Mark of the Sylph (Demons of Infernum, #2)

by Rosalie Lario

Taeg followed her angry gaze down his body, to where Elain’s hand still cupped his now rapidly deflating erection. He wrenched out of her grasp, ignoring her protests when he jumped from the bed. “Maya, I can explain.”

  “Explain?” Maya huffed. “Explain what, that you’re a man-whore?”

  That shocked him into freezing in place right in front of her. He tried to swallow the snort that bubbled in his throat. “A... what?”

  Probably not the best time for him to find humor in the situation, because she snapped her leg up in a front-kick that caught him right in the crotch.

  “Oomph.” He bent over into a defensive posture as pain spread throughout his entire torso, bringing stars to his vision and a trail of vicious curses to his lips.

  Elain’s amused laugh trilled from where she sat sprawled across the bed. Taeg ignored her and braved a look up, just in time to see his little slayer flee the room.

  “Have you no shame?” Maya ground out as she retreated.

  Shame? After that kick, it would be a miracle if he ever had children.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Why did this house have to be so damned big?

  After what seemed like a small eternity, Maya finally rounded the third corridor and made it into her bedroom. She slammed her door shut and paced the room. Of all the things she had expected to see, that certainly hadn’t been one of them. An image of Elain flashed through her mind. Pale flesh looking cool as marble. Bloodred lips. Her admission that she hadn’t eaten in over three hundred years.

  She’d been sucking on his blood. Actually drinking it!

  A vampire. Elain was a vampire.

  Taeg had already told her such creatures existed, but still, seeing one in action was more than a little unnerving. How could he let her suck his blood like that? Wasn’t he afraid she’d take too much? Was it possible to take too much blood from a demon? Why would he let her do that to him?

  Oh, come on. Wasn’t it obvious he found the whole process arousing? He’d had a hard-on, for God’s sake.

  Embarrassment warred with anger, turning her into a seething mass of emotions. Why had she insisted on tracking Taeg down? Once she’d found them together, why hadn’t she quietly backed out of the room rather than blurt out the first thing that came to mind? And why oh why did this all matter so much?

  She had no claims on Taeg. She’d made that quite clear to the both of them. So then why did she want to tear Elain limb from limb, and very, very slowly? And she wasn’t even going to get into what she wanted to do to Taeg.

  As if on cue, the door swung open, slamming against the wall. She jumped and turned to face the doorway.

  “You.” Anger churned in her gut at the sight of him, making her ache for a fight.

  Taeg stepped inside the room, his red eyes narrowing in on her. “Who else were you expecting, the fucking queen of England?”

  The sharp tone of his voice, along with his pronounced limp, made it clear he was upset about her well-aimed kick. She instinctively shrank back before she remembered: she didn’t retreat—she fought back.

  He was angry with her, was he? Well two could play at that game. “You may be a demon, but you weren’t raised in a barn. In the future, knock before you enter my room.”

  Taeg stalked toward her. “I came here to apologize, but about halfway here I realized I have nothing to apologize for. What was it you said earlier tonight? Oh yeah. ‘We’re working together. Nothing more.’ You’ve told me over and over again how you could never be attracted to a demon.”

  How dare he bring this back on her? He’d hit on her. More than once. And then he expected her to sit back without protest while he made out with another woman? Well sorry, but that wasn’t her style.

  “Because they’re repulsive,” she shouted. “You don’t proposition someone and then make out with someone else on your next breath!”

  “And you don’t kick a man in the balls,” he retorted acidly.

  She felt an unexpected burst of guilt and shame at those words. She had hit him pretty hard, and she didn’t need to have balls to know how much that would hurt. Still… “I don’t see any men around here. Just a sorry half-drained demon.”

  “That’s it.” Teeth gritted, he reached for her.

  She leapt to the side to avoid his fumbling grab. Extending her arm, she swung it toward him, striking him across the back. It sent him flying across the room, where he hit the wall.

