Damned and Defiant

Damned and Defiant

Kathy Kulig

Book 3 in the Demons in Exile series.
Though a stand-alone story, we suggest reading in sequence to fully enjoy.

Mortal women surrender to Dante’s seductions. He is a Drone, an immortal who feeds off their lifeforce energy—the chi that keeps his kind alive. When his dimension is on the edge of destruction, Dante must seek the help of one special woman.

Haley Moore is a Sha Warrior—a mortal with excess lifeforce. She’s always been drawn to Dante. When they meet again he thinks luck is on his side—his quota of chi energy would be obtained after one scorching scene with this mortal. The problem is that he is overwhelmingly attracted to her and once with this woman won’t be enough.

Haley tries to draw out the man buried deep within the demon. Their fierce, undeniable passion unravels his plans and threatens her life. But Dante is destined to leave Earth forever. He must choose whether to return to Prygos or give up his immortality and share his future with Haley.

Damned and Defiant

Kathy Kulig

Dedication

This book is dedicated to Terri Prizzi, my good friend and brainstormer extraordinaire. She has a gifted imagination and always manages to come up with the most unique twists.

Acknowledgements

Many, many thanks to my editor Shannon Combs for her exceptional talent, sharp eyes and for making my stories the best they can be.

Deep gratitude and thanks to my friends and critique partners Karen Katchur, Kathleen Coddington, Karen Rose and Becky Bartlett for your superb suggestions, unfailing support and friendship.

Thank you so much to the readers of my stories, for continuing to allow me to share my worlds and my characters with you.

I need to extend an extra special thank-you to Jaid Black who edited one of my stories and fortunately didn’t hold back. I’m truly grateful for her honesty, depth of kindness and encouragement.

Lastly, of course to my husband Joe for his love and unwavering support, who really
gets
what it means to be the spouse of a writer and never complains. And thankfully, he loves to cook.

Prologue

The skinwalker—part man, part coyote—shifted into his human form as he gazed upon the young woman, his quarry. She removed her clothes and dropped them onto the cool, desert sand. She gave him a lustful glance as if she was the one controlling the seduction. “Nice trick with the coyote. Are you a magician?” Her words were slurred. But the trance hadn’t taken hold.

“Something like that,” he answered. He felt a flush of heat on his face. How the hell was she still aware? Something wasn’t right. This Kithra was different than the others, and he wasn’t sure why. He slid his hands over her arms and sparks skidded across her skin.

“I love the desert at night,” she added as her eyelids flickered. The air around her body crackled with electricity, her short, blonde hair stood out from the static. Not his usual choice for Kithras. He preferred ones with long, dark hair like the Drones from Prygos. It had to be her level of energy that drew him to this one.

“Yes,” he murmured, then waved his hand over her face, deepening the trance with little effort. He extended a finger and ran it down the side of her cheek, her neck, between her small breasts and cut diagonally across her flat stomach to her narrow hips. When his finger skimmed close to her pubic area she shivered and moaned. She was a slight creature with an athletic build. He preferred his Kithra to have a few more curves but she would provide adequate chi for his needs. Pointing to the blanket, he smiled when she complied and stretched out on it, her arms and legs spread.

Dante Akanto gave her a knowing smile, stepped back and paced around the naked woman. He watched her hands slide over her breasts and rub her pussy. “Fuck me, Dante.” She writhed on the Navajo blanket, deep in the sexual trance, almost ready for the offering. A rush of hot, sexual sensations surged through him and his cock hardened. No! He had to fight his urges or he’d risk killing her during the collection.

Beside her, a campfire blazed, keeping away the night creatures of the Arizona desert. She moaned, teasing him with her sultry movements and her scent. The look she gave him made him ache with a desperate hunger. The woman’s sexual appetite could yank her out of the trance if he wasn’t careful. Dante swirled the energy field around her, easing her deeper into his spell. Her eyes glazed over.

Better. Finally, this Kithra was becoming receptive to his influences. Her energy level was high and hard to manage. Probably a Sha Warrior. Lucky for him to pick a mortal with so much lifeforce. He’d meet his quota after this collection. Moving over to his Harley, he removed the rest of his clothes, cowboy boots, leather pants and hung them over his bike.

