by Claire Marta
Twitch found himself in one of the disorganised bedrooms. The air was stale. Abandoning the dog on the floor, he slammed the door shut before heaving a chest of drawers in front of it. Lexi was quick to follow with a wardrobe. Now they had a barricade.
Glancing around, he searched for Zook. “Why are you bleeding? I thought you said you were a God!”
Zook sat hunched on the filthy mattress. Hands bloody, he had them pressed to the rip in his leather trousers at his thigh. “A cursed God and its part of the curse. You stick things in me, I’m going to bleed like everyone else.” He grumbled back.
Kneeling beside him, Lexi checked the wound. From her gentle professionalism, it was obvious she was no stranger to such sights. Zook winced as she probed it.
The Pomeranian tiptoed curiously towards them. With a whimper, it curled up by their feet.
“Well you should have told me that, you fuckwit.” Checking the room for something to use as a bandage, Twitch snatched up a package laying on top of a cabinet. “Here. Use this to stem the blood.”
Staring at the object that had been shoved into her hand, Lexi gave him a strange look. “Twitch...this is a pack of women’s sanitary towels.”
“It’s the only thing I could find.” He replied, trying not to sound irritated. They could not waste any more time. The door was not going to last long. Being eaten alive by a pack of cannibalistic children was not the way he wanted to leave this life. “They hold blood, don’t they? Just use the duct tape to stick them on.”
Rolling her eyes, Lexi scooped up the tape that had been left beside the bed. Tearing open the packet, she tugged out a couple of fresh unused pads.
“Ouch! That hurts! Is this even hygienic?” Zook complained as she pressed them across the gashes in his flesh.
“It’s called improvising. Suck it up, cupcake. We’re trying to stop you from bleeding all over the place.”
Lexi raised an eyebrow at Twitch’s harsh words. In silence, she attached the tape making sure it covered the makeshift bandage and was stuck securely to his friend’s thigh.
They couldn’t just sit there. What they needed was an exit. Pacing to the window, Twitch eyed the boards. How sturdy where they? They looked well-worn from the elements. Climbing up onto the table in front of it, he plonked himself down on his arse. Aiming the flat of his boot, he kicked the wood with sharp hard hits.
Each blow reverberated up his leg. Gritting his teeth, he continued until he heard something splinter. Examining his handy work, Twitch was pleased to see he had made a hole. It was big enough for a body. The glass had long ago been smashed and a few jagged pieces were all they’d have to carefully watch out for.
The eerie sound of scraping raked against the blocked door. One set first. Then swiftly followed with more. Voices. Soft at first began to sing.
“Three blind mice, three blind mice, see how they run, see how they run! They all run after, The Farmer’s Wife, she cut off their tails, with a carving knife, did you ever, See such a sight in your life, As three blind mice?”
Their words grew in strength. The creepy nursery rhyme sung over and over. Scraping became banging of small fists causing the solid wooden to shudder.
Scooting off the table, Twitch snagged the Pomeranian up by the scruff of its neck. “Come on out now. That isn’t going to hold and we really don’t want to find out what the fuck they plan to sing next.”
Taking Zook’s arms, they helped him up.
“It’s embarrassing enough I was mauled by a half pint.” He snapped as he limped towards the window. “I can get my damn arse through there without you butt hugging me all the way.”
“Calm your tits. Hurry up and do it then.” Twitch’s attention shifted to the dog under his arm. So far it had not attempted to bite him again. It seemed to have figured out the urgency of the situation. Body still stiff, it was whining faintly to itself.
Cursing and moaning under his breath, Zook made it up onto the table top. Legs first, he wiggled through the hole. As his head disappeared, Twitch pointed a finger at Lexi.
“You’re next.”
“Twitch...”
“No time to argue. Get your arse up there, sugar pants, before I smack it.”
Astonishment washed over her beautiful face at his bossy tone. Although her lip stick had long ago worn off he still found it sexy when she gave him a teasing smile.
Leaning in, she rubbed her cheek again his. “I might like that,” she whispered. Her warm breath sent a shiver over his skin.
