Chapter Ten

A dank tunnel, with walls that pressed almost too close, and a distinctly metallic smell. Then the plunge into light and sound. Blinding, deafening; a merciless assault that stunned Fae for several long moments. Once she??d adjusted to the bone-pounding beat and the skull-searing light, she looked for Donella.

Donella waited at the edge of the gyrating crowd, holding out a drink in a tall, unadorned glass. She shouted to be heard over the music, ??I thought you??d run away.??

Fae watched the crowd of slightly unhinged fallen angels. Their outfits were strange, cloth that concealed next to nothing, bright colors that shimmered in the light. Fine glitter rained down and flared in the pulsing, colored glare from above. Fae??s lips moved, but she??d lost her tongue.

How could a place like this be? How could all these beautiful, damned creatures be here after all Andrais??s dire warnings?

??Donella.??

A man slid up behind them, large enough that Fae couldn??t imagine him passing easily through the mouth of the cave. He had shaggy brown hair that fell raggedly over half his face. His lips were a little too plump for his masculine features, but the tilt to them was sensual, the slight imperfection almost charming. He threw an arm over Donella??s shoulder.

??You??ve brought a friend.?? He caught Donella??s chin in his hand and kissed her, savoring her lips with a dramatic roll of his eyes. ??And she??s tasty. Care to share???

Fae retreated a few steps. Donella snorted. ??She??s not into me. Maybe she??ll like you, so go ahead if she??s willing.??

??Not into you??? The man dropped his head back and roared out a laugh. ??Oh, my sweet child, such ignorance. One look at her and I can tell she??s more submissive than you are. I??m sure she enjoyed your shy attempts the same way I would enjoy the attentions of a man. Enough to intrigue for a moment or so, but built all wrong.??

His insight made Fae uncomfortable. And so did Donella??s assessing once-over. When Donella shook her head, Fae felt a little better. Maybe she wasn??t that transparent after all.

??She got me off well enough,?? Donella said.

The man chuckled. ??I??m sure she did. She aims to please.?? He moved away from Donella and held out his hand. ??Don??t you, Fae???

Her name on his lips, when they hadn??t been introduced, sent a frisson of fear up her spine. She swallowed spastically. ??I??m not sure what you mean.??

??Come here.?? He crooked his finger then pointed at the floor in front of him. Fae shook her head. He smiled sweetly. ??You already have a master. Don??t worry; I??m not trying to replace her. I just want to dance with you.??

Fae eyed the dancers doubtfully. She didn??t think any amount of music could make her move that way. The music softened a little, and she took a shaky gulp from her glass. The dancers were pairing off, moving slowly, grinding down until they were almost on the floor before rising with their bodies swaying provocatively. She wasn??t sure she wanted to move that way. Not with him.

Closing the distance between them, the man took her hand and led her into the crowd. Donella followed close behind. Fae wondered where her resistance had gone when the man pressed against her front and Donella aligned her body against her back. Fae??s eyes fluttered closed, and she found her drink tilted to her lips. She gulped it down like she was parched, draining the glass.

??I don??t even know your name,?? she whispered, leaning her head on the man??s barrel chest.

??Call me Az.?? He opened his thighs a little, tucking her close enough that she could feel him long and hard against her belly. She sucked in her stomach and rasped out a protest. He hushed her then kissed her gently. ??We??re not supposed to be doing this. Keep quiet or we??ll get caught.??

??But???? Fae gasped when Donella??s hands covered her ass, molding the thin material over supple flesh as she breathed hard into Fae??s ear. Moisture dripped down Fae??s thighs, but she did her best to rein herself in. ??I can??t do this with you.??

One big arm wrapped around her, holding her arms tight to her sides. Az kept her moving in the sensual dance, whispering into her hair.

??Do you really want Donella to think you don??t like her??? He sniffed at her hair and groaned, holding her snug against him. ??And more, do you really want me to stop???

No answer came because Fae couldn??t think. Even with his jeans covering him, Az??s thrusting hips stimulated her as thoroughly as they would have if she??d been naked. Donella was tracing a finger up and down the cleft of her ass, lips pressed to the bare flesh of Fae??s back. Az sucked her neck. Her core ignited like it had been doused in oil.

Az??s hand found its way under her skirt. A finger hooked her panties, tugging insistently. Donella joined the effort to bare her.

