Protected in Darkness (Misplaced Halos, 1)

by Nicole Edwards

  “Strip,” he hissed.

  Not wasting a moment, she removed her ruined clothing, tossing it to the floor before leaning back against the wall. His hand curled around his cock in a vicious grip while hers snaked downward, between her thighs, teasing him as she pleasured her slick flesh with her fingers.

  Taayin chose to watch her, to admire the long, lean lines of her beautiful body, the way her eyes glittered as ecstasy coursed through her, driven by her own touch and his perusal.

  Footsteps sounded beyond where they stood, but Taayin ignored them. Whoever it was could watch, for all he cared. His own need to satisfy this female far outweighed the worry someone might indulge their own voyeuristic fantasy.

  He relocated a chair using the powers of his mind, not wanting to look away.

  Asmia giggled. “In a hurry?”

  “You have no idea.” His desire for this female was never curbed, no matter how many times he had her.

  He took a seat, turned her away from him, then pulled her down, guiding his throbbing cock between her slick folds, angling for optimal penetration.

  “Taayin,” she moaned softly, impaling herself on his erection. “Yes.”

  Focusing on the exquisite torment, he let the euphoric sensations overwhelm him as the tight clasp of her body held him there. The silky glide of her sex over his caused his hips to involuntarily shift upward, trying to go deeper inside her.

  “Take your pleasure,” he ordered the female. “Take everything.”

  Suffering from euphoric bliss so intense it bordered on pain, Taayin focused on the graceful shift of her toned body, working down on him, her hands gripping the chair’s arms, giving her better leverage. He refrained until he was nothing more than a rubber band stretched to within seconds of snapping.

  He could feel her siphoning his emotions, drawing them into her. It was what fueled the Fae, and during times like this, when emotions ran high, Asmia absorbed the excess.

  Wrapping his arms around her, Taayin jerked her back against his chest, kneading her firm breasts in his hands, pumping into her from beneath with rough, punishing thrusts of his hips. Slipping one hand downward, he teased her clit with his middle finger while he drove them both to the edge of insanity found only through the joining of their bodies.

  “Taayin … I’m so close. Make me come. Please … come inside me.”

  Driving upward, he held her down with his palm on her pelvis, his finger thrumming her clit as he propelled toward release. His. Hers.

  When he reached the pinnacle, Taayin held himself there, driving into her harder, faster, deeper. The sweet female screamed his name, succumbing to orgasmic ecstasy. Her clit pulsed against his finger while her sex clamped down on him, a velvet vise that ripped his orgasm from him in a rough growl.

  Desperation was replaced with satiation. Taayin relished the comfort he felt with her, his arms embracing her as they relaxed, enjoying the moment.

  “We should do that more often,” Asmia whispered, turning her face toward him.

  Taayin pressed his lips to hers, smiled. “I won’t argue with you.”

  However, it would have to wait. For now, they each had their assigned duties, supporting the warriors they’d taken an oath to protect, putting their own needs aside for the greater good.

  And despite the inconvenience, it would be worth it in the end.

  Chapter Seven

  Thursday, July 25, 2019

  AS PERFIDIOUS STROLLED THROUGH THE CASINO, OBSERVING the tourists, he envied their ignorance, wondering how many would remain in their seats if they were aware a demon was amongst them.

  Granted, he wasn’t just any demon. The direct spawn of the ruler of Hell himself, his rank among the demons was at the very top. Well, maybe not the very top, but pretty damn close. Had he actually given a shit about status, perhaps he would’ve aimed higher, sought the coveted position within the trielair.

  No, thank you very much. He happened to enjoy his role exactly as it was.

  “Drinks?” a female wearing a skimpy white dress and far too much makeup offered as she passed by.

  “Jack and Coke,” Perfidious called out, drawing her attention.

  The female nodded and winked, then followed it up with some not-so-subtle eyeballing that reflected her approval.

  Not giving her a second thought, he focused his attention on the empty blackjack table.

  “Well, you look rather bored.” He glanced at the name tag on the older female’s shirt. “Beatrice.”