Twitch’s breath quickened. Fuck, she turned him on. Before he had a chance to answer Lexi was already shimming her way out to join Zook.
“She’s going to kill me.” He muttered as he met the distrustful glare of the dog. “A virgin who died of blue balls.”
“Are you coming or do you plan to be eaten alive by demonic rug rats?” Zook’s voice called dryly.
The door was now vibrating with the pounding. It was slowly coming loose from its hinges. Voices belted out song lyrics in twisted howls.
Clambering onto the table, Twitch dived after them. Tucking the small furry body into his chest, he landed with a thud. Ankle deep, overgrown grass swallowed his boots.
“Do you think you can make it back to Nelly if we distract them?” He immediately asked Zook. “And why the fuck haven’t you used any of your magic to help us out?”
“Of course, I can!” The long-jagged scar over Zook’s left eye was more pronounced as he scowled. “I am only allowed to help so much. And yes, I know it is fucking annoying, but it’s not down to me.”
“Then get moving,” Twitch ordered, shoving the dog into his friend’s arm. “We’ll keep them busy to give you some time.”
Leaping up, the mutt gratefully licked Zook’s face, covering him in slobber. “Ok, calm it, fluffy and I’ll get you out of here in one piece.” Spluttering, he pushed its muzzle to the side. “You sure you got this?”
Twitch had no idea what the fuck he was doing. But his friend would only slow them down if they left as a group. Zook had a better chance if they took all the focus. It was probably going to top the shit storm they had already faced.
“Yeah, just get yourself back in one piece.”
“Trust me, I know these streets like the back of my hands.” Zook told them with a rakish grin. Limping around the back, he headed off across the yard with the small beast under the crook of his arm.
Entwining his fingers with Lexi’s, Twitch hurried to the front of the building. Peeking around the corner, he checked the coast was clear. A silence had descended upon the street. None of the occupants of the other homes were stirring. No welcoming lights shone from the windows. Everything lay in darkness.
“Do you have a plan?” she whispered. As shrieks started in unison she darted a glance behind them. Eyes wide, she looked spooked.
“Run and hope they don’t catch up with us.” Twitch’s grip tightened around hers. It sounded like the door had finally been breached. Breaking into a jog, they ran across the empty road. They needed to give Zook time to get back to the pier. If they had to play a game of cat and mouse then they were going to need a head start.
“Come out, come out, wherever you are.” Celion’s southern drawl dragged out the words, making them sound playful. “You have nowhere to go in my domain. My urchins know every nook and cranny of this town.”
Pounding feet and giggles followed as shadowy forms swarmed from the entrance of the derelict structure.
Chest heaving as her heart drummed a terrified beat behind her ribs, Lexi tried not to stumble. Her heightened senses screamed with warning as their pursuers drew closer. This was so fucked up. To anyone who might have caught a glimpse they would probably assume it was some childish game. But Lexi was more than sure they did not want to get captured. She had seen the pointed teeth, the claws and knew beyond a doubt they would be ripped to shreds.
How could these be demons? They were nothing like her. More like feral creatures who got amusement from pain. Wh
at had Celion done to them?
Laughter echoed along the road. It was devoid of the sweet joyfulness of childhood. No. This was a cheerless mimic of something that should have been natural in those so young.
As Twitch dragged her sharply around a bend, Lexi gasped. He seemed determined to keep them going. But even she knew they could not run forever.
Hunger cramped her stomach. Wrapped up in the kidnapping and the need to escape she had not noticed it growing inside her. Biting hard on her lip, she screwed up her face. This was not the time to think about sex. But right now, it was something she needed. If left unchecked it would only increase. Only once before had she ever let it get out of control. This time though there was no one to help her. Putting off feeding was not an option.
Lexi’s attention settled on Twitch’s profile. They had paused down an alleyway. It looked like he was trying to gather his bearings. The sound of feet thumped right past where they were hiding.
Before Twitch knew what was happening Lexi slammed him into the wall. Hard.
Mouth crashing down on his, she kissed him fiercely. Stunned, he did not resist. It was electric. Like touching his tongue to a live wire. Yet it was not pain he was experiencing, but undiluted pleasure. So sharp, so pure, it had him in a tail spin. How could each kiss get better and better? And why the fuck was she kissing him right now?
