Max's Desire

by Elyzabeth M. VaLey

  “Fuck me,” she whispered.

  The man laughed, the sound sinfully dirty and base. Wetness trickled down the inside of her thigh, reminding her she was stark naked, but she didn’t mind. After all, to fuck you needed to be naked.

  “Even my own daughter desires me,” the creature said.

  Eva blinked.

  “Daughter?” She must have heard wrong. Except, Lillian had mentioned something about her father. It couldn’t be him, could it? He wasn’t human, and this was nothing more than a dream.

  “Yes, Eva. You are my child.”

  “You’re not real,” she said. “I’m dreaming.”

  Her father barked out a laugh.

  “Dreaming? No, my little succubus, this is very much real. I am your father, Zah.”

  “You’re not human.”

  “Of course not,” he scoffed.

  “My mother was.”

  “Indeed. The poor wretched soul, always so desirous. She could hardly believe it when I started visiting her, and when she was so lucky as to become impregnated, she lost it.” He chuckled. “Of course, by that time I was more than done with her, and it was the Inferums’ business to keep her busy until she met our god, Lust.”

  “Inferum? Lust?”

  Her mind reeled, unable to make sense of what Zah told her.

  “And when you were born, you were perfect, Eva. It was a blessing from our god, for most human-demon children are deformed,” he explained. “Unfortunately, you’ve turned out to be too human.”

  “How can I be anything but human?” she asked.

  “You are the daughter of an incubus. You are desirable to all men, your libido is endless, and those you fuck, you drain, keeping their energy for yourself and weakening them so an Inferum can possess their body and they may also join our god.” Zah sighed. “Sadly, you waste your true nature. We have attempted to make you come to your senses, but you have refused, but now, you please us with your latest capture.” Zah clapped his hands. “A Guardian, my child. Our god’s greatest enemy.”

  He closed his wings and stepped aside.

  “Max,” Eva screamed.

  He lay on the bed, unconscious and naked, with his arms tied to the headboard.

  “What have you done to him?” she shrieked, running to his side. She touched his brow. He was warm, and his chest rose and fell in even breaths.

  “We have done nothing, my child. He merely sleeps. You, however, must show us your prowess.”

  “Prowess?” she echoed.

  “You have seen what a succubus does. You must do the same. Fuck him. Tear out his heart and offer it to our god.”

  Eva shook her head.

  “No, no, no,” she whimpered. This had to be another one of her bizarre dreams. She’d wake up crying any moment, but the monsters would be gone.

  “This is your last chance, Eva. My patience has worn thin. Do as you are told, or your life will be forfeit.”

  Eva’s blood rushed in her ears.

  “My life or his life? Is that what you’re saying?”

  Zah smirked.

  “His life is not on the line. He has already been promised to the god. If you don’t kill him, I will do it myself, and then I will send him to the Garden.”

  “Oh, Master, may I?”

  Eva jumped. She had forgotten Lillian was still in the room.

  “No, pet,” Zah said sternly. “If you don’t take care of the Guardian, Eva, I will throw you into the Garden with him. It is paradise for us, but for one as human as you, it will be hell.”

  “Garden?”

  Her father laughed.

  “Allow me to give you a glimpse of your future if you choose to not do as you’re told.”

  Zah waved his arm, his hand closing into a fist, then reopening, fingers splayed apart and visible currents of red energy coming from them. Eva gawked. The lines mingled, becoming a circle which slowly expanded into a shimmering vortex, flat like a mirror. She could see her reflection, frightened, eyes wide, skin drawn and pale. Suddenly, the orb transformed, opening up like a window. Her hand flew to her mouth. It was like watching Bosch’s painting come to life. As if someone had turned up the volume, an amalgam of sounds hit her. Screams for help, whimpers, moans, cackles, and sounds she couldn’t identify blended into a single cry of hopelessness.

  As abruptly as it started, the desolating scream stopped.

  “Do as commanded, Eva. You cannot save him, but you can save yourself,” Zah said.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Eva glanced at Max. He hadn’t moved or acknowledged their presence. Tears bit the back of her eyes.

