“Go home,” Mark said. “I’ll take care of Jordan.”
Slipping on his coat, Thrill asked Jordan, “Are you okay with this?”
Nodding faintly, she walked Thrill to the door. “Thanks for dinner. Don’t worry, Mark will get me home.”
“Why do you have to go to Ronan’s?”
“Ronan hasn’t been herself lately. You know her games. She’s asking for our help, and maybe that’s a good sign.”
“Are you positive you and Mark are just friends?”
“Yes,” she reassured the befuddled boy.
“I get a feeling there’s more, and you’re not telling me.” He chased his fingers up her arm then back down to her hand, curling them around her pinky. “Be careful at Ronan’s.” Brushing her lips with his, Thrill left.
It was Jordan’s turn to be confounded when Markus draped her coat over her shoulders and led her to the exit. “What’s going on with Ronan? She’s involved with Veronka, and I don’t trust her.”
“She called me with information, which Ezekiel confirmed,” he said. “Asa’s been plotting, and without a doubt, Ronan has her own agenda. We have to be on our guard, but she’s offering to help, and right now, we need her.”
“Is Ezekiel with mom?”
“I’ll explain later.” Markus and Jordan stalled at the car.
Ronan, Paisley, and Cayden came scampering along. Breathy wisps clouded their heads. “Cayden and I are going home,” Paisley said. “We don’t know what you guys are planning, but leave us out.”
“Fine,” said an abrasive Ronan. “I don’t need your help anyway.” She got into the front seat and slammed the door.
“I understand,” Jordan said, meeting their eyes. “Go home, I’ll call…” She left the sentence unfinished.
Inside the car, Ronan declared, “Jordan, I’m the only one who can help get your mom out of Asa’s place.”
“Why, and how? I don’t understand. What’s going on?”
“Ezekiel told me—” Markus said while driving.
“Mark—” Jordan broke in. “Ronan’s here.”
Ronan turned in the front seat, looking sour. “I know Markus is half-angel. The lake incident proved it.”
“You tried to kill me,” Jordan charged, “and now you’re saying you want to help my mother. It doesn’t make sense. And I don’t trust you.”
“I knew he’d save you,” she said with an ironic snigger. “I was testing the water, so to speak.”
“It’s not funny. I know you’re a member of the Order. What’s your part in all this?”
“I haven’t been officially inducted,” Ronan drawled. “But Asa has instructed me—spiritually.”
“Markus. I’ll do whatever you say,” Jordan said.
A pert cackle escaped Ronan’s lips.
His cheekbone twitched, tightening his jaw. “Ezekiel said dark spells bar all entrance into Trebane’s house. The Order sacrifices souls, and they’ve consecrated the dwelling to Lucifer. Ezekiel tried everything, but he couldn’t stay there, at least not long enough to help Seeley.”
“He’s killing people in his house?” Jordan was appalled.
“Worse. Certain members of The Black Order sacrifice their souls wholeheartedly to attain a higher position beside Lucifer.” Then his words were like sandpaper. “Not all members die willingly, though. The Order’s known for sacrificing an innocent every year to prove their loyalty.”
“Ronan,” Jordan said, her stomach nauseas. “You want to be a part of this sick horror?”
It was evident the girl was ignoring her, staring out the window.
As soon as Markus pulled into the driveway, Ronan leapt from the car.
“Is your dad home?” Jordan called after her.
“Are you kidding? He’s in Atlanta for the week.”
When they crossed the threshold into the kitchen, it felt as if a million insects squiggled beneath Jordan’s skin, shooting tremors to her fingertips. Hugging her elbows, she fought her instinct to run. Markus stood his ground like a marble statue.
“I don’t like this,” she uttered from the side of her mouth. “It could be a trick.”
Ronan thudded down a flight of stairs with an armload of equipment: the pentagram drawing, a dagger, a bowl, and herbs. She spilled the paraphernalia on the table and ran back up.
Feeling green, Jordan regretted having the strawberry milkshake at the diner. “What are we doing?” she accosted Markus. “How can we be a part of this and her spells?”
“We need her to lessen or remove the bonds sealing Asa’s house.”
