Chapter 7
My fingers absentmindedly brush over the teeth marks that mar my skin, letting the pain flicker beneath the surface.
I’m still trying to decide if last night was a wet dream or if Krampus himself truly was here, in my cabin, making me come multiple times—if the teeth marks I feel are real or just a hallucination, and I was simply trapped in a lucid dream.
No, Nicolette, the mythical monster, supposedly Santa’s right-hand man, was in your cabin last night, had his way with you, and left without saying goodbye or thanks for his orgasm.
Even demons are just like a typical fucking man... except, he didn’t just leave, did he? He took the time to care for me. He not only took me to the shower but also ensured I was comfortable, and then sent me off to the most peaceful dreamscape.
There, it was snowy but not cold, and I was surrounded by twinkling lights as I lay on a soft, fur rug in front of an open fire in my plush, floor-length robe.
Cardinals fluttered through the air as snowflakes kissed my nose, while the starry sky winked down at me.
I could feel him near me, but he was nowhere to be found.
Kryx.
A knot tightens in my chest as tears threaten to spill over, and I blink them away. But he did leave. He showed some decency after tying me to the bed and having his way with me, but that doesn’t change what he is: an actual monster.
I roll out of bed and yank the sheets off, dried cum splattered across them, and tuck them under my arm. I can still smell him on them, his scent of pine and embers lingering around me, settling into my nostrils.
I step into the living room, expecting it to be freezing since I actually slept all night and didn’t tend to the fire like I usually do.
Instead, it’s warm, the flames burning brightly as if a fresh log had been added.
I notice the hoof prints at the edge of the fireplace, and I feel a pang in my chest before it’s replaced with fiery rage.
I drop the sheets on the floor and grab the broom to sweep up every bit of soot because how dare he think he can just burst through the door, admit he’s been living in my dreams with me for years, make me come harder than I have before, and then just fucking leave.
Fucking bastard.
I lose track of time and rage-clean the entire cabin, and find myself, hours later, standing in the middle of the living room, sweat lingering on my brow and my hair a frizzed mess.
I look around and feel my rage turning into embarrassment.
I willingly let a demon into my fucking bed.
.. and asked him to stay. Like he said, he knocked, and I let him right in. No questions asked.
They’ve made whole movies about this, and none of them ever seem to end well.
I press my fingers to the tender spot on the inside of my thigh, the pain from the bite now nothing more than a dull ache. Tears burn behind my eyes, and I blink, letting one fall. It burns hot down my cheek before dripping off my chin onto the floor.
Of course, I would be so desperate for attention that I would let the first thing with a dick throw me onto my bed and have their way with me. Pay for the sins of fucking everyone else over by being fucked by one of the ultimate sinners himself. I’m as much of a sucker as the men I prey on.
My pulse races, and a flush of embarrassment spreads up my neck. I shove the cleaning supplies back into the closet, grab my phone and computer, and throw myself down on the couch.
Fuck this shit.
I know I’m supposed to lie low after my last scam, but someone needs to pay for these feelings, and instead of wallowing in them, I’m going to take every penny I can from some very rich, horny man.
And it doesn’t take long before I get a bite—the dick pics start flowing in, followed by the faceless photos from the models I hired for nude images, serving them up like a catfish dinner.
The storm outside has settled, but another one is approaching, preparing to drop another six to eight inches tonight and tomorrow.
That means I won’t be going anywhere anytime soon, so I should make the most of my time stuck here.
While there’s an icy storm outside, there’s a firestorm in here, and neither can be stopped.
Mother Nature and Nicolette Evergreen are forces to be reckoned with.
The gloomy daylight quickly fades to black as night settles in, with the wind picking up and becoming violent outside.
The fire has yet to die down from whatever magic Kryx used to keep it burning, maintaining the entire cabin at a comfortable warmth and fending off the frigid cold that threatens to seep through the cracks.
He at least left me with something other than an ache in my chest and between my legs.
I mindlessly send message after message, inching closer to closing another deal with a piece of shit who just told me I was more desirable than his wife.
