Dark Power Untamed (The Children Of The Gods Paranormal Romance Book 50)

by I. T. Lucas

  “Impressive.” Her fingers brushed over the sensitive skin.

  “You say the nicest things, but if you don’t hurry, I’m going to erupt.”

  She smiled apologetically. “I wanted to take a moment to admire. It’s not every day that a girl gets to see such male perfection.”

  He wasn’t sure whether she was teasing or serious. Onegus had enough trouble keeping his fangs from punching out prematurely, which was a bigger problem than coming all over her beautiful breasts if she didn’t hurry up.

  As her long fingers expertly sheathed him, he wondered how she’d gotten so good at it. If she didn’t do hookups and had been in love only twice, those two times must have been long-term.

  But now was not the time to think about that.

  As Cassandra lay back, he prowled over her, nudged her legs apart with his knee, and settled himself between them.

  Some of the momentum had been lost, on her part, not his, but as he kissed her mouth, her neck, and then paid tribute to each nipple, Cassandra’s hips started churning beneath him in a blatant invitation.

  Lacing his fingers through hers, he laid their joined hands over her head and guided the tip of his shaft into her.

  After orgasming twice, Cassandra was slick, but it had been a long time since she’d been with anyone, and she was tight.

  Rolling his hips, Onegus pushed a little further, and when she moaned and arched up, he fed her a little bit more.

  “You’re tormenting me.” She arched up again.

  Lifting his hips, he didn’t let her impale herself. “Patience, beautiful. I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “You won’t.” She tried to pull her hands out of his grip.

  His self-control only went so far, and as he surged into her, seating himself to the hilt, they both groaned.

  The fit was tight, but not uncomfortable, and yet he didn’t move, letting her get accustomed to the intrusion.

  Dipping his head, he took her lips, intending the kiss to be soothing, gentle, but Cassandra was impatient and nipped his lower lip.

  “Move,” she hissed.

  Onegus chuckled against her mouth. “Your wish is my command.”

  He withdrew slightly, and pushed back in, going slow at first and increasing the tempo and power of his thrusts in small increments to gauge her response. When she was panting, urging him to go deeper by arching into every thrust, he let go of her hands and gripped her hips.

  Holding her down, he pounded into her hard and fast, and she melted beneath him, surrendering to him in the most primal way.

  He needed her mindless with lust before he could let his fangs punch out, and as the release barreled through her for the third time, he pushed a small thrall to have her accept his bite without fear.

  When she turned her head, offering him her neck, the last of his control snapped and as he erupted inside of her, his fangs sank into her neck and she orgasmed again, and again, and again.

  And then her eyes rolled back in her head and she passed out.

  For long moments, he lay on top of her, holding her tightly to him as if he would never let her go, listening as her breathing evened out and her heart rate slowed down.

  When his own heart stopped hammering against his rib cage, he pulled out gently and padded to the bathroom to dispose of the condom.

  He was still hard enough to pound nails with his shaft, and as he stood under the spray in the shower, he gave himself another release while replaying what had happened only minutes ago.

  That didn’t do the trick either, and when he came back to the bedroom with a couple of wet washcloths, Onegus was still sporting an erection that refused to deflate.

  He found Cassandra sprawled on the bed in precisely the same position he’d left her, a satisfied smile on her beautiful face. She didn’t stir when he gently cleaned her, and her breathing didn’t change cadence when he climbed into bed and scooped her into his arms.

  Tomorrow, he would have to wake her up early and get her home so she could change into work-appropriate attire, but tonight, he planned to hold her for as long as she let him.

  46

  Cassandra

  “Good morning,” said a familiar male voice as the bed dipped.

  A moment later the smell of freshly-brewed coffee registered, and Cassandra opened her eyes.

  It was morning?

  The room was still mostly dark, the dawn’s early light just starting to illuminate the sky.

  “What time is it?” She reached for the coffee mug.

  “It’s five-thirty in the morning.” Onegus smiled. “I figured that the coffee smell would do the trick. When I tried to wake you up twenty minutes ago, you pulled the pillow over your head and showed me your beautiful ass.”

  “I don’t remember it.” She took a sip from the coffee.

  In fact, she was confused, not sure which parts of last night she remembered and which she’d dreamt up. She’d had the most amazing dreams of soaring through the clouds above alien cities and waving to the people below. She’d also dreamt about Onegus biting her neck, but it hadn’t been painful. On the contrary, it was the most pleasurable thing she’d ever experienced, and after the number of times she’d orgasmed last night, that was saying something.

  “You were tired.” He leaned and kissed her cheek. “I wish I didn’t have to wake you up, but unless you can call in sick, I need to get you home so you can change.”

  “I wish I could.” She took another sip from the coffee. “But if I’m not there, my snowflakes aren’t going to do a damn thing, and I’ll have to pull all-nighters to catch up.”

  He arched a brow. “Your snowflakes?”

  “The employees in my department. A bunch of twenty-somethings who think that they are entitled to do as little as possible and not only get paid for it but also get promoted.” Cassandra shook her head. “Forgive my rant. I’m cranky in the mornings, especially this early.”

