A Token's Worth (Spawn of Darkness Book 1)

by S. A. Parker

  His eyes fade to black as he prowls towards me. He’s hot as a smoking pipe but he’s also frightening as fuck when he looks at me like that. Cutting, predatory, and it’s making me want to hide under the covers like a hormonal teenager. I wish he’d just leave me alone with my vulva and the mental image of his abdominals.

  I shuffle further along the bed, away from all that approaching manliness. “Where are the others?” I ask, trying to dissolve the tension.

  He stops by the side of the bed, his eyes returning to their normal deep sapphire blue. “They left recently, had to tend to some business in their own kingdoms. I took you out of your induced sleep so I could speak to you in peace. I thought it would be easier for you.”

  Speak to me? Easier? Not fuck me five ways sideways? Strange. “Induced sleep? What’s that supposed to mean?”

  Before I can blink, he has my hand, his fingers prying my fist open. I try to tug away but he holds my elbow in place, rendering my arm useless.

  “This isn’t talking. I feel jibbed.”

  He traces his finger over the arc of my scar. Two circles, one within the other, the symbol of a courtesan—one without a uterus. One who’s safe to fuck without protection. One who’s ‘owned’. It’s practically a return label for rebellious whores who have a death wish. I’m going to be waist deep in cum if I’m sent back there. Maybe that’s what they’ll do with me once they lose interest in their pet mortal.

  Fuck no, not going back there. I’d rather sling a cum shot.

  “You’re nervous … why?” Kal asks.

  I shift, angling my body away from him as much as I can manage in my current checkmate. “I don’t like being touched.” Nosey fucker.

  He draws a deep breath, gaze down. “You’ve been hurt a lot in your life.” He looks at me, his expression is haunted. “I’ve never seen so much damage on a body before. None of us have … not on someone alive.” He opens his mouth to say something else then closes it, shaking his head slightly.

  “Spit it out,” I snap.

  They saw my body … they fucking saw it all.

  “Your scar … your other scar?”

  I snatch my arm away. “You had no right,” I hiss. I want to hit something. Anything. This is too much …

  I climb out of bed and grasp a candlestick before I take my next breath. It’s pretty, and probably irreplaceable, but I’m going to throw it. I’m going to throw it at his fucking head, knock him out cold, take a peek down his pants for curiosity sake, then pick that fancy as fuck chair up and fuck some more shit up rig—

  Wow, how was I so mad a second ago?

  I look down at the black, shiny candlestick. It has dangly glass things hanging off it that glimmer. I run my hand along the shaft, moaning a little.

  So. Fucking. Pretty.

  It jingles, and the jingles give me tingles. That make me want to mingle. With that man there, the God of fucking Night. In this fucking room. Ooooooh yeah.

  “Take me. Take me all,” I groan.

  Was that desperate sounding? Of course not. I’m a fucking queen, and he shall have my clitoris.

  God, he’s smiling at me. But I can think of much better things to do with that mouth of his. His lips should become acquainted with my labia, I think they would get along swell.

  I let my vagina lead me towards him. He’s scratching his head with a sexy roguish smile plastered across those lips that have an appointment with my eager little beaver. Wink wink. Nudge nudge. Thrust thrust.

  Wow … he’s sex on a stick. I’d like for him to stick his sex stick up my bu—

  The door swings open and Dusk, Day and Dawn saunter in like they’re on a mission from ground patrol.

  “Getting into her head already, Kal? You know that’s my department,” Dawn drawls.

  My head’s his department? It belongs to neither of these fuckers. But I do want Kal’s head between my legs, where it should rightly stay until my vagina’s purring like a fat little overfed pussy cat.

  “Couldn’t fucking help yourself,” Day the Soul Sucker growls.

  I sniff at the air and get a good dose of male arousal, sending my sex juices barrelling for the exit.

  Night stuffs his hands into the pockets of his black leather ‘fuck-me’ trousers, sighing deeply as he continues to watch me with a gleam in his eye that’s making me want to fuck him fifty-two ways sideways.

  He shrugs. “I couldn’t help it, she was about to throttle me with a candlestick.”

