Constricted: Beyond the Brothel Walls (15 page)

J
ules made true on his promise, but I hadn’t screamed in pleasure. I had bought as much time as I could, had hoped and prayed Petre knocked through the door. He never arrived, even though I fought harder than I’d ever done before. I was no match for this new Jules, not that I’d have fared any better with the old one.

We were on the move now, and he hid his dirty work by shoving me into the trunk. My body ached, bruised from head to toe, and my eyes had swelled shut. Punishment for disobeying the rules, but he’d enjoyed every cut and punch. Shoved to my knees, he’d forced my mouth over his cock, and I gagged at the foul taste. Jules punished me for that too, but in a way, I’d already forgotten.

A fist had flown across my cheek, tossing me onto my back. I struggled to breathe through the pain as it ripped through me. He’d lifted my legs and thrust forward. My mind went black after that. Some girls visited their happy places, but I hadn’t had the luxury. All my happiness tied itself around the handsome vampire who had deserted me. If he truly loved me, then he should have stayed. That same darkness surrounded me now as we drove away.

Each ridge or bump did nothing but remind me who I was. Korrigan was a slave to men, and she’d never become anything else. Why hadn’t I laid down in the white bathtub and slit my wrists when I had the chance? Hell, could it be worse than this? Mistress to a lunatic and whomever else he deemed fit. I’d welcomed the shadow when it fell over me, mixing with the suffocating exhaust.

T
he sun danced across my face. I blinked, wondering if it was all a nightmare. No, I wasn’t that lucky. Jules came into view, still ageless, but naked and stroking himself. I lay bare and bound to the bed. The cool leather constricted against my irritated skin. Those crimson eyes bore into me, and his breathing increased. He grunted, releasing his seed over my chest. The scent curled my nose as the saltiness turned my stomach rancid. My eyes skimmed down; he’d done that a few times already.

“It’s about time you woke up, baby.” He turned my head, gripping my face with about as much gentleness as he’d shown before. The word wasn’t in his vocabulary. My insides flared, and my eyes burned, but I fought against both sensations as he’d taught me before. Men didn’t like weeping women.

“What are you?”

His mouth tipped up into a crooked, repulsive smile. He dipped his fingers into the spilled seed and smeared it over my face. Every ounce of my stomach heaved, rejecting him, but he failed to notice.

Jules sat down in a chair next to the bed. My eyes scanned about not recognizing any of my surroundings. Light pink walls and a white four-poster bed filled the room, in addition to the chair he sat in. Bars, solid metal bars, lined the window. Snow glistened in the glass pane, but at the rate it fell, the sun would be blocked out soon enough. I shivered within my prison, buried beneath the icy layers.

“Petre,” he said. “Do you know what he is?” I swallowed and nodded. Was he a vampire too? Jules stood and crawled over me. I cringed, fighting the rising bile in my throat as his warm skin brushed against me. He leaned over, pressing his weight on top of me, and whispered, “No sweetheart, I’m a demon just like you.”

“I’m—” His face twisted and reddened; I flinched, but he didn’t strike me. His hands stroked over my breasts, tugging at my nipples. The sensation felt all wrong. Everything about him screamed wrong inside my head, but he grinned wide as my body arched, reacting to the touch. “—not a demon.”

“Yes you are … well part of you is.” Jules sat back, crossing his legs at the end of the bed. “That’s what makes you irresistible to mortals … and me.” He raked his hand through his golden brown hair and managed a smile. I wished he hadn’t. Pain followed those wry smiles.

“What do you want from me?” His forked tongue slid over his bottom lip, and I trembled. Why had I asked such a stupid question? Of course, I knew what he wanted with me, but why had he taken me, and where were Mellissa and Jobe?

Fingers danced up my parted legs, nestling and stroking around my curls. My breath sucked in, and I bit my lip, but neither action were stemmed from pleasure.

“You are mine. Patience pays off, and I knew the vampire would slip-up.” He sighed, glancing to the window. “But things have changed.” Jules faced me, and his façade faltered for a moment. Which one was real? Had I stumbled into a bad dream? “I want Petre to stop attacking my brothels.” Jules leaned forward, breathing in around my center. I scooted away as sweat beaded on my forehead. This was a charm, another trick. My body twitched at his touch, pooling slick heat. A chuckle echoed off the walls as a woman stepped into the small room. I blinked; I could’ve stared into a mirror. “He’ll never stop if I fuck you.”

The woman spoke but in Jules voice. “Though once he’s dead ... you’ll learn to love me again, sweetheart.” The steps creaked, and the door slammed shut as the odd woman left. Both the actions and the words had confused me.

