One wrong step, p.30
One Wrong Step, page 30
I could see her own pep-talk forming and I let it come, knowing she needed to release it.
“I will talk about it… one day. Not today, but when I’m ready. Because I’m tired of being scared. I’m tired of hiding and… and I’m tired of being small. I want to love my life, past, present, and future.” She breathed in, sucking in the words as if to solidify them.
Smiling, a flicker of pride warmed my chest. “Okay. No more being small.” I agreed, glancing at the crypt. “But I’m serious, Bee. Last chance. I don’t think Jade’s wrong when she said I’m dragging you into my crazy-ass problems.”
Bee looked to the Crypts too but squared to face it. “They’ve already told me I can’t be a princess. So maybe I’ll try being a little crazy instead.”
I grinned. "Well, Miss Dupont, I'm pleased to inform you that you're entirely bonkers. But the secret is, all the best people are.”
Chapter Nineteen
Winding our way between the stone crypts, they sucked the heat from the air, ghosting us with a chilly touch. Or maybe that was the stares. We disgusted the Day Court, but these guys… they despised us. And the crowd was growing.
Wolf whistles and sniggers hounded our steps, while gusts of magical wind fluffed my hair or lifted Bee’s skirt. Nevertheless, she did a fantastic job of keeping her back straight and her lips tightly shut.
Following the melting candles, we reached the centre to find it was bustling with activity. Instead of lounging in the rooms below, it seemed the party had moved topside, gathering around the murder tree. The dead tree’s dark bark twisted in knots, while the embedded blades each sported a black scorch mark. Amongst its roots, they’d arranged wingback chairs, ottomans, and loungers to relax on. I recognised Fyzel and his collection of adoring fans, as well as Angelica and Chilton, while most of the Night Court lingered just out of sight.
Coming to a stop at the party’s edge, Bee and I might as well have sounded a gong, for every mouth fell silent and every set of eyes snapped to us.
“Well, well, well. Look who decided to turn up.” Angelica stood from her spot in the grass, a glass in hand. “And I see you brought some backup. Is she after some favours too?” A drunk haze wobbled in her dark eyes as they raked Bee up and down.
“No.” Bee stiffened but had to release a tiny; “Thank you.”
Silently applauding Bee for answering, I wasn’t so polite. “I want Cleo’s book. Hand it over.”
“To business then.” Angelica tipped her head. Chilton emerged from the shadow of the tree, his white shirt glowing against his mahogany skin. “For our services, you agreed to help us with a project. So, if you’ll just-,”
“Nice try.” I interrupted, throwing up a hand. “No transaction without proof of payment. Show me you have Cleo’s book; then we talk.”
Mouth pressing into a thin line, gaze doing the same, I thought Angelica would argue. But, dropping her glass, she reached for her right ribs and as if by – and I couldn’t really believe I was saying it – magic; she pulled a ratty book from behind her back. There were no pockets in her swirling black dress or crochet kimono. No bag. No one behind to pass it over. I might have been a little jealous. How many times had I wished for expandable pockets?
“If that’s all…?” Angelica pushed out.
“Give it to Briar,” I ordered, while my heart went wild in my chest. The drunken haze in Angelica’s eyes was mellowing, her annoyance growing as her jaw clenched. More people were gathering. “I’ll be checking it's real.”
“You don’t trust us?” Angelica whispered, tilting her head. “Why ever not?”
I licked my lips. “Trust was never a part of this deal. I’d hate to set any expectations too high.”
Taking the book from his sister, Chilton walked over to Bee, passing it over with a bow. “Mon chéri.”
Nodding her head in thanks, lips still pressed tightly closed, Bee read the cover before checking the inner pages too. Eyes brimming with tears, she snapped it shut as her bottom lip wobbled. “It’s Cleo’s.” She confirmed, allowing me to turn back to Angelica.
“Then we can proceed.”
“Delightful.” Chilton grinned, hands clasped before him, “The spell we’ll try is quite simple. In fact, it won't-,”
“No.” Angelica cut off with a sharp hiss. “I want to try Pupa Chordis.”
A hurried whisper of excitement circled the tree, and the wind picked up, catching strands of my hair with chilling fingers.
“Angie, you’re not focused enough for that one,” Chilton spoke, his voice hard but even. “Stick to the plan.”
