The pull on me ceased like someone released an elastic. Vibrations ricocheted through me with enough force to bruise my internal organs. The pain was blinding, and I faded, teetering near unconsciousness.
What the ever-loving fuck was going on?
I’d harbored a sliver of hope that she wouldn’t go forward with the plan. That she’d give us one more chance. In my tightened ribcage, the truth pounded clear—Selena had severed our connection.
No. The agony was intolerable. Both physical pain and mental anguish. My vision narrowed to pinpricks of light, but they soon dimmed.
And then. Nothing.
I woke with a throbbing headache. How long had I been out? I glanced out the window. The light was dimming, but still visible. It had to be near dusk.
Bracing my hands on each side of my head, I then sat up in bed.
Selena? I called.
Nothing. Selena? I tried again.
My message was futile. The truth left me hollow. She’d severed our bond.
“No,” I cried. “No.”
Grief settled over me. Whatever we had was over.
The loss was monumental, more than I ever imagined possible. Even if I hadn’t wanted the bond from the beginning, she had become part of me. Losing that connection was as traumatic as losing part of myself.
I’d thought we were building something. I thought I was reaching through to her. But, she’d changed her mind. If she was afraid of the hunters, why not face them together? Sure, I’d been lucky enough to avoid any in my travels, but that didn’t mean I didn’t know of their existence. Any supernatural who roamed the earth knew to avoid attracting the wrong attention.
One question repeated in my head. Why had she done this? I had to find her.
A new wave of pain gripped me. I curled into a ball and moaned. Traveling anywhere in the near future appeared doubtful.
A knock at the door. I couldn’t answer it. Couldn’t even respond.
Ice ages later, I crawled over to it. Whoever had knocked was gone, but a small black bag hung on the doorknob. Inside was a silver flask and a note reading, “Please drink this. It should help. ~ S.”
No additional explanation. Damn, I had to find her.
A few hours after I drank the mysterious potion, I mustered enough mental and physical strength to teleport to her safehouse. Selena sat on an Adirondack chair outside and stared at the sea. Although it was in the seventies, she’d wrapped a beige shawl around her. Her face appeared gaunt. She had a piece of driftwood covered with seaweed in her hands, which she turned.
“Selena, what have you done?” I approached her.
She flinched. “What we said we’d do.” She turned to me with an impassive expression, but when her gaze met mine, her eyes flickered with emotional intensity.
“You broke our bond? How?”
“You know how.” She raised her chin and snapped the bad ass mask back into place. “The sorceress. She severed this unnatural connection.”
I ignored the distance Selena was trying to place between her and her emotions. The time for games was over. “Unnatural?” I repeated. “It never felt that way to me.”
She glanced at the driftwood in her hand and flipped it absently.
“Why did you do it?”
“We wanted to break it from the beginning.” Her words came out in a monotone, as if she had been repeating the excuse to herself.
Selena fumbled with the tangled seaweed, twisting it, but making no progress of removing the twine from the wood.
“At what cost? Did you feel a smidgen of the agony that I feel?”
Her strong façade wavered. “It will pass.” Her trembling bottom lip belied her cool tone.
She did feel something. For me or the pain of severing our connection?
“We were good together.”
When she closed her eyes and moved her lips, I couldn’t read what she muttered, but I was fairly certain it was to convince herself she’d done the right thing.
After she reopened them, she said in a flat voice, “We’re better off this way.” She tossed the driftwood onto the grass.
“According to who? You know we had something good. And now—” I covered my heart and swallowed. “And now, something’s missing.” I took a step closer and kneeled before her. I took both of her hands in mine and searched her eyes.
She cried out with a strangled gasp and pulled her hands away. “Don’t do this, Daron. It’s too late. It’s for our own good. Our safety.”
Her expression contorted with pain. Did she regret what she did?
“I don’t buy that,” I said. “We’re stronger together than apart.”
“Why are you making this harder? We gave it a go and it didn’t work.” She snapped. “You can go fuck who you want now.” Her tone came out cool and hard as if she was forcing her defensive armor back into place. She gestured with a careless wave. “You don’t have to be stuck with me.”
“I never felt stuck with you.”
She spread her hands wide gesturing behind me. “Go forth and spill your seed. The pussies await.” Despite her cool tone, the slight tremble in her hand gave her away.
Her words pierced like she was tearing us apart all over again. She thought of me no better than how I dismissed my father—just an incubus who fucked and ran. I took a slow breath to keep from reacting defensively.
“Selena, I don’t want anyone else. I only want you.”
She covered her mouth and released another pained cry. “It’s too late.” Her eyes widened and glistened. “It’s done.” She rose and ran into the safehouse, closing the door behind her.
I took a step forward to follow her, but then forced myself to stop. She’d made her decision. She didn’t want me in her life.
Chapter Twenty-one
Selena
Three long days and even longer nights dragged on. I told myself the remorse would pass. That I’d recover from the broken bond and return to my pleasure-seeking ways in no time.
Was I lying to myself?
Instead of celebrating my new single freedom the way I’d anticipated, I holed up in the safehouse, drowning in sorrow and heartache.
