by Mandy Lee
Alex gave a small nod. “I see. So, which one is it? Are you thinking about Philippe or Baal?”
“How pathetic would I sound if I said both?” Mara winced.
“It doesn’t make you pathetic, it makes you human.” Alex gave Mara a look filled with the irony of his words and they both burst out laughing.
She leaned her head on her friend’s shoulder. “I’m wondering how it is that I’ve felt this way twice in my life. The first time I was an expensive dinner; the second I was just a means to an end...not that I'm sad to have been able to save Sergei...but...am I just broken or something?”
Alex sighed and leaned his head on top of hers. “Human, vampire, demon. We’re all in the same boat. We’re all looking for something with no guarantee of finding it. Self-doubt and finding our way in this world — it doesn’t get any easier with age. If you’re broken, then you’re beautifully broken.”
“Now you’re talking crazy. I’m not beautifully anything.”
“Mara, you’re perfectly imperfect. Don’t forget I’ve known you for a few centuries now. Just look at what you’ve done with your life. You managed to pull yourself back from the brink of blood lust, forge a career saving lives, and make lasting friendships. You’re not giving yourself enough credit. Any man would be lucky to have you at his side, and if Baal can’t see that, then it’s his loss.”
Mara slid her head off Alex’s shoulder and gave him a small smile. “You have to say that. You’re my best friend.”
Alex rolled his eyes. “Stubborn woman.”
The ringing of a cell phone had Mara fishing around in her jeans pocket. She stuck her tongue out at Alex as she hit the send button and raised the phone to her ear.
“Hello? Hi, Sergei, what’s up? Yeah, I actually do know where he is because he was brought into my ER earlier today. No, I took him somewhere safe to heal. Yeah, sure, I can meet you guys there in twenty minutes or so. Brimstone, you know where it is? Ok, no problem. See you guys soon.”
Mara hit end and stashed the phone back in her pocket. “Thanks for being my shoulder to whine on again, Alex, but it looks like I’m off to meet a bunch of fallen and my newbie at my ex-boyfriend’s club.”
Alex leaned in and gave Mara a quick hug. “Sounds like a blast. Need company?”
“Nah, you’ve witnessed me begging at my ex’s door once already today.” Mara smiled. “You’re a good friend, Alex. I don’t know what I would ever do without you.”
“I know.” Alex gave her a cocky smile. “Now off with you.”
With a light-hearted wave, Mara turned and sauntered back across the roof toward the metal door. Time to return her broken angel to the fold.
Chapter Fifteen
Her hands slid up his legs and tendrils of her hair tickled his legs as she took him in her mouth. The sweet suction drove him wild. He could feel her tongue swirling around the tip of his dick and he couldn’t stop his body from arching. Her nails dug into his hips as she moaned around him. He felt his heart kick and race as his got closer to his release. He was on the brink; there was no way he was going to let this end now. He reached down and grabbed her arms. Her nipples slid along his body as he drew her up to take her mouth in a scorching kiss. Their tongues tangled in an erotic duel. He moved one hand around to tease her nipple. He swallowed her noise of approval as she lowered herself to slide along his length. He reached up and tangled his free hand in the masses of curling, fiery hair. His hand cupped the weight of her breast. Then, following the line of her stomach, he lifted her body slightly so he could slide a hand between her legs. She broke their kiss to cry out in ecstasy as he rubbed her swollen nub. He slid two fingers into her hot, tight sheath as he continued to apply pressure on her clit with his thumb. She moved against him, making love to his hand, her head thrown back and her breathing becoming ragged as she neared her release. She screamed as her body rippled around his fingers. He groaned, wanting nothing more than to feel those tight contractions around his cock. Her head fell forward and he was shrouded in a curtain of bright red hair as she rested her forehead against his. He repositioned her slightly and placed the head of his swollen member at her entrance. Raising her head slightly, she looked into his eyes as he slid into her. He gritted his teeth, trying to keep it together. His lover leaned down to nibble gently on his bottom lip as she began to move on him. His hands travelled to rest on her hips as she moved up and down along his length, her sheath clamped tightly around him. He gripped her hips harder as he got closer to his own release, her channel starting to pulse around him. She straightened her body, putting herself on full view. Her breasts swayed as she rode him. He was close to his release and so was she; her face was a mask of passion as she gazed down at him. She raised her hands above her head, twining them together. Her breasts tightened and rose with her change of position. He was so lost in the moment he didn’t realize she’d moved again until her arm swung down, her fist connecting with his cheekbone. He closed his eyes and winced in pain, all other bodily sensation was forgotten. Just as he was about to crack open his eyes another blinding punch connected, this time with his temple. Stars winked in the blackness behind his closed eyes. Why was this happening? What in Sheol was going on here?
