THIS TIME (The Grace Allen Series Book Three Paranormal Romance) (15 page)

I
pulled my hand away and gripped his hair in a tight fist. His eyes flashed as I
pulled him with me to the ground. Then, nipping his lips with my teeth, I
smiled. “Banish her from your side.” I whispered. “Send her to the mortal
world.” I watched his face as he tried to speak. “But," I placed my finger
on his lips, “give her a soul first.”

His
eyes widened, and then he pulled away from me. Standing, he walked several
steps away, his giant wings slowly fluttering, making the flowers dance as he
moved.

As
I watched him, I felt my life flash before my eyes. An eternity of games and
deceptions. Ann’s face flashed into my mind then. Her child growing tall and
strong as all of the others in her life would. Many others. Smiling, I bit back
my fears and self-pity and, sucking in a cleansing breath, I gazed at Lu. His
hand cradling his chin as he paced.

I
couldn’t let Helen remain a demon. She had to have a soul so that she could
feel pity, compassion and love. It was the best thing for everyone. If she had
to live as a mortal woman with a conscience, maybe she could move on and have a
life. One that didn’t include torturing my friends. She could use her beauty
for something other than evil. If Lu knew what I was thinking, he would do
something horrid. I didn’t really want her to be tortured or killed. Something
good had to come out of this.

He
turned his back to me and stepped away. “You are cunning.” He moved close and
took my arm, pulling me up. I licked my lips as he pulled me close, sniffing my
hair, he pulled the small strap of clothing off my shoulder. I wore a dress I
didn’t remember putting on. “It is done.” He licked my shoulder and the second
strap slid from my arm.

I
stood naked in a field of flowers, the prince of darkness kneeling at my feet.
I closed my eyes as he pulled me to the ground.

TWENTY ONE

“Okay,
let’s go over this one more time, you little shits. No, you can’t suck my toes
or anything
else
on my body,” I glared at a short leathery demon in a
white sport coat and jeans, “and I do not require the fucking heart of a virgin
or any other disgusting, horrible body part,” The demon with the pig nose
snorted and backed away. “Now please, stop pestering me!”

“But
my queen,”

“I
am not your queen!” I shouted, sending the ugly, little creatures scurrying from
the room.

They
would return. They’d been bothering me incessantly for several days now that Lu
was gone. He’d left several days ago, claiming that he had to grab a few items
for our wedding. Everything had to be re-done, he’d confessed, as he’d gotten angry
the last time and destroyed everything and
everyone
associated with the
last ceremony.

“Pardon
me, My Lady.” 

I
turned, sighing, I slumped my shoulders at my newest interruption.

“Another
gown?” I closed my eyes and counted to ten as I tried to swallow down the bile.
This gown was fashioned out of what appeared to be skin and bones. The corset
looked like a human rib cage. I shuddered and shook my head.

“No,”
I moaned, my mouth filling with saliva as I braced my hands on the wall.

“My
Lady, please. You must choose before he returns.” The creature speaking was as
pale as paper and thin as a reed. A walking nightmare with eyes hollow and dry.
I was in the
underground
, the level just outside of Hell itself. To
enter the halls of Hell, Lu told me, was to see the real version. Now that I
was his, I was no longer immune to the horror. He had warned me to never enter
unless I wanted to go utterly mad. Curiosity killed the cat, he had laughed. I
had no desire to test that, I wasn’t that stupid. Curiosity may have killed the
cat, but this was Hell. I had a feeling curiosity didn’t just kill the cat, it
tortured it slowly in a room full of nightmares.

“That
gross excuse for a dress needs to be destroyed.” I took a step back and curled
my lip. “In fact, I think it needs a priest and a proper burial.” Revolted, I
spun, dismissing the demonic little horror of a seamstress.

“Very
good, My Lady.”

The
door shut softly and I sank to the ground. I had no more tears left. I knew
that this was my life. If I showed any resistance, Lu would kill everyone I
loved. I had to be the blushing bride. What little powers I had were still my
own,
for now
, but I bore the marks and had no power over him.

