Page 37 of The Demon's Fire
“What? Don’t be ridiculous. I am not having sex with a demon, either.”
“You could fool me. Yesterday, males battled each other for the chance to feed you. Later, you drowned yourself in erotic oil to lure me into your bed. I’d say you have a thing for my breed.” Kole eyed her, fire dancing in his eyes.
At the foot of the stairs to the shrine, Skyler’s hands flew to her hips. “I didn’t understand the purpose of the Genesis Rite. I admit I made a mistake. And about our kiss…”
“Kisses.”
“…last kiss, you said it was the effect of the oil I used. Accidentally! I didn’t know about erotic oils. There. I say again, I am woefully ignorant of Scath’s customs. I’m a fast learner, though, and I’m trying. You agreed to be a gentleman and not bring up the matter again.”
“Hmm. Doesn’t sound like me.” Her hackles were up, the ice melting.
“Stop trying to irritate me. You understand what I mean. Is there anything, Commander, I will be unable or unwilling to fulfill at the Strigodierna Ceremony?”
“Like being fu … uh … fed by a demon?”
A weighty sigh escaped Skyler’s lips. “Exactly.”
Kole shrugged. “Doubt it. The spiritual gig honors Gahya. Can you handle drinking blood?” Kole offered an elbow, which she grabbed onto as they climbed the steps to the black marble shrine adorned with pinnacles, flying buttresses, and pointed arches.
“Just a sip. Yes.” Skyler’s chin jutted out, the cool mask slipping over her face.
Kole bristled when she got all chilly. Only one thing to do. He re-stirred her emotional pot. “No hurling. It wouldn’t look good for your rep as a stone-cold lawyer.” He taunted her with a grin. “If you do upchuck, don’t hit my boots. These are my favorite pair.”
“I said I can handle it. Let it alone.”
Yay. Mask off again.
“Okay, Chief. Blood it is.” They climbed in silence.
Skyler paused for a moment, staring ahead at the remaining steps. “Who is Gahya?”
“The immortal who created Aeternals. She’s known as the Genitrix. Vamps are very spiritual, most still believing she watches over us. The rest of us pretty much know she’s missing in action. Gahya’s an underling of the OneCreator.”
“Who?”
“The big boss of Angor, the Vast, and the Evermore.”
“What are those places?”
“When honorable Aeternals croak, they go to the Evermore. The not-so-good end up in Angor. The OneCreator and his immortals, including Gahya, call the Vast home.”
Skyler released his elbow when they reached the tall arched doors. They would wait here for their escort. Kole glanced at his D-chip. Early.
She hem-hawed. “You didn’t return to the room the other night at the Tribal Coliseum.”
“Miss me?”
Poke. Poke.
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m making conversation.”
“After you paraded around smelling of come-get-me, I needed sustenance.”
“I didn’t parade. Why are you trying to provoke me?”
“Because it’s fun. Besides, you send mixed messages. You were ogling my bare ass through the bathroom door, weren’t you?”
Crimson crept from Skyler’s neck to her cheeks. “I… I… You didn’t shut the door. It was an accident.” She patted her face as if to wipe off the blush.
