Soul Enslaved (Sons of Wrath Book 3) (16 page)

Gavin pinched the bridge of his nose then rubbed his jaw, trying to stifle laughter. “I prefer to be the one holding the keys to the cuffs.”

“All psychological, my man. You make her
think
she’s in control. Consider this—on any night, you can fuck any species you want, any time, any place. The succubi?” Maddox snorted. “Sex with a Wrath is like scoring first row tickets to the World Series with your two favorite fuckin’ teams playing. Know what I’m sayin’?” He pointed a finger. “Don’t let her tell you it isn’t.”

“I’m done with all that. Fucking anytime, anywhere is what got me into this mess to begin with.”

“Yeah. What was that bitch’s name again?”

“Karma.”

“Ah, that’s right … and she will fuck you mercilessly, yeah?”

Gavin rolled his eyes. “If I don’t fuck her first.”

Maddox’s lips stretched into a shit-eating grin. “How’s your manstrual cycle going for you, Brother?”

Gritting his teeth held back the smartass remark parked at the back of Gavin’s throat. “Aside from the fact I’ve been reduced to fucking a pillow every night?”

Obnoxious laughter had Maddox nearly sliding out of his chair. “Welcome to the wonderful world of abstinence. Next up? Priesthood.” Maddox shook his head. “Women’ll be knocking down your door, dressed like naughty nuns, offering to save your soul.”

Gavin waved a dismissal and shook his head, his jaw tightening. “I’m done with all that—thanks to a fucking curse. Find a mate by the end of my Savidon or my soul goes to Jessica.”

Maddox sobered fast. “She some kind of gaszla? Thought her ass was imprisoned!”

“It appears she knows a bit of black magic.” Gavin rubbed his temples. “The shit we let our dicks get us into.”

“Hire a gaszla of your own! Put the shit back on her.”

“This isn’t Harry Potter. The last thing I need is a fucking duel of black magic that ultimately transforms me into a dog who humps legs for the rest of my life.” Gavin rested his steepled fingers against his mouth before entwining them. “I need to find a loophole, somehow.”

The buzzer hummed through the phone and Mack’s voice interrupted. “Sir, we got a guy down here … says he knows you. Needs to speak with you.”

“What’s his name?”

“Marrick.”

Marrick
. At first Gavin’d thought him nothing but a lying lycan bastard. But he
had
ultimately come through and let them know where to find Zeke. “Let him in.”

Maddox pushed up on the arms of the chair. “You want me to leave?”

“Nah, stay. What the hell.”

Marrick grinned as he entered the office and took a seat next to Maddox, offering him a quick nod before directing his gaze at Gavin. “You’re a difficult man to find, until you go out subduing unwitting lions in public.”

“Look, if you’re coming to me for payment of a debt, I’ll have to get back to you some other time.” Gavin already had enough debt on his plate.

“Actually, I’ve come to warn you. And … make a peace offering.” Marrick leaned back casually in his chair. “The lion you encountered is telling of an awareness growing among humans.”

“I don’t think the lion gave away every supe in the city.”

“No. But when the lowly crack dealer feels like he needs the king of all beasts to guard his home, do you think they’re not going to begin investigating? And, unless you’re Siegfried and Roy, most humans don’t single handedly calm a lion wandering through the park. I know you’re a man of little time, so I’ll skip the formalities and get right to the point.”

Gavin put on a fake smile. “I appreciate it.”

Marrick cleared his throat. “How much do you know about your demon history?”

“Not sure I’d pass with flying colors, but I’d get by okay.”

“I’m assuming you have knowledge about the Sang.”

“Of course.”

“History will tell you that it wiped out every species in the underworld, back during the Plague. That it was spread by one supe. The separation of
savage
and demon has always been prevalent, based on lies. But just as American History lies about the Pilgrims and the Indians, there are catastrophic holes in Orcosian history—ones that have come back to bite the lords in the ass.”

Gavin frowned. “What the hell are you talking about? What holes?”

“One species
did
survive the Plague with little consequence. A Pure race. And when all other species, including demons, perished in the Plague, they were forced to the human realm. The Purebloods. My race.” Marrick stared back in earnest, as if the male had grown accustomed to dispute, before continuing. “Feeding off of humans resulted in the mixed breeds you now see roaming the streets of Detroit.”