  “I can’t do it,” she whimpered. She couldn’t do what they asked of her. Not only did she not know how, she didn’t want to.

  “Eva.”

  She jumped slightly at the sound of his voice.

  “Ah, the Guardian finally decides to join our party. Just in time,” Zah said.

  “Max.” Eva rushed to him and kneeled at his side on the mattress. “Are you hurt?” His blue eyes bore into hers serene, not a hint of haziness or fear even though he’d just woken up tied down and naked.

  “I’m all right, kitten, but you must listen to me. You must do as Zah tells you.”

  “No. You didn’t hear him. He wants me to kill you.”

  Max smiled. His gaze sidled to Zah, who stood at the edge of the vortex, arms crossed across his chest and a smirk on his face.

  “I heard him, but I know you won’t do it.”

  “How can you be so sure?”

  “Because you’re not like them.”

  “That doesn’t matter. Zah will kill you. He thinks you’re some sort of Guardian.”

  Max frowned.

  “Perhaps I should have told you before, but I never thought this would happen, and I don’t have time to explain now.”

  Eva’s eyes grew round.

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Trust me. I promise I’ll tell you everything later—and there will be a later—but now you have to make love to me.”

  “Do it quick, Eva, before I change my mind and simply decide to kill you both,” Zah threatened.

  Eva stared at Max. He nodded.

  “Straddle me and kiss me,” he directed. “Forget they are there and focus on me. You wanted to touch me earlier, do it now. Touch me, caress me the way you would have done this morning. I trust you.”

  Trembling, she climbed over Max and placed her hands on his shoulders. Leaning across him, she kissed him. A gentle current traveled down her spine. He opened his mouth and she delved inside, sucking on the tip of his tongue, relishing his taste. She ground against him, her sex wet and hungry for his cock.

  Pulling back, she admired the muscles on his arms and chest and the tattoos decorating his flesh.

  “Like what you see?” he asked.

  She smiled.

  “Very much.”

  She kissed his neck, eliciting a low rumble of pleasure from him. Skimming lower, she kissed the edge of his wound. He stiffened for a brief second, then sighing, relaxed.

  “They tore you open before,” she whispered. Her gaze flew to his face. “Like they want me to do now.”

  Max nodded.

  “Max.”

  “She was a monster, kitten. You’re not. Go ahead. Touch it. I’m no longer afraid.”

  How could he have such confidence in her? But his eyes spoke volumes, the irises bright as the sky without fear or apprehension, telling her to believe. She wet her lips and gently placed them on his puckered scar.

  His chest fell as he exhaled.

  “Again.”

  Bit by bit, she descended across the tender flesh, mindful not to hurt him. When she finished, she glanced up at him. His lips were parted, his breaths coming out in short spurts.

  “That was incredible.”

  She grinned.

  “I’m not done with you yet.”

  She dipped lower, reaching for his cock. The silken shaft rested against his stomach,
weeping copiously. Eagerly, she lapped the slit. Max gasped. Smiling, she rolled her tongue across the top, then took it fully into her mouth, savoring the contrast of its weight and softness. She worked her throat, bringing him deeper.

  “Fuck, yes.”

  Eva moaned, reveling in the string of curses coming from Max. She pulled back, licked the crown, then swiftly took him back in. Quickly, she built up a rhythm, bobbing her head up and down.

  “Eva, I can’t hold off any longer,” he said hoarsely.

  With a pop, she released his cock.

  “Good, because I can’t wait to have you inside me.”

  Positioning herself over his erection, she led it into her vagina, moaning with delight as it stretched her walls, filling her completely. Throwing her head back, she began to roll her hips.

  “Touch your breasts,” Max commanded.

  Reaching for her nipples, she tweaked the hard nubs, momentarily losing her rhythm as a current zinged to her pussy.

  “Do it again.”

  Eva squeezed her breasts together, then rubbed her nipples with the palm of her hand.

  “Oh God.”

