“Wow. So, what kind of tasks?”
Why not tell her? It might help put more fear into her. “I kill. I capture. I torture. I steal. Whatever is required of me.”
She looked away and picked through the remaining pieces of fruit before choosing one. She bit off a small morsel, then focused on him again.
“The demons you kill, capture, and torture, do they deserve it?”
He shrugged. “Don’t know.”
“You don’t ask why you do what you do?”
“It’s not my concern. I’m given a task, I complete it.”
“Hmm. You’re so…villainous.”
“Don’t judge me, Sempire.”
“I’m not. Really. Just sayin’. Kill, capture, torture, steal—pretty villainous.” A thoughtful gaze settled on her face for a moment. “Do you want to do the things you do?”
“What I want is to be free. To be free from the contract, free from this realm, free to live in peace. And I already would be if not for you.”
She sighed, closed her eyes, took one deep breath and then another. He expected her to jump up, poke him in the chest, and yell at him again. He didn’t understand why she continued to pretend she didn’t know what she’d done to him. It was utterly infuriating.
Instead she asked, “Who holds your contract?”
“You ask a lot of questions.”
She shrugged. “You interest me. So who is it?”
“Debol. A deranged Incubus.”
She shuddered, and her pupils dilated at the mention of Incubus. He knew Incubus semen was irresistible to Sempires but dangerous to them because of its addictiveness.
“Why not kill him? Wouldn’t that set you free?” she asked.
He swallowed the bite of stilio he’d just bitten off. “Yes, but I am unable to.”
She eyed him, grabbed his bicep with both hands, and crinkled her forehead. Her touch on his bare skin sent sparks skittering up his arm. “Why? Looks to me like you could take out just about anyone.”
The fact that she even considered for a second that he hadn’t yet killed Debol due to lacking physically ability, stirred his annoyance and he sneered. “The bond between contract holder and contractee prevents it, otherwise I would snap him in half.”
“Hmm,” she said, leaning back in her chair, and her next question surprised the hell out of him. “Do you want me to kill him for you?”
She was serious. He could see it in her eyes and feel it inside instinctively. An unfamiliar emotion struck him, and he felt a sort of softening in his heart, as if her unexpected, selfless offer melted away a layer of anger. It was ridiculous. He wasn’t soft, didn’t do sappy emotions, yet she surprised him at every turn and made him feel. Made him yearn. Made him—He shook his head and reminded himself that regardless of her offer, she was the female who’d screwed him out of his freedom. “Why would you do that?”
“Because it would set you free. And bonus, one less Incubus in the world.”
“But why would you care about setting me free?”
She shrugged, her perky breasts bouncing beneath the oversized tank top. “I can’t quite put my finger on it, but under your arrogant, bossy, delusional, abusive, dickwad surface, there’s something else. I feel your desire to be free and I feel…” She scrunched up her face and didn’t continue.
Was it possible she felt the same odd connection to him as he did to her? He kept lying to himself about it, telling himself that it was only the thrill of finally obtaining vengeance, but she seemed to feel something too. He knew better than to trust her. She had to have an angle. “Are you playing me, Sempire?”
“If you don’t start calling me Valia, I’m not gonna speak to you anymore.” Her sultry lips formed a pout.
“Promise?”
She laughed. “No. I like talking to you.”
He smiled in spite of himself, but the smile was cut off by a stabbing pain over his heart. Fuck. Debol was calling him. He stood abruptly, practically knocking over his chair.
“I have to go,” he said.
Her gold eyes widened. “Go? Where?”
“The deranged Incubus is calling.”
She frowned and stood up. “The offer stands. Take me with you and I’ll take him out.” She poked him in the chest again while gazing up at him. “But you’ll have to feed me first. I’m not at full strength.”
So that was her game. Damn. He’d allowed himself to think she might truly care about freeing him, that there might be something more to her, that he wasn’t a total pushover for going easy on her, but she just saw it as a way to get a feed.
