Descend (Celestial Academy Book 2): A Reverse Harem Romance

by Maya Nicole

  My hands slid down his chest and I put my hand over his on our dicks. We moaned into each other as his hand tightened and our hips thrust together. I bit his bottom lip and then sucked it into my mouth.

  He pushed closer to me and his other hand reached around me and gripped my ass, his nails digging into the sensitive flesh. My body shook and my knees felt unsteady as my orgasm crashed into me, spilling onto us. Asher let out a curse as he came.

  We stood panting against the shower wall, coming down from the high of our releases.

  "I'm exhausted." The sound of the water hitting the tiles was lulling me to sleep.

  We cleaned off and then climbed into bed. The sun was barely rising as our heads hit the pillows and we drifted off to sleep in each other's arms.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Danica

  I stood in front of the mirror and stared back at a woman I didn't recognize. My hair was pulled into a chignon and my makeup was simple with a bright red lip. My dress was a floor length, black lace gown with cap sleeves and a plunging neckline.

  I guess if I was going to have to steal the Holy Grail, I was going to do it in style.

  I shouldn't be going through with it, but how could I not? I didn't want to be at fault for millions of people dying. I knew that, regardless of my choice, she would steal the artifact anyways. Might as well save some people while I was at it.

  What she even wanted with the Holy Grail was beyond me.

  Maybe she had a wine drinking problem.

  I had decided to detach myself from the situation. I was a robot, going through the motions. I could run, but she'd find me. Or she'd just kill everyone. She was a psychopath.

  I dug in the duffle bag and found the letter from Olly. I had a feeling I wouldn't be coming back after this, so I shoved it in my bra.

  I slid on the heels left by the door and walked out of the bedroom. My palms were sweaty and I wiped them down my lace covered thighs. It really was a gorgeous gown. Too bad it was tainted by the one who had given it to me.

  I walked into the living room to find Lilith dressed in a burgundy velvet trumpet-style gown. The sleeves were long and the deep V neckline accentuated the necklace she wore. I took several steps closer to her and realized it was the lily necklace that had been in my jewelry box.

  "You stole it," I said flatly, stopping several feet from her.

  She brought her hand to the pendant and brought it away from her skin to look down at it. "You're insinuating that it wasn't mine to begin with."

  I rolled my eyes. "Where's John?" I had assumed he'd be joining us.

  "He has more pressing things to deal with." She sauntered over to me and looped her arm through mine. I tried to pull away but her grip on my arm was strong. "Are you clear on the plan? My sources tell me that we will be in good company tonight. I don't want you to get any grand ideas in that head of yours. My hell serpent is ready to go if you do."

  I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. If I did, I would give her a piece of my mind and what I had to say wasn't nice.

  We exited into the garage where a black SUV was waiting with the two goons from before. They were dressed in tuxedos, and had they not manhandled and laughed at me back in California, I would have said they were handsome.

  One climbed into the driver's seat, with Lilith taking the passenger side. I climbed into the back. The door locks engaged and we backed out of the garage.

  "Those are childproof, so don't get any ideas," the goon with me in the back said. His voice was smooth as silk and I wondered what kind of demon he was.

  I stayed silent as we pulled out of the housing development and onto a highway. We crossed over a river that had a bridge that looked like it had giant wishbones holding it up. I just stared out the window, in awe at the massive city that was outside.

  After about thirty minutes, we pulled up to a hotel and waited in a long line of taxis and vehicles to be let out at the entrance.

  "What kind of event is this?" I asked, finally breaking the silence.

  "It's a gala auction," Lilith said as her door was opened and she got out of the SUV.

  "No funny business in there, you got that? Hell serpents are hungry as fuck. Remember that," the goon next to me warned. He got out and I followed.

  We entered into a ballroom that was already packed with people dressed to the nines in tuxedos and gowns. We blended in perfectly, except for the stolen glances towards Lilith.

