Deadly Desires

by Jennifer Salaiz

  For the first time in months, Samael felt his heart beat with excitement. “I plan to make him come to me, of course.”

  “And how are you going to do that?” Caspius tapped the butt of his gun against his chin. “It’d have to be drastic to make the Devil himself come out from the confines of hell to take care of something.”

  An evil smile came to Samael’s face. “We’re going to fuck shit up for him here. Royally. Until he has to come. That’s where we need both of you, and of course more angels if you can manage to get them to come.”

  The men looked at each other and Nemmy smiled. “You might be on to something here. Why don’t we discuss this more over lunch? I’m starving, and I have a feeling this is going to be a long conversation.”

  Samael looked at his brother. Zepar didn’t appear one bit phased by the two men he’d hated for centuries. He actually seemed to be enjoying their company. “I should probably eat. It’s been awhile.” Hell, he couldn’t even remember the last time he’d actually eaten a good meal. Scotch wasn’t food. And the things he made appear here and there weren’t doing anything to build his health or energy. Sure, he didn’t need to eat as a soul collector, but if he wanted to keep going at the rate he’d been, it would be for the best.

  They broke into the great hall and Nemmy and Caspius paused as they looked around. The blond angel looked at Samael amazed. “Jason made us appear into the room. It’s amazingly soundproof because I never heard a single shot or anything. You’re really preparing for a war, aren’t you?”

  “Yes. Come to the bailey. We’ll sit up a table out there. I want to watch Jason and Ambrose fight.”

  They broke into the courtyard and the men didn’t even break their concentration on each other. Their blades threw off sparks and Samael watched as Ambrose disappeared and materialized directly behind Jason. Jason immediately dropped low and swung his sword with all of his strength at Ambrose’s shins. The former vampire jumped over the blade with perfect timing.

  “Those two are magnificent.” Nemmy’s face was in a constant state of shock and happiness as things kept surprising him. Samael couldn’t help but feel a stirring of hope that maybe they were better than he’d thought. Still, it wouldn’t be enough unless they got Marcella back. He knew the power of his father. The fact that the man had gotten in and taken her right out of his arms was a clear indication that none of them had been as prepared as they should have been.

  Samael made a table appear and looked over the angels. He didn’t have to ask what they’d like to eat. He already knew. A variety of things filled the table. In the middle sat a big bowl with a mixture of lettuce. Surrounding that were different things they could put into it. Everything from chopped up ham to sunflower seeds and croutons. They didn’t hesitate to start digging in. Samael looked at Zepar and made two steaks appear before them. He’d always been a meat eater, and that’s what he loved about Marcella. She’d been so much like him, even down to what she liked to eat.

  “So…” Nemmy swallowed and looked over at him. “What’s your plan? How can we help to get Marcella back?”

  The steak was so juicy and tender in his mouth he nearly sighed in bliss. He hadn’t eaten since the day he’d married Marcella. Was she eating okay? He thought about his father. If he knew Marcella was carrying his grandson, she was probably being fed like the queen she was.

  Samael glanced up at Nemmy. “We’re going to start taking out demons. Every single fucking one for as far and as long as it takes. We’re going to hunt them down and wipe them off the face of the map. The masters will come first, but when there’s none left, we all know who will make an appearance to put a stop to the madness.

  A laugh came from Caspius. “Do you know how hard it is to catch a demon? This is what we do, Samael. If it was that easy it would have been done a long time ago. What makes you think you can do it any better?”

  All the evil he held inside poured through Samael as he let his demon master form take over. The angel’s eyes got big. “Because they’ll come to a master. I bet you anything they know nothing about what’s happened. My father would be humiliated. Only the masters will know, but I guarantee you by the time they come here and find their demons missing it’ll be too late.”

  Crunching came from Nemmy as he pushed a large bite of salad into his mouth. “Right on. You set them up and bam, me and Caspius take them out.”

  “Exactly.” Samael looked over at Zepar and smiled. This was only the beginning of his payback to his father. Soon, the man would be scrambling to find out what was happening, and by the time he came, he’d never see the trap they’d have waiting for him. It would work. It had to.

  * * * *

  Tingling covered every inch of Marcella’s skin. The tiny prickling sensations increased and decreased on command. The fact that she could feel something at all was downright amazing. A miracle really. For the last two months she’d focused all of her attention on opening her mind. Her ability to control things on thought was key to growing her collector. For hours throughout the day she’d put herself into a meditative state. She knew she was pushing herself hard. The headaches were downright nauseating at times, but if she was going to live, it was imperative that she increase her collector into the leader of all masters.

  The sound of the door opened and she pretended to be asleep. Slowly, she brought herself back to the plane of her human consciousness. Her eyes fluttered open and Samael’s father stood looking at her cautiously. “Dinner is ready. Let’s go.”

  The black silk from the dress he’d had her wear hit the floor as she swung her legs over. The baby had grown a lot in the last almost three months. She felt absolutely gigantic. The round belly was huge on her tiny frame. As she came to stand in front of him he stared down.

  “Your grace?”