Ronan returned, carrying a book of incantations, and began assembling her altar, murmuring the whole while. Jordan bubbled with fear and anger, and when Markus grasped her shoulder, she noticed the blistering torment sketched on his face.
“We’ll leave now.”
“Wait,” Ronan cried. “I’ll need a drop of blood . . . from each of you.”
“Is that necessary?” Markus asked crossly.
“Yes, if you want my help.”
He stepped forward and flipped the dagger, slicing his palm and allowing his blood to drip into the bowl. Jordan offered her hand, and he pricked her finger, splashing a single drop into the bowl.
THEY HAVE SET AN
AMBUSH FOR MY LIFE
ASA STEERED SEELEY along a dim hallway and into a room furnished with a Persian carpet, a davenport, and two end tables with Tiffany lamps. Asa licked her palm before she had a chance to snatch it away. Aversion ruffled her lips while scrubbing her hand on her dress. She turned, confirming there were no windows, only a door on the opposite wall.
“What do you want?” she said, aware of his beady eyes on her.
“You.” His mouth collected to the side with an indecent leer. “I’ve wanted you from the first day Jack brought you to us. So young, so striking, and so naively uncontaminated.”
She took a step back. “You have a house full of people. I’ll scream bloody murder.”
Raking her body with his lustful gaze, he said, “Your eyes have changed. The innocence has fled, and now you have yearning eyes.” His voice thickened. “Seeley, you’re an intriguing contradiction. Inviting to look at and deadly to touch. So pliable, yet unbreakable. I could break your spirit, don’t you think?”
What little she’d eaten churned in her stomach. “You are the most revolting man on the face of this Earth.” She growled like a panther, spinning from the sight of him.
“Seeley… Oh, Seeley,” his cadence filled with aspiration. “We could move mountains. As one, we’d rule the world.”
He weaved his fingers into her hair and yanked her around to face him. She flinched, jerking her knee toward his groin, but he held her too close to get any leverage.
“Ah, this is better. Feeling your wriggling body against mine makes me want you all the more.”
“Declan will be searching for me.”
“He’s in Veronka’s capable arms. And, if you don’t do as I say… Well then, poor Declan.” He was taking pleasure in taunting her. “He’ll inadvertently imbibe too much whiskey spiked with a soothing drug, spend the night with a most efficient and treacherous demon, and never wake up.”
Declan’s strong. But, he doesn’t know what he’s in for. Can he take down a demon? “What do you want me to do?”
“You will make quite a scene for my guests,” he said. “You will be infuriated with your lover, who has been flirting with the vivacious Veronka. You might go so far as to slap his face in order to free him.” He drew forward, rubbing his cheek on Seeley’s. “He will go. You will stay behind,” his voice laced with hunger, he abruptly released her.
Combing quivering fingers through her snarled hair, Seeley fought a fierce urge to kill him.
“I know what you’re thinking.” His lips curled, sure of his conquest. “You wouldn’t make it to the foyer. Let’s not fight, you and I. I’m much, much more powerful than I appear. I could squash you without lifting a finger.”
&nbs
p; “Fine. Let’s get it over with.”
Mingling people consumed after dinner drinks as Asa shepherded Seeley into the library. He pinpointed Veronka in a poorly lit bay window, manhandling the esteemed Mr. Donavan. Asa smiled in satisfaction and nodded to her.
Threading between guests, Seeley strived to convert her fear to anger, for Declan’s sake. Standing with knuckles on hips, she took a vehement stance in front of the fevered couple. Declan’s sagging eyelids and lethargic movements made it clear he’d been drugged.
“What the hell’s going on here?” She played her part well, acting like a scorned woman. “I leave you alone for a minute, and you hook-up with this demon?”
Declan wobbled to his feet. Glassy eyes rolled in their sockets and before he could speak, she punched him in the chest. “I never want to see you again. I just want you to leave. Leave—now!” Brimming tears trickled down her cheeks.
“Se-e-ley, wha—?” he slurred in an attempt to vocalize. “Let’s... leave.” After an immense effort to complete a thought, Declan groped for her shoulder.
