Page 47

She leans in, her fingertips grazing through my hair with a delicate curiosity.

I instinctively recoil, resulting in a gentle tug on a loose strand that causes her to look momentarily surprised.

With a swift motion, I swat her hand away, a clear signal of my discomfort.

I notice a symbol, tattoo, on her inner wrist. I can’t make it out, but I have a bad feeling about what it is.

Understanding the unspoken message, she withdraws her hand, slipping her hands into her pockets, her expression shifting to one of quiet resignation.

“You know, Dani… our bloodline weaves closely with the illustrious legacy of Octavia. She is on her way, and when she arrives, she will conquer all. You’ll see.”

An icy, mirthless laugh escapes my lips as her words hang in the air. Is this woman fucking serious?

“You’re living in a fantasy. Octavia didn’t have a family to call her own. But...” I pause, wanting a reaction from my mother. I say, “Suzanna did.” The moment I utter her name, disbelief floods her expression, and her eyes widen in shock.

“Suzanna… how do you know about her? She was... she was a traitor! Her whole bloodline is a curse!”

“Well, then, I suppose that means we’re cursed, Elaine,” I voice, a wave of frustration tightening in my chest. “I know far more than you realize.” With that, I turn on my heel, my footsteps brisk and unyielding as I march back toward the house, Jules following in my wake. Behind us, I can feel my mother’s gaze.

“Holy fuck-balls! Dani, are you okay?! I can’t fucking believe this…”

“Yeah… I’m—” Carter’s strong arms envelop me in a comforting embrace, creating a warm cocoon of safety around us. He leans down and presses a gentle kiss atop my head, his presence grounding me in the chaos of my emotions.

Destiny watches us, and I pat Carter’s arm, thanking him for his support.

“Carter, you need to investigate my mother,” I urge as I step back. “Search her house. She did this.” He studies me, confusion etched across his features, “You think your mother killed Erin?”

“I fucking know she did, Carter!”

“Woah, okay, calm down, babe,” Jules rubs my back. “Why don’t you take the rest of the day off?” she suggests.

“That’s a good idea. After work, Jules and I will come over. We can order pizza and play some cards.” I smile at Carter. “That sounds nice, but I’d like to stay working.”

Carter and Jules both nod. “Alright, but we’re still coming over for pizza and cards!” Jules says.

A few hours pass, and the crime scene is all cleaned up. No trace of my mother again, but my necklace keeps on throbbing under my shirt.

Adonis, are you near? I ask, thinking maybe he is listening to me.

Nothing.

I place my hand over my chest, and the beating dies down.

“What’s wrong?” Jules asks. “I don’t know. Something doesn’t seem right. My necklace keeps beating, but Adonis isn’t here… Jules,” I turn to face her. Keeping my voice low, I say, “My mother did this. I know she did. I can sense it. I think she has the symbol we saw earlier tattooed on her wrist.”

“That’s a big accusation,” she replies. “I know you hate her and trust me, I do too, but we don’t know that for certain.”

“What do you mean! She is worshipping Octavia! Did you notice how young she looks? She’s probably drinking children’s blood to keep her youth!”

“I know, I know. But Dani, Octavia is dead. She hasn’t been around for centuries; Adonis even said so himself.”

“I just… have this feeling. I don’t know how to describe it, but I just know.”

“Hey, Carter,” Jules calls him over to us. He closes the door to his cop car and walks to us purposefully. “Just make sure you look into Elanie Shay,” Jules says. I smile at her, silently expressing my gratitude for having her support.

Carter shifts his gaze to me, his brows raised in concern, “Damn, two are persistent, aren’t you?” Carter taunts. He continues, “Of course I will. You don’t have to keep asking.” I straighten my posture and nod firmly. “Thank you, Carter.”

“I’ll talk to Sheriff Rhoton. You guys want to grab the beer, and I’ll grab the pizza?” he asks.

“Please get three! You know I love my own pizza,” Jules says as she nudges Carter. “I got you, girl. One large cheese pizza with a garlic parmesan crust. And for Dani, one large veggie.” I shoot him with my finger guns, eliciting a hearty chuckle from him. “Alright, see you ladies shortly.”

“Bye, Carter!” we call out in unison.

With that, Jules and I get into our cars. I head straight home while Jules goes to pick up some beer.