 Once
we had entered the underground, Lu had joyfully filled me in on every single
spell that I had stupidly allowed him to weave into my skin. In my senseless
delirium, I had completely cut myself off from any and all defenses against
him. With each cry of pleasure, each sigh and adoring caress, I had
systematically destroyed my life. Each and every mark on my arm was a binding
contract.

He’d
set it up perfectly. I couldn’t bind my magic with Seth and Lucian in any form.
The trinity would have been quite a powerful thing because he had woven that
spell first. I couldn’t strike out against him in any way, indirectly or
directly and I was forbidden to use my magic to escape him.

I
didn’t believe him at first so, of course, I had to test it out and see if he
was telling me the truth or just blowing smoke. It was a mistake that I had no
desire to duplicate. It happened the second night we spent together. All I did
was try to throw him to the ground. He didn’t budge, and my eyes and nose bled
for an entire day for my efforts. From the memory of the pain at trying to join
with Lucian and Seth, I knew I was well and truly screwed.

I
curled into a ball. Hugging my knees to my chest I snuggled on my side. The
ground was soft and I ran my fingers through the fur I laid upon. Rabbit skins,
white and fluffy had been stitched together to make my chambers feel more
homey.
Yeah
, I told Lu that I didn’t have a bunch of slaughtered bunnies
on my floor at home and I’d take a pass. He had responded that he had put them
there, so they would stay. I just smiled and let him have his way.

I
wanted out. I wanted to see my friends and smile again. I wanted to lay in my
bed and drink coffee and eat Cocoa Puffs. I wanted to pine over my lost
humanity and argue with Seth over daytime TV. I even missed crying myself to
sleep over the memory of Lucian’s gentle touch. I wanted so many things that
would never be again.

“My
Lady?” a deep voice called from the door and I rolled over, sick to death of
the constant disturbance, “might I speak with you for a moment?”

I
sighed and reluctantly stood, smoothing my rumpled clothing, I looked toward my
newest visitor. I frowned. He was handsome. Not in the eye-bleeding, painful
way that Lu was, but beautiful none the less.

I
lowered my brows. Beauty in Hell was
so
not a good thing. A nauseating
wave of fear crept into my stomach and I backed up a step.

He
smiled, a tiny laugh escaped him and he shook his head, looking amused. “I
would never harm you, My Lady. You are soon to be my queen. I come on behalf of
Lourdes. She’s worried that you’re playing a game and ultimately wish her death.”
He shrugged at my look of confusion. “You will not accept any of her gowns,”

I
studied his face as he spoke. He looked way too important to be a simple errand
boy to the tiny seamstress.

“Who
are you?” I eyed him, warily. “Why aren’t you gross or oozing or missing bits?”

He
laughed. “I don’t really think that matters, do you?” He tilted his head in
question. “So, is Lourdes safe?” he asked as he met my eyes.

“Well,
first yeah, it matters to me, and it should matter to you if you expect me to
keep speaking to you.”

The
side of his mouth lifted in a crooked smile. “Touché,” he bowed his head.

I
folded my arms as a tingle skittered along my flesh. “Since I’ve been here, I
haven’t seen a single creature that hasn’t made me scream manically inside my
head or throw up in my mouth, so what gives? Who or
what
are you and why
are you
really
in my room because I know damn well it has nothing to do
with whether or not I choose one of those disgusting gowns, which I won’t do,
by the way.”

He
laughed low and quick. Dropping his brows, he leaned close. “I see a spine.
Funny, they all said you were weak. A mewling whore whose cunt has poisoned the
devils mind.”

My
jaw dropped as he watched me, looking thoughtful.

“But
then,” he continued, ignoring my outraged expression, “these fools are ignorant
and small.” He stepped closer, circling me slowly. “I think, perhaps, you may
be their undoing.” He joined his hands behind his back as he walked.

I
shook my head, bewildered and followed him with my eyes. “That’s flattering,
but I hardly think I could undo Hell itself.” A chill raced up my spine.

