Splendor and Darkness (Rebel Angels) (13 page)

She looked miserable with the rope wrapped around her neck and her long blonde hair streaming across her face. Her hair was brighter, more gold than Lailah’s, but it was easy enough to pretend.

“Did you miss me?” She lifted her head at his question. Tears streamed down her cheeks. A gag prevented her reply, but she nodded. “Why are you crying? Have you come to any harm at my hands?”

She shook her head.

He kicked off his pointed shoes and pulled his tunic off over his head, displaying the considerable bulge beneath his woolen hose. “I am in very good spirits. Are you ready to play?”

She mumbled something he couldn’t understand and managed to get her legs beneath her. Sitting back on her heels, she looked up at him with pleading eyes. With her hands tied behind her back, her small breasts thrust forward.
Byleth’s
body had been much more enticing, but there had been no other way. The Empowered One must be dealt with before he began collecting breeders.

He lowered the gag, his hand remaining near her mouth. “What’s wrong,
Byleth
? Why are you weeping?”

“Have you made me mortal? Will my existence end when this body dies?”

“I’m afraid so, pet. But the more of my energy you absorb, the slower that body will age.”

“Humans are so fragile.” Her lips trembled. “Why did you do this to me?”

His eyes narrowed with displeasure. “It is not your place to question me. Open your mouth to receive your master.”

He loosened his laces and pushed his hose to his knees. Holding her face between his hands, he pushed into her warm, wet mouth. Her lips formed a firm circle against his shaft while her clever tongue circled his sensitive tip. He rocked his hips. She tilted her head and relaxed her throat, taking him deeper with each thrust.

“Greedy little fledgling.” He chuckled, dragging himself out of her mouth. “Turn around.”

Her movements were awkward with her hands bound behind her back, but she managed to turn away from him and spread her legs. He grabbed her bound wrists and shoved her forward, stopping her fall just before her face hit the bed. She didn’t struggle or cry out. Her trust sent tingles racing along his nerve endings. One day soon this would be Lailah, surrendering completely to his mastery, submitting to his pleasure.

“Are you ready, pet?”

“Always, sir.”

He eased his free hand between her thighs to test her claim. His fingers slid easily between her feminine folds.
Byleth’s
lusty nature had taken control of the mortal’s body. Was Tess even aware anymore? He pushed two fingers deep into her welcoming heat and twisted his wrist, aligning his thumb with her swollen nub.

“Does my touch bring you pleasure?”

“Always, sir.”
Her inner muscles squeezed him in response.

“Again.
Show me how well you enjoy my touch, how much you hunger for more.” She squeezed him over and over, her creamy essence coating his hand. He spread his fingers and circled her nub, withholding the firm thrusts he knew she craved.

She whimpered, trembling and squeezing, always squeezing. He pulled her toward him, using her bound wrists. Her knees created furrows in the bedding. Pulling his fingers out, he drove into her in one violent thrust.
Byleth’s
body might have been softer, rounder and more responsive, but Tess’ core gripped him so tight he groaned.

“Oh sir,” she whispered. “You fill this body near to bursting. It has never felt so good.”

Byleth
yelped and arched backward, driving him deeper. Confused by her sudden aggression, Enos widened his stance and prepared to take her hard and fast, drenching her with his essence. Legs materialized against his shins and he chuckled. No wonder she’d reared back. They had an uninvited guest.

Shifting her slightly to one side, Enos glared at
Makatiel
. “You’re a long way from home.”

The master demon lay on his back,
Byleth
straddling his hips. “And you’re enjoying yourself far too much.”

“Would you care to share in my enjoyment?”

“Please, sir.
Nay!”
Byleth
cried, but her core rippled, revealing her excitement.

Enos arched over her, whispering in her ear. “You know you love it. Why pretend? It’s not like we haven’t shared you before.”

“This body is not accustomed to such rough play. I don’t think—”

“You’re not meant to think. You’re meant to obey!”
Makatiel
growled. Enos eased out and
Makatiel
lunged. Circling the master demon’s shaft in a painful grip, Enos pushed him down onto the bed.
Makatiel
snarled and grabbed Enos’ wrist, his long nails biting into Enos’ flesh. “How dare you?”

“She is mine to share or withhold. You will enter when I give you leave.” Green light blazed from
Makatiel’s
eyes, but he released his hold on Enos.
Makatiel
might command obedience in the Netherworld, but he had entered Enos’ domain. “I have barely begun to enjoy this body. We must take her with care or we will damage her.”

“If we damage this body, you can implant
Byleth
in another. I don’t see the reason for caution.”

