Wasteland (9 page)

If I did, I’d lose control. I’d dive in and there would be no returning. My entire being would be lured into darkness.

“David.”

I finally complied. Her lids hung heavy over her eyes. A deep breath brought her body flush with mine again.

Acting on their own accord, my hands reached for her face. One cheek per hand. Silk, just like I’d imagined. Her eyelids fluttered. My fingers glided down the sides of her throat, her pulse hammered against my skin. Down I went, drinking in her softness until I reached her chest. I hesitated at the edge of the fabric, knowing what would happen should my hands continue. But I must not have cared, because they navigated over cotton barrier and cupped her breasts.

Her eyes rolled back, and her teeth trapped her bottom lip. She swayed her hips against me. “David.” She clasped her hands behind my neck, anchoring herself to me as if battling a turbulent storm.

Enjoying every incinerating moment, I caressed her body, claiming it. I slid my hands behind her, pulling her against me. So close her body molded to mine until I couldn’t tell where I ended and she began.

She tilted my face toward hers. Inches separated our mouths, but it felt like an ocean. Closer. I needed more. Her pupils swallowed her entrancing irises. Fingers tightened around my neck, then wove up into my hair.

Stop this, David. Step away.
I shoved the unwanted advice my logic spewed and dove in. Those lips belonged to me. Mine to taste.

Only mine
.

Contact with her silky mouth stole my breath. Her grip tightened, but she didn’t wrench away. A current pulsed to my chest. My rabid demon wanted to rip off her clothes and take her, but I stomped him down. Leaving one of my hands on her warm, lower back, I let the other trail up, following the dips and grooves of her spine.

I imagined it was her bare flesh, not the feel of her cotton shirt. My hand found her neck, and I tilted her head for better access. A moan filtered through her into my mouth, and she parted her lips, inviting me in. My tongue sought hers with a tentative brush, chasing her sweet taste and lilac smell. She deepened the kiss.

I crushed her to me, my hand massaging her lower back so her core rubbed against mine. The delicious friction the movements caused fueled my excitement.

Mine
.
Take her now
. All I wanted to feel what I knew lay beneath her clothing, to touch her all over. She was mine to have. To—

The back door creaked, signaling someone coming out from the back of the club. Beka severed our connection. She stumbled back, taking in ragged breaths. Her stare bore through me, but her swollen, shiny lips demanded my attention. They still glistened from our kiss.

I leaned in for another taste.
More.

“Beka?” Russell called out.

His voice stopped me centimeters from Beka’s mouth. Her warm breath rushed against my face. I bit back a throat vibrating rumble. The beast knew what it wanted, and he would take it if I let him. So, I battled the animal trying to emerge and pushed Beka away.

“Beka? Are you out here?”

“Yeah.” She brought her dainty fingers to her mouth. “I found him. He’s out here.” She kissed my cheek and walked away.

I showed her my back and clamped my eyelids shut, willing my body to calm down. No doubt she’d felt my desire for her. What her kisses did to my body. What she tempted me to give up.

“What’s going on?” Russell’s voice trickled from around the corner.

“Nothing. Just needed some air after kicking those dirtballs from the club. We’re coming in.”

“Good, because it’s getting swamped in there again.”

The riot in my mind subsided. I pressed my hand against the brick to keep my balance. Maybe the burning followed by confinement would be worth missing the Mark this time. I could leave now, claim I couldn’t locate Jessica and accept my punishment.

Then, I’d be away from Beka. She and Russell would protect Jessica, and I would be lost to the utter silence.

Or, I could lay with Beka, experience the love of a beautiful woman, triggering the transformation into a full-fledged demon. I wouldn’t care about anything. All this torture and agony would vaporize. I—

A dainty hand touched my shoulder. Even that gesture knocked the breath from my lungs. I stepped out from the physical contact and faced her.

“Beka. That can’t happen again.” I wasn’t quite sure how I found my voice, but I was glad I did.

However, I didn’t enjoy the flash of hurt that flickered across her face. She drew in a breath and nodded.

“You’re right. It can’t. I don’t know what came over me.” Her gaze lowered to my lips, then to the ground. “I’m sorry I did that. I—” She brought her fingers to her mouth. “I—Will you still come in and help us tonight?”