B blinked his eyes open just in time to see a fist hurtling through the air to connect with his eye socket. His head snapped back and to the right, the vertebrae of his neck grinding from the force of the blow. Tears stung the corners of his eyes as he blinked them open against the light. B saw something that made his blood run cold. A black Mohawk, ruby red eyes, and a pale, pierced face stared down at him with a look of pure malice.
“Time to wake up, Sleeping Beauty.” Keir slapped him lightly on the cheek.
“Where am I?” B croaked.
Keir stepped back and stretched his arms wide to encompass the room. “Welcome to chez Keir. We are a full service resort that provides a multitude of add-ons to our guests, ensuring a memorable stay. Special services include Wolframite cuff bindings; facials…well facial beatings, weight loss treatments…conducted with a very special antique knife, among many others. We do hope you enjoy your stay, as it won’t be long.”
B squinted, keeping the amount of light entering his burning eyes to a minimum, and glanced around the opulent library. He raised his hand in an attempt to rub his eyes and heard the clinking of metal on metal. Peering down he saw the manacle surrounding his wrist, the inverted pentagram emblazoned upon it made him swallow a lump in his throat. The chain attached to the manacle was wrapped around the arm of a chair and disappeared along the floor, presumably attached to the wall behind him. He’d gone from the frying pan into the fire — charmed, unbreakable Wolframite cuffs, and a psychotic jailer.
Keir laughed. “What, you think I’d just plunk your sorry ass down in a chair without restraining you? What kind of an idiot do you take me for?”
B shook his head again to get rid of the last dregs of disorientation. “What I don’t get is why I’m chained up at all. I mean, you seemed pretty determined to kill me the last time we met.”
Keir smiled and patted him on the shoulder. “Oh, don’t worry; I still plan on killing you. I’ve just got another use for you in the meantime.”
“What could you possibly want with me that doesn’t involve my immediate death?” B frowned.
“Let me introduce you to a new friend of mine.” Keir motioned with his arm and a shadowy figure appeared in the doorway.
B squinted as the mystery guest moved into the light of the room. His breath caught as the man finally became visible. It was Keir…well, another Keir at any rate. He’d fallen down this rabbit hole at Brimstone when he’d found himself staring at…himself.
“He’s a shape shifter.” Keir number one said with a note of pride in his voice. “He is quite spectacular, isn’t he? Even I can’t tell the difference.”
Suddenly, everything made sense. “So, he’s going to be me.” B said flatly.
“Damn skippy.” Keir moved around to stand beside his double, wra
pping his arm around him.
“Nobody will buy it you know.” B shook his head. “The fallen have been together for centuries — they know me better than I know myself. The second he opens his mouth, they’ll realize something isn't right.”
“Ah, but that’s where you’re wrong, my friend.” Both Keirs smiled menacingly. “Shape shifters don’t just have the ability to look like others; they absorb flashes, feelings, and memories from their victims.”
Shit. That’s all B could think…shit, shit, double shit. “So, you’re keeping me alive so he can turn back into me and then I’m dead.”
Keir made his way back over to crouch down in front of B’s chair. “Well, not quite. While our lovely new friend’s abilities are indeed amazing, they do come with a time limit. He’s not able to stay in one form indefinitely, and it is impossible for him to remain in your form once you cease to exist, so you’ll be kept alive for the foreseeable future.”
“Great.” B muttered under his breath.
