Thats when he lost his hands to a hacksaw. They were now stubs with a few fingers. Even in his dreams. Therefore, he couldnt defend himself properly against Mr. Hungrywho was still eyeing him as if he were a slab of beef as he tripped from one corner of the dream room to another.
Those corners closed in on him, the space shrinking.
Hell. No. Come closer! Stay away! You want to do this. You dont want to do this.
Dont calm, Lies repeated.
There was no time to analyze his demons odd behavior. One of those hairy legs swiped out. The tip was sharp, bladelike, and sliced his thigh. Maybe that tip had been dipped in poison, because the sting that next exploded through him sent him to his knees, causing his muscles to lock onto his bones, nearly breaking them in half.
Do that again, he rasped. Shut up, just shut up! He rarely despised his demon. Most days, he even liked the bastard. Was glad to be a stronger, harder soldier because of the little fiend. But not now. He wanted to curse that damned spider to everlasting hell.
Why he was so afraid of spiders, he didnt know. The fear had simply always been there.
Another swipe of that leg. Another cut, this one on his back as he tried to spin away from impact. The sting spread quickly, his muscles twisting. The bones in his arm did break this time.
Again, he repeated, the word like an arrow as it left his clenched teeth. Again.
Dont calm!
The spider stilled, its disgusting head tilting to the side. Watching him, studying him. Damn it! He couldnt scramble away, was now locked in place.
Stay! Go! The thickness of his breath, beating against the too-close walls, echoed.
Why do you say the opposite of what your expression tells me you mean?
The voice came out of nowhere. Or maybe the spider was talking. Except he would have thought a spider that ugly would be male, and this voice had been pure femininity. Familiar somehow. Soft, yet strong. Relax, that voice said.
Lies sighed with contentment.
Stay! Gideon shouted to the beast. He wouldnt be tricked into passivity like his demon.
Slowly, too slowly, the spider faded, shimmering out of view. Another trick. You have to
A woman stepped from the ensuing murkiness. She was tall and lean, with shoulder-length black hair that possessed not a single curl or hint of wave. There was something as familiar about her face as thered been about her voice.
Who was she?
She had eyes like black velvet, a regal nose and lips so red they were like thousands of tiny, freshly polished rubies that had been pressed together and cut into a heart. Her cheekbones were sharp, her chin stubborn, but by the gods, she was lovely. A warrior queen.
His heart continued its frantic beat, even as Lies uttered another of those sighs. The panic left him, leaving behind a white-hot fascination. A trick? Who cared! His mind had surely used his deepest fantasies to create her.
The sweat dried on his body, and the ice left his blood as a consuming fire washed through him, blistering everything it touched. So badly he wanted to reach out, to touch her, to caress her face and run his fingers through her hair. To know if she was as soft and silky as he thought she would be.
Why do you say the opposite of what you mean? she asked again.
Dont know, he said, meaning that he did, in fact, know the answer. He could have lied in more detail, allowing her to decipher the truth, but a single thought had stopped him. What if she was Bait, a female sent to help destroy him?
Were Hunters now so powerful they could invade dreams?
Possible. Torin had visited him earlier and told him that Galen had an artifact, that the traitor had successfully bonded the demon of Distrust with a dark-haired female and A dark-haired female?
He stiffened. Like the one he was staring at?
Come to the dungeon, she said. Alone.
Who arent you? he demanded.
Who arent you? she shot back.
Silence slithered between them, and anger filled those black eyes. Anger and still that churning curiosity.
Come to the dungeon, or Ill bring back the spider. With that, she disappeared.
Gideons eyelids flew open, his conscious mind propelled from that dream-state as if riding a rocket.
Thank the gods, a frantic Paris said. Finally.
Gideon was panting. Unlike in his dream, his sweat was not dried. It poured off him, drenching him. Just like in his dream, however, his arm, thigh and back were throbbing, bleeding from where theyd been cut.
What happened? he demanded shakily. Small, hairless mosquito
Bad dream, as I feared.
