The Devil’s Kiss

by Stacey Kennedy

  Dante quickly stepped forward, his gaze focused on Zennah, his eyes sweeping the length of her. “I am Dante.”

  She went from happy to sultry in a millisecond. “Hello, Dante,” she purred, reaching her hand out to him, and he kissed it happily. “I am Zennah.”

  I looked at Kyden, who was smiling.

  Dante would be a good fit for Zennah. She was more than a handful. That tough wolf would keep her in check. The only thing was…it wouldn’t be everlasting. He could never accept her as a mate since she wasn’t a wolf, but they could have a good roll in the hay. Which, by looking at them now, was in the immediate future.

  “I could smell you from a mile away.” A voice thick with French accent sidled up beside me.

  I snorted loudly and spun to the side to face her. “Hello, Thalia.”

  This Vampire was an elegant French rose. Beautiful, with her soft brown hair pulled up and dangling along her pale skin and pinkish cheeks. Her dark eyes showed just how happy she was to see me. Most of the Mistresses of the United States were hard asses—Thalia, the Mistress of the Mid-West was sweeter than bumble berry pie.

  Hayes stood behind her, smiling brightly. He was your classic Scottish regale—scruffy, ruggedly handsome, but without the kilt. A real shame, in my opinion.

  Thalia leaned in very close to my face and inhaled deeply. “Mmm, just as I remember it,” she said with a lick of her lips.

  “Put those away.” I swatted at her fangs. It was never a blessing that my blood smelled appealing to vampires—something to do with my mixed heritage. I hadn’t really delved into the reasoning of it. I was perfectly happy ignoring it.

  Thalia smiled innocently. “You must come for a visit soon. Wouldn’t that be wonderful, Hayes?”

  He bowed his head. “The pleasure would be all ours.”

  “I am sure it would,” I grumbled under my breath, glancing out to the crowd.

  The music was the normal African tribal drums that pounded out a beat like pure sex. Supes just had that spirit to them. Sexuality was quite normal and very accepted within these parties.

  Briggs passed by us, pulling Rynn into the crowd, and slowly began dancing oh-so-gently with her.

  “He is very sweet with her,” I said to Kyden.

  Kyden followed my gaze, glancing at his friend. “He will have to be.” Then, he stepped closer to me, a sexy grin on his face. His rock hard body was tight against mine. “Come dance, Álainn.”

  Yum!

  “Have a pleasant evening,” Thalia said as I walked away.

  Too lost in having Kyden wrapped around me, I gave a simple wave as my response.

  Slowly, he made his way through the crowd and stopped in the center. The loud beat was booming and created vibrations that ran along the ground. He wrapped his hands around my hips, dragged me forward, then rubbed his erection along my thigh.

  Sweet Jesus! This guy lived hard.

  My hands inched their way along his strong arms, relishing the curve of each carved bicep. I grasped them tightly in my hands, felt each muscle flex with need for me.

  His gaze bored into mine. Lust, love, and need raged in his eyes. I wiggled against him, wanting to feel more of his hard warmth, and he groaned in response. Leaning down, he took my mouth with pure hunger. I leaned my head to the side to capture more of his mouth as his tongue swirled with mine in a smooth grace that sent wet warmth pooling between my thighs.

  When he began to move our bodies in sync with the music, his hot body teased mine and I nearly lost my mind. His hands ran all over my body, as he seemed unable to get enough.

  I definitely needed more of him. The heat building within my body began to burn, to hurt with urgency.

  I grasped his arms tighter, grinding my hips against his until it became too much to endure. I tore away from his mouth. “I need you.” My voice was so husky I barely recognized it.

  Kyden growled and pulled me up around him, which was harder than it looked. These jeans were not very giving, plus the added tension between my legs made me want to scream with agony.

  As we passed the crowd, Talon’s laughter came deep. He knew when it came to each other, our control was always lacking. Now, I could hardly care and ignored him entirely, and began ravishing Kyden’s neck. His body filled with tension and his groans became growls with each step he took.

  Within minutes, a door slammed. I realized we were home, but I never stopped tasting his delicious salty skin. He rushed toward the bedroom, and threw me onto the bed, separating us.

  His gaze focused on my face, molten lustful eyes stared back at me. I pulled my shirt off and wiggled off my heels. Getting to work on the jeans, I watched as Kyden tore his muscle shirt and jeans from his body. I yanked at the jeans, squirmed, and shoved.

  “Shit,” I gasped. “I can’t get these fucking things off.” They were glued to me. I angled my butt up, trying to pull them down, but it was impossible. With Kyden’s smoldering eyes staring at me, urgency was beginning to consume me.

  Now naked, his erection ready and eager, he lunged forward, grabbed the waist of my jeans and pulled. With the effort he put in, I went flying off the bed, landing flat on my back¯hard. He burst out laughing. “That didn’t go as planned.”

