Dead Wrong

by H L Goodnight

  "Said he was Beleth," I shrugged. "Sounds like an alias."

  Dominick went white, which was a good trick since his skin had a natural pale tone to the tan.

  The sinking feeling that somehow I'd stepped in major dog shit returned, "What is it?"

  Dominick went to the cupboards and got a small glass and salt. He filled the glass halfway with salt and water from the kitchen sink. Then he took out a silver cross from under his shirt and held the glass. He intoned a prayer in Latin. When he finished, he put away the cross. He sprinkled the water at Olson with his fingers.

  The professor blinked a couple times. He shook his head and then focused on us. Blinking rapidly, he asked, "So then you should be able to find whoever vandalized my home?" His voice was uncertain. His eyes held no recognition of who I was.

  "Professor Olson," Dominick said setting down the water glass.

  As Olson turned to look, Dominick got out his ID.

  Showing Olson the badge, Dominick said, "We'll be in contact to let you know the status of your case." He dumped the glass of water in the sink and handed Olson a card.

  Professor Olson didn't seem to notice me, "Thank you, Detective. Let me know what you find. Things being smashed and graffiti." He shook his head.

  "At least it looks like you managed to clean it up," Dominick said.

  He nodded, "Indeed." The professor opened the front door, and smiled at Dominick, "Thank you so much again, Detective."

  Dominick nodded, pushing me through the door, "At your service Professor."

  As Dominick ushered me outside, I started to ask what was going on, “What-”

  Dominick looked at me and shook his head.

  I looked at Brad. He held up his hands and shrugged.

  We got to our cars, Dominick had parked behind me. The car was the one he used at work, an unmarked grey sedan. He opened his passenger door, "Get in."

  I crossed my arms and looked at him.

  Brad was gone again.

  He sighed, "There are protections on this car." He pointed to the door as he walked to his side, "Get in."

  Getting in, I grumbled. I shut my door.

  He got in and started the car. He looked over at me. "Dianna, how do you do it?"

  "Do what?" I crossed my arms.

  Dominick shook his head. "How do you keep getting into bigger trouble?"

  "It isn't my fault that some weirdo with magic gave Professor Olson the whammy." As the words left my mouth, I wondered. They were after the disc. So, I'd led the monsters to Olson. "Crap," I said putting my head in my hands.

  Dominick's hand went to my knee. He leaned over, "Dianna." He paused searching my eyes. "Dianna, Beleth is the name of a fallen angel." He waited for my response.

  I frowned, "Like the devil? Beleth is the devil?"

  He shook his head, "No. Many angels fell from grace. However, the one you named is a war general."

  "The pretty general," I mused. My stomach cramped with fear. "You belong to the pretty general," I whispered.

  Dominick said, “What?”

  I shook my head. Demons? Sure. "Fallen angels. Bullshit. It could be some human with magic trying to sound cool. I mean, I assumed since I was wrong about the monsters being only fish and bug men, that other stuff was out there too. People with talents or magical abilities." Like Whisper.

  "Did he use a tool or an object and chant?" Dominick said. His expression was intense and serious.

  "No. But who knows what a person with magic would actually do, right?"

  He closed his eyes. The angry vein pulsed crazily. "Did the man calling himself Beleth appear to be non-human?"

  "He wasn't red. No wings. No horns. See? He is probably just some human, or monster," I amended, thinking of Brad's description. "He is calling himself by a name he thinks sounds scary or cool, right?"

  Dominick looked at me, "With the luck you possess? I sincerely doubt it." His face grew bitchier, "Why didn't he kill you?"

  "He got what he wanted," I said. "And then he smashed my face with his boot."

  He moved closer, his hands at my jaw, moving my head, examining me. "You have no marks."

  "Well, I healed." I thought about how I still wasn't hungry, and how healthy I felt. Between what Kian had done and Beleth's blood I felt...amazing! "His blood really did the trick," I said.

  Dominick's eyes grew wide, "What?"

