Constricted: Beyond the Brothel Walls

by Ryans, Rae

  The Arcadian Bureau of Demonic Affairs wasn’t a new concept. They had agents all over Arcadia. Even before the collapse, they’d meddled in politics but rose up afterwards and seized control. Any humans reigning in office were there because the preternatural world put them there. They were the ones who provided Tomas and me to create our Future Energy Company.

  Veric patted my shoulder. I glanced to his scrunched brow and noticed the deep scar again. His story repeated, particularly how his family thought him dead. He crooked his head toward the kitchen.

  “C’mon we need a plan, mate.”

  Tomas’ guard handed out envelopes, calling each one by name. Before the elder vampire departed, he’d swung by the house to retrieve Korrigan’s documents too. Like the fallen angel had said, it wasn’t getting into Arcadia, it was getting out of Delphia that proved a problem. His badge meant nothing on this side of the border and without proper documents, no one traveled by train. It mattered little that I owned the business.

  Tomas followed into the kitchen, his blond head shaking. “Never thought I’d see the day.” He grinned and swallowed the large demon in a hug, before kissing both his cheeks. “Heard you died, mon ami.”

  My eyes widened as the two held their casual exchange. How much had Tom known and kept from me?

  “ABDA saved me.” He palmed his hand over his face and glanced to me. My head rested against the doorframe, and my eyebrow shot up. As if reading my unspoken question of whether they’d known one another, Veric added, “Now let’s dispense with the BS and get these kids safe, mates. Then we can get down to the real nitty-gritty. Let it all go for her sake.”

  At least Tomas thought ahead and booked a spot in the animal car for Demon Spawn, but with the magical bindings dissipating, he was getting harder to control. With a semi-solid plan in place, we joined the boys and guard in the larger living room. My hands slid around Korrigan’s shoulders, and I kissed the top of her head. I wanted nothing more than to go home and forget this horrid place. She glanced up at me and smiled. Neither of us mourned the loss of our friends yet, but the time to heal would come.

  We decided to split the two vampire guards up: one with Tomas and one with me. Veric, against my increased protesting, was serving as Korrigan’s guard, and they would make up a third group. He seemed quite pleased about it too, and I wanted nothing more than to wring his fat neck.

  “Thought of your brother too,” Tomas whispered. He strolled out into the snow with Sophia and I followed. Glossy hair swayed in the wind and caught the falling snow. As we approached, Demon Spawn stomped and tossed his head. Widened eyes glanced over her shoulder at me. I bit my lip wondering what he planned for my brother.

  Tomas reassured her, patting her arm, but not pushing her. “Don’t get too close. Here is fine.”

  Steam rose from the horse’s hooves and provided a billowing cover. Korrigan screamed for me to stop as she ran outside, but I yelled for Veric, and he dragged her back into the house. My brother could not harm us and Tomas simply meant to subdue him. The Duc used Sophia to amplify the spell while teaching her how to subdue a beast. She kicked and pounded on his back, fighting to free herself, and I swallowed the bile. I shook off bitterness, knowing it was for the best. Whatever the warlock vampire did, her presence might interrupt it, and we couldn’t afford the setback.

  My brother paced the confine of his enchanted lead. Sophia nodded and swallowed hard. Demon Spawn shifted and yanked on his binds. She lifted her palm to the air and connected her hand to Tomas’; their fingers intertwined. The horse reared up, and she jumped away, shrieking in horror. He steadied her and muttered a low chant; red energy shot from her hand. Slowly she too repeated his words, until they both shouted. Their voices reverberated and echoed off the row homes surrounding the block. Sophia trembled as the power poured from her body and enclosed my brother. The crimson in his eyes flared, before muddying to a deep brown.

  Sweat beaded on Sophia’s forehead, and her jaw tensed. “That’s enough, ma cher.”

  Tomas patted her hand and pressed a peck on her rosy cheek. My mouth dropped, and I shook my head in bewilderment. They turned to me, but Sophia wouldn’t meet my eyes.

  “Astounding,” I whispered. The horse stood docile, more than I’d ever recalled in the past. Were all of Jules’ slaves harboring magical secrets too?

