Green-Eyed Demon (Sabina Kane #3)

by Jaye Wells

  “What say you, mage?” the Queen said finally. “Will we remain allies, or will you let your conscience deprive you of both sense and shelter?”

  Finally, Orpheus cleared his throat. Only instead of puffing up like a man about to tell someone to go fuck themselves, his shoulders sagged with surrender. “We remain allies,” he whispered finally.

  “A wise choice,” the Queen said. “Lazarus, you have your ord—”

  It happened fast. Adam leapt from the chair with a roar. By the time I pulled him away, his fist was a bloody mess and the computer screen lay smoking and mangled on the floor. Along with his illusions.

  26

  The Halloween party on Bourbon Street raged late into the night. I stood at the attic window, watching people dressed as vampires, demons, wizards, faeries, and werewolves stagger around on the street below. To them Halloween was a time for make-believe. For tricks and treats. For costumes and party decorations.

  Little did they know the beings they pretended to be weren’t just the stuff of myths, folklore, or fiction. And the reality of our world was a far cry from silly masquerades and street parties.

  In fact, this Halloween in particular marked either the dawn of our salvation or the eve of our destruction.

  I snorted at my maudlin thoughts and turned away from the window. Staring out windows was no way to make life decisions. So I went to clean my guns instead.

  After Adam’s freakout, I’d allowed Rhea to take him away for a chat. Part me of me wanted to fight her for that role, but given my own brittle state of mind at the time, I was in no position to help Adam calm down.

  I scrubbed a hand over my face and pulled out my cleaning supplies. I laid out my weapons on the table: my specially made handgun with a handful of vampire-killing apple bullets, two mundane Glocks, a couple of daggers with applewood handles. Not nearly enough for the battle tomorrow. But the same bitch who’d just casually discarded my sister’s life as unimportant was also sending enough weapons and manpower to ensure we had a fighting chance of saving it.

  How did things get so fucking complicated? On one hand, my gut told me I should ignore my disgust over the leaders’ priorities and focus on using their resources to achieve my own goals. I’d just have to use every resource at my disposal to save my sister and ensure Lavinia Kane died before she could summon Cain. Not an easy agenda, but it beat facing off with Lavinia armed with nothing but a few weapons and a bad attitude.

  On the other hand, I’d be a fool not to face reality. Even with the Fae Knights and Pythian Guard as backup, Lavinia had the advantage. No doubt about it. So my other option was to go tonight to save my sister. Lavinia wasn’t expecting us until tomorrow, and from what I’d seen in my astral projection, the tomb was totally unguarded. If I left now, I could be in and out in less than an hour. Then we could go in with guns blazing tomorrow and not have to worry about Maisie getting caught in any actual or political crossfire.

  But, if I had a third hand, I’d remind myself that that kind of thinking was totally Old Sabina. The angry one who worked alone. The rebellious one who ignored potential consequences to do what suited her own purposes. The lonely one who didn’t trust anyone. Hadn’t I learned yet that I was at my best when I allowed myself to depend on those who’d proven themselves trustworthy?

  Adam and Giguhl had saved my ass more than once. They’d supported me through some pretty low times and high-fived me after victories. They were more than my friends. They’d become just as much my family as Maisie, maybe more in some ways.

  I smiled as memories of our exploits played like a highlight reel through my head. As I did, the tang of cleaning solvent tightened my nostrils. With methodical strokes, I wiped down all the components. I guess Giguhl and Adam were a lot like my weapons now. I wouldn’t enter a fight without some firepower. And now I couldn’t imagine sneaking out without letting them in on the plan.

  The door opened and the mancy strolled in as if my thoughts had summoned him. When he saw me, he stopped abruptly, as if he hadn’t been expecting to see me. His high color hinted at embarrassment, too. After all, the last time I saw him he was murdering a computer.

  “Hey,” I said softly. I shoved the gun back into the bag. My stomach dropped the minute he walked in. Seeing the lines of tension on his face made my protective instincts go into hyperdrive. “How are you?”

  “Fine.” He walked forward and grabbed his backpack from the armchair. He seemed to dismiss me completely as he rummaged through it.

