Soul Enslaved (Sons of Wrath Book 3) (46 page)

Her scent penetrated his nose up into his skull and euphoria settled over him. He opened his eyes, greeted by the bright purple bruise popping through her skin, and a torrent of rage rushed through his veins like a flame-thrower.

Through gritted teeth, he attempted to hold back the growl trapped in his throat.
My female. Hurt.

Gavin’s head shot back in the lycan’s direction. He crawled off of Sabelle and yanked his dagger free once more.

Gods be damned, if anyone found so much as an intact finger by the time Gavin finished with the bastard, they’d be lucky.

CHAPTER 19

Fingers curling, Sabelle gasped for breath and opened her eyes. In the darkness, she scanned the room, taking in the rich scent of bergamot and wood. Gavin’s room?
Am I dead?

Her cheek slid against a smooth, solid surface, and the pounding she’d heard inside her dreams heightened to a sharp drumming against her ear.
Heartbeat
?

Light massaging to the top of her head flipped her fight switch, and she pushed against the warm body she clung to.

Gavin’s chest heaved, his skin covered in blood. His eyes seemed lost to a trance. Not as menacing as his beast at night, but dilated, almost crazed, definitely not the warm blue of familiarity.

She swallowed a gulp. “Gavin?”

He didn’t answer, and Sabelle shrank into herself as she glanced around. The lipstick she’d left behind still sat on the dresser. Her dress had been removed, replaced with her sweats and T-shirt.

“I burned the dress. It stank of him.” His voice held no apology.

“Gavin, did you …?”

“Kill him? Yes. I’d do it again.”

Gavin killed Lachlan. She’d failed. Failed to do what she’d promised. Worse than that, when Cash found out that she not only didn’t deliver on the Black Book, but the asshole lycan’s soul, too, he’d surely screw her over by telling Jeven about their little business transaction.

She buried her face in her hands. “What have I done?” She slunk off the bed, ready to crawl into herself and die. She’d almost done the mission alone, if not for Nola’s nagging that she hired Gavin to watch her ass. Sabelle cringed at the thought of how the night could’ve ended. Of Denya wondering where she’d been; why she hadn’t come pick up the kids. And, eventually, if Sabelle happened to be found, how horrific for her children to know the way their mother had died. “I failed. I failed, and nothing will change now. It’ll be worse.” She shook her head, finally releasing the tears she’d held back most of the night. “So much worse.”

“Now’s not the time to kick yourself.”

“I’m sorry, Gavin,” she said over her shoulder. “Sorry I dragged you in there. That I almost got you killed. I wanted—” She bit back the compulsion to break down and sob in front of him. “I’m just trying to make a different life for my kids. Show them that, just because we are what we are, doesn’t mean we have to live this way.” Her body tensed in the next breath. “He could’ve … and I …” She swallowed a gulp. “All those poor girls.”

“Sabelle, you were expendable. In fact, Cash probably made the deal with you, knowing you’d never come out alive.” Gavin’s eyes had returned to normal when Sabelle glanced back.

“I’m such a fool,” she whispered. “I should’ve known there was no way out. All these lies we feed our children, telling them to work hard and do well in school. For what? So they can be owned by someone else? A boss? A spouse? A fucking pimp?”

“Jeven may have the power to dictate how many souls you collect for the underworld, but no one owns you.”

She slumped onto the edge of the bed. “No one owns you, Gavin. You have the freedom to do what you want.”

“What do
you
want, Sabelle?”

“What does it matter?”

“Some believe hope is an evil, designed to drive us mad, chasing after dreams.”

She felt his eyes on her, though she couldn’t meet them.

“Hope is a necessity,” he continued. “A breath before the wave crashes over you.”

“Hope is dangerous in my world. It makes you do stupid shit, like cut a deal with the pimps and walk into a club like you’ll just walk right out.”

“And yet, here you are.”

“Need I remind you that you carried me out of that club?”

Frowning, Gavin crossed his arms over his chest. “Survival isn’t just about saving yourself, Sabelle. It’s how you strategize. I was nothing more than a cog in your strategy.”

“Somehow, Gavin, you’re never just a cog. You’re the whole goddamn machine.” She stared down at a yellowing bruise on her forearm, a fading reminder that it could’ve been worse. “By the way … thank you. For getting me out of there. I may be proud, but I’m not ungrateful.”