He
turned, sighing dramatically, and smirked. “Well, I digress, I shall tell
Lourdes you would prefer your gown less…
organic
.” He chuckled to
himself.

“I’ve
told her myself, several times.” I watched him move toward the door. “With Lu
gone, no one listens. She’s as thick as a wall.”

“Oh,
fear not, she
will
obey,” He winked as he stepped away. “
Lu
isn’t
the only threat here,” he chuckled, shaking his head.

I
watched him. He was tall and elegant with an unnatural grace. His movements
were almost liquid, smooth and un-hurried. As if he had no cares, he sort of
strolled to the door.

Something
wasn’t right.

“What
do I call you?” I shouted as he reached for the handle.

He
turned and smiled. His teeth were perfect, straight and white, and his face was
beautiful. I shook my head.

“My
name is Cain, My Lady.” He pulled the door open and disappeared.

Suddenly,
I felt small. I stood for several seconds, blinking at the door.

No fucking way.

TWENTY TWO

Lucifer

I
pushed my glasses higher onto my nose and flipped another newspaper page. The dark
bar was bustling which seemed rather odd. To me, beer was little better than
swill. How they could ingest it was beyond me, but most of them would do just
about anything for intoxication purposes.

The Edge
. A gathering place for humans who apparently had little regard
for themselves or each other. It was a hotbed of sin. Humans were such idiotic
creatures. Hell seemed little different.

The
music picked up and I shifted in my seat as the woman with the foulest soul met
my eyes. I smiled my most charming and crooked my finger at her.

Even
in this human skin, she was mine now. It was that simple and it took less than
a minute.

“You
look a little lost,” she simpered and I smiled as she brushed her yellow hair
behind her ear. It was dry and made a scratching sound as she slid her fingers
through it. “I bet you’d be happier at a table all your own. I got a good one
over there.” She nodded toward a table in the corner. It was almost entirely in
shadow. “I can wash that one up in no time.” She showed me her teeth. Her
cigarettes had left their mark, as well as age and neglect.

“I’d
be delighted to take a table, if you would join me?” I inclined my head. Her
eyes lit up with dollar signs as her head filled with all the ways she would
try to separate me from my pants, and thus my wallet. I smiled and folded my
paper, setting it on the sticky bar. I lowered my glasses and looked into her
soul.

Oh, she is divine.

Greed
and vanity colored her essence black.

What
delicious sin. If only she knew that I was so much more than a mere mark in my
loafers and wool.

“Consider
it done.” She met my eyes and I stifled a delicious chill. Oh, she was a rotten
one. Her soul was already half black. It was a rarity to stumble upon such a
prize. Usually, humans weren’t worth my time. Over the last hundred years,
human sin had become epidemic, stretching me thin. Having discovered that most
sin was generally boring, I decided to spare myself the tedium. I would always
get my time with the most interesting ones. Serial killers were entertaining,
but we haven’t had a good one since that little genius, Dahmer.

Damn,
he was fun to fuck with.

But
mostly, I left the sinners to my demons.

This
one would be interesting.

She
made a pathetic show of walking to the tables. Her ancient ass rocking from
side to side. I watched her bend over to clean the small table. She jiggled and
swayed in a way that was meant to be provocative. I sneered. Her efforts would
have stirred feelings in a more base and shallow creature. However, she was
nothing more than a suit of skin that would serve my needs nicely.

She
pulled out a chair and motioned to me with a flick of her finger.

I
picked up my paper, abandoning the putrid brew on the bar. She could fetch me a
new one, should she survive the next few moments.

I
took the seat she had pulled out for me and crossed my legs.

She
sat across from me.

“I’m
Debbie,” she offered her hand.

I
smiled. “Pleased to meet you.” Her skin smelled of cheap perfume and filthy
dollars.

“You’re
not from around here are you, handsome?” Her shirt bulged open, showing far too
much flesh for my taste.

 I
met her eyes and smiled. “No, I’m from out of town, in fact I’m here on
business.”

“Oh,”
she brightened. “So you’re all alone then?” She pursed her lips and blinked
rapidly at me.

