Bound By Darkness: Eternally Mated Novel Page 2
“How may I serve you, mistress?” He might not beg, but he wasn’t so stupid as to not play along. It did make his life easier.
She patted his head. “Such a good pet. I’m glad to see you have finally learned your place.” She snapped a leather stud collar around his neck. This was never a good sign, but one thing he had learned in his time in Hell. Fighting back made things worse, and he knew he had no way out. Even if he could free himself, he couldn’t pass through the gateway out of here alone. Only a demon could take him back to the other side, and there were none here willing to do so. If he cooperated, they gave him food and a real room. Some comforts in this place were worth the price of his dignity. They were going to take what they wanted from him anyway, so he might as well gain what little he could. The warrior in him had to be shoved aside to keep him from fighting back. Doing so, only earned him more pain. Lyzander did worry he was on the verge of being broken, the light in him snuffed out. Once that happened, he would be no better than his torturers.
“Get up.”
Lyzander pushed to his feet and tried not to shudder when the demon grabbed his cock and stroked. So far, Aezyla hadn’t taken to fucking him herself. She pimped him out, and on occasion, watched for her own pleasure but had left him alone.
“Your presence has been requested in the torture room,” she purred.
He clenched his jaw but held out his wrists and allowed her to strap on the leather cuffs. When she handed him the glass containing the awful stuff that altered his mind and threw him into the throes of lust, he drank it without hesitation. As she led him out the door, he made a silent vow. He would kill each and every demon alive in this hellhole. Should he become a true fallen angel, there would be nothing to stop his rampage.
His light dulled a little more.
* * *
Kelana gave the hound, Wraith, a weary glance as she shoved a few apples, dried meat, protein bars and water into her pack. Did he suspect her plan? If he did, surely he would have sounded the alarm by now.
“So, you going into Lulerain alone? Are you crazy?” Wraith asked.
Well who knew hellhounds could talk? “So I’ve been told.” She adjusted the pack on her back and headed out the door. He moved up beside her, his massive head coming to her hip.
“How do you figure you’ll not draw attention? You’re a succubus with an angel’s aura. Unless you plan to sleep your way in the door,” he replied.
Kelana came to an abrupt halt and glared at him. “Fuck you.”
The beast actually raised a brow. How the hell did he do that? “Yes, that is the point. You know, you might be better suited to mate a Sitori.”
Sitori were beings Lucifer had created by combining demon and fallen angel DNA. While they were probably more her style, mating with one didn’t fit into her agenda. “Are you saying I’m not good enough for an angel?”
Wraith tossed his big bony head back and chortled. He was fucking laughing at her. She was tempted to drive her dagger into the top of his head, except it would probably snap off the blade.
“No angel would mate with a succubus,” he snorted.
She dug her nails into her palms to keep from punching his big, fat face. “I am also part human and angel. Dick wad.”
“Even better. A mutt. They will eat you alive in Lulerain.”
She spun and headed out of the palace in a huff, not daring to look back and ignoring the guard who called out to her. While her encounter with the Angel of Death had gone better than planned, and the woman seemed pleasant, Kelana trusted no one. How could she? After all, she was a cross-breed. An abomination that many demons wanted to kill and no doubt heaven would turn a nose up at her. The hound was right. She was nothing more than a mutt.
Kelana stormed down the path, away from the palace. Her humor so foul, she wouldn’t have been surprised to find a black cloud tagging along behind her. After putting much needed distance between her and the new demon ruler’s stronghold, she slowed and looked around.
The landscape had changed from the lush greenery that surrounded the palace to a dry desert. The suns were high in the mid-day sky and caused a sweltering heat that reflected off of the cracked, dry ground. A breeze kicked up red dust and swirled like a mini tornado. Kelana pulled the bandanna over her mouth and nose and prepared for the mid-afternoon onslaught of a dust storm.
She needed a plan. Getting into Lulerain wouldn't be easy. Not to mention she didn't have any hard evidence an angel was being held there. Of course, when rumors spread through Hell, they were usually true. So, there was a good chance someone had managed to trap an angel in the pits. Her first stop would be a dive bar on the other side of the dunes called the Demons Den. This was the place where the lowest of the low in Hell like to hang out, drink, and sell their wares. If a deal was to be made, it was at the Demons Den. If anyone knew about an angel, they would be hanging out there.
Kelana adjusted her backpack and began her trek across the barren ground. She was going to have to find a place to spend the night soon. After letting herself go without any sexual encounters for the last three months, she was vulnerable. If she had to fight to get an angel out of Lulerain, then she needed to be at full strength. It was times like these she wanted to curse her mother and grandmother for being a succubus. However, her broken heart wouldn’t allow it. She would give anything right now to have both women she loved most with her. Instead, she would hunt down the ones who had taken them away from her and use any means available to find them.
Kelana always adapted. Being part sex demon simply meant sometimes she had to take sex where she could get it. Finding a willing partner was never an issue, but finding one that didn’t repulse her proved more difficult in the demon world. It was why she usually went to the human realm where the men were a little more pleasing to the eye. Not that there weren't demons here that would cause heat to stir in her loins. The problem was, many of them would rather kill her than look at her. While she could mask her demon side, she was unable to hide the angelic part of her. That shit shone like a beacon in the realm of Hell and caused many a demon to attempt to rip her to shreds.
