by M F Adele
“You’ll race me?” I pointed to my chest with my index finger. “Let's up the ante, shall we? If I’m going to race then I want something out of it.” The idea of a small gamble had my mind distracted with all the things that could come out of this.
“What do you have in mind?” Stone wondered aloud.
“I don’t know if I like the sly look on her face or not, Stone.” Novak confessed as he leaned behind me to mock-whisper to Stone.
“I’m feeling pretty confident,” Stone retorted as he met Novak’s concerned look. “So, if one of us wins then you owe us both a lap dance. Three songs each. Winner's choice in music.”
“That’s all you’re asking for?” Novak barked at him. “You're supposed to say if one of us wins then we’re having a threesome! Not getting three songs. Ask for something high and then work your way down to a lap dance.” I couldn’t help the giggle that escaped me, and it had nothing to do with Novak’s response. Almost nothing.
“Agreed,” I chuckled as I made up my mind on what I’d ask of them when I won. Because, let’s face it. I’m about to win. “And I want you both to wear frilly maid uniforms, feather dusters and all, when I win.”
“Nope. I don’t like this, Stone,” Novak argued but the Demon ignored him.
“When? For how long? And in front of who?” Stone always asked the right questions.
“Tonight... or tomorrow. Two hours. And, well, in front of whoever sees you.” I took on his same business-like tone.
“Agreed.” Stone extended his hand to make our deal official with a shake. When I put my hand in his, he added, “And no misting or shadow jumping. We’re just running.”
“Agreed,” I responded again.
“Fuck it,” the Vampire declared. “I think I hate you both right now.” He reached for my hand with a grimace as he agreed to our terms.
“Helios,” I shouted, and he bounded down the path to greet me. “Start our race off with a bark and then go back to Jack and Grim,” I commanded him. He gave me his signature “are you serious?” look and I rolled my eyes at him. “Yes, do it.”
With a loud woof from the fiery hellhound the guys flashed off. I stayed where I was and counted to thirty before chasing after them. We were miles from the treehouse rental. I’ve got time. I spotted Novak ahead of me after a few moments and slowed my speed to run beside him. He stumbled when he saw me feet from him, and I tossed him a saucy wink as I blasted past. I could hear him cursing as he tried to catch up.
It took me longer to reach Stone. The Demon was fast. The fastest one I’ve met. He had a bit of a competitive streak, or maybe he just wanted that lap dance. I’d give him one either way, but the gamble made it more fun. He’s gonna look ridiculous in a skirt. I pushed ahead of him as Novak caught up, and I cackled as they both yelled at me.
When I was sufficiently in the lead, I stopped and scaled up a tall tree. I used to do this to Jack all the time when we were kids. I moved as high as I could, keeping a clear path straight to the ground. I heard them before I saw them, and as they rushed towards the tree I was in I dropped down in front of them. Stone stopped dead in his tracks. Novak slid across the ground so fast he couldn't catch himself before he went tumbling. Stone and I keeled over with laughter as Novak stood and dusted himself off, muttering obscenities with each brush of his hands.
“Ha. Ha.” He huffed at us. “That’s got to be cheating.”
“Definitely wasn’t in the rules,” Stone approved.
“Bye,” I taunted with a wave as I took off again.
“FUCK!” Novak snarled. “Catch her! I’m not wearing a fucking skirt,” he shouted at Stone, and his voice grew quieter the further away I got from them.
Stone was hot on my heels when I finally decided to stop playing around. The idea of them in skirts was fueling my motivation to win. The losing side of the bet was nothing. I agreed with Novak, Stone could’ve asked for something more. I’d give them lap dances, that wasn’t a problem at all. I wanted to make a memory. Something that I would remember two hundred years from now. I plan on taking some pictures too. Possibly show our kids when we’re older.
Fuck. Did I say kids? Slow down, Sloane. I slammed my metaphorical brakes on and stared dumbly ahead of me. I don’t want kids. Never have. So, why did I just think that?