“I’m hungry for your cock.” Dropping to her knees in front of him, she tugged on his trousers. Feverishly, she unzipped his pants.
“Whoa! What are you doing?” Twitch asked in alarm. His hands battled to keep his zipper in place. “Sugar pants, Lexi, I don’t think this is a good idea right now.”
Her response was a hiss. Slapping his hands away, she unfastened it to reach her goal. A pair of delicate black horns were now visible among the strands of her candyfloss pink hair.
Breathing fast, his heart rate accelerated. Twitch checked the way they had come. They had managed to give the demonic glee club the slip, for now.
The bite of something sharp rubbed against his thighs. Small, black claws tipped Lexi’s fingers. Her hand slid confidently within the confines of his cotton boxers. Jerking, he pressed himself back against the wall.
Her palm was smooth and soft. With a gasp, he struggled not to come on the spot. No one had ever touched him in this way before. And he couldn’t believe it was happening right now.
As she grasped his cock, the wet glide of her tongue licked up and down his shaft. Hand snaking down, he buried it in her hair.
Dropping his head back against the wall, his eyes rolled shut. Holy fuck, this felt incredible. Better than he had ever imagined. Kissing her way to the tip, she took him into her mouth. It was warm and wet, making him grow harder by the second.
With a muffled moan, she swirled her tongue around his torrid flesh. One of her hands was still wrapped around the base of his cock. As Lexi’s head bobbed up and down, she mimicked the movement with her palm.
It was beyond his control to hold back. Lexi was using her tongue, mouth, and throat in ways Twitch had never dreamed of. Moaning, his grip tightened in her hair. It was a miracle he had lasted this long.
“Lexi, I'm going to come.” Twitch warned her when his balls tightened. Ignoring him, her efforts became more frantic. With a shudder and a tortured cry, Twitch came long and hard. Hand still pumping, she greedily sucked until his balls were spent and drained. Weak at the knees, and one hand flat against the wall, he experienced a moment of dizziness. Never had he imagined a blow job to be that pleasurable.
“I never expected that on a first date,” Twitch murmured dazedly. Black spots danced before his eyes and his limbs felt weak. “Dinner, yes, and maybe just a kiss.”
“Oh Gods, I’m sorry,” Lexi babbled, feeling a flush radiating up her neck and into her cheeks. “I was hungry and got carried away.”
And Twitch had tasted so good. Too good. She had not been able to help herself. When he had come in her mouth she had been in heaven absorbing his orgasm. Nothing she had experienced before had ever been like that. The strength that his essence had imbued her with was still tingling through every cell inside her body. She felt far more powerful. This was not normal for a feed. Twitch left her craving more. It made her wonder what sex with him would be like.
“Hey, it’s fine.” He gave her a cheeky grin, mischief dancing in his eyes. “I never realised demons were so horny.” Gently, he helped her up off her knees.
“You saw my horns?” She squeaked back in horror. Raising a hand, she touched one, self-consciously.
“Hey.” Twitch grabbed hold of her forearms, before pulling her against him in a hug. “They’re cute as fuck and your eyes are all sparkly.”
“You think so?” Lexi admitted miserably. This was it. He’d seen her eyes change from a feed. Now that he knew she was a demon he wouldn’t want anything to do with her. Not that he would anyway after this disastrous date. This had to be the worst night in history.
“I do, and they suit you, so don’t feel embarrassed about them.” Carefully, he tucked a strand of her pink hair behind her ear. He was watching her with such a look of affection it sent a burst of hope bubbling up in her chest.
“You don’t mind what I am?” She asked, fiddling with a button on the front of his shirt.
“Sugar pants, I like you. I don’t give a flying fuck what species you are.” With the tip of his finger he brushed the end of her nose. “I just hope giving me a blow job helped because you just made my fucking century.” His attention dipped to her lips.
Lexi smiled. He was so sweet.
“Mommy?”
Freezing, their gazes locked. The soft childish voice had sounded to their right. Spinning around, Twitch blocked Lexi from harm.
