by Aubrey Ross
Adam stood before her tall and proud, a literal personification of the Light. He was so different from everyone she’d ever known—even Jetrel. She simply couldn’t fight her fascination.
No! She was a demon, as Jetrel was so fond of pointing out. She had to accept that basic fact before she could set a course for the rest of her life. Regardless of Adam’s appeal, he was not meant for her.
And she was not meant for him.
“Who I am is not important,” she told him. “You should be worried about what I am.” It was as much a reminder to her as a warning for him. This had to be a clean break, a final parting, or the temptation would simmer and smoke, spreading discontentment through the rest of her life.
“You tricked me.” His gaze narrowed and he took a step toward her. “You made me believe you were my mate. I never would have touched you had I known—”
“It was not pain you were feeling while you thrust between my thighs.” He was making this easier than she’d expected. She let her anger erode his appeal. “Don’t pretend you were the victim. You were much too easily defiled!”
Guilt flashed for a moment in the depths of his gaze before he turned his face away. He clenched his jaw and balled his hands into fists. “My mate must never know. You must leave this place and never show yourself to me again.”
“Oh I must, must I?” She circled him slowly, keeping herself a step ahead of his retreating gaze. She was so sick of males telling her what to do, especially when their only claim to superiority was the fact that they were male. “What will you do if I don’t? You have no power over me.”
“I do not, but God does!” His amber gaze met hers boldly. “You are a conniving temptress from the pit of hell! My mate is perfect. Flesh of my flesh. You cannot compete with that.”
She laughed, harsh and hollow. “Compete?” She spat the word at him, astonished by his arrogance. Darkness welled within her, consuming the last of her foolish infatuation. “With that pale excuse for a female? Why would I bother? She would have to possess something worth competing for. Make no mistake, Adam. Regardless of what transpired between us in the past—from this moment on—we are enemies!”
* * *
“I want you to defile the female,” Lilith said passionately.
“No!” Jetrel returned just as vehemently. “I will not defile a human. We have nothing to gain. Besides, Adam will have warned her. These creatures are not that stupid.”
“He can’t warn her without incriminating himself. She knows nothing. I want the bitch defiled!”
“Then fuck her yourself.” Jetrel shook his head. “Your obsession with the humans will get us both killed.”
She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him. “What did your spy have to say?”
“Nothing we hadn’t figured out on our own. The event was…uneventful. We return at midnight.”
He disappeared into the shadows and Lilith muttered a curse. She kicked a clump of dirt into the river, watching the clear water turn murky and brown.
Damn him! Damn them both.
“Ssso, you are Jetrel’sss mate.”
“I am no one’s mate!” She looked around to see who had addressed her.
“He sssaid you were sssweet. I can hardly disssagree.”
There, coiled near the base of a tree was a large serpent. Jetrel had pointed several out on their tour of the garden, but she hadn’t realized the creatures could speak. Her gaze narrowed on the creature’s scaly face, suspicion niggling within her belly. Was this a simple serpent or someone from Serpent Clan?
“What do you want?” She studied its unblinking eyes.
“No, sssweet Lilith, what do you want?”
“You were listening. You know what I want.”
“Yesss.” The creature uncoiled, creeping across the ground toward her. Its bright gaze never wavered from her face. “Bring me what I want, and I will sssee the humansss punished beyond anything you can posssibly imagine.”
“What do you want?”
“Behind you.”
She glanced over her shoulder and the creature wrapped around her leg. Stifling a shriek, she fought down the impulse to unwind the thing and throw it as far from her as possible. She wouldn’t have been afraid if it were only a serpent, but she had little doubt now that this was a member of Serpent Clan.
Dread drove its icy fingers deep into her chest. Balam was the leader of Serpent Clan and he frequently ventured into the Light.
“It’s just a fruit tree.”
The serpent hissed out a laugh. “That, sssilly girl, isss the Tree of Life. Partake before you return and bring two piecsses of itsss fruit to me.”
His directive confirmed her suspicions. Only the Prime Leader would be bold enough to issue such a directive. This had to be Balam. “Two? Why two?”
“No more questionsss. Do asss I sssay!” Uncoiling from her leg, the serpent paused in the grass at her feet. The grass rippled and sparks of light erupted beside the snake, then a mesh bag appeared within the disturbance. “Put the fruit in that.” Without further conversation, the serpent crawled toward the surrounding foliage.
“Wait. I need Jetrel to take me back. May he partake as well? Can I share the fruit with him?”
“The fruit will make you ssstronger than you can posssibly imagine. You’ll have no need of him. Tell him or don’t. It’sss up to you.”
* * *
Jetrel lay in the grass, staring up at the star-dotted sky. Life was so much easier without a female. He slaked his lust on a willing wench whenever he felt the urge and went about his business.
It was meant for you, Jetrel. Lilith’s hushed confession tore through him, twisting his gut and making his cock pound for the reality of her wet pussy. I was offering myself to you.
As if summoned by his lustful thoughts, she lowered herself to straddle his hips and smiled into his eyes. If he hadn’t been wearing his pants, she’d be impaled balls-deep right now. Didn’t she realize how much he desired her? Couldn’t she feel his massive hard-on?