Enos ignored the complaint.
Makatiel
didn’t need to know the implantation was permanent. Scooping liquid from
Byleth’s
core, he used it to lubricate his shaft. He soaked his fingers again then lightly teased her puckered little hole.

She squirmed and murmured wordless protests, but he had no intention of forgoing his pleasure. “Relax, my pet, we’ve done this before.”
Just never in this body.
He grinned and eased his hold on her hands, allowing her to rest against
Makatiel’s
chest.

Circling her tight rear opening, he pushed one finger in then two. Hell’s fire, she was tight. After another coat of cream, he positioned his cock and flicked her nub as he pushed inside.

Makatiel
tossed his head and stroked himself, groaning in apparent misery. Thrilled by
Makatiel’s
desperation, Enos took his time with
Byleth
. He advanced slowly, playing with her folds and rubbing her nub. He brushed his knuckles against
Makatiel
as often as possible, mocking the other demon with each casual touch.

“I will bring her pleasure,”
Makatiel
snarled. “Just let me enter her.”

“Give her release twice before you thrust within her or get off the bed.”

“Why do you care about the pleasure of a—”

“Be gone!” Enos reveled in his power.
Makatiel
gained pleasure through his partner’s pain. His offer revealed much to Enos.

“Nay.
It will be as you say.”

Enos held her arms firmly, buried to the hilt inside her tight back passage.
Byleth
trembled and moaned as
Makatiel
touched her, stimulating her with far more gentleness than was his custom. Enos couldn’t see exactly what the other demon did, but the rhythmic spasms of her inner muscles told him all he needed to know. Enos had driven
Makatiel
to gentleness. Victory had never been so sweet.

She tossed her head and cried out as
Makatiel
triggered the first release. Enos moved quickly, collecting her cream. He pulled out slowly and smeared his shaft with her essence before easing back in.

Makatiel
entered her by degrees. Enos closed his eyes in ecstasy. The master demon slid against him, arousing his desire to a fever pitch. Her membrane stretched so tight, Enos felt
Makatiel’s
slightest movement. When they both filled her,
Byleth
shook violently.

“Does it hurt, my pet?”

“Aye,” she whimpered.

“Shall we stop?”

“Nay!”

He laughed—ever the lusty little pet. Enos pulled back, dragging a groan from
Makatiel
. “You still owe her pleasure before you move.”

Growling,
Makatiel
propped himself up and caught one of her nipples between his teeth.
Byleth
panted as he sucked, her head resting against Enos’ shoulder. Savoring the firm pressure of her body around his shaft, Enos waited as the other demon aroused her. Each subtle ripple of her inner muscles accented the need pounding through Enos. He cupped her breast with one hand and explored her trembling body with the other.

Her folds stretched tight around
Makatiel
, her cream coating his shaft. Enos stroked her nub, the backs of his fingers teasing the master demon.
Makatiel
moaned and sucked harder.
Byleth
echoed the sound. Grinning into
Byleth’s
hair, Enos guided
Makatiel’s
hand to where their bodies joined. Entwining their fingers, Enos and
Makatiel
caressed her together, rubbing and pressing until she went wild.

Byleth
screamed and her body erupted in painfully tight spasms. With a throaty chuckle, Enos set the pace. He eased nearly out and waited for
Makatiel
to thrust. As
Makatiel
withdrew, Enos drove in. Trapped between them, unable to move,
Byleth
could only surrender and accept the pleasure they gave with ferocious enthusiasm.

She climaxed again and again. Each time her body clenched his, Enos grew more determined to resist his release.
Makatiel’s
gaze illuminated the bedchamber, his features contorted with need.

“Damn you, Enos!”
Makatiel
sneered. “End this.”

Power surged through Enos at
Makatiel’s
plaintive tone. Like a fledgling, the master demon begged for a release only Enos could grant.

“Now,” Enos commanded.

They both thrust deep.
Byleth
cried out, her body massaging theirs into oblivion. The pleasure crashed upon them, radiating out from
Byleth
. Enos let go of her wrists and she collapsed across
Makatiel’s
chest.

The demonic intensity faded from
Makatiel’s
gaze, leaving resentment and resignation. Enos smiled. They’d shared
Byleth
before, yet they both knew this was different. In the Netherworld they’d entered as equals, enjoying a subordinate. Today, Enos had mastered
Makatiel
.”

Nate spent the next two days training with his men. He tried to convince himself he needed the exercise, that his body had grown weak, his skills rusty. In truth, he longed for a distraction. His troubled thoughts and disquieting visions threatened to steal what was left of his sanity.

