Soul Enslaved (Sons of Wrath Book 3) (14 page)

“I actually need to pick my kids up from Denya. Promised I’d take them to the park. They were pretty bummed when I called to let Denya know I’d be searching for a job instead.”

“It’s settled, then. We’ll pick them up after my morning meeting.”

Once again, he’d come to her rescue. Solutions just seemed to fall from the man’s mouth, as easily as problems spewed from hers.

This has got to stop
.

He couldn’t keep saving the day. Just didn’t feel right.

He poured a cup of coffee and sat across from her.

“That must seem weird … cutting out of work, to hang out at the park, huh?”

“I can’t say I’m used to it.” He took a sip. “Wow, this is good.” His gaze disappeared behind the cup again. “I have a tendency to work more hours in a day than not.”

“I never understood that.”

“What?” Arm stretched over the top of the chair, coffee cup in hand, suit pressed and pristine, all gave Gavin an odd contrast of casual and sophisticated.

“Why rich people constantly work. I mean, you’re already loaded with money. Why do you work so much?”

The light stroke of his thumb over the rim of his cup served as a mesmerizing distraction before Gavin shrugged. “I honestly don’t know why I work so much. Between the casino and the vengeance gig, my leisure time has waned.”

She sighed. “If I had that much money, I’d go to Paris. Paint all day long. Go to art galleries. Spend hours with my kids. Be happy.”

“Why Paris?”

“I always thought of it as one of the most romantic cities on earth. It must be, if my aunt chose to live there. She was the most exotic woman I’ve ever known. Absolute perfection, like an angel. She’d come and visit us every so often. Loved listening to Nina Simone.” Memories of dancing with her aunt swirled through Sabelle’s mind. Probably the only times Sabelle’d felt like a normal child, had been during Odette’s visits. “I’d watch her brush her hair with Nina playing in the background. The smell of lilacs—they always remind me of my aunt Odette. Young. Never seemed to age. Single. No husband. Just her and her photography.”

“She was a photographer?”

“Fashion photographer. How glamorous, huh?” She smiled. “She sent me pictures all the time, when I was young. I always wondered what it was like to eat in a fancy restaurant and explore the posh galleries.”

“Perhaps you’ll go there someday.”

She buried her gaze into the dark liquid, eyeing the reflection of her smile. “Perhaps.”

***

Orcosian lords rarely left the underworld dressed in anything outside of their formal robes, so Gavin was taken aback by Aeguza’s jeans and button-down shirt. He rose from the desk and bowed, as the high demon approached with Ceferina following behind.

“Thank you for meeting … my lord.” Gavin kissed Ceferina on the cheek, as she took a seat beside Aeguza.

“This is not an easy man to reach, even for a Divine Matron,” she said.

“Ah, Ceferina, I’ve given you my damn cell phone every time, and you insist on contacting my secretary.” Aeguza twisted in his chair toward Gavin’s Matron. “The woman is approaching two millennia. Not a spring chicken, like yourself.”

“Oh!” She laughed and knocked Aeguza playfully. “You’re terrible.”

“Okay, so we’re all here.” Aeguza always carried a regal grace about him, even when he happened to be casual. “What did you call this meeting about?”

“Ceferina didn’t brief you?”

His Matron sat forward in her chair. “I thought it best you explain what happened last night.”

“Right. The Sang.” Gavin rubbed his hands together. “They appear to be evolving. Quicker than we imagined.”

“Yes.” Aeguza crossed his legs and clasped his hands. “Much quicker. Though, I understand they’re still dying off at a fairly rapid rate.”

“Last night, we encountered one that’d fed from a Saevious.”

“Styx and fire, how the hell could a Sang take down a Saevious?” That tidbit must’ve been a surprise for Aeguza, judging by the widening of his eyes and the stiff posture he assumed.

“I think it may have had some help. It appeared the Saevious had consumed some liquid nitrogen. Another force seems to be quite interested in the evolution of this species. On a more personal note, my sister-in-law is with child. At this point, the progression of the organism seems to have slowed. She’s had no craving for blood. But I fear what will happen after the child is born.”

“As do I.” The high lord rubbed his brow, telling Gavin he had no experience with an infected pregnant female. “We’ve encountered many an Alexi in our search for the Sang, and it’s never a pretty sight. The only confirmation we’ve had that they
were
, in fact, Alexi, is blood analysis. That, and the Alexi appear to be less … maggot-like when they succumb to the disease.”

