CHAPTER EIGHT
DRAGAN
Mortal Plane
I open my eyes and glance to my left side to check on Eilish and… she’s gone.
Immediately, I’m on my feet. Cambion is still deep in his meditative trance so I figure he has no idea she’s gone. Which is just as well. The last thing I want to do is deal with his fucking mouth.
Flumph is sound asleep under the pine tree where Eilish had been sitting. I hope she’s merely walked away to relieve herself, but I know better. With her hands bound, it would be incredibly difficult for her to stand up without help.
When I approach the sleeping Flumph, I notice the rope lying in the dirt beside him.
“Fuck,” I say to myself. The bloody creature is completely useless.
Even though it’s risky, as my Shadow Magic usually won’t lend itself to such a spell, I close my eyes and call out to the forest around me. “ Commune with Nature ,” I repeat as I attempt to become one with the natural world in order to gain knowledge of the surrounding territory. Eilish can’t have gone far and if I’m able to tap into the knowledge of the forest through this spell, I should be able to locate her momentarily.
Of course, this spell would be child’s play to Cambion, as it falls under the umbrella of fae magic, but I’m not in the mood to wake him. Then I’ll have to explain why and how Eilish escaped in the first place.
Fuck that.
“ Commune with Nature ,” I repeat as I clench my eyes and beg the natural world to allow me entrance. I envision an image of Eilish and I ask for guidance on how to find her.
Fairly soon a visual appears behind my eyelids. I can hear the sound of the spring gurgling and I see Eilish making her way through the trees in the moonlight. I open my eyes and turn to see the stream, which exists just behind me.
Follow it and I’ll find Eilish.
I offer a nod of thanks to the forest and, unfurling my great wings, I shoot directly up into the sky. I note the stream below me and begin following its meandering path from above the cover of the trees. From this vantage point, I should have an easy time spotting Eilish, as long as the cover of trees is not too dense.
***
EILISH
I don’t know how long I’ve been walking, but I’m exhausted. The way forward looks exactly the same as the path I’ve just come down. My stomach growls with hunger and I feel tears start to bleed down my face.
I’m lost.
I have no idea where I’m going, and I have no idea where I am. For all I know, this stream might pass through miles and miles of dense woodland. I could starve to death, becoming nothing more than a carcass for hungry predators.
A sound causes me to stop in my tracks. My heart begins to pound, and I suddenly feel light-headed and dizzy. Taking deep breaths, I attune my ears to the landscape around me and I hear it again—the swooshing of large and powerful wings.
Something is above me.
I glance up but see nothing, owing to the thick cover of tree branches.
I hear the flapping again. Whatever it is, it sounds big. Panic floods me and I start running, jumping over roots and rocks that act as obstacles in my path. My heart is like a jackhammer in my ears and my blood is pumping so hard, I feel like I could pass out.
The sound only grows louder until I imagine that whatever it is, it’s right above me.
Distracted, I trip over a tree root and land on the ground hard, skinning my knees and elbows. I’m barely cognizant of the stinging pain, though, because fear is now beating a wild path through my body. A split second later, I’m back on my feet.
I hear the sound again, this time from directly behind me. I turn around but see nothing except the seemingly limitless and empty forest. The only other thing I can hear is the constant hooting of an owl nearby. I face forward again and run headlong into… something.
Large hands grip my wrists as the right side of my face bashes into a large and broad chest. When I look up, I find Dragan glaring down at me.
I’m relieved.
He’s furious.
“What the fuck are you thinking?” he demands. He doesn’t drop his hold around my wrists but continues to clutch them, as though he’s afraid I’ll take off if he releases me.
It takes me a second to catch my breath. When I finally do, I’m overwhelmed and can’t seem to think straight. All the adrenaline pouring through me suddenly feels like it needs a way out and I find myself angry. “Let me go,” I snap and pull my arms up, trying to fight him. His hands are like iron manacles.
“Are you trying to get yourself killed?” he presses, still glaring at me, still every ounce as furious as he was when he caught me.
“No!” I yell back, so loudly the owl leaves his perch from the tree above. I glance up at Dragan again and swallow hard. I haven’t ever seen him this… enraged. Well, maybe that’s not true. Cambion has certainly pissed Dragan off more times than I can count.
“Then what the fuck are you doing?”