Fading sunlight trickled in through the only window in his room, but his overhead light was on, illuminating his friend. Pariss hair was multihued, and each of those hues gleamed brightly. His skin was pale, yet it held the shimmer of a pearl.
Now, Gideon might have acted like a pussy, but Paris looked like one, he thought with the first threads of humor returning.
You fell asleep before we could tell you not to and mustve met our new guest.
The girl. Who isnt our guest?
Scarlets her name, and shes a Lord of the Underworld. Or Lordess, I guess.
Theyd actually found one of the missing links and brought her here? Whats she not a keeper of? He would have scrubbed a hand down his face to clear away the remnants of sleep, but couldnt.
Paris sensed his need and wiped his eyes with the edge of his sleeve. Nightmares, apparently. Pretty thing, if you like em rough, but evidently shes as crazy as the Hunters.
Nightmares. For some reason, the word alone was nearly enough to give his own demon an orgasm. And Gideon, well, he was suddenly wondering why the girl had seemed so familiar to him.
Stay, stay, stay, Lies demanded inside his mind.
Olivia helped us capture her, and shes locked in the dungeon, Paris continued.
Shes hurt, right? he demanded, throwing his weakened legs over the side of the bed.
What are you doing, man?
Gideon managed to stand, swaying but thankfully not falling, his gaze sweeping over his body. He still wore those boxers, was dirty from the sweat and probably smelled.
It wasnt vanity that propelled him unsteadily toward the bathroom, he told himself, but a sense of politeness. No reason to torture the girlScarlet, Paris claimedwhen she had yet to do anything wrong. Well, kind of. His newest wounds hurt, dripping blood all over his clean floor. Her fault?
Aeron, housecleaner extraordinaire, would be pissed, a prospect that had his lips twitching. If nothing else, thatd be fun to watch. Aeron with a mop. Classic.
All the Lords had assigned chores. A great thing for his friends, sure, but Gideon kind of excelled at freeloading. A title hed once worn with pride. Then Paris had guilted him into helping with the shopping. Theyd taken turns, each going to the grocery once a week, Paris at the beginning of the week and Gideon at the end.
He wondered if someone else had taken over the chore since his injury and if so, what hed have to do instead once he recovered fully. Probably help Aeron with maid-service.
His lips stopped twitching.
So whatd she do to you? Paris asked, sidling up to him and acting as his crutch the rest of the way to the bathroom. Once there, Paris even started the water. Scalding hot, just as Gideon liked it. You mentioned a small, hairless mosquito and I gotta tell you, I have no idea what that means.
With a little more help, Gideon managed to strip. He stepped under the spray. Hed never been modest and he knew Paris, whod been with thousands and thousands of women, and even the occasional man over the years, wouldnt care.
For a long while, he simply stood immobile, stubs braced on the wall in front of him, broken arm throbbing as the water poured over him, burning his face and body. Then his good wrist was captured, his bandage upturned and a bar of soap placed atop it.
No thanks, he muttered. How was he going to manage this?
It lives, Paris muttered back. You never answered my question. Whatd she do to you with those mosquitoes?
Nothing, he said, meaning something.
I know that. Start talking.
As he scrubbed himself with the soap as best he could, considering he was handless and reduced to using only his right arm, he explained in Gideon-speak. His meaning was clearAwake, I got to party with my favorite thing evereven without having to resort to the truth.
You know what this means, dont you? Paris asked grimly.
Yeah. No. What the hell? His brain must be addled. All he could think was that Scarlet knew how to conjure insects, but then, a three-year-old could have figured that out by now.
She knew what scared you most. Only logical conclusion is that the woman can sense our deepest fears and present them to us while were sleeping. Hence, nightmares.
Great. Exactly what his life had been missing. Im not going to pay her a visit.
That earned a No, thanks from Lies.
Now hold everything.
Youre totally going to be able to talk me out of this, so I wouldnt shut up if I were you. Took him a bit, but he managed to switch off the water. Dont get me a towel.
A growling Paris tossed a fluffy white bath mat at him. Gideon missed, his bandaged nubs simply not fast enough. He bent down and after several attempts, managed to lift the material. His arm throbbed. Stupid broken bones! He tried to dry himself, he really did, but he didnt do too good a job.
