by Liza James
Moving toward the soup on my plate, I lean down again, letting my tongue slip out before Na’amah suddenly interrupts me.
“Not from there,” she speaks simply, moving her own foot to the portion I spilled on the ground. She taps over it before gliding back. “There.”
What the fuck.
My skin pulls tight, my nipples hard under the thin fabric of my dress. It’s stretched over every inch of my body in this position, and I worry it’ll tear if I push it much farther.
But I have no choice, and even while I hate every moment of this happening, that sicker part of my pussy and mind are working together to draw threads of pleasure and arousal from it as well.
I dip lower, my shoulders trembling as my tongue slides out once more and I slick it through the heady broth coating the ground. I savor it, licking it up into my mouth and over my lips as I eat. I strain to stay above the ground, taking what little sips I can so I can get this over with. But the immediate heavy feeling of a boot replaces the hold of Na’amah’s hand on my neck. I whimper, shifting my thighs together as my pussy pulses and I push back against the foot.
“Don’t even think of stopping, my Kitten. Eat it, I want to watch your tongue lick it up like honey. Show me how badly you want to come for me later.” Her voice is hushed enough for only myself, Lucifer and Brielle to hear her. It’s thick with sex and lust, rushing over my skin and straight to my wet and needy pussy. I want to be fucked, right now, right here, in front of everyone. Even as I’m forced lower, eating off the ground and licking my tongue through the broth, swallowing it down my throat—I still want her.
“Good, good. Soon enough, Lilith will be able to feed easily from her. Breaking these girls truly is your specialty, Na’amah.” I struggle to hear his words exactly, but I feel the way Na’amah’s pressure on my neck falters briefly. I’m still focused on doing as I’m told when chaos breaks around me, the sudden shouts of others in the room as something falls several feet away from me. Na’amah immediately yanks back and Lucifer turns on his heels, rushing toward the thrones when I lift my head and look.
Lilith has stepped off her throne, but collapsed onto the ground in front of her. Frantically, people race toward her, and I find the break in focus my first means of escape.
Escape.
Fuck. Everything changes, for the briefest moment. Flashes of memories regarding my plans to disappear from this place.
Brielle is already up on her feet and moving to Lilith’s side, concern etched into her features while everyone’s attention is focused elsewhere. So, I lean back and hurry to my feet, momentarily wondering if I should insert myself into the chaos taking place.
However, I don’t want to jeopardize the work we’ve done here tonight in this little display of ownership and humiliation. I can’t ruin the idea Lucifer has in his mind regarding how unimportant I am in Na’amah’s life. So, I turn around instead, rushing through the people as they move forward to watch whatever is happening with Lilith.
Using my elbows, I shove people aside, moving deeper into the crowds until I maneuver my way to the open door and into the hallway. I haven’t had time to truly explore yet, so as I look both left and right, I follow my gut instinct to push me further into the Kingdom. Taking a left, I race down that hall, adrenaline pulsing through my veins as a narrow suddenly comes into sight in front of me.
It’s familiar, and I swear I’ve seen it before at one point or another. So I move toward it, pushing down the iron lever and throwing it open as quickly as I can.
Fresh, night air assaults my lungs. I breathe in deeply, stepping outside in an incredibly intoxicating rush of exhilarating liberation. Fuck, I feel free and after everything I just experienced, the simply aspect of fresh air has me desperately seeking more. I let the door fall shut behind me, and I decide to disappear outside for the remainder of the night. I don’t want to be in there any longer, and after what’s happened with Lilith, I doubt anyone will be searching for me.
Stepping forward, I pause and lean down, taking off my heels and tossing them into the grass by the door. I don’t want them, I only want to lose myself to being outside, to the soft feeling of grass under my toes.
To the silence.
I quickly become obsessed with the sudden relief of pressure and tension tonight. I’ll stay out here as long as I can manage the quiet thoughts of truly escaping.
I don’t want to escape in that way anymore. I’ve found a connection so intricate and powerful with Na’amah, one I am unwilling to let go of now.
