Tangled Sin (A Dark Realm Novel)

by Georgia Lyn Hunter

  He slid his hand between her thighs and stroked her clit with his thumb.

  He worked two fingers into her tight body, thrusting in and out, preparing her for him. Soft pants escaped her, her inner muscles clenching him. He withdrew his hand. She was so deliciously wet.

  “Noooo,” she moaned.

  “Not from my hand, sweetheart,” he rasped, tone raw, dark with need. “Inside you. Want to feel you come all around me.”

  He gripped her hips with one hand and guided his sex into her with the other. Her body squeezed around him like a fist, the sensation so fucking incredible.

  As he pressed his mouth to the side of her neck, his vision blurred, a red haze seeping through. Deep within him a stirring began, his body tensed as his Sin rose. A darker energy—sharp, potent—its essence swept though him and embraced Saia in that same fiery haze.

  He stilled, his heart pounded so hard, it almost cracked his ribs.

  She stiffened. “Riley?”

  “Yeah…it’s still me,” he said, his voice low. Guttural now.

  “It’s okay.” She pushed against him and undid him with her trust.

  Dark desire and ferocious need flooded him. He squeezed her bottom, pulling out and thrusting in harder. A low rumble rolled out of him as his Sin took over. This time, it didn't block Riley out.

  He held on to her hips with one hand, the other he ran down her smooth back and to her stomach as if rediscovering every inch of her silky skin. His palm squeezed her breast, his fingers tugging at her nipple. He moved his other hand from her hip to between her thighs and rolled her clit with his thumb.

  “God, Riley, it feels so good—more…” She pushed her hips into him, her inner muscles contracting around him. He drove harder into her, the sounds of flesh slapping flesh echoing in the quiet night. Her body tightened around him.

  Needing to see her face, he withdrew and flipped her on her back. Gorgeous passion-glazed golden brown eyes slumberous with need met his as he thrust back into her. Her legs slid around his hips. He kissed her deeply. Slowly. Powerfully.

  The emotions churning within him, made him want to shackle her to his side, be the very air she needed. And he didn't fucking care if that was too possessive.

  Because she was his life.

  His Sin hummed in approval.

  Changing the angle of his penetration, his cock slid against her clit, in and out, the friction had her body arching. She cried out, her inner muscles clamping around his cock like a fist as her orgasm yanked her over.

  He thrust harder into her. Seconds later, his own dam broke, rolling through his spine and tightening his groin; everything taking on a glowing red miasma as his release spilled inside her.

  Overcome, he buried his face in her neck, shut his eyes and drifted on the sea of emotions consuming him.

  She ran her fingers through his hair. Her breath escaping in soft pants brought him back. The red haze had faded.

  “I must be crushing you…” Riley reluctantly withdrew from her body and pulled her with him as he lay down on the coat he’d summoned a few days ago when the shivers had set in.

  He willed a blanket from his apartment. Seconds later, it materialized, and he pulled it over them.

  She slipped her arm around his waist. “That was amazing.”

  “No.” He placed a reverent kiss on her brow. “You are amazing. You are my world, Saia—my everything.”

  She pressed her lips to his chest. “I love you.”

  He knew it, but to hear the words... Like her very own brand of claiming fire, it wrapped around his heart and imprinted in that part of him that had given up on ever being loved. His soul.

  A light smack landed on his arm pulled him back. “And?”

  He smiled. “Ditto.”

  She rolled her gorgeous eyes.

  His smile dropped. The intensity of his emotions for his mate unfurled. “I love you, Saia. The gods knew I never believed in that emotion, but you showed me differently. This undeserving heart of mine—such as it is—you own it. In every lifetime we meet.”

  Tears crowded her eyes. She hugged him tightly. “Forever.”

  ***

  Early morning arrived with a new perspective for Riley. Drops of water slid from his cropped hair down his naked body as he made his way back to Saia. He flexed his fingers and ran a quick scan through his body.

  The roiling turbulence, the agony inside him had abated. His body felt different, more stoked. Powerful. And he wanted his mate, but she needed rest. It’s what drove him to the small river close by for another swim.