My eyes closed, and I blocked the pain again. His caress sickened my stomach as Jules stroked the wetness down to my rear. Darkness look for me, I prayed, but the shadows never came. I turned my head, tears falling as he entered me. Jules tugged on the belt, and I bit my cheek to keep from screaming. Petre, Tomas … I said their names over and over in my head, wishing they were near enough to answer my pleas. “Demon Spawn,” I whispered and pictured the black, red-eyed horse. A monster too and he brought the shadows over my mind as Jules’ fist slammed down.

Stars and darkness gave way to the red-haired man standing on the cliff. He gazed over the crashing waves as they broke below. Where or what this place was I hadn’t known. Was it even real?

“Angel, hold on.” Every step forward was another step back for me. “I’m coming, luv.”

“Who are you?” Pain scrolled across his pale brow, and his hand clutched his heart. “You aren’t the horse.” My head shook at the absurdity.

“C’mon.” He tiled his head to the sky and lifted his hands. “You can’t be serious, mate.” My heart hammered as I eyed the redheaded stranger. A crack sounded, and I stumbled backward, falling to the grass. Shadows fell around me but as I glanced upward, the man loomed above me. The wind gusted and burned my eyes. Dryness surrounded me and sucked the moisture from my throat.

My lips parted as I stared in awe at the black winged angel hovering before me. “Do you recognize me now?” My head gave a small toss. “Shite.” He turned around and glanced over his shoulder. “Stay strong, Angel. Help is on the way.”

I swallowed hard as pain laced up my throat. The scorch grew worse as my lips parted, but I had to speak with this man. “Who … you?” Like before, the water splashed and his image was smeared away.

Chapter Twelve

Present day.

D
emon Spawn galloped through the streets as the winged fiend chased us. We flew by deserted buildings and homes and passed people hovering near burning trashcans. I shouldn’t have trusted the beast, but I had no other choice as the accented demon gained on us. Snow and ice melted beneath Demon Spawn’s feet, splashing muck in our wake. The damned beast knew where she hid, and I believed it with my heart and soul.

He led us to Korrigan, to my Angel.

Jules, I cursed. She’d have no other reason to visit Delphia. It turned into a trail I didn’t want to leave. One hand remained on the reigns, and I pulled out my phone with the other. I dialed Tomas, and he answered on the first ring. “Jules grabbed Kor; more demons are involved.”

The connection crackled as wind whipped past my head. “More demons? Merde, I should’ve known. How did I miss this?”

Demons were hard to miss, and only diluted blood blended with society. Korrigan. That’s what Tom meant about her parentage. If she was even part human, her demon side might have been dormant all these years. But no … my brow twisted as he yelled across the line. No, she would have tasted and smelled different, not of honey and sunshine. Every creature gave off a scent or vibe, yet we’d failed. Humans were the easiest because of their crazy moods and feelings. Demons burned, smoldering like woody ash. The smell alone gave them away.

“Merde.” Shit indeed.

Tomas cursed as Demon Spawn slowed his pace. I turned, glancing over my shoulder. The fiend had disappeared, but I wasn’t fooled. My eyes scanned the rooftops and the few trees around the city block. No, he hadn’t left, he had blended with the shadows instead. “I’m coming back.”

“No,” I said, pulling up on the reins and rounded about. “Stay with the others; I got this.” A lump formed in my throat. We were both immortal, but Tomas’ curse wasn’t as protective. If anything happened to him then who would take care of those we’d risked ourselves to save? Besides, he remained over a day away, and I refused to wait that long, not with my Angel missing.

Jules held my Korrigan. My light and angelic girl lay in his grasp again. Snow fell in a thick blanket, and the streetlights dimmed. This sector wasn’t on biofuel. My eyes darted around for a generator as Demon Spawn snorted. The row homes were in total darkness too, all except for one.

The ebony steed steered me toward the dwelling. The light flashed off, and a woman screamed through the still night. My eyes widened; I swore my heart raced as I edged the horse forward. He shook his head and danced backward. Trap, I knew it too, but damn it my Angel was in there. The shriek wasn’t Kor’s, but I’d investigate regardless. She wasn’t far; her sweetness permeated the air and clung to my skin. The drag of my dead heart and blackened soul felt her light. Another scream followed as I dismounted.

“Stay put.” My brother tossed his defiant head. His hooves moseyed over to the sidewalk, and he scratched at the ground. “Stop that.”

I ran up the short steps. The handle jiggled but remained locked. My hand had slipped into my pocket and retrieved an old credit card from before the collapse. The mechanism clicked, and I turned the handle. The door creaked, and I held my unneeded breath. Footsteps paced upstairs, the floorboards groaned. I tiptoed over the carpeted floor. My eyes adjusted, taking in the simple furnishings. This appeared to be more of a residence, a private home, but there were no paintings or photographs sitting atop the mantle. I chewed my lip and glanced toward the staircase. My breath sucked in as my eyes connected with the first imagery.

