Greydon wandered through his parent’s quarters. Their fortress stood on the shores of a large body of water. Behind it, the homes of thousands of demons dotted the landscape, backed up by an impenetrable mountain range. Magic had surrounded them, keeping the enemy out. His father had employed the strategy for centuries to protect their people; the tactic had worked until a year ago, when the Concosa had finally penetrated their barriers. Once the main house had been surrounded, and the king and queen slaughtered, it had been easy for them to take command of the rest of the residents. The only ones who may have escaped had opted not to live in the sanctuary of the fortress. He was still unsure how they had done it. Only royal family members could unravel the magic.
“Are you sure you want to be here?” Fang gave him a sympathetic look.
“I need to do this. We must search for any possible clues. Why don’t you start with the guards’ quarters?” He sighed. “I don’t want to believe there was a spy among our people, but there is no other explanation. Someone sold us out.”
Fangs eyes darkened. “I will kill them.”
Greydon slapped his friend on the back. “I don’t doubt you will.”
Fang followed orders and left Greydon in peace to finish his search. He stepped from his parent’s chambers and headed for the banquet room. His breathing hitched as he got closer, and the smell of blood grew stronger. Even after so much time had passed, the stench still filled the air. When he stepped into the room, he thought he was prepared.
He couldn’t have been more wrong.
The stains that still coated the white marble floors jerked him back in time. Several hundred people had filled the enormous room to celebrate his youngest brother’s birth date. His mother and father had been sitting at the head of the long table, enjoying the festivities.
The first shots rang through the air and struck both of his parents. Their hearts exploded on impact.
Greydon closed his eyes against the vision and dropped to his knees. He had been standing next to his mother. Her blood splattered across the front of his clothing and––
He was jerked to his feet and pulled into a vortex. Seconds later, he stood in his private hideaway. The same place he’d spent the past several days with Aimee. Fang stood across from him.
“What the hell?”
“You were distressed. You are not ready to face what happened there,” Fang replied, his voice calm.
“Damn it! The answer was there. I was so close to finding it.”
“You were closer to a breakdown. Now is not the time, your Omagadona draws near.”
“Release me. I command you.” Fang had woven his magic, creating a barrier. Since he was a Daldara currently protecting his prince, there was no breaking through.
Fang crossed his arms over his chest and settled back on his heels. “Command all you want. I intend to disobey.”
Greydon began to pace, balling his hands into fists at his side. Fang was right, but he had seen the shooter who took his parent’s life. Deep in his gut, he knew there was something different about him. His mind, however, kept blocking it out. “I need to go back.”
“You’re not ready. It’s my job to protect you. I was not there for your parents, and I’ll be damned if I let anything happen to you. Our people need you and so do your brothers.”
He stopped to stare at his friend. “Their deaths were not your fault.”
“Like hell. I was not where I was supposed to be,” Fang snarled.
“Father insisted you enjoy the festivities.”
“And I should have disobeyed like I’m doing now.”
Greydon ran his fingers through his hair. “You don’t know that you would have been able to protect them.”
“You don’t know that I wouldn’t have.”
He went back to pacing. “This is getting us nowhere.”
Fang shrugged. “I’ve got all day and nowhere to be. There are reasons a Daldara has the power to confine the royal family. It’s to protect you from your own stupidity.”
Greydon stopped in his tracks. “Of course you’re right, but it’s so frustrating.”
The other demon moved in front of Greydon and laid his hand on his shoulder. “I know, but you must go meditate. The Omagadona comes soon.”
He nodded. “How did you get to be so wise at three hundred years old?”
Fang tossed his head back and laughed. “Most would call me a smart ass, but my father taught me well.”
“Indeed he did, and we will find him along with the others.” Greydon walked away so he could prepare for meditation. While he was confident in his ability to win his challenge for the goddess Uuna, he would leave nothing to fate.
Aimee stepped from the shower, more ticked than when she had entered. After calling the local authorities, they’d insisted she come to the station and talk to them in person.
“Damn demon.” She stormed to the closet and grabbed her favorite denim skirt that hung just above the knee and a cream sweater. After pulling the garment on, she ran a brush through her hair and did a quick blow-dry. A little lip gloss, some mascara and a swipe of blush and she was ready to pull on her black leather boots.
“Perfect.” She grabbed her leather jacket on the way out the door and descended the stairs to the street. The sun had just begun to dip into the horizon and painted a bright, pinkish-purple across the sky. Aimee headed down the sidewalk, noting the air had more nip to it than normal for an October evening in South Carolina.
The police station was only a few blocks away and she waited in the vestibule while the scanner searched her for weapons or any traces of explosives. Once cleared, the doors slid open. She crossed to the front desk where a middle-aged woman greeted her with a smile.
“Good evening, how can I help you?”
“Hi. Umm, I was told I needed to come down here in person. My name is Aimee Jarvis. My friend reported me missing, but it was a huge misunderstanding.”
The woman tapped at her keypad. “Oh yes. Well, I’m glad to see you’re safe, Ms. Jarvis. You just never know these days with all the weirdness going on.” She tapped the side of her headset. “Hi, I have Ms. Jarvis in the waiting area.” She nodded as if the caller on the other end could see her. “I’ll let her know.”
