11. Niklaus

Chapter eleven

Niklaus

One Hour Before Christmas

I t would appear that I care about this little devil of a human, her back against my chest while she sleeps soundly in the bathtub. Her breaths are even and slow. I’ve taken it upon myself to clean the dried blood off her skin from where my claws tore her silky flesh, lazily dragging a soapy washcloth over her skin while she slumbers. My candy-cane slinging little reaper, do you not realize you are domesticating a demon? She better feel fucking honored when she wakes to find me doing this. I have never gone out of my way to take care of anything.

I scoff, gliding the cloth over her pebbled nipple. Her body is stunning, and she’s a fucking Goddess among men that could bring an Archdemon to his knees. Lucifer, fucking damn this entire world to Hell because nothing is as it should be.

My arm jerks as another soul invades my body, their essence devoured by me—mine forever. My imps are still working hard out there, and I would almost succumb to the woes of not joining in on the fun, but how can I when I spent the last hour inside my little reaper possessing her like I declared I would? I’m still in awe at how well her body adjusted to my length; the sheer size of my cock alone should have annihilated her fragile human pussy, but she took it like a professional succubus would. My cock hardens at the thought of it. I know she isn’t prone to getting dicked down like that, so I know it made her body exhausted from the best fuck of her life—if I do say so myself.

If we hadn’t learned that little trick with her scars, I would have dragged her punishment out way longer than how it all went down. But when I sunk my claws into her flesh to reopen the old wounds, I was allowed a front-row seat into her mind and to view her memories unfold. What I saw... made my blood boil beneath my skin, to the point where if I weren’t a demon, I would have scorched myself alive. I just… couldn’t keep up with the planned punishments. ‘Cause I apparently have feelings for this woman. I felt sorry for her and all of the shit she’s been through. Now, her little space-out sessions and talking to an imaginary friend don’t seem all that far-fetched, if you look at the whole picture.

Her dad is on my shit list. All I need is a name, which she will procure for me one way or another. I will ensure he feels the full wrath that Hell has to offer on a never-ending loop, not one second of reprieve from misery and torture for how he treated her. And Ashcroft? I rub the cloth a little too roughly against Cherise’s chest, which causes her to stir and breathe deeply. I pause, watching to see if she’ll wake up or not. With a low moan, she turns her head and snores softly. My abdomen pulses with a hint of laughter—sorry, little reaper.

Anyways, back to Ashcroft. I need to find a way around this Lucifer-forsaken curse that allows them to evade their souls being marked. Undoubtedly, their whole family is cooped up at their little estate now, sacrificing some unsuspecting innocent to Lucifer to enhance that protection. Why does Lucifer even allow such a thing? It pisses me off. There must be some loophole—but what?

I wring out the washcloth, letting the warm water splash onto her perky breasts. I’m lost in a trance as I stare at the rivulets of water that slide down her peaked nipples. I lick my lips; my dick pushing into her spine will surely wake her up, right? How long do humans need to sleep to recover from getting brutally fucked? I want to delve into her mind again, and I don’t think we’ve even scratched the surface of what lies underneath those battle scars of hers. And, well… I wouldn’t mind thrusting my dick inside her again and blowing my load inside her soaking wet cunt this time—then I would have successfully claimed all of my little reaper’s holes. The excitement of it all makes my length jerk against Cherise’s back.

I let the cloth go and skim my nails over her soft chest, her chest rising and falling so softly under my claws. “It’s time to wake up,” I drawl into her ear.

I pout like a fucking child when she doesn’t even flinch. Fine, we’ll try something else. I grip both of her hard nipples in the pads of my fingers and tug on them gently. Still nothing. I palm her breasts, massaging and groping them. Fuck they feel so good in my hands.

“Still need more coaxing, baby? Shall we find out if your pussy still tastes like peppermint?” I dart my tongue out, snaking it down her immaculate flesh and sink it under the water. I smooth it out, gliding over her swollen clit. She slightly arches her back and pants softly. Now, we’re getting somewhere.

I vigorously flick my tongue against her bundle of nerves, still palming her gorgeous tits. Cherise shifts her body, turning her head back and forth, and she pants harder. “You gonna come for me again, baby?” I purr against her candy cane curls.