“Do we have any idea where the page torn from the Cartazmus might be?” Gavin asked.

“We have suspicions of activity from a Penwell Pharmaceuticals. However, our inspections have proven fruitless.” Aeguza shook his head. “Aside from some expired equipment, they pass with no evidence of resurrecting ancient creatures. Just your average, run-of-the-mill drugs. We’ve attempted to flash inside after hours. They have some … rather interesting security measures in place. There must be a dozen hexes.”

“My goodness, who are they trying to keep out?” Ceferina placed her fingertips to her cheek.

“The more concerning question is, what might they be trying to keep
in
?” Gavin crossed his arms. “I’d continue to watch them. Their interest in the disease has raised some red flags. And, according to Calla, they seemed to take quite a bit of interest in her, in particular.”

“We’ll assemble a group. Perhaps we’re taking the wrong tact in all of this. It might do well for us to send one of our own in to observe as an employee.”

“I think that’s an excellent idea, Aeguza.”

“As for the evolution of the Sang. With the Alexi numbers slowly declining, they don’t have much of a sustainable source for survival.” Aeguza huffed. “At least, for now, though if they continue to evolve and feed on demons, we might find ourselves royally screwed.” The Orcosian lord stood up from his chair and held out a hand. “I’m glad to see you’re out of Obsidius. I must say, it was a blessing and a curse, I’m sure, making arrangements with that succubus, but no demon should have to suffer the kind of sentence you were up against.”

“Thank you, my lord.”

He winked and patted Gavin’s hand still clutched in his. “Take care. We’ll be in touch.” Releasing his hand, he planted a kiss on Ceferina’s cheek and exited Gavin’s office.

Ceferina’s eyebrows winged up. “So! My handsome, non-imprisoned son. How are you?”

“I’m doing well, thank you.”

One eyebrow remained raised. “And the succubus?”

“She’s been very accommodating.”

“Yes, I’m sure. I about lost my hair, when Nola contacted me to find you. Honestly, I don’t know which was the lesser of the two evils—being enslaved in a prison of merciless death, or eternal suffering in Obsidius?”

Gavin’s smile withered to a more serious tightening of his lips. “Sabelle isn’t like most succubi, I can assure you. I find she’s quite pleasant. A very intelligent, level-headed woman.”

“You’ve been immersed alongside the scum of the underworld. Allow yourself to get acclimated, Gavin.” She shook her head. “And Nola’s an interesting one.” Her chest rose with a sigh. “But she did manage to buy you some time and get you out of that …
hellhole
.” Ceferina rested a palm on Gavin’s cheek. “That’s all that matters to me.”

He kissed the inside of her palm. “Thank you for your concern over me.”

“I want you to take care of yourself, love. And if you need anything, you don’t hesitate to call me. Got it?”

“Got it.”

“Good. At least your Savidon’s held off, for now.” She lowered her hand, gripping his, giving what she must’ve thought was a reassuring squeeze. “So there’s that.”

“I, ah—I believe it’s already begun.”

Her grip tightened. “When?” Panic coated her voice. “Are you certain?”

“Yes, I’m fairly certain. It started when I arrived at Sabelle’s.”

Ceferina grabbed her chest. “Oh, no. It … surely the
succubus
isn’t appealing to your mating senses.”

As a matter of fact …
“I don’t know what the hell is going on with me, to be quite honest.” He scrubbed his face. “Tell me something. Is it possible to curse a man in dreams?”

“Curse, as in black magic?”

“Yes. As in, invade the dreams and wield a spell. Even as an illusion.”

Her eyebrows lifted, and she took a step back. “Yes, I suppose a very gifted gaszla could cast a curse that way. Why?”

“Jessica … in my dream last night. She told me I had until the end of my Savidon to find a mate, or lose my soul to her.”

“Ooh, that woman!” A gesture of breaking something in half left Ceferina’s hands poised in fists. “You’ve no idea how badly I want to abuse my powers on her.” Slapping the palm of her hand to her forehead, she closed her eyes. “Unfortunately, with her imprisonment, there isn’t much we can do. She is essentially isolated in a tomb, of sorts. Or so I was told.” She waved a dismissal. “Matron gossip. So we’re to find you a mate before your Savidon is up.”

“No. I’m not committing to a mate and shipping back to Obsidius. It wouldn’t be fair to the female.”