“Don’t be angry with me.” She rubbed herself against him teasingly. “I don’t want to fight with you.”
“What do you want?”
“Offer yourself for my pleasure.”
His brows drew together as he considered this. She was up to something. Lilith was always up to something. There was no way she could overpower him physically. So what was her game? “I’m entirely at your disposal. Do with me what you will.”
“Take off your pants.”
She stood and removed her tunic while he silently obliged. Folding the borrowed garment, she set it next to a mesh bag he hadn’t noticed before. “What have you got there?”
“A treat for later, but only if you please me very well.”
“My, we are feisty all of a sudden.” He stalked toward her, his curious gaze fixed on the pouch at her feet. “What’s in the bag, Lilith? Where did you get it?”
She pushed him backward. “You’ll never find out like that. Lie down and fold your hands behind your head. I want to touch you.”
Hesitating a moment longer, Jetrel reclined in the grass and raised his arms, locking his hands behind his head as she instructed. She stood over him, giving him a spectacular view of her long legs and blue folds. “You can’t touch me from way up there.”
She smiled and straddled his hips again, tauntingly pressing his cock flat against his belly before lowering herself on top of him. Her body seared his, dragging a groan from his throat.
“I’ve always thought you were the most tempting demon, Jetrel.” Her breasts swayed gently as she arched forward, running her nails lightly from his elbows to his armpits. Tingles erupted. He shifted restlessly.
“Your features please me. Your body excites me. But I never really understood what made you unique, until now.”
“My willingness to let you play with me like a toy?” Confused by her mood, he resorted to teasing. He didn’t want her to say something they’d both regret.
&
nbsp; “In a way.” She traced his features with the tip of her finger, paying special attention to the shape of his mouth. “What I sense in you is balance. You’re amazingly comfortable with who you are. Your instinct to dominate is just as strong as Sammael’s, yet you willingly surrender, knowing it will please me.”
He wanted to touch her, to stroke her face and press her against his heart, but she’d chosen this position. Control seemed important to her.
And she was important to him.
This was a dangerous game they played. Demons weren’t meant to love. They were meant to devour, to manipulate and torment. Perhaps he’d spent too much time in the Light.
He no longer wanted to fuck her.
He wanted to make love to her.
What the heaven is wrong with me!
She licked her lips and smiled as his gaze followed the movement of her tongue. Her hands glided along the column of his neck, squeezing his shoulders, and exploring the bunched muscles of his arms.
“What am I going to do with you?”
The conflict in her tone hinted at a dilemma far greater than which part went where. Before he could question her meaning, though, her mouth sealed over his. She tasted of some exotic food he’d yet to sample. “What have you been eating?”
She nipped his bottom lip. “Silence! I don’t want to talk. There are far better uses for your mouth.” He started to pull his hands out from under his head. She grabbed his elbows. “Not until I give you leave.”
His eyes narrowed, but he interlaced his fingers and relaxed. They both wanted the same thing. He really didn’t care which road they took, as long as they agreed on the destination. Besides, he could always chain her to his bed and return the favor.
Her warm mouth covered his briefly, teasing him with the unknown flavor still upon her tongue. He delved deeply, hoping to identify the taste, but she moved on, dragging her lips along his jaw and tracing the pulse pounding in his neck.
Supporting herself against the ground, she held her breasts just above his face. “Would you like to lick my nipples?”
“Only if it pleases you.” He grinned. She had spectacular breasts and she knew it. He wanted to squeeze them, to roll her nipples until they were hard and then suck them until she moaned. This was her game.
She leaned closer, brushing her nipple against his lips. “You may taste my nipple.”
Taste! That meant more than lick if you asked him. He opened his mouth and swirled his tongue around her areola before closing his teeth on her nipple. He sucked hard, flicking the very tip. Without waiting for permission, he moved to her other breast. She didn’t seem to notice his disobedience. Arching her back, she pushed herself deeper into his mouth.
“Enough, Lilith! Let me touch you!”
“Touch me. Taste me. Take me!”
He grabbed a fistful of her hair and dragged her mouth back to his, plundering her sweet depths with demanding intensity. The elusive flavor was driving him mad. He wanted to know what it was. He wanted more.
Finding her breasts with his hands, he squeezed her nipples, gradually increasing the pressure until she gasped. “I want to taste you. Bring that sweet pussy up here.”
“I can’t wait. I need you now.”
“Not a chance!” He grasped the back of her thighs and urged her forward. Her knees hit his armpits, a momentary hindrance. Maneuvering one leg and then the other over his shoulders, he soon had her positioned over his face. “Offer yourself for my pleasure.” He whispered her words back to her.
Lilith trembled as his hot breath stirred against her cleft. How had this happened? He was supposed to surrender himself to her.
“Come on. You said I could taste you. Just show me where to put my tongue.”
Temptation incarnate!
She spread her folds, exposing her most intimate self. His fingers held her hips, anchoring her in place. He extended his tongue slowly, almost threateningly. Hell help me, what a threat! Pushing just inside her aching core, he swirled. Heat spiraled clear to her womb. He withdrew and moved to her swollen clit, caressing the little nub tenderly.
