Love's Predator (Love's Predator Trilogy Book 1)

by Paula Nicole

  “Now,” Lord Shade said. His tone was far lighter now, but still firm.

  Lindsey knew he wanted her to sleep.

  “Come Lindsey, I will talk with you tomorrow about this, but for now I would very much like for you to rest so we can enjoy tomorrow, together.”

  Biting her lip, Lindsey nodded once and turned to the bedroom. She was about to enter when Lord Shade called her name once more.

  “Yes?” Lindsey mused.

  She looked Lord Shade up and down, casting him a sweet innocent smile, which he did not buy at all. Lindsey knew it had failed when he started to chuckle and shake his head lightly. “Sleep well, my dearest soul,” he cooed tenderly.

  Lindsey gave him one last smile before she finally retired for bed. Yet, as she climbed into the grand bed, she doubted she would sleep at all after seeing the horrific demon. However Lindsey found that she was completely wrong; within moments she was fast asleep.

  The discussion continued without Lindsey downstairs.

  Chapter Thirty Five

  Lindsey’s long, dark eyelashes fluttered like wings as she opened her eyes. Frowning, she gazed ahead of her and she saw nothing but the endless sea of green grass before her.

  She had been trying, for what seemed to be hours, to make something appear. However, no matter how hard she tried nothing dared to emerge, and if it did it just did not feel quite right. Lindsey was trying to make the place she could almost see. It was a place she knew was surrounded by beautiful fields and meadows and yet she could not remember what the place looked like, only that she wanted it to appear.

  The first time Lindsey found this problem she was trying to make a home. But she was now uncertain if the home she had been thinking of was her home or just a figment of her imagination, something that had just once passed through her thoughts. It had to be the latter, Lindsey told herself silently. For how could someone forget their own home?

  “I’ll try what I did yesterday,” Lindsey said quietly.

  Although she knew that deep down that what she was about to make wasn’t what she was looking for. It wasn’t right.

  Lindsey stared ahead and watched as a house began to form before her, but even whilst it was forming Lindsey did not recognise the house before her. It still wasn’t right.

  Sighing, Lindsey looked away. It had only been seven days since she had sold her soul to Lord Shade and yet it felt like she had been there a lifetime. Each day she could feel herself forgetting what it was like to live a normal life, her life.

  Finally, she admitted to herself she had forgotten what home looked like, if she ever had a home to begin with.

  Feeling a little nauseous, Lindsey left the world she had made and returned to Lord Shade’s labyrinth. As she followed the path she knew to the exit, Lindsey could almost feel that Lord Shade had returned to the palace; suddenly everything seemed to glow, like a surge of electricity had run through the world. This was their routine.

  Lord Shade would disappear in the morning each day and appear in the evening for dinner and magic. Lindsey assumed he was visiting other demons; attending to his business. But this was fine with Lindsey. She had the freedom to do whatever she pleased in Lord Shade’s world and the only time she was ever hungry was when it was time for dinner. It seemed all her human desires and needs were under control; as if all her needs were met by some invisible force.

  Lindsey’s suspicions were then confirmed when she approached the fountain and found Lord Shade sat at the little table on the wooden stage nearby. He waved to Lindsey, wearing a gentle smile as she approached him.

  “Good evening, my sweet soul,” Lord Shade cooed charmingly. “Come and see what I have for you.”

  Lindsey couldn’t help but smile as she quickly made her way up the little wooden stairs. Curious, she looked down to the table and saw Lord Shade had brought her some small cupcakes, with smooth vanilla icing and juicy, red strawberries peeking out of the tops. Lindsey could already feel her mouth watering.

  “Sit, my dearest. I can see how tempted you are,” Lord Shade grinned knowingly.

  Carefully, Lindsey sat herself across from Lord Shade and her eyes flickered to the cupcakes then back to him. “You know me too well,” she said softly. “You know exactly how to tempt me.”

  “I do,” Lord Shade smirked.

