37
EXCEPTIONS CAN BE MADE
ENZO
A driana pouts as she walks up the stairs and I remind her I don’t appreciate brattiness. Especially when a higher demon is coming over to be entertained and when they’re on our fucking side. It may have only taken the death of an insignificant demon to persuade Elgios to ally with me, but alliances are fragile in Hell, and this one is important.
Elgios is a vicious fighter, as he aptly demonstrated that night out. He commands legions of demons, sworn to serve him and all highly trained. His power doesn’t rival mine, but I’d be loathed to take him on.
For now, at least.
Fighting on two fronts divides your strength and Byron’s still no closer to finding out what Eva’s up to. She’s been sneaking off, but he’s lost her trail, and searches of her home and offices haven’t revealed anything useful. She’s crafty, but then I knew that. Her cunning has served me well and now it’s coming back to bite me in the ass.
The layers of magic protecting the loft shift, and I sense Elgios’s arrival. He’s had the decency to announce himself early and he’s brought company.
Pleasant company by the feel of her.
Adriana could use a playmate, and this might be an excellent opportunity for her. For me, too, if she isn’t too possessive. Another woman could be a new experience both Adriana and I would appreciate, as long as it doesn't threaten what we have. On the other hand, Elgios might expect reciprocation and I’m too territorial to let Adriana play with another so male soon. So intimately.
And that might risk our alliance.
It’ll be better to lay the blame for any polite decline at her door than risk our alliance.
The formal knock reverberates around the loft and Elgios makes his presence well and truly known. The atmosphere changes and even Adriana should be able to feel the coolness sweeping through the rooms.
“He’s here,” I yell, “and he’s brought a guest.”
“I’m not ready,” Adriana screams back.
I roll my eyes, ruing how we’ve descended into the hellish reality of matrimonial bliss without the fucking marriage.
“Hurry up,” I roar. “Don’t make me punish you for being late.”
My girl giggles and it ought to annoy me. Adriana’s been using what happened in Hell as an excuse to hide behind and she’s pushing my fucking limits. She’s testing how far she can go and she’s heading for a punishment—and she’s got another thing coming if she thinks it’ll be enjoyable.
Adriana enjoys a spanking, but she won’t enjoy the punishment I have in mind for her. She’s playing with fire and she’s going to get burned. Badly if she keeps this up.
Elgios rings the doorbell, and the banality of his arrival amuses me. I flick my fingers and it opens, letting me turn around and receive him in all my glory.
He stops, dips his head, and tilts his head. “I’ve misunderstood the dress code. I’d assumed it was human form tonight.”
The submissive at his feet drops to the floor, prostrating herself like she damn well should. Her red hair is braided off her face but allowed to fall in curls down her back, but it fails to cover her pretty figure. Not as pretty as Adriana, but the demon is appealing, nonetheless.
“I think it's best if she keeps this form.”
It's the option most likely to result in an outcome we'll all benefit from.
Elgios grins knowingly and changes, turning into the ice blue frost demon I know well. His edges are sharp and his features severe, as cold as the glaciers that grind down souls as they run through Hell.
He's handsome, if brutality as cold as ice is your thing. It's never been mine, but Elgios does well with women and men alike.
“Drink?”
“Of course,” he replies.
I pour two exceptionally large brandies.
“What does she want?” I ask.
“It doesn’t matter. She's misbehaved.” Elgios grins, enjoying her punishment. “Which reminds me, where is yours? I've been looking forward to seeing that girl of yours in formal attire.”
It's my turn to grin, hiding my irritation at Adriana for being so fucking late. “She's making sure she's presentable. It's her first formal occasion.”
Elgios nods and sips his brandy. “I have the privilege of being her first. I hear she put on quite the performance for the Oracle. That cunt's probably fucked his fist sore over her.”
Adriana is gaining a reputation, and while I value her prestige, it's also dangerous. Too much interest in her might tempt others to try their luck and Mordecai might use that to his advantage.
It also won't save her from my wrath, which is building rapidly on account of her being so fucking late.
“ADRIANA.”
