Stolen Away

by Marion Webb-De Sisto

  “Why do you say things like that? Perali means nothing to me.”

  She looked up at him. “Well, she must give your demon a hard-on. That’s why you have her coming around here.” Her gaze went back to the plate.

  “You really do want to fight with me, but as I’ve told you before you cannot win. If you make my demon very angry, he might decide to keep you captive and make you his sex slave.” He wouldn’t do that, but just the thought of it made his cock grow hard.

  “I don’t believe you’d let him be so horrible and I’m sorry for what I said. I’m just feeling really perverse. A part of me wants to stay here with you, but the rest of me can’t wait to be home. I’ll never forget you or what we’ve shared, Dreydon. You rescued me from what would have been a dreadful life with Zortek and I’ll always be grateful for that.”

  “Then I suppose I should take you home?”

  “Yes, but I have a couple of questions. When we were melding, I think I saw you as a very young demgel. You had many terrible injuries on your body. How did that happen?”

  Dreydon didn’t mind telling her about what she’d seen. If he did, he wouldn’t have shown her that memory. “That was one of several times my father’s demon attacked me for not being as fierce and uncompromising as he was.”

  “What a dreadful parent he was to you. Did you hate him?”

  “I made myself become indifferent to my father. Otherwise, I would have tried to kill him, even though I was very young. I knew his demon couldn’t hurt me once I was given to the mejin, so I waited for that day to come. Little did I know there would be much more violence.”

  “That brings me to my next question. I saw you fighting two demgels and you burned them. An older-looking demgel brought two more over to you, and then you were fighting with them while he watched. Was that when you belonged to the mejin?”

  “Yes, I was in training to become a soldier for the mejin. You had to kill or be killed. Only the very best and the most brutal were ready to fight for their mejin at the age of sixteen. I wanted you to know that despite those evil years I am not violent or cruel.”

  “I know that, Dreydon. Your angel never let you become the vile person you were trained to be.” She reached over and touched his hand as it rested on the table. “And when I saw the sea was that after you’d escaped?”

  “I was on a ship that brought me to this part of Kurbridor. I worked aboard that vessel in order to pay my passage.”

  “Thank you for showing me those events in your life.”

  “I could share many more with you if we melded again.”

  She shook her head, and after a short while asked, “Did you see some of my memories?”

  “Yes, and I shall treasure them. I particularly liked the one when you peeped around the rock corner a couple of times and looked at me standing under the waterfall, and then next to it. It’s good to know you appreciated my naked demgel anatomy.” He grinned and partly extended his fangs.

  Color bloomed in her cheeks and he knew humans called this blushing.

  “Have I embarrassed you?”

  “Yes. I never thought you’d find out about that. I guess the downside of melding is letting someone know something you would never tell them.”

  “When you’re not accustomed to melding, it’s easy for someone to discover whatever they want about you. Being familiar with it allows you to choose what you share.”

  “And you are familiar. Am I right?”

  “Well, that was not the first time I’ve done it.”

  “So you sorted through some of my recent memories and found me watching you at the waterfall?”

  “I wanted to know what your thoughts were about me, but I did view some from your childhood.”

  “Oh, that must have been depressing, but I think your childhood was far worse than mine.”

  It was time to take Esther home. He wanted to beg her to stay, but he wouldn’t. Even though she was part elf, her human side couldn’t accept someone of another species to be her mate. His life was going to continue without her.

  “Are you ready to go home?”

  “Almost, I just need to go into the bedroom for my shells and bracelet.” Esther stood up, and then asked, “Can I ask a favor? Would you give me a bar or two of your soap, please? I love it.”

  “Of course, I’ll get some.”

  She walked into the bedroom and he moved to the bathroom, inwardly seeing the ironic side of their doomed relationship. He wanted her to be his mate, but all she wanted from him was soap.