“I’m leaving!” I throw the words at him as I continue struggling to free myself, but he just holds me there like my fighting means absolutely nothing to him. Which, I’m sure, it does. “And it’s my choice!”
“You have no choice,” he informs me, his jaw tight, his eyes narrowed. “You’re our prisoner until we say otherwise.”
“I’m not your prisoner,” I growl, surprised by my own anger. But then my reaction begins to make sense. I’ve been way too patient for way too long. I’ve let these… these assholes boss me around and tell me what to do. I’ve allowed them to speak down to me. Well, no longer. Now, I’m going to stand up for myself, regardless of whatever the hell I am. Succubus or not, I deserve my freedom and I deserve the right to make my own choices. I’ve done nothing to harm anyone.
“You’re coming back with me,” Dragan commands, dropping my arms. He starts walking the other direction, but I staunchly hold my ground and shake my head.
“I’m not going back there,” I tell him. And I mean it. The idea of facing Cambion again makes me shrink inside.
“You’ll die out here.” Dragan turns to face me and crosses his huge arms against his equally huge chest. He’s the absolute epitome of power and strength, and with his furrowed brow and the frown on his face, he’s also incredibly intimidating.
“We aren’t in the Shadow Realm,” I start, panting, as I search for a plausible argument. “We’re in the Mortal Plane, which means I’ve got the best chance of surviving on my own.” My voice is breaking, though I’m determined to hold my ground.
“Until Variant or Anona finds you, and then you’ll be living on borrowed time,” Dragan point out as he takes the few steps that separate us. He towers over me and his wings suddenly sprout out from his back, arching around my body as if to capture me within them. He’s never done this before, and it makes me nervous. He makes me nervous.
“What does it matter to you, anyway?” I glare up at him, my voice as shaky as my hands. I’m terrified, but I’m not sure why. Dragan won’t hurt me and yet, I’m scared of him all the same. “You don’t trust me and Cambion hates me and Baron...”
“I don’t want you dead,” he interrupts, the words cold, his expression cold.
I feel my heart drop. He doesn’t care about me. He doesn’t still have feelings for me. He just doesn’t want my death on his conscience. “If I’m a demon, like you seem to believe I am, shouldn’t that be enough to defend myself?” I demand, throwing my hands on my hips and backing away slightly as I try to produce any courage I still possess.
He winces as though I’ve hit him. “You don’t seem to know the first thing about what being a demon means, and you’ve proven you can’t take care of yourself.” He spits the words back at me and takes another step closer, until maybe a few inches of air separate us. His wings close in on me from behind, bathing me in the darkness of the cave of his body. My heart is pounding.
“I can take care of myself,” I say in a weak voice.
“I’m sick of arguing. Either you come back without a fight or I force you. It’s up to you.”
“I’m not going back, and you can’t force me. I’m a free person and I have a right to make my own choices.”
“Your choices are going to get you killed.”
“What do you fucking care?” I insist, surprised by the vitriol in my voice and my choice of language. I take a step away from him and push his wings apart as I duck beneath them. Dragan appears surprised, at least momentarily.
“I don’t want you to die out here,” he says again, this time in a softer tone.
“And I can’t stomach the idea of seeing Cambion again. He hates me.”
“Cambion’s an asshole and he hates everyone,” argues Dragan. “He hates me more than he hates you.”
“I doubt that very much. Look, it’s obvious I’m just a burden to all of you, and I don’t want to feel that way anymore, so I’m going to try being on my own.”
I hold my chin up in stubborn defiance, but Dragan continues to glare at me, his angry expression even more pronounced. “You’re coming back with me, whether you like it or not.”
I don’t say anything in response and the two of us just stand there, fuming at each other. A twig breaks from his left side and he turns to face it at the same time that I start running in the opposite direction.
I don’t know what I’m thinking, because Dragan is easily faster and stronger than I am. Maybe that’s why I’m not surprised when I hear his pounding footsteps behind me and, moments later, feel his arms circle my waist. He stops me short and pulls me up against the length of him. I feel his breath on my neck as he holds me in place.
“I’m sick of playing fucking games,” he growls into my ear, between gritted teeth.
“Then let me go,” I say, but my voice comes out as barely even a whisper. I can hardly breathe, let alone talk. I’m winded and my head feels like it’s miles from my feet.
