9. INSATIABLE THIRST

Chapter nine

INSATIABLE THIRST

H umid air affronted me. I coughed as I sat up straight, the world around me spinning and taking shape slowly. No more beasts. No violet sky. Actually, no sky at all, just stone and bars.

The castle dungeon.

I'd have taken the time to wonder what had earned me yet another cruel punishment if it weren't for the magnitude of life demanding my attention. Colors on the light spectrum I'd no name for refracted in the torch light, and a shuffle of silk and flesh rang out. Upon inspection, I narrowed the sound down to the spider weaving her web in the cell's corner, a green mist radiating from the eight-legged beauty. Somehow, I knew it held an affinity for nature. It wasn't imbued with supernatural gifts itself, but an unquestionable connection to elemental magic coursed through it.

So Fate had gifted me with oracle sight…

The steady thump of boots echoed from the floor above. It drew closer and closer, but I didn't need to look up to know whose footsteps they were. Her unique perfume needed no introduction.

She came into view, and my body stilled. I'd thought her beautiful before. But watching the red and black mist sweeping about her ashen hair? Otherworldly. Her magic was dark, vengeful, impulsive even, but not evil like what I'd witnessed in Chaos. No, hers was powerful: the Old Gods' magic in a fleshy vessel.

My queen had come for me.

Kim surveyed my wounds with wide-eyed horror, lingering on the torn and bruised skin at my wrists. Shadows slithered from her fingertips: her growing rage personified.

"What did he do to you?"

"They're bite marks…"

"Death bit you?"

I didn't have the heart to tell her of the sandman's attempt to break me or the horrors brewing in the Shroud. She already worried for her kingdom and her people enough. Desperately so. To confirm that unbalance was spreading to adjacent realms would only cause her unnecessary concern with little information to go off of in regards to action. I pushed to stand, met her gaze, and fought the rising sense of betrayal in keeping such a secret from her. We never hid anything from one another. Chaos's guttural growl replayed in my memory; the image of its sunken shoulders hunched over as it barreled towards me constricted my thigh muscles, causing my flight instinct to kick in all over again. In the right time, I'd tell her. I'd tell her everything. But not until I knew more about what we faced. For now, half-truths would have to do.

"No, this is courtesy of Cadagon's personal torture master. He made me drink my own blood."

She reached for me, but I pulled away on impulse, attempting to keep my omission close to the chest. Or maybe, if I were being honest, I did it more because I grew increasingly tired of pretending. Of being Lyvias. I craved to peel away his face and be me again. Funny, how I'd wanted to be anyone but myself for so long; and yet here I was, once again forcing myself to consider " What would Lyvias do?" with gritted teeth. She was standing right in front of me, but I missed her…missed us.

On our conversation went; her argumentative tone and rage festered the closer we drew to the conclusion on both our minds. If there were any hopes of saving Anathema, it meant striking down the one actively decimating it. The one whose pacts locked us into our only option. A dark chuckle rolled through me as it clicked.

"I'll handle it. Cadagon shall die by my hand."

She went rigid. "You want him dead?"

In the end, this wasn't about my wish to kill him, but rather the feral, primal urge to protect Kim at all costs. Whatever trouble Death had landed himself in, he knew well enough that he himself had to die to burn his sins away with his own blood. I watched Kim's magic twist about—draping around her chest like a breastplate over her heart—and it became apparent that maybe, just maybe, she didn't need me to protect her anymore. Her true nature had awoken. And gods, how I wanted to taste her fury.

"His blood belongs on my hands," she said, stern.

Hearing her mirror Death's wish for his end only inspired me to lend her my blade further. A crooked smile overcame me as I drew a stone down my palm, flaying it wide open, and extended it to her. "Together?"

She mirrored my smile and offered her hand. "Together."

Pinpricks swept up my arms as our blood intermingled, her magic seeping into me to explore my body. My new sight locked onto the deep burgundy mist swirling beneath my skin. Not her magic. Not mine. Ours. With a sharp jolt, it shot into the open air above, broke in two, and seeped into our severed palms. The deal with Lady Death had been struck.

