“Just a sec.” Tom bent to rummage in his jeans.
Aelziroth turned Cassie’s head to watch as Tom ripped open a foil packet. “You won’t need that, sweetie. I’m on the Pill.”
“I’d rather,” he said as he rolled on a condom.
Cassie was grateful for that small blessing. A second later he was pumping into her, both hands holding her hips. Her breasts bounced, brushing against the table.
Cassie pulled away in her mind as far as she could, trying to ignore what was happening. If she could, she would have shut her eyes and plugged her ears. She told herself it wasn’t happening to her, it was just her body, but it was hard to ignore Aelziroth as he reveled in the act.
Tom’s erection filled her with every stroke, and Cassie’s concentration on the music faltered. The demon gloated as a building need filtered through her barriers. Cassie hated that her body was responding. Hated that Aelziroth was making her feel this.
*Keep it to yourself,* she told the demon. *I don’t need to know.*
*Oh, but knowledge is a good thing. Didn’t Jaradiel tell you that? No knowledge is ever wasted.*
Cassie remembered Jared’s touch. Jared singing mind-to-mind to her, and her strength returned. The sensations faded.
*Was Jaradiel this good?* Aelziroth taunted, apparently unaware of the direction her thoughts had taken.
*Better than you’ll ever know.* Cassie thought of Jared, how safe she felt in his arms, how accepted she felt as he shared himself with her. The beautiful music he’d given her filled her heart, reminding her that no matter how bad things were right now, incredible beauty still existed in the world.
*Really?* Aelziroth started to dig into her mind, but his mental claws slid away, unable to gain purchase. *I seriously doubt that. I’ll show you how it’s supposed to be done.* He used her fingers to stroke her clitoris and pleasure jolted through him like distant lightning. The demon’s attention drifted away from her as sensation built like dark clouds on the horizon.
From far away Cassie felt her body grow tense as Aelziroth reached for climax. As if watching a movie, the orgasm rolled through her body, and a guttural cry tore from her throat, but Cassie held herself apart, focusing instead on the intense loveliness of the melody Jared had given her.
Suddenly she was back in control. She was the one gripping the edge of the table, not Aelziroth, rolling on the waves of the aftershocks, rocking as Tom thrust fast and hard seeking his own release.
Without warning a vision broke over her.
Tom lay naked on a bed, blindfolded and gagged. His arms and legs were tied to the four bedposts, muscles corded and straining. Red welts marred his chest and the tip of a knife sliced the taut skin of his belly, leaving a trail of blood in its wake.
The vision cleared and the music soared within her. Cassie straightened, twisting away from Tom. His fingers started to tighten on her hips but she jerked free.
“Hey! What about me?” He must have seen the fear, revulsion, and horror on her face because he took half a step back, his brows drawn down in confusion.
“You—” she started, but hot searing pain lashed her mind. Cassie screamed but no sound came from her throat.
*You cannot escape me! Your body is mine. You are mine,* Aelziroth sneered. *You could have enjoyed this along with me, but apparently you prefer pain to pleasure. Defy me again and you will learn just how much agony you can endure. But for now I’m going to see how much pleasure your body can give me.*
Cassie tried to evade the flensing scourge, but there was nowhere to run, no way to escape. Fire burned through her mind. She pulled into herself, trying to hide, but the pain followed her.
“What is it?” Tom reached out to touch her shoulder. “Did I hurt you?”
Is pain showing on my face? Cassie’s thoughts were disjointed as she tried to escape Aelziroth’s torture. Was the demon losing control? Or was it just that the orgasm had distracted him, allowing her to break free for a moment? He didn’t seem aware of my vision.
The agony stopped as Aelziroth turned his attention back to Tom.
“Not at all. I like it rough. Shall we adjourn to the bedroom?” Aelziroth took Tom’s sheathed erection in hand and gave it a little tug, as if it were a leash.
*Run!* Cassie screamed in her mind. *Run now!*
Tom looked like he thought she was a little bit crazy, but his latex-clad penis pulsed wetly against her palm. He nodded and led the way.