  His eyes looked Lindsey up and down, falling on her eyes. Lindsey could tell he was reading her expression. He could read her better than any human ever could. Sometimes Lindsey felt her thoughts were so vulnerable around him, she felt exposed.

  “Is something wrong?” He asked her.

  His voice was so gentle, so caring, that Lindsey instantly felt the desire to tell him everything. But she was not that weak.

  “No,” she smiled secretively. “I just don’t feel so well. The cupcakes are beautiful…”

  “But?” Lord Shade interrupted quickly.

  His concerned gaze was melting away, becoming more intense.

  “You need to eat, child,” he insisted firmly. “That will make you forget all about it. Besides, you must be hungry.”

  Lindsey froze; a chord within her was struck by Lord Shade’s words. He had said the food would make her forget. She could feel her mind working away now, trying to figure out if there was a connection to her memory loss and eating Lord Shade’s food or if all Lord Shade had meant was it would take her mind off of feeling unwell.

  Eventually, Lindsey decided either way she was too nauseous to eat the food. However, she had never refused Lord Shade before.

  “Perhaps we can have them later?” Lindsey suggested, trying her best to appease both of them.

  Lord Shade’s gaze was unfaltering.

  Lindsey suddenly felt cold.

  “Well then,” Lord Shade murmured lowly. “I guess it can’t be helped.”

  Lindsey summoned a small smile. “I’m sorry,” she told him sincerely. “You always go to such great efforts.”

  “I do.”

  His reply was fast and blunt.

  Lindsey was surprised by the harshness of his response and Lord Shade must have realised as he quickly forced a smile and stood. He hurried to Lindsey and pulled her chair out. But as he helped her up, Lindsey noticed how his grip was tighter than usual.

  “We will dine later. Whatever you wish to eat, you will have it,” Lord Shade said. His voice was still low and insistent.

  For the first time in days, Lindsey felt uncomfortable around Lord Shade; she did not feel safe.

  Had she ruined their smooth boat ride?

  Chapter Thirty Six

  Lindsey silently followed Lord Shade through the garden and back to the labyrinth of doors. Every now and then she glanced up and took a mental note of Lord Shade’s expression. Although he seemed calm and content with his neutral expressions, Lindsey could feel a heat around him; he was not pleased by Lindsey’s refusal to eat, and this reaction made Lindsey all the more wary of the food he had been giving her.

  Lord Shade politely opened the gate to the labyrinth and moved aside, gesturing for Lindsey to enter. He also struck her with a dazzling smile, which Lindsey knew for sure was forced.

  Feeling uncertain, Lindsey entered and quietly thanked Lord Shade. Even when he was angry he kept up the appearance of a gentleman and a caring host. He even took Lindsey’s arm as they travelled around the labyrinth, but after a while Lindsey had to ask what was happening.

  “Another thing about demons, my dearest, we like to play games,” Lord Shade told her mischievously.

  Lindsey looked up at him to find he was wearing a knowing smirk and his eyes seemed to glitter impishly. This instantly made Lindsey apprehensive.

  “Especially when there is something to play for,” he added with that same air of mischief.

  There was a strange twisting feeling in Lindsey’s gut; it told her that this wasn’t right. Something about Lord Shade’s voice and the way he looked at her made Lindsey feel on edge. Lindsey’s suspicions were confirmed when he revealed the rules
of his little “game.”

  “We will play hide and seek, right here in the labyrinth,” he insisted inflexibly. “And if I find and catch you before the sun is down, you have to eat.”

  Looking away, Lindsey knew she didn’t have much of a choice in the matter. Lord Shade wanted to play a game and that was exactly what would happen.

  “And how long will that be?” Lindsey asked.

  “A mere three minutes,” Lord Shade said.

  Lindsey examined his face and detected no hint of a lie, even if he continued to flaunt that promiscuous smirk, his eyes seemed honest.

  But Lindsey wasn’t going to play his game if there wasn’t something for her to play for.

  “And if I win?” She smiled. “What if you can’t find and catch me on time?”

