Legends of the Damned: A Collection of Edgy Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance Novels

by Lindsey R. Loucks

  “What are you doing, female?”

  Valia gave him her best smile. “Snooping.”

  “There’s nothing here to steal.”

  She glanced around the dreary room. “Yep. That’s for sure.”

  He followed her gaze around the room and frowned. “You find my home lacking?”

  She flipped a lock of hair over her shoulder and sauntered over to him. “No offense, Ferox, but this place is a dump.”

  His gaze narrowed, and she thought he was about to slam her into another wall, but then he surprised her by laughing. It was a beautiful sight. All tension left his face, and his amber eyes sparkled, but the lightheartedness was gone in an instant.

  “You are rude, female. Get a shirt from the drawer you were snooping in and come, eat.”

  She rifled through his clothes, chose a green tank top, and pulled it over her head. The hem hung below her knees and the arm holes were so large her sides were bare to her hips. When she joined him in the other room, she noticed a round, black…thing on the table. It looked similar to a slimy, black coconut. “What’s that?”

  “It’s your dinner.” He looked at the watch on his wrist and frowned. “Actually, your breakfast. It’s five a.m.”

  “I’m not eating that,” she said.

  “It’s fruit.”

  “That is not fruit. That is gross.”

  He frowned. “This is what your species eats.”

  “That might be what the demons here eat, but I live in the veil. I eat kiwi fruit and pineapples.”

  “Kiwi fruit and pineapples are not readily available here,” he said. “Sit.”

  He produced a large knife from a drawer next to the small sink. Raising the knife to shoulder height, he then brought it down with great force. A loud cracking noise sounded as the gross-looking black thing split in half. The inside was blood-red and oozed juices. He picked up each half and dumped the juice into a cup and handed the cup to her.

  “Drink it,” he ordered.

  She scrunched up her face and shook her head. “No way.”

  He picked up the cup and took a small sip. “I’m not trying to kill you. Drink it.”

  “Didn’t think ya were but uh-uh not touching that.”

  He took another swig from the cup, then pulled her to him and kissed her hard. His tongue snaked into her mouth and the bittersweet juice made her mouth tingle. It wasn’t kiwi or pineapple, but it was good. Her body came alive at his kiss, but he broke it off and set her away from him.

  “Now, drink it,” he said and sliced chunks of gooey stuff out of the black coconut thing. “And eat these.”

  Valia took a sip of the juice. The thick, bittersweet liquid coated her tongue and tingled as it flowed down her throat. It reminded her of his kiss. When she left here, she’d have to talk to her mother about growing these in their orchard. She popped one of the chunks into her mouth and chewed. The texture was similar to a mango.

  Rydin stood watching her eat, and she didn’t miss the look of hunger in his eyes nor the erection once again tenting his pants. She slowly stood and then scooted her ass onto the table. She propped one foot on the chair, knee bent, as she leaned back slightly, her arms supporting her. She rested her weight on one hand as she picked up another piece of fruit and rubbed it across her lips, slowly licking the juice from them while gazing directly at Rydin.

  “What are you doing, female?”

  “Eating, as you ordered,” she answered innocently.

  He closed the distance between them. He looked dangerous, determined.

  He settled his hips between her legs, then reached between them and stroked her already wet core. She wanted him, and she needed him. She could feel herself weakening. She reached the piece of fruit to his lips. He bit into it and kissed her, pushing it into her mouth. He broke away as he thrust a finger inside her. Every touch of this infuriating male alit her senses.

  “I’m going to fuck you hard and fast, female.”

  He lowered his sweats just enough to free his bulging cock. The sight made her groan with want, with hunger, with a yearning for something she couldn’t put a name on. He slid his arms under her knees and hiked her legs up forcing her to lean back, arms bent beneath her. He pounded into her fast and strong, filling her fully, completely.

  He grunted as her orgasm overtook her, her inner muscles clenching hard around his cock. His face was strained as he continued his fast and furious thrusts until her climax subsided. He pulled free of her again stroking himself as his semen spilled to the floor.