The drive is short. My mind is a whirlwind of chaotic thoughts, consumed by the vivid image of my mother. I can hardly comprehend the fact that she has been living in this town—right under my nose—all this time. A surge of bitterness rises within me... God, do I hate her.

“Hate is a strong word,” I scream and swerve my car as Adonis’ voice cuts through my tumultuous thoughts, loud and clear. He appears in the passenger seat.

“Shit!” I swerve, “Adonis! You scared the piss out of me!” He looks down between my legs with a playful smirk, “Nah, it doesn’t look like you pissed,” he replies, flashing a charming grin that reveals his perfect teeth.

I laugh and shake my head.

“Did you hear me calling you earlier? In my head?”

I glance at him quickly, noticing the deep furrow in his brow that betrays his confusion.

“I didn’t, I’m sorry. Is everything okay?

” I let out a heavy sigh, the weight of my words pressing down on me.

“No. No, everything is far from okay. I saw my mother—Elaine. She’s the fucking leader of the Keepers of the Mist, and she worships—fucking WORSHIPS—Octavia!

And your necklace,” I add, my voice trembling with urgency, “it was pulsating, beating like a frantic heartbeat, so I thought you were nearby, watching.”

“Whoa… that’s a lot to unpack,” he replies, his eyes widening with concern. “First, I’m sorry to hear that. I had no idea. Second, she sounds completely unhinged. And third, I’ve been at home with the guys all day—I didn’t step outside until now…”

“Then why the hell would the necklace be beating?” I exclaim, frustration bubbling within me. “It makes no sense! ”

“I don’t know,” he says, his voice softening as he leans closer, his breath warm against my skin. “Maybe it was reacting to the fact that I couldn’t stop thinking about you.” He grips my inner thigh and trails his tongue delicately along the column of my neck, sending a shiver down my spine.

I bite my lip as he eases the whirlwind of emotions within me.

His breath is hot in my ear, “Maybe it was because I was thinking about your tight cunt as I was stroking my cock…”

“Fuck…” I whisper as I reach one hand up to caress his face. He pulls back, and I turn my neck to look at him.

His tight black V-neck enhances the muscles in his arms. His dark denim jeans hug his thighs perfectly, and I can see the bulge in the front of his pants.

I lick my lips.

“Eyes on the road, Dani.”

“If you were driving right now, I would jump in your lap and fuck you.”

“Mmmm, sounds dangerous. I love it,” his voice is low and sexy.

I pull into my driveway and park. “You have precisely ten minutes to make me come before Jules gets here.” I unbuckle my seatbelt and crawl into Adonis’ lap.

“Challenge accepted.” His hands are in my hair, and our lips eagerly embrace.

His tongue darts in my mouth, and I run mine along his sharp canine, drawing a small amount of my blood.

Adonis growls, becoming hungrier for me as he tastes a hint of my blood.

I undo his button and slide his zipper down.

“You like these pants?” He asks as he grabs my ass tightly. “I mean, they are leggings, I have like five other—” The sound of material tearing fills my car. “Good,” he says as he rips the crotch of my leggings, exposing a big hole.

His blue eyes sparkle, and his pupils dilate as I grab his stiff cock and pull him out of his briefs. He moves my panties off to the side and smirks as he sinks a finger in. “Always so fucking wet for me, baby.”

“I love it when you call me that,” I say breathlessly into his mouth as I kiss him again.

“Such a wet pussy,” he says as he inserts another finger.

“We only have eight minutes now. So you’re going to ride my cock fast and hard.

” He pulls the passenger seat lever and lays all the way back.

He grabs his cock, holding it in position for me, and I slowly lift myself and then ease down onto him.

The stretch makes my head roll back; the feel of him filling me completely is out of this world—toe-curling amazing.

I start moving up and down, and he thrusts upward every time I come back down.

“Ah, yes! Adonis. Keep doing that.”

I grab his throat and move my hips faster, fucking him like he deserves to be fucked.

“Yessss,” he moans. “That’s it, baby. That’s what I like. You are so fucking sexy.” I squeeze his throat tighter as his death grip on my hips leaves bruises.

My car rocks back and forth as I roughly fuck Adonis. I lean down and kiss his mouth; he catches my bottom lip with his teeth and bites down hard. The taste of my blood fills my senses as he sucks my lip and then pulls away.