But she was shaking her head, smile too wide, eyes too bright. “No. I don’t want to.” She dismissed. Stalking forward until we were but a foot apart, she locked eyes with me, chin raised. “You don’t mind, do you, princess? One project is the same as any other and besides… trust was never a part of this deal, was it?”
Something deadly slithered between us and the atmosphere changed. No whispers skipped across the crypts, no laughs, or chuckles. Everyone waited on bated breath.
“Will it hurt?” I asked, not caring if I sounded weak. I was in no mood to be tortured.
“Shouldn’t.” Angelica hitched a one-sided smile, “It depends on how you react, of course.”
“And how will I react?” My gut sank further and further until I felt it drop into my left shoe.
“Does it matter?” Angelica laughed, an arc of lightning shooting from one finger to another as her eyes skipped to Bee. “You agreed time for time. This is our end of the deal. Back out and we’ll simply take the book and be done.”
I looked over too, Bee clutched the hardback tighter to her chest but shook her head in warning. They could do anything to me. Was Cleo’s book worth it?
“No maiming. No permanent damage. No violence. I say stop, you stop, book be damned.” I narrowed my gaze at the witch. “And you do nothing to Briar. She stays out of whatever you have cooking. Deal?” I held out a hand like it might solidify the contract.
Angelica grinned, slapping her hand to mine. “Deal.”
Warmth licked my arm, but Angelica was already swinging away. Stood next to Chilton, his face was grave but firm. Glancing at the crowd, I realised they gave Larc and his rabid pack a run for their money. Hunger swelled in their eyes, teeth flashed, and they all hunkered down, ready for the show.
“So, what’s the spell?” I asked, feeling my skin tingle and my toes curl in my boots.
“Oh, nothing you can’t handle.” Angelica breezed as her eyes fell shut. The wind died a sudden death as her hands came up, one palm facing out, the other dancing above her head like playing an invisible piano. Heat warmed the air and suddenly sweat drenched me. Far away, an owl hooted in surprise. Nearby candles spluttered. Angelica began to speak.
“Pendet meis chordis. Saltare et cantare. Ego ostendam viam. Tap pedibus tuis. Ryuthmus beat. Non erraverunt.”
Pins and needles struck my skin as every hair on my body stood on end. My gut rolled. My teeth snapped together. Black dots swarmed across my eyes.
“Zara…?” Distantly I heard Bee cry out, but I was busy focusing on the floor, watching it sway in and out of focus as Angelica continued.
“Gloria inprobus stricta. Conare pugnare. Fors effugere. Ego reshape. Ad actum tuum facere. Donec resilient.”
I screamed. Clutching my stomach, I almost hurled as I dropped to the weed-riddled stones. Every bone felt as though it was on fire. Every nerve ending sang with pain, while my head filled with cotton.
“I told you, you’re too drunk for this,” Chilton said somewhere ahead of me. Or maybe behind. The world was spinning, and I couldn’t see straight.
“I’m fine.” Angelica strained, as though lifting a giant weight. Blinking heavily, I tried to look up, but my head wouldn’t respond. My arms trembled but wouldn’t move. Sucking in a breath, I tried to scream again but found my tongue lax, so only a sigh escaped.
“S-ss…ss…” My teeth hissed; the word ‘stop’ dying to release. “Ss…ssst…sttt-,”
But she’d locked my jaw in place. Panic seized my mind. Tears welled in my eyes, turning the world misty.
“Angelica!” Chilton snapped again.
Footsteps suddenly approached, and a presence knelt beside me. “Perhaps all the girl needs is a sprinkle of encouragement?” Smoother. Softer. My body melted at his voice. My heart slowed. Fingers graced my head, trailing down the side of my face until the smooth tips curled under my chin. “Would you like that, Baby Doll?”
Heat pooled in my core as a gasp fell from my lips. The tears cleared and iridescent eyes, smouldering red, welcomed me.
“There you go,” Fyzel spoke again, stroking my face as the cotton filled my head entirely. My body purred; my thoughts were lost in a sea of desire. “Now the fun really begins.”
Fyzel
Hand in mine, the little, naïve kitten purred as I brought her to her feet.
Vacant eyes locked with mine; she was delicious, and my inner incubus purred. Ombre hair swung forward, her blonde tips brushing over her full chest as her silk shirt parted. Desire floated off her with a delectable scent. I could already smell the wetness of her core. Skin flushing red, she was so much more pleasant like this than the previous screaming mess.
