by Crystal Dawn
It wasn’t that gods weren’t tech savvy because they were. They all had cell phones, emails and laptops. Most, except for the demons, had used high tech devices all along. The demons had taken to them quickly and had adapted them to their use for communications easily but to use those devices for idle chitchat? That made no sense. Lu did believe in gaming consoles and he was an ace on his games.
“I’ll just trust you know what you’re doing.” He offered as he headed off with the band while Stef headed off with her group. He wondered how it would feel to Homer to carry the extra weight of a tail and wings that weren’t his own. He’d have to be careful to remember the extra width and length they added. It wouldn’t be the same as natural extensions of his body.
A slight vibration in his pocket alerted him to a message. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and checked his texts. There was one from Zeus telling him the trail for the sold demons had grown cold. They would continue to look but without further clues, there was little hope. Lu slammed his fist into the wall leaving an indent in the specially made hard plastic Origin installed here. His fist ached and he hoped he hadn’t injured himself to the point where it would affect his guitar playing.
His band looked at him in varying levels of shock. Now he would be forced to give them bad news. “Yesterday Zeus told me a mission had discovered evidence that several demons had been sold to rich people as toys. He just sent me a text saying they lost the trail. They may never be found.” Lu explained. He saw mostly anger with a touch of sadness on the faces around him.
“Is there anything we can do?” Win asked.
“No, if the gods who can mix freely among the humans can’t trace them, what can we possibly do?” He asked and the hopelessness of his words fell on them. He didn’t want to depress his males, he was just so overwhelmed with it himself that it washed over into his words no matter how he tried to stop it.
Zeus hadn’t told him which demons were known to have survived and been sold, so many of his brothers had died as children and in the years afterward from the unpleasant and sometimes deadly attentions of Origin employees but it was the neglect that had killed most of them. The absence of food and care was fatal over time. He himself had been on the edge of succumbing to starvation and had been so cold he wondered how he’d avoided frost bite.
“I suppose you’re right Lu, but it eats at all of us. It’s a helpless feeling on top of the hopeless one.” Win observed. “It seems like for all the steps we’ve taken forward, so much has been lost to us.”
Lu couldn’t help but agree that all the advances seemed to be paid in blood. He’d been so hopeful just moments before and now this. Maybe they would feel better as a group if something they did personally resulted in the freedom of a demon but they were totally dependent on the other gods to blend in with the humans and wrest their brothers from the enemy that kept them.
“All we can do is continue as we have. The money we make will help fund the search and the care of our brothers once they are returned to us. It’s all we can do, so let’s do the best we can.” Lu suggested and his comment was met with nods all around.
The band began to play the songs that would be on the CD in their proper order. This was no longer considered practice and they were being filmed by Devon’s team minus Devon who was working with Stef. It was a thought that might have engendered jealousy had the other thought in his mind not fought for supremacy. The hopelessness of his fellow demons plight made his heart hurt. No matter how hard the other gods worked to find them, Lu had a feeling it would come to naught. If this plan worked, maybe the demons would be able to mix with humans. It would be the rich spoiled ones, the same ones who dared to think that they could own a demon the way they owned a new toy.
He went to work with renewed determination and his demeanor seemed to spread to all the band. Did they pick up on his logic or come to their own conclusions? It didn’t really matter as long as they were unified in both their goals and their method of achieving them. Someday, all demons would be free to live out their lives in peace and happiness if it killed him. He hoped it wouldn’t, but his life was a small price to pay for the freedom and happiness of the rest of his kind.
They finished out their day with a well done from the camera crew. His hand was sore but not so bad that he had let it interfere with his duty. He hoped when he saw Stef at supper she would have a positive report on their project. He went to take a shower and change before going to the cafeteria. Playing with the band was a sweaty task even if they didn’t perform while they played. Since they were being filmed, they had gone all out.
Dancing around, moving from band member to band member and even jumping up and down at inspired moments had made for one hell of a work out but it made their performance that much more impressive. He knew when the time came that Devon intended to pick through these performances to reinforce the main film he was planning to make soon. He suspected they would be filming what Stef called the freebie in the next two days and he was glad.
The busier they were, the better for all concerned. Maybe the next time he heard from Zeus the news would be positive. He thought of the hundreds if not thousands of demons lost over the years and wondered which ones were still alive. It didn’t really matter who so much as it mattered that some were and they needed rescuing. Sometimes he wished he could be the hero risking all and saving the day. He would ride away at the end into the sunset with Stef across his saddle.
When had he of all people become a romantic?
He stripped for his shower feeling needy but wanting to wait so Stef could help him with his aches. He rushed through showering and getting ready anxious and excited to talk to her. As he entered the cafeteria, he saw Stef first. Her damp hair indicating she’d freshened up too. He grabbed a tray. Filled it with food and joined her.
The talk at the table was all about Dori’s project, filming it and how long it would take. It seemed filming had started and tomorrow it would wrap up. Devon and Stef intended to immediately begin editing and they hoped to be done the next day.