Finally Paris snatched the cotton and patted him dry. Youre worse than a baby, you know that?
Dont grab me some clothes.
Shaking his head, Paris disappeared into the room. A dresser drawer slid open, slammed shut, then another, and then he was striding back into the bathroom, holding out a pair of shorts and a T-shirt.
Gideon had already stepped from the stall. He could have dressed himself, but that would have required the rest of his energy. Im not going to let you do it.
Another shake of that head. Youre going to go see her, at least take some weapons. Paris tugged the shirt over his head and helped him pull his arms through. He only cringed once. Like me.
Sure. Gods, this was embarrassing. Being this helpless. His friend was so matter-of-fact about it, though, that some of the sting eased.
Paris rolled his eyes as he held open the shorts for Gideon to step into. Just because shes locked up doesnt mean shes harmless. His gaze dropped pointedly to the still-bleeding wound in Gideons thigh.
Gideon shrugged. Could you have picked anything more masculine for me? he asked with disgust as he eyed himself. If he hoped to impress Scarletwhich he didnt, he assured himselfhe would fail. A plain white shirt too small for him and gray running shorts. Fabulous.
Paris crossed his arms over his chest. So youre thinking about going without me?
No. Alone, shed said. If he brought a friend, she might zip her pretty lips, and that he wouldnt tolerate. He wanted answers, damn it. Namely: how the hell did he know her? He wouldnt be averse to listening to her apologize for slicing him, either.
Gideon, Paris warned.
Shes not locked up, right? He lumbered into the bedroom, throwing over his shoulder, Ill be in danger the entire time.
Frustrating ass. Fine, but be careful, Paris called.
Wont.
After two winding hallways and a flight of stairs, he had to prop himself against a wall to remain standing. Along the way, hed run into several of his friends, and each had tried to help him back to his room. Hed shooed them away as politely as possible. They were worried about him, and he loved them for it. Not that he could ever tell them that. I hate you was the best he could do. But he wasnt backing down for this.
He forced himself back into motion. As he crossed the threshold into the dungeon, the air changed completely. It was dirty now, laden with blood, sweat and even urine. Hunters had been tortured here, over and over again. How disgusted the girl must be. Perhaps huddled in a corner, shaking. Crying.
What would he do if that were the case? Probably run screaming, he mused. Only thing worse than spiders were feminine tears.
Grappling with dread, he turned the final corner. At last she came into view, and he stilled. Awareness consumed him. First thing he noticed: she wasnt crying. Or scared. Second: she was far lovelier in person than shed been in his dream.
She gripped the bars, waiting, expression blank. You came. She didnt sound surprised, just resigned.
No, I didnt. As if in a trance, he closed the distance between them, the scent of night flowers suddenly filling his nose. He breathed deeply. So did Lies.
Her gaze raked him, taking his measure, cataloging his every flaw. Maybe you shouldnt have.
Again he was struck by how familiar she was, both her voice and her face, but he still couldnt figure out where hed met her. Dont tell me why.
Her dark eyes narrowed. Tell me Im pretty.
Conceited, was she? Well, she wouldnt get what she wanted from him. Youre ugly.
Part of him expected her to gasp in horror. She didnt. In that same resigned voice, she said, Tell me Im smart.
Youre stupid.
Slowly her lips curled into a smile. Well, well, well. Lies. It really is you. Were together again at last.
CHAPTER TWENTY
A DROP OF WATER hit Aerons lips, cool and tingling, before sliding over his tongue, down his throat and into his stomach, absorbing there, then entering his bloodstream and traveling to each of his organs. Moment of contact, his heart began a perfect beat, his lungs filled with more oxygen than theyd ever had and his skin reached the perfect temperature, neither too hot nor too cold.
Suddenly he could hear the birds chirping outside his window, the wind dancing past the line of trees that surrounded the fortress. Could even hear his friends in the rooms above and below his, discussing what was to be done about Scarlet, about the Hunters, and lamenting his illness.
