Demon Branded (Demons of Florida) (10 page)

Ona’s crazed and animalistic thrashing made his chest ache more than the closing gashes Shreeva had made there. He’d brought this on her. Instead of forming an alliance with the PACk, he’d just killed them both. The male knelt in front of him. Tiago surged again, yanking at the chains until something splintered and he lunged forward on all fours, knocking the male off the stage and crashing to the stage floor.

A dizzying wave rocked through the room. A shadow lifted from the throne and Tiago’s head filled as if it might burst.

“Really, Shreeva. Haven’t a few things escaped your notice? You disappoint. And the young demon is correct. His old and noble house deserves the respect of keeping the lowborn from touching him—unless it is his wish. As all those gathered here can attest. Aristocracy shall not be tainted, unless it’s for their own pursuit of pain and pleasure—of the appropriate time and place, of course. You should not demean your chosen husband by allowing it. Montevedo does not wish for this mongrel to touch him.” The low voice echoed through the room and everything that breathed life strained forward as the deep command to heed whispered in ears and curled into the darkest recesses of the mind. This was an ancient. No one could deny him.

Shreeva snapped her head back as if slapped. “Father?”

The seven foot tall, broad-shouldered VanDross stood behind Shreeva, close enough that his hand gripped her around the waist, pulling her against him, and so fast, Tiago hadn’t seen or heard him move. His chiseled features were sharp as a hawk and his mouth cast down in a cruel sneer.

“You want to marry this youngling right here in front of these witnesses by fucking him, daughter?”

Shreeva licked her licks and leaned back into VanDross and purred, “I do.”

The sexually tainted scene made the bile in Tiago’s throat rise.

“You have only one moment of my leisure and my pleasure to change your mind and marry the one I’d sought for you.”

“No.” Her bottom lip protruded and she spat out, “I want this one. Not that old pervert you’d saddle me with.”

“You will see who shall make a saddle of you.” VanDross’s fingers gripping her waist fisted when Shreeva tried to tug free. With his free hand, he waved into the crowd. “All, you shall see that even when one of my blood makes a fatal error, I do not give quarter. Bring that she-wolf here. Let the burden of my own daughter’s mistakes teach you all the folly of making plans without seeing to every flaw.”

“What?” Shreeva’s body shook and her eyes widened as her gaze darted back and forth.

Ona was dragged forward fighting every step of the way. She kicked out, hitting one male in the groin, another in the eye. She bit a hand that passed near her face. Her body bucked and pulled, but the demons had no trouble casting her to the floor of the stage at VanDross’s feet.

Still on his hands and knees, Tiago slid toward her until the white, perfect hand of VanDross rose in a halt gesture. “Now is time to negotiate between heads of houses. You children, stop your caterwauling.”

Despite the warning, Tiago wrapped a hand around Ona’s ankle as she scrambled to right herself. He murmured a low, “Shhh.”

Her wide eyes found him and she launched herself at him, sending them both in a heap on the floor. Whispering into her hair, he soothed, “I’m here. Get to your feet.”

“Damn you,” she whispered back as they helped each other to stand. He crushed her to him and let the wild scent of her take the stench of blood away.

A flicker in the crowd drew his attention. Without fanfare, several demons slid through the crowd and out of the front doors.

“It seems, we’ve done it. He will replace her but that will take some time.” He spoke softly into her hair and pulled her tight.

“What do you mean?” Her voice was so low, it barely registered beyond the brush of her lips against his suit jacket. A sudden flash of her ass peeking out from beneath his other jacket filtered through his mind and with sudden clarity, he longed to see it again. The ache expanded, blossomed. He didn’t think he’d ever leave this room, much less have the privilege of seeing her perfection again.

“Three of the strongest demons here, part of the cartels in California, just walked out. Shreeva’s coming public embarrassment has done it. We’ve struck at her power enough to prod the other demons into their usual distrust. No matter what happens now, we’ve saved many lives tonight. The cartels will have a power vacuum at the top.”

