Page 18 of A Daemon’s Alliance (Daemons & Lumens)

Tibby’s eyes widened, and she quickly jumped from her seat.

She walked several paces back from the table and dropped into a kneeling position, her face pressed to the floor in supplication.

I frowned, but there was no time to question her.

I stepped behind Michaela’s chair where she remained seated.

The Kings entered the room, and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

To other humans, these men appeared confident and terrifying, but I could smell their fears.

Their insecurities. And their mind-altering desires for power.

I could not fully read their thoughts. The dark-skinned one at the center, Laszlo Blackbyrn, was particularly difficult to read.

His expression was bored as his eyes trailed to Tibby.

He smirked, and a sliver of pleasure slipped through before he collected himself.

This one was responsible for the female’s scrambled mind.

Darren Radnor stalked toward the table, eyeing Michaela like a piece of meat. His lust was flooding my nostrils, and I soothed my daemon form as much as possible.

“Well, well. I see you’re already obeying my orders. You look delicious.” His voice was rough with desire as he pushed me aside and placed his hands on my mate’s throat from behind. “Next time, you will kneel beside Tabitha and wait for me in that position. Understood?”

Michaela’s mouth flattened, and her eyes darted toward me, filled with anger. She took a breath and nodded. Darren grinned and reached down the front of her dresses and palmed her breast. She didn’t move.

I snarled, and the attention of three Kings snapped my way. I recovered quickly, coughing like something was stuck in my throat. When I straightened, my face remained blank and I stared at the floor.

The Kings returned their attention to the table, taking their seats. A few moments later, another group of guards brought in Michaela’s father. He was dressed in a suit and sporting a bruised face. His eyes zeroed in on Darren groping my mate, and he started to shout.

“Not a word, Joseph,” Darren snapped. “I’m playing nice. If you behave, I will continue to play nice.”

Joseph’s face was furious, but his lips remained closed. We were both locked in our positions and unable to do anything. The only fucking benefit to this bullshit was Darren’s shields were weakening with Michaela distracting him. I slipped through the shield and read his thoughts.

That was a mistake. My skin started to glow as I felt his desire to rape and mutilate my mate.

I could feel my wings itching to snap out and the tips of my horns poked through my hair.

I closed my eyes and forced my breathing to slow, focusing on Michaela and the strength she had to remain calm while this vile fucking human touched her.

If she could do that, I could do this for her.

I sifted through his thoughts as the Kings chatted about nothing interesting and Joseph proceeded to sit at the table. Darren finally let go of my little lumen and seated himself next to her. Servants entered the room with trays of food.

“Laszlo, will your little pet be joining us for dinner?” Samuel Delano finally spoke. His expression was mildly amused. He was smaller than Laszlo and Darren, but no less dangerous. This one had a dark mind. I could feel it even through his mental shields.

Laszlo turned to Tibby. “Come here, slave.”

Tibby slowly stood, keeping her eyes down as she walked to Laszlo. She dropped to her knees again, her hands splayed on her thighs.

Laszlo picked up a piece of bread and tore a piece with his teeth, chewing slowly before turning to Tibby. He grabbed her chin and forced her mouth open. Laszlo spit the chewed up bread into Tibby’s mouth. “Swallow.”

I could see from here the tears burning in the human’s eyes, but she obeyed. Tibby chewed and swallowed the bread. “Thank you, master.”

Darren laughed loudly and wrapped his hand around Michaela’s throat. “I cannot wait to hear you call me master when I fuck that virgin pussy.”

Michaela remained silent, her body rigid as she forced herself not to react.

My beautiful, strong mate. Radnor wanted her fear, her reactions to his touch, and she refused to give in.

I sent strength and fierceness to her, pressing my power against her mind like a warm embrace.

Her heart rate slowed, and mine followed.

Samuel chuckled. “She’s going to be a tough one to break, Darren. I bet she would last long strapped to my table as well. Perhaps I’ll lend you some of my toys.”

Darren smacked Michaela’s cheek lightly, and I grimaced. “Yes, she needs to be broken in properly.”

Laszlo’s eyes snapped to Darren angrily. “Not yet. Leave her somewhat whole for now, Darren. We need her to be of sound mind to get her sister’s cooperation.”

Darren rolled his eyes, and Samuel slumped slightly in his chair.

“I know the fucking rules. Once we have Seraphina under control, we can play.” Darren gripped Michaela’s cheeks tightly, turning her face to his. “Until then, you’ll be a very good girl for me, won’t you?”

Michaela remained silent, and his grip tightened. A slight whimper escaped her lips from the pain, and I stepped toward her. Laszlo noted my movement, and I stopped, looking down.

“Won’t you?” Darren growled at my mate.

“Yes.” She whispered the word, and he let go of her once more. Her jaw ticked with anger, mirroring my own.

Laszlo was watching now. I needed to be more careful.

I could feel his power slithering against my mental shields.

I would have to let him in a little or he would grow suspicious.

I created a set of false memories and pushed them to the front of my mind.

All he would see was me, excited to serve these Kings and hoping for power in return for my loyalty.

Laszlo’s power slipped away, satisfied, and he continued to eat, occasionally spitting food into Tibby’s mouth and forcing her to swallow it.

These fucking Kings deserved fates worse than death. And it would be my absolute fucking pleasure to deal out those fates.