Chapter 10

ANITA

I'm not sure why he wants to help me—I'm not sure I even trust it—but I don't have much of a choice, not if I want to live. "Do you have a plan in mind? Because if memory serves, the war between mages and demons didn't end well."

The thought of being dragged to the demon realm, completely at their mercy, chills my blood. Even my flames wither under the thought. "You think you can stop them from claiming me?"

It's an impossible task, and I'm unable to contain my skepticism.

He is either insane, or he has a death wish.

"Not me, no." He shakes his head, but something about the intensity of his gaze has the hair on the back of my neck rising.

I'm already shaking my head, backing away, afraid his crazy might be contagious. "No. Nuh-uh. Not just no, but fuck no."

The corner of his mouth twitches, as if he's enjoying my freak-out. His attention drops to my arms, and I automatically follow his gaze and my eyes widen. It looks like my arms are lit from within, a golden glow swarming under my skin. Dark lines crackle across the surface, giving the impression of molten lava.

"With training, you might be the only one able to stand up to them," Soren says, his tone almost gentle.

Feeling exposed, I curl my hands into fists, then shake them out. Usually, I'm able to contain the glow and keep it hidden, but the closer I get to my birthday, the stronger my powers grow and the harder it is to keep my secret.

Something about his nearness seems to draw my flames out.

With a concentrated effort, the glow slowly fades, leaving only tiny wisps of light zipping up and down under my skin like little fireflies before they, too, gradually die out. In the beginning, the burn would hurt, like my powers were forging my body into something different, slowly forcing it to adjust to contain more and more of the deadly fire.

If it continues to grow, I won't have to worry about my family or demons.

I'll be dead long before my birthday.

The mental exercises I do daily have reduced the pain to a manageable ache. Honestly, I barely feel the burning sting of heat anymore, the warmth more of a comforting hug. Something tells me if I want to battle against a demon and survive, I'll need to push myself even harder and hopefully not kill myself in the process.

"And you think you and your friends will be able to help me?" My doubts thicken the air, and I narrow my eyes, suddenly wondering if this is some sort of elaborate trap. Maybe they helped me escape MID just so they could turn me over to my family and claim the reward themselves. I swallow hard, my throat suddenly parched. "Where are your friends, exactly?"

"Cassius is standing guard, Porter is out getting supplies, while Darby is downstairs, erasing any trace of us and mapping a safe route through the borderlands." The knot in my gut eases at his quick reply, his expression earnest, and I almost believe he truly wants to help.

Only one thing keeps me from trusting him.

Nobody does something for nothing.

I have to find out what they want before it comes back to bite me on the ass…or give them the slip while I still have the opportunity and take my chances on my own.

It's not even a choice.

I hold back a grimace, already feeling bad as I take a step toward Soren. He stills, tilting his head to the side, wearing an almost hopeful expression. Before he can say anything, I go up on my toes and steal another kiss, desperate for one last taste. Just as he leans forward to deepen the kiss, I shove my screaming conscience to the back of my mind and bring my knee up hard and fast.

He grunts, the air leaving him in a rush, and he bends over, clutching himself.

The guilt is almost crippling, and I hesitate for a second.

Then I harden my resolve. I can't afford to weaken now. "I'm really sorry."

Even as he drops to his knees, he reaches for me. I evade his hands, nimbly dancing out of reach. With my heart in my throat, I head for the door.

"Wait," he calls, his voice hoarse, and I can't stop myself from looking back at his entreaty…just in time to see him struggling to get to his feet.

If he gets his hands on me, I know I won't get another chance. Without hesitation, I yank open the door and run like my life depends on it.

CASSIUS

Ilean against the wall in the hallway, staring at the closed doorway in front of me. I should be downstairs watching over Darby, but I can't seem to make myself put more distance between me and the girl.

Not having her in my sight is a form of torture, like part of my senses have been cut off. She's like a beacon of light in my dark life, and I'm not sure if I want to snuff her out or claim her for my own.