And his nose He breathed deeply, catching the scent of bark, dewy leaves, sweat, the lemon soap Sabin used, Pariss aftershave and his personal favoritewild sky. Olivia.
Olivia was here with him.
Maybe that was why Wrath was purring so contentedly.
Aeron pried his eyelids apart, and immediately regretted the action. So much light. Light from the bulbs in the ceiling, light from the bathroom. His walls, which hed once thought were pale silver and crumbling stone, gleamed as if those stones had somehow trapped a rainbow.
Youre alive, Olivia said with palpable relief.
There was something different about her voice, he thought as his gaze sought her out. It was still beautiful, more so now that he could hear the subtle nuancesa low rasp, banked sensualitybut still different. She was perched at the edge of his bed, sky-blue eyes peering down at him. Her dark hair was in tangles around her, framing the delicacy of her features. The white robe hed forced her to don however long ago still draped her, free of wrinkles and dirt.
Her skin was His breath caught. Majestic. That was the only word to describe it. Majestic. No, not the only word. Flawless worked, too. He could have stared at her for hours, days. Forever. She was pure, white cream.
He wanted to touch her. Had to feel how soft she was. How warm she was. Had to know she was healthy and whole and shed escaped without harm.
Escaped. The word tormented him. He remembered theyd been inside that crypt, and hed been shot. Hed carried Nightmares into the cemetery, fallen to his knees, waiting for his friends, but he didnt recall anything after that. He fisted the sheets. Answers first, then he could allow himself a single touch.
Single?
Concentrate. What happened? Odd. Olivias voice wasnt the only one to have changed. His had never sounded so smooth or strong.
She offered him a shaky smile. We thought wed lost you. You were shot, and the bullet was laced with immortal poison, slowly killing you.
Yes, that made sense. A bullet had never affected him like that, but this one had weakened him unbearably. Howd I get here?
Paris and William came and got us.
No trouble?
With Hunters? She shook her head, that cloud of hair dancing around her shoulders. None. We even picked up Gilly on the way back here, but we never encountered them.
It was only a matter of time, though. As close as they were, and with the success of their demon-possession, they would attack soon enough. Hows Paris?
Hes fine, strong and taking care of himself now.
Or hed tricked everyone into thinking so. Paris was good at hiding his actionsor lack of actionbehind humor and smiles. Most likely he was drinking ambrosia and neglecting his bodys needs.
Im not going to say that! Olivia suddenly snapped.
Aeron frowned. Say what?
Sorry. Her shoulders slumped. The voice returned, telling me to do all kinds of things to your body. Ive named him Temptation, and Im pretty sure hes a demon.
A demon? None that he knew, which could mean that someone else listed on the scrolls was hiding in town. But why torment Olivia? And with sexual thoughts, of all things?
Whatever the reason, he wouldnt stand for it.
Punish, Wrath said.
Aeron was glad the demon had recovered, as well. And yes. He wanted to punish the ones who had hurt them. He just had to
Oh, no, Olivia said with a shake of her lovely head. I can see the thoughts spinning behind your eyes. Well worry about the demon later. Hes irritating, thats all. Right now, Im more concerned about you.
Sweet, darling Olivia. His protector, something hed never thought hed need. Something hed never expected to want. But he did want, desperately. Need, certainly. Yet he had to convince her to return to the heavens. Inhow long?
He glanced at the window, the split curtains framing a waning moon. How long did I sleep?
Most of the day and night. Youre still naked, if you hadnt noticed. A blush stained her cheeks. Not that thats important right now.
Most of the day and night. Which meant morning would arrive all too soon. Which meant he had eight days to convince Olivia to return home. Eight days to save himself and Legion.
Eight days to resist her.
He wouldnt last. A single touch wasnt going to be enough, he admitted that now. He would want more. He would have more.
More, Wrath echoed.
Yes, more. He wasnt going to stop himself. Not this time. Selfish of him, yes, but selfish he would be. He could have died out there. Died without warning. Without knowing what it was like to sink inside her, feeling her clench around his cock, clawing his back, gasping his name.
When he knew, he would stop wondering, stop craving. He could continue on as before. And she would have had her fun. She could go home satisfied.