Something solid collided with my back. Not something. Someone. We both went ass over tits for a few feet before we came to a halt. I was flat on my back, breathlessly gazing at the overly exuberant Demon pinning me down. “Got her!” He called out to Novak, who went racing by. Oh, Hell no you don’t.
I pushed my butt out to the left, twisting my body as I moved and threw Stone off balance. It’s called a shrimp in training. I flipped him off of me and jumped up, not even bothering to get the twigs and leaves off of me as I started chasing after Novak. The chase is my favorite part of hunting.
No more playing with them. Nope. Time to win.
I moved at the speed of light. I think I do anyway. It took me seconds to catch Novak again. He growled his frustration out in that feral way that had me so turned on it could melt the panties right off my body. I accelerated to my top speed so I didn't stop to show him what that sound did to me. It took me a full four minutes of high speed running to make it back to the treehouse. I may have gotten a little lost in my excitement.
I was breathing hard as I jogged up the stairs, pulling the debris from my hair. I won, but I wasn’t ready to be back so soon. I didn’t wait for them to catch up. I walked inside with a victorious grin on my face. Heading straight to the room where my bag was, I stripped down so I could shower and dress in clean clothes. “Don’t tell them immediately that I beat them, okay?” I sang out as I moved past everyone.
“Sure thing, Love,” Palmer agreed readily while towel drying his hair.
As I eased into the bedroom with the attached bathroom, I heard the front door open and close. “We fucking beat her?” Novak questioned, disbelief pouring from his tone.
“Beat who?” Vaughn’s confusion sounded honest.
“Sloane. We were racing.” Stone informed them.
“Oh,” Briggs was amused and let them bask in the glory of their victory. He drew the rest of his reply out after a minute break. “No, she's in the shower.”
“Fuck!” Novak shouted again, and I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. “I told you that was a bad bet to take, but nooooo, you were feeling too cocky for your own good and you dragged me right into it.” He complained loudly to Stone.
“What did she win?” York sounded healthier already. My expression fell as my heart gave an abrupt twinge of pain.
“I don’t want to tell you guys,” Novak whined out.
“You’ll see tonight, or maybe tomorrow,” is all Stone added before I heard the door to the bedroom open up, and a very dirty demon interrupted my shower. A very welcome, dirty demon. After our time in the pool this morning, I had been dying to get my hands on his lean physique again. I licked my lips as he set his weapons in a bag on the bathroom counter and started untying his boots. I watched, transfixed, as he pulled his shirt over his head, revealing that delectable V cut and his hard lined abs.
The next few days were going to be shit while I worked through my issues with York. This moment with Stone was enough to make me forget about my worries though. The new Demon in my life was one I didn’t have to fight. I guess that was the difference between my life and a regular one. While some people battle their demons daily... I get to live peacefully with mine. I get to touch him. Tease him. Fuck him. Love him. Yeah, my Demon is different.
Stone
Monday Morning
“Scoot over,” I demanded of Sloane while she shamelessly drooled over my body.
“Mmm, come to wash my hair?” She teased me as I stripped out of my mud covered pants. “You’d make a lovely chambermaid,” she continued, batting her lashes. I rolled my hazy red eyes at her. My demon was still fighting for control after watching our mate wreak havoc.
“Only if you wash mine,” I countered dryly, letting my long black hair fall down my back.
She moved out of the spray of water, suds running down her chest from her soaped up curls. The tension of the night vanished between the scalding water and her hands on my back. They left lines of fire across my skin. I had to immerse myself in washing my own hair to keep from taking her there in the small shower stall. Her hands took over for mine, and she ran her nails across my scalp as she massaged the shampoo into my tangled tresses. I eased my head back so she could reach better. I’ve never let anyone touch me like this. It felt more intimate than anything I’d ever been a part of. Sloane has made me realize that caring for someone runs deeper than a physical need.
We switched places several times, bathing each other until I noticed her tension rise. “What’s eating at you?” I finally broke the silence, hopeful that she’d give me an honest answer.
