by Opal Carew
“I—what happened?” Kai held the covers to her chest, even though she was still fully dressed, she felt insecure and exposed. “Where are we, anyway?”
“Larrun Mountain in France.” A small woman with short red hair stepped forward and gave Kai a warm smile. Her emerald green dress was similar in style to the blonde’s, but made of satin. It covered her petite frame perfectly and matched the green in her wide-set eyes. Her voice was edged with an Irish brogue. “Technically we’re deep within the mountain. I’m Alisha, by the way. Rosalyn and I are secretaries to the Witches Council.”
“What?” Kai looked at the windows and pointed. “If we’re inside the mountain, how can I possibly see the sunshine or the sky?”
“It’s a spell.” Asmodeus crossed around to the other side of Kai’s bed but kept his burning gaze on the three witches. “Like their appearances, what you see isn’t what you get.” His tone softened and his eyes flickered back to blue when he turned his attention to Kai. “You fainted as soon as we arrived and have been passed out for half an hour.”
“What’s the last thing you remember?” Isadora asked.
“I—I’m not sure.” Kai’s eyebrows knit together as she tried to recall the jumbled memories. “We were in Isadora’s house and then it felt like we were flying but then the floor was under my feet again. Asmodeus, I remember feeling your hands on my face... “
“It doesn’t matter,” Asmodeus interrupted, his tone both urgent and impatient. “What’s done is done. How long until they will see us?”
“It matters to me.” Kai shot him an irritated look.
“Not surprised you fainted,” Isadora said with a reassuring pat on Kai’s leg. “The first time you travel that way can be a doozy. I puked after my first trip and Rosalyn almost wet her pants.”
“Enough,” Rosalyn snapped. Hands clasped behind her back, she stood at the end of the bed looking at Kai like she was a bug that needed to be squashed. “You aren’t a full-blooded witch and that’s probably why your reaction was so extreme. Could be the Fae blood causing the trouble or her human blood. What a mess.”
“Rosalyn,” Alisha said in a reprimanding tone. “She’s our guest and a friend of Isadora’s.”
“Yes. A friend who is wearing the Ring of Solomon.” Rosalyn’s eyes flared with anger and sent a chill up Kai’s spine. “She doesn’t even know what to do with it. All that power and little knowledge will add up to nothing but trouble.”
“I have no interest in controlling Hell,” Kai shot back. She hated being bullied and that’s exactly what this witch was trying to do. Kai sat up and pushed the covers aside while glancing briefly at Asmodeus. “I am, however, interested in learning how to control whatever powers I have, finding out what it means to be a Custodian of the Light, and figure out why this damn ring won’t come off my hand.”
An odd tingling sensation flickered over Kai’s flesh as all the tiny hairs on her body stood on end. Anger and frustration clawed at her and a funny buzzing sound filled her head as she broke out in a sweat.
“Kai?” Asmodeus’ tone was quiet. “Take a deep breath and calm down.”
“Why?” Kai’s hands balled into fists as heat crawled up her back and the ring burned against her skin. She slipped off the edge of the bed as all three of the witches took a step back but Asmodeus moved closer, his body heat pulsing over her in thick waves. “I want answers but I keep fainting like some old lady,” she said with a nod in Rosalyn’s direction. “And this broad’s attitude isn’t helping.”
“She needs to learn some control before she hurts someone.” Rosalyn’s face paled and she inched closer to Alisha as she glanced between Kai and Asmodeus. “Do something about her, Isadora.”
“Why are you acting like you’re afraid of me if I’m just some Fae-witch mutt?” Tingling heat throbbed in Kai’s chest as her impatience grew. “Aren’t you the ancient powerful witches?”
“It’s not you,” Isadora said in a calm, even voice. She nodded toward Kai’s hands. “It’s the ring. We have no idea what you can do with it or what it can do with you.”
“I’ve seen what she can do,” Asmodeus murmured as he continued to inch closer. “And so has she. That fairy man is probably still passed out in the barn.”
“Oh shit,” Kai whispered.
