She didn’t need anyone, but there was one she wanted. One who stood and waited for her to decide for herself. Who didn’t push her to be something she wasn’t. Who didn’t force her into decisions. Who, above all, stood and watched in silence while she suspected he wanted to run and grab her by the arms. Tell her not to go. Waited for her to realize what she deserved, and not only wanted it for himself, but for her. “Stop the car!” she shouted. “Stop the car right now.”
Layton slammed on the brakes. “What is it now?” Not answering him, she opened the door and jumped out. “Bryanna, get in the car!”
“I don’t belong with you.” Power within her began to grow as she felt a strength rise that she’d never felt before. She pointed back in the direction of Strange Hollow. “I belong with them.”
Layton laughed as if the idea was ludicrous. “It’s the demon, isn’t it?”
Bryanna nodded without hesitation. “It’s all about him.”
“You belong with a demon? Bryanna you have lost your magical mind.”
“Well then, I’ve gone completely nuts.” She swirled around and began to run, but just as she did magic began to grow around her, and the hair on her arms stood up. Panic gripped her. Layton was not going to let her leave.
Before she had a chance to turn around and face him, rope wound itself around her legs and wrists, sending her face-first to the ground. He had no fault with his magic as she did; whatever he wanted to conjure always came to him.
Layton’s footsteps were loud as he approached her. “You’ve left me no choice, Bryanna.”
“Why are you doing this?” She strained her neck to be able to see him.
“I cannot let you leave me. And this demon here in Strange Hollow has filled your mind with all these ludicrous thoughts.”
Reality smacked her right in the face. Yes, she’d already realized that he was up to no good. Now, being faced with it, seeing the cruelty in his eyes, she could only wonder how she hadn’t seen what he was after sooner. This was about control and power. Her money gave him everything he needed. He needed her to keep his position within the coven. That is what all this was about.
She struggled against the ropes, trying to free herself. “You cannot do this.”
Layton reached down, latched onto her arm to pull her up. “Who’s going to stop me?”
Only one demon, she thought. “Zeke!” she screamed, and could only hope he would hear her.
Chapter Seven
Zeke felt the emptiness deep in his soul the second Bryanna left with Layton. Maybe he could see it more now, how important she was to him. Such a short time together, yet she had changed him. His plan was to help her, but what she didn’t realize was that she gave him something he never knew existed--happiness.
And now she was gone ... forever. He dropped his head into his hands, feeling nothing short of completely sorry for himself, when suddenly he heard his name drift across the wind. He lowered his hands, turned back to the other residents, and they all appeared on high alert. It confirmed he wasn’t hearing things.
“Bryanna.” He shimmered into his demonic form and let the air carry him to her.
Within a short few minutes, he peered down from his position above to see Layton dragging a bound Bryanna toward his car. Using all of his powers, he retook his human form and landed hard on the road. “If you know what is good for you, you will release her.” His voice came out tight, a clear threat.
Layton spun around, dropping Bryanna so she fell onto the road. Tension tore through Zeke’s muscles as he watched her cringe in pain when her head smacked against the pavement. “Don’t interfere with this, demon,” Layton spat. “You’ve got no business with her.”
Zeke arched a brow. “Have I not?” He began to approach Layton. “I would argue that point with you. It seems as though you are forcing her, and that is something I cannot allow.”
“She doesn’t belong here, and never will. She is mine.” And with that, Layton began to conjure his magic. The wind kicked up a notch as energy began to flow all around Zeke.
He chuckled in response. “You must not be aware of demons; your magic holds no strength on me.” Just as his words ended, Layton attempted the same attack with the ropes that he’d clearly used on Bryanna. As expected, the ropes hit Zeke, rebounded, and instantly fell to the ground.
Layton began to back away, fear shining in his eyes. “I’m well protected. Others will come after you if you destroy me.”
Bryanna squeaked. “No, Zeke, don’t. I don’t want him dead. I just want him to go away.”
The evil inside of Zeke demanded to take this soul, to cripple Layton until he was writhing in pain, but one peek at Bryanna’s face told him she’d never forgive him. “Then, I suggest you do as the lady says and take your leave.”
Layton began backing further away, nearing his car. “You’re making a huge mistake, Bryanna.” Venom poured from his mouth. “If you make this choice, I will not return for you. You will forever be forgotten, no one will care about you the way I have. The coven will disown you.”
Bryanna steeled him with a hard stare. “You know, Layton, you’re right. It’s probably best you don’t ever come back. They eat elitists around here.”
“Damn right we do.” Alro’s deep rumble of a voice came from behind Zeke.
After he spun around, he saw many of the Strange Hollow residents had come to his aid. The snarls and growls filled him with a sense of pride. He didn’t doubt for a moment that if Layton made another attempt to harm them, he’d be dead. But Bryanna didn’t want that for him, even though Zeke would enjoy seeing one who caused so much pain to Bryanna, dead. “If you have any sense, you will go and go now.”
Layton’s gaze connected with the crowd behind Zeke, and the fear on his face only grew. Without a second of hesitation, he jumped into his car. His tires squealed against the road as he left in a fashion Zeke had expected--cowardly.
