by S Lawrence
“Why would a human baby need Satan?” His voice is hard.
“Okay, maybe she doesn’t need you. Maybe it’s you that needs her.” His face hardens at that.
Steeling my spine, I walk across the patio, stopping right in front of him. Placing my hand on his chest, I lean in close and lower my voice.
“She will love you just as you are, no judgements, no preconceived notions, just you.” His heart pounds under my hand.
He shakes his head. “I can’t keep a child.”
“Says who?” I glance back at Lillian’s words.
“Everyone on this planet,” he growls.
“So take her to social services. Let them put her in the system.” My tone is hard as I remember my time in foster care.
“Charlie,” Dagen says softly, but I’m pissed now.
“You tell me to trust you, to believe you when you tell me some crazy story about a prophecy, and now you don’t believe me when I tell you something I know for certain.” I pace away.
“I’m sorry.” Luc’s voice is quiet right behind me. “I believe you, Charlie. That’s not the problem.”
“I know.” I turn and before he can move away, I wrap my arms around him. “It’s okay to be scared,” I whisper near his ear.
“She could grow to hate me or worse, fear me.” His voice is even lower than mine. He is breaking my heart.
“Never,” I promise.
He steps back and turns to pin everyone gawking with a withering glare, daring them to say anything.
Dagen comes to my side. “So do we go after the next descendant or do we try to find Arkyn?”
“Arkyn.” Victor is adamant.
“I don’t think we’ll find him until the woman wants us to,” I murmur.
“I think you’re right.” Luc glances at me.
“So then the next descendant,” Drayce says looking at his brothers.
“Tomorrow is soon enough. We all need to get some rest. You and Charlie need to eat.” Luc turns, heading back inside as soon as he finishes talking.
It’s a few seconds before the rest of us hear the baby crying. We spend the next few hours eating and then Dagen leads me to a bedroom and pushes me toward the shower.
“Are you coming?” I ask, my voice husky.
“You need to sleep.” I pout but continue in to take a shower. When I get out, he’s in bed waiting for me.
“I need to hold you,” he says as he holds up the sheet, and I stare unashamedly at his nakedness. Dropping the towel, I climb in the bed and slide my heat along the coolness of him.
The darkness creeps up on me, and I’m asleep before I know it.
I wake some hours later to light shining in through a gap in the curtains. I turn slowly to my side, easing my body along his. Letting my finger flutter over his chest and then further down his body, I let myself explore. I know the second he wakes up. His breath catches and his arm that’s under my neck moves as his hand comes up to caress over my ass.
He says nothing as I let my own hand drift farther down. I rub over the full, throbbing erection I find. Shifting again, I let my lips follow the same path my hand did. He moans as I curl my tongue around the silken head. My hand grips the base, holding him steady as I lock my lips around him.
I don’t take him in far, just enough to swirl my tongue around and around until his body twitches. Then without warning, I engulf him, feeling the length of him all the way to the back of my throat.
I tighten the suction and begin to repeat the motion. Slowly. Up and down. In and out. He grows harder, and his fingers slide into my hair, gripping it tightly and pulling it. I feel my core clench in response.
He takes over, pulling almost completely out before thrusting back in. His hand on my ass slides to between my legs and I shift to give him access, moaning as he thrusts two fingers inside me while he pumps into my mouth.
His thrusts grow wild and then he buries himself deep into my mouth, and I feel my own orgasm building. He explodes, pumping in my mouth, and my body clenches on his fingers as I see stars. His hips keep shifting as I keep sucking at him.
“Jesus, Charlie,” he moans, and I let him slip from my mouth. I let myself fall back, tremors running though my legs.
He’s trying to catch his breath when he sits up and pulls the covers over my body.
“One of my brothers is outside,” he whispers before he stands and pulls on pants. “What do you want?”
“Lillian is ready, whenever you guys are done.” I can hear the laughter in Torryn’s voice.
“Just give me a minute,” I yell out as I jump out of bed and run into the bathroom. I clean up, brush my hair and teeth, and then walk back out. “Clothes please.”