  He surprised her by chuckling. Cracking his neck, he turned to face her. “You can’t stand it, can you?”

  She kept her hands up, body in attack mode. “What?”

  Taeg grinned. “The way you feel about me.”

  Her mouth dropped open and she straightened. “You are so full of yourself.”

  “Wanna kick my ass? Give it a shot.” He came at her, arms raised in a boxer’s stance. She latched onto one of his arms and brought her knee up, aiming for his solar plexus. Not even she was mean enough to go for the groin again. Taeg’s muffled grunt told her she hit the spot. She didn’t have time to enjoy the victory though. He grabbed her leg before she could lower it and yanked upward, sending her sprawling to the ground.

  “Ungh.”

  He was on top of her before she could process the wooden floor slamming into her back. His masculine scent assaulted her senses, making her feel drunk off his essence. Making her want him. Why did she have to respond so strongly to him? She didn’t want to feel this way.

  “Have I ever told you what a difficult woman you are to talk to?” he grumbled as he stared down at her. But there was a little glint in his eye.

  He thought this whole thing was funny, did he? She’d show him funny.

  Shoving up on his chest, she managed to get enough space between them to jam her knee into his gut and push up. He flew backward with an ease that made it clear he was just fucking with her. Letting her get some hits in.

  She maneuvered to her feet. “What’s your game?”

  “Ha.” Taeg leapt to his feet and hopped from side to side. “I only wanted you to feel like you’re getting somewhere.”

  “Are you patronizing me?” She swung at him with a series of kicks and jabs that he mostly countered, though one or two connected with his flesh.

  “Just blowing off steam,” he replied in between shots. “Thought we could both use a little of that.”

  Blowing off steam. He was right. And that was annoying.

  “Why did you let her drink from you?” Her own words surprised her, mostly because of how hurt she sounded. She had no reason to be hurt. None whatsoever.

  “What other form of payment does a vampire value?” He grunted when he took a knee to the side. “Look around you. She doesn’t need any more money. Would you rather I let her drain you like she asked?”

  Wait. Earlier Elain had mentioned something about Maya being her payment, hadn’t she? And he had refused. He’d offered himself instead. That earlier conversation took on a whole new meaning, and once again guilt stirred in her gut. Well, it wasn’t like Taeg had confided in her or anything.

  “You could have told me, you know.”

  “Yeah, somehow I didn’t think telling you Elain was a vampire would make you feel any better about spending the night here. Was I wrong?”

  Her anger melted away and she froze in place. “You’re right.”

  Taeg grinned, and a split-second later pushed her backward. Her back banged lightly against the wall closest to the bed, and he pinned her in place with his arms. “I often am.”

  Lord, he was close. The warmth from his body permeated her bones. His soft glow practically illuminated her flesh. Maya shut her eyes, as if that could erase the image of him standing right in front of her, or the arousing scent oozing from his pores. Why did she have to want him so badly? She hated herself for asking the next question when she didn’t want to know the answer. But she couldn’t stop the words from spilling out of her mouth.

  “Does Elain’s price include sleeping with her?”

 
He was quiet for so long she opened her eyes to look up at him. And sucked in a breath. He stared at her like she was the most delicious meal he’d ever seen. Like he wanted to consume her. And God help her, it made her want to be consumed. Her heart gave one loud thump before resuming its beat at triple normal speed.

  “Would it bother you if it does?” he finally responded.

  “I... ”

  Chickenshit, his eyes seemed to be saying. “So, what? Is it that you’d like to join the both of us?”

  It took several full seconds for the meaning of his words to sink in. Once they did, she let out an indignant gasp and slapped her hands against his chest. “You vile, disgusting... demon.”

  “That’s what I am, sweetheart. Don’t you forget it.” He pushed away from the wall and turned toward the door.

  His easy dismissal of her stung more than she could have imagined. What, he thought he could come in here with his lame-ass non-apology, provoke a fight, and then walk away? Screw that.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” Maya grabbed his arm and swung him around. “This isn’t finished.”

