Hunger (Witches of the Big Easy Book 2)

by Ts McKinney

  He bent over and picked up the vial of Marchand’s blood. “If you love him, drink this.”

  Julian held up his hand. “No, Azazel, we’ve seen what Marchand’s blood does. It’s already burned his flesh from his face when the warlocks used it against him. What are you hoping to prove? Are you trying to punish him, to kill him, for something his family has done? If so, go fuck yourself. He loves my child and deserves your respect if you care about Marchand the way you claim to.”

  The fallen angel snorted in disgust. “If he truly loves my nephew…and if my nephew loves him, the blood won’t harm him.” He thrust the vial at me again. “Consider it a test, if you will.”

  Julian shoved it back again. “I’ve already told you what it did to his flesh. Marchand explained it to me in detail—showed me visions of it.”

  “That was the blood hitting his flesh. If he’s Marchand’s true mate, the blood won’t hurt him if it is swallowed.” His gaze locked with mine. “It will give him Marchand’s strength. Why do you think the warlocks wanted it so badly? Why do you think they used it to destroy their enemies? It holds power, to be used for good or for bad.”

  Before he could say another word, I jerked the vial from his hand, ripped the cap off, and swallowed the blood. If I was useless to Marchand, then dying wouldn’t be so bad, but if the blood could help me rescue him, it was a chance I was more than willing to take.

  It burned going down my throat and memories of it eating the flesh from my face flashed back. Julian and Valen held hands as they watched me, waiting to see if I would melt away right in front of them. The fallen angel? I couldn’t tell if he wanted me dead or alive.

  The burning increased when it hit my stomach. Pain wracked my body. It felt like something was inside me, ripping me apart to try and escape. No matter how badly it hurt, I refused to look away from Marchand’s uncle. His face would be the last I saw if Marchand’s blood killed me. I was too proud to look away.

  After a minute, when I was still alive Azazel smiled and nodded. “Let’s go. Give Julian and Valen the address, little witch. You’ll fly with me so you can tell me as we travel.” His wings unfurled with a loud snap and a gush of air. When he reached for me, I jerked away.

  “Was that it? Did I pass the test? Were you trying to determine the level of my love for my Darkness?” I used his nickname just to piss him off. Furious with him for playing games when Marchand needed our help, I looked to Julian and spat out the address. “Save him, Julian. Azazel will be here playing games with me.”

  “Oh, shut up,” he grumbled. “You would have been dead the second the blood touched your tongue if you weren’t Marchand’s beloved. I apologize. Now, let’s go. His power will grow inside you as we travel.”

  “You’re sorry? I bet that hurt to say.”

  He smiled. “You have no idea. A witch? He couldn’t choose better than a witch?” He shook his head. “The boy never had good taste.”

  Chapter Seven

  Marchand

  The empty blackness in my head slowly started to clear away…and with it, an immense feeling of pain took its place. My wrists, stomach, and ankles felt like they were on fire. Desperate, I tried to force away the fogginess in my head so I could do something to end the suffering. Something wet slid down my cheeks. When I tried to lift my hands to wipe it away, I was unable to move. With each passing second, the horror of my predicament became clearer and clearer. The demons had captured me. One minute I’d been racing toward Gabriel’s apartment and then…nothing.

  Fuck.

  My eyes opened a slit and I saw one of the asshole demons leaning over me, a disgusting smirk on his horrendous-looking face. I took a quick inventory of my body and realized that silver chains were wrapped tightly around the places on my body that were burning with pain. My vampire side screamed in agony as the silver bit into my flesh. I felt my blood slowly trickling away. There was also a strong spell zapping my angelic strength.

  Yeah, I’d remembered what I was. Who I was. Where I’d come from and where I’d been going before I’d been rescued. The Angel Master had gifted me to the Demon Master to be his pet. My mother had died giving birth to me. Julian didn’t know I existed. I remembered it all in one big rush.

  Right up to the point where my uncle, Azazel, showed up and ripped the other angels to shreds. After that, it was foggy again until Gabriel took me away from Dominic, rescued me from the magical hold they had over me. I had my naughty memories with Gabriel, of a different type of magic. Me realizing I was part vampire. Julian showing up. Now…this fucking mess.

