Tall, Dark and Paranormal: 10 Thrilling Tales of Sexy Alpha Bad Boys

by Opal Carew

  Kai flicked her eyes open as she writhed in his arms but when she caught a glimpse of the house out of the corner of her eye, it brought her careening right back to reality. They were making out on a Harley in front of some woman’s house and her shirt was almost over her head.

  Asmodeus grabbed the handlebar with one hand and held her around the waist with the other as he suckled her breast. Kai gripped his shoulder and struggled to find her way out of the lust-induced frenzy. As his flesh pressed against hers, heat fired through her and everything began to spin. Kai squeezed her eyes shut in an effort to stop the sudden wave of dizziness.

  “We have to stop,” Kai whispered. She grabbed him by the hair and kissed him, wanting to taste him one more time. She suckled his lower lip and held it between her teeth briefly before releasing it and resting her forehead against his. “I can’t do this,” she said between heavy breaths as her fingertips stroked his scalp. The dizziness ebbed back as she fought to catch her breath. “Not here.”

  “I’ve made love in almost every place imaginable but not on a motorcycle.” Asmodeus’ body stilled and he pulled back, looking her in the eye. “We’ll have to remedy that.”

  His gaze was once again a cool blue, but her aura still engulfed them both and Kai couldn’t help but smile.

  “That’s amazing,” she said with wonder as her gaze skittered over him.

  “I have to admit, it’s not the first time I’ve been told that,” he teased. Asmodeus kissed the corner of her mouth and gently put her shirt back in place and settled his large hands over her hips.

  “Not that.” Kai rolled her eyes and trailed her fingers down his muscular, tattooed arms. Her hands rested on his muscular thighs which were taut and solid beneath her eager hands. “You have a light when I touch you—an aura.”

  Asmodeus’ expression hardened and he leaned back slowly as though he hadn’t quite heard what she said. “What did you say?”

  “When we touch skin to skin you absorb my light and you actually have an aura.” She trailed her fingers over his. “See?”

  Asmodeus’ watched intently but said nothing.

  “It freaked me out at first too because when we shook hands, you started to glow but as soon as you dropped my hand, you were a Dark One again. Then when you shook hands with Ben, it made his aura sputter, like a bulb about to go out. I thought maybe it would hurt or something, but believe me... touching you doesn’t hurt. Makes me dizzy with desire, but doesn’t hurt.” She smiled and reached out to wrap her arms around him again but he grabbed her wrists, stopping her. Kai’s brow furrowed. “What’s wrong?”

  He frowned and the cold detached look in his eye was back with a vengeance.

  “We don’t have time for this.” Asmodeus’ jaw clenched as he held her away from him. Without another word, he dismounted the bike and dropped Kai’s arms like a couple of hot potatoes. “If this were one of my usual vacations on earth, fucking would be at the top of my priority list but we have other matters to attend to.” Walking around the bike, he avoided her gaze and gestured toward the house. “Let’s go.”

  Kai gaped at him as she tried to understand what the hell was going on. “Are you for real?”

  “We have to get the ring off your finger and see if Isadora knows anything about the Custodians of the Light.”

  The sting of rejection mixed with flat-out anger burned in Kai’s chest and though tears stung the back of her eyes she refused to let them fall. She hopped off the bike and turned her back on him as she put her clothing back in place. A million questions raced through her mind but before she could ask a single one, a raspy, feminine voice floated through the air.

  “Well, look what the cat dragged in.” Startled, Kai spun around toward the voice. Standing on the covered porch was one of the oldest, smallest women Kai had ever laid eyes on. Kai’s face heated with embarrassment as she wondered if she had witnessed any portion of their make-out session.

  The lights from the open door behind her gave her an almost ethereal glow and for a second Kai wasn’t even sure if the woman was real. However, a pale pink aura fluttered around her gently, reassuring Kai that she was indeed real.

  Hunched over and leaning heavily on the cane in her right hand, she had a gray blanket with Native American designs draped over her shoulders and a thin, white cotton nightgown fluttered around her legs. Her white hair hung in two long braids framing a wizened face.