  “You can rant to me as much as you want.”

  He flashed her his gorgeous smile and reached for the mug of coffee on the nightstand.

  With the cobwebs of sleep dissipating, she noticed that he was dressed in a pair of jeans and a button-down. The closet door had been open when she’d walked into the bedroom last night, and there had been nothing in it. “Where did you get the clothes from?”

  “I texted a friend last night and had him deliver a change of clothes for both of us. He left them by the door.” Onegus lifted his leg, showing her that the jeans were too short. “Arwel is not as tall as I am, but his girlfriend is about your size, and she lent you a T-shirt and a pair of leggings.”

  That was embarrassing. Had he planned on her spending the night? Or had he contacted his friend after she’d passed out?

  “That’s very sweet of her, and please thank her for me, but it’s not necessary. The building is vacant, and no one is going to see me leaving with my evening dress on.”

  “That’s true.” He smoothed his hand over his curly blond hair. “But since he was bringing things for me, I figured you might want to change into something casual as well.”

  “It was a nice thought. I appreciate it.”

  “I wish both of us didn’t need to go to work today.” He gazed at her from under his blond lashes, his blue eyes vivid even in the dim morning light.

  The man was truly beautiful.

  Surprisingly, things weren’t as awkward between them the morning after as she’d expected. It almost felt as if they’d been longtime lovers, comfortable with each other, but still very sexually aware.

  “I wish so too.” She took a few more sips of coffee before handing him the nearly empty mug. “I need to use the bathroom.”

  “Of course.” He didn’t move.

  She had three options. Fling the comforter off and parade naked to the bathroom, wrap the comforter around her body and drag it to there, or ask Onegus to give her some privacy.

  Normally Cassandra wasn’t shy, and even though he’d seen every bit of her alr
eady, it still felt like too much too soon.

  Understanding flashing through his eyes, Onegus got up. “I’ll get you a robe.”

  “Thank you.” She clutched the comforter to her chest.

  Alone in bed, she felt the gravity of what she’d done weighing on her. She shouldn’t have gone to bed with him on their second date, or third if she counted the gala. It was too soon. And yet, she couldn’t bring herself to regret it.

  She would, though, if he never called her again.

  Men were hunters, and once they caught their prey, they lost interest. Cassandra had never made it so easy for a guy before. If a man wanted her, he had to work hard on wooing her because she was worth it.

  Onegus returned with a robe that was identical to the one he’d worn before. “I’ll make breakfast while you get dressed. Any preferences?”

  She smiled tightly. “A fresh cup of coffee will do. I usually don’t eat breakfast.”

  “I’ll make eggs and toast.” He leaned and kissed her cheek again. “You rocked my world last night, Cassy. I want more of that soon.”

  “Me too.”

  She waited until he left the room to let out a relieved breath.

  This wasn’t the end. It was just the beginning.

  47

  Emmett

  Twelfth day in captivity.

  Emmett wondered how long he would keep count. A month? A year? A decade?

  Kian had promised to let him out of the cell, conditional on the information he’d provided proving useful in locating his tribe, but Emmett doubted it would be.

  The Kra-ell were nomadic by nature.

  Their numbers were small, so it wasn’t difficult to keep moving from place to place, and it helped keep them hidden. If too many humans started disappearing in one area, people became suspicious, especially of those who were different.

  It had been relatively easy to disappear in China, and during his time with the tribe they’d moved several times, never returning to the same spot twice.

  Kian’s people were not going to find anything at the location he’d given them. Their best chance was to follow the money.

  If Jade had sold Kumei there should be a money trail, but he had a feeling that she’d kept at least some control over the company. That was why he’d sent the email there.

  What else could he offer Kian in exchange for his freedom?

  The sanctimonious prick would never release him to his precious human world, but under the circumstances, the immortal village sounded like a sweet enough deal.

  If all the immortal females were as tasty as Eleanor, then he was in for a buffet of treats.

  Seducing them wouldn’t be difficult. According to Arwel, Emmett’s only competition for female attention were the former Doomers, a bunch of crude, uneducated brutes.

  Compared to them, Emmett was a catch. Hell, he was a catch compared to nearly all males, human, long-lived, and immortal. He was sophisticated, charming, and a great lover if he said so himself.

  The fact that he nibbled on a little blood from time to time was inconsequential, a small price to pay for the incredible physical pleasure he provided his partners, not to mention the intellectual pleasure of his company. Any female should feel honored to be chosen by him.

  Perhaps he could offer Kian money, provided that the prick hadn’t emptied Emmett’s largest bank account already. He had plenty more, but losing what he had in the one he’d given the goddess access to would be painful.

  What a powerful compeller the Clan Mother was.

  Compared to her, Jade was a weakling. And unlike Jade, the Clan Mother had treated him with respect. But then she’d forced him to give her access to his largest bank account, which was what Jade would have done. She owned everything that their community had, including its members.

  But at least Jade never tried to appear as anything other than the ruthless bitch she was. It would be a sad joke if after all of Kian’s preaching about morality, fairness, and the importance of consent, he stole the money.