“It could be a good strategy, though. They may view it as stability. Settling down. Perhaps the court will find mercy, if we can secure a royal mate for you.”

“Stability? In their eyes, I raped a bonded woman, Ceferina!” Stepping to the side of her, he placed his hands behind his back and paced. “I’ve never taken a woman by
force
in all my centuries. It’s my belief that any male who has to violently coerce a woman into bed doesn’t deserve a dick.”

Her lips pursed. “Must you be so crude, my dear? I’m just saying, it can’t hurt anything.”

“If I’m forced to go back?”

“We’ll cross that bridge.” Ceferina’s eyes widened. “Goodness. Have you and the succubus …”

“You’ve nothing to worry about.”

“This news brings plenty to worry about. I’m afraid I must go.” She backed away and started toward the door. “Gavin, promise me you’ll attempt to control yourself around her. It is imperative.”

“And … what if I can’t?”

“Then we’ll
all
suffer your father’s wrath.”

***

Dark auburn, almost chestnut hair fell around the woman’s pale face, as she stared into the bedroom mirror of the apartment she’d rented above Gypsy’s bar. The long locks just covered her bare breasts, and she tipped her head past the reflection of her naked body, to see the exceptionally large man watching her from the shadows.

Most men she fucked for favors were pigs—fat, ugly stinkin’ pigs, with no chance of landing a woman like her. It brought her incredible delight that the one admiring her body from across the room even considered her offer. He must’ve stood nearly seven feet tall and his form boasted layers of muscle stretched tight beneath his rough skin. A five o’clock shadow attempted to cover the scar that stretched across his face, disfiguring his lip. A mercenary. Probably the most dangerous demon in the royal court. His kills were as legendary—the kind that warriors exchanged amongst themselves in reverence.

He also happened to be her servosx’s right hand man.

She twisted away from the mirror, leaning back against the dresser with a leg propped on the nearby chair, giving him a full view of her bare sex. “Do we have a deal, or not?”

“And betray Vissaul?”

She sauntered across the room, legs crossing over one another as her stilettos clicked against the hardwood floors. Trailing a finger across his clothed body, she circled him, taking in the hard ridges of muscle beneath his shirt. “I can assure you, Vissaul would betray you in one breath.” She enveloped his small waist, grabbing hold of the hard bulge inside his leathers. “I know what a Wrath needs. I’ve fucked your kind before. You’ve been in Obsidius far too long, Therriun. I can feel your pain. I can bring you release.”

“Which Wrath have you fucked?” That deep, masculine voice shot a tingle straight to her core.

She kissed his shoulder blade. “Son of the prince. Heir to the throne. Gavius.”

A smile stretched her lips at the growl vibrating in his chest. She strutted around to the front of him and bent forward. Breasts and elbows pressed into the mattress of her bed, ass high and in his face, she peeked over her shoulder. “Do we have a deal?”

He casually removed his belt and unfastened his leathers, pushing them to the floor. Tightness cinched her throat, sapping her breath, and her hands flew to her neck as his leather belt dug into the thin flesh, against her windpipe.

He yanked back on her. “Yes.” The dark richness of his tone teased at her ear. “But you should know, I fuck the same way I kill—violently.”

Pain pierced her ass, as he buried his dick inside of her, but the outcry remained trapped inside her chest. Hot tears burned her cheeks, as he slammed viciously and relentlessly into her, while the belt acted as a set of reins. Warm fluid trickled down her thighs. Blood. Her blood.

Part of her wanted to die. Wanted to lift herself from the carnage and float away until he finished. One thought traipsed through her mind, giving her strength as she suffered the male’s wrath.
Gavin
. Breath waned. Dizziness settled over her. Was she dying? Would he fuck her to death?

Gavin
.

She clung to his handsome face and the memories of his gentle hands on her body. The only man she’d ever been with who’d fucked her with some reverence. She’d been with so many, too—sex had served as payment for deeds that helped propel her from the shithole where she’d grown up.

Tears fell down her cheeks as the belt tugged her neck back, and the male upped his pace. Curses filled the air, and the belt around her neck loosened.

As his cock slid from her ass, she dropped her head to the mattress, but at a sharp stinging pain hitting her butt cheek, she lurched, clawing at the sheets.

Another sting tightened her muscles. She’d been whipped with a belt many times, but the harsh burn of his belt had her mouth buried, as she screamed into the bed.