A beat of silence sounds and then a door slams shut. Footsteps hurry across the floor and stop. A door creaks open and Adriana saunters down the stairs as if she didn't just rush to avoid landing herself in even more trouble.
She's fucking stunning.
Her hair is pulled back in a high ponytail and the strappy underwear covers little of her body. Its rings and buckles match the gold of my collar and her tits have never looked so fucking tempting. Her legs are just as irresistible and her ass looks spectacular in the thong.
And her scarlet lipstick is the perfect addition.
I'm going to fuck her senseless for being so bold. Those lips are going to wrap themselves around my cock and her makeup is going to run as she cries from the force of me fucking her face.
“She's stunning, Amaymon. Truly stunning.” Elgios puts his glass down and walks toward my girl. He tilts his head as he walks around her, blatantly objectifying her.
I fucking love it and my cock jerks, keen to show Elgios how spectacular my girl is.
“We should talk business before pleasure,” he says, daring to flick Adriana's ponytail.
Her eyes snap to mine as she freezes, uncertain how to respond. We've discussed her behavior tonight and she understands she has to behave. She knows she'll be required to kneel and she knows Elgios might ask to play with her.
She doesn’t know how to handle this.
I left the specifics unclear. Including whether I would let him play—and I was surprised she accepted my dismissive answer that said it depended on how the evening went.
I click my fingers and point to the ground. Adriana quickly moves to my side and her relief is palpable. Thank fuck, because it shows she's mine. Absolutely mine. In every fucking way. She's obedient and observant, and she isn't interested in another male. Even one as skilled as Elgios.
I don't know how or why I allowed myself a moment of doubt, but it won't fucking happen again.
“Business, Elgios.”
I walk to the sofa, and Adriana follows. I sit and point to the floor and she slowly, gracefully kneels at my fucking feet. I pet her head and wait for Elgios to sit, enjoying watching his submissive as she crawls across the floor. She kneels, taking a more formal posture than Adriana, meeting Elgios's requirements.
I pull a leash out and clip it to Adriana's collar, making her meet mine.
“Nice,” Elgios says. “She's very obedient for a new human.” He takes another mouthful of brandy. “In contrast to your lieutenant, Amaymon. She's causing merry hell and has caused me no end of difficulties. I see why you chose her. It's a pity she didn't stay loyal.”
I nod. “Eva's a devious little bitch and she's always been very good with underhanded moves. She has a certain ruthlessness that suits it.”
“Well, she's proved she's more than capable of playing the game. In fact, she's rather expert at it, Amaymon.”
I down my brandy and notice Adriana fidgeting. She's nervous and I can't afford for her to make me seem weak. Or distract me. Or Elgios.
I need to know what Eva's been up to, and I need to know I can trust Elgios. He swore he'd help me take down Mordecai, and I swore he'd get the kill if events allowed. Both of us are schooled enough to get out of our oaths and he might renege on the whole damn alliance.
And Eva's manipulative enough to persuade him to change sides if she's given half the chance. I wouldn't put anything past the bitch and Elgios is power hungry. He's been a Duke of Hell for a long time and he's grown bored with his position. He wants a pay rise and Eva knows it.
“She's definitely working for Mordecai. He's offering her his hand. She'll help resurrect him and in return he'll grant her enough power to make her his consort. It's despicable, but there we are. There are no depths some won't sink to in their quest for power.”
Even Lucifer wouldn't take a consort.
Not officially.
Lilith is the Queen of Hell, but her throne is beneath his and there's no question about who rules. Lilith is powerful, but Lucifer's power is greater. She is cruel, but he's even harsher. And Lilith is vicious, but Lucifer's lust for violence knows no limits.
A consort is an equal in every way that counts. Eva would gain power that few other females ever hold and it would give her a seat at the table. Or whatever is left of the table once Mordecai's finished reshaping Hell.
“They're going to use the Power of the Damned, Amaymon.”
I clench my fist, vexed that the Seer's vision is coming true. The only thing holding me back is the comforting thought that Adriana is protected.
“It's too heavily protected,” I hiss.
Elgios shakes his head. “She's convinced she has a way around the wards and enchantments binding it. She's sure enough to offer me a position at her new court. The one she intends to form with Mordecai once Lucifer has fallen.”
