Page 23 of Broken Shadows (Corrupt Shadows Duet #2)

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Lorcan

I glide my knuckles down Evie's forearm to link our fingers as we climb the gently curving staircase and onto the covered porch. My witch reaches for the doorknob, but the door swings inward before she can make contact.

“Did that door just opened by itself?” Evie asks cautiously.

“Yes.”

She gasps, turning her face up to me, grinning from ear to ear. “Maybe it’s haunted.”

A smirk curves up my cheek. “My creepy, Little Witch.” A pulse of need rolls through me. Fuck, my lust only grows stronger. Perhaps we could… No. She needs food and rest. I hinge at the waist and lift my witch with an arm under her thighs and upper back, then step over the threshold into the house.

Evie yelps and smacks my chest. “I can walk on my own, you know.”

I shrug, set her down on her feet in the foyer, and reclaim her hand. “I’m aware.”

A beautiful, rosy blush stains Evie's cheeks. “So, why did you pick me up?”

I growl, then nip the shell of her ear. “Because I wanted to. Plus, I’ve watched humans use that move and it always ends in fucking.”

She laughs, then touches a hand to her stomach as it growls. “Like you need any human moves .”

We stroll down the long hall straight from the foyer to a hardwood door propped open at the end, following the scent of freshly cooked pizza.

Aiden jumps up from his seat and rushes over to us as Evie moves to take retrieve Gomez from Rosa. I struggle to take my eyes off my witch and focus on Aiden.

“So, yeah, Bro Demon. There was even a hot pizza in the oven. This house is, like magic or something!”

I rub the nape of my neck. “You all are consuming food from some magical source, without a thought that it might be tampered with?”

Aiden laughs. “Well, yeah, we’re so, so, sooo , hungry. What’s that saying? You don’t look a gift whore in the mouth?”

“It’s gift horse, Aiden.”

“Oh yeah, that’s it. Anyway, this whole kitchen is stuffed with food! Like, seriously, the whole thing: the pantry, the cabinets, the fridge…”

I tune him out as my eyes dart over to my witch.

She lifts her nose and sniffs lightly, then fucking moans. “Is that coffee?”

“Hell yes, girl,” Rosa replies, lifting her mug heaped with whipped cream.

The sense of wrongness treads on my senses. I have to figure out what’s causing this damn unsettled feeling. I slip a hand into my pocket to extract my lighter, and turn it end over end between my fingers as Evie undresses me with her eyes, sultry, desire drenched heat licking over my body.

I smirk, then wink. “Eat, Little Witch. I’m going to look around.” My boots hardly make a sound as I tread over the hardwood floor. Placing one hand on the swinging door, I pause. “Have fun with your heathen misfits.”

There's a breath of silence before Ezra’s booming laughter shatters it. He laughs so hard, hacking coughs shake his body as he chokes on whatever food he shoved down his gullet. “Ah, fuckity-fuck! I love it, Brother.”

I run a tattooed hand through my hair, careful to avoid my mask, then walk over to the counter and cross my arms. “I don't see how that statement is humorous.”

The others burst into laughter, joining Ezra and startling the bat.

Gomez beats his wings, flying toward the counter I'm leaning against, and hangs by the intricately shaped metal handle of the upper cabinet. I glare over at the bat, and he glares back, but neither of us move. My gaze narrows, then I roll my eyes and look away. As long as Fluffy Fucker leaves me be, I’ll allow his proximity. Although, I have no fucking idea why he'd seek my company of all the people present.

A hum of excitement vibrates our bond as Evie notices where her familiar flew off to.

I shake my head. Leave it alone, Little Witch.

She bites her lip and a delighted squeee skips into our bond. I can’t help it. This is the first time you’ve actually gotten along.

I pin her with a glare, but my witch just grins.

The group’s laughter quiets down when Aiden clears his throat and gestures with a beer bottle in his hand, looking just like the drunk frat boy I made a bargain with. A moment of nostalgia waves through me… selling his godsdamn soul for a red mustang.

What the fuck is wrong with me? I do not think fondly about my soul bargains.

“You know, Bro Demon is right, we’re definitely heathen misfits,” Aiden says, then smooshes his lips to the side. “Well, you all are, but I'm a good boy.” His eyes widen, then he covers his face with his hands.

Gideon visibly stiffens in the seat across from Aiden’s.

Evie laughs. “It's okay, Aiden. We understand what you mean. Go on.”

