by Lexi Ostrow
She’d always favored the Christmas holidays. Though she knew there was no heaven or God, there certainly was a Hell, and she thought it was rather delightful to celebrate a fictitious birth for all the joy and good it represented. The exchange of trinkets had begun shortly after tree trimming swept over Europe, and the only part of the holiday she enjoyed more was the feast.
At the guild, every member, be they Alliance or guildworker, met for a splendid feast. It was an excellent evening and a moment when even the Alliance hunters forgot about the evil lurking in the streets and enjoyed merriment without racing off to hunt after. Many demons were not raised by those that spawned them, and Clara was one such demon, and having a family was something she would always cherish. If only there were some way she could bring something to the decorations, something wonderful that would make them all realize she is not a dastardly demon seeking to destroy them from within.
“It would be lovely if we could light the tree in some fashion,” she spoke aloud as if anyone were interested in her thought.
Flames flickered around the Great Hall, illuminating it. They were unable to use the crystals to light anywhere the clockworker’s roamed. After the battle, some secrets were unable to remain kept from them. They learned the Crown had commissioned works of tech to be devised within the guild, but they did not know of demons, which meant the demon crystals were off limits. Oil candles perched on tree limbs was dangerous, and she’d prefer to see the tree constantly lit up, not growing dim and then dark as the candles withered down to nothing more than wicks.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t create a source of light that can be explained by science for humans to understand. A smile spread across her lips just as a rather attractive apprentice shuffled by in his dark robes. He returned the affection and the small hold she had on her inhibitions snapped, leaving her shuffling to the stairs.
Creating a source of light for a decoration would have to wait until her needs were met . . . And she was allowed back in the labs.
Four
Hugo’s stomach finished emptying its contents on the ground. Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand he turned to look at Lucius. Immediately, he was struck with a desire to pummel the man when he saw the amused smirk on his face.
Chuckling, Lucius clapping him on the shoulder. “Do not worry, bloke. Most have a similar reaction to one invention of my wife’s.” He was still snorting with glee when he pointed to the large doors. “This is the Clockworker’s Guild. In here, Europe’s most stunning timepieces are fashioned. Just below, the world’s secret army lies waiting for its newest member.”
Blowing out a breath he couldn’t help but notice the way it hung like a cloud in the icy air. Europe was considerably colder than where he resided in America, and they’d been forced to wait for the cover of night to take him to the Alliance of Silver and Steam.
Averting his gaze from what appeared to be a rather pathetic back doorway to the ghastly motorbike, he swallowed. “I see why it was imperative we waited for nightfall to arrive. I should think a device such as that would draw attention in the day.”
Tugging the door open, Lucius gestured for him to enter. “If we leave too early for a patrol, they draw quite a bit of attention in the eve as well. Hunters may only leave after the dead of night. Drunks are rather unreliable as far as Scotland Yard is concerned, as are women of the night.”
Hugo nodded as he stepped through the door. A sense of dread overwhelmed him as he heard the door close, leaving him inside a narrow, dimly lit hall with a demon.
“Try to control your fear,” Lucius said, his voice sounded oddly pleasure-filled. “What you learned of me earlier is truth. I feed off fear and create night terrors. You are projecting your terror of me rather loudly, and even I am not a saint. Continue, and I could strike.”
Bile threatened to snake a path up his throat at the demon’s words, but he did his best to stifle his concerns. Walking slowly forward, he noticed how bright the hall became.
“What invention is this?”
Lucius laughed. “If you mean the lights, that is truly magic, not an invention.” He pushed passed Hugo and tapped a light fixture that was giving off a faint purple glow. “Angels have a crystal only they can mine. None but they know where it comes from. It is heated with a gear mechanism and can give off a light source—the same way the guns work.”
“That is an invention then. Someone had to learn how to heat the crystal without holding it above a flame.” His voice held all the awe of a small child receiving his first holiday gifts, and it was precisely how he felt.
“Blimey, my wife is going to love your mind.”
Hugo was hoping that was a compliment, but he couldn’t be certain. He’d spent time at the palace, learning scant bits of intel from the King and Queen; who’d instructed him to only refer to them as Jacob and McKenna moving forward. They had given him a strange pocket watch that would sound should he be near a demon threat, a communication device like the one they wore and minimal instructions on how to operate it and a very detailed introduction lesson on the key players of the Alliance. Those teachings included instruction from Lucius and three other demons.
“Do not be spooked. We wouldn’t have been granted entrance to the Alliance if those of us with demon nature hadn’t been tested and found worthy.” Lucius didn’t stop walking as he spoke but paused before what looked like a simple gate on the wall.
He wanted to press the matter, find out just how some demons were able to be trusted and others not, but he figured it must be similar to that of humans—there were good and bad amongst them all.
All at once a sound as loud as thunder filled the hall, sending Hugo leaping backward into the wall. His eyes widened in shock as what had appeared to be a gate over a simple wall moments prior, was now a fully open space. Lucius pulled open the gate, stepped inside and turned to smile at him.