  "Um, the Shadowed Man was going to eat the professor, and I fought back. I hurt that sonovabitch!" I clenched my fist remembering the feeling of cleaving the tendrils from its putrid form. "Then this Beleth interfered and hit me. I bit his wrist."

  Dominick's eyes just stared at me blankly.

  "Then Beleth made me drink the blood coming out."

  Dominick's face was turning red.

  Before he could speak, I said, "He held me there. Once I could move, I got away from Beleth."

  Dominick moved away and closed his eyes. He took out his cross and started praying in Latin again.

  My body started to feel hot. Cramps hit my stomach and legs. I started to scream, and Dominick stopped chanting. The pain faded.

  "What was that," I asked.

  "That was the grace of God keeping another fool safe," Dominick growled starting the car.

  "Hey wait," I started, "my car is right there." I gestured to it.

  Dominick looked extra grumpy still, "Put on your seatbelt. For now, you come with me."

  Sitting in the passenger seat, I grumped back at him, "I'm not a child." I grabbed the seatbelt and put it on.

  Dominick said something under his breath in that language.

  I'd had enough, "What is that language you are swearing at me in?"

  He kept driving, and grumped at me, "It's Czech, Dianna."

  Well, at least I'd solved one mystery.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  The drive was in silence. Once we were at the Zachar home, I was concerned Dominick misunderstood the situation. Rather than complain, I just let it go. It was around four-thirty in the afternoon.

  Inside the house, a lot of unpacking had happened. The cardboard moving boxes were folded up and stacked on the floor by the stairs directly opposite the foyer. Dominick shook off his boots and put them on the rug to dry. He took off his coat, and I saw he was wearing a blue thermal long sleeved tee that molded to his body showing off his large muscles. The local hockey team's logo was on the front, our very own Fort Augustine's Saints.

  Dominick led the way to his study.

  I debated letting him go in there and leave. I shook the idea off. I took off my boots and jacket. I needed answers. Dominick had some, and he had been concerned.

  I worried. I didn't want Kian looking for Dominick or Alec. I didn't want to endanger either of them. I touched my ponytail. The emotions I’d tried to suppress pushed forward: Dominick was special.

  Mentally kicking myself, I followed him into his office and sat in the chair across from his desk.

  The sage velvet antique felt solid when I sat down, despite its delicate appearance.

  Dominick got the fire going, and then sat perched on his desk in front of me. He stared at me. Didn't move much, and didn't say anything.

  His lashes were so dark. His eyes were beautiful; with the fire lit, they looked almost mahogany. His cheeks were broad. His face was more a square then a triangular shape, but he was so wonderfully male. Looking at his slightly pink lips, I thought about the feel of lips on mine.

  "I am waiting," he said.

  I looked into those dark eyes, "Uh. Well, it is a long story."

  He gestured around, "I have time." He crossed his arms. Tapping his fingers on one bicep, he waited for me to start explaining.

  I fidgeted. It felt like I was in the principal's office for bad behavior that needed explaining.

  Telling him what happened with Kian was out of the question. I didn't feel like having my throat burning again.

  Think of Kian's perfection, I hit my head with my hand. Damn! The answer was there
for me the whole time.

  Kian was perfect, no flaws on his body. Beleth was the same. They both could do things to your mind. Vastly different abilities, however, both were magical and powerful.

  My breath came faster. Whisper had said the demons were gorgeous. What if Kian was a fallen angel too? But I'd met him before as Max. Although his face was altered, he still had the same eyes. Maybe they could transform their flesh? Maybe borrow flesh? Like a possession?

  I looked at Dominick, "Can demons really possess people?"

  He looked worried, "What do you mean? Like what happened to that professor?"

  "No. More like take over a body with their essence or spirit?"

  "I think Alec told you we've never encountered a demon. But the stories about them vary. Now, after seeing Professor Olson, I think possession is very possible."

  "So, theoretically, the demon could move from body to body?"

  "What?" His vein was still pulsing.

  "Just a theory. Beleth was so human looking and at the same time not. He was perfectly symmetrical. This made sound weird, but his skin was too perfect. It made me wonder if the fallen angel chose a host or if they could look however they wanted."