A little groan caught his attention again, and he turned toward Bryanna who had tears streaking her face. “Here, let me get you free.” Zeke kneeled down and quickly removed the ropes that bound her.
Once free, he helped her stand, stared into her teary eyes, and couldn’t help but chuckle at her appearance. “I believe this is exactly what you looked like when I first saw you.” She was completely covered in dirt, her hair an absolute mess. She was beautiful.
Bryanna laughed quietly, wiping her tears. “We were driving ... and it all made sense, you know, this town, accepting myself ... and you.”
“Me?” Had he heard her right?
Bryanna leaned into him and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Yes, you. Layton might have my heart, but that me is gone now. You’ve allowed me to see that there is more to me, something better. Do I love you...” She gave a feeble shrug. “Maybe not yet, because I have to learn more about me to love you right ... but ... I’d like to try this, see where we end up.”
Zeke didn’t hesitate; he grabbed onto her and pulled her against him. His heart leapt with joy. “I’d like that very much too.” After a long embrace, he backed away slightly and kissed her with every emotion he felt inside.
When his mouth left hers, she appeared winded. He wanted to take her home and enjoy the fact that she’d returned to him, but there was something more important he had to show her. Now that she had come back, he had something to give her. She needed something more to accept herself fully, and he had just the thing to make that happen. This was his plan and he wouldn’t see it go wasted now. It was the one thing to show her she had made the right decision by coming back.
He snatched up her hand, and as they walked by he gave a nod to the residents as a sign of thank you. “Come, I have something to show you.”
“Where are we going?” she asked, a glimmer of curiosity in her eyes.
He would have told her it was a surprise, but he didn’t want her to know anything. He wanted her completely shocked. He held her hand tightly as he made his way back to town.
Wi
thin minutes, they arrived on 6th Street. He stepped behind her and covered her eyes. “What are you doing?” She laughed.
This he would do again, as often as he could. She might not like the idea of not knowing what was ahead of her, but he enjoyed shocking her. “Trust me.”
“You’re a demon.” Her words held no strength.
He snorted. “I’m a good demon.” He pushed on her back a little, encouraging her to walk forward. “Just go on, I won’t let you hit anything.” He could tell she didn’t enjoy this, but that didn’t matter to him. He wanted to see this reaction. Not just for her, but for him. The one need for his life was about to be fulfilled--to see that second in time when someone was giving a piece of their soul back. Adrenaline and excitement coursed through his blood.
And now that he had her back in his arms, his want to see this through had only multiplied. Maybe it had changed now his happiness was intermixed with hers. If he showed her just how much she could accept and love herself, he’d get that love back tenfold.
Only another block down, he stopped and positioned her so she faced forward. He sucked in a deep breath in anticipation. “I got something for you.”
“A present?” Her voice lifted with excitement.
“I’d say it’s more than that.” He removed his hands and stepped in front of her to see her reaction. He’d never witnessed a moment like this before. He’d stolen thousands of souls, ruined lives and created Hell on Earth. This was the first time he’d see a soul saved and he wouldn’t miss a moment of it.
*
Bryanna strained to focus after Zeke removed his hands. She blinked a few times, and saw a wooden sign with bright lights around it. Whatnots & Doodads. Confused, she crooked her neck toward Zeke who smiled gloriously. At an utter loss for words, she focused back on the sign. He didn’t? He couldn’t have? She stepped forward and peeked in the window to see every item she’d created in the field set up on display in the small store.
No words came from her mouth. She turned away from the window and back at Zeke with wide eyes, she was sure of that.
He took the hint that words escaped her and broke the silence. “We all have a reason why we’re the way we are. The reason we have chosen a path in life and followed it.” He stepped toward her. “When you first came here, it all clicked for me. I’d been taking souls, stealing lives, but with you, you made me want to save you. Give you back what you had lost--that sweet soul I see in you now.”
That simply confused her. “So you did this for yourself?”
“In part.” He shrugged, unashamed. “I won’t lie that I had selfish reasons at first to help you, but I’ve never wanted to save a soul before.” He arched an eyebrow. “Never.”
All this was to save her soul? That was too farfetched to believe. “And that’s why you did this--to save my soul?”
He nodded. “To see that you don’t have to be something else, be the witch others want you to be. You just have to be yourself and realize your gifts are special. Your unique little items will be a sure hit here in Strange Hollow.”
His mouth closed, the smile on his face remained. She just couldn’t believe her ears. A demon, a creature of terror, had seen her and wanted to teach her to love herself. Show her things that she could never have seen in herself. For the first time, she saw him--really truly saw him--and the incredible sweetness in his soul, no matter how dark it should be.
And more than that, she couldn’t believe he’d done this for her. Taken the time to put the shop together, to bring her items from the field, and give her a purpose. Tears filled her eyes. “I can’t believe you did this for me.”
“Believe it.” He stepped away after opening the door, and gave a gallant wave. “Welcome to your shop.”
She laughed through the tears and stepped in, instantly surrounded by a small room lined with wooden shelves. The shelves held her skin cream, candles--everything she’d made earlier today. The high-heeled chair sat in the center of the room with tables around it. All the strange little items her magic had conjured were there.
