Demon Tempted (Karmic Lust) (2 page)

The tears fell then, hot against her cheeks, and she turned away, not willing to share that part of her with Clay or Kamuel. It had been so long since she was human, how would she even know how to do this? Her choices over time had turned her into the demon she’d become, the demon she’d loved being.

Clay spoke up then. “Eva, you were human once before. You started as human. This isn’t something that is entirely new to you.”

Eva glanced at him over her shoulder. “I know it’s what I was in the beginning. That was so long ago.”

“Eva, it’s the punishment that most befits your crimes. Liliana is a mere human that you toyed with for a very long time. Now you will basically get to fill her shoes.”

“Will I ever be a demon again?”

“Perhaps, perhaps not. You may wish to stay human.”

Never! I would never wish to stay human. I don’t want to be that weak ever again.

Kamuel placed his large hand on her shoulder as he stood in front of her. She was about to ask him what he was doing, when she felt a searing tug in her chest. All she could do was gasp and grip his hand, which still clutched her shoulder. Glancing at her shoulder, she saw his hand held a bluish glow and from it radiated heat.

Her demon-hood was slipping away from her, and she couldn’t do a thing about it. The pain continued, and Kamuel’s hand glowed brightly.

“Kamuel.” Eva moaned out in pain, the urge to struggle high.

“Don’t fight it, Eva. If you fight this, it will be beyond painful,” he warned.

Eva immediately stood still. If the pain she was feeling was any proof that what he was talking about would be worse, she didn’t want any part of it. She didn’t realize she’d closed her eyes until she felt another hand touch her opposite shoulder from behind.

Clay—she could tell his touch anywhere. She knew he was giving his support against the pain in the only way he could.

“You are now for all intents and purposes the human Eva Jackson. The only thing left of your demon-hood is that you can and will be able to feel Clay’s presence.” Kamuel’s words seemed to echo in her ears. Nothing would be as it had been or as it should have been. Only she could change her future.

There was one last tugging sensation and a feeling of something slamming into her chest full force. Then Kamuel was moving away from her, and she collapsed. Luckily Clay was there to catch her. Darkness settled behind her eyes, and she discerned no more.

****

Clay watched Eva’s chest rise up and down gently, showing that she was okay and just in a deep sleep after her ordeal with Kamuel. She’d been out for a while, but it was only a matter of time before she came to and wondered where he’d taken her.

They were in the house where he’d taken residence ever since he’d been drawn to the place where Eva raised literal hell. Besides, he needed some place to bring her after their dates so as not to arouse suspicion.

He’d finally gotten ‘his’ Eve back. Though they weren’t out of the woods yet by any means.
Much more would have to be conquered for that to happen. Eva would try to fight. She was unable to do anything but that. Anger would come first. The anger would stem from having her demon-hood taken away from her. With the change Eva was no longer able to use her demon abilities. She was unable to speak into others’ minds. Nor was she able to just appear out of thin air. Now she was for all intents and purposes human.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her shift on the bed where he’d laid her, and he acknowledged that she was awake. He didn’t step forward; he’d wait for her to speak.

“Clay, what happened? The last thing I remember was talking to Kam and then the pain.”

“Yes, the pain was from Kamuel taking your power as a supernatural and rendering you into the Eve of old.”

“Did you know this was going to happen?” There was accusation in her voice, as if she was screaming that he was the reason for what had happened to her. She still needed to learn she was the reason for what had transpired.

He answered in a roundabout way. “You had to have known something just like this would happen once Lili realized what you’d been up to.”

Her chocolate brown gaze bored into his, and he was once more caught up in the pull he always felt toward her.

“You didn’t answer my question.” He’d be lying if he said she didn’t know him.

“Yes, I knew there was going to be some kind of retribution for what you did. It was a long time coming, Eva, and you had plenty of time to turn back, but you never did. Was there a reason for that?”

She got out of bed. He moved to help her, but she raised her hand to ward him off. She made her way, if a bit wobbly, over to settle in the recliner that faced the balcony of his two-story home. For the moment he’d let her feel she was in charge when it came to touching her, but that wouldn’t last long.

He liked how she looked in his long-sleeved shirt that he’d changed her into when he’d brought her home. He wanted her as he always had.

“Why did you undress me?”

That response was typical of Eva, always changing the subject instead of answering a question given to her. It was like a defense mechanism, automatic and reliable. It was something he’d have to get her to realize and then perhaps they could move on.

“Because you’d passed out, I thought you’d be more comfortable in that. You act as if I left you completely naked.”

“You might as well have. Where are my bra and panties?”

He chuckled. “There’s no way in hades that you’re shy, Eva.”

“Not shy, no. But I like to be the one to decide it’s time to take off my clothes.”

“Don’t worry. I didn’t take advantage of you. When we do get together and fuck, I want you conscious for that.” Eva gasped, and she turned those beautiful eyes on him, fury within them.

“Who says I will let you touch me?”

“Who says you won’t, Eva? You enjoyed my touch before. No, we haven’t gone all the way since the garden. Just some fun petting and kissing, but I could have more from you and you know it.”

“You’re a bit too full of yourself, Clay Quinones.”

“You’re right, but I don’t believe in playing games. We want what we want, and I want you and have never strayed from that.”

“You’ve never strayed in wanting me? I beg to differ; when it came to Lilith, she was always your first choice.” She said it so low that he almost didn’t hear her. He wondered if she could see the regret he felt in his eyes.