Naked and fully aroused, he stood over her and stroked his cock. The woman was quite beautiful. Was she purposefully downplaying her appearance by wearing worn jeans and a baggy T-shirt? What struck Dante the most was her eyes. Large and golden brown, they shone with intelligence, but also appeared dark with despair. Like a polished jewel that had lost its sparkle. He sensed a toughness within her, a fear maybe, brought on by a life of tragedy or loss.

Don’t get personal with your quarry.

He’d seen her walking along the highway alone. Young, attractive, fearless and carrying a backpack. A traveler? Homeless? He didn’t know. She was the perfect Kithra or quarry. She accepted his offer for a ride, with a little telepathic influence on his part, and he’d driven her out into the desert. No one would see them here.

She’d laughed when he’d swung the bike off the road, heading into open desert. While he made a campfire, she’d taken his Navajo blanket from the saddlebag and spread it out by the fire. Now naked and in trance, he craved to take her as a mortal man would take a mortal woman, but he couldn’t. She didn’t need to be naked for the collection. And tonight it was making his task more difficult.

Dante had to make his quota of human lifeforce energy to the demoness of Anartia. The immortals needed his offering to maintain their world. If he failed, he’d be replaced—destroyed—by Gwyllain, or her consort Tarik, the rulers of Anartia.

The woman watched him with hunger and lust in her eyes. The need to climax was great. His cock ached. But he’d have to wait until the offering. Stay in control. The more he teased and prolonged her orgasm, the better the harvest of chi. She whimpered as she watched him work his cock.

Straddling her body, he knelt on either side of her waist. Dante leaned forward and stroked her breasts, then eased his hand over her belly and between her legs. The woman sucked in a breath. The aura around her body told him she was close but he wasn’t ready to harvest her energy yet. As he rubbed her clit, cream coated her folds and moistened his finger. He plunged inside her pussy and shoved deep. She cried out, raising her hips off the blanket. The scent of her arousal was mixed with the scents of the desert—the earth, the sage and mesquite. He loved the desert, and he loved taking his Kithra here. The distraction of its beauty helped him control his own desire.

“Fuck me or lick me. I can’t wait anymore.” She reached down and grabbed his cock and squeezed him.

Damn, it felt good. But he pulled her hand away and pressed both arms above her head. He couldn’t risk having her touch him like that. It’d been so long since he’d had the pleasure to seek release with a human.

Leaning forward, he brushed his lips over her nipple, then bit gently and rolled his tongue over the erect peak. He repeated the tease to the other nipple and she moaned in pleasure. “So good,” she breathed.

“Yes.” He didn’t even know her name. No matter. She wouldn’t remember him after the collection. “Stay still,” he ordered.

“Yes.” She nodded and stopped writhing but he still ached to drive his cock into her. A vibration surged through him as he prepared for the harvest. Opening his mouth, he held his lips close to hers without touching. She parted her lips as if anticipating a deep kiss and her chi energy flowed in a stream of light from her mouth into his. She cried out as the orgasm shattered her but he held her down. His cock throbbed and his balls tightened, his body tensed, aching for release as the chi energy rushed into him. Control, control. He had to slow down or he’d drain her.

When he felt her energy weaken, he pulled away and stood. The woman lay there, in a deep, trancelike sleep, her eyes open but dazed. As he watched her, something inside him stirred. His collection was complete. He should leave her here, now. After all, he’d picked her up along the highway. Why not leave her where he found her? When she awoke, she wouldn’t remember their encounter.

Dropping down onto the sand beside her, he brushed her hair back. He’d been hanging around Sakari too long. No wonder that Drone chose to become a mortal. She got too personal with her Kithra and it always got her into trouble.

Dante got to his feet, got dressed and collected his belongings, stowing them away on his bike. Glancing back to the woman, he saw her curl up on her side and shiver as if the desert night air had chilled her. She was coming out of the trance. He needed to leave. He could cover her with a blanket. The night was cool and she was naked. After covering her, he stood over her and watched her sleep. She snuggled deeper under the covering and sighed. His cock twitched, then hardened. It took all his willpower not to lie next to her and pull her into his arms. Not for another collection of chi, but to feel her body close. Fuck. He kicked a stone into the fire and sparks rose into the sky.

He couldn’t leave her. He didn’t know why but he just couldn’t do it. There was no way he was going to let Sakari or any of the Drones find out about this. After he helped her dress, he folded up the blanket and got her back onto his bike. She was awake, but still in a semitrance. He extinguished the fire, buried the ashes so there was no sign that anyone had ever been there and drove his bike back toward the highway. He found a budget motel and pulled into the parking lot.

