Fallen Gods II: Jaded Prey

by Lorie O'Clare

  “You better treat her right.” Bridget wagged a finger at him, and then she and Braze disappeared.

  Chapter Eleven

  Naomi froze on the stairs. Her heart thudded against her ribs, and for a second she thought she might plunge forward, losing her balance and falling to the floor below.

  She didn’t have a clue where in the hell she was, or how’d she gotten there. This luxurious palace, this elegant manor, this…this mansion…was unlike anywhere she’d ever been before. And she was pretty sure she wasn’t dreaming.

  And then descending the stairs, hearing the familiar voices below, the first person she’d seen was Merco.

  The man took her breath away. Leaning back on a beautiful white couch with his dark skin contrasting against it, his muscular arms spread over the back of it, and his long thick legs relaxed lazily on the coffee table, he looked very much at home. She couldn’t steal her gaze away. Butterflies had pranced through her tummy, fluttering around without a care while she struggled to breathe normally. There couldn’t possibly be better eye candy on the entire planet.

  Bridget and Braze had their backs to her, and spoke quietly to him. They partially blocked her view, but she paid them little attention.

  That was until they disappeared.

  Fucking disappeared. As if they’d never been there.

  She couldn’t move—couldn’t think. How could they just disappear?

  One minute they had been there, standing next to each other, talking to Merco. The next they minute they vanished, disappeared into thin air.

  Reality had ceased to exist for her. That had to be it. She had gone completely insane.

  Without thinking—hell she couldn’t fathom a thought at that moment had she tried—Naomi bolted down the stairs, running in the opposite direction of Merco.

  She’d wanted to run to him, into those powerful arms. Leaning against that strong body, letting him hold her and assure her that her mind had just played tricks on her sounded real damned good. The way his gaze had shifted, his eyes moving while his body remained relaxed until he focused on her, made her think twice. As soon as Bridget and Braze vanished, he’d looked at her with those green eyes that seemed to glow, penetrate right through her. And she’d panicked.

  He’d called out her name. Or at least she thought he had. A ringing started in her head, making it impossible for her to focus on anything she heard around her. Merco hadn’t seemed a bit surprised that they vanished.

  What the fuck was going on?

  Fear had gripped her, taking over her rational thought. She had found a door, run across thick well-groomed grass, and hit a sidewalk, taking it at racing speed, before it dawned on her to look around to see where she was.

  “Don’t slow down now, bitch,” the demon hissed in her head, causing her brain to throb painfully while he spat out his words. “Run with the speed I will grace you with. Only I will protect you from those gods. Run. Run!”

  Naomi had found her clothes when she woke up in the strange bed, but hadn’t given a thought to her shoes. She glanced down at her bare feet and then at her surroundings. She was in one of the wealthiest areas of Kansas City known as Westboro—very much out of her element. Johnson County’s Westboro area housed some of the wealthiest families in the nation. Exquisite mansions rested behind tall iron gates and large well-kept yards. If she was lucky, a gardener would see her.

  But did she want the police called? What would she tell them?

  The voice in my head won’t leave me alone. And a man I’m in lust with might not be human. Shit. She wasn’t sure if her health plan covered being institutionalized.

  She picked up her pace, ignoring the taunting the demon gave her as she hurried to get out of the exclusive neighborhood. Her legs hurt from walking the steep hills before she reached an intersection, one of the wealthier shopping areas spread out in front of her known as The Plaza. This wasn’t a part of town she frequented on a regular basis—barefoot, carless, and with no purse or identification on her—this was not good.

  Somehow she needed to find a phone. An ornate clock on one of the tall buildings ahead told her she had ten minutes to get to work. All she needed now was to fuck up her job.

  “Run, bitch. They will catch you. Use you. Listen to me, you fucking bitch, and run!” The hissing of the demon vibrated against her skull.

