Hurry, she beseeched, writhing atop the mattress. Ive been thinking about all the things youre going to do to me, and I need you.
You need my money, he said, disrobing. Kendra had been found in the sex district and purchased by Bjorn. The warrior had intended to set her free, but shed desired a keeperand the coin that came with him. A job Thane had welcomed.
Maybe at first. She slid her fingertip along an indecent trail. But Ive grown addicted to your touch. I need you. Only you.
That was good. Wasnt it? He might take a thousand different lovers in a week, it sometimes seemed, but he always came back to this one. She wasnt ashamed of what they did, and never looked at him with horror in her eyes afterward. So why did he feel sick to his stomach?
He settled his weight on the bed and crawled up...up. Every inch closer to her, the desire to wound intensified. The desire to be wounded intensified.
The things hed been denied inside that prison cell.
He wasnt foolish. He knew that was why he felt this way. Knew that was why he lashed out. And he would have hated himself for the desires, but the results pleased him far too well. For a moment, only a moment, he would bask in a satisfaction he couldnt find anywhere else.
It was fleeting, but it was enough. At least, thats what he told himself.
You need me, too, she added. Im the only one who can please you.
No. That wasnt true.
He didnt want it to be true. Females were too mercurial. They loved one minute, and hated another. They smiled, and then they cried. He couldnt allow himself to depend on what he couldnt control.
She bit the end of his chin. Youll never be satisfied with anyone else. Theyre too tame.
His blood heated with angerand arousal. Anyone can please me. Anytime. Any way. And he would prove it.
With intense focus, he set out to do the things normal males did to their women. Kissing tenderly, touching gently. She couldnt resist and melted into the moment, whispering encouragements, moaning, but...half an hour passed with more of the same, and while her excitement intensified, his dwindled.
Why? Why couldnt he like this?
Oh, Thane, she breathed, wiggling underneath him. I never knew you could be this way.
I...cant, he replied through gritted teeth. A thin sheen of sweat covered his skin. The urge to do things to her...horrible things...bombarded him. She would cry and she would beg. But he would show no mercy. Afterward, she would make him cry and beg. But she would show no mercy. He wouldnt let her. Then...then he would feel.
He should be ashamed. Bjorn and Xerxes were. They hated what they did to themselves. Hated more what they did to their women.
With a shout of frustration, Thane severed contact with Kendra and rose from the bedbefore either of them found satisfaction. He was shaking as he jerked his robe over his head and covered his nakedness. The material conformed to the tendons in his wings and fell softly to the floor.
Whats wrong with you? she gasped out. That was good.
No. No, it wasnt.
A sharp gleam entered her eyes. Are you planning to hook up with another woman and try again? Bitterness blasted from her.
Thats none of your concern. She had known what she was getting with him before shed agreed to stay.
You should be nicer to me, she huffed, punching at the comforter. I might decide to leave you.
I might show you to the door. And he wouldnt mourn the loss of her. He would miss her utter lack of inhibition, yes. But the woman herself? No. He was attached to Bjorn and Xerxes, and there was no room in his life for another.
He stepped from the bedroom, and as she screeched his name, he shut the door, cutting her off. He entered the parlor he shared with his boys. They were perched in the red velvet recliners hed found in India, their feet propped on the crystal table one of the clubs patrons had lost in a poker game.
The two had already finished with their women and were drinking. Ambrosia-laced whiskey, in Bjorns case, and...he sniffed...vodka in Xerxes.
Both were trembling and pale. Xerxes cheeks had hollowed, and Thane knew the warrior had recently vomited. Bjorns eyes had dulled from corrupted memories.
The touch of another always reminded the warriors of the horrifying things done to them down in that hellish dungeon. And yet still they plowed through as many females as Thane. Perhaps trying to prove they were normal, he realized now. Hed always assumed they hoped to punish themselves for what theyd once failed to stop.
He poured himself a shot of vodka and eased into the chair across from his friends.
