Betrayal (12 page)

What an idiot.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

“The Supreme Ruler must be freed. That should be our ever-present goal. Nothing else matters.” Gerard slammed his fist down on the table, sending several glasses of blood tumbling to the floor. He hit the table again while he studied the face of each high-level demon that surrounded his conference table in the dimly lit meeting room.

“We understand how important it is for us to secure Thames’ release,” Lionel, a British born Master demon, replied with a bored expression. “Unfortunately, the Protectors have him in a well hidden location. You had two of them here and they didn’t reveal any useful information before they so easily escaped. Either they don’t know or your guards need lessons in torture.” Lionel purposely pointed out his failures.

“The Protectors didn’t know anything. If they knew even one blasted useful thing, believe me they would have talked.” He spat out each word while he jabbed his index finger towards Lionel.

Lionel pushed Gerard further. “The only Protector that knows Thames’ exact location is the Roman. You’re wasting our time. I don’t appreciate you having all of us gathered here, putting our lives at risk just so you can parade around feeling important.”

The demon enjoyed the game but his eyes did widen when Gerard’s fangs dropped and he leapt across the table to grab him around the neck. They grappled on the floor snarling. Gerard shoved Lionel’s face into the carpeting gratified at the demon’s groans. Lionel struggled without avail to loosen his hold.

Sebastian stood up, stretched and yawned. “I for one agree with Lionel. We might as well paint targets on each other’s asses while we’re at it.”

Several demons laughed as the damn Incubus continued. “With or without Thames, it’s apparent that our kind is quite successful at multiplying and getting everything we require to thrive amongst the humans.”

Gerard shoved Lionel away and jumped to his feet, his rage now focused on Sebastian. Each step that he took toward the Incubus was measured and controlled, on the verge of losing control yet again.

“Well, well, so the Incubus thinks he can just stand here and point out the obvious. I don’t give a fuck about the success of our kind as you put it. Those low level demons out there are not what is going to assure us total power. The only one who can assure us total control of the world is Thames. Only when he is free will we have ultimate power over all.”

When Gerard was within a few inches of Sebastian, he snarled at the younger demon. “I am not even sure you are actually on our side. You are a whore that sells out to the highest bidder.”

Gerard didn’t pursue his challenge any further when Sebastian’s fangs sprung and a deep growl emanated from low in the younger demon’s throat.

It had proven impossible to gauge Sebastian’s power level the times he’d tried. Gerard didn’t trust the Incubus, but he didn’t want to alienate him either.

The Master demon turned away flinging his hair into Sebastian’s face. He went to stand at the head of the table and glared at the room.

When Sebastian retracted his fangs, he was disappointed. He hoped for the opportunity to order his guard to attack the pompous male.

Gerard threaded his fingers together in front of him, and spoke slowly, “Thames was spawned for the sole purpose of ending light and casting the world into beautiful darkness. The Supreme Master’s powers are far beyond those of any other demon on earth. Somehow almost a thousand years ago, the Protectors became aware of his existence and captured him. But I have no doubt whatsoever that I will be instrumental in his liberation. The freeing of the Supreme means great powers to those who assist him.”

Gerard glared at Sebastian, who rolled his eyes, but Gerard was undeterred. “We will persist in our campaign to free him, even if we have to kill each and every Protector to reach our goal. Many Protectors died during Thames’ capture and hundreds of demons have died over the years trying to free him. I for one am willing to die trying.”

Gerard spoke on for some time and finally quieted when he realized only a few of the low-levels who were too afraid of him to leave, remained in the room.

Sebastian stood outside the door as Gerard stormed out, shoving demons out of his way. “What the hell do you want Incubus?”

“I’m leaving. Have to head back to my club. The sun is setting.”

“Fine, I don’t need you here any longer,” Gerard replied and stalked down the hallway toward his bedroom.

“I wasn’t asking for permission,” Sebastian called after him.

One day he’d kill the fucker.

Gerard spoke to the demon guards that stood outside the bedroom door. “Don’t let anyone disturb me under any circumstance.”

He trembled in anticipation of releasing his frustrations on the half-demon inside.

If he had feelings, he’d feel sorry for Emma right now.

# # #

One of the demons told Emma that Briana willingly stayed with Gerard. She refused to believe it. Was her sister alive, but one of Gerard’s minions now?

Is Briana capable of doing something like this?

Her sister was impulsive and rebellious, but not mean. On the other hand, a half-blood was susceptible to influence when in the constant presence of high-level demons. It wouldn’t be hard for Gerard to turn Briana against everyone and everything she knew.

Had she done all this for nothing?

What about Cyn?  Not sure if it was wishful thinking, but she didn’t sense his death. Ache pierced her chest, at the thought. If they’d killed him, it was her fault. She shouldn’t have trusted Gerard.

Even if she’d done it all to try to save her sister, she’d betrayed Cyn and brought him here to die. After he’d been willing to help her. Tears threatened and she blinked them away. She would save him, even if she had to die to do it.

After all, what did she have to lose now?

She needed to get a hold of her emotions for now and face Gerard. She would not let him see how much she hurt. He would enjoy it too much.

Gerard spoke to someone outside the door and she steadied her breathing. She collapsed into a chair. It proved impossible to quiet her thoughts. They were a complete mess. Her hands curled into fists with the urge to attack the demon as soon as he entered. He needed to die and she would gladly do the honors.

Gerard entered the room and stared at Emma. She remained immobile in the chair, her hands folded on her lap. When she looked up at him she could only hope he didn’t sense her feelings.

His eyes raked over her, black and cold. She couldn’t suppress a tremble of repulsion. By the curve of his lips, he enjoyed her distress. The Master demon walked to her and stopped just short of the chair and reached down to stroke her cheek. She turned from his hand.

