Soul Surrender (The Soul Mark Series Book 3)

by Cara E Holt

  Twenty minutes later we are sat on the rug in the living area before the large marble fireplace.

  “So flower. I will demonstrate first. I’m going to enter your mind and make you do something against your will. “

  “Okay.” I’m nervous about this. I’ve had my mind controlled once and it was the night that Lucifer killed my friend. I can remember the horror of watching that roof fall down upon my friends and of me, stood there unable to move a muscle. I was frozen in place.

  I feel a pressure in my mind and then it’s gone as quickly as it came. ‘sit on Kol’s knee.’

  I glare at him as I climb onto his lap and straddle him. ‘wrap your arms around his neck and tell him he’s the sexiest demon alive.’ I scowl as my arms against their will wrap around his neck. I lean into his ear.

  “Kol is the sexiest demon alive.”

  He touches his heart and pretends to look all flattered and I shove him as soon as he releases my mind. “Arsehole.”

  He smirks. “Yeah but I’m the sexiest arsehole you know.” I flick his nose and climb off his lap. “So you felt what I did, yeah? You felt how my magic sought around the edge of your mind for a way in. You have to keep pushing until you find a way in.”

  I nod and close my eyes. I reach out with my demon magic and into his mind. I feel the walls up around his mind, stopping me from entering. My mind slithers around the edges, looking for a way in, it pushes. Then there’s a small give in his wall and I am able to push through and enter. Payback is a bitch my dark demon. I can’t help but smile delightedly at myself.

  ‘Sing beyonce’s single ladies song and do the dance that she does in the video.’

  He glares at me as he stands and starts swaying his hips and moving side to side. Then he starts to sing and I lose my hold as I double over and start laughing my head off. Tears roll down my cheeks and I clutch my tummy. “Oh god. That was so funny. I wish I could have filmed it.”

  I yelp when two hands sweep me up and I’m thrown over his shoulder. He smacks my arse playfully. “You are a vindictive little demon, aren’t you.”

  I laugh as I dangle upside down as he walks me outside. “Fair is fair Kol.”

  “Okay enough making Kol look like a dick.” He states as he lowers me on to my feet. “Flying time. We need to work on your landings because they are terrible.”

  I growl at him as I unfurl my wings. “Hey, cut me some slack. I’m new at all this flying lark.”

  He spreads his wings and takes off into the night sky. “Race you to that mountain top flower. Loser has to do one hundred push-ups.” I take off after him as fast as I can. No way was I losing this. I hated push-ups!

  Later that evening I enter Lucifer’s play-pen feeling lighter. It had been a good day with Kol. I think he knew after seeing Lorcen that I would be down and that I needed to be kept busy. We’d flown around the skies of the underworld for over two hours and then done a session in the gym. Kol had raised an eyebrow tonight when I came out dressed for the show. I had on black tights and biker boots. I wore short red leather shorts and a black and red corset style top and painted deep red lipstick on to my lips.

  “Someone is dressed to kill.” Kol whistles as I walk in the room and he takes me in.

  I shrug. “Just playing my part in the theatre of Lucifer.”

  The room falls silent when we enter. I know my outfit was sexy but really there was no need to stare.

  “Why are they all staring?”

  Kol grins as he leans down to my ear. “Well you did conjure a wolf from smoke last time and almost drove the legendary Nuada sword through a demon. Plus you’re dressed like that.”

  I hold my head high and strut into the room like I own it. I am surprised when I look ahead to see that Lilith and Lucifer are not alone at the head of the room.

  “Ah, here he is.” The voice belongs to a demon as big in size as Kol. He has dark hair that falls to his shoulders and that same dark and menacing presence. His body is ripped, all muscle and he shouts power.

  “Brother.” Kol grins at the stranger, pulling him in for a manly hand shake. Kol steps back and the strangers eyes fall on me.

  “I am Lothar.” He tells me as he steps towards me and takes my hand in his, dropping a kiss on it. “Prince of wrath.”

  I offer him a smile in greeting. “Well Lothar, Prince of wrath. I am Ebony Lockhart, or should I say Wilde. The Morrigan, Goddess of war, one of the triple goddess’. Princess of the Unseelie court.” I tap my chin in thought. “Yeah don’t think I have missed anything. I would like to add mother of dragons to my titles, but hey maybe one day.”

