“Isabelle, I…” His words were stopped by her fingertips against his lips. He trembled under her touch. At this point he seemed to be surviving on sheer will alone. He lifted his hand and gently circled her wrist, placing her hand over his racing heart.
Isabelle smiled sweetly, running her fingers over some of the marks that marred his face. Later, she was going kick the ass of whichever of the brothers did this. Right now she craved him, and only one thing would ease the hunger.
“Mammon? Shut up and kiss me.” There was a second or two where she thought he would back away. The indecision in his eyes was terrible. Thankfully it lasted for only a second.
She saw the moment the demon’s fragile control snapped. His hand roughly grabbed the back of her neck, pulling her hard against his body. Her lips parted on a gasp and then his mouth was on hers, his tongue seeking entry, demanding she submit. Every nerve came alive. How she had lived so long without his kisses, she would never know. The kiss was all heat and desperation—this was no sweet lovers’ embrace. This was a clear message. MINE.
The world around them receded. Only the taste of spice on her tongue mattered. Her arms moved around his neck, and she molded her body to his, pressing as close as she could while remaining clothed. The demon growled into the kiss, his hands roaming her body. She didn’t need empathy to know he wanted her now. She knew he needed to touch her, taste her, and assure himself no harm had come to her, just as she needed to do with him.
His stubble tickled her chin as he devoured her mouth, his tongue seeking and retreating, teasing over her own. Her whole body felt like an electric current was running through her veins. Her fingers dug into his hair, refusing to let the kiss end. She could feel him hard against her belly, and the mental picture of length sliding into her mouth had her body flushing with heat. The sound of someone clearing their throat broke through the haze, and awareness rushed back. They were kissing like teenagers in a room filled with people.
She pulled away quickly, her face hot. She was no doubt bright red, and she sheepishly glanced over her shoulder at their audience. Persephone fanned herself and let out a whistle.
“You two could set the house on fire.” She turned to her husband, pinning him with a stare. “Now that, dear husband, is how you greet the woman you love.” Hades grumbled under his breath as his wife left the room with a little jump to her step.
Isabelle covered her cheeks with her hands and buried her face against Mammon’s chest. If the earth could just open and swallow her, that would be perfect right about now. A deep laugh rumbled through Greed, and she felt his arms tighten around her body. Damn infuriating male was enjoying this. Asshole.
“I do believe I now understand why she wasn’t affected by me. Damn, I don’t think I could even remotely compete with that kind of heat. You two are one hot pair!” Apollo’s knowing smile was going to be slapped off his oh-too-handsome face in a minute. He winked and wiggled his eyebrows. Okay, make that thirty seconds.
Isabelle groaned, banging her head against the solid chest of her demon. Great, now everyone knew she couldn’t keep her hormones in check when Mammon was around. Just perfect.
She felt Mammon’s lips beside her ear, his voice pitched low so only she could hear. “I find I quite like the fact you get wet for me from just a kiss.” She considered making him pay for that, just not in this room with everyone watching.
“If you two are quite finished, could we perhaps talk about what happened to you, Seer? I, for one, would like to know what Michael thinks he is playing at.” Isabelle blushed furiously. Hades had been more than patient in waiting for them to stop making-out in his living room.
“Michael? As in Archangel?” Abaddon's voice broke the silence. Only then did Isabelle realize his face was a patchwork of purple and black bruises. Pulling back so she could see Greed’s face, she whacked him on the chest.
“Did you do that to him?” Greed winced at the smack, looking guiltily at the damage he caused his brother.
“Damn it, Mammon. It wasn’t his fault.” She whacked him again, harder this time. The demon released her and held his hands up in defense. He at least had the good sense to look sheepish about what he had done.
“It’s okay, Isabelle. It was sorta my fault. I should have sensed the angel sooner. I shouldn’t have left you alone.” Regret was thick in his voice. He dropped to his knees before her. “I swear it won’t happen again.”
