Dark of Night_Beautiful Monsters_Ashwood Red

by Jex Lane

  Cullip pointed to Kat. “You’re with me.”

  Kat swallowed the remaining cookie and followed him out. He said nothing as he directed her to get into an SUV. He took the seat in the back with her and motioned for the driver to go.

  Cullip rubbed his greying goatee. “You’ve been here three days.”

  Kat wasn’t sure how to respond to the statement. “Yes?”

  “Sir.”

  “Right. Sorry. Sir.”

  He sighed. “You’re a handful.”

  “I don’t mean to be.”

  “Yeah, that’s the worst part.”

  “Am I in trouble, sir?”

  Cullip leaned back into the seat and laughed once. “We’ll find out soon. Do me a favor though, remember to salute.”

  “Sir?”

  The commander didn’t answer, sitting quietly for the rest of the drive from Ashwood VHA to the estate.

  The driver pulled up to the main entrance. Kat followed Cullip up the stairs and through the imposing doors. Every hunter guard they passed saluted him.

  He led her into an elevator. They rode to the third floor in silence.

  The doors opened to a room with hunter guards. Long hallways stretched to the left and right; hunters darted in and out of a room with sizable double doors in front of Kat and Cullip. Inside the room, she caught a glimpse of high-tech tables with touch screens and a wall covered in monitors—some showing live footage from wearable cameras. Gruff-looking hunters and a warrior incubus with his horns out were discussing something happening in Russia, based on the few words Kat overheard. There were also dispatchers talking into headphones, issuing orders.

  “That’s the Ashwood command center,” Cullip said.

  Kat hadn’t expected it to be so modern.

  Cullip directed her to enter a room. An office. With an imposing dark wood desk, leather chairs, impressive crown molding, bookshelves, files neatly piled labeled “classified”.

  The commander crossed his arms, waiting for something. Kat awkwardly clasped her hands in front of her. She wanted to ask him some questions, but he didn’t look like he’d answer them.

  Thankfully, she didn’t have to wait long.

  The door swung open, and an incubus with dark blond hair entered. He wasn’t bulky—not like some of the warriors she had seen—but he filled his dark tailored suit well, and he oozed confidence. Every incubus seemed to, as if they all knew the effect they had on humans. This incubus especially so.

  His dark blue eyes landed on Kat. His gaze wasn’t cruel but seemed…expecting.

  Cullip saluted with a deep bow. And when Kat didn’t do anything, Cullip bumped her arm with his elbow.

  “Sir?” Kat asked the commander.

  “Salute.”

  Kat did, unsure why.

  “You don’t know who I am,” the incubus stated.

  “Uh. You look kind of like Tane.” He did. Eerily close, except Tane looked a few years younger and had a smaller frame. “Are you also the Lord General’s son?”

  Cullip stifled a chuckle. “I’m sorry, sir. I’ve had her three days.”

  “It’s okay.” The incubus flashed a perfect smile at Kat. “I am High Lord General Tarrick.”

  “Y-you’re the general? But…” She looked at Cullip who raised an eyebrow, then back at the incubus. “The way Darius talked about you, I thought you’d be older.”

  “How old do you think I am?”

  “Uh. Like maybe, twenty-eight? Thirty-five?” She was terrible with ages, and he could pass as either.

  This time Cullip didn’t bother to stifle his laugh, letting loose a deep bellow, and Tarrick smiled wider.

  “Thank you, Commander.” With a wave of his hand, the incubus dismissed Cullip.

  Cullip saluted again and left, still laughing.

  Kat felt a little stupid. Darius looked young even though he had decades on her, it made sense even an older incubus would look younger. Tarrick motioned to one of the leather chairs. Kat took a seat, watching as he went to the other side of the desk and unbuttoned his suit jacket as he sat.

  The general opened a file and glanced it over. “You’ve had an eventful few days. Including facing a vampire lord. The reports say you didn’t run or beg her to stop, despite her toying with you.”

  “I’d never beg a vampire.”