  Candlestick? Oh, right, the one in my hand. I place it back on the side table, giving it another few thrusts down the shaft because I can’t fucking help myself. The glass dangly thingies jingle dangerously. Oops. It’s probably worth more than I could make in a lifetime, even with my A-grade vagina. Why was I angry again?

  Dawn looks the most forthcoming. “What do you mean, getting into my mind?” I ask him, in my seductive bedroom voice that I hope makes Kal want to dance the maypole with me. I throw him a wink, just to drill it home.

  Dawn smirks. “Kal can control your emotions. He can puppet your mortal brain.”

  Kal sighs and gives me a guilty smile.

  The warm fuzzies I was feeling a second ago disappear entirely, and what was a vision of anal foreplay with Kal is now me picturing him in a choke hold. I shoot him a seething glare. He used fucking powers on me to temper my anger?

  Fuck this shit, I’m out of here.

  I head for the door. But one second I’m storming like a badass and the next I’m paused mid-step, unable to move, perched precariously on one foot.

  Day steps in-front of me. “Where are you going?”

  Thankfully I can still talk, though I’m not sure why my body isn’t working, and I’m hoping like fuck I don’t topple over. “What have you done to me?” The panic in my voice is evident, not that it seems to soften Day’s solid glare.

  “We need answers, little mortal, and you’re not going anywhere until we have them. So, turn around, walk over to the couch, and sit the fuck down.”

  With no hesitation, I oblige. What the shit? It seems Sol can compel me, which means I’m fucked. Literally. My vagina does a little jive. Crazy bitch.

  “I hate you guys.” I drop onto the super comfortable couch. My arse is happy, but my head is furious.

  “That much is obvious,” Kal murmurs.

  I avoid looking at him. Bastard compelled my brain, and Day compelled my body. They’re both on my shit list.

  “Do you know how long you slept for?”

  I refuse to answer shit listed Sol. Anyway, how the fuck would I know? I’ve been asleep. Duh!

  “Sixteen days,” he states.

  If I could move, I’d probably fall flat on my face. As it is, a rather unladylike sound comes out of my mouth as I contemplate the implications of that statement. “How the hell did I sleep for sixteen fucking days? That’s over two weeks!” I’ve been gone from the establishment for over two weeks.

  Sssshit.

  Hopefully they think I’m dead because I might as well be if I ever land back there. Kroe will make sure of that.

  “Sixteen days is how long it took your body to heal from the abuse—cracked bones and internal damage—even at an accelerated rate. Sixteen days is how long it took us to mull over how you acquired all those scars that run too deep for us to heal.” Day shakes his head, white hair flitting in front of his eyes. “We made a deal with you, all of us, even though it should be impossible to make deals with us now. It doesn’t make any sense. You’re an enigma to us, and now you owe us an explanation.”

  Oh dear, my closet skeletons are jingling. I ignore the fuckers and let Day go on with his rant.

  He grabs my shoulders, shaking me a little. “We need to know who we have entrusted with part of our magic. Part of ourselves, for fuck’s sake.”

  Say what? Well… this is a tide turner. I’m pretty sure I can work this to my advantage.

  I straighten my shoulders. Correction, try to. But I can’t, because I’m compelled to sit lik
e a fucking statue.

  “Let me get this straight,” I say, with all the sass I can muster. “You guys placed a part of yourselves into me when you each granted me the rights to a wish? Was that the warm rush of whatever I got when I met each of you on that cliff?”

  Four nods. Interesting.

  “And what, do I keep it?”

  “No.” Dawn laughs. “Of course not. But by granting your wish, then taking one from you as equal payment, we become stronger. It’s how we grow in strength. Well, it used to be.”

  I try to nod, like I know what the fuck that’s supposed to mean. “So, until I take a wish from you all …”

  “And until we take something from you in return as payment …”

  “You’re all stuck with me?” My gaze shifts to each of them and one by one, they nod.

  “It’s only three wishes now,” Dusk states, clenching his fists. “Because you used my wish to try and kill yourself.”

  Wow, that was a whole lot of accusation all balled into a few small words. I roll my eyes, because that’s all I can do right now. “You really need to get over that.”