??Wait!?? Fae clamped her lips shut and glanced around to see if anyone had heard her. No one had. They were all doing their own naughty things. She lifted her eyes to Az. ??I don??t want you inside me.??

Az arched a brow. ??Not ready yet? That??s okay.?? He stroked his jean-clad dick back and forth over her. Fae couldn??t really say why she didn??t just let him take her; she knew she would enjoy it. The way his arm locked around her like a big shackle satisfied her need for restraint and dominance, yet??suddenly she was thinking about Cravis. He hadn??t wanted to share her with any man but his brother. But he??d said nothing about women.

While she considered this, Az bent over her shoulder, hissing something to Donella. Donella giggled and her finger stopped stroking and started pushing. Fae clenched her butt cheeks, but Donella held them apart with her hand and shoved her finger in past the first knuckle. Fae??s puckered anus locked around the digit, as though trying to keep it from going farther. The pain was delayed but harsh. Az moved faster, one hand on her hip to guide her in the motion. Despite the pain and uncertainty, Fae felt herself plummeting into a dark, violent orgasm.

??That??s it. Give in to it, know that only Donella??s finger in your ass and my dick stroking you gave you that. Think about what we can do if you surrender.?? He jutted his hips against her and chuckled when she shuddered. ??You??ll be fun to play with, but I think you??ve had enough tonight. Go home, put on the good-girl act, and come back tomorrow night.?? When Fae nodded, he looked at Donella. ??Make sure she gets out okay.??

Donella took her hand and Fae just started moving, one foot in front of the other, letting herself be propelled. She felt apart from her body, as though it had betrayed her, and she couldn??t quite face it was hers. Control had been taken so easily, as if she were an instrument to be strummed by any who knew the right cords.

??Are you coming back??? Donella asked when they stepped out of the cave. She wrung her hands. ??You??re not mad at me, are you? I just wanted to give you what you??d given me.??

Fae shook her head, replying rather numbly. ??It was??unexpected. I??m not mad, I only?? I need to think.??

Once Donella disappeared into the cave, Fae began her trek home. Her nails dug into her palms, but she couldn??t feel the pain. She padded into the house, leaving dirty footsteps on the pale wood floors. A quick peek into Andrais??s room and she saw the older woman was fast asleep. So she went to take a shower. The water beat down, finally returning her to herself. She squirted liquid soap on a sponge and scrubbed herself vigorously. The caress of the sponge drew out a wave of tender memories that sent her sliding down the tiles to sit in the bath. She could almost feel Cravis cleaning her, see him hard inches from her, his dick jerking as she stared at it. She crossed her legs as she recalled his gentle ministrations between her thighs, the way his jaw clenched when she reached for him and he turned her down.

God, she missed him.

Then she remembered his hand under that girl??s skirt. She worked to harden her heart. She might need him, but he didn??t need her. The arrangement would suit them better if she could manage to be as cold as he was.

And with that bitter thought, she went to bed.

??Where were you??? The sun??s glare lashed out at Fae with Andrais??s angry words. Fae groaned and tried to cover her face with the blanket. Andrais tore it away. ??Tell me!??

Letting out a sharp breath, Fae sat up. She looked Andrais over and couldn??t help but smile. The woman may be angry, but she??d come to Fae wearing one of her favorite skimpy teddies. Her nipples stabbed at the red satin. She reeked of need.

Fae caught her wrist and tugged. ??I lost myself to nature. I found my way back because I missed you, but you were sleeping and I didn??t have the heart to wake you.?? She scooted up the bed and let the sheet fall to reveal her naked body. ??Can I make it up to you now???

Andrais huffed. ??I??ve never been so grateful that I wasn??t cursed with children. You had me pacing the floor! It was only the fact that any maternal behavior would be strange that sent me to bed. And I didn??t sleep well, mind you. I should thrash you for the worry you caused.??

??Would you??? Fae asked impishly, tossing her hair over one shoulder.

Hesitating, Andrais looked her over, hands curled into the sheets like she wanted to toss them aside and attack Fae. She shook her head abruptly. ??No. I think denying you would be a better punishment. Besides, I have to go out. We need food; you have the appetite of a teenage boy. It??s a wonder you haven??t gained any weight yet.??

Fae was hungry now, but food was the last thing on her mind. She held up her hand as Andrais pushed away from the bed.

