Page 7

SEVEN

Micha

The little criminal had drawn blood. I couldn’t remember the last time anyone had successfully wounded me.

It figured that in my leniency, I should pay this price. Our laws were there for a reason and I’d disregarded them. By doing so, I deserved the assault. She’d already had me at death’s door with her delicious scent. It’d contaminated my entire office, and I had little hope of ever removing it.

I never should’ve touched her, bringing her spirit to my home Realm in her sleep. I was a fool. The mere, small taste of her I’d indulged in had ruined me. I never would’ve put up with this behavior otherwise. She was breaking down my defenses.

After kicking my door shut, I dropped her to the floor. She didn’t even have the courtesy to gift me fearful, sorry tears after her immature display. Peering down at the disaster of a woman, she looked like an angry bird, feathers ruffled, ready to spit poison on me. Did birds in this Realm spit? No matter; I’d been poisoned. I should’ve killed her already, but it was much too late for that.

“Anyone else in your position would be expressing their thanks, their gratitude,” I said, prompting her with my shoe. The contact had the desired effect, and she stood up.

“What? For letting me go to the bathroom? Please.”

“Your attitude is unbecoming. I have a guest arriving soon, you would do well to calm down.”

Ashley’s fists clenched. “How will your guest feel about the way you treat me?” she challenged.

I scoffed. “He’ll wonder why I haven’t ended your waste of a life.”

“You don’t know a thing about my life!” She yelled at me. “You can’t even be considered human; with the way you act. You go around in your fancy clothes and fancy car, lookin’ all hot and hurting people and you don’t give a shit. You don’t even let them go to the bathroom or eat.”

“You think I’m hot?”

I’d felt her body’s attraction to me, but that was a given since vampires had that effect on humans—whether it was welcome or not. This magic was especially amplified given my demon blood. Lust was a powerful emotion and biology dictated we elicit that reaction in order to be sustained. It fed us.

She pulled at her curls, distracting me yet again with her fragrance. “You know you’re hot you conceited piece of trash. You’re surrounded by mirrors.”

I took a look around my office. She had a point, there were a lot of them. Typically, they were ignored, just as I ignored her insults. There was no reason to focus on the reflective surfaces, they stayed clean. Plus, Josiah and I would let each other know if we had splashes of blood or the random chunk of brain or skin stuck to us. If anything, I used the mirror in my personal bathroom to shave.

Rubbing the light stubble that graced my skin, I replied, “Compliment noted, thank you.”

Ashley’s legs began shaking again and she hung her head. “Come here,” I ordered her. Funny that the pretty little human thought I was “hot.” The idea amused and pleased me. Perhaps there was more to the way she’d physically responded to me last night? I’d have to find out.

She should’ve been terrified of me, repulsed. The day would come I’d be ordered to kill her, but she was making it harder and harder for me to follow through with our laws.

“Tell me something about your life,” I said.

Her eyes widened a moment before a hint of a smirk danced on her face. Her attitude instantly changed when she said, “I like stealing cars.”

I had files to organize on my laptop computer, but I would listen. “Go on,” I encouraged her, knowing she’d only given me that in an attempt to repel or shock me. Plus, the fact was in her file—it wasn’t news to me. We were anything if not thorough with background checks.

“Well, I used to. It's been a while. So, my friends and I in Connecticut, we’d steal cars. We’d wait in the casinos for someone to get taken by ambulance, usually an overdose or alcohol poisoning or something, and we’d pretend to be friends or family. So, we could follow. Or ride in the ambulance. It was usually both, someone in the ambulance and then a car.”

She took a breath before continuing, “Then when they were settled in, we’d go in their room and take their keys and see what kind of car it was. If it was a nice one, we’d check their address on their ID and, like, take a photo of it so we didn’t forget. Then we’d go to the parking garage and find the car.”

I snuck a glance at her out of the corner of my eye. It was the happiest I’d seen her since the night of Josiah’s party, in the limousine. She looked gorgeous, her skin glowed and her eyes were bright, her hands moving as if to accentuate her story. Her aura was shining, glittering around her, joyful and expansive.

“One time, we even got a Lambo. Anyway, we’d joyride, see how fast the car would go, how it handled, just race around blasting music. So much fun. And then, by around two or three in the morning, we’d take the car to a car wash—you know? One of those places with the super powered car vacuums and we’d wash and clean the car, wipe down the whole inside, and then fill the tank with gas and drive it to their house. If we had time, we’d wax it, too. Put new tires on it. Fill all the fluid levels, do an oil change. People always forget windshield washer fluid. We went through more of that than anything else. We’d replace serpentine belts if they were worn, timing belts. Hoses. We had tons of supplies from the chop shop.”