  Her head pounded as she mentally told it to shut up and leave her alone. Doing her best to ignore the pain that rushed through her body as punishment for not paying heed to the demon, she walked to a convenience store. The street was lined with recently planted trees all the same size, and thick grass covered with morning dew that instantly made her feet cold and wet. She hurried, praying the person working would have mercy and allow her to use the phone.

  Although he gave her an odd look, the college kid behind the counter handed her the cordless, and she quickly called in sick to work. Then hanging up, she dialed another number quickly before the employee protested that she made more than one call.

  “Thena.” She gave silent thanks that her friend answered her cell phone on the first ring, although she sounded groggy since her shift was almost over. “I need a favor…a big favor.”

  Naomi hated doing this. Thena had worked all night and would be ready to go home and crash. Normally she would call Bridget if she were in a bind. Her head pounded, her thoughts a mixture of panic and confusion while she hid in the convenience store bathroom, leaning her head against the stall while she waited out the ten minutes her friend told her it would take before she could pick her up.

  “Do you think you can hide from him in here?” the demon laughed as he ridiculed her. “You stupid cunt. They can find you anywhere. You will pay me back dearly for concealing you. But know now, all he wants is that sweet pussy of yours. And it is mine. Is that clear? Mine!”

  She gripped her head, tangling her fingers in her hair. “Leave me alone,” she whispered angrily, praying she could figure out a way to cast him out of her head. “I’m not yours. I will never be yours.”

  It felt like someone had just punched her in the gut, and she doubled over, almost tripping over the toilet behind her in the small stall.

  “Fuck you. Nothing you do to me will make me agree that I belong to you. You might as well give up now.” She staggered out of the stall, splashing water on her face while she fought the pain that he ripped through her body.

  Somehow she had to manage herself in public. Thena would be there soon and she needed to wait for her outside.

  A small part of her wished Merco would be out there, too, looking for her. He confused her, the way he had looked at her after Bridget and Braze disappeared. He hadn’t been surprised, not at all. His intent stare was branded in her mind, a look that had demanded she just accept what had happened, and not question it.

  And seeing his face in her mind, the way he’d bored through her, his stare controlled, predatory, had her pussy throbbing. The overwhelming desire to turn and march right up that hill toward that mansion of his, spread through her like wild fire. She burned with a need for him, craved his hands on her, controlling her, seducing her.

  Who was he? He had appeared in her locked apartment, coming to her when she couldn’t sleep. Although she should have kicked him out, called the police, somehow he had seduced her, made her want him. And damn it to hell if she didn’t want him again right now.

  The morning sun shone down on her, the neighborhood relatively quiet since the workday had already begun. Glancing up the hill where one mansion after another spread out over rolling hills and beautiful lawns, she wondered what kind of person Merco was. What did he do for a living? Who the hell was he?

  One didn’t just idly run into a person who lived in one of those estates. That was old money, the elite and prestigious. And to have met him at a coven, a meeting of witches of all places. Did he practice witchcraft?

  Naomi shook her head, her thoughts still not working properly. No witch she’d ever met could make people disappea
r—vanish into thin air.

  “Naomi. Are you okay?” Thena had pulled up in front of her and rolled down the passenger window.

  “Thank you for picking me up.” Naomi collapsed into the passenger seat, closing the door next to her. She didn’t answer her friend’s question, though.

  Hell, no, she wasn’t okay. And Thena deserved an explanation. Her concerned look as her gaze swept over Naomi’s appearance told her that she wouldn’t press for answers. That was a damned good thing. Because Naomi wasn’t sure where to begin. But she needed help—she needed a lot of help.

  A tall, dark, rather powerful-looking stranger had invaded her life. She wanted him, yet she’d just run from him. Something about him wasn’t right and she just couldn’t put her finger on it. But damn it to hell if thinking about him didn’t make her insides flutter, her juices begin to flow. She’d been in his bed, that overly large bed with the silk sheets. His scent had been everywhere, her insides melting while she consumed his aura, remembered how he’d made her explode over and over again the night he’d appeared out of nowhere and seduced her. And part of her wished she had never gotten up, never gone down those stairs, never seen Bridget and Braze disappear.