  The blackjack dealer smiled, though it didn’t reach her eyes. There wasn’t an ounce of friendly on her aging face, but Perfidious didn’t mind. He wasn’t looking for a friend.

  “Perhaps I could keep you company.”

  She motioned toward the end seat, as though he actually needed her permission to sit.

  “I’m curious, Beatrice, what do you think?” he asked, tilting his head to each side, urging her to look at him as he eased into the chair.

  “About?”

  “Well, my face, of course.”

  “It’s … uh…” She peered over her left shoulder, then her right, as though she hoped someone would come save her from this conversation.

  “Go on,” Perfidious urged. “Tell me what you think.”

  “It’s a … a very nice face.”

  He grinned. “It is, right? No hideous demon here, thank you very much.”

  Perfidious was in a good mood, otherwise he would’ve given the human a quick glimpse of his demon face, hidden beneath the facade of human.

  Beatrice’s dark eyes saucered before dropping to the table. “Care to place your bet?”

  Perfidious had to give her credit; her voice only wavered slightly. Cool as a cucumber, this one.

  “I would, yes.”

  He pulled out a one-hundred-dollar chip from his pocket. A gift from the male whose body he now sported. After passing it to Beatrice, he waited as she called out to the pit boss to note she was making change. A minute later, she returned smaller chips.

  A quick shift and he’d successfully placed the minimum bet.

  While Beatrice did her thing, Perfidious clasped his hands and stared at her. “What exactly do you find most fascinating about this face?”

  Her forehead wrinkled in confusion.

  “Maybe it’s the eyes? The nose?” He touched the knobby protrusion. “Perhaps a tad big, but I think it works well.”

  “It does,” she said quickly, eyes never leaving the cards she was dealing.

  “Granted, I can’t take any credit,” he explained. “That goes to the male I misappropriated it from last night. One of the perks of being a demon, you know.”

  Her eyebrows lifted as though not sure what he meant.

  “The ability to take on the appearance of any human I’ve stolen a soul from?”

  Beatrice nodded, as though she’d expected him to say that.

  “Comes in rather handy, really.” He scanned the humans nearby. “Around here, there’s quite the selection, too.”

  Perfidious motioned for Beatrice to deal him a card.

  Chuckling, he smiled up at her. “There for a while, I entertained myself by exchanging the bodies like clothing. But admittedly, I have a type, which requires a bit of patience.” He exhaled heavily. “It’s rare to find a human who realizes the true gift he’s been given. That whole my body is my temple.” Perfidious met Beatrice’s stare. “Where are those guys? I’d be happy to keep them in my closet.”

  Her eyebrow rose, gaze dropping to his cards. He waved a hand, refusing the offer of another.

  “I know, I know,” he continued. “A picky demon. Probably don’t run across a lot of those, huh?”

  Beatrice shook her head, but she’d lost the surprised look in her eyes. Likely saw all sorts here at her table.

  “The last body I had … it ran its course after only a few weeks. Not quite as endowed as expected.” Perfidious squeezed his cheeks. “But I found this pathetic loser sitting alone in a bar. Had the
look I was going for. And quite the heft if you know what I mean.”

  Beatrice paid out his winnings for that hand, then pulled all the cards back before dealing more.

  “For such a handsome male, he was quite the drain, though. Totally see why his wife left him.”

  Her eyes widened once more, followed by a smile that said he could’ve been speaking any number of languages and she wouldn’t have cared.

  “I’m making much better use of it now. If I’m lucky, I’ll get quite a few miles out of it before it’s time for a new one.”

  Beatrice nodded, waiting for him to decide whether he would hit or stand. He waved his hand over the cards. She dealt herself another, then paid him out once more.

  A female approached, peering down at the table as though considering her options.

  “Have a seat,” Perfidious urged before turning his attention back to Beatrice. “The only reason I’ve yet to soil it with the flesh of a female’s because there’s only one I’m really interested in.” He waited until Beatrice met his eyes. “Penelope Calazans. You know her?”