“This is the place. We’ll trap him here and drive him out of Cassie.” Jared stopped the car at the Woodland Lake bridge. The night was dark and the red volcanic gravel in the parking area looked black, eerily illuminated by the single light hung on a tall pole. A sign declared the park hours as six a.m. to ten p.m. They had four hours until morning joggers would show up to run the path around the lake. Less than that to prepare and lure Aelziroth into their trap. They couldn’t confront the Apostate with the chance of witnesses getting in the way or calling the police.
Jared squeezed the wheel until his hands hurt. It was his fault Cassie was suffering now. He should have run with her when he had the chance, begged Michael again for more help. He should have come up with a better plan.
Dave glanced around at the covered wooden bridge and the nearby road. “Why here? There are houses only a couple hundred yards away. Someone could see something. Call the cops.”
Dave’s question brought him back to the moment. I don’t have time for guilt now. He could beat himself up later—if he was still alive. “Native Americans have lived in this area for thousands of years. Their worship has changed the nature of the Power here. Aelziroth can’t use it, but we can. We’ll need it to save Cassie.”
Dave shook his head. “I don’t know, man. The woman probably shouldn’t be your focus. Getting rid of Aelziroth should be your first priority. And after we deal with him, we should take care of Crandall. If that bastard will summon a demon, he’ll do anything.”
“This isn’t negotiable,” Jared said.
Dave sighed. “If you get to her fast enough, you might be able to save her. Maybe. But don’t get your hopes up. Even if she survives, she’ll never be the same again.”
Jared slammed his hands on the steering wheel. “I know!” Pain shot through his wounded side. His shout reverberated in the closed car. He knew better than Dave what the risks were. “I know,” he said again when he’d gotten himself under control. “It doesn’t matter. I have to try.”
Dave shook his head. “Man, I’m not going to tell you your business, but I’ve learned the hard way, never let it get personal. Never let your emotions run you. You make mistakes. You get yourself or your men killed that way.”
Jared answered in terms he thought Dave would understand. “I won’t leave a man—or a woman—behind.”
Dave stared out the windshield a moment, then nodded with a sharp jerk of his head. “So what do we do?”
Cassie held herself apart as Aelziroth rode Tom, trying to distance herself from what the demon was doing as he brought her body to another orgasm. Suddenly Cassie’s body was her own again. She started to pull away, but Tom grabbed her hips with hot hands and thrust into her.
“Not again, sweetheart.”
Her control lasted only a few seconds before Aelziroth seized control again and resumed his wild ride.
*Damn you!*
Aelziroth just laughed.
Cassie dove back into the music, submerging her anger and frustration in its beauty. The melody was a comforting reminder of all that was good in the world, and that whatever happened here, truth and love would endure.
Tom’s back bowed as he groaned with his release. A slow satisfied smile spread across his face. “Very, very nice. Thank you.” Aelziroth dismounted and Tom disposed of the used condom.
Aelziroth ran her hands over her breasts, down to her swollen mons, wiping one finger through the moisture there and licking it. “Would you like to play a game?” the demon asked Tom in a sultry tone.
; Tom raised a brow and pulled Aelziroth close. His erection sagged only a little. “Give me a couple minutes, babe. Then we’ll play whatever games you want.”
“There, that should do it,” Jared sat on the stream bank with a groan.
They’d raided a construction site Dave had found, borrowing a roll of waterproof barrier and a staple gun. Jared had drawn the needed symbols on the blank side of a nine by fourteen-foot sheet and they’d attached it to the bottom of the low bridge, out of sight. It had been an awkward job, crouching ankle deep in the cold water.
“How are you holding up?” Jared asked. The other man had pulled his weight despite the blood loss he’d suffered, but willpower only went so far.
Dave cast him a sidelong glance. “I can do whatever needs to be done. What about you?”
Dave had field-dressed Jared’s wound, but Jared knew from the burning pain in his side he was still bleeding internally. It didn’t matter. “I’ll last long enough to get the job done.”
