Demon Untamed (Shadow Quest Book 4)

by Kiersten Fay

  Sonya introduced herself, unable to keep from peeking inside as she did so. There were multicolored vials lined across every surface in the room—the table, shelves, even along the floor. Each appeared to emanate their own ghostly light, bathing the walls in a vast array of color.

  Portia stepped into the hallway, allowing the door to slide shut behind her. “Just a few experiments,” she explained, “to keep up with my craft.”

  Sonya gave a polite, somewhat forced smile. She had no idea how Serakian magic worked and didn’t really care to find out. “I came to ask if you would like to share the morning meal with me.”

  “Very kind of you, but are you sure? Most of the ship’s inhabitants have been avoiding me.”

  It was no secret that most everybody on the ship wished the Serakian away. They were an ominous and secretive people, crafty and inquisitive. Many believed they gathered information like currency. To what end? Nobody knew.

  “Just keep your spells off me and we won’t have any problems,” Sonya replied.

  “Likewise, keep your weird mate-boding to yourself.”

  Sonya grinned. “I can’t promise anything. You look like a real catch.”

  “Well, if that isn’t the gods’ honest truth. Give me a moment to recess my projects, and we’ll be on our way.”

  As the door opened for Portia, an odd gust billowed from the room. “Uh, I’ll wait out here, if you don’t mind.”

  Portia nodded. “Good idea.”

  After Portia reemerged, they stopped by Kyra’s chambers to see if she and the Earthling would like to accompany them. Zoey was nowhere to be found, but Kyra agreed to go along.

  The salon was brimming with an unusually large number of people waiting for an empty table as Anya raced back and forth to fill orders, appearing frazzled.

  Portia glanced around. “Is there some fantastic dish I should be aware of?”

  “Not that I know of,” Sonya replied.

  Anya spotted them and hurried over, winding around impatient crew members.

  “Why is it so busy in here?” Sonya inquired.

  “Marik had to step away for a minute. Something about a meeting in the training room.”

  “A meeting?” Sonya repeated. In the training room? That was unusual. “Who’s cooking then?”

  Anya grimaced. “Myself and Nadua.” A loud crash emanated from the galley, followed by a string of curses. “Oh, I think she burnt herself again.” Anya rushed away, promising to return with something edible.

  Sonya’s brow wrinkled. Marik never left his post for a typical meeting—was never called in for one, in fact—and in the training room of all places?

  When Anya emerged with a tray of three steaming bowls, Sonya asked, “What’s the meeting about?”

  Anya’s head tilted to one side. “I thought you would have known about it.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “Because when Bastian and Cale came to get Marik, I heard your name mentioned.”

  “My name?” Sonya’s chest constricted as Jade’s smirking face flashed into her mind. The chit couldn’t be that stupid…

  “Yeah, and Ethan’s. I figured…” Anya studied her, probably sensing the flood of rage that was working its way through Sonya’s brain. “What is it?”

  She balled her fists. “I will kill them.”

  Chapter 24

  “Bullocks!” Cale bellowed after his third attempt at a sneak attack from Ethan’s blind spot. Ethan was tempted to tell him it wouldn’t matter if they’d blind folded him. He could still pinpoint their positions on the mat.

  Like the flip of a switch, the mood shifted, and the demons straightened.

  Ethan’s attention went to the doorway where Sonya, Kyra, and the witchling stood gaping at them. Sonya’s eyes burned fiery red while her fangs looked ready to gouge out all their throats.

  What was wrong with him that he found that attractive?

  “What do you think you are doing?” she snarled.

  Sebastian huffed. “Look at you. It’s true, isn’t it?”

  “No!” Sonya countered with a disturbing amount of venom. “It’s none of your business.”

  “Of course it’s our business. We look out for you.”

  Sonya seemed to grow even more furious. “I resent that! I can take care of myself. And I don’t appreciate you trying to scare away the only guy who’s ever had the guts to sleep with me.”