“I am going to do so many things to you tonight. You will be begging for more of my touch, beautiful Emma.”

Emma bolted up from the chair and glared at him. “The hell I will. I am not going to have sex with you, Gerard — ever. Where is my sister? Is she even alive? I want to see her now.”

Gerard grunted and let out a deep breath. “Drama tires me,” he told her impatiently waving his hand, as though to dismiss her remarks. “I don’t need your consent to take you.”

Anger spiked her words. “Let Cyn go, I want to see him leave.”

“No.”

“We made a bargain and you’re not keeping your end of the deal. I demand you release him now.”

His eyes roamed over her body leisurely. The sheer gown didn’t hide much of her nudity. But at the moment she was too angry to care. Let him look all he wanted, he would not touch her.

“I can have you regardless, why should I bargain? Come to me,” Gerard ordered.

An invisible force pulled Emma toward him. She fought against it, but he was too powerful.

In seconds, she was only inches away from him. He grabbed her head and brought her face to his. His mouth took hers in a hard kiss that wasn’t meant to arouse but to punish. In sheer panic, she bit his lip and kneed him in the groin at the same time. With a grunt, Gerard stiffened and released her. Emma turned to run toward the door. But before she could take two steps, he grabbed her by the hair and dragged her back. He held her against him with one hand; with the other he turned her head to expose her neck. When his lips touched her throat, Emma lost control of her emotions. She punched his face with all her might.

“Fine let’s play rough. I enjoy a feisty woman.” Gerard pressed his fingers onto the back of her neck. She instantly went limp. The only thing she could do was glare at him with defiance. 

Emma gagged when his mouth covered hers once again and he forced his tongue past her lips. Gerard drew her head back and stared into her eyes while he dragged a long fingernail down her throat and pierced her skin. He licked at the trickle of blood that spilled. Pain slammed into her when his fangs plunged in to her vein. She could do little more than whimper when he fed from her.

Aroused, Gerard rubbed his hardness into her while he suckled. His breathing became ragged. There was nothing she could do to stop him. She was alone with no one to help her.

A tear slid down her cheek and splashed on the side of Gerard’s face. He retracted his fangs from her neck. His face contorted with fury. “You cry? Little bitch, do you know how many women beg to be in my bed? After I am finished with you, I will toss you to the guards. They can take turns with what’s left of you.”

“I see my sister returned.” Briana’s voice took the Master demon’s attention away from her.

Gerard let go of her and Emma fell to the floor like a rag doll. Her eyes widened in shock when her sister crossed the threshold. Briana was alive and well, dressed in her usual low cut blouse and short skirt.

Emma still couldn’t move although a tingling began to travel down her body. Gerard’s numbing touch was fading.

Ignoring her, Briana sauntered up to Gerard and caressed his face. Her sister kept her attention on the Master demon, reverence evident when she looked up at him and rubbed her thumb over his bottom lip. “I missed you, Sire.” She then ran her hands around his neck and brought him down to kiss her.

Horrified, Emma watched Briana and Gerard’s passionate embrace, her mind a whirl. Had her sister turned? Was she a full demon now? Did Briana really plan this with Gerard all along? No! Surely her sister was just under his control.

Finally she found her voice, and whispered hoarsely, “Briana, go away, leave this place. You have to save yourself.”

Briana directed another look of total adoration at Gerard before she went to where Emma lay. She kneeled down next to her and peered down at her.

What used to be the same honey brown eyes as hers —were red-rimmed now.

“Emma you were always such a damned good girl. I don’t want to save myself. I’m where I want to be. I belong here, with Gerard,” Briana sneered. She looked over her shoulder at Gerard. “Can we send her away? I need to be with you now, I’m on fire for you Sire and I am running out of patience.”

Gerard didn’t answer Briana. His eyes roamed over Emma, a hungry expression on his face. “I like the taste of her blood, I will have you both.”

Briana glared at her, obviously not inclined to share. “Fine, but I’m first.” She rose and went to the Master demon.

As her sister began to undress Gerard, Emma stared in disbelief. However, she still tried to catch Briana’s attention hoping that together they could figure out a way to escape. But Briana didn’t spare her a glance, seeming to forget she was even in the room. Her concentration was solely on Gerard. Not able to move, Emma had no choice but to remain on the floor.

Could Briana hate her so much now, that she’d allow Gerard to hurt her?

Perhaps her sister thought herself to be in love with the Master-demon. She tried to see Gerard from a woman’s perspective. He was sleek and extremely attractive. The strength of his powers could be very appealing to a half-demon who needed to be accepted. Briana basked in his full attention — confident his black eyes following her every move.

Gerard remained motionless as Briana licked a trail down his chest. Her hand slid down his flat stomach. A loud moan escaped from him when she unzipped his pants and freed him.

Briana slid his pants down past his hips, while her lips covered the skin from where the material slid. Emma’s eyes widened when her sister kneeled and took him fully in her mouth.

Lost in the gratification he received, his fingers curled in Briana’s hair and he closed his eyes.

Stunned, Emma dragged her eyes away from the sight of a world she could never be part of. She wiggled her fingers and realized she could move now. Her eyes caught a flicking motion of Briana’s hand, as if her sister was signaling for her to leave.

Emma was not sure at the moment if Briana helped her out of concern, or jealousy, but she wasn’t going to hang around and find out.

She kept an eye on the couple to ensure they didn’t see her and dragged herself slowly toward the door.

Just as she reached for the doorknob, the door flew open and strong arms grabbed her, one hand covered her mouth to keep her quiet. Emma was lifted and carried into the hallway.

The demon guards outside the door were gone.