  Beatrice shook her head while the female who’d started to sit strolled off.

  “Pity,” he said as he tracked the lithe brunette. “Probably could’ve had a bit of fun later.” He turned back to Beatrice, tugged on the lapel of his suit. “What about the suit? Like it?”

  The dealer nodded.

  “Brioni Vanquish II,” he told her. “Quite the price tag, but can’t beat the feel of it.”

  While he waited for the waitress to return with his drink, Perfidious divided his attention between the cards Beatrice dealt and the waitresses moving about, attempting to sight the female whose mere existence had summoned him to Sin City.

  “I don’t know Penelope,” he admitted to Beatrice, rolling one of the chips through his fingers. “But word around the campfires in Hell is she’s met her angel.”

  Beatrice nodded, though it was clear she couldn’t care less what he had to say.

  “It’s the reason I’m here tonight. To introduce myself. See if Penelope’s all she’s cracked up to be. After all, why should the angels have all the fun?”

  A gentle tap on his shoulder had him peering over, meeting the eager, hungry eyes of the waitress.

  “Thank you, beautiful.” He took the drink, passed her a five-dollar chip.

  As she sauntered off, Perfidious returned his attention to Beatrice. There was a temporary lull in the game as an older man took the seat on the end, requested change, then placed his bet.

  “If you’ve met one,” Perfidious continued, “you know why angels are a crappy choice for a female. Possessive, domineering. Think they’re hot shit because they’re almighty.” He shuddered. “Irritates the hell out of me.”

  He chugged his drink, motioned for Beatrice to pass him another card.

  “I figure for him to devote so much attention, she must be worth checking out. Risky, I know. I mean, he could see me, right?” He grinned, leaning in. “That’s the best part. He can’t.”

  Beatrice peeked at her cards to ensure she wasn’t holding a ten beneath the ace. She pushed them back in place, waited for him to hit or stand one more time.

  His familiar waitress passed by again, and he reached out, touched her arm. “Can I get another?”

  “Sure.” With a smile, she continued on.

  He watched the cards as Beatrice dealt them. “I’m sure he’s going apeshit, as you humans like to say, because I’m here, but that’s what makes it fun. I mean, what’s the point in going to work if you don’t have fun?”

  Both Beatrice and the male weren’t paying much attention to him.

  No matter.

  “It’s your turn, buddy.” The male nodded toward his cards.

  “Hit me, Beatrice.”

  She smiled, dealt another card, the sum of the four coming to twenty-one.

  “How many is that now?” Perfidious asked. “Oh, right. All of them.”

  His gaze was snagged by a caramel-haired beauty as she moved toward him. The small name tag on her dress was what prompted his smile. Then again, her bountiful cleavage deserved some added wattage. She was quite lovely.

  “Excuse me,” he said, keeping his tone polite as he shifted in his seat to face her.

  She paused, her gaze slamming into his. “I’m sorry. I don’t work this section. I can get Vivian for you, though.”

  “Oh, no need,” Perfidious told her, visually caressing her face. “She’s already getting my drink.”

  Those honey-gold eyes remained locked on his.

  “I was wondering if I could borrow a lighter,” he lied.

  She took the one sitting on her tray, passed it over. Perfidious used it to light the cigar he magically conjured inside his jacket pocket.

  “Are you new here?” he asked in an attempt to make conversation.

  “No.” Her eyes shifted to Beatrice briefly, then back to him.

  “Hmm. A shame I haven’t seen you before now.”

  Her eyes dropped to the lighter, as though that was the only thing she was waiting for. When she held out her palm for it, Perfidious ensured his fingers brushed her skin. Those beautiful gold eyes swung back to his face, even as she jerked her hand back.

  “I’m sorry. I have to get back to work.”

  As she walked away, he admired the gentle sway of her hips, the way the tips of her golden hair brushed the luscious upper curve of her ass. He could definitely see what the angels were all up in arms about. Although he was a tad curious how a behemoth like Obsidian had ended up with such a tiny little thing. Seemed to him things could get a bit awkward.