  Dusk is suddenly all up in my face, canines bared and looking like he’s about to skin me alive. If I wasn’t frozen in place, I’d be running in the opposite direction. But … there’s a warmth blooming between my legs. I let out a strangled moan, because fuck me, that’s why. Zero to one hundred in two point five seconds, that’s a record! Am I about to have a self-induced orgasm without even touching myself? I fucking hope so.

  A sly smile spreads across Dusk’s face.

  “What the hell?” I gasp, between laboured breaths.

  All four of their nostrils flare, jaws grinding. I know that look, it’s restraint. I know that because it’s something I never fucking see, and it doesn’t take a genius to work out why their interests are piqued. I’m aroused, and they’re High Fae … their senses are phenomenal. I’m surprised these sinister gods aren’t taking whatever they want from me right now.

  Just before I careen over the edge of that orgasmic precipice, the sensation disappears. Poof, just like that. I cry out, because I’m all hot and heady—sweating bullets because what would have been a mind-blowing orgasm was just torn away from me.

  “You don’t want to get on the wrong side of me. I can either make this pleasurable for you, or not.” Dusk’s breath is a warm brush against my face, which I still can’t move—bastard, and the scent washing over me is intoxicating. Focus, Dell, you hate these men.

  “Personally, I prefer to watch you writhe in pleasure.” He pulls back a little, before pausing. “And the name’s Drake. Use it.”

  I swear I flinch, despite the fact I can’t move. Hmmm, I think I just got a taste of Drakes controlling nature, and I’m not entirely sure I hate it, if the resonating ache between my legs is anything to go by.

  I look him in the eye. “I thought you were the most attractive, but you just lost that title, because that was cruel.”

  His eyes darken and I smile inwardly. Fucker owes me an orgasm. He’s shit listed until I get it. But my victory is short lived.

  “It’s my wish next, mortal,” Dusk says, smiling. “And you’re all out with me. So, I’d watch what you say because we Sun Gods do not like to lose, and I have plenty of ways to get right back at the top of your erotic fantasy list.”

  “Fantasy list my arse,” I snap, then clamp my mouth shut before I say something else that will dig a hole deep enough for me to fall in and be unable to crawl back out of. Though right now, that’s sounding rather pleasing, because Drake has a look on his face that indicates he wants to bend me over his lap and spank me senseless.

  He takes a step towards me and suddenly my body’s free from its confines. I scamper off the couch, perching myself behind Kal. Why? Fuck knows. He’s on my shit list, too. But he’s also the only one who’s said things to me like ‘easier for you.’ And he didn’t dress me like a whore while I’ve slept in his bed for the past sixteen days, which is astounding given I’ve been dressed like a whore for most of my life.

  Day and Dawn look perplexed by this decision and Drake grinds his teeth, but he doesn’t chase me. Kal places a protective arm back around me and I flinch.

  Fuck … I’ve never been looked after before, especially not by a male. I just wanted to use him as a god barrier. I’m suddenly feeling claustrophobic, and it dawns on me just how fucked up this situation is …

  I’m in a bedroom, with the four High Fae Gods of the sun cycle. Three of them have abilities that can control the shit out of my body and mind, and the fourth, Dawn, probably has some other badass ability like making me grow extra vaginas so he and his brothers can fuck me senseless at the same time.

  I’ve got three remaining wishes to their four, but I’m a smart girl. Reasonably. Perhaps I should wish them out of my life? I know how to live off the land on my own—I bet I could make a nice little life for myself … once I find my way out of this place, that is. I heard about a rebellion camp in the Eastern Territories. Perhaps we’re somewhere close …

  “We’re not,” Dawn states.

  I glare at him. “What?”

  “I wish for you never to wish me out of your life. I’m taking you to the Dawn Kingdom, mortal.”

  Warmth washes over me as I continue to stare into those amber eyes. “Did you just read my fucking mind?”

  He nods. “You’re mine for the time being. There will be no taking off with my magic.” He looks around at the others. “You guys can take care of yourselves, but if I were you, I’d give her a chance to settle in with me. Give her the space she needs before she wishes the three of you away and I’m the only one left with access to the full magic boost.”

