The past year was all she could have dreamed. Things turned around and went in her favor after her carefully considered decision to invoke her demon. What else could she have done? When she was with her company, she had always gotten skipped over on promotions. She rarely even missed time from work, up until Aunt Mimi’s condition had grown worse.
Soon, Helena discovered it was hard to maintain a full-time job and care for a sickly woman. She’d started to burn herself out, mentally and physically. In a way, she was relieved when her company let her go as a result of tightening their belts, but then the little bit of money she had coming in had ceased.
Not even her part-time online business had picked up. Why did it seem like other people could do anything they desired and were always successful, and here she busted her ass in an effort to get things off the ground to no avail?
It was then that she called upon Cyn. All the Pearsall women were captives to their demons, while their male counterparts died young. That was the extent of the curse. But…there was something more; there just had to be. She felt it deep in her soul as she recalled the evening she summoned her personal demon.
The sight of him in his true demonic form frightened the hell out of her, but the bill collectors had frightened her even more back then.
After carefully constructing the circle, Helena had cut the palm of her hand, allowing the blood to drip into the chalice. Quickly she added a few roots and herbs.
Picking up the tome, she recited her demon’s name. Cynarius, Cynarius, Cynarius. That was all that was needed. She closed the tome and set it down beside her, contemplating her demon’s arrival.
The skin on the back of her neck tightened and prickled. Soon after, ice-cold fingers crept up her spine. Helena winced and closed her eyes. Her demon was toying with her, she could tell.
The cold fingers pinched her already hardened nipples, and she sucked in a breath. A strong presence enveloped her as an eerie growl made her heart race in fear. Its breath was hot on her skin, and she yelped when he gripped the delicate flesh between razor sharp teeth.
“Why have you summoned me?”
A wicked baritone sounded to the right of her, making her shiver. This was definitely a bad idea! The demon was supposed to be on the outside of the circle, yet he sat right next to her. Damned Pearsall family magic!
“You know why?” She shivered again when she felt a clawed hand grip her curly tresses. The demon jerked her head back so that she was staring into its gold eyes. It was in true demonic form, yet, she was still attracted to it.
“Don’t play games with me!” the beast grated out. “What do you desire?” A sly grin forged itself on its porcelain features. His face was adorned with intricate tribal markings that seemed to glow in her presence. The fiery pattern wove itself down his neck and covered half his chest, eventually spiraling down his arm. Black hair dusted across his wickedly good-looking features, falling well past his collarbone.
“I need help with the bills. I’ve been working my fingers to the bones, and I always come out on the bottom.”
The demon laughed. “Hmm. You’ll come out on the bottom when you deal with me.” It laughed again and tweaked her nipple with a claw. “You’ll always be on the bottom when I’m having my way with your flesh.”
“I’ll do anything.” Helena wanted to believe those words. She concentrated on Aunt Mimi. It was the only way she could survive this. Out of nowhere, a scroll unfolded itself and fell to the floor in front of her. Beside it, an althame appeared.
“You will do any and everything I desire,” he murmured in her ear as he stripped her bare. “Here is our contract. Read it over, sign your name in blood.”
“Blood?”
“What are you? Deaf?” The creature frowned, making himself appear more sinister. “Signing your name in blood allows me to give you all that you desire. Instantly. After a year, we will meet, and you must live with me, until the debt is paid in full.”
With shaky fingers, Helena picked the scroll up and read. It was almost difficult as the demon played with her body. His hot tongue teased the tender spot on her neck. House, car, and unlimited funds caught her attention. Right now, that was more than she had. The money would be more than enough to stave off the wolves at her front door. She mouthed through the part about living with Cyn. Hell, it was only until the debt was repaid. She could deal. She sucked in a sharp breath at the impending orgasm.
With a grunt, she picked up the althame and cut herself. A soft curse and a wince later, she signed her name with the tip of the althame.
“Good girl.” The demon grinned, bowed his head, licking her wound clean. “You belong to me now.”
