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EIGHT

Micha

“Why are you doing this to me?” Ashley ground out, her voice barely above a whisper. She was in the shower in my apartment, fully dressed and sitting on the marble tiles. You’d think the walk-in was full of mold or soap scum rather than bearing a luxury preheated floor and multiple rainfall showerheads.

“You’re a mess, little slave. We can’t have that.” When I flicked the switch, warm water rained down on her, flattening and straightening her wild, curly hair as much as it could. “Clean yourself up. There’s a washcloth on the shelf and plenty of soap and conditioner.” She had dried cum on her face and her makeup was streaked down her cheeks; I wasn’t going to leave her like that.

After opening a cabinet, I retrieved some thick, fluffy towels and a robe. “Here, I’m leaving these on the counter.” Her head was between her knees. “I’ll be back in a moment, and you better be washed up when I return.”

As I closed the bathroom door behind me, I remembered I gave her the wrong bodywash. Much to my irritation, she was still in the same position when I walked back in. Grabbing the correct bottle and another product I suddenly remembered from under the sink, I opened the shower door. “Here, take this,” I said.

Slowly she lifted her head, her eyes dazed. “Is this how it's always going to be?”

Thank God she’d never had to go to war. She’d last five minutes, tops. “Dalhia Honey, right?” I thrust the container her way.

“What?” she stretched out her arm to clasp the bottle, rising to her knees. “How did you know?”

“Your hair stuff is on the counter,” was all I said.

Her gazed dragged to the counter, before stunned eyes met mine. “Wait...you talked to Della? Is she here?”

Ashley fell on all fours, slipping on wet tile, before pushing herself up and scrambling for the door that I quickly closed in her face. Her hands slapped against the glass before she started screaming for her friend. Next thing I knew, she was throwing her shoulder into the panel

Oh, for fuck’s sake .

There was nothing else to do but strip off my clothes; the girl was going to seriously injure herself. When my belt buckle hit the marble floor, she stopped. I pulled off my undershirt with one hand and her eyes dropped to my groin as I removed the last of my clothing. When she backed away, I opened the door and stepped inside.

“You forget you’re under my control. What I say—you do,” I thrust my hand around her neck and pressed her into the wall. “I want you fresh and clean. We can’t have you looking like a gutter rat.” She never once had, but I wasn’t going to pay her the compliment.

“If you aren't going to do it, you leave me with no choice.” Before putting my own head under the showerhead, I flicked my hand toward the door, sealing us inside. She jumped lightly at the noise but didn’t tear her eyes from my face.

I didn’t often use the magic associated with my demon side; I saved it for special occasions. This qualified.

After I washed my hair, it was her turn. “Come here, pet.” She was curled up on the floor, chin on her knees, staring at the wall.

Her clothing clung to her like syrup, and I carefully slid it away from her skin before kicking her skirt and shirt to the corner. Next, I unclasped her bra, letting her perfect, firm breasts spill into my hands. They were exquisite and not overly large but seemingly made for me. They fit in the palm of my hands as if designed for that sole purpose.

It was all I could do not to sink my teeth into her plush skin, pierce her nipple with my fang. She was a ripe and juicy fruit, locked inside my domain, free for me to consume. My rock-hard cock dragged along her side as I stepped around her to lower her panties.

She shivered when I hooked my fingers in the elastic and began to lower them. She was shaved bare, as I knew she always was. I’d witnessed her dressing more than once and fantasized about burying my face in her pussy. If only I’d known it would turn out like this, I wouldn’t have spent so much time in the shadows of her bedroom, watching her.

Perhaps I should’ve let her drown that time I found her passed out in her bathtub. I had to wonder what she thought about waking up in the morning tucked under her covers; if she’d puzzled over how she arrived there.

Unable to stop myself, I dipped my head down to her pussy and took a deep breath. As I knew she would be, she was heartbreakingly succulent and sweet. My fangs descended and I let them run across her pubic bone.

Ashley wavered with her eyes squeezed shut, and I gripped her hips. Her hands fell to my shoulders for balance. “Micha, no,” she begged, her voice quiet and soft. Then she said, “I had a dream about you.”

My heart skipped a beat. It was the last thing I’d expected her to say. Dream recall under a demon’s influence wasn’t common. “And that’s where I’ll stay,” I responded, my voice low.

Ashley was silent a moment before she asked, “Why do you have my toiletries here?”

I didn’t have an answer for her; not one I wanted to give. There was no way I was going to tell her I’d spent ages imagining this scenario and wanting her in my arms.

Josiah had opened the door for this to be possible, for me to take her and make her mine. I’d gone so far as to encourage his relationship with Della, insisting he break his own rules. Our clash with the Collective risked everything and his woman could have been killed when they’d taken her.

Retribution wasn’t out of the question since we’d killed one of their board members. I didn’t want to risk Ashley’s life. The recent instability among the Collective and some members of my kind had me biding my time and ensuring I could trust her, while I waited to make my move.

