get over the similarities between the two places. After all, he was in the same fortress as before. He’d materialized it himself from Marcella’s memories of being Marcianna.

  As he went over the way their lives were headed, he couldn’t help wondering if they were doomed to repeat their past. Would he have to see his queen die again? Dominic recalled all the demons he’d fought against. Well, one thing was different. He was far from human now. He was a demon prince, and Marcella’s plan for him to recruit his troops to fight against the one man they feared the most would work in their best interest this time. It had to. Even if he couldn’t get all the demons in hell, having some take their side was better than not having any at all.

  “You look upset.”

  Dominic turned to see Samael resting against the banister a little further down. He’d been so out of it, he didn’t even think to see if he was alone or not. The fact that Marcella had convinced his demon master to live here now hadn’t even crossed his mind. He really needed to remember that the dark angel’s room shared their balcony.

  “I’m fine. Just a bad dream.” Dominic stared back toward the water, and the city of Corpus Christi, Texas.

  “A dream, or a memory?”

  Samael came closer to him and Dominic looked down, realizing he wasn’t wearing any clothes. He materialized some pajama bottoms to cover himself. “Memory. I saw how it ended.”

  “Tell me.”

  Warmth radiated into Dominic’s hand and he hadn’t even realized that he’d pressed his palm against his stomach due to the nausea still plaguing him. The events played over in his head and he focused on Samael’s reactions to Marcianna’s death. The brother came into view and although he’d never seen Zepar before, he knew that’s who’d held him back. The resemblance of the two of them to the Devil was undeniable.

  Dominic turned to Samael. “I know who you are.”

  The dark angel narrowed his eyes. “Mind elaborating?” His face was void of expression. But those eyes didn’t lie. There was a threat behind them, and Dominic wasn’t stupid enough to say something that might come back to bite him in the ass.

  “Never mind.” He turned to head back inside when a hand reached out and tightened around his thick bicep.

  “Oh no. You’re not leaving here until you tell me what you saw.” Samael’s grip was locked to his arm. Dominic pulled hard against the grasp but couldn’t break it.

  Pressure increased and Dominic felt his demon stir. He lowered his voice and stepped closer into Samael’s space. “Tell me this. When you were getting held back on that balcony, what was he saying to you?”

  Samael’s grip loosened and he let go. The dark angel turned and placed his hands on the balcony and looked toward the city. “He said I had done this. It was my fault.” Blue eyes turned and stared at Dominic. “Is that what you want to hear?”

  Blond curls fell into Dominic’s eyes as he looked down. Everything was coming back with a vengeance, and he knew once he left this balcony that things between him and his master were never going to be the same. He looked at Samael. “You weren’t just her guardian or friend. I saw the way you tried to take on the Devil himself when he killed her. Your love for her…” He took a deep breath. “I promise not to tell a soul, but I need to know. Who were you to our queen?”

  Samael was quiet for so long that he wasn’t sure he was going to get an answer. Then he watched the dark angel’s shoulders sag. He turned to faced Dominic and swallowed hard. “Marcianna was my wife. My mate. Created just for me. I failed her in every way, and after centuries of neglect, I pushed her into all of your arms. Encouraged it, actually.”

  Dominic’s hand came to his mouth from shock.

  “If what I told you ever gets out to anyone, so help me…” Samael advanced with all the malice he held within. “I will filet you alive. Marcella may hold your soul, but I will take it and I will spend every last second of eternity torturing you for my pleasure. And trust me Dominic, I will relish in watching your pain. If you don’t think I will, try me.”

  The truth and consequences left Dominic speechless. He looked at Samael and it was as though he was looking at a stranger. “I promise to keep your secret.”

  “Good.” A smile came to Samael’s face as he looked around Dominic. He didn’t have to turn to know Marcella was behind him. The love his master held on his face as he stared at the woman he’d been meant for was clear as day. Dominic had always imagined there was more, but knowing the truth of it now was different. Marcella might have been Samael’s mate in the past, but he was her mate now. It definitely made things awkward.

  “I take it you slept well?” Samael walked around him and Dominic slowly turned. Marcella’s smile was glowing as she stared at his demon master. “The dark circles are gone. That’s good.” He shook his head. “My, my, you look ravishing this morning.”

  Her cheeks flushed as she glanced down. “It’s a little early for compliments, isn’t it Samael?” Her eyes narrowed on him, but the smile never left. Dominic knew the sexual tension between the two was growing thicker. He and the rest of her men had known for a while. Although everyone was fine with bring
ing Samael in, Dominic couldn’t ignore the new threat he felt from his master.

  Samael glanced at Dominic and turned his attention back to Marcella. “It’s never too early for you. I have to admit. I think I like you this way.” He reached for the long, dark curls that rested over her shoulder. “You’re positively breathtaking. And happy.”

  “Well,” she walked around him to stand between both him and Dominic. “I have good reasons to be in a good mood.” She leaned against the wall of the balcony and looked at them. The outline of her breasts pressed against the thin, white material of her gown and Dominic noticed that he wasn’t the only one who saw it. Samael took a deep breath and looked at him. “Everything is going great here,” she continued. “You decided to join us. My creatures are becoming more controllable. You, me, and Dom leave soon to start recruiting. I don’t see how things could get any better.”

  Samael nodded and turned to Dominic. “Me either. What about you, Dom? Could you think of anything that would make things better?” Dominic wasn’t stupid. He knew Samael was opening the door for him to spill what he’d just heard, but he wasn’t going to take the bait. Truthfully, he wasn’t sure he wanted Marcella to know. It didn’t help their situation. He wasn’t even positive he believed what Samael had told him. Not a hundred percent anyway. Maybe the guy was just making it up to mess with him. He’d been known to do that on more than one occasion. He was evil, for crying out loud. He relished in stirring up trouble. That had to be it. He laughed, realizing how much he’d almost bought into the bullshit story.