Yet my feet continue taking me forward, stepping along the grass and enveloping myself in deeper darkness. The sky above holds those astonishing streaks of red light, vibrating through the night sky above me. I watch them as I walk, the chilly breeze working over my skin and through this thin dress. Lifting my hands, I run my palms up and down my arms in order to find some kind of warmth.
My mind spirals through everything that has happened tonight, replaying every moment, every word, every touch and stroke of attention Na’amah gave Brielle before me. Mixed emotions of jealousy spark along my skin, various outcomes of how I could have handled things differently play in my head. I know that’s not how this works, but I can’t help strangely questioning everything right now.
Before I know it, my eyes catch the sight of an even darker void approaching ahead of me. My gaze falls from the sky and I’m met with the tall, enormous trees towering into the night. Thick with a blackness I can’t begin to see through, a shiver of eerie and disturbing energy runs over my spine and across my shoulders.
I halt my steps, remembering what Na’amah told me yesterday. I can never enter this forest, for it belongs to Lucifer and if tonight is any indication, I know just how evil he can be.
So, as I turn on my heels and intend on starting back toward the castle, I’m paralyzed in place at the quiet voice whispering through the air. My head snaps up and in front of me stands the witch, Esme, her black robe covering her head and red, silky lining shining from underneath. I can see the ends of her hair below her shoulders, and her hands are quietly clasped in front of her.
When she looks up, I can’t see her face. Only darkness resides where her head should be. “I am a conduit for Lucifer.” Her voice is kind, but holds a slight tremble of fear as she speaks. “Please know, these are not my words, but his.”
My head tilts to the side as I stumble back, a terrifying despair suddenly overtaking me. I can feel him, his energy, spilling from her form and radiating into me. Instantly, her hands fall beside her, palms facing up as her head drops back on her shoulders before looking to me once again. With the hood of her cloak fallen around her shoulders, I see her eyes perfectly clear in the night. They are entirely black, every ounce of them, dark orbs resonating an evil I can practically feel under my skin.
“And they thought they could hide you from me, did they?” Her voice takes on a volatile quality, as if it’s a thousand voices all speaking at once. Pure, disastrous evil lurking in every word. “You must enter my forest, sweet Kitten. I hold the greatest gift you could ever want.”
My spine straightens, my lips pulling tight into a line as I listen to him. I’m afraid, wishing so badly I could call Na’amah herself, or one of the others to come help me escape this.
“Do you think I am lying?” he asks me, taking a single step in my direction as I immediately move back.
“Yes,” I reply quietly, continuing to keep my distance as he moves closer and closer.
“I am not. That is one thing I never indulge in. Lies. I know what it is you are truly seeking,” he speaks, and strangely, I believe his words are genuine. He could have anything he wanted, force it however it may work without the use of deceit and lies.
“I need to find Na’amah.” I struggle to keep my voice steady and calm and I stumble for a moment when my foot snaps over a single branch that cracks under my step.
“She’s busy with her sister. You and I both need her there instead, don’t we? Otherwise, y
ou’ll be the easiest meal for Lilith to indulge herself in.” He scoffs, a sick and twisted smile pulling along Esme’s face.
“Na’amah would never allow it,” I quip, slowing my steps when Lucifer finally halts his own pursuit of me.
“She would, because she would have no other choice.” His response is flat and dismissive, as if he’s finished discussing this topic. “You, however, have unfinished work to complete. And I have a gift.”
“A gift? Doubtful.”
“Turn around and look for yourself.” That crooked smile reigns free, somehow lighting those blackened eyes in arrogance.
I do as he says though, curiosity pulling in my mind as I turn and quickly realize how far I’ve moved away from him. “Fuck,” I mutter, lifting my gaze and looking up above me. We’re already surrounded by the woods, those trees towering over me in every direction, no sight of the entrance or exit anywhere near me.
Panicking, I turn back around, searching for Lucifer when I realize he’s gone.