“Sorry about that, a touch loud this one is down here. Come on then.” He gestured Hugo forward.
“What is this?”
“Bloody hell, why me?” Lucius muttered. “This is a lift. I don’t need to give you the history behind it as I’m certain you are aware.”
“Yes, but,” he ran a hand over the walls as Lucius depressed a button that sent the open doors slamming shut. “How is it here?”
“Humans. You never believe anything until you see it with your own eyes.”
Hugo ignored the comment and resisted the urge to panic when the floor beneath him appeared to move up. It was unlike anything he’d ever experienced. Tesla would surely regret running from such an invitation if he ever learned how wondrous an offer it had been.
“Bloody hell, there’s so much you lot are hiding, isn’t there?”
Lucius’ lips quirked into a wicked smirk. “That would be correct. Come now, we went one level up. You’ll be working here, and the fearless leader of the entire Alliance works on this level.”
Fumbling, he dropped the briefcase Jacob had given him with small bits of information and lunged to grab it. A sharp pain sliced through him, starting at his head.
“Bloody hell!” A feminine voice cursed. “Do watch where you are going.”
He looked up and couldn’t believe the splendor of the woman before him. Long black hair spilled over her back, nearly to her knees, in voluptuous waves. His eyes trailed down her body, taking in every curve before he could stop himself. Lust hit him hard, nearly buckling his knees with intensity, and he’d not enough seen her face, let alone touched her. Shaking his head, he forced his vision up and found himself staring into the eyes of the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her heart face shape appeared to be perfectly proportioned with a pert nose and bright green eyes glowering at him whilst her full lips pursed into a line of annoyance. Her skin was a rich olive tone, unlike any he’d seen in the America’s or Canada.
Her garb might have been nearly as shocking as the women herself. Clothed in black trousers and a billowy white blouse, she could have been
trying to dress the part of a man. Black grease made angry lines, marring the pristine white of her top and a pair of goggles sat upon the top of her head.
“You’re breathtaking,” he uttered.
Her lips slowly slid into a sly smile. “I am a great many things. That is merely one of them.”
The words were spoken like the smooth slide of silk against skin; sensual and sultry. Something Hugo had experienced only once in a brothel when he entered manhood—a gift from his father. His prick grew tight in his breeches, and he wished he hadn’t seen her gaze look there as she spoke.
“Off with you, Clara. We have an appointment.” Lucius poked her in the shoulder. “Besides, you’ll be seeing a lot of this bloke in the labs.”
If it had been possible for him to grow any harder, he did at the look of satisfaction on her face.
“Well then, I look forward to that. Even if you are as clumsy as Eliza.”
Lucius growled, “Off with you then.”
“Sorry, hunter. I’ve been waiting almost an hour for this meeting. If I do not see Odette, I will be without assignment.”
Amusement was evident in Lucius’ black eyes. “Lost control again then, did you?”
She snarled, her face contorting with anger, and yet, she was still the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. A part of him wished to continue his engagement with her, but it was obvious he did not have the slightest clue as to what they were bantering about.
“Fine. I hear the gentleman thing to do is allow ladies to go first.” He made an exaggerated bow and gestured for her to walk through the door.
“You are nothing near a gentleman, Lucius.” A voice called through the door. “And I can hear you all. Clara, please come in.”
Jerking her chin up into the air she scoffed at Lucius before opening the entrance and stepping inside. Turning, she gave one final look at Hugo and tugged it shut.
“That was Clara Burrowes. Like myself, she’s a demon.”
He expected to feel a rush of revulsion, or at the very least, for his shaft to soften some. Neither happened.
“What kind?”
Lucius scowled. “We’re not like animals. You shouldn’t talk about us in such a fashion.”
“I know that Clara Burrowes is the farthest thing from an animal I have ever encountered.” He could still smell her, a slight lingering of chocolate.
The other man chuckled loudly, slapping his knee as if Hugo’s missive had held humor.
“Clara is a Succubus Demon. A creature known for sex as they ooze it in order to lure prey in to survive.”
“On sex?”
He gave a slight nod. “Just as I live off fear, Incubi and Succubae live off sex. There are other demons with peculiar . . . Appetites as well.”
“So, I’m only attracted to her because she needs to bed me?”
“She needs to fuck you. Raw, wild and rather much like an animal, actually.”
An image of her beneath him, hair sprawled over the sheets and mouth open with pleasure slammed into him so quickly he came in his trousers. Embarrassed, he leaned against the wall. He’d not had a fantasy with such an end result since he was a lad entering his prime.
“And she works in the labs?” he managed to choke out, wishing he could adjust himself.
“She is a split worker. Whilst she doesn’t have the brains of a scientist, my wife assures me she has the passion of one.”
“Then what else does she do at the Alliance?” He couldn’t picture her cleaning the floors or something meaningless. “She hunts?”
“Ingenious, you do a large brain in there, don’t you?” Lucius quipped. “As I said, she is a demon, and as you felt, she has a rather potent effect on people when she wants to. That comes in handy in the field.”
