“Very well. For the next week, he’s going to be your shadow. Where you go, he goes. It’ll give you ample opportunity to practice resisting his manipulation. If you survive the week and are able to complete the missions we assign you, with him in tow, you’ll be certified. If you don’t…”
She shot out of her chair and slammed her hands down on his desk. “What? You’re forcing a demon roommate on me? When am I supposed to sleep, to shower, to do anything that requires me to turn my back on him? Am I supposed to chain him to my bed?” Her face instantly burned at the visual that brought to mind.
“Calm down. It’s not the first time we’ve gone this route and I told you he’s been implanted with a device to reduce risk. We’ll need to implant one in you and sync them before you leave. If he runs, once he’s thirty feet from you, the implant will explode and he’ll die. If your heart stops beating, same thing. So, he can’t run or kill you without killing himself. He’s already been made aware of the repercussions of such actions.”
“Why is so important for me resist him? We rarely come across sex demons. I’ve passed all the other tests.”
“It’s a weakness the director isn’t comfortable with.” He shrugged. “You know the other option. Your choice.”
“Would I at least get a position above ground? Like the guards outside my apartment complex?”
“Unlikely.”
His cavalier attitude totally pissed her off. “This is bullshit. I’m good, Bix. I’m good at everything but him.”
He shrugged again and she wanted to punch him for being so calm and unemotional when she was so riled up. It was her freaking life, dammit.
“Get your shit together, Cordelia. You can resist his manipulations and can even turn it around on him. Now, make a decision. If you’re willing to give it a try, head to the infirmary for implantation.”
She gave him one last glare and stormed out of his office and down the hall to the infirmary. It was bullshit, but if it was her only chance to get out of there and live a halfway normal life, she had to try.
It only took a few seconds to implant the device under her skin and wasn’t all that painful. Once implanted, Argoth was brought into the room in chains so the devices could be synced.
She steeled herself against the affect his presence had on her body. Although he had a fresh black eye, his eyes lit up when he saw her, a lazy smile curving his lips. He must have struggled or the guards had been in a bad mood.
“I can’t believe my luck,” he said. “They didn’t tell me you were going to be my keeper. If they had, I assure you, I wouldn’t have fought so hard. Not at all really.”
“Already got your ass kicked once today?”
He glared at the guard to his left whose nose was crooked and his lip split. “I gave as much as I got.” His gaze brightened when it returned to her. “You’re looking lovely. Will you take your hair down for me before you ride me?”
Knocked off balance by his seductive suggestion, a flash of heat spiked between her legs and her face burned. He usually saved the lascivious comments for the brief moments they were alone. How in the hell was she supposed to deal with him for the next week? “Let’s get this over with,” she snapped at the doctor.
Giving her a curt nod, he waved a blinking device over Argoth’s implant and then mimicked the action over hers. A small sting, like an insect bite, pricked her skin, then the doctor punched a button on the device. “You’re all set.”
The two guards flanked Cordelia and Argoth as they exited the infirmary and made their way down the hall where Bix stepped out of his office. “Good to go?” he asked.
Cordelia snorted. “Just fucking dandy. What’s on my schedule today?”
Bix scowled at her tone, but didn’t chastise her. Maybe he figured being tied to the damn demon was punishment enough for whatever attitude she threw his way. “Do whatever you want today. Train, workout, laze around your apartment, whatever. Take the day to adjust to your shadow.”
“Really?” Even being chained to Argoth couldn’t dampen her excitement at a little freedom. “I can leave the complex?”
“Uh, no.”
“But you said—” She’d only been allowed one excursion off compound in the last year and that had been with four other trainees and four guards. She’d hoped to buy a Christmas tree this year. It would be her first and she didn’t know why it meant so much too her.
