by Mason, a. c.
What did he get himself into? “Let’s start with what you hid from me earlier when you were touching me. What were you thinking?”
“Just the usual fears, like how much pain would you cause me, how out of control would your demon become, and would I bother to stop you or just let it be done with.”
“Side question.”
She shook her head. “No side questions. This is why I didn’t want you knowing my thoughts.”
“You can’t keep from me what I’ve become.”
“I don’t need to be the one to tell you. You cannot change what you now are. All the males who are chosen struggle with the brutality of the demon inside them.”
“I wouldn’t hurt you.”
“No, you wouldn’t, but the demon inside you will revel in it.”
“Never.”
She sat up next to him and held out her left wrist. Using her right index fingernail, she cut open her flesh. His body stiffened, forcing him to sit upright. The smell of her grabbed him, rattling the caged beast. A hunger stirred within, and he forced his chest forward. Mmm. His eyes shut, and he remembered the decadent flavor of her blood as he’d drunk from the cup. He gripped the sheets as every muscle tensed inside. “Why, if you say we are not vampires, why does my body ache for your taste?”
“You’re a predator who’s gotten a taste of his prey and won’t relent, ever, in the need to affirm your dominance over your conquest. I carry your scent, a reminder of your ownership. By having drunk of me, part of my soul is within you. When I die, it will be released, and you will be free to pair once again. The blood serves two purposes for us—to share our life force with our partner and to kill those we hunt. We bleed them out, releasing their souls. Only those who have broken drink of their prey, ingesting their victim’s soul.”
Wrist to mouth, she slid her tongue over her flesh, and he became erect. As she licked the wound shut, gratitude filled him she’d spared him further anguish.
“I didn’t want to burden you with more fears.”
Why would she do this? “When did you feel loved last?” Although he feared she would say when Deimos affirmed his feeling for her, he asked all the same.
“At my death, during my ascension, I heard the creator speak my name. In that instant, I knew love.”
A coldness filled him. He had heard no such thing when he died. Maybe the creator did not care for him. “How old are you?”
“Do you mean how old was I when turned? Or how old am I currently?”
“Both?”
“Nineteen when they turned me, and that was over two thousand years ago. You’ve asked your four questions.”
He lowered his head. His brilliant plan did not appear so at this moment. It would only cause him to suffer when he locked lips with her once more. The hunger would be agonizing.
Her trim elegant neck led to her jaw line, then her sensual lips. Did she ever have a great pair of gorgeous, kissable lips.
The rush of thick liquid spewed in his veins, pumping through his body. Lustful urges took hold of him as the demon surfaced.
No. His breath sped up, and he tried to slow it by taking in a deep breath. Forcing his body to stiffen further, he squeezed his hands into fists.
****
Auria placed her fingers lightly on his chest. “Etienne, stop fighting. You’re only making it push you harder.”
The dark film descended, coating his eyes. “I don’t want...”
“Trust in you. In your ability to stop when it takes things too far. The demon is a guest in your body. Ultimately, you belong there and it does not.”
Dark abyssal orbs cast their gaze on her. His hands reached around her waist, swooping her sideways onto his lap with ease. The assault of his mouth onto hers came without warning and brought with it a burn she needed him to extinguish. The delicious warmth of his velvety lips moved over hers. She spread hers apart, wanting to feel his tongue within her mouth. He complied with a grunt. The warmth of his touch penetrated her skin. Arms wrapped around his neck, she pulled him onto her. A hard chest pressed to her breasts, gliding against her nipples.
Far too long, she’d denied the fire within. She rocked her ass against his lap, the feel of his skin sliding against hers making her thoughts run to even more intimate contact. A plea escaped between kisses. His erection pressed into the outer side of her thigh. The idea of him slipping inside danced in her mind and caused her lower lips to lubricate. Listening to the speed of his blood as it pumped through his heart and out into his body, she thought of biting into his tender flesh. Her vision dulled as the thick film slid down, glazing the entire surface of her eyes.
A breathy sound of pleasure came from him, deep and seductive.
Shoved from his lap, she stared into his eyes as she tried to catch her breath.
“Auria, I didn’t mean to...”
Everything went black as she forced the evil inside her to retreat, then opened her eyes to the vibrant world. “Can we get some sleep?”
Etienne bowed his head. “Yes, of course. Goodnight.”
Men. One minute he was all over her, the next, tossing her away. Typical. She lowered herself onto her pillow, and as he shifted beside her, pulled the blanket up and covered her nude body. The depression in the bed as he moved behind her made her ache for more. Worst of all, she wanted more. She pressed her eyelids down and tried to think of anything but his lips or touch, but their moments of intimate contact played like a movie reel on a loop.
From the sound of his breathing, he suffered too. A small amount of comfort, at least she wasn’t alone in her agony.
****
The faint banging at the door disturbed Etienne from a dead slumber. As he opened his eyes the beauty lying motionless next to him made him smile.
The sound came again. Someone was at the door.
He rose from the bed and pulled on his leather pants. Lord help him. Who did the wardrobe around here, bikers? Ridiculous. Who dressed like this? He made his way to the front door and opened it.
