by Cynthia Sax
“Never.” She wouldn’t spend an eternity bound to this Augustine creature. She loved Max. “I don’t want you.” She was close enough to feel his heat.
“I don’t care.” Claws curled around her waist, pricking her skin. “Want me or not --” he gripped her belt -- “You will have me.” With one yank, he ripped the jeans off her, leaving her lower body bare.
“No!” She balled up her fist and struck him across the face. He merely grinned, pushing her down to the ground. She kicked him, aiming for his crotch.
“Enough.” He caught her ankles as she scrambled backward, pulling her toward him. Her nails dug into the street, grit and stones lodging into her skin. She couldn’t feel anything other than him, his dark power seeping into her. He spread her legs and lowered upon her, his giant cock sliding along her thigh. She thrashed on the pavement. She couldn’t spend forever with this monster.
A hard form hit them both. Kayla rolled, screaming as the demon’s claws sliced through her legs. When she landed, she was free. She scurried back, away from the demon’s hurtful energy. She pulled her shirt down to cover her nudity.
A familiar, loving energy soothed her. “Max!”
He stood with his back to her, his tail twitching. He was huge and red and his horns curled up to the sky. She had never seen a more welcome sight.
“Ahhh… your Maximus rushes to your side, vessel.” The purple demon picked himself up. “He found you despite my blocks. How sweet.” He was larger than Max. His claws extended farther. “It must be love.”
“She is mine, Augustine.” There was a hard edge to Max’s voice.
The corner of Augustine’s mouth quirked upward. “Then you should have fucked her when you had the chance.” He circled, Max rotating to face him. Kayla limped behind Max. Her leg was healing but slowly. “You always were soft, Maximus.”
“And you always want what you can’t have.” Max twitched, cracking his neck.
That taunt hit a nerve. The purple demon growled and flew at Max. Claws connected with flesh before Max threw the demon off him.
Kayla stared with horror at the gushing wound on Max’s shoulder. He wasn’t healing. Max wasn’t healing.
“He’s not so perfect now, is he, vessel?” Augustine bounced on the balls of his feet. He hadn’t a scratch on him. “Your gallant knight? He’s going to die today. I plan to take him apart and show you his insides. We’ll see how much you love him then.”
Kayla felt faint. He’d do it. Augustine was more powerful than Max.
“Stop taunting her, Augustine,” Max growled. “Your fight is with me.” They ran toward each other. The air crackled with their connection. They wrestled, their torsos engulfed in flames so hot, they singed Kayla’s hair. Blood sizzled. Bones cracked. They tumbled to the ground, kicking with their feet, slicing with their tails.
Augustine broke first, spinning back. He was beaten and bloody but his wounds healed instantly. He drew himself up.
Max was in much worse shape. He crawled, his left arm dragging along the ground. His wounds didn’t heal. A pool of blood formed around him. His face was unrecognizable, raked with claw marks. Kayla swallowed a whimper.
“See, vessel, how your Maximus protects you,” Augustine mocked them. “Look at him. He’s not worthy of you.”
Kayla looked, and what she saw was a demon willing to die for her. Max staggered to his feet, his body dripping with blood, his wounds raw and gaping. He would defend her, even though all his power, all his energy was depleted. No. She gazed at him. That was untrue. Not all of his energy was exhausted. She had stored his excess energy inside of her. “Take it back, Max. Take your energy back from me.”
Augustine’s head snapped toward her. “Don’t do it, vessel. You aren’t bonded. If you give him your energy, it’ll kill you.”
She didn’t care. She’d rather be dead than bonded to someone she didn’t love. She pondered his words. She had to give him her energy. “How do I do that?”
“No, Kayla.” Max’s red-eyed gaze met hers. “Don’t risk it.”
Her honorable warrior would be no help. Kayla studied the purple demon. He grinned, clearly relieved at her lack of knowledge. Augustine circled Max. She’d have to figure it out for herself, quickly.
The power flowed into her. It had to flow back out. Kayla closed her eyes, pushing the energy with her mind. It moved but quickly flowed into her again. She couldn’t push it. She had to throw it.
