Page 18 of Contract Marked (Interdimensional Beings #1)

Chapter Eighteen

Erin

I put on a brave smile for Lucy’s sake, but my insides felt like Jello as me, Dez, and Lucille materialized in front of a pair of double doors. Lucy and I each held one of Dez’s arms as he introduced himself to the footman, who was less of a man and more like a moving gargoyle that came up to my waist. Strapped to my side was my gold purse filled with a pad of paper, a pen in case I needed to take notes, and my silver coin. I debated leaving it behind, but didn’t want to be completely defenseless.

Others popped into existence behind us, but before I could look to see if any of them were Cal, Dez was dragging us inside.

“Goodness,” Lucy gasped, and I wasn’t far behind her.

The floor was covered in a low fog that shimmered in a cascade of different colors when the light hit it. The swirling smoke covered the feet of the dancing crowd not too far from us like they were dancing on clouds, their faces ethereal and their skin a kaleidoscope of color that I couldn’t fully comprehend as I stared. The space around us lacked walls, or at least any I could see, replaced by colossal white pillars that would crush everyone here if just one toppled over, and a series of them surrounded us in an oval, with a night sky featuring an aurora replacing the roof. It felt like I was inside a dream.

Dazed, I let Dez guide us to a floating table filled with sweets, appetizers, and a flowing fountain of what I hoped was punch. A gray-trunked tree branched over the buffet, golden orbs of fruit dangling down to illuminate the feast. Two rainbow-skinned beings beside me grabbed a couple of chocolate-dipped strawberries that the table magically replaced as if they had never been taken. If I had something like this at home, I’d never leave.

“Is it everything you expected and more?” Dez released our arms and grabbed a glass of bubbling champagne from a hovering silver platter. I followed suit, needing a drink to calm my nerves. A string of instruments played in the distance but I couldn’t find the source of it.

Dez’s gaze lingered on me from my peripheral, as it had since we first left for the gala. Now that I was fully aware it was because I resembled his former lover, I didn’t take any comfort in how his eyes devoured me from head-to-toe when I first emerged from Lucy’s room or the compliments he had tossed my way.

“It’s beautiful,” Lucy whispered. Her earlier excitement ebbed slightly, but her eyes still bounced back and forth between the floating buffet, the ethereal dancers, and colossal pillars that—upon closer inspection—were wrapped in vines of flowers stuck in a cycle of blooming, decaying, their petals falling to the ground like rain, only to bloom once more.

“And terrifying,” I added, and she nodded in agreement.

Dez looked like he wanted to say more when a group of familiar faces emerged from the fog. Savenellus, Jaslynne, and Henrietta were dressed in different eras of styles, from a futuristic-looking suit with cutouts in odd places, a gown that looked like it was stolen from Cinderella, and a thigh-length, hot pink dress that belonged on the set of Mean Girls. After living in this odd other realm for a bit, I was getting the impression that people and places were a hodgepodge of cultures and eras that didn’t necessarily go together, as if the beings wearing and creating this world didn’t know the difference, or didn’t care to.

“Don’t leave my sight,” he warned as he left to meet with them. I had to admit, Dez looked the best dressed in a white suit with gold trim, making him appear like a sun god with his combed-back blonde hair and icy blue eyes.

Against my protests, Lucy grabbed my hand and pulled me close to the dancing cluster of people and creatures, keeping Dez in our line of vision. Lucy was a great dancer, twirling gracefully as if she belonged here, while I did the awkward shuffle as I had at every homecoming dance and prom I’d ever been to.

“I see why Saya said she was worried. This … this is nothing at all what I expected.” I held up our folded hands as Lucy did a spin.

“You and I both. There’s nothing like this back home. But it’s amazing. Life couldn’t be more wonderful.” Lucy spun again, missing my frown.

I hoped nothing bad happened here tonight to make me regret this.

Dez disappeared, and my heart shuddered until we moved closer to the buffet, and he popped back into view. Lucy tugged on my hand to explore the party more despite my warnings. I grabbed another flute of champagne, nearly guzzling it down. It wasn’t the wisest choice of action, but I needed a dose of liquid courage now more than ever.

I kept Dez in the corner of my eye as I scanned the crowd for Cal, Lucy still tugging us along. It was hard to tell who was human and who wasn’t. There was an unnatural beauty to some, which hinted they were more than human, while there were beings that weren’t humanoid at all. Some stood on all fours, others with uncomfortably long necks or horns that branched out like the limbs of a tree. Most ignored us, but the ones whose gazes lingered made my skin crawl, and I swore I felt hands brush my arms and back as we passed.

“Not too far,” I warned as she continued to pull us deeper into the throng of people, the dim lighting and fog making it disorientating. Why was she acting so recklessly? I knew Lucy was younger and more reckless than the rest of us, but it was like she was already drunk, abandoning all senses.

I yanked on our twined hands, whirling her around to face me. Her cheeks were flushed beyond the pink blush Saya had applied, and her eyes glazed. “Are you okay?”

