Demon Possession (26 page)

Anya’s lip quivered, her beautiful blue eyes glistening with unshed tears. Thismadmanwas a dead man. He’d hurt her in so many ways and Sebastian suspected he was only scratching the surface. “So this is why you pander for Xandar’s life? He committed a crime against you. He is not some innocent who needs to be saved.”

“Believe me when I say I’m more than conflicted about it.”

Sebastian would accept that for now. Xandar had a stay of execution. Besides, there were other ways to punish one such as he.

Suddenly, Sonya rushed through the doors. “Anya!” She scooped her up for a painful looking embrace. “I’m so sorry.” To Sebastian she growled. “Where is he? I’l kil him!”

So much for being discreet. “He’s lock up for now, we wil decide what to do with him once we finish the contract.”

She glared at him. “How are you not more angered by this?”

“Oh, you should have seen him before.” Anya scooped in another bite of food.

“Is that so?” Sonya smiled at him devilishly, “I’l bet Bastian never lets another male anywhere near you again.”

As right as Sonya was, Sebastian stil gave her a look of irritation. She only playful y swatted him on the shoulder before taking a seat.

“You didn’t close the pub just to come see me did you?” Anya asked.

“Hel no! I made Cale stay and watch the counter. He sure is proud of you though, isn’t he?”

Anya beamed.

“Though I don’t think his ego wil ever be the same.”

In a barely audible voice Sebastian said to Sonya, “I want you to go search Xandar’s room. I do not believe two drinks alone made Anya so sick.” He switched to demonish before continuing. “Xandar came into her room last night while she was unconscious. If I hadn’t been there …” He trailed off and looked at Anya for the calmness only she could provide. He had to keep reminding himself that she was unharmed.

In demonish Sonya replied, “I’m assuming because you’re tel ing me this in our language that Anya doesn’t know about this.”

“Correct. I don’t want her to know.”

“You think he tainted her drink?”

“Yes.”

“I’l tear the bastard’s room apart if I have to.” She paused thoughtful y. “Why wereyouthere?”

In defense he said, “I stayed on the couch, Anya asked me to. She said she was frightened.”

“Hmm, perhaps she has a gift for sensing danger.”

“That might be so … I went to the Edge right in front of her. It was the fastest transition I’ve ever experienced. Must have only taken a second, but it seemed like she sensed it happening before I did.”

“Interesting,wel I’m sure you wil figure her out one day brother. I’m off to destroy, I mean search Xandar’s belongings.” Sonya hugged Anya once more before she left.

“What is that language you speak?” Anya asked, finishing the last of her dinner.

“It’s cal ed demonish. It is the language of our people.”

“It’s beautiful, even if you are using it to hide something from me.”

Marik approached then, saving Sebastian from forming a response. He set a plate in front of Anya. On top was a heaping slice of her cake. “I saved the last piece for you.” He said. “I don’t think you had a chance to try some.”

With a look of pure affection, Anya looked up at him. “Thank you.” For a moment she studied the strange new thing in front of her. Sebastian knew it must look odd, to someone who’d never tasted it before. The color was so deep it was almost black, with a layer of chocolate frosting sliced through the middle and another on top.

Stabbing through one corner Anya placed a bite in her mouth. Her features were rapturous as she met the flavor. “Bastian you must try this.” Placing another bite on her fork she held it out to him.” Then, realizing what she was doing,her cheeks heated and she began to pul the fork away.

Sebastian quickly stayed her hand, lightly gripping her wrist. Her eyes jerked to his and he held her gaze as he brought the fork to his lips and took the bite, al the while making slow circles on her wrist with his thumb. In a sensual voice, “It’s not the best thing I’ve tasted.” Her eyes fired silver,causing his shaft to jerk in response.

“Uh,” Marik’s voice broke the moment and Anya looked away from him, cheekswarmingto a lovely shade of pink. “Sebastian can I have a word?” Marik motioned for thegal ey.

Assuring Anya that he would be right backSebastianfol owed Marik. As soon as the door closed, Marik whirled on him. “What are you doing?”

“I was enjoying cake.”

You know what I mean. I thought you were trying to stay away from her. That looked like just the opposite to me.”

“Maybe I’ve changed my mind.”