  Lothar offers me a wide genuine grin. “I like her.” He tells his brother. “I’m thinking she would have been more suited to me being a war goddess.”

  I shake my head. “Ah Lothar. You and I together would be disastrous. It would be all war, war, war. We would fight all the time.”

  Lothar releases a belly laugh, which captures the attention of the demons stood around us. He claps Kol on the back. “I get the feeling this one will keep you on your toes.”

  Kol returns his smile as they both stand there looking at me. “Yeah, she’s a character alright.”

  Lothar leans in. “Well if you get bored of an eternity with my brother..,” he gestures to himself, “I am very available.”

  The other imposing male demon who has been stood watching our exchange from over by Lucifer’s side, comes over. I hazard a guess that this is another brother. He shares the dark hair and sharp jaw. This brother sports a buzz cut. Unlike his brothers he is dressed in a very sexy expensive looking dark blue suit.

  “Princess. I am Nyle.”

  I let him take my hand and kiss it. It appears demons can be very charming you know.

  “Hi Nyle. Now wait.” I hold up a finger. I look him over. He looks at me like I am some prized piece. “Rough guess, but I think you might be envy.”

  Lothar laughs beside me. “She has you all figured out brother.”

  Nyle offers me a panty-dropping smile. “Correct Princess.” He turns his gaze to Kol as the two shake hands. “Lucky bastard.”

  Kol cocks a brow. “Jealous?”

  “Always.” He tells him grinning.

  My mood suddenly takes a nosedive when I see Lucifer walking over. “I wonder what the bastard has in store for me tonight?” I say more to myself than to Kol and his brothers.

  Kol kneads my shoulders. “Whatever it is you can handle it.”

  I nod absently as Lucifer reaches us. “I see you have met our newest member of the family.”

  “We have indeed.” Lothar tells his father but keeping his eyes on me. “I still think I’d have been a better match for a war goddess.”

  Lucifer grins and pats him on the shoulder. “Your time will come. She has two sisters you know.”

  I glare at him at this comment. “Neither of which are currently available.”

  Lucifer shrugs my comment off and smirks. “Neither were you, but yet here you are.”

  I clench my fists and can feel my fae magic burning with desire to be released at him. “Let’s just get on with the shit-show shall we?”

  Lucifer nods. Before turning away from us he stops beside Kol. “You need to take what’s yours my son. Soon,” he warns, “or I will intervene.”

  I stiffen at Kol’s side, fully understanding what he was expecting from his son. I was on borrowed time, and needed to find a way out of this situation I found myself in.

  “Let us begin.” Orders Lucifer. Silencing the room he takes his seat. “Bring in the first prisoner.”

  A roll of nausea assaults me again and I try to gulp it down. Now is not the time to vomit. I take a few deep breaths and rub my tummy, hoping the feeling will go away. Looking up I realise I have missed the arrival of the prisoner. My heart stops in my chest when I see it is a child, a boy. He looks about thirteen or fourteen.

  “Fuck.” I hear Kol exclaim under his breath. A look of concern crosses his face as he looks at my reac
tion.

  “This young demon has been allowing a Fae to feed from him.” I frown when I notice the way Lucifer spits out the word Fae like it is a dirty word. “Now as we know, allowing another realm creature to feed from you is forbidden.” There are rumbles of agreement from around the room.

  “What utter bullshit.” I thought I had said that quietly but by the way Lucifer’s head swivels round to glare at me, I was clearly not as quiet as I had thought.

  “You have something to say about the rules I lay down for my own realm?”

  I lift my chin, determined not to show him any fear. “I do. So he let a Fae feed off him. She was probably pretty, flirted with him. I mean come on he’s a hormonal teenage demon.”

  There is complete silence in the room. “You question my rules? Rules put in place to protect our own?”

  I shrug, my heart pounding in my chest. “I’m just voicing my opinion. We all make mistakes, especially when we are young.”