“Enough of this!” he rails and releases his hands from around my waist before spinning me around so I’m forced to face him. It’s at that exact moment that I pull my arm back and slap him as hard as I can right, across the face.
I’m as shocked as he is, and I gape in amazement as a scowl spreads across his lips. His cheek is already taking on a bright red hue where I’ve hit him. I squeak out a protest as he curls his hand around my neck and thrusts me against the rough bark of a tree. I knock my head against it, but the pain doesn’t register. All I can focus on is the expression in Dragan’s eyes. He’s angry, yes, but there’s something more.
“Dra… Dragan,” I whisper as my own eyes grow wide with fear. I don’t know what he’s going to do. I’ve just smacked him with everything I have… Granted, it’s not as though I’ve hurt him, but his cheek grows redder the longer I look at it.
I’ve never done anything even remotely violent and I have to wonder if he’ll think this is my Succubus side coming out?
He continues to pin me against the tree, staring at me.
“I… I’m sorry,” I whisper.
His eyes shift to my lips. I swallow hard.
And then, before I can understand what’s happening, he brings his face so close to mine, our noses are nearly touching.
“Don’t you ever… fucking hit me again,” he orders.
“I… don’t know why… I did,” I tell him. He doesn’t pull back. Instead, his eyes return to my mouth and rest there, on my lips. “Please…” I whisper.
“Please what?” he demands, lifting his gaze to glare at me.
“You’re… you’re scaring me.”
He chuckles then and it’s an acid sound. “I’m scaring you?” he says as he pulls away, keeping me pinned to the tree with his hand around my throat. “I’m scaring the fucking demon Succubus?”
“Y… yes,” I admit, because I’m not sure what else to say.
Then he’s in my face again. “If you think this little innocent act of yours—”
“It’s not an act,” I interject as I reach out and try to loosen his fingers from around my throat. He only tightens his hold and I find it hard to breathe. “Please…”
“Please what, angel?” he asks. “Please release you? Please let you go? Please let you continue to try to seduce us with your fucking perfect face?” He glances down at my breasts, then lower still. “And your fucking perfect body?”
I try to shake my head, but it’s difficult with the way he has my neck pinned. I can feel his breath on my cheeks. My heart is racing but something else is happening, too. Maybe it’s his closeness, but I can feel a deep sting starting in my abdomen. A yearning, a need begins to blossom, arching out through my body.
I want him. And I hate myself for wanting him.
“I’m… not trying to hurt… any of you,” I argue as I struggle against him.
“It’s too fucking late,” he snarls back at me. I feel my stomach drop as I realize what he’s just admitted.
I’ve hurt him.
“I’m the same person I always was, Dragan,” I start, but he cuts me off by tightening his fingers around my throat.
“You’re not the same person,” he interrupts, and then yanks me away from the tree before forcing me down to the ground. He pins me there as he climbs on top of me.
“I’ll… I’ll go back with you,” I promise.
“You’ll do whatever the fuck I tell you to,” he corrects me as he releases his fingers from my neck. I take a deep breath, which pushes my breasts forward, and he immediately notices them.
“Damn you,” he says.
I’m…” I begin but my words are cut short as he runs his hands through his hair and looks like he’s braving his own fight—the internal type.
“Dragan…” I say his name on a breath, because I can’t fight the way his gaze makes me feel.
“Don’t,” he replies, and I feel sadness overcome me. He thinks I’m some horrible creature, that I’m deplorable and wicked. But, I’m not. Even though I might have this side to me, I’m still the same Eilish I was before any of us learned what I truly am.
At least, I think I am.
“I…” The words die on my tongue.
“I hate this power you have over me,” he mumbles as he reaches down and outlines the shape of one of my breasts over the white fabric of the dress. My nipples are as hard as stones. “Cambion is right. I’m weak.”
He pulls his hands away and then, gripping each side of my dress, he rips the material straight down the middle, pulling each piece apart until I’m lying there, completely naked. His eyes are instantly glued to my nipples. He covers them with his rough palms, and I close my eyes in spite of myself. I can feel myself growing wetter.
“Cambion isn’t right,” I counter, opening my eyes to look at him. Dragan glares back at me.
“If he could see me now, he’d kill me, I have no doubt.” He trails his fingers down my stomach and pushes my legs apart. “But he has no idea what you feel like, because he’s never been inside you,” he goes on, and parts my sex with his index finger. He looks up at me then and I arch underneath him as I feel his finger touching my clit. “Fuck me, but I never want him to be inside you,” he adds as he pushes his finger into me and I moan out.
