Through the glass, those frosted nipples came into view. He tweaked them, and she dropped her head upon his shoulder, eyes closing to half-mast. The thick length of his erection pressed between her bottom, desperate for contact, and he hissed between his teeth.
There would be no more savoring if he kept this up.
Down, down his hand went, until it reached the apex of her thighs. His fingers tunneled through the fine tuft of dark curls and into that hot, wet mound. One, two, he pushed them inside her.
They both groaned. Aeron placed a kiss at the curve of her neck, watching himself all the while. What a sight they were. His dark tattooed body behind her. Her softer, cloud-tinted one writhing in front of him. By far the most erotic sight hed ever beheld.
No. Wait. Her arms reached back, one hand gripping his head to angle him down for a kiss, the other clasping his ass. This was the most erotic sight hed ever beheld.
Im ready, I swear.
Almostalmost He worked a third finger inside her, stretching her, spreading that glistening moisture. And when he encountered the proof of her virginity, he paused, reveled in the sense of possessiveness flooding himmine, all mineand then gently broke through.
Mine. A cry from Wrath.
Mine. An insistence.
She tensed, even stilled against his mouth. Aeron.
Hed rather hurt her with his fingers than his cock. Sorry. Pain. Feel good. Swear. He sounded like a Neanderthal, but he just couldnt form proper sentences. Olivia was his. Utterly his. His mind was stuck on that fact, and that alone.
When she relaxed, he reclaimed her mouth, playing with her tongue, feeding her kiss after needed kiss, and soon she began writhing against him again, lost to the pleasure. Soon she was dripping, as hed craved.
Now she was ready.
Though he hated to release her, even for a moment, he did so to grip his cock. The throbbing length practically leapt into his touch, hungry for more, so much more, yet he feared spilling at first contact. Diversion. He bit down on his tongue until he tasted blood, and the boiling need was tempered. Achieved. Tenderly, he pushed Olivia back on the dresser with his free hand, chest to wood, then poised the tip of his erection at her opening.
Still ready?
Now, Aeron. Do it now!
Inch by inch, he drove it inside her, allowing her to grow accustomed to his size before giving her more. All the while she gasped and moaned and beseeched him. Wrath, too. Finally, he was in to the hilt, his eyes fogging over with the force of his need to pound and pound and never stop.
Aeron, she groaned, and he knew it was another plea.
He pulled out, almost all the way, before sinking back in. A curse rushed from himshe had arched her hips to meet him, and rational thought fled, something inside him breaking. A tether of some sort. A tether on his restraint.
Just like that, he lost himself. Lost control, lost who he was, lost everything but the need to fill this woman with all that he was. In and out he pounded inside her, just as hed wanted. Determined, driven, possessed by far more than a demon.
He was gripping her hips, probably bruising her, surely crushing her bones, but he couldnt stop himself. He was wild, feral, existing for only this moment. This woman. Just then, she was his everything. She was as much a part of him as Wrath. He couldnt live without her. Wouldnt live without her.
Aeron. She was no longer panting; she was shouting. Dont stop, dont stop, dont you dare stop. More. More!
In his mind, only one word echoed. Mine. Mine, mine, mine. Hed heard it a thousand times before, but then he was shouting, Mine, mine, mine, and the sound was filling his ears, sweeping through him, heating him another degree, branding him, destroying who hed been, what hed been, then building him back up, into something new and fine and right, into the man hed always been meant to be. Her man. And thats when mine faded and another word took its place, stronger, far more necessary. Yours. He wanted to belong to her, to be hers. To be everything shed ever dreamed, to fulfill every wish shed ever made.
Aeron, she gasped.
Yours.
He should have seen this coming, should have known what she was beginning to mean to him, but his resistance had blinded him. Now, reduced to his basest self, he was raw, vulnerable, operating on a visceral level.
She was his, and he was hers.
He kicked her legs farther apart, and she fell down a little, deeper into his thrusts. The gap from the dresser allowed him to reach around and stroke her where she needed. With a scream, she erupted, and as those lush inner walls gripped him, Aeron hurtled over the edge himself, hot seed jetting inside her.