Onlookers clucked their tongues at his behavior.
Asa walked behind Seeley, issuing orders. “Put Mr. Donavan in a taxi and send the gentleman home. I’m sorry, Seeley. I’ll have my chauffeur take you home later.”
Declan, too drugged to resist, slumped. Two men, anchoring him under each arm, dragged him away.
The scene seemed to please Asa. A puppet master pulling the strings, he turned to his guests to broadcast, “Just a minor glitch. Everyone have another glass of champagne.” Then, clasping Seeley’s elbow, he guided her up the huge marble staircase to the second floor. “My dear,” he crooned, “that was an Oscar-worthy performance. I’m quite impressed.”
Ashamed of her tears, she wiped away the telltale signs with her free hand. “Now what?”
“I’ll make one last appearance downstairs to bid my guests farewell, and I’ll happily return to you.” His eyes sparked. “No monkey business. Wait for me.”
Two men guarded an open doorway. Loosening his grip, Asa thrust her into a bedroom. “My men will keep you company while I’m gone.”
Seeley shuddered. Red-ringed eyes marked them as demons, though their navy blue suits made them appear like guests. She stepped backward until she felt the wall behind her, her eyes never leaving the demons. They walked in and closed the door.
GRATEFUL TO BE inhaling the fresh, cold air, Markus and Jordan sped in the car. She dialed her mom’s cell once more with no response. “Do you believe Ronan can break the protective enchantments on Asa’s house?”
“It hurts me to the core to use her in this way.” His brow creased. “A desperate time calls for desperate measures. And the most devious creatures we’ve encountered have proclaimed Ronan’s abilities.”
“You’ve spoken to devious creatures?”
“Ronan’s released many of them,” he answered. “There’s a vicious war being waged, and I’ve been in the thick of it for years.”
“I didn’t realize. I always assumed that you hang around watching me every minute,” she said, taking a gander at his chiseled features. “Then when you’re not here, I get mad. At least now I know why you’re not at my beck and call every second of the day or night.” A plop on the car distracted her, and rain pecked the windshield. She shifted to Markus. “Of course you know where Asa lives?”
“Yes. But I’m taking you home.”
“What? No, I’m going with you.”
He set his mouth in a determined line and continued driving.
“Markus, I’m going with you,” she repeated and faced her angel with a dogged look. “If you drop me at home, I’ll just get into my mom’s car and drive to Asa’s on my own.”
He beat his fist on the steering wheel, fierce eyes glinting. “Why must you always be so difficult? You are my first priority. Ezekiel needs me, and you’ll be in the way.”
“I can help,” she sent him a fervent appeal. “I know I can.”
“Ezekiel and I believe it’s a trap to lure you to Asa’s,” he blurted. “He took your mother hostage, knowing you’d come after her.”
“Why me?”
“It’s complicated.” He sighed. “Asa thought of your father like a son. When Jack betrayed him, believe it or not, it broke the tiny speck of good left in his warped heart. Because of Jack’s betrayal, Asa is obsessed with consecrating you to Lucifer to atone for the loss of Jack’s soul.”
Absorbing this, she said, “There’s more to his plan. Am I right?”
“You’re reading people quite well. You’ve seen through him. Yes, there’s more.” He grunted, as if he were impressed.
Rather than explain, he said, “You need to go home. We cannot give him what he wants.”
“I won’t leave you to fight my battles. Like I said, I’m going with or without you.” She would not be dissuaded.
Negotiating a U-turn, Markus sped to the highway.
THE BALD DEMON’S vulgar admiration annoyed Seeley. His red eyes followed her like a cat on a rat. He kept smacking and licking his lips.
She tried focusing on a ceramic vase. It schlepped from side to side. Apathetic in her training, her reflexes lacked their usual speed. Persevering, an enigmatic pulse energized Seeley, and the vase crashed into the demon’s shoulder. He stopped, temporarily dazed.
Chortling, the other creature stood guard by the door, watching his partner pursue the lady. “Get a grip, mate. This is no ordinary prisoner. You’d better hurry before he comes back.”
“You could help me pin her down,” the bald demon muttered.