Selfish? Ha! He was a giver.
How did I heal? he asked. Better question: would he lose steam midway? He didnt want her leaving this bed until she reached her peak twice. At least. He owed her. Her crack about his lack of prowess still stung.
Olivias gaze shifted away from him. An antidote.
Why couldnt she meet his eyes? An angel antidote?
Yes. She motioned to a glowing blue vial on his nightstand. Water from the River of Life. One drop, and death is chased away.
No wonder his senses were heightened.
Once we run out, she continued, well be given no more. Which is a shame. Lysander told me the Hunters have many, many more of those poisoned bullets.
How long will the effects last? He wouldve expected Wrath to fume at being fed a heavenly substance. Instead, the demon purred a little louder, as if given a great gift.
In a snap, Aeron thought he understood. Legion represented hell, and Olivia heaven. The latter hed already figured out, but the former He realized now that Wrath missed his home. Both his homes. High Lords had once been angels, Olivia had said, before falling from the sky. Home number one. And landing in hell. Home number two, though Wrath hadnt considered it as such until he compared it to Pandoras box.
Heaven and hell, he thought again, unsure how hed missed the connection before. Olivia and Legion. Two halves of a whole, just as he and Wrath were.
Speaking of Wheres Legion? he asked, gazing around the room in search of her.
Williams distracting her, but Im not sure how long that will last. Olivia traced a finger along his breastbone. Your heartbeat is improving. Strong.
His flesh heated where they connected. More.
His ears twitched as he listened to a conversation a few rooms over. Sabin and his crew had returned from the Temple of the Unspoken Ones. A lot of them were injured, but recovering. As soon as they were better, they were going to raid The Asylum and destroy the Hunters residing there.
No one was coming to check on him, then, and there was nothing for Aeron to do at the moment. Except Olivia.
As you pointed out, Im still naked, he found himself saying. Are you ready to have fun?
First her jaw dropped. Then she closed it with a snap. Then it dropped again. Unwilling to wait for her to acclimate to his intentionsno more waiting periodAeron reached up and cupped the base of her neck, drawing her down until she was practically on top of him. Her breath hitched, and the softness of her breasts pressed into his chest.
Yes, he would have this woman. Those breasts, too. The sweet spot hopefully moistening for him even now, definitely.
Wh-what are you doing? The breathy question warmed him body and soul, because there was longing in every word.
Having you. Finally.
He lifted his head and meshed their lips together. She didnt resist, not even for a moment. No, she opened for him, meeting his tongue with her own. He could taste the freshness of the water shed given him, as well as the cinnamon of her breath.
Trembling hands flattened on him, and his heart increased in speed, racing to meet them. Her skin was hot rather than warm, and burned him just right. Silky curls tickled him.
He anchored his free hand under her bottom and tugged her the rest of the way atop him. Their bodies fit together, and her legs opened automatically, cradling him perfectly. He moaned. Yesyes
Yes! Wrath agreed.
No, she rasped, and wrenched away. She even scrambled from the bed and stood to trembling legs, nearly teetering over.
Both he and the demon wanted to roar. Instead, Aeron settled his weight on his elbows and watched her. Calm. You want me. I know you do. Gods, he could smell her arousal just then, heady feminine musk.
Yes, but I wont let you rouse my passions and then leave me before I can finish. She fisted her robe, inadvertently raising the fabric and showing a hint of those beautiful calves. Calves he would lick.
Olivia, I
No, she said again, spinning away. Twice she tripped over her own feet as she made her way to his dresser. There, she propped her elbows on the surface and held her head in her upraised hands. I cant bear it.
Was shecrying?
Aeron swallowed the sudden lump in his throat and stood. Not that. Anything but that. He was as naked as shed promised, his erection waving proudly. I want you. Im not going to deny either of us again. This I swear to you, Olivia.
Oh, shut up!
He blinked. Was he making no progress, then? Had his actions ruined everything? Make me, was all he could think to say. With a kiss. Please.
Not you, she murmured. The voice. Temptation. He wants me to raise my robe and show you that Im not wearing anything underneath.