  * * * *

  Esther picked up her belongings from the top of the chest of drawers. She positioned the bracelet on her wrist and held the shells in her hand. Her intention was to give one of them to Dreydon. It would be a small token of her gratitude for his company, protection, and hospitality. Perhaps he will sometimes hold it and remember what has taken place between us? She’d also decided to give him the books that he wanted to borrow. He could keep them on the shelf with his few classic works of English literature.

  She returned to the main room. Dreydon was already waiting for her. She handed him the larger of the two shells.

  “I want you to have this one. It’s my way of showing you how much I appreciate the care and kindness you’ve given me. I wish I had something more substantial, but right now I don’t.”

  “Thank you.” He took the shell and placed it on top of the bookcase. When he came back to Esther, he put his arms around her and said, “I have your soap in my pocket. Hold on to me. If you remember when Zortek brought you here, it’s somewhat unsettling to go from one dimension to another.”

  She held onto his waist and closed her eyes. After a moment the spinning sensation began and she pressed her face into his lower chest. To have Dreydon take her through this disturbing experience was so much better and more reassuring than when Zortek brought her to Kurbridor. While it lasted, Esther clung to this demgel and that made the event feel almost okay.

  When the dizzying effect stopped, Esther opened her eyes and attempted to move back from Dreydon. He didn’t release her, but his tight hold eased a little so that she was able to look around. They were in her living room.

  “We’re here.” Then remembering something, she said, “I forgot to see Toldo before we left.”

  “It’s better that you didn’t. He’d know you were leaving and would probably howl tonight.”

  “You can let me go.”

  He sighed and his arms moved down to his sides. He began gazing at first one area, and then another of the room. “Your home is not plain and simple like mine.”

  “It’s okay. I like it.” Esther turned and looked at the clock on the wall. It was 12.50 p.m. She usually arrived at Anna’s store at least half an hour before opening time, so she needed to call her friend and make some excuse for her absence. “I must call Anna, otherwise she’ll worry. Then I’ll get my books for you.” She walked across the room to her phone, lifted the receiver, and dialed the store’s number.

  “Good afternoon, Gifts Galore. Can I help you?”

  “Anna, it’s me. I’m so sorry I didn’t come in this morning. I’ve got some kind of bug and had a bad night.”

  “Oh, thank goodness. I was worried about you, hon. I got Aunt Sally to come in early, so no problem.”

  “I was awake most of the night and didn’t really doze off until it was light. I was going to call you, but I’ve only just woken up. I’m so sorry.”

  “Like I said, it’s not a problem. Take it easy and rest. Would you like me to come by after I close the store?”

  “No, I wouldn’t want to breathe my germs on you. I’ll call you before I go to bed tonight to let you know how I’m feeling and whether I’ll be in tomorrow. Oh, tell Carole, Molly, and Celia I’m sorry I can’t join you all this afternoon for our usual get-together.”

  “Will do, hon. Go and lie down and I’ll hopefully see you tomorrow.” The phone clicked, ending their conversation.

  “That was very convincing. Do
you often tell lies?”

  “No, I try not to. If I told Anna the truth, she’d think I’m losing my mind. In fact in time I’ll probably believe my sick brain did send me a very graphic and crazy dream about a mythical world called Kurbridor. I’ll tell myself my writer’s imagination was running riot.”

  Dreydon didn’t answer her. He only resumed his usual staring. Esther knew she wouldn’t be subject to that for very much longer and she was sure she would miss it.

  She tried to dismiss that thought and walked out of the living room, through the hallway, and then into her office. Dreydon followed behind her. She went to the bookcase where several copies of some of her books were kept. Esther chose four different ones and gave them to Dreydon. “You might enjoy these. Of course, they don’t match the literary standard of those you have in your home, but people seem to like them. And they’re a gift so you don’t need to bring them back.”

  Dreydon took the books from her with one hand while reaching into his pocket with the other one. He pulled out two bars of soap and placed them in Esther’s hand. “Thank you. I’m sure I’ll enjoy reading them. I should leave now.”

  She knew she would miss him, but they had to end their time together. “Thank you again for rescuing me and keeping me safe. I’ll always be grateful you decided to help me.”