  “Well, look here,” the demon purred, his words ending with a hiss because of his forked tongue. “The abomination is finally awake.” He reached a hand up to touch my face and one of his sharp claws sliced through my skin. I winced but nothing more. My lack of a reaction must have irritated him because his tail whipped through the air and wrapped around my neck, squeezing tightly. Since breathing was a nothing more than a habit for me, I glared defiantly at him. The stupid fucker honestly thought he could choke me?

  “Ah, yes,” he hissed. “Your vampire side is showing, abomination.” His tail unwrapped and when I opened my mouth to try and compel him to go fuck himself, the slimy length shoved inside my mouth. As he smiled, his tail moved deeper and deeper, sliding down my throat…and kept going. I gagged and choked from the absolute grossness and violation of the demonic act.

  “What? You don’t like?” His eyes glowed red. “The Demon Master’s tail is longer and thicker than mine. His has spikes on his.” He leaned over closer to my face. “And I’ve heard how he plans to fuck you with his tail, over and over again. I bet he lets us watch, since we’re hand delivering the goods when nobody else could.”

  If telling him to fuck off would have been an option, I would have definitely chosen it. As it was, I spent all my energy on trying to clear my mind and convince myself that the tail couldn’t hurt me. I didn’t need to breathe. If he ripped my throat open, it would heal. Oh, and he wouldn’t dare kill me because I belonged to the Demon Master.

  His forked tongue flickered against my lips. “You know what else? It will rip you open to fuck you that way, with the spikes on it, but since you’re part vampire, you’ll heal. It’ll be like your first time every damn time.”

  “Zellus! Stop tormenting our guest,” the demon that had abducted me ordered as he strode into the room. I recognized him from before—from when Azazel had rescued me. “I don’t think you want me to tell the Demon Master that you molested any of Marchand’s holes before he gets his chance, do you?”

  The tail whipped out of my mouth and the demon bowed to the leader. “No, Masssster,” he hissed. “Please don’t reveal my transgression.”

  “Get out, Zellus,” the demon said. “I asked you to watch over Marchand. You disobeyed me, as well. I’m the one you need to be worried about right now.”

  Zellus dropped to his belly and slithered away like a snake. The demon leader looked at me. “Don’t look so tormented, angel. You’ll survive Zellus. It’s the Demon Master you need to worry about. He’s forgotten more about torture than Zellus has yet to learn.” He stepped closer and checked my wounds where the silver bit into my flesh. “I have to admit, you are a beautiful creature—abomination, or not.”

  “Stop calling me that,” I hissed. My voice sounded weak. Fuck it, I was weak.

  “Fine,” he answered. “I’ll call you by your given name until the Demon Master gives you a new one.” He held up his hands. “Does that make it all better? Improve your mood…Darkness?”

  My eyes narrowed as I struggled wildly against the silver. “If you so much as touch him, I won’t rest until you’re destroyed!”

  “Calm yourself,” he retorted. “The witch means nothing to me. If he stays out of my way, I’ll stay out of his.” While he continued to fiddle with my chains, he said, “I’m Ariel, by the way.”

  Unable to stop myself, I coughed out a hysterical laugh. “Like the mermaid?”

 
His expression was bored. “Do you honestly think you’re the first fool to say that to me? Not funny, Darkness. Especially when I have you at my complete mercy.”

  It was my turn to smile. Hell, I was probably going to die anyway, or wish I was dead, so I might as well get in a few verbal punches while I could. “Mercy? I’m at your mercy?” I asked in mock disbelief. “Do you mean like before?”

  He frowned and tilted his head. “Explain what you mean.”

  “I remember, Mermaid. I remember everything. You were there when the emissaries brought me to the portal. You ran like a fucking coward when Azazel showed up and began slaughtering both angels and demons. You looked so scared. How did that feel, huh?”

  He took a few seconds to study my question before answering. “I’m going to be honest, Darkness. I didn’t feel anything. Demons don’t refer to it as cowardice. Survival is our main objective. I merely did what I thought was best for my survival.”

