Has your demon ever let you be with the same woman twice? she asked, the words layered with a husky edge of arousal, as well as a note of nervousness. Id heard you Never mind.
She had gotten a lot of her info from the Hunters. He stiffened, hating the reminder of her past, but that didnt stop him from admitting, No one but you.
The warmth of her breath trekked over his neck as she angled her head, placing them cheek to cheek. Why me?
Dont know. Sex doesnt know, either. Ive asked.
Well, he should have picked someone else. I have small breasts, she whispered, as though ashamed.
He cupped the pint-size morsels in question. They. Were. Perfect. His hands were big, her nipples beading against the centers of his palms, and damn if that wasnt the most exquisite sensation in the world. He fit his lips against her ear, nibbled on the lobe.
I want them in my mouth, he rasped.
A groan of approval. Nails in his scalp now, digging deeper and deeper.
Paris kissed and licked his way to her lips. They were parted, warm, the sweetness of her breath sawing in and out, scented with the spice of coconut. He hovered there, still not taking what he wanted. What they both wanted. If he started this, he was going to have a hard time stopping. A very hard time. Hed been without a female for too long, and his demon was too needy, but
He didnt want to take Sienna in a hallway, in front of others, he realized. Yeah, hed done that shit before, and it had gotten old hella fast. He wanted this one all to himself, each of her cries for his ears alone, her every reaction to his touch his personal discovery. Her scent, his. Her skin, his. His, his, his.
Take whats yours! Take, take, take!
Well, as alone as he could get with a demon trapped inside him.
Paris? she said, her tone unreadable.
Yes.
A word of warning. Im really bad at this.
Confusion rocked him, his brows furrowing toward his hairline. At what?
Kissing.
Before he could contradict her, she fit their mouths together and sucked the breath right out of his lungs. She wasnt bad at kissing; she was hesitant, unsure and tentative, but he craved her too viciously to teach her better. He took over, unable to stop himself. His tongue thrust forcefully, demanding she concede to his mastery.
Concede she did not. After his teeth banged into hers the third time, she bit down on his bottom lip, hard, drawing blood.
He jerked back before she cut the thing in half. Damn it, woman.
Sex performed some sort of kickboxing move against the side of his skull. Not in complaint or to hide from the violence, but in excitement, to get closer to the violence. More, more! Kiss her more!
I might be bad at it, but I know when someone else is, too. Do it right, Sienna demanded.
Was she frickin kidding? No ones ever criticized my technique before.
Thats because they didnt want to hurt your feelings, she shot back. You and I are past that stage, so I feel okay in admitting that I got a superior kiss from Carl Knickerbocker in the third grade.
Spirit again, and damn if that didnt rev him right back up, demolishing any lingering hint of anger. He wished he could see her face. Those hazel eyes would be sparkling, her skin flushed, her lips swollen. She would be passion incarnate. Should you be giving pointers? Youre far worse at this than I am.
Someone has to teach you. She patted his cheek. Guess well have to learn how to do this together.
More, more, more!
His lips twitched with his amusement. Funny, that. Amusement, when his body and his demon were on fire, desperate for this woman. Im on it.
CHAPTER TWENTY
OKAY. LETS SEE WHAT I CAN do to give little Carl a run for his money. Slowly Paris went back in, pressed his mouth gently against Siennas, lifted, pressed again, teasing her with the contact, barely tasting. She softened against him, her nails scraping against his scalp, her hands tracing down, down, until winding around his neck to lock him against her.
He licked at the seam of her lips, sipping at her, giving her what she wanted, slow and easy, and when she opened for him he licked his way inside, deep, tasting more of her, taking more. Her tongue met his, connecting, dueling with long, languid strokes. They learned each other, learned every nuance of tongue and teeth, breath and flavor, and it was the sexiest damn thing hed ever experienced.
During their first meeting, she had kissed him and used his distraction against him, shoving the needle in his neck. She could have done something similar now, but he wouldnt have cared. His body smoldered with passion, his blood already molten in a way it had never been. His heart was a war drum in his chest, pounding out its cry for more from this woman, this obsession. His limbs shook.