  As much as I didn't want to admit it, she was striking and had a commanding presence about her. There was a large dance floor set up in the front of the ballroom with a stage on the other side of it. Couples floated across the floor, looking as if they were part of a royal court.

  It reminded me of Reve.

  Where were my guardians right now? They had so quickly become engrained in my life and being away from them made me anxious.

  We sat down at a table near the edge of the dance floor and a glass of wine was shoved in front of my face by Lilith.

  "You're fidgeting. Follow the plan and everything will be fine." When I didn't take the wine glass from her, she set it down on the table. "Think of it this way. You are righting a wrong that happened long ago."

  I made a noise in my throat. "And what wrong is that? Didn't you get pissed off that you couldn't be on top? Seems kind of childish to throw this big a tantrum."

  The smile she had fell and she narrowed her eyes. "The internet is the worst invention known to man. Do you believe everything you read?" I shook my head. "I was created from nothing and promised everything. I stood up for myself as a woman and what did that get me?"

  "Bitterness?"

  She laughed and stood. She looked across the dance floor and a smile lit up her face. "Right on time. Your father always did have perfect timing."

  I followed her gaze and saw my father standing alone on the other edge of the dance floor. He was staring right at Lilith, his gaze unwavering. His eyes then landed on me before quickly rising back to follow Lilith, who was moving around the perimeter of the floor towards him.

  "I don't know if I believe that this goblet they have is the Holy Grail." I turned my head towards the voice, surprised to hear English. My eyes widened at the table full of businessmen at the next table over. A few of them were well known in the United States.

  "Supposedly, a deep-sea fishing boat caught it in their cage. They said it was buoyant, which is odd, wouldn't you say?"

  "Only a fool would spend their money on something like that."

  I lost track of Lilith and my dad. I stood, searching for them and found them on the dance floor. Together.

  My heart jumped into my throat taking in the sight. Lucifer looked tense. I stepped forward to the edge, keeping my eyes on them. They moved in sync with each other as they glided across the floor.

  Why was he not coming to rescue me? Maybe he knew what was at stake.

  "Danica." I nearly jumped out of my skin as Olly appeared beside me. Damn him and his sneaky ways. "We have to go while she's distracted."

  "I can't." I spoke low enough that the goons a few feet away couldn't hear. "She's going to kill a lot of people if I don't do what she asks."

  He took my hand and I relaxed the tiniest amount. I wanted to run away with him, but too much was on the line.

  "And what about you?" he whispered. I could feel his hand shaking in mine.

  "She won't kill me. She wants me to rule with her." Hearing it come from my lips made me cringe.

  "Rule what? You can't seriously be considering-" Just then, the fire alarm went off.

  The two goons grabbed Olly and yanked him away from me. I gave him a look that I hope conveyed how sorry I was, then dashed across the dance floor through the throngs of people moving towards the exits.

  I made my way around to the back of the stage and walked right up to the two security guards who were making no move to leave.

  I took a deep breath and balled my fists at my sides. Lilith had given me my first lessons on being
her daughter. With the right motivation, I could control anyone or anything with darkness in them. John and the security guards hadn't enjoyed my training.

  "I'm going to need for you to leave." I had the motivation and they had the darkness.

  At first they seemed confused, and I wondered if they knew English, but then they walked past me, leaving me alone.

  The auction items were behind the stage curtain, displayed in cases that could be rolled out when needed. I climbed up and stood in front of the Holy Grail. It's gold and silver design gleamed unnaturally and I felt a strong pull towards it.

  It wanted me to take it.

  I lifted the cover and grabbed it, the cool metal sending goosebumps up my arms. It felt powerful in my hands and I quickly made my way towards the side exit. Lilith was going to meet me just outside.

  As soon as I was through the fire exit door, I knew something was wrong. Screams erupted from around the corner and I rushed down the sidewalk to peek around the edge of the building.