Quick pants part her lips, and I slide my tongue farther down her slit, entering her tight little hole and thrusting my tongue in and out. Yup, I can still taste peppermint. I drool as I taste her sweet juices—I ache to bury my cock deep inside of her. Cherise stirs, running her hand across her forehead and arching her back further. Her muscles squeeze my tongue, desperately trying to keep me inside of her with each pulse of friction.

“Nik,” she moans, louder this time. She cups her hands over mine that grip her breasts. I grunt in response—I can’t talk while her hole strangles my tongue. She sits up and twists her body to burn those icy blue eyes laced with lust on me.

I suck my tongue back in my mouth, lift her by her hips and turn her around to straddle me. She wastes no time; she grabs my face and parts her lips for mine. I recede my monstrous teeth to kiss her back without fear of mutilating her plump lips. I bite her bottom lip and tug on it, and she lifts her lashes to peer at me with hooded eyes. I suck her lip into my mouth and groan—I will never not love the feeling of her lips against mine. It’s like her taste is the finest delicacy the world has to offer, something priceless that can’t be bought or obtained anywhere else. “My full name is Niklaus, by the way. Whatever you want to call me is fine, just thought you should know.”

She smiles against my lips. “Then I will just call you mine, Niklaus.”

Oh my Devil, I’m about to fucking explode. My heart flutters inside my chest, beating to a rocky rhythm I’ve never felt before. Why won’t it slow down? “You better sit on my cock, Cherise, or I’m going to force you on it. I can’t hold back much longer.”

With a sultry smile, she huffs a laugh. She grabs my horns and strokes them. “Do you know how beautiful you are? You’re like an angel but sent from Hell.” She sucks on her bottom lip, reaches down to grab my shaft, and shifts forward to align the tip with her entrance. She takes her rightful seat on her new throne and slowly takes me. We both moan as I stretch her, her greedy pussy already clamping around me the deeper she goes.

“You feel so fucking good, little reaper. Show me how you take this dick like the naughty slut you are,” I growl, firmly gripping her hips. She places one hand around my throat and squeezes her tiny fingers once she has my full length inside of her. I grin wide. “Hurt me, baby.”

She presses her other hand around the width of my neck, squeezing them both and cutting off my air, but little does she know that means fucking nothing to me. I’ll get a head rush, but that’s about it. She grinds her hips over me; her jaw drops as quick pants and muffled moans pour out of her the faster she rides me. I trace a line down the middle of her chest, between her breasts, and surprisingly, the skin is free of scar tissue. Time to claim you entirely, Cherise Bates.

I elongate a claw on my index finger and press into her skin. Blood rushes from the wound. She gasps, moving her hips faster to chase the pain away with pleasure. Good girl. I carve my symbol into her delicate flesh, the symbol that represents each demon separately. Your soul will be mine, little reaper. Blood gushes between her bouncing tits, and a strangled moan passes my air-thirsty lips.

“What did you do, Nik?” she moans, never once slowing her pace; her chase for release is adamant. She loosens her grip around my neck and slides her hands along my jaw and up to press against my cheeks. “You feel so good; I’m gonna come. Oh, fuck, Nik!”

I swallow her moans when I smash her mouth to mine, drinking every last drop of her voice as her pussy clamps down around me. Her body writhes against mine, my balls tighten, and I shoot my cum deep inside her, my cock pulsing out every last drop.

She pulls away, the high of her orgasm fading. She traces her fingers over my bottom lip and smiles. “What is this mark?”

“It’s my symbol—my mark that claims your soul and binds you to me for all eternity. Do you want that?”

“Yes,” she breathes. “I’m done running from you, Nik. My body, my mind, my heart, and now my soul—are yours. So, bind me to you… or whatever you wanna call it,” she insists.

I smirk, and my damn heart flutters inside my chest again. “Repeat after me.” She cocks her head, gesturing for me to continue. I chuckle at how impatient she is. I didn’t even have to force her; she willingly offered this to me. I will protect her with my life. “I, Cherise Bates, offer my soul to Niklaus, the Archdemon to Lucifer, until the end of time.”

She sucks in a shaking breath. “I, Cherise Bates, offer my soul to Niklaus, the Archdemon to Lucifer, until the end of time.”