The perfume of her lust reaches me, even through the closed door, and my basilisk slithers into knots in my chest with the need to break down the barrier to get to her. I'm not even aware I'm crossing the hallway until my hand is pressed against the door. The solid wood is reassuring. It brings me back to my senses for a moment, and I shake my head, trying to clear it of her influence.

When I hear her moan, my fangs snap down and venom instantly floods my mouth. Instead of poison, it's a potent spice, more of an aphrodisiac that we exude when the need to fuck takes over. I press my forehead against the hard grain of the wood to stop myself from ripping the door open and joining them.

I don't share women. I barely even think about them as anything but a nuisance. When I can't contain my need to fuck, I'll find an available partner to keep my beast from going feral, but the joining is nothing more than a routine bodily function.

With Anita, my beast would demand more…demand everything.

He wants to touch and taste and claim, and I'm an asshole, because I want that as well…even if my touch and look would be dangerous.

Even lethal.

It's only that thought that keeps me from beating the door down to get to her. Maybe if one of the other guys were present, they could keep me in check and prevent me from hurting her.

My heart leaps at the thought, thrumming against my ribs. More venom floods my mouth, the potency leaving me lightheaded…or maybe it's the thought that Anita is just beyond the door.

I swear she's so near, I can practically feel her heat through the thin barrier. I shuffle closer, pressing my ear to the door like some perv, not caring that I'm invading their privacy.

Anything to do with Anita involves me, and I have a right to know what he's doing to her. As Soren pleasures Anita, I'm unable to resist reaching into my pants and gripping my cock. The tiny little whimpers and moans she makes have my balls ready to explode.

I grip the base of my cock, hoping to stave off my release, then grunt when I'm unable to stop from thrusting into my hand. Her lust deepens, the heavenly sugar and spice scent thickening in my lungs. My cock swells, and I don't even bother trying to stop myself from stroking my dick from base to tip with hard, long pulls. I give a sharp twist at the end, and the pleasure-pain soon has my hips thrusting like a piston.

When she cries out, my release splatters on the door, and I clench my teeth to hold back my own shout. My release drags out for an eternity, bordering on painful as I imagine that it's me pleasuring her. By the time I'm done, I'm panting and leaning against the door to keep from dropping to my knees.

Instead of feeling replete, it's like I never came, my cock still hard and heavy and aching for the feel of her pussy. I tuck myself away, grimacing at the mess left behind—proof of my lack of control. Maybe I should be ashamed, but I'm still too horny, too on edge to feel anything but the need to take her again and again.

I pull a crystal out of my pocket, recite the incantation to activate the magic, and erase the evidence of my cum. When it disappears, I frown, barely resisting the urge to mark her door again as a warning for everyone else to keep the fuck away.

My basilisk curls in my chest, ready to spring into action the instant she gets close. Though my beast might want the girl, he doesn't put his thoughts into action, understanding the need to stand guard and keep her safe. He's biding his time. If I'm not careful, if he escapes my control, then it's Anita who will pay the price.

It's not something I'm willing to risk.

I pace away from the door and retake my position against the opposite wall, staring intently at the door like I could see through it. I almost can. My basilisk pushes forward, switching my vision to infrared, and I track the thermal images of the two people in the room beyond.

Instead of fucking like I expected, Anita looks to be pacing the room, and part of me relaxes now that I have her in view.

And what a view.

The two of them together are practically dazzling to the eye.

Soren is bright, his big body running hotter than others, due to his hellhound heritage. What shocks me is Anita. She appears like a bright starburst of light barely contained in human form. She sparkles in the dull shadows of the rest of the room. Even her hair swirls around her in shades of red and gold, dancing like a liquid flame.

She's fucking stunning.

While I logically know she's a fire mage, I have never seen a mage light up that way. It's like her power is stuck in a magical loop and never falls dormant to rest or recharge.

It has to be exhausting to maintain, and I'm unsure how she's able to do it without dropping to the ground unconscious under the strain. After a moment, her brightness dims to a golden lava that makes me want to reach out and touch her, despite knowing I would get burned. When she steps toward Soren, going up on her toes, their two forms nearly merge. I'm not sure if I want to yank her away or step up behind her and press her between us.