  Picking up speed, she rode him, giving free rein to the wild pleasure coursing across every single cell in her body. A sharp pang started at the base of her spine and traveled upward. She shut her eyes, willing it away, but it didn’t stop. As her orgasm loomed closer, the ball of pressure on her back increased.

  Sex. This was what life was all about. Bodies sweating, people groaning and swearing, their bodies sliding against each other as they fornicated like hungry animals. She wanted it to last forever. She moaned and groaned, humping feverishly.

  “Eva, look at me.”

  Her eyes snapped open. Max’s gaze locked with hers, stern and loving. It brought her down from a height she couldn’t describe. It wasn’t about sex. It was about love, tenderness, warmth. Every little emotion present in the depths of Max’s eyes.

  “You love me,” she said stupidly.

  “I do,” he replied.

  The butterflies which had fallen asleep in her belly resurfaced stronger than a stampede of wild horses. Rushing through her, they took hold of her heart and lifted it into the heavens. He loved her. Her clit throbbed, her impeding orgasm climbing.

  “Max,” she whispered.

  “Yes, kitten. Let me watch you come.”

  Her pussy clenched his cock. An intense fire burnt across her body, leaving stars dancing behind her lids. Max growled, his hips lifted, and his hot speed spurted into her. She moaned.

  “Max,” she repeated, collapsing onto him. “I love you, too.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Max’s cock flopped against his belly, warm and wet. It shriveled beneath the cool air, realizing what was happening before his mind could process it. Eva was gone. Zah dragged her away from him. She screamed and fought against the demon, but he was too strong for her.

  “Zah, release her,” Max yelled.

  The incubus ignored him. Picking Eva up by the neck, his lips curled into a snarl of disgust.

  “I thought I could save you, but I was wrong,” Zah said.

  His other hand rose, drawing a circle in the air and bringing the vortex back to life. The wail of those trapped within filled the room louder and stronger than before.

  “No!” Max shouted, struggling until the bonds holding him in place cut into his flesh.

  Zah turned his malicious gaze on him.

  “Don’t worry, Guardian. You’ll join her soon enough.”

  “Max,” Eva shrieked.

  Pulling his arm back, Zah tossed her into the Garden like a child getting rid of a boring toy.

  Max blinked. No. No. No. She couldn’t be gone. He had to save her. Had to bring her back. He strained against the rope, warm blood trickling down his arms and tears wetting his cheeks.

  “Eva.”

  Zah turned to him, smirking.

  “Release me, you cowardly son of a bitch,” Max hollered.

  The demon chuckled. Adrenaline rushed through his body. His ears pounded and his vision clouded, becoming a hazy cloud of red.

  “Release me,” he demanded, grounding out the words.

  Zah spread his legs into a fighting stance and clapped his hands together.

  “Pet, cut off the rope. I want to see what this Guardian is capable off.”

  Lillian scampered to him. Slipping a knife under the knots, she cut them. With a guttural roar, Max leapt from the bed. Spreading his wings, he ignored the bite of pain and lunged at his enemy.

  Zah didn’t budge. The creature barked out a laugh, which only served to inflame Max’s rage further. He punched his stomach, throwing his leg to one side at the same time and hoping to trip him. It didn’t work. Grabbing him by the throat, Zah lifted him off his feet. His blood flow spiked. Pain hit him in the chest, burning across his wounds. He grappled with Zah, aiming to pry the fingers choking him.

  “Is that it? I though fighting with you would be more fun. You are weak for a Guardian.” Zah released him and Max crumpled to the floor, coughing. The glimmering lights of the vortex painted patterns on the floor.

  Eva. He had to think about her. He might not be strong enough to defeat Zah, but he had to try to get Eva out of the Garden or die at her side. To Hell and back. It was what he promised and he’d keep his word. An idea started to form in his mind. Reckless? Yes. Suicidal? Probably. But the alternative was battling against a two-meter block of muscle without any weapons. He might be able to hurt the beast, but meanwhile his mate was suffering. Inadmissible.