She mentally gathered up all her energy, swirling it into a big ball inside of her. The feeling made her queasy but she continued, determined. If she didn’t do this, Max would die. When the ball was tight enough, she wound back and tossed it with all her might to Max. There was a blaze of light as her energy connected. The energy didn’t return to her. She had done it. She swayed, light-headed and drained. She was empty, absolutely empty and the void, the blackness, reached up to take her. She fell, losing consciousness before she hit the ground.
One moment, Max stared death and defeat in the face, his body bloody, bruised and broken. The next moment, he was filled with an energy so strong he struggled to control it. His bones mended. His wounds healed. He roared with power and rage.
“You unworthy fool,” Augustine bellowed back. “She gave you everything, everything. You’ve killed the vessel.”
Max looked behind him. Although Augustine was a sneaky bastard, it hadn’t been a trick. Kayla lay unmoving on the ground, her eyes closed, her face pale.
“Kayla!” The demon was right. He had harmed his love. Max froze, overwhelmed by pain, the battle forgotten. Nothing mattered, only Kayla. If she died, his life would be meaningless.
Augustine rushed toward her. “Let me --”
“No!” Max thundered. No other demon would touch Kayla. Max threw a fireball with such might that it knocked Augustine into another dimension. Never had he felt so much power and never had he cared so little for it. His Kayla was hurt.
Max fell to his knees beside her, the pavement cracking under the impact. “Kayla?” He gathered her limp body up in his arms. She was very small and extremely frail. He bent his head, pressing his ear to her chest. Her heart beat. It was light but he heard it. “My Kayla.” He stroked her hair away from her face. “Don’t you dare die on me.” He kissed her forehead. Her skin was cold. He held her against him, trying to warm her with his body heat. “I love you too much.” He kissed her lips, forcing his energy into her.
She’d given him everything, leaving nothing back for herself. That was Kayla, his generous love. Max continued to breathe into her, his hand resting over her heart. He felt her heartbeat strengthen and with it, his hope returned. “Come back to me, Kayla,” he murmured against her still lips. “I can’t do this without you.” He couldn’t live without her. Seconds stretched as he coaxed energy into her.
She coughed, the movement racking her small body. “That’s it, Kayla. Wake up for me, love.”
“Max?” Her voice was painfully feeble.
“I’m here, love.” He touched her face, joy filling him.
Her eyelids fluttered open. Big, brown eyes stared up at him, blinking into focus. “You… blood… arm…”
She had almost died, and she asked about him. “I’m healed, love.” He caught her searching hand in both of his. “You saved me. You saved us.”
A smile curled her lips. “Safe.” Her eyes closed.
The reality of their situation hit Max. She wasn’t safe. They were situated on a deserted street where any demon could find them. Max’s arms tightened around Kayla. Augustine’s concealment spell wouldn’t last forever. Even if it did, that determined demon would soon find a way back from the alternate dimension. Max rose, holding Kayla cradled against him. He had to get her back to his home. He ran, carrying the love of his life in his arms.
Chapter Four
Kayla swung her feet over the edge of the bed. She paused, waiting for the room to stop spinning. She was so weak.
“Where are you going?” a voice demanded f
rom the doorway. Max was back, another plumped pillow clutched in his big hands. He had already tucked half a dozen pillows behind her head.
“I feel dirty.” She felt dirty down to the depths of her soul. “I need to shower.”
“You are not showering.” He threw the pillow against the wall. His display of antique swords rattled. “You aren’t strong enough.”
“He touched me, Max, all over.” She stared at the silk Hereke carpet, remembering. The other demon had touched her with his clawed hands, his sweaty thighs, the tip of his… She rubbed the inside of her thighs, above her healing wounds, trying to erase the memory. “He almost --”
Max crushed her to him. “He didn’t.” Her demon protector threaded his fingers through her hair. “He didn’t,” he reassured her, kissing her forehead as he rocked her. “And he won’t ever again.”