Now, Ashley was laughing, grinning from ear to ear while I neglected my work, caught in her spell.

“Who’s gonna call the cops and report their car in perfect condition, running perfectly, and with a full tank of gas? No one. Those were the days.” Her chest heaved with laughter. “Excuse me, officer? Someone did my oil change and put new tires on my car and my car runs good. I’d like to report a crime.”

I had to give it to her. That was diabolical genius. My lips curved into a smile that she caught, and I quickly looked away. “You’re not new to breaking people’s trust. Good to know.”

She sobered up immediately. “I didn’t even take anything from you, someone stopped me.”

For whatever reason, she hadn’t realized I was the one to stop her. I’d thought she’d known. “What were you going to do with the pills? You wouldn’t be doing anyone any favors, not in your crowd. Were you going to sell them?”

“I didn’t know. I never had the chance to decide what to do.”

She was inherently foolish. “Do you have even the slightest idea the magnitude of what could’ve happened? You don’t know which pills they were, what they were for, or the condition of them. What part of ‘experimental’ do you not understand? If one of my people ingested the wrong pill, the consequences could be dire. We could’ve gone to war, you could’ve killed the wrong person.”

“I’m sorry,” she mumbled. Her eyes flickered around the room, and she wrung her hands. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I didn’t?—”

I interrupted her, “Ashley, be quiet. I don’t want to hear it.”

Her face tilted down. She looked so tiny and helpless I almost felt sorry for her. My desk phone buzzed, and I answered it. Kiam was here and heading upstairs.

Ashley was an adrenaline junkie, that’s what was wrong with her. Between benevolent car theft and pilfering prescription meds, she lived for risk and wasn’t overly concerned about the consequences. It was cute, in some ways, her free spirit. The light in her eyes as she recounted her adventures was enchanting, drawing me deeper into her vortex. She’d have to go back to remaining silent before she sucked me in any deeper.

The corner of her lip tilted as she stared at the floor, lost in thought. I’d have to snuff out that spark before her claws sunk in any further.

“Get under my desk,” I snapped at Ashley. The shock in her eyes pissed me off. It was almost as if she’d expected a different outcome after filling me in on her delinquent ways. The girl had quite a track record, she hadn’t won any charity awards.

“Why are you doing this to me?”

She was nothing if not stubborn. “Your life is forfeit. It became that way the moment you decided to rob me and throw away any future you may have had. Be glad you get a couple extra days.”

Ashley appeared stunned. “But I didn’t mean?—”

“Silence! Keep your mouth shut and spare me the pain of your prattling.”

She gasped, as if only now realizing I was serious. “A couple days? What do you mean?”

Pulling her by the arm, I dragged her in front of me. “I mean, I have a gift for you.”

I pushed my chair back and unbuckled my belt. The more she shook, the slower I moved, parting my lips to let her sweet, sweet fear slip over my tongue, igniting my taste buds. My cock hardened to steel as tiny threads of lust wavered in a glittering crimson mist around her pussy. She fucking wanted me, no matter how hard she protested. It was obvious she hated the fact she did by the furrowing of her brows and the clench of her fists. Last night wasn’t just a dream for either of us. She’d been authentic in her response.

I didn’t miss the sharp inhale of breath I heard when I pulled my dick out. It bounced against my abdomen, long, thick, and with a pearl of precum at the tip. She wanted me, and it made my cock harder than steel.

“You know what to do,” I growled at her.

“But—” I cut her off when I grabbed her around the waist and forcefully relocated her.

“Ashley, shut up.” I warned. “Suck my cock like the bad little girl you are.”

Her hands gripped my thighs as I repositioned my chair and I almost lost my load when her hot, wet mouth closed around the head. I know I groaned out loud.

“Use your tongue.”

It flicked against the tip before she swirled around my length, moving up and down. Her desire floated up from underneath the desk, winding around my face and filling my nostrils, thick and heady. Had I stuck my fingers in her panties, I’d need a towel to clean up the mess.

My mouth filled with saliva, and I felt my canines absolutely aching to descend. I was hungry, so very hungry for her. My vision went red.

The snap of plastic brought me back and I stared down at the broken computer mouse in my palm the same time my office door opened.

“Jesus, what’s going on in here?” Kiam walked in, obviously scenting the air.

“Wrong deity, but I’ll take it,” I answered, opening a drawer to locate a replacement for the device I’d broken.

It’d been a couple months since I’d last seen the man, and it wasn’t under the best of conditions. Granted, we’d all come out of that Della’s rescue mission victorious, but it’d been a tense collaboration. He, Josaih, and I had all ultimately managed to work well together when we’d pulled Della back from the clutches of the Collective. The board of five powerful men governing us all couldn’t have been tackled alone.