“Here’s your stop,” Dante said in a friendly manner. As she climbed off the bike, he slipped some cash into her jeans pocket.

She looked at him a little confused. “My stop? I can’t afford to stay here.”

“Sure you can. You said you found some money at the last rest area you were at. You have it in your pocket.”

Fishing in her jeans, she held up the bills. “Wow. Oh, yeah. I guess I forgot.” She laughed. “I should save this money though. I abandoned my car shortly after I left Texas. It died. But I have a sleeping bag. I’ve been camping out.”

“No, you need a bed and a safe place to sleep for the night.” Dante used his telepathic influence again. He wanted to make sure she’d have a safe place to recover. By morning she’d regain her strength and her mind, although she’d have forgotten all about their encounter, all about him.

“It would be nice to sleep in a real bed and use a shower, not wash up in a rest area. Will you stay too?” she asked.

He gripped the handles on his bike and dared to glance at her lush mouth. Her lips were pressed in a sexy pout. If he kissed her, he knew he wouldn’t have the power to leave. “Can’t.”

She sighed. “Thanks for the lift.” She waved goodbye and strode toward the motel. By morning he knew she’d forget about their sexual encounter in the desert.

Dante turned his bike around and rode back onto the highway.

Chapter One

One year later.

The demoness was an impatient mistress and impossible to please. Dante had received the summons to return to Anartia with his offering of the vital lifeforce energy and he was late. Very late. If the demoness wanted her Drones to blend in on Earth like any other mortal, she shouldn’t expect her Drones to leave Earth immediately when she sent a summons. Dante had a ranch and horses to care for. All day he’d tried calling Tucker, his ranch hand. But he couldn’t be reached. In desperation, Dante had left the man an urgent message and left extra food and water for his two horses. The trip to the alternative world had better be quick.

Dante pulled his Harley off the highway and drove out into the open desert for about a mile. He parked in the middle of a stand of juniper trees and thick shrubbery and covered the bike with loose brush and tumbleweeds. It was dusk. His senses heightened to all the sounds of the desert, including the pulsating hum from the portal. Most animals couldn’t even hear it, humans certainly couldn’t. Not far from him, he heard a small animal scurry away in the brush, a raccoon perhaps, a cacophony of peeps and the whirring sounds of insects. If he closed his eyes, he could remember what Arizona was like over one hundred and fifty years ago at the time he’d been assimilated as a Drone. Collecting chi was the price he had to pay for the gift of immortality, a gift from the demoness. At times he wondered if it was a curse.

This far off the road, no one could see him. The portal, or passage, into his alternative world was invisible to humans. The magnetic pull of the doorway between the two worlds drew him closer. The sensation was like being caught in an ocean riptide. Tarik used the vortexes in the desert to amplify the energy needed to open the portal between Anartia and Earth. This particular vortex was unknown to residents and tourists. It was also unstable and would shift position during electrical storms or Tarik’s dangerous experiments. Dante stepped even closer to the portal. He could see the energy whirlpool, a glitter of colors circling between the rock formation.

Taking in a deep breath, he caught a whiff of sea breeze from the other side of the portal. The link between the dimensions was ready for passage.

Touching the nebula stone around his neck, he stiffened his back as he prepared for the journey. He’d be due for a punishment once he reached the other side. Between two large red rocks, in a narrow gorge about the width of two men, the energy swirled within the vortex. Grasping the nebula stone in his right hand, he stepped forward. If he entered the portal without holding the stone, or lost contact with it during a passage, he could become trapped between dimensions.

As he stepped into the portal, he felt the magnetic force jerk him off his feet. Inside, he sensed motion and queasiness in the pit of his stomach. Swirls of cloudlike substance sailed around him. In the distance he heard a shriek. The wind from Anartia? Turbulent weather meant the demoness hadn’t received her proper amount of offerings required to maintain the tiny island-like universe.

A moment later he stood on solid ground at the edge of the cliffs. Far below waves crashed against jagged rocks. Again he was greeted by the screech of what sounded like a seagull. Puzzled, Dante looked up searching for the bird.

Strange. How could that be? There were no seagulls on Anartia, no animals at all.

Gray clouds billowed across the sky, threatening to storm any moment. Dante frowned.