  “Something terrible has happened,” Thena was saying. “I can sense it.”

  Her friend reached over and squeezed her hand. They were on the interstate now, the exits passing by as they drove to the part of Kansas City where Thena lived.

  “Remember the man I told you about…the one I met at the coven?” Naomi began, and then told Thena how he’d come to her.

  She didn’t mention how he’d infuriated her that night, but at the moment that seemed a trivial fact.

  “Damn. He sounds sexy as hell.” Thena’s words were lighthearted but when Naomi looked over at her she saw the concern on her face.

  “He is sexy as hell,” she murmured, looking down at her lap, wondering if she’d done the right thing by running from him.

  The demon seemed to have left her alone for now, and her head was clear to dwell on Merco. She hesitated in trusting him. She had run from him. But why did she ache all over to be with him?

  Somehow she needed to clear her head, really clear her head. It would be the only way she could focus on what was happening around her, and in her mind.

  “You aren’t going to believe me,” Naomi began, shaking her head. She didn’t believe most of this herself. “But I really need to talk, need someone else to see what I’m seeing and tell me I’m not crazy.”

  “You’d be surprised what I might believe.” Thena chuckled, a refreshing sound. Her friend’s brown eyes lit up with interest. “Tell me everything. It will make you feel better.”

  They merged through the midmorning traffic and Thena signaled for her exit. Entering into a quiet neighborhood, clean yet simple houses appeared on either side of them, such a different atmosphere from where they’d been just ten minutes ago.

  It took a few minutes to get to Thena’s home and she hurried around the house, making sure Naomi was comfortable before they settled down at a small square table in Thena’s kitchen. Hot water simmered for tea, and different scents rose lazily in the air from the several candles Thena lit. She brought an old wooden bowl to the table, a mixture of herbs crushed at the bottom of it. Running her long thin fingers through the herbs, she stirred them up, whispering words to the gods to soothe their minds, allow their conversation to be blessed.

  Naomi took a long breath and forced herself to relax. If the image of Merco staring at her before she had darted from his house would only leave her mind long enough for her to think straight.

  In spite of the cruelty the demon inflicted on her, the ache inside her for Merco wouldn’t go away. For a moment she swore his scent saturated the air around her, the all-male musky aroma she’d experienced when she woke up in his bed. She glanced around the kitchen, taking in the white painted wooden cabinets and the simple beige countertops.

  Turning her attention to Thena, her levelheaded friend who watched her with soft brown eyes, Naomi took a gulp of air, and exhaled slowly.

  Thena was so pretty, and her life appeared tidy and in order. At the moment she had a silk scarf wrapped around her head, probably because she hadn’t had time to do her hair before Naomi called her. The scarf was a pale pink and brought out the milk chocolate color of her skin nicely. Her features were smooth, her skin almost glowing as she focused on her short prayer. When she looked up, soft brown eyes like that of a doe’s compelled Naomi to relax, share her story and hope Thena wouldn’t think her nuts.

  “I’ve been having these nightmares.” Naomi sensed the demon stirring inside her when she started to tell Thena about him. “There is this creature…”

  “You say a word about me, and you’ll regret it.” He’d returned, his hissing words making her blood run cold.

  “He’s a nasty creature, who touches me in my sleep.” Naomi spoke quickly, fighting the pain that quickly traveled through her, all of her muscles suddenly clamping down hard as if she’d just worked all of them too hard. “He fucks me and threatens me,” she added, wrapping her arms around her chest and doubling over in pain.

  “Drink the tea.” Thena had jumped up, bringing her a cup quickly.

  Her friend hovered over her, holding the cup of steaming fluid to Naomi’s lips. A pungent odor drafted to her nose, making her eyes water.

  “It will help you think clearly. I promise.” Thena’s voice sounded far away.

  Naomi focused on getting the demon to leave her alone. But he grew inside her, his anger resonating throughout her. She shivered in spite of her efforts.