  “Ouch.” I laughed, rubbing the back of my head, then I squirmed again¯the throbbing between my thighs was reaching near lethal levels “God, just get them off.”

  He knelt down as I raised my butt off the floor and pulled again, but nothing happened. Being that I was already sweaty, they were stuck on like superglue. This was brutal!

  I wanted him more than my body could control and being restrained like this made the moment unbearable. He swore, grabbed the side of the jeans, and with all the strength he had, ripped the side of them open.

  The second I was free, he tore my panties off, and dove in between my legs with a fierceness that had me gripping his head in my hands. I watched his mouth work wonders against my skin. Oh, he knew me well. He knew the spots to hit and just how to work them and bring me to climax, and oh did he! His mouth only released me when the shuddering of my orgasm eased. I shoved him back, grabbed his erection and took him into my mouth with more determination that I’d ever felt in my life. As my strokes and licks pulled him toward sweet glory, his breath deepened, his groans became ones of desperate need.

  He stood with me still attached to him. I wasn’t at all ready to let go of the wildness overtaking me. I glanced up at him, the desire moving through him only made me work harder.

  With a hiss of breath, he finally tore himself away, regardless of the fact that I wanted to keep going. He reached down to cup me under my arms and lifted me to him. He tucked his arms under my knees and leaned over me, palming my backside as I wrapped my arms around his neck.

  In a second, he was home thrusting inside me with ferocious strength. I screamed out at the pure satisfaction of being stretched so deeply, so fully. He used my body to guide the movements and immediately began thrusting harder toward fulfillment. His groans were deep, my screams loud. Sweat poured off our skin.

  There was nothing gentle about this. Right now, this had nothing do with love and emotions. It was about hard cold sexual satisfaction. He wasn’t waiting for my release to build naturally. He demanded it, but he wouldn’t come without me. Thrusting the way he was, hard and fast, was one sure way for me to lose my mind. And he knew it.

  My breath became nothing more than shallow gasps as my orgasm began to build into holy shit territory. Kyden growled deep as my muscles went into spasms around him. He plunged harder and I saw stars.

  Then, I was thrown on the bed with him resting on top, breathing deeply in unison with one satiated male.

  Sometime later, my thoughts came back to me. I blew the hair away from my face. “We should get back.” I pushed softly so he lay beside me. “I hope Rynn is okay.”

  Good friend I was! I’d forgotten all about her and was kicking myself for being so selfish. Not
that I didn’t enjoy it, but I was filled with mixed emotions.

  “Not to worry,” Kyden replied, jumping off the bed. Instead of putting his clothes back on, he pulled me to the bathroom. “Briggs is with her. Shower first, then we will return to the meadow.”

  A retort was on the end of my tongue, but it was true, I was all sweaty. A few more minutes away wasn’t going to be the end all to end all.

  After a quick shower, we both dressed in our guardian gear. Now that we were home, it felt awkward to be wearing anything but our normal attire. Within minutes, we were out of the door and making our way back to the meadow.

  The moment we joined the party again, I was pleased to see that Kyden had been right. Briggs had Rynn wrapped within his arms as they danced intimately. Ahh, new love, it’s so sweet.

  Haven and Finn were nowhere in sight—probably off indulging in their own selfish necessities. I hoped they were. It would make me feel less guilty for disappearing with Kyden.

  Suddenly, Briggs’ head shot up and he glanced past me. I turned, followed his gaze to see Valor quickly approaching. Dante and Isla were immediately beside me. I glanced at Dante and chuckled. He wasn’t his normal put-together self—his cheeks were flushed and there was a relaxed edge to him. Zennah had a hand in that I was sure—literally.

  “What is it, Father?” Dante asked quickly, breathless.

  Valor looked grieved, his body tight with tension. “There have been two more attacks against women not far from our home.”

  Dante looked stunned, his tone equaled as much. “In Utah?”

  Valor nodded grimly, rested his hand on Dante’s shoulder. “I am afraid it is true. Come now, all of you, we must meet with the Council.”

  Kyden grasped my hand and we followed Valor into the Council’s Hall where Finn and Haven also waited. Apparently, they had been notified of the meeting and urgently, if Haven’s look was anything to go by.

  She was a mess. When we reached her, I helped smooth her curls, which were in complete chaos.

  “There, much better.” I laughed.

  She giggled. “Thanks.”

  Talon and Zia quickly joined us, and took their seat beside Brax and Zade. As he sat, Talon asked, “What has happened, Valor?”

  “I was contacted earlier tonight by a fellow pack member. His oldest son lost control and killed a woman.” Valor sighed deeply. “I went to him immediately, needed to handle the matter. As you can imagine the wolf could not willingly kill his son.”

  “Understandable,” Zia said. “Did he say what happened? Did he know why his son committed such an act?”

  Valor shook his head. “His son has never given him trouble and had just recently mated. They are expecting their first cub early next year. He has no explanation for why this would happen.”

