Page 16 of A Daemon’s Alliance (Daemons & Lumens)

Sitting across from him, his massive forearms resting on his equally massive thighs, was Darren Radnor.

He was dressed more casually, a fitted T-shirt showing off tattoos and scars.

Everything about him set alarm bells ringing in my brain.

My body physically recoiled as he stared at me, his dark eyes moving down my body.

He licked his lips, and the grin on his face was pure evil.

I hated him the most. Morax would need to kill this one soon.

But even as sadistic Darren Radnor was, he was nothing compared to the evil lurking in the final Obscuritas King.

Laszlo Blackbyrn walked into the room, his eyes assessing my father before landing on me.

He was the unequivocal leader of the Kings.

They were all Obscuritas Kings, but Laszlo’s decisions for the cult were always final and unchallenged.

His hair was trimmed short, and he wore a tailored, dark-green suit.

His light-green eyes were startling against his dark skin.

If he weren’t so totally evil, he could be beautiful.

Laszlo stopped in front of me, and I saw my father attempt to step closer, but a guard pulled him back.

“This is a very good day.” Laszlo’s voice was deep. He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

I fought the urge to shiver as he moved closer. I couldn’t step back without pressing against dumbass Tony, so I held my ground and stared up at Laszlo.

“I would welcome you with a tour, but perhaps you remember it?” Laszlo’s arm reached out, and he tugged my hair between his fingers. “So much like your mother’s. You resemble her even more than Lailah did.”

Welp, that was it. I snapped my teeth at his hand, but he pulled away too quickly. “Don’t fucking talk about them.”

Laszlo smirked. “She’s going to be a fun toy for you, Darren.”

An ominous chuckle came from the far couch, and Darren rose from his seat.

He looked terrifying. His smile was wicked, and his eyes burned into my flesh.

Bile rose in my throat as he came toward me.

His hand wrapped around my throat, and I couldn’t help the gasp that escaped my lips.

Darren’s fingers dug into my skin, and I began to see spots as my oxygen was cut off.

He pulled me close, our faces nearly touching. “Oh, yes. I’m going to enjoy playing with you. I didn’t get to fuck your pretty lumen sister like I wanted. Everything happened so fast. But this time, I’ll take my time.”

I needed oxygen desperately. His massive hands squeezed, and I was so close to passing out. His words were like knives digging under my skin. I would throw myself out a window before I let him touch me.

“Best not kill her then, Radnor,” Samuel called from the couch, sipping his drink.

Darren let go of my throat, and I wheezed. My knees buckled, and the only thing keeping me from falling was Tony’s grip on my wrists, which were still cuffed behind my back. My throat burned and my vision was still blurring as I sucked down gulps of air.

“You,” I whispered, struggling to get the words out. I coughed twice and forced my back to straighten.

Darren was smiling, clearly enjoying my pain. I smiled back at him. My own grin grew as his faded.

“I’m going to enjoy watching you die.”

Lazlo smirked at me before he turned to Darren. “Take her to her room. We will be hosting dinner for our guests this evening.”

They left me alone in a massive bedroom.

Everything in this stupid mansion was over-decorated in the most dramatic fashion.

The dark and moody vibes continued, with thick, purple velvet curtains blotting out the light.

The four-poster bed was shrouded in sheer curtains, and the walls held sconces with flickering candles.

I walked to the two doors on the opposite wall.

The first was a walk-in closet outfitted with dozens of dresses, shoes, and jewelry.

If I wasn’t being held captive by dick heads, this would be so awesome.

The second door led to a beautiful bathroom complete with a clawfoot tub big enough for two people.

I wandered back into the room and stopped short when I saw a man standing by the bed. His hand brushed over the wooden posts lazily as he turned to me. The look in his eyes had my own darting to the door.

“Do you like your accommodations, Michaela?” Darren Radnor’s voice was poisonous. The sound of it made my skin crawl. “You know, this doesn’t have to be a prison.”

My eyes widened. Could he read my thoughts? I was just thinking that very word.

Darren chuckled. “I can read some of your thoughts. Your powerful blood keeps us out, but you wear your emotions on your face. And when I startled you just now, I snuck in.”

He walked toward me, and I held my shoulders straight, my back rigid. I would not show him fear. I could not let him get inside my head. The fact that he did made me feel violated. I wanted to vomit.

Darren was a massive man. Not as big as my daemon, but muscular enough his shadow swallowed up my own. His fingers traced along my collarbone, and I fought the urge to shiver with disgust.

“The other Kings are giving me a prize for all I’ve done to make this come to pass. I wanted the youngest one. The innocent one. But tell me, Michaela, are you still?”

I swallowed as his hand traced down my side and across my belly. “Still what?”

His eyes were glued to my chest as I tried to keep my breathing even. “A virgin.”

My skin felt hot all over as the blush creeped up my neck. He grinned as his eyes returned to my face. The violence in them was horrific, and I couldn’t help trying to run. He grabbed me by the throat and held me still before I could move so much as an inch.

“I am so glad to hear it. One way or another, I will have your submission, Michaela. I cannot wait to feel your innocent body writhing beneath me. To ruin this sweet cunt.”

Darren’s other hand cupped my pussy over my shorts, and I wanted to melt into the floor. I couldn’t form any words. My mind and body were shutting down even as I screamed internally. This was happening too fast, too soon.