  Thena wrapped her arm around Naomi’s shoulders, the warmth of her body seeping through her as the steam from the drink rose to her face. Thena pressed the cup to Naomi’s lips. Naomi sipped, the hot fluid rushing down her throat while its vapors soaked through her, making her feel lightheaded for a moment.

  “Something has crawled inside you. I feel your pain. Tell me more,” Thena encouraged. “Open up so I can see it. I need to know so I can help get rid of it.”

  “Lately this creature comes to me while I’m awake.” She wanted to blurt it all out, get the entire story told in one breath. “He is inflicting pain. He doesn’t want me to tell you about him. God. This is so crazy.”

  “Drink the tea.” Thena hurried to her cabinets, opening doors and pulling items out. “We will cast him out. If we try our hardest, I think this will work.”

  Hard bony fingers wrapped around her breasts, squeezing and kneading. Naomi swore the demon hovered over her now, hunching behind her, his repulsive deformed body pressed against her backside. She squeezed her eyes shut and took a large gulp of the tea. It burned down her throat while vapors drifted through her brain. She focused on them, fighting to rid the creature from her system.

  Thena poured a mixture of herbs onto a flat metal tray and then lit them. A gray-blue smoke drifted up from the dried leaves and Thena ran her hands through it, spreading the smoke around them.

  “We call on the gods to help us.” Thena cupped her hands, lifting the smoke higher into the air.

  A small knife rested on the table along with the other items Thena had pulled from her cabinets. Its blade was short and curved and her dark skin contrasted the ivory handle when she picked it up.

  “This is my athame. I use it during all of my rituals.” She held the knife out and then turned slowly, creating an imaginary circle by slicing the knife through the gray-blue smoke that hovered around them. “We seek the good. We cast out the bad. We seek the good. We cast out the bad.” She repeated herself once more while Naomi watched.

  Either the hot tea, or the smoke from the burning herbs, or maybe it was Thena’s chanting, got to her. Naomi felt her muscles relax, found she could straighten. She took another sip of the strong tea, her thoughts suddenly lingering toward Merco. Did he partake in rituals like this?

  “Asclepius, your medicinal strength we call forth.” Thena had closed her eyes, holding
the athame in her hand while she raised her arms, her lithe body stretching over Naomi. “Morpheus, you can move anything through dreams. Give us your power.”

  Swallowing, the lingering taste of the herbal tea in her mouth, Naomi focused on the smoke that swarmed around them, her thoughts on Merco. She wanted him to save her, rid her of this nasty demon, free her of her nightmares.

  Thoughts of him casting this nasty demon out of her, forcing him to leave her alone, started a tingling between her legs. Dear God, she must be nuts.

  A knocking sounded, firm and quick. It took Naomi a second to realize it was someone at Thena’s door. Her heart raced from the intruding sound.

  Thena turned her attention to her living area, her arms extended, the small knife blade catching the light and glistening. Her smooth chocolate skin glowed, her face flushed a rosy shade, making her look even more beautiful. Naomi stared up at her, thinking for a disillusioned moment that her friend looked just like a goddess, holding more power in her than she might realize.

  “We can’t be disturbed right now,” she said, turning to face the smoke. “The door is locked. They’ll go away.”

  But then both of them jerked their attention to the living area, the front door just out of view when the sound of the door opening made Naomi’s heart lurch in her chest.

  “Hello?” A man’s voice, a low baritone, sent shivers through her.

  Naomi recognized Merco immediately, as did her body. Every nerve ending inside her jumped to attention, her skin suddenly tingling all over.

  Chapter Twelve

  Merco recognized the commonly used herbs the second he walked into the house. The scent was no different from the old days, except today the women wouldn’t be accused of being witches and stoned or hung.

  It wasn’t the herbs that hardened his insides, though. The fear and confusion that wrapped around Naomi pulled something from deep inside him. He’d given her space, let her run to sort through what she’d just seen. In no way would he lie about who he was. It seemed the longer he knew her, the more he wanted her to know who he was—what he was. He wanted her to know him.