“Yes.” Because no matter how intensely I wanted Beka, I still had a job to do. And I would do it.

At least that was the plan.

CHAPTER 11

I stood by the door, hands clasped behind me, surveying the inebriated patrons stumbling around establishment. Evidently I wasn’t fast enough when it came to mixing drinks. So many new ones had emerged while I was away.

Since I’d broken up the fight earlier, I’d been moved to security detail. It was probably better, because behind the bar, there was little room. I found myself constantly brushing against Beka as she rushed to make drinks.

At least I had a clear view of the room. My keen eye examined every woman with red hair and brown eyes.

I caught Russell’s glance while scanning the place. He lifted his chin and tilted his head, beckoning to me. I waded through the stream of bodies to the bar.

I propped myself against the thick wood, admiring Beka as she interacted with the patrons. Her smile lit the entire room more than the flashing lights. The dark-haired guy she spoke with stared at her with wide eyes, as did the short, stubby man standing beside him.

His tongue slid out while he scrutinized Beka. My blood ignited. She reached for the money he’d set on the counter, and he laid his hand over Beka’s. I moved to intervene, but Russell reached over the bar and snared my forearm. “Can you grab another keg from the back?”

Nobody touches my Beka.

“David. Keg?” Russell said.

I tore my gaze from the man testing my patience with my woman and faced Russell.

“And David?” His eyebrows puckered together. He peeked at Beka. “I see you watching my sister. But please. Just stay away from her.”

“She looks old enough to make her own choices.” I knew I should stay away, but for him to tell me this—

“You’re just sweeping through town, though, you’ll be gone soon. She’s never had a boyfriend. I don’t want you to up and break her heart. You hear me?”

Noble gesture made by the brother. I respected that. But what he said about Beka having never been with a man, I couldn’t figure that out. She had to be more than a hundred years old from what I’d overheard her telling Russell. But to have been without a companion, as I have been, surprised me.

I dipped my head and moved to the back door. I spotted Beka at the edge of my vision, and I gave pause. Her gaze met mine, and a smile curved her full lips. I’d kissed those lips. Tasted that mouth. An elbow jabbed my rib, slicing my connection with Beka. I stepped aside and continued on my task.

Once in the supply room I let out the breath I’d held captive in my aching chest. The constant throb of the demon’s desires grew tiresome. Darkness dominated the packed storeroom, and it soothed my frayed resolve. Shelves of bottles and various supplies lined three of the walls, floor to ceiling. The silver barrel of alcohol sat like a shiny Altar in the corner to my right. How the humans drank in worship of the amber liquid, it had rightfully earned such a reputation. I’d seen it many times over the centuries.

I grabbed the rims of the cylindrical barrel and twisted it toward the door. A small figure shadowed the doorway.

“Excuse me, Sir?” she said.

I recognized the chocolate colored hair immediately. It was the girl I helped during the scuffle when her boyfriend knocked her over.

“Do you remember me?” She gripped the side of the doorframe.

“I do.”

“Since you helped me before. Could you help me again?”

I stood tall, holding her gaze steady. “What is the problem?”

The girl’s matted hair rested on her shoulders. Dirt smudged her bare, tiny arms. “There are some scary men in the parking lot, near my car.”

“Where is your companion?”

“He isn’t my boyfriend. I was just trying to get someone to buy me and my sister some food.” She sniffled. “I’m scared to get to my car, and my sister’s asleep in the back seat. I need to check on her.” Tears streamed down her cheeks.

“Show me.”

She led me out the back of the club and into the dark alley. We went to the left and veered right, toward a back lot.

“I snuck in the back of the club, hoping you’d be there. I didn’t see you standing guard at the front anymore.”

“You were watching?”

She bobbed her head, curls sweeping over her forehead. “You helped me before. And—well—you’re so big.”

How ironic. This young, frail human wanted me, a demon, to help her when two Guardians owned the club.

She raised her hand, motioning for me to stop, and pointed to her right. I steered her behind me and maneuvered to the end of the silver-wired fence. Gage and two other demons circled an old, rusted car, heads tilted back, nostrils sniffing the air.