??I need you,?? Fae whispered, hurt that Andrais would use denial as a punishment, knowing what had happened with the brothers. ??Please don??t go.??

Even after the door had closed and Andrais was gone, Fae couldn??t believe that Andrais would truly leave her like that. She waited for her to come back, tell her the lesson had been learned, and find something new to teach her. An hour passed before Fae faced the truth. Andrais had forgotten her as easily as Cravis. She was only as important as the pleasure she provided in one, hot moment.

When the sun set, Fae??s resolve was firm. She stood in the bathroom in a black skirt and shirt, carefully applying Andrais??s crimson lipstick. She smacked her lips and looked herself over. Then she eyed the scissors she??d left on the sink.

Gathering her hair in one hand, Fae closed her eyes, positioned the scissors, and snipped. They were sharp, so that single cut went right through her fine hair. A deep breath and Fae shook her head, opening her eyes to assess the damage. Her waist-length hair now fell to just below her shoulders. Curls sprang without the weight and framed Fae??s fine face. She looked a little older, a little more like a woman.

She turned to see how it looked from the back. It was slightly uneven, but not noticeably so. But the scars were obvious.

Fae reached over her shoulder and touched the raised flesh. She tried to remember how she??d gotten the scars, but her mind drew a blank. From the length of them, the wound must have been painful. But she??d known greater pain. Pain that didn??t show.

My life, Fae told herself, slicking her hands over the clinging material of her shirt. It??s my life now. I can do whatever I want with it.

And she headed out to find the cave.

Donella met her outside the cave, clearly waiting for her. She held Fae??s hand as she drew her through the tunnel, chatting excitedly.

??I??m ready! Az said I??m ready to be initiated. It??ll happen tonight! I??m so glad you came.??

??Me too.?? Fae breathed, uncertain now that they??d breached the dark and entered the bright party cavern. ??So what is this initiation???

??Oh, I don??t know. But once I go through with it, I can stay! I??ll never be alone again.??

A twinge of envy hit Fae. To never be alone. That was a true prize. She squeezed Donella??s hand. ??I??m happy for you.??

Donella spun her around the dance floor, and then led her past the riotous throng to a set of winding stone steps. ??I??m a VIP tonight. Will you come with me???

??Yes,?? Fae said without a second thought. This was good. Donella obviously needed her. And she would no sooner leave Donella alone than Donella would leave her. It gave her the feeling of value. ??I??ll be right here.??

Az was waiting, lounging among a mountain of pillows in one corner of the balcony overlooking the dance floor. A young woman with a tray bowed before him, setting the tray at his feet. There were three tall glasses on it, each filled with cherry-red liquid. Fae suspected Az knew she would be joining them because he was alone. And wearing nothing but a pair of snug boxer briefs. She took her time admiring his muscled thighs, the carved perfection of his chest, the artful dusting of hair that formed a dark arrow to masculine treats. Her gaze lifted when his chest rose in a harsh intake of breath.

??Fae.?? He lifted up on his knees and latched his arms to her waist, tumbling her to the cushions. She giggled as he climbed on top of her. ??I??ve been thinking about you since last night. I know it??s too soon, but please tell me you??ve lost some of your reservations. Your master will never know.??

Fae stretched her arms over her head, arching like a cat. ??I am my own master.??

Az groaned and staggered down to claim her lips. His tongue thrust into her mouth, his hands locked on her wrists, and Fae heard the muffled rip of fabric. The cloth fell away from her breasts, and Donella dropped to attack them with her hungry mouth. Teeth tugged at her nipples, Az knelt between her thighs, her panties were torn off. Az knew what he wanted, and he wasn??t going to pretend otherwise.

And Fae was fine with that. The excited way Donella flicked her nipples with her tongue, the way Az ravished her pussy with his mouth, made all else irrelevant. Fae gave herself up to the blissful indulgence.

??Let me fuck you. I want my dick in this tight pussy. If I can??t have you, I??ll go mad.?? Az spread her thighs with his coarsely haired knees, his dick prodding at her opening. Fae wished he??d stop begging and simply take her. The bass of the music sped up the beat of her heart. There were no reservations; she really didn??t care that she hardly knew the man. All that mattered was that he had all the right parts and he wanted her badly. The only problem was that he??d stopped.