  “What, you’ve decided not to call me Lucifer or Satan this time? How did I manage to get a ‘your grace,’ from you?”

  Marcella looked up at him. “Have it your way, Lucifer. Shall we go eat? I’m starving. You really took your sweet time tonight. Poor Micah’s been kicking up a storm. Is your intention to make my son weak? I thought you wanted a warrior.”

  She knew she had him at the mention of her son. It was horrible to do, but she needed him to let her out of the room more than just once a day. The only time she got to see anything other than that awful room was at dinner. Breakfast and lunch was brought to her. If she could get Samael’s father to bond with her just a little, then maybe she could escape. To bond though, they needed to spend more time together.

  “Why didn’t you yell to the guards to bring you food?”

  She looked up at him. “I did. They didn’t do anything about it.” Well, that lie had come naturally. Now, at least she knew there were guards outside of her room. She didn’t like that she was getting someone in trouble by doing so.

  “Well, you shall never want for food. At least not until my grandson is born. Come,” he held his arm out to hers and she locked herself to him, accidentally pressing her breast against his arm. She froze up in horror.

  “I’m sorry.” Her face was on fire from embarrassment. Then reality hit. This man wouldn’t touch her. It didn’t matter what she did to try to tempt him. He was the master at the game. But innocence she could use. If he thought her nothing like the harlot she knew he believed her to be, then maybe she had something to gain from this. Like her freedom. She’d have to be sweet. Childlike, even. Not seductive at all. And he needed to know her and make a connection. The first step was actually trying to bond with him.

  “Did you get them to make my favorite?” Her tone was soft as she looked up at him.

  “Yes.” He paused outside of the dining room and turned her. “You’re up to something.”

  Tears came to her eyes. “I’m just so hungry.” She let them fall down to her cheeks as she stared up at him. “I feel so weak. Micah is draining me of my energy. You have to remember, I’m not the woman you think I am.” A sob exploded from her. “I just w
ant to go home. I want my mom.”

  Uncertainty filled his face as he looked unsure what to do. She threw herself against his chest and wrapped her arms around his thin waist. Even with the suit on she could feel his muscle. God, he was so much like Samael. If she closed her eyes she could imagine it was him. As she did, it only made her cry harder.

  Arms slowly wrapped around her. “Shh. No more crying. You’re going to upset the baby.”

  “I’m sorry.” She stepped back and wiped her face. The second step was to get him to believe that she wasn’t indeed Marcianna. If she could at least make him doubt it then it was a start.

  “Come, let’s eat.” His voice wasn’t harsh at all. Not like it usually was. She let him lead her into the dining room and she took in the demon masters who always came over for dinner. They weren’t anything like she’d imagined when Lucifer had told her she’d first be joining them. Marcella had imagined them being old and fat. These men looked to be in their thirties and were like gods of men.

  They stood as she and their leader entered the room. The only remaining empty chairs were his at the end of the table and Marcella’s, directly beside him. She looked at her grilled chicken salad and seriously didn’t feel like eating it again. Her appetite wasn’t even really there, but she knew she had to eat for Micah. Although her stomach was big, she had lost weight everywhere else.

  “Please sit.” The chair was pushed up behind her and Marcella stared down at the food. She couldn’t believe how easily the tears had come. Now that they’d finally broken through, she wasn’t so sure she could stop. Her lip quivered while she picked up her fork and kept her head down.

  The usual talk of Earth’s happenings began to float around the table, and like always, Samael’s father was completely silent. She pushed the food around and felt a light-headed sensation take over. Sweat began to take over her body and she breathed through the nausea that threatened.

  Anger took over. Why did she have to get sick now, of all times? She had plans. How was she ever going to get the process going, feeling ill? Her chair scraped the ground as she pushed back. The talking ended and she looked up at Lucifer. “May I please be excused? I’m suddenly not feeling so well.”

  “She’s as white as a ghost,” the master sitting before her said, turning to his leader. “Should we get someone?”

  Marcella tried to stand and felt herself sway. Her creator caught her before she hit the floor. “Leave!” He roared to the masters. Movement caused her to gag and she noticed that he was carrying her down the long hallway. She focused on the blue room. In all of her times of being in this castle, she’d never been into his chambers before.

  Blue satin sheets were soft against the skin of her arms as he laid her down. Shackles appeared on her hands and legs, and she felt them tighten, strapping her to the bed. “Bring on your collector, it’s been too long and it grows sick.”

  The clothes disappeared and all that covered her were the sleep clothes he’d provided when she’d first gotten there, a black camisole with matching shorts. Cobwebs shot up her body and a moan came from her lips. It felt so good to have her collector back. As he took in her new tattoos his eyes grew wide. Marcella wanted to smile. All that hard work had paid off. That’s right. Her dark tribal was gone, and the beautiful intricate lines that twisted around her symbols looked elegant and delicate.

  “You weren’t like this when you first got here.” He took in her stomach, exposed from the small shirt. “Micah strengthens you. Amazing.” He shrugged. “Well, have at it. You can’t leave and you can’t hurt me. Let’s see what you got, Marcianna.”