With the darkness so thick around them, his sight was still razed and his other senses picked up the slack. Siennas floral bouquet was branded inside his nose, causing his head to swim all over again. His tattooed fingertips tingled, memorizing the satiny feel of her. His ears twitched, every sound she made a caress. And her tasteoh, hell, yeahambrosia in its most potent incarnation.
But then, thats what she was now, what Cronus had made her. A supplier. A walking ambrosia dispenser. Stick a straw in her vein and you could get high for eternity.
When consumed by humans, ambrosia killed. Had once nearly killed Maddoxs woman. Sienna, though, was already dead and no longer human. By feeding her the nectar mixed with the bulbs necessary for the plants growth, something that would kill even an immortal, she was, in essence, an ever-fertile breeding ground for the drug.
What ran in her veins was more addictive than what Paris used to pour into his alcohol. And if anyone immortal ever tasted her blood, they would be instantly addicted to her. They would need her, keep her, and fight to the death anyone who tried to take her.
Why in the name of all that was unholy would Cronus do that to her? Why would he make her such a target?
Something else for the two of them to hash outwith blades.
Dont think about that right now. Youve got her. Shes safe, and she wants you as much as you want her. He gripped her waist, lifted her off her feet, then pressed her more firmly into the wall. Wrap your legs around me, baby.
She obeyed, and he rubbed his erection against her clitoris so hard she cried out. That wasthat was There were no words.
More.
All. Everything. There were a few words, after all. Are you wet for me? Usually he had a stream of lovely, meaningless praise to give. Sienna was lucky to get more than mine, more and yes out of him.
There was a beat of hesitation, then she whispered shyly, I am.
Wanton abandon splashed with a hint of reservea sultry combination.
Their tongues rolled together, faster, faster still. Her kiss was like sex. Overwhelming, consuming, necessary. He couldnt get enough, didnt think hed ever get enough. Everything hed done to reach this point, absolutely worth it.
Hed been with so very many people, had done so very many things. Some hed liked, some he hadnt. Ninety percent of the time he operated on autopilot, going through the motions to get what he needed while leaving his partners with a smile of satisfaction, even when hed hated who he was with, loathed the smells, the grasping hands, the knowledge that he was inside someone he didnt know.
He wasnt on autopilot right now. Instinct drove him, a need to possess and to be possessed. A need to become one, as corny as that sounded. So he kissed her again, because he couldnt not kiss her. Because he had to know more of her taste, more of her. He slanted his head, angling for even deeper contact, moving his tongue faster, faster still, taking her mouth the way he wanted to take her body.
This time, she offered no complaint. All the while he rubbed against her. His nerve endings were so sensitized he thought theyd be raw by the time he finished.
Yes, she moaned, and clearly, this time she liked his fervor. ParisIm going to You have tostop Dont stopplease stop. Paris!
There would be no stopping. He pressed ever harder, heard her cry out at the bliss, and hell, he was on fire. Burning for her, desperate to sink so damn deep inside her that shed know she belonged to him.
More!
Parisstopplease.
There was that word again. Stop. Her hands tugged at his hair, forcing his head to lift.
I want you, she rasped, but not here. Somewhere else. Somewhere private.
MORE.
Hed take her back to the bedroom, he thought, dizzy with need. Yeah. Thats what hed do, because he had to strip her, had to see her, had to get inside her now, now, now.
He straightened, dragging her with him. One step, though, just one step, and thousands of needle pricks shot through his lower leg. Reason returned, and he jolted back into the blood circle. He was panting, could feel the warm flow of blood down his calf, would be surprised if he had any muscle left. In the time it took to snap a finger, the shadow-things had chomped on him as if he was a steak and they were starving dogs.
Thats what Sienna had endured?
Sex retreated into the back of his mind, the pain too much for him.
Darknessrising Pariss hand was on his blade hilt, squeezing, as he contemplated jumping into the midst and slashing.
Siennas fingers curled around his biceps, stilling him. She, too, was panting. Are you okay?
