Devil Inside

by S. A. Price

  She looked up again to the moth. “Come find me when you need to rest, little love,” she said and took Khalid’s hand as they walked into the cave.

  Abaxley pointed down into it. “Good choice. Hear that? It sounds like water.”

  She cocked her head and listened, finally hearing the light sloshing of water hitting rock. “Let’s hope it’s water. With our luck it will be liquid mercury or acid.”

  “I thought Scur was the glass half empty one,” Abaxley said. “What does your gut say?”

  She smiled and walked forward. “It says we need to rinse the sand off us.”

  “Well then...water it is.” He winked. “Wonder what else is in here.”

  “Anyone have the sat pic Hendrix sent? How many chambers are in this cave and should we be worried about anything living here?”

  “I would think not,” Abaxley said. “Damn thing sprung up when we got here.”

  “Not sure if any of the satellite photos will tell you what you’re looking for this time around,” Khalid said as they all headed toward the sound of water. “Everything you need to know is already inside you, as cheesy as that sounds. You’re on a mission of instinct.”

  “Let’s just hope it’s not indigestion,” she said and followed him.

  “If it is, we got your back, minx,” Scur said and started to pull off his shirt, even before they found where the water was coming from.

  “Looks like we have an acid or water tester,” Eli said with a laugh.

  Alyx looked to the coyote who was at the shores sniffing. The beach was sandy, obviously, but the color of the sand was more pink than tan. There seemed to be light coming from above them and she looked up, the light actually glow worms in the rock above the water. Millions of them glowing a pale yellow. “Wow...this is...wow.”

  “What the fuck is up with all the glowing shit?” Scur said and kicked off his shoes before pulling down his pants. “I’m starting to wonder if we should be worrying about radiation poisoning.”

  “I hear that your dick will shrivel up if you do get poisoned,” Eli said, straight-faced. “So, I guess jump in the water and see if the rest of us need to worry.”

  “Faerie provides,” Abaxley said. “This space would be useless without light, we would be stumbling around in the dark, and I don’t think Faerie wants that,” he said as he started to take his clothes off. “Glow worms make sense in a setting like this. Wisps would perish out here, they need Faerie contact.”

  Alyx grinned as Scur slipped his underwear down. Gods, the man had a fabulous ass. “Don’t listen to Eli, love. It’s safe. It smells safe.” And it felt safe, too. Not salt water, but the mineral scent was strong, a filter of sorts.

  “Radiation or not, I was getting in anyway,” Scur said and stepped into the water. He waded out to the middle before sinking under. Khalid wasn’t too far behind. Somehow she missed his undress, but his naked ass was walking past her and into the water. “You gonna join us, Alyx?”

  “Clearly,” she said as she watched Scur surface. Making quick work of her boots, she was able to wrestle herself out of her clothes, and placed them on a high rock and then shook her hair out, feeling the little grains of sand hit her skin. She needed a rinse.

  Abaxley was just waist high, smiling at her. “Water’s warm, feels clean, too.”

  She nodded, and as she stepped into the water, the worms above glowed brighter, just a moment, then pulsed. She looked up and smiled. The water felt wonderful on her skin, tingly where she felt sore. She stepped closer to her guard, noticing Eli not following her in. “You okay?”

  “Yeah, about that,” Eli said, standing naked just on the shore. “Exactly how deep does that water go?”

  Scur’s brows drew together before he started laughing. “Can’t swim, huh? Guess that makes sense, not a lot of pools in hell.”

  “Not a lot of water, period. Wouldn’t want some human getting a hold of it and trying to douse the fires,” she said with a shrug, but Alyx could see the wariness on her face. “Looks like you discovered my Achilles’ heel.”

  Alyx shrugged. “We all have something.” She turned and offered her hand. “Come on. I won’t let you go too far. And the water feels so good.”

  “I have a feeling I’m never going to live this one down,” Eli said, taking Alyx’s hand and letting her lead her into the water. “If something goes wrong, I expect you to give me mouth to mouth.”