  “So, you admit that my uncle can kick your ass?” I laughed. “I thought you were next in command, right beneath the Demon Master? The bar must be pretty low for warriors in Hell if you’re the Prince.”

  Instead of being angry, he answered, “Well, you have met Zellus. Clearly, he isn’t the sharpest knife in the drawer so…yes, you may have a point.”

  It was difficult to argue with the fucker when he was being so damn agreeable. What game he was he playing? He couldn’t honestly believe that I wasn’t going to fight him up until the bitter end?”

  “Lavender hair and eyes,” he remarked. “It’s no wonder the Angel Master hated you so badly. You had to be a constant reminder of just how…different you were.” He leaned closer to me. “Tell me, the rumor in Hell was that he had a huge crush on your mother, was it true? Is that why he’s so determined to fuck you over?”

  “Go fuck yourself,” I growled. He didn’t have any right to mention her existence, at least not in the same sentence with the Angel Fucking Master.

  His smiled deepened. “Actually, with my tail, I can do that. Would you like to watch?”

  I turned away from him, refusing to even give him my attention.

  “That’s it, Darkness. Just relax. Open your mind. Enjoy the time you have left in this realm.”

  My eyes blinked back tears. What an asshole. Why even say that?

  I knew I’d never give up and go willingly, not leave Gabriel behind after I’d only just found him, but at that moment in time, I didn’t have any fight left in me. He was right; I needed to open my mind—purge it of the demonic evil surrounding me and focus on gathering my strength so I could return to the witch I loved. With each second, I felt myself grow weaker and colder as my vampire blood slowly drained from me. The coldness threatened to consume me, but then my body suddenly warmed. I felt…safe. Closing my eyes, I tried to draw strength from the unidentified warmth.

  “That’s it,” Ariel whispered. “Rest, young one.”

  My eyes closed, but I wasn’t resting. My soul searched for the warmth. It smelled of spring and sandalwood. It touched my heart and soothed my suffering.

  Gabriel.

  He floated into the room. Yes, floated. And, yes, my eyes were still closed. I could see it all perfectly clear, though. I felt my lips turn upward to a smile. My beloved, I whispered. You look silly floating like that—like an angel without the wings.

  Where are you, Darkness? Where are they holding you?

  You know as much as me, Poppet. You floated here. I was spellbound.

  Always a smart ass, he answered with a smile. Don’t give up; we’re coming for you.

  I know. Don’t dally. You don’t even want to know what the Demon Master plans to do with his tail. Be safe, though. Make sure Uncle Az explains how to fight demons. My smile widened as another smell tickled my nose. You drank my blood. Feels good, doesn’t it?

  I love you, Darkness. Fight until we get here, he urged.

  I’m a bit tied up right now—no fighting for me. Silver sucks. I grow weak, Poppet. Hurry.

  The warmth vanished. A tear slipped down my cheek. I’d tried to appear brave for Gabriel. I was fucking terrified.

  “Is he still cloaked, witch?” Ariel’s husky voice jerked me back to reality.

  “Of course, he’s cloaked,” a female voice snapped. “What are we waiting for? I told you the spell was strong enough to keep him hidden from Azazel. Let’s deliver him to the Demon Master so you can pay my fees. I risk retribution from the Législateurs for lending my magic to you.”

  “Soon enough, witch,” Ariel answered. “I hope your magic is fierce. Azazel is frightfully powerful. I wouldn’t want to even imagine what would become of us if the fallen angel’s wrath arrives before we flee.”

  He didn’t sound at all concerned, almost as if he mocked the witch holding me captive, cloaking me from my uncle. It dawned on me—Ariel had asked the witch to cloak me from Azazel. Did he not fear Julian or Gabriel? What a fool he was. Only a demon would underestimate the power of love. It hadn’t been my powerful fallen angel uncle or the link with my ancient vampire father. No, it was the connection with the witch I loved that might save me.

  “Almost time, half breed,” Ariel whispered. “I know you’re alert. No need for games.” I felt him step away from me. “Hold the sanctity of the spell. I’ll go fetch the others and we’ll leave for the portal,” he barked to the witch.