We’d kept in contact via the odd text message here and there but we’d both been busy with our own operations. Kiam preferred the wilds of Canada and the company of his own associates; I had my hands full here in New York.

It was his talent for uncovering information that caused me to beckon him here, now.

Reaching under my desk, I grabbed a fistful of Ashley’s curls and forced her head forward. The choking and gagging sounds were music to my ears. She could take all of me, and I knew she wanted to.

“Ah, ah, ah, no,” I rumbled, snatching her arm and placing her hand on my thigh. Her wet fingers rubbed against mine. She’d been rubbing her pussy. I snickered, “bad, pet,” and clamped her head against my crotch.

Her hands started flailing and tears wet my groin. My dick swelled further, and I felt the tell-tale ball of heat building at the base of my spine.

“Fuck, I hope you’re planning on providing some entertainment for me,” Kiam murmured. “I came all this way, after all.”

His teeth were on display, shiny and dripping with saliva. I made a mental note to bring him out somewhere later so he could slake his lust.

Nodding, I leaned my head back, lifting slightly from my seat. I came with a shudder, the waves of ecstasy forcing me to release Ashley’s head as spurts of my release coated the inside of her mouth. She backed away, hitting her head underneath my desk and I grabbed my cock, painting her lips and cheeks with the last drops.

Stealing cars wasn’t the only talent my slave had.

“Good little thief,” I praised her. “Suck my finger.”

Her face was soaked with tears and cum but she did as she was told, opening her mouth enough for me to slide my index finger between her lips. Snatching her hand, I took two of her fingers and licked her juices from the digits before I’d realized what I’d done. Her eyes shuttered and she sighed, rolling her thighs against the floor.

She tasted sweet. Too sweet.

Yanking my chair forward again, I glanced at Kiam. “Where were we?”

He chuckled. “You were going to provide me with a menu tonight.”

“Right.” A sniffling sound drifted up from beneath my desk. Ashley was between my legs, and I trapped her, tightening my hold.

“Whatever you have under your desk smells positively delicious; I’d love a taste,” Kiam stated, settling in one of the armchairs facing me.

My head buzzed. “You will not,” I snarled at the man. Ashley yelped underneath my desk as her head hit my thigh. I’d wound her hair in my fist without realizing it. Untangling my fingers, I massaged her scalp, enjoying the silky feel of her tresses against my skin.

“All right, then. What did you want me to look at?”

Maneuvering the computer, I tilted the screen Kiam’s way. “I can’t get past their firewalls and everything I have found is encrypted beyond my capabilities. Fulgere has been sniffing around and annoying me. We’re not for sale. It seems like they are trying to make their move through Mores; I’m not certain.”

He leaned back and let out a belly laugh. “You’re not going to get past Fulgere security. It’ll be a miracle if I can, myself. For all intents and purposes, they own the very air we breathe.”

I sent him a look of disbelief. “They’re buzzing around like a bunch of wasps, and we won’t bend.”

Kiam folded his hands together and rested his ankle on a knee. “Ever since their founder was killed, their second in command took over. He’s a genius; he designed the software and the hardware. Didn’t you meet him that night? With Josiah? He was sniffing around everywhere. Thinks he’s hot shit. The problem is, that’s true when it comes to this. He’s one of the best.”

He waved a hand at me like I shouldn’t worry. “Hold your ground and he won’t get anywhere. You and Josiah have Nicholas and me. We’re under Alastair’s jurisdiction and he has a working relationship with Fulgere. You’re protected by association.” I’d forgotten about his friend, Nicholas, not having heard a word from the man since that night.

Alastair wasn’t a foreign name to me; I’d heard of him though I never met him. He seemed as self-contained as any other being, sticking to his own kind. I knew he was a vampire, so it was surprising to me he’d have such close relationships with demons, but it wasn’t my place to question, and I’d take whatever advantage I could.

“Good to know,” I said, remembering he’d implied this same thing once in the past. “So, what can you do? I’m curious if they were able to break through any of ours. One of them came here the other day, trying to buy us. The new CEO.”

He raised his eyebrows. “Well, he’s not gonna pull any sneaky shit for sure if he came here so that’s good.”

“I guess.”

Kiam took hold of the laptop, placed it on his legs and began tapping away. Next, he pulled a small device from his pocket and plugged it into the side. “What is that?” I asked.

“It's their own tech, I’m using it against them,” he said with a grin.

“Hmm.” Rolling my chair back, I peeked at my prisoner. She looked worse for the wear; pathetic, really. Her eyes were swollen and a delicate shade of pink. Her lips were puffy, red and worn. Streaks of her eye makeup were etched into her skin and her nose was watery. She looked defeated and deflated. Had I gone too far?