  “Good. I expect nothing less from my hunters. But that’s not why you’re here today.” Tarrick regarded her for a moment, then sucked in a deep breath and leaned back in his chair. “You have issues with incubi.”

  “I—”

  Tarrick motioned his hand to cut her off. “I’m not worried about it. You’re not the first to be brought into the fold with conflicting feelings they need to reconcile. But it does make me curious as to why you agreed to go on a date with Darius.”

  “It, um, it’s complicated. Sometimes it seems like there’s more to him than he lets show. When I see a glimpse of it…” Kat averted her gaze and shyly smiled. “Plus his body isn’t half-bad.”

  “But you’re hesitant to sleep with him because you’re afraid he might be using you?”

  That was personal. Too personal. And yet…she couldn’t help being open with him. It felt like talking to a good friend. She wanted to tell him. “Yes. Is he using me?”

  “I don’t think so. He’s never fallen in love, and he’s as scared as you are.”

  In love? That was ridiculous. They’d only known each other a few days. And who said she was scared?

  “Over one thousand.”

  “What?”

  Tarrick motioned to himself. “That’s how old I am.”

  She studied him. “No way.”

  “Are you aware that incubi are empathic? We can read emotions. The older we are, the easier it is.”

  “I knew you could sway emotions—wait. That’s what you’re doing to me right now, isn’t it? Making it so I want to tell you everything.”

  “Yes.”

  His lack of denial surprised her. She shot up and balled her fists. “How dare—”

  “Calm yourself, hunter.”

  And like that, her anger melted.

  The general stood and came around his desk. “Sit.”

  She did.

  He leaned his butt against his desk and crossed his arms. “Darius is my ward. Not only am I responsible for him, I care for him. I’ve raised him the same as any of my children. It’s clear that his actions during the date hurt you, but he did it for your protection. He nearly lost control. Getting you away from him was the only way he could ensure your safety.”

  Kat opened her mouth to say something but wasn’t sure what she should say.

  Thankfully, Tarrick seemed to have no problem carrying the conversation. “Which brings me to my current problem. Sometimes young incubi can fall victim to their more primal impulses. On rare occasions, it can get bad enough that they won’t feed until they’ve acquired the object of their desire. Darius isn’t feeding. I need you to have sex with him, or he’s going to die.”

  “Seriously?”

  “Yes.”

  “But—” Kat wasn’t sure how she felt. The date had been surprisingly fun; the orgasm earth-shattering. Had he really sent her away to protect her? She’d been so hurt, and knowing the reasons behind his actions didn’t magically change how pissed off she felt by the way he handled it.

  The general waited for her to answer, no doubt reading every emotion passing through her.

  “What happens if I say no?”

  “I’d remind you of the contract you signed that includes a clause expecting you to sleep with an incubus if it would save their life. And if that wasn’t enough to sway you, I’d remind you that I care deeply for Darius and you’ve been here three days.”

  The words hung in the air. He didn’t have to spell it out; he’d let Darius take her. “And after? How would Darius feel?”

  “He’d hate me. But he’d be alive, so I’m willing to pay that price.”

  “‘Not everyone agree
s with his methods, but he gets results.’ That’s how Darius described you.”

  Tarrick nodded once. “It’s a fair assessment.”

  She’d misjudged the general. On the surface, he seemed a charismatic, understanding leader, but under that lurked a pragmatic, brutal man. Traits, she imagined, were necessary for a general.

  But he wouldn’t have to let Darius rape her because she’d already made her decision. She couldn’t let Darius die. Of course she couldn’t. Her feelings were complicated, but she wasn’t heartless. Even still, she couldn’t forget her reasons for being here. “I’ll do it. But there’s something I want.”

  The general pulled a document out of the file he’d been looking at. It was a payment transfer of five million dollars from House Tarrick to the Echowind Coven.

  She glanced up at the Lord General, who said, “I’ve already expedited the approval of your runic tattoos. You’ll have them by the end of the night.”

