Chapter 34
Chapter
Thirty-Four
MERRI
With each passing day since my dreamwalk with Lucifer in the Garden of Eden, it was becoming easier and easier to slip into the role I needed to play. So much so I couldn’t quite tell what was real and what was just an act.
Case in point: Lucifer was squeezing behind me to grab something out of the cabinet beside my head. I could have moved. I could have told him to knock it off. I could have stopped myself from closing my eyes and inhaling his sinful scent. But none of those things happened.
Instead, my breath hitched, and we sort of leaned into each other.
Fuck my life.
These fucking dreamwalks were so useful but also incredibly dangerous when the wrong person became my subconscious’s focus. Every time I pulled him to me, whether on purpose or not, I strengthened a bond I didn’t want.
“Well, isn’t this cozy?” he breathed against my neck.
Don’t enjoy this, you hussy.
Don’t you dare shiver.
Fuck your hard nipples. It’s just cold in here.
Without my permission, a little sigh escaped me, and Lucifer took that as an opening to slip his free hand around my waist. The mug he pulled down from the cabinet was perfectly oversized, black, and emblazoned with chrome lettering that read The devil made me do it.
I sucked in a gasp as he shifted his hips and I felt the swollen length of him brush against my ass.
Holy giant cock, Batman.
He chuckled in my ear, far too attuned to me for my liking. “Sorry.”
“We both know you did that on purpose.”
“Guilty as charged. Though I could argue he has a mind of his own.”
Fucking men.
“Tell him to keep it to himself, would you?”
Lips brushing the shell of my ear, he whispered, “I did, this morning in the shower. Didn’t you sense it?”
Heat flooded my cheeks as I recalled the sounds he’d made. I’d definitely enjoyed it far more than I was supposed to, but a succubus can only resist a free meal for so long before she samples the goods.
And damn it all to hell, Lucifer’s lust was fucking delicious.
“Don’t know what you’re talking about,” I muttered, finally pushing away from the counter. The relief was instant, my senses clearing of him, which brought a much-needed wave of clarity.
“Little liar,” he teased, pouring hot water into his mug before plopping a tea bag inside. “If you didn’t know, why are you blushing? And why can I smell your arousal?”
I flipped him off.
Was it effective? Of course not, the asshole laughed in my face and looked far too good doing it.
But he was right, and we both knew it. One couldn’t argue pheromones.
“Just because you’re baiting me with lust. I’m a succubus. I feed off the stuff.”
“So you do want me. Good to know. Thank you for confirming.”
“Put a starving vegetarian in a steakhouse and her tummy’s gonna rumble. It’s biology, simple as that.”
He stepped closer to me, mimicking the position we were in the last time he kissed me, and God help me, I didn’t back away.
Andi’s voice echoed in my mind, like the guardian angel she’d become, though this time she was more of a naughty devil on my shoulder.
Come on, babes. Just give in already. Who’s it gonna hurt?
Him, that’s who. And bonus, you’d have the answer to a question plaguing the rest of womankind.
How good is Lucifer in bed? See? It’s for science. Two birds, one bone.
I was pretty sure that last part was something Sin said.
“I know you’ve been feeding from them, my sweet,” Lucifer whispered, brushing his knuckles down my cheek. “You’re not hungry. Not in the least. That desire you feel is all you. It’s us. Why can’t you admit you want me as I want you?”
Ugh.
He was too smart for his own good, and I had to abort this mission before he had his way with me on the kitchen island.
“I’d rather my fingers fall off from overuse than give in to you.”
And with that rather snappy comeback, if I do say so myself, I spun around and all but ran from the kitchen.
“Don’t sprain your wrist, darling!” he called, laughter threaded through his voice.
I was still grumbling under my breath when I kicked the bedroom door closed behind me. It wasn’t until I stood in the middle of my room that I realized I was clutching an empty plate. I never did get what I’d gone in there for.
Shit.
Did he notice?
Of course he did.
I flopped onto the bed with a groan. This plan was backfiring spectacularly.
I might’ve been well fed, sated, and rebuilding the connections I needed with my men, but Lucifer still affected me.
How could I tell them that? Should I? With everything they had going on, it might not be the wisest choice to add to their already overflowing burdens.
Or maybe they already knew. They were the ones who stressed the need to act quickly.
To make Lucifer think he stood a chance so he could be trapped.
During our dreamwalk last night, they'd been confident we would succeed. Confident or desperate? After we wore ourselves out, they filled me in on what they’d learned from Auntie Lilith, and more concerningly, how Malice’s son had been taken along with Sunday Fallon, the daughter of War. Time was running out on all sides.
Malice put on a brave face, but I knew the truth. His emotions gave him away. His fear for his son was palpable. More than anything, I wanted to help right that wrong.
And, you know, save mankind.
Which meant I couldn’t put this off any longer. All roads led to the dream realm. And to Grim. Tonight I had to put on my big-girl panties and face the horseman who rejected me. He might think he’s not my mate, but I knew it.
That didn’t mean I was ready to forgive him. But I would work with him.
For Malice.
To get free.
To finish what we started.
Locking my door—like it would do any good if Lucifer wanted in—I settled myself on the middle of my bed, eyes closed, breaths intentional and slow.
I found their tethers all lined up in a row—three bright and shining, one stronger than before, but still a dull glow.
Grim’s. I grabbed his first, this time gaining purchase rather than slipping through it.
Collecting all four, I pulled hard, bringing them to me instead of going to them.
Just like before, they appeared near instantly.
