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“Yes, now tell me.”
“Colton gave me blood.”
Deruthel sneered. “The cougar shadow warrior fancies you as his mate.”
“I am his mate,” Riley said.
“You’re wrong. You belong to me.”
Riley forced a calm into her voice, despite the roll in her stomach. “You are looking for a mate? Is that why you are targeting women?”
His eyes flickered. “Not exactly. But I will show you.”
Deruthel grabbed the chain that connected the shackles, pulling Riley to her feet before he led her down a tunnel to the main room. At least she assumed it was the main room since it held a large carved chair, that sat upon a cement cylinder. A crude recreation of an ancient throne room.
Three demons lay on the ground, squirming as if they were imitating a snake.
Riley’s heart fell in her chest when Leah turned and hissed at her.
CHAPTER20
Riley pulled on the chains, only to have them cut into her wrist. Deruthel had clipped them to a steel pin anchored into the cement at the base of his mock throne. The antique chair creaked under his weight as he sat down.
The red velvet cushion on the intricately carved oak chair was stained black, leaving only a few specks of its original color. Black oil dripped from the chair legs, giving the impression of candle wax. It took her a few minutes to realize it was dried blood. Layers upon layers caked on one another. She put her hand to her stomach to quell its response.
While the smell and the surroundings were bad enough, the pornographic display by the women at Deruthel’s feet was worse. They licked and purred in guttural tones at his ankles, pawing at his legs in adoration.
Riley’s gut tightened as a grunt escaped from her lips. “You’re not a demon, you’re a complete pig.”
Deruthel arched an eyebrow. “I make it a habit of learning the culture of a civilization we conquer. Your consumption of pork is grotesque, as are the various ways you prepare it. I have tried the blood of every animal on this planet. None are satisfactory except for your human brethren.”
Riley glanced at the women. “I was referring to their nature. The way they root around in the ground, and cover themselves in filth. But they do it to protect their sensitive skin. So, you’re right. It was an insult to pigs, to refer to you as one.”
Deruthel growled as his claws extended. “You are trying to bait me into killing you. It won’t work.”
Riley shuddered as one of the women licked Deruthel’s leg. “You will use them, then discard them.”
Deruthel shrugged. “Of course. Females have but one purpose.” He held out his hand to Leah. She immediately licked his hand before nuzzling it.
“Oh gross,” Riley said.
Deruthel sneered as he petted Leah like she was a dog. “You liked this one. I would’ve kept her in my stable just to keep you company, and to torment you, of course. Unfortunately, the transition doesn’t take. None of these will live long enough to breed.”
Riley attempted to move forward but only managed to shake her shackles. “You’re going to kill them?” She tried not to think about the Leah she had met. The one with spunk and drive. The thing before her was a shadow of her former self.
“That would be a waste of resources.” He pointed to one of the women. “You will see soon enough.”
The woman in a red tattered blouse had moved to her knees. She swayed like a snake; her eyes transfixed on something only she could see.
“What’s wrong with her?” Riley asked.
Deruthel sighed. “She turned two days ago.”
“What does that mean?”
As if to answer her question, the woman dropped to the ground, screaming out as her skin turned a dark red and blisters began to form on her flesh. Leah and the other woman hissed at the squirming female.
Riley’s stomach rolled. “What’s happening to her?”
