by Grey, T. A.
When the door unlocked the next morning, she followed the golden haired demon and the redheaded demon solemnly downstairs. She felt like she was walking her last steps to the death chamber. Only, they wouldn’t kill her. No, they wanted to use her. Her hands were slick with sweat and she wiped them repeatedly down her pants. They led her down a different hallway this time and into a room big enough to be a ballroom. It looked like it could hold many long tables but it was devoid of anything--save many demons standing around the sides of the room. Their gazes were on her immediately, traveling over her body in a way that made her skin crawl. She wanted Alrik so badly she felt physically ill with it. Her stomach clenched and she swore if she but bent over she’d vomit.
Aidan waited at the front of the room. He looked every bit the commander standing tall, his chin up. His eyes smoldered at her. The two guards let go of her in front of him then took positions on either side of the room with the others.
“What’s going on?” she asked. She had a feeling she knew but she had to hear it.
“Today we will hold a challenge for the rights of the human, Abbigail,” Aidan announced in a loud, ringing voice. The demons murmured to each other.
An excited energy floated in the air. The men wore no shirts. They stretched their arms and bounced on their feet in anticipation. They actually wanted to do this.
A part of her hoped that maybe they wouldn’t really want to participate in the events. Maybe they’d realize how crazy this was or that she wasn’t all that attractive. Maybe.
As a simultaneous roar whooped from the men, her hopes were quickly dashed.
“Abbigail,” her gaze went to Aidan. He was speaking to her and no one else. “Today we will fight but not to the death.” That didn’t relieve her in the least. “The winner will become your new master.”
She shook her head in denial. “I won’t do it. I won’t touch any of you.”
Anger flashed in his eyes. “You must.”
She crossed her arms and took a step back. “Unless you plan to force me, I won’t take any of you. Ever. And I’ll fight every single moment of it.” She said it with every bit of energy inside her.
Her words must have registered because unease flickered in his gaze. “And just what would it take for you to accept us?”
Her eyebrows rose. He gave her an option? She thought quickly. Then it hit her. “If you win me will you let me go? I don’t belong here. I want to go home.” She left out the part about Alrik kidnapping her. For some reason she didn’t want to say anything that might make him look bad. Right now, he was the better choice by a long shot.
He slowly shook his head and her hopes crashed to the floor. He wouldn’t let her go. “I can’t do that,” he said almost gently, “we need you. More than you could ever know.” Her breath caught. Maybe if things were different, if she was someone different meeting him under different circumstances, she could like him. But he wasn’t Alrik and he would never free her.
“Then let Alrik fight in the challenge.” The words burst from her mouth before she thought twice about it.
Aidan jerked in surprise, and then he laughed low and deep. “Never.”
“That’s my choice. Let him have his chance. Without him, I wouldn’t even be here. Let him have his chance to win me.”
He ground his jaw, irritation creasing his forehead. “Why should I do that?”
It hurt to say it. Her body physically rebelled at the idea. “Because if you do then I’ll willingly let the winner take me.” Her voice nearly broke saying it. It was a huge promise to make.
His eyes flared, lips flattened as he contemplated it.
A demon standing on the side stepped forward. “What is taking so long? I wish to start this and claim my prize!”
“Silence!” commanded Aidan.
Other demons started speaking out until the entire room filled with an aggressive, hostile energy. Aidan eyed his men, his jaw working hard, and then he looked back down at her.
“I will do this for you under one condition.”
Her breath caught. “What’s that?”
He didn’t answer, just grabbed her hand, and pulled her towards a door behind him. To the room he shouted, “Give us a minute. She needs to be convinced.” That didn’t sound good.
She had a feeling he was lying but didn’t say anything. The door shut behind them, muting out the bellows of rage and anger shouted after them. Aidan led her deep into the castle until they came upon another door. Inside he locked it with a piece of wood barring the door by two metal rungs.