I
leaned in and smiled. “All alone.”

The
body I borrowed was short which made meeting her eyes easier.

“How’d
you like a little company?” She ran her fingers along the side of her breast
and bit her lip.

“I
would be overjoyed,” I beamed as she rose. Standing close, she took my hand and
pulled me to my feet. I stood and let her lead me out the back door to a small
alley behind the bar.

 “You
know,” she began as she moved her hands through my hair, “I’ve always wished
for a big strong man to come along and sweep me off my feet.”  I leaned back
against the wall and watched her, amused. “This is good, isn’t it?” She cooed,
rubbing her breasts along my body.

“Oh,
sweet fool, this is better than you think.” I gripped her hair in my fist and
pulled her head back hard.

 “What
the fuck?” she choked out, “
let me go!
” She clawed and punched my chest,
struggling violently in my arms. “You cock-sucker!” her craggy voice rang
throughout the alley.

I
frowned. “Have some courtesy,” I whispered into her ear, “you volunteered.” I
gripped her chin hard and took her mouth. Her eyes went wide a moment before
she went limp in my arms. It only took a second for the man I had possessed
earlier to fall limply to the ground, and for her flesh to become my own.

I
stepped over the crumbled body of the business man and sneered.

Glamour
was for the good guys. Possession was much more amusing.

I
shook out my hair and straightened my rumpled clothing. Her body was a mess and
ached all over. I shook my head at the amount of padding and elastic that
surrounded me. She was a bold one to offer this broken body to any man. It was
no matter. I rubbed my hands together, then I slapped my own ass and entered
the bar.

The
crowd had thinned, but I knew they would show. It hadn’t taken much to discover
their little routine. The sister,
Jamie
, was at the root of it all.
Gathering the men every Friday night in order to cheer them up. They had hit
almost every bar on this side of town, and I knew for a fact that they were
hitting this one tonight. How this pit of swine would lift the spirits of
anyone was beyond me. It stank of unwashed bodies and fried food. It was so
horrid, I almost felt at home.

The
night was waning and my patience was almost gone when finally, they entered.

Anger
and hate filled my blood and I sighed. Closing my eyes, I wrapped the darkness
around me. It was finally time. I pulled the pad of paper out of my apron and
approached the table.

“What
can I get you?” I smiled.

“Oh,
um.” Jamie sighed, clearly frustrated, she looked towards her insipid brother. He
looked utterly broken as he frowned down at a filthy menu. Seth was no better.
He glared at Lucian, his eyes narrowed. I watched them as they muttered back
and forth. Jamie was obviously the only reason they were tolerating each other.
Her hope that they would finally make peace and become friends was as pitiful
as her attempt to cheer them up by bringing them here. This place was nothing
but depressing.

“How
about a pitcher of Bud?” Lucian shrugged and tossed the tiny plastic menu to
the side.

I
smiled. “Sure thing.” I looked at Seth. “Anything else?” I cocked my hip and
met his eyes. He curled his lip at me and folded his arms across his chest.

Jamie,
slapped his arm. “Seth stop scowling at everyone. Sheesh,” she frowned at me. “Sorry,”
she pursed her lips. “We’ve just lost someone incredibly dear.”

Oh, yes you did
.

I
wanted to twist the knife in deeper, make them suffer as I had suffered when I
knew she was in their world and I could never have her. She had been mine
centuries ago, and now she was finally mine again. Their bond was the last tie
to be severed. Their death would make my bond irrevocable. Madea males were so
rare that even in my vast existence, I had yet to come upon one. They were just
as pure as the females who loved them. I had none in my collection.

I
smiled to myself, at least not
yet
.

Capturing
them should be easy, as no magic would be used. I wasn’t going to take any
chances in that regard. They may be distracted by their suffering, but they
were no less dangerous. Magic of any kind could be sensed. But I had an ace up
my sleeve thanks to my beautiful Helen. That luscious flower had given me a gift
so great that, even though she had failed me with Grace, she had come through
with something almost as valuable.