  When he left the room, I opened my eyes again and searched for the witch. She stood in a corner, hidden in the shadows, but I could feel the strength of her magic thumping from that spot. After trying to swallow away the disgusting taste of Zellus’ tail and then licking my dry lips to keep them from sticking together when I talked, I tilted my head toward her. “Do you know my lover? Gabriel Gaudet. He’s a most powerful witch and has the additional power of a Législateur. Know this—he’s going to find you and destroy you, witch. Whatever you fear from these demons will be nothing compared to his vengeance against you.” Fear—is was all traitors and cowards understood. She needed to be very afraid.

  “Perhaps, vampire,” she answered quietly “Or perhaps the Législateurs will be disgusted with Gabriel for fornicating with a dark creature.” She laughed softly. “As a matter of fact, I just received a message telling me that young Gabriel has just had his Législateur powers stripped from him because of his dalliance with you.” She made a tsking sound. “Tell me, abomination, how many more creatures will lose their status, power, or lives because of you?”

  The words cut straight through to my heart, but I refused to let her know the damage she’d done. She would only use my weakness against me. “Hopefully just you and the demons,” I answered calmly. “When exactly was Gabriel’s additional powers revoked?” I really hoped to hell that part wasn’t true. I wasn’t particularly fond of the Législateurs but knew Gabriel was faithful to their teachings. Losing their support and magic would damage a part of him, and I wanted to bring goodness into his life—not bigotry and hate. Of course, it seemed like those followed me everywhere.

  “Hours ago. He’s probably finding his brother right now, rebuking you and begging for Nic Gaudet to reinstate him. I hope you weren’t looking for him to rescue you?”

  Hours? It hadn’t been more than fifteen minutes since Gabriel’s aura had visited me. If his magic had been lessened, it looked like my blood was making up the difference. Hmmm…couldn’t help but love the shit out of that idea.

  “Really? That’s most strange.” I couldn’t help it. I wanted this witch to feel the fear they’d tried to bestow on me. I wanted the demons to feel it. I wanted Ariel to taste the wrath of my uncle’s hatred…even if he did seem almost likeable. Almost. Not quite. Probably not even fucking close. Like a vampire, demons used tricks like that to lure you into their web.

  I felt her heartbeat pick up several notches. Perfect. My mouth watered with the need to taste that fear, to enjoy the sweetness as it slid across my taste buds and down my throat. Yeah, judge me all one wanted, but the bloodlust was exquisite.
/>   She stepped closer. “I’ll nibble, young one. Why would it be most strange?”

  She’d moved close enough for me to see her, which meant she truly wasn’t afraid that I would be rescued. Fool. Fiery red hair hung in thick ringlets down her back and caressed the curve of her ass. Green eyes looked at me, so green that she was bound to have a bit of fairy blood in her. She was dainty. Yes, definitely some fairy blood.

  “Because he was just here,” I answered. “Moments ago. Astral projecting his aura right into this room. How could he manage such an accomplishment without some sort of additional magic? Are you certain your information is accurate?” I smiled at her. “I’d hate for you to be mistaken.” She took a step back. “Because Gabriel will either execute you on the spot or have you sent before the Législateurs for punishment. Either way, if you don’t rush back to fairyland, you’ll be dead before sunrise.”

  “You lie,” she spat, but her voice wavered. The scent of fear in the air grew even headier. Inhaling deeply, I couldn’t help but wonder how the warlocks that had held me prison had managed to surprise my vampire side. It certainly wasn’t with the likes of Dominic.

  “Do I?” I teased. “Maybe. Maybe not.” I did my best impression of a shrug and tried not to wince when the silver rubbed another spot on my flesh. “You have absolutely nothing to worry about if I’m lying but if I’m telling you the truth, you are only moments away from death. Unless you run, of course.”

  “You’re just trying to scare me to save yourself,” she accused.

  “Again—maybe. Maybe not. I have a great idea; let’s take a chance and see.”

  Zellus and three other demons stormed into the room. “Where’s Ari? We need to move. We’ve been in one place too long. I don’t trust the vampire or that fallen angel!”