Regrets magnified, leaving me hollow. Weak. Like I was descending down terraces of despair. Would it ever bottom out?
Guilt grew so intense that it destroyed my appetite. Each time I attempted to leave my safehouse to hunt for prey, I returned. Almost every corner of Salem was imprinted with a memory of Daron, first starting with the hunt for his scent and then ending with all the moments we’d spent together exploring, eating, screwing.
Without feeding, my distress exacerbated. My body weakened with each hour. Worse, my body and mind still ached for Daron.
Why? The bond was broken.
Something was wrong. I had to return to Eloise and figure out how to fix me.
Forcing myself to interact with humans enough to muster energy, I then acquired enough to teleport to Newport. Eloise didn’t appear surprised and welcomed me inside. Once we settled in the lilac room, I explained what had been happening since I’d left.
“The ache for him hasn’t lessened. If anything, it’s growing worse. But, I shouldn’t feel anything for him any longer.”
Eloise nodded with compassion. “I only broke the magical connection. Your feelings are still yours.”
What the hell? I shook my head, unwilling to accept it. “But they should have been connected to the bond, and when we broke it, they should vanish.”
Her gaze wandered to tiny bouquets of pink roses and white daisies on a small end table. “The heart wants what we don’t always understand.”
My pulse quickened. Agony ripped inside like it was shredding me with jagged claws.
“You’re saying this was all for nothing?” My breath came out in rough pants. “I’m going to pine for him forever?”
“The only one who knows what you truly want is you.”
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!
What did I want? What had I done?
My gut hollowed and trembled, thundering like a cavernous, never ending earthquake.
I was such a stubborn fool. One who thought she knew best, but was so, so wrong. I dropped my head into my hands.
Had I made the biggest mistake of my life?
* * *
Daron
Three days passed with no word from Selena. Although our connection was severed, the constant ache in my chest signaled I wouldn’t forget her any time soon. I had to respect her decision and stay away.
It was over. Time to move on. And, I was ravenous.
Since she’d broken the bond, I hadn’t had a proper meal and only drank from those in passing. I hadn’t had sex with anyone else since I’d met Selena. Why would I when I had the most sensual partner imaginable?
Enough moping. I was a damn incubus. Time to act like one and move the fuck on from a succubus who didn’t want me.
I walked downtown. The test awaited me. I was eager to face the challenge.
Ah, Salem. I could get used to the ambiance of this town. The way it embraced its unique spirit fit right in with my style. The witches here didn’t hide. Storefronts and restaurants proudly declared their witch affiliation.
Maybe tonight I’d find a hot little witch from whom to feed. It was time to put Selena’s report to the test. She’d claimed she was unable to feed from others since we’d bonded. That had to be all in her head. Because what kind of incubus would I be if I couldn’t seduce women?
As I prowled through the town, I kept alert for the femme du jour. I eyed a couple of goth beauties who admired me with a long appraisal. I nodded and smiled to show my appreciation. Two women would be even better than one. It would definitely help with distracting me from one stubborn succubus.
Hell, if she didn’t want me, I’d find someone who did.
The night was young. No need to choose the first item presented on the menu. I had plenty of time to scan all the courses of the evening and decide on which would best please my appetite.
I continued my hunt. In an old pub with dark paneling, I spotted a stunning redhead sitting alone at the bar. As I approached, I sensed her magic. She was a witch. Would she be the one for the night?
Odd, my cock didn’t wake, nor even twitch. It didn’t stir to attention the way it did when Selena was close. But, screw it—I needed to feed properly. Surely, it would rise to the occasion. Eventually.
I approached the woman and set an empty stool beside her. “Good evening. Hope you don’t mind if I take this seat.”
When she turned to me, I attempted to dazzle her with a dose of irresistibility. My smile promised seduction, it had worked many times in the past, helping me get into many hot panties. She stared back, pupils dilating, and parted her lips. Then she blinked and turned away.
“I’m sorry but this seat is taken.” Her curt tone indicated she wasn’t sorry at all. “My boyfriend will be right back.”
Fuck. She easily brushed away my influence, as if she was blinking. Was my attempt only half-hearted?
I motioned like tipping a hat. “Have a good night.”
Damn, my connection with Selena still affected my feeding. I was exhausted. Ravenous. I had to feed soon.
A witch wasn’t the best choice. After all, they were magically gifted, so less prone to fall prey to my influence.
I’d take my search elsewhere. Why not try the club Vamps again? Plenty of delicious vixens there.
Because the last time I was there, I ended up leaving with Selena.
I shoved that memory aside with a low groan. She was the last thing I wanted to think about.
After teleporting to the club, I entered.
“You're back?” The blond gargoyle kept his tone flat, but the twitch of his brow shared his reaction. Only an idiot would return after being kicked out.
I flashed a sheepish smile. “What can I say? This club has appeal.”
“Try not to cause any scenes tonight. I’ll be keeping an eye on you.”
Right. Selena’s strong reaction with a hard slap and harsh accusations had earned us two gargoyle escorts.
I waved both arms in supplication. “I’m not looking for trouble. Just a companion, if I’m lucky.”
The gargoyle’s mouth twitched with amusement. “It didn’t work out with that firecracker?”