He couldn’t guarantee that. They weren’t bonded. “I feel him all over me, Max.” She rubbed until her skin was raw. The sensation wouldn’t go away.
Max placed his hand over hers, stopping her frantic movements. “We’ll wash together.” He lifted her, his jaw clenched determinedly, and carried her into the bathroom. The room was huge, larger than her apartment. He set her on the edge of a demon-sized tub, turned on the taps, and adjusted the temperature.
Kayla leaned against the cool tile wall, helpless to do anything more than watch him. She had little energy left. Max was right. She wasn’t strong enough, but she wouldn’t spend another minute with Augustine’s scent on her. She shuddered.
“All I have is strawberry.” Max held up a container of bubble bath. It was half empty.
The thought of her rough, tough demon taking strawberry bubble baths made her smile, banishing some of the negative memories. “Strawberry is fine.”
He scowled at her. “It is a manly scent,” he defended his choice. He poured a couple of capfuls into the hot water. Strawberry-scented steam rose, dampening Kayla’s curls, plastering her white T-shirt to her body.
“Max.” Kayla plucked at her shirt. She hadn’t the energy to remove it.
“My frail little human,” he clucked, pulling the shirt over her head. She was frail and she was little, but she wasn’t human. They both knew that.
“We could pretend to be human today, couldn’t we?” She stared up at him, willing him to say yes. They could have this last day together with her as a human. She couldn’t handle anything else right now.
“We could.” His blunt face softened. “We could do anything you like.” He didn’t waste time with undoing buttons. He ripped his shirt from his body. His pants were as expediently removed. He stood naked in front of her, his chest puffed out, his muscles flexed. He was virile and male and everything she could possibly desire in a partner.
Kayla’s gaze dropped. “Max, I want you, I really do, but I’m too weak for…” She waved at his erect cock, cursing her low energy levels.
His face darkened. “This --” he stroked his cock -- ”will still be hard when you’re recovered. I promise you.” He turned off the taps and stepped into the filled tub. “Today, you let me care for you.” He sank down, the water sloshing over the sides, and reached for her. “Let me touch you.” He pulled her toward him, into the warm water. The bubbles tickled her nose. “That will be enough.” He settled her so she faced away from him, her back resting against his bare chest. He groaned, shifting her until his hard cock nestled between her ass cheeks. “More than enough.” He rubbed a wet sponge over her collarbone, down between her breasts.
She touched his arm, recalling how it had hung uselessly by his side, the bones shattered. “Does it still hurt?”
“No.” He kissed the back of her head. “I’m completely healed. When you gave me your energy, it…” He paused as though unable to explain the experience. “It was power like I’ve never felt before. I healed instantly. It was almost overwhelming.”
“It felt good.” Kayla relaxed against him, her guilt drifting away. She had worried that the transfer had hurt him as much as it had hurt her.
“Very.” He circled her breasts with the sponge, his thumb rubbing over her nipples. Her lethargy flowed to arousal, their physical connection temporarily boosting her energy levels. “But I never want to experience it again.”
“Why?” She turned her head to look up at him.
“I almost lost you.” He kissed the tip of her nose. She blinked. “It is too dangerous for us.”
“Because we’re not yet bonded.” That was what the other demon, Augustine, had said. It implied that the energy transfer would be safe with them bonded.
“Not yet,” Max repeated. His thighs squeezed her legs. His arms tightened around her. His cock pushed against her backbone. The thought of bonding with her must excite him.
She wasn’t yet ready to accept their fate but she didn’t retract her words. They would be bonded. He loved her. She loved him. She traced the gashes on her legs with her fingertips. Although bonding with him in demon form scared her, it would happen.
“Kayla?”
She knew what he was about to ask. She didn’t want to talk about. Not yet. “Today, we’re human,” she reminded him. She spread her legs, hooking them over his. “Love me like you would a human woman.” She needed his touch. She needed him to remind her that good sex wasn’t violent.
“You’re too weak for loving.” He buried his mouth in the curve of her shoulder, kissing and sucking. His big palms cupped her breasts.