She wasnt? Aeron licked his lips and approached. Nothing, not even one of the Hunters bombs, could have kept him away after learning that. Ill find out for myself.
Olivia gasped when he placed his now-trembling hands on her hips. Her head lifted and she twisted to peer up at him. Her eyes were huge, watery, and his heart lurched in his chest.
Whatwhat are you doing?
Finding out, like I told you. First he played with her breasts, cupping, thrumming the nipples, until she trembled. Then he dropped to his knees, his hands never leaving her delectable body, but following him down. You wanted to have fun, so Im giving you fun.
D-dont do this if youre going to stop midway. Ive been through too much the past few days and I
I wont. The scent of her arousal was stronger, a sultry night he wanted to lose himself in. Nothing could stop me now, angel. Nothing.
Slowly, so slowly, he lifted the hem of the robe. Not once did she protest, not even when goose bumps broke out over her legs. Her smooth, firm legs, a mix of honey and vanilla. When he revealed her bottom and saw that she wasnt wearing any panties, his cock jerked in reaction. Beautiful. Even his wings ached from inside their slits.
Mine.
Actually, mine. He bunched the material around her waist, holding it prisoner against the dresser and leaving her lower body bare. He cupped her, spreading his fingers over those delectable cheeks. Again she gasped. Between each of his fingers, he placed a kiss.
More? he asked.
Yes, she and Wrath breathed in unison.
He kissed the underside and encountered the softest skin her Deityhis Deity now, too, for he realized he would always worship the one responsible for creating herhad probably ever created.
Aeron, she said on another of those wispy catches.
Spread your legs for me. He clutched her thighs and prodded her into action, even nudging her feet apart with his knees. His blood was like fire, his need sharpening to a razor point. Now bend over. As far as you can.
There was only a slight pause before she complied. For a moment, only a moment, all he could do was stare. So pretty. So sweet. So pink. So wet. For him and him alone. Even the thought of sharing with his (once again purring) demon was abhorrent. But he would. He would take this woman any way he could get her.
Going to taste you now. He dipped his head and sampled her fully, distantly hearing a slap of flesh upon wood.
Aeron!
His gaze flicked up. Shed settled her hands on the mirror in front of her and flattened her temple against the dresser. Her eyelids were squeezed shut and her breaths shallow, her teeth chewing at her lips.
Dontstop, she begged him.
He didnt. He ran his tongue over her femininity again, lingering against her clitoris, flicking it, sucking on it. This was ambrosia. Her. Soft and poutyhis. Accepting what he did, liking it.
Though he wanted to consume her, he didnt allow himself to rush. Hed gone that route with her before. This time, he would savor. This time, he would learn everything about this beautiful body.
Im going to Aeron
Good girl. He moved his tongue faster, harder against her. Her hips arched forward and back and when he found her opening, he thrust deep inside. She screamed, shuddering with her release.
He didnt know how much timeminutes, hours, dayspassed before she calmed enough that he was able to bend down and kissand lickthe calves hed so admired before rising and paying proper homage to her lower back. There were two indentations, and as he swirled his tongue around them, his hands slid upupand cupped her breasts the way he knew she liked. Both of her nipples were still gloriously hard, like little pearls, and he rolled them between his fingers.
More.
Im ready, Olivia said between pants. Come inside me.
Not yet. She was wet, yes, but he wanted her dripping. He wanted her beyond ready. She was virgin, and he would make this as easy as possible for her.
His first time had been with a minor Greek goddess. One of the three Furies. Megaera, the jealous one, as shed often been called. Her brand of loving had been violent and painful, and yet another reason hed always avoided females who preferred a strong hand from their lovers. With Olivia, though, it wasnt that he preferred gentle women over wild women, or wild women over gentle women. It was that he preferred Olivia.
As he stood, he traced his tongue up the ridges of her spinethere were scars where her wings should have been, and he kissed them, too, laving them with his attentionsall while yanking her robe up and over her head. Silky hair cascaded down her shoulders and back, even obscuring her breasts from the mirrors view. He had to see those breasts, he thought, brushing that hair aside.