Aeron, she cried.
Yours.
He collapsed on her, panting, and realized there was a flaw to his only once plan. Once would never be enough. Not for him, and not for his demon.
They needed more; they couldnt possibly be satisfied until theyd taken her in every way imaginable. And they could. He could. Without fear. Hed lost control, but Wrath hadnt attacked her. Hed lost control, but he hadnt hurt her.
Shed been irresistible before, but now He needed to be with her or his life would not be complete. He needed to make love to her every night and wake up to her every morningto make love to her again. He needed to pamper her and give her the things she craved. Like fun. Like joy. Like passion.
Like him.
Olivia, he said, the syllables broken but still a promise from him, a promise for all the more she desired. Forever?
What are you doing? What are you thinking? You cant do this. His sweat-slicked chest pressed into her back, and he forced himself to rise.
Wrath whimpered.
Aeron, she said. Then, Aeron!
No, that last shout hadnt belonged to Olivia. He twisted, as did his angel, and they stiffened at the same time. William and a pretty blondeLegion, he reminded himself, surprised all over again by the change in herstood in the open doorway.
Aeron forced his wings out of hiding and wrapped them around Olivia, shielding her from view. Meanwhile, William held the humanoid demon back, but strong as he was, she was dragging him forward, her murderous gaze locked on the angel.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
OLIVIA COULDNT BELIEVE what had just happened with Aeronand what was happening now with Legion. Naked. Sex. Pleasure. Happiness. Hope.
All dashed.
Trembling, she bent down to retrieve her robe and wrenched the material over her head. Thankfully, Aerons wings kept her concealed the entire time. How she would have loved to bask in the afterglow. To discover if Aeron had been as affected as she was.
Sex wasso much more than she ever could have imaginedand shed imagined a lot, since the first orgasm hed given her. The pleasure, the satisfaction, the power of knowing you were driving someone out of their mind. The closeness, the sharing, the giving, the taking. Every minute was a miracle.
Shed been alive for centuries. Why hadnt she been doing this all that time? Although, she suspected the act would not be the same with any other man. Only Aeron. Her Aeron. The man who made her achedream.
Legions high-pitched screeches drew her back to the present. Bitch! Whore! Ill kill you!
Temptation laughed inside Olivias head. Hed been silent during the act, having gotten what hed wanted. Why had he returned?
William still had a grip on Legion, but that grip could fail at any moment. Olivia kind of hoped it did. Someone needed to put Legion in her place, and she would be more than happy to do so. She wanted her afterglow, damn it!
Dress, Olivia told Aeron, hating that another womanespecially this onewas seeing him like this. All those tattoos should be hers, and hers alone, to feast upon. Visually or otherwise. She wished she could have licked them.
Next time.
Would there be a next time?
His expression was hard, unreadable, as he tugged on his pants and fastened them at the waist. Because his wings were still expanded, he couldnt don a shirt. At least dressing spurred him into action. He kicked forward, wrapped an arm around Legions waist and hefted her into his side like a sack of potatoes.
The demons flailing never ceased. Let me go! Let me at her!
You can go, Aeron told William. Ill handle things from here.
There were cuts on Williams face and arms, and all of them were bleeding. The warrior nodded, his lips twitching in amusement. Good luck, my friend. Oh, and just so you know, a meetings been called. Entertainment room, ten minutes. With that, he strolled into the hallway, shutting the door behind him and whistling under his breath.
Aeron carted his bounty to the bed and tossed her onto the mattress. She bounced up and down and tried to scramble off, gaze still locked and loaded on Olivia.
Stay, he barked.
Legion froze, glaring up at himuntil an obvious sense of self-preservation took hold and she smoothed out her features. The self-preservation was quickly followed by determination, though, and she settled on the edge of the bed, elbows behind her, breasts thrust forward, legs on the floor but spread and ready to wrap around him.
Care to join me? she asked huskily.
Oh, no, she didnt, Olivia fumed as Temptation yelled his own denial. Enough! She stalked forward, bypassing Aeron without a word, and stopped in front of Legion. Before either of them knew what she was about, she punched Legion in the mouth.