  He dreaded thinking what would happen when he eventually housed the entire entity of the Sin of Wrath. But for now, his Sin had settled, satisfied that Riley had allowed it to be a part of claiming Saia, too.

  He cut through the thick undergrowth. Animals scurried off, rustling the grass and leaves. The cool air swept over his damp body and dried his skin as he walked into the clearing. Weak sunlight peered through the clouds, highlighting the crumbling walls of the ruins. All was quiet. He pulled down the protective spell he’d cast around the place, then moved the vines aside and entered.

  The blanket he’d covered Saia with had slipped to her waist. Long, silky, black hair covered parts of her face and chest. He’d worn her out with his demands and wished he could let her rest longer.

  But the day had to be faced.

  Riley trailed his lips along her clavicle and breathed in her feminine scent. She ran her fingers up his back. He grasped her hand. “Come on, sweetheart, get up. We need to make tracks before your family sends out a search party for you.”

  “Do we have to?” she grumbled, eyes closed.

  “Yes.” He laughed, then frowned at her bare fingers. “Where’s your ring?”

  Her eyes flicked open. “In my coat pocket. It was making me uncomfortable. I'm too hot all the time, and besides, I sort of sense them now—sense evil.”

  Riley stilled. “You do?”

  “Uh, huh. It’s like an ominous slither, an icy cold sensation inside me.”

  She’d developed a power? It could only be the mating flame. He was so damn glad. A ring could get lost, but this way, she’d always know when evil was around. He smiled. “You have the ability to sense evil now.”

  She frowned. “I felt it then, too, when that demoness left me stranded at the gateway to Hell, but I hadn’t really thought about it, being terrified out of my mind—” She stopped dead. Eyes wide. “How?”

  He shook his head in amusement. “When the mating flame engulfed you…” He picked up his jeans from the ground, fished in the pockets, then took her hand and slipped something solid over her ring finger.

  Saia shot up from the makeshift bed and stared wide-eyed at the gleaming black gold band embedded with three glowing red stones—the stones exactly like the ones in the circlet he’d given her. Her gaze flashed to his. “What is this?”

  “Only a wedding ring counts,” he teased, his expression tender. “I had that with me for a while, there didn't seem to be a right time to give it to you.”

  “But I only said that because I was mad at you.”

  “I know…” He held her hand, his thumb stroking the stones. “Those belong to my mother. I never knew her, but I wanted you to have them. The circlet appeared fine, but I had the ring redesigned so it’s more you.”

  “Oh…” She leaped for him, hugging him tight. “I love it—thank you! It’s beautiful. But I left my circlet behind.”

  “It’s safe—” He eased back and glanced out the vine-concealed window. “We have company.” Rising to his feet, he pulled on his jeans and boots.

  Saia yanked the blanket protectively over her. “Who?”

  “Ikaria. I’ll see what she wants.”

  Riley freed his t-shirt hanging on a nearby branch, pulled it on, then walked outside. He found Ikaria waiting at the edges of the trees.

  “What is it,” he asked, straightening his tee.

  As she crossed the clearing, her troubl
ed gaze flickered to the ruin and back to him. “Ayperos has Zayn.”

  Dammit. Riley ran his fingers through the half-inch of hair he now sported. He should have known the bastard would go after Saia’s family if he couldn’t get to her. “Take Saia back to the house—”

  “No-no.” Ikaria shook her head, her anxiety growing. “It is not a good idea. Ayperos has more of them watching the mansion. I’ve killed three of his blood-demons and wounded another in the time you were gone—”

  “He wanted me, but took my brother instead?” Saia’s hoarse voice cut through the brisk, early-morning air.

  Riley pivoted and met her horror-stricken gaze where she stood frozen in the ruined doorway.

  “Don’t worry, we’ll get him back,” he said, crossing her. No way would he let that insane bastard get his hands on his mate or her family.

  Chapter 29

  They took form close to the mossy waters of the bayou. Saia swallowed the bile rushing to her throat at the raw odor of peat and decay. “Can you sense Zayn?”

  “Yeah.” Riley studied the thick undergrowth surrounding them. “Stay close to me, Saia.”

  She nodded, shuddering at the ominous sensation sliding through her. Evil trolled close. She reached into her coat pocket for the scimitar, reassured when she touched the cool blade.