Aiden lowers his hands, chugs the rest of his beer, and a sheepish smile unfurls across his face. “Yeah, so, uh, first of all, we have two witches, three demons, an amazing frat boy.” He pauses and arcs his thumbs toward himself. “Oh, and our favorite fuzzy buddy over there,” he expounds, nodding at Gomez next to me. “But one of those witches does some dark shit, and the other is a sexy therapist. No, a sex therapist. Well, she’s really hot too.” A rolling growl rumbles from Ezra’s throat, but Aiden ignores it, probably not realizing the warning was meant for him. “I don't even want to analyze what's wrong with you two.” Aiden wags a finger between Ezra and I, then turns glazed blue eyes in Gideon's direction. “But I haven't figured you out yet,” he mumbles and looks away.

Ezra claps his hands and the humans jolt in their seats. “We are the heathen misfits, here to crush the fuckity-fuckery that is the trials.”

An annoyed growl issues from my throat. “Why do you have to make everything into a godsdamn thing?”

“Because that's what fun people do, Lorry.” Ezra winks with exaggerated slowness. “So, obviously, you wouldn’t understand.”

“Yep,” Aiden agrees and swigs his beer.

I trail my gaze to Evie and dig my claws into the underside of the counter as the primal urge to take her sears through my veins.

My witch quirks a brow. What?

I caress a claw down our bond and Evie shivers. I don't know how you put up with these fuckers.

She licks her lips. Maybe I have a high tolerance for bullshit because I worked in customer service.

The pad of my thumb leisurely glides over my bottom lip as she undresses me with her eyes, a sultry, desire drenched heat licking around my balls. Time to use this to my advantage. I cross my legs at the ankle. I can think of much more pleasant ways to pass the hours. My cock thickens behind my fly. Eat something so I can tuck you into bed, My Witch.

Evie reaches for a slice of sausage and green pepper pizza from the center of the table. Are you going to carry me over the bedroom threshold too? she quips.

An external conversation floats to my ears at a distance as Evie and I devour one another with our stare. Fuck. How does she make the simple act of eating look sexy?

Someone sighs. “They're doing it again.”

A bark of laughter rumbles. “Just ignore them. They'll stop eventually.”

Gideon’s low, bass tone cuts through the expression of mirth, cracking like a frozen whip. “I don’t see why it should bother any of you. They’re just silently communicating, which some of us appreciate.”

Evie finishes chewing her last bite of food and dabs her lips with a napkin.

I step from the counter and send praise down the bond. Good girl. A sweet flush blossoms across her chest and neck. Mmmm. I fucking love how much you blush when I use words of affirmation.

I’ve never hidden my praise kink.

My witch pushes back her seat, then meets me by the door. “We’re going to bed. Gomey, are you coming up with us?” I glare at the bat over her head. But he’s too distracted eating a banana to notice. Evie shrugs. “See you guys in the morning… er when we wake up.”

Ezra snorts, leaning back in his chair and rests his hands behind his head. “I doubt there will be much sleeping. You forget, I know allll about your sexcapades.”

I raise my middle finger over my shoulder, then push through the swinging door, hugging Evie to my side with a hand around her waist.

Evie laughs as the smack of skin against skin and Rosa’s whispered hissing arrows through the gap of the swinging door. “When Lorcan attacks your ass for comments like that, remember that you fucking deserve it.”

We wind our way through the house and up the creaking stairs to the second level. I nudge open the first bedroom door we come across, slipping my arms under Evie. She smiles and plucks the mask from my face, dropping it to the floor. Her giggle-scream shivers over my skin as I toss her body onto the bed and follow her down.

I don’t bother taking in our surroundings. All that matters is that there’s a bed and I have my witch in my arms. My lips crush against hers passionately as I glide a hand over her sternum to her throat, then spear my tongue into her mouth, her moans encircling it. Absently, I note the soft snick of the door closing on its own as I grind my erection between her thighs.

I pant against her lips. “Fucking Hell. I want you.”

She bites my tongue, then sucks it into her godsdamn mouth. So, take me, she replies in my mind.

My teeth nip across her jaw and onto her neck. I grind against her harder, friction digging claws of desire into my bones. Ughnm… No. I can’t. You need to sleep.

Please? she begs.

Pre-cum smears against my boxer briefs as I growl against her throat. I fight past the surge of lust drunk fog and pull away onto my forearms and press a soft kiss against Evie’s lips as a delicate pout shapes them. “I’m doing this for you, Baby Girl. Trust me, I’d love nothing more than to wreck this pretty cunt, but we might’ve been in this trial for days already and you haven’t rested once.” I brush the tip of my nose against hers and growl, “I promise we’ll play later.”

