Demon Possession

by Kiersten Fay

  “And no bowing, please. It’s just too … strange.”

  “Of course prin … Anya” He smiled,as he had tohaltanother bow. “You can cal me Ethan.”

  Sebastian interjected,“This wil beyour room for the time being.”

  Ethanule glanced down at the book, “Shal we get started translating the book?” Anya eagerly pickedit upand Ethanule motioned for her to enter the room,as if he’d lived there forever.

  “I don’t think so.” Sebastian stayed her with a hand to her elbow.The two of them in a room together, alone, not happening. “Anya, I’m sure Ethanule wants to take a moment to clean up. Maybe get something to eatorrest.” Before Ethanule could protest he added, “I’l arrange for a room to be set up for your research. You can begin in the morning.”

  “That’s not necessary. Here is fine.” Ethanule commented.

  “It’sno problem. I wil be sure you have everything you’l need.” Andmake itimpossible for any private moments,Sebastian added to himself. He began guiding Anya away.

  “What about food? Aren’t you going to show himto thesalon?”

  “He can fol ow his nose.”

  “Bastian, you’re being rude.” She turned. “Ethan, when you’ve finished cleaning up I’l show you where you can get something to eat, and if you’re not too tired we can talk about the book.”

  “I’m not too tired.”

  Anya waited patiently outside Ethanule’s room as he showered and dressed. She had to argue briefly with Sebastian to get him to leave and gather fresh clothes for Ethan. Eventual y he’d gone, and come back minutes later, panting as though he’d run the entire way. His behavior was strange.

  Ethan emerged ful y dressed in the baggy il -fitting pants and shirt. His white-blond hair was stil wet and tussled. Ethan smiled when their eyes met and she politely smiled back. Sebastian’s changing energy smacked into her and she shot him a questioning look.Armscrossed,his limbs were stiff. What was going on with him?

  “Shal we?” Ethan said, offeringherhis arm. Not wanting to be impolite Anya took it. Sebastian’s energy shifted again and she got a very strong impression that he was nearing what he cal ed the Edge. But why?

  “Oh,the book!” Using it as an excuse to let go of Ethan, Anya turned to Bastian, placing her hand on his tightly crossed arms. He looked at her and seemed to come back to himself. When she reached for the book both males did too.

  “I’l get that,” They said in unison. Two muscular hands gripped the book at the same time. They both began tugging, lightly at first. Anya backed away at their strange behavior, watching with confused fascination as they each refused to let go.

  “Guys?”

  They both turned hardened faces at her. Ethan’s lips curved as he released the book. “By al means, you can carry that.” He said,intertwininghis arm with hers. “I am famished. Wil you show me to the salon now?”

  Suddenly Sebastian had her other arm and they began walking in an oddly linked group. Anya was too stunned to react.

  In the gal ey Anya quickly squirmed away from both males and ducked into the gal ey for amoment alone.

  Marik waved a spatula at her,keeping his attention on the hot pan in front of him. “Something tel s me you’re not here to work.”

  “I’m hiding.”

  That got his attention. “From?”

  As best she could, she explained the odd behavior. Marik gave her a knowing look and she thought she was about to get an explanation. He looked out the smal window into the salon. Bastian and Ethan had taken a table, sitting across from each other, their unbroken glares trained on each other. Both males were oozing animosity.

  Marik grumbled a curse, “You’d better get back out there before they kil each other.”

  That’s it? No excuse?

  Reaching for a heavy pan he added, “I’l bring some food as quickly as I can.”

  “Oookaay.” She made her way to the table and took the open seat next to Sebastian. His lips twitched in what seemed like an unspoken taunt toward the other male.

  This couldn’t be al about her?Could it? That would be ridiculous.

  “Listen guys, I get that there are some hurt feelings about what happened on the asteroid and then what happened on this ship, but you’re even now. You were both locked up for a while. Can we please cal a truce and try to work together?”

  “My feelings aren’t hurt.” Sebastian was stil glaring at Ethanule and vice versa.