“Is that right? You’re not being overly optimistic are you?” Lu asked before he started eating his food. They had lasagna today and it was one of his favorites. The garlic bread was freshly made and they had sent red velvet cake for dessert. He noticed everyone was enjoying their meal.
“No, Devon doing the filming will save lots of editing time. He also put a stationary camera on Dori to pull extra footage from. It doesn’t need to be as detailed as filming a concert. It’s a basic how to film. It will still be impressive, have no fear.”
He just nodded, what did he know about filming anyway? Devon was the expert and Stef and he would do the editing. He wasn’t sure what that entailed but he was almost positive the details would be technical and give him a permanent eye tick if she explained. He moved on to dessert quickly because it was well loved and wasting time might mean you were left staring at an empty cake pan. He got a piece for Stef too. Mates looked out for each other and he wanted to see she had everything she could possibly want. If he took good enough care of her he hoped she’d never want to leave.
He leaned back sipping his juice and listening to everyone talk and joke. The air of accomplishment everyone seemed to feel was enough to make him feel hopeful that all was indeed on track.
Once they were through eating, it was his plan to escort Stef back to his room. A slow smile spread across his face just at the thought of what he could do to her. All things he would make sure she enjoyed, of course. He would enjoy then too.
She finished the last bite of dessert and he whisked their trays away after he cleaned up the table. He hurried back and held out his hand.
“Someone’s in a hurry.” Dori smirked.
Stef gave him her hand and he tugged her along.
“Damn right I am.” He whispered so only Stef could hear and she giggled in response.
He pulled her along behind him as he made his way to his room. He couldn’t wait another second to
have her in his arms. This feeling was like a spell had been cast making him need her all the way down to his soul. The soul he’d always been assured by Origin he didn’t have and yet he felt it now for the first time. Stef was part of it. It was as if something had been missing even once he’d gained his freedom. He was now certain that something was her.
He tugged her into the room kicking the door closed and he started to strip immediately. No need to be shy and he couldn’t handle any more delays.
“Stef, I need you.” He admitted and he was relieved to see she had started to undress as well.
He was naked, his cock standing at attention. Both it and his tail ached with need as his seed filled his sack and his shaft while venom flooded the tip of his tail, both ready to fill his mate. Even his teeth ached with the mating juice that no female before this one had ever experienced. The substance his body made for his fangs to inject, were only for his mate and no one else. It would bond them making connection so strong, neither of them could stand to be far apart for long. He had seen how it worked with the gods who mated and the ties it created were the strongest mating bond imaginable.
She was naked now and he could scent her readiness. She was as needy as he was and it would take little to prepare her. That was good because he could barely hold himself back from taking her. He pulled her into his arms kissing her while his hands stroked her sweet body. His kiss was heated reflecting the passion he held barely in check. He moved his mouth to her neck, kissing and licking. When he reached the right spot, he sank his fangs into her releasing his juice into her.
She jerked and made a noise at the pinch when he’d bitten her but then she calmed almost instantly. It took effect speedily, increasing her pleasure and easing any discomfort from the bite. She flushed a lovely pink and her heart sped up. She became heated and her sensitivity peaked making her need even greater. No female could resist the mating venom but he took aim and stung her with his tail too. That’s why demons were hotter than the other gods. They could ratchet desire much higher and had extra tools to finish the job.
She held on to him as if he was all that kept her standing so he lifted her and carried her to his bed. She was so delightful spread out before him like a sumptuous sensual buffet. He looked down at his straining organ, the mushroom head red and throbbing leaking fluid in a steady drip. Long and thick, he noticed Stef stared at it as if she couldn’t look away. Her awe stroked his ego and his need pushed him forward. He joined her on the bed sliding on top of her to a position between her thighs. He slammed in fast and hard, no longer able to hold back.
She groaned, the combination of pleasure and pain evident in the sound she made. Her legs wrapped around his hips and her toes sunk into the soft flesh of his ass. She used it for leverage assisting him to drive harder, faster and deeper until he drilled her as fast as he could. The feeling of pleasure, intense and hot, awaited him just out of reach. He tingled and his balls drew up but still it was out of reach and he was glad he could prolong it. She stiffened under him and she jerked. Her release flowed over her and her channel squeezed and pulled the seed right out of him. He bucked and rode out his orgasm until he felt weak from it. It was even better than the last time and he wondered if it was even possible to feel more blissed out than he felt right now.
“You’re incredible.” She complimented in a whisper as he slid to the side and tucked her under his chin.
“You’re not so bad yourself.” He admitted with a grin.
“As far as compliments go, I’ve had better.” She complained.
“Ah, maybe. But have you ever been so thoroughly loved?” He asked and then wished he hadn’t. What if he didn’t like the answer he received?
“Never.” She admitted, cuddling up against him as if she was soaking up his warmth.