Josiah had risked everything for the woman he loved and took her without apology.

Now I found myself in a similar position, wanting to claim the woman who’d captured me, but I was unable to go against what was written as an absolute in our laws and in my heart. There was no quarter for thieves.

We operated in the shadows, adhering to manmade laws only when necessary. Our secrecy kept us safe and untouchable, combined with the cooperation of other beings such as us.

Our products, innovations, and industries made this world we called the Third Realm go round. Times had changed and more and more demons, vampires, and crossbreeds such as Josiah and I had left our home Realms and traveled here, in search of new territory and the freedom and dominion it brought right along with it.

Theft and betrayal had no place in our lives. Too much was at stake and so much had already been stolen from Josiah and me. We couldn’t throw it all away; everything we’d worked for.

An example needed to be set.

Josiah may have temporarily defeated some of the Second Realm’s rulers, the Collective, but that didn’t mean we were out of the woods yet. The Second, where we were raised, was even less lenient than I.

Rather than answer my pet, I left the bathroom slamming the door behind me. I’d already been too merciful and opened my heart too much.

In my bedroom, I let the towel I’d grabbed fall to the floor after drying myself. A glass of blood was quickly poured, and I drank it down, letting its calming properties soothe a touch of my rage, and then I called my best friend.

Courtesy had stopped me from interrupting Josiah thus far. He knew I was as capable as he to take care of everything while he spent time with his woman. I hesitated to interrupt him or to let him know I’d disappointed him, which is exactly what happened when I didn’t immediately remove Ashley.

After exchanging brief pleasantries, I broke the news. The anger in his voice was palpable over the distance. “She did what?” he raised his voice.

I remained silent a moment, giving him space, before I told him, “Kiam is here to assist me with a matter involving Fulgere Industries. I will have him evaluate the security and key card system, if you approve. Dashiell has been an excellent help as well, lately. I promoted him.” With Josiah away, the extra help was needed.

Josiah ignored the new information. “Ashley is Della’s best friend. I don’t think she’d appreciate you taking her away from her. She’s having some difficulty acclimating as it is.” He laughed lightly, surprising me with his leniency.

“I suppose that is to be expected. Has she run away yet?” It was normal behavior to run away from a monster; I could only imagine Della had tried at least once. It was a stereotype among our community.

If we were in the same room, I’d see him shake his head and grin. “No, no she hasn’t. She does find the eating of flesh rather distasteful. But she wasn’t raised that way.” Demons and vampires partook in human flesh occasionally; it was a delicacy. Human hearts were a favorite treat of mine, personally.

I heard something shuffle in the background. “Della has made a few friends. Alastair’s wife, Devane. Smart girl; she’s been showing Della artifacts and other curiosities, has her a bit wrapped up in that. Another woman named Margaret. I think Della may be a part of her wedding ceremony to a recently turned vampire named Branko. I’ve kept Della busy, or rather, we’ve kept her busy.”

“It sounds like you have everything under control,” I mused. I knew I certainly didn’t. A prime example was currently covered with Dahlia Honey soap inside my shower.

“You know the rules, my friend,” Josiah said, a tinge of sadness in his voice.

Crossing my room to open my closet, I said, “I do and I’m making sure she understands the consequences of her actions. She’s quite tasty and I’m not done drinking my fill.”

I tossed an outfit on my bed. “Are you able to get away at all and come back here? I’d like to turn it up a notch.” A plan had begun to formulate in my head, but it would require his assistance. I needed to get the woman out of my head, ruin her appeal in some way. If that didn’t work, I needed to destroy my own appeal to her.

Just then, a banging and pounding sound reverberated through the apartment. And then a screech followed by a howl. Josiah heard it, too, and bellowed with laughter.

“I forgot I locked her in the shower stall,” I mused.

He sighed. “This makes me want to play with Della.”

“Meet me at Fleur de Luna,” I said to Josiah. “But please continue to keep Della cut off as much as possible.” I’d texted him the latter request the moment I’d caught Ashley stealing in the production room, and he’d humored me without question.

Now that I’d filled him in, I had no doubt he’d continue to support me. We’d been everything to each other since our youth. Since the dark days of our education at the hands of the Collective’s court, we’d been inseparable.

Josiah’s excursion with his wife was the longest we’d ever been apart, so I felt no guilt requesting his presence, now. He’d return to her when we were done. What I had planned wouldn’t take long, and it would drive her mad, bringing my point home and hopefully separating us.

The racket emanating from the bathroom was becoming burdensome; I had to let her out soon.

After I dressed, putting on the fresh suit and tie, I returned to the bathroom. Ashley was slumped against the shower door. The humid air was ripe with her misery and the creamy scent of her signature toiletries.

I waved my hand at the glass, releasing it from the hold I’d placed it under. The panel shuddered and she stirred, swiveling her head to peek up at me. The plea in her eyes felt like a fatal wound. I quickly buried the uncomfortable sensation and yanked the door open, forcing her to grab the edge of the wall.