Koldo is looking for you, Bjorn said after draining what remained in his glass.
A man could only deal with so much in one day, and as stubborn and intractable as Koldo was, Thane had to be at his best to emerge from an interaction unscathed. He wasnt. Let him look.
Xerxes rubbed two fingers along the scars in his jaw. He doesnt seem like the type to give up.
Too bad. Zacharel suspected Koldo teetered at the brink of falling. He also suspected Thane teetered. So, hed decided to pair them up, thinking they would look after each other, provide some sort of balance. At least, thats what Thane had surmised.
It was either the wisest thing Zacharel had ever done, or the stupidest.
Whats Koldos deal, anyway? Bjorn asked.
Xerxes raised a colorless brow. If I know Thane, and I do, he did a little digging before he ever approached Koldo.
Thane shrugged. I discovered our guest spent a little over a decade in a Nefas camp when he was younger.
Rainbow eyes glittered dangerously as Bjorn said, What was done to him?
According to one of the Sent Ones who rescued him, nothing Koldo would admit to. He was filthy, feral, and had just slaughtered the inhabitants of a village. All human.
Why would he do such a thing? Xerxes asked.
My guess? He was without hope. A man without hope was a dangerous weapon. The three of them knew that very well. Ive heard the Nefas lock their young in a prison with innocent humans, only allowing one of them outwhoever kills the others. If no ones willing to commit murder, they all starve.
Xerxes scraped his nails against one of the scars on his arm. He couldnt have been raised that way. Ive never heard him curse. Ive never seen him drink. And we all saw how he treats females.
But they hadnt seen what Koldo did behind the scenes. They hadnt seen the holes in his walls. Holes the size of his fists. He was as screwed up as they were.
A beep sounded from his intercom, saving him from having to try to form a reply. Sir, Cario tried to sneak in again, a male voice said.
Cario. The foolish girl. This was her third attempt to reach Xerxes in the past three weeks. For some reason, she was obsessed with the male. The warrior, however, had no idea who she was or why she wanted anything to do with him. Her origins were unclear, but one thing they did know. She could read their minds and knew about their pasts.
A past they were determined to keep secret.
Tell me you caught her this time, Xerxes demanded.
A crackle of air over the speaker. Uh, well...
The warrior pounded his fist into the arm of his chair. That woman needs to be put down.
Double the number of guards at each of the doors, Thane said. Then, to Xerxes, he added, Well get her. Dont worry.
What does she want with you, anyway? Bjorn padded to the bar and poured another drink. A drink he quickly downed and chased with another.
I havent a clue. Falling against the back of his chair, Xerxes scrubbed a hand down his face. The first time I met her was when she came to the club and Thane offered her my sexual services.
I thought I was doing you a favor.
You thought wrong, my friend. And now, I have to go. Xerxes pushed to his feet, clearly uncomfortable with the topic of conversation. McCadden has yet to be fed.
McCadden was a fallen Sent One who had attempted to murder one of Zacharels chargesand still planned to murder the man. Xerxes should have ended the male and saved himself the trouble of babysitting, but killing their former comrade wasnt an option. So, they kept him locked away.
Xerxes strode from the room without another word.
Bjorn peered into the bottom of his empty glass, his shoulders slightly hunched. I should be going, too.
No, Thane wanted to say. Stay with me. But he wasnt needy. Ill see you tomorrow, then.
Tomorrow. His friends reply was empty, his back ramrod straight as he strode from the room.
Silence immediately enveloped Thane.
Silence. How he despised it. It left him alone with his thoughts, his memories. Scowling, he stood and stepped toward his bedroom, only to stop. The Phoenix was still in his bed. He could go to her, could have her and finally finish them both...but no. He was going to end their association. He wouldnt welcome her into his arms again.
He strode from his private wing in the spacious building, down the elevator and into the bar. He would find another lover here, and he would forget his concern for his friends and keep his mind off his past.
The moment the doors opened, revealing the darkened cavern with velvet-lined walls, black couches and glass tables, noise assaulted him and he was able to relax.
