Page 15 of The Demon's Due
Morgan dragged a hand through his hair, chest heaving. “You see what I mean? He’s ruining my life already. Barges in, claws through my ribs, demands quests, relics… and now-” he gestured helplessly toward her “-he wants you too.”
Síofra stared, stunned. Then her voice came sharp. “Wait. What do you mean he wants me? Why me?”
Morgan hesitated, eyes flicking away, guilt hardening his jaw.
“Tell her,” Ashmedai crooned from somewhere inside him, the words resonant and smug.
“Because-” Morgan muttered, “because my wolf imprinted on you. You’re my mate.And somehow he thinks you are his as well.”
Her breath froze in her lungs before fury flooded her along with an equal measure of disbelief. “Mate? Mate? You mean all this time you’ve been stalking me, watching me, letting me be humiliated-while you knew?”
Morgan winced. “I wasn't sure until yesterday.It’s not that simple-”
“Not that simple?” Her voice climbed. “NOT THAT SIMPLE? You just humiliated me. Everyone on campus has seen my boobs! I really enjoyed being called miss saggy udders and boobzilla! You must think I am stupid if you think I ever want to see your slimy face ever again.”
“I agree,” Ashmedai cut in smoothly. “He is average looking and mentally challenged… While you,my queen, are perfect. And your breasts are the best I have ever seen and I have existed a very long time. I shall make it my job to worship them when you take your place by my side. Or under me.”
“Shut up,” Morgan snapped.
“Yes, please shut up,” Síofra spat. Her eyes glittered with rage. “How could you humiliate me with those pictures, Morgan? That was you, wasn’t it?”
“No!” He surged forward as if to grab her, then stopped himself, running both hands down his face. “I was careless, okay? I left my phone in my room and... Debbie-she can wear anyone’s face. She could’ve taken my form and used my face to unlock my phone. I swear, it wasn’t me. I wouldn't do that to you.I would never do anything to hurt you.”
Ashmedai’s laugh was a low, rolling crack through his chest. “Truly, vessel, you are a fool. You lose your mate to a phone. She should choose me instead. I am at least… competent.”
“Gods, you’re insufferable,” Morgan growled.
“Yes,” the demon purred. “But charming and the king of my domain. Unlike you, youngling. I am an ancient with vast experience. You don't want this fumbling midget.”
Síofra folded her arms, glaring between them both. “This is insane. A cursed wolf and a demon king who have become siamese twins by accident, and a walking disaster of a mate who can’t even lock his phone.”
Morgan flinched. “I made a mistake, okay? I didn’t ask for him. I didn’t ask for any of this. But I-” He swallowed hard. “I’d never do that to you. Not ever.”
Her lips parted, but she couldn’t form an answer. Ashmedai’s ebony presence rippled faintly, smug as ever. He emerged from behind Morgan, towering over him like a giant shadow.
“Think carefully, flame-haired goddess of mine,” the demon murmured. “He loses phones and humiliates you. I command kingdoms. I can just consume him and we never have to think of him again.”
A thought struck Síofra. She whispered, hesitant, “It was you, wasn’t it? During the séance… You touched me?”
Heat rolled through her body again just thinking of that phantom touch, her skin turning damp and pink, her breath catching as the memory slashed across her nerves- phantom claws teasing her, a tongue against the hollow of her throat. Suddenly her hand trembled with an almost uncontrollable urge to reach out, to know if his skin was scaled and rough or slick and smooth.
Morgan turned his head to look up at the demon, his voice raw. “You did what?”
The demon tilted his horned head, utterly unfazed. “Perhaps. A taste.” His grin widened. “She burns now, vessel. Her body enters heat. I can smell it in the air. You will share.”
“I will not!” Morgan snapped, his teeth bared, fists trembling.
“Yes, you will,” Ashmedai countered coolly. “Your puny cock will not satisfy her. You do not know what she is.”
They squabbled like toddlers, the argument escalating until Síofra threw up her hands. “Enough!”
Her cheeks flushed hot as she demanded, “What do you need, Ashmedai? What will it take to send you back where you came from?”
The demon’s smile disappeared “I would like you naked and bound to my bed in the Undercroft. That would suffice.”
Morgan growled claws breaking through skin. “Over my dead body!”
Ashmedai’s laughter shook the walls. “A jest. Mostly. In truth, I would disband my harem once you were mine. I am certain you would be my equal. My match.”