  Asmodeus had moved in next to Kai in his typical stealthy manner. Thick waves of heat emanated from his body and washed over her shivering form. She crossed her arms over her breasts in an effort to stop shaking but it was no use.

  Even though her body still clamored for his, and she wanted to snuggle against him, she resisted. Being rejected, yet again, wasn’t at the top of her priority list. She wasn’t entirely sure she could trust him but, at the moment, he was all she had.

  “Is this your mother or something?” Kai asked as quietly as possible. She glanced at Asmodeus who gave her a doubtful look and shook his head.

  “His mother?” The woman asked with genuine humor. She let out a sharp laugh and banged her cane on the boards of the porch a couple of times. “No, child. Although I can understand why you’d think that given my current state of affairs,” she said with a gesture toward her body.

  “Hello, Isadora.” Asmodeus’ voice rumbled around Kai, shattering the quiet of the desert. “It’s been a long time.”

  “That’s putting it mildly,” Isadora said with a raspy laugh. “And you haven’t changed a bit. Still as handsome as could be but as you can see, time has not been as kind to me. I suppose some might say you made a deal with the devil himself.”

  Kai glanced from the old woman to Asmodeus. Isadora must know Asmodeus’ true nature and it sounded like she knew him when she was a young woman. Had they been lovers or only friends? Before she could ask any questions, Isadora started in with queries of her own.

  “What have we here?” Isadora’s intent gaze landed on Kai.

  “I’m Kai Kelly,” Kai said in a surprisingly strong voice.

  “Isadora, I…”, Asmodeus began.

  “Hush.” Isadora held up her hand. “I wasn’t asking you, mister.”

  Kai pressed her lips together to keep from laughing out loud at the way this little old woman put big, bad Asmodeus in his place. Kai stole a glance at him. His tattooed arms were folded over his chest, his eyes glowed red and the look on his face said it all. He was not amused but he must have a good deal of respect for Isadora to hold his tongue. Kai didn’t know a lot about Asmodeus but she suspected he wasn’t the kind of man who was used to being shushed.

  The old woman made her way down the steps with surprising ease as Kai watched her intently. Moving slowly but surely, Isadora closed the distance between them and stopped directly in front of Kai. She was tiny and couldn’t have been five feet tall.

  Isadora cocked her head to one side and looked Kai up and down. Kai did her best not to squirm under the scrutiny of her bright green stare. Isadora’s eyes were the color of emeralds and though they were set in a tanned, wrinkled face, they had the boldness of someone much younger.

  “She’s Fae,” Isadora said bluntly. Leaning back, she pressed her lips together and kept her inspecting gaze on Kai. “Yes, sir.”

  “How did—” Kai began.

  “Yes, indeed.” Isadora pointed a crooked finger at Kai. “And she’s got witch in her too.”

  “What?” All the air rushed from Kai’s lungs and she shook her head as she rubbed her arms vigorously. “Witch? What are you talking about?”

  “Takes one to know one,” Asmodeus murmured.

  “Hush up,” Isadora snapped as she swatted him on the leg with her cane without taking her eyes off Kai. “This poor child is exhausted, confused and doesn’t know which end is up. So, why don’t we take this inside because I’d be willing to bet she’s got about a million questions. Don’t you, girl?”

  “Y—yes.” Kai nodded and fought the tears.
Her shoulders shook as she tried to keep from sobbing out loud. “I feel like I’m going crazy.”

  “I bet you do.” Isadora shook her head and made a sound of disgust as she shot Asmodeus a look. “Park that damn thing around back. I’m taking Kai in the house so she can have a hot shower and we’re gonna get some food into the girl before she wastes away.” She winked at Kai. “Then we’ll get some of your questions answered.”

  “Thank you,” Kai said with a shuddering breath.

  Kai swiped at her eyes with the back of her hand and held herself together. She glanced at Asmodeus who was staring at her with that cold look. Emotionless and detached. Those were the two words that came to mind as he leveled those pale, blue eyes in her direction.

