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I still don’t know why they even want me. They may have a plan to use me as a weapon against their enemies, or maybe they wish to eviscerate me from existence. Either way, I’m not keen to find out.
My eyes flick out over the high-roller room. The security viewing area is safe, but I only come up here when I have to.
I scan, carefully taking stock of the remaining monsters.
Saber removed the problematic patrons, but once one fight breaks out, it seems to saturate the air with aggressive pheromones. I check my watch, rolling my neck to try to relieve some of the tension. I only need to stick around a few more minutes, just long enough to be sure the others behave now that the troublemakers are gone.
“You’re dead on your feet,” Atlas says, prowling toward me. He came in from the door behind me, but I can see him clearly in the reflection of the glass.
“Oh yeah? Am I swaying?” I smile despite my exhaustion, spinning to face him.
“Not like two nights ago.” His huge hands land on my hips. My eyes fly up to his, and they sparkle as he stares down at me. The long hair on the top of his head falls over his forehead as he gives me a serious look. “Shall we take this to my house? I know your bed didn’t survive the night last time I slept over.”
I love the playful lilt to his voice, even though it isn’t how it sounds. We haven’t taken the step past cuddling, but gods, do I love snuggling with my giant of a male.
Is it possible to fall in love with someone who you’re keeping secrets from? If it is, it shouldn’t be.
It’s not fair to either of us.
“I’m fine with your house,” I assure him, burying my face in his strong chest. “I should probably stop by and grab clothes at my place before we go, though.”
“That works too,” he says, wrapping an arm under my ass and lifting. I don’t fight it even a little, because he’s warm and feels so much like safety that it’s hard to believe the feeling can be achieved from another living being. “Let’s just get somewhere, so we can call it a night.”
“Agreed,” I say around a yawn.
ChapterFive
Malice
Iroll my eyes at the demons going at it in the pit. It’s pure fucking chaos and not my idea of fun at all.
I’m only here tonight because my brethren insisted. Not that I would have turned them down, but being surrounded by demons who scurry away when I glance their way is tedious asfuck.
A succubus with wide hips and huge tits actually trips over her heels in an attempt to run from my gaze.
I chuckle darkly. Most everyone keeps their distance from my kind. Even among demons, nightmares are considered outcasts. No one wants to be near the monster that can instantly pick up their deepest, darkest fears.
Most of my kind have no problem immediately using that knowledge to torment or cause suffering.
After all, it’s what we feed on. No demon is willingly going to stay weak.
We aren’t altruistic enough for that. I’m certainly not going to starve. It’s a bloody uncomfortable ache that grows into a ravenous hunger, and it doesn’t abate until we satiate the need to feed.
It’s not that I’m overflowing with morals, but I do have several distinct lines that even I won’t cross. I do not use my powers on children, despite the fact that I’ve heard they offer amajorpower boost.
I find the terror of small beings unpalatable.
Along the same vein, I won’t use childhood trauma or abuse against anyone. To use either would be a low blow, and it’s beneath me.
There’s always some ridiculous fear like clowns, spiders, snakes, or the sound a balloon makes when it’s rubbed. Those are the terrors I latch on to for nourishment.
My best friends are currently in the middle of an all-out brawl in the fighter’s pit. The two of them are going up against eight other demons.
I frown.
They’re immortal, so I’m not overly concerned with their safety, but I do grimace when three additional higher demons join the fray.
I know the stakes of this particular match are high. I’m not sure why they’re so obsessed with the idea of leaving Hell.