He prowled through the darkness, patrons in every direction. Some sat at the tables, drinking, snorting ambrosia, while some lounged on the couches in back, leaning as closely as possible into their desired playmate for the evening. Some danced in the center of the room, their hands wandering. He listened to whispered conversations.
youll like it, I promise. Just try.
relationship material. Seriously. All of the gorgeously hot ones are scum.
really think Id go for someone like you?
His gaze scanned...scanned...until finally homing in on the little blonde Harpy Koldo had rejected.
She would do, he decided.
Thane sauntered closer to her. As pink-and-blue light spilled from the strobe and onto her, he could see that she had opted not to cover her luminous skin with makeup. Jewel tones radiated from her, a feast for his eyes.
A feast for all the other males, as well. They gathered around her table, peering at her with abject fascination as she told a story about...the hazards of car exhaust?
He stepped up behind her. Go, he told the men with a curt tone that promised severe consequences if he was disobeyed.
Most scrambled away. A few lingered, glaring at himuntil he turned the full force of his gaze their way. They hopped up and ran.
The girl rounded on him, frowning. Whatd you do that for? Now my experiment is ruined. Ruined, I tell you!
What experiment?
To see just how boring I could be and still rock the house.
She was an amusing little thing, wasnt she? He leaned down and whispered into her ear, How about you rock me instead, hmm?
Uh, that would be a no.
Why? Shed been willing to give Koldo a lap dance because he had the face of a killer. Thane had the actual instincts.
Youre just not what Im looking for.
A true refusalor a game? I can change your mind, female.
Dont take this the wrong way, but no. No, you cant.
Hmm. As he straightened, he caught tendrils of smoke wafting through the air. Smoke that didnt curl from cigarettes or cigars but from charred wood and fabric. He studied the bar, searching for evidence of a fire. He found Kendra stalking toward him, wearing nothing more than a bra, a pair of panties and the slave bands.
Thane! she bellowed. I knew youd come down here.
The crowd parted to clear a path for her.
Bright red hair stood on end, as though her fingers were hooked to an electrical outlet. Her eyes crackled with blazing jade fire, and her skin sparkled enough to rival the Harpys appeal. Her arms were lowered, spread, her claws extended and shooting little golden flames onto the floor.
Flames that didnt die, but grew.
She bared sharp little fangs and spat, You left me in bed to come down here to play with some dirty street skank?
Hey! the Harpy snapped. I totally showered today.
He motioned to the head of security, and the male knew to clear out the room.
Angry voices rose from the crowd, but the Fae hed hired was good at his job and footsteps soon pounded toward the doors. Thane despised public displays like this, and he wouldnt stand for it.
Soon, only he and the Phoenix remained.
I never promised fidelity, Kendra, he said softly. In fact, I promised the opposite. You claimed to be happy with our arrangement.
Her chin lifted in a show of pique. I was. Things changed.
Why?
She thought for a moment. Obviously she couldnt come up with an answer that satisfied her, because she stomped her foot and said, If you think theres another female out there who will do the disgusting things you need, youre wrong. I told you. Im the only one who will ever be able to satisfy you.
Disgusting, shed said.
And she was right. But shed always made him think she enjoyed it.
Shed lied, and he hated liars. I told you, he replied smoothly, even as rage kindled. There are many who can satisfy me. And they have. They will. But not you. Not ever again. He closed the distance between them, grabbed her by the neck and squeezed just hard enough to make breathing difficult but not impossible.
Her eyes widened with fear.
You shouldnt have pricked my temper, female. I will punish youand I promise you, youll wish I had killed you instead.
CHAPTER TEN
SHE HAD SEEN a monster.