  Lord Shade’s eyes sparkled with intrigue and he stopped, turning to Lindsey. He looked down on her, gazing into her eyes.

  “Haven’t I given you everything?”

  Lindsey looked away, not knowing what to say to him. It was finally Lord Shade himself who decided Lindsey’s prize, if she won.

  “I’ll tell you what, my dearest. If you win my game I will surrender ownership of your soul; it will be yours alone again.”

  Lindsey’s heart seemed to jolt in her chest and her eyes widened with excitement. “Really?” She questioned hopefully. “And our deal from before would still stand?”

  “Yes,” Lord Shade replied. “Your friends will still be safe, but you will have full ownership of your soul, my dearest.” He paused and cast Lindsey a strange smile. “You could even leave here, if you wanted to.”

  More than tempted by the new deal, Lindsey didn’t hesitate to put her hand out to accept it. But then it hit her; Lord Shade could easily cheat.

  His hand reached for hers, but Lindsey pulled her own hand back.

  “Wait,” she said.

  Lord Shade remained calm despite Lindsey’s outburst.

  “Yes?” He asked her softly. “Do you have something else to add?”

  Lindsey gave a strong nod and she looked the demon deep in the eyes. “No cheating,” she demanded firmly.

  Lord Shade laughed loudly, his eyes flashing with unrestrained glee. Even the demon could not hide how thrilled this game made him. He was eager to win.

  He raised a pale hand to his chest and gracefully made a cross over his heart. “No cheating,” he swore to her with a grin.

  Lindsey felt uncertain. It was that grin he wore that made her doubt him. And now there was so much on the line for Lindsey, she had to be certain she stood a chance of winning.

  She decided to take the chance.

  “It’s a deal.”

  She offered her hand to the demon and he grabbed her without hesitation and pulled her close, holding her hard against his body. Lindsey’s eyes widened as she felt his hot breath on her neck; she realised her mistake then, she hadn’t asked for a head start.

  Had it all been a trick?

  “Twenty seconds,” he hissed into her ear.

  Lindsey breathed a sigh of relief, but she didn’t wait around to thank him. She quickly turned heel and ran as fast as she could. It was her first idea to get as far away from Lord Shade as possible and find somewhere to hide, but then as Lindsey was running she decided that was far too predictable. Lindsey would stay on the move for the three minutes and try her best to avoid him as he hunted for her.

  As Lindsey passed a bright red door she felt more curious than ever to find out what was behind it. After all she had been behind almost every white door the labyrinth had to offer, for they concealed the different worlds and those she could manipulate. Perhaps the red doors led to different worlds, or even the way out. Lindsey wanted to know either way, but at that moment nothing was more important than winning back her soul, so Lindsey pressed on, her eyes and ears alert and ready for any movement or noise.

  Twenty seconds had passed.

  Not long now, Lindsey told herself silently. If only she could keep away from him for a few more minutes. Her heart thudded with desperation. She had to win.

  Lindsey could hear footsteps. She looked around, trying to find where he was. Now she felt breathless and as the adrenaline rushed through her, she fought the urge to move.

  Finally Lindsey deliberated that he was on the other side of the hedge, right behind her. At any moment he could come around the corner and catch her. Then it was all over.

  Creeping timidly, Lindsey continued forward and chose the left turn. She then began to run, frantic to get some distance between them. But just as Lindsey started to run, Lord Shade turned the corner. He was closing the distance between them faster than Lindsey could make it. He was gaining on her.

  Faint laughter whispered around Lindsey and Lord Shade began to tease her.

  “Lindsey…Lindsey…Lindsey…”

  But his voice kept coming from different directions.

  Lindsey’s eyes whisked around, but now she couldn’t see or hear him anywhere. She came to a swift stop and looked behind her.

  Where was he now?

  Lindsey surrendered to the desire to run. She didn’t know what else she could do. He was like a phantom making his way around her with great ease, and he was just as dangerous too.

  Fighting the need to call his name, Lindsey stopped again and surveyed her surroundings. Surely that was time up? She prayed it was. It felt like they had been playing this game for hours, and Lindsey was beginning to feel unwell with anticipation.

