Page 8 of Taken to the Deadlands (Stolen Demon Brides #1)

Chapter 8

Mia

I didn’t even have time to bask in my orgasm before my situation all but literally slapped me in the face.

Two hours had passed since Aris left me alone in my room. I had been forced to clean up the wound on my tit, grimacing when I realized just how bad it could have turned out if she hadn’t pulled away when she did.

I had been so turned on by her being so in control—or so I thought—that I forgot she could actually kill me without so much as a warning.

The closet had been stocked full of clothes that looked and smelled clean. Mostly robes like hers, many of which had splashes of pink and intricate embroidery on them.

There were a few pairs of pants here and there, and even panties that looked pretty and brand new.

The entire room seemed to be in much better shape than the rest of the house.

Meaning she had been waiting for me.

Or for any other human was my next thought.

But I didn’t want to go there.

The bathroom was also stocked, and I had access to hot water. The only downside was how freezing it was in the room. So, even though I wasn’t the slightest bit tired, I was forced to curl up in bed for warmth.

I hadn’t expected her to come back, but then there was a small knock on the door, so faint I almost missed it.

“Come in.”

There was a pause on the other side before Aris pushed open the door. She looked much better now. The veins were gone, and she even looked ashamed. Her hair was damp and stuck to her skin along with her clothes.

After what happened, I should have been scared. Or at least turned off by her.

But my eyes still followed the stray droplets that flowed down her chest.

During our time together, I had caught sight of grayish nipples that had stood erect under those robes and that were now peeking through the soft fabric. My mouth watered at the memory.

“Is now an okay time to talk about what I require?” she asked.

I frowned. Seriously? No Sorry I almost ate you apology?

“Sure. Just… keep your distance.”

She nodded and closed the door behind her without making a move to come any closer.

I sighed and beckoned her. She hesitated but crossed the room, stopping in the middle.

“I didn’t mean to lose myself like that,” she offered. “So, after you hear my terms, I would like you to pick a different payment.”

I raised my brow at her.

“So it was my orgasm that caused you to lose control?” I asked.

She tilted her head to the side.

“No, the blood.”

Confusion blossomed inside me.

“Then just don’t bite me next time?” I suggested.

She huffed and shook her head.

“Even just touching you like that spurs on my frenzy,” she confessed. “Your smell, the feeling of you around me—all of it makes me want to… taste you. And you seemed to like it last time.”

Her words caused heat to flood my face. I wasn’t normally a bashful girl, but god, that sounded dirty coming from her mouth. I expected her to remain unaffected, which seemed to be mostly on par for her except for when she bit me, but her eyes got a faraway look in them, and she ended her sentence breathlessly.

So sex would be… difficult.

“Then how are you going to require me to have sex with you if you can’t handle it?” I asked, nervousness filling me.

She paused, allowing silence to fall over us.

“I don’t require sex from you, human.” She spat it out like she was offended I even mentioned it to begin with.

My blood froze. Wait, she doesn’t? Then… why?

I shot up, pushing the blankets off me.

“Why did you let me jump you like that then?!” I all but shrieked. She cringed at my volume, her lips twisting into a grimace.

“ You were the one who said it was your payment for helping me.”

I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. Humiliation burned at my face.

I realized why she hesitated then. I started taking off my clothes before she had even finished telling me what she wanted. I was the one who came on to her.

Jesus Christ, Mia. How fucking horny are you?

“So then… Why did you buy me?”

She let out a heavy sigh and placed her hands on her hips, looking down at the floor, as if trying to decide whether the task of explaining herself was worth it.

When her eyes met mine again, my heart stopped in my chest.

“Because you see ghosts, and I need to contact someone. The… human who was here before you.”

I sat back on the bed and forced my mouth shut.

So many thoughts were running through my mind and at a million miles per second, but it really came down to one thing.

I just jumped a demon without knowing what she wanted from me, and now I have to tell her I can’t see ghosts.

She would throw me out. Or worse, really eat me this time.

“That’s it?” I asked, my voice rising an octave. “You just need to make contact, then I can… go home?”

She gave me a stiff nod.

“I planned to pay you for your work while you were here, but I underestimated how I would react to touching a human again.”

Again. Touching a human… again.

“Oh no,” I whispered, rubbing my hand over my face. “And this human… You were… together?”

And for some reason the idea of her with this other human was bother me.

When she didn’t answer, I snuck a peek up at her, but she wasn’t looking at me. Instead, her gaze was fixed on the window.

“I bought her like I did you,” she explained. “But back then I had been looking for a companion. And well…” She shook her head as if trying to force the thoughts out. “I need you to contact her ghost. I’m hoping it’s still here.”

I didn’t know what to think. I was left with the feeling that I had fucked up horribly. That she had been desperate to get me to contact her ex… lover? Human pet? And I had thrown myself at her, thinking she wanted to fuck me.

“I—I didn’t realize.”

She sighed and looked back toward the exit.

“This was her room when she was here,” she explained. “I was hoping you could sense her. I’m not sure how your gift works.”

I wanted to throw up. Here I was, invading her previous partner’s space, even trying to fuck her in this same room. Everything was falling apart.

“What… um… happened to her?” I asked.

Aris stiffened. “You don’t need to know that. Just tell me what you want.”

I shook my head.

“Just let me go when we are done,” I said. “That’s all I need from you.”

She nodded wordlessly.

“But it would be easier if you told me more about her,” I added after a moment.

Somewhere, far off, a clock chimed.

“Later,” she said with a look that caught me off guard. I didn’t know what I expected from a demon, but it wasn’t the emotions that were twisting up her face. “Sleep well. I’ll wake you in the morning.”