  At the front of the hotel were swarms of evacuated people, and right in the middle was a large brawl that had my heart stopping. Right in the middle of it were the goons, Lucifer, Tobias, Asher, and Olly.

  I took a step around the corner when a hand clamped on my arm and pulled me back, the nails of the owner digging into my arm. Lilith snatched the cup away from me and wrapped it in a cloth napkin.

  "Let's go." She was pulling me across the crosswalk. Sirens could be heard in the distance, but were still far away.

  "I got you what you wanted. Let me go!" I knew the plan wasn't for her to set me free, but it was worth a shot. When we were on the sidewalk, I planted my feet firmly.

  "Let her go, Lilith." Reve's voice came from the side and Lilith stopped in her tracks, her head tilting to the side and the grin I was becoming all too familiar with spreading across her face.

  "Show yourself, Reve." I did not like the tone her voice had. It was guttural and threatening.

  Reve appeared, dressed in a tuxedo. He took a step forward and I begged him with my eyes to turn and run away.

  "You have some balls coming here tonight. Does Danica know about us? About how you once pledged yourself to me?" She sounded amused.

  My eyes widened and I watched Reve back up a step. "That's in my past. I'm no longer your slave."

  "I beg to differ. Come here." I watched in horror as Reve obeyed her command and stopped in front of us. "How long has it been since you gave someone a vision?"

  Reve paled. A small drop of blood escaped his mouth. He was biting himself to keep from answering.

  "Answer me." I heard a noise behind me and a knife appeared in front of me. "Or I'll ruin her pretty little face."

  I nearly went cross-eyed looking down at the knife now pressed against my chest. This was not part of the plan she had laid out for us. She wouldn't really cut my face, would she?

  Who was I kidding? She would if it meant she got what she wanted.

  "I haven't. Not for centuries." As he spoke, I could see the blood on his teeth. My knees trembled at the sight.

  "I think tonight is a good night to rekindle that part of you. We'll start with all the people at the front of the hotel. You're to give them a vision of their worst nightmare come to life."

  "There are hundreds! It will kill me!" His body was shaking and he backed up a step towards the hotel. He seemed to be fighting the compulsion. "Don't do this, Lilith."

  "It's already done." The knife pressed a little harder against my chest. "And Reve? I am not Lilith to you."

  "Your highness." His words came out stuttered as he bowed to her. Then he turned and walked towards the front of the hotel.

  "What have you done?" I whispered. She lowered the knife and pulled me down the sidewalk towards a waiting black SUV.

  She didn't answer me. We were feet away from the vehicle when my dad landed in front of it, blocking the doors.

  "Lilith." His wings retracted and he took a step forward.

  Lilith's arm tightened around me and she backed up several steps, dragging me along with her. I stumbled in my shoes but managed to stay upright.

  She brought her other arm back and threw the goblet towards the SUV. My eyes followed it as it landed in John's hands. He slid into the passenger seat as three men got out of the back. They were different from the two that had been with us earlier.

  "Lilith, give me my daughter." His voice held no emotion, but his eyes told a different story. He was pissed and scared.

  She held the sharp blade to my throat, the edge digging into my skin. I could feel the blood trickle down my neck.

  My dad held his hands up and stayed where he was. His eyes were troubled, and his mouth was drawn in a tight line.

  Lilith laughed behind me, the movement causing the knife to dig into my skin. All it would take was one good swipe and I'd be a goner.

  "I can't be beat, Lucifer. Danica really was the best thing I could have done for myself. I was able to give myself at least another thousand years. To think all it takes to have immortality is a cup and some of your own offspring's blood. I have no use for her now."

  My eyes teared up. A few tears escaped the corners and slid down my cheeks.

  "If she's of no use to you now, why not let her go? What do you want? Just don't hurt her." He took a step towards us and she backed up, closer to the railing separating us from the river.

  "Dad." I pleaded with my eyes. He had a determined look on his face.

  His eyes met mine and his lip trembled as Lilith answered him.