  “Want to talk about it?”

  “Not really.” He didn’t look up.

  I sighed. “Adam, please just talk to me.”

  When he looked up, the heat in eyes was so intense I had to look away. I’d seen Adam angry before, but nothing like the rage rolling off him in hot waves. “Why? So you can tell me you were right?”

  I frowned. “Right about what?”

  “When we started this mission, you questioned the leaders’ motives. But I, being the good little Pythian Guard, chanted the party line like it was our fucking salvation.” He laughed bitterly. “Guess the joke was on me all along.”

  I walked to him and squatted next to the chair. “You listen to me,” I said, forcing him to look at me. “This isn’t about who’s right or wrong. It’s beyond that now. The truth is Orpheus did what he had to do as the leader of the mage race.”

  Adam jumped up so fast I fell back on my ass. Towering over me, he yelled, “How can you defend him? You, of all people?” He jabbed a finger in the air. “Maisie is your sister.”

  I clenched my teeth and rose to face the mancy. “Look, Adam, I know I’m not always the most level-headed person around. I’ve certainly done my share of yelling and bitching about the unfairness of this situation. But you know what? That shit won’t save Maisie.” I poked at his chest with a finger. “It fucking sucks that Orpheus didn’t stand up to that bitch. But what choice did he have? Fuck up his alliance with her on the off chance we might have to make a choice between Lavinia and Maisie? She’d turn every mage out on the streets if he did that.”

  “Whatever,” Adam said. He raised his chin. “I won’t be a pawn for the Queen like Orpheus. Maybe Erron was right to go recreant.”

  I crossed my arms. “So what are you gonna do, mancy? Walk away to prove a point? Leave Maisie behind and let Lavinia win because Orpheus made a shitty decision?”

  His gaze shifted guiltily.

  I forged ahead. “You’re the one always telling me to use my head. So when are you going to start using yours?”

  His eyes narrowed. “So what? I’m supposed to sit around and take orders from the Queen’s fucking captain? Because don’t fool yourself. The minute Orpheus bent over for Maeve tonight, Ilan earned the right to call the shots tomorrow.”

  I got in his space. “No, you ass, I expect you to remember that you’re not alone in all this. We’re a godsdamned team, remember?”

  He stared me down for a moment. Then his lip twitched. “You really need to work on your pep-talk skills, Red.”

  “Yeah, well, you need to remember your place. Where’s the calm, level-headed Adam I’ve come to depend on? I’m supposed to be the surly nihilistic one, remember?”

  Before I knew what hit me, he’d wrapped his big arms around me for a hug. I embraced him back for a few moments, savoring the feel of him. Offering him the comfort he needed but wouldn’t ask for outright. Finally, he whispered, “I don’t know how we’re going to win this one, Red.”

  My mind chose that moment to offer up the image of Adam lying still and pale as he bled in the cemetery after the Caste vamp attack. The cold fist of remembered panic clenching my throat, I swallowed hard. “Me neither.”

  It was one thing to talk about logic and bravery and spout trite motivational speeches. It was something else to have Adam touching me and know these might be our last moments alone. Ever.

  There was time to discuss plans tomorrow, but now I had something more important to discuss with him. “Adam,”
I began, my voice hoarse. “I need you to promise me something.”

  He held my gaze, his thumb stroking my cheek. “Anything.”

  “No matter what happens tomorrow, we won’t lose Maisie. Even if it means…” I swallowed hard. “Even if it means you have to leave me to do it.”

  He tensed and pulled back to look at me. “Sabina—”

  I placed a hand on his chest to quiet his protests. “Stop. I need to say this. If something happens to me, you have to promise me you’ll be sure she’s okay. I’ve fucked up a lot in my life. Made a lot of stupid, selfish choices. But I need this to be right. You’re able to flash out of the battle, which means you have the best chance of saving her. So if things go south, I want you to leave me and get her to safety.”

  His eyes burned into mine as his other hand came up to cup my face. He leaned in and placed the softest of kisses on my lips. Then he pulled away a fraction and whispered, “If you think I’m the kind of guy who’ll run away when the woman I love is in trouble, you don’t know me very well.”

