The First Book of Demons (The Book of Demons Saga) (17 page)

Chapter Forty Nine

“My Lady,” Bashir, Carolina’s most trusted eunuch barged into her apartments, panting lightly and interrupting her breakfast.  He was older than her by about a century, but he had retained his boyish looks; a side effect of the castration process eunuchs went through.

“Shhh,” Carolina silenced him, pressing a finger to her lips.  “The human is asleep.”

“My Lady,” Bashir said again, bowing apologetically, “Lord Balthazar has entered the Harem.”

“Has he now?” Carolina said, the corners of her lips pulling upward.  She glanced over to Alexandra sleeping peacefully in the middle of the bed.  Her naked form was covered with a pale pink sheet, just translucent enough to show her gentle curves as the fabric hugged her body.

“I believe I will go for a walk in the gardens,” Carolina said, rising from her seat and dabbing at the corners of her lips with a napkin.  “You will escort me.”

“But, My Lady,” Bashir said, shifting nervously, “You cannot leave your apartment if the Lord Sultan enters the harem.  If he wishes to speak with you and you are not to be found…”

“There is only one reason a Lord Sultan will enter his Harem,” Carolina said as she left the room, “and that is certainly not to see his mother.”

It wasn’t long before Balthazar found his way into the luxurious rooms of his mother’s apartments.  It had been many, many years since he had spent time there.  He could remember his childhood days spent playing in the large audience hall of the apartment that he now stood in. 

“Mother,” Balthazar called out, his voice echoing off the marble.

When he received no response, he continued into the bedchamber of the apartment.  He stopped in the doorway, his mind numb with a sudden rush of desire, as he took in the sight of Alexandra, alone in the feather stuffed bed, her long dark hair draped across the pillow.  Balthazar made his way over to the bed, pulling the ties of his silk shirt.  He slipped the fabric off his shoulders, and it slid noiselessly to the floor.  His mind clouded with desire as Alex huffed lightly, turning over slightly and revealing a creamy white breast with a soft pink center. 

Alexandra awoke when she felt the mattress shifting beneath her.  She cracked her eyes open to see Balthazar.  The muscles of his shoulders twitched as he crawled closer to her on the bed.

“Balthazar,” Alex said, her brows pulled together.  She realized her less than modest position and quickly tried to cover herself with the sheet.  Balthazar moved much quicker and was instantly above her. 

Grabbing her slender wrists he held her hands above her head.  His massive form could feel every move she made, and he began to get tense at the pleasant sensations.  His chest shook with a rumble of desire, and Alexandra’s body vibrated with every shake.  His flesh was pressed hotly against her exposed abdomen.  Her bare breasts forced into the young Lord’s bare chest with every sharp inhale.  She tried to pull away from him, but he held her tightly.   

“Why do you defy my touch, girl?” he questioned, his voice was more husky than angry.

“I am not a girl,” Alex said, through her shaky breaths, “and I have a name.”

She had defiance plastered across her pretty face, and it drove Balthazar’s inner beast insane with want.

“Alexandra,” he said softly, “if you do not wish to be called girl, I can help you with that.”

Alex gasped at the intention behind his words.  Balthazar seized the opportunity and
brought his lips down on hers, kissing her soft lips.  His tongue hungrily sought passage inside.  He wanted, needed to taste her.  Alex turned her head to the side with a small whimper.  She wanted to resist, but Balthazar’s every touch was absolutely delicious.  He assaulted her exposed neck with kisses, nipping at it, his fanged canines gently scratching the skin and sending a chill through her body.  She fought with herself to refuse his attentions, but her traitorous body quivered at his rough touch.  She inhaled sharply at the strange sensations that washed over her.  Warmth pooled between her delicate thighs, and she knew the man hovering over her could sense it.  Alex tried to stifle the sensations, but it was no use.  Balthazar growled softly as he caught her arousal, hoping to encourage her.