I take a screenshot of the message and prepare to send it to her when the time is right, exposing the asshole for who he is.
Men like this don’t deserve anyone in their lives.
I don’t care what kind of person his wife is; no one deserves a cheating partner, and if it’s any consolation, I usually send half the money back to their spouses for their troubles. Women supporting women, you know?
My mind starts to drift as the words on the screen blur, replaced by images of last night.
Depthless eyes stare down at me, pulling me under like a dark current.
Goosebumps spread across my skin as I feel his phantom touch, as if his claws are gently scraping against my skin.
My hand slips past the waistband of my sweatpants, and I imagine his long, forked tongue dragging through my center, flicking my aching clit, making me see stars.
My finger circles around my entrance, my desire dripping and covering my skin. Dragging them up to the sensitive bundle of nerves, I press down, swirling them around as heat builds in my core, threatening to erupt.
I drop my head back against the couch as a small whimper escapes my lips, a moan catching in my throat.
My pleasure intensifies as my breathing quickens, along with my own touch.
I shift my hips, gaining more access, and an explosion erupts, causing tremors to wrack throughout my body, with bursts of blinding light flashing like fireworks behind my eyelids.
My body relaxes as my hand slips away from between my legs, though I still crave something more. Kryx left me hanging last night, and even though I just got off, I can’t seem to find the release I’m looking for. This must be the kind of punishment he intended in my own personal circle of Hell.
The wind outside appears to pick up, rattling the door and threatening to break it down.
A gust rushes down the chimney, causing the flames to flare out, licking at the stone hearth.
They dance wildly, growing with each gust of the wind, burning through the last threads of my stocking, turning it to ash.
My eyes widen as it seems to reach out toward me like a large, clawed hand swiping through the air.
I cry out and press myself back against the couch, curling my knees to my chest. The fiery claws reach out further, their tendrils nearly brushing my skin, the heat warming me even more as I become lost in their movements, letting them hypnotize me.
The cabin slowly fades away, and now I’m standing in a dark cavern, the walls around me glowing bright like molten lava.
The shadows swirl as they begin to close in, transforming into long, reaching fingers.
I try to make a sound, but nothing comes out as a shadow curls around my neck, tightening its hold and choking all the air from my lungs.
My eyes snap open, and I’m met with familiar, abyssal, hellfire eyes as a large hand grips my throat, holding my head back against the couch, forcing me to look at where Kryx stands behind me. His palm presses against my windpipe just enough to make panic surge and pulse wildly through my veins.
He lowers his face to mine, his large horns curling behind his head like a ram's. His vicious tongue licks his lips, sliding over his piercings, as if he’s ready to gobble me up and swallow me whole.
“Hello again, little vixen. I see that you started the fun without me.” His deep growl rumbles through me as a shadow wraps around my wrist, forcing my hand to reveal my cum-coated fingers.
“You weren’t invited,” I choke out, anger slowly replacing my panic.
His claws prick into my neck, nearly piercing the skin.
“You don’t have the power to make that decision now, not when you continue to be a very naughty girl.
You manipulated and stole, once again ruining someone’s pathetic life, even after I warned you what would happen.
And then you go and get yourself off to the thought of me.
” He tsks, harshly clicking his tongue. “Sin, after sin, after sin.”
My nostrils flare at him as my anger ignites like a match. “Don’t be such a conceited asshole,” I snap. “It’s none of your fucking business who I was getting off to, but it certainly wasn’t you.”
No man or monster controls me, nor does anyone tell me what to do, including this demon. I was raised in a home filled with smoke and mirrors, and I learned far too late not to trust anyone. Those who are supposed to love you most will abandon you in your darkest moments and never look back.
Now, I don’t get left; I do all the leaving.
Kryx lifts his hand from my throat, allowing me to take a deep breath as he grips my jaw, squeezing my cheeks and puckering my lips.
“You may be able to lie to men on the internet, but you will never be able to lie to me, little vixen.” He lowers his head further, his nose grazing mine, breathing in deeply.
“I can smell your desire. It lingers in the air, coats your fingers thickly, and drips between your legs.”