My fantasies shatter when I watch her nail him hard and fast, right in the balls.

I straighten from the wall and take a step forward, wincing in sympathy when he drops to his knees. He reaches out, crawling toward her retreating form.

She hesitates for a moment, her brightness dimming again, then she resolutely turns away.

I'm not aware of moving toward her until she flings the door open and slams into my chest hard enough to knock the breath from her petite form with an oomph. My hands automatically grab her shoulders to keep her upright, then I tighten my grip in preparation for her to run, determined to keep my balls whole and unmaimed.

She glances up at me, then freezes, her eyes widening.

"Well fuck." Her expression is exasperated, her wry smile lopsided as she peers up at me from under her lashes. I would almost believe her innocent act if I hadn't just seen her nearly cripple Soren. "You were supposed to be downstairs."

My vision flicks back to normal, knowing that I need to stay on my guard with her. Her comment barely leaves her mouth before she's in motion, and I easily block the knee to the balls. Distracted, I miss her fist to my face, and I barely rear back in time to avoid a shattered nose.

Not willing to give up my hold on her, I spin her around, twisting to block her bucking body, then I force her smaller frame against the wall.

She's so tiny that it's hard to keep my hands on her slippery form.

Heat radiates from her skin, and my basilisk loves it, wanting to curl around her and cuddle. I roll my eyes in annoyance that my basilisk would pick now to turn into such a docile beast.

Anita obviously doesn't feel the same sentiment, if the way she's trying to wiggle away is any indication.

I don't take it easy on her, unwilling to let her escape. I press my full weight against her, forcing my thigh between her legs. When that doesn't discourage her—the opposite, in fact—I wedge my knee higher, not stopping until her feet leave the floor, taking away her leverage.

A startled squeak escapes her, and I grunt when her pointy little elbows jab my ribs, her blows landing with the force of a pissed off golem.

I capture her wrists, then pull them over her head and pin them to the wall, which forces my entire body into contact with hers. Though small, her figure is full of luscious curves, and my dick is pressed against the crack of her ass, my erection hard and throbbing at her nearness.

Her bare, very naked backside.

Our struggle caused her shirt to rise, giving me a perfect view of her luscious ass. I don't dare release her arms for fear that I'll shove my fingers in her pussy, desperate to feel her come against my hand so her scent permeates my skin for everyone to smell her claim.

I'm panting against the need to reach down, strip her bare, then thrust into her until there is no doubt in her mind that she is mine.

By the time she stops struggling, her chest is heaving, and a cute little growl escapes her.

That's all it takes for my good intentions to shatter, and I lose the battle against my dick. I thrust against her until I'm nestled firmly against her ass.

One time.

Two.

Fuck it, yes, I'm dry humping her like a fucking horny lycan in heat, but just touching her sets off fireworks in my blood. Her heat penetrates my skin, luring me closer, and I can't get enough of her.

I wait for her to scream and struggle to get away.

The last thing I expect is for her to moan and arch back against me, as if begging for more of my touch. I lean in closer, tucking my face against the back of her neck, and drag my fangs over her delicate nape. I inhale her lusty perfume, both sweet and spicy, and my mouth waters with the need to taste her.

She's warmer than any desert sun, and I'm desperate to get closer, wanting to drape her over me and bask in her heat. My control is holding on by a thread, and when I lean forward to whisper in her ear, my voice is husky. "If you keep moving, then you're going to find yourself stripped and pinned to the wall in a totally different way—one that I will thoroughly enjoy."

Her lips purse, and she turns her head, indecision on her face.

Like she's fucking thinking about my offer.

My cock throbs at the idea of taking her, pre-cum already leaking from the tip as if preparing to take her here and now. My breath stalls in my chest, my body practically vibrating with need, and my muscles tense to pounce…only to deflate when Soren clears his throat from only a foot away.

He groans and leans against the wall next to us. His hand is in his pants, and I'm not sure if he's assessing the damage or trying to stop his dick from reacting to the image of me taking Anita.