Legions head whipped to the side, her bottom lip split and already bleeding. Olivias knuckles throbbed, but she welcomed the sting. Try to kiss him now.
Hard, hot hands settled on her shoulders and spun her around. Aeron wasnt looking at her but over her shoulder at Legion. Stay.
The command was met with a growl, but Legion obeyed.
Aerons gaze finally shifted to Olivia. Surprise began to swirl in those lovely violet irises, chasing away his fury. I never thought Id have to tell you to behave.
She raised her chin. I will not tolerate being called such vile names.
You wont have to. Once more his gaze moved to Legion. Understand?
The support surprised her. Was hecould he be choosing her over Legion? For a moment, Olivia couldnt breathe. Could barely stand. There wasnt time to bask in the wondrous sensation, however. Aeron moved around her as if she were already forgotten and crouched in front of Legion.
Theres no need for you to hurt mythe angel. I love you, he said. You know that. His tone was soft, caring now. Tell me you know that.
Yes. I know it. All the anger drained from Legion, as well, and she reached out, cupping his jaw, trying to pull him down for a kiss. I love you, too.
Aeron removed her hands with a gentle yet forceful jerk. I dont love you in that way. I love you like a daughter. Tell me you know that.
First, anger reclaimed the demons features. Then shock. Then fear. All in the span of a single second. Her chin trembled, and tears of abject misery filled her eyes. But Im pretty.
You were pretty before, but that doesnt change how I feel.
Legion shook her head in denial. No. You have to be with me. You have to
Thats not going to happen, baby.
Several droplets spilled, tumbling down her cheeks. Is thisis this because of the angel?
Olivia has nothing to do with what I feel for you.
Olivia suddenly wished she were someplace, anyplace else. She shouldnt be here. Shouldnt be witnessing this private moment. Yes, thats what shed do. Go anyplace else. Her knees knocked as she walked to the door.
Stop! Where are you going? Temptation. When would the demon leave her for good?
Youre lying! Legion spat. You love her.
Her hand froze on the knob.
Silence. The answershe had to know.
Then, Legion, Aeron said on a sigh.
Disappointment choked Olivia, but still she couldnt force herself to exit. Not yet. Maybe he would
You cant love her, the demon shouted. You have to love me.
I told you. I do love you.
Stomach clenching Say them. Say the words.
No! You have to love me like a wife. You have to pleasure me with your body. Otherwise
Otherwise? he demanded harshly.
Olivia tensed. Oh, Deity. The bargain. Shed forgotten about Legions bargain with Lucifer. Dread, so much dread. She turned and pressed her back into the wood, shaking. Waiting. This, more than a declaration, she had to hear.
Tell him, she commanded. He deserves to know.
Tell me, Aeron parroted.
Legion gulped. If I fail to seduce you in eight days, Lucifer willhellhell possess my new body, she whispered. If I fail, hellhell use me to kill you and your friends.
No. No!
Aeron flicked Olivia a quick, unsure glance, not comprehending Legions confession. Physically, he cant leave hell. He cant
He can. If he possesses her, he can do anything, Olivia croaked, hand closing over her throat. Her horror didnt last long. Blood chilled in her veins, numbing the emotion. Shed been so close to paradise, only to be thrust into hell. He can breed her with anyone of his choosing, assume control of the Hunters, influence humans and turn them against you. He can even see into the angelic realm and slaughter my kind.
Aerons spine became as rigid as a steel pipe. Why would he want to do any of that?
Why else? Power. Freedom. Spite. He despises angels. They were supposed to follow him, yet they chose to remain with the One True Deity instead. But most of all, he despises the True Deity. His destruction is what Lucifer craves most. With his demon High Lords freely roaming the land, hell have a better chance of that.
Enough of this foolishness. Shut her up, Temptation commanded.
Olivia ignored him, only to blink in bewilderment a moment later. Him. Shed already known the voice belonged to a male, but she now realized this male wanted her to win Aeronand more specifically, for Legion to fail. This male wanted to prevent Legion from convincing Aeron to bed her.