He reaches down with his free hand and pulls mine to his face, the shadow holding it slipping away. He presses my fingers to his lips, his tongue gently caressing them, licking up and down each one. “And it tastes just as delicious as it smells.”
“Leave me alone,” I grit out through my pursed lips, the words barely escaping my throat as I struggle to suppress a groan.
His fingers loosen their grip on my face.
“Aren’t you supposed to be out fucking other people for their punishments?
” I let my anger fuel the fire that rages through my veins, threatening to burn me.
His face stays neutral, but I don’t miss the flicker of flames in his eyes.
“Do you want me to go and fuck someone else, Nicolette?” His voice is a rough whisper, his words sliding along my skin like the edge of a knife.
“If that’s what you want, then I have an entire list of contenders who will gladly ride my cock for a lesser sentence.
I will fill all their needy holes with my cum, marking them no differently than I marked you. Will that satisfy you?”
I choke on my retort as the feeling of a phantom fist hitting my chest knocks the words back down my throat.
If I say yes, I risk him leaving and doing just what he promised, but if I say no, then I risk him thinking I actually give a fuck about whatever this is, and I need to be the one to stay in control.
Instead of answering, I narrow my eyes and reach back, letting my fingers caress the bulge pressing against his black leather pants, feeling each ridge and pulsing vein.
He breathes deeply through his nose; his pupils dilate until they snuff out the fire, and the darkness continues to take over, turning them into nothing more than a depthless void.
He drops his hands from me and steps back, putting distance between us as his nostrils flare.
Another punch strikes my chest, but I draw the air back into my lungs, refusing to give him any control.
Instead of begging him to touch or fuck me, I run my hand down my body and back under the waistband of my joggers.
I keep my eyes on him as I start to touch myself, proving I don’t need him or anyone else.
The darkness spreads from his eyes to his gray skin, resembling roots gripping beneath the surface.
“Nicolette,” he growls, shaking the floorboards.
The veins in his arms turn coal black, pumping inky darkness through his body and creating cracks.
My name is a warning, like a siren calling to take cover from the storm, but I don’t listen.
He’s not the only ruthless monster in the room.
I slide my other hand under my sweatshirt, relieved I went the day without a bra, and squeeze my nipple between my fingers and thumb, letting out a quiet gasp.
His body shifts, his hooves scraping against the floorboards as shadows swirl behind him, forming into a massive pair of wings, with a sharp claw curling from the tip.
He’s terrifying and enigmatic, his eyes flashing bright with fire, and his nostrils flaring.
Heat radiates from him, making my body tremble with fear, but I keep going, pushing him even further.
I want to see him come apart—tear me to shreds with his claws and teeth and show me what a demon is really capable of.
Heat flares between my legs, swirling through my abdomen as I speed up my rhythm, pinching my nipple so hard that I whimper. He growls at the sound and palms his growing erection, watching me like a predator watches its prey—a deep hunger in his gaze.
The tension between us is electric, sending a crackle of lightning between my legs.
I press my fingers firmly to my clit and pinch my nipple, shutting my eyes tight.
I tumble over the edge, crying out as a wave of pleasure overtakes me, the sound echoing throughout the cabin, bouncing wildly off the walls, until it falls silent.
My eyes flutter open, and I lift my head to look around—or at least try to.
The fire is out, and the room is shrouded in darkness.
My heart pounds as I shift on the couch, leaning forward, with the wood supports creaking beneath me.
I blink, trying to adjust my eyes—but it feels as if I’m wearing a blindfold.
I sit up just as Kryx’s voice fills the room, his words low and breathy, his intentions loud and clear.
“Oh, Nicolette, you’re such a naughty girl who has no idea what kind of trouble she’s gotten herself into.
” I shift on the couch and look behind me, trying to locate him in the dark to no avail.
A floorboard creaks, and I turn my head just as I feel claws scrape across my scalp, his hand plunging into my hair.
He yanks me off the couch and onto my knees, darkness lifting as his eyes burn bright. “And now, little vixen, I’m going to show you your real punishment.”