Chained to Darkness

by Raven Woodward

  When she was in college, he’d sat at the back of an art lecture just to watch her sketch in her notepad, daydreaming about everything and nothing. He hadn’t wanted to admit it then—he still didn’t—but she was fascinating. Carefree and bold. She didn’t give a damn if her opinions offended anyone else. She spoke freely and loved hard.

  If he’d wanted to hurt Arian, he could have simply let Harlow fall in love with Rex. But he was selfish. He wanted her too. And hurting Arian the most meant getting her to fall for him too. Now, there was an irreversible bond between her and him as well as eleven other men. He hadn’t given any thought to whether sharing her with them would affect him.

  But it did.

  He wanted her all to himself.

  But it was too late for that.

  And if he didn’t bring Harlow around to wanting him too, the eleven other men would drive her wild with desire but she’d still refuse. Because of him.

  He needed a backup plan. A way to make her lower her guard. He’d thought that by telling her Arian had been the cause of her parents’ death that she’d turn from him and see that Oricus was not the enemy.

  Even with her memory intact, she didn’t want to believe it.

  Oricus gritted his teeth. He needed more time, but Onoliza was forcing his hand. He needed Harlow and her magic if they had any chance of saving Earth.

  The idea popped into his head, and he took a moment to mull it over before rushing from the room and down, down to the crypt.

  Outside her door he paused. It wasn’t his usual move, but he was desperate.

  “Well, well,” a voice croaked from inside.

  Oricus punched in the security code to slide the bolts free and open her door. He stepped inside, only to be greeted by Harlow lying on her back, staring at the ceiling.

  “I’m surprised you’re back so soon. Aren’t there ten other guys you can send? I could really use another orgasm.”

  He tried not to react to that phrase, yet his cock stiffened anyway. Oricus ran a hand through his hair and sighed. “The bitch is assembling all of her armies. Their airships are outside as we speak.”

  “Sucks to be you,” she drawled, chains rattling while she scratched a spot on her chin.

  “They’re going to destroy Earth. She wants to enslave your planet like she did mine. Is that what you want?”

  She turned to look at him then, brows pinched. “How would you know?”

  He gritted his teeth, flexing his jaw until his teeth threatened to crack. “Back while I was playing spy—”

  “You mean back when you were being her fucktoy,” Harlow corrected.

  Oricus forced himself not to react, pushing on. “When I was spying in her court, she told me things, assuming I was loyal. For decades I’ve known of her plot to claim the Earth, but only recently has she decided to make her move.”

  Harlow pulled herself up to a sitting position and met his gaze unflinchingly. “And what do you want me to do about that?”

  His ire sparked at her lack of anger. “Fight.”

  She narrowed her eyes skeptically. “You came down here to ask me to be your soldier?”

  “I came down here to tell you that I, nor any of my men, will not be capable of fighting while you are unclaimed.” Her shocked expression turned to rage, but he continued. “Your magic is powerful. I don’t think even you know how powerful. Between you and Rex you’ll be valuable assets. We have maybe two days before she strikes. I will release you from this prison if you agree to complete the Mark and fight by my side.”

  He could hear her heart pounding from where he stood in the doorway, taunting him.

  After a moment she scoffed. “Blackmail. That’s your game?”

  Oricus rolled his eyes. “I’m appealing to your heart, Harlow Marks. Don’t you care that your planet is at stake? Humans don’t stand a chance; they won’t last a minute.”

  “Of course I care,” she snapped, rising to her feet. Her anger coated every inch of her beautiful features. “If you make me do this, just know that I’ll never stop trying to find a way to break the bond, like you did to me and Arian.”

  Her words hit him like a punch to the gut, but he kept his cool, uninterested mask in place. “It worked last time because I bled your body dry and replenished it all with our blood. I made you immortal and Rex’s magic guided the bonds into place. It cannot be undone. It’s only fair that you should know that. This is your decision. If you say no, you’ll remain here in the crypt. Just as a reminder, your sister is on this planet. If we fail, she’ll die. They all will.”

