Page 15 of Stalked By Pestilence

I’d expected to hear him call out something along the lines of the usual “cold bitch” or “fucking cunt” I’d gotten from a few rather imaginative one-night stands, but he was silent all the way out. Another surprise in a night full of them.

That pit in my stomach was back. Definitely not disappointment. This was exactly what I wanted. Even if Ihadwanted to humor more than once with the pretty singer, he wasn’t likely to be in town for long. A messy hookup was the last thing I needed for my new goal in life, whatever that was.

So, I ignored the pang of disappointment and headed out of the bathroom to lock the door behind him. Once I was sure it’d been secured, I wandered back for a shower so I didn’t leak cum all over my newly washed sheets.

New Emily didn’t need to wake up to that.

Chapter Seven

Zelus

Iangrily combed my hair back and took the steps several at a time all the way to the bottom. I’d been mugged off and tossed out like rubbish before I got the name of my fate.

Viper was right. That deceptive darling didn’t hesitate to go for the throat the second she was done with me. But bloody hell, it was the most beautiful any woman had ever been to me. Terrible but beautiful.

The mocking glance she’d given me when I dared to ask for more was burned into my retinas. As if I was just one of many to come through and beg for whatever remainingscraps she was willing to give. Like I was some poor sod who couldn’t get a proper meal, and she was the first real taste of the divine.

“Zero out of ten, would not recommend,” I growled under my breath.

I was a bloody Horseman of the Apocalypse capable of swathes of illness and despair. I was feared. Exalted, even. And I’d never failed to give a mortal pleasure humankind wouldn’t dare dream of. Pleasure worth dying for.

My touch ignited every nerve to perfect sensitivity. Ecstasy that soared the line between life and death. I sent them to heaven and hell all with the brush of my mouth and plunge of my cock. But to her, I was nothing more than a quick lay.

I’d seen her fall under my spell, tasted it on my tongue, felt it wrap tightly around my shaft. She hadn’t evaded the pleasure only a beastie like me could give. But still, she didn’t hesitate to get rid of me and move on with her life the first chance she got.

“Lose my address…” I murmured to myself, smirking.

That long dormant spark of interest I’d thought would stay forever buried in the monotony of endless time was set off by everything she said and did.

At some point, it was less about the end of the world and more about getting to the bottom of what made that cheeky woman tick. A woman who didn’t play modest and owned her dominance and sensuality in everything she did. She took every bit of pleasure she could, and it was bloody mesmerizing.

The door on my way out nearly got torn off its hinges with the rather dramatic exit I made. I hadn’t controlled my strength. It swung wide and groaned as I stepped out into the crisp night air, rage and arousal rippling across every muscle.

I’d gotten off, but I was still on edge. I wanted more. That quick tumble in the sheets wasn’t nearly enough. I’d never been left wanting like this, never struggled to leave any mortal conquest in the millennia I’d lived.

I’d conquered married queens and virgin princesses, sensuous women of the night and temptresses of evil, the purest of hearts and softest of lights, but they’d never ignited my curiosity quite like that pretty little viper did. And I didn’t even know this bird’s bleeding name.

My breath fogged the air in front of me as I let loose a humorless laugh. “What is it she called me? Songbird? What a cheeky minx.”

It’d be easy enough to find out what I wanted about her, but I wasn’t a bloke who took shortcuts. Okay, I was, but not when it came to something like this.

The challenge that vixen upstairs offered to a bored mind was worth going about this the right way. It wouldn’t feel like a victory if I used the usual means to conquer her. She had towantto give in and spill all of her secrets.

“Well-meant stalking,” I said under my breath, chuckling with feeling this time. My head naturally inclined and found her flat window on the third floor.

I still smelled her intoxicating scent on my skin. Still felt the softness of her curves pressing against mine. Still tasted her sweet-as-candy kiss on my tongue. Still dazzled in the seductive arch of her body when my teeth sank into her.

I decided in that moment whatever it took to do it, she’d be mine. And the minute I had her—all of her—I’d find a way to deliver her soul to bring the end of the world.

The side of my mouth rose into a smarmy grin Ares always accused of being the devil inside me coming to the surface. Icouldn’t help it. I was eager for a challenge, and that bird was every bit of one. A worthy final battle before the bliss of nothingness.

But as my head dropped, my beast eyes caught on a set of familiar blue ones. Without thought, the mortal skin I wore fell away to gas and freedom. One second I was in front of my Viper’s flat, next I was at the corner of her block slamming a body into brick.

My head cocked to one side as I took in the familiar face and sniveling scowl. It was the demon-possessed wanker from the club. “Name yourself, demon.”

“Morcius.” His mortal face fell away to the demon beneath, and his glowing red-orange eyes beamed with both fear and excitement. Not a great start. “Horseman,” the otherworldly baritone greeted, “fancy meeting you twice in one night.”

“Is it, really?” My body melted into its beastly form, scales appearing along my arms and my incisors lengthening to fangs.