Descent: A Trenton Investigations Novella
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Descent
A Trenton Investigations Novella
Felicia Beasley
Contents
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About Descent
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
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Copyright © 2017 by Felicia Beasley
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All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher.
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This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and events are either conjured from the depths of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously.
Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
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Cover art by Rebecca Frank
Edited by Katie Butler
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About Descent
You can’t roll in the mud without getting a little dirty.
The last thing Lex Trenton wants to do with her night is track down an escaped slave at the behest of an incubus. A dangerous, powerful, seductive incubus. But if she doesn’t drag her butt down to Sheol and find the slave, someone else will. And that someone will drag the abused woman back to her sadistic master.
Lex won’t let that happen. Her brother taught her right.
With no help from her overprotective partner, and her body betraying her every time her new client is near, can Lex maneuver through the dense, complicated politics of Sheol without pissing off every demon in power and losing her own head?
Chapter 1
I knew I was going to have a bad day when the most arousing man I’d ever seen entered through the frosted glass door of my office.
He paraded in like it was his name on the sign outside.
My pulse quickened. I couldn’t fill my lungs with enough air. Desire snaked through my underused body. My mind flashed dozens of erotic scenes starring this perfect specimen of a man.
Not that he was a man.
“Turn that damn thing off.” I narrowed my eyes and straightened my back, aiming for the illusion of authority. I still felt like a puddle pooled on the floor.
He gave a sensual smirk, his bottom lip just the right plumpness to bite and suckle.
My body returned to normal like a switch had flicked from on to off. My panties were still soaked, though.
Bastard.
“My apologies. I didn’t expect you to be so beautiful, Miss Trenton.”
He had a musical quality to his voice, and even though he’d turned off his Charm, a shiver went down my spine.
I rolled my eyes. “Does that line ever work or do you just blast your victims with sexual dominance whenever you get hungry?”
He chuckled and smoothed his tousled midnight locks. “You’re not a fan of my kind, I see. Rather amusing since you’re basically one of us.”
His words prickled the back of my neck. “I’m nothing like you.”
“Your father is the most infamous incubus in Sheol. Surely some of that rubbed off on you.”
“I take after my mother.”
I tore my gaze from his enchanting eyes. Their color reminded me of ripe limes. Even with his Charm turned off, he was a very attractive man. His face, and probably the body under that expensive Italian suit, looked carved from marble, like a statue of a virile Roman hero come to life.
He lounged in the chair in front of my desk. His fingers drummed against the fake wood. Long, slender fingers, like a pianist. There is something about a man’s hands that makes me weak in the knee.
Not that I had an interest in being sexed up by this demon. Banging an incubus was worse than selling your soul to the devil. Addictive as hell. It ruined sex with anything that didn’t have a magical penis. And they were notorious sluts.
At least their succubus counterparts had class.
“You should be more welcoming to potential clients,” he said.
“I don’t service your kind,” I retorted.
My bills said otherwise.
He laughed, rich and thick, like a hot cup of coffee on a chilly winter morning. “Phrasing.”
I rolled my eyes again.
“You keep doing that, and they’re going to get stuck.”
Who did he think he was? My deadbeat mother?
“What do you want?” I asked. I wanted this conversation over so I could get back to my crossword.
His eyes raked down to my chest. “What every male that walks through that door wants.”
“I’m not on the menu.”
“Pity.” He straightened, adjusting the fit of his fine suit jacket. “My name is Killian Blackstone.”
Blackstone. He may as well said he was Al Capone.
Family names in Sheol are everything. Different family clans have varying levels of power. My family, the Raynes, held the most influence under Lilith, the queen. Namely because dad was doing her.
The Blackstones came in second place.
In public, our families were besties. Privately, the plotting and backstabbing went both ways.
He knew who my father was and even if I were stupid enough to trust a demon, he’d be the very last one I’d turn my back to.
To quote the wisest Mon Calamari in the galaxy; It’s a trap.
“Is that supposed to impress me?”
“I’m not here to impress you, Miss Trenton. I need your services.”
I folded my hands in my lap, keeping a neutral expression on my face. “I’m not interested.”
He looked around the cramped office, barely big enough for the two desks squeezed inside. There were no couches for clients to wait on, just the second-hand chair he currently occupied. Most potential client’s first impressions didn’t exactly instill confidence in my abilities.
Looks can be deceiving.
His gaze returned to mine. “Let me be blunt. You’re going to lose this place if you don’t pay your rent.”
I clenched my hands into fists under the desk, out of view. “I can pay my bills just fine, thank you.”