  My head cocked as Thomas’ lopsided grin grew wider. He held his hand up and stalked toward me. After Veric’s announcement about my picture, I’d toyed with altering my appearance. The hair would never grow back. But the warlock had another thought. I swallowed as he asked my permission to form a magical link. My head gave a slow nod, and he cupped my face. The ground stirred beneath my feet as his lips brushed against mine. It wasn’t an erotic kiss, but a connection to my soul.

  My skin itched and stretched, but I closed my eyes. “Another minute,” he whispered against my pressed lips. “There now you won’t have to cut your precious hair.” Tomas handed me a set of grey lens goggles too, and I cocked my brow. He snorted and thrust them over my head. The metal hung, and I stared down. “Put them up.” He tapped his head and walked away, with Sophia linked to his arm.

  The back door slammed, and I turned toward the noise. Korrigan dropped a tray from her hands and stifled a giggle into her hands. The infectious amusement spread as my grin flashed across my face. “C’mon, it can’t be that bad.”

  I blinked as she grabbed my hands. Hers disappeared within mine. She drew me to the window, and I scowled at my stretched clothing. My hand rubbed over my strange face and down the elongated scar.

  “Ginger suits you.” She covered her mouth and giggled again. The demon dropped from the sky, his dark feathers buffeting the snow, and I shielded Korrigan with my body.

  “Bloody hell this isn’t funny, mate.” Veric met my mirrored gaze. Aside from the height and eyes, we passed for twins. “Did ya give ‘em me wings too?” he yelled.

  Kor chuckled, toppling over at her waist. We both mumbled about it not being funny, but she laughed harder. Tomas poked his head out; she’d made quite a ruckus, but it contented me to hear her cheerful banter. My insides warmed at her jovial tone. “There you are angel; your turn.”

  It was our turn to laugh. “No, you’re not—” He cast the spell before she finished protesting. I didn’t like doing it without her permission, but we needed to remain cautious. No one but those in the house and the ABDA knew she’d survived. We wanted to keep it that way for as long as possible and took no chances.

  We walked in our small-armed groups to the train station. My mind wandered as my stomach soured. I’d entrusted Korrigan to Veric after another failed attempt to change her mind. The streets weren’t empty in this ruined part of the city. Homes featured smashed windows and charred remains where walls once stood. The pavement lay broken from the fissure pressure, and the ocean waves crashed in the distance. The hissing sound grew fainter with each step we took toward freedom. Korrigan had stated Veric made a better guard than Tomas. My fists curled at the thought, and I’d dragged her aside. There were too many secrets and unanswered questions to leave her alone with the fiend.

  I ran my hand through my hair and missed the length. The rough beard itched too, and I’d scratched nonstop. Korrigan grasped my hands and scolded me. I faced my reflection and saw the deep red marks left by my nails. “Maybe he’ll tell me, but he’s not saying a word with you around.”

  My lip throbbed in remembrance of how I’d bit it. Veric had let a lot slip when he thought she was upstairs. I didn’t know how much she overheard, but I didn’t want her to tackle this alone. At least with me by her side, I could pinpoint his lies and deceit through his changing scent. I told her as much, but she had cupped my face, and asked me to trust her.

  “I do trust you.” Korrigan of all people should’ve valued honesty. I blew out a frustrated grumble and bent my head toward hers. My nose rubbed against hers, and I stole a quick kiss, reminding myself that it wasn’t good-bye. Soon the day would en
d, and we’d be home. She touched my goggles and giggled. Veric coughed, and I stared at my new twin. We’d dressed alike right down to the ridiculous eyewear. Tomas wore his gambler’s hat, and the demon seemed about as pleased with his new headwear as I was.

  “Ready mate?” he said and shook my hand. “I’ll keep our angel safe.”

  Our angel, the way he said it hadn’t put me in a state of ease. My smaller group left first, and they were the last, bringing up the rear. With the horse, and the men of the group, we’d departed through the powdery snow. In the past four years, this marked the third time I’d left Korrigan. Every time something happened to her. Every time Jules attacked.

  Our journey was uneventful thanks to Sophia subduing Demon Spawn, but I couldn’t quell the uneasiness rising in my stomach. It wasn’t the travel, but the questions upon questions reeling through my mind. They compounded and crushed my lungs.