A human child, of all things, stood before him with blond hair and ivory skin, smiling and about eight years old.
Wrapped in a blanket, Auria moved in his direction.
The child lifted a finger and pointed at her. “You’re her, aren’t you?”
“Maybe,” Auria said from just behind him.
“He told me you would say that.” The child smirked and moved forward. “He was right. You are beautiful.”
“Did he hurt you?”
“No. The others are all dead though.” Tears welled in her eyes and streamed down her cheeks.
Auria knelt down, pulled the child against her. “What is your name?”
Arms wrapped around her neck, the child sobbed and Auria stroked the pale hair, rubbed the slim back with slow motions. The child lifted her head and looked into her eyes for a long moment. “Pasiphae.”
“A lovely name for a lovely girl.” She smiled at her.
“He told me to tell you something.” Extending a tiny finger, she touched her face.
“And what would that be?”
“Deimos is waiting for you to join with him.” She grinned. “He wants you to lead his army. In your sleep, you still reach out to him telepathically. You cannot help what you are or what you want, my Auria.”
A large exhaled breath escaped her lips, her brows crinkled as she cast down her gaze. None of this made sense. Why would Deimos be building an army and who were his enemies? If Deimos had broken because of his obsession with Auria, why would he behave logically? Something wasn’t right. If what he wanted was Auria, then all he needed to do was taunt her enough and she would go after him. Whether she’d managed to spare him or not.
He needed more information to get an understanding of the entire chess field before he stepped on to play.
Auria bent toward the child and held her hand out. “I will take you to Gabriel. He can help you.”
The sight of her being tender with the child touched something in hi
m. The cold hunter, a nurturing woman to a child not her own. A warmth spread in his heart. Beauty radiated from her, making him want to gather her into his arms and give her a place she felt safe enough to express this side of her. And just maybe she wasn’t as void of emotions as she thought.
“I don’t want to see the bad angel. I want to stay with you, my Auria.” Her hand extended into Auria’s. “Please.”
“Once I’ve dealt with Deimos you may stay with me until a suitable family is found for you. For now, though, you shall stay with Asmodai.”
“I’ve never seen a demon in solid form, only sensed their presence.” Wide-eyed, Pasiphae nodded. “You were like me when you were a child?”
“Yes. They call us children of the seventh day.”
“You felt them, didn’t you?”
“Yes.” She appeared saddened by this fact.
Pasiphae looked over at Etienne. “Etienne will not judge you for what you could not have prevented. He won’t hate you for whom you have taken from him.”
Auria shook her head. “You should not read the thoughts of others.”
“Fine.” She crossed her arms. “I am not reading your mind when I tell you that your firstborn child will be a son. So will your second, for that matter.”
“Pasiphae.” Auria’s eyebrow cocked.
“Okay, take me to this demon of yours,” the child said, turning from her with a pout.
Auria dressed before she left with the girl.
Staring at the closed door, he didn’t know what to expect upon Auria’s return. If she returned, rather than just take off after Deimos.
Chapter 9
Out there somewhere, a slaughter was under way while she played nursemaid to Mr. Morals.
Deimos would feed off the innocent and turn others to his cause, and worst of all, she didn’t know his purpose.
Etienne sat hunched over on the bed when she opened the door to their chamber. “He murdered the child’s entire family?” His voice reflected concern.
“Maybe.” Shrugging, she closed the door. “There are worse things.”
“Like what?”
“You were a beat cop, use your imagination.”
“Why is he amassing an army and who would his enemies be? Us, angels and demons?”
Auria forced out a breath from between her lips. “In a revolution, everyone not with you is against you. So I would guess all of the above.” She smiled widely. “I’ll make sure to ask him when I see him.”
****
Black rage took hold as he shut his eyes, and when he opened them, his fingers had coiled around her slender neck securely and pinned her to the wall. The impact of her palms in his chest knocked into him but had no effect. He grinned at the confirmation his strength matched, if not surpassed hers. His fingers tightened around her throat and the thought of deepening the pressure aroused him.
Hell, no. He snatched his hands away. “No more. My patience has worn.” As he stumbled away, she dropped to the ground and glared, massaging her neck. “I’m done listening to you taunt me with your rush to hunt down your old lover.”
“Lover?” A mocking laugh rose from her. “I never allowed him to penetrate me, and even if I had, that still would not have made him my lover. I never allowed him to drink from me. You still don’t understand. So, I’ll explain it to you. Intimacy for angels, demons, and aequitas comes from sharing the most sacred part of our fleshly vessels, our spirit through the exchange of blood.”
“What are you afraid of?”
“I’m not afraid.”
“You’re terrified of something.”
“Let’s take a seat.” She gestured to the bed. “I will start at the beginning and tell you all the things you intend to excruciatingly pull out of me one at a time.”
He sat with her, Indian-style on the bed.
****
Auria took a deep breath. “When I was thirteen, my mother, who’d been a servant of the king, died. She’d kept me hidden in our small room. Upon her death, the head servant offered me my mother’s duties or to leave. Of course, scared and alone, I accepted. I was responsible for the king’s personal bed chambers.”