Nicola had beaten back the fear percolating inside her since speeding out of the parking garage long enough to pick up her sister from the hospital, ensure Laila was settled in at home, take a shower to wash off the lotion Koldo despised and walk the aisles at the nearest grocery. Fear she wasnt supposed to entertain. But as she turned her car into her neighborhood to return home, it finally spilled overand she couldnt stop it. Or if she could, she didnt know how. In seconds, she felt as though shed downed the most toxic of champagnes, all of the possible side effects converging: light-headedness, upset stomach and ringing in the ears.
As her vision blurred, she parked at the nearest curb and leaned her head against the steering wheel, breathing with slow deliberation. Im still dealing with the aftereffects of a concussion. Thats all. Surely.
Hopefully.
Either that, or Koldo had brought something nasty into her life.
But...no. He was a (famous) warrior to his very core. He was observant. He would have known if hed ushered in something malevolent. And if he had, he wouldnt have left her to fend for herself. He wasnt the type to run. He couldnt be.
Hed helped her when he could have remained invisible. Or whatever. Hed helped Laila when he could have washed his hands of her.
That left the concussionbut she wasnt satisfied with that explanation. She had no peace about it. So...what if Nicola wasnt hallucinating? What if the creature shed seen had been real? After all, Koldo could arrive and leave in the blink of an eye, and he wasnt a hallucination. Why couldnt something else do the same?
So, if the warrior hadnt led the creature to her door, then...what had? And what was it, exactly?
When she was younger, shed heard little girls whispering together at school, afraid of the monsters in their closets. Until that moment, Nicola hadnt known anything about such monsters. Her parents had never allowed her and Laila to watch TV, and they had carefully chosen every book they read. Shed been so wonderfully innocent in regard to the evils out there, afraid only of what her body was doing to her.
But of course, everything had changed after that overheard conversation.
Shed stopped sleeping. Shed looked for monsters around every cornerand shed begun to see them. A furry, fanged monkey on her mothers shoulder. Two on her fathers. One following Laila. One following Nicola.
The increase of fear and the constant stress had damaged her heart further. But after months of therapy and new medications, shed managed to find a small measure of peace. Fickle peace, that is, that had come and gone. But shed never seen another monster. Until recently.
The past few days, shed seen two. One with Laila, and one at her work.
Maybe she hadnt been lost to paranoia back then. Maybe the monsters had always been there, and she had simply shut her eyes. But now...now her eyes were open again.
Her stomach twisted into hundreds of little knots, the edges sharp enough to cut. And cut they did, making her cringe.
She couldnt think about this now, she realized. Worryingmore than she already hadwould violate Koldos rules. And besides that, she had too much to do. Laila was at home, waiting for her. Nicola had the chocolate her sister requested, as well as a few other necessities, like ice-cream sandwiches and chips, and the groceries were probably baking in the heat of her car, since Bucket had no working air-conditioning.
Deep breath in...deep breath out. She forced her mind to focus on calming thoughts. Laila, happy. Koldo, telling her those jokes hed mentioned. She could even imagine what hed say.
Why did the warrior cross the road?
Thats easy. To kill the guy on the other side.
A bud of amusement had her smiling.
Knock, knock.
Whos there?
Donut.
Donut who?
Donut run from me, puny girl.
The amusement bloomed the rest of the way.
Her vision cleared. Her stomach settled. After checking the road and finding it empty, she motored forward. Her gaze snagged on the depressingly run-down area anyone with half a brain would have avoided. Most of the lawns were tall and filled with weedsto hide the evidence of recent crimes, she was sureand most of the houses had a few boarded-up windows. All of the houses had graffiti spray painted on the brick, hers included.
Police sirens could be heard throughout the night, every night, and she was pretty sure the neighbor on her left had a meth lab in his basement. But this was all she could afford, her parents house having been sold to pay a few creditors from their atrocious stack of bills.
Enough. Nicola had one hour before she had to clock in at Y and R Organic Market. A place she couldnt afford to shop at, even with her employee discount. She planned to spend every minute with Laila.
Only, after she put away the groceries, she discovered her sister had moved from bed to the couch, empty food wrappers all around her as she slept, the TV playing an old episode of Castle. Nicola grinned. This was what shed wanted for so long. Laila, here. Laila, relaxed.