The other man gave a disgusted snort, but didn’t pursue the matter, much to Jared’s relief. “You saved my life, so I’ve done what you asked, but I’d really like to know the rest of the plan now.”
Jared pointed at the Tyvek barrier above them. “That symbol I drew will bind Aelziroth once he steps on the bridge.”
“And what will make him do that?”
“Let me make a call first. Then I’ll explain.” Jared flipped open his cell and hit speed dial for Cassie’s phone.
CHAPTER 17
TOM NUZZLED CASSIE’S hair while her cell phone rang again and again in the other room. He couldn’t rub her shoulder or give her a post-coital hug—his arms and legs were tied to the spindles of the old four-poster bed. Her vision was coming true, and there was nothing Cassie could do to stop it.
“That’s the third call you’ve received in the last three minutes. Maybe you should answer it,” Tom said.
“I don’t like to be interrupted.” Aelziroth traced a finger over Tom’s chest and he shivered.
“I don’t either, but maybe it’s an emergency.”
Aelziroth crawled across Tom’s body to straddle him. “What could be more important than this?”
Tom groaned his pleasure as Aelziroth settled her heat over his groin. “Somebody seems to want to get in touch with you pretty bad. It’s not a worried boyfriend, is it?”
Aelziroth flicked his nipples with her nails. “No.”
Tom half moaned, half laughed. “Babe, I’ve never met anyone like you. But it’s my turn now. Untie me.”
“I’m not done yet.”
Tom frowned. “But I am. Untie me.”
Aelziroth shrugged and got off. “Let’s not argue.” The demon bent over and gave Tom a deep, wet kiss. Then he picked up a sock and stuck it in Tom’s mouth. “That’s better.”
*No! Don’t do this!* Cassie raged against the demon and her impotence to stop him.
The demon raked Cassie’s fingernails over Tom’s chest like a claw, leaving a trail of red welts rising in their wake. Tom made a muffled sound of outrage and strained against the ropes, but the knots held.
Cassie winced in sympathy. No one deserved to be abused this way, and Tom seemed like a nice enough guy, even if he did have sex with a woman he thought was too drunk to drive.
The phone stopped ringing.
Aelziroth left the bedroom and went to the kitchen. He pulled a steak knife from the block on the counter, testing its sharpness with a finger. “This will do.”
Cassie’s vision flooded back in vivid detail. *No!*
*It’s time for a new game,* Aelziroth told her as he walked back to the bedroom. *I like your body. Four orgasms to a man’s one. And they call women the weaker sex.* Aelziroth giggled. The sound was chilling, especially since it came from her own throat. *But even incredible sex gets old after a while. Time for something different.*
Cold horror froze her. *NO! NO! You can’t!*
*Oh, but I can.*
The phone began ringing again.
She had to stop him somehow, but what could she do? She’d had very little success in opposing Aelziroth.
*Answer the phone!* Cassie commanded.
The demon ignored her.
The only time she’d managed to stop him, she’d been thinking of the music Jared had given her.
Cassie pulled on the music and it rose quickly, filling her, swelling like a symphony. It was achingly beautiful, and made her feel strong and competent. Like a warrior. She summoned every shred of strength and put it into a command, *ANSWER THE PHONE!*
And Aelziroth turned to find the cell.
Jared sagged with relief when Aelziroth finally picked up the call. Then he switched the phone to speaker and put a finger to his lips.
“What do you want, Jaradiel? I’m busy.” Aelziroth answered.
Jared winced. It was Cassie’s voice, but it wasn’t. Dave raised his eyebrows, but remained silent.
“Let Cassie go,” Jared said.
“Now why would I do that? She’s Progeny, descended from two bloodlines. Her body will last a long time. I can have lots of fun with it before it wears out. In fact, I’ve been having lots of fun with it already. I can see why you bedded her. She has honey to spare, this one. Why would I give her back to you?”
Murderous rage threatened to choke Jared. Dave gripped his arm. Jared swallowed hard and strove to speak in a normal tone. “Because I have something you’d like even better.”