I place my hand over the symbol that marks her skin and feel… nothing. I narrow my eyes and inspect it, to make sure I somehow didn’t draw it incorrectly. Nope, perfectly fine. “Was that it? Is it done?” she asks, looking down at her wounded chest. “I don’t feel any different.”

She lifts her head to give me a puzzled stare. “It didn’t work. That should have fucking worked.” But, as my memory serves me, my phantom mark didn’t stick when I first heard her name spill past her lips. Realization dawns on me and crashes over me like a tidal wave. “Your name isn’t Cherise Bates.”

She crosses her arms and scoffs. “I’m pretty sure it is. Why would I lie about my own name?”

Everything makes perfect sense now. This is why I could never claim my little reaper, and she truly has no idea what her real name is. “I don’t think you’re doing it on purpose. I think the truth lies beneath one of those scars of yours. Shall we find out?” My fingers twitch in anticipation of learning a new piece of her past and hopefully discovering her true name.

She gasps, and looks down to the scar that stands out amongst the rest. The long, deep one that runs from her navel down to her sweet spot. I glide my claw over it, and she tenses. “Don’t.” She turns her head—I think her invisible friend has made their grand entrance. “Okay, which one?” She squints and brushes her fingertips over the side of her neck, below her ear. “Here?” She nods with affirmation and turns to face me again. “She says it’s not time for the big one yet. But some of the answers we seek are here.” She points to the one she just reached for.

I tilt my head. “Your friend said that?” She hums and nods slowly. “Let’s see if she’s right. Are you ready?”

“Do it,” she confirms, a slight tremble in her voice.

Without hesitation, I reach for the tiny scar under her ear and slash my claw along its length. White explodes in my vision, crimson clouding the periphery—and we sail away into Cherise’s past.

Cherise

I walk beside Daddy to my left, Will to my right—down the snow-covered aisle towards the flaming inferno in the center of the field, off to the left of our estate home. Snowflakes drift slowly through the winter air, and my nose won’t stop running from the freezing temperature. Cloaked figures circle the massive bonfire that looks like a gateway into Hell itself. Chants in a language I don’t comprehend fill the air, carried with the wind.

I wear a white nightgown, my bare feet numb and stinging with each step into the freezing snow. My seventeenth birthday passed two weeks ago, and I’ve been preparing for this day ever since. I ate, slept, and breathed the Rite of Blessings. It is my duty to the family and Daddy. He says we’ll be protected from The Saint once I fulfill my destiny.

A chill rakes down my spine as I stand before the platform in the circle’s center. The chanting grows louder and more erratic, each member performing weird movements with their hands, all directed towards me. Fear spikes into my every fiber and takes root in my heart. This doesn’t seem right. I have a feeling that this is going to go terribly wrong.

“Oh, holy Lucifer! We give you this offering in exchange for your protection and unwavering loyalty. That our humble sacrifice will not be made in vain. Please bless our family with your unholy support, and allow us another year free of your servant’s wrath this coming Christmas day. All hail the King of sin!” “All hail the King of sin!” The gathered members repeat in unison, bowing their heads.

The fire burns brighter behind me. The flames heat my cold skin, and sparks and embers shoot out and land around us like a meteor shower. The tiny hairs covering my body stand alert, and my heart rate spikes.

“With our combined bloodshed, we offer this sacrifice to allow our unholy union to be bred anew.” With raised hands, everyone grabs a blade and cuts deeply into their palms, blood dripping into the earth around them. “Now, for the final offering.” Daddy turns to me and gestures for me to sit atop the stone platform before the fire.

“I don’t like this; I’m scared,” I whimper.

Will leans close to my ear. “Looks like you don’t have a choice, psycho bitch. You made your bed when you started talking to imaginary friends. Can’t have a freak of nature like you amongst our ranks, Daddy’s favorite or not.”

I shoot daggers in his direction. Then I flick my eyes to the still chanting members surrounding us—where is my Mommy? “Daddy?” I cry, a tear sliding down my cheek.

“Get on the platform and fulfill your sacred duty to this family... ” He speaks my name, but it’s distorted and censored. “Don’t make me ask again.”