She was too weak. Her mind wanted something her body wasn’t ready for. “Then I’ll float here on the water.” She arched, reaching back to wrap her hands around his neck. “I plan to be a very lazy lover.” She smiled defiantly, her head fuzzy, her vision blurred.
His cock bobbed, the touch sending tremors up her spine. “You are not to move,” he ordered. His right hand disappeared into the water. “I want you to stay perfectly still.” She jerked as he parted her pussy lips. “Still,” he admonished. He didn’t know that remaining motionless required more energy than moving. He fanned her sensitive folds back and forth, back and forth. She wriggled. She wanted those fingers higher. “I’ll stop if you move, Kayla.”
“Then stop teasing and fill your vessel, demon,” she retorted. She wasn’t strong enough for games.
He chuckled low and deep, the sound making her pussy tingle. “Today, we’re human, vessel, and human men tease.” She gasped as he pinched her nipple. “But since you demand filling.” He thrust three fingers into her pussy. She called his name, jerking upward. “Still.” He paused, his fingers fully inside her.
“Max,” she whimpered. He was killing her. His thumb swept over her clit. She rolled her head on his chest. She was weak yet needy. “Quickly, please.” If he prolonged his loving, she’d expire before reaching satisfaction. “This is too much for me.” The bathroom lights already danced in front of her eyes.
“I’ll take care of you, Kayla.” He nuzzled her earlobe as he pumped her, the water swirling in eddies over her hips. “Relax and enjoy this.” It was an impossible request. Her body drew up tighter and tighter until she was coiled like a spring.
She couldn’t do this. Her head thrashed. “Max,” she cried, panting. She couldn’t get enough oxygen. She needed more energy. She was drowning in the open air. “Max, I can’t --”
“You can.” His voice grew deeper and louder. His body increased in temperature. His skin turned red. His fingers thickened inside her pussy, stretching her. He pounded her with excess energy, and she gulped it greedily.
Her desire spiraled up and up, reaching unsustainable heights. The room flashed dark and light. “Max!” She couldn’t hold onto the light, and it frightened her.
“Now, Kayla.” He swirled his thumb over her clit and she sprang loose, thrusting upward. “I have you.” He held onto her with hands too large to be human. He sucked on her neck with his hot mouth.
She fell back into him, into the dark, trusting that Max would keep her safe. He wouldn’t let her go. He loved her.
* * *
Max sliced the broadswords through the air, one in each hand. Normally he didn’t use manmade weapons to fight, but Augustine was too strong to battle demon to demon. Max needed an advantage over the stronger demon.
Augustine’s roars shook the house. Although his rival couldn’t push past the perimeter, he waited. They were hostages in their own home.
Max returned the broadswords to their sheaths. They wouldn’t work. He extended his claws. His top lip curled with frustration. His claws would be as ineffective.
Nothing would work. Augustine was older and stronger and when they battled next, the results would be the same. Max would lose. He would die. He wouldn’t allow Kayla to save him. He couldn’t risk her life again.
“He hurt me, Max, when he…” Kayla stood on the threshold, clad in a white bathrobe, her arms crossed defensively.
Augustine had hurt her, and Max wanted to howl his rage. “I would never hurt you.” He knew his demon form frightened her. That was why he hadn’t pushed the bonding ceremony. Although it was the solution to all their problems, he wouldn’t force Kayla to do something she wasn’t comfortable with.
She stepped forward. “You have sharp claws.” She stared at his hands.
He’d seen the claw marks on her legs. His fists clenched. If he could, he would gut Augustine for that. “They retract.” Max held one hand out and slowly retracted his claws. “I would never touch you with them. They are for fighting, not loving.”
“Oh.” She reached out and touched his hand, her fingers light on his skin. “Your tail is sharp too.”
“Same thing.” He swung his tail around. She jumped back. “Sorry.” He smiled reassuringly. Her trepidation was understandable, after what that bastard Augustine had done. “Retractable.” He held his tail and retracted the razor-sharp tips. “See?”