She smiled. Kindness filled her blue eyes. “Officer Johnson will be up in a moment.”
“Thank you.” No sooner had she turned to take a seat, then the door on the other side of the room opened and her name was called. She pulled her shoulders back. Don’t freak out. It would have been so much easier to lie on the phone than in person.
She headed toward the man dressed in jeans and a black sweater that was a stark contrast to his blond hair. When she finally looked up and met his brown eyes, recognition hit and her jaw dropped. “Garret Johnson?”
“You are one welcome sight, Aimee Jarvis. Come on back.” He held the door open for her.
“Wow, I had no idea you worked here.”
“Yep. Actually, I was away for a while. Lived in California, but when I heard a position for detective opened up here, I knew I had to take it. I missed home.” He led her into a private office and pointed to a leather chair opposite the desk. “So, a missing person huh?”
She sat and the leather creaked. “Yeah, it’s all a crazy misunderstanding.”
“Well, tell me all about it.” He took a seat in the massive chair behind the desk. For some odd reason, she found herself scanning the room for pictures of family but found none.
“I was out of town. I’m not sure what happened, but it seems Bethany and I got our wires crossed.” She folded her hands in her lap.
“I see, so where were you then?”
“I met up with a client. Bethany thought the appointment was next week, but she was mistaken.”
He scribbled on a piece of paper. “What was the client’s name?”
She swallowed and reminded herself to kill that damn demon should she ever see him again. “Does it really matter?” She tried to put on h
er best smile. “I mean I’d be happy to share, but he wishes to remain anonymous. You understand, of course.”
He flashed white teeth. “Well, we’re all glad it was nothing serious and that you’re back safe and sound. Still, why wouldn’t you have answered your friends calls?”
Shit! “I forgot my charger and the darn thing died on me. I would have called Bethany, but I had no idea there was a problem.”
He stared at her without uttering a word, and she tried not to squirm. She wasn’t good at lying, and it made her uncomfortable as hell.
“I really am so sorry for all the trouble I caused. It wasn’t intentional.” She would go straight to hell for this.
He twirled his pen between his fingers. “I’m just happy it wasn’t related to those demons we found.”
“You mean the ones they warned about on the news?” She pretended to feign surprise.
“Yep.” He nodded. “Seems they made it to our little community. We found two of them dead near your bookstore. You can imagine when we received the call you were missing, we assumed the worst.”
She rubbed her wrist where Greydon had sank his fangs and tried not to panic. “I certainly can. Wow, do you know what happened to them?”
“No, but it’s under investigation. While we’ve bumped up security in the area, you should take extra precautions. We don’t know if there are any others out there.”
“Yes, of course.”
“Where are you headed now?”
“I’m going over to O’Malley’s to have dinner with Bethany.”
He cocked his head. “Say, I get off at ten. Would you let me buy you coffee? I’d love to catch up, it’s been a long time.”
She was a little surprised—and annoyed––at the invitation. Garret had never paid her any attention in high school, and she hadn’t seen him since graduation. Still, it would be nice to have a little normalcy in her life. “I’d love that.”
He smiled. “Good. Wait for me at O’Malley’s and I’ll pick you up.”
She rose from her seat. “Sounds great. I’ll see you later and thanks again.”
He frowned. “For what?”
She laughed. “Not making a huge deal of this.”
He rose and walked her to the door. “Just don’t make it a habit.”
Chapter 7
Greydon stood outside the temple doors. As soon as he stepped through them, he would be transported to the Pits.
“You will prevail,” Fang said.
He was confident he would as well, but wasn’t every man who walked through those doors? “If something goes wrong. You’ll hunt me down.”
Fang nodded. “Don’t worry.”
“I know you’ll take care of things. Remember to watch the girl.”
Fang grinned. “I think you like her more than you should.”
“I mean, if I fail the test and become a Concosa. I have a feeling I’ll head right for her.” He was positive he would. He’d already had a taste of her and evil would know no bounds.
“You will not fail, but I’ll watch over her.” He nudged him. “Tell me. If I’d not shown up to spoil things, would you have done to her?”
“You know the rules. No humans.” But he would have taken her in a heartbeat and fucked the rules.
One dark brow shot up. “Yes, but you can make your own rules now.”
Greydon sighed. “Humans are more trouble than they’re worth. I’m sure their constant destruction caused our ancestors to petition for our current laws.”
“Why do I feel like you don’t really buy into that bullshit? If you did, you wouldn’t care what happened to her,” Fang retorted.
“I’ll admit I find her interesting, but it can’t lead to anything. Why start something I can’t finish? I need to concentrate on rescuing our people.” Greydon squeezed Fang’s shoulder. “I’ll see you in a week.” He left it unsaid that at some point he would also have to try to fulfill his destiny. His father’s Oracle had said he was born to kill Zolar, free Uuna from her prison and resurrect his people’s ancestral home of Oshivana. First, though, he had to survive this test and prove his worth.
“Whatever you say. I’ll be here when you return.”