  Her eyes fluttered shut, pain marring her beautiful face. Good, he’d struck true.

  “Our kind can’t go into battle with an unclaimed mate left behind. The likelihood, beyond our distraction, is that at least one of us will sneak down here and try to claim you. As a beast we’re not as in control and we’re ruled by the strongest of emotions.”

  Harlow waved a hand to brush his words away. “I know, I know, I’ve heard this spiel before.” She sighed. “I will do it. But I want to see my sister, and I want out of this room.”

  Oricus narrowed his eyes. “If you leave this castle, you’ll lead Onoliza’s soldiers right to your sister. When this is all over, I swear to you, you can see her as often as you like.”

  Her eyes turned cold. “Arian made me the same promise. Before you abducted me.”

  “Why can’t you see that you’re better off without my brother?” Oricus growled. “He tried to kill you. He killed my mate even while she fought to live after I tried to change her.” It had been millennia since he’d lost his mate. The pain of it had faded centuries ago, turning to rage and bitterness. But the image of Slevana struggling with the change when Arian burst in and tore her throat out right in front of him felt as fresh as the day it happened.

  It was difficult to remember if he’d truly loved Slevana or if the rush of a newly claimed mate had been the only thing that fueled him, but she didn’t deserve to die.

  “Arian was far from perfect, but do you honestly think that all of your crimes should go unpunished because he hurt you?”

  “If there is a hell, my darling, believe me when I say that I will rule it if the time ever comes. I don’t try to hide that I am wicked. Nor will I make any apologies. But I am asking you to consent to being my Marked with that knowledge.” He held out a hand for hers, intending to undo her bindings.

  Harlow searched his face. If she was looking for remorse, she wouldn’t find it.

  Finally, she swallowed hard, extending her hands in offering. Lifting her chin she said, “I accept your terms, but don’t fool yourself into thinking that I give a shit about you. Once we’re mated and assuming we don’t all die from zombie werewolves, I am going to go my separate way. You will not follow me. Don’t ever contact me again.”

  He smirked unclasping the manacles around her wrists. Though it was sexy as hell to see her in chains, he needed her to trust him.

  “That’s assuming you won’t want to stay, Puppet.”

  Because he knew that after what was to come, she’d absolutely want to stay, if only to tear him limb from limb.

  HARLOW

  Women filed in. Some carried tools to style her hair; Emuria brought in a box that looked like a spray gun with a large container of jars of colored powders. At Harlow’s raised brows, she’d explained that it was makeup. Jezzebelle was last to file in, toting a glittering silver gown, though her jaw was set tight and unabashed anger burned in her eyes.

  Harlow’s jaw dropped as she observed the items laid out before her.

  “No, not happening.” She folded her arms over her chest. “Just leave me as I am. If they don’t like it, then maybe they won’t be interested.”

  A few of the women stared at her in disbelief, while one giggled behind her hand. Jezzebelle, Harlow noticed, was flushed red, anger radiating from her as she shot the other servant a glare.

  “I’m serious.” Harl
ow frowned. “Jezze, what’s up? You look ready to breathe fire.”

  The woman narrowed her eyes before scoffing and storming out of the room.

  Harlow sent Emuria a look of confusion.

  She bit her bottom lip. “Her Marked is one of the men the master punished. She can see him on the hill and feel his pain. Ever since it happened she has been in a bad mood.”

  Harlow’s eyes widened. “Does she know what they did to me? What they would have done if they hadn’t been interrupted?”

  Emuria looked stricken. “No,” she whispered before lowering her gaze to the floor. “Not even Jezze knows what happened. Just that you were involved. I think she blames you.”

  Harlow glanced to the door. “I need to tell her. She should know that her mate beat me and tried to force himself on me.”

  Gasps went up from all the servants except for Emuria. She shook her head. “Not right now. We need to get you ready.”