  A split second later, Isadora grabbed Kai’s hand and was staring at the ring with wide eyes. Her hands were rough and warm but in spite of her age, Isadora’s grip was like iron and her aura now glowed bright fuchsia. Kai stood still as the old woman looked at the ring.

  “It—it won’t come off,” Kai blurted out. “It’s stuck... or something.”

  “It’s the Ring of Solomon,” Asmodeus said tightly.

  “I’ll be damned,” Isadora said, with awe.

  “I’d give just about anything to know what on earth that means.” Kai bit her lip against her fear, but the sight and sound of this little old lady, swearing like a sailor, was a welcome bit of silliness amid a symphony of chaos.

  “Like I said,” Isadora murmured as she turned her attention to Asmodeus. “Lots of questions to be answered.” Putting her glittering green eyes back on Kai, Isadora squeezed her hand reassuringly before releasing it. “You’re going to be alright, child.”

  “Thank you,” Kai whispered.

  “Don’t thank me yet. Something tells me you’ve got a long, winding road ahead of you.” Isadora waved her cane at Asmodeus and wrapped her other arm around Kai’s waist as she started walking with her toward the house. “Do as I said, Asmodeus. I may not be the sweet young thing you remember, but I can still cast a spell that will shrivel your demon dick. So get moving.”

  Kai slapped her hand over her mouth to stifle a giggle and glanced over her shoulder at Asmodeus who looked less than amused, but did as Isadora asked. She looked down at the diminutive woman at her side and smiled as she said, “I can’t imagine he’s used to being spoken to that way.”

  “I don’t suppose he is.” Isadora winked at her and laughed as they climbed the steps together. When they reached the landing she paused and leaned heavily on her cane as she caught her breath. “Have you laid with him yet?”

  Kai’s face heated with embarrassment as she glanced back to see if Asmodeus was within earshot but, thankfully, he wasn’t. She tucked her windblown hair behind her ear and shrugged as she shook her head. They hadn’t... yet.

  “No?” Isadora made a tsking sound as she started into the house. “Now that’s a damn shame. That man was the best lay I ever had and even though it was decades ago... I remember it like yesterday.”

  “You and Asmodeus... “

  “You bet your ass we did.” Isadora let out a hearty laugh. “It was many years ago but, girl, he ain’t the Demon of Lust for nothin’.”

  “Demon of Lust?” Kai asked, not quite sure she’d heard Isadora correctly.

  “He didn’t tell you who he was?”

  ”No.” Kai frowned. “Until a few hours ago, I thought he was human.”

  ”Not surprised.” She shook her head. “He’s a member of the Brotherhood—the Seven Princes of Hell—each of them represents one of the seven deadly sins. Asmodeus is the embodiment of lust and damn if he doesn’t live up to the name.” She pursed her lips together and made a sour face. “Just be glad that Satan didn’t find you and the ring first. He’s the Demon of Wrath and a pain in the ass—always finding a reason to stir up trouble. Oh he’s handsome too, they all are, but I’ll take lust over wrath any day of the week,” she said with a wink.

  “No wonder women were falling at his feet,” Kai said. She smiled. “Even my cat—Oh my God!” Her hands flew to her mouth as she realized she ran off and left her poor cat alone at the house. She stared at Isadora. “Oh shit. I don’t even know if she was inside. What if the coyotes get her?”

  “Cat?” Isadora let out a hearty laugh and tapped her cane on the floorboards again. Smiling, she took Kai’s hand in hers and squeezed, the warm metal of the ring pressed against her skin. “What’s her name?”

  “Zephyr,” Kai said.

  “Well, Zephyr will be just fine. First of all, cats domesticated themselves. They only hang around with us because it suits them. Now a dog, on the other hand, they’re dependent on us but not cats. It’s one of the reasons so many witches like having them as companions. They’re independent creatures and can take care of themselves. Trust me, she’ll be there waiting for you when you return. Won’t be too pleased with you, but she’ll be there.” Isadora tapped Kai on the leg with her cane. ”Come on, let’s get you a shower and something clean to wear.”