  The boy stands there, his gaze flicking from myself to Lucifer. He looks terrified and also like he thinks I am crazy for standing up for him. Lucifer smiles tightly at me. It is a cold smile that doesn’t reach his eyes and one that should strike me with fear.

  “Well Morrigan. I am the ruler of this realm. I set the rules and I decide what to do about those that break them.” Fire flares in his eyes and I can see he is mightily pissed me with me.

  “Ebony is not used to our ways here father. Remember she grew up in the human world.” Kol tells his father as he takes my hand in his and stands slightly in front of me, as if getting ready to protect me. Lucifer’s fiery eyes fall upon his son.

  “Get her out of my sight before I find a spot for her in Tartarus with her father.” Kol doesn’t need to be asked twice. With a quick nod to his brothers he gets us out of there and back to his home. I let out the breath I had been holding and leaning over vomit all over the floor.

  “Shit. Are you okay?”

  I hold up a hand to keep him away. “Yep. Please stay back, I have vomit breath. I think I must have Fae flu or something.”

  Kol offers me a tissue that he has conjured up from nowhere. “There is no such thing as fae flu.”

  I walk inside the house and throw myself down on his sofa. “I’m exhausted.”

  Before I can relax into my seat, Kol comes round and placing hands under my arms and thighs he lifts me. “Let’s get you in bed, you need sleep flower.” He lays me onto the bed and pulls the sheet over me. I close my eyes but open them when I can still feel his eyes upon me. He is stood over the bed, arms folded, his face marred with a concerned frown.

  “Creeper. Do you watch a lot of girls in their beds?”

  He grins briefly before his face is all serious again. “How do you feel?”

  I shrug my shoulders as I snuggle into the pillow. “Okay, I think. I probably just over-exerted myself these last couple of days.”

  He nods but continues standing there looking worried. “Jeez. When did you turn into a mother hen? Stop worrying and let me get some sleep.” I go to roll over and get comfier when my stomach rolls again. “Oh fuck.” I sift in seconds, just in time to empty my stomach contents into the toilet bowl.

  “Fine huh?” he says from behind me. “That is it. I am taking you to see a healer.”

  I groan and wave him off, leaning over the toilet bowl. “I don’t need a healer. I just need to sleep.” I sift back into bed and snuggle back under the sheet. “Look, if I am no better tomorrow, then you can drag me off to see whoever you want, okay?” I open one eye to glance at him and he does not look happy, but he nods in agreement. “Good. Oh and we can go see your brothers tomorrow. They seemed like fun.”

  He scoffs. “My brothers have never been described as fun. Scary, deadly maybe, but fun, no.”

  I wave his comment off with a flick of my hand. “You know what I mean, fun in the devious demonic way.”

  Kol laughs. “Ah flower, you have no idea just how devious my brothers can be.”

  CHAPTER ELEVEN.

  I stand there like an excited tourist taking in the Las Vegas casino strip. We are stood before a large grand and brightly lit casino which is aptly named ‘Tartarus.’

  “A casino? Let me guess, this is owned by greed?”

  Kol nods offering me a quick smile. “Yep, brother number two.” He offers me his hand. “Come on.”

  He guides me inside. The place is alive with the sound of slot machines and chatter and people celebrating or groaning depending on whether they were having a lucky day. I’m amazed how busy this place is so early.

  “This really is sin city huh?”

  Kol smirks. “Las Vegas is the capital of sin. It’s an all you can eat buffet for all of the seven sins.”

  I knew what he meant by that statement, I could taste it. I never thought I’d hear myself say this but it kind of gave me a buzz and made me want to feed again, but I wouldn’t. That would be giving in to my demonic nature far too much. I jump as we walk past what looked seconds ago like a sweet old lady, until she starts banging on the screen of the slot machine and swearing obscenities that would make even Noah shocked. We head towards the back where there is a row of lifts. When we enter inside and Kol produces a fob and swipes it across a panel. The robotic voice in the elevator announces we are going to the roof terrace. Door open onto bright sunshine and the sound of a pool party in full swing. As we step out a scantily clad blonde in a barely-there bikini walks past and winks at Kol.

  “Jeez, it’s only 11am and look at this place?”

  Kol laughs at my shock. “It’s party time every hour of the day here in Las Vegas, especially for demons. Welcome to the city that never sleeps flower.”

