9. Asher
nine
Asher
" P eople are dying," I snapped. I regretted the words as soon as they left my mouth. Maya's small figure stood in front of me, and even though her face was strong, I could see her body trembling.
The familiar feeling that passed through my fingertips as I touched that sign earlier this morning was one I hadn't felt in a long time. One that sent a wave of pain up the back of my spine.
I wouldn't consider our conversation an argument. I felt myself building with anger, but seeing tears stream down her face broke something inside of me—something that I didn't even know existed.
If it was true, if these break-ins started a week ago, then the only thing that I could logically assume was that this was tied to me.
Tiago was smart enough not to run his mouth to the wrong people, especially those who needed me in a spot I was no longer in. However, if those people found out where I was, I can only imagine the hell they would raise.
I laid her down in bed and noticed she was already fast asleep. Her lips parted slightly as she breathed softly, and her hair flowed around her. I reached down and began taking her shoes for her, setting them neatly on the floor at the end of the bed.
"You're gonna be the death of me," whisper to her.
A vision of her face being so stern and tough-looking flashed across my mind, and I smiled to myself. I ran my fingertips over her cheekbone and neck, ending on her collarbone.
She groans and rolls over to her side. Her skirt falls, exposing her thigh, and I can feel the heat building inside of me.
Who the fuck is this girl, and why does she have such a pull over me?
I reach a hand down and gently graze my fingers over her thigh. My fingers erupt into electricity that shoots up my hand, a feeling I welcome and now desire.
Just then, the hair on my arms stands on end, and my body ignites with power.
The energy in the area grew thick and heavy, as if velvet curtains were cast over the room. My hair whips wildly as the wind begins thrashing around it. The swirling ink on my arms illuminates and lights up the room in a soft glow. I smell fear in the air.
I glance back at Maya, who is still asleep in her bed. I pull her heavy covers over her and brush her hair behind her ear. Everything inside me screamed not to leave her side, but the instinct of my curse drew me outside and into the darkness.
I shut the apartment door behind me quietly and made my way down the steps. The stairs creak quietly beneath me.
Just outside the door, a small cat shivers in the cold. My nerves immediately ease, and I open the door and gently pick him up.
"We forgot to open the window tonight. I'm sorry," I say, setting the cat inside the shop. It immediately runs to the kitchen, where two small bowls are hidden under the sink—something I discovered earlier today.
I glance outside, and my heart lurches.
Stalking across the middle of the town square was a figure whose walk I knew all too well.
My body tenses up, and I can feel my body ignite once more. I shut the shop door behind me, and as I walk away, I glance up at the upstairs window.
The wind around me begins to whip wildly, and my hair breaks out of the ribbon, leaving it on the ground. Behind me was a trail of heavy hoof prints on the ground like scars on untouched skin.
"You're not supposed to be here," I say. My voice carries in multiples with the wind.
"It's nice to see you, old friend," the man says, stepping into the light. "I didn't expect to see you here. In fact, I probably shouldn't be seeing you here." The man chuckles to himself.
I can feel my patience running thin, and the air begins to whip-like knives around us.
"Don't tell me you're the one who's been doing all the damage in town, Damien." My voice comes out in a low multiple-voice echo.
"Oh, you heard about that little tidbit?" Damien stands tall in front of me, no more than a human. The air cuts through both of us like butter. My body takes the razor blades like it had done thousands of times before.
I step forward, and he hesitates momentarily, looking down at my feet.
"There's no need for formalities, Asher. You and I both know why I'm here."
I can feel my skin splitting at the top of my head as solid black horns break free and force themselves into the open.
"I suggest you mind your business and turn back around," my chest heaves deeply.
"Unfortunately, I can't do that. I am here on business, both regarding you and not regarding you." He opens his arms wide.
The snow begins to melt around us, and I can feel my patience only seconds away from breaking.
"I'm here to retrieve the boss's package. He's got some other business that I'm supposed to be taking care of for him. It was only by chance that I found you here. If I recall correctly, this isn't your stomping ground." Daymien grinned at me.
I step forward, and the wind thrashes around us like needles. The man's face is cut in multiple places as the air whips past him like razors.
"Still the same temper that I've known," he says. "I'll give the boss your condolences."
My anger bubbles over, and I reach a chain out that wraps around his neck, immediately pulling him towards me.
I brought his face close to mine. My hair whips around us, and the loose chains around my ankles and waist rattle. His neck is like a slender root beneath my long, clawed fingers.
"I suggest you leave me out of this," my voice ripples through the air like a thunderclap.
"I can't Asher. I'm here on behalf of the boss." He shrugs.