“My pleasure.” Gavin stirred, and Sabelle clutched his arm.

“Wait, Gavin. Please, don’t go yet.” She furrowed her brow, releasing him when the cold sting of fear rose from her gut. Why the urgency to keep him near? The revelation sank into her chest as the words escaped her mouth. “I can’t be by myself right now.”

“If I’m near you too long, it won’t end up favorable for you. You’ve had enough trauma for one night. I’ll have Anna attend to you.”

“I want
you
.” Her eyes still shied from his and she almost regretted the confession. Since when did she need or want a man for comfort? Whether she cared to admit it or not, Lachlan had rattled something within her. A vulnerability that hadn’t been touched before. A realization that whatever luck had kept her from becoming some psycho’s new toy all these years was almost tapped dry. “I feel … safe with you. I feel safe here. For once.”

“All right. I’ll stay.” He settled back beside her, and Sabelle lay against his chest.

“You asked once what brought my powers to the fore that night at the bar.” She sought his eyes at last. “It was you. Somehow, I’m able to face the most daunting experiences when I know you’re there, watching me.”

“I have a confession, as well. The night you danced was the first time in my life I’ve ever
feared
a beautiful woman.”

“Why is that?” She traced a finger over his Wrath tattoo, her bracelet dangling down from her wrist.

“As you can see, there are very few things I walk away from. When I want something, I take it. I own it. I wanted you. And in that moment, I vowed I would relentlessly pursue you until I owned you, too.”

“Why would you be fearful, though?”

“Because I knew once I had you, I’d never want to give you up. To anyone or anything.” An upward glance showed his eyes drilling into hers, as if he could see her very soul. “In that moment, I’d already claimed you as mine.”

CHAPTER 20

Curious as hell, Gavin tilted his head as he sat at his home desk, across from Ceferina. His Divine Matron had stated an urgent need to meet with him, and the whole mansion had been buzzing with interest since Ben opened the door to greet her.

“Gavin, I’ve found a Basiliaj. Her mother lives in a very remote town called Anglesey, in the North of Wales.”

His shoulders sagged at the news, and he dragged his palm down his face. “Are we talking the United Kingdom?”

“Yes. I suppose that’s why we didn’t know much about her.” Ceferina’s eyes lit up as she leaned forward, angling her head to the side. “She’s quite beautiful and very sweet. Though she hasn’t been raised in royalty, she’s very smart. Young, but smart.”

About ninety-five percent of the time, Wraths gave birth to male Wraths. On
very
rare
occasions, a female, or Basiliaj, was born, and by birth alone, considered royalty, as there were so few of them. Like rare gems. In fact, once discovered, they were immediately taken to live in the palace of Orcosia. The odds of a female Wrath, though, were slim, and most didn’t understand their birthright to make themselves known. Generations and different mothers separated them from being related, but the age difference happened to be the biggest issue. Demon princes didn’t bond with the Basiliaj for sex—due to their need to spread their seed, they bonded emotionally, to sate their innate, natural cycle of claiming a mate. Basiliaj gave off a distinct pheromone that called on the demon’s natural instinct to protect, but warded off the desire for sex. They remained virgins for that reason. And demon princes could easily mate with other females without the need to bond—the only ones exempt from the Orcosian law that forbade the birth of a child without bonding.

“Young?”

“Well, only nineteen. But
very
mature for her age.”

“Nineteen.” Gavin tapped his fingers against his chin, warding off the desire to slam his head against the desk. “Ceferina, with all due respect … are you insane?”

“I’m a loving, desperate Matron. Do you know what I had to go through just to find this girl? Those Anglesey folk don’t exactly take kindly to women showing up in elegant, chiffon dresses, asking to steal away their daughters.” She tipped her head back, eyes lifting toward the ceiling. “You’ve no idea what even that short time you spent in Obsidius has done to me.” Her eyes watered as her voice trembled. “I love you like my own son, Gavius.” Her gaze fell back on Gavin. “I will not lose you to something so ridiculous as this woman who …
clearly
violated laws and bastardized the system. Honestly, a female who can deny her servosx is an abomination that must be destroyed. There. I said it.” She crossed her arms. “And I feel no remorse for having put that out there in the universe.”