We were bound to one another.

Her hand tightened around mine in a bloody hold, and my body reacted as if I'd injected every aphrodisiac known to man straight into my bloodstream. I could feel her shadows inside me, coiling around my heart like a vice. I thought I'd loved her before. But now? I'd never wanted her more. Never craved to lay her out, trail my kiss across every inch of her skin, and feel her writhe beneath me more . Pure devotion. I'd lend myself to her, to bend or break—it didn't matter which one.

Because I was hers alone .

Her sights dropped to my mouth. Our shared magic danced on her tongue as she licked her bottom lip. "Damn, I'm thirsty…"

Bloodlust: courtesy of my magic. Or rather, Lyvias's extended to me. Kim looked up at me with hooded eyes, a mischievous gleam within them. Oh, the fun we could have with that. My cock throbbed at the vision of her teeth sinking into me, bending me to her will like she'd done long ago. Claiming me. I stepped closer, ready to take her right then and there on the floor, but stopped short.

Not in this body.

When, or if ever, I had the honor of burying myself inside her, it would be my name on her lips as she cried out in pleasure, not Lyvias's. I forced my eyes shut, simmered my need, and with a final glance, I walked away. Even though the magical cord now tying us together called me back to her.

Three hard knocks battered the door. I crossed my room and opened it to find Lana with a box tucked under her arm. I waved her in, shutting the door behind her.

"Well, hello. And what, might I ask, do you have there?"

She smiled, setting the box on the table in front of the hearth. "It's a chessboard."

"Ah, chess. I've never been very good at it."

"Me either, but…" Her face fell.

"But what?"

"I thought maybe…maybe we could learn together?"

I grinned. "You know what? That sounds like a great idea."

Good thing Lyvias's abilities included a minimal need for sleep, because apparently the realm of eternal night wasn't about to let me have any. But a giddy giggle from Lana as she divided out the marble chess pieces made it worthwhile.

My internal clock woke me at precisely the right time: midnight. The moonlight cast shadows about my new suite—courtesy of Kim—and illuminated the scene as I readied myself for the night's events. I needed to return to the club, not only for my own investigative needs but to keep up appearances with Malachi. What I'd seen in the Shroud disturbed me to my core and had kept me tossing and turning in my attempt to sleep. If a monster like Chaos had the ability to make deals, and the demon Lord had willingly entered into such atrocities, I feared for Anathema's future. For every person at the demon Lord's mercy as he strove to pack his precious meat market.

Red suit and mask donned, I crept from my room. Tonight was an information grab. Finding out who Malachi worked with and how they operated was pivotal in learning how to unwind the web he'd spun. Since that first glimpse, the girl he'd tucked away behind the painting had plagued me. Her soulless eyes. Her desperation. I longed to free her, to see her returned to those she loved and given a chance at a life outside those soundproof walls. Nobody deserved such cruelty.

I clicked the lock on my door and turned to descend when I met an unmovable force.

"And just where do you think you're going at such an ungodly hour?" Suri asked, hand on her hip.

"You stalking me now?" I teased. "Look, I've already told you I'm spoken for."

"Yeah, yeah. Very funny. Kim told me she moved you into the south tower. Why?"

I raised an eyebrow. "What, don't want to share her attention? I know I'd be jealous if someone as handsome as me moved in next door too."

"Gods, you're full of yourself." She cinched up the tie on her silk night robe.

"It's a defense mechanism. Helps me cope with my unprocessed mommy issues." Oof, that was a little too real…

She smacked my shoulder with a limp wrist. Her blood sang to me, my gums pulsing in response. I really needed to curb this rising hunger before I hauled off and…I don't know, ate Nasheesh in a fit of annoyance or something. I swallowed against the burn in my throat.

"Don't you think things will be harder this way?" she asked. "Sneaking about with the future queen one floor above you?"