Holidays weren’t celebrated on the compound. Hell, she hadn’t even known what Christmas was until a few years ago. A trainee friend of hers managed to get her hands on some magazines on a rare trip to town she’d been allowed to make last December. There’d been articles about Christmas and pictures galore. She’d been instantly enamored with the beauty of Christmas trees decorated with the colorful lights and all those beautifully wrapped boxes with the bows and ribbons, all the people looking so happy.
“Not yet,” Bix cut in. “Do whatever you want on compound today. Check in with me tomorrow morning. And Delia, make this time with it,” he jabbed a thumb in Argoth’s direction, “count.”
A scowl contorted Argoth’s face, a growl rumbling in his chest. Apparently he didn’t like being called an “it”. “Calm down, demon,” she said. “Unless you’d like another black eye.”
She thought her words would piss him off more, instead, one side of his mouth quirked up and he winked at her. “As you wish, Delia. Take me from this place.”
She’d love to think she was exerting some sort of control over him, but knew he was just trying to get under her skin as always. She shot Bix the shittiest glare she could manage and stormed down the hallway and out of the building. She didn’t have to look back to know Argoth followed close behind, and as always when he was near, her body betrayed her, came alive.
Chapter Two
“Delia,” he called from behind her, “please try to remember my head is in jeopardy if we get too far apart.”
“Sounds like a personal problem,” she yelled over her shoulder and took off at a fast jog. A long jog to work off some of her annoyance and some of his smugness seemed just the thing.
Twenty minutes later, when no explosion had sounded, she assumed he still followed. When she came to the area where the deep woods met the ten foot hurricane fence that surrounded the complex, she slowed her pace and stopped to catch her breath. Everything inside the complex was so gray. Gray floors. Gray walls. And of course, because she had a day to be outside as long as she wanted, the damn sky was overcast and gray.
The slap of footsteps on the trail drew closer signaling Argoth’s approach. It surprised the hell out of her that he hadn’t bugged the crap out of her the entire time she jogged.
“Are we finished?” he asked. “I assure you I can show you at least ten better ways to get a workout—most while lying down.” He waggled his eyebrows.
She rolled her eyes.. “Stop it, damn you.”
“To what are you referring?”
“Stop pushing your porno images into my thoughts.”
Jesus, the genuine smile he bestowed upon her practically melted her brain. How in the hell was anyone supposed to be able to resist that? It should be a sin for any man to be so incredibly stunning—well over six feet of solid muscle, silky black hair and the most beguiling silver eyes. Demon, Cordelia. He’s not a man. He’s a filthy demon. Reminding herself was the only way she’d get through the week.
“I promise you,” he stepped closer to her, “either the porno images you speak of are your own desires or you read my mind. But…” he bopped her nose with his forefinger, “I wasn’t projecting.”
Whatever. Humans couldn’t read minds, demons lied and she didn’t feel like arguing “I like you better when you’re silent.”
His hand flew to his heart. “Finally, she admits she likes me. I knew you’d come around.”
She opened her mouth to spew profanity at him, but snapped it shut. Cussing at him, kicking his ass—none of those worked so she decided to ignore him, and practice shutting him out.
/> She sat, hooked her fingers through the fence and inhaled the evergreen scent of the trees. She imagined them decorated with green and red twinkling lights and pretty, shiny ornaments.
She pictured herself in a nice home, the tree lighting the corner of her living room, tons of prettily wrapped gifts beneath. A kitten and a puppy curled up on a pillow next to the gifts. That’d been one of her favorite images from the magazines. She loved cats and dogs.
When the DEO had recognized that dogs and cats were each capable of sensing different types of demons, they’d sectioned off a small housing and training area and brought in kittens and puppies to be trained at the earliest possible age. Cordelia had volunteered the little free time she had to help socialize them, but when Bix saw how attached she was getting, he revoked her access. She’d never forgiven him for that.
Pushing that memory from her mind, she went back to the Christmas scene. In addition to the tree, the gifts, the pretty lights, maybe she’d even have a lover sharing the experience with her. She tried to imagine one, but the face was blank until…damn…Argoth’s face appeared.