But her grin faded when she spotted two fanged monkeys perched on the top of the couch, both glaring at her, their fur raised aggressively. Like the creature in the hospitalin fact, the one on the left had to be the very one shed seenthey had tentacles rather than arms, the appendages slithering around them like hungry snakes ready for a meal.
As a child, Nicola would have run screaming.
Only a few hours ago, she had burned rubber in her car.
Now, she would learn the truth one way or another.
Trembling, she marched forward and reached out. One of the creatures unleashed a shriek of rage, either to scare her off or to warn her that she was about to lose her hand. The other swatted at her with one of those tentacles, and the contact burned, leaving a red welt behind.
That meant...that meant the monsters were real.
Before she could panic, both creatures jumped off the couch and disappeared beyond the wall.
Her knees gave out and she sank to the ground, trying to steady her throbbing heart. Sweet mercy. What did this mean? And what she was going to do about it?
* * *
SHORTLY AFTER MIDNIGHT, Nicola closed her register at the Y and R Organic Market, and shed never been so happy to finish a day. Not just because she was eager to return to Laila, but also because every coworker to cross her path had insulted her. For no reason! Every customer to come through her line had yelled at her. And, okay, yes, theyd had good reason.
The monkeys with tentacles had followed her. Themand around twenty of their dearest friends. But at least they werent hovering around poor Laila.
Ten minutes after her arrival, the horde had congregated inside the market, crawling up the walls, along the ceiling tiles, dropping upon the shoulder of everyone she encountered, unbeknownst to them, and laughing and pointing at her.
She had screamed.
She had stared.
She had almost passed out.
But no one else had seen them. No one else had reacted. Well, not to the demons. They had reacted to her high-pitched terror fits.
About twenty minutes ago, the creatures had left the same way theyd come.
She wanted to talk to Koldo. And maybe climb him like a tree and hide up there in the upper stratosphere of Giantland where, hopefully, no one would be able to see her and she wouldnt have to deal with this kind of stuff.
Nicola, I need to speak with you in my office.
The voice pulled her from her thoughts, and she turned to see her boss standing at the end of her stall. He was five-eight, with sandy-colored hair, hazel eyes and olive-toned skin. He would have been a decent-looking guy if not for his skeevy ways.
He was the type to massage the shoulders of every female he encountered, just to help with the strain. That wouldnt have been so bad, she supposed, but he also liked to whisper, Now, doesnt this feel nice? as he did it.
Sure, she said, and gulped.
The instinct to run suddenly rose from deep within her. To run from this place and never look back.
Oh, no, no, no. He was going to fire her, wasnt he?
Only six other cashiers had worked this shift, and all quickened their pace, gathering their belongings and leaving the store. The front lights had already been turned off, but the parking lot was illuminated by several streetlamps, and she watched as the men and women entered their cars and drove away, careful not to glance in her direction.
Yep. Mr. Ritter was planning to fire her, and they knew it, too.
There had to be a way to change his mind.
Palms sweating, Nicola made her way to the back of the grocery, bypassing the oranges and apples. She needed this job just as desperately as she needed the other one. One paid her house payment, utilities and car insurance, while the other paid for food and gas. In this economy, she would have a difficult time finding another job with late hours and wages above the minimum.
Mr. Ritters door was propped open, and she forced her feet to take her inside. Run!
He was already behind his desk, reading a file. She stayed.
Shut the door, he said.
She reached back and tugged on the knob, and the thick metal swooshed closed. As always, the lock engaged automatically. The room was small, filled with metal cabinets and an oversize desk. There were two chairs. His, which was cushioned by a pillow, and hers, which wasnt.
Sit.
As she obeyed, she said, Im sorry about my performance today. Ill do better, I promise. And I wont make any excuses. How could she? I saw monsters no one else could see, Mr. Ritter. What could he possibly say to that? Ill just
Hows your sister? he interjected, at last looking up at her.
