Demon Possession

by Kiersten Fay

  He must have forgiven her after their argument, but for the life of her she couldn’t remember making up with him. How did she get in his bed?

  Her eyes shot open as clarity sparked through her. “Oh gods!”Darius is here!

  “It’s okay Anya, I have everything under control.”

  “Oh gods! Oh gods!” She chanted in a panicky whisper. Her throat was scratchy, and tight. “We have to go!” She studied her surroundings. It looked like she’d been lying peaceful y in his room as though nothing were wrong, as though evil incarnate wasn’t lurking close by. Had she imagined it al ? No. He’s here. She could sense the familiar hum of TheExtarga.

  Then she made the mistake of looking out the great domed window. The Hel Ship was leering down at her, like a malicious hideous beast, skulking in the darkness of space, a maleficent hunter who had found its prey andwasabout to strike with deadly accuracy.

  Feeling exposed,her body jerked to get out of sight. Bastian held her before she could fling herself out of bed. “Stop it! He’l see me!”

  Sebastian’s big body pinned her to the bed. “No he won’t, you can’t see in from the outside. It’s like a one-way mirror, reflective on the outside.”

  That was a relief, if only a smal one. “Bastian, why are we stil here? We have to go! Now! He’l destroy you!”

  “I’ve bought us some time. I might be able to convince him you’re not here at al . He’l move on if I can.”

  “What?” Her struggles stil ed.

  “He said he had many ships to search.”

  “Did he tel you he’s looking for his slave?”

  “No. You’ve become a notorious lady kil er.”

  “A what?”

  “A dangerous con-artist who he seeks to rid the universe of. He’s playing the honorable vigilante.”

  “You’re joking with me.”

  “Nope. And if it’s true that he has other ships to search, then that means he’s not sure where to find you. The day you escaped, had many ships been scheduled?”

  Anya took a breath, braving a glance past Sebastian at The Hel Ship. “Only a few, but I disabled the security system, changed the codes, and erased two weeks of recorded data.”

  Sebastian raised an eyebrow. “You did?”

  Anya nodded a little sheepish. “How did you buy time?”

  Sebastian repeated the conversation between Darius and himself. Sebastian’s plan was to go down in half an hour, inform Darius that their search came up empty, and hope he was desperate enough to get to his next target, and to get out of the warring zones.

  up empty, and hope he was desperate enough to get to his next target, and to get out of the warring zones.

  “He won’t buy it. He’l attack. He won’t take no for an answer.”

  Sebastian’s brows drew together thoughtful y. “He’s wasted a massive amount ofresourcesto fol ow us here. Al to get you back. It doesn’t make sense, unless …” Sebastian trailed off,eyes going dark. “Has he mated you in some way?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  Sebastian exhaled a harsh breath. “Does he want to?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “There’s got to be a reason he’s gone to these lengths to find you, something more than just a bruised ego over losing a slave. Anyone who’d lost a slave would spend a day, maybe a week looking to recover lost property. After that, they would cut their losses and buy a new one. Darius is hunting you. Why?

  Is it because of your gifts?”

  Oh gods, he’d guessed it.

  “I can see from your face that’s it.

  She couldn’t answer, couldn’t tel him, not yet. She wanted to hold on to her fantasy a little longer. Would he look at her differently if he knew? But if Darius did attack, Bastian would find out what she is. She would have no choice but to show him. She would save these people no matter what, even if the cost was her life. She would give them a chance to escape, to hide.

  “Promise me something.” Anya knew her eyes must look stark, they felt like they were glued in perpetual shock. She had to struggle to keep her lip from quivering.

  “Anything.”

  “Promise me if you … if we get away from Darius youwon’tseek him out. You’l take your crew and hide. Keep them safe … okay? And if you see him coming, you’l run as fast and as far as you can. Push the ship as hard as you can to get away.”

  Bastian shook his head. “I’ve vowed to kil him … and I wil . And stop talking like you’re going away. You’re not going anywhere. My crew is strong, they wil fight for you.”