Everywhere he looked he saw angels, fierce-eyed creatures with gleaming swords strapped to their hips. They watched, ever vigilant yet unseen by anyone but him. Even Lailah and Daniel seemed to be unaware of their presence. Lailah approached him several times a day. Each time he sent her away with a brusque comment and a hostile stare.

“It isn’t fair to punish Lailah because you’re angry with me.”

Daniel’s deep voice sounded from directly behind him. Nate dismissed his training partner with a nod and turned around. “I’m not angry with anyone. I just prefer to be left alone.”

“You sound like a petulant child.” Daniel crossed his arms over his chest, his gaze fierce and protective—like the angels. “Do you realize how deeply she cares for you?”

“She feels guilty because of what happened after the ambush. She—”

“That may have been how it began, but I’ve never seen Lailah like this.” He paused, stepping closer to Nate. “If you break her heart, I will break yours.”

A vivid image formed within his mind. Nate saw Daniel shove his hand deep into his chest and crush his heart while Nate writhed in agony. Had Daniel sent the image to him or had… Everything around him blurred, spun in and out of focus. Nate grasped at air, trying to find something with which to steady himself.

Daniel clasped his upper arms. His lips moved, but Nate only heard the blood rushing through his ears. Explosions of light and color blinded him. Despite Daniel’s support, Nate sank to his knees.

Reality dimmed, sucking him into darkness. Terror robbed him of thought and paralyzed his body. Was he dying? Why could he still feel Daniel shaking him?

The vision erupted with a scream. Lailah thrashed on a bed, bound and naked, her wrists and ankles raw and bleeding where the ropes had torn her flesh. Demons stood on either side of the bed, both tall and blond with night-black eyes.

“This can continue for all eternity. Why must you be so stubborn?” The taller of the two motioned to the other. “
Makatiel
enjoys defiling you. I’m starting to wonder if you enjoy his attentions.” She glared at him.
“Him or me.
The choice has been yours from the beginning.”

“I will never Fall, so this is pointless. As soon as my energy is depleted, I’ll surrender my soul and dissipate.” The desperation in her tone clawed at Nate’s gut. How long had she been captive? How many times had she been defiled?

“Therein
lies
your problem. Each time
Makatiel
takes you, he saturates you with demonic energy. This is a slow, painful way to
Fall
, but the end is inevitable.”

The smaller demon crawled onto the bed as the taller one walked from the room. Nate trembled. Bile rose into the back of his throat at the thought of what
Makatiel
meant to do. Struggling against the darkness, Nate tried to break free of the vision.

The tall demon descended a set of winding stairs, emerging in the cavernous undercrofts of a castle. Rows of cots extended into the darkness. Upon each sat a young woman, eyes vacant, lost. Nate looked closer and realized each was either suckling a babe or heavy with child.

Darkness closed in, releasing the vision’s hold.

He retched into the grass, purging his body of the evil permeating the images.

“What just happened?” Daniel helped him to his feet.

Nate waved his men back, clinging to Daniel. “Get me inside. I must speak with you.”

* * * * *

Daniel handed Nate a cup, studying the human’s tense features. They sat alone in the great hall. After fetching the requested wine, the lone servant had departed. The images Nate described churned Daniel’s stomach. No wonder Nate had reacted so violently. “This is the first vision to come upon you unexpectedly?”

“Aye.”
Nate paused for a drink before he continued. “Ever since your arrival, my…sensitivity has increased dramatically. Or I have gone completely mad. I can’t determine which.” He added the last with a humorless laugh.

“I don’t believe you’ve gone mad. What else have you seen?”

“At times I can see
Gadrayel’s
men. At least I presume that’s who they are.”

“Describe them for me.”

“They’re a rather grim lot with sharp, assessing stares and lethal-looking swords.”

Daniel raked a hand through his tousled hair. “They sound more like Michael’s soldiers. I didn’t think to ask
Gadrayel
who was guarding the castle.”

“The demons in my vision, do you know who they are?”

“The tall one was Enos. The other was
Makatiel
.”

Nate shuddered then set the cup aside. “Lailah said Enos seduced one of my ancestors. How is that possible? No woman would willingly give herself to the creature I just saw.”

“Enos is able to suppress his demonic nature and move among humans undetected. To our knowledge, he is the only demon who has achieved this level of control.”

“Lailah is not to know how the vision began.” His tone was emphatic.

Daniel shook his head. “Knowledge is power. She must be warned.”

“It is not going to happen, so the vision is irrelevant. I will not leave her side.”

“You underestimate Lailah. She is not as fragile as she appears.”

“What am I not to be told? And when have I ever appeared fragile?”