Releasing one of her wrists, he trailed a hand down her body enjoying the soft texture of her porcelain skin.  He firmly grasped her thigh, his claws nearly pinching into the supple skin.  Shifting her slightly, he positioned himself between her slender limbs.  His ministrations grew more frantic as he grasped her at the hip and pressed himself firmly against her, clearly displaying his desire to her.  His body ached for her, the sweet smell of her arousal pushing him on.  Alex felt her temperature rising at the unaccustomed sensations.  She half heartedly tried to push him away with her free hand.  The Demon Lord’s attentions were driving her to the brink of insanity, every touch sending tiny shockwaves through her body. 

Balthazar released her other wrist, grabbing her chin and pulling her face to his with his calloused fingers.  Licking and biting, his rough tongue like sand paper on the delicate pink mounds, he tried to coax her to relax.  He wanted her to open to him, to enjoy the pleasures he was trying to give her.

“Balthazar,” she said, barely louder than a whisper.  “Please…stop.” 

Balthazar stopped to look at the girl beneath him.  Her long, shiny hair spilled out onto the silk behind her.  Her lips were plump and slightly wet from his attentions.  She had a heated blush on her round cheeks and her striking green eyes were wide with fear and inexperience.  She was beautiful, worthy of any Lord Sultan. 

He could smell her arousal and sense the desire in her aura, but still she refused his touch.  She had made it clear she did not wish to continue.  He slowly rose off the bed, adjusting himself as he did so.  Alex turned to watch him, still unsure of his intentions, as he stood and picked up his silk tunic from off the floor. 

“Cover yourself, girl,” he said tossing the garment to her.

Chapter Fifty

Alex sat nervously beside Tavi, trying to suppress the butterflies that were fluttering in her belly.  Balthazar sat on the other side of them.  The events of the morning played over in her head, and it took everything she had to keep her ill-timed desires from growing.  The last thing she needed was another embarrassing moment before the two devilishly handsome demons.  She was too wrapped up in her own worries to notice the discomfort between Tavi and Balthazar.

“Calm your aura,” Tavi said, breaking the uncomfortable silence.  “When Lord Balthazar releases his beast, it would be unsafe for you to be so anxious.”

“I don’t know how to do that,” Alex said, biting her lip as she looked up at Tavi.

“Clear your mind,” Tavi said.  “Take a cleansing breath.  Release your fear.”

Alex complied, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, she tried to push all thoughts from her mind.

“You are doing well,” Balthazar said, noting the drop in the nervousness of her aura.  Unfortunately his words brought her anxiety slightly back up.  Tavi shared an understanding glance with his older brother. 

“Lord Balthazar is going to begin releasing his beast,” Tavi said. “Keep your eyes closed.  Try to feel his aura.”

Balthazar allowed the darkness that lurked within him to slowly come to the surface.  The power in his aura rose sharply, drifting around the room and making Tavi extremely uncomfortable.  His power was absolutely immense, and even though Tavi was his brother he was nowhere near as strong as him. 

“Can you feel it?” Tavi asked.

Alex shook her head.  She took another deep breath, trying to calm her nerves when a strange sensation overcame her.  It was like the tingle she felt before, but it was different.  Rather than the feeling of emanating from within her, this tingle felt like it was encircling her.  It was strong, it was uncomfortable, it was almost overpowering. 

“I think so,” Alex said.  She squeezed her eyes tighter together and tried to focus on the tingle that she felt. 
She imagined the sensation that she felt for that split second before Peta was created.  She strained her concentration, trying to draw on the tingle she felt from Balthazar to bring her own aura out.

Balthazar’s brows pulled together.  He felt the small tug on his aura. 
Whether she realized it or not, Alexandra was stealing his power.  His beast raged at the insult, having already been allowed to emerge.  Balthazar’s eyes clouded over with a bloody red color and a fierce growl erupted from his throat.  The darkness gained control and he lunged at his perceived attacker.  Tavi was taken by surprise at the sudden outburst and was unable to stop the Demon Lord from wrapping his fingers around Alexandra’s throat.  She dangled helplessly in his grasp, her heart pounding heavily as she gave a choked scream. 