“Was going to ask you about that.” Gavin crossed his arms. “How the hell do you call yourselves Purebloods? Lycans recreate by biting their prey. Nothing pure about that.”

“You’re correct. That isn’t
pure
. There was a time pure meant pure
lines
. The introduction of human genetics has forced our species to become sterile. These days, pureblood doesn’t refer to the genetic purity of both parents, but the natural birth of a lycan
pup
.”

“How is that even possible?” Gavin asked.

“Mature lycans can’t reproduce. Adolescent lycans can. For whatever reason, their reproductive organs remain unaffected by the change.” Marrick gestured to himself. “This is how I came to be. And I have ability, as a Pureblood, to continue my race. Naturally. Without having to harm humans. One day, we hope to be as you are—able to live harmoniously with them and carry on our species without the need for bloodshed. Our changeling brothers are far more violent, as you’ve seen. The change to their system is abrupt, and the physiological transformation can be traumatic, unlike the natural birth of a lycan pup.”

“Learn something new every day.” Gavin shook his head. “I’ve not heard of this at all, in my hunting of them.”

“This isn’t common knowledge, for a reason. The way it’s being carried out is a bastardization of the system—stealing succubi and robbing human boys of life. Had we been aware of it, we’d have acted sooner.” Marrick’s lips tightened. “Unfortunately, it’s become a lucrative endeavor for those who attempt to open their own brothel.”

Gavin rubbed his chin while mulling over questions least likely to divulge Sabelle’s mission. The last thing he’d need was for Lachlan’s pack to show up, giving him double the wolves to fight off. “And so, perhaps you might shed some light on the young succubi being abducted. I’m seeing the connection to the young lycan wolves being used in cage fights.”

“Yes. Every species is plagued by greed, including mine. The fights determine the strongest. They’re offered to mate with the succubi. Only a demon female—particularly the succubi because they have a sexual appetite to rival the young lycans—can withstand a lycan pregnancy. But there is risk, and not all demon females will survive the pregnancy.”

“Seems like a lot of work for a baby, yo.” Maddox shrugged. “Why not just bite a female human and mate with a lycan?”

“Lycans have attempted to breed with bitten human females, but
all
adult lycans are sterile, including females. That is why we’re rare. The resulting birth of a demon and young lycan is a Pureblood.” Marrick shook his head. “This is a money making machine for anyone who wishes to set up operations. The fights themselves attract enormous attention amongst the supes. Pimps collect on the souls of the young lycans when they mate with the succubi, and make a killing off of the babies sold to the highest bidder. Our Eastside rivals have increased their numbers in recent years, as a result of this underground breeding.” He leaned forward. “I am the eldest and alpha Pureblood.”

“I see.” Gavin sat forward in his chair, elbows resting on the desktop. “So, this rise in numbers throws a bit of a doggy wrench in your plans for world domination.”

“I’m not seeking world domination. But I’ll say this for my rival—he does not share the same level of tolerance as I do for humans …
or
demons.”

“He’s a Pureblood?” Gavin asked.

“No. He’s a half-breed, vying for the ultimate alpha role.”

“What does this have to do with the Sang?”

“An up and coming lycan, in the process of building a Pureblood army, with no regard for human
or
demon life, and who happens to be resistant to the one virulent element that can wipe out just about any species on the planet. You do the math.”

“And so, even the half-breeds are resistant to the Sang?”

“That remains to be seen. I suppose that’s why Lachlan is building his army now.” Marrick rubbed his chin. “From what I understand, he’s begun to build alliances with the Optevyl, as well. Imagine a world where humans can be enslaved into mindless blood-consuming beasts. The purest and strongest species will govern. There is a war on the horizon, Gavin.”

“And so, what are you here for?” Gavin splayed his fingers to emphasize the question. “Other than a history lesson?”

“I’m in the business of survival. As it stands now, the world’s destruction is in a state of limbo. Should the humans discover the secret to sustaining the Sang without death, all hell will break loose. They are the bridge that connects a few stray Sang from total annihilation. Until then, we all have an opportunity.”

“I get why lycans want to build their packs for dominance. What do your rival lycans want with the Sang virus?”

“World domination, what else?”

“Is that all?” Gavin eased back in his chair. “What do the Purebloods want in all of this?”