“Oh, don’t worry; we’ll make sure you’re kept in our most uncomfortable of suites. I wouldn’t want you to feel at home here after all.” Keir chuckled.
“Oh, no, I totally understand. That would be horrible.” B rolled his eyes. "Can I just ask one question?"
Keir tapped his chin in thought, then shrugged. "Sure, why not."
"How did you know where I was?" B asked in confusion.
Keir replied with a devilish smile. "Inside man...someone neither you nor your fallen buddies would ever suspect...they saw you arrive at Brimstone."
B sighed, all hope of a successful rescue falling away. If someone was working against them from the inside his buddies would have a bitch of a time figuring out what was really going on.
“Well then.” The shape shifter piped up. “Shall we get this show on the road?”
“Oh yes, I think it’s well past that time.” Keir got back to his feet and turned to face his doppelgänger. “Do you have the package?”
The shape shifter patted his stomach and smiled back at Keir. “All ready to go. Thank your master for me; I’ve always wanted to see his evil in action.”
“You’re going to want to bleed him.” A disembodied, distorted whisper drifted in from the darkened doorway.
B peered over in that direction yet again, trying to get a glimpse of the third party that had just made himself known. There was nobody there. The air seemed to ripple gently, but there were no shadows, or any other evidence of an actual person.
“And why would we want to do that?” Keir asked.
“He was treated by a vampire. She probably gave him blood. You know as well as I do that she can use her blood within him to track his whereabouts.”
There was something strangely familiar about that voice. B strained his memory, running through everyone he could think of, but the whispery quality of the sound kept its owner’s identity secret.
“Blood magic is very strong.” Keir motioned for Keir part two. “Bring me that bucket. I hope you’re not squeamish.”
The shape shifter dropped the bucket down under one of B’s wrists. “Not at all, I think I’m going to enjoy this.” He flipped open a butterfly knife. “May I do the honors?”
The Keirs smiled at each other. “I always like eager employees who are willing to go above and beyond the call of duty.” Keir motioned toward B. “Be my guest.”
The shape shifter stepped forward and grabbed B’s arm in his iron grip. There was no point in fighting it. He was already chained up in Wolframite, and wasn’t in any immediate danger of being killed. The bleeding would definitely suck. B knew he was looking forward to another trip down Unconsciousness Lane, but it wouldn’t kill him. His immortal body would regenerate the lost blood, so as long as he managed to keep his head, he’d be fine in the long run. He was going to have to play the long game here to try and live to fight another day.
B closed his eyes as the cool blade was placed against his wrist. He drew in a sharp breath as it pierced his skin and gritted his teeth as the burning warmth of the cut took hold. He opened his eyes to stare at Keir and the shape shifter, refusing to back down completely in this moment of weakness. As his lifeblood dripped down into the bucket at his feet and dizziness began to take hold, the shape shifter knelt down in front of him. B turned his head away, refusing to meet his gaze. Keir moved around to the back of his chair, grabbed his head, and twisted it back around so he was facing the shifter. Before he had a chance to look away he was caught in the magical grip of the shifter’s eyes. As consciousness began to fade, B watched as his skin began to ripple and shift, and then he was swallowed by darkness.
Chapter Sixteen
Mara stood in the alleyway outside of Brimstone obsessively checking her phone for messages from Sergei. She knew how ridiculous she was being. She should really go prepare B for the influx of visitors, but she was nervous about seeing him again. Part of her wanted to know why he had freaked-out; another part of her wanted to tunnel down to Sheol and hide. For the millionth time that day she wondered why life couldn’t be simpler.
Male voices drifted down from the mouth of the alley. Mara turned and saw the group of men she’d been waiting for striding purposefully in her direction. She thanked every deity she’d ever heard of that they’d arrived and she could stop her mental version of forty lashes. In a flash, Sergei was by her side; the rest of the group still making their way.
“Hey, lady!” he said with a smile. “You made our day when we found out B was with you.”
“It was the luck of the draw,” she said, leaning in to give Sergei a quick hug. “He was brought into my ER by paramedics.”