  “Neither are mine.”

  Anya rol ed her eyes. Luckily Marik was true to his word and the food was on its way. Thick cuts of meatsmotheredin a dark sauce. As soon as the food was in front of them the men began stabbing at it, shoving each bite roughly into their mouths, while staring hard at each other. Anya chewed her food methodical y as she watch the scene play out.

  “So Ethan,” Anya began, hoping to get the conversation back on track. “Why is it that only part of the book was encrypted?”

  With a softer look he turn to her, “The king though it would be safer, in case the book fel into the wrong hands, that the locations of the princesses be obscured in code. I have the key but it wil stil take some time to decipher.”

  “He has the ability tosee the future?”

  “Sort of, he told me once that it was like seeing through a thick fog. The further into the future the harder it is to see clearly. He also told me that fol owing the timeline is like fol owing the branches of a tree. Any one direction can turn out to be the correct future, or sometimes branches cross and new, entirely different paths are set.”

  “So this mission he’s sent you on could be a flop?” Sebastian said cal ously.

  “Bastian.” Anya chastised. “Ethan, have you been in contact with my … father?” It felt so weird to say the word aloud.

  “Itissaid thathis Majestyalso has the ability to project himself, but he’s not come to me since the day I left,and I have no way of getting a message into the palace.

  “Project himself?” Sebastian sounded slightly more sincere.

  “I’ve never seen him do it,but I heard rumors. Supposedly for a short period of time he can send his conscious out ofhisbody. Those who have seen it say his projection looks transparent, like solidified smoke.

  Anya’s heart jumped, covering her mouth in shock.The vision of the old man. Could that have been her father?

  “What is it?”

  “I think I’ve seen him. What does he look like?”

  “He has wavy short hair, light gray. He’s a little tal er than you are now, thin, straight nose, ice blue eyes like you. You are the one who resembles him most.”

  Oh gods, he’d been there al those times when she was ready to surrender to insanity. His presence, for reasons she’d never known til now, kept her from losing her mind completely.

  “I always thought he was a dilution of my mind.”

  “That means he must stil be alive. I’d … had my doubts.” Ethan trailed off, recognizing the war behind her eyes. “Princess …”

  “I know,if he could have done somethingmorehe would have. He did helpmethough. He kept me from … wel … seeing him helped me get through it, he always knew when I needed him most.” She swal owed the lump in her throat. “I could never hear him though. But sometimes I could read his lips.”

  They finished their meal and agreed to meet in the morning to begin deciphering the book. Things got weird between the two males again when Ethan kissed her hand,and wished her a good night. She was beginning to see a pattern.

  In the room she asked, “Why were you being so rude to Ethan. He only wants to help.”

  “Ethanule,”Sebastian emphasized his ful name,“wants to do more than just help.”

  “What does that mean?”

  He gave her an exasperated look. “He’s Faieara, you’re Faieara. He sacrificed a part of his life to find you. It’s obvious he wants you.” More than obvious, the man was practical y holding up a flashing sign.

  “He does not.”

  “He does. I know he d
oes because I want you just as badly.”More.

  “You have me.”

  “Not yet I don’t. I haven’t claimed you.” Not like he needed to. “And I won’t until you want me to.” He felt her slipping away from him. Why would she need him when she was so close to getting back to her people?

  “I do want you to, but I’m just not ready.”

  “And if Ethanuledoeswant to be with you?”

  “He doesn’t,” She groaned. “And I wouldn’t.”

  He could see she was growing impatient. “Are you so sure?” Was it his imagination or was that a flicker of doubt that crossed her face?

  “Of course I’m sure. And I’m finished with this conversation. Be nicer to him, or else.”

  “Or else what?” He chal enged.

  “Or else I’l find somewhere else to sleep.” She knew just were to hit him.

  “With him? I’l kil him before that happens.”

  “I’l bunk with Sonya. Ethan wasn’t even a consideration, but thanks for the vote of confidence. Ethan has no interest in me, besides the fact that I’m his princess and our people are in need of help. Your assumption is beyond ridiculous. If you keep treating him, me, like this …”

  “What?” He gratedwhen she trailed into silence.

