The Demon's Possession

by Kiersten Fay

  “Good night Anya,” he said in a controlled voice.

  “You're not staying?” Did she really just ask him that? The words had poured out of her like liquid from a fallen glass. There was no recanting them.

  “It's best if I don't.”

  She gave a curt nod and the door slid closed. Turning to her room, she suddenly felt as though it were too dark, too quiet, and too empty. Before long she had every light turned on, illuminating every tenebrous corner, and searching in a frenzy for any light she might have missed.

  Once she was satisfied she'd found them all, she washed up and sat on the couch. Thoughts of her encounter with Xandar swept over her.

  This was her first moment alone since the attack. Sporadically, a whisper of unease would surge, followed by a flood of panic, and she would occupy her mind by searching for more lights.

  Only when she began to yawn repeatedly, eyes growing heavy, body slumping in fatigue, did she allow herself to settle in for the night.

  Decidedly, she created her nest of blankets and pillows in the corner. She would never be comfortable in the bed, and even the couch seemed unappealing tonight. Instead, she curled up under the mass of blankets with her back against two walls—the room still flooded with light—and closed her eyes.

  * * *

  ——

  * * *

  Sebastian welcomed the blissful mindlessness as he released into his own hand, wishing it was Anya's soft body that eased him instead. The warm spray of the shower washed over his neck and back.

  He had been so close to claiming her as his mate, so close to marking her as his forever, trapping them both in an unbreakable bond.

  How would she have felt about it?

  He knew how she would feel, going from the slave of one man to the possession of another, for that's what she would be. She would belong only to him. And him to her.

  Would she hate him for it?

  Of course she would. Just when she had gained freedom for herself, Sebastian was all too ready to take it away. She would yell and scream and flee from him as if he were her new jailer.

  And he would be forced to keep her any way that he could.

  When a demon took a mate, it was a lifelong bond. No woman, no matter how beautiful, could tempt that demon to stray. He would want only his mate for the rest of his life. Seek only her touch.

  With Anya's soft body against his, her warmth, her scent, he had been so close to driving his fangs into her and drawing greedily.

  Would she have accepted him? Melted in his arms as a true mate would?

  Why was he even considering this? It was a moot point. Thankfully he had regained his senses before he did anything irreversible.

  He dressed in a pair of loose-fitting pants and relaxed into his large empty bed. The look she had given him when he’d left her nagged at him. It was almost as if she was hurt by his leaving, when, in reality, she would be grateful if she knew the danger she was in. Still, her eyes had been stark.

  No doubt at this moment she would be curled up on the couch. The attack probably caused all her fears to return. Was she afraid now without him there?

  Before his mind realized what his body was doing, he was already halfway to her room.

  Just as he suspected, she had rejected the bed, but in lieu of the couch, she was once more on the floor. Sebastian frowned. The room was more brightly lit than if it harbored its own sun.

  At his entrance, she'd shot straight up, but instantly relaxed when she saw it was him. Then merely shrugged at his questioning look. She carried no hint of drowsiness, was in no way close to falling asleep, and probably wouldn't as long as she stayed like that, in her defensive position on the floor.

  Cursing, Sebastian fought the urge to scoop her up and take her to the bed himself. “If I stay here tonight, on the couch,” he amended, “will you try to sleep in the bed?”

  Biting her bottom lip, which made Sebastian instantly hard as steel, she nodded. But instead of making her way to the bed, she remained where she was, studying him. He was shirtless with only a pair loose fitting pants. Her gaze traveled his bare chest and arms, then moved even lower. His loose pants did nothing to hide his bulge, and he did not bar her from looking. She could look all she wanted. If she asked him to strip right now, he gladly would. When her gaze dipped to his bulge, she licked her lips.

  Stifling a groan, he said. “Anya, you're killing me.”

  Her eyes snapped to his face. “How am I doing that?”