Not a demon, after all.
Lucifer, she realized. Lucifer was her Temptation. He didnt have to leave hell to cast his voice elsewhere, or to whisper to one particular person. He merely had to link with a soul open to corruption.
Bye-bye blessed numbness. Her horror returned, as did her dread, both mixed with shame. How could she not have known? How had she missed the truth? Stupid angel.
Why would you make such a bargain? Aeron demanded.
The tears continued to flow down Legions cheeks. I wanted to be pretty. To be what you needed. I thought I would win you, make you forget the angel. I thought I would make you happy.
Aeron scrubbed a hand down his face, his nails scraping, leaving angry red welts. I cant believe this. Do you have any idea what youve done? Do you have any idea of the things youve put into motion?
Legion nodded, chin trembling. Im sorry. So sorry.
A pause, then a sorrowful, So am I.
With those words, Olivia knew. She knew. Hed already made up his mind. Aeron would sleep with Legion. He would enter her body the same way hed entered Olivias. To save the little demon from possession. To save his friends from Lucifer. To keep the Hunters from victory.
Tears filled her own eyes, but she blinked them back. With this act, Aeron would prove that what hed done with Olivia meant nothing. With this act, she would leave. He had to know she would leave.
Had that knowledge made the decision easier for him? she wondered with a bitter laugh. No way she could stay here, knowing hed bedded another woman. No matter the reason.
Olivia had her own choice to make, then, it seemed. She would leave, there was no question of that. Not now. But would she return to the heavens, possibly saving Aerons life, or simply travel to a new location here on earth?
Here, most likely, for how could she possibly return home now? She was changed, human in all the ways that mattered. She would be miserable up there, bringing joy to no one, least of all herself. She would be useless. And if ever she changed her mind about having returned, she wouldnt be allowed to fall again. No, she would be put to death or permanently cast into hell. There could be no other choice for an angel who lost her way twice.
But how could she stay here and live with herself, knowing she could have saved Aeron and hadnt? Even though saving him meant that he would be with another woman?
Was she truly that selfless?
No, she wasnt. She should have killed him when shed had the chance and saved each of them this pain. Another bitter laugh filled her head, but this one escaped.
Aeron rose, the action stiff, uncoordinated. We have a little time. We dont have to take care of this right this moment.
So he didnt plan to sleep with Legion right away. That was a small comfort, at least.
Thank you, Legion said, grateful, pleased and shamed all at once. I promise I wont
He turned, cutting her off, and Olivias gaze ate him up. His masculine beauty, his power. No, she wasnt that selfless, but she was that in love, she realized.
Love. The word echoed in her mind. She loved him. Fully, utterly, wholly, completely. He was the reason her heart beat, the source of her joy. She would die for him. He was strong and brave, fierce and caring. Giving, selfless himself. What wasnt to love?
She would stay here with him until he bedded Legion. She would soak up every moment she had with him. And thenthen she would return to the heavens. She would ensure Lysander kept his end of the bargain and petitioned the Council for Aerons life.
Still. That didnt guarantee their cooperation.
Well, she would just have to find another way.
What a difference a few days made, she thought sadly. Shed come here resigned to Aerons approaching death, happy with the time they would have and determined to experience joy as humans did. Yet shed spent time with her warrior, and everything had changed. She could no longer accept the thought of him dying. Of his courage and strength being extinguished.
Dont worry, Aeron, she said, squaring her shoulders. Soon Ill leave, and you and Legion will be safe. A promise welded to her soul.
Legion gaped at her.
Lucifer screeched an unholy sound inside her head.
Aerons lips pulled tight in a scowl, his teeth bared, his eyes red, glowing. Demon eyes. I said we have time. We dont have to take care of this now. Therefore, you will stay. Now, enough about that. I have a meeting to attend. Im going to leave the two of you in here and you will play nice. Understand? You wont like what happens if you harm each other, I promise you that. He didnt wait for their replies but stormed from the room.
Unlike William, he didnt gently shut the door behind him. He slammed it, rattling the pictures on the walls.