Her heart pounded in her chest like a jackhammer as stomach-churning power pumped through her veins. Kai glanced down at her hands and saw that her aura glowed bright red and the ring was engulfed in a blinding layer of white light that was slowly spreading over her fingers. She swallowed hard and fought the fear that crept in and, just when she thought she was going to lose it, Asmodeus loomed largely in front of her.
“Look at me, Kai,” he said firmly. Red eyes gleaming beneath a dark furrowed brow, his huge frame towered over her. Most anyone else would probably have been frightened of this larger than life man but seeing him there, with his calm, commanding presence, Kai was actually relieved. “Steady your breathing and focus all of your energy on me.”
“What is he doing?” Rosalyn hissed.
“What he has to do,” Isadora murmured.
The women were saying something else Kai could barely hear them. Their voices faded away, as though she and Asmodeus were the only ones left in the room. Keeping all of her attention on him, staring into his resolute expression, Kai knew he was an immovable force. Strong. Steady. Unrelenting. Somehow, looking into that ruggedly handsome face, she knew everything would be okay.
Unable to speak, afraid that weird light might come flying out of her mouth and incinerate everyone, Kai nodded. Asmodeus raised his hands, with his palms facing her and encouraged her to do the same. Shaking with an energy that was barely contained, Kai lifted her quivering hands and while saying a silent prayer, laid her palms flat against his.
The instant their flesh touched, a streak of lightning whizzed beneath her skin and the buzzing in her head grew louder. She watched with fascination as her bright red aura flickered up his arms and engulfed him with astonishing speed. The white light on the ring crept over the red and began to soften the glow.
Kai focused on slowing her breathing down and tuned into the thundering beat of her own heart. Bit by bit, and with every pump of blood, her body cooled and the glow around them fluttered to a pale yellow. The buzzing in her head subsided and the hint of a smile played at Asmodeus’ lips as his eyes flickered back to blue.
“Better?” He asked as he dropped his hands, breaking their connection.
“Yes,” Kai murmured, looking him up and down. She stepped back to get a good look at him, unsure if she what she was seeing was real. “Whoa.”
“What is it?” Asmodeus peered at her warily.
“Even though I’m not touching you... Asmodeus you still have an aura.” Kai pointed at him and a smile spread over her face. “It’s faint but it’s there. You have a—”
Just as the words escaped her lips, the soft yellow light around him flickered and went out. It was as if someone came along and blew out a flame.
“I can’t have an aura if you’re not touching me,” he said quickly. “It’s not possible.”
“Damn it,” Kai growled in frustration. She cocked her head and squinted but still nothing. “It’s gone.”
“It was probably just some residue from helping you channel the energy of the ring,” Asmodeus bit out. He turned his back on Kai and faced the three witches, who Kai had practically forgotten were there. “How soon until Willow and the rest of the Council will see us?”
The three women were staring at Kai and Asmodeus as if they’d just sprouted horns. Rosalyn and Alisha looked frightened, but Isadora was obviously intrigued.
“I will have to see them first,” Isadora said. She tossed her long raven hair over her shoulder and winked at Kai. “Nothing those three bitches love more than a little ass-kissing. You two stay here and I’ll come get you when it’s your turn to pucker up. Give me about an hour.”
Rosalyn opened the massive mahogany d
oor and held it as Alisha and Isadora whisked out into the hallway. She started to leave but stopped just before closing it. Rosalyn’s long, bony fingers lingered on the brass knob as she leveled a wicked gaze at Kai.
“In case you were thinking of wandering off, we’ve bewitched the room. You can’t leave until we come retrieve you. It’s for your own safety.” Rosalyn slammed the door and Kai heard a lock slip into place with a sickening thump. She ran to the door but just as she reached it the entire door vanished, and Kai found herself pounding on the rough, cold stones of a wall.
Chapter Nine
“Damn it,” Kai hissed. She spun around and leaned against the cool stones as she locked eyes with Asmodeus. Her stomach flip-flopped as those blue eyes studied her intently. “Looks like we’re not going anywhere right now.”
“No.” The muscles in his chest flexed and his hands curled into fists. “Not yet. But believe me, if I wanted to get us out of here I could.”
