SEDUCTIVE SUPERNATURALS: 12 Tales of Shapeshifters, Vampires & Sexy Spirits (192 page)

Immortal Possession: Chapter Eighteen

Every muscle and bone in Evelyn’s body cried out in protest. She would have allowed herself to weep, but she was too scared of not being able to breathe through her nose with the tape wrapped around the back of her head and over her mouth.

When Giz-man had taken a razor blade to her wrists, she’d thought their plan was to allow her to bleed out. But instead, he’d felt around, following the path of her veins until he’d located the lump under her skin where her vitals chip was implanted. She’d screamed when he had cut it out of her, but the sound hadn’t carried far with her mouth taped shut, leaving the air to escape only through her nostrils. And when he smashed the chip to bits, she knew her greatest hope for being found was smashed along with it.

She wasn’t sure what they had planned for her, but whatever it was, a quick death seemed like it might be preferable. She had already been beaten, cut, bound, and shoved into a dark room where she couldn’t see an inch in front of her. With the pain in her face, she guessed that at least her nose was broken, but maybe even the bone in her cheek. She’d had to swallow back her vomit several times so it didn’t choke her.

When she remembered the crime scene photos and what had been done to the bodies, she knew she’d rather be dead than be used like that. It finally made sense. This wasn’t a trafficking ring at all, just one spirit’s selfish and wicked quest for corporeal fulfillment. The spirit—a prince of Abaddon, Giz-man had said—was toughest on the bodies that held out longer since his energy burned through the weak ones so quickly. And with Evelyn’s available joules, there was no telling how long he could possess her and what injustices her body would suffer at his hands.

She hadn’t had a long life, and there were so many things she still wanted to accomplish, so many regrets she would take with her to the grave. But her greatest regret would be not allowing herself to tell Jesse she loved him while she still had a chance. At least she would go to her final resting place having experienced the two most important things on her list: to be an Immortal Bounty agent and to love—and be loved—by a good man.

If she died in this dark pit, would she haunt Jesse? Would she manifest each night over the bed they’d shared only once and spend the rest of her immortal days wishing they’d had more time? Because she had no doubt—out of all the places she’d lived, those few short weeks at Jesse’s side had made that house her home.

When the door opened, the bright light made her squint. She saw enough to know they were in an underground room with no windows and a dirt floor. Another quick glance around showed her the remnants of crime-scene-evidence testing kits. Holy crap…were they still at Anne and Henry Foster’s house? Did this prince of Abaddon have no fear at all?

Giz-man flicked the light on and came down the steps. “I’m glad you’re awake. If you’re lucky, you may get to see the spirit of the prince before he takes you.”

She tried to ask if the spirit had a name, but with the tape over her mouth, it came out as a jumble of sound.

“Yes, I need to take that off. The prince doesn’t like me to do it once he’s in the body.” He reached toward her face and she pulled her head back, not trusting that he wasn’t going to hit her again. He gripped the tape anyway and yanked it back. She shrieked when some of her hair came with it. “Feel free to scream. If anyone could hear you down here, you wouldn’t have been living beside us for weeks as we used and discarded so many shells.”

“They’ll look for me, you know. They might already know I’m down here.”

He feigned a sad smile and shook his head. “They may look for you, but after Prince Khagan takes you, we’ll be moving on and starting over somewhere new. You are a splendid vessel, but you won’t last forever, Dr. Vale. Besides—and don’t get your feelings hurt—my master would prefer to find a male with your same qualifications. So many more women these days seem to have a greater capacity to store and withstand his energy.”

He reached a hand out and stroked her hair. “Let me tell you a secret… I prefer the women. I enjoy the rewards my master gives me in a form like yours.”

If death wasn’t in the cards, then maybe being possessed would be better than having to listen to this and be conscious for this man’s mind games. She doubted she would be able to stay conscious when such a powerful spirit was inside her as she’d done with Lauren and Casey, but it was worth a shot. All she had left was her energy.

“Well, what are you waiting for? I’m ready. Introduce me to your master.”