  "You know what I want. You've known since I had her the first time."

  He let out a shaky breath and a tear slid down his cheek. He nodded and I knew she had wanted more than just the Holy Grail tonight.

  "Don't, please!" I wanted to run to him and beg him not to play into her plan, whatever it was. The three men flanked him, two to the sides and one behind him.

  "I love you, Danica. Whatever happens, know that."

  The men grabbed him and one stabbed a needle into his neck, plunging a black substance into his vein. His eyes went glossy and his knees gave out.

  "You fool." Lilith laughed and then plunged the knife into my chest.

  His eyes went wide and his mouth opened in a silent scream as I reached my shaking hands to the knife. I looked at it in disbelief and then back at my father.

  I stumbled backwards as I watched them drag my dad by his arms to a waiting van and throw him in the back.

  "He's always thought too much with his heart. Not so much with his brain." Lilith stood in front of me, her eyes devoid of any human emotion. "I had hoped for you to be by my side, but now that you have bonded with all four of those guardians of yours, I can't risk you getting in the way of my plans."

  "I'm just a girl. I..." The pain in my chest prevented me from saying more.

  "You aren't just a girl. I think you know that." With those words, she placed her hands on my cheeks. "My beautiful daughter. If only..."

  If only what? But I never got my answer, because her hands lowered to my shoulders and shoved me over the railing and into the river.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Water filled my lungs as the initial impact of the water sent me under. I struggled to move towards the surface. The knife was still lodged in my chest and I was too afraid to pull it out. My head finally surfaced and I coughed violently, the taste of copper and dirt in my mouth.

  The shore seemed so far away and my vision blurred. My ears didn't seem to be working, no sound reaching them. They felt numb. I felt numb.

  I didn't want to die in a river.

  I felt myself sinking again. My head had just gone back under when arms wrapped around me and I shot into the sky. We landed on the sidewalk and I was laid on the cement.

  Asher stared down at me, his hair dripping water onto my face.

  "Fuck, fuck, fuck!" I couldn't hear him completely, but that certainly sounded like what he was saying.

  I opened my mouth to speak and coug
hed. I realized how difficult it was to breathe as I tried to inhale and felt like I was getting no air. My hands went to the knife and Asher grabbed my wrists, stopping me.

  I was starting to panic, air not getting inside like I needed it to.

  Olly appeared next to Asher and his hands went to my chest. He shook his head and Asher yelled something at him. My eyes fluttered shut.

  "Danica."

  My eyes popped open at the sound. I was in a large room with a single bed in the middle of it. Everything was white. Chinese hospitals were strange. Sterile.

  My hands went to my chest, but the only thing I found was the white fabric of a top. I sat up and scanned the room. I definitely wasn't in Kansas anymore.

  "Hello?" My voice echoed in the room and made me shudder. Shit. Was I dead?

  This wouldn't be the first time I thought I was dead, but I also hadn't been in a white room with nothing but myself and a bed.

  "You have to wake up. Your job is not done yet." The voice came from nowhere and sounded an awful lot like Morgan Freeman.

  "You have got to be kidding me. Reve, if this is you playing a prank, I'm going to cut you." I swung my legs over the side of the bed and eyed the door on the other side. It gleamed like it was made from a thousand diamonds.

  "This is not a prank, child. You just had surgery. Your blood can't heal you from your injuries."

  "Why do you sound like Morgan Freeman? That's a little cliché, don't you think?"

  The voice chuckled. "Or is he the cliché?"

  I stood and walked towards the door. "Why can't I heal? Am I a demon now?"

  He laughed again, the deep baritone sound making me want to smile. I reached for the handle of the door but it wouldn't turn.

  "The angel part of your blood has always been stronger and has fought off the demon blood from taking over. Lilith attempted to disrupt that balance. She was unsuccessful."

  "So what am I?" I looked at the ceiling as if it held all the answers. It seemed to be speaking, so maybe it actually did.