Hurt? He patted her down, searching for injuries.
Not me. You?
Im fine. Her nipples were still beaded, her belly quivering. Need was still galloping through her, yet shed had the strength to stop when he had not. Impressive. Irritating.
Are you
Just as suddenly as the shadow creatures had arrived, they left. The castle ceased shaking, the screams died. Light swept back through the hallway. Paris had to blink against the burn in his eyes.
Siennas cheeks were flushed a deep rose, her lips soft, swollen and parted, gleaming with his taste. He must have plowed his hands through her hair numerous times. The strands were tangled around her. She looked wanton and wicked, and so sexy his shaft throbbed against his fly.
He turned away before he fell on her, devoured her. In the center of the hallway, William crouched in his own blood circle, his head bowed. The female immortal was at her door, her eyes wide, unsure. The male William had protected was at his door, too.
The other male, the one William hadnt reached in time, was lying on the bedroom floor, a sea of crimson andother things spilled around him. He writhed in agony, even as he fought to put himself back together.
You know what those things were? Paris demanded. When his world spun, he scowled and threw out an arm to catch himself on the wall. But it wasnt because of blood loss or pain.
Sex whimpered, spurting weakness straight into Pariss veins. Bastard had been primed and disappointed too many times in the past few days, and with the denial of Sienna the countdown to meltdown had begun. That meant, if he failed to have sex, and soon, he would rapidly fade until he was completely useless. Until he collapsed, the pheromones wafting from him, drawing people to him. Until someone simply climbed on top of him.
No way hed let that happen. His reasons for resisting Sienna hadnt miraculously vanished, but they werent going to stop him anymore. Hed take her however he could get her, because the alternative was taking someone else and he wasnt willing to do that.
Yeah, I know what they are, William finally managed after catching his breath. Eyes of otherworldly blue lifted and pinned Paris in place. Tension crackled in the air between them. A long time ago Cronus created them the same way Zeus created you, but Id heard after Cronuss imprisonment that someone else had taken over their care. Cronus must have reclaimed them. And now Im gonna have to have a chat with him about houseguests and manners. Utter menace poured from him.
Clearly he anticipated a chat for two, from which only one would walk away. Yeah. Paris intended the same.
That ever happen to you? he asked, whipping back to Sienna and jerking his thumb at the guy split open from neck to navel. Because of what had been done to Siennas blood, the creatures would have gone crazy over her. Would have converged en masse, concentrated solely on her, not leaving until theyd drained every drop possible.
There was no reply.
Sienna. Whats Her eyes were glazed over, he realized, glassy and glowing a bright, vibrant red.
Punish, she whispered.
Wrath had taken over her mind and body.
Must punish them, she repeated in a voice she had never before used with him, all gravel, no passion. A second later, her wings burst from her back, clouds of midnight tipped with violet. They flapped up, down, stretching to their full width and scratching the wall, the floor.
Sienna, he said. Calm, he had to remain calm. Otherwise Wrath would turn that need to punish on him. He snapped his fingers in front of her face. I need you to listen to me, okay, baby?
Punish. Her wings glided faster, until she hovered in the air.
Sienna.
Without another word, she darted straight at the only window, shattering the glass and disappearing into the night.
Paris made a swift dive for her but missed and ended up with half of his body ready to free-fall too many stories into that frothing lake of doom. Well, hell. Hed asked her to let the bastard take over, hadnt he? Stupid. No telling where Wrath would take her, or what the demon would make her do.
One way or another, he was going after her.
Never had to chase a woman this much. He pulled himself back in and studied the incline, trying to decide the best and fastest way down without drawing the notice of the gargoyles. And wouldnt you know it? There was only one way. He was gonna have to make the fifty-foot dive, after all, and pray his legs wouldnt shatter on impact.
Problem was, now that he was on the downward slide to gotta-have-sex-or-die, he would hurt himself and he wouldnt heal very quickly. Whatever. She was in danger; he would do what was necessary. He threw a leg over the pane.
