Chapter 16 Callisto
CALLISTO
“Can you please get out of my toaster?” I ask, voice low and tight with frustration. “It’s three in the morning, and I just want some toast.”
The appliance shudders. A curl of smoke seeps from the slot just before he materializes in front of me, smile sharpened and eyes glowing faintly gold.
I flinch, unable to hide it.
He grins wider, teeth flashing.
Ding.
My toast pops up—blackened.
“Is that a normal thing for you?” I try to steady my hands as I reach for the plate. “Possessing kitchen appliances?”
He glides behind me, his breath ghosting against my ear.
“Only if it inconveniences you,” he whispers, voice soaked in amusement.
I tense as the air around me shifts… He’s playing with me.
“Dick,” I grumble, trying not to pout.
“Guilty. Keep being mouthy and I’ll show you just how big of a dick I can be.” Alabaster trails his fingers up my silk nightie. I slap his hand away, realizing I have nothing on under it.
His eyes flash, and my cheeks heat as I avoid his gaze. In the next moment I’m lifted, splayed out on the counter—silk bunched up to my waist. My legs are spread wide. I’m completely exposed as his face dives between my legs.
He laughs softly. “You summoned me, pretty girl. You didn’t think that would come with boundaries, did you?”
“Can’t you just leave me alone?”
“You’re the one who called me,” he says, tilting his head, the move animalistic. “I’m afraid we’re tethered now…”
“I just wanted to eat my breakfast,” I whine, his hand covering my face.
“Me too,” he says. I can feel his tongue darting out, trailing up my center—and I squeak, not expecting the feeling. “You make such delicious sounds when you’re startled.”
I gasp, my body reacting before I can stop it, goose bumps rising like a warning.
Then—
“Calli?” Jack’s voice cuts through the room, casual but close. “Who are you talking to?”
I go cold with terror, my legs still spread wide, Alabaster between them. I can feel his deep growl over my clit, his claws possessively digging into my thighs. I try to close them, worried that Jack will see, but he won’t allow my legs to close.
“Myself,” I say too quickly. “Obviously.”
There’s a pause as he enters the kitchen. “You’re telling yourself to leave you alone?”
“Jack, don’t—” I try to tell him not to come in, but I’m too late.
His eyebrows raise. “Whatcha doin’ there?
” He must be referring to me, splayed out, like I’m pleasuring myself next to the toaster.
I reach down, attempting to shove Alabaster away, but he’s now sucking my clit into his mouth.
My hand slaps to my mouth as I try not to let the moan past my lips, and my eyes are glued to Jack—who is looking both aroused and like I have five heads.
Searing pain hits my core as I feel him bite down on my clit. My eyes snap back to Alabaster. “Let him watch,” he growls. “I want him to see what I do to you.”
In that moment he starts fucking me with his tongue. It glides inside of me, curling up and teasing just the right spot. My hand reaches down, gripping at his hair, pulling him into me. I grind against his face like a woman possessed, as I come in waves.
Jack’s voice snaps me out of my high. “Fuck, Calli. That was the hottest thing I have ever seen.”
Alabaster stands in that moment—releasing me—and rises to his full height. A smirk is stuck on his face as he licks my cum off his lips.
I slowly turn toward Jack. He walks up to me, gripping my chin more firmly than I expected, and angles my face up to meet his eyes.
“If you wanted to get off, you could have just asked.”
I look at him, confused. “That—no. I—”
Instantly, Jack’s body begins to tremble, and his eyes roll back and then darken into an inky, solid black. His skin drains of color, muscles twitching as if he’s fighting something inside.
His hands reach toward his face before stilling in midair and his movements go calm—controlled. He drops his hands and looks straight at me.
A grotesque smile spreads across his face, looking completely unnatural. It doesn’t reach his eyes.
“Wake up! Jack, wake up!” My voice is shrill with panic. “What are you doing to him? Get out!”
“Burning the memory from his mind. I wasn’t going to let him interrupt my meal.”
I jump up and grab Jack by the shoulders, shaking him hard.
He looks down at me. It’s Jack’s face—but it’s not Jack at all.
“Do you want this human?” Alabaster asks, voice dangerous, a brow raised accusingly.
“No! He’s… he’s my friend,” I stammer. Jack’s always been there for me, but I don’t see him like that anymore… He’s gorgeous, sure, but we both decided a long time ago that it was best to stay friends.
“I think we both know it’s more than that. Don’t let him touch you like you’re his again.”
Alabaster, inside of Jack, pulls me into his chest, fingers tangling into my hair. His voice darkens into a low, terrifying promise.