  She tried to get up, to stop him from wasting what she needed, but he roughly shoved her back.

  “Goddammit! What’s your game?”

  He finished, cleaned himself in the sink, and then used a cloth to clean the floor.

  “I told you this wasn’t a game, Sempire.” His eyes glinted cruelly.

  “Whatever you think I’ve done to you, you’re wrong,” she insisted. “You said you wouldn’t starve me. You know I’m a Sempire. So you must know—”

  “I am well aware of your needs, Sempire. You kept me locked up to feed your needs for three days.”

  He looked so serious. His voice dripped with venom as his lips turned into a sneer. Valia considered busting his nose again. How could he mistake her for someone else? It made no sense.

  She took a deep breath. “When’d I do this to you?” she asked with a calm she didn’t really feel.

  “Why do you pretend? You walked right up to me in that club. You saw me and wanted to flaunt yourself in front of me. But you underestimated me without that collar around my neck.”

  Collar? Her mother had locked her sister’s fiancé in a cell and collared him, along with countless other males in attempt to save her sister’s life. But her sister hadn’t accepted any of those other men. So, the Ferox couldn’t have been one of them. Besides, she and her sister looked nothing alike other than their eyes. There was no way anyone would mistake one for the other.

  “Okaaay. Ya know, if I did what you say, I wouldn’t have been dumbassed enough to let you carry me out of the club and then flash me to the demon realm. Nope. I’m way too awesome for that.”

  He seemed to consider her words for a moment and shook his head. “Go bathe, Sempire.”

  “You go bathe.” She poked him in the chest. “You’re lucky I find you so yummy because you’re getting on my nerves.” She strode past him into the bedroom completely ignoring his demand. She was hungry and grouchy and tired from fighting off the fear that threatened to swamp her. Nope. She wouldn’t be afraid, dammit.

  She pulled the top sheet of the bed back and tossed and turned trying to get comfortable and not succeeding. She turned to see Rydin watching her from the doorway.

  “What?” she snapped.

  “You’re restless,” he mused.

  “I’m tired and hungry, and your crappy sheets are rubbing my skin raw,” she grouched.

  He frowned and moved to the bed. He took the sheet between thumb and forefinger and rubbed. He reached out to her and stroked her arm. His aura sparked confusion, concern, and annoyance. He produced the handcuff key, from where she didn’t know, and unlocked the extra cuff before securing it to the bed post.

  “Are you fucking kidding me?” Valia asked. “You know I can’t run. I can’t—”

  “I’d prefer to avoid another broken nose.” His expression darkened. “Or dick.”

  She huffed. “Whatevs.”

  Rydin grabbed a pillow from the bed and threw it on the floor on the opposite side of the bed from her and lay down.

  “You don’t have to sleep on the floor. Seeing as how I’m at your mercy here, I probably won’t break any more of your body parts.” She shot him a look. “Probably.”

  “Shut up, Sempire. I need sleep.”

  She mumbled under her breath, “You shut up.”

  Chapter Three

  Rydin awoke on the uncomfortable floor. He’d had a helluva time going to sleep with the Sempire’s scent calling to
him. Everything about her seemed to call to him. Even though he’d been furious when she’d broken his nose and his dick, he’d been impressed, and he wouldn’t underestimate her again.

  He was certain he didn’t have to worry about her running again. He’d sensed her fear when she’d realized where she was. He’d sensed it like it had been his own, as though he was somehow connected to her.

  He felt the connection when he fucked her too. It was as if he’d lost a part of himself thirty years ago and the only time he felt whole again was when he was near her, inside her. He tried to shake off the feelings and remember this situation was all about revenge, but he was already going easier on her than he’d intended. Already losing some of the anger that had burned within him for so long.

  Rydin forced himself off the floor and tossed the pillow onto the bed. The Sempire didn’t budge. She lay on her side, her cuffed wrist hanging above her. Her red hair was splayed behind her in fiery disarray, her legs tangled in the sheet. He could see the swell of her breast peeking out from beneath the sheet. He wanted to be inside her again. And he damn well would be.