He turned to her and she balled her hands into fists. “And what exactly do you want?”
He let out an uneasy laugh. He reached for her and though she flinched, he grabbed her shoulders. His eyes bore into hers. She had no choice but to look back at him. “You swear to follow through with your promise?”
“Yes,” she said though her voice wavered.
He released her and walked in an agitated circle, running his hand through his shaggy black hair. “I am not like the others.”
She’d noticed but didn’t say so.
He faced her, his eyes locking on hers. “I am not a demon.”
One of her eyebrow’s rose. “Then what are you?”
The corner of his mouth quirked up but it wasn’t quite a smile; more a sad, mocking look. “I am a vampire.”
She swallowed hard. Her suspicions had proven right. She didn’t feel particularly good about being right on this. “Okay.”
“I haven’t drunk from a fresh source...in so long.”
She heard the longing and the agony in his voice. It pulled at her heartstrings. Maybe she was too nice for her own good because it didn’t bode well for her to feel anything positive for her captor. Shoot, she’d already royally screwed that up with Alrik. She felt way more for him than a captive ever should about her captor.
“What do you normally drink?”
His smile turned bitter but his gaze roamed over her face with hunger before settling on her neck. Even hidden by her hair she felt his gaze scorch her. “Blood of animals. The men know what I am. You give me this and I’ll let the fallen king participate in the challenge.”
She tensed but her heart started racing. “Give you what exactly?”
His voice almost gentled. He tucked her hair behind her ear pushing it over her shoulder to reveal her neck. A body part so common had never felt so vulnerable until now. His gaze found her neck and she swore he could see her pulse pounding wildly. “Your vein this once,” he said, his voice thick. “Give me this and I’ll abide your wish.”
Abby squirmed under his stare. Let him drink from her in order to have Alrik participate in the challenge? It could work to her advantage—if he won. If he didn’t—she’d be screwed, royally.
“Okay,” she agreed.
His mouth parted in surprise. A look that could almost be described as gentle hunger came over him as he stepped into her, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her flush against him. He cupped her cheek forcing her to meet his gaze. They were so close, the moment so intimate she felt as though she was standing naked in his arms. This moment felt more intimate than their kiss did. She felt bared down to her bones.
“You won’t hurt me?”
He shook his head slowly and for some reason she believed him. Maybe it was the sincerity in his eyes or just her instincts but in this she trusted him.
Gulping, she nodded and tilted her head to the side. “Then do it.”
His breathing turned heavy and loud. His lips touched her throat and she jumped, her eyelids squeezing tight. His tongue darted out to lick a warm wet path up her neck. She shivered, unable to stifle it. The sensation was pleasant, might have been nice if coming from someone else. Someone like Alrik.
His hands were gentle on her as he wrapped himself around her as if trying to get as close as physically possible. He cupped her jaw, tilting her head back. She felt so exposed and weak in his grasp. His lips pressed a soft kiss to her neck.
His warm breath sent a shiver racing down her spine.
Panting, she waited for him to make his move. But he seemed to be savoring the moment, taking his time. His tongue passed over her and then two hard points pressed against her. She heard him inhale her scent.
She stiffened just as he struck. A fleeting moment of pain as her skin broke then a warmth built in her beginning at the bite then radiating outwards to all points of her body. She could feel the sucking sensation working at her neck and it was more erotic than she could ever have guessed. But it was all wrong, coming from the wrong man. She didn’t want to like anything he did to her.
Moisture flooded between her thighs and her hands flew to his shoulders to hold on. Her lips parted and he groaned a deep, vibrating sound that shivered over her skin. Time seemed to speed up because he broke away too soon. Her hands still held him. She didn’t want to let him go. Her eyes were slow to open but when she looked at him, she saw barely restrained desire lurking in his eyes.
“If I don’t stop now, I’ll take your body right here.”