Helena gasped. “Now?” The demon wanted to screw her right here and now in his true form? Her stomach twisted and her pussy clenched several times. To someone other than a Pearsall, this was totally taboo. Hell, it was bad enough she summoned him. Having sex with him would surely send her soul to hell in a handbasket.
“I just want…” he whispered seductively in her ear as his fingers slipped beneath her silken panties, “to taste your sweetness. I have what you call, an oral fixation. I love the taste of a woman when she’s wet and wanting. You’re all that and more, Helena.”
“Unh!” Helena gasped as the demon ripped her panties and toyed with her clit. The forbidden pleasure was so intense, she bit her own lip as she squirmed in pleasure at the demon’s touch.
She gushed as her demon touched the opening of her pussy, her body burning with hot promises of sinful delight throughout the night. She cried out when he gently entered a digit inside her, spreading her hot juices around her swollen clit.
The demon bit her neck, nibbling her heated flesh as Helena’s body rode the first few intense waves of her release.
“Oh, fuck!” She squealed in a high-pitched voice as the waves of pleasure encased her for what seemed like an eternity. She shuddered when the demon sucked on its digits. The deep, animalistic growl he created made her want to beg for more. “Please,” she gasped.
“Don’t,” he warned as he licked her cream off his fingers. “If I fuck you now, the deal is off and I’ll drag you to Hell with me.” He thrust his face close to hers. “Is that what you want?”
“No, no, no!” Helena panicked, and she thought of Aunt Mimi.
“Relax,” he said quickly. “We’ll have more than our share of time together a year from now. In my long existence, I’ve learned that patience is a virtue. Just don’t fuck me over, Helena. As your personal demon, I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt.”
With that he quickly disappeared, leaving Helena struggling for breath she was sure she wouldn’t achieve. Her chest heaved, and her body burned in the areas he’d touched. Unsure about standing, she remained in the circle almost an hour after the meeting with her demon.
Helena smiled solemnly. The next day, she’d received a hefty tax return. It was the first tax return in years that hadn’t been garnished by bill collectors. After that, everything that had taken place was like a domino effect.
Client inquiries dropped into her lap and eventually she had more money than she could have imagined. It all seemed like a dream come true, but was short lived. She shivered when her pussy creamed at the very thought of Cyn’s hands caressing her flesh. Her body tingled because that night, if it weren’t for her aunt, she was sure she would have given in to her personal demon, right there in the circle.
Aunt Mimi was the longest-surviving female in the family, although stricken with dementia ten years ago in her early forties. Her demon had been hell-bent on destruction. Usually, that’s how demon lovers left you. How fucked up was that?
So many times she feared for her own sanity and life and often pondered how things would turn out for her. She shook off a chill as she looked around the room. She didn’t want to feel comfortable here. But truth of the matter was, a part of her felt almost at ease with her demon, even though he had deceived her. She desperately hoped this was the extent of his
deception.
Helena glanced around the elaborate room. He was telling the truth. She would never want for anything in her life again. But these were all monetary possessions. What about other things in life, like love and compassion? These were the things she desired most. All her life she’d yearned to find her better half. She lowered her head as a tear slid down her cheek. Perhaps she’d never find love.
Chapter Four
Cyn slipped into Mimi’s room. The woman seemed so fragile and still, but he knew she was aware of his presence.
“Mimi.” He called her name sternly.
The woman’s gaze darted around the room, and soon he was standing next to her bed. She feared him. He felt the emotion rolling off her in waves, and he sought a way to ease her distress.
“Mimi, I promise not to hurt you. Relax.” His voice was calm and soothing. He hoped it would ease her mind. “I have questions for you, Mimi. Questions that need your precise answers.” His eyebrows furrowed. “Do you understand?”
She said nothing, but continued staring into Cyn’s face.
He sighed and examined his thoughts for a few moments. “Mimi, blink once for yes, twice for no. Okay?”
Mimi blinked once.