“Nice try, Sempire,” he snarled. He strode to his dresser and grabbed a black tank top from the top drawer, pulling it quickly over his head. “I don’t know how long I’ll be, so I won’t cuff you to anything, but don’t go outside. It’s dangerous.”
“Why don’t you take the cuffs off my wrist so I can flash to my home in the veil? I‘ll come back. Just wanna pick up a few things.”
“Pick up a few things? I’m sorry you think I’m stupid.”
“Seriously. I’ll grab some decent sheets, some pineapple for me, and I’ll even get my buddy Fin to cook you up a steak. A change of clothes, my own clothes, would be nice too.”
“Not going to happen. I’ll return as soon as possible.” He ported away from her and to the steps outside Debol’s home.
Chapter Four
Rydin, again, experienced that sensation of loss and had to fight the urge to return to Valia immediately. He tried to shrug it off as he walked up the steps to Debol’s home, but he couldn’t shake it. Two guards met him at the main entrance. They knew him well enough and knew he couldn’t hurt Debol so didn’t give him any grief and opened the door for him.
Another guard met him inside and escorted him, without speaking, through the columns to Debol’s office.
Debol sat behind a black, demon-wood desk. A female kneeled on the floor beside him, her eyes cast down. “Ah welcome, Ferox,” Debol greeted him as he entered the room.
“Debol,” Rydin said. “I was surprised to hear from you so soon.
“Tsk, tsk. You know you’re my favorite.”
“So, what’s the job?”
“All business, Ferox.” Debol sighed. “Please have a seat. Let’s chat.”
Shit. This can’t be good. Debol never just wanted to chat, but he sat because there wasn’t much else he could do.
“I heard a very interesting rumor.” He leaned forward, rested his elbows on the desk and steepled his fingers. “One of my watchers—”
“Spies, you mean?”
“I prefer watcher, but spy works too.”
“So, what’s the rumor and how does it concern me?”
“Oh,” the lunatic giggled, “it definitely concerns you. I hear you have a houseguest.”
Rydin tensed. Why the fuck would Debol care about his private life? “Is that a problem?”
“Oh, no, no. Quite the contrary. I’d almost decided to quit wasting watcher time on you. You never have anything interesting going on. Anyhoo… Is it true?”
“Is what true?”
“Is your houseguest a Sempire?”
The bastard sounded giddy.
The female’s head snapped up, her eyes wide. Wait, her gold eyes. Eyes like Valia’s. This female was a Sempire. Debol noticed and backhanded her.
“Head bowed, Navine!” He barked at her, and she obeyed but not before Rydin saw the flash of hatred cross her face.
“Why does it matter what she is?” he asked cautiously.
“You know how much I enjoy Sempires. And they’re so difficult to come by in the demon realm these days.”
Rydin inclined his head toward the kneeling female. “Apparently, not too difficult.”
“One of my other contractees failed a task. That very night, he found her and brought her to me as a bargaining chip. Ah, yes, that was a delightful surprise.” His eyes went dreamy before he continued. “So, tell me, is she the one? Is she the
one who sealed you to me for another fifty years?”
Rydin’s fists clenched uncontrollably at his sides. “Yes.”
“Oh, that’s fabulous! Just fabulous!” Debol clapped his hands together. “I’d love to meet her and thank her for making sure you remained within my control.”
“That’s not necessary considering she denies the event ever took place.” Rydin hadn’t told Debol the entire story. He only told him he’d been collared and held captive by a Sempire.
“Really? Interesting. Very interesting.”
“Debol, why am I here?”
“I have an offer for you. Either take this job,” he held up a photograph, “or bring the Sempire to me.”
“She is mine,” Rydin gritted out.
“Yours?” Debol asked, even more interested now.
Damn it. Why had he said that? “She took fifty years from me. I’m entitled to revenge.” He corrected himself and hoped that explained away the possessive statement.
“Yes. Agreed. How long do you expect your revenge to take?”
“Three days,” he answered and instantly regretted it.