  She crossed to the bathroom, opening the door, with her back to him she turned her head. “You’l lose my heart forever.” Then she finished her devastating blow with a quiet click of the door.

  The next morning was awkwardly silent.

  The night before, when Anya had final y emerged from the bathroom,they hadn’t spokenthen either. She’d briefly eyed the couch before deciding to slip into bed next to him, turning herself stubbornly away.

  Hehadn’treachedfor her like he wanted to. He’d been angry that she didn’t believe him, didn’t trust him, dismissed him so easily.

  However, this morning he was seeing things from a different angle and he suspected the reason Anya had gotten so angry with him,was because he didn’t show any trustin her. He knewAnyawould never hurt him by accepting Ethanule’s advances.

  Anya was dressing now, preparing to leave, to start her daily routine without even a word. She wouldn’t even meet his eyes. He hated this. The distance between them was like a thousand galaxies. He had to do something about it.

  “I’m sorry about last night.” He started.

  She stopped in mid shoe, final y meeting his gaze. She looked tired, as if she hadn’t slept a wink. “I am too.”

  He grabbed her hand, gently pul ing her to him. “I want you to know that I trust you, completely. More than I’ve ever trusted anyone, which is saying something.” She rewarded him with a genuine smile and leaned in for a kiss. He wasted no time, pul ing her as close to him,as he should have last night.

  “Thank you,” She said against his mouth.

  “Don’t thank me yet. I stil don’t trusthim. Don’t give me that look. You can’t expect me to trust him so easily. He looks at you like …”

  “Like what? Like he hasn’t seen one of his own kind in, oh I don’t know, four hundred years? Or like he final y, after so long, thinks he found the key to saving his people and going home? Final y on the verge of completing his mission?”

  “Al those things may be true? But there’s more, I just …” He paused. “My instincts are on high alert when he’s near you. I don’t like it.”

  Anya strokedhis jaw, her eyes tender and understanding. “You have nothing to worry about. I promise you, he’s no more interested in me than he is in Sonya.”

  Chapter 24

  Anya traced her finger over the cool metal framing the book cover. Something inside her sparked with electricity every time she came in contact with it. Its ancient magic sang to her. The book seemed to pulse in recognition of her.

  Ethanule stoodto her side, silent, as though he too felt the magic.

  They were in a room provided by Sebastian. She’d laughed when she saw it. It was practical y across from the pub—she’d already spotted Sonya peeking her head out at them. There were no doors, only archways, giving the il usion of a room without being enclosed by four wal s. One thing she appreciated was that he’d supplied them with computers, in case they needed to look up locations, or any relevant information.

  Sebastian hadn’t stayed long after bringing them here. He’d kissed her goodbye and then stepped into the pub for a few seconds before heading toward the control room.

  Their fight the night before was unnerving. He’d shown no trust in her, and she’d reciprocated the feeling. She felt terrible about it but she truly believed that Ethan real y just wanted to help. She had probed his energy and found nothing that indicated he was attracted to her.

  Gently lifting the flap of the book she opened itto the first page. Excitement and relief radiated from Ethan. He began looking over the encrypted pages with earnest.

  Anya watched him work, not being of any more use than providing the way in. Out of boredom she studied his features. He was handsome, she supposed, not more handsome than Sebastian by any measure. His pointed ears peeked out of his blond hair. It felt nice seeing the oddly shaped feature on someone else.

  Ethan caught her staring with a quick glance. “You’re staring at my ears.”

  She just smiled and shrugged, “I’ve only seen them in the mirror.” When he went back to his task she tried to occupy her mind with other things but soon became restless. “Ethan?”

  “Yes.” He said stil scanning the book.

  “Wil you tel me about our home planet?”

  His lips curled slightly, but he seemed saddened. His eyes looked past her as if he were seeing far away. “It’s beautiful. Towering mountains, deep val eys, some trees are so large they seem to touch the suns. Do you remember anything at al ? Our two suns, and the three moons?”