  The bottom fell out from under me. The L word destroyed my equilibrium. Up until he said it, I’d barely managed to hang on to my composure, but now my throat ached and tears stung my eyes. “Dammit, mancy,” I said, my voice thick.

  His gaze was dead serious. “I’m just stating facts. I’ll do everything in my power to ensure Maisie is safe, but I’m not leaving you behind. Ever.”

  A tear splashed on my cheek. I swiped it away with a shaking hand. I wanted to scream at him that he didn’t understand. This wasn’t just about saving Maisie. I needed to know he’d be safe, too. I wasn’t sure if I could handle the biggest fight of my life, saving my sister, and worrying about his safety. If I went down, if Lavinia gained the upper hand, if she succeeded in summoning Cain, I needed to know he wouldn’t try to play the hero.

  His green eyes held mine, his warm hand a pleasant weight on my arm, his lips so close. His sandalwood-and-warm-male scent mixed with the comforting aroma of gun oil.

  That’s when it hit me. I couldn’t control what might happen tomorrow, but I could decide what happened tonight. And I could think of nothing more important at that moment than showing Adam how much I cared about him.

  Cared? That wasn’t exactly the right word, was it? The problem was I’d never loved anyone before. Not really. But I knew the feelings I had for the mancy were stronger and deeper than anything I’d felt for anyone. If that’s what love is, then so be it. I guess it took facing death to finally strip away my excuses for not fully living. For not fully embracing my feelings for the male who looked at me now with his own feelings so nakedly displayed in his eyes.

  We stared at each other for a few moments, like we were waiting for some new catastrophe to interrupt. As I looked into his green eyes—emotion making them the color of leaves after a rainstorm—I remembered what Giguhl said about the right moment presenting itself. And I knew without any doubt this was it.

  I stepped away from Adam and moved toward the door. His eyes widened and his face fell as he watched me retreat. But instead of walking out the door, I closed it and flipped the lock with a definitive click.

  When I turned back toward him, my back against the door, I was shaking whether out of nerves or anticipation—or both—I didn’t know. But I did know that seeing the hesitant smile spread across his lips made my heart thump in my chest. He took a step toward me, but I shook my head. “Stay there.”

  His smile faded. Obviously expecting more games, he crossed his arms and watched me with a wary expression. I held his gaze steadily as I slipped the jacket from my shoulders and let it fall to the floor.

  Slowly, with deliberate movements, I raised the hem of my shirt and tossed it aside. Under his appreciative gaze, I removed my boots and jeans until, finally, I stood before him clad only in a black lace bra and panties.

  His gaze forged a lazy path down my body before reversing direction. When his eyes met mine again, he arched an eyebrow in approval.

  After weeks of foreplay, part of me wanted to shred his clothes off and mount him without preamble. Instead, I slowly walked toward him. Taking my time, savoring the anticipation.

  When I finally stood before him, he reached for me, his hot hands sliding against my hips. But when he went in for a kiss, I shook my head. Grabbed the hem of his shirt. The movement forced his hands to release me so he could raise his arms.

  My gaze dipped to the muscled expanse of his chest, down the ridges of his stomach to the Hekate’s Wheel peeking from the waistband of his jeans. I traced the labyrinthine design with the tip of my finger. His muscles danced at my touch.

  I bit my lip and looked up at him from beneath my lashes as I used two fingers to release the button at the top of his fly. His breath quickened to match my own. Our eyes met and the air shifted as need dug in its claws.

  The game was over. No more seduction required. Our mouths met, wet and hot. Twining. Busy hands made quick work of my bra. Every sense filled with Adam—his sandalwood scent, the hot feel of his skin, the taste of his tongue. The combination left me punch-drunk and greedy for more.

  We fell back onto the bed in a tangle of limbs. I tore my mouth away and rose up to straddle him. His hand found my breasts and worshipped them with the reverence of the converted. He sat up, his mouth replacing his hands. His tongue soft and teasing. His teeth sharp and hard as he pushed me past the threshold between pleasure and pain. My hands dug into his hair, urging him on.