“Oh shit, no. No, no!” I twist around, my bare feet crunching over the dirt and twigs underneath me. My eyes scan the area, desperately seeking out any possible signs of where I can go to escape. My mind quickly grows dizzy however, my breaths coming too rapidly to inhale effectively. I’m gasping, my heart racing in fear as I wish more than anything I could call on Na’amah.
In the midst of my turns and spiraling mind, I’m surprised when the sight of something glowing breaches the trees ahead of me. I catch quicks sight of it, instantly moving toward the golden ring in hopes that it’ll give me some indication of where to go. But as I step closer, I realize it’s much larger than I first anticipated.
Golden and incredibly intricate, the circular ring encompasses a beautiful mirror.
“What?” I whisper out loud, noting the ways it levitates off the ground. My eyes search around it for any indication of how it’s being held there, but there is none, and the ways my mind easily resolves it to magic astounds me.
I move forward cautiously, watching as my reflection easily comes into view. It’s enormous, towering high above me before spanning wide on both left and right. Slowly, I lift my hand, letting it run along the deep grooves of the design carved into the frame. Florals, beautiful and detailed span around the entire mirror and the glass itself carries no marks of age or distress.
“Incredible,” I speak to the silence around me. It’s thick and heavy, and yet strange feelings of seduction breeze over my skin as well. My shoulders shake with a captivating shiver, rolling over my spine and heating my skin in its wake. My eyes roam over every detail, taking everything in before sliding over the center and truly looking at myself.
Me.
Skilla.
Kitten.
A Fated.
I smile, tilting my head to the side as I watch myself. God, I look beautiful. The sparkle of my dress shining so brightly in the darkness. It looks electric, almost as stunning as Na’amah’s eyes when I look at her.
My skin is creamy and clear, a soft blush to my cheeks and stunning shadow over my eyes. My slender figure is somehow more attractive to me than I usually find it, and I twist around to appreciate the curves of my hips and swell of my ass in this tight dress. Lifting my fingers, I lay them against the glass, meeting my own reflection in the mirror as I watch myself.
“You are stunning,” I whisper, looking deep into a pair of eyes that mimic my own perfectly.
And yet suddenly spark with a difference I can’t quite name.
Cold. A breeze quickly flashes over my skin and I whip my head in the direction it came from. Na’amah, she must me close, and the immediate wash of relief practically overwhelms my senses. I step away from the mirror, decidedly moving in that direction in hopes that this is somehow the right move.
But my steps freeze immediately when my own voice breaks out behind me.
“Wait!” I hear my voice shout, scraping over my flesh and in my ears like a siren. “Don’t go yet.”
Slowly, tensely, I turn around, preparing my mind to meet whatever creature must be following me. But instead, my eyes only fall on my reflection in the gorgeous mirror at my back. I look around the area for any signs of someone else, but find nothing. Confusion wracks my mind and my brows pinch together as I narrow my eyes.
“Here,” the voice cheerfully states and that’s when I realize my own reflection is speaking to me. “Come here.”
Alarm collides through my chest as I stumble backwards, falling directly on my ass as I scramble away from the reflection of myself.
“Don’t be afraid,” she easily states, crouching low on her hands as she seems smaller and less intimidating. “It’s only me. And I’m you.” She laughs, but the sound doesn’t sound sweet or bring me comfort.
“What? How is this possible?” I ask, steadying my breaths and focusing on her. I inch forward, shifting onto my knees as I come closely up against the glass.
She smiles, every feature she holds matching mine perfectly and yet feeling different all the same. “How is anything possible here? Magic.”
“Magic.” I repeat, still struck in awe of what I’m witnessing. Another cold breeze runs across my shoulders, and my attention is pulled back as I look deep into the forest again.
“Not yet,” she whispers, moving closer to me as she sits on her knees. “She’ll find you soon. I promise you that.”
“How do you know?”
“She’ll scent your blood.” The words hold a weight of what feels evil and cryptic. How could Na’amah scent my blood when I’m not even— “How do you know she wants to be with you? With us?”