  I’d thought Sophia’s presence was enough to rest Kor’s fears. Besides, she didn’t enjoy Veric’s company either. Why did she insist on him?

  The station loomed ahead as the buildings changed from ruins to cozier homes and small shops. I blinked at the harsh lights. This area tied into the bio-fuel lines and used electricity. For most of the humans, not much had changed from before the sundering.

  The largest hurdle we all had to overcome was the loss of trucks and farmland. Meat and grains grew scarce in the winters of Delphia. Their saving grace rested in dependency upon the rail lines and the shipments arriving from Arcadia and Garland. The former was the least affected by the demons rising from hell even though the powers that be changed the name from Canada. Perhaps by the grace of God alone, we’d survived where more than seventy-five percent of Earth’s human population had perished.

  One by one, we handed over our documents and the reins to the train conductor. The uniformed man scrutinized each one, but everything matched, right down to the photographs we’d taken that morning. We strolled inside old 30th Street Station. Half of it lay in ruins, but the Angel of Resurrection greeted us. The statue remained untouched by the earthquakes. The bronze shined, and I exchanged smiles with my four companions. It was a sign; God remained on our side, and we weren’t alone in our endeavors.

  “Everything’s on schedule,” the Duc’s guard whispered in my ear. We waited for Tomas’ group, staying near the statue. I reminded the others to keep their heads down and watch their body language. Guards noticed nervous behavior. While they might not approach us now, we didn’t want attention drawn to us at any point during this trip. I checked my watch and glanced toward the doors. We’d set our watches and planned to arrive no more than ten minutes apart.

  I forced the air in and out of my lungs; nothing like sending up a red flag by not breathing. I’d relayed the same information to Korrigan and reminded Veric too in case she forgot. She’d caught on quickly to her new strength and speed, but breathing wasn’t a natural behavior anymore. A black clothed guard passed, eyeing up our group. I smiled and said hello. My hand reached into my coat, and I pulled out a map. We were tourists, returning home, to anyone who cared enough to ask.

  Like before, we trekked through the former ruins of New Jersey and New York. Shadows of their former glory, and not large enough for a new name, but the island fragments remained the most direct route for the trains. After the quakes finished, my company invested and fixed the damaged bridges and laid new rails where needed. My breath blew out as my finger trailed the line. But my eyes jumped to the doors every time they opened.

  A string of French curses shouted through the open corridor and echoed from the walls. I chuckled; Tomas’ blue eyes winked as his group barreled through the doors. Sophia came through next, trailed by three young boys, and three more men. “No problems,” he relayed the message. My brow furrowed even though the Duc remained the least of my worries. I didn’t trust Veric, but she left me no other options. Demon Spawn subdued or not, I wouldn’t have let her within 100 feet of him after he’d tried to kill her.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Tick, tick, tick … I kept watching the hands spin around my watch. My lip grew sore with each passing moment as my fangs sliced through the flesh. The demon chuckled every time I did it. His lofty attitude hadn’t eased the thickening tension. Neither had his strangeness toward my Petre or Petre’s need to keep secrets. Whispers of keys had caught my ears, but I was determined to learn about the dreams.

  We were the last leg; Tomas and Petre had checked in with Veric before they entered the station. He sat at the kitchen table fiddling with his weapons and ignoring me. The wooden chair groaned as he shifted about under his size. My brow rose thinking of the agent and all the secrets he withheld from me. Once alone, I thought he’d open up as we’d ransacked the house and collected anything concealable or of value. No, the demon refused to budge and eluded my questions left and right.

  A sigh tickled my throat. Our group was the toughest. There wasn’t enough time to teach me compulsion. That proved yet another reason Petre wanted me with Tomas. If we ran into problems, even if the boys gave us hell, we’d have to fix it the old-fashioned way. Veric mentioned something about finding duct tape, and they’d all shared a laugh. Was it a tape made from ducks? No, they’d laughed even harder when I asked that.

  The snow slowed, and the sunrays peeked through the gray sky. The ground didn’t sparkle here as it did in Nova Scotia. The foul taint shadowed the world in Delphia. Veric called me into the kitchen and told me to close the door behind me. “Time to feed, luv.”

