Page 38 of Of Mercury and Mist

If I tested her, I’d regret if for eternity and I’d have to kill a useful ally. To do so would surely mean war. Kiam was affiliated with too many respected and powerful vampires for me to take that chance. Somehow, I was going to have to claim my woman and risk wrath anyway, but the less casualties, the better.

The thought of making her mine made me twist away to look out my own window. How to reconcile making the treacherous woman my own without appearing a fool would be a delicate operation. Not only had she stolen Ipomoea property, but now, she’d also stolen my heart.

Whether she wanted it after I’d done everything possible to make her hate me remained to be seen.

Josiah’s opinion mattered and I couldn’t see him bending the rules, it was too serious a crime. He’d skirted rules himself, but he had more authority than I.

The argument in my head still raged on when we pulled up to Fleur de Luna. The club catered primarily to creatures of the night. Be they vampires, demons, witches, or angels, we found entertainment and privacy in an establishment that hid in plain sight behind a veneer of respectability for the benefit of the public.

The humans who were aware of the nature of the business’s clientele knew better than to advertise and as such, it was passed off as an upscale bar with a luxury Gothic flavor. Manipulation and magic assured none of the pets, slaves, or companions’ lips loosened. If those failed, a good old fashioned heavy dose of fear worked wonders.

And if that was ineffectual, they died.

Wordlessly, I beckoned Ashley closer and unfurled the leash I’d wrapped around my hand and fixed the chain to her collar. She kept her expression neutral, as if the act of corralling her like a dog was no more significant than holding out a chair for her to sit in. I tugged the contraption a couple times, the clink of stone against metal the only sound in the backseat of the high-end sedan and she followed me out of the vehicle.

If the setup bothered her, she didn’t show any physical signs. The temptation to tug her hard enough to elicit a response was overwhelming. I snapped and turned my wrist a couple times, yanking her closer and giving in to the compulsion.

Ashley stumbled on her heels, the skirt of her dress swaying, her hands swinging up to still her leash. Fire filled her gaze, and I met it, head on. The temptation to kiss her until she couldn’t breathe taunted, but I led her inside instead, two security men opening the doors wide as we approached.

An array of scents, magic, and auras descended on me the moment I stepped on the floor. Blood, desire, lust, fear, and trepidation were a mouthwatering menu for those of us that frequented the club. The lighting was low and the decor, lavish.

Tones of umber, ocher, crimson, and ebony surrounded us like a blanket. Floral arrangements of artificially preserved Bloodmoon flowers burst from lead crystal and golden vases. Gilded trays bearing various mixtures of beverages scented the air along with platters of meats, fruits, and other delicacies.

There are some familiar faces mingling among the small crowds in the restaurant portion of the building, but I paid them no mind, avoiding eye contact. One fool, a useless demon I’ve never given the privilege of my acquaintance to, stepped directly into my path, blocking the way.

His intake of breath was loud enough to hear over the deep, rumbling music. “What do we have here?” he purred.

The lust in his eyes was infuriating and I stilled, evaluating the vermin and his intentions. He wanted a turn with her, I decided. “Move,” I warned him. “Or I will remove you myself.”

Ashley scooted closer to me, seeking shelter.

“New merchandise?” the man inquired, not giving up. She whimpered as he raised an arm, his irises glowing with a low, yellow light.

“Are you deaf or just stupid?” I asked.

He moved forward, his leather-soled shoes scuffing against the polished hardwood floor and his palm turned up as if he would grip her chin. Ashley raised her hands to ward him off while she turned to avoid the contact, shoving herself against me.

I grabbed my gun from the holster under my jacket and pressed it between his eyes, pulling the trigger the second it contacted his forehead, while clasping my pet to hold her still. She yelped at the sudden noise and jumped, grabbing my waist with both hands.

Some of the chatter surrounding us ceased, but only for a moment. Inquisitive glances were swiftly met with my own and business returned to usual. Now, no one else would dare proposition what was mine.

Unfortunately for me, the pleasure of ending the worm’s life and seeing the trickle of blood oozing only inspired more blood lust. It had been a little while, but I felt certain more opportunities would come my way soon. I’d take full advantage of them and slake my appetite.

Guiding my tearful angel around the garbage, I led her to a table at the back of the dining room. I tugged her to the side and swiped a napkin from a table, the piece of linen large and unwieldy but effective for what I needed.

“No one is allowed to touch you but me,” I told her, softly wiping at the beginning streaks of mascara under her eyes. She blinked a few times, attempting to stem the sudden flow of tears. “Do you understand me?”

Ashley swallowed hard, her throat bobbing and her jaw tensing before she nodded. I had to wonder if she’d cry so prettily with my cock stretching her pussy to within an inch of its life. Would her eyes be as large as they were right this very moment? She glanced up and saw my smile before she quickly looked away.

This wouldn’t do. Twirling my wrist, I shortened her chain until my hand looked like club and her chest was pressed against me. Her guard had been let down for a few minutes. Her shock over the dead man had jarred her from her self-protective shell, but she was rapidly reining herself back in. Her muscles were tightening, her spine straightening, and the cloud over her eyes sliding back into place.

I could feel her satisfaction and comfort over being returned to the fortress she’d constructed, the pride and the defiance forming a stronghold. She better enjoy it while she could; before I demolished it.

By raising my arm, I’d brought her flat against me and the rope of jewels forced her chin up. My head lowered and I nudged her hair out of the way so I could trail my lips along her slender neck. She shivered beneath my warm breath and her pulse fluttered as she leaned in against her better judgment, her hands finding purchase against my chest.

The heat of her own exhalations stirred my hair, and I brought a hand up to grip the side of her face. I feathered my lips along her cheekbone before hovering over her mouth, my cock rock-hard, straining for her, demanding I take her then and there.

My teeth stretched my gums, and my mouth filled with saliva as hunger filled my belly. It was too soon to do exactly what I wanted, but I was going to visibly mark her anyway. I traced the seam of her lips with my tongue as she squirmed, trapped in my embrace. Teasing her, I kept her locked in my arms, licking, prodding, and nibbling until she opened to me. Her fingers reached for my shoulders as she gave in to what I demanded, her tongue meeting mine thrust for thrust. Her soft moan was almost my undoing.

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