  Everyone went still as a heavy dose of shock swept the room. Ethan was now sure none of them had known she’d been untouched before him. Just as he was sure, judging by the fierce protective intent pouring off Sonya, that he was indeed her mate. Not that he’d had much doubt, even if she did wish to deny it.

  “What?” Sebastian barked.

  “You heard me. You scare away any guy who merely looks at me. And don’t tell me it’s not on purpose.”

  “Of course it’s on purpose,” Sebastian replied matter-of-factly. “But we never thought we actually succeeded.”

  Sonya frowned.

  “Yeah,” Cale added. “We just figured you were really discreet.”

  She reared back, face twisting as though she’d just had the wind knocked out of her.

  Her expression pained Ethan. Struck by the strong need to comfort her, he came up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders.

  A sudden and undeniable realization slammed into him.

  He would always move to stand by her, even if she rejected him in the end.

  The demons studied him for a moment, as if his thoughts were telegraphed all over his face. In turn, they each gave a single nod.

  Sonya bristled. “You’re approving? You think I’m going to claim him?”

  “You’re not?” Cale hissed, as if that were an affront to him instead of Ethan.

  “Why? So I can end up like you?” she spat.

  Cale’s lips peeled back, his eyes dangerously narrow.

  Sebastian moved between the two and faced Sonya. “You’re lucky to have a male who can take on three demons and walk away without a scratch. He’s one slippery son of a bitch.”

  “I don’t want that, and neither does he. Why would he, when he’s supposed to marry a princess.” Sonya gestured wildly at Kyra. Ethan had nearly forgotten she was there.

  Kyra’s jaw dropped. “What?”

  Before Ethan could comment, Sonya replied, tone softer, “Your father made a deal with him. You’re supposed to be married when this is over.”

  Kyra sank hopelessly to the floor, and a heavy layer of guilt twisted in Ethan’s gut. To him, the arrangement was moot, but she shouldn’t have found out like this.

  “I have a theory about all this,” Cale declared, drawing the attention of the room. His expression was unreadable, but Ethan sensed a dark roll of emotions billowing through him. “What are the odds that Sebastian and Marik find their mates so conveniently? And now Sonya…with a pirate?”

  Sonya opened her mouth, presumably to protest yet again, but Sebastian cut her off. “What are you saying?”

  “Our kind may be unnaturally attracted to Faieara.”

  Sebastian’s face hardened. “I love my mate.”

  “As do I,” Marik growled. Both seemed to be subtly cautioning Cale to tread carefully.

  Cale continued heedlessly. “That may be true, but it doesn’t change the facts. Think about it.”

  “What about you, Cale?” Sebastian challenged. “You were never attracted to Anya.”

  In a low, somewhat guilty tone, Cale answered, “Not like you were.”

  Sebastian’s irises burned, and his fists clenched, causing the knuckles to whiten.

  “Beat the shit out of me later, Bastian,” Cale bit out. “Marik, what about Rex? Rex and Nadua?”

  A dangerous silence followed the question before Marik replied, “If he was attracted to Nadua, he was wise enough not to tell me about it.”

  Cale then turned his gaze on Kyra, who was still slumped on the floor, her brows furrowed, eyes unseeing, skin pale
d. “I want her like I wanted…” He trailed off, but Ethan easily filled in the gap. Like he wanted his true mate. Cale continued, a hint of agony entering his voice. “But it’s not real. It can’t be. I’m mated and cannot possibly…I cannot truly be as attracted to her as I seem to be. I cannot want her at all.”

  Everyone was rendered speechless. Ethan knew he should say something to counter Cale’s claim, but what?

  Kyra pushed off the ground and scrambled from the room. Ethan wondered what had happened between her and Cale back on Earth, and how he could possibly not have seen this coming.

  No, he knew how. If he’d been paying attention to Kyra at all, he would have gleaned her feelings for Cale before now, and vice versa. He’d been so wrapped up in Sonya that he’d ignored his other duties. Aside from translating the book, the princesses needed guidance with their magic.