After everything shed just agonized over, realized and decided, a little compassionand a goodbye kisswouldnt have been amiss.
Olivia stared over at Legion. Legion stared back.
Well, Olivia said, at a loss. She still ached from Aerons possession. Still felt the wetness hed left behind. Yet very soon this female would be with Aeron the way she had just been with him.
I wont stay here with you, Legion lashed out.
That makes two of us. Im leaving.
Grinning, Legion jolted upright. Youre returning to the sky already?
Not yet. Ill be listening to whats said at the meeting.
Her grin faded, but she glanced at the door. Your ears are probably so feeble youll need someone there to interpret the murmurings.
She offered no reply, wanting to hate the woman but unable to do so. Hate required energy, and just then she had none to spare. Besides, this demon would have been like her stepdaughter if things had progressed the way shed wanted. More than that, Legion had done what was necessary to win her man. Just as Olivia had.
Only, Legion had won.
IT WAS GOOD TO BE HOME, Strider thought, gazing around the entertainment room. All the men and women were accounted for. All three thousand of them, it seemed. Except for Gideon, whoaccording to the gossiping hens and William, the gossiping cock, as he happily called himselfwas in the dungeon making nice with the newest prisoner.
The warriors, with their big, hard bodies, seemed to consume every inch of space, saturating the air with testosterone. The women perched on the couches and chairs, forcing the men to stand against the walls. Those who werent otherwise occupied, that is.
Lucien and Sabin were playing a game of pool and talking amongst themselves, probably trying to sort things out before they spoke to the group. William was sitting in front of the TV, playing a video game. Aeron and Paris were in the far corner and passing a flask back and forth. Both looked miserable. Especially Aeron. His expression was carved from granitelivid graniteand his tattoos were stark against his now-pale skin. And his eyeshell. They were demon red.
Still healing from that poisoned bullet? Or something more personal?
Strider had only been home a day, but hed already heard about the mans angel problems from three different sources. Cameo, Kaia and Legionan unbelievably improved Legion. All three had been a font of conflicting information. Cameo liked Olivia, talked about how knowledgeable and helpful she was. Kaia talked about how delightfully naughty the real Olivia was. And Legion thought she was a bitch who would murder Aeron in his sleep.
Kaia thought Aeron would marry the girl. Cameo thought Aeron would kick the girl out and never see her again. And Legion thought she was a bitch and a murderer. (That was pretty much all Legion had said. Oh, wait. Shed asked Strider to kill that bitch and murderer.) When hed refused, shed threatened to pay someone to do him prison-style.
Im waiting, Strider called. Me no likes to wait.
Finally, Lucien and Sabin ended their game, nodded to each other as if theyd reached an understanding and approached the front of the room. Conversations tapered to quiet.
Both men anchored their arms behind their backs, their legs braced apart. They were ready for action. Good thing. Everyone else in the room was tense and ready to receive that action.
We called this meeting so that each group could bring the other up to speed on whats been happening in Rome and Buda, Sabin began. Ill go first. The Unspoken Ones want us to bring them Cronuss head, but that little deed will free them, and if theyre freed He shuddered. No telling what evil theyll unleash.
However, Lucien said, picking up where Sabin had stopped. Theyve hedged their bets and asked the Hunters to bring them Cronuss head, as well. Whoever succeeds in doing so, us or the Hunters, will be given the fourth and final artifact.
The Paring Rod. No one knew what it did. Not really. Even if it was useless, Strider wouldve massacred an army to possess it. If there was the slightest chance it was powerful, and there was, it couldnt end up in his enemies hands.
But Cronus is a god, Maddox said. And theyd all been up against the gods before. Thats why they were here, rather than in the heavens. Thats why they were demon-possessed. We cant contain him. Despite the grim topic, the man had never looked happier.
Why? Later. The gods had always been more powerful than they were, able to strike them down with only a wave of their capricious hands.
But hes also possessed, Cameo said. His demon will have a weakness. All of ours do.
Oh, the agony of her voice. Strider was too busy cringing to process her words.