“Are you prepared to keep her? Do you know what would happen if she fel for you and then had to leave? You don’t know what kind of damage you would cause her. How badly you might hurt her.”

Sebastian’s stomach clenched. Already he felt like it was too late to let her go. His want was soul deep. Could she truly be …? He decided to tel Marik the truth. “I don’t think Icanlet her go.” Sebastian leaned his body against the wal as Marik’slips parted. That was probably the last thing Marik ever expected him to say. The only thing that could shock him more was if that statement had come from Cale. “Do you remember our discussions about the validity matehood?”

The two of them would debate for hours on that subject. Marik had always believed it was possible, and now Sebastian did too.

“Wel ,I no longer believe it’s a myth.” Sebastian glanced at Anya through the serving window.

“You don’t mean … tel me this is a joke.”

“No joke,Marik.”

Marik didn’t seem to know how to respond. “What are you going to do? I’m assumingshe’l be staying on the shipthen.”

Sebastian let out a hard breath. “I have to destroy whoever might be hunting for her first.”

“Of course you do, if she truly is your mate.”

“I wil have to hide her somewhere safe while I’m gone. Then I wil return for her.” Marik nodded in ful agreement with his plan. “I would ask you to stay with her and protect her while I do this.”

Marik squared his shoulders. “Of course, where would this hiding place be?”

“I don’t know yet. Once we finish the mission I’l want to head out right away. Right after I get her to tel me who it is”

Marik nodded. “I never thought I’d see the day. Doessheknow?”

“No. But I think she feels it too.” Just then Sebastian spied her through the window. She was laughing with three males that were now surrounding the table, engaged in conversation. Sebastian growled low in his throat as pure possessiveness surged through him.

Marik chucked. “It must be true. I’ve never seen youlike this with a femalein my life. Thought it wasn’t possible.”

“Just keep this to yourself for now, okay?”Sebastianwasout of thegal eybefore Marik could answer, making his way to Anya. Themaleswere of strong build. Sizing them up Sebastian was confident he could take al three in a fight.They’re merely talking, he reminded himself. Pushing past the men he claimed his place at the table and then greeted them as their captain. “Is there something I can do for you gentlemen?”

“No sir, some of us are gathering at the pool tomorrow and we were just inviting Anya to join us.”

“And?” He looked at Anya.

“I said I would consider it.”

Relief swept over him that she hadn’t said yes. The idea of her in a bathing suit, her body on display for any male to see made him crazed. Though if it were just him and her …”

When the three politely left Sebastian studied Anya, her cake was gone. It looked as though she had licked the plate clean. Then he noticed she looked a little sad. “What is it? Would you like to go tomorrow?”

She shrugged. “I might but … I don’t know how to swim.”

Of course she didn’t, when would she have had the opportunity to learn? “I could teach you, if you’re not too tired.”

“I’m not too tired.” Her face lit up.

Sebastian mental y scolded himself. He would teach her to swim tonight, just the two of them, giving him al the pleasure of seeing her body clad in only thin fabric, wet and clinging. But then she would go tomorrow where anyone could look upon her. The former he wanted, he abhorred the latter.

Sebastian waited in the warm pool like an adolescent on a first date while Anya changed into her suit in the other room. He was already hard as a rock at the thought,but when he saw her he nearly came in his swim shorts.

It was a two-piece bikini, white, a bow tied around her neck and one around her back. The material cupped her breast, creating a V that joined at the apex over her heart. The bottoms rode low on her waist and displayed her flat stomach and deliciously perfect ass. His mate is gorgeous.

Anya approached the edge of the pool and gazed down at the water. “Do I just get in?”

“Yes.” He moved forward to help her.

“Is it deep?”

“Not this part. It gets deeper over there.” He pointed. “We’l stay over here for now. You can hold on to me until you feel comfortable.” Sebastian inwardly grinned.

Anya crouched down and slowly eased herself into the water. “It’s warm.” She said, clinging to the side. “Okay, now what?”

“Now let go of the edge and come to me.” He backed up a little to chal enge her. ThoughAnyacould touch the bottom,where the water came to his upper chest,shewas up to her neck.

She eased toward him slowly feeling for the floor of the pool. “I don’t understand the point of this.”