Greed crossed his arms over his chest, drawing a withering gaze from Isabelle. She faced Abbadon. Reaching out, she flicked his forehead, right between the eyes. He stared at her in shock.
“There, that was your punishment. Now get up. I don’t want anyone kneeling before me like this. No one could have guessed an angel would just appear in my room and kidnap me. He would have killed you and Natalie. I would have never been able to live with myself…” Isabelle paused. Her mouth opened, shock registering on her face.
“Oh my god! What happened to Natalie? Is she okay?”
Abbadon stood. “She is fine, I promise. I wiped her memory of us being in the room. I did, however, leave a memory that you’re visiting family for a few weeks, so she doesn’t worry. Though she will have a tough time explaining the hole where the window once was.”
“Why was the window…no, I’m not going to ask. I guess Uriel caused it after he knocked me out. Thank you, Abbadon, for looking after my friend.” Isabelle could feel Mammon at her back, his hands gripping her arms gently. She sensed he needed to touch her, and she was fine with it. His caress brought her a level of stability when everything around her was changing.
“I guess I should tell everyone what Uriel told me.” Isabelle moved to the large couch, curling her legs under her. Mammon moved with her, virtually attached to her side. She reached for him, feeling his warm hand encompassing her own. She redirected her gaze to him. Using his strength to shore up her own, Isabelle told them everything the Malakhim had told her.
“Seriously? They’re going to wipe out humanity? What fucked up backassward thinking is that?” The demon who had finally introduced himself as Tanus, Sin of Wrath, spoke. His face seemed to be an eternal thundercloud of angst, although he appeared to be more accepting of her presence than he had been the first time she saw him.
“That’s what he said. Something about letting the race destroy itself. He wasn’t exactly clear on the details. Then he left me there, until Apollo found me, that is. Thank you for that, by the way. I’m pretty sure whatever these Malakhim had in mind for me wasn’t going to be good for my health.” The hand holding hers tightened. Turning her gaze to Mammon, she could see the green flames dancing in his eyes.
Hades remained silent through the whole thing, listening to every detail. “So the Malakhim have finally had enough of humanity and plan to eradicate it? That’s not going to work for me. Like all gods, we need the prayer of humans to remain in this world. We’re not the only species that require mortals to exist. Far from it.”
“We need more information to fully understand their plans. Killing humanity would be no small feat. Humanity has an innate ability to survive anything thrown at it.” Lucifer’s concerned voice came from the corner of the room, his gaze moving between his father and brothers.
“Let me see what I can find out. Maybe reach out to Gabriel. He is at least a reasonable man. I have never known him to follow blindly like this before. As soon as I have something, I will be back.” Apollo moved from his position by the couch and vanished from the room.
“Seven…” Everyone turned their heads to Hades. Elbows on his knees, fingers crossed, he rested his chin upon them. His seemed to be mulling over something. Finally, he sucked in a breath and sat back in his chair, pinning each of his sons and the Seer with his silver gaze.
“Seven is a power number. In all ancient texts and in current world numerology, seven is a master number. There are seven demons of sin, seven virtues of man, and seven angels of heaven. I would have to look into the old texts to see if my theory
holds weight, but it seems just too convenient.” The people in the room looked from one another and back to the god.
“I had a dream…the first night I met Mammon. I didn’t think much of it until now. I had kinda been through a lot that night. The woman from my dream, she called herself Ilianna…” Isabelle slid to the edge of the couch.
Hades shot to his feet, eyes locked to the Seer, “Ilianna? You’re sure that was her name?” Isabelle nodded and Hades swore loudly.
Isabelle tightened her hand on Mammon’s, “Who is she?” The demons around her seemed equally confused by Hades’ outburst.
“The Oracle. The first woman born with the seven gifts of the Seer bloodline. She is the progenitor of your race, Isabelle. If she came to you, it was for good reason. Tell me what occurred in this dream.”
“She told me that the power of the Seers’ would return to the earth. The balance had to be maintained because judgment is coming to the mortal plain. That seven would fight against it.”