Zeke came up behind her, wrapped his arms around her. “Do you like it?”
Tears streamed down her face. Like it? No, that couldn’t describe how she felt. No one had ever done anything like this before--something so thoughtful. “I can never repay you for this.”
He spun her in his arms and looked down at her. “You already have. You’ve given me more here than I have you, believe me on that.” He took her lips in a devouring kiss, and she melted into a puddle of witchy goo.
Nothing in him was gentle as she’d witnessed before. No hesitation, no soft touches to arouse her. His kisses were as heated as the Devil himself. He walked forward, and she reciprocated by walking back until her legs hit the high-heeled chair.
He didn’t bother with searing kisses up her legs. No, he had a purpose. He spun her around and pushed her chest down so her hands rested on the chair with her hips thrust high in the air. She hadn’t heard him unbuckle his pants, but when he yanked her skirt and panties down, she felt his warm skin connect with hers and knew he was naked.
His hand went between her thighs as if he was concerned she was not ready for him. She squirmed against his touch. Her readiness had never faded. He groaned as her wetness spread across his fingers. He took her leg, hooked it under his arm, and the stretch felt good as she turned herself a little to watch him. Without any warning, he thrust inside her, and she gasped, shocked by the fullness he gave to her. Her moan of pleasure echoed across the store walls. Never had she ever felt so stretched, so needy for one man. He slid out, only to thrust back in hard. Her moan was one even she hadn’t heard before.
“There is nothing I wouldn’t give to you.” He thrust again. She might have agreed with him, if she could find the words. “There is nothing I would change about you. You are beautiful just the way you are.”
His words alone could have made pleasure spread through her, but his greedy, hard thrusts made her acknowledge just how incredible a lover he was. He came at her harder, rough thrusts that could have undone her if she let them. But no, she didn’t want this to stop.
He reached around with his free hand and grasped one of her breasts in her shirt, squeezing it to the point of pain, but she didn’t mind. The feel of his need for her showed through his touches, and if he squeezed harder, she’d only scream louder.
“Come here; let me take you like this.” He released her leg, and pulled her up so her back pressed against his chest. She turned to face him while he used his other arm to grab the same leg up. The position should be awkward, but wasn’t. His strength held her in place while he entered back into her and continued to thrust in assertive movements.
His lips were forceful against hers, and she kissed him with equal vigor. She wanted him to lay into her and thrust against her as if she deserved to be punished. The weight of the passion overtook her thoughts. She bit down hard on his lip, not at all surprised when she drew blood.
The sound of his breath faltered, he stilled. It didn’t matter to her if he’d be angry. He had stirred her desires and she wanted to be fucked hard--left to wonder how she’d once held the ability to walk. His eyes, dark, deep and wicked, declared she was about to get what she wanted.
He threw her back onto the chair, and grabbed her by the hips so her ass rested on the edge. “You forget, little witch, that a demon resides in me.” His jaw clenched, the desire sweeping across him was nothing she’d ever witnessed before, but something she’d chase after again.
She hadn’t forgotten what he was, but she knew he’d never hurt her. Not him, not after all he’d done for her. Besides, she suspected he would enjoy it rough. Let his demon out to play a little, he couldn’t be good all the time. And he’d unleashed something in her, something she’d never felt before, or could control.
With his hands on her thighs, he widened her legs by pushing his hands roughly against her, then he thrust in a way no witch or wizard could do. Hard thrusts, so fast, so demon-
like, her breath was instantly lost to pleasure. She angled her head back, and held onto the chair beneath her while she screamed out in utter loss of control over herself.
“Come,” he demanded.
As if the word had meaning, or gave strength to his cock thrusting within her, the world she knew stopped. It was replaced by sensations that no one should be able to live through.
But he didn’t let her release--didn’t let her come down from the high she’d reached. He flipped positions with her, leaving his cock still inside of her. Now she straddled him, her feet were flat on the floor, and she wondered how she got there. Her mind wasn’t able to process anything else except the release raging within her.
His hands clenched her hips as he pummelled into her from below--hard, quick thrusts that left her unable to comprehend a single coherent thought.
“Come,” he roared.
Again, her entire being, as if in his control, spun in a world that she never knew existed. Her soul vibrated, shaking with the intensity of what poured around her. He was no longer a factor--nothing held any physical force except the pleasure coursing through her blood.
She plummeted from its release, and held no strength in her muscles. She began to slide down to the floor. Instantly, he was there, lifting her up in his arms before slamming them both against the wall. Items shook on the shelves next to them. Crashes of porcelain breaking, glass shattering around them as he pinned her and thrust without any hesitation.
She gripped onto his arms, unable to even figure out what she was supposed to do. Shouldn’t she be thinking of his needs? No, she couldn’t find it in herself to care, or distinguish what he might need. All that consumed her was his thick cock working continuously into her, hitting the right spot over and over again. Had she even come down from her orgasm or was she still in it? She wasn’t sure.
But as his pelvis began to smack against her little nub, she suspected her orgasm had only just begun. Thrusting harder, he angled up, his cock rubbing against her G-spot time and time again.
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