  “You should go after her, Cale,” Sonya said.

  Cale closed his eyes, and Ethan sensed he was struggling with the urge to do just that. “It would be heartless for me to further any contact between us.”

  “Well, you’ve got the heartless part correct,” Ethan retorted with intentional harshness. “Do you have any idea how many rugs just got pulled out from under her?”

  “Enlighten me, pirate,” Cale sneered back, instantly posturing for another fight.

  “Don’t talk to him like that,” Sonya snapped.

  Ethan’s brow rose, and he had to check a weirdly satisfied smile at the unexpected interference.

  “Only I can do that,” she continued, a little less zealous.

  Cale belted out a harsh laugh. “Don’t you see? It’s happening to you too. You of all people…with a pirate?”

  Ethan was growing tired of that word being used as a curse, as if he had some kind of disease. Exactly what was the issue, anyway? “Explain that,” he demanded.

  “Cale,” Sonya said with a warning in her tone.

  Ignoring her, Cale replied, “Our father was murdered by—”

  “Stop it!” she screamed.

  “She was there when—”

  Just as Ethan sensed Sonya ready to attack, Sebastian grabbed Cale around the back of his neck and yanked him out of the room.

  Marik crossed to follow them out, but paused and turned toward Sonya and Ethan. “Don’t listen to him. If Ethan truly is yours—”

  “He’s not…We’re not…” Sonya faltered, shoulders slumping.

  Marik shrugged. “Well, whatever this is”—he motioned toward Ethan—“don’t let your past influence you.” There was an edge of experience to his words. With that, Marik exited the room, leaving them alone.

  It took Sonya a moment to face Ethan fully.

  He could tell she didn’t want to talk about Cale’s comments and wouldn’t even if he asked. So instead, he decided to lighten the mood. “You rushed to my defense.” He grinned.

  Her chin jutted upward. “It’s not what you think. I just didn’t want to have to find a new employee for my pub while your guts were being scraped off the walls.”

  “Ah, of course. That makes more sense.” He moved closer, placing his hands on her hips. He was thoroughly surprised when she laid her forehead against his shoulder and sagged as though relieved.

  It felt too right to have her in his arms like this. His mind began to register every nuance of her body where it touched his.

  She muttered, “I don’t want to talk about it.”

  “I didn’t ask.” At least not yet.

  “You want to, though.”

  “Yes.” Knowing the small bit Cale had revealed made the guilt she felt for being with him understandable, but he wanted more. He wanted to know it all—so they could work past it.

  She changed the subject. “Do you think Cale is right? About…”

  “It’s something I’ve considered.”

  “You have?”

  “Yes, ever since I figured out you wanted to sink your teeth into me, and not just to tear out my throat.”

  She pulled back and narrowed her gaze. “That is never going to happen. I’d slit you from navel to nose before that happens.”

  “I’ve also figured out, the more you threaten my life, the more you want me.”

  “You’re delusional. And possibly masochistic,” she said, yet she smiled and flushed.

  “You may be right about that. It’s a good thing I heal fairly quickly.”

  Her head tilted to the side, expression quizzical. “How is it you’re so fast? I’ve never seen anyone dodge like that.”

  He grinned. “Another facet of my gift. A family trait, actually.” He paused, debating if he should continue. Maybe if he revealed something he’d held private for so long, she would return the favor. “I’m able to read intent.”

  After a moment of contemplation, she replied, “You cheat?”

  “Utilize my advantages,” he corrected. His hand slipped to the small of her back to pull her a bit closer.

  “Tell me then, what are my intentions at the moment?”

  It wasn’t difficult to discern. Blaring, in fact. “You intend not to let me kiss you right now, no matter how hard I try.”

  She smirked.

  “And I intend to do a lot more than just kiss you.”

  Her eyes widened with a hint of desire before they turned calculating. “Game on then.”

  She twirled out of his grip and moved back with slow, measured steps. He followed, enamored by her adorably sly expression.