  “No. Please just keep your ship, your crew, your family safe. Please. I’ve put everyone in danger and I have to make it right.”

  Eying her warily he replied. “What do you mean? How do you plan to do to make it right?”

  In a smal voice, “I’l think of something.” Actual y, a plan had already formed. It had been in the works since she’d been at leisure to study more closely the workings of the ship, its complicated engines, and the unused warp drive. Sebastian hadn’t stocked enough power supply to use it because it had never worked, but what they didn’t know was she had al the power they would need, and she would give it al if she had to.

  “The look on your face is making me uneasy.”

  A strong sense of determination had come over her. This may be her final night with Bastian. “Then kiss me and make it go away.” She cooed. It was selfish to want him at a time like this, but there were two outcomes for her future—one; she would be captured by Darius, her friends and loved ones kil ed. Two; She would reveal herself for what she is and cause Sebastian to see her differently—either way she wanted this last moment of happiness with Sebastian, even if she didn’t deserve it.

  There was a third outcome, a happy-ever-after outcome, one where she would be free to love and cherish Sebastian for the rest of her life. But that outcome seemed unlikely at this point. She wouldn’t let herself dwel on it.

  Sebastian couldn’t stand that look on her face any longer. She looked both defeated and determined at the same time. In her mind she had already lost. It looked as though she didn’t believe they would get out of this alive. It pained him that she had so little faith in him to keep her safe.

  He would just have to prove it to her.

  In the meantime she had asked him for something, and he would not deny her. He would have to make it quick, not able to pleasure her at his leisure. For hours he could explore her body, find what made her quiver with delight and exploit it until she screamed his name.

  Immersinghimself in the feel of her soft warm body beneath him he leaned down and claimed her mouth, more forceful y than he intended. Rewarding him she gave a smal sound of approval and kissed him back with what could be described as desperation. Her arms came around his neck to lock him in place, as if he’d go anywhere when he had her right where he wanted her.

  He took a moment to caress her tongue with his before trailing his lips down her jaw to her neck, he gave a smal bite, testing the waters.Anya’sbody came alive, her breath hitchedand sheshuttered. With that, she raised an eyebrow at him, and hejust gave her a wicked grin. Maybe she wasn’tready to be claimed by him, but her bodysurewas.

  When he covered her breast with one hand her eyes rol ed and her head fel back, body arching to his touch.Ready indeed.

  As quickly as possible he eased off her and removed her shirt, the next instant her hard little nipple was in his mouth. He twirledhis tongue over the first peak, then the next. His hands flowed over her body, cupping the tightest most luscious ass that was ever captured by five fingers. She moaned softly for him and he took her mouth with his as she pressed her core against his painful y hard shaft.

  Driving him mad with lust Anyacontinuedrubbing herself against him, but he wouldn’t let it be that quick. He wanted to take his time with her.

  Without a doubt he felt the presence of another male threatening what was his.Not mine yet, he reminded himself.Anya was not yet ready to give herself to him ful y.
It worried him that she could yet be claimed by another, leaving her free of his mark went against every instinct he had. Time is what she needed, and until now he’s beenmore than wil ing to give it to her. Now he felt an urgency deep in his soul, an urgency to final y claim his mate and an urgency to protect her with his life.

  Gripping her thigh he opened her legs to him,and with his hand found her warm and slick. He groaned while Anya sucked in a sharp breath with the first contact. He loved her reactions. Sebastian watched her face as he rubbed her swol en clitoris. Her eyes closed in ecstasy and then with a gasp they opened wide as though surprised by the intense pleasure.

  The sight of it had him growing harder stil .

  Inserting one finger, then another, he sucked one tight nipple into his mouth, pinching it lightly between his teeththen making slow circles withhis tongue.

  Growing stil a look crossed her face as if she were grappling with a decision. Her gaze flickered to his engorged cock, looking as though she wanted to

  … Sebastian held his breath when she licked her lips.