Korrigan’s likeness hung on the white ashen wall. The same likeness from Tomas’ book he’d shown me weeks ago. Those innocent amber eyes captivated me. My hand fell to my heart as someone barreled down the steps. Cold metal pressed against my temple, and a click echoed in my ear. I didn’t flinch. My eyes refused to budge from the painting.

“Jules,” I hissed, scenting the burning demonic flesh.

His nose inhaled over me. “No leech.”

A woman sashayed down the steps. I blinked; she looked like Kor’s twin, like the woman from the painting, but there were too many differences. For one, she was taller and curvier. I blinked again and noted the black hair. Korrigan’s was brown, and Angel couldn’t have gained that much weight. Besides her pixie height required more than high heels to reach that woman’s elevation.

“You’re her mother.” The words had rolled off my tongue, but even I had not believed myself. She froze mid step and narrowed her amber eyes. Demon Spawn had failed. He must have seen or scented this imposter. No, the thought rattled free. faint, so faint I’d almost missed the sound.

thump, thump, thump

“I have no children.” Her nose tilted into the air, but the sheen of her brow spoke another story.

thump, thump, thump

The demon lowered his gun, and I faced the shifted Jules. “Where is Korrigan?” His brow rose, and he glanced toward the woman. I followed his gaze, past the woman to the painting. Jules stroked his goatee and nodded. She sighed and pulled a key from her pocket. The steps creaked under her weight as she descended. Her gaze met mine before sweeping to the demon. Jules nodded to her again, and her warm hand placed the key into my palm.

“You will need this.”

The woman led me to another door; I kept glancing back at the young demon. There was something about him, and it rubbed me the wrong way. As if he wasn’t Jules, but was. Uneasiness washed over my skin. His lips parted, revealing a devilish grin. It served to unnerve me more.

I asked him, “Is she here?”

“Yes.” His nostrils flared.

My brow rose as he fought a chuckle, coughing into his palm in a bad attempt to cover his tracks. Sick, sadistic bastards what else had I expected from Jules or his cronies. “She’s down in the cellar.”

I trusted neither of them. “Go first; both of you down.”

The demon shrugged and nodded toward the woman. “Do as Petre says.” His fingers tapped along the railing. I hadn’t told him my name. “You’ve kept yourself busy these past few weeks.” Nails scratched down the wall as he descended into the darkness. “Destroying my free men and stealing from the King.”

Jules wasn’t a King. Delphia had no King. Were Garland and Delphia working together? He halted at the end of the staircase. The corridor ended, turning into the room, but he’d blocked the path. A tiny rasp drew my attention, but the scent was indeterminable. Blood, lots of sweet blood, tainted with another’s desire and her fear. The light clicked on, and I blinked.

“Jules … Angel …”

Her frail body was tied to the tall bedposts like a quartered prisoner. A belt, wrapped around her neck, strained against her struggles. Eyes rested but swelled shut. Bitterness rose from my stomach, and I lunged for him. My hand missed, and I stumbled into the wall. He didn’t even flinch and held the same smug look on his face.

“Tsk, tsk you broke the contract. I knew you would. Men like you want pretty things, but I warned you. Twice. Did you think I wouldn’t check up on my most beloved prize?” He skipped, tossing a small glowing ball between his hands. “She belongs to me.” My hand tugged through my hair, and I bit my lip. I didn’t know how to kill a demon, and if he held her soul that made him full-blooded. Curses flew under my breath, “I’ll make you a deal since you’re so fond of contracts.” He stepped to Korrigan and whispered in her ear. Her chest rose and fell with shallow breaths. “Bring my property back and in exchange …” He tapped his chin. Jules’ hands reached for the leather belt around her neck and yanked. She struggled, gurgling and choking, and I froze. He pulled again, and a rattled noise radiated from her chest. “I’ll let her live.”

“No,” she rasped, and I winced at the agony laced through her one spoken word. The sound sliced through my chest, and the bastard had the audacity to curse. Jules lifted his hand, intending to strike her, but I’d grabbed his arm. With all my strength, I tossed him away. He bounced off the brick covered wall and lunged back. The woman studied, her eyes darting between us. My fist struck his face, bones crunched, and his blood sizzled my skin, but the force proved nothing. Jules boosted himself from the floor and healed.

“You can’t kill me.” He laughed, tossing his head back, and I struck again. My hands wrapped around his neck, and his eyes twitched.