“You are so much more…cocky than the majority of our hosts. This is going to be fun, doctor.” He walked to the center of the room and with a stick, drew the triangle symbol in the dirt that had marked the victims’ bodies. He bowed his head and began to chant in a language Evelyn had never heard. She couldn’t pick out what was the spirit’s name and what was just part of the chant. But her body felt it all over when the energy in the room began to rise. The power in her called out to it, welcoming it, and she hated that of all betrayals, it was her own body that betrayed her the most, opening itself up as an easy prey to be captured and tantalizing feast all at once.

When the prince materialized in the room, there was no mistaking it. He must have been a level eight at least, or perhaps a level nine. He was so opaque, he almost seemed to have physical substance to his form. Of course, that wasn’t really possible without an animist’s help, but that he looked so solid spoke to his strength.

Giz-man got down on his knees in the soil. “My master, Khagan.”

The spirit smiled. He was dressed like a sultan with white pants, no shirt, and gold rings on his fingers. “Well done. You’ve finally succeeded in bringing me a worthy vessel. You are forgiven for the capture of my harem.”

His harem? He must have been talking about the spirits who were drawn to Evelyn last night that were now in Immortal Bounty’s custody. There was no doubt that this prince was too powerful for her. She might have to invite a lesser spirit in, like Lauren or Casey, but she had no way to stop this entity who had once been a man.

Khagan reached out a hand and trailed his energy through her, and she shivered. She couldn’t even say it felt bad. His power was intoxicating. He leaned over as if he could smell her skin and a strand of her energy lifted from her being and wafted into his nose. He breathed it in like a drug and smiled.

“I have had so, so many. But I’ve never had one like you. Your soul opens to me and promises so much power.” He ran a hand over her aching cheek, and she felt his presence weaving intimately through her skin.

“You have many debts to make up to me, Evelyn… This house. My human servants. My beloved harem. All lost because of you.” He came close, his form pressing against hers until at last he began to meld with her. “I only pray your shell lasts long enough for you to repay what you owe.”

* * *

Sasha had already made it to Evelyn’s parents’ apartment, and Evelyn wasn’t there. Jesse’s heart sank with the news, and her father had wanted to talk with him, demanding answers that Jesse couldn’t give. The old man was in such a panic, Jesse worried he might be the next one to meet his maker. He’d asked Sasha to stay with the family so she could give them updates when they became available.

Jesse cupped his hands over his mouth, projecting his voice through the noisy interior of the hovercopter. He hadn’t wanted to waste five minutes grabbing all the communications gear that might make hearing each other easier. “You’re going to have to set it down in the street,” he shouted to Haveland. “Right here is fine.”

“Copy that,” Eric said over the rush of the vertical-boost jet engines. Next came the soft bump of the skids hitting the street.

Jesse threw the door open and ran from the hovercopter without even waiting for Haveland to shut it off. The heat from the engines singed the hair from his arms, but he didn’t care. He jogged up the driveway, alert and cautious, but not slowing down for anything.

The taxi was still in the driveway. Jesse glanced in the window and saw that it was still tallying the minutes and the money Evelyn owed. It had been there for hours. He couldn’t imagine Evelyn just letting it run when she could have sent it back four hours ago and ordered another to pick her up when she was ready. He was already frightened, but between the vitals chip being destroyed and the taxi still idling in the driveway, he now had visual confirmation of his worst fear—that Evelyn was in some serious trouble.

He held his thumb to the scanner on the front door and it opened inward. “Evelyn?” he called as soon as he cleared the threshold.

When she didn’t answer, he ran up the stairs to her room. She hadn’t even started packing her wardrobe yet…four hours later. What the fuck was going on? “Evelyn!”

He ran through every room, his heart pounding, but she wasn’t there. There were no signs of struggle. Nothing.

He tapped his ear and the steward came on, already on standby. “Yes? What did you find?”

“The taxi’s been here for four hours idling in the driveway, so she either
is
here or she
was
here. I’ll tell you when I know more. I’d say don’t wait—get some Sentinels out here now. I asked Sasha and her team to stay at Evelyn’s apartment just in case she heads that direction.”

“Keep me updated.”

Jesse’s fear was morphing into a half dozen other emotions, like rage and guilt. If Clark hadn’t wanted Evelyn gone, maybe she would be with Jesse now instead of wherever she was. If Jesse had taken some time from mooning over her to talk to Clark sooner, maybe he could have helped secure her position before it came to this.