Maya's sleeping face crosses my mind, and I hesitate.
Daymien takes the opportunity to vanish, and standing before me is a small pile of smoke that slowly fades out of view.
I shut the door softly behind me; my body was sore from the interaction.
What is he talking about?
The question spins around in my mind, and I look down as I feel something rub across my leg. The cat from earlier rubs against me, purring loudly, and I reach down to him.
"I'm sorry. I should've made sure the window was open." The large Tom cat shuts his eyes slowly and puts louder.
Upon arriving back upstairs, I see Maya right where I left her. I sat the cat down, and he snuggled underneath the blankets against her before looking at me and meowing quietly as if thanking me.
Suddenly, I think back on the conversation that Maya and I had earlier, as well as what Daymien said to me, and all at once, it clicked.
Am I dangerous for you?
The thought makes my heart ache. I brush my fingers across her cheek, and she shivers at my touch. This awakens something in me, and I run my thumb over her bottom lip. I can feel my heart begin to race in response.
Who are you?
I lean back on the floor against her bed and lean back. My hair pools around me in inky black splotches, and I chuckle.
The memory of Maya holding my hair in her hands and cutting it gently crossed my mind, and I felt my chest heat up. I hated my long hair. Everything about it irritated me. It reminded me of my past, but something about how she said she liked it and how she looked at me so adoringly seemed to loosen my chains. If having long hair made her look at me, I would never bring a blade up to it again.
“Asher,” Maya whispers
I turned around to look at her and saw her reaching a hand out to me.
“Hm?” I whisper.
“Is everything okay? she asks in a sleepy voice, "You weren't here." Daymien's face crosses my mind, and I reach up and grab her hand, gently bringing it to my lips and holding it there.
“Everything is fine, princess. I went to go let your cat in.”
“He's not my cat.” She makes a pouty face, and her eyes are still closed.
"He seems to think otherwise." I laugh a little
She mumbles something under her breath before falling back asleep. She holds my hand tightly, and I return her fingers to my lips, giving it one more kiss.
Come morning, I will rip the masks off one by one. Whatever it takes to keep you untouched.
I sat there all night, watching over her. The way she was so responsive while dreaming. Her lips parted slightly as if she had more sweet words for me.
The sun rose slowly, breaking through her silky curtains and shining a glittering ray across Maya's cheek. I stood and opened the apartment door for the cat.
Maya sits up and stretches her arms high above her head. Her sweater from the day before hangs loosely over her shoulder.
"Good morning," I say, returning to her. She mumbles at me and stares up at me through her heavy lashes. Her hair is messy and falls around her on her silk sheets.
"What time is it?" She mumbles and rubs her eyes.
"Almost 11," I say.
Maya suddenly jumps up and rushes to the bathroom. She starts stripping off her clothes.
"My dear, you have the day off," I say, not taking my eyes off her.
"What?" She turns around, her head and one arm still in her sweater. "What do you mean?"
"The shop is snowed in," I make my way over to her dresser and begin looking through her clothes. "You wouldn't be able to open the door even if you dedicated your soul to it."
Maya pulled her sweater back on and plopped herself down to bed. Her feet hung over the edge, and she gently swung them.
"I was excited to hand out cookies to the orphans," she pouts.
"I know, dear," I dug through her drawer, landing on a white turtle neck. I pull it out, set it on the intricately carved dresser, and move to the next drawer. I pull out another short black skirt and put it on the long sleeve. I dig through her underwear drawer and pull out a set of thigh-high white socks. Both have a thin black bow that falls in long ribbons.
"Do you think they'll be super disappointed?" her voice is still groggy.
"Maybe," I walk over to her and begin sliding her socks off.
She grumbles at my answer.
"It will make the reunion all the more worth it when they see you next, though," I help her change, looking away as she changes her underwear.
"I just want them to have a good Christmas," her voice is filled with sadness.
"They will baby girl." I slide the stocking up her thighs and hold her ankle. It's tiny beneath my hands. "However, today is your rest day." I get up, grab a brush from the bathroom, and sit behind her. She repositions herself between my legs, and I feel my pants tighten.
"I haven't had one of those in a while." She pouts. "I had plans today."
I run my hand through her hair, and it complements my skin. Even though tangled, it sits like silk. "I had plans today, too," I remember the run-in from last night. I run the brush through her long hair. I glance up, and a golden beam of light sits on her cheek. Her eyes are droopy, and I bring a strand of her hair up to my lips. I brush through her hair and pin it back with the same black bow clips from yesterday.
"Asher," her voice rings like a soft bell, calling me.
"Hm?"