The
Dead Dreg.

Hybrids
or not, these two Madea were extremely powerful and no less dangerous in their
pitiful state of depression. I couldn’t take them out while they possessed
their powers. The only way to get them out of the way was to take their
strength and render them little more than sacks with souls.

It
was almost too easy.  

I
scribbled on the pad of paper and sighed dramatically. “Sorry ‘bout your loss,
sugar,” I placed my hand on Seth’s shoulder. “But as they say, time wounds all
heels.” They gaped at me but I just couldn’t resist. I turned and walked away.

***

The
bar was backed up and I grabbed a pitcher and filled it with the first tap I
could grab. It frothed like mad and I stared at it. Instantly, the foam was
gone. I turned and grabbed three glasses. A little magic and the drug was in
the glasses and the brew. Once they took a sip, their magic would be gone,
their bodies useless sacks of skin.

I
approached, and after setting the drinks on the table, I stopped. They glared
at me and I sighed, realizing that my last remark might send them to another
bar.

“Sorry
about that comment, but this poor body’s been through a lot tonight.” I looked
up, smiling at my secret little jest.

Jamie
looked miserable. “That’s okay. I guess everyone is entitled to their moods,”
she said, eying Seth with unabashed adoration. I curled my lip and turned to
walk away.

My
work was almost done.

I’d
barely taken a step when the first body dropped.

“Lucian!”
Jamie screamed and I smiled.

The
sound of another body thumping to the ground filled me with satisfaction.

I
sent out a block throughout the entire bar, muting the mortals’ ability to
perceive any of what was to come, which was good because Jamie was screaming
like her skin was on fire.

 I
painted concern on my face and rushed to assist.

“Call
an ambulance!” she shouted to me.

I
smirked and shook my head. Her panic had shriveled her brain to a peanut. They
were immortal beings with silver blood. She really wanted mortals discovering
that?

“I’m
on it,” I reassured the stupid woman and ran to the bar and then right out the
back door. Stepping from Debbie’s skin, I left her flaccid body in the alley
next to the business man.

I
was myself again. My body thundering with health and power. It was almost over.
One more simple step and they were fucking
mine
. I ran past the mortals
gathered here and there in the street, thrilling in the feel of the night. I
had only to hijack an ambulance and a clean pair of scrubs.

***

The
demon I plucked out of hell drove worse than I feared.

“You’ve
just shoved them in a pile!” Jamie cried. “There isn’t enough room.”

I
smiled as her irritating voice whined and burbled incessantly. The ambulance
had been easy to acquire, the hard part was getting those two oafs into the
back of the fucking thing. They were conscious, which made loading them a
pleasure. Their looks of horror and fear were the icing on the cake.

Jamie
shivered and blubbered. Wet tears and snot flowed from her face in a disgusting
river of goo. I curled my lip, she was indeed an idiot. Her concern for those
two useless fools was so great that even with no glamour at all, she failed to
recognize me.

 “Why
aren’t you helping them?” she wailed, looking completely out of her mind as the
ambulance bumped and rocked across the road. “Oh, God, will they be alright?”

I
knelt down beside her.

“Oh,
I wouldn’t bet on it.” I whispered.

Sucking
in a shocked breath, she jerked her eyes to mine.

“Lu!”
she shrieked. “Oh, my God.”

She
visibly began to shake and I snorted. It truly amazed me how long it took
humans to realize they were in danger.

“What
have you done?”

I
grinned. “The elves aren’t the only ones with access to The Dead Dreg.” I
laughed and she cringed back. “And you’re right,” I frowned at her and looked
around, “we are rather crowded in here.”

She
paled and her eyes swelled with fear.

“Goodbye,
Jamie,” I laughed and shoved her hard. She pounded through the double doors as
her body spun and twisted out of the ambulance. Bouncing a few times, I beamed
as she was lost in the whirl of honking horns and smashing cars.

The
doors shut, blocking my view of her demise.

“Well
now,” I rubbed my hands together, “off to see my beautiful bride.” I looked at
my prisoners and smiled.