The two males looked up to find Lailah striding toward them. Nate composed his expression, leaving no indication that shortly before he’d been retching in the grass. Daniel said nothing. He wouldn’t betray Nate’s confidence, even if he disagreed.

Nate seated her then returned to his chair. “I had a rather disturbing vision.”

Daniel snorted. “Disturbing? The thought of Enos breeding his own private horde of demons is a bit more than disturbing.”

“What are you talking about?” Lailah looked from Daniel to Nate and back again.

“In my vision I saw a tall, blond demon descend into the undercrofts of a castle. There were countless women there, all of whom were either with child or had recently given birth.”

The color drained from her face and she pressed her hand to her throat. “Do you believe this has already happened?”

“Nay, it was a warning, a call to arms. We can prevent the events I saw. We
must
prevent them.”

“Do you remember
Makatiel
?” Daniel asked. Nate shot him a furious glare, but Lailah didn’t notice.

She glanced at Nate, anxiety narrowing her gaze. “What has
Makatiel
to do with this? He couldn’t be the father of demonic children. He was not Grigori.”

“You’ve used that term before,” Nate said. “What does that mean?”

Lailah scooted closer to the table. Her gaze settled on Nate with such tenderness it made Daniel’s chest ache. Was the human daft? Why would he avoid her affection?

“Angels are divided into orders.” Her voice was soft and caressing, just like her gaze. “The Order of Grigori was the first. They were created when time began as teachers and companions for mankind.”

“The Grigori are the only angels capable of creating offspring.” Daniel cut to the heart of the matter. “So it stands to reason the only demons capable of producing children are Fallen Grigori.”

“Enos was Prince of the Grigori before he
Fell
.”

Lailah nodded. “And
Makatiel
was Prince of the Order of Dominions. He was my superior before he
Fell
.” She looked at Daniel. “Why did you ask about him?”

“Enos spoke his name in my vision.” Nate drew her attention back to him.

Her brows scrunched together over her nose and she slowly licked her lips. “What else did Enos say? What aren’t you telling me?”

“He…” Nate reached across the table and took her hands in his. “He threatened to give you to
Makatiel
if you wouldn’t willingly submit to him. It was apparent from the images you had resisted Enos for some time.”

“Was
Makatiel
in your vision or did Enos just threaten me with him?”

“I saw them both. Enos left you with
Makatiel
and went to check on his women. That’s when the vision ended.”

She nodded. “Thank you for being honest. Daniel is right—knowledge is power, and I would rather not be powerless.” Pushing back her chair, she stood and walked back across the hall.

Tension built with each step she took until Daniel shook his head. “If you don’t go after her, I’ll beat you to a bloody pulp.”

Smiling, Nate hurried on his way.

Humans! Were they all so exasperating?

Daniel crossed to the stairs tucked in the back corner of the great hall. Nate had taken quarters in a newer section of the castle, leaving the level above the great hall for Judith and her children. Hesitating outside the door, Daniel started to release his angelic nature. With a chuckle, he stemmed the transformation. If Anna was about, there was no point in concealing his presence.

He knocked on the door and straightened his tunic as he waited for a response. The door eased inward at a laborious pace and Anna’s small, round face appeared in the opening. She gazed up at him with wide green eyes. He’d learned over the past few days that her behavior could be unpredictable.

“I told you it was him,” she said, and turned from the door.

“Well, shall we invite him in or leave him standing in the corridor?” He couldn’t see Judith without pushing the door open. Still, he could hear amusement in her tone.

“Leave him—invite him—in—the corridor.” The responses came in a simultaneous jumble of young voices.

Will
pulled
the door wide. “Please join us, kind sir.” He grinned. “If Anna doesn’t like it, she can wait in her bedchamber.”

Surprised that Will had issued the invitation, Daniel offered him a courtly bow before entering the solar. Judith sat near the window, an embroidery hoop on her lap, the very picture of domestic tranquility.
Odd.
This wasn’t how she appeared in his dreams.

He dragged his gaze away from Judith’s serene face and looked at Anna. “What have I done to earn your hostility?”

“
Hostilawhat
?”
Her smile belied her supposed confusion.

“Why are you angry with me?”

She marched right up to him and poked him in the thigh. “You make Mama sad and she was almost not sad anymore.”

“Mama isn’t sad. She’s…distracted. Isn’t that what you said, Mama? Distracted?”

Judith set her embroidery aside and stood, her dark eyes sparkling in the candlelight. “Yes, Will, I’ve been distracted by our visitors.”

“Is dis—
stracted
good or bad?” Anna asked.

“I haven’t decided yet.”

Daniel’s gaze locked with hers as she crossed the room. “Is there anything I can do to sway your opinion?”

“Not in front of the children.”