  14

  Darius

  Darius stomped a hoof on a chunk of wood and metal that was once his desk.

  It made a satisfying crunch. He stomped on it again. And again.

  Kat. He wanted Kat. Needed.

  He went to his door and tried to open it. Locked. That’s right. The hunters had ordered him to stay. He dug his claws into the wood and scratched.

  The door abruptly swung open. Darius growled…then stumbled backwards when he realized who stood before him. Dropping to his knees, he bowed deep.

  The Lord General entered.

  “Human form,” he ordered.

  Darius’ wings stretched out. He closed his eyes, trying, but he couldn’t get his incubus to retreat. He doubted he could even talk right now.

  A strong hand squeezed the back of his neck, comforting him.

  “Focus, young one. You’re not lost yet. Fight it.” The general’s words grounded Darius. He tried again. This time his wings retreated into his back and he returned to his human appearance. He no longer had the energy to hide his bruises. The general’s hand left him. “Good. Put some pants on.”

  Darius wasn’t sure when he’d stripped, but at some point, he’d removed all his clothes. He nodded to the Lord General and retrieved some slacks from his closet. As he put them on, he surveyed his room. Only the desk and door had suffered any damage; the rest of his furniture remained intact.

  The Lord General stood tall, his hands clasped behind his back. His dark blue eyes watching Darius intensely.

  Darius went to stand before him, dropping his eyes in reverence.

  “I’m disappointed in you,” Tarrick said.

  Darius sagged. The words might as well have been a weapon used to bludgeon him. His life centered around pleasing the Lord General and serving his house. Failing to do so made him…less.

  Tarrick continued, his tone hard. “You were aware of an impending calsanic and instead of coming to me, you hid it. With drugs no less. You could have caused a great deal of harm to one of my hunters.” The general paused. The silence was painful, but Darius didn’t dare look up, keeping his eyes fixed on the rug. “Perhaps it’s my failing. Do you feel you cannot trust me?”

  “My lord,” Darius whispered, “you have more important things to worry about than me.”

  “I get to decide what I worry about, not you. Am I clear?”

  “Yes, my lord.”

  “Kat, you may enter,” Tarrick said.

  “No.” Darius’ eyes went wide as she entered wearing a concerned look on her face. He fought back his incubus, doing a shit job of it as his horns emerged and fingers clawed. “Get her out of here. I can’t.”

  Tarrick placed his hand on Kat’s shoulder. Darius let out a growl. How dare Tarrick touch her.

  The general raised an eyebrow. “You’d challenge me over her?”

  Yes. It didn’t matter that he had no hope of defeating the Lord General—a skilled warrior over fourteen times his age—Darius would fight for her. He growled again and flexed his claws.

  “Answer me,” Tarrick ordered.

  “Yes.”

  Darius caught the faint scent of arousal twisted with fear, and his eyes locked onto Kat. Ilertha help him, she looked stunning.

  A smile lifted on the edge of Tarrick’s lips. He removed his hand from her shoulder. “Good.”

  “Leave.” Darius could hardly believe the command came from him. Ordering the Lord General in his own house was insane. No one did that. For good reason. Other than the High King, there wasn’t a single incubus that Tarrick couldn’t destroy with a few words.

  Tarrick’s expression remained severe. “If I leave and you lose control, there’ll be no one to stop you from harming her.”

  “I’d never harm her,” Darius ground out. He wanted to add that his Kat—his wildfire—would never allow it, that harming her would be harming himself, that he’d rather cut his arm off…but he had trouble formulating the words.

  The Lord General said something but Darius didn’t hear it, his full attention focused on Kat. Some part of him became aware that Tarrick left the room, closing the door behind him.

  Standing still, he studied her. She wore a grey cadet outfit today, and while Darius had never found them flattering before, it looked good on her. He narrowed in on her brown eyes, studying the gold flecks.

  “Leave,” he said.

  She took a step back. “What?”

  “I know you don’t want this. Leave. Now. Before I can’t control it anymore.”