“She whores herself out for you?” There was the revulsion.
A hand smacked across his face too quickly for him to avoid it, leaving a stinging mark behind.
“She whores herself out for herself. She needs sex to survive. Clara is simply willing to destroy any demons that are unsavory. As I do with humans when I need to kill.” His eyes went soulless again as they had in the throne room hours before.
Hugo was very suddenly reminded that he was standing next to and conversing with, a creature from Hell. Lucius could kill him without lifting a finger, and no one would have any clue what happened to poor Hugo Clark when he left to chase dreams in London.
“Beg your pardon,” he said softly, trying his best to disguise the fear raging through him.
“You’ll learn. There aren’t many of my kind walking the Alliance halls. Most are Pure Angels, and they wouldn’t dare lower themselves to living amongst the humans they are sworn to protect. Mind you, I don’t think Odette would take kindly to a bigot in our ranks.”
“I do not believe I can be a bigot, as I have only just learned of your existence. I can be appalled by a female who is not that of traditional norms, but I will adapt.”
“You’ve got guts, Clark. You’ll need those around here.” Lucius looked both ways before speaking again. “Odette will be busy for some time. Don’t move, don’t even sit. I’m going to dash off to give my wife a kiss.”
He nodded as Lucius trotted off, leaving him alone in the strangest place he had ever encountered.
“Her penance is to have you hunt?” The Guildmaster’s voice quietly came through the door.
“Yes. I panicked. I was thrust back a dozen years to the night I was found. My response was intolerable and unforgivable, but it was not deliberate.” Clara said, her voice a cross betwixt sorrow and determination.
What had she done that was so terrible? He mused as he leaned against the wall, hoping it would lend him better hearing to the tête-à-tête behind it.
“I understand not being able to control a part of yourself that does not belong with Alliance walls. It has been many years since I have had to hide who I am, what I am, but one does not forget living in secrecy. It drains a person in ways that I do believe leaves them vulnerable to lashing out.”
There was a long silence before she spoke again.
“If you are out of control that limits the partners you may have.”
“I am fine hunting only with Thomas and Greyston,” Clara said abruptly.
“Not Lucius or Layel?”
“I am still uncomfortable around the Angels. Especially as they oft think I’m little more than a lesser demon still. As for Lucius, it does not seem smart to have two apex hunters together. Thomas can resist me.”
He had to assume Thomas was an Incubus.
“I have heard otherwise from Felicia. In fact, just last week she was in here ranting that the pair of you enjoyed each other’s comfort just outside her home.”
“Would she rather we fucked in her home . . . sending Greyston into a fit as well?”
He felt a rage rise in him, unlike anything else. His blood boiled as he thought of her sleeping with someone else, even if he knew it was nothing more than her Succubus talents at work. It was implausible, but he found he rather wanted to deck whomever this Thomas fellow was square in the nose.
Odette barked out a laugh. “You are certain the pair of you can hunt reliably together? It has been some time since you’ve worked the streets as a team.”
“We’ve bedded down plenty out of choice, not hormones.”
“Very well then. For the next rotation, you will be excluded from laboratory work. Your mission will be the same as it always is, do not deviate.”
“It would be lovely if you could trust me. You are one of us.” There was an angry bite to Clara’s words.
“I trust you. I trust all of you. Yet, some of you have a penchant for disobeying.”
“Very well. I cannot disagree with that. It is rather hard to not kill on sight after what I’ve been through though, after what we’ve all been through.”
“Yes, well, that is a conversation long since dead. You yourself have right to destroy those that harmed you without question, but otherw
ise, all hunters abide by the rules, and all must agree to them before resuming watch.”
“I agree,” the rather reluctant words were spoken much softer than anything else.
“Very well then. Get some rest and tell the nice man, Hugo I believe, to stop eavesdropping and come in.”
He froze before jerking his body away from the wall. He knew Odette was a Halfling, could she read his mind as her father had previously to sense how his thoughts aligned with their conversation?
A door opened, and Clara sashayed out, her eyes not on him but on the path ahead of her. It mattered not. His prick hardened as he watched her arse move in the tight pants.
“Ahem, Hugo, is it?”
He jerked around to see a woman almost as striking as Clara standing in the doorway. In fact, she could have been related, if not for the strange vibration of power that seemed to flow from her that Clara did not exhibit.
Tugging his hat off his head, he held it before him. “ ‘Ello Ma’am. Yes, Hugo Clark. Terrified and eager to learn what secrets await me.”
The Guildmaster smiled, and it lit up her face, making her look as young as he was, which he knew was impossible. He was told she’d been nearing thirty and two when she’d been thrust into leadership.
“And smarter than your escort as I see he ran off to play husband.” She walked into the office. “Lucky for Lucius there are none better than him at the Alliance, or I’d remind him of his place. Bastard has saved us more times than I can count now, and he knows it.”
Hugo just barely resisted the urge to chuckle.