??I didn??t think you the type to ask, Az.?? Fae bucked up, forcing his thick head to breach her. ??If I say yes, I might not enjoy it as much.??

Az growled. ??You little bitch.?? He sheathed himself in her in one violent thrust. ??Is this what you want???

Jabbing up, mumbling incoherently, Fae surrendered to his vicious assault. Each filling brought her closer to ecstasy, each guttural word a thing of unrestrained bliss. The chains of her birth had been shed, and even as he beat into her body, even as Donella joined them, rubbing herself against Fae??s thigh and grabbing Az??s ass to follow each brutal plunge, all Fae could think of was the freedom. She hardly noticed when Az??s motions became erratic. Part of her was above it all, simply enjoying the wild pleasure.

Then he grunted and collapsed on her. He laughed through his gasps. ??That was wonderful. You??re such an accommodating little piece. I didn??t think it would be this easy.??

??What about me??? Donella flopped on the cushions and hugged herself.

??Later,?? Az said, rolling off Fae and reaching for his glass. ??I??m worn out. Fae??s a frisky little thing.??

Frisky? Fae grabbed a cushion to cover herself. The callous insult stung, as did the lack of release. She??d been thoroughly used. And she didn??t much like it.

The music cut off as abruptly as Az??s inept fucking. Az stood and shuffled into his shorts. ??Thank you for coming, Fae.?? Az wiggled his eyebrows to emphasize the double meaning. Fae didn??t get the joke. He must know she hadn??t come. He continued, oblivious, ??But this is a special night for Donella, and I??m afraid your presence isn??t welcome.??

Fae stood, nodded curtly, and donned her ruined dress. Holding the shredded material over her chest, she glanced at Donella, who was intent on Az, and turned to descend the stone steps. She followed the crowd out of the cave, stopped just outside to watch them fade into the trees. Then she squared her jaw stubbornly. She??d promised Donella she??d stay. She wasn??t about to let Az dismiss her so easily.

Creeping through the tunnel, keeping to the shadows, Fae made her way back to the cavern. The colored lights were gone. Candlelight took their place. Fae crouched behind a table shoved against the wall. A circle of the Fallen had formed on the cleared dance floor. They chanted words Fae couldn??t understand, parting to allow Az and Donella passage to the center of the circle where a heavy wooden table stood. A young man was dragged to the table, hauled onto its surface, strapped down, and gagged.

Az stood behind Donella, whispering to her, clasping her hand around a black-handled dagger. There were tears streaking Donella??s face, and her chest heaved as she stared at the bound man. Then she nodded and swiftly lifted the dagger over her head and stabbed it into the center of the man??s chest. Fae covered her mouth to stifle a scream.

The dagger went up and down, again and again. Donella shrieked and fell to her knees when the man stopped thrashing against the restraints. Az hauled her up, giving her a little shake before hugging her. The Fallen closed in. They dipped their hands in the blood spilling over the side of the table and smeared it on their faces, dancing around in a way that made their earlier partying look tame. They didn??t seem to notice Donella struggling in Az??s arms. But Fae did. And she had to do something.

She??d risen from her hiding place when Donella cried out and bowed over Az??s arm. Donella whimpered as smoke seeped from her pores.

??Asmodeus, what??s happening to me??? Donella scrubbed frantically at her skin, as though she were covered with bees. The whites of her eyes glowed in panic. ??It burns!??

Az chuckled and patted her head before setting her aside. ??If becoming a demon was pleasant my dear, everyone would do it.??

Oh God, what had Donella done? Fae skirted along the wall, Andrais??s words playing over and over in her head, ??Fall further, make sure you fall no further???? The horror of the murder hit her and she stumbled. Az??s eyes shot up and she gaped at him. Skidding on the stone floor, she ran to the tunnel, whipping through it with all the speed her tiny body could muster. She couldn??t help Donella. She couldn??t erase what she??d done. She could only hope to escape before she was forced to do the same.

Someone chased her. She heard them breaking the branches she??d ducked under. Az, Asmodeus, whoever he was, wasn??t going to let her get away.

And suddenly, she was caught.

She looked up and her mouth hung open. A man with the breadth of the trees around them held her, his gold-sheened black skin shimmering with power. She wrenched and screamed and a hand clamped over her mouth.

??Shut up, you stupid girl!?? Andrais??s eyes flashed as she leaned close. ??You??ll bring them right to us!??