“The same as you. Peaceful coexistence.” Though Marrick’s eyes seemed fixed and sincere, Gavin had never fully trusted lycans, in general.

“So your rival wants to manipulate the Sang virus to do his bidding?”

“If you control the food source for a given species—and, in this case, the
food
happens to be humans—you can control the species itself.”

“So, why do the humans want the Sang virus?”

“Humans are looking for the cure. If they can control the virus, they can control demons. As you might guess, demons want to keep that from happening. You’re still a rung higher than Purebloods on the food chain, but there is one group, the Optevyl, who would wipe out their demon brothers if it resulted in creating a
pure
race.”

Gavin had no doubt the humans looking for the cure would be Penwell and his son. “My brother tells me one of those groups has a good head start. The mating habits of the Sang are missing from the Cartazmus.”

Marrick sat forward in his chair. “Even if they learn how to reproduce, they haven’t figured out how to coexist with the organism. That is the most important piece of the puzzle. And it just so happens to exist in the journal of a madman.”

Gavin raised a brow. “And who might that be?”

“Wade Jackson was a sadistic piece of shit, but the man was a genius. A genius who may have unlocked Pandora’s box.” Marrick’s unwavering stare matched the grim tone in his voice. “Should the humans get a hold of that journal, you might just want to find a cozy spot in the pit of hell. And bring popcorn.”

“Wait, feshjule,” Mad Dog said beside the lycan. “The Optevyl. The Purebloods. Why haven’t they gone all seek and destroy on these humans yet?”

Gavin tilted back in his chair. “Should demons decide to wage war on humans, they’ll be faced with the wrath of the heavens, which would be comparatively worse than our father’s. Besides that, it doesn’t sound like either camp is
against
the Sang returning, as long as they’re holding the leash.”

“Exactly.” Marrick nodded. “I fear we’re the only sane beings in a world of madmen. As I see it, there are two vital pieces to gather: Cash’s Black Book, which gives the name of every succubus yet to reach Renoshza.”

“Are you sure the succubi are the only players in this?” The succubi might’ve been an obvious choice, but certainly weren’t the hardiest demon females in Orcosia. “Why not
any
demon female?”

“Because, so far, the young virgin succubi are the most fertile and their cycle is predictable. They’re not going to waste time waiting for lycans to breed with another species and hoping for the best.” Marrick’s lip formed a hard line. “The second important piece is why I’m here. I possess Wade’s Journal, given to me by Matthias—the lycan you saved a few months back. He passed it along to me, and in turn, I vowed to protect him. Should anyone else become privy to this, I may as well put a blade through my own heart.”

“Well, you suddenly became worth more to me.”

“I’d wanted to hire you.” Marrick eased back into his chair. “My female is pregnant with our first child. Should something happen to me, I want you to avenge my death and keep my unborn child safe.”

“Damn. Everybody’s poppin’ kids out all of a sudden.” Maddox scratched the back of his head. “Might want to rethink that daddy gig.” His grin, full of perfect teeth, had Gavin fantasizing what they’d look like scattered all over the floor.

“I understand you’re to return to Obsidius after your debt to the succubus is paid?” Marrick’s question twisted Gavin’s stomach.

“Not if Aeguza can prove that chick was on something illegal when it happened.” Mad Dog answered first. “No one up and denies a bonded male like that.”

“Good luck with that.” Gavin rubbed a hand down his face, hoping to wipe the mask of irritation. “I think I’d be better off striking a deal. Coming to some kind of agreement with the male.”

“This is news.” Maddox cocked his head back. “Like what?”

“I don’t know yet. Everyone wants something.” Gavin turned back to Marrick. “Is the journal safe at the moment?”

“Yes. I’ve taken the liberty of hiding it in a most obscure location.”

Gavin didn’t dare ask where. “Aside from the three of us, and the boy who delivered it to you, does anyone else know you have it?”

“No. Not even my female, in the event someone were to … interrogate her.”

“No other pack members?”

“You can appreciate my level of trust for you when I say no.”

“Good. Keep it that way. The Sang have begun to evolve. Getting smarter about their immortality. It’s only a matter of time before the players all reveal themselves and want a piece of the power.” Gavin gave a nod toward Marrick. “When that happens, I suspect we’ll all be faced with interrogations.”