“That’s a girl.” He stroked her hair soothingly. “Now. I need to know about the bargain that was struck long ago between a Pearsall ancestor and a demon named Barius.” He leaned down and whispered in her ear. “I know it is forbidden to speak of such matters, but you can show me.” He watched as the woman’s eyes grew wide as saucers. “You know a lot, don’t you, Mimi?”
The woman blinked once.
“Barius was your lover, no?” He patted her on the arm reassuringly.
Mimi blinked one time.
“Do you know the dangers your niece will face?”
Mimi blinked again.
“Yes, of course you do.” He smiled. “I know Helena is in trouble and I’m the only one who can protect her. You know that too, don’t you?”
Mimi blinked once and opened her mouth in an effort to speak, but no sound came out.
“Yeah, they really put the whammy on you, didn’t they?” Cyn shook his head regretfully. “If only…” He paused. “Mimi, wouldn’t you like to be able to speak again?”
Again, she blinked.
“Good, that’s real good.” His lips curved. “You know you have nothing to fear from me. You and Helena are protected as long as you remain with me.” Mimi blinked and he smiled. He placed his hands on her head and chanted in an ancient language for several moments until Mimi’s body shook.
Energy poured from his being and into the woman, breathing new life into her fragile body. As he did this, he tapped into her memories. He could see when she was a child and how she’d blossomed into a young woman. Then, one night during her teenage years, she had been ravaged by a demon. It had stayed with her all those years, off and on, robbing Mimi of her essence.
But…there was something else lurking in the depths of the woman’s mind. A closely guarded secret of Mimi’s. Helena. A myriad of visions encompassed him, leaving him puzzled. To some extent, Helena was their salvation, the key to the lock of the Pearsall curse.
When Mimi looked more alert, Cyn smiled. Mimi stirred and when she opened her mouth, sound came out.
“Where am I?” She glanced around in horror as she struggled to sit up in bed.
“Don’t worry, you’re safe with me.”
“Where’s Helena? What have you done with her?”
“She’s tucked away safely in my chambers, I promise you. Now, on to more pressing issues. Who is the demon after her soul?” After seeing the strange picture in Mimi’s mind, Cyn wanted to learn more.
“I can’t speak of such things. You know it’s forbidden. They—he’ll come after me again if I tell you everything about Helena.” She narrowed her eyes. “He’ll be here soon, you know.”
“Not here. This is my domain,” Cyn said in a bass-filled tone. “You need to speak now or your niece will suffer an unmentionable death. She doesn’t want to stay here with me for the rest of her life.” He bent his head down. “I just want her to be happy, so the sooner I learn the dark secret lurking beneath your family tree, the more effective I’ll be in helping you. Then…maybe you and Helena can return to your world.”
“It’s too late,” she murmured. “Our family will cease to exist. The curse won’t stop until we are all destroyed.”
He clasped her hand tightly. “If you’ve never trusted anyone in your life, now is the time to do so. Tell me about Helena. Why do you hide her true identity from me?”
She nodded and blinked several times before speaking in a raspy voice. “Water, please.”
In an instant, a cool glass of water appeared in her hand. Mimi drank as if she hadn’t had water in a long time. “Thank you.” She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and frowned.
“In our line, an unnecessary sacrifice was made centuries ago.”
Cyn sat beside her and frowned. “What type of sacrifice and why?”
“One of our ancestors, Silas, sacrificed an unborn child down the line, for selfish reasons.” She shook her head. “To save his own ass and acquire wealth and respect in his time, he made a pact, told Barius, my demon, he could have Helena’s soul. In return, Silas was granted wealth beyond belief. There is a pendant that was buried with him. Protects him even in death, if the stories are correct. If we could somehow get our hands on it, Helena will be spared and Silas will burn in Hell for what he did.”
“I prefer the first option,” Cyn muttered as he folded his arms across his large chest.
“You’re Helena’s personal demon?” She reached out and clasped her hand around his.
“I am.”