  He looked down at her. “If you ever have need of me or want to see me for any reason, just call my name in your mind and I will come. Our melding created a bond between us that distance does not affect. I shall miss you, Esther.” For a few moments, he continued to gaze down at her, and then he vanished.

  Her life without him was just beginning.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Time moved on for Esther. Working at Anna’s store and starting to write a new story kept her busy. A week went by and she’d already written several chapters. Her hero was a demgel who lived on Earth, disguised as a human. He sought out and killed other demgels who were attempting to capture human females and take them to their home world. As the story progressed, he would become attracted to one of the human captives that he freed. She at first would dislike her rescuer, but would eventually fall in love with him. His overriding problem would be how to tell the heroine what he truly was; when to show her his real, physical self.

  Esther fashioned her hero on Dreydon. It was easy to imagine how he would behave in the various circumstances of her story. It would be even better if she could ask him how he’d react to this situation or that event, but that wasn’t possible. They had met and were now separated, and that was the right outcome for both of them. At least this was what she thought, but as further time passed she missed him more and more. She attempted to remind herself he wasn’t human, so any attraction she felt toward him must only be a physical one and not genuine affection. His love-making was wild and wonderful and it must have awakened a carnal side of her that she didn’t previously know existed. His demon had turned her on and the memory of what he could do was hard to forget. She was suffering from unadulterated lust, nothing more.

  It was just as well her feelings didn’t go deeper than physical need. If she really cared about him, she’d be devastated because he obviously didn’t want anything more than sex from her. He’d said she was beautiful and had stared continuously, but she was now certain his behavior was motivated by the demonic side of his nature. Didn’t he say demgels had carnal appetites and the ability to initiate sex? If he’d cared for her in the way that mattered, Dreydon would have begged her not to go home. He did make a couple of half-hearted suggestions that she shouldn’t leave, but he would be much more adamant if he really wanted her to stay. Of course he would, so why waste time thinking about it? What she needed to do was look at her two day stay on Kurbridor as a brief and interesting diversion from her everyday life, and a great resource for a new storyline.

  That approach didn’t last for more than a couple of days. Soon she was back to wondering what he was doing and with whom. Is he getting it on with Perali? Does he give even a moment’s thought to me? She wasn’t a gorgeous, sexy woman so there was no reason to think he would. Esther didn’t want to think or care about such things, but she couldn’t stop herself.

  What would Anna do in the same circumstance? That was an easy question to answer. She would have charmed him into complete devotion, just like she’d captivated her latest beau named Hal. If begging her to stay hadn’t worked, Dreydon would repeatedly come to Earth and make love to Anna until she could no longer refuse him. However, she wasn’t Anna, and he hadn’t come near her in what was now almost two months in Kurbridor time. He was obviously managing very well without her.

  She thought about getting Anna’s advice on the situation. Esther wouldn’t reveal it was her own problem. She could offer it as a possible storyline. There had been occasions in the past when she’d discussed characters and their actions with her friend so she wouldn’t suspect it was about her. Anna’s guidance might prove helpful.

  The next morning she made sure she arrived at the store at least an hour before opening time. She and Anna usually had coffee and a chat before the doors to the store were unlocked, so this was an ideal time to talk about what was bothering her. Esther knocked on the back door and waited with two lattes and blueberry muffins in hand. Her friend unlocked the door and smiled a greeting.

  “I thought I’d treat us to lattes this morning instead of drinking your coffee.”

  “You’re very early and you’ve brought goodies. You must want something from me.” Anna led her into the small room at the rear of the store that doubled as an office and a break room and where they kept their belongings.

  After putting her jacket and bag in her locker, Esther sat down on the small couch next to her friend. “Yes, I want to run something by you. You always give me good advice about my stories.”

  Anna grinned. “Have you started writing your next book? Give me all the details. Is your hunky hero a vampire or a werewolf?”

  “Neither, this one is different. This hero is half demon, half angel, but he makes himself look human because he lives on Earth.”