My gut churned. Why did the gargoyle have to bring her up? It was difficult enough to ignore the longing to go to her and concentrate on finding a new companion for the evening.
“No.” I perked up and searched the dance floor. “She isn’t here tonight, by any chance?”
“Haven’t seen her.”
I exhaled, ignoring the disappointment that tightened my ribs. After the gargoyle let me pass, I ordered a drink. A band named Velvet Cocks took the stage. Short, loud, hard songs followed.
Interesting concept. I hadn’t seen a live act performing here during the other times I’d visited, during which times the crowd had moved like serpentines responding to the seductive rhythm of the DJ’s trance. Now they were pumping their fists and jumping as they faced the band. Many repeated the chorus. The singer had a shaved head and wore camouflage shorts, a torn skull T-shirt, and black boots. Stranger still was the guitarist beside him. With his fur pelts and metal-studded boots, he appeared to be a strange amalgamation of a Viking and punk rocker. The drummer was mostly hidden by his drum set, but he wore a tight black tank top that matched his dark hair.
As I finished my drink, I surveyed the crowd and scanned the options for dinner. Near the front, a petite blonde danced along the music in wild oblivion. Perfect. Nothing like Selena with her black hair and tall, voluptuous figure. The fewer reminders, the better.
I sidled up beside the blond and moved along to the music. She remained oblivious to my presence, seemingly more entranced about the spectacle on the stage. This would require some work on my part. I’d try to seduce her the old-fashioned way with my charm and if that wasn’t fruitful, I’d use my influence.
The next song roused the crowd. Many sang the chorus with enthusiasm.
“Let’s fuck all over Paris.
Under the moon. Under Polaris.”
My belting rendition finally caught the blonde’s attention. “Great song.” I had to bend lower to her and shout it to be heard over the pounding music.
She forced a polite smile. “It’s one of their best.” Then she turned her attention back to the stage.
I groaned. This was not going well. Fuck. I was starving. Needed energy. When I bent closer to her ear this time, I released a smidgen of magic to influence her to go outside with me. A blend of aphrodisiacs and pheromones washed over her. Once I had her attention, she wouldn’t be able to resist my charms.
“I’m Daron. What’s your name?”
She blinked and stared at me, appearing dazed. “Ally.”
Good, it was working. “It’s too loud in here. Let’s go someplace quieter.”
She bit her lip. “Um. I shouldn’t.”
“Why not?”
Her eyes searched mine. “I don’t know.” Was she finally coming around?
“Come with me,” I insisted. I took her by the hand and led her to the exit. The last time I fed here was from a woman in a back corner. The gargoyles didn’t permit that and had blamed Selena. This time, I wouldn’t be so “cavalier” as Selena had called me. After a quick scan of the interior, I noted their location. The blonde one who’d talked to me was distracted by a couple who were arguing. The other one behind the bar was busy mixing drinks. This was my moment to sneak out of there without interference.
“Let’s go.” I rushed her toward the exit and out of the club. The memory of leaving with Selena and the hot sex that followed flowed through my mind, exacerbating the ache that installed itself as a permanent fixture, despite the severed bond. I gritted my teeth. She no longer wanted me, and I had to feed.
Behind me, the door to the club opened. The music had stopped.
“What the fuck are you doing with
my girl?”
I turned and faced someone familiar—the Viking-like guitarist. He’d left the stage to follow us out here. What a jealous prick.
“You shouldn’t leave your toys out if you don’t want someone else to play with them.”
It was a dick thing to say, but I was famished and had zero patience for a human interrupting my meal.
He shoved my chest. The force of it knocked me off balance, but I didn’t fall. What the hell? I’d never encountered a human quite that strong. I inhaled his scent. It was human, but with that earthy stone mix like that of gargoyles. Another damn gargoyle.
“Do you multiply like stone being crushed into pebbles?”
“What are you talking about, man? This isn’t funny.” He took Ally’s hand. “Ally, come here, baby.”
Her glazed look scanned from the guitarist to me and back.
“What the fuck did you do to her, man?” His expression hardened. “Shit, you messed with her head. Put some spell on her.” His voice rose with accusatory fury. He followed it up with a massive gargoyle fist to my face.
My ass hit the pavement. Blood trickled from a cut in my bottom lip.
“What are you?” He pointed down at me. “A wizard? Sorcerer?”
Pulling myself to my feet, I replied, “What I am is pissed off.” I pulled my fist back and hit him in the jaw. Payback. My knuckles cracked. Bad idea. Hitting a gargoyle was as stupid as punching a boulder.
Infuriating a gargoyle by trying to seduce his girl was even more painful. He landed three more boulder-like blows on my body.
“Whatever you are, get this spell off of her!” His command warned that if I didn’t, I’d receive more of a pounding. The threat gleaming in his eyes backed it up.
“Stop overreacting. All I did was convince her to come outside with me. The effect will fade soon.” I barely influenced her, so she’d be her ol’ self in no time. As it stood now, she eyed us with a strange fascination as if she’d never seen two grown men fight each other over her before.
SCORCH: An Incubus versus Succubus Demon Romance Page 14
