Masters of Seduction: Books 1-4: Paranormal Romance Boxed Set

by Lara Adrian

  “And it won’t be another Marakel. His line will die out with him. No matter what he’s convinced Teman to do,” Canaan added. Asher cleared his throat, bringing Canaan’s gaze to him. “What is it?”

  “Were you really in the Oubliette?”

  “Yes.”

  To Canaan’s surprise, Rayna’s hand touched his arm. “You never said how you escaped.”

  “I gave my soul to the Warden so she would stop torturing me. A prisoner told me that the Sovereign put him there for helping hatch the plan to betray me. He told me how the Oubliette constantly moves, but every so often aligns with this world and the walls become thin. He was killed before he could escape with me.”

  “Your soul?” Rayna repeated. “You gave up your soul?”

  “Instead of being tormented, I was the one tormenting. Try to spend five hundred years being tortured and tell me you wouldn’t give up your soul.”

  A soft ding sounded just before the elevator doors opened. Asher stepped between them to hold them open. “I stopped us a few floors down. Teman rarely leaves his rooms anymore. He hired extra men to guard him.”

  “Extra?” Canaan repeated. “You mean he’s not using your men? Men who have guarded our family for generations?”

  Asher shrugged. “What was I supposed to do? Quit? He’s Master of Romerac House. He gets to make the decisions.”

  “Not for much longer,” Canaan whispered and walked off the elevator into a dimly lit room.

  Rayna joined him as she looked around. “What is this place?”

  “It’s five floors below him. This was where the family would gather for meetings and special occasions, but Teman stopped doing that about a hundred years ago.”

  “There’s a lot he hasn’t been doing, apparently,” Rayna said.

  It was time Canaan faced his brothers. “Where are the stairs?”

  The words had barely left his mouth when a door on the opposite side of the room opened and Levi appeared. Canaan was struck with how haggard his youngest brother looked.

  His black hair was trimmed short, and it stuck out at odd angles everywhere, as if he had been running his fingers through it. Levi’s red plaid shirt was buttoned, but only half tucked in, and his light denim had a large stain on his left leg.

  Levi suddenly stopped and looked up as if just now realizing he wasn’t alone. His gaze moved over each of them before jerking back to Canaan. “Is it really you? Have you finally come home, brother?”

  Canaan didn’t get a chance to respond as Levi started toward him, his pale eyes suddenly alight and a large smile on his face.

  “You were always the adventurous one, but I did go looking for you. Several times. I kept it a secret from Teman, because he’s happy being Master of House. But it’s rightfully yours, Canaan.” He paused when he reached Canaan, the smile melting away as a frown took over. “Why did you leave? It’s not like you to toss aside your duties, and certainly not for so long.”

  Asher folded his arms over his chest and said, “I told you Levi wasn’t part of it.”

  “Part of what?” Levi asked as he looked between both men.

  Canaan didn’t want to talk. He wanted to confront Teman and use his fists to convey all the agony and misery he had endured for five hundred years.

  The fury must have shown in his gaze, because Levi took a step back. Suddenly, Rayna was beside him again, her hand on his arm. Just as before, the rage dissipated to a simmer, allowing him to think clearly again.

  “He was in the Oubliette,” Rayna explained. “He only recently escaped.”

  “And returned here to exact his revenge,” Levi said. He met Canaan’s gaze. “You may not believe it, but I had no part in your imprisonment. I’ll do whatever you need to prove it.”

  As the youngest, Levi had been the free-spirited one of them, the one who always did his duty only to return to his pleasures. He was honest to a fault, and just as when they were children, Canaan could always tell when Levi was lying. The truth shone in his eyes now.

  “You’ve already proven it,” Canaan said and embraced his brother.

  Levi slapped him on the back, his smile returning as they separated. “It’s so good to have you back, Canaan.”

  “What’s next?” Rayna asked. “Do we confront Teman?”

  Canaan grabbed her by the arms and faced her. “You’re not going to do anything but remain here, out of danger.”