* * *
Lyzander tried not to focus on the fact he was chained to the ceiling, and the two demons who paid for the privilege of his company were busy shoving a gag in his mouth. Not to mention, they were both dressed in leather and carried an assortment of medieval-looking torture devices. The female was most definitely a succubus, while the male a Sitori created by Lucifer. He looked as human as Lyzander but was a descendant of demon and fallen angel parents. One thing about being a prisoner in this place, demons talked. They figured he couldn’t repeat their conversations so boldly bragged. Seemed there were many in Hell who preferred Lucifer over the death angel. Perhaps it had something to do with her ability to send one’s soul into purgatory. Sure, Lucifer was powerful and evil and meted out his share of torment, but money and a despicable nature would buy a demon a place as one of his lords. One could rule over their lands with an iron fist and whatever other instrument of torture they found pleasurable. Ashley couldn’t be bought and if one were a true vile creature who stepped out of line... She would snuff him out in a heartbeat.
The female brushed her naked breasts against him, and despite how determined he was to force his body to obey, the potion running through his veins was stronger. Desire swept straight to his cock, and he hated himself for not having better restraint. More important, he memorized every nuance about his torturers. The color of their eyes. Every line etched into their faces. Their name and the timbre of their voices. He would know them if he were blindfolded, by the scent they emitted, and one day he would hunt each and every one. Taking delight at playing with his prey before he killed it. Angels normally didn’t torture. Instead, they killed quickly and with mercy.
Lyzander no longer comprehended what the word meant.
He was knowledgeable about many demon species. Understanding what made them tick, how they were put together. This gave him the mea
ns to make their life a true living hell. Starting with Aezyla, what he would do to that demon bitch turned his dreams into a colorful wonderland. He plotted how he would lure her into the human realm where he would set the trap to snare his prey. It really pissed him off that angels couldn’t enter Hell on their own. Maybe, Ashley being in charge would fix that pesky problem.
Shaking his head, he tried to shove the darkness that threatened to take hold of him aside. Lyzander wasn’t sure which disturbed him more. The fact that the oil stain of evil wrapped itself around his soul and threatened his purity. Or that the potion fed to him had him begging for release. His shaft, hard as steel, caused an ache so deep he thought it would cut him in half. He couldn’t avert his gaze from the couple in front of him. The female had her lips wrapped around the Sitori’s cock and sucked furiously while her mate pulled on the chains attached to her nipple rings. Any more pressure and Lyzander was certain the demon would rip the rings from her flesh.
He yearned to taste that darkness, savor its spicy flavor, but most of all he wanted a female on her knees in front of him. Her submission owned by him.
A shiver ran over his spine as the Sitori shot his load on the female’s face. The demon’s release dribbled down her chin, and Lyzander grew more furious. The drug now with its claws firmly planted in his flesh made him desperate to thrust himself deep inside her. He pulled on his bindings, anxious to reach the succubus. Feminine laughter filled the room.
“Look at him. I would almost feel sorry for him if he weren’t an angel.” The Sitori standing over her laughed and shoved the female on her back then plunged inside.
“Is this what you desire, angel?” he mocked. “To have her warmth wrapped around you?”
The female’s orgasm swept across the room like a tidal wave. Succubus desire draped over Lyzander like a fine piece of silk, and pain burned down his shaft and over his balls. He was half tempted to beg for relief. The words were on his tongue, but instead he closed his eyes. Sweat rolled down his chest and his body shook.
Remember who you are. You are a warrior to the Maker. Your soul is filled with light and your heart with revenge.
He began to wonder if he still had a soul.
3
Kelana made her way into the dimly lit bar. The scent of blood mingled with sin and greed caused her to wrinkle her nose. After managing to cross the desert of Hell and not get eaten by the evil that slithered in the night, she had made it to the Demons Den. Tired, hungry, thirsty, and with a mood so foul the demons at the entrance simply looked at her and stepped out of the way. Lucky for her, a pissed off demon in this place fit right in.
She slid onto a stool at the bar just as a broken bottle whizzed by her head. The bartender––a tall, thin fellow with pea green skin and arms so long he looked like an out of proportion ape––stepped up.
“Kelana. Haven't seen you here since the last blood moon.”
“Thanks for reminding me.” The blood moon in Hell really did drip blood and happened every one hundred and eighty days. If humans thought their full moon caused some funky shit to occur, they needed to bear witness to a blood moon. Demons went wild with lust. Both sexual and blood and if they could fuck while bathing in the blood of their lover... Well it was the aphrodisiac that beat all others. Even she wasn’t immune and had her fill. After coming to the bar that night looking for fucking and fighting, she had managed to take care of both carnal desires. Coated in the blood of a female who had gotten in her way, she had sex with two demons on a table in the corner.
