Page 1 of Bound By Darkness

CHAPTER ONE

DRAGAN

Mortal Realm

“I’m sorry,” Eilish says. I assume she’s referring to Thoradin.

Her eyes are downcast and in the light of the pale moon, I see tears in them. I feel something in my chest, an ache not unlike the feeling ofMidnight Tears.

Her hair falls in front of her face, obscuring her for a moment. She raises her hand to tuck the white strands behind her ear. I notice there’s a freckle on the pointed section of her ear. I find myself thinking it’s the most beautiful thing about her.

“There’s no point in being sorry,” I respond gruffly. “It won’t bring him back.”

“I’m not just sorry for Thoradin,” she answers and refuses to look at me.

“What else are you sorry for?”

“I’m sorry for disappointing you,” she says, and the tears start in earnest. She still won’t look at me and a pinkish hue flushes her cheeks, pointing at her embarrassment. “I didn’t know I was Succubus.”

“We still don’t know if that’s what you are,” I remind her crossly. Anger is already tiding inside me and I’m not sure why.

“Baron seems to be convinced.”

“He’s been wrong before.” I pick up another rock and throw it, watching as it hits one of the trees in front of us. “And who the fuck is Baron anyway?”

She looks at me in question. “What do you mean?”

“Baron isn’t the same man he was before… before he was brought back to life. He’s someone different.”

“He’s Revenant,” she says with a shrug as she looks at me then and gives me a small smile.

“Yes,” I say with a quick nod. “HeisRevenant.”

“Whatever I am,” she starts up again. “I didn’t mean to be this way.” Then she shakes her head. “That came out wrong.” She inhales deeply. “What I mean to say is I didn’t know I was what I am.”

I’m not sure I believe her, but I nod all the same. She continues.

“And I realize whatever… I am… has changed things between us.” Looking down at her feet, she sighs.

“I don’t know what to think anymore, Eilish.”

“I know.”

“Succubae are demons. They’re selfish, manipulative, and scheming. What’s more, they’re extremely powerful and most men can’t resist them.” I decide not to tell her of my own personal experiences with Lamia and her fucking daughters. It’s a memory that’s better left buried beneath all my other failures.

Eilish nods sadly, then looks back up at me. “For whatever it’s worth, I wasn’t manipulating you back at Master Ash’s. I… everything we did felt… right, to me. I did it because I wanted to… be close to you.”

I swallow hard and have to force down the need to take her again, right here. But I’m not sure if the need is based on my true attraction to her or if the Succubus side of her is merely pulling my strings. “You might not even truly want me,” I say in a scratchy voice.

“Not want you?”

“It could simply be the Succubus working through you without you even being aware of it. If you are Succubus, it means you have… needs that must be met.”

“Needs?”

I nod. “Succubae must have… sex to survive.” I can’t look at her. “That’s why I said you might not be as attracted to me as you think you are. It could just be your survival instinct.”

“Then how would I ever know whatItruly want versus what this… part of me wants?”

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