  “Not a hardship,” she said and pulled her to her, kissing her sweetly. They walked a little farther in and Alyx went to her knees, her shoulders and head above the water. “See? And the sand under us is soft, so this is lovely.” She looked to Khalid and Scur. “Am I right in assuming this doesn’t get too much deeper?”

  “Didn’t look like it when I was under,” Scur said. “Did a lap to make sure there wasn’t anything living down there, seems we’re safe on both accounts.”

  “Plus, we have the coyote keeping guard. Damn thing is watching the water like something’s going to come swimming through and try to eat us at any time,” Khalid said, stepping up behind her, his hand moving to her shoulders. He started to move his fingers in a slow, but deep massage.

  “Since I’m not a toddler, I’m going to assume I won’t be drowning.” Eli moved to her knees in front of her and tipped her head back, soaking her hair. “Got to admit, it does feel damn good in here.”

  “A small paradise,” Alyx said absently and leaned back into Khalid, closing her eyes. “Oh, that’s heavenly.”

  Abaxley swam out to where Scur was and went under, and then came back up, smiling. “Berserker is right. Not too deep. I mean we can’t reach the bottom standing, but it’s more than likely only about ten feet deep. There is a channel that is feeding water to this grotto, though, you can feel the flow if you go deep enough.”

  “Think I’ll leave anything more than three feet deep to the rest of you,” Eli said.

  “I bet Alyx will teach you how to swim when we get home,” Khalid said, his fingers kneading a little deeper. “Might come in handy on some of the other tasks.”

  “First we got to get through this one.” Scur waded back to where the three of them were kneeling in the water and floated on his back. “You have any idea where you want to head tomorrow?” he asked her.

  She turned to answer him, an idea forming in her mind, when she saw him and laughed, “Goddamn it, put that thing away unless you plan on using it, Scur!” She shook her head. “Who can think with that goddamn periscope up and about?”

  Abaxley shook his head and swam back, settling a few feet from Eli, leaning against the rocks.

  “Don’t blame him, it’s not his fault he’s always ready to go when you’re around,” Scur said but sank back into the water. “I’m also always planning on using it. Now tell me what you’re thinking, then I’ll put him to work.”

  Leaning back into Khalid, she closed her eyes again. “We need to go south. I know that, and we have to leave before sun up. I keep feeling that there’s an urgency to be away from this place, before the sun touches it. Does that make sense?”

  “Doesn’t need to,” Khalid said, kissing her shoulder. “It needs to make sense to you. If you think we need to be gone before the sun is up, then that’s what we’re going to do. But to tell the truth, it does make sense. Like every option we’re given only has a time limit. Wonder if that works for both the good and the bad.”

  “It’s fascinating,” Eli said. “I haven’t spent a lot of time on Faerie. When I used to sneak out I’d always go to the human realm, but never really paid attention to where I was, only the people. Now, getting to see the magic of what Faerie can do?” She laughed. “Well, this is going to be one interesting adventure.”

  “Let’s hope so.” She sighed and smiled as she felt Khalid’s hands slide down her shoulders to cup her breasts. This little reprieve felt like a peace offering from Faerie, a place where she could connect with her guard, where a bond would form, stronger. There was a small niggle in her mind, far b
ack, but telling her that peace like this would be stretched few and far between from then on, once they left this gift of a place.

  And Khalid was right. It felt like a time limit, like the reprieve was only as long as it could be, before things started to go wrong. Faerie wanted her happy, wanted her grounded.

  “You know what I’ve discovered about you, Alyx?” Khalid’s palms brushed against her nipples and his lips pressed right behind her ear as he spoke. “When your mind is calm, you come up with amazing ideas. I think you need to relax and just let this happen. Let what is racing around in your brain have the time to form.”

  “Khalid has a point,” Eli said and she moved closer so their bodies were almost pressing together. “We have a long road ahead of us. A lot of unknowns to face. A good night’s rest and a little enjoyment beforehand could be just what you need.”

  “What we all need,” Alyx agreed. “That’s if you are all willing.” She wrapped her arms around Eli and pulled her closer.

  Abaxley chuckled. “When are we not willing, Princess?”