“If I don’t survive, promise me you’ll make sure she’ll overcome all of this.”
He curled his lips back, baring razor sharp teeth. “What. Aren’t. You. Telling me?” Suppressing his demonic nature to slay the woman where she lay, Cyn glared. There was something else, but he couldn’t put his finger on it.
“You’ll not plunder my mind for your own selfish reasons.” She paused momentarily. “I know the nature of you demons. You appear to care, but will only use us to your advantage and discard us when we no longer prove of worth to you. You’d better not do that to my Helena!” She gritted her teeth. “Now, promise me you’ll help her.”
Cyn normally didn’t worry about other demons, but the fear in Mimi’s eyes made him think twice about that. Just in case, he added an extra barrier of protection around his domain, ensuring Barius would not enter. Furthermore, Mimi was wrong. He couldn’t probe the darkest depths of the woman’s mind, and that almost led him to the point of madness.
“I’ll not promise you anything,” he rasped as his breathing increased. “Barius will meet his maker if he intrudes upon these grounds.” He waved a hand across Mimi’s face. “Now…sleep.” Armed with at least some of the information, he retreated to his chambers. He’d discover Helena’s nature. He swore it.
Chapter Five
Helena smiled as she released the fireball from her hand. There. She’d fixed the bastard. As soon as he entered, he’d have to walk through the flaming door. Of course that wouldn’t destroy an ancient demon, but it would definitely inflict pain upon him. Perhaps she could utilize her powers so that she and Aunt Mimi could escape this realm.
She couldn’t help but revel in the fact that this place enhanced her powers. She’d all but given up on casting a spell to try and free herself, but became bored while Cyn was absent. Through instinct, she’d explored other opportunities.
There was no shame in plotting against the demon. She’d been too hasty in contacting him, looking for a way out of her monetary problems. She had to remain stubborn, make him see she wouldn’t settle for her fate. She felt she had to continue this harshness, and take a stand against him. Her decision made, Helena smiled as the demon rushed through the entrance to the room. Cyn bellowed as he burst through the doors.
“What the hell have you done!”
With a giggle, Helena blew on him, and the flames ceased, leaving one pissed, smoking demon glaring at her with golden eyes. “I’m sorry.” She smiled. Seeing Cyn’s emotionless face, she turned her head and tightened her right fist, immediately extinguishing the flames around the door.
“This amuses you?” Cyn quirked a brow as he approached her slowly. “How did you set that fire?”
Helena stepped back, careful not to fall onto the bed. In an effort to defend herself, she held up her hand. “Stop! Don’t come any closer, or you’ll force me to inflict more pain upon you.”
Cyn stopped and grinned. “Ah, ’tis a challenge, no? I’m always up for a good challenge,” he growled. “Now tell me, what is the prize, witch.”
“There is no prize,” Helena belted out stubbornly. “And I am no witch. Believe it or not, I’ve just discovered these powers.”
“You seem surprised. Could this be the secret your aunt so heavily guards?”
She shook her head. “I don’t know, Cyn.” She glared at him, no longer concerned for her safety. If Cyn were going to harm her, he would have done it long ago. Something deep inside her assured her he would never cause her pain, that his bark was worse than his bite. Before she could say or do anything else, he’d closed in on her.
She twisted in his firm grip and struggled slightly as the demon brushed his lips against hers. “Don’t.” The word escaped in a weak, yet subtle whisper as her body melded against Cyn’s.
“There’s something about you,” he rasped while entwining his fingers through her dark tresses. “Only you don’t know it. Unfortunately, I don’t even know exactly…what it is.”
“Guess I’m just strange,” she mused before surrendering to Cyn’s dark, passionate kisses. “I’m not like everyone else in my family.”
“No, not you. Where they are weak, you’re strong.” He ceased his kisses and cupped her face between his large palms. “I know this. Your aunt is aware of this. You are in danger,” he said ruefully. “Danger you’ve been placed into at the hands of a distant ancestor.”
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