Demon Spelled (25 page)

SANJA BLINKED AT
the sound of her name. Groaned when it was called a second time. Lyx’s face came into focus. Groggy, and sleepy, she just wanted to curl up into a ball and slumber for a couple of days.

How long had she been snoozing? They must’ve really worn her out if she felt this tired after a nap. Felt like they’d just left.

She stretched, and Lyx’s fingertips circled her navel, his gaze hot enough it felt like a volcanic blast. The combination of his touch and expression electrified her body once more.

With them I
feel
special
. And she liked that. A lot. It was addictive. And the sense of belonging was alluring. “How long have I been sleeping?”

“Not long.” His wispy caress shifted to her nipple, and the peak hardened instantly to his touch. He smiled, obviously pleased by her reaction. “Our Queen wishes to see you. I’ve come to collect you.”

Queen? That sounded frightening.

“Why do I interest her?” She hoped the quiver in her voice wasn’t as audible to him as it had broadcast to her ears.

His touch shifted, and he fingered her jaw. “Do not work yourself up over the meeting.”

That was easier said than done. Her imagination ran rampant…would the Queen damn her into a fiery pit? Refuse to allow the guys to keep her? Or could it be worse? But what could be worse?

“Relax, Sanja. You’re overthinking again.” He clasped her hand, guided her off the bed and walked her into the bathroom. “I’d prefer to leave you messy because I like knowing you’re damp with our seed.” He wet a washcloth. “The material of your clothes will cling to you if I leave you untidy, so…bend over and place your hands on the counter.”

No thought to deny his request, she went into position. She’d second-guessed his command earlier. So much had happened in a short period of time. Lyx could do anything he wanted to her, and she’d allow it.

“Spread your legs so I can get to your sweet pussy.”

She adjusted her stance and a moment later felt the cool swipe of the material across her vaginal lips. His thumb pressed the cloth against her opening, and wiggled his digit before sliding upward to scrub across her clit. A groan hit the back of her throat and she jerked at the casual touch.

“Have I told you lately how much I adore your responsiveness, my sex-pet?” There was that hated word again. He tossed the washcloth into the sink.

“A time or two,” she admitted, ignoring the despised nickname.

“
Milien zariena
, I wish we had time to play.” But that endearment warmed her.

Holding her position, she glanced at him over her shoulder offering the use of her body with her thoughts.

He presented her with a pleased smile. “I so fucking wish. Follow me, Sanja.”

Sanja trailed him as he guided her out of the bathroom. Disappointment lingered as the thought of him taking her braced against the counter flashed through her head. But by his air of business, she guessed they were on a time schedule. And she imagined no one should keep a queen waiting.

A new set of clothes was strewn on the sofa. A flimsy set of pants that looked a lot like the harem costume they’d dressed her in more than once.

He indicated the attire. “Dress.” As she pulled the pants on, Lyx detailed further instructions. “When we arrive in Jakira—our Queen’s—chamber, there are certain rules you must follow. Do not speak unless invited to talk.”

She nodded. That wouldn’t be a problem. She’d probably be so tongue-tied she’d have difficulty forming a coherent sentence anyway.

“Don’t look directly at her unless she instructs you to do so.”

As she dragged the shirt over her head, Sanja said, “Okay.”

He stepped to her and adjusted the top to his liking. “But most important, when you enter, you
must
prostrate yourself at her feet.”

Sanja tensed and chanced a peek up at him. “As in bow?”

“No.” He held her gaze, his expression serious. “As in lie facedown on the floor at her feet. Do not move until she grants permission for you to rise.”

Subservient attitudes weren’t her specialty. A knot formed at the back of her throat, and her belly rolled at the notion. She said nothing, just simply shuffled her feet. She apparently wouldn’t be given shoes, but shoes had only been provided twice, so going about barefoot had become normal to her.

Lyx must’ve read her mind again, because he asked, “Would it be easier if I commanded your compliance to these rules?”

“No.” She swallowed, or tried to influence a suddenly dry mouth to form moisture and obey her will. “I wish to please you on my own, Lyx.”

His features relaxed. “
That
pleases me.” And the look in his eyes said he wouldn’t forget her submission. “Ready?”

He offered her his hand. With a nod, she placed her palm into his. A moment later they vanished from his room and reappeared in a large chamber.

Teleporting disoriented her every time. Before she could get her bearings Lyx stepped in front of her. “Gaze on the floor.” As she complied, he took her elbow. “I’ll provide you with balance.”

The high-polished black floors beneath her feet were threaded with pale-pink ribbons throughout. The stone flooring reminded her of marble, but the texture didn’t feel like stone. Their footsteps didn’t even echo.

She could feel Troz’s presence and his observation. From her peripheral vision she could tell there were at least two others in the room. As she and Lyx neared them, she saw the flash of white clothing and shoes, recognized the glimmer as diamonds and assumed it was their Queen. The slight pressure Lyx applied to her hand confirmed her suspicion.

Sanja grit her teeth.
I can do this for my guys
…and for the first time in her life, she prostrated herself before another. The floor wasn’t cool like marble, but warm and felt softer than stone.

A soft, sultry laugh echoed in the room. “You have taught her well in such a short time.”