“Is this what you dream of, Delia?” Argoth’s low, masculine voice sent a thrill through her body. He approached her in her fantasy land and brushed a hand across her cheek. She was surprised when she noticed the drop of wetness on his finger. Hadn’t known she’d shed a tear.
“This,” he motioned around the room, “I can give you this. You only have to trust me.”
“Please,” frustration twisted her gut, “get out of my head.”
“You invited me.”
“What?”
“Never mind. If you’ll grant me one, small boon, I give you my word to stay at least fifteen feet from you and out of your head for the next hour.”
“Make it the rest of the day and no talking either.”
He shrugged. “Fine. But not in here.” He touched her temple. “In the real world.”
She abandoned her daydream, and when she opened her eyes, he stood only inches from her. Anxiety spiking, she thrust a hand between them. “Wait, what’s the boon?”
Before she could blink, his mouth claimed hers, his tongue exploring every inch of her mouth. The invasion should have appalled her. She was a hunter in training, a capturer and killer of his kind. She should kick his ass, push him away, but when heat sparked in her stomach, then lower, she moaned and leaned into him.
How long had it been since she’d been kissed like that? Who was she kidding? She’d never been kissed like that. His lips were soft but strong, gentle but demanding. He smelled of spicy musk and tasted like lust incarnate, a sinful aphrodisiac. When his hand slid down her back to grip her ass, she realized she’d been grinding against his leg of her own accord. She wanted to accuse him of manipulation, but it was his kiss, her body responding to his expert touch. If she didn’t pull away soon, she’d be lost. Get a grip, Cordelia.
“That’s enough,” she spat. “You’ve had your disgusting boon.” She wiped at her mouth with the back of her hand for effect, but her body screamed at her in protest.
He shook his head, the blazing lust in his eyes making her quiver. “Oh no, Delia. That was only a kiss. I want it all. Want you. To be inside you. That is the boon.”
“What?” she screeched. “Never. It’s bad enough your foul demon tongue—”
“Stop.” He gripped her shoulders painfully, his lust turning to anger. “You have no idea what you’re saying.”
Training kicking in, she threw her forearms up and swung them outward, loosening his grip, then slammed a right jab into his gut. “Don’t touch me again, demon, or I’ll find a way to put that thirty feet between us and laugh as you lose your head.”
He ground his teeth, a vein ticked in his neck. Hands fisted at his sides, she thought he might throw a punch at her, but then he transformed to a picture of calm. The smile curving his lips didn’t meet his eyes, but at least he looked less murderous. “I’ll give you the distance and silence you desire so you can contemplate this.” His gaze bored into hers and it took all of her willpower not to look away. “If you put that distance between us, I won’t be the only one losing my head.” With that he stalked away, putting the promised distance between them.
What the hell was he talking about? “Hey,” she yelled after him. He turned back to her just long enough to pinch thumb and forefinger together and make a zipping motion across his lips.
❄ ❄ ❄
When Argoth had realized they’d meant to chain him to Delia, he’d never been more relieved and excited. The first time he’d sparred with her, he’d known she was different, could sense it, feel it in his bones. One problem. She didn’t know it and he didn’t have much time to convince her.
He’d dropped subtle hints over the months, had hoped to raise questions in her mind, but had to be careful. If the DEO had realized he knew what was going on and was trying to turn her against them, they might have kept him away from her, killed him or killed them both.
Unfortunately, his subtlety hadn’t made a dent in her beliefs and now he had to convince her quickly. Who knew how long the DEO would leave them together and what the hell they really had planned anyway? They could destroy him at any time. Her too for that matter, and he refused to let that happen.
He hadn’t invaded her thoughts as she’d accused. No, she’d projected them to him, effectively inviting him into the daydream. Of course, she hadn’t realized she’d done it, but he’d enjoyed it. It gave him a peek beneath the surface of her hard exterior and a glance at something other than sexual desires. The more he knew about her wants and dreams, the easier it would be to win her over.