“Time to get out, criminal,” I announced. The love I felt for her was catastrophic. The right thing to do was throw her to the wolves and let her experience the consequences of her actions. With Josiah’s assistance, I would.

Ashley used her grip for leverage and stood as I snared a towel. “Come,” I ordered her.

She stepped out and I wrapped her up, slowly tucking the corner between her breasts. The edge of my hand slid against her firm breasts before digging my fingers in while she wiggled. I was rewarded by her nipples hardening for me into two rosy, red points, and instantly forgot about Fleur de Luna.

It was unnecessary to assist her, but I bent and lifted her bridal-style and sat her on the counter. Pets needed caressing and maintenance, right? To acknowledge wanted behavior. At least, that’s what I told myself.

Next, I tore a smaller towel from a stack to my left and buffed her dry. Her ringlets released small water droplets that trickled down her shoulders and I made sure I captured every one of them as I polished her warm, glowing skin.

“Sit back,” I directed the woman.

She scooted on her ass, the Egyptian cotton bunching up below her and I grabbed a matching bottle of body lotion from the cabinet. Her insistent gaze burned the side of my face as I massaged the moisturizer into her feet and worked my way up her legs.

When I got to her pussy, I didn’t hesitate to make sure the lotion soothed every nook and cranny she possessed. Her lower half warmed under my touch, her inner lips swelling and moistening with more than just the all-natural, organic toiletry.

“You’re going to need another shower, my pet,” I warned her. Her nipples had hardened to the point they could cut glass, and I pinched one into submission. Her fingernails dug into my shoulders, and it was all I could do not to slam her into the mirror and sink my fangs into her sweet core.

“You need to shave this messy stubble. Next time, you better be as bald as an egg,” I snarled. “Turn around.”

Ashley whimpered and did as I commanded while I grabbed a brush from a drawer. “No,” she thrust her hand out and I snatched her wrist.

“That word was removed from your vocabulary. Turn your head—now.”

“But my hair is curly, you need a wide-tooth comb,” she rasped, wincing from the pressure as I squeezed her.

Oh . I peered back inside the drawer. There were no appropriate grooming tools here. Why the fuck would I have a comb like that? But I couldn’t just leave her hair as it was—it looked like a bird’s nest. A beautiful bird’s nest but a home for winged creatures, nonetheless.

“Just use your fingers or I can do it,” she said.

There was plenty I wanted to do with my fingers, but her hair wasn’t on the list. She whimpered, and I met her gaze. She was staring at me, and I realized my eyes must’ve changed while I got caught up in fantasy.

There were many questions I suspected she wanted to ask, but she never did. How could she overlook the things she saw? I very much wanted to hear the excuses she told herself since the magic I’d weaved around her to forget didn’t appear to take as much as it should’ve. If it had, her gaze wouldn’t snag as much as it did when she was exposed.

“Look away,” I ordered. She did, and I put the product she used for her hair in my palms and began smoothing it through her tresses.

Whenever I took my eyes off the job, I could see her. She was reflected in the three-sided mirror, watching me with fascination and relaxing under my touch. It wasn’t right—it was very, very wrong. The power she had over me was infuriating; I shouldn’t want her treacherous soul so badly.

By the time I finished, she was nearly asleep, turned sideways on the countertop, her back against my chest and her head drooping forward while my heart pound frenetically in my chest. For whatever reason, she’d trusted me enough to fall asleep.

Carefully, I lifted her chin and pressed my mouth to hers. She stirred slightly and her lips parted before her eyelids fluttered. The world around us fell away as I leaned in, claiming her with my tongue, nipping at her lip, and pulling her to the edge of the marble fixture. Her nails dug into my shoulders as she kissed me back, winding a hand into my hair.

Ashley writhed in my embrace, rocking her pussy against my hardened cock beneath my pants. When I grasped my belt, reality came crashing back down. I’d almost claimed her. The scent of her desire and every fragrance that made her my angel, surrounded me, enchanting me, and I’d almost gone too far.

“No,” I said firmly. “You need to leave.”

“Micha—”

“Go home,” I ground out, shaking her hands off me.

Dazed, she glanced at me and hopped off the counter. Her clothing was a soaked pile on the shower floor, giving her nothing to wear.

Leaving her naked and smelling like a goddess, I walked to my room and grabbed a T-shirt and sweatpants. There was no way they’d fit her, but that wasn’t my problem, no matter how bad I wanted it to be.

Ashley could’ve been without suitable clothing because she was mine and I’d just ravished her rather than because she got in the shower fully dressed but she should’ve thought of that before she stole from me. She’d made her bed and now she had to lie in it.

Placing the stack on the counter and trying to modulate my breathing, I said, “Get dressed and leave.”

Ashley snatched the clothes, dropped the shirt, and threw me a dirty look.