I narrow my eyes, my train of thought interrupted. “We’re Fated; she told me so,” I explain to myself, feeling somewhat crazy and intrigued all at the same time.
“Did she now?” she asks, her eyes turning suspicious and dark. “I heard her tell the other girls that as well.”
I rear back in disbelief. “No you didn’t, because I would have. You are me.”
“I’m the parts of you that you choose to ignore, Skilla.” She leans close, her hand lifting and slowly trailing her fingers over her own skin. “The better parts. The smarter ones.”
“Liar,” I quickly snap, confused as a flash of irritation hits my chest. “You’re not real.”
“How am I not? I’m here, right now. Speaking to you just as any other. I know more about you than you choose to admit for yourself.” She speaks confidently, shifting onto her feet as she stands and continues watching me.
I stand as well, mimicking her own movements now as I step back and look for a means of direction. “No,” I whisper. Choosing to ignore her and find my way out of this.
“I’m the one who knows how badly you loved Ruby and K. How you so desperately surrendered to their sick and minimal touch in order to feel any sort of fucking validation. Right?” Her words turn sour, coming at me like knives into my skin.
“No, no, no,” I whisper, turning around and walking away from her. But she continues yelling from behind me.
“It’s pathetic, really. Tell me you’ve at least accepted that. How easily you spread your legs for them, and then went home to your brother and fucked him in the same breath?” She pauses as my steps falter, and new found rage begins boiling in my blood. “Have you admitted your darkest secret to Na’amah yet?” This time she whispers, but the perverse giggle she releases at the end leaves my skin crawling over my bones. I turn toward her, finally meeting her gaze and realizing she stands before me completely naked.
My eyes fall lower, observing myself in the mirror with a reflection that feels far more like my usual thoughts. My body is frail and slender, the outline of my ribs showing under my skin. I’m pale, a grayish hue running over me while my hair falls limply around my shoulders. She laughs, and my thin lips fall into a flat line as my eyes darken into colorless voids. I raise my hands in the reflection, letting them motion over my weak and pathetic body before finally speaking again.
“Did you tel
l her that you liked it?” The words fall from now blueish lips, as if I’m losing more and more oxygen with each passing breath. I’m growing even uglier, and yet I think this is actually how I look all the time.
Nausea rolls through me, and I double over as I heave and vomit threatens my throat.
“Stop,” I snap, forcing the word out of my mouth even though it feels nearly impossible to speak.
“When your brother would touch you, I mean. When he raped you. Did you tell her how badly you enjoyed being out of control like that?” Her voice—my voice—is sick with lethal tones. I collapse on the ground, finally succumbing to vomiting what little wine and bile I have in my stomach. My hand slams against the mirror in front of me, wishing so badly I could break it if it meant ridding myself of this fucking nightmare.
A scream builds inside of my chest, growing and growing as she speaks disgusting, horrifying memories out loud. Things I’ve buried, moments with Rowan I have forced myself to forget because of how painful and terrifying they were. But she doesn’t stop, and I find myself losing control completely when I scream out and open my eyes as I meet hers.
“Stop!” The scream rips free of me, my fist lunging forward and through the glass completely. I pull back as blood coats my hand, and then throw it forward again while my reflection laughs at the destruction. She doesn’t stop talking though, my mind spiraling, unraveling at every word while she poisons my mind. The glass cracks and breaks, shattering in sharp and jagged pieces sliding over my flesh and cutting easily into my arms.
I want to say it all slows, everything calms as my reflection falls into a million pieces at my feet.
But she doesn’t stop. And the pain that consumes my body is something I could have never imagined. I fall to the ground, my fingers scraping over my bloodied hands wrists when I notice the tiny pieces of glass embedded into my skin. “Shit,” I mutter, tears spilling from my eyes and sliding down my face. Panic strikes me, billowing through every limb and rushing over my mind. My eyes can only focus on the blood and glass, growing more and more in every second as it spill easily from my veins and floods the dirt around me.