  “Bastian could I—”

  “Anything you want.” He bit out.

  Giving him a tentative smile she moved from under him, guiding him to the head of the bed with his back against the headboard. Then in a studying manner her attention was on his shaft. Her head tilted this way and that as if she didn’t know where to begin. Sebastian clenched the bed sheets, determined to let her explore him at her leisure. With a slowness that was maddening, she leaned down until her mouth hovered over his shaft.

  Sebastian’s grip on the sheets tightened.

  Testing, her tongue flicked out to lick the tip of him. He let out an involuntary groan. She looked up at him and smiled,as if pleased with his reaction. He watched her intensely, eager to see what she would do next.

  The pleasure of her sucking him into her mouth was more than he’d ever experienced. He had to fight to keep from bucking his hips. The sound of something tearing registered with his mind and he loosened his grip on the sheets.

  Though it was obvious she was new to this, it didn’t make it any less sweet.In fact, it made it al the more that he knew she’d never done this for another. It made him feel even more possessive of her than he already was.

  She was relentless, sucking and licking and pumping him into her hot mouth. Her soft little moans reverberating through him.

  He was tempted to let her have her fil ,but he felt he could come any second with her stroking him with her mouth like that, and he wanted to be inside her when he came. As much as it pained him, he pul ed her away from his throbbing cock. “You’re going to make me come if you keep doing that.”

  The smile she gave him was nothing short of wicked.Oh, he was in trouble.

  Back stil against the headboard he grabbed her around the waist and pul ed her on top of him, working her down his length. As he penetrated, she threw her head back with a cry of pure satisfaction. With his hands gripping her waist he showed her how to move, slow at first, then she took over. Her appetite for pleasure matched his own,and soon both their hips were undulating in unison, their breaths mingling. The sounds she made seemed to be like a drug to him, making him mindless for more of her, for every bit of her.

  Vaguely he realized his fangs were elongating.

  Her breast rubbed against his chest as she moved up and down. Maddening. He gripped her half around her waist fingers on her ass, forcing her hard into him, her cries encouraging. Faster and harder he thrust her upon him. When her head fel back once more, her soft neck presented to him, he put his lips to her, his fangs sliding lightly over her tender flesh.

  Anya gasped and pul ed away. He’d been about to bite her. Emotions ran through her as he continued to give her the most mind-blowing pleasure she’d ever experienced. It didn’t surprise her that he would attempt to claim her in the heat of their passion. No, that was almost expected. What surprised her was that she … wanted him to.

  But the threat against them was too great. The idea that if he claimed her and she was taken away from him was too much. She couldn’t bear the thought of it. He would never be able to take another as his mate. And though the image of him with another woman hurt, she wanted him to be able to find happiness, even if it wasn’t with her.

  Bastian’s voice was a low rumble, “Anya.” He pleaded. “Give yourself to me. I’l be good to you, I swear. You already have me wrapped around your wee finger.” He managed a smile.

  Slowly she shook her head. His features grew pained. “Not yet. Please understand. I can’t … not when he’s out there.”—pause—“What if I … if you’d done it, and I …” She couldn’t finish her sentence.

  In a swift move he wrapped his arms around her and pul ed her to him. “So it’s only out of concern for me that you refuse?” When she nodded he said.

  “That’s sil y.” At her raised eyebrow he quickly added, “But I’l al ow it. As soon as I have you to safety, you’re mine.” To make his point he thrust hard into her, and they resumed their frenzy.

  As their joining became more frantic, she felt his hot seed shoot into her and was instantly overcome with a blinding release that took her breath. With both of them panting she let her body rest against his muscled chest, absently fingering the metal around his neck.

  She felt his body go stil .

  His reactionreminded her of their first morning together. She could tel something was wrong and it had to do with his necklace. Backing away she,studied him. The moment he looked at her he relaxedagain,as if everything were fine, but—

  “Tel me about your necklace.”