  “There’s something else you need to know,” Levi said as Rayna’s lips parted to speak.

  Canaan was grateful he wouldn’t have an argument with Rayna. “What is it?” he asked Levi.

  “Teman is dropping the Romerac name.”

  Canaan let out a deep breath. “I know. I was informed of that in the Oubliette. I’m going to make sure Teman fails in that endeavor.”

  “Dear God,” Rayna whispered as she covered her mouth with her hand.

  Canaan heard Asher let loose a string of curses. Everything was beginning to make sense now. Teman betrayed him because the Sovereign had managed to talk him into believing Teman would be the next to sit on the Obsidian Throne.

  “Part of the deal must have been that he change the family name,” Levi said.

  “So the Sovereign’s wouldn’t die out,” Rayna finished.

  Asher stripped off his suit jacket and rolled up the sleeves of his dress shirt to reveal intricate tattoos. “I’m not going to let this happen.”

  Canaan looked at the three people surrounding him. He had returned to the world thinking he could trust no one, and yet he had discovered three who stood beside him in the midst of a coming war.

  “Oh, no you don’t,” Rayna said when she caught him looking at her. “You think you’re going to leave me behind? Need I remind you that I can take care of myself?”

  Canaan knew that all too well. “You still have a chance to live the life you’ve always wanted, away from your family. Take it, Rayna, and don’t look back. For if you stay, I can’t promise you’ll remain unhurt.”

  “I’m not leaving,” she said and rose up on her tiptoes to give him a quick, hard kiss. “I know how it feels to be betrayed. I want to help.”

  Asher grunted. “In a room full of Incubi? I don’t think that’s wise.”

  “I don’t think that’ll be a problem,” Levi said.

  Canaan narrowed his gaze on his youngest brother. “What do you mean?”

  “She’s been next to Asher and myself this entire time, and yet she can’t stop looking at you. Tell me, just how many times have you two bedded each other?” Levi asked.

  Asher began to laugh when neither Canaan nor Rayna would answer. It was Asher who said, “This could play into our hands. I think I have the perfect plan.”

  “It better not include putting Rayna in danger,” Canaan stated.

  Rayna rolled her eyes. “If it will put Canaan back in the seat of power, then I’ll do whatever necessary.”

  “Don’t be so quick to say that, Nephilim,” Levi said cryptically.

  Canaan squeezed his eyes shut. Rayna was supposed to be long gone from here and away from all danger. She was supposed to live out her life free of the duties her family forced on her, free from the life of a Nephilim who was bound to an Incubus.

  “Wait,” Rayna said. “Canaan has returned. Can’t he just resume his seat of power? No one can deny that it’s him.”

  Canaan opened his eyes and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ears, just now noticing that she was without shoes. “It could work, but who’s to say Teman and the Sovereign wouldn’t try again?”

  “He’s right,” Levi said. “Canaan must take his seat by force.”

  Asher rubbed his hands together. “My men are loyal to the family, to you – as well as to me. None were too thrilled with Teman adding different security. They’ll do as I ask.”

  Canaan took a deep breath. He was about to engage his brother in a battle that could possibly end with one of them dead. Their father would be appalled, but in the end it was about protecti
ng the family.

  Teman hadn’t done that. He had sought his own agenda, his greed for power overruling the teachings of their father. Canaan really did have no other option. He would take Teman down, and then he would turn to the Sovereign.

  It was time that bastard left the Obsidian Throne, once and for all.

  CHAPTER NINE

  In all her imaginings, Rayna never thought she would be helping an Incubus or conspiring to take down the Sovereign. Yet here she was in only a dress shirt that left her feeling...bare.

  She prayed their plan worked. It had to work.

  It would work.

  “You don’t have to do this,” Asher said as the elevator climbed to the sixtieth floor.

  She looked at the handsome Watchman and smiled. “I do.”

  “You’re putting yourself in the way of danger for an Incubus who you’ll never see again.”

  Rayna swallowed past the lump in her throat. She didn’t want to think about the future, especially when she knew it wouldn’t include Canaan. “I’ve spent years running away from my family. Canaan has shown me that there is another option out there if I’m willing to reach for it.”