The demon at Elgios's feet whimpers and he delivers a short, sharp slap to its face. The crack sounds out and the silence that follows is just as striking.
Adriana shifts and her chest presses against my leg. She's right to be nervous. Open talk of rebellion is enough to start a war or land you in one of Lucifer's eternal infernos, and no one wants to burn alive for all eternity.
My fingers stroke her sleek, pulled-back hair, offering her a little reassurance and a lot of a reminder about her place.
“Lucifer hasn't acted yet?” I ask.
Elgios shakes his head. “Like you, he seems convinced his wards will hold. And he's content to let Eva entice those who would betray him to her side and let her do his work for him. He'll wait until he thinks all the vile, despicable lowlifes who are prepared to turn against him have been flushed out, and then he'll deliver justice.”
My teeth grind against each other and the annoyance rising inside me is becoming unbearable. Lucifer is always sure of himself, but this time his arrogance could cost him dearly. It could cost all of us and the Great One won't give a shit about anyone except himself if it comes down to it.
Not even Lilith.
Certainly not me or Adriana.
His iron grip on the throne of Hell has been so damned unshakable because he's so fucking ruthless. He'll stop at nothing to hold on to power, even if that means destroying everything he's built. He can always rebuild it, as long as he rules Hell.
“That sounds like Lucifer.”
Elgios swirls his remaining brandy around its glass before he downs it.
“Yeah,” he replies, “except this time, I'm not sure even he can survive this. The Power of the Damned is formidable and if Mordecai combines it with his own, it might be too much for even the Great One.”
Adriana's heart is pounding so fucking hard I can feel it slamming against her chest. Her fingers reach for me and her touch is a distraction I can't fucking afford. Not right now. Not if I'm going to get rid of that cunt and keep her around to play with afterward.
She's afraid and looking for reassurance. I can't offer her any unless I lie and we agreed I wouldn't do that. I warned her that lies were kinder than truths and now she has to fucking deal with this. On her fucking own, if this needy behavior continues.
I've got to deal with Elgios and he's making his position fucking clear. He's received an excellent offer from Mordecai and mine needs to improve if I want us to stay allies.
“She looks pale,” Elgios remarks, casting his eyes down.
“She's never been around demons discussing overthrowing Lucifer before.”
Elgios smirks and leans forward, sending small clouds of ice cold mist towards my girl. “You should take better care of her, Amaymon. She needs feeding.”
The hand gripping his thigh makes his intentions fucking clear and there's not a chance that's happening. No fucking way. The only cock that Adriana's going to eat is mine, and she'll be swallowing my come for dessert.
“We should talk strategy,” I say, using every ounce of control I have not to lash out at the fucking asshole. “Perhaps the girls would like to eat. Together?”
“She's not allowed to eat,” Elgios says, digging his claws into his submissive's shoulder.
Elgios wants more than words to hold our alliance together, but he's not getting Adriana. But if I grant her a little time she might grow comfortable enough to play with me in his presence. And perhaps even that attractive little redhead kneeling at his feet.
I lean back and stretch my arms out.
“Exceptions can be made, Elgios. She might find something she wants to eat in the kitchen.”
His eyes narrow for a moment, and then he catches my train of thought. I've been fiercely possessive over Adriana until now, but I can tolerate her with a woman. More than tolerate her with another woman. Adriana should enjoy it if she gives in to the pleasure and I'll get off seeing her play with another girl.
“Can you behave?” he asks his submissive. She nods, and his grip tightens. “One wrong move and I'll lash you so fucking hard they'll be drinking your blood in my halls for weeks.”
I pull Adriana onto my lap and kiss her, reminding her who owns her. I unclip her chain and tap her ass, sending her on her way to the kitchen.
Elgios pulls the redhead toward him and whispers something in her ears. Presumably instructions about seducing Adriana and I don't intervene. The thought of my girl fucking another woman has my cock practically begging for it to happen and I watch the redhead strutting to join Adriana, eager for the tedious work of planning a war to end and the far more pleasant job of fucking to begin.