  “What state was the wolf in when you found him?” Zade asked.

  “He was in an utter rage. The power that emanated from him was intense. Powerful enough…he took a couple good bites out of me.”

  A gasp escaped everyone in the room. It was unheard of. Valor’s strength gave him the ability to finish off a wolf in a split second. The fact that this wolf had enough strength to attack him at all was incredible.

  I quickly realized Valor was injured. Deep, gaping wounds layered his arms. “Here let me help,” I reached out, drew in on the Spirit element. With a trickle of adrenaline, I released my magic, watching the wounds heal before my eyes.

  Valor groaned a little, then smiled a thank you.

  “And there was more than one wolf attack?” Brax asked.

  “Yes. Immediately after returning home, I was contacted by a long time friend, who suffered a similar situation. He handled his wolf, but received great injury by doing it.”

  “Jesus,” I exhaled.

  Kyden gave my hand a squeeze, feeling the trepidation right along with me. Crazed wolves on the loose killing humans—talk about one hairy situation.

  “What are your thoughts on this?” Talon asked Valor.

  He shrugged, his expression completely baffled. “I have never met a wolf who was capable of attacking me. My strength is unrivaled. I have no understanding of what is going on here. Why our wolves are attacking humans with such rage and at these staggering numbers are beyond me.”

  It was only three, but even that was an outstanding number in such a short amount of time. Wolves were generally gentle creatures—nothing of this capacity.

  “Hmm…it is quite the problem.” Zade pondered. “What could be their motive behind it?”

  I interjected. “What reason do any of them have—they’re all nuts!”

  Kyden laughed deeply. “Well said.”

  “We must return to the scene, recreate it, see if there is anything we can learn from the events that transpired,” Zia said.

  “Right,” Valor agreed. “I believe that is our only choice. I am at a total loss about these incidents. Hopefully your insight will shed some light here.”

  “Go on then, all of you,” Talon commanded. “Find some answers as quickly as you can.”

  Briggs looked utterly tormented. He had himself wrapped around Rynn protectively. “Boss…” he started.

  Valor raised his hand to stop him. “As of tonight, I release you from your duty to me. Your place is with her now.” He rested his hand on Briggs’ shoulder, gave him a soft smile. “Your position will be waiting for you when you are ready to return.”

  Briggs exhaled a deep breath. “Much appreciated.”

  “Make it right for her and that is all the thanks I will need,” Valor said softly.

  Briggs gave a gallant nod.

  On my way out, I hugged Rynn. “Will you be okay now?”

  She hugged me back and whispered. “I think so. Thank you so much for everything.”

  Before I could respond, Valor shouted, “Isla, go home.”

  She scowled and yelled in return, “If you think I am not taking part in this…”

  In the quickest of moves, Valor pushed her out of the Council’s Hall. Seconds later, loud screams and too many obscenities to count echoed through the hall just before a door slammed loudly.

  A moment later, Valor came back grinning. “We can leave now.”

  Chapter Six

  The surroundings looked very similar to Valor’s ranch, mountain skyline with lush wilderness. Actually the landscape where we presently stood reminded me of an episode of Little House on the Prairie. It just had that old feel about it. “Where is your home from here?” I asked Valor.

  “This is Hyde Park. It is only a few hours away from Cache Valley.”

  A small house was nestled in a surrounding forest—almost a mirror image of my Carson City home. A bit rundown, but full of character with white washed wood paneling, black windowsills, and an old rickety swing sitting on a large porch.

  “It is best that I speak to the family before we go around back.” Valor told the group, then looked at me. “Would you mind coming along?”

  “Not at all,” I stepped forward.

  “I will wait here for you,” Kyden said, giving my lower back a light rub.

  I smiled, returning his as if that is even a question grin.

  Just as we walked away, I heard Haven say. “Oh Finn, look, it’s so pretty here.”

  I smiled, hearing the awe in her voice. Utah was beautiful—an outdoor enthusiast’s playground.

  Valor climbed the old rickety steps, knocked on the door, and it immediately flew open. A woman stood before us, trembling, eyes rimmed red and her face was stone white. “Valor,” she said with a deep sniff. “Please, do come in.”

  “Thank you, Ayan.” He glanced back to me. “This is Nexi.”

  She smiled softly. “Welcome to our home, Nexi.” She waved us in. “Please, won’t you come sit?”

  Hospitality right to the core, even when all that surrounded her was despair, she was still using manners. It made this entire situation all the more bizarre. How coul
d a wolf that came from this woman be capable of such brutality?

  After Ayan sat down, Valor and I followed suit, opposite her on the flowered couches. Valor looked around. “Is Narn not here?”

  Ayan shook her head, tears forming in her eyes. “I do not know where he has gone. He…is,” she raised a tissue to her nose, “not handling the death of our Rhoden well.”