His demon is Greed. This was said by Aeron, and the agony of his voice was a thousand times worse than Cameos.
Holy hell, Strider needed to gouge out his ears andWait, wait, wait. Backtracking. Cronus was possessed by Greed. Lucien had told him this already, but Cameo had made a very good point. All the demons had a weakness. That weakness made the warriors vulnerable. His was losing and the coma that followed. Anyone could attack him then, and he wouldnt be able to protect himself.
What was Cronuss weakness?
That kind of intel would be critical in a fightnot that he planned to fight the god king, but a guy had to be prepared.
From the corner of his eye, he saw Amun sign with his hands.
What of Danikas painting? Strider translated. The one where she predicted that Galen would take Cronuss head? For himself, he added, I know were hoping we can change the course she saw, but maybe the way to change it isnt to kill Cronus ourselves. Maybe we should increase our efforts to kill Galen.
But Galen has the Cloak, Reyes said, striding to the couch, lifting Danika, sitting down and pulling her into his lap. He might be harder to destroy than even a god.
Galen has the Cloak, Aeron repeated, so why hasnt he acted against us? His troops have been here a while. So again, why havent they attacked us?
Maddox shrugged. Maybe they were waiting for their little Distrust experiment to succeed. And now that it has
We have to strike first, Aeron said, and catch them unawares. Hopefully we can cut their numbers significantly, buy ourselves time to figure out what to do about Distrust and maybe even force Galen out of hiding.
Good rationale, but was his bloodlust returning? Besides that glint of red in his eyes, his hands were clenched and his posture rigid.
Will they be unaware, though? Reyes asked. What if theyre waiting for us to attack?
The soldiers on the island had waited. That might be the new Hunter M.O. Plus, a lot of warriors were still recovering from that battle. They werent at their strongest, and their strongest would be needed for a victory of this magnitude. And lets not forget theyve got Rhea on their side. No telling how shell aid them.
Not true, Torin said, speaking up for the first time. Hed placed a speaker and monitor in the room so that he could attend the meeting without actually having to enter the too-crowded room. Ive spoken to Cronus. Hes distracting his beloved wife as long as he can today. Thats why I asked Lucien and Sabin to call this meeting now. Anything we do today, we do without godly interference. From the queen or the king.
No one to hinder, but no one to help, either.
A murmur drifted through the crowd. And then a single word began to echo from everyones lips. Yes.
We cant sleep, anyway, Maddox grumbled. Not with Nightmares in residence. When are we going to get rid of her, by the way?
No one had an answer to that. The other, however, was quickly decided. Tonight, they would attack.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
GIDEON COULD HEAR the warriors shuffling around above him. Their footsteps were harried, and he thought he even detected the click of guns being locked and loaded, the whistle of metal being sheathed.
He didnt care. Didnt budge. Nearly a full day had passed since hed first entered the dungeon. After Scarlet had made her announcementLies, were together at lastshed hissed a curse at him, said, And now that I know its you, you can go, then turned her back on him, lain down on her cot and ignored him, humming under her breath as if she hadnt a care. Shed fallen asleep at sunrise, nothing he did or screamed able to rouse her, and had only woken up a few minutes ago as the sun set again.
Shed sat up with a gasp, her gaze frantic. When shed spotted him, the wildness had left her, replaced by anger and resentmentneither of which he understoodand shed flopped back against the mattress.
I cant stay here all day, you know, he said. Torin, who watched him from the many cameras set up down here, must have felt sorry for him because Disease had long ago brought him a chair. A chair he had pushed as close to Scarlets cell as possible. His long legs were outstretched, his ankles propped on the bars.
Go away.
Hearing her voice after all that silence was like finding a pool of acid with Hunters already inside it: a whole lot of awesome. He even shivered. Thank the gods hed never be able to admit that aloud, though. Em-bar-rassing.
What, youre ignoring me now? she grumbled.
It would serve her right, as much as shed ignored him. Yep. Ignoring you. Every cell in his body was attuned to every move she made, so even though he wouldve liked to give her what she deserved, he couldnt.