  Kai followed her and as she turned to close the door, she saw Asmodeus stalking up the walkway toward the house. Kai’s breath caught in her throat as his intelligent, icy blue gaze captured hers. As big as he was, he moved with almost feline fluidity and unnatural quiet. Without a word, he took the steps in two strides and stopped just a few inches from her.

  “We’ll be safe here for a while. She’s got a cloaking spell on this place, so we should be hidden from the Fae,” he said as thick waves of heat undulated from his towering form. She realized that the heat she’d felt on the motorcycle was from him more than it was from the bike. Kai wondered if his unusually warm body temperature was part of his being a demon. The beginnings of a beard covered his square jaw and the muscle beneath the skin flickered as he glowered at her. “We can trust her.”

  “Really?” Kai kept her voice low. “I’m still wondering if I can trust you. For a demon you sure do run cold in the blink of an eye. One minute you’re acting like you can’t get enough of me and the next you can’t stand touching me.”

  Silence hung heavily and his brow furrowed. His lack of response was more infuriating than anything else and it made Kai want to scream.

  “Will we be staying with all of your former lovers while we’re on the lam? Because if that’s the case, then perhaps we should shack up with some of my exes,” Kai prodded. “Ya know... just to even the playing field.”

  His expression hardened and his eyes flashed red, but Kai didn’t retreat. Asmodeus placed both hands on the doorway on either side of her, leaned close, his face just inches from hers. His masculine scent filled her head and, in spite of the situation, her body responded. Desire washed through her and it took some serious self-control to keep from jumping his bones right there on the porch, but she held her ground.

  “If you want to stay alive, then you will do exactly as I say and you will go wherever I tell you to. You will not leave my sight for one second until we get that ring off your finger and give it to the Brotherhood.” Asmodeus leaned closer, his lips just a breath from hers and his voice dropped to a whisper. “And just to be clear, the last place on earth we will be going, is anywhere near any man who has touched you.”

  “Careful, Asmodeus,” Kai murmured. “Your demon is showing.” Before he could respond, Kai stepped back and slammed the door in his face.

  Chapter Seven

  Asmodeus stared out the front window of Isadora’s cabin, watching for any sign of the Fae—or the Brotherhood for that matter. But, so far, the only movement had been a few vultures circling high above the desert. It was shades of beige and brown as far as the eye could see and the clear blue sky had barely a cloud in it. He glanced over his right shoulder toward the closed bedroom door for the tenth time in as many minutes. Kai was taking a shower and it seemed like she had been in there forever.

  He glanced at Isadora and smiled as he watched her stir whatever she was cooking up in the two enormous iron pots. Knowing her, it was some k
ind of potion, or part of a spell. She’d been a real beauty in her day and though they’d been lovers, she was one of the only women he’d actually remained friends with.

  Isadora was a witch and spent most of her years traveling with a circus as a fortuneteller but this little place had been in her family for generations and he knew this was where she’d settled down.

  Asmodeus was certain if anyone could help them, it would be her. Isadora was one of the most talented witches he’d ever encountered. She could have been one of the High Priestesses on the Witches Council but never pursued it, although he wasn’t sure why.

  The main room of the cabin was sparsely furnished with a table and chairs at the center and a soft armchair by the stone fireplace. A woven rug covered much of the worn, wood floorboards and the walls were decorated with various masks and charms. Bundles of dried herbs and several ceramic jars lined the thick, wooden mantle, which was scarred from years of use.

  Normally, her Book of Spells was perched at the center of the mantle but Isadora had it open on the table. She’d been scouring it since they’d arrived and found two spells that might work to remove the ring. As soon as Kai emerged from the bedroom, Isadora was going to give them a try.

  “Looks like I’m not the only one who’s changed,” Isadora chuckled as she stirred her potions on the stove. She tapped the wooden spoon on the edge of one of the cast iron pots and laughed out loud. “You are not the man or demon I knew all those years ago.”

  “I’m not sure what you’re getting at,” Asmodeus responded without looking at her. He moved to the other window and pushed the lace curtain aside as he continued to keep watch.

  “Yes, you do.” Isadora crossed to the small wooden table and sat in a well- worn chair with a sound of relief. “It’s the girl or, to be more specific, it’s your feelings for her.”