“Then it’s over. Let’s get out of here. Follow me.” She tugged, putting hated space between them. He crushed her against his chest and kissed the top of her head.

“I don’t think there’s a way out for me at this point. But I’ll make sure you escape. No matter what happens to me, I’ll know I stopped these cartels from forming. At least for the near future. If you see the chance to get out, take it.”

“Just a minute.” She growled and he yanked on her hand, distracting her from the argument they had no time for. He had to find a way to get her off this stage.

“Whatever you believe after tonight…” Tiago swallowed hard. “It was worth it.”

A movement to the side brought him around. Vedo climbed the steps with a small shake of his head to Tiago. A cold hard voice, so unlike him, reminded Tiago of his father’s station. “They are troublesome, aren’t they? But I did bring the entire brood tonight. They do so enjoy a party.”

Tiago’s body jerked and he tilted his head. All around the stage several women smirked and gave knowing smiles at the stage. His sisters. The siblings he rarely saw, barely knew, that were all hell to control, and who usually went their own way. All twelve of the debauched bitches sired by his father and birthed by a crazed demoness. And Helen, the one who stood out the most as the tallest at six and a half feet and with her shock of white in her black hair, stood at the front. Tiago had promised her a shot at using the family heirloom, to brand her own mate—though it might work differently for females. She’d done as he’d asked, she’d shown up and somehow brought all his sisters.

Vedo shrugged a shoulder. “It’s now that they decided to come home and make amends for their past indiscretions. I am in a mood to forgive all my children tonight and we shall see what tomorrow’s alliances shall be.”

His father had been busy, it seemed. Working his own angle. His three oldest sisters had made matches that while weren’t as noble as a Montevedo, could still bring a few allies to their sides. Possibly. It depended on what deals had been struck. Tiago found no sympathy in the faces surrounding him. But Helen’s held triumph. She’d decided to support the Montevedo lineage for her own reasons, but at the moment, Tiago didn’t care what they were.

“Those are all your sisters? How do you tell them apart?” Ona whispered.

Tiago swallowed a laugh. “They do look alike, but there are differences. Like the white in Helen’s hair.”

VanDross nodded. “Which is your oldest unmarried?”

Vedo flicked a finger and Helen climbed the stairs to join him. “She is yours.”

Ona gasped but Helen smiled as if pleased. She sauntered in a form-fitting gown to kneel in front of VanDross who still held Shreeva to him. “Darenda. Show the little demoness to my room. I’ll join you later.”

“I expect to hear of a marriage arrangement.” Vedo spoke plainly but a threat was clear beneath it all.

“If that is what she wants after tonight, and Darenda will take her as a second wife, you will have the alliance.”

Tiago broke into a sweat as Helen winked at him and turned to the woman who’d sat in the other throne during all the drama. That demon branding relic was going to cause trouble in her hands, but he was honor bound to hold to his bargain.

Vedo’s shoulders squared as VanDross’s busty female wrapped an arm in Helen’s and led her away.

“I assume that’s Darenda.” Ona remained plastered to his side and her body still shook with corralled violence.

“Or one of the other wives. He has twenty or so.”

Ona grimaced.

“Now. About these two.” VanDross turned his attention to Tiago. Tiago drew himself up and pushed Ona slightly behind him.

“I’ve given you one in exchange for the other,” Vedo insisted.

“I’d have had her with a glance, Montevedo.” VanDross shook his head and thrust Shreeva from him. She landed on all fours, her sheer dress ripping at the leg and her breasts bouncing, unfettered by the filmy material. “Look at the she-wolf he’s holding to him. Do you see the brand, daughter? You should have sensed it as I did, as soon as she came onto the grounds. Your power fails you.”

“I didn’t see.” Shreeva shook her head but otherwise remained frozen in place.

“He’s young and impetuous. He wanted this woman so he took her,” Vedo pronounced.

“Yes, but your kind don’t just fuck any woman, do they?” VanDross straightened his tuxedo and crossed to the back wall where several swords were mounted on the wall.