"Would you like me to cut your hair again?" she turns around to me and leans forward, bringing her face inches from mine. I hesitate. Her eyes are still sleep-filled. Her lips shimmer, and I raise my hand, running my fingertips over the swollen flesh. Without hesitation, she parts her lips fully and takes my thumb in her mouth. My cock twitches, and all chains that I had restrained myself with before were snapped.
I grab her throat firmly and pull her onto my lap. She whimpers at the sudden pressure and twirls her tongue around my thumb.
I bring her on my lap, her legs falling to either side of me. I watch as she works my thumb, and a low hum reverberates through my chest. She angles her big eyes at me, and I can't break out of her spell.
"Do you even know what you're doing right now?" My chest heaves, and my body vibrates.
She flutters her eyelashes at me and pulls my thumb out of her mouth with a slight popping noise. Her face suddenly blushes red, and she snaps her hands up to cover it.
I grip both of her wrists and pin them behind her with one hand; I use the other to tilt her chin to me.
"I asked you a question, baby girl."
Her eyes pierce me, and she licks her lips hungrily. She nods her head and shuts her eyes tightly.
"Use your words, princess," I hum into her ear, and I feel her body shiver on top of me. My cock is already threatening to break free.
"I-" she stops mid-sentence and blushes hard again.
I bring my hand down and grip her hips tightly, rubbing circles with my thumb. She whimpers, and I grip her wrists tighter.
"You don't know, do you?" I bring my lips to her ear and nip the flesh. She lets out a small gasp, and I trail kisses down her neck.
"I've never-" she stops again and looks away.
"Never what, baby?" I meet her gaze, and her face is completely flushed. Suddenly, it clicks. I let out a low chuckle. "My dear, don't tell me that you've never had another man's hands on you before?"
She shakes her head gently and bites her lip. I reach my thumb up and separate the flesh from her teeth, rubbing it slowly.
"You've never been touched?" I ran my fingertips over the black panties that now held a wet spot. I groan as my finger comes back slick and shining. I bring my fingers to my lips and suck the juices off. A low growl escapes my chest, and I pull her closer to me, positioning her just above my throbbing heat. The sudden pressure causes her to gasp, and she falls against my chest.
"Please-" she pants heavily against me. I can feel her body already shaking.
"Please, what, baby girl?" I rub my thumb over her lips and shove my thumb in her mouth again. Her eyes are hazy, and she immediately begins sucking. My cock twitches, and the motion causes her to gasp. "You've never been touched," I move close to her ear. "My hands are the only hands that have ever roamed your unmarred skin." I chuckle and feel my body vibrate.
"I've touched myself," she faces me and puts on a brave face.
"Then show me."
My voice causes her to freeze. I lift her to where she's straddling my thigh, I can feel her slick pussy dampening my pants, and I breathe heavily. I grip either side of her hips with trembling hands and begin to roll her hips against my thigh. She gasps and immediately collapses against me.
"No, my sweet girl," I prop her up to face me. Her eyes are droopy, and her tongue hangs slightly out of her mouth. I reach up and grab it between my fingers. "Show me."
She wraps her arms around me and begins slowly grinding on my thigh, slowly at first. A noticeable wet spot forms on my pants. I release her tongue and move my hand around her throat. "Faster, little one, I know you can do better for Daddy." She shuts her eyes and begins rolling her hips faster against me. I groan out and palm my throbbing cock over my jeans. A small wet spot forms almost immediately.
Maya's breathing grows ragged, and her thrusts uneven.
"Please," she begs, drooling now.
"Please, what baby girl," I mumble. I nip her shoulder, earning a gasp from her sweet lips.
"Please, I need-" she stops and moans.
"Words, Maya," I warn. I grip her throat tighter. "Ask properly."
"Please, I need to…"
"Please, what, dear?" My heart is racing, and it’s taking everything in me not to pin her down and take her right now, especially after learning that she's untouched. The thought of my hands being the only ones that have ever taken her about sends me over the edge.
"Please let me cum,'' her voice is barely above a whisper now.
"Such a good girl for me," I grip her hips and begin taking over the pace. His breaths become ragged, and her breathing is unstable. Then, all at once, she falls against me, her teeth sinking into my shoulder as her body spasms above me. My shoulder burns from her bite, but all it does is make my cock twitch in pleasure. Her body jolts, and I roll her hips to overstimulate her through her orgasm. She slows and is a panting mess against my chest.
I pull her against me and stroke her hair. Her eyes are droopy before fully closing. I get up and walk her over to the bathtub. I hold her with one arm as I prepare a bath for her.
The bathroom was small; most of the space was taken up by a large claw-foot bathtub lined with plants and crystals. I smiled to myself and pulled her closer to me.