  “Let’s see. How shall I beat someone who can predict my next move?” she wondered aloud.

  “An exercise in futility,” he declared as he continued his approach, prowling after her in a wide arch around the mat.

  “What if I didn’t think about it? What if I just acted?”

  Ethan smiled. That was exactly why he never told anyone about his special ability. It was too easy to come to that conclusion. “Acting without thinking is difficult to achieve, do you think you can manage—whoa!” He pulled back just in time to avoid a face full of knuckles. “I guess you can.”

  She circled him as he backed up. That near miss gave her too much confidence and when she struck out again, he saw it coming. He knocked her arm out of the way and then brushed past her, slapping her on the ass as he went.

  The surprise in her eyes was swiftly replaced by acute determination. “Okay. I’m going to get this,” she muttered.

  He understood she wouldn’t be satisfied till she did. After a few more attempts on her part, he formed a plan to give her what she wanted so he could get to what he wanted. He would let her have one shot to appease the fighter in her. Except, in the next instant, she actually did catch him off guard with a hard kick to his side. Her follow up move was easier to read, but he purposefully didn’t dodge.

  When she realized he was going to take the full force of her hit, she lost some of the power behind it. Still, it dizzied him for a moment, and he went to the mat.

  “Shoot!” She bent over him. “I was sure you would see that one coming.”

  He clamped his arms around her torso and rolled her to the mat so that she was under him. Capturing her wrists, he brought her arms up beside her head.

  “You cheater!” she cried, though she shook with laughter.

  “Utilize my advantages,” he said, chuckling as she offered a faux growl of protest.

  He stared down at her for a long moment, enjoying the humor in her jewel-toned eyes. Had that color ever existed before her? He could believe it was created for her alone.

  Her smile died, and she blew out a crestfallen sigh. “Look, Ethan—”

  “I’m not asking you for anything,” he interjected. “And I can already see the gears spinning in your head. Maybe not now, but soon, you’ll latch onto the idea that your attraction to me has been caused by some unseen magical force as Cale suggested.” He paused. “Just don’t push me away when you do.”

  She pursed her lips. “It just doesn’t make sense any other way.”

  “There’s a lo
t in this universe that I don’t understand, and I can’t tell you it’s not true, because I don’t know. What I do know, is that the king intended for our paths to cross—all of ours, not just you and me. I have to trust he knew what he was doing.”

  “Well, I don’t have to trust some king I’ve never met,” she countered, yet made no attempt to push him off of her. Her head fell dejectedly against the mat. “So you think this is fate?”

  “My kind doesn’t believe in fate. Not in the way yours does. We believe in choices. Each choice leads us to where we should be. But, whereas one choice could send us on an easy path, another could have us clawing our way there, but the final destination may be the same.”

  “Isn’t that just an abstract version of fate?”

  “If that’s how you want to look at it. Destiny might be a better word. With fate, you have no choice. What will happen, will happen. But you can always forsake destiny. Deny one, and you’ll inevitably be given another. Such is life.”

  She contemplated that for a moment and then glanced at one of his hands still gripping her wrist. “You do realize you’re still holding me down, don’t you?”

  “I believe you owe me a kiss.”

  “I thought you wanted more.”

  “I do.” He lowered his head, holding back just before their lips touched. He could feel her heartbeat pick up. “But not here,” he said, taking her lower lip between his teeth and applying a gentle pressure. Her eyes flashed, and he suspected her fangs were making an appearance. He lifted his head slightly. “I want you in a position where I can take my time.”

  She bit her lip, proving him right about the fangs. With a disturbing amount of desire—deranged hunger was more like it—he eyed that sharp little extremity. One day he would analyze the madness behind what he was getting himself into, but not today. He had much more interesting things to do today.

  Chapter 25

  The sound of general revelry filled the pub. Much of the crew had gathered and were talking excitedly about what they would do when they arrived at Uli Rings. It would be the first large space city any of them had seen in months. The anticipation was palpable.