“So why don’t you?” Kai folded her arms over her breasts, the charms on her skirt jingling as she moved. “I’m not so sure I trust anyone other than Isadora.”
“We’re not going anywhere until we see the High Priestesses and find out what they know.”
“You mean, if they know.”
“They know something.” Asmodeus looked away from her and went to the fireplace. Staring into the flames and leaning both hands on the enormous mantle, his body was taut and tense. “Did you see the way Rosalyn and Alisha reacted to the fact that you’re wearing the ring? Believe me, they’re privy to information we need but I’m running short on patience and we’re running short on time.”
The amber light of the fire flickered over his long, powerful body making him look as though he himself were on fire. Silence settled between them as she thought about the way he absorbed her aura and wondered why he didn’t have one to begin with.
“Asmodeus?” Kai pushed herself away from the wall and the charms on her skirt jingled. Slowly, she closed the distance between them until she was only a few inches away. “Why don’t you have an aura?”
He didn’t look at her but his entire body stiffened and the ropy muscles of his arms bulged as he gripped the mantle tighter. The log in the fire crackled and snapped as the flames ate away at it and it reminded Kai of how it felt when the power of the ring surged through her.
“I have no soul,” he murmured. “You asked me once, what kind of childhood I had. Well, I didn’t. The Brotherhood—all seven of us—we were created specifically to deal with the souls of the damned.”
Kai stared at him in stunned silence. How could this man believe he had no soul? He’d shown her nothing but kindness and protected her. It made no sense.
“I don’t believe it,” Kai said firmly. She stepped closer, the heat of his body mixed with the fire and washed over her enticingly. Breathing in his masculine scent, she moved her body so the fabric of her skirt brushed against his legs. “Not a chance.”
“What you believe is irrelevant,” he ground out through clenched teeth.
“You saved me, Asmodeus.” Kai trailed one finger along his forearm and the moment her flesh met his, his body flinched. She smiled as the yellow light of her aura flickered over his arm and engulfed him even faster than before. Kai paused for a moment but when he didn’t pull away she continued. “How can you think you don’t have a soul?” Kai murmured as the pad of her finger whispered against the crook of his elbow and followed the path of the tattoo, the hair on his arms rasping temptingly beneath her skin. She inched closer, her nipples poking through the thin fabric as they brushed against him. “You could have dragged me back to the Underworld or called on some minions to kill me and take the ring... but you didn’t. You’ve protected me, shown me kindness and patience. You may be a demon, Asmodeus but you aren’t soulless.”
“Yes, I am.” Asmodeus pushed himself away from the mantle and spun to face her. He loomed over her, muscles straining, hands clenched, looking feral and dangerous but Kai held her ground. “Demons—the Brotherhood—we feed on the souls of the damned. Every day, when a new flock of pathetic, cursed creatures come through the gates of Hell, we are there to greet them. I fill up on their energy like a spiritual leech and when a new day dawns, I’m empty again, waiting to feed on the next batch.”
“Then why do you get an aura when I touch you?” Hands on her hips, her chin tilted at him defiantly, she got right in his face. “And why does it scare the shit out of you? What’s the matter?” Kai poked him in the chest but he didn’t budge. “Afraid I’ll take your demon juju away and rule your world with this stupid ring?”
“No, you impossible woman,” Asmodeus growled. He leaned close, almost touching her. His mouth hovered a breath away from hers as his deep, gravelly voice surrounded her. “It’s not me I’m worried about. It’s you. Every time I touch you, I’m stealing a little bit of your soul. Don’t you understand? I’m feeding on you—on your soul. You should be running in the other direction and remember the warning your mother gave you about the Dark Ones.”
“I’m not afraid of you, Asmodeus.” Kai barely recognized the husky, needy sound of her voice. She leaned in and gasped as her sensitized nipples brushed against him and heat pooled between her legs. Her entire body throbbed with desire and unsatisfied lust. “And the last thing I want to do is stay away from you. In fact, all I can think about is touching you. Maybe it’s because you’re the Demon of Lust or maybe it’s because you’re the single most attractive man I’ve met. But whatever the reason... I want you, Asmodeus.”