  I swallowed and touched my throat. The ache lessened with frequent feedings, but I craved his blood. Demon blood. Veric’s blood. I prayed to God that changed. His hand slapped against his denim-clad leg, and my cheeks flared, but I doubted the outward signs showed.

  I’d tried Petre’s blood to no avail. While the flavor was delicious, it did not fill me or end the burning hunger in my throat. Veric’s dark coat slouched off his shoulders. His chin tilted, removing the red handkerchief covering his rough skin, and exposed his scarred neck. The chair protested as I straddled his lap. Hot hands slid down my sides enticing a chill to race through my spine.

  I admitted that I wasn’t the brightest woman, but stupid didn’t quite fit either. The demon agent liked me, and I’d thought to use it to my advantage. His smoky flavor burned my belly. Thick fingers gripped my hips and pressed me down over the hardened outline of his cock. I hadn’t bitten yet, and it made the intimacy of our act wrong.

  Granted, I’d lied when I said there was no attraction to the devilish brute. I didn’t love him as I did Petre, but there was a kindred spirit between Veric and me. Explaining either feeling seemed impossible, but the vampire had saved me on more than one occasion. Without him, I’d still be a slave to Jules. It hadn’t mattered that the demon sought me out too, in dreams or reality, or that beneath his brutish nature lay a broken man searching for something.

  Veric’s fingers brushed up my spine, and my belly tightened. My eyes fixated on the throbbing vein, careful to avoid the intense gaze he often kept for me. It took residence in the cavernous scar. My fangs slid from my gums again, and he reached for my face, forcing my eyes to stare upon his face. I backed away; the chair wobbled beneath us. Veric shushed me and reached again.

  His thumb slid over my bottom lip, and I shivered. “Bite my mouth,” he said in a rough tone that stabbed at my core.

  “No.” I shook my head. My legs scrambled out of his lap, but Veric proved just as fast. “Don’t do this,” I whispered, backing against the kitchen wall.

  He groaned and slanted his mouth over mine. My fists beat into his chest, and I bit his lip, but not hard enough to break the skin. I wasn’t giving in to his desires or my own. My leg kicked his shin. He moaned louder, and his hands fell to my ass. The heat seared my skin as he squeezed my covered flesh between his massive hands.

  Veric lifted me up and pressed my back against the wall. The hardness of his oversized body smashed and pressed my nipples into hardened
points. Shocks caused gasps as his tongue slipped into my mouth. Veric mumbled something, but I didn’t understand the words; I didn’t care. My body tingled, and warmth rushed between my thighs. The moment swept over me like a tidal wave, and I kissed him back. Fire engulfed me, burning me from the inside out. My hands curled into his shirt, my legs wrapped around his waist, and I dragged him closer.

  Fangs pierced his tongue and filled my mouth with his smoky flavored blood. Veric groaned and stiffened his body. Slowly his hips ground against my pinned body, and I rested in the feel of his friction. I sucked on his tongue, and his grip tightened. My hips bucked against the demon, building and tearing through his wall. A roar muffled against my lips, and his sticky seed seeped through his jeans. The moment he pulled away, I slapped him across the face.

  “Pig—”Veric laughed, and my fists clenched into his shirt again. His face softened, and he cupped my face. The confusion swirled inside of me, and the guilt latched into my belly. I stomped my foot over his and stormed from the room seeking a retreat from what I’d done. Veric grabbed my wrist and dragged me back.

  “Your kiss makes me hotter than your fangs, luv. But that’s not why I want you.”

  “You disgust me.” My stomach lurched even as the pain etched into his eyes. Why … why didn’t he tell me about it? I’d insisted on staying with him for answers, but still he gave me none. My mind muddled with confusion, and my heart tore with guilt. I’d kissed him and enjoyed every moment. Filled with hunger and emotions I didn’t understand, but Veric wasn’t the man I should have kissed. “Why?”

  His fingers stroked my cheek and my eyes burned. “It wasn’t supposed to be like this.” The scent of his body remained the same. “There’s not enough time.”

  My mouth opened to protest when he tugged my arm again and slammed me against his smoky-scented chest. A knock sounded at the door. His eyes followed the sound. “Shut it,” he said, placing his finger to my lips. Voices filled the living room, and my eyes glanced to the table loaded with weapons. I made toward it, but Veric held my arm.