  He walked around the bed and slid in quietly behind her. He never noticed before, but his sheets were scratchy, especially for someone with skin as soft as hers. He growled mentally. Why should he give a damn about her comfort? Although, he’d been comfortable in the cell she’d locked him in. Hell, that cell had been the lap of luxury compared to his domicile. It meant nothing to him before he’d brought her here. Now its lack of…everything, shamed him.

  Pushing those thoughts from his mind, he reached between her legs and cupped her pussy. The back of her body pressed to the front of his, her perfect little ass cradling his erection drove him wild.

  “Wake up, Sempire,” he demanded in a low tone.

  She stirred. “Mmm?”

  He nipped the back of her neck as he massaged her inner thighs, then moved back to the sweet spot between her legs. She groaned, wiggled her ass against him, and he felt her wetness on his fingers in an instant.

  Ah yes, his little prisoner desired him.

  He rubbed the head of his cock between her soft, wet lips, slowly, back and forth. She thrust her ass back in such an angle that the head of his cock slipped just inside her. She felt so right, he could come in an instant, but he wanted to make it last, savor the feel of her.

  “Fuck me, Ferox,” she said in a hushed but urgent tone.

  He thrust into her with abandon. “That’s the plan, Sempire.”

  Goddamnsonofabitch! He denied her again. She was weak. She wouldn’t make it two more days. She was hiding it from him the best she could because she hated showing weakness, especially in front of someone as strong as the Ferox. But, the cramps would begin soon, and she’d have trouble hiding that.

  If only she hadn’t neglected feeding for three days before meeting up with him. Her sister’s happiness and excitement about planning her wedding had been infectious. Valia loved Araya and even though she didn’t understand her sister’s need to tie herself to one male, she was happy for her any way. It was hard to blame her too. Araya’s mixed-breed Incubus fiancé was yummy. Not as yummy as Valia’s Ferox, but yummy enough.

  Her Ferox? Well, hers for now.

  He uncuffed her wrist, and she slowly laid it down on the bed.

  “Stiff?” he asked.

  “Duh,” she retorted.

  “Come, Sempire,” he said, “bathe.”

  She rolled over and sat up to glare at him.

  “I need to call my family so they don’t worry about me.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Call?”

  “Yes, call. Ya know? With a phone?”

  “Sempire, do you see a phone around here? And if I had a phone, I’d not let you use it. I was not allowed any such provisions.”

  Valia jumped off the bed, stood in front of him, and poked him in the chest again. “I’ve done nothing to you! We’ve never met! I’m sure I’d remember an arrogant, bossy, delusional, abusive dickwad like you.”

  Rydin’s brows drew together, and a muscle ticked in his jaw. His aura was a mixture of anger, confusion, hurt, and amusement. And lust. Always lust.

  He seemed to relax after a moment as he reached out and stroked her cheek, the tender action making her feel a strange emotion she couldn’t name. “I have not abused you even though you cost me fifty years.”

  She slapped his hand away and stormed to the bathroom. Her voice rose. “I call starving me abusive.” She jumped in his crappy shower and hoped to wash away her annoyance.

  The hot water felt good but did little to remove the aggravation and confusion swamping her. How in the world could he confuse her with someone else? Sempires all had gold eyes, but surely that wasn’t enough to justify such a mistake in identity. He didn’t seem crazy. Bossy and obviously confused, yes, but not crazy.

  Could she have a lookalike running around? She’d like to think her look unique, but the Ferox seemed so certain it was her. Even if she did have a twin running around and abducting Ferox demons for sexual pleasure, wouldn’t Rydin know when she touched him, when he tasted her, when he sunk into her that she and the other female were not the same?

  She shoved her face into the steaming stream of water and quelled the urge to scream. She just needed to pull herself together and take from him what she needed. Reminding herself that she was Valia and Valia was awesome, she grinned, turned the water off and decided to give him a show.