“That is not what I have heard.”
My hands started to ache. “You shouldn’t believe everything you hear.”
“And you shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth.”
“Gift, huh. What is it? My birthday?”
“Making me happy could go a long way in finding your brother.” He smiled knowing that he’d just caught me in his snare.
The fact that he knew enough about me to know just what bait to use made my skin crawl.
My brother had been missing for over a year. The only reason I even sat in this chair was to find him.
There was nothing I wouldn’t do to get him back. If that meant flirting with a dangerous incubus, well, then, bring it on.
“How?”
“I’m one of the assistant prosecutors in Sheol.” His tone sounded as if he’d just declared he was president of the United States.
In Sheol, it wasn’t too far from the truth.
My stomach dropped to my shoes. Prosecutors
were a big deal, wielding power like the scythe of the grim reaper. Crossing one often meant finding yourself in a shallow grave.
I would need to tread carefully if I wanted to keep my head connected to my body. “What can I do for you?”
His eyes dropped to my breasts again. I folded my arms across my chest.
“I need to find someone. A missing young woman.”
“Succubus?”
He licked his lips, looking more nervous than sensual. “Cambion.”
Bile rose in my throat. There was really only one reason an incubus would care about a missing half-breed. “Slave?”
I knew second-hand the horrors cambion slaves faced in Sheol. It was worse for the women. I refused to be responsible for the suffering one.
My brother raised me well.
He nodded, eyes still glued to my chest.
“Eyes up here, buddy.”
He smirked. “Trust me. It’s safer for me to stare at your bosom.”
Not sure what that meant.
“How did you lose her?”
“I didn’t.” He looked up and caught my glare. He didn’t seem bothered. “I won’t be the only one grateful for her return.”
Well, now I really didn’t want to take the case.
Before I could tell the incubus to pound sand, my partner, Wes came through the front door. Immediately a palpable tension filled the air.
Killian’s eyes watched him like a hawk staring at a field mouse. He said nothing about the slave mark on Wes’ temple. He would have been within his rights to drag my best friend and partner back to hell. The blade strapped to my thigh, a Roman gladius short sword I’d named Gladys in a rare moment of brilliance, would make sure he didn’t get within ten feet of the door.
Wes ignored the deadly hot demon as he walked around the desk and next to my chair. He bent down and grazed his lips against my temple, marking his territory.
The possessive gesture pissed me off.
“You might as well just piss on me,” I muttered.
Something dark and mysterious flashed in his peacock blue eyes.
I hoped I hadn’t given him any ideas. I’m not into that shit.
His gaze locked onto mine. “Who’s that?” He sounded like he was accusing me of something nefarious.
What the fuck did I do? “Nobody.”
His scrutiny made me uncomfortable. I tore my eyes away from his and glanced back at the potential client.
Killian’s body was tense and poised as if ready to attack. His smile had vanished. Predatory hunger lit his green eyes.
They glowed.
It’s never a good sign when an incubus’ eyes glow.
“You shouldn’t touch what isn’t yours.” There was a threat of violence in his words.
Good grief. “Down, boys. I’m not a damn bone.”
He exhaled and closed his eyes. “I apologize. You have a strange effect on me.”
I doubted it had anything to do with me and everything to do with his ego. I’d had enough. “Have a good day, Mr. Blackstone.”
Wes stiffened behind me. He knew the name as well.
Killian didn’t move from his spot. “You haven’t accepted my case.”
I didn’t want to but if I didn’t find the girl, someone else would. And they’d drag her back to her abusive master. I couldn’t let that happen. I already had trouble enough with sleep.
Time to do a little negotiating then. “I don’t think you can afford me.”
His lips curled as he gave me his best fuck-me eyes. He saw through my words. Only a moron wouldn’t. “Name your price.”
Demons don’t use cash for currency. They have their own system. With access to my father’s stash, I didn’t need any more of their money.
“Ten grand. Cash. Upfront.”
He didn’t even flinch. Should have gone higher.
He nodded. “And a bonus if you bring her back quickly.”
That wasn’t going to happen, but I couldn’t resist asking. “How much of a bonus we talking about?”
“I have deep pockets.” His green eyes glinted with mischief. “Unless there is something else you desire.”
I swallowed and ignored the pounding of my pulse. “What can you tell me about the missing slave?”
“Do you have paper?” he asked.
I ripped off a piece of stationary. He reached into his breast pocket and took out a medieval torture device. He scribbled something on the sheet of pink paper. I watched his hand move, mesmerized.