  §

  Not finished?

  Taeg stared at Maya without responding. He knew this wasn’t finished. It hadn’t even started. He was trying to leave before it did. Seeking her out had been a mistake. He’d known that while he was doing it. But he hadn’t been able to help it. He’d been driven by the need to explain himself, even though he knew it was for the best if she thought him a self-obsessed tool. And now, watching the way her chest heaved and her eyes narrowed in anger, it was all he could do to not fall on her like a slavering beast.

  “Damn it,” he growled, closing his eyes. “Why couldn’t I have just stayed with Elain?”

  “What?”

  The timbre of her voice told him he’d said the wrong thing. What else was new?

  “You said it yourself earlier. Taking things any further when we’re supposed to be working together would be a mistake. Especially since you’ll never think of me as anything other than a demon,” he finished bitterly.

  Maya’s glare softened. “Taeg, less than three days ago I thought demons were evil souls from Hell. I... I know now you’re not evil. But fifteen years of programming is hard to overcome just like that.”

  “I get it. I do.” This attraction they felt for each other was something they couldn’t follow through on. Not when they both had their own agendas. It wasn’t meant to be. Even if his body burned for her touch. “Let’s forget all about this. Partners, right?”

  He didn’t wait for her response before turning back toward the door.

  “Taeg. Wait.” Maya spun him around again.

  “What?”

  This time she did the one thing he would never have expected. She yanked his head down, slanting his lips to hers. His mouth parted in surprise and her tongue slipped inside, rubbing along his with an intensity that made him groan.

  Suddenly they weren’t playing anymore. Their tongues collided, tangling over and over in a sweet dance that banished all but one thought from his head. This was so much damned better than a dream. Her sweet essence enveloped him, urging him closer to her. Her taste, the feel of her pliant body beneath his. It was the most exquisite form of torture he could have ever imagined.

  “I want you so much,” she admitted hoarsely.

  Her words coursed through him like wildfire, setting his body ablaze. Never in a million years would he have thought she’d admit it. And the power of those words, coming from her, was like an aphrodisiac of the finest kind.

  “You know I feel the same, little slayer.”

  “Yes, I can feel that.” She gasped on her next breath, arching up toward him like a cat. The movement pushed her breasts against his chest, tearing a groan from his throat. Right now, nothing mattered but the feel of her body against his. The sensual slide of her tongue as it stroked a hot trail along his neck, sending shudders over his whole body.

  Damn, but he wanted her. With a sense of desperation that overrode everything else. The sword, the Book, none of that shit mattered right now. Nothing mattered but his overwhelming desire to demonstrate to Maya how much she drove him wild.

  “Your body is amazing,” he confessed, snaking his hands under her blouse and sliding it upward. At some point she’d removed the dagger and scabbard she kept hidden under there, so all he touched was silky, warm flesh. Unbelievable how much drive and strength could come from such a small, feminine body.

  His fingers caressed the rigid peaks of her breasts over the lacy black fabric of her bra. So feminine, so arousing. “Perfect.”

  Her fingers closed over a few locks of his hair. She moaned and gave his hair a sharp tug, bringing him in for another kiss.

  This was heaven.

  For the first time maybe ever, his need to give pleasure overwhelmed his desire to get off. His cock ached where it lay against her thigh, begging to plunge deep inside her. But he ignored that, focusing on Maya. On her body and her satisfaction.

  A soft laugh trilled from the doorway, startling them out of their embrace.

  Taeg turned to see Elain leaning against the open doorway, a knowing smirk on her face. “And here I thought you two would be fighting.”

  “Elain, I... ” He shifted uncomfortably, not sure what he should say or do. Maya stiffened at his side, but said nothing.

  “Sorry, you two. Playtime is over. Now it’s time for business.” She nodded to Taeg. “I’ll meet you in the library in five minutes. Alone. Bring the papers you want me to decipher.”