“No more. I want your cock inside me…now!”
Ignoring her, he continued his gentle assault, licking and sucking until she splintered into climax. “Now you can have my cock inside you.”
He helped her maneuver past his shoulders, then Lilith did the rest. She knelt over his hips and closed her fingers around his shaft. She stroked him, bending to circle the tip with her tongue before guiding him to her entrance.
She felt the beating of her heart echo in her ears. Her blood seemed to sizzle and churn. Her heartbeat accelerated and the throbbing increased. She squeezed him as tightly as she could, caressing him with her inner muscles.
Holding firmly to her hips, he pushed deeper. The walls of her pussy stretched for him, welcomed him. He pulled back and thrust hard. Her knees gripped his hips, her back bowing, her hair sliding against his legs.
She lifted herself nearly off him, then took him deep again. The moment of emptiness made the fullness even sweeter. Again and again she stretched herself around him, glorying in the completeness of being filled by him.
Harder and faster she moved. Her wet core gripped him like a fist, demanding that he release his seed. He braced his powerful legs, bucking up into her.
A high, strangled cry escaped her moments before deep, rhythmic spasms gripped her pussy. He thrust deep. His hips left the grass as his seed filled her in hot, jetting bursts.
She collapsed across his chest, gasping for breath. Staggered.
His hands stroked her back, combed through her damp hair, teased her bottom.
“Do I get my treat now?”
His voice sounded light and teasing, but Lilith was too shaken to lift her head. Why did being with Jetrel affect her so profoundly? She was shocked by the sensations still ricocheting through her body.
“I haven’t decided, yet.”
He pushed her away from his chest, her hair streaming around her face. “Are you going to try and convince me I didn’t please you?”
“You pleased me very much, but this is no ordinary treat.” She kissed him lightly on the lips and reluctantly disentangled their bodies.
He sat up, silently watching as she donned his tunic and picked up the mesh bag. Cradling the precious Fruit of Life to her breast, she studied her lover, her throat tight with uncertainty. He’d pleased her well tonight. Still, was that enough to earn the gift of immortality?
“I’m not yet certain this treat was meant for you.” She blew him a kiss and flashed a playful smile. “I’ll meet you in hell.”
Ignoring his startled expression, she tied the long cords of the mesh bag around her waist and dived into the river.
* * *
Thunder shook the ground moments after she disappeared into the depths. Lightning flashed, splaying silver fingers across the blue-black sky.
What in hell’s name? Something was horribly wrong!
Jetrel glanced at the sky and then stared at the spot where Lilith had dived into the water. What had brought about these changes? None of this made sense.
He heard the deep, rhythmic flapping of wings and raised his gaze again to the sky. A brilliant beam of golden light penetrated the gloom and cherubim descended from heaven.
Why would such powerful angels be needed in this peaceful garden?
Jetrel could restrain the thought no longer. Oh Lilith, what have you done now?
Dispersing his corporeal form, he melded with the shadows and went to investigate.
Part Two: Seduction
Chapter Six
Crimson, silky, hot, the Lake of Fire flowed around Lilith’s naked body. She kicked hard, slicing through the water, ever deeper. Her skin tingled. Relentless currents tugged at her hair and gradually dissolved her borrowed tunic.
Unable to see through the murky lake, she let her senses guide her. She dove deep, arched beneath the rocky rim, and surrendered to the churning vortex of the fiery
pool. Strength surged through her, intoxicating and new. The trek to the surface had nearly killed her.
I am different now.
Emerging in a secluded grotto, Lilith rose from the water. Moisture trailed along her limbs, caressed her flesh, and made her quiver. She tossed back her hair. Ruby droplets showered the cave and her triumphant laughter echoed off the stone walls.
She felt wonderful—powerful—safe!
A mesh bag hung against her hip, its long laces tied securely around her waist. She lifted the bag and examined the priceless treasure contained within. She wasn’t sure if the bag had protected the fruit or if the fruit itself was indestructible, but she was thrilled that the pieces were safe.
Three fist-size pieces of fruit. So simple. No one would guess their importance.
But there was one who didn’t need to guess, one who knew she possessed the precious Fruit of Life.
Unashamed of her nudity, she walked through the sultry corridors, at home in the Realm of Darkness. Purpose filled her stride, determination narrowing her focus as she mentally organized her strategy.
Inside her private chamber, she conjured an opening in the stone floor, easing her bundle into the insulated cubby. The fruit would be safe here, preserved against theft and deterioration. She sealed the opening and stood, releasing her pent-up breath and relaxing the muscles in her neck.
She’d done it! She’d survived the tide and returned with the prize.
Now she must plan the negotiation.
“Do you have any idea what you’ve done?”
Gasping softly, Lilith spun to face the intruder.
Tall and arrogant, Jetrel stared at her, blue gaze blazing.
“How did you get in here? The doorway is sealed.”
He’d bound his shoulder-length hair at the nape of his neck. Cobalt highlights gleamed among the ebony strands. Harsh angles and striking symmetry, his features never failed to steal her breath.