Evie’s brown eyes sparkle as she stares up at me. “You really have changed, My Demon.” I narrow my eyes at her and she laughs. “It’s a good thing.”

“I’ve been trying to tell you that since you freed me, My Witch. Now, sit up and I’ll get you something to wear.” Evie does as I’ve asked, crossing her arms to remove her black long sleeve shirt.

I retract my claws and rifle through the drawers in the cathedral gray dresser, a sea of soft, silky fabric greeting my fingers. A smile creeps across my face as I hold up an elegant, azure silk sleep short and tank top set. It’ll do, at least until I rip it off her later.

Evie’s brows rise. “Wait, you actually want me to put clothes on?”

I chuckle and narrow my eyes on her. “For the purposes of actual sleep? Fuck, yes. You need some kind of barrier, no matter how flimsy it is, or I’ll fuck you into a cum covered puddle.”

“Um, yes, please.”

The corner of my lips curve. “Lift your hips.” A tantalizing tendril of her arousal stokes my cock as I strip the jeans and panties from her body, then remove all my clothing.

Evie’s hungry gaze settles on my rigid cock. “But if you’re going to sleep naked, what will protect you from me?”

I close my eyes and breathe through a primal growl. Keep it together, Lorcan. Now is not the time to be blinded by pussy. But she smells mouthwatering. Fuck. No. My eyes blink open, then I pull back the covers and lie flat on my back. “Come here.”

My heart throbs as my witch curls into my side and rests her head on the junction of my chest and shoulder. I inhale slowly, exhaling a long, luxurious sigh and relax each of my muscles one by one.

“Goodnight, Lor,” Evie murmurs through a yawn.

“Goodnight, Little Witch.”

I press a kiss to the top of her hair, then close my eyes, a soothing warmth blooming behind my ribs.

***

My eyes blink open, then I push a hand through my hair. Fuck. I forgot how disorienting it is not having day or night, not to mention the weather. I allowed the subtle nuances of the Shadow and Human Realm to force me into complacency.

Scratch.

Scratch.

Scratch.

My shoulder’s tense. Oh, good. I was wondering how quickly the bat would come pester us. I skim a knuckle down Evie’s sleeping face, then slide quietly from the bed. My fingers lightly brush the wooden floor as I snatch my mask, slip into a pair of sweats I discovered earlier, then crack open the door. Gomez clings to the top of the frame and squeaks in my face.

A grimace contorts my features. “Quiet, Fluffy Fucker. Our witch is sleeping. Come with me.” I gently poke him in the fluffy belly, then duck under him. Gomez’s head swivels to mine, then he drops into the air. “For fuck’s sake,” I hiss as he flies past me, clipping my cheek with his wing.

If this little shit wasn’t her familiar…

“If you listen, I’ll supply you with those damn berries you love so much.”

The bat chirps quietly, then lands on my fucking shoulder. I force measured breaths into my lungs, then stalk across the hall to the only other unoccupied bedroom and place him on the bed. “I don’t know what room Human Rainbow is in or I’d send you to her.” Mind made up, I gather extra blankets from the wooden trunk at the foot of the bed and arrange them into a nest. Gomez watches me with what I fucking swear is a batty version of a smirk. “There. Happy?”

He just stares at me further with those beady, black eyes. This little asshole. “I’ll be right back.” I trudge down the stairs and into the kitchen, not bothering to light any candles. An ominous weight presses on my shoulders, but I ignore it.

Fucking house.

Fucking bat.

I cross my arms and glower around the cooking space. Something prompts me to scan the counter again, then I spot them—a carton overflowing with ripe blueberries. I could ponder how exactly they appeared just as I thought about them, but at the moment, I don’t fucking care. Actually, while I’m here, I might as well get food for Evie too.

I grab a wooden tray from the table, then heap it with the blueberries, chocolate truffles, strawberries, and a container of orange and cranberry scones from the cupboard. My footsteps thud quietly as I jog back up the stairs and into the room with Gomez.

I drop the container of blueberries next to him, a couple berries spilling onto the bedding, then stride to my room as Fluffy Fucker purrs and snuggles deeper into the nest of blankets.

Evie’s deep, even breaths soothe my agitation as I close the door and set the tray of food on the dresser. My cock hardens painfully the longer I stare at her sleeping form. I slip a hand past my waistband and stroke myself, swirling my thumb through the pre-cum. Lust consumes my every thought, and I thrust into my fist without the conscious thought to do so. I pad over to Evie’s side of the bed on near silent feet, kicking off my sweats and resume pleasuring myself.