She let out a loud exhale and turned to face me after cutting the water off. “York. I want to forgive him, to not be mad at him, but it’s harder than I thought it would be. All this time I thought he’d just left me. It was easier to be angry than heartbroken. Now, I’m about to walk out there and be face to face with him. I’m just not ready for the confrontation that I know he wants.”
“I know he’s going to want to talk things out sooner than you will too,” I acknowledged, “But he’s had plenty of time to think about what he wants to say. It’s not a bad thing that you want some time to think through your thoughts as well.”
She stepped into me, resting her head on my shoulder. I wrapped my arms around her waist and held her flush against me. Comforting isn’t really in my bag of tricks. Seeing her vulnerability, even for a few seconds, was an odd sight when she’d been so confident. It was hard to keep my hands from roaming her naked body, but I wouldn’t take advantage of the situation. A little more stress and then we can go home.
I sighed gently as I rubbed my knuckles up and down her back. “Kitten, we have some more business to attend to before we leave.”
She grinned against my skin, questioning me with a longing sigh. “It’s not what I’m hoping for is it?”
“Sadly, no,” I replied wistfully. “We can pick this back up when we get home though,” I promised.
“What is it then? I can’t think of anything we missed,” she stated as she stared at the ceiling. She looked as though she was calculating a difficult equation in her head, her eyes bouncing back and forth.
“Well,” I started before I was cut off by shouting from down the hall. The voices were muted through the walls, but we were able to make out some of the words.
“You've got to calm down, mate. Everything is going to be fine.” York must have been consoling Levi.
“None of us will hurt you,” Briggs offered in his gravelly voice, not sounding the least bit sincere.
Sloane swung the bathroom door open and ran across the bedroom. Just as she reached the door I coughed obnoxiously, and she turned to glare at me. “You’re naked,” I pointed at her and let my eyes linger on her body.
“Right.” She snapped her fingers and ended my viewing pleasure. “Who’s yelling?” She ruffled her wet hair. It looked more grey in its dampened state than the usual silver and light blue mixture.
“Levi.” I distractingly answered while looking down at her clothes. “Are you wearing purple?” I’d only ever seen her in black.
Confusion flooded her face as she nodded slowly. “Yes,” she drew out. “What's wrong with purple? Are my boobs hanging out the bottom of this crop top or something? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Like what?” I tried to recover, blanking my facial features. “Your tits look fine. Purple looks good on you.” She eyed me suspiciously before opening the door and stepping into the hall. The shouting had calmed to frantic whispers. Upon crossing the threshold in the living room, we were met with five backs leaned over the sofa.
“Uhm,” Sloane began and five heads whipped around. “What the fuck is going on?”
“Palmer knocked Levi out,” Vaughn supplied, tucking his hands in his pockets nonchalantly.
Sloane looked at me, and I gave her a guilty half smile. “Uh-huh, and who is Levi?” She inquired, glaring at the others for an answer.
“Come on, Barbie. Let’s go to the kitchen and I’ll tell you all about it.” Briggs ushered her out of the room while Palmer explained to us that it was just a sleeping spell.
“He’ll come round in ten minutes or so.” He rolled his stormy eyes skyward then looked back at us in amusement. “Mmm, maybe 20. I forgot he was human. I hit 'em pretty hard with dat spell.”
“What did you guys find out about him?” It’s the only thing I care to know about right now.
York answered me with the man's entire life story. He had no family and nothing to go back to. No one had ever reported him missing. He was homeless when Kelvin brought him in as a human lackey. Novak had already done a background check on him, which was pretty impressive to me. The guy was clean, no arrests and very little to be found. He was in a tight spot and got offered the world. Not a bad guy. A good guy in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Levi jolted awake and scanned the room while he rubbed his temples. He gave quick notice to everyone in the room before he landed on me. He wouldn’t take his eyes off of me. It was unnerving to be viewed like I was a rare specimen on display. He didn’t blink. It felt as if he was waiting for me to change forms and thought he’d miss it if he closed his eyes for a split second. “What are you?” He squinted and cocked his head to the side like it might change my appearance. I’m not holographic.