Not her highest point, and unlike the others here, she had woken up the next day ashamed and with more self-loathing than before. Some days it was difficult to face herself in the mirror. Besides the revenge she sought for the murder of her mother and grandmother, her own self-hatred caused her to learn how to fight. Kelana found some of the best fighters among the demons who tolerated her and learned how to not only protect herself but kill if necessary. As she grew older, her angelic side began to show, and on any given day, she had to fight to stay alive. Unlike the fallen angels down here whose aura was dark, hers glowed like a beacon of come and get me. She had even gone so far as to visit one of the most powerful mages in the territory for a spell or potion to cover up her angelic glow, but there was nothing to be done. She even inquired about becoming a fallen, but it seemed only true angels could do that. Her luck was as bad as it could get. No amount of rabbit’s feet or horse shoes were going to fix her plight.
“What can I get you?”
Kelana leaned closer. “I need information.”
The demon snorted. “I hope your pockets are full. That shit ain’t cheap.”
She already knew that, which was why the Angel of Death had given her a stash of gold coins. “I have enough. I just need to know who has loose lips.”
He laughed again. “Well, the more shiny stuff you have, the looser lips get. What exactly are you looking for?”
“I’m looking for information about a rumor.”
His yellow eyes widened. “Well then. See that demon in the corner?”
Kelana twisted slightly in her seat so she could see without being obvious. “The Oja?” He looked human except for the raised ridge down his spine, and of course, when he opened his mouth, he would reveal three rows of needle-like teeth, top and bottom.
“Yeah. That’s Lekbon and if anyone knows the rumor mill in this shithole it’s him.”
“Awesome.” She pushed out of her seat and tossed the bartender a coin. “Keep the change.” Then she sauntered to the corner booth where she slipped in opposite the demon. His blue gaze flashed up to her face then slid to her breasts and rested there. Not that she could blame him. After all, her black leather armor left tasty bits of her flesh revealed, and she was a succubus. Now was a good time to embrace her heritage.
“Well, well. If you’re looking for a fuck you came to the right table,” he purred. His lizard tongue flicked out and tasted the air.
She flashed a seductive grin. If the bastard thought he would be getting lucky, then let him. Sex was a tool after all, and she wasn’t above using it to her advantage. “Perhaps we can come to an agreement. First, I’m looking for information.” She allowed a small amount of sexual aura to surround her and waft across the table. Only enough to give him a taste.
His pupils dilated and he took in a deep breath. “Information costs.”
Kelana pulled a gold coin from her pocket and rolled it across the table. His reflexes were quick and it stopped in his stubby fingers. He picked it up and held it to the dim light. “Nice.” He eyed her. “Do you come with it?”
She licked her lips and he moaned. “That depends,” she replied, her gaze flicking to the coin. “I have plenty of those. Which do you prefer more?” It was a huge gamble asking him to choose between gold and sex with a succubus, but she was a betting woman, and no stakes were too high.
“What do you want to know?”
Giving a glance around the room, she leaned closer. “I hear rumors there is an angel in Lulerain.”
He grinned. “Family member?”
Of course, he would have noticed the brightness that always surrounded her. “Not likely.”
He continued to rub the gold piece between his fingers. “Perhaps the rumors are true. Do you plan to try and free him?”
She laughed and allowed her hatred of the holier than thou beings to shine through. “I have a personal grudge and am willing to pay to have a go at the bastard.” If there really was an angel being held captive, then she was willing to bet money would buy her time to do whatever she wanted to him. To tempt Lekbon, she procured another coin and spun it on the table in front of her. As anticipated, his eyes darted between her and the gold.
“It’s true. A demon named Aezyla has taken him prisoner.” He lowered his voice. “Lyzander is a warrior angel and many have paid to have a go at him. He’s killed a lot of us in his lifetime. I hear he has become a favored sex toy.” His brows dipped. “A real prize for a sex
demon, I’m sure.”
Kelana smiled and rolled two coins across the table. “Tell me about this Aezyla.”
He shrugged. “Not much to tell. He killed her family, and she managed to capture him. How? She is being tight-lipped about that, but I do know enough money will buy time with him.”
Two more coins rolled across to join the others. “Enough?” She held her breath, hoping she didn’t have to sleep with him. All those teeth would leave several nasty bites, and she didn’t have time to mend any wounds.
He gave a nod. “I will save my coins and use them to purchase you as my slave when Aezyla adds you to her inventory of toys. She has a vile hatred for angels.” He took a swig from his drink. “Even half breeds.”
Well fuck.
* * *
Cold seeped into his back, and Lyzander couldn’t stop shivering. The ache in his jaw from being clenched so tight caused his head to pound. What the hell had happened? Last thing he recalled was... He tried to pull the memories from his mind but was distracted by a sound.
Drip.
Drip.
What the hell was that?
Drip.
Drip.
He forced his eyes open and was momentarily blinded by the bright light that seemed to come from everywhere. This wasn’t his usual room. It was void of any furnishings, and rather than the drab colored walls, everything here was white. Floors, ceiling, and walls. Bright, mental institution white. The only thing missing was his straight jacket. He squinted as his eyes adjusted and then he spotted red.
Drip.
Drip.
Where is that fucking sound coming from? His vision cleared and he realized it wasn’t a spot of red but a pool, and it oozed away from him.