  Harlow opened her mouth to argue then closed it again. “Fine,” she huffed, sitting on the edge of the bed to allow the women to brush out her hair. They ran some sort of herbal-scented product through it while the others tugged her to her feet and started to undress her.

  She heaved a sigh. Back in her room she knew there was a camera somewhere. She just hoped for Oricus’s sake that he wasn’t watching her right now.

  Emuria sprayed on a minimal layer of makeup, giving her a natural-looking glow. She allowed them to put the dress on her, though she didn’t understand what the point was. It’d likely be shredded the moment she entered the chamber.

  Nervousness filled her at that thought. Was she really about to do this?

  You don’t have a choice, she reminded herself.

  Emuria took her hand, giving her a smile. “Try to remember that they care for you. I don’t know what it’s like to be Marked, but Jezzebelle has told me enough. Enjoy it.” With a wink from her that had Harlow laughing, they strode from her room.

  Down the hall, up the stairs, and across to the throne room they went. Her heart pounded so hard it drowned out all thought.

  They stopped outside the grand double doors wrapped in vines. Harlow wrung her hands. She could feel each of her mates on the other side and already desire pooled low in her belly. This wasn’t like her bonding to Arian. This wasn’t just two people. It was twelve dangerous, deceitful men that both ignited a flame inside her, and infuriated her all at once. She wasn’t even sure how it was possible for twelve men to bond with her. Would they just line up in a row, taking their turn like punching a time card?

  “Stop thinking before you lose your nerve,” Emuria scolded. “Now go.”

  With a deep breath, Harlow pushed forward, the doors groaning as they swung open. They were far lighter than they looked. That, or she was stronger than she remembered.

  Inside, it took her several moments for her mind to register what she was seeing.

  Eleven shirtless, gorgeous men knelt in a semicircle around a raised stone platform. Oricus stood behind it, meeting her gaze. The intensity of his stare made it hard to draw any breath into her lungs, and slowly she felt the other eleven raise their heads to look at her.

  Above, the roof was now pure glass, allowing full, brilliant moonlight to bathe the room. The large tree that was half inside and half outside the elegant space was still decorated in miniscule crystalline flowers that resembled blue baby’s breath. The tree’s roots stretched across the floor and a fire crackled in the stone fireplace to its left. All of those were things she’d seen. However, the green-tinted pool that sank into the floor was new. Blankets and pillow created a nest of sorts, big enough to fit all thirteen of them in front of the fire.

  Her heart rate spiked at the sight of it, reminding her of what they expected her to do. She took a step backward, shaking her head. “No, I can’t do this.”

  Oricus nodded to one of the men still kneeling on the floor—she didn’t see who because she turned and ran.

  Strong arms banded around her waist in the next second, lifting her off the floor. Her breathing was ragged as heat licked through her body, the contact sparking her desire anew. “Let me go,” she gritted out.

  “Don’t fight us, pet,” Rasimus rumbled against her ear. His voice made her knees knock together, and she would’ve sagged to the floor if not for the iron grip around her middle.

  “I can’t do this,” she said, hating the sound of pleading coming from her lips. It was her body; she shouldn’t have to beg the men not to touch her.

  And yet…

  One of Rasimus’s hands slid north to cup her breast, and she gasped.

  “That’s it, pet. I can smell your arousal.”

  Harlow squeezed her eyes shut. She didn’t want to give in, but it felt so damn right.

  “Bring her back,” Oricus ordered.

  Her captor dragged her backward and into the now-enclosed circle before tossing her onto the cold, stone platform. Stepping back, Rasimus took his place amongst his brothers and clan, his eyes just as hungry as theirs.

  Even Viktor watched her with an expression of unquenchable lust.

  Harlow shook her head again. “I can’t do this, there’s too many of you.”

  She couldn’t help but scowl when chuckles spread through their group. Oricus grinned, his canines looking sharper than normal. “Relax, Puppet.” He stepped forward, brushing his knuckles down her arm, and she shivered.