  “How many times have you two really slept together?”

  His eyes were too shrewd, too clever for his own good. The doors dinged before slowly opening. “How did you know?”

  “The way Canaan looks at you. The way you look at him,” he whispered as he took her arm and led her off the elevator. He nodded to Teman’s two guards as they walked to the left. “I know you care for him or you wouldn’t be here. Why not take him to your bed for as many times as needed for you to be immortal and the two of you to be bound to each other?”

  Rayna tugged on the hem of Asher’s dress shirt that barely reached her thighs, even as the two guards watched her with lust in their eyes. “I do care for Canaan. A lot. He’s been betrayed enough already.”

  Asher remained silent as they walked down a long hallway lined with a thick Oriental runner that seemed to stretch for miles before them.

  When they came to a set of tall wooden double doors he stopped and faced her. “If I found someone like you, I’d seriously reconsider the only once rule. You’d be good for Canaan.”

  It was the best compliment she had ever received. “Keep him safe during all of this, but especially afterward. He’s going to have a difficult time trusting again.”

  “You have my word. Are you ready?”

  No. She wanted to run the other way and never stop, but she had the chance to help right a wrong. Not to mention that if the Sovereign didn’t give up his Throne to the next Incubus as he was supposed to, there was no telling how the ripples of the Sovereign’s decisions would affect the Nephilim. She could help stop it all before it began.

  Her throat tightened as anxiety coursed through her. She nodded, and was rewarded with a crooked smile from Asher that she was sure had most women throwing themselves at him.

  “Remember to fawn over him,” Asher said under his breath as he opened the doors.

  Rayna’s gaze was immediately drawn to the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked Manhattan, the lights from the other skyscrapers illuminating the night.

  “I’ve found something for you, Teman,” Asher said.

  Rayna hastily looked around as she stumbled over her feet when Asher dragged her to the right. The room was sparsely furnished with modern furniture in white against the dark slate floors. It made the room seem cold and emotionless.

  Asher’s fingers tightened on her arm. Rayna pulled her gaze away from the room and found Teman at a sideboard where he was pouring himself a glass of wine.

  Teman paid them no attention as he swirled the red liquid in his glass before bringing it to his nose so he could inhale deeply. Only then did he take a sip.

  “What is a Nephilim doing at Romerac Consolidated?” he asked Asher.

  “It appears one of my men thought she would be a nice gift for you.”

  “Me?” Teman said and faced them.

  Rayna was taken aback at just how much he looked like Canaan. The same dark features, the same full lips, the same square jaw. But there were differences as well. Teman’s hair might be the same color, but it was kept shorter.

  His eyes might be the same blue-green, but they held no warmth, no...life.

  No passion.

  “She’s never been with an Incubus,” Asher explained.

  Teman chuckled and walked over to them. His expensive dress shoes made no sound on the solid white rug he stood on. His attire was much like Asher’s, except the suit was dove gray and his dress shirt was burgundy.

  “A Nephilim who hasn’t been with an Incubus,” Teman said as he looked her up and down. “Why is that?”

  Asher roughly dragged her closer to Teman. “She’s from the Averell family.”

  Teman’s eyes darkened with desire. “Is that so? Interesting. She could very well bring about my first son.”

  Rayna wanted to punch him. Instead, she softened her eyes and smiled. Then she ran her hands over her breasts, causing her shirt to rise up.

  “You can leave, Asher,” Teman said. “And be sure we’re not disturbed.”

  There was the barest of pauses before Asher gave a nod and turned on his heel to walk away. Leaving Rayna alone with a man she was supposed to want.

  “The Averells are particularly fertile,” Teman said as he walked around her, letting his finger trail over her hips and her butt then to her other hip, until he stood in front of her again. “Between you and my visit to the Harem next week I could have two sons in a matter of months.”

  She placed her hands on his chest. “Yes. Anything. Just please take me. I had no idea being around you Incubi would cause such a...need...within me. Can you ease it?”