  Delicious friction built lower down where two scraps of thin fabric were all that separated us. But just when I was about to push aside the lace and cotton, Adam flipped me over. The muscles in his chest and arms bulged as he leaned over me. Kissing down my chest, my stomach, my thighs. A magical tingle danced across my skin. I blinked, surprised to find myself completely naked. I looked down and realized I wasn’t the only one.

  The mancy shot me an impish grin. Then I forgot what I was going to say because his hot breath teased the sensitive skin of my thigh. Without further warning, he dove in and delivered a long, slow lick that made my eyes cross.

  Soon, my nails dug into his scalp and my hips rocked. Fangs scraping against my bottom lip, I searched for the orgasm he offered.

  I didn’t have to look far.

  The next moment, every muscle in my body stiffened. Adam rose up and absorbed my yell into his mouth. I tangled my tongue with his, enjoying the flavor of myself on him. Before the last spasm passed, I flipped him over, keeping our mouths connected.

  Unable to wait any longer, I impaled myself on him. He obliged with a thrust of his hips. I stilled his movement with my hands on his shoulders. He seemed to understand my need to lead without hearing the words. I rode him hard, my knees digging into the mattress.

  His hands threaded into my hair. I enjoyed the pain and rewarded him with a kiss made of tongue and fang. I nipped at his lip, drawing his sweet blood into my mouth. Adam moaned his approval. He pulled my head up and tried to meet my gaze. I closed my eyes against the wave of emotion building in my throat.

  “Look at me, Sabina.” His hand caressed my face. “Open your eyes.”

  I released my clenched lids. His pupils were dilated, and I almost believed I could see his soul hovering just behind them.

  Our panting breaths mingled between our lips. Our hands glided over sweat-slicked skin. Our bodies yearned toward shared pleasure.

  The visual connection, the physical one, the taste of his blood on my tongue morphed into a powerful yearning for his blood and something else—something even more primal. It snaked up through me and, judging from the light in Adam’s eyes, through him, too. Sparks of light rose around us, like frenzied fireflies.

  “Do you feel it?” he whispered.

  I swallowed and nodded, intrigued and not a little afraid of the power we created. The magic we made, literally and figuratively. Together.

  I pulled away before I could give in to my baser temptation. But Adam’s hands wrapped around my neck and pulled me dow
n. In his eyes, I saw the permission I sought but wasn’t sure I was ready to accept.

  “Do it,” he whispered. His head tilted to the side, exposing the corded column of his throat with its seductive vein throbbing beneath golden skin.

  I’d like to say I overcame my instincts and refused. That I was too strong to indulge that particular desire. In the light of day, it’s easy to say you’d never do something. But when the moon rises and passions are high, well, that’s another matter.

  I hesitated, giving him a chance to change his mind. But he urged me on with his hands. To ease the way, I licked the salt from his skin. Suckling it until he was moaning and his thrusts picked up speed. Then, when I was sure he was distracted, I bit down.

  Adam gasped and went totally still. I pulled away instantly, afraid I’d hurt him or that he might push me away. Instead, his hands pushed my face back to his neck. His blood flowed into my mouth freely. Tentatively at first, I lapped at the spot.

  Only when he began thrusting again did I allow myself to fully indulge. I’m not sure if it was his mage genes—or just something about Adam in particular—but his blood tasted both sweet and spicy, like cinnamon and sugar and cardamom and every good thing ever. The infusion made the blood in my own veins dance, like a shot of effervescence to my system.

  Right then, with Adam’s blood in my mouth and his cock deep inside me, I experienced my second true moment of freedom. The spasms sent me higher, bringing him with me. Our bodies didn’t literally levitate, but it sure as hell felt like we were flying. The French may call it “the little death,” but I’d never felt more alive.

  I collapsed on Adam’s chest, letting him support my weight. My body felt both hollow and completely filled. I closed my eyes and surrendered myself to the aftershocks. Behind closed lids, flashes of red told me the sparks continued to flash around us. Adam’s chest heaved beneath me, and his hands roamed over the slick planes of my back.

  When he slid from me, I felt the loss keenly. I opened my eyes in time to see the tiny lights fade around us.