“Never been better. I feel so alive.” She smiled, her lips as rosy as her cheeks, her face sparkling from the make-up. While I was sure there was some level of protection for me, considering I had both Dez and Cal’s contract marks, Lucy had none. Was there something going on I couldn’t see that was affecting her but not me? I hadn’t seen her grab any of the food or drink while I already had two glasses, and I was fine.

A pair of strong arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me into a dense group of gyrating people (not all wearing clothing), separating me from Lucy.

I pulled at the band of muscle locked around me and attempted to kick the assailant’s shin when a familiar voice whispered, “Relax, it’s me.”

Cal .

“As if I could relax around you .” Keeping Lucy in view, I turned in his grasp. Every time I saw this being, he took my breath away, and my body immediately reacted in a way that would be very dangerous if I drank any more bubbly champagne.

Cal’s long dark hair was pulled back into a low ponytail, his left ear sporting the same dangling silver dagger earring. It matched his shirt that shimmered like liquid metal, tucked into black slacks that hugged his narrow waist and muscular frame. His gray eyes appeared even more alluring against the dark liner, his skin clear of any blemishes with lips I stared at a little too long for it to be subtle.

“Have I ever given you a reason not to be?” I didn’t miss the way his cool hands slowly trailed down my back to rest on my hips, guiding us into a steady sway. Those lips I hadn’t been able to tear my gaze away from fast enough curled into a slow, sensuous smile. My breath hitched.

Lucy, who was now in the arms of a being with antler horns and a prominent nose, swayed at a similar pace to the beat of an R others were jumping down the massive waterfall pouring from the cliffside that emerged from the fog the closer I got. I didn’t see Lucy in any of the faces that didn’t bother to look my way.

Someone grabbed my hand. I whirled around but it was only Dez—without a shirt.

“Forgetting something?” I said, pointedly staring at his ripped abs and tanned skin that sparkled gold in the odd fruit light. At least his white slacks were still in place.

His fingers laced with mine, and surprisingly, it comforted my currently frazzled nerves.

“I might have gotten too close to the dancers. They’re a handsy bunch.” He gently tugged me closer to his side. “Also, I thought I told you not to leave my sight.”

I scowled. “I need to find Lucy before … before …” Saya’s horrific story came to mind. “Well, I don’t want to think about the worst-case scenario.”

Dez pulled on my hand, shooting me an award-winning smile. “Follow me.”

I don’t know why, but I trusted him, letting him lead us away from the pool and dancing crowd toward the thicket of trees. His hand brushed a trunk, and the bark twisted and molded into the shape of a door. At this point, I just accepted things even as this world continued to break every rule I grew up learning.

The inside led to a hallway made of bark and mushrooms that glowed blue, lighting our way.

“What happened to your friends?” My voice sounded painfully loud. The music, chattering, and moans were more muted here.

His hand was warm in mine as if he really was a sun god.

“You’re a nosy one.” He shrugged. “I preferred to do something else with my night instead of wasting it chatting away.”

Do something else like what? Find me and Lucy? Why couldn’t he just say he was worried?

“Is this a shortcut to Lucy?”

“It’s a shortcut.”

That didn’t answer my entire question.

The longer we walked, the more I noticed the tenseness of his shoulders and his clenched jaw, as if something was eating away at the mask he had put on. A mask he had put on to lure me in here alone, possibly away from Lucy. Had I read him all wrong?

I dug in my feet and yanked my arm away. “Where are we going?”

He turned slowly, revealing a smile that was far from nice.

Shit .

I didn’t speak, I didn’t think, I just turned and ran.

A wall of bark sprouted up, blocking my escape. I banged and kicked against it, but it was useless. I faced Dez as he stalked toward me, my heart pounding against my ribcage. How could I have thought his hand was comforting? That his smile was trustworthy? Had I learned nothing of my time with these beings?

“What do you want, Dez?” I asked, a lot braver than I felt.

He didn’t answer as he continued to stalk toward me, his eyes narrowed.

I still had my gold purse on me, strapped to my side. The silver coin was in reach, but I wouldn’t have time to use it before he reached me, and then he would also know my only ace card. No, that was a horrible idea.

All I could do was bunch my hands into fists, and keep my chin held high when Dez finally stood toe-to-toe with me. He slammed his hands on either side of my head. I flinched but refused to cower.

“I was wondering where you went, how you could’ve evaded me in my own dimension, and why you were so insistent on keeping it a secret.”

I swallowed hard.

He leaned closer, his hand tracing my cheek like a lover, but his eyes burned. “When I first mentioned Cal, you were scared, as if I’d already found you out. The night you came into my room, I brushed your side right before you ran away as if you were hiding a contract mark. Then, when you asked to join me tonight, it roused my suspicions even more. And look where I found you. In the arms of my enemy.”

“You can’t hurt me.” Not while we have a contract .

His eyes trailed from my lips down to where my dress hugged my curves. “I told you, pain is Cal’s thing, not mine.”