I knew that posture. They were hungry for a soul. I didn’t recognize the two demons flanking Gage. Short bushes, acting as a fence, edged the far end of the gravel lot, and the four-door sedan backed up against it. I followed a stench to my right and found two green dumpsters. To my left, a tall brick building loomed.

I pointed to the ground at the girl’s feet. “Stay.”

A hiss diced the darkness. A third demon lumbered from the shadows the dumpsters offered. He advanced. I took two long strides and leapt into the air, meeting him four feet above the ground. His nails sunk into my forearm, but I allowed my nails out and slashed his throat. His body flopped to the ground, a pile of ash and tar.

“What are you doing, Dav—”

I raised my hand motioning him to shut up. “Get away from here.” I sped to Gage. “We’re being watched,” I whispered and jammed my open palm against his chest, knocking him back.

Another hiss from the side. I stood, chest puffed and faced the demon.

“Don’t,” Gage ordered the young minion. “Back away.”

“But the light. It draws me to it.” The demon approached the car.

“Light?” I asked.

“David?” Beka yelled from behind me.

“Go,” I said to Gage.

He waved the remaining demons to follow him, and they faded into the shadows.

“David.” Beka’s voice cracked. “Where are you?”

I faced the entrance to the dirt parking lot, and she rounded the corner. The darkness didn’t mask the fear in her eyes. She reached back, and the girl grabbed her hand. Beka led her toward me.

“Elizabeth said you were in trouble with some bad men?”

“I scared them off.”

The girl sidestepped Beka and sprinted to the car. She cranked open the door and climbed in the back seat. I eyed Beka, and she raised her shoulders, indicating she didn’t understand either.

The gravel crunched beneath my feet as I pivoted. Gage’s outline loomed near the car.

“Elizabeth?”

She crawled out of the car. “She’s okay. Still sleeping. But I think something’s wrong.”

“What, honey?” Beka went to her knees in front of the girl.

“Her chest is glowing.”

Trees rustled behind Elizabeth and Gage’s figure materialized. I dove over Elizabeth and tackled him at the waist. We rolled but I gained the top and buried my fist in his face. I hopped to my feet and leapt to the car. Inside a tiny girl, long red hair, chest glowing, lay on the cracked leather seat.

Jessica Hanks.

I reached in and gathered her into my arms.

“David?” Beka said.

“Get back. There are more here.” I hugged the sleeping girl close and backed away from the open car door. “Beka. If you have your sword, get it out now.”

“Sword?” She froze. “How—?”

“Do it.” My voice echoed off the trees.

Metal scraping metal rang through the air. She held a dagger up and settled her pant leg over a holster around her calf. Darkness surrounding the car came alive as seven demons surged forward.

“Elizabeth. Run to the club. Get my brother, Russell. Do it now.”

She whimpered, but I heard the gravel shifting so she must have obeyed.

“Jessica. Wake up.” I jostled the girl. Her glow intensified, but she didn’t move. I needed her awake so she could hold onto me while I fought.

Although I wasn’t sure I could fight Beka. Because if I did I would kill her.

And I didn’t think I could kill one whom I loved with my entire human, and even maybe my evil, soul.

“David. Hand the Mark to me,” Gage said.

I flashed my fangs. “Stay back.”

“David?” Beka asked.

I continued backing away, keeping Gage and his henchmen in sight. Beka moved with me, three feet to my left. I cradled young Jessica in my right arm.

“Think about what you’re doing, David. You can’t breach your contract.”

“I’m not. I got my Mark. I will turn her in.” I glanced at Beka. Her eyes went wide, realization beginning to settle in. “After I learn more about her. Or in exchange for my contract.”

Gage stopped. His black eyes flashed. “You wouldn’t dare go against Master.”

“If Jessica Hanks can help me gain my freedom, yes.”

CHAPTER 12

“David, no. You don’t realize what you’re doing,” Beka said. “Please, hand her to me. I will keep her safe.”

Shuffling from Gage’s direction demanded my attention. I inched toward the entrance of the parking lot, keeping Beka and Gage in front of me. Only five feet until I met the brick wall of the neighboring building. I could set her down and get in front of her. They would not get through me to my Mark.

Gage and his group closed in. “David. We will take the girl now.”