“Better than a Progeny? That doesn’t seem likely.”
“Better even than becoming an u’dahmi.”
The Apostate remained silent. Jared held his breath. Aelziroth had to be tempted by the chance to thumb his nose at the faction of Apostates that kept their blood rituals of immortality a closely guarded secret.
Finally the demon spoke. “And what would that be?”
“Me.”
Beside him, Dave leaned forward, shaking his head sharply, mouthing, No! Jared avoided meeting his eye.
“You? You’d give me your body?” Aelziroth asked.
“Yes.” If you can take it. Jared knew it was too good an offer for Aelziroth to refuse. A body made of Celestial soul would last indefinitely. Toss in the bonus of getting to torture Jared along with it, and it was more than Aelziroth could have hoped for.
“And you won’t fight me?”
Jared answered carefully. “My body will be yours if you give her up.”
“You must have it bad for this human,” Aelziroth said. “It makes you weak.”
“Lucky for you.”
“Hmmm. I wonder. I suspect you’ll be a troublesome host.”
“I will not oppose you, once you take up residence.”
“Could you do that? Sit back quietly as I enjoy myself with a little rape? A little torture? Maybe play with some children?”
Jared clenched and unclenched his jaw. Aelziroth didn’t make empty threats. The demon would do anything and everything to make his life a misery. He forced himself to speak. “You have my oath.” A ripple of Power spread outward, subtly changing the fabric of the world, as Jared made the promise. “If you leave Cassie freely without harming her.”
Aelziroth was silent for a moment as the Apostate felt the power of his vow. “Alas, that pretender Crandall laid a geas upon me. I am compelled to neutralize the woman—one way or another.”
“There are spells that can break that bond.”
“And you would do that? You would dabble in the Dark Arts to save her pitiful life?”
Michael wouldn’t approve, not even to save Cassie. “Yes.”
Aelziroth laughed. “And so even you have your price, Jaradiel. I never thought to see the day.”
“You won’t if you don’t act fast. This offer expires in half an hour. After that, I will hunt you down and destroy you. There will be nothing left of you to return to Beelzebub.”
“You’d have to kill Cassie to do that.”
“If you don’t relinquish her, she’s dead anyway. A
t least killing you will free her from her torture.”
Aelziroth was silent for a moment. “Very well. I accept your offer.”
“Do I have your word?”
There was a pause. “You think it worth asking for? You honor me.” Another pause. “Very well, you have my oath.”
Yes! Jared closed his eyes in relief as he felt the world subtly changed again. Aelziroth’s word, even as an Apostate, still had the power to bind him.
“Where shall this exchange take place?” The Apostate asked.
“Meet me at the bridge in Woodland Park.”
Cassie listened in horror as Aelziroth accepted Jared’s bargain. Jared was going to sacrifice himself for her. He was going to throw himself away for nothing. Did he really think he could trust Aelziroth to keep his end of the bargain?
The demon hung up and unleashed his fury upon her. “You dare to oppose me?” Aelziroth screamed aloud. “I warned you what would happen.”
Waves of blinding pain, scalding like boiling water, washed over and through her. Cassie would have screamed but she had no voice. She tried to make herself a smaller target, but Aelziroth pursued her, shouting aloud with her throat.
“Never raise your will against me again! Never speak! I am in control, and you will obey me! You will see what I look at, you will feel what I feel, and you will not resist! I am your master! Do you think that because Jaradiel has offered himself in your place you will soon be free? I’ll let you have your life back. But you won’t want it.”
Aelziroth picked up the knife again. He softened her voice to a sinuously evil tone. “It will be you they arrest for Tom’s bloody murder. Such a shame. A horrible crime. It will make all the papers.” Aelziroth chortled and headed for the bedroom. “Your body will be your own again, but you’ll spend the rest of your life in prison. You’ll never be free.”
Cassie felt sick. Tom was going to die just so Aelziroth could destroy her life. But worse than being in prison or, if she was lucky, a mental institution, would be knowing Aelziroth had Jared and was making him suffer—all because of her.
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