“Can we get this over with already?” The fact she had a power she never knew about had blown her mind, but she was confident she could control it. It felt…natural. They’d trained the last three days, and she’d managed to do what she had with Chaos in that alley to James twice. She’d also managed to use James’s power like it was her own, before she’d given it back.
Chaos glanced at her, and Grace shifted in place as he sent James away.
James grinned and gave her a double thumbs-up behind Chaos’s back before he disappeared out the door. Smart-ass.
“What’s going on? I thought we were training?” she said, trying not to show how much being alone with him affected her.
Chaos stepped closer. “We are. But today you’ll be using me.”
The way he said that sent a shiver dancing down her spine. Her blood instantly heated and her mind conjured up all the ways she could use him. “Why?”
He started toward her like a prowling animal. “We know your power is strong, let’s see just how strong.”
Without thought, she took a step back. “But in the alley…with you, it was too much, you were too powerful.”
He ignored her retreat and closed the gap between them. “The whole point of this is to learn your limits. Until you can do that, you won’t have full control over it.”
His voice was deep and rumbly, gliding over her skin like velvet brushing between her thighs. Curling her fingers into a tight fist, she forced herself to ignore it. “Fine, let’s get this over with.”
He grabbed her shoulders and turned, changing positions, so his back was to the padded wall.
She raised a brow.
“My instinct will be to pull away. This way, I can’t.”
He took her wrist, his rough, thick fingers, hot and strong, curled firmly around skin and bones that seemed far too fragile all of a sudden. She’d only ever felt that way with him. She hated it, but also craved it. He could easily crush her if he chose to. But he held her like she was delicate, as breakable as she felt right then, precious, and lifted her hand to his throat, holding her fingers against his skin.
They were close, too close. His unwavering dark eyes were aimed down at her, so intense, like he couldn’t look away from her.
Dangerous.
This is dangerous.
She forced herself to look away, to ignore how his skin felt against hers, how the muscles under his shirt rippled every time he moved, the way his breathing had grown heavier, the way he still held her wrist like he didn’t want to let go, and focused on what she had to do.
Closing her eyes, she did what James had taught her. She thought about where her power manifested, where she’d felt it that first time. In her chest.
The more she thought about it, focused on it, the emptier she felt, the bigger the space inside her grew, yawning wider.
Just like that, it came to her. Natural.
“Ready?” Her voice sounded soft, husky—needy.
Chaos shifted slightly. “Take it.”
She began drawing his power into her, slow and steady, more controlled than she had the first time. Her skin began to tingle and prickle. James’s power was nothing compared to Chaos’s. And the more of it she took, the dizzier she got. So much, there was so much. She felt him pouring into her, filling her. But this was nothing like the first time, and nothing like it was when she trained with James.
Chaos’s breathing had grown even heavier, his breath brushing her temple. She had her eyes closed, but she knew he’d leaned in, his face almost close enough to touch hers.
Oh shit, it felt…good, even when she was sure she couldn’t take anymore.
“Take it,” Chaos growled. “Take everything.”
She didn’t think he was talking about his power anymore. Her skin was flushed and tight, tingling, nipples hard and aching, between her thighs throbbing and wet.
“I…I can’t take anymore,” she said, on the verge of something so damn good, she whimpered.
“Keep going,” he gritted out.
She gasped. “I can’t, I can’t take anymore.”
His body pressed against hers. “Then stop, Grace. Stop, and give it back.”
She did, and a sob escaped before she moaned helplessly. Her hands moved over him in a restless way, sliding from his thick powerful throat to his shoulders, then down to his biceps and back up.
This time, the release, as she sent his power back, left a sensation of euphoria in its wake, firing through her body. She cried out, shaking uncontrollably.
Chaos ground his teeth as his power flowed back to him, filled him. His hands clamped on her hips and he tugged her closer.
When there was nothing left, when she’d given it all back, she sagged against him, unable to stop herself. His heart was hammering against hers, his fingers flexing and releasing at her hips. Grace struggled to catch her breath, to gain control over her body. It screamed for him, for what she knew he could give her.
She wanted to shove him to the floor, yank down the front of his shorts, and ride the massive erection pressing into her.
One of his hands finally came up and he took her chin, tilting her head back. His nostrils flared. “Okay?”
“Yes.”
“Fuck, angel. You’re so damn strong, so fearless,” he said as he brushed his thumb over her jaw.
He wanted her closer, she could see it in his eyes, and right now, after what just happened, her body cried out for the same thing.
His words echoed around her head. But she didn’t feel strong, she felt weak.
Her control dissolved into dust, and instead of pushing him away, she fisted the front of his shirt and tugged him closer, then sliding her arms around his neck, she jumped, wrapping herself around him.
Chaos caught her, his strong arms banding around her, one under her ass, the other across her back. He cupped the back of her head a moment before she slammed her mouth down on his.
The heat and strength of his body against hers was almost as addictive as his kiss. He fisted her hair and tilted his head, taking over the kiss, thrusting his tongue between her lips before spinning them and pressing her into the padded wall behind her.