  Her legs were sore from running and she struggled to catch her breath. She was so anxious; she could beat her every heartbeat magnified.

  With one frail hand placed upon her chest, Lindsey took a deep breath and tried to calm herself before she continued walking. The game was coming to an end and now Lindsey was beginning to feel more confident. After all, he hadn’t found her yet. Time would soon be up.

  “Caught you, my dearest,” a soft voice hissed into Lindsey’s ear.

  She cried out and tried to run, but it was too late.

  His strong arms enveloped her, pulling her tight against his body where he seemed to engulf her completely.

  Lindsey frowned; her heart sunk in her chest and she knew the game was over. She had lost.

  “Don’t feel bad, my sweet soul,” Lord Shade smiled, almost sympathetically. He leaned in and placed a gentle kiss upon her soft, tender neck. “I was behind you the entire time.”

  Tears were forming in Lindsey’s eyes as she considered the lost opportunity, but she bit them back and took a deep breath. Deep down she knew she never stood a chance against Lord Shade. How could a normal human beat a demon at his own game?

  “Now, it is time for my prize,” Lord Shade said to Lindsey.

  He reached out with one hand and in that hand appeared a deep, red apple. Suddenly Lindsey felt like Snow White being offered the poison apple by the devious Queen, but this apple was not being offered to her; it was being forced upon her. And Lindsey had some idea of what this apple was going to do to her.

  “Come, dearest,” Lord Shade hissed like a sly serpent.

  He raised the apple to Lindsey’s lips and held her tight until she reluctantly bit into it. A satisfied smile curved Lord Shade’s lips and he held his head high with the pride of his triumph.

  “Now,” he began brightly. “It is time for you to rest. The game must have been tiring for you.”

  Lindsey silently nodded.

  “Oh, my dear one,” Lord Shade laughed lightly.

  He turned Lindsey to face them, but she would not look him in the eye, not even when he tried to charm her with his sweet, seductive smile. Lord Shade then took a hand and gently cupped her face, making her look up at him and into his sparkling eyes.

  “Please,” he said. “Don’t be disheartened. Even if you had won Lindsey, would you really leave this paradise I have made for you?”

  Lindsey didn’t breathe a word.

  Lord Shade smiled, taking her silence as a submission.

  “You b
elong here, my dearest,” he told her with a warm smile. “This is home.”

  Tenderly, he wrapped an arm around Lindsey’s waist and began to gently lead Lindsey from the labyrinth. Lindsey was surprised by how intimate his hold was. It was as if Lord Shade’s confidence in his charms were growing.

  But Lindsey said nothing and she continued her silence to the bedroom, which made Lord Shade believe she was upset with the outcome of his game.

  “Come here,” he said very delicately.

  This change in tone caught Lindsey’s attention. And before she could react to him, Lord Shade pulled her into him and held her as he lovingly caressed her neck with his lips. “Lindsey,” he whispered. “I know you have been looking for answers.”

  Her eyes almost bulged from their sockets. Had Lindsey been caught? Did Lord Shade know she doubted him?

  He turned Lindsey to face him.

  “You want to know why it was you I took. Why I arranged all this for you,” he continued as he stared into her eyes.

  Lindsey felt her face redden under his gaze. Suddenly her whole body was warm.

  “It’s very rare that demons have feeling for…humans.” Lord Shade was smiling to himself now. “Yet when I saw you Lindsey I felt something I had never felt before. At first I admired your light; I was drawn to you. But as you grew my feelings changed…”

  Lindsey swallowed heavily. She knew what was coming.

  “I love you,” Lord Shade admitted.

  Lindsey could tell that this was the most human Lord Shade had ever felt before; his eyes were wet and his lips trembled as he smiled. It was clear he was glad to have finally told her in words.

  “You are my world,” he grinned.

  Lindsey could feel his grip on her tighten and it was then she knew what was coming. All of a sudden she was full of fear, but it was too late.