  “Just get into bed before I put you there myself.” His tone had sounded huskier than he meant it to. To his surprise, she looked as though she was considering the latter and amusement lit her features. His cock became impossibly hard.

  As if mentally shaking herself, she stood and carted her hefty load of blankets and pillows to the bed. She was wearing a silky, long, light blue sleeping gown. The image lingered long after she was under the covers. He realized Anya seemed to favor the silks when sleeping, opposed to the thicker, warmer materials. He imagined her in some of the more racy stuff he could buy for her. Now he needed to mentally shake himself.

  He moved through the apartment, switching off more lights than he knew existed. When the room was finally dark, he became acutely aware of her scent again. Settling into the couch, he prepared for another long night of unsatisfied need.

  “Sebastian?” she called through the dark.

  “Yeah?”

  “Why did you come to space?”

  He thought it was an odd time for this conversation and suspected she was still a bit uneasy. “There was a devastating war. We were barely able to escape, Sonya, Cale, and I, before our planet was destroyed completely.”

  Anya was quiet for a long moment. Sebastian thought maybe she had fallen asleep. “I think my planet was attacked. I think I was sent away during the battle.” She snorted with bitterness. “They meant for me to be safe.”

  Sebastian ground his teeth. Whoever had planned her safe escape would die along with whoever else had hurt her.

  There was another moment of silence. “What if my home planet has been destroyed too? I think I may have had a family. Sisters, maybe.”

  “We'll find out everything we can about your…people. As well as where you come from.”

  “There you go making promises again. I think I'll let you though. I like the way they sound.”

  She still thought Sebastian planned to leave her. She had no idea he was contemplating keeping her forever.

  “Did you fight in your war?”

  Sebastian stiffened. He hadn't spoken about this to anyone but Sonya, Cale, and Marik. Even then, they hadn't brought it up in years. “I never got a chance to.” Her silence urged him on. “I, that is, we were betrayed at the start of the battle, by some of our own. Cale and I, even Sonya had been eager to jump into battle and defend our planet. However, Cale's mate and our mother drugged us, betrayed us to the invaders. They were promised safety for their loyalty. We didn't know it at the time, but many of our kind had been lured to do the same. The war had really begun years before any blood had been shed.” Anya had remained quiet through his speech. “Anya? Are you asleep?”

  “No.” Her voice was a little shaky.

  “What's wrong?”

  “Your own family betrayed you?”

  “Yes.”

  More silence. “What if…what if my family…”

  “No,” he cut her off. “Never think that.” He hated that she jumped to that conclusion and hated how her voice shook with emotion. Although she could be right, someone in her family could have betrayed her.

  “Did you…did you kill them, the ones who betrayed you?”

  “No. At the time all I was thinking was how to escape, but I won't lie, sometimes I wish I had. I've…we have all had a hard time trusting people since then. Especially Cale.”

  “Is that why you're at such odds with me?”

  Sebastian couldn't help but chuckle. “So you've noticed.” His natural night vision was adju
sting and he could see her clearly now.

  She had the slightest smile. “Kind of hard not to.”

  Sebastian didn't answer her question. Instead, he asked one of his own. “Do you have a gift Anya?”

  Like a bullet, she sat straight up, jaw dropped, eyes widened in shock. “What?”

  Touchy subject?

  Sebastian pushed himself to his elbows to get a better look at her. “You seem to read people very well. Is that some kind of gift?”

  She let out a harsh breath before easing herself back onto the pillow. “I…um…yeah, I guess.”

  Her reaction was intriguing. He was now sure that there was more to it than he'd guessed. “What kinds of things can you read from people?”

  Obviously she was weighing her answer, perhaps being a little too careful about her response. “I can sometimes tell when someone's mood changes. Like from happy to sad, or angry.”

  “You sensed when I changed then?”

  “Yes.”

  “What was that like?”

  “Daunting. It was like you had changed into something else entirely. You were happy one moment and pure rage the next. I've never felt anything like it.”

  “I'm sorry you were frightened. It's hard to control.”