Tavi appeared behind Balthazar, wrapping his arms around the Demon Lord’s torso and trying to pull him away from Alexandra. 
Balthazar reared back, dropping Alex to the ground and turning on Tavi.  His clawed fist went through his brother’s torso as he pinned him on the floor.  The smell of fresh blood permeated the room, and deep inside Balthazar’s conscience he picked up on it.  He struggled to once again cage his beast, pulling his hand back from Tavi’s chest.  Balthazar backed away, his breathing heavy.  The red in his eyes slowly began to disappear.

Chapter Fifty One

The morning light roused Alex to a day with a chill in the air.
  She picked herself off the silk covered bed in the center of her new apartment bedroom.  Alex was conflicted.  She wanted to help Balthazar, but she also wanted to go home.  Balthazar was clearly planning on keeping her around as was apparent by her new private apartment in his harem.               

Alexandra
stepped out onto the balcony, inhaling the crisp morning breeze as it kissed her round cheek.  Lost in her thoughts, Alex didn’t hear the eunuch enter her apartment.  A cold hand on her shoulder pulled her from her thoughts, and she turned around with a startled jump.  She immediately recognized the face her eyes met.  It was Hasan.

The fallen demon prince held a clawed hand out, his boney fingers wrapped around a rolled piece of parchment. 
Another summons from Lord Balthazar.

Alex nodded
at Hasan, who silently turned and began to lead her out of the harem. Alex couldn’t help but feel sorry for the castrated demon.  Sure, he had gone against Balthazar, but that really didn’t deserve such a cruel punishment in Alexandra’s opinion.

“I’m sorry,”
Alex blurted out. She was as surprised as Hasan by those words.  Hasan stopped and turned to look at her, confusion in his eyes.

“I mean…,” Alex started nervously, “I’m sorry about what happened
to you.”

Hasan’s gaze was piercing as he searched the girls face for understanding. 
He turned away from her and began to once more lead her through the maze of the harem quarters.  When they reached the gate they found a fat little demon waiting for them.

“Ah,”
Jahan said, his voice sounding strangely familiar, “Lady Alexandra.  The Lord Sultan wishes to see you.  If you would please follow me, I will take you to him.”

The feeling
of familiarity gnawed at Alex.  Something wasn’t quite right about this demon.  Maybe now Balthazar would listen to her about him.  The fat demon led her through the garden at a fast pace that seemed unusual for his size.  After a rather long trek through the gardens, they turned a corner on the small garden path and a field came in to view.  Thousands of butterflies fluttered around a field of wildflowers, the sight stopping Alex in her tracks.

“It’s so beautiful,” Alex said with a gasp
, turning to look at Jahan.  There was a strange twinkle in his eyes.  His yellow eyes.  The same yellow eyes as Raza, and as Baal. 

Alexandra took a step back, her eyes
growing wide. 

“How…” was all she managed to get out.  Baal moved quickly behind her, his tru
e form emerging from the mass that was previously Jahan, and grasping her roughly from behind.

“Magic,” he hissed in her ear as he clamped a hand over her mouth, preventing her from calling out for help.

#

“Where is the girl,” Balthazar
said.  The growl rumbling in his chest echoed around the soft pink marble of Alexandra’s apartment as he tightened his grip on a eunuch’s throat.

“My Lord,” the servant choked out, “She was se
nt for this morning.  It was an official summons.  Lord Jahan escorted her from the gate.”

“Bring him to me,” Balthazar said
, tossing the demon half way across the foyer of Alexandra’s apartment and disappearing.

The fat demon was promptly found and brought to the Lord Sultan’s audience chambers.  He settled comfortably into the cushion opposite Balthazar.  Despite the oppressive anger in the Lord Sultan’s aura, Jahan remained unfazed. 

“You were seen escorting the human girl,” Balthazar said, the chill in his voice sending a tingle down the fat demons spine.

“That is impossible,” Jahan
said, shaking his head, “I have been with Lady Carolina the entire morning.  She requested the commission of several new garments for the human girl.  You can check with the Sultana, she will verify my whereabouts.”

The air in the chamber grew heavy as the reali
zation of what had happened hit Balthazar. 

“Fetc
h the Lord Enchanter immediately,” Balthazar said.