Has she slept enough?

I want to bury myself in her needy cunt so fucking badly.

As if the thought summoned it, I choke on a moan as an orgasm rips through me. My fingers grasp the side of the headboard, and I jerk my cock feverishly as cum spurts all over the blanket, Evie’s rose and skull tattooed arm, shoulder, and neck, plus the side of her face. I bite my tongue hard enough to draw blood as pleasure threatens to send me to my knees. Fuuuuuuuuck.

My witch moans. “Holy shit that’s hot.”

My gaze darts to Evie’s as she smirks, gathering my cum from her cheek, and sucking it off her finger.

I pant as I crawl over her and roll onto my back, taking her with me. My fingers wrap around her throat, dragging her face down to me and lick the rest of my orgasm from her face.

Evie rolls her hips against mine. “Ahhg… Oh, gods.”

I growl against her lips and cut through her sleep shorts with a claw on either side. “Ride me, Little Witch.”

Hours, minutes, perhaps days, pass by in a haze of orgasms, sweat slicked skin, and moans.

***

Evie moans as I slowly thrust my cock into her cunt and slip a third finger into her ass. “Fuck, Lorcan! That feels so good. Please fuck my ass, you’ve been prepping me for hours.”

A chuckle vibrates my throat as I grab a toy and lube from the nightstand drawer. “Not yet, edging you is half the fun.”

“For you maybe.”

I slather the metal anal plug with lube, then circle her puckered hole with the tip and growl, “Fucking brat. I want to play with you first, but I promise I’ll destroy this ass soon,” I pause, inhaling our combined arousal perfuming the air, “but only if you’re a good girl and wear this plug until I say otherwise.”

Evie tenses but quickly melts into the bed. “What if I have to use the bathroom?” she asks breathlessly.

I slowly dip the plug into her, working it farther into her ass. “Take out the toy, clean it, then reinsert it with some lube when you’re finished.”

She groans. “It sounds like you plan on me wearing it for days.”

My lips caress her ass cheek in a kiss. “Would that be so bad? Imagine how desperate you’ll be for my cock. So full, the plug rubbing inside you every time you move.”

“Evie sighs as I seat the metal toy fully inside her. “I suppose that doesn’t sound too torturous.” Her back muscles flex as she whips her head around. “But we should probably go see what the others are doing, right?”

I pull out of her and watch our cum mingle between her thighs. A dark chuckle issues from my throat. “I suppose. Either way, I’ll never get my fill of you.”

She rolls over and presses her face into a pillow. My palm cracks against her ass cheek.

“Get up, Witch. I’m sure your bat misses you.”

“Shit! Gomey,” Evie says as she jumps out of bed.

“He’s fine. I made him a little nest and gave him some blueberries.” I drag a shirt over my head, face Evie, and laugh as she gapes at me, her jaw practically on the godsdamn floor. My knuckle nudges her chin until she closes her mouth on her own. “He’s quite easy to manipulate now that I know what he likes.”

“I’ll say it again; you really have changed. I like seeing this side of you, Lor.”

My lips curl up at the corners as I grin, then toss a pair of black leggings and an oversized gray sweater at her. “Get dressed and maybe you’ll see more.”

Evie and I reach the bottom of the stairs, then move into the living room. But Ezra and Rosa don’t look up from their seats by the window as they hold each other’s stare. Rosa swirls her drink in a tall glass, then sucks on the straw. Ezra’s pupils dilate rapidly as a wide, unhinged smile creeps into his expression.

Evie clears her throat. “Um.”

I sigh. “I’m not getting anywhere near,” swirling my fingers in Ezra and Rosa’s direction, “that.”

My fingers close around my cigarettes and lighter as I remove them from my pocket, light one, place it between Evie’s lips, then kiss her temple and peruse the room. The hair on the back of my neck prickles as my eyes land on a cabinet tucked into the back corner of the living room. That same eerie presence I’ve felt since our arrival renews with vigor the closer I get.

My boots halt in front of the black walnut cabinet and I trace my eyes over the filigree design arching over two doors with polished handles that beg to be opened. I tilt my head to the side as Gideon’s scent surrounds me.

I nudge my chin toward the curious piece of furniture. “Do you feel that?”

“Yes, it exudes power, but it's difficult to tell if it’s,” he pauses, “friendly or not.”

I snort-laugh. “Since when is anything in Hell fucking friendly, Gid?”