“If he does, I’ll kill him. You. Are. Mine.” He waves his finger back and forth at the counter. “And what we just did there will not be the last.”
And then Jack’s eyes return. Blue. Confused. His skin warms again, but he looks disoriented.
We’re still pressed together.
I pull away quickly, face flushed.
“Damn… I just got the worst headache,” he mutters, rubbing his temples. His voice is groggy and disconnected.
He stumbles slightly as he moves toward the counter, catching himself on the edge. His breaths are shallow, as if he’s been running. His skin, though warmer now, still holds a sickly undertone—too pale, too slick with sweat.
“Are you okay? What do you remember?” I ask, my voice unsteady.
“What? Nothing. My head feels like I got hit by a truck.” He winces, squinting like the lights are too bright. “My stomach feels off, too. Weirdest nausea.”
“Do you believe in the supernatural, Jack?”
He looks at me with a perturbed expression.
“I’d say I’m a man of science, but why not?” He rubs his temples. “A hundred years ago, the tech we have now would’ve been considered alien or witchcraft. I believe magic is just a science we don’t yet understand.”
“Wow. That’s surprisingly wise. I wouldn’t expect that from you,” I say, genuinely impressed.
“I have my moments. Why do you ask?”
“Just making conversation… You should get some rest,” I suggest softly.
He shrugs, brushing it off, but it’s forced. He truly doesn’t remember, and that terrifies me more than if he did.
“Yeah…” His phone buzzes with a notification. He pulls it from his pocket, unlocking it.
“Is it Cade?”
“Yeah.” He nods and blows out a breath, looking over at me. “He found his target.”
He’s so pale. “You okay, Jack?” He gulps.
“Yeah… Yeah, I think I’m getting sick. I’ll go lie down.”
“Okay. Thank you, Jack… I’m glad my brother has you.”
He chuckles weakly as he walks away. “Who the hell else could put up with him—besides you?”
I shake my head and make my way to my bedroom, heading out to my balcony. I need air.
I sink into the chair, letting the breeze bite at my skin. Since I called his name, Alabaster has been hovering over me like a shadow I can’t shake. At first, I was in shock. But now… I don’t know. What he did to that man in the bar, what he just did to Jack. I don’t know what he’s capable of…
He should go. I head back into my room and go to the grimoire, flipping pages like a woman possessed. I find spells for fairies. Gnomes. Ghosts.
There—Protection Against Demons.
Fuck, it’s complicated and I don’t have half the ingredients.
But then I find another: Protection Ward.
Salt. Cinnamon. Blood.
I scan the room—he’s gone. For now.
I bolt to the kitchen and grab salt, cinnamon, and a knife. Back in my room, I spread the mixture of salt and cinnamon around the bed. Good enough… it has to be.
I take the knife, press it to my palm, hesitating for a moment—then slice. A sharp sting blooms as blood wells and drips into the circle.
I press a shirt to my hand, murmuring the incantation from the grimoire, voice low and trembling. I sit on the bed, back against the headboard.
Okay. Now what?
The room is still. Maybe it worked?
I say his name in my mind—and instantly regret it.
The air tightens. Darkness blooms in the farthest corner. I see his eyes first.
I freeze.
“Playing with knives, pretty girl?” he asks, voice curling around the room.
“Stay away from me,” I snap, trying to sound braver than I feel.
He steps closer and crouches. Dips a finger into the circle—blood, salt, cinnamon. Brings it to his mouth, licking it. His tongue is long and inhuman.
And yet my stomach tightens.
Heat.
Shame.
Confusion.
“Leave me alone,” I say, anger laced in my tone. “You put me in this position. I won’t let you hurt the people I care about.”
“I have no intention of hurting anyone… Not yet.” He grins, my blood on his teeth. “I just don’t like anyone touching my things.”
“I am not a thing.”
“Cute. Very cute. But you’ll need something stronger to keep me away.”
“Maybe you can enlighten me. I’m not exactly well-versed in being haunted by a demon.”
He pulls his finger from his mouth, seeming to savor the flavor. “Your blood tastes almost as good as your pussy.”
And he’s suddenly in front of me. Hovering.
His presence is overwhelming. The air around him warms, and the warmth of his body isn’t comforting… it’s invasive. My skin reacts before I do, prickling.
I hate it. I hate that I’m not pulling away.
His hand on my chin isn’t rough, but it’s sure.
My breath catches. I don’t want to inhale him, but my lungs betray me as I breathe him in.
He tilts my head like he’s inspecting prey, something to be catalogued before it’s devoured.
Then his voice, velvet and jagged, is right against my lips.
“I never said I was a demon, pretty girl.”