  “It's okay. You made it up to me later.” She was smiling again.

  The image she invoked had him wanting her once more. Her taste was exquisite, addictive. There would definitely be no sleep for him tonight. His shaft was relentless. At this rate, when she fell asleep, he would be sneaking into the bathroom to relieve himself for the second time tonight.

  * * *

  ——

  * * *

  In the dark, faces began to appear.

  Blurred faces.

  Unreadable expressions.

  The sound of chains scraped against cold hard floors. The faces laughed, moving to surround Analia. She was suddenly being held down by massive heavy chains, tightening around her wrists, legs, and throat. She tried to scream, but the chain was too tight, cutting off her air.

  As the faces hovered over her they merged into one and began to clear, though she knew what she would see beforehand. Xandar's evil grin loomed over her. His hands grabbing at her, making her skin crawl. Then he morphed, his face molding into something else. She tried to look away, but even as she closed her eyes she could see.

  Darius!

  * * *

  Anya woke to her own screams, body thrashing. Someone was shaking her. At first she thought to fight, but then Bastian's scent flooded through her and she instantly relaxed, able to come to her senses.

  With a harsh sob, she threw her arms around him, seeking the comfort only he was able to provide. His strong protective arms didn't hesitate. He wrapped them around her and held on tight.

  “Just a dream,” he cooed. “It's okay.”

  She sobbed harder because it wasn't just a dream. “Bastian, please.”

  “What, beautiful?”

  “Please make me forget.”

  He squeezed her tighter, seemingly at a loss. “You have no idea how badly I wish I could.”

  She knew he couldn't. The memories were there until she could overcome them. But Sebastian could ease her in other ways. In ways she was only now beginning to realize how badly she needed. His touch alone dimmed her memories. His kiss made her feel desired, beautiful, and more cherished than she could even describe.

  She felt wonderful being in his arms. “Please, Bastian. Please touch me, kiss me.” She almost said love me.

  “Anya I…” Shaking his head, he held on to her.

  She could tell by his energy that he was going to deny her. Thinking quickly she reached past the elastic of his pants and grabbed hold of his thick shaft. He was immense and hard in her hand.

  “Anya!” He shuddered and threw his head back, thrusting into her hand. She was growing wet at the idea of him thrusting into her like that. Unable to stop herself she licked along his chest, savoring his manly flavor.

  With a carnal sound, he pulled her lips to his and scorched her with his kiss. This was not like any kiss before. This was a branding, primal, and aggressive kiss. He held her in place by the back of her neck as his mouth slipped over hers. A hungry sound escaped him as he demanded entry. She willingly gave in, opening for him. Hot and wet, his tongue found hers.

  As he tasted her, she hazily realized she was still gliding her hand up and down his shaft. When she rubbed her thumb over the tip, Bastian seemed to lose himself completely, and a low groan left him. To Anya, the sound was a triumph, as well as an aphrodisiac. Her body throbbed, her skin growing hot and sensitive.

  Though she really had no idea what she was doing, instinct seemed to be guiding her. When she brushed her hard nipples against his chest, she was rewarded with a callus hand gripping her backside. She thrilled at the touch, longing for more. She let out a soft needy moan, and he went wild.

  Tossing her to her back, he covered her with his massive body, pushing himself between her legs. In the back of her mind, she registered the silk being torn from her body. She hardly cared because he continued to kiss her masterfully, hard yet tender, while his hands roamed her body.

  She made an aggravated sound when he removed his mouth from hers and was about to argue, but she caught the gleam in his eye, a wicked look burning with promises of things to come. It stole her breath. He took one hard nipple in his mouth and she gasped. Arching into his touch, she cried out from the pleasure.

  While he continued flicking and teasing her nipple with his tongue, his hand trailed down her stomach and through the soft curls until he met with her core. She gasped once more, mindless with an overload of sensation.

  “Is this where you need me?” His voice sounded so rough, on the verge of losing control.