“That was all in your head. Now would you like to rest some more or eat?”

“What I want to do is leave here, Clay.”

“You know that isn’t possible. You’re under my guidance. We won’t be leaving here until I am ready to do so.”

“This isn’t going to work.”

He moved from his place by the bed and stood next to the chair. Neither of them looked at each other. Silence filled the room for a long time until he heard her sigh in what could possibly be frustration.

“I’m going to go and get you something to eat. As a human, you need to fuel your body and often. We can have more conversations like this another time. In fact I am sure we will have a lot of conversations like this.” He turned on his heels and made for the door, calling over his shoulder.

“Oh and you’d better hope this works. This is your last chance for redemption.”

He opened the bedroom door and then closed it softly behind him, leaving her to mull over his last words.

She watched as he exited the bedroom, and she had to wonder what else he hadn’t told her. She knew he was a demon as she’d been, so there had to be some secrets he held.

How could he have gotten so close otherwise? Liliana hadn’t known much about him beyond the fact he’d been the deliveryman for C&C. At least that was what she’d told Eva when she’d introduced them at Diego’s. She was sure though Samael had been privy to who he was.

He’d had all his faculties about him; he’d just not been able to tell Lili who he was. Everything else hadn’t been off limits for him to be familiar with. She didn’t need him to remind her that this was her last chance.
She felt that it was with every bone in her body. Now what to do so that she could change her course and get everything all figured out? When the door finally closed behind Clay, Eva allowed herself to breathe. Just his mere presence was enough to make her feel giddy and needy all at once. So much so it was hard to focus at times when he was around. It almost made her question why Kamuel paired her with Clay.

The angel had to sense the desire she had for Clay. How would that serve their purpose? The desire she had for him was strong, but she didn’t want to let him see it. However, that seemed to be something he just discerned if the heated looks he was constantly sending her way were any indication.

Eva couldn’t let him touch her. If she did, she’d be lost. This was about getting through this and … and then what? It was the “and then what” she had no clue about. Okay, so then she’d find a way to get through this. She didn’t have a plan, but that would be part of the lesson, she was sure of it.

She was tired. She’d been playing this game forever and if she were honest, she’d admit to him that she was tired of the games. As far as she was concerned, that wasn’t going to happen. She’d be admitting defeat. Drawing her legs up close, she wrapped her hands around her legs and laid her head on her knees as stared out the window. She felt trapped in this human form. It made her feel strange, being human again. Shaking her head she tried to make sense of her punishment.

She wished she could go to Liliana and apologize. Though how one apologized for what she’d done, she wasn’t sure. The last moment with Lili still played in her mind.

The phone had rung, which in itself was odd, as she usually was the one who called Lili early in the morning. She’d picked it up, thinking something had happened to Liliana.

“Lili? Is something wrong? Why are you calling me so early?”

“Oh yes, there is loads wrong, Eve.”
That particular way she’d said “Eve” had made it obvious Liliana was pissed.
“How about you come over and straighten this out?”

“Eve?”
She’d swallowed hard, trying to act as if she didn’t know what Liliana was talking about.

“Yes, Eve. I know who you are.”
Liliana had cut her off before she could get even one word out.
“Don’t bother trying to explain over the phone. Get your ass over here and explain it to me in person.”
True panic had filled her then as she hung up the phone and quickly made her way to Liliana’s home. She didn’t fake being human—she used her powers. She was instantly at Lili’s and sitting on her couch when she’d come down the stairs. Liliana had stopped short when she’d seen her, and Eva had stood.

“So, sister dear, when were you going to tell me that you’re a demon as well?”
Liliana crossed her arms over her chest as if she was preparing for battle.

“When did you remember?”

“Does that really matter? I’ve remembered everything.”

“You’ve remembered everything? Well, then that means you know what I want.”

“Just answer me one thing. In all the years we have known one another through time, but most especially this present time that you’ve been my sister, you never once thought this was all a mistake? I didn’t want Adam. The one I wanted I left the Garden for, and that was Samael. You were too blind in your jealousy to see that!”

“Yes, I’d thought about it at one point.”
That was the wrong choice of words, judging by the look that Liliana had given her. She’d watched as Liliana’s head went to the side and the look of ‘You must be fucking crazy’ came over her face.

“Oh? And when the hell would that have been?”

“When we had our talk about the date I had with Clay.”

“I’m angry. Eva, I’m angrier than I’ve ever been with you. So many years have gone by.
So many years lost between Samael and me. Hell, so much time lost with you. There are so many times throughout our histories together that we were real sisters. If you’d had one ounce of sympathy or even the love you say you feel for me, you would’ve stopped this nonsense. This wasn’t about me. It never was. It’s always been about you and your selfishness.”

“You’re right. I’ve been selfish. I’m sorry, Lili, so very sorry.”

“No, you’re not getting off that easy. I know what I have to do now. I have to free Samael and myself from this curse by speaking my true name.”

“I have taken care of you, Lili!”
Her words had been futile and out of place, but all she’d thought about was defending herself and trying to get Lili to understand how sorry she was.

“You only took care of me when it suited your needs, Eva. Or should I call you Eve?”

“Lili, please—”

The other woman put her hand up to stop her from talking.
“Please what, Eva? Why should I allow you any thought when you didn’t give a damn about how I felt? Because you’ve changed? Is that what you want me to believe?”

“I have cha—”

Liliana had cut her off from saying any more.
“Don’t even try it. How is it possible that you have changed that quickly? Tell me how a demon can change.”