  “What Bax said.” Scur moved to her left side, lips moving to her neck, where he kissed and nipped at her. His hand moved to her ass and squeezed. Eli kissed her, her hands moving to her waist. Tongue seeking entrance, Alyx parted her lips and the kiss grew hotter, more intense.

  “That’s it, Alyx,” Khalid whispered and pinched her nipples. “No more thinking tonight. Just feel.”

  Abaxley’s hand was on her stomach then, between her and Eli, fingers splayed, thumb just between her breasts, pinky resting on her lower abdomen as he leaned in and nipped her jawline. Her guard cradled her, surrounded her, their hands pinching and stroking as Eli’s mouth plundered her own. The feelings built, closer to complete but still hollow. She knew then she was missing one of them, one guard, and the idea rose in her mind. But what she had was enough for now, was more than she thought she would ever have in a relationship.

  She ran a hand over Eli’s thigh, gripped Scur with her other hand and squeezed him. She arched under the knowing hands of her captain, felt the tug on the rings in her nipples, just this side of painful, and it caused her core to clench. Need rolled through her and she moaned into Eli’s mouth.

  A finger slipped inside her, and then another, and she knew they were Scur’s. His hips pumped in time with his fingers moving in and out of her heat. Khalid rocked against her, too, the thick hardness of his cock pressing against her back. Steam seemed to rise from the water and the sounds of pleasure, the moans and gasps, echoed through the cavern.

  “So good,” she breathed and then nipped Eli’s mouth.

  “We can do better,” Eli whispered. It was then the hand on her right breast squeezed and Eli leaned back to look down and grinned. Her right hand was covering Khalid’s left, adding pressure to his touch.

  Looking down to see where her left hand had gone, Alyx found it circling Abaxley’s wrist, moving his hand down until his finger brushed against her clit. Then the other woman’s mouth was on hers again.

  “For the first time in my life, I am glad to be near two controlling women,” Scur growled out, the pumping of his finger growing faster.

  “Asshole,” Alyx murmured then closed her eyes in bliss. Wrapped in her lovers, she surrendered to the need, the growing feeling of contentment they were bringing her to. Hands on her body, multiple, touching, squeezing, pinching, stroking, the sensation was heady, and consuming. She could feel her body tighten, bundle and coil, and pulse in time with their ministrations. Whimpering, she surrendered to the pleasure further, goosebumps breaking out on her skin, her nipples pearling.

  “In all the hells,” she heard Eli say, “I’ve never seen anything as erotic and sensual as Alyx coming.”

  “Have to agree with you there.” Khalid’s voice, then his lips brushing against her shoulder.

  Scur’s fingers stopped moving, but stayed pressed deep inside her. “Feels as amazing. But fuck, is it just me or can you feel something pulsing from her?”

  “Magic,” Abaxley said in a slight whisper. “Faint, but getting stronger.”

  She didn’t have one clue what they were talking about. She literally was twitching through the lovely aftershocks of the lazy orgasm they had given her. It was powerful, deep, but not violent, not vicious but no less toe-curling than any other she had had. And having them touch her, having them move over her, work her over together, as if in concert.

  Sliding his fingers out of her, Scur placed his hand on her wrist and jarred her grip loose from him. “As much as I love when you get all possessive and handsy with him, this one isn’t about me.” His lips brushed along her jaw. “How’s our princess feeling?”

  “Like the center of a very focused world,” she said and sighed. She had wanted her guard, wanted to feel the connection, but they had other ideas, and as lovely as she felt she wanted everyone satisfied. She was going to have to make it up to them.

  “Good reason for that,” Khalid said, sweeping her up into his arms. “I think it’s time to put your very sated body to sleep.”

  “I’ll go put down the blankets,” Scur said.

  “I’ll help.” Eli leaned up to kiss her sweetly before grabbing her clothes and heading after Scur.

  “We could feel the magic,” Khalid said to her. “Did you feel it?”

  She shook her head. “Earlier I could. But all I felt were all of you,” she said softly and snuggled into him. “Not that it was a bad thing. It was like we were just outside of a heart sync, at least it felt like that. I don’t know.” She looked up to his face. “I’m still missing someone.”