“Dragan,” I say, and he pushes another finger into me.
“Again,” he commands. “Say my name again.”
“Dragan,” I repeat.
Then his eyes are on mine and they’re determined, narrowed and harsh. “My name is the only one I ever want to hear on your tongue. Do you fucking understand?”
“Yes,” I agree as he thrusts a third finger inside me.
“Mmm, you’re so wet.”
“Please,” I whisper, needing to feel his erection inside me. I need his seed; I need him. I’m not sure if it’s the Succubus speaking through me but at this point, it doesn’t matter. All that matters is… him.
I watch him fumble with his pants and, seconds later, he frees his engorged penis. He spreads my legs even farther apart and pushes into me until the entirety of his cock is sheathed inside me. I scream out in pleasure and slight pain from underneath him, sinking my fingernails into the taut skin of his back. His muscles shift beneath my hands as I cling to him and he thrusts repeatedly.
“Say you’re mine,” he demands, his eyes suddenly finding mine again.
“I’m yours,” I answer instantly, without even having to think. He reaches down and begins rubbing my clit and I explode almost immediately, feeling my legs seize up as the orgasm claims me from head to toes.
It’s maybe another second before he pushes into me as far as he can and clenches his eyes shut as he releases himself. When he finishes, he’s panting. He collapses against my breasts for a moment, but then seems to remember himself because he pulls out of me and eagerly busies himself dressing.
“You’ll speak of this to no one,” he says, without turning around.
“What about my dress?” I ask as I hold the two ripped pieces together, trying to cover myself in an almost shy manner, which seems completely ridiculous considering what we’ve just done. But now Dragan is icy in his behavior towards me and I feel self-conscious and ashamed.
He faces me again and closes his eyes, holding up his hands to the ravaged fabric I hold in mine. His lips move as he recites an enchantment. Moments later, the two halves sew themselves back together as if by an invisible needle and thread.
He’s already completely dressed.
“It’s time we get back,” he announces, and I notice with chagrin that he doesn’t offer me a hand up. Instead, he turns on his toes and starts marching back towards the camp. I’m left with no other option but to follow, because I know if I try escaping now, he’ll easily run me down.
***
DRAGAN
What the fuck did I just do?
How the fuck did I just… What the hell is wrong with me?
Didn’t I learn my goddamn lesson with Lamia? How the hell could I have possibly…
Truth is, I’m as much a fool as Cambion thinks I am.
What the fuck is wrong with me?
Why can’t I resist the pull of this woman?
Even after I know what she is!
She’s a fucking Succubus, for Christ’s sake!
A Succubus!
Memories of Lamia and her fucking whore daughters come back to haunt me and I have to force my eyes shut to beat the visuals away. I swore I’d never find myself in a similar situation and yet here I am again—unable to say no, unable to prioritize my self-respect over my fucking dick! Unable to keep my cock in my fucking pants!
Eilish isn’t Lamia. Sex with Eilish feels entirely different. Even now, you don’t feel drained, you don’t feel exhausted. And you should—after you just fucked the hell out of her, you should feel tired at the very least, but you don’t, a voice inside my head pipes up, and I suddenly wish I could pound it with my fists until it dies a miserable death. You don’t feel drained because Eilish is different. She’s not Lamia.
Fuck the voice because I don’t believe it. I won’t believe it.
Eilish is no different. She’s Succubus—she’s demon. And she’s fully aware of the power she has over me.
“Fucking hell,” I mutter to myself, glad she’s trailing behind so she can’t hear my words and guess at my inner turmoil.
I’ve half a mind to leave her here in the forest, at the mercy of the elements, and let her figure her own way out. But I know I won’t do that. I can’t do that.
Because, fuck me, but I still care about her. I don’t know how it’s possible, given that I know what she is, but I do. In fact, I’m having a shit of a time trying to separate the angel from the demon. When I look at her, all I can see is the sweet, innocent woman I thought she was.
I’m a fucking moron.
But she is half angel, I remind myself. And she has angel wings. You’ve seen them yourself. She still could be the answer to defeating Variant.
Or am I just kidding myself?
Of one thing, I’m convinced—I can’t be trusted alone with her again.