Page 76 of Cry for Help

There was a banner.

Welcome to the Flock, Maddie.

Stiff and buttoned up, Stolas was mid-blow with a balloon to his lips. As soon as he heard my words, his cheeks flamed red, and he let go of the balloon. I laughed as it squeaked and squealed, streaking across the room as it deflated.

“We wanted to claimyou.” Caim strode forward, kicking his way through the sea of balloons.

“It’s a party,” Malphas grumbled. “I made cake. Red velvet.”

Malphas really got me.

Murmur, who had been silent until that moment, approached. Caim slipped back, allowing the other demon to have his moment.

“I know you think I am yours because I do not have a choice.” Murmur met my eyes. It felt like staring into the eyes of the universe.

I opened my mouth to speak, but he placed a finger to my lips.

“I know you, Madeleine Speck. I have seen your heart, and I would like to be yours. If you would have me. Just as I would like for you to belong to me.”

“Those sounded a lot like vows.” I worried my bottom lip with my teeth.

“They are,” Stolas said, brushing his hands down the front of his shirt. “Demons can form soul-bonds, much like your claiming. To us, this is marriage.”

Marriage.

I’d married four demons.

Until that moment, I hadn’t really thought about what that meant.

“And the balloons?” I joked. “Is that how demons celebrate marriage?”

“No,” Murmur replied, somehow more serious than I had ever seen him. “They celebrate like this.”

He grabbed me so quickly that my breath exploded from my mouth with a squeak.

I wasn’t a thin woman, but somehow, Murmur picked me up as if I weighed nothing and swung my body until my back hitthe edge of Caim’s substantial bed.

His lips descended on mine with the fervor of a starved man.

Murmur tasted like dark chocolate and secrets. I moaned against his lips, finding my body melt as I reached up and gripped his shoulders like I was afraid I would float away.

His kiss was harsh.

Demanding.

And I was just along for the ride.

There was so much pain inside of him. I felt it under the surface. I wanted to soothe his aches, to bring him comfort.

Murmur climbed onto the bed, settling between my legs. I felt his hardness through the fabric of my underwear, pressed against the seam of his trousers. He rocked his hips almost involuntarily, and I bit back a moan.

Until then, I’d almost forgotten about the others, though I sensed their gaze on mine.

Murmur broke our kiss, almost reluctantly, as Stolas approached. The two demons looked down at me, studying me with darkened eyes.

“Clothes off. Now.” Stolas’s voice was rough with arousal.

I hadn’t expected the command from Stolas, and seeing a new side of him sent a shiver down my spine.

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