A shudder nearly rocked her out of the seat. A monkey had just appeared on his shoulder. It was smaller than any of the others, and far hairier, and it glared at her with the same hate-filled eyes. And as she watched, it...it...couldnt be doing what she thought it was doing.
But it was. It was peeing.
It was obviously a he, and he was aiming at Nicola. Trying to...mark her? Like a dog with its territory?
She scooted as far back in her chair as she could, successfully avoiding any splatter. Mr. Ritter and his papers werent so lucky.
I asked you a question, Miss Lane.
How could he not know his shirt was now soaked? How could he not see the sogginess of the papers? How could he not smell that...her nose wrinkled...disgusting aroma? Shes, uh, doing better. Shes home.
Thats good. His tone lowered, and so did his gaze, landing on her breasts and staying. Thats very good.
Nicolas hands curled into fists. Was that all you wanted to see me about?
A moment passed before he remembered she had a face. He leaned back in his seat and folded his hands over his middle, his expression stern. Your performance today was subpar, but you know that. You angered several customers by ringing up their items two or three times
But I always fixed the mistakes.
Nevertheless, he continued smoothly, Im sure youll soon be asking me to take some time off to spend with your sister, and as you know, we dont have anyone who can take your place. Ill need to hire someone new. And if I hire someone new, why cant that person just take all of your hours?
A tide of dread washed over her, followed quickly by an intensified urge to run. But why run? she wondered now. The threat had already been issued, and this was her chance to offer a counter. So, once again she stayed put.
I can promise that Ill never have another day like today. From now on, she would ignore the existence of the monkeys. Thats what the therapists had told her to do as a child, and it had worked. Right? I wont be asking for any days off, you have my word.
The monkey began hopping up and down, screeching, and she had trouble distinguishing Mr. Ritters next words. What if your sister gets sick again? What then? What if you get sick again?
It wont matter. Ill work.
Lips pursed, he reached out and traced a fingertip over the photo of his wife and three children. How badly do you want to keep this job?
Badly, she said, leaning forward. Is there something I can do? Take extra hours? You name it!
His hand fell to his side. He grinned.
The monkey went quietand he, too, grinned.
I was hoping youd say that, Mr. Ritter said, a disgusting gleam flickering in his eyes. I want you to start by telling me how youll use your mouth on me, and end with how youll bend over my desk. Then I want you to do it.
A moment passed in silence as her mind processed what she had just heard. He hadnt... He couldnt have... Oh, but he could, and he had. You dont have to fire me. I quit. She stood and marched to the door. The knob held steady when she twisted. Anger mixed with frustration as she barked, Let me out. Now.
I rigged the lock. I hope you dont mind. Smiling, Mr. Ritter pushed to his feet, walked around the desk. The monkey jumped to the floor and followed him, the pitter-patter of clawed footfalls resounding. Ive wondered what youre like in bed, you know.
She tried the knob again, but again, it held. Fear squeezed the air from her lungs, expunging all other emotions. She was trapped in this small room, and no one was out there to hear her cry for help.
Let me out, Mr. Ritter. There was a tremor in her voice, one she couldnt hide. If you try anything, Ill fight you. Youll be punished.
I want you to fight. Not that itll do you any good. But no...no, I wont be punished. That I promise you.
Heart pounding, she rounded on him. The action left her dizzy, but she managed to remain on her feet.
He was so close he had only to reach out to pinch a lock of her hair between his too-thin fingers. I told everyone I planned to fire you tonight. Tomorrow, if the cops come knocking on my door, Ill let them know you offered me your body to stay on, and of course, in a moment of weakness, I succumbed. And oh, the sick things you let me do to you. Afterward, though, you were still fired. Horrible of me? Yes. But deserving of your malicious lies about rape? He tsked under his tongue. No.
Rape. The word echoed hollowly in her mind. This was why her instincts had wanted her to run, she realized, not because hed planned to fire her. Why, why, why hadnt she listened?
N-no one will believe you.