Shuffling broke out and the crowd slowly backed away from the stage. The sing of metal rang in the air. With his other hand, VanDross pulled down a chain. “Santoro. Come, take your bride and do as you will.”

He threw the chain at Shreeva. It landed in front of her face and she blanched. A large beefy male came from the shadows at the side of the stage. His grin was cruel. He was the largest demon Tiago had ever seen. At least eight feet tall and broader than two Shreevas side by side. His feet clomped loudly and his legs moved in a hitching gait. Kneeling, he picked up the chain and his murmur reached Tiago. “Do I need this, pet? I told you I’d have you. You should have listened.”

Shreeva shuddered and Santoro gripped her about the waist, hoisted her up and over his shoulder as he stood, and sauntered away, the chain dragging on the ground.

“I might have picked him for her—to reward a deed well done, but she picked you, and you caused our family to lose face.” VanDross strode toward them. Vedo had moved to Tiago’s side and they stood as a front against one powerful, ancient demon.

“Listen.” Ona spoke up and VanDross raised a brow. “You got what you’d wanted in the deal, your own man aligned with your daughter. Why not avoid a fuss and we’ll just skedaddle?”

“If you were to live, youngling, you’d have wanted to teach her manners. But I will take a son in the name of a daughter.” VanDross stuck out, the glint moving like lightning. Only a split second and Ona’s scream heralded his death.

The blade sliced into his neck with no pain.

Chapter Seven

Ona leapt, shifting into wolf mid-leap. Snarling, she went straight for VanDross. She clamped down on the bastard’s neck—sending them to the floor.

Vedo roared and lunged. In her side vision, as heated blood filled her mouth, Vedo kicked the blade from VanDross. The demon’s lifeblood scalded her mouth and she dug in deeper. The rip of flesh and demonic curses gurgling from her victim sent her into a frenzy.

The demon’s hands clamped around her rib cage and claws dug in deep. Singed fur filled her nose. Flames leapt around them. Curtains behind the stage caught fire, but she wouldn’t let go, no matter how much the burns tortured her. VanDross tried to throw her off. He came to his feet and she hung from his neck, refusing to let go and digging in further.

Fire burned her chest and shoved.

Swinging her head side to side, she clamped down and ripped, tearing through flesh and bone. The demon’s head fell away, his stench filling her mouth. Flames erupted and thundered as the body she’d just beheaded combusted.

Agony ripped through her and sent her flying. She landed hard. Wrenching her lids open, she caught sight of VanDross’s charred body shooting black flames toward the ceiling.

Heart lodged in her throat, Ona scrambled to her paws, crawled to Tiago’s body, and fell onto her belly beside him. With an ache running up her arms to hold him, she shifted. Her burnt fur fell away and the pain in her rib cage ratcheted to searing levels of torture.

Shrieks rang behind her and as she put her ear to Tiago’s chest, she saw one of his sisters fly through the air to latch onto some tall demon trying to climb onto the stage.

Howling reverberated from the ceiling. The PACk.

Her cavalry had arrived, but too late. The comforting thump of Tiago’s heart was gone. Wolves crashed into the cacophony of fighting, rending, and screeching. Blood scented the air and crash waves of heat and flames roared to life.

The burning curtains fell, sending sparks and flames to rain across the room.

“Come on. We have to get him out of here. Now. While the Demons are busy evacuating the remaining VanDross clan and the other cartels are scattering to their own holes in hell.” Vedo’s voice wavered. “Keep his head steady. Protect what’s left of his spine.”

Vedo bent and wrapped a torn piece of cloth around Tiago’s neck and upper body.

“What?” Ona slurred. Her vision spotted black.

“Shit. She’s fading. Cin, get her under the arms.”

Confused and pained, she whimpered when a gentle hand caressed her hair. Unable to fight the oblivion beckoning her, she let her beast roar to the front again. Her four legs wobbled. She flopped down next to her mate and nosed his cold hand. It was too cold. He was always so hot he nearly burned to the touch. His lifeless face stared at the ceiling and the sparkle was gone from his brown, nearly black eyes.