“Hmm… And you won’t consider trading your revenge for, oh, let’s say, ten years off your contract?”
What? That would leave him with only ten years before he could be free. But he only had twenty left anyway. So, hell no it wasn’t worth giving up his revenge. “No.”
“I find it interesting, very interesting indeed, that you hesitated. I thought you’d jump at the chance to reduce your commitment to me, but I suppose you’re correct. A pet Sempire is worth much more than ten years.”
Rydin saw the kneeling female’s shoulders tense.
“You realize I can simply demand you bring her to me.”
He reined in his anger as best he could and forced his voice to a reasonable calm. “I do, but I would ask that you allow me my revenge.”
Debol leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling as if in deep thought. Finally, he said. “Go, do this job.” He handed Rydin the photograph. “He’ll be at this address,” he tapped the writing on the back of the photo, “sometime between noon and midnight this day. Bring him to me, alive.”
Rydin blew out a mental breath of relief. He needed time to think. He knew that even though Debol was giving him a slight reprieve, it wouldn’t last.
“That’s the best timeline you can give me?” That could take up his entire day with the Sempire.
Debol narrowed his eyes. “Yes, it is.”
Rydin attempted to keep the irritation from his voice after studying the photo. “What is he?”
“He’s a mutt. A mixed-breed abomination. Nothing to worry about.”
For the first time, he considered asking why. That Sempire was messing with his head.
“Fine,” he agreed as he rose to leave.
Debol waved a hand to stop him, and Rydin tensed. “Take these.” He tossed Rydin a pair of gold cuffs. “These will prevent teleporting and should subdue any unique abilities he might have.”
Rydin caught the cuffs. “I thought he was nothing to worry about.”
“Ah, well, the mixed-breeds are always a mystery.” He shrugged.
Rydin left Debol’s and looked at his watch. Shit. It was almost noon. He needed a hat to cover his horns for this assignment as he’d be in a restaurant in the human realm. He ported home and found Valia sleeping on his bed. He was surprised and almost disappointed he hadn’t caught her snooping again. He was also surprised to realize he enjoyed her spirit.
He grabbed a pair of jeans and a black button-down shirt and shrugged into them quickly. He then donned a plain black baseball cap.
He stood by the bed looking down at her. That ridiculously red hair was splayed on his pillow in glorious disarray, lips slightly parted begging his to kiss them. He checked the time and readjusted his straining dick. No time for that. He couldn’t risk missing his mark.
“Female,” he said in attempt to wake her. She didn’t budge. “Sempire,” he said louder. Nothing. He bent down and whispered in her ear, “Valia, wake up.”
Her eyes fluttered open, and the corners of her lips turned up when she met his gaze.
“Did you actually say my name?”
“Come,” he said and pulled her out of bed.
She grumbled. “I’m sleepy.”
He took her hand and pulled her along behind him to the front door. “I have an assignment and I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone.” When he realized her eyes were half closed, he said, “Valia, listen to me!”
She jumped. “Must you yell?”
“Not if you listen.” He picked up the small rod that looked similar to a towel rod, held it across the door, and then took her hand and placed it on the rod. “Do you feel the button?”
“Yes.”
“Slide it to the left.”
She did and the door was instantly covered in a silver glow that extended in a thin line around the entire house.
“Ooh. Pretty,” she said.
“It’s a barrier. It will keep just about anything from breaking through or porting in. Slide it to the right to disengage. As soon as I leave, engage it and do not disengage it until I return.”
She pouted. “Your concern for my safety is sweet but why leave?”
He gritted his teeth. “I have no choice. I’ll return as soon as possible. There is more cocinus on the counter.”
She pressed her body to his and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Stay,” she said.
Oh how he wanted to but there was no time. Damn Debol to hell. “I can not.”
“Take me with you.” Her wide gold eyes shone, pulling him into their depths.
The fact that he considered her request, for even a second, surprised the hell out of him. “No.”