  I close my mouth and stop gawping and follow behind him. Kol leads us up a small decked staircase that leads to a large seating area. In the centre of the roof garden, sits a large pool and the longer I admire it as we walk by I realise that it is in the shape of a pentagram, a widely known satanic symbol. We pass by more ridiculously beautiful men and women, all wearing very little clothing and all clearly here to party. It was like a cross between a Victoria’s Secret and a Magic Mike convention. There were chiselled abs and breast galore here, not an inch of fat or cellulite to be seen. I suddenly felt very self-conscious and plain in my denim shorts and grey vest top.

  “Well look who’s here!” A loud voice shouts, and I turn my gaze from the pool to see Lothar stood arms open, with a huge grin on his handsome face. “If it isn’t my favourite little demon.” He places down his drink and beckons me with his little finger. “Come here my little fire cracker.”

  Shaking my head whilst blushing and smiling, I walk nearer and allow him to sweep me up and spin me around. “I can’t believe you brought her to play brother.”

  Kol rolls his eyes and takes a seat, grabbing a drink off the tray of a passing server. “She asked to come. I did try to warn her off.”

  Lothar places me down on my feet and grins. “You wanted to come and play with the big boys huh?”

  I smile and nod. “Yeah, I need some light relief right now.”

  Lothar claps his hands together and looks determined. “Well you have come to the right place my fire cracker.” He places his fingers in his mouth and produces a loud whistle. “Gif Get your greedy ass over here and come and meet our new toy!”

  I follow his gaze to where a beast of a man puts down the brunette whose neck he had just been kissing and starts to walk over. The crowd part for him. He like his brothers is tall and has the body of an Adonis. He had jet black hair that is tied into a man bun on his head and his chin is adorned with a well groomed goatee beard. He reminds me of a younger version of Jason Momoa.

  “Gif this is the lovely Ebony I was telling you about.”

  Two dark eyes take me in from head-to-toe. “So you’re the little thing who challenged our father in front of his people.” He grins, a wide and warm grin. “Let me shake your hand. I love anyone who stands up to my father.”

  I off
er out my hand and he shakes it vigorously. Wow he was strong. I pull my arm back as quickly as I can before he pulls it out of its socket. “Hi Gif nice place you have here.”

  He smiles and gestures with his hand around the roof terrace. “Mi casa is always at your disposal doll.” He looks behind me noticing Kol who is sat back with a drink in hand, looking all relaxed. “Brother. You did good.” He gestures with his head towards me.”

  Kol nods, offering me a quick smile. “Where is she?” His eyes scan the party goers as he asks.

  Gif shrugs. “Last I heard she was in Barbados.”

  “No wonder you look so happy.” Kol replies with a wink.

  “Make yourselves at home doll. I want a dance later.” He scans the crowd and his eyes fall upon the brunette he had in his arms just a few minutes earlier. “I have a tasty brunette to get back to.” With a playful wink he disappears off into the crowd.

  I take a seat in between Kol and Lothar. “Who is the ‘she’ you asked him about?”

  “Danika. Our brothers mate. Let’s just say the two of them are not a match made in hell.” Lothar tells me from over the top of his glass.

  “Do you have a mate?” I ask him and I am earned with a wink and a smile.

  “I’m open to offers if you are looking to trade up sweetie.”

  I laugh. “So I take it that is a no.”

  He smiles again, its lights up his dark eyes. “Nope. I’m still young and sowing my wild demon oats. A mate will be picked for me when I come of age.”

  I furrow my brow in confusion. He looks at least twenty-one. “Come of age?”

  Kol offers me a glass with a pink looking drink inside. “Daiquiri.” I immediately take it and take a sip, I loved Daiquiris. “Yeah this one has another hundred years to go before he is deemed old enough to take a mate.”

  I nod. Another hundred years! “So how old is he now then?”

  Lothar winks at me again. “In a hundred years I will be deemed a man in demonic terms. I’m all grown up and all man now though if you ask me.” He leans in and says quietly into my ear. “Don’t tell anyone but I’m nine hundred years old. I can take a mate anytime after my thousandth year.”