Page 16 of Demonic Division (The Sundering Duet #1)

16

M

I stare through the bars of my cell, the glow of my eye casting a gentle red light onto the planes of my cheeks. Watching Dagny leave was unbearable—for reasons I still have yet to understand. It’s more than the bond with Cyprien pulling me to her. It’s a deep need. And unquenchable want. A ravenous desire.

It grows stronger by the moment and festers each second I’m forced to sit here in the damp and the dark, playing out scenarios with the little human that would have her quaking in fear. Ones that would turn to shudders of ecstasy once she gave in to that part of her that lives in the darkest parts of her soul.

I’ve seen her move beneath me—have heard the cries that pour from her mouth when I claim her for the first time. But it’s not enough. I need the real thing. I need to devour my sweet little thing, piece by excruciating piece.

I reach forward, running my fingers lightly down the bars, savoring the places my sweet Dagny had touched. It’s still warm from her palms, her scent clinging to the oils of her skin she left behind. My tongue lashes out, dragging across the cool metal as a purr builds in my chest.

So sweet. Just like I knew she’d be.

A manic laugh pierces the silence of the dungeon, and I step back from the bars as the taste of Dagny floods my senses. The thing in my chest tugs violently, begging me to break free from this prison and go to her.

As if in agreement, Nya releases a demanding mewl, drawing my attention to the little black cat in the corner of my cell. Nya hates the smell of the other demons on her, and she’s growing restless.

“I know what you want, girl. I do, too.”

Nya hisses, the hair between her shoulders sticking straight into the air like needles. I roll my eyes, banging the back of my fist against the bars. “You see this? We have to wait.”

The familiar growls low in her throat, her hornlike ears lengthening as her eyes glow bright red. I roll my eyes, retreating to the corner and taking a seat on the stone next to Nya. She allows me to run my hand over her back, though her claws rake the stone in anger.

“Soon, girl,” I promise. “Now, off you go. You know what you have to do next.”

Nya mewls, the tip of her tail flicking the air with frustration, but she still turns and slips through the bars of the cell. As she slinks off toward the stairwell, I close my eyes and rest my head back against the stone, convincing myself to be patient, that this will all be worth it in the end.

In my mind, I imagine Dagny’s eyes glowing bright like twin fog lights in the darkness, calling me home. I pretend she’s here with me now. That she wants me just as much as the monster inside me craves her, needs her .

Imagining is the only thing that eases the vicious tugging in my chest. And even then, it doesn’t do much.

Soon. Very soon.