Jesse jogged through the kitchen. She hadn’t used any dishes in the sink, but the metal lid was off the dog food container in the pantry. Hope surged. Could she be in the back yard with the dogs? Maybe she was enjoying one last dip in the pool… Without her vitals chip?

He pushed the door open and hustled out. “Hey, Doc! Are you out here?”

He didn’t get a response, but he did get an answer. Caesar and Leia were on the side of the yard that bordered the Foster’s property and they were barking madly and pacing along the fence. Jesse felt sick to his stomach, and it took a lot to get to him.

He touched his earpiece. “Ops control… Nick, connect me with Eric Haveland and the steward.” A few seconds later, their voices came over the connection. “I think she’s at the Foster’s, and I’m going there now.”

Clark’s voice had a sharp edge to it. “Wait for back up to arrive, Commander.”

“Sorry. I can’t do that.” He ran for the fence line and vaulted over the fence.

* * *

Prince Khagan was unlike any other spirit Evelyn had ever hosted. He was powerful, his energy rich, and when he tapped into her reserves and tested them in his spirit, she yielded to him. She stood immobile while his dog-man removed the tape around her wrists and ankles.

She was aware of his attention being elsewhere, but it was hard to stay present in her body. It wasn’t even as substantial as a dream. She felt her mouth open. “Go!” he said through her. “Let no one disturb us. This woman is easy to take, but hard to keep. And I must have her.”

Giz-man changed into Gizmo, and Evelyn blinked her eyes, trying to focus as he shifted forms. And when she did, the prince felt her presence mixing with his. “What is this?” he demanded. “How are you still present in this body?”

She was present, but just barely. It was like being drunk, just not as funny. Khagan pushed her back with his energy, and the cold snap of it was like a bucket of ice water over her head. She gasped, realizing she was drowning in his spectral energy, and she couldn’t let him pull her under.

* * *

Eric stepped out of the copter and a dog ran from the house straight at him, his fangs bared, ready to inflict damage. He knew immediately that was no normal dog, and he shifted in an instant, his clothing falling as he ran.

The two met in the driveway, leaping up and hitting so hard you could hear the crack of bone and teeth even through their thick coats. There was a code among the animalian mutants that you met fur with fur, skin with skin, fangs with fangs. Eric would play by those rules until this mutant gave him a reason not to. He dodged the snap of teeth and sank his own canines into the retriever’s flank, tasting blood as the dog yowled in pain.

Eric was something between a wolf and a Malamute, but it wasn’t just that the retriever was outmatched by breed. It was mostly that Eric was a Sentinel and his training could best just about anyone out there. They twisted and snarled, and Eric landed another crushing bite to the animal’s shoulder. And then suddenly, the retriever was running, droplets of blood flinging free in his wake.

Immortal Possession: Chapter Nineteen

The Foster’s house was huge, but with a mounting sense of dread, Jesse already knew where he would find Evelyn. He ran quickly yet quietly through the house and slowed when he got to the basement steps. He pulled two guns from the straps along his thighs, a .45 caliber pistol in his right hand and a plasma gun in his left. When he got to the bottom of those steps, he had no idea how many of the traffickers would be waiting, but he would kill every single last one to keep the woman he loved safe.

Jesse took one last steadying breath and stepped down into the dirt. He spun to his left then to his right, both guns extended and ready for whatever came next. But only one person was standing there.

“Evelyn.” He breathed her name like a prayer. She was alive. Her face was badly bruised and dried blood crusted under her nose. Her lips were raw and her eyes were swollen, but she was okay. “My God, Evelyn.”

He strode toward her, intent on squeezing her in his arms but she put her hands out and staggered back. “Jesse… no…”

Her words were weak and slurred, like maybe…she wasn’t in control of her body.

“Is there a spirit in you?” he asked.

Evelyn smiled wickedly. “Not
a
spirit, my boy.
The
spirit. Prince Khagan of Abaddon at your service.” Evelyn bowed low. “And you are this woman’s true love…Commander Jesse Hayes. A Sentinel…” His expression darkened as Evelyn’s memories flashed across his mind. “And the man who dispatched my harem—the wives and concubines who had been with me for a thousand years.”