Wes squeezed my shoulder, and I shook the sexy daydream from my head. The sooner I got rid of Mr. Sexy Pants, the sooner I would regain control over my hormones. Even puberty hadn’t been this bad.
Killian pushed the paper toward me, his smirk telling me that he was cognizant of the effect he had on me. “This is her master and where you can find him. It’s a good place to start.”
“I don’t need you telling me how to do my job.”
“My apologies, Miss Trenton.” He bowed his head toward me and stood.
“You apologize too much.”
“Perhaps you get offended too much.”
“Maybe you should watch your mouth,” I said, temper flaring.
He remained unruffled and reached his hand across the desk. I stared at it for a moment. What would the harm be in one handshake? A million possibilities ran through my head, each worse than the last.
However, Damian had raised me to be polite. I clasped Killian’s hand and immediately regretted it.
His soft skin and firm grip caused my stomach to ache as if it were starving. He brought my hand close to his mouth, hot breath heating up the sensitive skin. Anticipation raced through my body. I held my breath. He turned my hand palm up and then placed a feather light kiss upon my wrist.
Wes’ fingernails dug into my shoulder.
I wish I could say the ache between my legs was due to his Charm, but it couldn’t be. He would never dare use his power with another male present. There would be blood. And I sure as hell would make sure it was his.
I just really needed to get laid.
He let go of my hand and reached into his pocket. He pulled out a fat wallet, overflowing with green bills.
Who the fuck carries around more than ten grand in downtown Minneapolis?
He placed the crisp, never been used before, hundred dollar bills on top of my unfinished crossword puzzle.
I didn’t touch it.
“Drug money?” I asked.
His lips lifted into a shy smile. “Being an incubus in a human world is-- how would you say it?” he paused. Probably for effect. “Profitable.”
“Gross.” I hadn’t meant to say that out loud.
His green eyes twinkled in amusement. “Until next time, Miss Trenton.”
He turned and sauntered toward the exit. I had a hard time not watching his sculpted ass in those custom tailored pants.
As soon as the door closed, Wes spoke.
“What the hell was that about?”
Chapter 2
I can gauge how pissed Wes is by the degree of silence. The absence of sound coming from him after I had explained what Killian had wanted, and what I intended to do about it, told me that rage would be an understatement.
He busied himself at his desk, straightening out papers that didn’t need it and rearranging his pens seven times. I watched the strained muscles in his neck as he tried to steady his breathing and failed.
“You’re going to get hurt,” he finally said.
“I’ll be careful.”
He stopped organizing to shoot me a glare. “Daddy can’t protect you from the prosecutors.”
My face reddened. I stopped myself from saying something mean and took a breath. He wasn’t the biggest fan of my father, not that I blamed him. Dad was an acquired taste.
“Do you think that demon would have accepted no?” I gestured to the still untouched cash in front of me. “Plus this will keep the lights on.”
He clenched his fists, and
the veins in his neck began to strain. “You looked more interested in fucking him than telling him no.”
“Charm’s a bitch,” I muttered.
He scoffed. “From what I saw he didn’t need Charm to get into your panties.”
His macho bullshit was getting on my nerves. “At least someone wants to.”
His eyes widened, and he looked lost for words.
I cursed in my head. I shouldn’t have opened that can of worms. Wes and I had an unspoken rule never to discuss our sex lives. It was too weird.
“When you find her, you return her,” he said. The edge in his voice told me he didn’t consider it a suggestion.
I had no intention of doing that. I had already told him my plan. I was going to find the girl, get her the hell out of Sheol, and make her disappear myself. Somewhere they would never find her.
I didn’t know where yet. That’s where I needed Wes.
“You don’t mean that,” I said. He knew all too well the horrors she’d face if returned. Once upon a time, he had been the escaped slave.
Wes closed the distance between us and knelt before my chair. He took my hands in his, his palms sweaty and his breathing heavy.
“They’ll kill you,” he whispered.
“Not if I convince them I’m just a shitty PI.”
His dark blue eyes, eyes that had captured and enthralled countless women before me, pleaded with me to see sense.
“Convince Blackstone? If you think this is about some missing slave, you’re ignoring the obvious.”
I knew what he was implying. That this was some kind of trick, probably to diminish my father’s power. It didn’t matter. Politics in Sheol weren’t on my list of shit I give a fuck about.
I shrugged and pulled my hands from his. “I’m in it now. No turning back.”
I turned and grazed my fingers across the stacked bills. Probably blood money. The dollars tempted me. Beckoned me. Spend me, they cried. Buy all the things.
Power isn’t the only thing that corrupts.