“You’re not swimming yet.”

When she reached him she instantly clung to his shoulders. Unable to help himself he wrapped his arm around her waist and pul ed her against him. She inhaled a shaky breath and wrapped her arms around his neck. Her body felt slick against his. In a breathy voice she said. “So show me some swimming then.”

“I’l need to put you down.” He loved that her hold tightened,and she looked as though she didn’t like the idea. To his disappointment she nodded.

Slowly, exaggerated, he eased her down his body, relishing every soft curve and crevice. Reluctantly he let her go.

“It’s simple,when you get the hang of it. You just kick your arms and legs to stay afloat and maneuver through the water.” With that, he swam to the deep end of the pool and back. “If you would like to try, I’l take you in a little deeper.”

She bit her bottom lip, glancing at the other end of the pool. “You’l stay with me though, right?”

“I’l be less than a foot away. I won’t let you go under.”

“Okay then.”

With a little too much eagerness Sebastian pul ed her back against his chest.Where she belonged. He thought he might have scared her with his movements,but she only yelped in surprise and then let out the cutest giggle he’d ever heard.

She was so relaxed with him, hecouldn’tunderstandhow she could be, after what she’d been through with Xandar,and thenwitnessing hischange, but he adored her for it.

Moving a little further into the deep end the water was now to Sebastian’s neck so Anya most definitely could not touch the bottom. Her hold on him had become like a vice. “I’m going to let go, when I do kick your legs back and forth in smooth fluid motions, not too fast. Do the same with your arms. You’re just going to stay in one spot for now and try to float.”

“Okay.” Her voiceshook.

“I’m right here so nothing wil go wrong.”

She nodded.

“Ready?”

Another nod.

Linked, hands to forearms,Sebastian slowly held her away from his body and she began kickingher legs. When he let go completely, her movementsgrewpanicked and she began to sink. Immediately he grabbed for her.Like a vice, Anyaclung to him with both arms and legs wrappedtightlyaround him. He would havereveled in her position if fear didn’t reside behind her eyes.

“You’re okay. Here …” He walked to the edge of the poolandlifted herout of the waterto sit on the side.Liquid beads cascaded down every part of her and he was awash in the sight of her once again. Stifling a needy groan he backed away. “Watch me.” He swam tothe deepestpart of the pool and hovered.“Can you see the way I’m moving my arms and legs?”

Anya stood to get a better view, also giving Sebastian a better viewof her body. His movements faltered and he sunk slightly. Righting himselfSebastiancontinued to tread the water for her observation.

After a moment she said, “Can I try again?”

“Whenever you’re ready.” Hestarted to move toward heras she slipped back into the water,but he decided to keep his distance. “Let’s try somethingelsefirst.”

Clutching the edge, Anya awaited his instruction.

“I want you to push off the edge and propel yourself toward me.” At her aghast look he added, “The momentum should be enough to get you this far without even having to use your legs. It wil make you more comfortable.” He was only a few feet from where she was.

She pondered his request for only a moment and then pushed herself toward him. Sebastian latched onto her quickly.

“Good.” He brought her back to the edge and moved a little further out. “Try it again, this time kick off with your feet.”

They practiced this for a while,until Anya was able to reach him in the middle of the pool without a panic.

She was smiling, thoroughly enjoying herself now. “This is fun. I understand now why you do this.”

“Are you ready forsomething a little more fun?” She eyed him warily. Moving Anya to his back, hesaid, “Hold on to my neck, tight.” When she did he continued, “I’m going to dive under and you’re coming with me.”

“Um …”

“Just hold your breath,and hold on tight.” At that she crushed his windpipe. “Not that tight.” He added, and she eased up on her grip. “Tap me if you’re running out of breath and I’l comerightto the surface. Kick your legs with me to get used to the sensation.” After a silent pause he asked, “Do you trust me?”

“Yes.”She said, without hesitation.

“Take a breath and hold it.” When she did he dove.

He could feel her legs kicking with his. Under the water he propel ed them to the farthest end of the pool, not swimming too fast, al owing her to get used to being under. She hadn’t tapped him by the time he reached the end and rose to the top. When they surfaced they both inhaled a breath, Sebastian maneuvered her to his front against the wal of the pool.