Stay here. He tossed the words over his shoulder. See if you can help the immortals.
Way ahead of you, came Williams muttered reply.
When his other leg was in place, Paris counted down. Three. Two. So stupid. One
And suddenly Zacharel was there, white wings spread and waving gracefully through the air. Snowflakes drifted around him, the perfect frame for his emotionless features. He arched a dark brow. Would you like a ride?
Where were you when the shadows were here? he demanded gruffly.
I can answer, or I can help you.
So sick of his manipulations, but theres no denying I could use his help. And arent I just the cutest damsel in distress ever? Aeron had carried Paris through the skies a time or two, so he knew there was nothing sexual about it. He only prayed Zacharel realized the erection he currently sported had nothing to do with their close proximity.
The angel wrapped his arms around Pariss waist. Youll find good deeds are balm for the soul.
Thats just peachy. For a greater sense of being anchored, Paris wrapped his own arms around the angels neck. Solid muscle, ice-cold skin. Even as primed and needy as Sex was, the demon stayed quiet. But can we do this without conversation?
Can we? Yes. Will we? No. While you are my captive audience, I wish to discuss your unhealthy obsession with the dead girl and the fact that she will be better off without you.
O-kay. Paris brought his legs between them, pushed their bodies apart, and jumped.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
BLOOD DRIPPED FROM SIENNAS hands, caked her clothing and made her tennies squish disgustingly with every step she took. As with every other time Wrath had taken over her body and whisked her out of the castle, he had forced her to follow the shadows to their lair so that he could wage an attack and hurt the creatures far worse than they had hurt others. His crimson-bright gaze had shone through hers, cutting through their skinor oozeor whatever comprised their outer shell, burning them. He had laughed and laughed.
The shadows had been too sated from gorging to fight back, their helplessness an aphrodisiac to Wrath, making him crave more, more, more, and the moment hed finished with the shadows, he had turned his sights on the other beings living in this hidden realm, rhapsodizing when they, too, screamed in pain.
When his hunger was finally satisfied, he tried to force her to walk back to the castle. For the first time, she had known what he was doing while he was doing it, her mind refusing to break its link with Paris, and shed fought himand fought hard. Ultimately, as replete as hed been, hed given up and retreated to the back of her mind. Now she was at the wheel and driving the (short) bus.
Sadly, her fighting wasnt yet done. There was an invisible cord connecting the castle and her neck, trying to pull her closer and closer. She wasnt sure how much longer she could resist. Her wings were shreddednot that she knew how to fly without Wraths guidanceand though they would heal in a few hours, they were currently unable to hold her weight. Still, she dug her heels into the ground and managed to slow her momentum. Pain vibrated in her bones. She cringed as she turnedturnedand began to slip away in the opposite direction. Yes. Yes!
To go back, even to see Paris, to say goodbye, to kiss him one last time, to make love to him, was to imprison herself. And though she was tempted, oh, was she tempted, she had to do this. For him. For Skye. Before Cronus learned of her escape, thought to punish Paris and started pulling her strings all over again.
If she could reach Galen, interrogate and kill him before Cronus realized she was gone, she wouldnt have to seduce him, and the war between the Lords and the Hunters would at last end. Even if the keeper of Hope never told her where her sister was, he couldnt hurt the girl if he was dead. That would have to suffice.
Footsteps echoed, jerking her out of her mind. There were beings behind her, she realized, following her. She didnt have to glance back to know they were empty-eyed males with sagging, gray-tinted skin and jaws that split into rows of four, each loaded with razor-sharp fangs. They were killers without a conscience, the blood of their enemies their source of life.
A few weeks ago, Wrath had struck at their camp, leaving blood and death in his wake. Of course, that meant Siennathe face the survivors had seenhad become Enemy One. Theyd been gunning for her ever since, and would have attacked the castle if not for the Gargl.
The urge to run was nearly irresistible. From the glimpses her demon had given her of these creatures, she knew how theyd hunted in the past, knew how mercilessly theyd killed. Knew they enjoyed the chase more than they enjoyed the slaughter. So maybe if she kept a calm head, maybe if she stayed on her current path, theyd lose interest in her.
