Chapter 26
ANIYAH
Lucus groaned as he grabbed my face and kissed me. This time, it wasn’t angry, desperate, or trying to prove something. It was sweet, almost soft. He gave instead of took.
Our tongues tangled, the mix of our tastes saturating my senses, and for once, I let go. Let myself fall into him, let him hold me, keep me.
“I’m sor—” he started, but I pressed a finger to his lips to cut him off.
“I get it,” I breathed, curling into his chest like it had been carved just for me. “I know what it’s like when the dark thoughts take over. When you need to dole out punishment, not just to make a point but to feed the beast inside.”
His gaze drifted away, jaw tight like he was biting back a thousand words.
“I liked it, you know,” I murmured, guiding those sterling silver eyes back to me as I cupped his cheek. I traced the shape of his mouth, stained red. “Watching my posh businessman vampire unravel…. Seeing that dark side? It was exhilarating.”
That heat returned to his eyes, not as volatile as before but just as intense. I giggled and kissed his chest, just a light peck. “And can we talk about how hot that was? If that’s what angry couple sex feels like, maybe we should fight more often.”
He huffed a quiet laugh right as Van popped in beside us. “Let’s not,” he deadpanned, arms crossed.
I burst into laughter, clutching my stomach. “Ugh, buzzkill. This was amazing, and you know it.” I reached over and kissed Van, tasting myself on his lips. The groan that left me? Unfiltered and feral.
Van faltered, lips chasing after mine, hands hovering near my face like he was seconds away from dragging me back under. I was so ready for that round two. Maybe with a rose petal bed? I’d always liked the feel of them on my skin.
Lucus’ voice shattered my daydream. “How were you able to use your magic on her?”
Van held out his arms, but Lucus growled and pulled me tighter, his protective instincts bristling.
I yawned, the first rays of morning sunlight slipping through the windows. “I need a shower and a nap. You two wore me out.”
Lucus looked me over, his expression souring as he took in the blood and bruises. I wasn't complaining, but it was his fault. With a reluctant nod, he passed me off to Van.
“I wasn’t using magic on her,” Van explained, pointing to my wrists. Each wore a delicate, permanent chain, one plain and one adorned with a tiny moon charm. “I used the magic on the bracelets.”
I’d had them put on as a siblings activity for Ezra’s last birthday. Even Calix got one. It was something plain enough to go with everything and delicate enough to not stand out when I wanted to feel naked. I didn't know they would come with extra, sexier benefits.
“Ooohhh, I love loopholes!”
He chuckled and opened the door. I peeked over his shoulder and pointed. “Lucus, can you grab my nightdress?”
It was draped over his arm in a flash. He kissed me again, a soft brush of lips, and followed us inside.
“Did you savages have fun?” Ras’ voice echoed through the hall.
I turned my head to find him posted up just out of view of the glass doors. He was close enough to see everything while remaining hidden in the shadows. His eyes raked down my body, cataloging every bruise, every smear of blood, like he was building a kill list.
The look on his face said he’d been watching the whole damn time. When my smile turned wicked, his eyes flicked to mine, and a blush started blooming on his cheeks. A shiver of pleasure rolled through me. What a delicious, filthy little stalker.
Van grumbled under his breath, “I was the least savage of the three of us.” Which, fair point.
Lucus and I had been busy playing power games while Van had taken on the full load of making me come for the first time and kept the pleasure rolling until Lucus lost his shit and claimed the second by force. His jaw probably felt a little stiff.
I pushed up from his arms and kissed him under his chin. “Thank you for making that feel so good.” I dragged my thumb across his lips, pulling the bottom one out to tempt myself. “You’re so very good with your mouth.”
His eyes gleamed with pride as he nestled his face into my hair, inhaling deeply. “I just want you to feel good, Ni.” His voice dropped, all gravel and heat. “You taste like the sweetest sin, with a hint of something otherworldly. It makes me want to live off your cunt morning, noon, and night.”
Well, that was the kind of poetry I could get behind.
I tugged him down, deepening the kiss until I had his bottom lip between my teeth. By the time I let Van go, he was dazed, stumbling a little. That was when Ras had enough.
He yanked me out of Van’s arms. “That’s it. You’re done. Both of you. Lust-drunk fools.”
Then his voice became gentle, syrupy sweet. “Come, let me run you a hot bath, my star. Rose and honey bath bombs, right? I’ll wash your hair with that fancy shampoo your sister gave you last Christmas.”