She shivered, the idea now actually sounding quite good. His bite had done all that? She was practically a quivering puddle of need. Wet and needy, nipples hard and wanting to be touched. She pressed fingertips to the wound and looked at them only to find no blood. She gazed at him in question.
“My saliva heals the wound after I feed.” His voice was much deeper, a sexy rumble.
Abby swallowed hard and nodded fast. “Okay, it’s done. Let’s get out of here.” She had to because right now what her body craved and what she wanted was two entirely different things. Moreover, a nagging guilt filled her as if she’d done something wrong. Like she’d cheated on Alrik... She shook her head to rid the negative thought. They’d never done more than share a kiss, she reminded herself.
Aidan’s dark gaze bore into hers as if he could read her thoughts. “I’ll win this and then we’ll finish this,” he promised.
She almost believed him. Almost.
Because she knew Alrik would win and she hadn’t wanted anything so badly in a long, long time. The sooner he won, the sooner she could feel his mouth on hers. She wanted him, craved him, and needed him to appease the hunger stirring deep inside her. She froze, realizing her own thoughts. What in the world was wrong with her?
Aidan scowled. “You think of another now. Who? The king,” he spat the word as if it tasted disgusting.
Abby didn’t dare say anything.
Jaw clenched tight, Aidan grabbed her hand and led her back into the hall. The men were even more restless now.
Aidan made her sit in a throne-like chair at the front of the hall. “Stay here.” To the room he said, “Bring the fallen king up here.”
The men didn’t move and all conversation ceased. The blonde-haired demon who’d escorted her from her room this morning stepped forward. Disbelief marred his handsome face. “What say you?”
“The woman says she’ll not accept any of us under any condition unless he’s allowed to fight for a chance. So be it.”
“This is ridiculous,” cut another demon.
Aidan’s body stiffened in a lethal way as if trying to keep from physically launching at the man. “We are not rapists. We have her promise and she’ll abide by it. Besides,” now she could hear the taunting laughter in his voice, “we finally have our chance to beat the king once and for all. And fairly.”
Some of the demons started nodding and smiling. Another came forward. “I agree. Let him fight us. He won’t beat us. Too long has he sat upon a throne while we’ve battled. He won’t win against us.”
Others started murmuring their agreement and then the matter was settled.
Four guards split to go retrieve Alrik. Abby fidgeted in her seat feeling strangely nervous at the thought of seeing him again. A minute later Alrik came in. Each of the four guards struggled to keep hold of him. He lurched and jerked against them and the guards barely seemed to keep hold of him. She wanted to smile but kept her lips in check.
As soon as he entered the room, his gaze found hers. Fury burned in his eyes. She flinched thinking he knew what she’d done with Aidan then remembered it wasn’t aimed at her. Still, she had to fight the urge not to rub at the spot where she’d been bitten.
Aidan strode back towards her. He dared to rest his hand on her shoulder as if they were friends...or lovers. “We’ve reached an agreement, fallen king Alrik. You will fight in the challenge with us. Winner takes the human Abbigail.”
She could see the change come over Alrik. His body suddenly relaxed and an eager glint came to his eyes. A slow, cruel smile split his lips. “As you wish,” he said.
Abby shivered at the promise in his voice, but apparently nobody else heard the threat or if they did they weren’t bothered by it.
An hour later, Abbigail sat glued to the edge of her seat, her hands squeezing tight to the seat, and her entire body leaning forward at the action. She’d never seen anything like this. She’d thought the challenge would be orderly, regulated. Perhaps one on one and the winner proceeds to the neck round.
No, no, no. She was wrong, very wrong.
At the order “go” from Aidan, the men set loose amongst each other. Magic bursts flared, flashed, and scorched as punches, kicks and elbows were thrown. Blood splattered the floor making it look like someone had taken a bucket of fake blood and thrown it on the floor to make it look like a fake crime scene. Or even a real one. She’d seen a few that were this bloody. But to see the crime, so to speak, take place was...utterly riveting.