I demonstrated the speed Lyvias's heart had lent me, sweeping to the winding staircase's end and back in a heartbeat. "Not a problem."

Why was Suri's pulse so strong ? It throbbed in my ears, carrying through me.

She followed my line of sight where it lingered on her throat. "But that thirst will be if you don't get it in check."

"I'm fine."

"No, you're not. You're practically drooling."

I started down the stairs. Suri was right, but I refused to allow my weakness to rule me. I'd fight it. I'd eat a raw steak or a stray animal before I let myself take from an unwilling party. Unless of course they were a complete piece of shit, but I digress. And really, who would want to be fed upon? Although something told me Kim might get off on such a thing. Damn, the thought of it— No. Focus.

My senses flooded, overwhelmed by a sudden, crippling perfume. Suri extended her hand, a pool of fresh crimson in the center. "Drink."

Fuck. I stepped away from her, my mouth watering. "No."

"If you don't drink, then what use are you to the girls you're trying to help free? I assume that's why you're dressed up, is it not? To return to the club?"

I bit my cheek, hard. "If I give in, I— It's getting harder to control, Suri."

"If you don't get your urges under control, you risk blowing everything. Something tells me you would become a lamenting mess, hiding out in a dark room for eternity if you allowed yourself to harm anyone because of your bloodlust."

She thrust her hand closer, a crimson droplet rolling off the side to splat at my feet. Such a waste.

I pinched the bridge of my nose, but the smell lingered. "I don't want to hurt you."

"I have worked too hard for this: to free them. And I am no stranger to pain. Stop being dramatic and drink!"

She shoved her hand between my lips, and the sensation was nothing short of orgasmic. Stepping closer, I backed her against the wall, and a whimper escaped her, sending a charge rolling through my veins. How easy she'd be to drain. To devour. To consume completely. I savored mouthful after mouthful until finally, she set a gentle hand on my cheek.

"That's enough," she whispered, her eyes locking onto me.

But I didn't stop. Couldn't. This feeling—this god-like bliss—dominated every rational thought. I sank my teeth deeper into her palm, parting her supple skin like warm butter; and she winced at my bite, her heartbeat accelerating. She was afraid, but I liked it. Why did I like it? The sensation drove me mad, encouraging the violence simmering in my mind. How easily I could rip open her jugular and drink until I saw stars. Worse still, I held no guilt in that moment. Just desire. Overwhelming, primal desire.

"Please," she begged. "Know your limits, Cooper."

My name on her tongue broke the spell but not my hold. Her thumb caressed my jaw, and in the fuchsia mist emanating from her, peace took root in me. The light pricked a hole in the darkness, and I found myself again.

"Thank you." I rested my forehead in her hand.

She wrapped her bleeding palm in the hem of her shirt and grasped my hand with the other, leading me to her room without another word. Her calm rattled me. I'd almost lost myself in the urge to end her life, and yet she remained gentle. Understanding. How? I didn't deserve such kindness.

She sat on her bed, patting for me to join her. "I can think of one way you can repay me for helping with your little hunger problem."

My palms grew slick and clammy. Oh…no. No, no, no. She was stunning and strong and everything a man would be lucky to call his own, but not this man. "I'm sorry, I can't—"

"Calm down. I am not asking you to make sensual, life-changing love to me." Again, she tapped for me to sit, and I did, leaving a foot between us. "Lana, she told me about the summons you received. I need to know: what did you see in the club's underbelly?"

I released my held breath as my shoulders relaxed. Thank the damned. My concern quickly gave way to the weight of her question, my fury renewed and charged by my recent feed. I told her the disturbing details about girls being auctioned off and the countless men ready to snatch them up to serve their own selfish desires. She sat in stunned horror—face pale—but upon my account of Malachi's supposed deal with the Ancient Lore, she shot to her feet.

"Humans?" She paced about the room. "They're trafficking humans through the Shroud? Into this realm? That imbalance will see us wiped into the void faster than anything Anathema has faced before!"