Wait, what? I blinked at him, confused.
He smirked, eyes swirling with obsession and adoration. “My star, I know everything about you. You’re my reason for living. Why would I pay attention to anything else?”
Honestly? His words didn't even surprise me, and I was starting to really like it. All that extra crazy focused entirely on me made me feel like his sun and moon, and I thought I deserved it. And that bath? Sounded fucking amazing.
“Sounds good.”
We left Lucus and Van bickering over who got to use the second bathroom first when I felt a set of eyes on me.
Turning, I saw Maso. He hadn’t moved from the couch. He was just lying there, still as stone, but his eyes were open now. Those brilliant blues were locked on me, watching everything.
Yeah…. That bomb was still ticking, and I was going to need to figure that out soon.
But for now? I just wanted to be pampered. Bathed in roses. Slathered in lotion. A girl like me had standards, and no man, no matter how stalkery or sexy or magical they were, was gonna get in the way of that.
After the bath Ras gave me, I felt utterly ruined—in the best possible way. He didn’t let me lift a single finger. Every instruction I gave, he followed like gospel. He washed my hair with careful precision, then scrubbed me down inch by inch, not missing a spot.
Just when I thought it was over, he slipped behind me, hand curling between my legs like it belonged there. Then he touched me, slow, patient strokes that soothed every jagged edge left behind from earlier. My orgasm didn’t shatter me. This time, it unraveled. Quietly. Beautifully.
When my body finally gave out, melting into something boneless and content, Ras didn’t stop.
He lifted me with reverence, dried me off like I was made of porcelain, braided my hair with gentle fingers, dressed me, and tucked me into bed.
It was the most relaxed I’d felt since taking over the Winged Palace.
Five stars. Phenomenal service. Would highly recommend.
Once I got over the part where he just sat there watching me sleep, I knocked out for a few hours and woke up recharged, ready to face the night, but the bed beside me was empty. No Ras. Weird.
I slipped on my robe, grabbed my phone, and stuffed it in my pocket before leaving my room.
Most of the guys were already in the living room, freshly showered and dressed, glowing like supernatural GQ covers.
Each of them had their own aesthetic, their own flavor, and I didn’t have to choose. I could have them all. Yummy.
“Good, you're up,” Van said, strolling in like sin incarnate. Burgundy button-up, sleeves rolled, a few buttons undone. Black slacks that hugged his body just enough to make me bite my bottom lip.
God help me. I was a slut.
“I forgot to tell you something…” Van began.
The club. The bomb. Vengeance. Finding Glen and the mystery man. Right. I needed to get my head back in the game.
I turned to him, already in mission mode, my thoughts sliding toward blood and strategy.
He took a slow breath, which confused me. “Calix is at the club.”
“What?!” I snapped, heart lurching. My brain kicked into overdrive. “When? Why hasn't he contacted me? What the hell is going on? He’s at the club right now?!”
Before he could answer, I was already moving, my feet pulling me toward the door like it had magnetic gravity.
I needed to be there. I was the owner. There was no reason I shouldn’t be overseeing whatever he was doing because, with Calix, you never knew.
Sometimes, he was a genius. Like the time he made a pair of stilettos where one heel turned into a dagger while the other became a gun when you spoke the trigger word.
Other times? He was a walking disaster. Like the time he tried to enchant all my outfits to sparkle like the night sky and set them on fire instead.
Calix was at the club, my club. What kind of shit was he doing? The possibilities were endless.
Van and Alic beat me to the door, and I almost called on my power to force them out of my way. The only thing keeping me from doing it was that voice in my head. Do it and watch as you turn out to not be what they desire most. Won't that be fun to know. Only the dread made me pause.
Van threw his hand up to block me. “Ni, breathe. He called me yesterday, but you were asleep, and then…” His eyes glazed over as his memory clearly took a detour into X-rated territory.
I snapped my fingers in front of his face, jolting him back.
“…then you fell asleep again,” he finished, clearing his throat. “Nothing bad’s happening. He brought Rack with him.” That was marginally better. Rack was the business and magic to Calix’s mechanical creativity and madness. He would make sure Calix didn't get too creative.
Alic crossed his arms, expression flat. “And are you really about to go see them like that?” He gestured to me, which reminded me that I was still barefoot and clad in a fluffy robe.