  “Yes!”

  She began undulating her hips to his rocking finger. His lips returned to her breast as his fingers made slow, maddening movements along her sex. The pressure began to build. She cried out as it overwhelmed her, making her breaths short and fast and her heart pound against the wall of her chest. Then he delved one finger inside her. She squeaked out a moan and opened wider for him.

  “Gods, yes, Bastian!”

  A second finger entered her, increasing her pleasure. When he suddenly pulled away from her, she had no words for her devastation. Just as she was about to protest she felt his tongue trailing down her body, his hands gripping her hips. She shuddered in anticipation.

  His hot tongue met her liquid core and she couldn't stop the scream of pleasure that was forced from somewhere deep inside her. She writhed, thrashing her head on the pillow. Another scream tore out of her as she climaxed. The waves of pleasure seemed never ending, and all the while, he continued his relentless licking and sucking.

  She finally went limp and he rose above her, easing himself between her legs once more. Eyes wide, her heart began to hammer.

  What have I started?

  * * *

  ——

  * * *

  Sebastian couldn't believe his current situation. He marveled at his Anya's beauty, taking in every inch of her spread before him. Her breasts were plump, hard and wet from his attention, rising and falling with her heavy breathing.

  His shaft was straining for her body. He needed to be inside her, badly. Vaguely, he noted her sudden apprehension as he climbed over her. As bad as he needed her tight core clutching his shaft, he needed to know she was absolutely ready for him.

  “I'm going to ease myself into you. Do you want me to?” Her eyes debated. Then she nodded, but her reluctance showed. Her body had gone stiff. “Tell me to stop, Anya, and I'll stop.” He waited.

  “I want you, Bastian, I'm just afraid…the pain.”

  He felt between her legs. She had gone dry. If he took her now, she would feel pain. He dipped his head to lave her nipple. As she let out a soft moan he fingered her sex, rubbing her up and down feeling her grow wetter.

  “I will ease myself into you slowly. I'll be
gentle. If you want me to stop at any moment, all you need to do is say so, and I will stop. I promise.”

  Her hips began to rock into him, and her body became relaxed. When he had her mindless with need once again, he guided his shaft to her entrance.

  She gasped at the first feel of him. He had to struggle against his need to thrust deep and hard. She needed slow right now. Her eyes had closed tight.

  “Anya, look at me.”

  She did.

  “I won't hurt you. He eased in a little further, rubbing his thumb over her clitoris. “I only want to make you feel good.” With maddening slowness, he filled her inch by inch. “Gods, Anya, you feel so good, so tight.” As if she agreed, Anya moaned again and shifted her hips to take more of him. “Are you ready for more?”

  “Yes.”

  Shoving further into her, she took him to the hilt.

  She cried out, gripping his shoulder.

  “Did I hurt you?”

  “No. It feels good.”

  In a slow rhythm, he eased in and out of her, trying to keep himself from bucking too hard. In and out, he basked in the exquisite feel of her soft flesh around his shaft. He dipped his head to take one of her deliciously plump nipples into his mouth. Her sounds were encouraging and soon she was writhing beneath him. Her nails dug into his back while she cradled him between her legs.

  Before long, he was driving into her, encouraged by her eager cries of pleasure. Her legs widened for him, and her back arched, causing her breasts to press against him. She was the most beautiful creature he'd ever beheld. Again he felt his fangs emerge, and the urge to bite her, claim her, was almost too difficult to resist.

  She looked up, glancing at his fangs, and then met his eyes. She didn't look afraid. She looked wanton. She pulled him to her and licked his lips. He hissed out a breath, hips bucking wildly.

  “Anya!” he grated, both fighting his urge, and losing himself to her warm sheath.

  Bowing her back, she cried out. Her sex convulsed around his shaft, milking him. He soon followed her with the most mind-blowing orgasm he'd ever experienced. On and on it went for both of them, until they were both drained and fatigued from the onslaught of pleasure.