“Dante, help me you fool!” The demoness shouted then let out a shriek that sounded like the seagull he’d heard.

Dante spun around. Several feet to his left, the demoness Gwyllain struggled at the cliff’s edge with Brom, a new Drone who’d recently been assimilated to the duties on Earth. He was young, around thirty, athletically fit and handsome, in that rugged, warrior kind of way. The type the demoness desired and requested. But this Drone had his hands clenched around her neck, as he tried to shove her over the edge. The fall wouldn’t kill her, she was immortal and the demoness. She’d feel pain and be furious beyond imagining. And the action would guarantee the Drone’s execution. What the hell was he thinking? For that reason Dante didn’t react right away.

But then Dante noticed the Drone was wearing his nebula stone. Dante’s eyes widened. Now, he knew why.

“Dante!” Gwyllain screamed. Then to the Drone, “Once you agree to become a Drone you must serve me. You can’t change your mind. Why would an immortal want to become human again?”

Brom groaned and shoved her a few inches closer to the edge. “I want my life back.”

The demoness gave Dante an angry look with glowing yellow-green eyes, a warning that said
What are you waiting for?
The wind beat at her long, black hair and pressed the filmy garnet gown to every curve of her body.

Dante strode over behind Brom and ripped off his nebula stone. The guy gasped. “What are you doing? I had her.”

Dante yanked him away from his mistress, knocking him onto the ground. “You would’ve destroyed Anartia. You would’ve destroyed us all.” Dante considered that. He could travel between Earth and Anartia, Gwyllain could not. He was a prisoner here as much as she was. Maybe its destruction wasn’t such a bad thing. Still, he didn’t want to give up immortality. He’d been close to death once. He never wanted to get that close again.

The Drone hung his head low, knowing his punishment would be the most severe.

At the top of the grassy slope, several people ran out of the temple, including Tarik, the demoness’s consort. When they got to the edge of the field, Tarik took his mistress in his arms. “What happened?”

“Didn’t you hear me screaming?”

“No, mistress,” Tarik said while the other Drones and slave shook their heads. “The wind and thunder was so loud, we couldn’t hear anything inside the temple. I came out to see what was keeping you and saw the trouble.”

She narrowed her eyes at him as if she didn’t quite accept his explanation. “This Drone tried to destroy us.” She smoothed the shimmery fabric of her see-through sheath. Her eyes were back to their midnight-blue color now that she was calmer. “He can no longer serve me.”

Tarik nodded and sighed. “Take him to the lower chamber.” He gave the order to two of the larger male slaves.

The offending Drone jumped to his feet, frantically looking left then right as if he considered escape. Not without a nebula stone. He pressed his hands to his head and collapsed to the ground. When the two slaves approached, he didn’t even try to fight. “I only asked to become human again,” Brom said in his defense. “I’m in love with a mortal.”

Gwyllain laughed with a cruel and heartless shriek. “You serve me. And I gave you the gift of immortality.” She lowered her voice to Tarik. “Reassimilate him.” She waved her hand as if she was swatting a fly away and strode into the temple, ignoring the Drone’s pleas for mercy. “Tarik, find me two bodyguards.”

“Immediately,” Tarik answered.

The slaves led the offending Drone into the temple.

Dante realized he still had the extra nebula stone clutched in his hand. Without a word, he stuffed the powerful pendant in his jeans pocket. Never know when he might need an extra. A couple years ago he’d lost one and the demoness was so furious, she made Dante her personal slave for several months. Several months of hell.

The chi energy still surged within him. The sooner he gave his offering the sooner he could return to Earth, to his ranch and horses. Dante followed the demoness and the slaves into the large temple.

Tarik had altered the original design of their living structure to look like an ancient Greek temple. Their miniature artificial world was the size of an island and trapped within an alternate dimension by Earth’s magnetic bonds. Dante suspected the demoness was behind on her lifeforce collections. No wonder her summons was so urgent. The grassy meadow and land surrounding the temple looked drab and lifeless. The sea, a gray and murky green and stormy. The energy the Drones collected kept the world from destruction but also held them within their prison. He entered the temple and couldn’t believe how battered the great hall appeared. The tall, white columns supporting the room’s archways looked cracked, and rich fabrics, rugs and tapestries adorned the stone walls, marble floors and furnishings looked ancient and tattered. What happened? He hadn’t been gone that long. A few weeks maybe.