  Fuck. Clever god. And he can read my mind. Has he been reading it this entire time?

  “Yes. You think I’m pretty.”

  I feel my cheeks heat, and I know it’s not from any form of magic.

  “And you’re right, I’m a sadist, though the pain I provide is pleasurable, and you would love it. But I would never take you against your will. You’re safe with me, Dell.”

  Well fuck, that was a mixed bag. Strangely, I believe him. He’s all stability with a calm intensity in his eyes. Honest.

  Dawn smiles. “You’ll find, Dell, that we’re all honest. We literally cannot lie.”

  I feel like I’m not going to have to speak at all while I’m at the Dawn Kingdom, which is just fine with me. I’m used to silence. Plus, I don’t want to get too comfortable and forget my plans to make myself an accommodating little life in the East.

  “What’s your name?” I squeak. Smooth, Dell. My vagina’s rolling her eyes.

  “Aero.”

  “Aero. The pretty one. That suites. Finally, a name I fucking agree with.”

  He smiles.

  “Don’t get too comfortable, Dell. We have unfinished business.” Kal turns and strides out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

  Well, fuck me. Somehow, I’ve pissed Kal off. Or perhaps Aero has. Kal was probably intending on keeping me here locked up in his little sex room until I gave in to his seductive ways. Whoops.

  I may sound like a whore, work as a whore, and my vagina may fancy herself as a whore, but the truth is the opposite. I think. Hard to know really—I’ve barely had time without a penis prodding me to work out who or what I actually am.

  “You’ll be seeing me,” says Day. “Don’t get comfortable with Dawn.” He vanishes in a flash of blinding white light.

  Oooh, scary voice. I’m happy to part with him for the foreseeable future, though my vagina’s pouting.

  That leaves Dawn and Dusk. Aero and Drake. Two sides to the same coin.

  “That was a dog act,” Drake sneers.

  “You’re not privy to her delightful inner monologue,” Aero drawls. “She was about to wish away all our privileges and take off with our magic. I did us a favour.”

  Drake laughs. “You did you a favour. Sure there was no other way around it. Fucker. You’
ll be seeing me at Dawn.” He turns his attention to me. “You owe me, Dell.” And he’s gone. Whisked off in a sea of blinding white light.

  Lightheaded, I grab onto the obsidian pole of the four-poster, fuck-ten-people-at-once bed to steady myself. Even without the magic, I still find it appealing.

  “So, I’m not on your shit list?”

  Fuck … that’s Aero. I almost forgot he was here.

  “Well that’s not very nice,” he says, sounding indignant.

  I walk to the large bay window, peering through the glass and hoping to catch a glimpse of our surroundings, but all I can see outside is black. I look over my shoulder at Aero, who seems out of place in this excessive room furnished with heavy, dark pieces, black crystal accents and velvet soft furnishings. It was obviously designed specifically for Kal and all his nightly splendour.

  “No. You aren’t on my shit list.” I plonk down on the window seat. “You can read minds, that’s not something you can help. The others willingly used their shit on me. So, they got shit listed.”

  He quirks a brow and strides towards me. “Any suggestions on how to keep out of the shit zone?”

  “Stay pretty.” He smiles. “And don’t crowd me. I get claustrophobic. I sleep on the roof at the … where I live. When I can, anyway.”

  He frowns and I feel like slapping him, because I hate people feeling sorry for me. I resist. I am a lady, after all. That, and I’m pretty sure he likes pain, so he’d probably get off on it.

  “I would.” He looks straight at me, pupils thickening. “And you’re not going back there. I’ll find you lodgings that are a suitable alternative.”

  I nod, feeling overwhelmed. He’s been reading my thoughts this whole time. Poor guy. Thankfully, I think they’ve been somewhat tame … I must make a point to watch them from now on though—not so easy when you have a mental vomit disorder.

  He wraps a hand around one of the bed poles. “I can’t pick and choose what I hear, mortal. Unless I have a hand on you, I can only take what you put out. Like I said, that delightful inner monologue of yours.”

  Phew, what a fucking relief.