  Gifted with an ability and she had Wrath’s scimitar—cool!

  The thicket parted, and her grim-faced family emerged from the bushes. Noah and Rohan did a quick perusal of her, didn't say anything.

  Liz hugged her. “You okay?”

  “I'm fine. Zayn?” she asked them.

  “We don’t know yet, Saia,” Liz answered. “There’s an abandoned wooden building just past those trees.” She pointed over her shoulder. “And too many blood-demons.”

  Riley stared in the direction of the shack. “We have to draw them outside. It’s the only way—”

  All holy hell broke loose. As if a hive had exploded, red-eyed demons poured out from the trees. A cacophony filled the bayou.

  Riley flashed Saia to the trees edging the clearing. “Stay here.”

  A sword appearing in his hand, he flew into the horde. The dissonance of weapons clashing, savage growls and shrieks resonated in the quiet. Saia tried to keep track of her family.

  Noah and Rohan fought with a viciousness she’d never seen before.

  Steel throwing stars flew in the air, lodging in the chests of the demons, who shimmered and vanished, pulled back to their world in death. Weapons clashed, punches were thrown, and kicks landed.

  Airborne, demons bounced off trees, using their otherworldly abilities, but her brothers were ready, their daggers flashing.

  Rohan evaded a flying demon and skewered him in the heart. Another caught him in the belly. Snarling, he whipped around and sliced the demon across the carotid.

  She realized Ikaria fought close to her, probably to keep her hide safe. And here she was, waiting, doing nothing like some weak little girl. The need to help grew. Saia snatched the scimitar from her coat pocket and palmed the hilt of the curved blade.

  “Well, then, Wrath, let’s see how true your weapon is.” She glanced around, then stepped into the melee. A demon flashed, grabbed her in a chokehold. Cursing, Saia head-butted the fiend. Freed, she whipped around, her dagger slicing. The demon snarled, a trail of blood streaking his arm where she’d cut him. He leaped for her and stumbled, then just crumpled and disintegrated along with his bemused look.

  She laughed in exhilaration. It worked.

  Several more demons charged her. Oh, crap.

  “Noah, get the others and leave!” Riley yelled his warning as he yanked her from the chaos. The moment her brothers had vanished into the trees, Riley hauled her against his chest. “Close your mind, Saia. Imagine steel shields. Now!”

  At the urgent order, she pictured steel shutters rolling over her thoughts. Eyes shut, she held on tight. The vicious snarls and clanging swords built to a fever pitch.

  Her eyes snapped open, and déjà vu surrounded her all over again. Exactly like the images Wrath had shown her of Riley as a young boy when he’d accidently let loose his new power. Like before, the demons turned on each other. Filled with loathing, they fought, going for the kill.

  “Come on.” Riley tugged her hand. “They’re as good as dead.”

  Saia swallowed and glanced over her shoulder as she followed him. Blood flowed, saturating the ground. Her stomach churned. “You stirred their hatred for each other.”

  He gave her a sharp look then shook his head. “Of course. Wrath.”

  Riley flashed with her to the front of a large, run-down, wooden lodge and met the others there. Shrieks and grunts filled the air.

  “There’s more of them.”

  “With Ayperos, there is always more,” he muttered darkly. “This is just a distraction, to see how strong we are, but we must get Zayn first.”

  Her brothers charged through the doorless entrance, followed by Liz and Ikaria. Saia stepped through with Riley at her back. Parts of the roof had fallen down, letting in sunlight. Carefully, they cut across the rickety floorboards scattered with moldy, wooden debris and through another entrance. Saia stumbled to a halt.

  Zayn took on five mean, red-eyed demons. His shirt sported several rips. Blood dripped from a gash in his cheek, another in his neck. He shot them a smirk. “About time—” He smashed his fist into one’s belly. “Those yahoos laid a trap for Riley, thought to grab Saia—” He jumped back from a slashing blade. “Like I would let that happen.”

  Saia grabbed Ikaria’s hand in relief.

  Rohan joined the ruckus, fighting alongside his twin. “I thought you were a goner, bro.”