The presence of someone knelt beside her. She abhorred the feeling of being inspected like a bug…or a puppy. The moment reminded her of what she’d felt when her world had been ripped from her and Troz had purchased her. Nerves cartwheeled through her belly. She bit her lip to keep her emotions hidden and herself from bolting. Although she had no idea to where she’d run.

Someone fiddled with her hair. A light touch on her arm as it ran from her wrist to her shoulder. Her breath stilled, and she would’ve drawn away if not for the horrible thought that warred with her self-esteem. Had Lyx deceived her? Were they tired of her already and were selling her to another?

“So soft,” a female voice said. Their leader was the one touching her. “Does her pussy taste as good as she feels?”

Sanja couldn’t halt the whimper, but she thought it was minimal enough that no one heard it. Would they give her to the Queen of Baal? She wasn’t into women. Didn’t wish to be touched sexually by another woman. Tears burned her sinuses, but somehow she managed to keep them at bay.

“Don’t overstep your boundaries, Jakira,” Lyx said, a hint of darkness in his tone. The hand halted on her back. Had he read her mind like always and picked up on her distress?

Troz spoke next. “No one touches her but Lyx and me.”

Sanja hadn’t realized she’d been holding her breath until that moment. Air fled her lungs with relief.

“From her sigh, I believe she is grateful for your position. I am not, but I am intrigued.” Sanja thought the Queen rose, but without lifting her face she couldn’t be certain. “This pet must be special if you’re jealous of others touching her. Especially since you’ve shared all your other pets with me.”

“Not this one.” Troz again.

“I grow weary of the inspection of the nephilim. It’s inappropriate and uncalled for. Release her to me, and we’ll be on our way.” A new, unidentified male voice spoke and distress rushed her again at his demand.

“We’ll proceed at
my
pace. Any further dissension from you will have you kicked out indefinitely.” The Queen sounded a tad irritated, and Sanja imagined a stare-down contest. “What did you name your pet?”

“Sanja.”

“Rise, Sanja, and let me look at you.” At the leader’s command, she pushed to her feet, but made sure she kept her eyes downcast as Lyx instructed. But the woman fingered her chin and forced her head back. Their eyes locked before she could think to keep her gaze redirected from their Queen.

The snake hair surprised her. Those vipers were slithering about her head eyeing Sanja as much as their Queen, but making no move to strike.
Why do I get the sense they’re studying me as much as their owner? That they’re as smart as the other woman?

The she-demon’s eyes were black, except for the pinpricks of white, like stars across the landscape. Pale complexion and lips ruby-red, Sanja looked no lower, but guessed the other woman was built for seduction. And she was tall, almost as tall her guys. If all demons were this gigantic, no wonder her demons thought she was short.

“Beautiful for a mortal. Much better than the holograph I saw of her.” Sanja knew the woman’s comment was intended for Lyx and Troz. “Sanja means purity.” A smirk tilted the dark Queen’s lips, and her voice emerged husky. “You’re not so pure any longer, are you, Sanja?”

“No.” How embarrassing! Her voice came out barely above a whisper.

“Have you enjoyed their debauchery?”

“Yes.”
Whew
! Her voice sounded stronger that time.

“How much?”

Wondering where this was going, Sanja licked her lips. “A lot.”

“What was your favorite part?”

Recollections flashed through her head. How could she pinpoint one thing that was good when she’d enjoyed all of it? “I don’t know. All of it, I guess.”

A broad grin curved on the leader’s face. “She’s a natural sex slave.” She removed her fingers from Sanja’s chin, but stayed in her personal space. “Do you wish to leave Baal?”

What kind of question was that? Were they trying to trick her and prove she’d been lying when she said she no longer wished to fight them? That she’d accepted her future with them? But…that didn’t feel like something her guys would do. They were straightforward type of men, and Lyx would’ve already called her on a lie if she’d been lying.

Wanting their leader to believe her and knowing presentation was important, Sanja squared her shoulders and spoke loud enough her voice would carry. “I’ve accepted my future with them.”

“Congratulations,
The Thirteen
, you’ve just won the privilege of keeping your new play thing.” Their leader executed a sultry about-face and walked toward her chair, hips swaying with provocation.

“I won’t allow it!” The unidentified voice from moments before bellowed. “She leaves with me tonight.”

Worried he could force her to leave her men, Sanja peeked in his direction. Forgotten memories slammed into her, and she stumbled backward into Lyx. Panic scrambled up her spine, but instead of erupting into a scream, she bolted at a dead run. With no clue where she intended to go, she just knew she had to get away from
him
. She spied a door and made a beeline for it.

Troz teleported in front of her at the last moment, and she crashed into him. He steadied her and she clutched his waist.

“Don’t make me go with him!” She dug her nails into his skin, realizing her voice was hitting a hysterical octave. “Please, oh, God,
please
, Troz.” Wetness hit her cheeks, and he blurred in her sights. “I’ll do anything you want.
Anything
. I don’t care if it scares me or not. I won’t challenge you. I’ll be obedient. Just don’t send me with—”

Troz crushed her against his chest cutting off anything else she might’ve said. “No one is taking you, angel.”

“Jakira, she’s obviously met Michael previously. Contain him until I can determine what precisely is the cause for her alarm.” A second later Lyx was aligned against her back. “
Milien zariena
, allow me in.” His fingertips circled at the base of her skull.

“Don’t let him take me.” She sounded pitiful even to her own ears.