Soul Enslaved (Sons of Wrath Book 3) (30 page)

“Mommy can’t go b-b-because hunting isn’t for girls, right? Janie has to stay home, too.”

“Who told you girls can’t hunt?” Sabelle crossed her arms and arched a brow.

“D-D-Daddy said girls are only good for one thing.” Thomas shrugged. “Janie only knows h-h-how to color. And you only know how to work. So that’s just one thing.”

Sabelle’s jaw dropped, her gaze shifting to Gavin’s before falling back on Thomas. “When did … when did you talk to Daddy about
that
?”

“He visited me at Aunt Denya’s.”

“
What
? When?” An ice-cold grip squeezed Sabelle’s chest.

“Last night. When Auntie Denya went to s-s-sleep. He didn’t want to w-w-w-wake her up.”

“Thomas! Why didn’t you tell me? You must always tell mommy when daddy comes to visit you, okay? Even if it’s at Auntie Denya’s?”

“I’m sorry, Mommy.”

It broke her heart to see him bow his head, but, dammit, she had a serious problem on her hands. “It’s okay. Um. Go find Janie and play quietly for a bit, okay, love?”

“Okay.” He flashed Gavin a crooked grin and gave a high-five. “We’ll catch a r-r-really big birdie. Like on
Sesame Street
. And then I can p-p-play with him and go for walks with him.”

A full set of perfect teeth flashed with Gavin’s chuckle. “You got it.” He gave Thomas a wink and straightened, as Sabelle’s son climbed the stairs to his bedroom.

As soon as he was out of view, Sabelle gripped two handfuls of her hair. “Shit!” She paced, because it somehow kept her from punching a fist through the wall. “I can’t take them back there. I didn’t think he knew about me and Denya. Succubi sisters are never close. They’re never—
shit
!” She set her hands on her hips. “That fight’s in three days. Shit!”

“If you want … you and the children are welcome to stay at the manor. Anna can help watch them. You’d be protected there.” He gestured toward her. “Unless, of course, you enjoy saying
shit
, then, by all means, continue.”

Sabelle wanted to laugh at his remark, but truth was, with Jeven knowing where to find Denya, she was screwed.

“I take it he must be a danger to your children, if you don’t want them around their father.” Gavin crossing his arms served a second’s worth of distraction—a powerful stance that went completely against Jeven’s small, strung-out image inside her head.

“He’s a danger to all three of us. Obsessed with the idea that he can have
me
, without having anything to do with his own kids.” One hand still on her hip, Sabelle rubbed her nose and sniffed. “Not that I want the asshole in their lives,” she muttered.

“How do you think he got inside?”

“Slimy, cunning bastards often come equipped with slimy, cunning tricks. I don’t know. Could’ve suckered Sophie into letting him in.” Lodging her fingers into her hair, she rubbed her head. “I didn’t think he knew … where she lived.”

“Surely, you had to suspect he’d find your sister sooner or later. A man obsessed with a woman would make it a point to know
everything
about her.”

“A little credit for not being an idiot, if you will. I know it’s possible he’s seen Denya before. Maybe he’s always known she’s my sister, I don’t know. But he’s never taken an interest in her, or the kids. His problem has always been with
me.
”

“You called on me to protect you.” He lifted her chin with his finger. “There’s plenty of room. You and the children will be safe. It’s temporary, remember?”

She nodded. “Temporary.”

CHAPTER 12

Ben greeted Gavin at the door, with the slightest crack of a smile. The troll never smiled, so his attempt almost came off as a pained expression, if Gavin didn’t know better.

Stepping into the mansion, Gavin breathed in the familiarity of home. A clean, almost sterile scent clogged his lungs—not quite the fresh baked aroma of something sweet, coupled to the smoky undertone of aged wood that filled Sabelle’s home.

Arms outstretched, Anna hobbled toward where the group stood in the doorway. “Oh, what a happy day this is!”

“Thomas, Janie, you remember staying at my house not long ago? Remember Anna?”

Both children nodded, and Anna clasped her hands together. “Oh, it brings me such joy to have you back under this roof! I cannot tell you how much we’ve missed you!” She gave a small jump and clapped her hands. “And these little angels! It’s so nice to have you back, as well!”

Bennett reached for the box in Gavin’s hands. “No, Ben, I got this.”