Dagen stares at my nakedness, stark hunger in his eyes, and I feel my body respond.
“Dagen,” I grumble, but it has no force because I feel the same.
“Fine.” Black jeans and a shirt the same blue as my hair appears on my body. Black combat boots cover my feet.
Chapter 36
DAGEN
I watch them leap into the air, Torryn at my side. They fly directly south. The others are going to stay here and wait for us to call.
Torryn looks at me, nods, and leaps into the air. We follow them for hours. Farther and farther south. They finally stop somewhere on the coast in Costa Rica. I find us a hotel, and Torryn and I watch over them as they sleep.
“Hey, Boss.” I listen, as Evander talks about possible sightings of the Fallen. “Any news on Arkyn?”
“None.” His voice is flat, and I hate that I can’t tell him about Grace.
“The girls say it’s still much farther south. As soon as they wake up, we’ll keep moving.”
“Keep me posted.” He hangs up before I can say anything else.
The girls wake and we begin again. Today we make it to South America. Peru, to be exact. We repeat last night and when the girls wake, we do it all over until they glide to a stop, landing on the outstretched arms of Christ the Redeemer. We stand there and look down at the city. Rio de Janeiro.
Population over six million, should be no problem finding one girl.
LUCIFER
I brought a baby to Hell.
I glance down at her in my arms. She smiles up at me. I stop outside the door to the room Grace is locked in. The baby turns her tiny face to the door as a howl vibrates the wood.
She looks back at me and makes bubbles. Unfortunately, I have no idea what that means. I wrap us in my power, protecting her from any and all of Grace’s rage. Pushing open the door, I step inside.
Grace is against the far wall, her hair matted and wild. Her body is dirty, blood staining her skin and clothes. I use my powers and clean her, heal her wounds, and give her fresh clothes. Even her hair now hangs down her back in a smooth sheet.
She tears at the clothes.
“Leave me.” Her voice doesn’t even resemble her own.
The baby giggles and red eyes whip to me. And just for a moment, they change back to their natural iridescent color. Looking down, I wonder just how important this tiny girl is.
Coming Soon
Chosen Magic Demon Bayou Series Book Three
Prologue
He should have woken by now.
His injuries were severe but have healed, so I’m afraid he has given up. He is choosing to stay in that place between worlds. He has grown tired over the years, hiding his growing despondence from those around him, retreating from them and everything else more and more.
Even without his memories, he was drawn to those he was given to protect. It was in a tiny village that I first saw him and followed him to the others.
I had been living with the First People for hundreds of years by then, moving from tribe to tribe whenever I felt power linger near me for too long.
I didn’t run from him though, for something about the way he played with the children touched me.
He has always helped when he could, but the destruction of the people, of the tribe
s, hurts him. Each one he couldn’t save destroyed a small piece of him.
Now he understands why. They were his to save, and he failed them.
At least, that’s what he thinks. I smile as she comes in, carrying the bowl of cold spring water and a rag to wash his face.
It is almost time.
About the Author
S Lawrence is an emerging author of paranormal memoirs. She is a mom, a wife, a veteran and a fangirl. She lives just outside New Orleans and can be often found wandering the streets of the Quarter.
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Also by S Lawrence
The Guardians Series:
Celtic Fire
Greek Fire
First Fire
Norse Fire
Eternal Fire
Demon Bayou Series
Chosen Blood
COMING SOON
Chosen Magic: Demon Bayou Series
Acknowledgments
When I wrote Celtic Fire, I had no idea I would end up here. And I couldn’t have, not without the support of so many people. My husband, who I can’t even begin to thank for his support and the work he does to make my dreams come true. My kids, for endlessly believing that I am going to be famous and that everyone will love my books.
My best friend, who spent countless hours reading and checking for mistakes. She has always believed more in me than I do myself. She is Louise to my Thelma.
To Summer, for amazing editing and support. I was looking for an editor and I found a friend.
To those readers who took a chance on Celtic and have supported me through that series as I found my voice, I can’t thank you enough. There are no words for what you’ve done for me.
If you just found me I hope you like it.
Susan