Kai slid her hands up his arms and draped one leg around his, the charms on her skirt tinkling in the air like angelic music. She pulled her body tighter against him and the growing evidence of his desire, but his arms remained at his side. His body tensed beneath her touch and the ring burned against her flesh as the flames of desire consumed her.
“I know you wouldn’t hurt me,” Kai whispered against his cheek, the stubble on his chin creating delicious friction against her lips. “Touch me. Please, Asmodeus. I want to feel your hands on me.”
“I don’t want to hurt you,” he growled.
“Then don’t deny me the one thing I’m asking for.”
Arms still at his side, Asmodeus leaned back and looked her in the eye. His square jaw was set and two red slashes glowed at her beneath a dark brow. His erection throbbed against her stomach and Kai felt as though every single nerve ending in her body was primed and ready to explode. She held her breath and for a split second, she thought he was going to shove her away as he had before.
Not this time.
In a blur, his mouth crashed to hers and Kai let out a sigh of pure pleasure as their tongues met. He tasted like sin, sex, lust, and all that goes with it. Kai moaned as his strong hands slipped beneath the edge of her blouse. His hot flesh seared against her as his long fingers splayed against the small of her back and branded her as his with every stroke.
It was a frenzy of lips, tongues, and teeth, as they tasted one another with all the pent up frustration from the past twenty-four hours. Kai held his head in both hands, angling so she could delve deep. His tongue teased along hers, demanding and taking everything she had to give.
Without breaking the kiss, Asmodeus scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the bed. Paying thorough attention to her mouth, he laid her down and settled his much larger body over hers. Kai moaned contentedly as the hot, hard length of him settled between her legs in just the right spot.
He suckled her lip and kissed the corner of her mouth before placing both hands on either side of her head, as he held himself above her.
“You are beautiful, Kai Kelly.” The deep and seductive tone of his voice, combined with the lustful look in his eyes, made her shiver. A wicked grin cracked his handsome face as he ground himself against her with just enough pressure to make her gasp. “There’s only one way you could be even more exquisite than you are now.”
“Oh really?” Kai breathed as she arched against
him, itching for more. More of his touch. His taste. More of him. She wanted to lick and nibble every sinful inch of him. Kai smiled as she ran her hands up his arms and along the tattoo before slipping her fingertips beneath the edge of the t-shirt sleeves. “How?”
“When I make you scream,” he whispered between kisses along her throat. Kai shivered in anticipation, her body taut and ready, she turned her head giving him access to the sensitive skin. “I want to make you come, Kai. So tell me what you like.”
Kai wanted to answer him but she couldn’t form a coherent thought, let alone a sentence. She couldn’t think. All she could do was feel. Her body hummed with energy, with life... power. With every kiss, stroke, and whisper of flesh against flesh, Kai was more alive than ever before.
As he trailed kisses along her collarbone and his hands encircled her waist, she knew Asmodeus wasn’t taking her soul. If anything, he was nourishing it.
Rising to his knees, he straddled her on the soft, billowy bed as he removed her peasant blouse. A low growl rumbled in his chest when he set eyes on her bare breasts and the sound of it made Kai shiver.
He needed this as much as she did.
“You’re perfect,” he whispered as he trailed his fingers over her breasts and rasped the pad of his thumb across her erect nipples. “Soft, curvy and womanly.”
“And yours for the taking,” Kai murmured.
She sat up and kissed him again, pleasure whisking over her as her breasts crushed against his chest and the cotton of his t-shirt rasped over her sensitized nipples. His hands cradled her head with breathtaking tenderness as she slid her fingers beneath the edge of his t-shirt. Kai moaned against his mouth as the muscles of his back rippled beneath her hands. Impatient, wanting to feel his flesh against hers, Kai shoved his shirt up and sighed as their bodies met.
Asmodeus tossed his shirt aside and flipped onto his back, pulling Kai on top of him. She sat on the hard, pulsing evidence of desire and writhed against him as their tongues tangled, but it wasn’t enough.