I wince in sympathy.

An erection hurts after having your balls crunched then scrambled.

Some of my sanity returns, and I'm shocked at how easily I lost control.

I don't regret it for a second, not when it led to having her in my arms.

With great reluctance, I release my hold on her wrists, then drag my fingers down her arms, not ready to let her go yet. I love the way she shivers when my fingertips brush over the delicate underside of her sensitive flesh.

With one last deep breath of her scent, I straighten. It takes another moment for me to physically force myself to step back. It's akin to pulling off my own flesh, and my basilisk tightens around my insides in punishment, desperate to finish what we started and claim her for our own.

By the time I'm once again leaning back against the wall across the hallway, I'm breathing heavily, like I went a round with Soren and got my ass kicked. My muscles are locked tight against the need to grab Anita and haul her back into the room so I can worship every inch of her body.

Anita's head is bowed, her forehead pressed against the wall as she collects herself, and my chest puffs up at knowing she feels the same connection. Sure, the oils on my skin can be poisonous, but small microdoses can also lower inhibitions and act similar to an aphrodisiac.

Maybe I should feel guilty for influencing her, but she wouldn't have reacted that way if the attraction wasn't present, even if it was only subconsciously.

My basilisk basks in the knowledge, the smug bastard.

I should be annoyed, but I'm just too grateful.

Anita heaves out a sigh, then straightens to her full height, pulling her shoulders back before turning to face me. Instead of blasting me, her open mouth snaps shut, and she blinks, her head tilting to the side as she surveys me.

"Your eyes are stunning," she murmurs, her lips pursed. "I can almost see why you would hide them. The brilliant yellow flecks floating in the bright green color are almost hypnotizing. You must get tired of beating off women…and men."

I tense at her comment, quickly turning away and dropping my gaze, my heart hammering against my ribs when I see my sunglasses abandoned on the floor where they fell during our scuffle.

I didn't even notice.

I'm not sure which horrifies me the most—that she saw my eyes, or I didn't notice the loss of my glasses at all.

Soren mutters a curse, grabs her arms, and spins her to face him. I release a shuddering breath, then stoop to snatch my glasses off the ground and shove them on with more force than necessary.

Only when they are back in place do I finally relax and glance anxiously toward Soren.

The hellhound cups her jaw, forcing her to look up at him so he can inspect her eyes. His other hand is curled around her neck, not even trying to be sneaky as he checks her pulse. There is a slight tremble in his fingers, and I swallow hard, cursing myself for the stupid slip.

My mouth is dry as I wait for his verdict, and I can't hear anything over the thundering of my heartbeat.

"Stop that," Anita snaps out, slapping his hands away, a scowl darkening her face. She backs away, then glances between us suspiciously. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

She turns, her fierce glare potent enough to wilt even the strongest man.

If I weren't so preoccupied, I might have found it amusing. I scan her face, unsure that I'm even breathing…and find no aftereffects of my touch or gaze.

I'm so shocked that I glance at Soren for confirmation, my surroundings vanishing as I wait for his answer.

"Skin warm. Pulse normal. Pupil reaction normal." A crooked smile tilts his lips. "Temper is normal."

The world spins at the news, and I swallow against the lump in my throat. The only way to keep from infecting people is to avoid touching them. After years of practice, I can usually control the dosage and whether the poison is pleasurable or painful.

My gaze is different.

It only works two ways—I can hypnotize people or turn them to stone.

Through trial and error, I discovered that the only way to control my ability is to either keep my eyes covered or completely avoid looking at anyone altogether. I'm slowly learning control, but it's hard to practice when, if I get it wrong, they could die.

Now, instead of turning them to stone instantly, I can slow it down enough that the process takes twenty minutes, but only if I concentrate.

Either Anita didn't get the full effect…or she has a natural resistance.

While part of me is desperate to know which is true, I shudder at the idea of testing out my theory.

No, it's best not to even mention it and get my hopes up.

I won't risk her safety, even if she's my only chance that someone might be able to finally see the real me.