  “I’m not a sex demon for nothing, sweetheart.” He set aside his wine glass and pulled her against him. “I’ll have you screaming in pleasure in no time.”

  ~ ~ ~

  “Easy,” Levi said.

  Canaan didn’t like to see anyone with their hands on Rayna, but especially not Teman. “It was a bad idea.”

  “It’s a good idea. Teman will never see you coming.”

  Canaan wanted to burst from his hiding spot behind a huge potted plant and tackle Teman when he began to unbutton Rayna’s shirt.

  “Asher is here as well, remember,” Levi said. “Rayna will be fine.”

  She better be. Canaan would never forgive himself if something did happen to her. They were supposed to wait until Teman was completely occupied, but Canaan couldn’t stand to watch him touch Rayna another minute.

  Without a word to Levi, Canaan stood and walked around the plant. Rayna saw him first, her eyes opening and going straight to him. The small smile turning up the corners of her lips was all that kept him from ripping Teman off her.

  “What’s wrong with you?” Teman asked when Rayna dropped her hands.

  She disengaged herself and walked to stand beside Canaan. The gratification Canaan felt when Teman’s eyes grew round as he spotted him was the first step in his revenge.

  “Ca...Canaan,” Teman stuttered. “Where have you been? We’ve looked everywhere for you.”

  Canaan glanced at Rayna. “Not everywhere. You didn’t look in the one place you sent me – the Oubliette.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Teman hedged.

  “I know about your deal with the Sovereign. I know how you plotted with him to betray me. I know that he plans to remain on the Obsidian Throne and name you heir as long as you give up the Romerac name.”

  Teman let his false façade drop as he took a deep breath and clapped. “Bravo. I never expected to see you again. Tell me, brother, how did you escape your prison?”

  “With difficulty. It’ll be much easier sending you there.”

  Teman laughed, the sound bouncing off the walls. “That’ll never happen. I’ve got powerful friends who will ensure I’m never touched.”

  “If they’re so powerful,
why aren’t they here now? Why aren’t they saving you?” Canaan asked as he moved closer to his brother.

  “I can save myself.”

  Canaan smiled when he saw the fury in Teman’s eyes. Just as when they were kids, Teman could never control his rage. He launched himself at Canaan with a low growl. Canaan wrapped his arms around him and grunted when Teman’s shoulder slammed into him.

  Teman got off two good shots to Canaan’s kidneys before Canaan kneed him in the face. Teman staggered backwards and jerked off his suit jacket. Buttons went flying when he grabbed his dress shirt by the collar and ripped it off.

  Canaan knew from childhood fights how easy it was to send Teman into a fit of anger so great that he lost all common sense, forgetting basic rules of combat.

  It seemed nothing had changed. Canaan held out his arms, waiting for Teman to make a move. That simple action had Teman bellowing in fury as he rushed Canaan.

  Canaan easily stepped aside from Teman’s attack, but at the same time held out his foot so Teman tripped. He went sprawling across the floor. His growl was the only sound he made as he gained his feet and grabbed the chair nearest him and flung it at the windows.

  Glass shattered as the chair went flying into the night. Wind howled, and noise from the city filled the space. Then Teman began to laugh.

  “You’ll never be the Master of House again!” Teman yelled over the racket.

  Canaan didn’t have a chance to answer as Teman attacked again. This time, he aimed a punch at Canaan’s head, and when Canaan tried to duck it, he got elbowed in the jaw.

  The assault didn’t stop there. Teman landed punch after punch. Blood poured into Canaan’s left eye and his lip was busted. He let Teman have his fun until he’d had enough. Canaan raised his arms to block the next assault.

  “Enough!” Canaan glared at his younger brother and pushed him away. “You betrayed me, Father, and the family. I hereby banish you from our House. No longer can you use the name Romerac. Go find the Sovereign and take his name as you intended.”

  The doors burst open as Teman’s private security entered. A heartbeat later they were surrounded by Asher and his men who had been waiting for just such an action.