She poked him in the chest, and he readied himself to be bitched out, but she lost her fight. She just waved a hand at him and walked away mumbling about his scratchy sheets. Not the reaction he expected from his fiery Sempire. He didn’t have time to contemplate it as he had to go.
“Valia, the door,” he reminded her.
She stopped and turned back. “Oh yeah,” she said. No enthusiasm, only resignation.
He didn’t like it. He pulled her in for a quick, demanding kiss, and when he pulled back he noticed her dilated pupils. He disengaged the rod and handed it to her.
“Remember. Left engage, right disengage. Even I won’t be able to port in with it engaged. Don’t let anyone in but me. It’s not safe.”
“Okay,” she said in a small voice.
Did she look pale? Dammit, he didn’t want to leave but he did—had to. He ported to an alley behind the restaurant. A dirty man, obviously drunk, dropped his beer can and stumbled backward in shock.
Valia engaged the nifty, glowy rod thing and made her way back to the bed. Weakness was quickly overtaking her. She’d hoped to seduce Rydin feeding her soon, but now she had no idea when he’d be back.
No matter what he believed she’d done to him in the past, his aura didn’t show the kind of malice that would lead him to actually kill her. She was certain of it. She had to be certain of it or she’d panic.
Lying around wasn’t doing anything to ease her mind, so she forced herself off the bed and decided to snoop some more. If she couldn’t find the handcuff keys, maybe she could find something to pick them with.
She rifled through the two drawers in the dresser she hadn’t already dug through. Nothing but clothes. There was nothing helpful in the bathroom either. She grabbed a knife and a fork from the kitchen and bent one of the tines back and jammed it in the keyhole. She’d never learned to pick a lock, but how hard could it be?
She twisted it around inside the hole, took it out and shoved it back in and wiggled it around. Nothing. Damn it. She continued the process for thirty minutes before the tine snapped off the fork.
Okaaay. Time for the knife.
Four hours later, Valia was exhausted and had broken every fork and knife in Rydin’s kit
chen as well as stabbed her wrist several times.
She didn’t have the energy to mess with the cuts. Instead she fell onto the bed, slipped into a deep sleep, and dreamed.
* * *
Rydin strode into the room and stripped off his shirt letting it fall to the floor, his muscles flexing. She’d never seen such a gorgeous male. No one’s touch had ever enlivened her body as his did.
He joined her on the bed, kneeling over her, and kissed her. Her soul burned for his touch.
“Sempire,” he whispered against her lips. “Take me to the cell.”
“What cell?” she asked, confused.
He kissed her again and slid a hand between her legs. She arched into his touch, encouraging him.
“You know the one. Close your eyes. Remember for me. Take me to where we first met.”
Valia closed her eyes and when she opened them, they were lying on a bed in the club where she’d first seen Rydin. Where he’d somehow called to her.
“Concentrate.” His lips brushed against her ear and his fingers worked magic between her legs. “Take me to the cell. The cell where we first fucked. I want to experience it again, my sweet.
“We met last night.” She tried to focus, wanted to tell him he was crazy, but his fingers were working her into a frenzy, fogging her brain.
“No,” he whispered. “Think back. Open your mind and remember.”
His voiced lulled her, compelled her. Valia’s mind raced. Images, fuzzy at first, flickered behind her eyes. Pain exploded in her temples. Then, there she was. In one of her mother’s porn cells sucking Rydin’s cock, fucking him, riding his face. Colors swirled around them and melded together, weaving an intricate pattern. What the hell was that? His aura. Her aura. Oh shit. What had she done?
He’d been powerless to fight her with the collar around his neck. He’d been powerless to resist her after she’d bound his aura. She watched in horror as time after time she’d visited the cell and taken what she wanted, what she needed, from him. He’d been hers to use as she’d pleased and pleased she’d been but he’d been furious.
A maniacal giggle brought her out of her haze. Looming over her was not Rydin but someone else. Her eyes blurred as her pupils dilated and a warning signal sounded in her mind. Incubus.
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