  "Did you see him as a human?"

  "Yeah."

  "And he didn't look demonic underneath? Like the fish and bugs?"

  I shook my head. "No. Just perfection. Well, except for his constant smile." A tremor went through my hands. I clasped them together.

  "I really wasn't certain that the fallen were among us here in Fort Augustine. The Order believed they had vanquished most of them long ago."

  "So, there is a list!" I knew the order had something!

  "A list of sorts. I’ve never seen it. Alec saw a glimpse once. So, now that we covered you encountered a fallen angel and drank its blood. And that we know nothing about them, tell me the rest."

  I bit my lip, and my fingers played with my hair. "Well, I know Beleth was strong. Also, that he was fast. He had some kind of mind magic that made the professor act that way. He also hurt my head with his powers."

  Dominick nodded.

  "I had another question about the fallen. Since you might have heard stories inside your club. Can the fallen make you want to do things? The professor looked like a zombie, but could they make you want or think you want to do something?"

  He frowned, "We are told to never fall into greed, lust, sloth, jealousy, gluttony, or wrath. Perhaps you have to secretly want something, and the demon says they can make it happen. This is all conjecture though."

  My heart sank: it could just my own base desires with Kian. "Do you think a fallen angel would be interested sexually in a human? I thought angels were sexless?"

  He looked confused, "Did Beleth make sexual advances on the professor?"

  I shook my head. My gaze fell away from his while I touched my ponytail, curling its ends with my fingers. "I was just wondering about different possibilities."

  Dominick put his hand over his face. "Dianna. Tell me whatever it is." He removed the hand, and the muscles in his jaw twitched, "Did Beleth harm you?"

  "No, just the blood thing." I shivered, "No. He hates humans. He called the professor a meat bag."

  Dominick frowned more than he was before, "Just tell me. Please, Dianna."

  Looking into his eyes, I almost cried. Whether it was the raw look in his eyes or my feelings for him, I didn't know. My body shook as I took a shallow breath.

  He came over and bent down, holding me. He swore some more, "Is it another demon?"

  I nodded, thinking of Kian. "I think so."

  Dominick swore, and then he kissed my hair. He said, "Whatever it did is not your fault."

  I held my stomach where Kian had pushed his fist into it. I couldn't stop my tears now. "Please help me. I am so sick of feeling wrong and dirty." I licked my lips, "I just want to feel good and right." I leaned forward and gently kissed his lips. "I want to be the one to choose." I'd only ever chosen once. It hadn't worked out and left me feeling wrong.

  Dominick stopped moving, "Did it harm you?"

  I shook my head, "No. I need you, Dominick. Help me. Please, just a moment of joy in my life. A moment I choose." My eyes implored him, "Please."

  He breathed in, "I am trying to do the right thing, Dianna."

  "Then take me," I whispered.

  Dominick waited a beat, "Are you sure this isn't something you’ll regret?" He moved away breathing deeply. He stood by the chair, and then moved away, "You should give yourself some time to think on it."

  I forgot he was always trying to talk me out of sex with him. I took off my stained hoodie and shirt. My bra was simple; a creamy lace floral pattern with no padding. I took off my jeans. Dominick stayed still by the window, his gaze locked on my breasts. He looked at my mouth and then my eyes.

  "Dominick, I need you. Hold me. Let me know that I'm not alone." I licked my lips, "Even if it's just for tonight."

  Dominick came over and grabbed me, lifting me. He carried me cradled against his large chest. He took us the length of the hall and up the stairs to his room with no effort. He put me down on the bed, not quite tossing me but not lightly either.

  The need was raw in his eyes as he practically ripped off his own clothes. He laid down on me, pressing his enlarged member against my lace underwear. He balanced on his elbows and took my mouth with his own.

  His kisses were deep as he explored my mouth with his tongue. The feel of him nude against me warmed my flesh as well as my heart. He was so large my petite form felt even tinier under him. His tongue lashed at mine, pushing and pulling. He moved away, trailing kisses on my neck. He lifted up.