"I know."

"We have to do something! We have to tell Kim, immediately!"

She started for the door, but I cut off her exit. Kim had enough on her plate—what with planning her own father's murder and trying to get to the bottom of Odin's threats. Not to mention, I wanted to be the one to deal with this. To put an end to Malachi. The realization gave me pause. Wait, I wanted to…for me. Juniper's words about finding my own destiny replayed in my mind. Was this to be my path? My fate? Suri pulled at my arm, attempting to move me aside, and snapped me out of my potential epiphany.

"No, leave her out of this, please," I said, stern.

"She deserves to know what is going on in her own kingdom—"

"And she will. Just not yet."

"Fine." Her magic sparked about her. "Then we will go."

"Thank you. I don't want—wait, we?"

"Yes, we ." She flitted to her closet, facing the wall to peel off her clothes with zero concern for my presence.

"Whoa, there!" I averted my eyes, catching a glimpse of the intricate galaxy inked across her shoulder blades.

"Relax. I have no intention of showing you the goods, so don't go all honorable and righteous on me. I can't very well wander into the club in my servant's outfit."

"You're seriously coming? Won't that risk our cover?"

"I work there. How would that blow our cover? I mean, sure, the dancers and staff aren't permitted in the lower levels; but with Lord Lyvias accompanying me, it should work."

"Should? That's promising." I rubbed my face, a series of what-ifs flooding in. "You want to risk both our lives on a maybe. Awesome."

"I saw the way Lyvias looked at me. The man practically rubbed one out in the corner when I danced for Malachi once. Repulsive prick. My point is I can sell it, and this might be the only chance I have to get a lay of the land down there." She pulled a purple corset over her head. "When it comes to getting those girls out—which I can already tell you have resigned yourself to doing—you are going to need me."

The stubborn woman reminded me of someone a little too keenly, but she wasn't wrong. Still, I tried. "I can't be worried about watching out for your safety while we're down there. I have to dig for answers."

Having access to Lyvias's abilities and appearance didn't provide insights into his former thoughts and actions, unfortunately. Would Malachi question me bringing Suri? Challenge me? Not to mention, with an ego as big as Malachi's, jealousy could play a huge role. What if he didn't want to share his precious dancer?

"It's too risky," I said, my conviction waning.

"Yeah, well, without risk there is no reward. I can handle my own. Accept it, pretty boy. I'm coming. Now, lace me up?"

She swept her hair over her shoulder to reveal the crisscrossed back. Reluctantly, I obliged. It seemed there would be no changing her mind regardless of how hard I pleaded, which meant I'd have to be even more on top of my game. Sharp and attentive. Great.

After Suri cinched up a pair of knee-high boots and snagged a bunny-eared mask, out the door we went. Whatever came next, I had to hand it to the spitfire: the chick did, in fact, know how to handle her own. And while the concern for her safety entering the meat market loomed in my mind, she was right: without risk, there would be no reward.

Her self-assured stride as we entered the demon realm further confirmed my confidence. She'd handle herself. All I needed to do was sell it. Suri remained a safe distance ahead of me to ensure nobody saw us together until we wanted them to. We couldn't risk a hound bringing back any information that might tip off Malachi.

As I drifted through the bustling streets and onto the nearest train, I wove the story together in my head. Lyvias had taken the train to Plavin Park, and on said train, he'd noticed a certain fuchsia-eyed demon. He'd gotten the wily idea that Malachi might enjoy some decompression time: a fun romp with his favorite dancer. Maybe Lyvias could even present the idea of Suri waiting on the VIP members in the meat market in the future, considering her dedicated service. Yeah, a business endeavor. That could work.

From there, I'd have to wing it. Whether Malachi would believe the lie or not remained to be seen. But add some liquor plus a dash of lust, and my gut told me the plan would go off without a hitch. That is, until I entered the booming club to find an obscene number of guests and dancers.

And one fucking furious demon Lord.