As the troll released the box, Gavin lost his grip. It fell to the floor, releasing Filly to slither along the foyer, Gavin nabbed at her tail, she twisted like lightning, curled on herself and struck at his wrist. Her silver-bladed teeth lodged deep in Gavin’s flesh, and his curse rang out before he shook the serpent loose, leaving slivers of pain shooting through his veins.

“Oh, gods, Gavin!” The suitcases she held falling to the floor, Sabelle rushed forward and took his wrist in hers, as Filly slithered toward Thomas and climbed up his leg. Nuzzling around his neck, she hummed a quiet hiss, staring at Gavin while Sabelle examined the wound that bubbled and pulsed as though something now
lived
beneath his skin. It turned Gavin’s stomach, the way the venom from the serpent had penetrated his flesh.

Any other snake and they could’ve tried squeezing the venom out, but Filly’s venom didn’t work like other snakes. Like a living entity, it burrowed inside its victims veins, and had already begun to circulate Gavin’s body as his wrist swelled.

“Holy f—” Gavin gave a quick glance toward the kids. “That burns. Really burns.” He shook his hand.

“Oh, my Master!” Anna’s voice held a quiver of panic. “Should I call the doctor?”

“No, there is no cure for the venom.”

Sabelle widened Gavin’s eyelids with her fingertips. “No dilated pupils. Do you feel short of breath? Any chest tightness?”

“No, just the burning where she bit me.”

“Griffin had the same reaction. Give it a sec. Looks like it might be going down.”

With Gavin’s hand in hers, she held his wrist, watching. As he stared down at their hands clasped together, waiting, she stroked his palm, avoiding his wrist where the bite holes pulsed.

If he started showing signs of a bad reaction, the best thing would be to find some Demortis. At least the lethal metal of the gods would be more merciful than what he’d read of the serpent’s bite.

Sabelle shot a glance over her shoulder. From Thomas’ neck, Filly’s head swayed to and fro, as if in a trance, her eyes still locked on Gavin.

A minute passed, and the swelling disappeared.

“Wow.” Gavin cocked a brow. “Guess that’s a good sign?”

Sabelle smiled. “I’d say so.” She pivoted back to Thomas, lifted the snake up into her arms, and, with careful placement, set her back into the small nest inside the box, shutting her in. “Scared the hell out of me for a minute.”

“My apologies, sir,” Ben said. “I didn’t mean to knock the box from your hands.”

“It’s my fault, Ben.” Gavin patted him on the back. “No harm done.”

Bending forward, Anna lifted the suitcases Sabelle had thrown to the floor.

“No, no, I’ve got these.” Sabelle tugged the handle.

“Nonsense, dearie.” With one tug, she ripped them free from Sabelle’s grasp. “You are a guest in this house. Not a beast of burden.” The woman handled the luggage like it weighed next to nothing. “Now, follow me. I’ll show you to your quarters.” Anna pivoted. “Er … unless the Master wishes to have her in his quarters?” A coy smile followed the question.

“Yes, please put Sabelle in my room and the children next to her.” He directed his gaze back to Sabelle. “If you choose to have the children sleep with you, that will be at your discretion.”

“W-w-we want our own room,” Thomas whined.

“Where will you sleep?” Sabelle asked.

“I have a separate chamber.”
In the catacombs, where I’m less likely to ravage you while you’re asleep.
Visuals of her hands tied to his headboard, sweat pooling in the small of her back as he gripped her hair and pounded into her from behind, cast a shiver. “I’ll sleep there.”

“Separate chamber, Master?” Anna quickly turned at Gavin’s upturned brow.

His gaze swung back to Sabelle. “It’s much safer.” His eye twitched at the final image of biting into her neck as he came inside her. “For you.”

“Okay.”

He drew in a deep breath and scratched a thumb across his forehead, mentally batting the rampant thoughts inside his head. Any more of them might excite his beast into doing something horrific, like tackling Sabelle right there in the foyer. “Anna, if you could get them settled and prepare a meal. I’m sure the children would like something to eat.”

Anna’s eyes lit with joy. “Absolutely, Master!”

“You’re welcome in any room of the house. They’re all yours to explore. I only ask that you stay out of one. The catacombs. Might want to avoid Logan’s room, too.”

“What’s the cata … cata … combs?” Thomas gave a curious tilt of his head.

“It’s a basement, of sorts. And there are some people down there that … well, I don’t want them to startle you, if you happened to wander down there.” He glanced up at Sabelle. “My security guard, Xander, sleeps there. Fallen angel.”