  Slightly he stiffened once more. When he didn’t answer she moved to get off him,but he stayed her with his hands on her waist.

  “It was a gift from my mother, just before she betrayed us.”

  “Why do you keep it?”

  “I use it as a reminder. To … protect myself from …” he paused, obviously debating continuing. “You.” He final y said.

  She tilted her head at that.

  “I thought that finding my mate would be like a death sentence. After what happened to Cale, I thought I should avoid the whole thing altogether.”

  A sadness came over her like nothing she’d felt before. He hadn’t wanted to find her, had loathed the idea of her. Yet here she is.

  “But I was wrong.” He bit out. “I couldn’t have been more wrong about anything in my life. I know you would never betray me like that.”

  Anya was silent for a moment.“The time I’ve spent on this ship has taught me that therearepeople out there who are good, and kind. You’ve shown me that.” She paused,”I spend al my time trying to forget my past, when you wish only to hold on to yours.”

  “You make it seem so easy.”

  “It’s not easy. A lot of the time I’m pretending to be okay. But it helps when you meet someone who truly cares for you, no matter what you are …” she bit her lip.

  Should she tel him?

  A light refracted off the necklace drawing her eye.

  Draping her hands around his neck she unclasped the necklace and then clasped it around her own neck. The metal dangled heavy between her breasts.

  His eyes turned hungry.

  “There, now it wil always remind you of me.”

  He gave her a heart-stopping grin, and kissed her with renewed hunger. Suddenly he drew back, his brows drawn together. Shaking his head Sebastian said, “As many times as I had set foot on that ship, I should have sensed you. I should have caught your scent, torn the ship apart looking for you.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry.”

  “As much as I would have loved being rescued by a big scary demon with horns, claws, and overgrown fangs—”

  “Hey, you like my fangs.”

  She shivered at thethought of his teethgrazing her skin. “Be that as it may, there was nothing you could have done.”

  “I should have known. Demons are supposed to be able to scent their mates from miles away.”

  “
Then why did it take so long for you to realize what I wasto youwhen I was two feet away?”

  “Denial is a powerful thing.”

  “Then, if youhadsensed me one day, wouldn’t you have just denied it?”

  Bastian lowered his head.

  “Stop this. It’s in the past. You’re speaking of things that have no place in the realm of possibilities. I was kept in only the most remote parts of the ship.

  There’s no way you could have known. You have me now. That’s al that matters.” She hoped.

  In a grave voice he replied. “I wil make it up to you. If it takes me the rest of my life.”

  “As long as you’re alive, that is gift enough.”

  He pul ed her close and kissedher with such tenderness. Their foreheads touching,he said, “I have to go.”

  Chapter 17

  After dressing, Sebastian left Anya stil nearly naked in his room. As soon as he got rid of Darius, she would again be ful y naked and in his bed.

  She had tried hard to convince him that he hadn’t failed her by not sensing her on TheExtarga. Itispossible that he had no way of knowing, but thinking back he wasn’t sure. He realized now that stepping onto that shiphadfelt different, though he’d never given it a second thought. Like he told Anya, he’d never wanted to find his mate. Abhorred the idea of it his whole life. Could he have perceived his mate in some way and ignored his instincts?

  Unconsciously convincing himself that she was fine where she was? Was it truly possible that he’d denied her and left her there to suffer? For years?

  He touched the chain around his neck. Anya had given it back to him just before he’d left, along with the sweetest kiss to his lips.

  How could she look so determined and utterly lost at the same time?

  He supposed she imagined the necklacewasa parting gift. Something to remember her by. She truly feared she was going back. But there was no way he would al ow that. Not when he had just found her.

  His mate.

  And oh did he want her, like nothing he’d ever wanted before. She was perfect for him in every way. Knowing her now, how could he have ever not wanted to find her?If he’d know was a perfect creature he was destined for, he would have torn apart the universe to find her.