Hades looked away from her and began to pace before the huge fireplace. “Why couldn’t she just say go here. Turn left. Fight this guy and you will all live happily ever after?” Ze rubbed his face before standing. “Pops, I assume you have some kind of liquor here?”
“Cabinet, far wall. Best bring the bottle.” Turning his back to the room, he leaned against the fireplace, hanging his head. “So the Malakhim looked to unbalance the scales of sin? Letting the human race decimate itself, I would assume. It’s actually a good plan. Humans are masters at killing one another. They have spent the last thousand years coming up with new and inventive ways to meet death.” The silence in the room was proof enough everyone agreed with his accurate, yet macabre, statement.
The long silence was broken by the clink of glasses as Ze lined them up on the table. Pulling the cork from the bottle, he poured a measure of rich amber liquid into each glass. The brothers moved around the table, each wearing a somber look as they grabbed a glass. Isabelle figured they all needed a drink. It wasn’t every day you learned the world was in the firing line of some pissed off angels. Ze moved to his father’s side, offering a glass to him.
Isabelle studied the others. They almost looked like a real family. If real families were filled with insanely buff men who could melt polar ice caps with just a glance. She wasn’t the only one who noticed the stony silence. Persephone was looking around, chewing on her bottom lip. No doubt the goddess was coming up with some kind of plan to break the ice. Given what she knew about Hades, which, granted, wasn’t much, she could see why the Sins were so wary around him.
“Everyone looks so disheartened. This is the first time all of you have been in the same room and not been at each other’s throats. You can’t dwell on what is to come. You can only deal with what is before you. So to that end, we’re going to have a nice family dinner. Understand?” Persephone challenged all the males in the room. The brothers stared blankly at the woman who was, technically, their mother as if she had spoken a separate language. She seemed to falter when none of the males said a word.
Isabelle stood. For God’s sake, they were all socially inept. Fine, she was going to make sure tonight, at least, went off without a hitch.
“I think it’s a great idea. Persephone, would you like some help?” The little goddess smiled, relief evident on her face. She headed for the kitchen, And Isabelle turned to the men, hands on her hips, pinning each one with a glare.
“Dinner for ten is going to be a task, so make yourselves useful. Ze, Mammon, you’re going to help me and Persephone in the kitchen. The rest of you can drag that large table in here so we have plenty of room.” The demons looked from one another to their father.
“You heard the girl, best do as she says.” Isabelle grinned and nodded turning on her heel and followed Persephone into the kitchen. The last words she heard drifting from the room brought a blush to her cheeks.
“She is a bit amazing, that woman of yours Greed.” Had that been Tanus? Naaa, couldn’t have been…could it?
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
“I can’t believe you got them to help make dinner,” Persephone whispered, leaning in towards Isabelle. The women turned their gazes to the men. It was almost domestic. Ze and Mammon sat at the small breakfast table, attempting and failing to dice onions. Ze kept wiping his eyes and swearing when he got onion juice in them. The two women giggled as they continued to make meatballs for the first family dinner Isabelle suspected Hades had ever attended.
“You two are pathetic.” Everyone turned at the voice. Belor, Sin of Gluttony, stood at the door shaking his head. His unique, burning orange eyes observed the mess his brothers were making of the onions. Growling, he headed towards the table. “Let me do it, I think you have butchered enough of the food for tonight.” Ze didn’t need to be told twice. He vacated his spot, slapping his brother on the back.
“You’re a lifesaver. I do believe I have found the next level of hell. Cutting onions. I will never understand how you can do it Belphegor.” Ze made a break for the door.
“Don’t fuckin’ call me that, Twinkle Toes, or it will be my fist in your mouth.” Belor shoved Ze out of the way, grabbed the knife, and went at the onions like the expert chef he was.
Isabelle watched as Mammon looked from his massacred vegetables to the perfectly cut wonderment of the master chef, frowning. A flash of silver hair caught her eye, and she turned, spotting Ze trying to make a break for the door and freedom.