“Come out from there.” She obeyed, crawling forward and looking up at me.

Her ass was up in the air as she obeyed me and visions of plundering her from behind entered my head. Her face was filled with absolute submission and how very divine it would’ve been, if I could just clamp my hand around her curls and pummel her pussy while biting once of her juicy cheeks.

She sucked in a breath as I adjusted my pants, my dick doing its damnedest to escape the confines again and break her.

“Do you want some more?” I purred, beckoning with two fingers. She shook her head violently but still followed my command.

“Stand up,” I ordered.

She did, but once she took a glance at Kiam, his eyes glowing with fire, she stumbled and fell into my lap, clutching at my suit jacket as if I would save her. As if she had any hope of salvation at my hands. I would rescue her, if necessary, but only to lock her in a cage.

It was a shame I wasn’t vile enough to hand her to the man and watch. She deserved the humiliation I knew she’d feel. But she was mine for as long as I could keep her, and I wasn’t going to share. The very thought of another breathing in her aura or tasting her lips had me going for the dagger I kept in my drawer.

It slammed shut and Kiam’s eyes flickered, before returning my stare. “What is going on with you?” He asked, his gaze flicking between me and Ashley.

He wasn’t a demon, he couldn’t see auras, so there was no way he could see my traitorous thoughts. Being a vampire, though, he wouldn’t miss the scent of Ashley’s very wet pussy.

I didn’t answer him.

He ran his tongue along his teeth and shook his shoulders. “They tried to break into your system, left minuscule traces, but they didn’t get anywhere.”

He stood, placing my laptop on my desk, keeping his eyes on Ashley who had now climbed even further on top of me. Technically, she had no right to safety, but I let her huddle. Her heart was racing, and her eyes were dazed. She’d needed the small comfort in order not to panic.

“Stop staring at her,” I hissed at my friend. Grabbing the woman by the waist, I lifted her and pointedly tucked her on my other side, out of Kiam’s reach. He could’ve gotten to her if he wanted to, but her placement sent a message—hands off.

He glanced at me and then back at Ashley, who couldn’t take her eyes off the man. “Do you like what you see?” he asked, his voice low and seductive. Her knees knocked together. If I were a human woman, I probably would’ve fainted.

The fear flowing from the woman beside me like a tsunami was not helping the situation and there was no way for me to inhale all of it without bringing about her demise sooner than planned. Kiam’s very existence depended on what Ashley said next, if she decided to speak at all.

For a vampire, Kiam was bulkier than typical, his shoulders wider, his features slightly less refined. He was tall, as was I, but his presence took up more space and his features begged one to stay away. He was attractive, of course, but the appeal couldn’t be said to be instant. It didn’t help that his eyes were still glowing with an unnatural brightness.

There was no way for me to tell what Ashley truly thought about that, but she’d stayed quiet about everything she’d witnessed so far and remained silent now. The eyes, the teeth, who knew what she was thinking about all she’d witnessed. The likelihood was great she’d chalked it up to hallucination or imagination, as humans often did when we compelled them to. The system wasn’t foolproof, though.

“This is my slave and pet, Ashley. Ashley, you may greet our guest, Kiam.”

The sound that came out of her mouth was a combination of a groan, and maybe a whimper. “Don’t be rude,” I admonished over the odd noise she’d made before I slapped her ass. Her body bowed and her mouth opened, but she didn’t say anything else.

Kiam pressed his lips together and sighed. “Such a shame you won’t share. I’d love to hear the sounds she’d make while in my hands.”

Ashley remained still, as if she hadn’t heard him. There wasn’t a single fluctuation in her aura to indicate she had. Kiam glanced at me. “Shock?” he asked. Her eyes had glazed over, unfocused and staring into the distance.

“Perhaps. Tell me, Kiam. What do you do when a woman betrays you?”

He rubbed his chin. “What type of betrayal are we considering? The punishment must fit the crime.”

“Let’s say you’ve given the woman everything and then she steals from you. What would you do?”

My anger rose within me again, fresh. I’d done everything I could to make sure no one messed with her, to make sure Andy behaved and didn’t hurt her. I’d even recognized her talents and given her the lead position in her department. And all for what? For her to laugh and spit in my face.

The man appeared to seriously consider this and not just to humor me. “Depending on individual circumstances, an automatic death sentence. Battles are hard-fought and it isn’t easy to acquire what we own. Many deaths result, divides form, and the strongest reign as victors. Property is held sacred and should be honored as such.”

He stepped up to my desk, laying his palms flat as he leaned toward her. “Tell me, poacher, what did you steal that was worth your short life?”