  “My name…is Marcella!” Power burst from her body and she could feel the whole castle shake around her. Fire burned through her eyes and she searched for the connection to her fortress. It was within reach and she grasped to the link. She just couldn’t quite make it happen. He was still more powerful than her. Anything she wanted to try was pointless. If she attacked him, it would ruin her future plans to escape. The best thing she could do was truly try to increase her gift.

  “Spectacular power.” He walked around the bed as she pulled against the chains. It was time to see what she was capable of.

  Marcella lifted her head and looked at him. “Get on the bed.”

  “Excuse me?” His eyes narrowed at her.

  “I said get on the bed. I have too much power and I need to release it. I hope you’re not too fond of this castle or anything within Lord knows how far away. I’m about to try to level it. I want you on the bed so you’re safe.”

  “You wish to protect me?” He laughed at her, but she didn’t miss the surprise he tried to hide.

  “You’re meant to play an important role in Micah’s life. That means a great deal to me. I don’t know how most people treat you, but where I come from, family is the most important thing there is. The way I see it, you’re basically the only family I have in this land right now. “

  Blue eyes glared at her. “You come from here. Enough of this human life you speak of.” He climbed on the bed, putting as much space between them as he could. “The only reason I’m obeying your command is because I’m curious to see if you’re truly capable of doing it. You see”—he smiled at her—”I have my own protection set up, so good luck.”

  “What if I kill people?” She was really concerned as she asked.

  “They cannot die. Now, go. Do your damage, if you can.”

  His words made her seethe. Marcella looked at the surrounding walls and pushed against them with her mind. Pieces began to crumble and his eyes shot to her. She looked over at him and smiled. Oh yes, she was just barely even tapping into the core of what she was capable of. Her hands tightened onto the chains and she gripped them with all the force she could muster. She’d never been able to go this far with her collector, and it was time. A scream burst from her mouth as she focused, leveling everything she could remember from her past.

  The bed shook violently and the air pressure pressed against her eardrums. The magnitude of the energy that expelled from her body felt like the best release in the world. Cracking and popping filled the air and she opened her eyes and pushed out the remaining power from her body. Larges pieces of wall and foundation exploded out from around her in all directions. It was as if she was watching the pieces fly in slow motion. The wind began to blow, and clothes were in tatters and spread for as far as she could see.

  Samael’s father stood from the bed and looked at what she’d done. They looked to be the only two people for as far as the eye could see. The apocalyptical land was completely deserted excepting for the surrounding debris. He slowly turned to her. The shock on his face was priceless. Before she could let it settle in too much, she closed her eyes, and when she opened them, they were back in the room. Everything was perfect and the way it had been before. His hand came up to his mouth while he stared.

  “I’m hungry. Would you like me to put my collector back? Micah wants to eat.”

  He continued to be silent. Marcella said good-bye to her collector and laid against the bed in pure contentment. She was close. So damn close. Now, all she had to do was reconnect the link, and she was so out of here.

  Chapter 21

  The cool air brushed against Samael’s freshly shaven face while he walked past the bouncer of the nightclub. A hand grabbed his shoulder and tried to force him around with no luck. Samael turned and glared into the guy’s eyes. The demon power stirring inside of him had the muscular bouncer letting go and waving him in.

  Music pulsed in the darkness and Samael walked up to the bar, ordering a drink. He took the shot and sat on a barstool. He spun around and faced the entire length of the room. Red and blue lights shot around the dance floor, shining on the college kids grinding on each other. The strobe lights made them look to be moving erotically, in slow motion. A growl came from Samael’s throat. His evil was so much stronger since he’d started his training. It went beyond anything he could have imagined.

  Evil stirred within
, and Samael projected his authority out into the room. Four heads snapped in his direction. His mission was going to be like a kid in a candy story. What demon would be stupid enough to not listen to a master?

  The three men and woman came toward him and Samael stood. He walked out of the club and headed for the back alley. The darkness encircled him as he turned and made his way to the end, just below the dimly lit Dumpster. The demons stopped just within the light, and waited for him to speak. Dominic slid the protective shield around them so smoothly that they never even noticed the difference in atmosphere.

  “I was going to end your life tonight, but I have a better idea. You’re going to go back and tell your masters that Samael wishes to speak to his father. That the killings will not stop until Marcella is home, or he comes forward and stops being a coward.”

  Nemmy dropped into the circle as the demons began pushing against the invisible barrier. The shots from the specially formulated gun hit its target, and light flashed as the demons were sent back to hell. It was the twelfth bar they’d hit up, and the head count for them so far for the night was now at fifty-eight. It wasn’t nearly the message he wanted to send. But they’d only just arrived in Houston. The sin here was so much more than Corpus Christi, and the next bar would have three times as many demons inside. It was still early, and he wanted to go until sunrise.

  “Great job, guys.” Dominic and Donavon walked over to him and Nemmy. Zepar was out with Caspius, Ambrose, and Jason. They were hitting up Dallas and Austin. Tonight would make history in the angel’s record books. And all of hell would be in an uproar by morning.

  Samael wished there was an easier way. There had to be. Not that he didn’t enjoy what they were doing, but he wanted Marcella back now.