by L. A. Long
“Lollipop?”
“No.”
“You sure?” Good twin asks. “I have all flavors.”
“For Christ’s sake, she doesn’t want it.”
Good twin shakes her finger. “Do not take the Lord’s name in vain. I will not warn you again.”
Evil twin shakes. “Terrifying.” She rolls her eyes.
I’m lightheaded all of a sudden.
“Let’s move this along,” evil twin says. “I’m sure it’s been like ten minutes since she’s had her legs wrapped around one of her harem. She’ll start to go into withdrawal. Bet your thinking about it right now.”
“No. I’m thinking where to hide your body.”
The good twin stomps her foot. “You do not have to be so crude all the time, Mary.”
“Sure I do, Mary,” evil twin says.
I don’t even want to go there. Twins. Both named Mary.
“Yeah, it’s a real brain buster, isn’t it, sweetheart?”
I laugh because I can’t believe the shade from evil twin. “Okay,” I say. “Before we go all twin fight… let me guess…” I look at the good twin. “You were taken one of the times I chose evil?”
The good twin nods her head. “I don’t mind. I get to live in heaven surrounded by angels and all the best people who’ve ever lived.”
“Boring,” evil twin says, as she makes a yawning gesture.
“So, like my evil counterpart said, you finally made the right choice.”
I nod and think about it. “I tried to choose, but I couldn’t give any of them up.”
The good twin nods as she licks the biggest lollypop I’ve ever seen.
“Thanks for offering me one, asshole.” Evil twin eyes the lollypop. “Right now, evil and good are both in balance. If you choose one side over the other, everything goes to fuck.”
Good twin gasps. “Hey, watch your mouth.”
In an instant, Makus, Bast, Ren and Syn stand in front of us.
They all smile at me like I’ve chosen their side until they realize the other side is there too.
Syn looks to Ren. “What is happening? Why are they here?”
Makus sees the twins and bows his head at the evil twin. “Good to see you again, Mary.”
She blushes and giggles. “You’re right, Makus, she is perfect for you.”
He looks at me. “Let me guess, you didn’t choose.”
“My choice is that I couldn’t choose.”
Bast sighs and looks down at the ground.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t lose any of you.”
Bast’s expression softens. “I guess that’s not bad. You can make it up to us.”
Evil twin looks Bast over and then winks at me. “Totally hot. He’s the one with the pierced tongue. What’s that like? Anything else pierced?”
Bast looks at me and nods, and my mind goes blank for a good five minutes. Well not actually blank. I did think about the piercings. Come on, who wouldn’t?
Good twin clears her throat as she looks at me.
“Sorry.” I look at Syn whose eyes reflect the same pain as Bast’s. “Please forgive me, but I couldn’t.”
He nods at me. I know he’s disappointed but relieved I didn’t automatically dismiss him.
Evil twin continues to grin at Makus. “Evil and Good…” She glances quickly at Ren and Syn before curling her lip and shaking herself off. She then looks at me. “You actually let them touch you. Put their …” she can’t say the word. “In you?” She shudders. “Anyway, both sides agree.”
Good twin jumps up and down. “We do. Both sides agree. She’s the balance between us. Hi, Ren,” she flirts.
I stand up straight and study the twins. “What if I eventually decide?”
Evil twin covers her mouth as she giggles. “Then my side will rip the angel and reaper to pieces, put you in the fire pits of hell to be tortured forever while we choose innocent after innocent to tear to bits.” She pauses to take a breath. “Oh, and we will keep you as a temptation for anyone who feels the need to be naughty. Since you have so much practice.” She laughs hard until she chokes.
I glance at the good twin. Surely it couldn’t be as bad.
“My side will do the same with the demon and warlock. Oh, and the innocents will suffer too. We’ll make you watch and make sure they know it’s all your fault.” Good twin giggles. “Oh, I forgot to say that your soul will be destroyed. Your body will be tortured for all time, and we’ll have to start all over with another one that’s like you only keeping you alive as an example to the next one.”
I nod. “Good talk. Thanks for stopping by. Let’s not ever do it again.”
They giggle in unison and disappear. Thankfully the twins are gone, but so is everyone else.
I fall to my knees. I look around. I mean I’m literally in the middle of nowhere. I’m still at the crossroads. I guess this is my life from now on. “I’m the balance between good and evil.”
I wonder how it will all work. Will it be like it was before? One job with one team and one job with another? I can’t wait to see Makus and Bast. So much to make up for. So much they’re going to want me to make up for. I roll my eyes at myself because evil twin was right.