“You’ve hired the Fallen for security? Isn’t that like … an oxymoron?” Her brows knitted. “Aren’t there females who live here?”

“Xander was a very skilled Sentinel a while back. An exceptional security guard. Oddly enough, he has a certain, if not slightly warped, respect for females. That, or he respects what I, or any one of my brothers, would do to him if he lays a hand on one of them.” He smiled. “If you’ll excuse me, I want to check on Zeke.”

“Yes, of course.”

***

Sabelle returned a slight smile and let Anna lead her toward the enormous staircase she’d climbed once before. The only difference from the last time was, she’d be sleeping in the big boss’s bed instead of one of the guest bedrooms. Sabelle could only imagine what Gavin’s room looked like.

At the top of the staircase, they reached the hall, and Sabelle followed Anna around the corner, where they came to a stop.

“Here’s where the children will sleep.” Anna opened the door to bright colors and a gold ribbon ceiling, where a god had been painted across, holding a harp and a bow. Apollo. The sun blazed behind him, and colors had been splashed on every wall as if music and poetry filled the air.

“Wow!” Thomas raced to the bed. “It’s big!”

Sabelle laughed. The luxurious bed swallowed the duo and, no doubt, would be as soft as sleeping on clouds.

“You children be careful in the bathroom.” Anna hobbled over to the bathroom door and closed it. “No playing in that big tub. It’s marble and will hurt if you fall.”

Interesting. Only another mother would think to warn them about a large tub.

“Now, let me show you to Master’s room,” the woman said, turning to Sabelle.

Sabelle’s stomach churned with butterflies. Why would she be nervous to see his room?

“Master’s personal items are kept in the armoire.” She beckoned Sabelle along the hall again as she spoke. “I’ll stock feminine toiletries for you, Miss. Will you need any particular cosmetics or perfumes?”

“Cosmetics? Perfumes?”

“Yes, we can make a run to the department store and pick up whatever items are needed.”

“Um. No. I don’t use any of that.”

“Very well. Any particular shampoo? Conditioner? Hair styling products?”

“I usually buy whatever’s cheapest.”

“In that case, you’ll love what the Masters keep in stock for their female guests.” Anna sucked in an exaggerated breath and clasped her hands together. “Like a garden of citrus!”

“Sounds … wonderful. Thank you.” Sabelle had never been anywhere where someone had taken an interest in
her
hair products, makeup and toiletries. The places she’d stayed throughout her life were lucky to have running water.

Anna opened the door, just down the hall from the children.

The scent of bergamot and musk immediately filled Sabelle’s nose and she breathed it in.

Gavin
.

Gods, she could lick the air, imagining the salty taste of Gavin’s skin. The male’s smell was unlike anything she’d ever encountered before. Not that she’d encountered much outside of musty wood, beer and chewing tobacco, courtesy of the dirty bars she’d waitressed.

As delicious smells went, Gavin took the cake and left her mouth watering.

The bedroom was mostly darker tones. Long black drapes covered the windows, and burgundy silk sheets matched the thick, grey comforter on the bed. Healthy plants filled spaces between the rich, dark wood furniture throughout the space. Definitely a man’s room. But a classy man’s room.

“Here’s the master’s main chambers.” She waved a hand for Sabelle to follow her, and she pushed open a door, revealing the most exquisite bathroom Sabelle had ever seen.

Tiles led to an oversized Jacuzzi tub, set against a wall of windows overlooking the grounds.

Anna nabbed a remote from a nook-placed coffee table on the opposite side of the room, and a hum filled the quiet as the shades slowly descended. Remote control shades?

A shower stall, big enough to house a party of four, maybe even five, stood beyond the tub. Sabelle’s muscles twitched just thinking of the warm spray against her skin.

At a flash of silver, she glanced up to see a thick, silver hook extending out from the wall. “What’s that for? An oversized robe?” Sabelle couldn’t help chuckle at herself.

Anna tipped her head. “You know, I never understood myself what the master uses it for.” She gave a shake of her head. “He’s quite the mysterious soul sometimes.” With a twirl on her heel, Anna faced Sabelle. “Well, I’ll leave you to get settled. Do you like salmon, Miss?”

“I’m sorry?”

“I make a rather wicked sesame ginger-glazed salmon, with fresh asparagus and watercress herb salad.”

“That sounds … like the most amazing thing I’ve ever heard.”

“Wonderful, I’ll get on that. If you need anything, give me a ring. The phone beside the bed connects to the kitchen.”