“Ze! Just because you’re not cutting up onions doesn't mean you get to run off and hide.” He was brought up short by her voice. He turned around, and Isabelle pointed at the pile of plates and cutlery. “Lay the table, please.” She turned back to the task at hand, a smile on her lips at the grumbling demon completing his domestic task.
Isabelle surveyed the demons completing their assigned tasks. Her eyes settled on Mammon, and she was unable to keep from chuckling. He was concentrating very hard on his mission, a frown between his eyes. It was clear he’d never completed any domestic task in his long life, but he was determined to get it right. She smiled and went back to rolling the meatballs. She felt a soft touch on her arm and looked up to find Persephone smiling brightly. The evening thus far seemed to have brightened her entire spirit.
“There is a small cabin out back. Take your demon there and get him cleaned up. I will bring him some fresh clothes.”
Isabelle nodded. She wiped her hands and went to him, running her hands over his shoulders. He almost purred at her touch.
“Come on, let’s get you cleaned up.” His sinful smile was all her hormones needed to stand up and do a happy dance. Taking his hand, she steered him toward the door.
“Why does he get to leave?” The whiny voice of Ze followed them, making Isabelle chuckle.
“That's because Isabelle made the meatballs. Now Twinkle Star, time to start on the garlic bread…” Belor was in full chef mode, ordering his brother around the kitchen like a sous-chef. His commanding voice faded into the distance as Isabelle led Mammon down the path to the cabin.
The small cabin sat further up the hill, nestled among the towering trees. The fact they would be alone in moments wasn’t lost on her. The closer they drew to the cabin, the hotter her blood burned. They took the steps up to the small building, the urgency now pressing on them both.
Before she could even utter a word, his mouth covered hers with an intensity that bordered on desperation. Oh, she knew he had wanted nothing more than to throw her over his shoulder the moment he had laid eyes on her earlier. Admittedly she was in the same boat. Her hands literally itched to feel his skin against hers. Even now, her fingers pulled at his shirt as he backed her against the wall, his mouth laying claim. She was the willing submissive to his dominance.
There was no gentleness in his hands, no soft words of love, or sweet caress. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she heard the door open, then they were inside. She was forced against the door, slightly breathless, but not giving a damn as their mo
uths fused once more. Strong fingers grabbed her thighs, lifting her, and the hard, hot male stepped between her legs. She melted into a puddle of liquid need. Oh God, he wasn't allowed to be this damn sexy and demanding. It wasn't fair that he could just kiss her and send her mind into oblivion. He pulled back, panting against her mouth, his green eyes burning into hers.
Isabelle could feel his cock straining against his pants, and her mouth went dry as heat coiled and pooled between her thighs. His green eyes searched her face, causing a smile to spread on her lips. She brushed her fingertips over the bruise on his cheek and down the day’s rough growth of beard on his jaw. If anything, it made him hotter, all dark hair and tanned skin, highlighted by shatteringly bright green eyes.
“You’re thinking too hard demon. I can see it.” Her fingers stroked his forehead, the frown easing. His whole body seemed to relax at her touch, his eyes closing. He was all powerful muscle like some great wild beast, imbued with a strength that emanated from his very pores. Isabelle felt honored to be the one who provided him serenity. She was equally humbled to hold power over such a man as him and pleased her touch could bring him peace.
Isabelle smiled as he sucked in a breath, his nose brushing her throat. He held her tight against his body, pulling her away from the door. His eyes were on hers as he led her towards the only other door in the cabin. Pushing into the bedroom, he reluctantly released his grasp on her. “I promise you, Minx, we won’t be doing much thinking soon. But I stink, and I would rather come to you clean.”
Isabelle pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. His eyes locked on her lips, a low groan emanating from his throat. “Keep that up, and you will just have to put up with sweaty dirty demon.”
Greed's Charity (Seven Deadly Sins Book 1) Page 13