More. She wanted more. And like he’d read her mind, he gave it to her. Gripping her ass, he thrust his heavy, hard cock between her thighs, dragging its weight over her pulsing, wet flesh. She wanted to tear their clothes away and take him inside her. She wanted him to slam her against the wall and thrust hard and deep, filling her, taking her—
Someone knocked at the door.
Grace stilled.
“Don’t pull away from me, Grace,” Chaos said hoarsely against her lips. “Don’t do it.”
Goose bumps lifted over her skin at the aching need in his deep voice.
“Please, angel,” he rasped, shudders moving through his body, his hand still massaging her ass, the other fisting her hair tighter. “We both want this.”
The knock came again. Harder.
“Let me go.”
“Grace…”
“Put me down, Chaos.”
He growled, low and vicious, even as he put her down like she was the most delicate thing in existence. He spun away, strode to the door, and yanked it open. “What the fuck do you want?”
Kryos was standing there, body almost vibrating.
“What is it?” Chaos said, seeing the other male’s anger, his impatience.
“We got one. Laz’s getting Eve. Thought you’d want to be there.”
Chaos lifted his chin and Kryos strode off.
He turned back to Grace. “Coming?”
“What’s going on?”
“They brought in a demon for questioning.” He strode out of the training room.
Was she coming? She wouldn’t miss this, no damn way. Trying and failing to shake off the lust still riding her, she rushed after him.
Chapter 14
Chaos felt Grace at his back as they strode down the hall to the elevator. He could feel her, so in tune with h
er very existence, it was like her hands were still moving over him, her mouth still under his, her moans filling his head.
They climbed in the elevator and the urge to pull her against him, press her into the wall, and take her swollen lips all over again almost won out.
Chaos gritted his teeth against the waves of lust still riding him. The scent of Grace’s need filled the small space, making his head spin. Her body wanted him, even if her head was telling her she didn’t, or shouldn’t.
Christ, he’d pleaded with her. Begged her to take him, to let him have her. He’d never done that with any female in his life. The females he’d bedded made it more than clear they wanted him, and if they didn’t, he found someone else. Simple. Uncomplicated.
Problem was, he didn’t want anyone else. Willow had offered herself to him when he’d been to visit her, but he couldn’t do it. He’d fucking willed himself to get hard. But he didn’t want the witch like that, not anymore. There was only one female he wanted.
Only one female he’d want for the rest of his existence.
He’d promised to leave her alone…and he kept his promises. But this one…he wasn’t sure if he could. How could he when all he wanted to do every moment of every day was be near her, touch her, talk to her—fucking mark her. It was primal—a driving, animal need—and he wasn’t sure how much longer he could fight it.
And after what happened in the training room, the way Grace had climbed his body, wrapping herself around him, kissing him like her life depended on it, he hoped like hell she’d eventually give in, that she would give them what they both needed.
“Where are we going?” Her husky voice broke the silence between them.
“We have…” He had to clear his throat. “Holding cells below the building.”
The elevator doors slid open, and she followed him down the concrete hall to a room at the end. He pushed the door open and walked in.
Kryos was just inside, while Lazarus stood over the demon in the center of the room. Eve was at her mate’s back, and the knight had a hand curled around the demon’s throat, and his other arm, behind him, wrapped protectively around his female’s waist, holding her to him.
Eve’s hands were against Lazarus’s back, her eyes closed. “I see it.” The curvy female gasped, and her eyes snapped open. The blue of her irises glowed and swirled before they rolled back in her head.
“What’s happening?” Grace whispered.
Being this close to a demon, one they knew was hostile, Chaos had to resist doing exactly what Lazarus was and tug Grace behind him to protect her. She wouldn’t welcome that, not from him, not from anyone, and despite his instincts roaring at him to do just that, he also knew she didn’t need that from him. His female could take care of herself.
He leaned in, speaking quietly. “When Lazarus first brought Eve in, she could only hear others’ thoughts. Her power has slowly and steadily increased. She can now see images, memories, can manipulate a mind to feed her the information she needs. She can hear others’ thoughts easily, if she chooses. But for her newer powers, she needs touch. Until she’s strong enough to do it from a distance, Laz acts as a kind of conduit.”
“That’s impressive.” She glanced up at him, lips quirked up on one side. “You really are okay with demi getting involved, huh?”
“Yes. What I’m not okay with is uncontrolled situations. This is controlled.”
“Which is why you want us to work together?”
“Yes.” And because I’ll get to spend time with you.
“There’s a house,” Eve said, her power coming through in her voice. “Surrounded by trees.”
“Can you see a road name, sweetheart?” Laz asked her gently.
“He’s nervous, excited. There’s four of them in the car. They’re on the freeway, heading east. There’s a sign up ahead. They took the exit onto Conway.”
The demon hissed and struggled.
“The trees are getting thicker. Forest. The excitement in the car is thick…they’re close. Another sign. Cannon Lake.”
The demon roared. “I’ll fucking kill you!” Birdlike claws exploded through its shoes and from the ends of its fingers. The demon’s hands were tied behind its back, but Laz was close, and it managed to drag the razor-sharp talons on its feet down the front of his leg.
