Page 11 of True Sacrifice
Jasper chuckled, “sorry, mom.”
“That’s your mom?” I said with shock. Many of the demons looked mostly, or even vaguely, human. While a few of them looked like something pulled from a nightmare.
“Why did she react like that? Is that some kind of demon fetish thing?” I quickly placed my hands in my lap.
Jasper laughed, and that laughter told me everything I needed to know. Horn stroking was a private affair. I’m guessing similar rules applied to tails, wings, ears, and whatever else I had yet to see.
“Asshole,” I murmured back. I didn’t even try to hide my smile. I was actually sort of having a good time with Jasper. Amazing how low my expectations got after being locked in a room for three days.
“So, did you figure out if you would fuck me yet?” he gave a lopsided grin.
“I figured out how to find an entitled demon prince that is used to getting what he wants. I imagine the rest of the pack will give off similar attitudes. Find the two that belong up at this gossiping, too good for anyone else table, amongst all the commoners. Sounds easy enough.” I leveled my gaze at him. Somehow, I was having even more fun now that I was toying with him.
Short Girl Tip 20: Be the Bigger Predator.
Movement caught my eye; a crow swooping down right above the empty dance floor. It sailed between two tables and into a corridor. I knocked into the table, making plates and cups chime as they collided. I remembered to pick up the front of my dress as I hurried to the staircase.I’m so glad the magical Hell closet gave me combat boots to wear tonight.
I took off sprinting once I cleared the stairs. I didn’t want to lose sight of Crowley again. I ducked between the two tables, murmuring apologies without stopping. I could see inside the dimly lit corridor. The crystals here glowed a deep red, their pulsing, moving light making everything look straight out of a horror movie. Well, I happen to be a spooky bitch and I certainly could appreciate the ambiance. Appreciation, however, did nothing to slow my pounding heart.
Crowley perched atop the crystal. I made hesitant progress toward the bird. He was still too high for me to catch, but maybe he liked me enough not to fly away, since we were the only ones in the hallway. A doorway appeared before me, and Crowley cawed, which made me jump. There was a room just inside, a set of leather furniture in front of a roaring fireplace. There was someone in there on the chair, slumped over. I rushed inside before I even stopped to think about it, and the door closed behind me, sealing me in as if there had never been an entryway there.
I turned back to the person in the chair, finding a man seated there looking at me with a smile. If I had to guess based on his appearance, I would say he looked to be in his early twenties. Nearly white blonde hair sat haphazardly on his head. He dressed in a black button up and slacks, which is when it clicked in my head.
I have three male mates. The demons earlier told me as much. They are all Princes of Hell. Which makes them important. They dress the same.
My mind filtered back to my escape attempt. The demon I ran into. He dressed just like Jasper as well, and they knew each other. Looking around this evening, no one else dressed in black like them. Many of the elites wore flowing robes and tunics.That son of a bitch dropped me.
I gasped. Fuck yeah, I figured it out. I wouldn’t be killed today. I only refrained from doing a little victory dance because apparently, one of my mates was in this room with me. Well, maybe I forgot for a second and celebrated a little before suddenly stopping as I remembered.
“Care to share with the rest of the class why you’re so excited?” I was not expecting his voice. What was it with demons and their fucking delicious sounding voices? His tone was lazy and seductive. Like a lover trying to convince you in the morning that he wanted you to stay in bed and say fuck the world.
“You’re my mate,” I breathed out. I could feel it. I didn’t have to ask myself that damn question. It was so much more than that. But yes, I would fuck him.
“Yes,” he said with a smile. “I’ve missed spending time with you, my pet, but I love how you cleaned up for the event.” He gazed appreciatingly slowly, lazily looking me up and down.
“The crow.” The crow was in my room. It led me here. Somehow, he was connected to it.
“The crow is a crow, and sometimes I am the crow.” He stood up slowly, fixing his gaze on me. He gave me a predatory look, “sometimes I am the wolf.” He grinned and bit the air.
I didn’t dare move. He continued toward me slowly. This was my mate, whatever that meant. I could feel that. He got so close my chest bumped against him and I had to turn my head up to see his face. Hands slid into my hair on both sides of my head, his fingers capturing strands. His lips brushed against mine in a barely there whisper of a touch, before he spoke. “Are you my fox?”
Lips violently crashed against mine. The lazy pace suddenly forgotten as I yielded to his touch. Our tongues danced as my hands came up to wrap around his neck. I couldn’t decide between pulling him closer and pushing him away. It was as if every inch of my skin was on fire and all I wanted to do was rip my clothing off. I couldn’t though, not yet.
I caressed his arms on the way to his chest before lightly pushing him away. He obeyed, and I instantly felt colder for it. The fire in my skin may have receded, but it left me craving for the feeling to return.
“I still have to find one more.” My breath was shaky. I had never experienced a kiss like that before. I didn’t even know a kiss could be like that.
“Jax won’t make it easy on you.” The demon smiled.
“So that makes you Justice?” I had at least paid attention to the names of my mates.
“Pleasure to meet you in the flesh, little fox.” He sat back down in the chair, resuming his lazy position.
“All three of you matched outfits. That’s the key, right?” I was fond of Justice; he had stayed with me as a bird for three days. In a way, I felt like I had gotten to know him. I certainly had told a lot about myself to the bird.
“It will disappoint Jax to know you figured it out, rather than it being a mate bond.” Justice lowered his voice to a whisper, “I don’t think he believes in the mate bond either.”
It didn’t matter now. I knew who all three mates were. I just had to find Jax so I could point him out, or drag him on stage later, when they demanded I deliver my mates correctly.