  “I get flashes every now and again. Not much to go on. I wish I could remember more.”

  “Most of our people favor the warm regions. Cold disagrees with us, don’t you agree?”

  “Yes.” She’d always hated the cold. “What else?”

  “Our society is a free society … wel it was anyway. Used to be that you were free to choose your own path in life, whatever that may be. Our markets were rich with traders and merchants and entertainment. You could walk through our town center, on market day, and not even see a quarter of what was available. As a princess you would have attended festivals and parties, your only care would have been what to wear to each.” He quieted. “We’l defeat the Kayadon.” He said as if it were a fact. “Then, after the wedding, I’l show you everything our planet has to offer.”

  “Wedding?”

  He nodded scanning a finger down a page. “Once we are wed I’l take you through the forest of lights, which is actual y so thick with canopy that it’s shadowed in darkness year round. It’s cal ed the forest of light becausethe creatures that live there have evolved to il uminate parts of their bodies.”

  Anya heard nothing after wed. He took her stunned silence the wrong way.

  “Don’t worry, it’s perfectly safe.”

  “Excuse me but, did you just sayweandwed?”

  Ethan seemed confused by her question, averting his attention from the book.

  “What makes you think we would wed?”

  “Wel ,” He uncomfortably rubbed the back of his neck. “It was agreed upon … by the King … that once I returned with his daughters I would be rewarded with the privilege to marry one.” His cheeks slightly darkened.

  Anya could kick herself. Sebastian had been right and she’d ignored his instincts, had even become angry with him. But Sebastian’s fear hadn’t been that Ethan wanted her, it was that she would want him back. Suddenly, like a jolt to the brain, she was struck with a deep understanding—the truth of her feelings.

  “Ethan,” She sighed. “I love Sebastian. With everything in me, I love him. And I choose him.” How could she fear being tied to him when she loved him so much?

  “But, he’s a demon.” Ethan
said, as though that explained everything.

  A snarky voice came from behind. “I’l take a demon over a pirate any day.” Sonya stood just outside the archway, two ful glasses of water in her hands.

  Anya felt Ethan’s energy spike asSonyahandedone of the ice fil ed drinks to her.

  “Yes, but youarea demon.” He said.

  Sonya grabbed her tail and looked at it with utter surprise, “So I am.” Her voice dripping with feigned awe. “Andvery soonthis demon is going to be your boss. Your ass is mine pirate.” Sonya considered the glass in her hand. “I have no idea why I brought two of these.” She said and turned to leave, her tail swishing behind her.

  “I have a real talent for pissing off demons, don’t I?”

  “Just try to do what she says,” Anya pleaded. “Be respectful.”

  “Pirates don’t do respect.” He gave her a teasing grin.

  Anya rol ed her eyes but couldn’t prevent her smile. “I can tel we’re going to be good friends Ethan. We’re okay right?”

  “Yeah we’re okay. I kind of got the feeling you were going to reject me anyway. Wel , I’d better keep looking for my future wife,” His attention back on the book.

  After a long uneventful shift, al owing him nothing but time to obsess over Anya’s proximity to that male, Sebastian entered his room. Once again, he’d spent the day battling the Edge.

  He would shower and then go to her. Demand his right to lay his mark on her. Claim her once and for al . It is the only thing that would put him at ease.

  He was caught by surprise when he entered the bathroom and saw Anya. Very naked, very wet, and covered in bubbles. Her pert breasts peeked through the soapy water lining the tub, strands of damp blond curls trailed around them. Sebastian’s boots had become glued to the floor, his mind emptied of al but the vision in front of him.

  “Bastian,” Her eyes sparkled with lust. A finger glided down the crevice of her breasts. “I need you.”

  Every blood vessel in his body invaded his shaft. He had his clothes off in seconds, tossing the last scrap of cloth away just before he hit the water. Drops sloshed and spil ed over the side. Anya gave a very seductive victory laugh that was soon nothing more than moans against his mouth.