  “Takes more than these shitheads to end me,” Zayn grunted. “Smelled the one at the house, knew what he was when I opened the front door.” He pivoted, landed a vicious kick, sending the demon stumbling, then sneered at Noah. “Just because I have no interest in SNS, doesn't mean I don’t know what goes on out there—but damn, that felt way good.”

  “Excellent,” Noah said, flanking Liz. He folded his arms over his chest and watched the twins battle the blood-demons. “I expect your ass in SNS every alternate day, starting tomorrow.”

  “I guess they don’t need my help,” Riley murmured, stroking Saia’s back.

  She patted his chest. “Why spoil their fun. It’s time they had a new interest instead of women.”

  ***

  Riley smiled at Saia’s droll words, but was damn grateful Zayn had come through alive. He still had to find and annihilate Ayperos. He’d been tracking him, but the bastard’s vibe had disappeared the moment Riley had used the one power his old man had bound after that disastrous incident when he’d wiped out that village at six. Seemed inheriting a part of Sin had also snapped the binding.

  The moment the twins demolished the last demon, Saia barreled into her brothers and hugged Zayn. Then she swatted him in the chest. “You scared the heck out of me!”

  “Don’t ya know? I'm invincible.” He grinned. “I’m fine, Sai, really. Hey, Aria, you owe me a kiss,” he yelled, wriggling his eyebrows. “I know you cheated on our game of chess when I was gone.”

  “Hardly,” she said, smiling. “But I'm glad you are all right.”

  Rohan glanced at Ikaria, then shoved his elbow in Zayn’s side. “Really? Even with danger surrounding us?”

  Zayn winked at Ikaria. “All the more reason to do so.”

  His senses humming in warning, Riley scanned again and picked up a faint malicious vibration. Ayperos.

  He had to get Saia and her family out of here before he dealt with the bastard. He crossed to Saia, who was examining the bite wounds on Zayn’s neck and grasped her hand. “We need to leave, now.”

  “There’s more,” Noah said, eyes narrowing. “I feel them.”

  “Yeah. But this fight is mine. An old score to settle.” At Noah’s quirked brow, he said, “My foster brother. He killed my adoptive parents.” He omitted the part th
at Ayperos had had Saia abducted. He didn't want her family with him when he dealt with the asshole.

  They headed outside into the wan sunlight and swampy air. The brothers and Liz disappeared between the trees.

  “Saia?” Riley drew her close. “Go back to the mansion with Ikaria and remain indoors until I come for you.”

  Worry darkened her eyes. “Okay. But don’t let Ayperos get away.”

  “I won't.” Tenderly, he stroked her cheek. “Be safe for me.”

  “Ditto.” She yanked him down by his tattered tee and kissed him hard. He breathed in her scent. She released him. Her smile wavered then firmed before she hurried over to where Ikaria waited near the trees to flash them.

  “Well now, brother. I didn't expect you to make this so easy.”

  Riley pivoted.

  Ayperos smirked from across the clearing, resting one foot on a fallen tree trunk, still wearing the gray and black uniform of Wrath’s soldiers. His clothes were a little frayed, but immaculate. His dark gaze vacant.

  Four blood-demons twitched nervously at his side. Assholes probably needed a blood fix since Zayn had escaped.

  So easy to let loose an inkling of his ability. They’d kill each other and save him the effort, but he sensed Noah, Liz, and the twins farther down the swamp but still too close. They would get caught in the maelstrom of his power and turn on each other—

  Saia! He spun around. She stared back at him with panicked eyes. A blood-demon had her trapped against him. Another held a blade at Ikaria’s throat and pushed her away from Saia.

  “I’ll admit, you made taking your mate a little difficult in this world with you or that demoness always around. Should have had her at the citadel after I sent the wyverns to distract you—yes, got that idea when those monsters killed your sire’s mate.” He smirked, a six-foot, doubled-head spear appearing in his hand. “Come, fight me, brother. Let’s see what you’re made of.”

  He flashed with his weapon. Riley evaded the attack, didn't engage. Clashing weapons would only bring Saia’s family back.

  “Still the weakling.” Ayperos sneered. “I’d planned to make you suffer by killing your mate in the citadel. Except, she rushed to help you,”—a snorting laugh—“and Wrath beat me to it. He got hold of your human and disappeared with her.”