The rest of the guys joined them near the door of the club.
“You are an angel from heaven.” Sam said to Mara. His feelings were echoed in murmurs of agreement from the rest of the group.
Mara laughed. “Well, I’m not sure if I’d take it that far. I was just in the right place at the right time.”
“However it came about, you have our appreciation.” Gadreel’s words were solemn and struck a chord with Mara.
Like her, these men had found their family in an unorthodox way. Family wasn’t always who raised you; sometimes family were the people that stuck by you and supported you during your darkest hours. They saw you for who you were, and accepted you regardless. Mara had Alex, and now Sergei. The fallen had each other.
“You’re welcome.” Mara said quietly.
“Can you take us to him?” Sam asked. “We’ve been worried sick.”
Mara cleared the emotional lump in her throat. “Um, sure. He’s in the club. Well, not exactly in the club, but he’s near the club.”
Gadreel nodded and turned to reach for the door handle. “All right then, let’s go!”
“Wait!” Mara shouted, grabbing at Gadreel’s arm. “Don’t touch that!”
Gadreel yanked his arm back like it was on fire. “Why not?”
Mara breathed out a sigh of relief that he was safe. “It’s a demon club. The entrances are warded against angelic forces.”
“Well, we’re not exactly angels of the Light now, are we?” Sam piped up from behind Gadreel.
Mara took in the group of fallen angels. “Are you sure? Are any of you really sure what you are anymore? This doorway may not have blocked your entry a month ago, but it very well may now. I think it would be best for either me or Sergei to be the ones handling the door.” Mara gave them a sad smile, knowing from experience how difficult it was not knowing what you were.
The group of men seemed to blow out a unanimous sigh of frustration. Gadreel waved Mara on toward the door. She stepped forward, motioning for Sergei to join her. What better time to teach him how to unlock warded demonic doorways than the present. She went through the motions, opening her vein, drawing the intricate symbol of the incubi. She heard the intake of breath from beside her as Sergei watched the blood hiss and boil. The clang of the peephole being opened snapped everyone’s attention upwards. Pitch black eye
s stared out at them, narrowing as they passed over the congregation of fallen angels hoping to gain entry.
A gravelly voice that sounded like it was being squeezed out from the bowels of Sheol spoke. “Only one angel may enter here.”
Mara turned toward the fallen as they debated between themselves, everyone wanting to be the first to see B and to ensure that he was safe. After much hushed debate, complete with wild gesticulations and the occasional middle finger, Gadreel stepped forward, taking his place between Mara and Sergei as the chosen angel. The peephole slammed shut and the heavy metal door swung open again.
Mara whispered to Sergei and Gadreel as they moved through the doorway. “Be careful not to lose your head in there. Brimstone is designed to draw you in.”
“What do you mean?” Gadreel whispered back.
“You’ll see.” Mara muttered as she steeled herself for the heady scents and sensual, pulsing sounds she knew she would encounter as she made her way down the hallway.
“Damn.” Gadreel stopped in his tracks as the final doorway swung open before them, allowing the full measure of the club’s magic to hit him like a Mack truck.
Mara turned to look at him. His eyes were fully dilated, his skin was flushed, and his breathing was erratic.
“Yup. Welcome to Brimstone, where sex, drugs, and rock’n roll are king.” Mara smiled and swept into the main club. Sergei and Gadreel shared a quick glance then followed behind her.
Mara kept an amused eye on her companions as they made their way through the club toward the grotto that led to Rodney's secret off-grid Sheolic hiding spot. Sergei and Gadreel were by no means hard on the eyes and every demon in the joint seemed to be making a play at them. Hands and tails snaked out of the crowd to grope at their bodies, trying to entice them into a liaison. Sergei seemed more amused than anything, but Gadreel looked decidedly disturbed by all the attention. Mara was about to ask him if he was okay, but thought better of it at the last minute. Sometimes people needed to be allowed to keep their secrets, and one thing she’d learned from dealing with the fallen was that they were all proud Alpha males, and she didn’t want to make him any more uncomfortable than he already seemed.