“I love you.” He whispered having marshalled all his courage to admit the depth of his feelings to this female who had captured his heart with ridiculous ease. He glanced down when he received no answer only to find her eyes shut and her breathing a deep steady sound. Her face was relaxed making her look years younger. She was asleep, worn out by their love making.
Would she have told him she was glad he cared and that she loved him too? He was almost tempted to wake her, his heart burning to know if the feelings were returned. He didn’t because she was clearly exhausted and had a big day tomorrow. He ran a finger across her soft cheek and protective feelings rolled through him. He was a natural protector of the weak and defenseless but this was something more. He’d fight for this female and put her above all else.
It scared the hell out of him that he could feel so much and he was so unsure of whether it was returned. He knew she wanted him, but could she feel this overpowering emotion that overwhelmed him? He hoped in the morning he would be brave enough to say it again, but it had been hard to get up the nerve to say it the first time.
Chapter 7
Results
Stef kicked back in her chair and sighed in relief. They were done with Dori’s video early and she couldn’t be more relieved. She was aware of how important this was to Lu and all his males. She could imagine the smile he’d give her when she shared their success. The video was already sold and off to the network that would air it first. For such a special tape, they would rearrange their schedule to air it immediately.
She couldn’t deny the elation that zipped through her as a sense of accomplishment replaced all the worry she’d had over the project. The worry would be back in the morning as they moved on to the next step of the project, the freebie. Stef loved freebies. Free books, free clips, free samples. She knew most people loved free things. Each step along the way could signal the success or failure of all they were working so hard to achieve.
It had been a hard day but she knew it had been hardest on Dori who was a perfectionist but often had to let time constraints make her settle for results she wasn’t completely happy with. In comparing her work to what she saw around her, there was no way to be totally satisfied but Stef couldn’t admit that they had been misleading her. No one could compare to the work done on the demons already outfitted with wings and tails except Mother Nature. She had given them incredible and unmatchable designs that no technician could reproduce.
Dori had thrown up her arms in disgust. “I give up. This seems to be the best I can do and I admit I’ve been outdone by the guy that made the rest of them. He must be a damn genius.” Dori ranted.
“Sweetie, you’ve done great. Only someone able to examine them in detail could see the differences between yours and theirs.” Stef assured. She was surprised when Dori shrieked.
“You can tell? Oh, my God, no!” she cried.
“No Dori, I’m saying I can’t tell but I’m taking your word for the fact that an expert can.” She cautiously announced.
“There’s nothing more to try and I know Homer’s had enough. Here it is for better or worse.”
“I accept your completed task and I release you to work on your next one.”
Dori said with a giggle, “Yes, my queen.”
Stef stuck her tongue out and followed Devon to a quiet place to begin the job of editing and piecing the completed film together.
That had been hours ago and now they were done and she’d sent the film off. It would probably air tomorrow on the first network and then on additional networks every two days until everyone had the opportunity to air it. At that point, she would post it online too for those people who preferred to view things there. Devon and Stef had worked through lunch and here it was supper time and finally, they could leave without worrying about their project. They walked down the hall toward the cafeteria in companionable silence.
The cafeteria was packed. Stef’s mouth watered at the delicious smell. OMG! They were having ribeye steaks with twice stuffed potatoes, fully loaded with lots of sour cream, cheese and green onions. She wondered if she was dreaming as she got a scoop of wilted lettuce, it was a southern thing she hadn’t seen much away from home. Cand
ied carrots, grilled mushrooms and onions went next to her medium cooked steak. She went ahead and got dessert too because the banana cream pie wouldn’t last. She added a cranberry juice and a bottle of water. It was odd that the demons had coffee and tea, but they didn’t carry soda. Lu had said something about it having no food value but neither did coffee and tea.
She slid into a seat next to Lu dying to give him the good news but wanting to do it at a time when she would have his complete attention. She knew Lu was distracted by something and she wondered if he was having last minute doubts. It was such an enormous project it wouldn’t be hard to understand where doubts might surface. If only he would let her in, she was sure she could ease his doubts.
He looked fine right now. He was relaxed and even smiled from time to time. He looked nothing like the tense man she had sat next to at breakfast. He’d stabbed his bacon like it was trying to attack him. His forehead had wrinkled with a deep frown and he contemplated something only he could imagine.
“What’s wrong, Lu?’ She’d asked only wanting to help.
“Huh? Nothing’s wrong.” He’d lied smoothly, but she’d known it wasn’t true.
“If you feel like sharing later, let me know.” She’d snapped as she left him there staring after her. She’d been around men enough to know when one wasn’t being honest. Maybe she was what he was worried about. It looked like whatever it was, he’d worked it out.
She pushed her doubts, self-doubts that grew out of a lack of confidence fed by bad relationships of the past, out of her mind. She savored her food, all gourmet quality. She thought back on what Lu had said about never having a relationship. He was counting on her to teach him how to be a boyfriend. It was her responsibility to be clear with him when he was out of line. Open lines of communication were important. It was the foundation they would build on, that and great sex. The sex was already great, the communication was what they needed to work on to improve.
