With a sinking dread, I realize that whatever stands before me is not merely a beast but a nightmarish sentinel of the forest, a sign of unknown terrors.
My eyes widen in terror, a chilling wave of panic crashing over me as a single tear cascades down my cheek from overwhelming fear.
Just as a scream threatens to escape my lips, powerful arms grab me, lifting me effortlessly and throwing me over a broad shoulder.
“Time to go,” his voice cuts through the chaos. Sexy man from the bar is an anchor in this tempestuous storm. Strangely, despite the panic surging within me, his presence offers a flicker of comfort, a bizarre sense of safety amidst the turmoil.
Shadows creep in from beneath him, swirling around his form like an ominous mist, wrapping us in a blanket of darkness. It feels like the very shadows are consuming me, pulling me deeper into their embrace.
A tingling sensation prickles at the back of my mind, urging me to fight and maintain my grip on consciousness. But just as I struggle to keep my eyes open, I am suddenly whirling into an abyss of night, my thoughts spiraling into a suffocating blankness...
Chapter 7
Killian
“Is she okay?! I fucking told you, morons, this wasn’t the best way to catch her!” A surge of anger courses through me as I observe Adonis tenderly laying Dani on his bed, the soft mattress cradling her. His strong hands delicately push aside her flowing auburn hair, tucking it behind her ear with a gentle touch.
I wave my hand in front of my face, dropping my mask. Dax and Adonis do the same.
Dani appears almost fragile, her body a testament to her vulnerability. Yet, there is an undeniable beauty in her serene sleep. Her breath’s gentle rise and fall create a rhythm of peace, and her features, softened in repose, glow with a subtle ethereal light. Her legs are covered in cuts, and the large gash of torn flesh on her arm needs healing.
“She’s perfectly fine, Killian! She fucking loved the thrill of the chase until the shadowmire appeared...” Dax retorts sharply, a hint of exasperation in his tone.
“Enough! Dani needs to rest,” Adonis interjects, his voice laced with irritation as he glances down at her fragile form. “I need one of you to heal her and change her clothes. If she wakes up, use your influence to soothe her. She should sleep through the rest of the night.”
“Change her clothes? Why does that even matter? Why don’t you take care of that and be the creep? I don’t want to overstep her boundaries,” I reply, my uneasy frown deepens as I hesitate, concerned about respecting her privacy.
Adonis emits a low, rumbling growl that rolls through the air, sending a thrilling shiver coursing down my arms. The intensity of his gaze deepens and his lips press together in atight line, underscoring the tension between us. “I lack the self-control when it comes to her in a way you do not. Her clothes are torn, wet, and covered in dirt and blood. Do it. Now.” With that, he storms out of the room.
“Sheesh. That sure escalated quickly. I’ll handle the clothes.” I stand at the edge of the bed, watching Dax take in a sharp breath as he examines her body.
He then starts to meticulously peel away Dani’s tattered jeans, careful not to wake her.
I can’t keep my eyes away even though I should.
Dax takes in a sharp breathe, “Damn… she is fucking perfect.” He runs his fingers softly above her panty line and then shakes his head and pulls the covers over her waist.
His expression is wicked as he looks over to me and smiles. “Fuck, I’m hard. Her bra and panties match.” I run my tongue over my lips. I’m also hard.
“Gods, she is stunning, isn’t she?” Dax murmurs. I nod slowly, taking in the delicate features that seem to glow even in the room’s dim light. I agree with him, “She really is. Do you think she can do it? Free us from this hell?”
Dax rises from the bedside, his movements graceful as he strides toward me. He cups my face with his warm hands, grounding me as electricity surges between us. “Yes,” he replies, his gaze steady and full of hope. “I believe she will free us so we can finally return to the afterlife and escape this wretched place.”
He leans in, his breath soft and warm against my lips as he plants a gentle kiss, sealing his promise.
He turns and walks back over to Dani, gently tracing his fingertips along the smooth, ruby-red gem necklace that glistens against her skin. Its vibrant hue contrasts beautifully with her complexion. “Adonis’ ruby gem,” he whispers. “His rune is on the back… The sorry bastard still doesn’t believe she is his mate?”
“Our mate,” I correct him. “Adonis is just feeling sorry for himself. Even after all these years. But, I can sense it… can’t you? Aren’t you curious, Dax?” I implore, my eyes lock onto his, searching for an unspoken agreement.
The bond happens in three stages, order doesn’t matter. There is the blood oath, where we willingly share our blood with one another. There is the mating bond, and lastly, the bond must be true emotions—the love must genuinely be there. Once it’s all completed, we will be free… we will have our full power and our wings back, and we will take our mate with us wherever we go.
Dax’s brow furrow, a deep sigh escapes his lips as he lowers his head, the weight of his disappointment noticeable. “Yes,” he admits, the flicker of longing in his gaze betrays his restraint. “I am eager to break the curse. I can feel her pull. But she must willingly bond with us all, completing all three stages with us and allow our marks to become part of her. As desperately as we want to rid ourselves of this curse… we can’t. Not yet, at least.”
Dax stands up and walks over to me, and places a soft kiss on my lips. I grab my cock and he flashes his dimples, showcasing his perfect smile.
Being demons, we don’t believe in labels. Love is love, hate is hate, and lust is lust, transcending the boundaries of who it is shared with. When Octavia cast her dark spell upon us centuries ago, an unbreakable bond was forged between the three of us—a pact constructed from the threads of destiny. We vowed to protect one another through the ages, united in our singular mission: to shatter the curse that binds us here and return to the beautiful afterlife.
As the years passed, frustrations simmered beneath the surface, but Adonis, ever the steadfast one, held to his belief that our mate would come and ultimately be the key to our liberation. An enigmatic thread ties Dani to us—a sensation that pulses in the air between us. I can feel it deeply within my soul. She is destined to be ours, entwined in our fates, and together, we will seek the path to our freedom.
