by Dove, Raquel
Crimes Forbidden
By Raquel dove
Copyright©2012 Raquel Dove
Chapter one
Paris lie on the cold marble floor of his apartment, staring up at the ceiling. Zoe’s head was resting casually on his chiseled breast. His clawed fingers played absently in her long, golden hair. He felt like he could lie there forever with her in his arms. He knew what they had just done was unthinkable, abominable, but he didn’t care. It was worth every bit of the risk attached to it. He had never in all his long years felt so at peace, so satisfied. He closed his eyes and allowed himself to slip into a light slumber. It had been three years since he had last slept. Demons were never more vulnerable than when they slept. Even with a properly placed barrier, it was never safe. But having her next to him brought such a calm, it was hard to resist the urge to rest.
Zoe had never been so confused. It felt so right lying in his arms, listening to the steady, heavy thump of his heart. But things had just happened so fast. They had gotten so out of hand, so quickly. She didn’t even know what had happened during the fight with Salem. There were so many questions rolling around in her head. Her body ached for rest after the assault of pleasure she just endured, but her mind needed answers, and she just couldn’t sleep until she had them.
“Paris,” Zoe said quietly, rousing him from his slumber with a small shake. “What happened?”
“Do you really need an explanation?” Paris said, an arch in his perfectly shaped brow as he cracked an eye open to look at her. “I believe it is called sex.”
“That’s not what I meant,” she said, lifting up onto her elbow to look at him. She had to ask, even though she had a feeling she wouldn’t like the answer. “What happened at the palace? When Salem tried to attack me?”
Paris wished he could make the peaceful moment last just a little while longer. Holding her was a little piece of heaven that was so forbidden to him, he just wanted to prolong it for as long as possible. As soon as he told her the truth, he knew she would be furious with him.
“Technically speaking,” Paris said, choosing his words carefully. “We never had a contract.”
“What do you mean?” Zoe said, pushing back from him. She grabbed his shirt up from the floor next to her and wrapped herself with it.
“I had no intention of collecting on it,” Paris said with a sigh. He sat up, reaching for her, hoping she wouldn’t question him any further and ruin this short time that they would have together. The barrier he had placed was weakening. It wouldn’t hold out for much longer. Then the others would be looking for him. She pulled away from his touch and he found himself surprisingly hurt by the rejection. The last thing he ever wanted was for her to recoil from him in such a way.
“So, what?” Zoe said, her voice rising. The afterglow of pleasure had worn off and the harsh realization of everything that had happened began to hit her. “You would have let Salem enslave and kill me for no reason? I never had to do any of that?”
“As you saw,” Paris said, his voice stern. He really didn’t want to get into a fight with her now. “That is not possible.”
“Why?” Zoe said. Her lips were pulled tight in anger as she glared back at Paris, demanding an answer. “Why did you lie to me?”
“They will likely kill me,” Paris said. He could see the shock flash across her face at the statement. He didn’t blame her, she had no idea how any of this worked, and that was entirely his fault. She didn’t know the consequences for him of the actions they just committed.
“You are Untouched,” he wanted to explain things to her, but there was no way she could ever truly understand how his world worked. There were rules, and all demons were bound by certain rules. He had just broken the most sacred of them all. Paris grabbed his boxer’s from off the floor, sliding them back over his narrow hips. This was not how he imagined things ending.
“You are protected,” Paris continued, trying to find the words to make her understand. “Contact with someone like you is forbidden to me. The penalties for an infraction are severe, but add to that our indiscretions, and I am likely to be executed.”
Zoe’s mind raced. She was so angry with Paris. How could he be so selfish? He put her life in danger to save his own skin. She had trusted him, despite her serious reservations to do so. She had given him a chance and this is how he repaid her, by letting her almost get killed by his fiancé, all so he didn’t get caught doing something wrong. Mixed with her anger was the tug of sadness at the thought that he would die. She had no idea that their actions could lead to his death. If she had, as much as she had wanted to, she would not have done such things.
“You are such a selfish bastard,” she snapped at him. She could feel the tears beginning to sting her eyes. She didn’t know what else to say to him. There were so many emotions swirling inside her.
“No,” Paris snapped harshly back at her, “I am a demon. What did you really expect?”
He regretted the words as soon as they left his lips. He could see the hurt Zoe was trying so hard to suppress, and he didn’t like it.
“I guess I expected too much,” Zoe said, her words stinging him more than he thought possible. She whirled away from him, stomping through the vast expanse of his apartment. She had to get away from him before something else happened and her life was threatened yet again. She threw the front door open to find a blue eyed demon standing there.
“Where is he?” Jackson said, a less than pleased look on his narrow, clean shaven face.
Chapter Two
“I’m here,” Paris said, coming up beside Zoe. The last thing he wanted was for Jackson to find him like this. But the damage was done. He knew full well the consequences of his actions, and now he would simply have to face them.