  He watched her leave before turning to Maya. She wore a shuttered expression, making him wonder what the hell was going through her mind. “I need to—”

  “Go.” She nodded without meeting his eyes. “I know it’s important.”

  It was. He needed to remember that. “About what just happened—”

  “I’m tired,” she interrupted. “Let’s talk tomorrow, okay?”

  Taeg left the room feeling more confused and uncertain than ever.

  §

  “You’re a fool.”

  Taeg blinked at Elain, who sat in the armchair directly across from him in her small but opulent library. Both chairs were covered in lush burgundy velvet that contrasted with the striking gold and purple hues of the room.

  “Tell me how you really feel,” he half-joked.

  “You’re falling for a human.” She kicked off her shoes and curled her legs under her. The movement pushed her dress up her thighs, making it impossible to miss that she wasn’t wearing any underwear.

  Taeg cleared his throat and looked away. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Right,” she answered with a low, throaty chuckle. “If that’s the case, why are we in the library right now instead of in my bedroom?”

  Shit. How was he supposed to answer that question?

  Elain scoffed. “You know, I never would have pegged you for the type to become involved with a human. They tend to be weak and fragile. I would know, having once been one myself.”

  “Not all humans are alike.” Why was he defending humans? He should be denying this.

  “What’s so special about this one? I know it must be more than the package, lovely as it may be.”

  She seemed genuinely curious, but he didn’t have an answer for her. At least, not one that didn’t make him seem like a total tool. Clearing his throat once again, he dug the papers out of his pocket. “Here.”

  “Like I said.” Elain’s eyes danced with laughter. “Fool.”

  “Thanks.”

  She snatched the papers out of his hand. “You’re lucky you stumbled upon me. How many other people do you know who can read Welsh?”

  “Not a one.” Taeg waited impatiently for her to finish both pages before he spoke again. “What is it? Possible locations for the sword?”

  “Not exactly,” she hedged, as she carefully folded the papers and handed them back to him.

  “What, then?”

 
“It tells the story of three sisters who know where Merlin buried the sword. According to that, the Vivi sisters were rumored lovers of Merlin, and he entrusted them with the sword’s location, believing they’d never reveal it to someone who wasn’t worthy. These papers contain directions to where the sisters can be found.”

  “Okay.” Taeg sat forward and propped his elbows on his legs. “But Merlin lived a long-ass time ago. What are the odds these chicks are even still around?”

  “Pretty good, I’d say.” Her lips twisted into a little smile as she nodded toward the papers in his hand. “The directions start with ‘once past the faerie veil’.”

  He knew what that meant, being half-fae and all. They were from his mother’s world. “Faelan.”

  “Yes. The Vivi sisters are dark faeries.”

  “Dark fae?” Fucking great. His gut told him these sisters were trouble, pure and simple. Dark fae were powerful and unpredictable. They also lived a long freaking time, and their abilities grew stronger with age.

  “They will be dangerous,” Elain said.

  “Yup, that’s just my luck.” He rubbed a hand across his weary eyes. This felt like it had been the longest night of his life.

  “Don’t forget that finding the sisters is only the first step. After that you have to prove your worthiness.”

  “Piece of cake, right?” If only he actually believed that.

  “We’ll see,” she said. “I do believe you’re able, but the question is whether you will be willing.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  Elain laughed as if she knew something he didn’t, but she sobered with her next words. “If you do learn of the sword’s location, how do you plan to get past the invisibility spell? Not even the Vivi sisters can help you with that.”

  That was where Maya came in. No way he was telling Elain that, though. “Let me worry about that part.”

  She nodded her head in agreement. “I’ll transcribe the directions for you.”

  “Thank you, Elain.”

  When Taeg moved to rise, Elain stopped him with her next words. “Do you wish to continue where we left off earlier?”

  It didn’t take a genius to figure out she wasn’t talking about feeding from him.