“Dez, just hear me out—”

Branches emerged from the wall, and I swatted at them in vain as they wrapped around my wrists and ankles, holding me suspended, my back digging into the bark wall behind me. I screamed Dez’s name before my mouth was invaded by something firm and sinewy, my tongue tasting soil. My nostrils flared as pure panic settled in. He can’t hurt me, he can’t hurt me, he can’t hurt me, I mentally chanted.

“We never did get to finish our night together, before you suddenly left me. Alone, hard, and wanting.” His hand slipped up the slit in my dress, his fingers teasing past the green silk underneath the band of my thong and up the side to where Cal’s mark was. His finger traced the raised ‘C’ and my chest heaved. “But now I know why. You were scared I’d find out the truth.”

His eyes flicked to mine and I saw the anger there and something else I couldn’t identify.

“What are your contract terms?” He waved his hand and my mouth was freed.

“You’re the one who told me to seek him out—” Soil, leaves, and dirt filled my mouth once more.

“That doesn’t answer my question.” His hand moved from my hip toward my center and I squirmed. His finger slid across my soaked panties and I shivered despite myself.

Dez’s smile grew. “I didn’t expect you to enjoy this so much. You’re certainly more interesting than you let on, Erin.”

Fire burned in my cheeks and I cursed at my body for betraying me.

His finger continued to stroke me, only a thin piece of black fabric separating his finger from my slit. Dez may not be hurting me but I was definitely dying from embarrassment. “Tell me your contract terms.”

My mouth was freed once more. “I’ll talk to you once you release me.”

He wagged his finger. “I make the demands here, love.”

Vines slithered toward my face again. “Wait, wait!”

The vines stopped.

“It’s not what you think. I thought he was going to kill me, so I talked my way into a contract to protect myself.”

Dez’s thumb brushed at the apex of my thighs and I hated the sound that came out of my throat. “I know Cal. He hates Lower Realms’ beings more than anyone I know. What could you possibly give him that he would agree to?” His thumb pressed harder, steadier, and my breathing turned rough. “Unless it concerns me.”

“I told him I’d give him information,” I said breathlessly.

He tapped his chin. “Plausible, but there’s nothing you have access to that would be useful to him. He would know that. Try again.”

I licked my lips, trying to think of something to say, when Dez slid a finger inside me. I gasped, my head snapping back.

“Trying to think of a believable lie? Nice try, Erin. Tell me the truth.”

“Okay, okay …” I whimpered. If I got out of this unscathed, I was keeping as far away from Dez as I could. “I promised Cal I could …”

Dez slid in another finger, and I bit back a moan. His fingers pumped into me with a deftness of a practiced lover, his thumb applying just enough pressure to my clit to keep me on the edge but not enough to jump off. Coherent thoughts left me.

“Please, Dez. Just let me go, and I’ll tell you,” I begged.

“So, you have time to spin me a story? I don’t think so.”

“Please, don’t—”

Vines covered my mouth once more as Dez yanked down the front of my dress, exposing my breasts to the cold air. His tongue leisurely traced the D inches from my nipple, his hands pumping faster, his thumb strumming me like a master musician. His fingers then curled, hitting a part deep inside me, and it felt so fucking good. When his mouth closed over my hardened peak and sucked, I nearly lost it.

Then he stopped.

The vines smothered my scream of frustration as I bucked against my wooden restraints, my body trying to seek its own release.

His eyes arched up to meet mine as he leaned forward, his words fanning against my sensitive nipple. “I can do this all night, sweetheart. Just tell me what I want to hear, and I’ll let you go.”

He removed the vines, but I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t doubt Dez could keep this up for as long as he wanted, and while my body ignited at the thought, my brain was yelling at me to just tell him the truth. But if I told him the truth, I wouldn’t be able to fulfill my contract with Cal. Dez would certainly remove the red room or move everything out of it to a place I wouldn’t know how to reach. He would then be on guard for the remainder of my time with him. How would I ever fulfill my contract then?

Tears sprang to the corner of my eyes when the vines crawled across my mouth once more, Dez’s fingers moving inside me with a torturous slowness. My vision blurred as he hit that sweet spot. Over and over again, bringing me to the brink, only to pause right before I could seek any relief. Then, he started all over again.

It was driving me insane.

When I thought I would give in, Dez paused and turned his head at something I couldn’t hear. “Looks like my friends are wondering where I’m at.” He withdrew his hand, his fingers glistening with my wetness. Keeping his eyes on me, he licked each one clean, his smile promising more. He then waved his hand, and his bare torso was covered once again in a gold embroidered blazer, flashier than the last.

My body tightened when Dez reached down between my thighs with something in his hand I couldn’t quite see from this angle. I sucked in a breath when I felt him insert something soft and firm, the tip of it rubbing my clit. Then it turned on, and I moaned.

“Don’t go anywhere now. I’ll be back to finish where we left off. These parties can go on dreadfully long.” He blew me a kiss and vanished.