I want them. I want them all. Now that I’ve been with Ren and Syn, I can only imagine in detail exactly what Makus and Bast have planned for me. Plus I must investigate Bast’s piercings. It’s only right.
Chapter 19
While wrapping myself in my own naughty fantasy, I turn around to see an RV. It’s a nice, bright, spanking new RV. I run to the door and throw it open.
Makus sits at the table with his shirt off and his feet up. I look around for Bast, but Ren is there with the same expression Makus has.
“Where are Bast and Syn?”
Ren doesn’t take his eyes off me. “They’re safe.”
“If they remain safe …” Makus grins at me. “That will be up to you.”
The RV door slams behind me and locks me in. “Are they going to be joining us?”
“Again,” Makus says. “Up to you.” He slowly rises from the chair and walks to me.
I don’t realize that I am backing up until I back into something. Then I realize I’ve backed up into Ren. “How are you two working together?”
Makus grins as he starts to unbutton my shirt. “We’ve been given our orders. We’ve got to work together to be with you.” My shirt is off in a flash as Makus looks me over. “Good call on ditching the bra.”
“Thank you.” Ren laughs in my ear. “Cassandra, do you really need your soulmates back?”
“Yes.” My heart beats so fast I think it’ll crash out of my chest, and I’ll have to chase it around the room like an idiot. “You promise Syn and Bast are okay?”
Ren nods.
My mind drifts into a thousand different directions. “What about the jobs?” I don’t know how I can even ask or how words came out of my mouth.
“We won’t have a job for awhile,” Ren whispers. “Now, focus on us, Cassandra. What you do next will determine the fate of your soulmates.”
My heart continues to beat so fast I wonder that anyone can hear anything else. “Will they get their souls back? Bast and Syn?”
“Again, up to you,” Ren says.
“Keeping them okay is going to require some extra effort on your part.” Makus unzips my pants, and they and my panties off in an instant. He steps back and looks me over. “You are exquisite.”
Ren kisses my neck as he threads his fingers through mine and pulls my arms over my head. “You are ours, Cassandra. Tell us. We need to hear that.”
✽✽✽
I wake up tied to a bed. Naked. “What the hell?” I’m in a bedroom I’ve never been in before.
Ren and Makus are both sitting and watching me.
“Like the view?” I ask.
Ren nods enthusiastically.
Makus smirks. “Oh yeah.” His gaze lingers on every part of me.
“Where am I?”
/> “In the RV,” Makus says.
My wrists and ankles are tied in some Herculean knot which a thousand sailers in a thousand hours would never bite their way through. “Which one of you fuckwads thought this was okay?” I glance around. I move my body as much as I can. “Can’t tell if you’ve touched me yet, Makus.”
He laughs quickly. “Nice try. Believe me, you’d know.”
I roll my eyes. “Is this your idea about making me wait?”
“Maybe,” Ren says.
“Maybe we’re waiting until you beg for us,” Makus says. “Until you’re so desperate for our touch. Until then, I don’t mind just watching you.” His gaze travels up and down my body. “And thinking about all the things I’m going to do to you.”
I shake my head. “I don’t get embarrassed. You know that. So, if you think this little stunt will get you anywhere.” I wait, but they don’t say anything. “You know how stubborn I am, don’t you?”
“Uh huh,” they say in unison.
I try to get comfortable and stare up at the ceiling. After a few seconds, I fume and fuss and sigh and shake my head.
“That’s it, Caz, we want you all worked up.”
“Think I’ll nap. Let me know when Bast and Syn arrive. I’ll just wait for the real men who can take me all the way there. Apparently you boys have suffered some malfunctions.”
Makus’ grin fades in an instant while Ren tenses.
I wait to see if they’ll react. “No?” Guess I’ll have to amp up. “If you alphas go at the same time, does that mean I’ll get my soulmates? Because that will be hot. I can picture it now. Bast with all his muscles and piercings bringing me to the edge of sanity. Syn with the way he thrusts inside me like I’m the strongest, most fragile thing he’s ever seen.”
“Stop,” Makus says.
“Make me, demon.”
Ren and Makus share a look, and Ren shakes his head.
“Are you two already sated because you bent each other over the counter and went to town?” I laugh like a demented hyena. “Hot demon and angel action. Hope you recorded it for shits and giggles.”
Makus’ eyes turn black and red as he stops himself from lunging out of the chair.
Ren’s body shakes. “Cassandra, I’m warning you.”
“Yeah, yeah. Tiny angel gets all red faced and hits his tiny fists against the floor. It’s truly terrifying.”
They’re pissed. I can tell, but they don’t move out of their chairs.