  “But the Lord General—”

  “I’m going to call a feeder. It’ll be fine.” It was a lie. A feeder couldn’t satisfy him at this point. It didn’t matter though. He refused to sleep with Kat if she didn’t want him. “Please, go. The Lord General was right. When I lose control, I might hurt you.”

  She regarded him for a moment. Every second that passed he felt his control slipping. If she didn’t get the hell out, in a few moments, he’d take her. “I’m staying,” she finally said.

  “No—”

  “It’s my choice.”

  “You don’t understand—”

  “That you’re about to turn into a demon-monster and ravage me with what I can only assume will be a ginormous cock? I think I understand.”

  “We really don’t like being called demons,” he whispered.

  She shrugged.

  “Kat, please listen to me.”

  “Don’t you want me?”

  “Gods, yes. But I can’t risk—” He fell silent when she began to unbutton the top of her cadet uniform. His skin itched as his incubus stirred; the monster was done talking. He watched her fingers work, hating the distance between them but refusing to be the one to close the gap.

  There was so much he wanted to tell her. How no other had ever sparked him like this before. How much he enjoyed her passion. How the way she challenged him on everything made her all the more appealing. How he loved showing her his world and seeing her react to its wonder.

  Her resolve seemed to melt, and she trembled. Even from a few feet away, he felt her nervousness.

  She didn’t need to be nervous. He’d take care of her…satisfy her every desire. He tried to speak. Only a growl of frustration rolled from his mouth.

  She took a step back, which frustrated him even more.

  He fought to stay in place while silently pleading for her to leave. But she didn’t. Instead, she came forward and touched his cheek. He leaned into her warmth.

  “Even if I’m still a little mad at you, I don’t want you to die.” She dropped her hand and fiddled with a button on her shirt. “I’m…not very experienced. I don’t really know how to do…sex. I might not be that good.”

  Impossible. Her sexual experience, or lack thereof, didn’t matter to him. And actually, he found the idea of teaching her appealing. Together they could learn her body. Explore every position, every fantasy. He wanted to dominate her. Submit to her. Bring her pleasures no human partner could ever hope to achieve.

  Wanting to reassure her, Da
rius leaned in and kissed her neck. His lips brushed against her soft skin, testing to make sure she wouldn’t pull away. She tilted her head, and her breath grew ragged.

  He tasted her. White-hot energy flooded inside of him. Ilertha be praised, she tasted so pure. As he worked his way across her skin, he consumed the golden light shedding from her.

  She gasped when he nipped her. “It’s nice to see you know how to kiss in the usual areas.”

  Hot air escaped his mouth as he huffed out an amused chuckle.

  Kat ran her nails over his hard abs, her fingers mapping each muscle. They moved downwards until they hit his waistband. She hovered above a bruise. It had already begun to heal, but he desperately wanted to glamor what was left of it away. Hide the imperfection.

  “You have a really nice V,” she said. “Like, insane. I’ve never seen anyone this cut in person, only pictures. Models.”

  Darius rolled his shoulders peacocking a bit, loving that she enjoyed his body.

  Her hand hovered over his groin. “How big are you?”

  More than happy to show her, he began to paw at his button, trying not to rip his slacks with his claws. Failing. She grabbed his clawed hands to stop him.

  “I’ll do it.”

  Her fingers snaked to his button and popped it open. Slowly—painfully so—she lowered his zipper and tugged his pants down a few inches.

  With no underwear on, his cock sprang free. Thick and hard, it bounced once and settled. As she studied his erect length, he wished she’d touch it.

  “Jesus. You could be a porn star,” she said.

  Darius squeezed the base of his thick shaft.

  “What? Did you want me to do something with that?” she asked, teasing.

  He grunted and released his grip. He tugged at her uniform shirt.

  “No,” she said. He stopped, confused. She bit the bottom of her lip. “Tell me, would you do anything I asked?”

  Yes.

  “Hm.” She thoughtfully looked him up and down. Reaching out, she squeezed his nipple. A moan escaped him. “There’s something I want to do…”