Several Drones were lined up and ready to give their offering of chi, while others bathed in the giant central pool or stretched out on loungers. No wonder Anartia was in such a state, Gwyllain was way behind on her collections. Dante would be spending a long time waiting for his turn. What about his horses? He hoped Tucker got his message.

When Dante took his place in line behind the other Drones, he noticed Valdon was next in line to give his offering. The large blond male nodded to him and asked, “Where were you?”

With any luck, the demoness was distracted enough by the betrayer and Dante wouldn’t be punished for his late return.

“Dante just saved my life, and will be rewarded for his loyalty,” the demoness Gwyllain announced to her subjects.

Relieved, Dante glanced at Valdon who gave him a scornful look. What was his problem?

“The foolish attempt by this crazed Drone would’ve resulted in Anartia’s destruction,” the demoness continued. “He will be reassimilated.”

Heads bowed around the room, knowing that assimilation meant a death sentence. “To celebrate, the slaves will provide extra refreshments of wine and Earth’s delicacies. In a month’s time we will all be on Prygos and I will reward all with many riches for your loyal service. For Dante’s bravery today, I am giving him an extra reward.”

Gasps came from around the room. Generosity was something the demoness was not known for. “A reward is not necessary, mistress,” Dante said.

The demoness waved her hand, brushing away his protest. “Surely there is something you desire, or something you would like to bring back with you to Prygos? Something precious to you from Earth?”

Dante held his breath for a moment. Would it be too much to ask? Life on Prygos would be that much sweeter if he could bring something with him.

The demoness clapped her hands. “Yes, there is something. Tell me and I will grant it.”

“I don’t know if this is possible, mistress. But I would like to take my horses with me.”

The demoness laughed out loud. “Your horses. Those large creatures humans ride? Yes, I believe we could arrange that. I’ve had Drones collect various Earth flowers for me. I especially like the roses. I’ll be bringing those back. These are things Prygos does not possess. Bring your horses. Tarik can keep them in his lower chamber.”

“Thank you, mistress.” Dante couldn’t believe it. Never had he known her to be kind. Or was this a way to gain some trust back from her Drones and slaves?

The demoness reached out and grasped Dante’s hand pulling him close so he had to bend toward her. She whispered in his ear. At first he thought that odd since the demoness usually barked her demands. “You will be my new mate when we reach Prygos. I’ve grown tired of my scientist consort.”

She released her hold, and Dante stood. “Yes, mistress.” He was unsure what else to say. He didn’t dare let Tarik know of his mistress’s desire or Tarik would quickly end Dante’s life.

“I must receive Valdon’s offering, then I wish for your offering next,” the demoness said to Dante. The other Drones gave him a severe look. He would be jumping ahead of at least a dozen who’d probably been waiting quite some time. No one argued about him going before them. In the past, they would have. With only a couple weeks to go before they left, everyone was on edge. No one dared cross their mistress.

Usually the demoness only took her favorites into her chamber. The demoness’s chamber was the largest of many private chambers at the end of a corridor from the great hall. Over the thousand years, while trapped by the interdimensional shackles, the demoness collected and transferred the offerings of chi to the world to keep them all in existence. Her consort and lover was also a conduit of energy for Anartia. A prison sentence for an unfaithful wife.

Gwyllain and Valdon disappeared into her private chamber. At the far end, Tarik, Gwyllain’s consort, was receiving an offering of chi from a female Drone. He wasn’t even bothering to take his mistresses to his private chamber. Stretched out on his lounger, he had the woman straddle him, while she rocked her hips. Cries of ecstasy echoed in the tall, stone room. Right after she climaxed Tarik lifted her up without giving the woman a second glance and waved over a slave.

The male slave brought a pitcher of wine, which he poured into Tarik’s goblet. Then the slave took a bowl of water from the side table and washed his master. The next Drone stepped up to give her offering. The pool was full of Drones, men and women. Drones returned to Earth to collect a new offering of chi.

Dante waved over one of the slaves. He’d have a glass of wine and retire to his room for now. The rattle of a chain made his skin crawl. Before he had a chance to turn and defend himself a metal collar locked around his neck. When he reached up to grab it, manacles clamped around each wrist. “Fuck. This isn’t necessary,” he cried out.

He was dragged to the far side of the room. Drones and slaves glanced at the commotion but didn’t stare. They could be next if the demoness so ordered it. He was getting his punishment after all.