“Not on your short-lived demon life. If he catches you, you’re a goner.”
He stooped low on his haunches. Just before he sprang, Seeley jumped, rolling over the bed and landing on her feet.
Laughter barked from the guard. “She’s a tricky minx, that one.”
“Chester, grab her on that side.”
She concentrated on the large armoire. Its size challenged her mental strength, but she tipped it sideways, blocking Chester’s advance. The endeavor taxing, her sight hazed for a second, just long enough for the demon to trounce over the bed. Her sight cleared by the time his distorted face was within inches. He tackled Seeley, her head smacked against the wall. The demon hauled the unconscious woman across the mattress, pinioning her with his body.
Feeling a heavyweight on her chest, Seeley stirred with a desperate need to breathe. She thrashed, fighting off his advances, but he’d secured her wrists above her head with one hand. And his other hand fondled her hips, tearing at her dress. His slobbering orifice bit into her shoulder and nipped the column of her throat. She kicked, without success. Her actions only seemed to stimulate him.
“Oy, Gavin! Gavin, I hear someone coming,” Chester belatedly warned.
Asa took in the sight before him while Chester squelched out the door. “Gavin’s a bad boy,” Asa mocked.
“She was acting up. I was just trying to tame her.” The bald demon dove off the bed.
Asa raised his hand, casting a hex and denouncing the demon. “Back to the pit, where you will grind and gnash for all eternity!”
Rigid and gyrating, Gavin seemed to decompose. His squeal was hideous as his body exploded.
Climbing off the mattress, a disheveled Seeley panted. She rearranged her mussed clothing, as Asa delicately closed the bedroom door.
“Is this your handiwork?” He gestured approvingly to the broken pottery and fallen armoire.
She glowered at her captor.
Offering his hand, palm up, Asa recited a charming spell. Like a lariat, the irresistible words circled the room until they dropped over her. “Come. Come to me. We will be one. You will be mine.”
The overpowering spell tugged on her like an invisible cable, but with all her might, Seeley fought the compulsion. Her foot stepped forward as if it had a mind of its own, submissive to his inveigling. Receptive to his suggestion, her body deceived her, tingling in eagerness to close the gap, cr
aving this man’s touch.
His fingertips caressed her shoulders and up the side of her throat. Drawing her near, his lips brushed the column of her neck, she purred like a tamed kitten. His arms enfolded her, molding her against his chest. Asa groaned. His craving sound chinked the spell and diverted Seeley, fraying the cable just enough for her to resist.
Turning inward, she prayed for strength.
“No!” Asa screamed. “God has no dominion here.”
Coming to her senses, she shoved him, hard. “Let me go.”
Bungling his footing, he nearly tumbled to the floor. Mad as a hatter, he seized her upper arm, and his fingers cut into her flesh. “We should unwind while we wait for your daughter.”
“Why would Jordan come here?” she said incredulous.
“You should’ve accepted my offer.” He thrust her away, and she landed on the bed. “Your guardians know of your capture. Heavenly beings cannot survive here. Their power is nullified. Jordan will come, and once inside my domain, she will finally be sacrificed to Lucifer.”
Reeling from his admission, she assumed Ezekiel and Markus would not be fooled. They would never bring Jordan to the devil. Would they?
“At least you saved Declan,” he cooed, tracing her chin. “And Veronka was very interested in the man. It was a shame to let him go.”
Veronka barged through the door, her expression belligerent. She callously slapped Seeley on the side of the head. “Ahh, I feel somewhat better.”
“Now, play nice girls,” Asa said, welcoming Veronka’s abuse.
Adrenaline roared through Seeley’s veins as she bashed the seductress in the teeth. A fuming Veronka lunged for her. Together they wrestled to the plush carpet, all the while hearing Asa laughing like a jackal. Demon men parted the duo and held Seeley’s arms behind her back.
Veronka took advantage of her restraint and whacked her in the diaphragm. They let her fall.
“Well,” Asa said. “That demonstration of nastiness is over. We’d best get ready for our visitors.”
Wickedly They Come (The Wickedly Series Book 1) Page 19