Yeah, maybe. Not.
You took our ssslavesss, female. Now you become our ssslave.
That lisp came courtesy of his fangs, which sliced at the words as they emerged.
The thingsss well do to you A calculated snicker. The ssscreamsss youll utter
Offering no reply, but remaining highly attuned to their every move, she forced herself farther and farther from the castle. Her surroundings became darker, the air thicker, scented with blood and other things. She bypassed piles of bones, crimson-colored ponds, caverns that sprang from the mouths of large, carved skulls. She had no weapons, and wasnt exactly sure where the realms exit wasonly knew it was here because Cronus had brought her through while she was semi-conscious, and besides, how else would Paris and his friend have entered?or where in the heavens she would next find herself.
Should have questioned Paris. Hindsight sucked.
Yesss, keep walking, female. Youre headed ssstraight for our camp.
Truth or lie? Wrath was no help this time. Should she stop? Fight them? Her self-defense skills were laughable, considering she had trouble balancing her weight. No matter what she did or where she went, the men were going to attack her, and that was that. Waiting for them to strike merely delayed the inevitable.
A pain-filled grunt rent the air behind her, followed by another. Then another. The men must be fighting among themselves, she thought with a tide of relief, saving her the trouble.
A headwithout a bodyrolled past her. The empty-eyed stare flashed, disappeared, flashed, disappeared. She tripped over her own feet as another head rolled past. Her stomach churned, even as her relief tripled.
Must you kill so needlessly? a male voice asked. Emotionless, and yet there was something in the cadence, something that caressed her ears.
Yeah. I must.
Paris! Sienna whirled around, her heart a thunderstorm inside her chest. Her gaze cut through the darkness. Where was There! Her knees nearly buckled from the ensuing flood of happiness.
Why? The speaker was a dark-haired man dressed in a robe, keeping pace beside Paris. He had a sublime face, wicked in its heartless beauty. Majestic wings of white-gold stretched from his back. He looked like a fallen angel, but then, so did Galen. Still, if Paris trusted him, so would she. Snow wafted around him, but only him. The flakes seemed to absorb into his skin and crystallize.
They were looking at her, threatening her, Paris said, but if he knew where Sienna waited, he gave no indication, and my demon knew what they were thinking. They deserved a hell of a lot worse than they got.
I caught you, saved you from painting the ground with your organs. You owed me a favor, and I asked for a single day without bloodshed.
Yeah, but you didnt specify which day. With that, Paris dismissed the angel and at last focused on her.
Tall and strong, scowling, he strode toward her. He had bruises under his eyes and cuts that rode the length of his arms, but his gait, though slow, was steady. Bodies were piled up behind him. Shed thought only two of the creatures were following her, but oh, had she miscalculated. At least eleven had trailed her.
Where the hell do you think youre going? Paris demanded the moment he reached her.
Her gaze fell to his lips. Those lush, red lips that had kissed her and sipped at her and smashed against her own. Lips she craved all over her. Somewhere else. Im trying to escape, and doing an excellent job of it, thank you, she replied.
Without saying goodbye? He latched on to her bloodstained wrist, turned her arm left and right, searching for any damage. Nice, Sienna. Real nice.
Was he actually mad about that? Guilt rose, followed by shame and even delight. She raised her chin, refusing to buckle under his stare. If I had returned to the castleand believe me, my body wants to return and even standing here is a choreId be stuck there again. You said you wanted my curse broken. Well, Im doing my best to break it.
He released her, sighed. Fine. You did the right thing, but I hate the fact that if I hadnt come after you I never would have seen you again. He could have accused her of abandoning him, of leaving him there to suffer, or any number of other things. That he hadnt
I hate that, too, she admitted.
Clearing his throat as though uncomfortable with the direction of their conversation, he massaged his neck. Those ocean-blues looked as if the sun shone behind them, glistening off the water. Anyway, I dont want you out here by yourself. Its too dangerous.