He wished he hadn’t made that deal with her because seducing her would quicken the process of breaking down her barriers, opening her up. It’d be easy to pleasure her senseless and make her see the truth, but gaining her trust mattered to him, and he’d only use his demon ability as a last resort.
She’d responded to his kisses without him having to encourage it with his demon abilities. When she’d begun grinding against him, he’d thought he had her. Thought she’d finally sensed he meant her no harm. Hoped maybe she’d been putting on a show for Bix and the guards with her hatred of him and now that they were alone, she was ready to admit her attraction to him.
Obviously, he’d been wrong, but her desire was real. Of that much he was certain and that he could work with.
He breathed in the cool December air. It’d been three months since he’d been outside and if his head wouldn’t explode, he’d simply teleport out of there and never look back. The DEO didn’t know he had that ability or they’d never have let him out of the underground training facility which was somehow warded against teleporting and muted other supernatural abilities.
Teleporting wasn’t a typical sex demon ability, but his mother had been mixed with a demon species that could teleport and the trait had passed to him. The DEO thought they knew everything. They didn’t know shit.
He’d teleport Delia to his home if he knew the DEO bastards had told the truth about the implants, but the DEO was not trustworthy and simply stepping outside the fence might activate the devices, killing them both. No, he’d have to wait. Besides, he’d been starved of sex. Sex demons gained strength from sex just as humans gained strength from food. In his weakened condition, teleporting might not be possible.
Delia lay back on the cold ground, her ice-blue eyes closed, her pretty lips lifted at the corners. Another clue she was different, although she wore little clothing, she hadn’t shivered once. No, it wasn’t freezing in Texas, but a normal person would have at least felt a chill. It was obvious she missed the outdoors as much as he did. Hell, she was as much a prisoner as he was. The only difference was she didn’t know it.
She looked so beautiful lying there, the auburn ponytail splayed out behind her, her tank top pulled up showing a bare expanse of tight stomach that begged to be licked. How he longed to kiss her again. To take her in his arms, bring them both to ecstasy. Th
e first time they’d touched, even though it was her fist in his face, he’d known he had to have her. When he’d watched her fight other demons during training, he’d cringed when they’d landed a blow on her. Rage had ignited inside him and he’d wanted nothing more than to break free, to save her.
Suddenly, she sat up and shot a frown in his direction. Had she been able to read his thoughts? Possibly. It was impossible to know what she might be capable of until he spent more time with her, helped her see the truth of her situation. Abilities in her type were unpredictable at best.
When she jumped up and waved for him to follow, he did so at the distance he’d promised and didn’t speak. Even though the idea of being alone with her in proximity of a bed made his dick twitch, when she climbed the stairs to what he assumed were her living quarters, he stayed behind.
She opened the door and looked down at him. “What the hell are you waiting for?”
Indicating his lips, he again mimicked zipping them.
Delia rolled her eyes. “Speak, demon.”
“If I’m to keep my word and give you the requested space, I cannot join you up there. Although,” he dropped his voice low and winked, “it would be my pleasure…and yours.”
She squeezed her eyes shut, fists balled at her sides. Her annoyance rolled over him in waves. Even like that, he found her beautiful, irresistible.
“Fine,” she gritted out. “The rule is void here. But only the space rule, not the talking rule.”
The urge to laugh at her adorable frustration bubbled inside him, but he managed to keep it inside as he climbed the stairs and followed her inside.
The state of her living quarters sickened him. In addition to being tiny, paint peeled from the gray walls, a bulb hung from a light fixture with exposed wires, and a small mattress lay in one corner of the room. The only furniture was a ratty wooden chair opposite the mattress and another next to the kitchen sink.
She eyed him. “What’s your problem? Close the door.”
He closed the door, but only shrugged at her question.
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