Page 4 of Stegian: Project Exorcism 4

Stegian’s gaze went to the woman. Yunoc didn't seem to see her. Did that mean she was merely a figment of Stegian’s imagination? It would explain her beauty. Never in his life had he seen a woman come even close to her.

“Please, Stegian,” she said, not bothering to whisper. There was a healthy level of desperation in her voice, and he still couldn't understand why she'd have a vested interest in him. “Don't answer out loud. I can read your thoughts, if you let me.”

He glanced at Yunoc. “I shall be in momentarily.”

“Master, is something the matter?”

The woman’s blue eyes widened. “Tell him no. Snap at him. Do whatever it is you’d normally do to someone questioning your authority, Stegian. Others will inquire about you later. There are traitors among your kind, ones who want to usurp your control. He'll give a full report, as he always does. Give them no ammunition to attempt to overthrow you.”

He wasn’t sure what made him listen to her but he did. “I spoke," he said, punching each word out with a threat attached. He let his gaze go hard, menacing, knowing he looked sinister. "Need you a reminder who is in charge here?”

“No, Master,” Yunoc said, bowing before he backed into the shadows. Fear hung in the air, as did something else, curiosity perhaps.

Stegian went to speak to the woman, but she pressed her finger to his lips, silencing him. “No. He waits in the shadows to assure you are well. His loyalties are torn.”

Who are you?He pushed the question out with his mind.

The woman smiled. “Someone who wants to save the man in you.”

I am evil. You should be terrified of me.

“I'm not," she returned kindly. "Come away with me. Please.”

I cannot.

“Why?”

The suns rise in but an hour’s time. To be in their light will mean my death.

She closed her eyes and nodded, defeat washing over her beautiful features. “It took me longer to get to you than I'd thought. I have to go. My strength drains and my journey home is long.”

Journey home?Panic welled in him. You cannot go off into the forest on your own. Anything could happen to you. You could be attacked, raped, killed. You understand not what creatures call the surrounding area home. There are abominations created by my hand that dwell here. They hunt, they kill, they know no other life. It is not safe for you.

Wrapping her arms around his neck, the young woman hugged him. It was such a foreign feeling that he was too shocked to hug her back. She laughed as she kissed his cheek innocently. “I wasn't wrong. Good still resides in you, Stegian.”

The demon within him surged to the surface.

Stegian hissed and backed away from her, not allowing the demon to snap her neck as it wished. The demon wanted to slash out, mar her beauty, reestablish he was in charge and that he bowed to no man or woman. Stegian nearly fell over from the sheer amount of energy it took to suppress his demon's rage. His breathing was labored as he fought to maintain control.

Go! I cannot control it much longer.

She nodded.

"I'll return," she said. "I promise."

She ran off into the forest. Every ounce of him wanted to call her back, force her to stay where he could watch over her and assure her safety, but he knew better. It was even more dangerous for her to remain with him. The supernaturals that called his castle home were vicious and would enjoy getting their hands on her.

Stegian turned to head towards the dining hall. Suddenly, the idea of a fuck and a suck did not appeal to him. He wanted to hold the beautiful woman and assure she was well. He did not want to sink his dick into a whore while he fed.

“Yunoc,” he called out as he entered the hall.

Yunoc appeared, head bowed. “Yes, Master.”

“Have the guards reported any movement on the outer perimeter today?”

He shook his head. “No, Master. All has been quiet. Why? Do you sense danger?”

Had no one really seen the mysterious woman? How could that be?

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