  “They’ll be coming. You ended up with us four pretty quickly, if you consider how long it took all the other princesses to get their guards, Verity not included,” he added with a laugh and carried her out of the water before setting her on her feet. “If they feel they’re yours, it won’t take them long to find you. None of us could deny you for very long.” He looked over at Bax when he said the last part.

  Her faeblin winked at her. “I have a penchant for making an entrance.”

  “Think Eli had you beat there,” Alyx said. “Someone grab my underwear?”

  “You only say that because she didn’t make you wait even five minutes.” Khalid laughed and grabbed her underwear for her, holding it out to her with the tip of his finger. “Not sure why you need this. We all know you sleep naked.” His grin grew.

  “At home I do. In the wilderness where any manner of creepy crawly can crawl up my ass, or worse,” she made a face. “No, thank you. And that includes anyone jumping up my ass. I have seen that horror movie. I know how it ends, thank you very much.”

  Abaxley laughed. “Does creepy crawlies include Scur? It should.”

  “I heard that,” they heard Scur call out. “Alyx likes my creepy crawlies.”

  Khalid snorted a laugh. “Point taken. I have a feeling your guard dog won’t let even an ant near you.” The coyote stretched and padded over, coming to stand right next to her.

  Absently she ran her fingers through the fur on his head and smiled. “No, I don’t suppose he would but still, camel spiders are the least of our worries. At least with them we can see them coming. Those desert centipedes? No way.” She smiled. “So, sleep for a few hours, yes? We need to be gone before sun up and breakfast in us.”

  Bax nodded to her. “Of course, Princess. We got it in hand. Sleep.”

  “We are all sleeping,” she said, brokering no argument. “We need to keep frosty.”

  “Well, we’re ready for you guys,” Eli said, coming back. “Nice little sleeping area all set up.” She was dressed again, a pair of yoga pants and a light long-sleeve shirt. “I’m with you on the random creepy crawlies. Never been a fan of waking up with something crawling on me, and let me tell you, it happened more times than not.”

  “You have bugs in Hell?” Khalid asked as they walked to the other side of the cave.

  “Oh, you better believe we do. And they aren’t for the faint of hear
t. I used to use them for torture. They do come in handy. Might have to collect some if I stumble upon them.”

  “Hell bugs?” Alyx said as she walked over with Eli, the coyote by her side.

  “Dad said they come along on the dead human and morph into something otherworldly when they get to Hell.” She shrugged. “Like the spiders we have don’t have eight legs, but twelve and are hairy as fuck. I always thought it was normal until I came to the human realm the first time.”

  “You might need to head back and grab some of those suckers to use against the hobs,” Scur said when he came into view. “They would probably scream like little bitches.”

  “I would scream like a little bitch,” Bax said and offered Alyx a water. “I’m not proud. I’ll admit it.” He shuddered.

  “I’ve seen some strange things at the Front, but not a twelve-legged spider,” Khalid said. “But I wouldn’t mind hearing the hobs screaming.” He sat down on the blankets, stretching out his legs and holding his hand out to her. “Come on, Alyx, time for some sleep.”

  “We should probably take shifts to keep an eye out,” Scur said.

  “I slept last night, so I’m good to go for a couple weeks,” Eli said.

  Scur looked at her like she grew another head. “A couple weeks?”

  “Yeah,” she said with a laugh. “I don’t need a lot of sleep. I guess I’m kind of another. Not fae, not human, not a demon.” She shrugged. “My sleep habits are different. I can go make sure nothing gets in while you guys sleep.”

  Alyx smiled at her as she took Khalid’s hand. “We cuddle later, yes?”

  “As often as possible,” Eli said and kissed her before heading out, the coyote following after her. “Looks like your guard dog is going to be a watch dog tonight.” Khalid lay back and pulled her against his side.

  Cuddling in, she sighed. “He’s a protector, not a guard dog.” And she felt that with all that she was. “I’m glad he’s with us. He will come in handy.” She yawned, sleep making her eyes grow heavy. “Thank you, all of you, for being here,” she said softly as sleep claimed her.