  Perfidious reclaimed his position at the table, addressed Beatrice. “She’s lovely, don’t you think? And the sparkle in her eye.” He grinned. “Feisty one, I’m sure.”

  They played several more hands before the thrill faded for him.

  “Looks like I’m going to call it a night, Beatrice. Cash me out?”

  She took the pile he’d amassed, called out her intention to the pit boss, then traded smaller chips for larger ones before passing them over.

  Perfidious shifted a one-hundred-dollar chip back in her direction. “Thanks for listening, Beatrice.”

  Her smile was wide and approving.

  With cigar in hand, Perfidious got to his feet, glanced around.

  “Sir? Your Jack and Coke.”

  He spun around to see the bottle-blond waitress smiling brightly, lifting a glass from her tray.

  Setting the cigar in the ashtray on Beatrice’s table, he offered a grin of his own.

  Taking the glass, Perfidious ensured his fingers brushed hers. Had he wanted, he could’ve used that brief touch to hold a connection to the human, allowing him to monitor her every move. And while he did that on occasion, it was rare. Most humans bored him, this one included.

  What was perhaps the most interesting was when he’d done the same to Penelope … he’d been unable to make that link. Meaning she’d already been touched by an angel.

  Pity.

  “Thank you, Vivian,” Perfidious said, keeping his voice low and seductive. The charm wasn’t necessary, but it was fun. “Lovely name to go with such a lovely creature.”

  “Thank you.”

  Holding the female’s dull blue gaze, he willed her to follow him. No, she wasn’t Penelope Calazans but she would do in a pinch.

  “Have a good night, Beatrice,” he told the dealer, offering her a quick wave.

  Once they’d made it closer to the exit, the waitress set her tray down while Perfidious downed the watery shit they pretended was free alcohol, then discarded the glass. Once outside, he strolled toward a set of bushes used to decorate the monstrosity they called a hotel. As he studied the rather hideous arrangement of greenery, he came up with the perfect way to spruce them up.

  “Come here, beautiful,” Perfidious whispered, waiting until the loose-legged female approached. “Do you know Penelope Calazans?”

  She nodded, her eyes blank
.

  “Is she a friend of yours?”

  “Co-worker.”

  Not close, then. Too bad. “Vivian, I’d like to send Penelope a message.”

  “I really don’t talk to her much,” she said softly.

  “No worries. I won’t need you to talk to her.” He moved closer, ran his finger over her cheek.

  Vivian didn’t say a word as he leaned in, let his lips brush hers. The female sighed, her eyes glazed from the trance she was in.

  Aware they were in direct view of the dozens who meandered in and out of the nearby doors, Perfidious backed the female against the wall, crowded her with his much bigger body.

  “I would give you an orgasm,” he informed her as he peppered kisses on her mouth. “However, I’m not in a giving mood tonight.”

  So, rather than thrust his fingers between her skinny thighs, Perfidious sealed his lips to hers. As his tongue stroked into her mouth, she relaxed in his arms with a contented sigh. Figuring she deserved at least a little tease, he sucked on her tongue, allowing the kiss to warm her, to make her squirm with anticipation.

  After all, it was the last thing she would ever feel.

  With their tongues dancing, their lips fused together, Perfidious did what he did best. He inhaled her soul, drawing it right out of her body and into his. As he felt the life leave her, he pulled back, stared. This was the best part, when their life dissolved into nothingness. The unlucky female wouldn’t see Heaven or Hell because he’d consumed her very essence.

  “Nothing to write home about,” he assured her, tossing the lump of skin and bones into the bushes.

  Turning away from the garden’s new decoration, Perfidious straightened his suit jacket and sauntered out into the night.

  Perhaps that would give those warrior assholes some idea that he was here, that he knew where the amsouelot was. Admittedly, he enjoyed the games. It made his existence far more interesting.

  However, the list was a long one, so he knew he couldn’t stick around indefinitely.

  Which meant Penelope’s time was almost up.