I smile down at him as I hold his throat, and blood drips from my mouth.

“Fuck, yes. Keep bouncing like that and I’ll come quickly.”

His thumb circles my clit with the perfect amount of pressure, and his words send me nearly over the edge.

I gather the blood in my mouth from my lip and lean down to Adonis.

His mouth is open as he grunts with pleasure, so I spit into his mouth.

His eyes darken as he swallows my bloody spit.

With a primal roar, he turns me so I face the dashboard.

“Hold on, baby,” he says. I place my hands on the dash, and he starts pounding into me.

The feeling of his cock is unlike anything I have ever experienced—ridged and huge like no man’s could possibly be. Every thrust he gives is shocking as he fills me up.

This isn’t a cock of a man… this is a cock of a god.

“Ahh, yes! Cum in me, Adonis,” I scream as I find my release.

“Fuuuuuck,” he grunts as his big cock pounds into me relentlessly. I can feel him pulsing inside of me as he cums, and it prolongs my orgasm.

“Give me all of you. Fill me up,” I moan.

His thrusts slow down. He leans forward and holds my throat gently. I can feel his heart beating out of his chest against my back, and I smile, feeling well-fucked.

“Wooooh. I need a joint after that,” I say breathlessly.

He turns my head with his finger as his hand still holds my throat. He kisses me passionately while still inside of me.

“Our time is up, unfortunately. I wanted you to fuck me one more time too…” His words cut through the air, courting a thrill through my body.

Before I can muster the courage to persuade him for a second round, he wraps me in the depths of his shadows.

All my thoughts fade away, and my mind drifts into a blissful silence, lost in the intensity of our connection.

As my eyelids flutter open, I find myself surrounded by the familiar comfort of my room. Adonis gracefully tosses me a fresh pair of lace-trimmed panties and snug leggings, his smirk playful and inviting.

“Why do I black out when you guys teleport me in your shadows? It always makes me feel dizzy afterwards,” Curiosity laces my voice as I pull up my pants, their material hugging my curves just right.

I wander over to my closet, the wooden door creaking slightly, and reach for my favorite Stevie Nicks T-shirt.

The black cotton feels cool against my skin as I slip it on .

“It’s demon magic,” Adonis replies, his voice smooth like honey. “Humans aren’t equipped for it, so naturally, you black out for a few seconds when we teleport.”

I shrug, mulling over his explanation. I guess that makes sense, although I can’t help but wonder about the mysteries of his world and the powers it holds.

I walk out into the living room, and Jules is walking through the front door with Dax and Killian, each carrying a case of beer.

“Holy shit, are we having a party or something?” I ask.

Killian and Dax smile at me, setting the beer down on the counter. “We’re going to play strip poker!” Jules says with a big grin.

“Oh, how lovely. I get to see my brothers and my best friend naked…” Amelia jokes as she kicks my front door closed. Her hands are full of grocery bags.

Killian walks over and wraps his arms around me. He kisses my head. As he holds me, Dax walks by, kissing my lips quickly but sweetly.

“Pizza’s here!” Carter shouts as he walks in. He looks at Dax, Killian, Adonis, and Amelia, “Oh, I didn’t know you all were going to be here… I would have gotten more pizza…” he says awkwardly as he kicks off his shoes.

Jules runs over, taking the pizza from him. “It’s fine! Amelia got a lot of snacks, too. Come! I want you to meet her!” Jules pulls Carter by the hand into my kitchen, excited to introduce them.

“Carter!” Amelia exclaims, her voice bright with excitement as if she’s just encountered a long-lost friend. With infectious energy, she dashes toward him, throwing her arms around his body in an enthusiastic embrace. “It’s so lovely to meet you!”

Carter returns the hug, a warm smile spreading across his face. “Yeah, you too.” As he surveys the lively gathering around him, a hint of amusement flickers in his eyes. “I’m starting to feel like a third wheel here… ”

“Nonsense,” Killian interjects with a confident grin as he hands Carter a chilled beer.

“Dani here manages all three of us effortlessly, never letting anyone feel left out. You’ll be just fine,” he adds with a playful wink that sends a rush of warmth to my cheeks as Carter’s gaze meets mine, curiosity gleaming in his eyes.

This is going to be a fun night…