  He used a hand to caress my neck, "My mark is healed."

  He kept licking and kissing his way to my breasts. Kissing the tops of them, he moved, sitting up so he could use both hands to clasp them. He grabbed my bra, and pulled it off, ripping it. He brought his head down to my nipple moaning. He used his tongue to flick my nipple and circle it.

  His hands continued to squeeze and move my breasts in a rhythm. My breasts and flesh blushed as he continued to the other nipple, flicking it. He finally took the nipple into his mouth. The heat of his mouth encased its hard tip, as he relentlessly sucked.

  Cries of pleasure escaped me as one hand moved lower to my underwear. Dominick touched me through the lace, tugging and releasing the undies, so they slid back and forth, rubbing my most sensitive parts.

  Dominick stopped sucking one nipple and moved back to the other. His hand at my breast was less gentle and moved my breast in a demanding circular motion. Arching against his lashing tongue, wetness began to leak out from between my thighs.

  He moved again, tracing a line of heat down to my navel. Stopping to lick it. Continuing until he ripped off my underwear. Lifting my body up to look at it, he moaned and then descended on it.

  I cried out when his tongue found me. He sucked while his tongue bathed me. His hands were at my waist, moving my hips slightly while he kept tugging, licking, and nipping.

  He shifted and moved his mouth, putting a finger inside me. His finger was long. My muscles contracted around it, desperate for something more.

  His finger began to move, it was gentle at first. It felt so tight that even his finger caused discomfort. But I wanted to feel all of him.

  I moaned at him, "Dominick please, I want to feel you inside me."

  His response was to suck and lick me at a more furious pace. Another finger pushed inside and followed the rhythm. My hips were guided to move with him. The muscles on top my mound started to tighten. His fingers continued to stroke me.

  He pulled away and his fingers out. He licked at the fluids on his fingers. "You taste like vanilla and cherries, Dianna."

  Blushing, I looked into his eyes.

  He held his penis and said, "Would you kiss me too?" His face was flushed.

  Part of me didn't want him to stop what he'd been doing. However, the thought of pleasuring Dominick, seeing him moa
n under my mouth and hands sent tingles throughout my body.

  We moved so he was kneeling and I was sitting. I started by licking. His shaft was large, so I used my hands to help hold him while my tongue licked him. I moved, putting the tip in my mouth. His hands came up to my head and pushed me to take in more. I couldn't take in the whole thing; it was too wide for my mouth. Drips fell onto my tongue; the taste of salt and oranges overpowered his natural musk.

  His large hands were at the sides of my head. It was hard to put him into my mouth because of his girth. I got more of him than the tip, and his muscles started to clench. Drool fell down his shaft as I sucked and licked at him inside my mouth.

  As his desire and width increased more juices leaked from my wet center. He moaned and pushed my head as far as I could go. Drawing at him, more of his orange flavor dripped into my mouth. My tongue covered my lower teeth, easing his passage. Deep moans came from him, and I looked up. Dominick's eyes locked on mine as I lifted up and away from him.

  Dark amber seemed to line his eyes as he asked while he put me back on the bed, "Are you ready?"

  Muscles clenched at the thought. I felt sore from wanting to feel him inside me.

  "Dominick, please," I reached out my arms to him.

  His body moved in one motion as he licked my nipples, and positioned himself to enter me. His tip felt hot against the wetness that had cooled coating me.

  Cries escaped me as I begged him, "Please."

  With his hands, he moved my legs apart, and then he played at my entrance. Rubbing himself up and down, and almost entering but then retreating.

  More sounds came from my throat as I lifted my hips to meet him. But he wasn't done playing.

  Slowly, the tip penetrated, sliding partially in with some effort. He couldn't enter all the way inside me. My hips moved to keep him there, but he moved away withdrawing.

  "Dominick," I begged.

  Our eyes locked on each other, "I am trying so hard to be gentle, Dianna."

  I licked my lips, tasting him, "Don't."

  With one fluid movement, Dominick pushed into me. It felt like he would rip me apart. Rather than stopping to let my body adjust, he started pumping in and out.