Dark Demon (Demon Assassin Series Book 2)
be, and mating with Torque is one.“Why do you reject it?” he asks, sitting up a little more. I reach around him to adjust his pillows to be more comfortable.
“Reject what?” I reply, trying not to let him see my face. I don’t need the answer to appear.
“The mating bond.” He pulls me closer. I try to resist, but he’s firm. Our noses touch, and my breath quicken. I can’t bear to kiss him again.
“How… how did you know?” I ask, my mouth suddenly dry. It wasn’t strong enough to feel after the kiss.
“When you healed me. You’re a part of me, Anima. There is no going back for us. I yearn for you. I want you in any way I can get you.”
I close my eyes for a beat, wanting nothing more than to give in. All my years alone, and now I have a family and a mate. It’s more than I thought I’d be able to have in this lifetime. But it can’t be. I belong in the Mortal Realm, and when we’re done here, the Bloods will need their king.
“We can’t do this, Torque.” He pulls my face toward him before I can open my eyes, pressing his lips onto mine. The world stops.
A rush of energy comes over to me, and my body scoots forward before I can even think about what I’m doing. This kiss will destroy me.
He cups my chin with his left hand, threading the right through my hair. His touch is gentle but possessive. It won’t be easy to let him go.
His lips glide over mine, and his tongue comes out to ask for entrance. I give it to him. If I succumb, I might as well do it right. It will be the last time. Something I can take with me.
It’s a gentle submission, but when he groans, I can’t help slipping my hands up his arms and grabbing his shoulders. He shudders from my touch, and heat pools in my core. This is dangerous, yet I want it all.
I inhale his scent of brimstone and whiskey. It’s alive and raw, reminding me of our first battle when he overcame me. Laughing at me because I used my smoke on him.
“I want you, little witch,” he purrs. “Spend this day with me.”
I pull back from the kiss, but his hands hold me firm, both going to my neck and stilling my movements.
“We can’t. It won’t end well for us. Our goal is to stop Rahna. The mating—it’s not something we can fall into.”
He smirks at my words. “You are so pessimistic. Who says we can’t do both? Nothing is stopping us from being together.”
“We come from two different worlds. I vowed a long time ago to protect the humans. Whether she has betrayed that, I don’t go against my word.”
“I’m still not seeing the problem. I go where you go.”
He releases my neck but grabs both hands, pressing them to his chest. “You are here, Anima. There is no way I’m letting you walk away.”
His words chill me. I want to give in, but I can’t. The pain would be too great.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper, pulling my hands free and walking from the door.
This time, he lets me go.
Four
TORQUE
When she walks out, my bones turn icy. She’s the fire within me now. Making her mine won’t be easy, but she’s worth it.
“How are you feeling?” Vita says, sauntering into the room.
She’s as I remember her. It’s been a decade since I banished her. Her cruelty and jealously were becoming a problem. No one owns me.
“I appreciate your donation, but you can go now. I will restore my reserves.” I flick my hand at her, but she doesn’t move.
“We’re in the Demon Realm, Torque. There’s nowhere for me to go. They’ll kill me, and wouldn’t that suck for you?” She sneers, coming closer. A ruthless female with more to gain than lose.
“I’ll have Caymn take you back. You don’t belong here or with me. What happened all those years ago is proof of that.”
I’ve never let it go—her betrayal. Humans do despicable things to get ahead, but Vita’s actions almost cost me my men and club. There is nothing I’d like more than to end her.
“I’m staying. You need more blood. It’s not like she can give it to you.” Her words are spit with fire.
“She may not give me blood, but you forget where we are. This is not the Mortal Realm. The same rules do not apply. I’m not a slave to the blood in this place. The Realm refills my magic.”
Gritting her teeth, she leaves me, defeated. It was a mistake making her my vampire. I didn’t have one for years. And then Vita came along. She wasn’t my mate, but she showed qualities befitting an old lady. She fought skillfully, and she was ruthless when she needed to be.
I was mistaken to trust her. A fool. I vowed never to make another vampire after her. I’ve gotten by on blood sources and enthralls. Now, I’ll have my land and Anima even if she doesn’t accept it yet.
I climb out of bed, too wired to rest. All that’s happened with Scur makes me anxious. This will not be the last time we see him. If I know my brother, he has plans to attack and this cottage isn’t a fortress we can defend.
Getting dressed in a fresh pair of clothes, I hobble back into the kitchen. Mammon and Caymn sit at the table, a cup of coffee in front of each.
“Pres, nice to see you awake,” Caymn says with a beaming smile. My head of security is one of the most loyal demons I’ve ever had serve under me.
“What are you two doing here? I remember specifically telling you each to stay in the Mortal Realm.”
“Nox and Anima came for Vita. Nox wouldn’t leave without the orb. I didn’t want to hand it over,” Mammon explains. Smart demon.
“Do you still have it in