Well, I dont want me out here by myself, either. A wave of dizziness suddenly hit her, and she swayed.
He examined her from head to toe, some of the angels frost setting up shop on his skin. Thats not just other peoples blood youre wearing, is it? Youre hurt.
Concern. For her. If shed had any resistance left, she would have lost every bit of it in that moment. Ill heal.
Who hurt you? Lethal menace in his tone.
Wrath, when he burst through the window. The other times he took over, he made me walk to the parapet on the castles roof. This time he was afraid youd slow me down. So she shrugged he picked a faster route.
The long spikes of Pariss lashes fused together, barely masking the menace resting behind them. Dont let him take over anymore.
Not the least bit intimidated by the warriors growing anger, she rolled her eyes. Earlier you wanted me to do just that.
I changed my mind, he said, leaning down until they were nose-to-nose. Dont push me on this, woman. Im too keyed up.
They stayed like that for several seconds, breath mixing, emerging faster. She wanted him to kiss her again, to finish what theyd started.
This area is not safe, the other man said, ruining the sensuality of the moment.
Paris jolted upright, his back going ramrod straight. Sienna, meet Zacharel. Hes a warrior angel for the One, True Deity. Zacharel, meet Sienna. Shes mine.
A shiver rippled through her. Uh, had he just claimed her? Had he just warned the other male away from her, as if he were possessive of her? Pleasure warmed her up, chasing away the numbing cold the angel had brought with him.
Zacharel offered his hand to her, his fingers long and thick. I will protect you, he said, the words somehow an invitationand a vow.
No touching, Paris snapped, pushing the angel away from her. Ever.
Zacharels neutral expression never wavered, nor did the intensity of his gaze.
She shifted uncomfortably, uncertain why he wanted to protect her. There was a note of truth in his tone, however, one she could not refute. Somehow she knew he would do everything in his power to keep her safe.
Ormaybe that was a trick. Maybe, like Galen, Zacharel built up hopes and smashed them down. Gulping, she looked to Paris for answers. Is he
Like Galen? he asked, sensing the direction of her thoughts. No. Hes the real deal, as well as a self-righteous prig who will test every limit of your patience. Hes also impotent. Now, where are you headed? He cupped her jaw and forced her focus on him and him alone.
The heat of his touchthe rough texture of his palmsanother shiver stole through her. Im not sure. Did she sound as breathless to him as she did to herself? I was walking aimlessly, searching for the exit. You wouldnt happen to know where it is, would you?
Yeah. Two days walk in the other direction.
Oh. Shed have to pass the castle, then, and if she passed it, she would be drawn inside. No question. If she went inside, she wouldnt come out again.
Ill take you, he said at the same time Zacharel said, I can fly you there in just a few hours. And I am not impotent. I have simply never experienced desire.
Whoa. Talk about an attention stealer. Questions immediately poured through her mind. Why not? Were angels asexual? How old was he? What kind of woman could break through that icy shell and jump-start his hormones?
Maybe when things settled down she would set the angel up with someonenot that she knew anyonebecause no one should go without physical contact of some kind. It hurt.
When shed first opened her eyes and discovered her new ghostly form, she had tried to touch someone, anyone. No one had sensed her, in any way, and her mind had threatened to snap from the lack of sensation.
Youre not flying her anywhere, Paris growled. Hed been watching her, she realized, gauging her reaction to Zacharels offer. I told you. No touching. Besides that, she stays with me, by my side. Thats nonnegotiable.
She could have argued with him. Should have argued with him. They had no future together, and prolonging the inevitable would destroy her in the end. But the thought of two more days with him proved irresistible.
I stay with him, she said with a nod.
A flare of satisfaction sparked in Pariss eyes as he, too, nodded his approval.
After you have a woman, you quickly grow tired of her, Zacharel said. Is that why you are so eager to be alone with this one? He sounded genuinely curious rather than waspish, yet the words stung all the same. If that is the case, then I will gladly allow you some time together.
She must have flinched, because Paris released her and spun for attack, two daggers in his hands.
Do you want to die?