“And you can’t kill me.” I shook him like dead prey. “Let me heal her.”

“No,” he said, wincing.

I squeezed his throat; his neck cracked. “I wasn’t asking your permission.”

With all my strength, I pressed again and threw him down onto the concrete floor. Dust billowed into the air and I fought a sneeze. The strange woman remained motionless, and no emotion played over her face. I shrugged it off and hurried to Korrigan’s side. My fangs sliced into my hand, and I brought my bleeding fist to her lips. “Drink, Angel.”

Korrigan’s lips trembled, and the dry orifice cracked open. Hands grabbed me from behind and yanked me away. The woman loomed over me, but her façade flounced. A long ebony tail bound my neck as horns jutted from her blackened bald head. My insides swam, and my fuzzy brain pieced the scene together. Cambion of Ashmedai, but why a lust demoness would’ve paired with …

Jules laughed and interrupted my thoughts. “Don’t bother, Petre. The Princes shall rise again.” The woman pressed her stiletto into my chest, aiming for my heart. Jules pounced on the bed and snapped Korrigan’s neck. My mouth dropped to scream, but no words escaped. “Well then, let’s get my girls back, Cora.”

Footsteps led up the stairs. I choked on my own blood as it filled my mouth. Jules called for Cora again. Her lips tugged into a half snarl, but she removed her heel from my chest. The door slammed, and I crawled to the bed. Another door slammed closed. My hands cradled hers as I hoisted myself onto the bed. “No … Korri … Angel.”

The ties broke away as I worked the knots. Tears rolled down my face. No breath rose from her marred chest. Silence enveloped me, and I embraced her, not knowing what else to do. Plucked like a delicate flower, she’d wilted in my arms. All the years meant nothing; I’d meant nothing without my Angel. Had she even realized how much I loved her? The words were neither empty then nor now. Every part of my existence had lived for her seductive light.

“Jules,” I screamed. “You bastard.”

His laughter rang through the basement and rattled into my head. The house lay empty except for us, but it didn’t stop me from chasing the shadows. My fists tightened, and I laid her still body back on the bed. Kor’s death wouldn’t be for nothing. I charged up the creaky stairs, closing the basement door behind me, and ran to the second story. Curses shouted from my lips, but I held no notion of the words. Like my heart, they too bled and emptied my soul. Red painted my vision, and I slammed my shoulder into each barred door. They ripped from the hinges; my fists clenched the wood until it turned to dust. The house tore apart as I sought out the crazed, disgusting man.

“Show yourself, Jules,” I growled, allowing my fangs to extend. “Coward …”

I had destroyed every last inch of the row home except for the basement and the odd painting. Yet his menacing laughter filled my ears, echoing Hestin’s blight of eternal madness. The front door opened, and I shot downstairs, but the winged fiend greeted me.

“Well ‘ello again, mate,” he said, winking. “See you found your way.” I froze and met his half-hidden amber gaze as he peered at me from his dark gambler hat. Black wings jutted from his back. A long scar sliced down his cheek and into his collarbone, covered by a red neckerchief.

“Name’s Veric.” He extended his hand and shut the door with his booted foot. “I’m not going to bite.”

“Where’s Jules.” I stared him down. There wasn’t any time for this. My hands clenched, but I shoved them into my pockets. He stared back; his smooth lip twitched.

Veric blinked. “You not going on ‘bout that again are you? Didn’t ya find your ducky? Where’s that bleedin’ sod anyhow?”

“She’s dead. Jules left.”

He frowned. “Bloody hell mate, sorry.” His hand landed on a revolver, tucked beneath his black coat. I reached for my own but didn’t draw. A finger touched to his lips, and he took a step forward. My fingers danced over the butt of my revolver. “Someone’s here.”

The floorboards creaked. “Jules wasn’t alone,” I whispered. Why I trusted him, I didn’t know. The man had fallen from the sky after I’d attacked the demons. Granted, he wasn’t one of them I’d witnessed harming the kids, but he’d been there. My fingers grew antsy, and I wanted answers, but first, Jules.

“Where’s your goggled mate?” He tapped his head.

I bit my cheek to stop myself from snickering. Tomas and those damned goggles. “I’m alone.”

He spun around and smiled wide. “Look I’ve no time for your games.” The face didn’t match his gruff tone. His hand reached into his coat again, and I drew my gun. “You’re serious?” he scoffed, starring down the barrel aimed at his head. Veric rolled his eyes. “Reach in and pull out me badge.”

Badge? I blew out a breath and aimed the gun at his heart. My hand patted over his chest feeling the outline of a wallet. The small square wasn’t another weapon. At that point, with nothing to live for, did it even matter? I inclined my head, and he reached in again.