“What have you done?” Jackson asked, his blue eyes piercing as he glared at Paris. His lips pulled tightly back revealing fangs that had returned with nightfall. His brows pulled over his eyes, a crease of disapproval forming between them. “It is forbidden, Paris.”
Jackson knew Paris had made an illegitimate contract, which was bad enough. Jackson had seen the glow of the girl’s protection, as had a few others. Most had missed it, but it would only be a short matter of time before the gossip would travel around, revealing what had happened. Paris would be punished, but with Jackson’s connections he could have gotten him off with little more than a slap on the wrist. It would be a scar on Paris’ otherwise pristine record, but still better than most demons would get. But there was nothing that could save him from this. Copulating with a human was beyond reprehensible.
“We must go,” Jackson said his jaw tightening. “They are coming for you.”
He had made plans to spirit his friend away from the anger of the Grand Elder. With the right people on his side, he could have ensured Paris would in the least retain his title. But now he would have to rearrange those plans to accommodate this kink.
“I’m not going anywhere, with either of you,” Zoe said. This was absolutely ridiculous. She couldn’t get away from these things as hard as she seemed to try. She tried to push past Jackson, out the door of Paris’ apartment, but Paris grabbed her arm. His claws bit through the thin fabric of the dress shirt, pinching her skin beneath.
“I’m afraid this is not an option,” he said. If they were coming for him, they would likely come for her as well. He would much rather her be with him when they did. Before Zoe even had time to fight him further she was in a different room. It was an apartment, just as opulent as Paris’, and as stuffy too.
“Damn it,” Zoe huffed. She was seriously getting tired of the sudden and unannounced teleportation going on.
; “They will not search my apartments for you,” Jackson said, “at least not for a little while. I have placed a barrier to hide your presence, but it will not last long.”
Paris wanted to argue with his friend, mostly for the simple fact that he didn’t like being told what to do. But he knew Jackson was right. He was in some serious trouble and he had to lie low and collect his thoughts until he could figure a way to get out of it. And more importantly, to ensure that Zoe was protected.
“I’m not staying here,” Zoe said. She was still fuming about Paris’ most recently discovered deception. She crossed her arms over her chest in defiance. “I don’t owe you people anything. Let me go.”
Her face was hardened in anger, but Jackson could see behind that. He could see a hurt that swirled behind her eyes. He realized the situation was even worse than he had thought. All the pieces were coming together in his head. Paris’ strange absence from the shop lately. His odd behavior. Zoe’s eyes said everything he needed to know. This was more than a taste of something forbidden. There were some pretty serious emotions at play here. He wished more than anything that he could just wash his hands of this situation. It screamed nothing but trouble. But he was a demon of his word, and he would stand by his friend. Even if his friend was making a huge mistake.
“Zoe,” Jackson said, his eyes glancing over to her. “Paris is not alone in his crimes. Do you honestly think they are going to let you live when they find out what you two have done?”
Chapter three
“What is it with demons and empty kitchens?” Zoe said, letting the refrigerator door slam closed. “I’m hungry.”
“Demons require far less food than humans,” Paris said, utter boredom in his tone as he picked at some lent under his middle finger claw.
“I wasn’t talking to you,” Zoe said, her lips tight as she flashed a grimace at Paris from over her shoulder. She was still upset with him. Just because she was stuck with him didn’t mean she had to like it, or talk to him.
“I am the only other person here,” he said. He knew he was grating on her nerves, and that’s partly why he said it. If he had to be stuck here, waiting for a way out of this predicament, he would at least have a little bit of fun.
“I can talk to myself, can’t I?” Zoe said, crossing her arms over her chest. She glared at Paris, sitting on the couch, as best she could. She had to force herself not to melt as his deep grey eyes watched her, that damn playful smirk on his lips. It just wasn’t fair. He was almost too handsome to stay mad at. And he knew it too, which only propagated his behavior.
“I suppose you can,” Paris said, “but I wouldn’t recommend it.”
“I don’t understand why I have to be here,” Zoe said, “It’s you they want. You’re the one that broke the rules, or whatever. Not me.”
“I believe this has been explained to you,” Paris said. “You were very much complicit in our actions. They will hunt you down as well.”
“Who is they?” Zoe screeched, tossing her hands in the air. The high pitch caused Paris to wince as it hit his sensitive ears. “And I haven’t done anything wrong. I was tricked, by you, into all this.”
“You did not enjoy our time together?” Paris asked. For a moment, Zoe saw a sliver of pain behind his eyes at the thought that she did not, and it made her want to melt. He could really be sweet when he was trying so hard not to be.
“That’s not what I meant,” Zoe said, looking away from him as she plopped down on the couch beside him. “I just don’t understand what’s going on and you keep lying to me. Then you tell me I am going to probably die for it. It’s all just a bit much to handle.”
He wanted to comfort her. To reach out to her, and pull her close, tell her that he would make everything ok. But he didn’t want to lie to her again. He had no idea how he was going to fix this mess he had created. His aura began to tickle with a familiar and rather disappointing feeling, taking his attention away from Zoe. They were here. His eyes focused on Zoe. Her mouth was going to get them caught.