  Someone else stepped to her other side and brushed her hair over her shoulder. Their touches were like live wires, sending heat directly to her core. She fought to control her breathing as more of her men approached, their hands roving her body, and soon she relaxed.

  A set of lips grazed her neck, lightly kissing down to her shoulder while a hand kneaded her right breast. Oricus, who stood between her legs, forced her eyes to open and focus on him when his hand found the hem of her dress and pushed the fabric up her thighs. Trailing his fingertips up to her apex forced a breathy moan out of her.

  It was Rex to her right that eased the strap of her dress over her shoulder and freed her breast from its lacy confines. In an instant he claimed her hard nipple with his lips and Oricus moved his fingers to her clit, stroking the sensitive bud.

  She felt dizzy. Drunk on the pleasure they were giving her, and she didn’t want it to ever stop. She wrapped one hand around the back of someone’s neck. His lips and tongue continued their work on the back of her shoulder. Kel. She knew it instinctively.

  Rasimus freed her other breast, tweaking the nipple between his fingers right as Oricus dipped his fingers to her slick slit and slid one inside.

  Her head fell back onto the shoulder of the man behind her who gripped her hair. Viktor.

  He claimed her mouth, shoving his tongue inside with brutal stokes. They laid her back on the slab, making quick work of tearing the dress open. Every inch of her was naked and theirs.

  “How are you feeling, Puppet?” Oricus rasped, his voice laced with all the sensual heat she felt herself. He didn’t halt his rhythmic thrusting of his finger, instead adding a second.

  Rex’s bite to her nipple made her gasp into Viktor’s mouth. He broke the kiss and Rex took over. His kiss was nowhere near as hard and demanding; it was slow and tender. She felt as if she were floating while the others pressed their lips to her body. She felt their touches everywhere and her back bowed, offering more of herself to their wicked, skillful tongues and hands.

  This was worship.

  She felt like a goddess.

  Their goddess to pleasure. To fuck.

  She reached out her arms—hoping to stroke her men—and was shocked to find hard, velvety cocks throbbing as they slipped into her palms. When they’d removed their pants, she wasn’t sure, and she didn’t care. Her orgasm grew closer, body tightening with each touch. Each sensation increased until it crashed into her and she cried out, letting Rex swallow her moans.

  Sounds of satisfaction ran through the men while
she pumped Xalicur and Koen. Rex broke his kiss at last to look up. She, too, glanced to Oricus, who removed his fingers from her drenched pussy.

  Without breaking eye contact, he licked his fingers clean, sending her toes curling.

  To Rex, he nodded, and they switched places, Oricus coming to stand by her head. But he didn’t kiss her. All of them slowed their touches on her body as Rex fisted his cock and stepped between her thighs.

  She sucked in a sharp breath, bracing herself. It seemed like they all held their breath—waiting. Rex’s head nudged her entrance and paused. She wiggled against him and let out a whimper of need.

  Then he shoved inside her.

  She cried out, and her mates cheered.

  Eyes locked for a moment, they were transfixed with each other. His thrusts were slow and languid, and she wanted to beg for it harder. But she knew that before the night was over she’d have her fill. She lowered her attention to his shoulder where a vein twitched. Harlow licked her lips and sat up, wrapping her arms around his neck while he slid in and out like he was taking his time remembering the feel of her.

  “You ready, baby?” he asked.

  She wasn’t sure what he meant but she nodded anyway, her lips pressing to his pulse point. Before she understood what she was doing, her mouth opened and she bit into his shoulder. At the same time, he gripped her shoulder, leaning into her neck. Sharp pricks of pain blossomed where he bit down. Then pleasure erupted through her and she came again, drinking Rex’s musky sweet taste.

  He pistoned in faster and harder, riding her orgasm until he grunted, and heat filled her.

  She released him, gasping, looking around at the grinning men surrounding them. Returning to Rex, her eyes widened at the sight of her bite and the beads of blood that trickled from the two puncture marks. Her tongue ran over her teeth, but her canines were rounded. Normal.