“Assholes. Untie me now or your tiny pricks will never get anywhere near me again.”
“You are ours. Remember?” Makus says.
I nod and act like I’m going to go all weepy. “I know. You’re right. You’re always right. But I have two soulmates.” I look each of them over and harden my gaze. “Neither of which are you. Wake me when the food’s ready.”
“Cassandra,” Ren says, as he starts to stand up.
Makus makes a grunt which stops the angel.
I gasp. “Does this mean the angel doesn’t have free will?” I shudder.
Ren blows out a breath and shakes his head like he’s thinking of all his options.
I make a pouting face to Ren. “Just bat your brown eyes at evil Makus and drop your panties. He’ll be yours in a flash.”
“I swear, Caz.” Makus has to stifle his laughter. “You are seriously the only person in all of creation that can get away with talking to us like that. Just tell us you’re ours and I’ll untie you. Then you can do anything you want to us. Or we’ll do anything you want us to do to you.”
“Okay,” I say. I start to take a deep breath like I’m going to speak but start laughing.
Makus stops me by lunging out of his chair and putting his finger against my lips. “You are the most infuriating little thing, aren’t you?”
“Right back at you, demon.” I know he can tell his touch warms me and makes me giddy.
“Yes, I know you want me,” he whispers. “And I know it’s torture for you that we’re not touching you.”
I nod and move my body towards him even though I’m still tied up.
He caresses my face and runs his thumb over my lips and down across my breasts as my nipples harden to his touch. “My soulless one. My greatest creation. Say my name. Tell me you’re mine.”
I grin at him. “You want your …” I pause to look him over. “ … everything just on the tip of my tongue.”
Makus closes his eyes and swallows hard. “Yes. Please, Caz.”
I open my mouth like I’m going to tell him everything he’s ever wanted. “Ren, did I ever tell you how beautiful your eyes are?”
Makus shakes his head. “Such insolence.”
I nod. “You really want to punish me, don’t you Makus?” I know saying his name will send him over the edge.
He moans and looks my body over before he closes his eyes. “More than anything I’ve ever wanted.” He leans close to me. “I am yours, Caz. Just say my name and tell me you’re mine. I want to hear that from you. I need to hear that.”
I stretch out and try to get comfortable.
Makus’ face turns bright red as he tries to suppress his grin. He turns around then glances at me once more before stomping out of the room.
Ren gets up slowly and leans over me. He starts to kiss me, but backs away just before I close my eyes and await his touch. “The longer you make us wait, Cassandra …” He saunters out of the room.
“I know.” I sigh in anticipation not knowing if this is more punishment for them or myself.
Playing with them is fun. And I know they’ll make me relish every exquisite inch of them when I finally tell them what they need to hear. Didn’t know an angel and demon could be so fucking needy.
“We heard that,” they say in unison in the other room.
Didn’t know when I first saw them on the roof that I’d end up tied to a bed, naked, in a battle of wills. An angel and a demon. Together. I close my eyes as I order myself not to give in too soon. The anticipation of them is unbearable.
They laugh in the other room.
Makus leans against the door frame. “My beautiful, Caz, you can have us. We’re right here. Just tell us what we want to hear.”
I shake my head and try to quiet my brain.
Makus grins. “You know I can hear your thoughts.”
I nod. “Why do I have to be so stubborn?” I glance at him. “Did you make me this way?”
His grin turns very devious and playful. “Maybe.” He laughs as he walks away.
“My reward better be worth all this.”
“Oh, it will be,” Ren says.
I close my eyes thinking I can sleep or think of a thousand other things, but my eyes pop open quickly. Why rest when I can torture my tormentors with all sorts of images that will drive them mad?
They sigh and moan in the other room.
“You boys better get cozy. Enjoy the show while I think of a list of my own demands for both of you.”
Rivers Fall
I left it in a cliffhanger (so to speak). I know. I’m sorry, but Rivers Fall (Book 2) will start right off where Snow Rises ended, and it’s coming soon! I promise!
Also by L. A. Long
Y. A. Regency Romance
The Bering Sisters: A Regency Romance
Dystopian/Paranormal Romance
Underworlds & Overworlds Series
Chosen Prae (Book 1)
Silent Eyes (Book 2) (coming soon)
Reverse Harem/Paranormal Romance
Immortal Reign Series
Her New Reign: Book 1
Her Reign of Choice: Book 2
Her Immortal Reign: Book 3
Angels of Shadows
Snow Rises: Book 1
Rivers Fall: Book 2 (coming soon)
Stand Alone Novel
Turvy Topsy: Reverse Harem Paranormal Fantasy Romance
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