Laz hissed, but the demon’s scream was louder, pitched so high that Chaos’s ears rang. The demon’s head suddenly slumped back, black blood oozing from its ears.
“Shit,” Kryos muttered.
Grace frowned up at Chaos. “What just happened?”
“Another side effect of her increased power.” He shrugged. “Laz was threatened. Someone fucked with her mate, so she ended him. Basically, she put the fucker’s brain through a meat grinder.”
“She can kill with her mind?” Grace asked, looking horrified and impressed at the same time.
Chaos dipped his chin.
“I’m sorry,” Eve said, turning to Chaos, eyes wide. “I couldn’t stop. He hurt Laz and I just…I…”
Chaos shook his head and gentled his voice. “You did good, Eve. We got what we needed.”
Lazarus pulled her into his arms. “It’s okay.”
“But there could have been more.” She leaned back, looked up at Lazarus, then at Chaos. “Something important, but I…I lost control.”
Chaos moved in, wanting to reassure her. He sucked at this type of thing, but he knew how much Eve, Mia, and Meredith wanted to help. They saw their mates come home battered and bleeding every night. The strain this war took on them. “No one blames you for protecting your mate, Eve.” Now that he knew about Grace, he understood how strong the urge to protect was—and that was without him and Grace actually mating. “The information you got. You saved lives tonight.”
Laz gave him a look of gratitude, and Eve pulled away from her mate and stunned Chaos when she wrapped her arms around him and gave him a tight hug before looking up at him.
“You’re my family, all of you. I want to help. I’ll master this power, I promise I will,” she said.
“I don’t doubt it,” he said and watched as Laz led her away.
Kryos walked over and, pulling his blade free, removed the demon’s head so it would ash out.
Grace moved up beside him. “Do you use Eve a lot?”
“We do now.”
She nodded, throat working. “When demons seek sanctuary?”
“Yeah.”
“I didn’t realize…before.” She actually colored.
They hadn’t talked about it after she accused him of giving sanctuary to any demon who asked for it. “How could you?”
She crossed her arms, her expression closed off. Not that the female had ever actually let him in. “Right…well, I need to go. I’m needed at Revelry. My people will be worried, and I have a good grasp on my power now.”
She was right. His excuse to keep her here no longer existed.
Kryos wordlessly walked by them and left the room, obviously sensing the conversation was about to get personal.
The idea of her leaving made his fucking gut ache. He gripped the back of his neck. “You don’t need to leave.”
“Yes, I do,” she said, frowning. “Why would I stay?”
She looked genuinely confused, and the part of him so desperate for his mate felt her rejection like a sharp jab to the sternum. “You kissed me, Grace.”
“You know why I did that,” she said. “It wasn’t me. It was the…this thing between us. I don’t want it, Chaos. And I don’t…I don’t want you.”
“Your scent tells me something else.” He closed in, unable to stop himself. “I can smell it, Grace, whenever you’re with me.”
“And once I’m away from you, it won’t be a problem anymore.”
He dipped his head, breathing deeply as his hunger for her roared back to life. Not that it had ever left. No, his hunger for her was always there now. Always. Distance would not diminish it.
“Give in, Grace,” he plead
ed, desperate for another taste of her lips.
She planted her hand on his chest. “Not happening.”
“Grace…”
“I said no.” She turned from him and walked out the door.
Chaos stayed where he was, unable to move. He had to let her go because he wanted her too much. If he kept her here and couldn’t touch her, he would eventually lose his mind.
No, he would never stop wanting her, but maybe some distance would make it a little bit easier.
He fucking hoped so.
Grace leaned across the bar so she could hear the guy shouting his order.
She didn't usually pour drinks, but Hannah had left a message with Vince that she’d be away for a few days dealing with some family drama and would be back when she could.
There was absolutely no reason for Grace to worry, but she couldn’t help it. With Tina still missing, Grace was seriously on edge.
She handed the guy his drink and spotted Oden stroll into the club. According to Vince, he’d been absent the last few days, while she’d been stuck at the compound, and her oldest friend was nearly coming out of his skin.
Vince rushed from his office now to greet Oden, all nervous smiles and sweaty brow, and she didn’t think his reaction was excitement at having the male back in his club. She was so done with that asshole’s bullshit. She wanted the powerful demi gone, but until Vince told her what the male held over him, she wasn’t sure how to accomplish it.
Brushing Vince aside, Oden strode toward her, eyes cold and determined.
Here we go.
He planted his hands on the bar. “A bottle of champagne to my table,” he said to her, his weird blue-black eyes unwavering, his lips tight.
The male was pissed.
"It's nice to see you again, Oden.” She leaned forward, and his gaze dipped, looking down the front of her top. Her stomach lurched.
“Is your phone broken?” he asked.
He’d messaged her more than once while she was with Chaos, and she’d stupidly ignored them. “Sorry, I’ve had a crazy couple of days…”
“I’ve had some important business matters of my own to deal with.”
She smiled, doing her best to soften him up since Vince looked near passing out. “Anything interesting?”
Knight's Dominion (Knights of Hell Book 4) Page 12