  Knees quivering, he stood.

  “You’re going to try again?” Zah said, the mockery in his tone unmistakable.

  Max sneered.

  “No,” he replied. “I have a better plan.”

  Without waiting to gauge Zah’s reaction, Max cannonballed into the portal. Energy stretched his muscles to their limits, pulling him in all directions while at the same time pushing down on him. His feet hit solid ground.

  Disoriented, he kept his head bowed, taking in short, measured breaths through his nose. The keening cries of the damned souls around him deafened him. Eva. He repeated her name like a prayer, keeping her image in his mind as his only link to salvation. His mate had to be nearby. He lifted his head and almost gave in to the urge to cower on the floor into a tight ball. Dozens of people covered the area. Dead. All those around him were deceased, their physical bodies nothing more than a mirage created by Lust to be able to torture them for eternity.

  “You’re not dead, Max,” he murmured.

  He and Eva could still escape. Granted, he’d never flown so low, had never touched the Garden as it was considered a death trap, but if he could fly over it, he was certain they could get out of this alive.

  “Just another mission.”

  He had to go in, kill the demons, and save the humans. It was in and out. He’d worry about the minor details, like the fact the portals were probably closed, later. But first, he had to find his mate. He sprinted into the air and beat his wings. A stabbing pain cut across his appendages and down his back. Gasping, he careened to the floor.

  “Fuck,” he swore. He ran his fingers through his hair, combing the damp locks out of his face. “All right, Max. We’ll do it the traditional way.”

  He placed one foot in front of the other, forcing himself to take in the faces of Lust’s victims. Eva wouldn’t be one of them, but if an Inferum had gotten to her— He couldn’t bring himself to finish the thought. She’d be fine. She was strong, a natural fighter. His Eva wouldn’t succumb to Lust’s influx. His heart somersaulted.

  There.

  She lay on the floor, unconscious, her hair draped across her face keeping her from the nightmare taking place around her. Max kneeled at her side and brushed her hair from her face. He checked her pulse and let out a long breath. She still lived.

  “Eva.”

  He cradled her in his arms.

  “Come on, kitten. You need to wake up.”
<
br />   He jostled her lightly, but there was no reaction.

  “I know you don’t want to, but you can’t stay in the nightmare. I need you.”

  He shook her harder. Her eyelids fluttered and lifted. Max exhaled quietly.

  “Eva—”

  Suddenly, her eyes widened, glazing over and taking on the wild look of a fearful animal. He grabbed her, holding her tightly against his chest and keeping her from bolting. She thrashed in his arms, undoubtedly sensing the danger palpitating around them.

  “I’ve got you. I won’t let them hurt you,” he whispered.

  Finally, after a few seconds, the energy seemed to drain out of her and she slumped against him. He shut his eyes, tears squeezing out of the corners.

  “Max?”

  Eva’s serene gaze locked the muscles in his throat. He nodded.

  “I thought Zah had killed you,” she said. “I thought it had all been a nightmare, another one, but it doesn’t seem to end. The hollow screams, the blood, the demons. It’s all around us.”

  “I’m sorry, kitten. This is no longer a dream. It’s reality, but don’t think about it.” He grasped her chin. “Focus on me, okay? Only me. I promise I’ll get you out of here.”

  “All right.” She took in a deep breath. “Which way do we go?”

  He glanced upward and frowned. Considering the size of Lust’s fortress, he’d imagined he’d be able to see it from down here, but its horrific towers were nowhere in sight.

  “Well,” he said. He sucked in his cheeks.

  “You don’t know.”

  Max hung his head.

  “If I could fly, I’d be able to find my bearings, but I hurt my wing again.”

  Eva twined her fingers with his.

  “All right, why don’t we climb that tree?”

  She pointed to a spot in the distance, and to what appeared to be a large, black tree, its leafless branches offering little protection to those around.

  Max pursed his lips. He didn’t like the idea of going deeper into the Garden, but he couldn’t think of a better idea. He squeezed Eva’s hand.

  “Let’s do it.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five