Fae sobbed, thinking she??d never seen anything so beautiful as Andrais. The man ignored them both, peering into the darkness. His shoulders slumped when he faced them. He bent to Fae, who had collapsed into Andrais??s fierce embrace.

??Did you see Donella??? His deep voice held a note of pleading, as though all his hope rested on her answer. ??Tell me she??s somewhere in these woods????

??She might be.?? Fae reached out and touched his arm when he nodded and moved to leave them. ??But if she is, she??s hunting me as well. Asmo????

The man slammed his hand over her mouth. ??Don??t say his name. It??s like a beacon???? He ground his teeth. ??They got her to kill someone, didn??t they? She??s a demon.??

Nodding against his hand, Fae pressed her eyes shut. ??I didn??t know. By the time I figured it out, it was too late. A??Az saw me. I should have tried to help her, but????

Andrais squeezed her so hard her ribs cracked. ??No. If he??d caught you, he would have forced you to take a life as well. He wouldn??t chance you spilling his secrets.?? She dropped her head to Fae??s shoulder. ??Why didn??t you tell me you??d met someone out here? I??ve heard of the lure for the Fallen, but I didn??t think it had moved so close????

??Fae??s descent is of interest to many. She is unique in how quickly she turned from the light.?? The man tipped Fae??s chin up, studying her with an intensity that made her press closer to Andrais. ??The Morning Star hasn??t exercised his right to test the chosen ones in over a century. Do you think?????

??Oh, Semiazas, I know. She questions everything; she gives in to temptation faster than any Fallen I??ve ever come across,?? Andrais said, petting Fae??s hair in a familiar, comforting way. ??Only his special attention could corrupt one so painfully innocent. She has no defenses, and I didn??t have the time to teach any to her.??

??Well, you??ve run out of time. If she has someone willing to protect her, bring her to him. You can??t protect her from???? The man??s lips twisted. ??Az. I??ve followed Donella across three continents, and he managed to keep her from me.??

Fae couldn??t keep silent any longer. The man??s concern contradicted everything Donella had told her about her ??masters.?? ??You??re the one who taught Donella how to change her appearance. She??s as dark as you.??

Semiazas took note of her accusation and dismissed it. ??Donella loved the color of my skin. She wanted it for her own.??

Flushed, Fae dipped her head. ??I didn??t mean to imply????

??I know you haven??t any prejudices; I just want you to understand that I cared for Donella, despite what she might believe. I gave her everything I thought she wanted, but I didn??t realize her objection to being tied down was a plea for proclamations I couldn??t make. Until I lost her.?? He scrubbed his hands over his face. ??I love her, enough that I will find her and help her come to terms with what she??s done. I will make her see how they warped her mind, played on her weakness???? He grabbed Fae??s shoulder and looked deep into her eyes. ??Don??t make my mistakes. If you find love, cling to it for all you??re worth. It is the one thing we Fallen??hell, even demons, aren??t too damned to be gifted with. Only, like all on this indifferent planet, we are ignorant enough to snub it. Promise me you won??t.??

??If I ever find it???? Fae said, tone tinged with doubt. ??I won??t.??

Semiazas inclined his head. ??Good.?? He turned his gaze to Andrais. ??I can tell Donella thought much of her. See to it that she??s cared for.??

Andrais drew herself up and wrapped her arm around Fae??s waist. ??I will. In the short time I??ve had with her, I??ve come to know she is precious. I would not hand her off to someone unworthy.?? She set her eyes on Fae. ??It??s time for you to return to Cravis.??

Fae??s gut dropped to her bare feet. ??But????

Chuckling, Semiazas stuffed his hands in his pockets and rocked on his heels. ??Cravis? Well now, the girl??s got her work cut out for her.??

??She??ll manage,?? Andrais said dryly. She hooked her arm with Fae??s and turned to Semiazas. ??Are you going to be okay???

Laughing, Semiazas nodded. ??I??m only seeking out a demon to proclaim my love. What could go wrong???

Andrais accepted his reassurance and led Fae through the trees. Fae stumbled after her, not reassured in the least. Semiazas made it sound easy, but she knew it wasn??t. Not that she loved Cravis??there was no way she??d give in to that idiotic notion after her stupidity of late, but she??d have to convince him she did. Or, at the very least, that she was ready to submit to him.

She??d never survive letting him know she wasn??t.