My brother glances at me and the corners of his lips curve upward slightly. I would've missed it if I were not aware of his every micro expression. The eldest sibling part of me warms about the fact that I can make him smile when he's seen so much war and death. Generally, these things aren't a burden for demons, but something about Gideon has always been different. I believe he feels things more intensely than the average demon, let alone one of Lucifer’s sons.

Gideon chuckles, his deep bass voice rumbling like an engine.

My smirk falls. “But why doesn't Ezra seem to be affected by this unknown presence as we are?

In my peripheral, Gideon's middle finger taps his outer thigh. “I believe it's because Ezra hasn't faced the same level of suffering that you and I have.”

“Perhaps.”

My brother’s gaze drifts to the doorway as Aiden walks over. “What’s up? Why are you guys staring at this thing?” Aiden hums, stepping in front of us and flings the doors open so hard they crash into its sides. His squeal of delight lacerates my brain as he pulls armfuls of nonsense from the cabinet, his smile nearly shattering his face with its brilliance. “Dudes, do you know what this means!? The house wants us to play beer pong!”

Rosa laughs, then shrugs. “Why not? But first, I want to try it.”

“Me too,” Evie agrees.

Everyone steps back as Rosa takes her place at the head of the group, then opens the cabinets.

I massage my temples. “For fuck’s sake, woman.”

Evie elbows me in the ribs as Rosa struts by carrying the most massive, bright pink dildo I have ever fucking laid eyes on.

A growl issues from Ezra’s throat. “Godsdamn, Sweetness.”

Evie’s lips smooth over my stubbled cheek. “My turn.”

I wrap my arms around her as she waits for the two doors to close before she walks forward and opens them once more. “Don’t worry, I’ve got the booze,” my witch says as she turns around, arms laden with beer and spirits. Part of me uncoils as I realize she could have easily wished for benzos instead.

Aiden, Rosa, and Ezra cheer. Then I help Gideon shove the furniture against the walls as the others move the table from the kitchen into the living room.

I relax onto the couch and run a hand through my hair, surveying the group. Like me, Gideon has no interest in playing the foolish game, but he hasn’t removed his stare from Aiden since the moment he entered the room.

Aiden waves around the foam finger, TEAM Heathen Misfits printed in bold letters, that he received from the magic cabinet as he splits them into teams: Evie and Rosa on one side, Ezra and himself on the other. I chuckle quietly. I can't deny it's rather amusing, and endearing seeing Aiden completely in his element. He’s blending into our group extremely well.

My gaze narrows on Evie’s best friend as she tosses the small white ball.

It seems as if a fog of lust floats over the entire group. Everyone exudes some level of fuck me vibes, even if they're not obvious about it. Well, my witch definitely isn't subtle, but I’m not complaining. I’ll never tire of those sultry looks she casts in my direction as she arches her back and tosses her ping-pong ball across the table.

I hold her heated stare and growl down the bond. If you keep looking at me like that, I’ll shove my cock into your cunt right here and fucking now in front of everyone.

Evie responds, but I don’t hear her as something tingles in the back of my mind. My eyes scan the room, and I count the bodies present, but there's two missing. “Has anyone seen Gideon and Aiden?”

As if the question summons it, an ear bleeding scream rattles the windows.

I sprint out the door and race through the candid grass to the riverbank within seconds, Gideon’s growling warrior cry piercing my ear drums and his body trembling with the ferocity of his rage. His sword glows as he unsheathes it from across his back, slices it through the air and into a water wraith half curled over Aiden’s struggling body. However, because of the ever-changing shape and consistency of water wraiths, it’s difficult to tell where he injured it.

More water wraiths creep to the surface as their brethren’s noxious green blood leaks into the water. Aiden screams and claws at the bank. Gideon’s biceps bulge against his rolled sleeves as he roughly clamps a hand around sopping wet Aiden’s forearm and drags him onto the bank, stabbing another wraith directly in its skull-like face as it appears out of its drifting body. The skull shatters into hundreds of pieces and drifts down to the bottom of the river.

I lift Aiden’s arm over my shoulder and help him onto the gray grass near Ezra and Rosa. My eyes track Evie as she steps past Ezra and Rosa and walks over to me. “Make a cut on my hand, please.”

“Evie?”

“It’s time I release Gideon from the binding. He’s more than proved himself.”

I pause and glance at Ezra. He nods, gesturing toward Gideon like he’s a fucking game show host. I extend my thumb, cut it shallowly into her palm, then press a hand to the small of her back as we go to my brother. Gideon crouches at the water’s edge and cleans his sword with the bottom of his shirt, but stands as we approach, holding out his wrist.

“Thank you for saving him,” Evie says and smears her blood over his cuff, then hers.