  The guy didn’t seem to be after Emmett’s fortune, but everyone, even a rich guy like Kian, could always use more.

  Emmett had a lot more stashed away in foreign accounts, and he owned the Safe Haven property free and clear. Which was another problem he needed to solve. The future profits belonged to him, but if he didn’t claim them, they would be lost, squandered by whoever had stepped up to take his place.

  Was it Riley?

  She was the most qualified, but she lacked charisma and the others wouldn’t follow her. Worse, they would try to undermine her, and the internal squabbles would ruin the well-oiled money-making machine he’d created.

  As the door mechanism activating snagged his attention, Emmett looked up, curious to see who was visiting him this time. It was probably just one of the Guardians with his breakfast, but as starved as he was for company, even the stoic Alfie would do.

  He liked Jay better, but the one Emmett liked the most was Arwel.

  The guy was intelligent and well-read, which was a rare find these days. Perhaps it was different with immortals, but young humans liked their information to be served in condensed bites, preferably in color and with sound. And if they bothered to read at all, it was all about I and I and more I. They should be called the I generation, not X or millennials or any of the other terms used to describe them.

  When the door finished swinging open, Arwel walked in with a tray in his hands, and Emmett greeted him with a genuine smile. “Good morning. I’m glad it is you and not one of your helpers.”

  “Why is that?” Arwel put the tray on the coffee table.

  “You’re more fun to talk to, and I’m bored.” He lifted the lid off the container of blood and took a sip. “Lamb.” He smacked his lips. “My favorite.”

  Arwel pointed at the plate of beef tartar and another container of blood. “After you finish everything, brush your teeth and wash your mouth. There is a change of guard later on, and the sight and smell of blood might gross them out.”

  Emmett paused with the tall container mid-air. “Are you leaving me?”

  Arwel chuckled. “Not yet, but soon.”

  “Why?”

  “I’m needed elsewhere. But don’t worry, you will like my replacements.” He smiled. “Eleanor and Peter are here, and one of them or both will bring your lunch. I’m staying just until they have the routine down.”

  Eleanor.

  As everything that made Emmett a male awakened, and not too gently, his mouth filled with saliva, and not for the animal blood in the cup he was holding in his hand.

  But then reality came knocking, and he frowned. “Should I expect trouble?”

  “Not unless you cause it. They will not harm you.”

  “They both have reason to seek revenge, and I’m helpless.” He lifted his cuffed arms. “I’m bound by shackles, both tangible and intangible. Your Clan Mother compelled me not to use my powers against her clan members.”

  “I’m well aware of that. Otherwise, I would have never agreed to have a female guard you.”

  “Do you think so little of me? I didn’t harm Eleanor. I just nibbled a little on her blood, and regardless of what she told you, she was most willing. I didn’t use compulsion on her, and the spiked wine had very little effect on her.”

  Arwel’s usually pleasant expression hardened. “She tried to stop you, but you held her down and kept sucking. That’s not willing in my book or any other.”

  They were all a bunch of self-righteous pricks, even Arwel. “Spare me the holier-than-thou sermon. As if all the females you guys bite during sex are consenting to receive your venom. They might sign up for the sex, but not for the fringe benefits they haven’t bargained for.”

  48

  Margaret

  “I don’t think I can eat one more hamburger or steak without getting nauseous,” Ana whispered as Bowen closed the door behind him. “But I don’t have the heart to tell Bowen that I’m sick of eating the same thing every day.”


  “You don’t have much longer to suffer through it.” Margaret looked at Bowen through the window, her eyes following his movements as he fired up the grill. “You and Leon are leaving Thursday morning.”

  Ana sighed. “Yeah, I know. I’ll probably miss Bowen’s cooking when I go back to living on frozen meals.”

  It would be hard to say goodbye, especially to Bowen, but everyone had to go back to work eventually, including her.

  He’d offered to come with her to Safe Haven, but that would be a temporary solution as well, and it would make saying goodbye to him even harder. Bowen didn’t belong in Safe Haven, and he didn’t belong with her. If she had any decency, she would not only let him go but push him away.

  If you love something, let it go. If it comes back to you, it's yours forever. If it doesn’t, then it was never meant to be.

  She could remove the middle portion of that saying. Bowen was suffering from an acute case of a savior complex, and once he was free of her, he would realize that and forget about her.

  Margaret looked through the window at the two men on the front porch. Leaning against the railing, Leon was sipping on a beer while Bowen fanned the charcoal to ignite a larger flame.

  He was so handsome, so masculine, such an incredibly good man.

  Tearing her eyes from Bowen, she looked at her friend’s flat stomach. “Maybe you are pregnant after all. You said that you missed your birth control shot.”

  “The doctor took a blood test. I’m not pregnant.” Ana rubbed a hand over her belly. “But maybe my stomach is still sensitive.”

  “You’ve lost weight.”

  Ana had returned changed from the clinic, and aside from the very strange and sudden weight loss, she didn’t look like someone who had to get antibiotics through an IV. Her hair was glossier, her skin smoother and blemish-free, and her eyes practically glowed, especially when she got excited. Ana herself joked about the miracle potion the doctor must have injected her with.