The child stood a few feet away. A skinny thing with hollowed in cheeks. Her matted brown hair hung down limply around her shoulders. A white, night dress now grey with dirt and grime swamped her gangly limps. Clutched in one of her hands was a tattered teddy bear. Pasty, mottled skin made her demonic, blue, cat-like eyes stand out in stark relief. Vacant, unfocused she stared up at them.
“Welcome to Brighton, the nursery of the damned.” Twitch muttered under his breath. “Please mind the creepy as fuck children and enjoy your stay because you won’t be getting out.”
“Ring-a-ring o’ roses,” she chanted, rocking from side to side. “A pocket full of posies, A-tishoo! A-tishoo, we all fall down.”
The toy slipped from her fingers. As it hit the ground the pavement where it fell cracked. Bubbling up ooze began to seep from the crevices. Thick and grey, it spread outwards zigzagging towards them. Sulphur. Like the stench of rotting eggs, it grew heavy in the air around them.
Twitch tried to push Lexi back. His magic was spent. Lexi’s blow job had left him feeling curiously weak. Although he could feel it below the surface of his skin it was not enough to call upon.
As the ooze gathered speed it churned across the concrete like thick treacle burning a melted path in its wake. With one arm curved around Lexi’s waist, Twitch scooted her further away, making them both almost stumble.
A form suddenly leapt from the roof top of a building above them. Soundlessly the figure landed on its toes.
It was the grey-haired shifter Twitch had seen earlier. The one Zook had acknowledged with a nod. Closer up, he could now see the silver streaks in the guy’s hair. He’d never seen a werewolf with that coloured hair before.
Twitch’s brows drew together. It was only a guess that he was a wolf. So many different types of shapeshifters existed, he could be anything.
With one powerful blow, the male slammed the staff he was holding against the ground. A shock wave slammed outwards. Runes shone so brightly from its surface it almost blinded them. Magic. Ancient and similar to what Twitch had felt Zook and Nelly wield, it robbed him of his breath.
The night stilled. Time slowed. Before them, the ooze became a crawling trickle. Twitch swore he could see the very air molecules come to a halt. The si
lence was deafening.
Lexi’s fingers dug into his arm as her body shook. He knew this had startled her as much as himself. This should not be possible. No one to his knowledge had ever had the ability to freeze time. It was a myth. An unobtainable dream. Magic wielders were not Gods. They were not omnipotent. Even they had their limitations on what they could do. Yet, tonight, he had seen things that should have been impossible, even for his kind.
Tapping the base of his staff gently this time, the shifter cast a spell. Slithering backwards, the foul-smelling ooze was forced to retreat. The ground then swallowed it whole, before sealing seamlessly shut.
Striding to the girl’s side, the male rested a hand on the side of her neck. Unmoving, caught in his enchantment, she had no chance to fight back. Eyes rolling shut, she crumpled to the floor.
Time abruptly rolled forward again. As if it had merely been holding its breath. Within a blink of an eye, the sounds around them roared back to life. Everything that had been suspended resumed as if nothing had been out of place.
“How the fuck did you do that? That shouldn’t have been possible. You just defied the laws of magic.” Twitch asked, keeping Lexi curved into his side. She melted into him. Nestling her cheek on his chest she reached up to brush some of his curls out of the way. Every instinct he had was clamouring to keep her protected. No way was he letting her go until they were safely back in London. Even then, the idea of parting with her created an ache deep in his gut.
Rolling his wooden staff between his palms the shifter stared down at the unconscious child. “Your laws, not mine.” He replied, lips pursed thoughtfully.
“What is with all the fucking flesh-eating imps,” Twitch continued. He needed to find out from Zook and Nelly what the hell was going on. It was if he had suddenly jumped off the deep end at the pool.
“They’re not imps. They’re descendants of carrion demons. They aren’t even Celion’s brood. They should not be this powerful.” The man’s gravelly voice was grim. “But he has somehow been able to stimulate the dormant demonic genes. We have seen nothing like this before. We believe it has something to do with a Doctor we’ve heard rumours about.”