Greydon turned and climbed the flight of steps with the full knowledge that his friend hadn’t believed a word he had said regarding Aimee. Funny thing, he didn’t believe it himself. Regardless, his life wasn’t in a place right now to even think about a female. A distraction like that could cost him everything.
He set his shoulders and stretched his neck before he pushed opened the eight-foot, solid oak doors. A guard stood on either side, and both tipped their head in acknowledgement of his presence before he was transported out of the foyer and into the Pits.
Black sand covered the landscape and where the heat was most intense, it had turned into glass. The sky was a smoky orange from all the fires that burned. Others who had gone before him and survived their ordeal had warned Greydon. But nothing could prepare him for the scorching heat that caused his body to instantly become drenched with sweat.
“Are you ready to prove yourself worthy, warrior?” The female voice carried across the humid air.
He adjusted his pack, which held only water. Enough to get him through the week, but now he wondered. He’d have to ration carefully. “Yes, Your Highness.”
“You understand prince Greydon, this test will determine whose army you will serve in? Failure will result in your transformation into a Concosa and your soul will belong to Zolar.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“I am not allowed to show you any mercy during your time here. Should you succeed, you will have earned the right to call yourself a warrior of Uuna. Let us begin.”
Aimee slipped into the chair across from Bethany and before she finished unfolding her napkin, the waiter hovered over her.
“Can I get you something to drink, miss?”
“Uh, yes I’ll have a glass of Chardonnay.”
“Of course. Can I get you a refill?” He looked over at her friend, busy sucking back the last drop from her glass.
“Yeah, another Merlot please.”
“I’ll be right back with your drinks, ladies.” He turned and walked away.
“You’re late.”
“I’m sorry. I got tied up at the police station. You’ll never guess who I saw there.” She laid her purse on the empty chair next to her.
Bethany tapped a finger on her chin and looked up at the ceiling. “Hmm, let me see if I can guess. A cop?”
Aimee snorted. “You’re so funny. Of course, but I saw Garret Johnson. I had no idea he was back in town.”
Her friend perked up and leaned closer. “Ohh, is he still hot?”
She couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face. “He’s still pretty good to look at. Matter of fact, we’re having coffee later tonight.”
“Jealous!”
“Oh, come on. You have turned down more dates than I’ve ever been offered.” They had been friends since the third grade. With her blonde hair and brilliant blue eyes, Bethany had never lacked a date if she wanted it. Not that Aimee minded, she loved her friend like a sister.
“Well, regardless… You still owe me an explanation of where you’ve been,” Bethany scolded.
“Ladies, your drinks.” The waiter set their glasses in front of them. “Are you ready to order?”
“Yes, I’ll have the Ruben and fries.” Aimee handed him her menu.
“You know that sounds good, I’ll have the same.” Bethany flashed a flirtatious smile.
The waiter grinned and tucked the menus under his arm. “Coming right up.” As soon as he was far enough away, Aimee leaned forward.
“I was abducted by a demon.”
Bethany’s jaw dropped then snapped shut. Hurt clouded her blue eyes. “Not funny. Why are you doing this?”
Aimee shook her head. “I’m freaking serious. I left the shop and took the alley.” She held her hand in the air. “I know, stupid move. I wa
s accosted by two of those creatures we’ve seen on the news. Actually, the same ones they found dead near our shop.”
Her friend covered her mouth.
“It gets better. I’m fighting with one of them and out of thin air this guy appears. He fights both demons but gets injured in the process.”
Bethany chewed her nails.
“Next thing I know, I’m whisked away to some underground room with him, begging me to save him.”
“Jesus Christ! If I’d not seen those nasty-looking things on the news, I would call the local loony bin to come and get you. Oh my god, are you okay?” Bethany’s eyes were as wide as saucers.
“I’m fine.”
“So how did you escape?”
“He escorted me back home once he was well enough.” She glanced around to make sure no one was close by. “You know the aliens we’ve heard about?”
“Yes?”
“Not aliens, demons. It’s a long story, but they fight those other demons. I have to tell you. Even though I was a bit freaked out, I had a major attraction to him.”
Bethany shook her head. “You have been way too long without a date. Thank goodness you’re seeing Garret tonight.”
Aimee rolled her eyes. “I know, weird huh? He happens to be a prince and long story short, his people are being held captive by those creatures. His parents were killed and I don’t know, there was just something about him.”
Her friend snorted. “Seriously, you and your stray pets, but tell me more.” Just then, the waiter stepped up with their food and placed the plates in front of them. Their conversation would have to wait until later.
Greydon trudged across the black landscape. High winds whipped up sand and blasted his skin raw. The three suns blistered what was left. His lips were dry and cracked, and he could taste the blood every time he licked them. He’d only been in the Pits for a few hours, but already it felt like weeks. His instructions were to make his way across the barren land until he reached the other side. However, when he took his next step, he was suddenly sucked through a vortex and landed with a hard thud on a cold surface. Before he could enjoy the coolness next to his skin, he was jerked to his feet and a set of shackles placed around his wrists. Hoisted into the air, his feet dangled only inches from the ground. One of the guards stood in front of him.
Taken By Desire: Demonic Desires Book 1 Page 5