  No matter how much misplaced anger he might feel toward her, he desired her greatly. Of that, she was certain.

  He smirked to himself as he cut up slices of the cocinus for her breakfast. He’d finally gotten under her skin, other than sexually. She tried to portray it as anger and no doubt, she was angry, but she was also scared. He could feel it. Good. About time.

  He only had two more days left with her. The thought made him scowl, and he toyed with the idea of keeping her longer. She did owe him fifty years.

  “Whatcha doin’, Rydie-pie?” she asked sweetly from behind him.

  He spun around. She stood naked, water dripping down her body and pooling on the floor at her feet. He wanted to lick the water from her toes, her nipples, from that sweet apex between her legs. Damn, he had no control over his cock when she was near.

  Her seductive voice brought him back to the present. “What do I have to do to get a towel around here?” She sauntered up to him and traced a finger around his nipple.

  He grabbed her and set her away from him. “I see the shower improved your attitude. There’s a towel in the bottom drawer of the dresser.”

  Rydin wanted to laugh at the surprised look on her face. She pouted and swayed her hips in an exaggerated way making her perky, little ass call to him. He desired her, and it had taken all of his willpower to set her aside, but he knew what she was doing, and right now he wanted her to eat. Besides, the sex was on his terms, not hers. He may not be willing to feed her with his semen, but he wouldn’t completely starve her.

  She strode back into the room wearing another of his tank tops, a light green this time. “Sit. Eat,” he said. She slid into one of the wooden chairs and picked up a slice of the fruit popping it into her mouth.

  “Aren’t you eating?” she asked.

  He grabbed a dish from the counter and set it down on the table as he slid into the chair opposite her. When she saw what was on his plate, her eyes bugged, and her mouth dropped open.

  ‘Ferox, please tell me you’re not gonna eat that.” She sounded incredulous and disgusted.

  He chuckled. He couldn’t help it. “You are a spoiled little Sempire demon, aren’t you?” he goaded.

  “If spoiled means not eating food that looks like that, then yeppers I am. By the way, you oughta laugh more often. It’s extra sexy-sauce on you.”

  He hadn’t expected that remark and tried to cover his surprise and his pleasure. He wasn’t sure what sexy sauce was but knew it was a compliment, and he felt the sincerity.

  “This,” he sa
id pointing to his plate, “is a stilio.”

  “It looks like a big, fat lizard. Correction, it looks like a big, fat, charred lizard.”

  “That’s what it is,” he agreed and took a hefty bite.

  She slapped her hand over her mouth and looked away.

  He chuckled again. “It’s not as if we have cows running around the demon realm.”

  “Why don’t ya just flash to a grocery store and buy something less…nastyfied?”

  He scowled at the reminder of his situation and took another bite of the stilio.

  “Well?” she prompted.

  “The stilio is tasty enough. Want a bite?”

  “Oh, but hell no.” She shook her head vehemently. “Is it because you can’t afford it?”

  He slammed his fist on the table making the plates rattle. Valia jumped, startled. “I am not poor, Sempire.”

  “For fuck’s sake, Rydin, call me Valia. And, if you’d simply answer my question, I wouldn’t make assumptions that piss on your parade.”

  He didn’t know why it made him so angry that she might think less of him but it did. Knowing his place in the demon realm was only temporary, until his contract was fulfilled, he’d never felt the need to do anything with it.

  “I am under contract and cannot enter the human realm unless my current task requires it or unless I am granted permission by my contract holder.” He couldn’t help but grit his teeth at the permission part.

  She looked fascinated as she popped another slice of fruit into her luscious mouth. “What kind of contract?”

  “Do you know nothing of the demon realm?”

  “I know I’m glad I don’t have to live here.”

  He snorted. “Spoiled.” When she didn’t take offense and instead only stared at him, he continued. “Because of our strength, many Ferox are contracted for a number of years by other demons who are considered upper level.” He sneered at that. “We are given no choice, taken when young, and bound. They have money, assets that act as money here, and the power to grant us leave to the human realm.”