  “Ooh, I like that combination. He’s both bad and good so that gives plenty of scope for a fascinating character. Whatever gave you the idea to invent such a person?” She sipped her latte. “Was it the conversation we had a few weeks ago about you writing something different? Didn’t Molly suggest a demon? And I talked about a fallen angel.”

  “I’m not sure where the idea came from, but maybe what you and Molly said sparked my imagination. It was the day you gave me my invitation to go on a date with an angel.”

  “That’s right. Hey, maybe Angel Zortek put the idea in your head.”

  “The only person he would make me think of would be the villain of a story. He was really nasty.” The knowledge of why Zortek had abducted her made Esther bite hard into her muffin.

  “So tell me all about this demon-angel guy. If he’s a bit of both, what are you calling him?”

  Esther began drinking her latte. “I’ve thought about combining the two words. Perhaps something like demgel might be appropriate?”

  “That’s not bad. So what’s he doing on our planet?”

  “He rescues women that other demgels have captured before they take them to their world to be their sex slaves.”

  “That sounds great. He’s a bit like a superhero. Is he gorgeous? Does he have rippling muscles and a smoldering smile?”

  “He’s drop dead gorgeous with fantastic abs and pecs, but he does have some extra bits.”

  “Hmm… Extra bits? That could be interesting.” Anna looked thoughtful as she bit into her muffin.

  Esther smiled. “I can well imagine what you’re thinking, but I’m referring to his horns, wings, fangs, and scales. Oh, and he has claws, as well.”

  “Not sure about scales. They make him sound reptilian, but the other extra bits are fine.”

  “They’re not all over his body. He just has a line of them across his shoulders and another line acro
ss his upper chest.”

  “I guess that’s okay, but you might want to forget the scales. Now, does he have the important piece of anatomy? You know what I’m talking about, a dick?”

  “He’s well-endowed in that department.”

  “Great, that will keep your female readers happy. So what about the heroine? Is she your usual rather plain and dowdy gal or are you changing your tactic and making her beautiful this time?”

  “She’s okay, but not the gorgeous creature you think a heroine should be. I want to talk to you about her because she’s giving me a problem. She really likes the hero, but is bothered by the fact he isn’t human.”

  “You mean she doesn’t like his extra bits?”

  “Well, they were a bit of a surprise, but she quickly gets used to them. She just can’t put aside his non-humanness.”

  “The combination of an angelic and demonic nature should make him a phenomenal lover. When he has sex with her, she’ll quickly lose her concern about him not being human.”

  “That has already happened and it was mind-blowing, but didn’t alter her aversion to him being of a different species.”

  “How much of this story have you already written? It sounds as though you’re halfway through it.”

  Appearing to take time to drink her latte, but actually allowing some time to think of an answer Esther eventually replied, “No, I’m just letting my mind play with different scenarios. I like the idea of them not hitting it off for most of the story because she’s human and he isn’t.”

  “I’m not sure that would go down well with your readers or even your editor. It seems like a piss-poor excuse for her not falling for the hero. Also, your publisher wants a happily-ever-after ending, so your heroine has to lose her dislike of him being non-human at some point. How are you going to manage that?”

  “I don’t know. This is why I’m asking for your advice, Anna. Is she foolish to let this problem stop her from possibly finding happiness with him?”

  “Of course she is. If she really cares about him and he’s given her mind-blowing sex, whatever species he is shouldn’t matter to her.” Anna sat silently finishing her latte and muffin. After she was done, she sighed and continued, “Look, Esther, I think you’re doing the same thing with this character as you’ve done with some others. You’re having her act the way you would if you were the heroine. I know your self-esteem isn’t what it should be and I can understand why. Even though you don’t talk about it, I’m sure discovering you were abandoned on the day you were born must have been a terrible blow to your self-image. My parents have always loved me, and in fact they’re definitely doting, so my self-esteem is rocket high. I can’t possibly relate to how you must feel, but I do see how it affects your thoughts.”