Tears fall faster now, and I try to run—but they catch me by my arms and drag me onto the cold stone slab—pinning my body down. “I’ll be a good girl, I promise! Don’t hurt me, Daddy, please!” My pleas go unanswered, just like they always do.

Will jabs his blade against my throat and nicks the skin right below my ear. I cry out, break a hand free, and dig my nails into his wrist. He shouts and drops the knife to his feet. With one last ditch effort to escape, I jump off the platform and pick up the knife. I hold it in front of me, my hand shaking fiercely. I slash the blade in the air, crying out with each swipe. “Where is Mom?”

A laugh laced with murderous intent emerges from Will. “She’s dead, little flower. Cut her up real good. She was crazy, just like you!”

I lunge forward, seeing only red with hatred for the man before me coursing thick in my veins. The blade finally connects, and I push forward—slicing the knife down Will’s abdomen. I make sure the cut is deep; I have every intention of spilling blood before I’m removed from this earth tonight—for Mommy and for the little girl who had everything taken from her—a little girl who lived a joyless life. Happiness and love were never in the cards for me, and I will die tonight without ever experiencing it.

Will’s bloody screams taint the smoke-filled air. I don’t even look behind me as I break into a sprint towards the house. I crash through the door and slam it shut behind me, ensuring the deadbolt is locked. “Mommy? Where are you?” I shout into the empty house; no sound other than my footsteps pounding on the wooden floors can be heard.

I dash up the stairs and sprint down the hall to my bedroom. As I place my hand on the handle, whispering enters my mind. Your soul is marked. You’ll remember when the time comes. Death will not claim you today, my child. Your memories will be lost, but there is always light amidst the dark to lead the way.

A shudder wracks down my spine, and my fate is sealed, although I don’t yet know its meaning. I turn the doorknob, and time stills. I rush to my mother, who lies on the floor with her back to me, her white nightgown stained in blood. I drop to my knees and shake her arm. “Mom? Mom!” I roughly shake her, but she remains still. “Mommy?” I whisper. A tear falls, and my heart shatters into millions of pieces.

The door is kicked in behind me, and my censored name is shouted behind me. I pay it no mind; I have nothing to live for anyway. The only person I think loved me is gone. Rough hands grab my arms and lift me off the floor. Panic overtakes me. “No! I can’t leave her; she’ll be all alone! Please!”

“You stupid bitch! Do you know what you’ve done? You’ve got us all killed! The Saint is upon us, you idiot girl. Now your mother’s death is in vain. Do you feel proud?” A harsh smack from my father’s hand snaps my head to the side.

“No… I didn’t mean it,” I whisper. I have nothing to fight for.

“Now, you’ll spend the rest of your days locked away like the crazy bitch you are.” He palms my breast and squeezes tight. Bile rises in my throat, and I try desperately to force it back. “I’ll sure miss these, though, and your tight little cunt. You were always Daddy’s favorite girl. Remember this day, you killed us all. The Saint is here.”

Still in the bathtub, straddling Nik, my pruned fingers tremble against his shoulder. My fingers dig into his flesh. He cups my cheeks and searches my eyes frantically. “They lied to you. Your father betrayed you and your mother.”

My eyes darken, and my mind whispers of death and vengeance. “We need to go to the Ashcroft estate tonight. We have to kill them all, Nik.”

“I—” He purses his lips, deep in thought. He slams his fist against the porcelain tub, a crack sounding from his strength. “Cherise, I can’t touch them. They’re protected against me, remember? That’s what the Rite of Blessings is for. I won’t be able to help you.” His features are absolutely destroyed.

“Just be there for me. I can’t do this without you by my side—but I have to do this.” I stand and step out of the tub.

Nik is behind me, spinning me back to him. He raises his palm and extends it toward the bathroom door. Within seconds, my serrated blade flies into his hand. “Let me at least give you this, my little reaper.” He waves his hand over the blade, which doubles in size, the hilt now a red and white pattern—resembling a candy cane. “I’m sorry I can’t be of more help.”

I take the blade from him and tears well behind my eyes. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.” I lean forward and kiss Nik slowly. My breathing is erratic and intense. “When I’m with you, I feel strong. Don’t ever leave my side. I need you.”

“I’ll be right behind you every step of the way, my little reaper. I look forward to watching you destroy the Ashcrofts.”