Chaos looked around with a chuckle. “The gym?”
“You said tonight was for practice.” I shrugged.
“It seemed appropriate.” I was studiously ignoring Grim’s presence to the left of him.
But his gaze burned into the side of my face.
I’d say he was ravenous and I was his meal of choice, but that was a dangerous thought leading to nothing but heartache, so I shut it down.
“You’re not really dressed for the gym, kitten,” Sin said, his lips curved into a smirk.
Glancing down at my jeans and crop top, I laughed. “It’s my favorite.” Did it say Thug Life across the chest with the Golden Girls posed underneath? Yes. Do you have a problem with that? I didn’t think so.
“She’s fine. We aren’t working out our bodies. Just her mind.” Malice closed the distance between us and pulled me against his chest before dropping his lips to my ear. “We can work our bodies after, if you’d like.”
“If training here is anything like back at the chateau, I’m not sure I’ll be up for it.” Those sessions with Malice left my brain in a pudding-like state. All I ever wanted to do after was sleep.
But when Malice pulled away with a smirk, my lower belly tightened.
Then again . . .
“Okay, enough flirting. We haven’t even acknowledged the huge hurdle Merri jumped over already,” Sin said, taking my hand and tugging me out of Malice’s embrace.
“What’s that?” Chaos asked.
“She brought all four of us in at once. Didn’t even break a sweat. Our girl is so fucking strong.”
I stood a little straighter under his praise, but my gaze slid to Grim, whose focus never deviated from me.
To say the vibe between us was tense would be an understatement.
The usually polished and well-kept man was unkempt, hair a wild mess of silver waves, beard longer than the normally meticulously groomed version I was used to.
He was still in his customary suit, but the jacket was gone, and his shirt sleeves were rolled up his forearms.
Didn’t hate that. Nope. Not one bit.
It was obvious he’d struggled in my absence, and I wish I could pretend I was a better person and that the knowledge didn’t fill me with a sense of victory. But that would be a lie.
I was a petty, petty bitch.
Eat your heart out, Grimsby.
Forcing myself to look away, I settled my attention on Chaos. “So how are we doing this? Is there an actual plan, or am I supposed to wing it?”
“You are the only one with enhanced power in these dreams,” Malice said.
Sin raised his hand and cleared his throat. “Not true. I also get a boost in here. Incubus. Remember?”
“Right, but I doubt you’ll have the chance to get one over on Lucifer the way Merri will. He suspects nothing but foul play from you. With her, it’s different. He wants to believe her. That’s his weakness. We need to exploit it.”
His lips turned down in a frown, but he righted his expression a moment later. “Fine. But I’m here to help if we need it.”
“No one is arguing that, Sin,” Grim said, finally speaking for the first time.
His voice ran me through like a spear. Dammit.
“What do you want me to do?” I asked.
“Knock him back with your lust and seduction power, then weaken him by taking his life force with your Famine side.”
I stared at Malice, eyes wide as he presented this plan like it was the easiest thing in the world.
“It might not hurt if she tried to compel him to reveal their location first. Or if she searched his mind for any useful details we could take back to the Hades Society. This may be our only chance to do some spying and stop playing defense,” Chaos added.
I gave them a dubious stare. “This is Lucifer. Do you think any of that is going to be easy? We’re lucky if one of those work against him, let alone all of them.”
“That’s what the practice is for,” he reminded me.
Understanding dawned, and my eyes bugged out of my head.
“You want me to use my powers against you?”
The idea of hurting any of them repulsed me.
“You can’t really hurt us, remember?” Sin’s voice was soft. “We’re the best choice.”
Logically I knew he was right, but I still hated the idea. The only time I’d accessed my Famine side, it had been to protect him. I didn’t know if I was capable of doing the opposite.
“Here, let’s get into position. Don’t tell us who you’re targeting.” Chaos turned to form a line, and the others followed.
Except Grim.
He came to me.
“Merri,” he started, but his voice trailed off as uncertainty took hold. I could sense it in him.
“What?” I snapped.
“I’m so incredibly so—”
Holding up a hand, I stopped him. “No. Now's not the time. Besides, you made your feelings very clear.”
He winced, but surprised me by not forcing the issue. “We’ll talk once you’re home.”
That was a bit presumptuous of him, but it still made me feel squishy inside.
Shoving all of that away for now, I moved until I was standing across from the others.
“What do you want me to start with?”
“Lady’s choice,” Malice said.
“It’s more of a true test if we don’t know what’s coming for us,” Sin added.
Over what I assumed was the next hour, I took turns throwing my various powers at them without warning over and over again until I was breathing heavily and all four of them were on their knees, enthralled by me.
It was a heady feeling. It was also the first time I felt like a legitimate badass.
Lilith and Sin always told me how powerful I was, but I’d never believed it myself until now.
There was just something about having all four of the horsemen on their knees for you that made a girl feel good.
With an unnecessary flick of my wrist, I released them from my hold. They got to their feet, eyes no longer glazed over, but with very visible bulges in their pants. Chaos adjusted himself and let out a huff of laughter.
“I think she’s going to do just fine, boys.”
“Are we ready to call it?” Malice asked, glancing around to ensure we were all on the same page.
“Do you feel ready, kitten?” Sin asked, leaving the choice in my hands.
“She’s ready,” Grim said, surprising me with his confidence.
Usually his speaking for me would have rubbed me the wrong way, but this time it made me feel warm inside. Holding his gaze, I dipped my chin in a slow nod. “I’m ready. I’ll see you boys tomorrow.”