“I’m just a dentist,” I shrugged. “How are your teeth? Any pain?” I knew that wasn’t what he was asking me, but I tried to be clinical. I’d rather him be scared of me for being a dentist instead of a demon. Some fears were irrational, others weren't.
“Like fucking teeth, dude. How are your teeth?” His sarcasm could’ve been cut with a knife. He didn’t believe me. I flashed him a big smile and he leaned closer to examine my human teeth.
“Where’d your fangs go?” His country accent grew heavy in his disbelief.
“I don’t have fangs. I’m not a vampire.” I rolled my offended, navy eyes at him.
He laughed under his breath. “You had a mouth full of shark teeth,” he informed me. York and Palmer both turned their heads to silently laugh, their bodies shaking as they kept the sounds contained. Vaughn’s crystal blue eyes danced with amusement. Novak was hysterical.
“I’ve never heard them compared to shark teeth,” he blurted as he sat down to talk to Levi. “I take it you haven’t seen too many demons in your time at that camp?”
“Uhhh, no,” Levi scratched his neck. “Bunch of shifters. A few vamps and mages. That's about it.”
“Well, Levi, Stone is a demon.” Novak threw out with too much joy. “A very big, very scary demon.”
“Yeah, okay. You don’t look like a demon.” Right. Of course I don’t. That’s the point. He wasn’t scared though, so that was good.
“I told you, man, I’m a dentist.” I tossed my hands up and went to walk out but Sloane appeared from around the corner.
With a determined and serious set to her oval face, she approached Levi tentatively. “I have an ultimatum for you. This is completely up to you, but think them both through before you answer.” She smiled reassuringly as she sat beside him and grasped his hand. He let out the breath he must have been holding, and his shoulders sagged with what looked like defeat.
“You know more about our world than most humans do, and that’s both a good and bad thing. We can erase your memories of the last few years and feed you better ones. Memories where you’ve been living off the grid and enjoying life before you decided to go back home.” She held her index finger up to indicate that was the first option she was giving him.
“Or, you can keep your memories, and I’ll give you a job so I can keep an eye on you. For your safety, of course.” She h
eld up two fingers and then continued. “Either one you choose is fine with me. I’ll put you up for a couple months so you can get back on your feet. We’ll make sure you don’t have any issues getting an apartment or a car. Whatever you need, it’s yours. I’ll give you an hour to think about it.”
Levi’s mouth gaped open as he struggled for words. Shaking his head vigorously, he stopped her from standing. “I don’t need to think about it,” he choked out before clearing his throat. “I want to keep my memories. I need to live with the things I’ve done. I need those lessons to learn from my mistakes. To remember that a bad guy conned me into thinking he was good, and then turned me from a naïve teenager in a bad situation to one of the bad guys in a worse situation. If I forget that then I’ll go back to being the same person I was before all this began. I don’t want to be that naïve person anymore.”
Sloane grinned her approval at him. “That’s a mature way to look at what you’ve been through, Levi,” she observed. “Would you like to know what your new job is now?”
He hesitated for a moment before giving a squeaky “sure” in reply. Sloane told him all about the position of head of security at CBP. She gushed about the changes she wanted to make and complained about the lazy guards that were currently employed. I soon realized I stood alone listening to Sloane talk. I drifted out of the living room after a few minutes and found myself outside on the deck.
York was sitting with his back against one of the trees growing through the porch. His teal and green eyes were turned up to the canopy above us as he soaked in the rays of early morning sunlight. He looked better than he did when we found him last night, but it would be awhile before he was back to himself. I sank to the wooden floor beside him, content to observe nature unfold around us. The Underworld has forests and oceans similar to Earth, yet none of it felt as peaceful as this. We soaked in the quiet tranquility and minutes passed before York heaved a resigned sigh and forced his attention to me.
“She’s really mad at me, isn’t she?” He questioned me softly. I could hear regret twined into his words and his eyes closed as he waited for my reply.