“Be quiet,” Paris said in a harsh whisper.
“Excuse me,” Zoe shrieked. “Don’t tell me to be quiet, you jerk!”
“I said be quiet,” Paris snapped, baring his fangs to her. It was a common reaction when a demon felt threatened, or was trying to be intimidating. He hoped Zoe would catch onto his concern and stop talking before the other demons heard her.
“No,” she said, oblivious to Paris’ growing concern. “I am not your slave, remember. You can’t tell me what to do.”
Before she had time for another single heartbeat he snatched her off the couch, an arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her into him. His hand slapped over her mouth. She immediately began kicking and squirming, trying to free herself from his iron grip.
“Stop,” he whispered into her ear. His voice was firm, commanding, but still kind. She finally realized he was not telling her to be quiet out of arrogance, but rather out of concern. She stopped wiggling, waiting for a further explanation. If Paris was concerned, that was definitely not a good thing.
The front door of the apartment popped opened and two demons stepped inside. Zoe tried to move, but stopped when Paris’ grip on her tightened. Her pulse shot up as the demons came closer. They were caught. They were going to kill Paris. The thought brought a painful sensation in her chest that nearly took her breath away. She was so angry with him, but the thought of him actually being killed for what they had done was too much for her to bear.
“There is a barrier,” the first demon said, lifting his nose in the air. He inhaled deeply, trying to find any trace of their prey.
“They’re here,” the other one said. “I can feel it.”
They were dressed in identical black suits, with a black dress shirt and black tie. They also both had stone black hair, with pale skin and endless black eyes. They were the creepiest things Zoe had ever seen. Their eyes scanned the room, and her pulse began to rise.
“Can you break the barrier?” the first one asked, a scowl on his face, as he looked to the other one.
“No,” he said. “It’s too powerful.”
His statement both relieved and troubled Paris. He was thankful that they could not break the barrier that was currently hiding them. But Jackson was not powerful enough to create a barrier this strong. These two demons were Reapers. They were the enforcers of demonic rule. If they could not break the barrier, it must have been placed by someone very strong. He released Zoe. There was no need for them to remain still anymore. The other demons would not be able to see them.
He thought Jackson was trying to protect him, but there was someone far more powerful pulling his friends’ strings. It couldn’t be his father. The demon certainly was powerful enough. As the head of the Council, he was second in ranking only to the Grand Elder. But Jackson’s father was a hardliner. He was a stickler for rules, and there was no way he would help Paris get away with something like this. There was somebody else backing Jackson.
Zoe turned her head over her shoulder to look at Paris, a questioning look on her face. She still didn’t want to risk moving or saying anything.
“It is alright,” Paris said, “they will not see us.”
The reaffirmation was comforting, but Zoe could see the turmoil going on behind Paris’ calm exterior. He was worried, and that seriously worried Zoe.
“What is it?” she asked, forgetting her anger with him. If there was something she needed to be worried about, she wanted to know.
“Jackson,” Paris said, “he lied to me.”
“About what?” Zoe asked, becoming increasingly worried. They were trusting Jackson to help them hide. If he was lying to them, that was so not good. She really needed to stop putting her trust in demons.
“Nothing that concerns you,” Paris said. He could see her anger begin to rise again. He really did not want to get into a conversation with her about the intricacies of the demon court.
“We know you are here,” the first demon spoke, calli
ng out through the apartment. “Come out and things will go easier for you.”
“The Grand Elder wants you alive,” the second one chimed in. “Come out and you won’t be harmed.”
Chapter Four
“Who were they?” Zoe asked when the two black eyed demons had finally left the apartment. They had the typical features of a demon, but they were different. There was something off about them. The way the room seemed to chill when they entered, the solid black eyes that scanned the room unblinking, and the strange aura they gave off all told Zoe they were not typical demons.
“Reapers,” Paris said, not intending to give any further explanation as if Zoe would know what reapers were.
“Ok,” Zoe said. She was getting really tired of his perpetual elusiveness. “What are Reapers?”
“They are like the police in the demon world, only much worse,” Paris said. “Come. We must leave.”
Paris wasn’t going to take any more chances. He couldn’t trust Jackson. He had lied to him. There were a few places Paris could go to hide. He would just lay low for a few centuries until all this blew over. He knew he couldn’t take Zoe with him. It was time for her to go home. He would always remember her, long for her, even miss her. He knew he would never be satisfied when it came to her, but he would just have to get used to that. He couldn’t allow her to get caught up any further in his world. She didn’t belong here. She belonged in her little bubble where he found her. He could understand now why humans were forbidden. Their worlds simply did not mix.
“Leaving?” Zoe said. “Where are we going?”
She wasn’t going to just blindly follow anymore. Starting this very moment she was going to take a very active role in her own decisions.
“I’m taking you home,” Paris said. It was the words Zoe thought she wanted to hear. But once he said them, she realized what he meant. He was taking her home, and leaving her. She would never see him again. The pain of that thought stuck in her throat.