She didn’t know why but she couldn’t take her eyes off the sight of tall, strong, healthy men beating the crap out of each other. They fought as if their lives were on the line. Ignoring the fact that their lives weren’t on the line and they were fighting over her, Abby barely blinked. Time kept passing and those who were hurt and didn’t get up were dragged out of the makeshift ‘arena’ by others who’d been taken out.
Not only was it terrifying to see such brutal violence—the men held nothing back—they pummeled each other with all their mighty strength and called up deadly spells. Screams and grunts echoed in the hall. This bizarre excitement must have been what it felt like to sit in a gladiator arena. It was awful watching bones break and blood spurt but it was thrilling at the same time. Her heart felt like it could beat right out of her chest at any moment. After a while, she stopped wincing at every awful sound and bloody spurt and grew used to it.
And, Alrik was winning.
She couldn’t stop the swell of pride in her chest. Her man was winning!
Her gaze had barely left him the entire fight. Most ganged up on him at first, but he’d taken down many. He was surprisingly swift and lethal using a combination of spells, elbows, and knees to his advantage. He used the hardest of his bones and was probably responsible for most of the blood on the floor. The men eventually stopped targeting him as they turned on each other, each desperate for the prize. She stifled a nasty shiver at that thought.
Yet, on the opposite side of the arena, slowly working his way in was Aidan. He moved so fast she barely saw him. It was the vampirism that made him fast and agile. One man with short black hair stood against him, legs parted, knees bent, his fists clenched and a stoic expression on his face. They were at a face off.
Aidan swept behind him in a haze so fast she barely saw it. Really all she made out was the black blur of his long hair. He made it behind the demon and kicked out both the demon’s knees, but as the demon collapsed to the ground, he spun around fast, and with a scissor kick took Aidan down with him.
The fight turned brutal then, as if it already wasn’t. The men grappled hand to hand. Necks straining as one choked the other, knees and chests shifting each trying to gain the upper hand and toss the other below him. They flipped and rolled. Aidan came out on top. The demon squeezed tree-trunk sized legs around his waist and she sucked in a breath as if her own oxygen was being squeezed from her. Aidan’s face turned red, his nostrils flared.
Finally, he slid his hands up and through the grip on his neck, grabbed the demon’s wrists and bent them backwards. The demon below him howled at the cracking sound. Even Abby flinched as his wrists flopped uselessly. Aidan stood, ready to move on to another foe as the demon was dragged off by the other losers.
This was way too exciting. Just what was wrong with her? She shouldn’t enjoy these grown, handsome, scary men fighting for her, but she totally did. Sick as it was, this was the coolest thing she’d ever witnessed in her life.
The fighting continued and no surprise to her, but Alrik and Aidan were down to the last five. Three demons stood between them but she knew where this was going. Judging by the demon’s quieting around the arena as they watched, they knew it too. They halted their jeers and cheers to watch the fight.
Alrik spoke deep and low, fast. Black skeletal fingers grew out of the ground and climbed up the demon launching at him. The demon screamed, his eyes widening with terror at the black, bony arms. They were attached to nobody yet seemed to slow him down. He fought them, grabbing them and throwing them to the ground but they kept coming. Alrik must have known the man had just lost because he turned and engaged the next demon, this time using pure strength with teeth-jarring kicks and crunching punches.
Abby’s gaze darted from one fight to the other. Aidan fought against the other demon. The demon was good and held his own against Aidan’s moves—he’d made it this far for a reason.
Alrik seemed to be slowing down, his movements not as fast as they’d been when he started. Not that she could blame him, after an hour of full-on war she’d be exhausted let alone still able to fight.
The demon Alrik had fought fell to the ground screaming as the black hands covered every inch of him. Finally, he screamed, “I’m out!”
At once the hands stopped then slithered back into the ground through some invisible force.
Now only four were left. She knew this would happen the second this all started. It would come down to Alrik and Aidan, two strong and passionate men.