“Look, I understand what you’re trying to do. And I love you for that. But I’m not ready to take my father’s place in the underworld any more than I’m ready to call a nineteen year old female my mate.”

Ceferina
humph
’d and sat back in her chair. “I’ll find an older one. More mature. I just need more time, is all.”

“Ceferina, I’m in love with Sabelle.”

“The succubus?” The incredulous look on her face reminded Gavin of his mother. “You cannot rule the underworld mated to a succubus, Gavin. And your father has made it clear you
are
his choice for succession. Even though it could have caused a major rift between House and Government, your father helped to ensure your release to the succubus.”

“I’m not saying Sabelle and I will bond. There are some complications with her bonding, and I don’t even know if she
would
bond with me. She doesn’t exactly hold bonding, itself, in high regard.”

“Well, that doesn’t surprise me.”

“But I cannot ignore my feelings for her just the same, and run off into the underworld with a nineteen year old. Or any other female, for that matter. I want to give this a chance and see what happens.”

“Gavius, my sweet. Of all the brothers, even Calix, your heart has always been the more romantic. But your Savidon will come to an end in a week’s time, and if you’ve not found a mate, I fear it’ll turn your kind and loving heart into a beast for eternity. A curse cannot be broken, darling.”

“There was a time I shared this fear. I must confess, though, I’ve been able to control it around Sabelle.”

“Control of your Savidon with a succubus? I find that … unbelievable. Seems to me all those …” She rested her hand against her chest like a female looking for pearls to clutch. “… sexual pheromones flying around would leave you a raging brute.”

“Believe it. Her scent is comforting. As is her touch.”

“And the teasing? They’re known for sexual torment.”

“Sabelle has her moments, believe me.” He stared down at his hands. “But she’s not cruel. I find it rather
enticing
.”

“Well, we won’t go into the details of that.” Ceferina waved her hand in the air. “I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with Sabelle. Any woman who has captured your heart is undoubtedly worthy of it. Just think about the other option. You could still have sexual relations with Sabelle. You could even continue to love her. Hell, your father loved many women in his time. That’s the point. Spread your seed. Ensure the viability and genetic diversity of your species. You are a perfect specimen, Gavin. Your children will be as perfect.”

He pushed up from his chair, rounded the desk, and kissed her forehead. “Had I scoured the earth, I couldn’t have chosen a better Matron. You ceaselessly fight for us and your heart is bigger than the sun itself. You know me as a man of unwavering conviction, though. If my heart is in something, there is no other option for me.”

“And if you should … if things should change and you’re forced back to Obsidius? What then?”

“I’ll do what any other self-respecting man would do. Deal with the consequences.”

“Then, that’s your answer.” Her lips pursed into what Gavin suspected was another cannon of argument. “But know … if that should happen, I’m not giving up so easily.” She rose up from her chair and stroked a hand down his face. “I’ll do what any self-respecting Divine Matron would do. I was put on this world to protect you at all costs. And that’s what I intend to do.”

***

Staring up at Zeus from Gavin’s bed, Sabelle slapped a hand to her forehead, trying to silence the voices that’d played inside her head all night. Half of them told her to quit being so responsible for once and act on her desires. To allow herself to fall in love with Gavin and see where that took them. To give love a chance and maybe have a happy ending, for once. Another told her that family would always come first, and bonding would seal Denya’s fate. Denya.
Shit
. That Black Book was out there somewhere. Succubi would continue to go missing until it was found. She’d have to hide her sister somehow—something Denya would fight like hell.

No wonder Sabelle never made time for love. How could she, with all the crap constantly flying around her head?

Her phone rang beside her, and she grabbed it up to see Denya’s name flashing across the screen. “Hey, I was actually about to call you.”

“Can we meet up? I really need to talk to you.”

The urgency in her sister’s voice tugged hairs on the back of Sabelle’s neck. “What’s going on?”

“Sabelle … I’m getting kicked out of school if I don’t pay my tuition by the end of the month.”

Sabelle’s stomach eased. “Okay, so transfer the money from my account. You know how to do that. I told you, whenever you need it.” Sabelle had stored Denya’s scholarship money aside in a separate underworld account for her, just so nothing was linked to Denya’s name in the event the pimps started snooping around. Humans couldn’t touch it. Even Denya’s lease had been signed to Sabelle.