His softened expression stirred anger in her chest. “Don’t look at me with pity.” Anything, even disgust, was better than him feeling sorry for her. Remember, you feel nothing, Asmodai’s voice echoed in her mind. Emotions only cloud judgment.
She let out a soft breath. “Our king was only eighteen and disliked his duties. When he came to his room and I was there, he befriended me. We played hide and seek, tag and tickle. He told me I made him smile and gave me very expensive gifts. One day while we played he kissed me.
My ‘gift’ revealed to me what my fate would be—head mistress. I cried hysterically. He ordered me to my room and told me not to come back. The next morning, two guards and the head of the harem came for me. I was bathed, oiled and dressed in the finest of fabrics and brought to the king’s room.” Though aware she spoke of herself, recounting these things was like being in a hollow room watching something unfold without the sound. That powerless girl seemed long ago. “He gave me wine until I could barely stand, then carried me to the bed. I started to cry while he proceeded to undress me, promising to be gentle if I did not resist.” The event unfolded in her mind, the tremble in the king’s hands as he removed her clothing, the river of tears rushing down her cheeks.
Etienne stared at her with concern.
“I sensed a presence. Gabriel. I’d felt angels before in passing, but he lingered. The king climbed onto the bed and pleasured me, forced himself into me.” The images played out, but had no effect. What had she become, empty? “I begged the angel to help me make the pain stop. Gabriel told me he could not interfere.” If these things had happened to anyone else, she would have been angry. There had been a time when all she’d known was rage, but even that had faded.
****
As he reached for her, she pulled back. “Auria.”
“Don’t touch me. Unless?” A twinkle appeared in her eyes as she arched an eyebrow.
“Unless what?”
“This is what you asked for. You want to get to know me. Reveal every humiliating event in my life in hopes you can break through to me. Right?”
“That’s not true.” Her words felt like a knife plunged into his heart. “You did nothing wrong and have no reason to be ashamed.”
“I don’t. I feel nothing.” She shrugged. “This is why I pity you. All you do is feel and worry about others and seek to be loved. I can’t, just like your mother couldn’t. This is why you picked me, because somehow, if I could love you it would prove you aren’t unlovable.”
Worst of all, she was right. He sought out women needing a man who did not think less of them because of their perceived shames. Those who could overlook the truth about him, that not even his own mother loved him. The intimacy he created by having them reveal their souls was false and eventually the women realized he needed them more than they did him.
Auria coiled her fingers around his forearm and pulled it towards her. “I think I earned my next level. Feel, right?”
How could she say it like that? “Now?”
“Yes.”
“But...”
“Oh.” A deep breath slowly released as she cast her gaze away. “I see. Your intent was that I be made vulnerable, but not you?”
“No.” Somehow, he didn’t think she had been vulnerable. If anything, she’d performed an emotional coup.
“Then?” She stared into his eyes.
“I-I...”
“You what?” The vacancy in her gaze had returned.
“I can’t just switch from what we were talking about to jumping into sex.”
“I haven’t earned sex yet. Let me help you forget. Just close your eyes.”
Her lips met with his and she used them to push him back on the bed. The tame scent of lavender slid into his nose as his eyelids descended, the weight of her body pressed onto his. She brought his hand to
her breast, and the darkness within him woke. Her fingers rubbed over his shaft, moved up to the button of his pants and freed him, then she peeled back the zipper. Caressing the head with her palm, she then moved down the length, wrapped her fingers firmly around the base and slid them upward.
A roar ripped from his chest, and he forced his eyes to remain closed as the thick film coated them. Warmth rushed through his body, while the darkness saturated his every cell. Her lips smothered his and he slipped his tongue into her mouth. The nail of his thumb grazed her nipple, causing her to moan. Every part of him wanted to roll her beneath his body and thrust into her.
“Do it.” She urged him on.
Did she get this was torment? He pulled back. “Please.”
Fighting his desire to tear the clothes from her body, he stared at her, panting.
She retreated to her side of the bed. “I’m still tired. We should get some sleep.”
“Ah.” Lying in his spot, he looked up at the ceiling of stone. “Right.” How could she just turn it off like that? “What of the child?”
“She is safe.”
“Deimos?”
“I’m not effective when tired.” She glanced at him. “When I wake, there will be time.”
Wonderful. She wanted her beauty sleep before she set out after her ex-lover. After a few swift punches to his pillow, he lay back and closed his eyes.
****
Auria woke wrapped in warm arms, hands pinned beneath her body and his solid chest. The masculine smell of him beckoned her. His hard cock pressed against her leg.
Memories resurfaced of seeing him as a child when Gabriel had asked her to kill him and his mother. She’d found him, just a sad lonely boy she’d been sure sensed her intent.
As she trailed a finger along his muscles, he stirred, his eyes open, and grabbed her hand.
“Auria, are you okay?”
She moved up, pressed her lips to his ear. “I’d be better if you’d relieve the ache you caused between my legs.”
He took hold of her shoulders and held her up. “So you can hunt Deimos you mean?”
“No.”
He took a breath.