“I had it, Fyzel.” Angelica snapped from where she stood, one hand still dancing as she pulled on her new puppet’s strings.
“I think you’ll find her will was far too strong to bow to you alone.” I teased as the Heart girl looked me over, a dull glassy film over her eyes. “But throw in a little desire…”
Yet as I reached with my gifts to soothe her thunderous panic, Heart stepped back.
“So, the princess is also a slut. No surprise there.” Angelica flicked her hands again, forcing Heart to turn away from me.
Trim shoulders flowed into a narrow waist, her body spilling back out into a destructive ass and thighs, I found my fang cutting into my bottom lip. She looked over her shoulder, lashes fluttering as a part of her spellbound mind reached for me.
“So, what do you propose to do to the girl?” I asked, not allowing my interest to show.
Lowing back into my wing-backed chair, instantly my pride slinked close. Bruno sat on the chair’s arm, his hands stretching across my shoulders. Haydon and Erika both sat at my feet, the former placing a possessive hand on my inner thigh, close to my pulsing erection, which had nothing to do with her petite frame.
“Let her go.” A voice carried over the excited giggles, and all eyes fell on the sobbing blonde. “Let her go. Don’t do this,” Briar Dupont repeated as she strained against the vampire who held her. His eyes drank her in as she tried to reach her friend, but the girl hadn’t noticed his ravenous intent.
Angelica pursed her lips, but only for a second. “No.” Dancing fingers played another tune, and Heart stepped forward, her body swaying with relaxation and ease. “I’m thinking of reminding the pretty princess where she belongs.”
I rolled my eyes, my chest rumbling in annoyance. Bruno immediately moved to rub a soothing hand down my pecks, but it was ineffective. What damage my brethren of the night could conjure with nefarious schemes; they sullied with a lack of imagination.
“Well, choose something, Angie. You’ll not keep this control for long.” Chilton dismissed, earning a growl from his sister.
“I say we embarrass her. Take her dignity.” Alice, the little necromancer, spat from the side. Her deadly gaze tossed daggers at Heart, strong enough a dark aura began building around her. “After the damage she caused at my summoning— how she shamed the Caevalier family, it’s only what she deserves.”
“I like that.” Angelica smiled, her hands shaking slightly under the effort. “She pretended to be clueless, bitch. It’s only fair she apologises.”
Suddenly, Heart dropped, crashing to her knees. Her chin kissed the soil as she failed to catch herself, not that she could’ve if she wanted to. Angelica had full control. Making her turn, Heart crawled to Alice, planting her red lips into the dirt every few feet, before placing a kiss on Alice’s shoes. The crowd cheered.
“Make her kiss my shoes next.” Someone shouted.
“No, make her lick them.”
Everyone cackled, but I remained bored. Humiliation had its place: leather, whips, chains, and cock-cages. But right now, there were too many clothes still involved.
“Congratulations.” I raised my voice, flat and impassive. “You made her crawl in the dirt. How wicked of you.”
Angelica growled, snapping at me. “Well, what would you suggest, Fyzel?”
My skin heated as a thousand ideas crossed my mind. If only that fiery ombre hair was purple and short. If only the one with the ability to lull my demon would ask me that exact question. But he wasn’t here, no surprise, so quickly, I locked that fantasy up for another night.
Waving my pride away, the three of them pouted but knew better than to expect monogamy from me. Getting excited, my demon raked its claws on the inside of my ribs, itching to rip free. Yet, gritting my teeth against the pain it inflicted, I relaxed into my chair.
Knees spread, my trousers tented, and my lips lifted into a crooked smile as I palmed my crotch. “Get her to finish what she started over here. I helped, after all; I think I deserve a little reward.”
“A lap dance?” Angelica raised an intrigued brow.
“Well, I don’t see a pole,” I winked at her, “We work with what we have.”
Angelica grinned wickedly. Pulling Heart away from slobbering on Alice’s shoes, those dazed eyes pinned themselves on me. The girl panted, her lips parting with the tug of a string. “Seems she likes that idea.”
“No. Don’t you dare?” Briar screamed. “She didn’t agree to this. Let her go.” She was thrashing now, the vampire holding her loving how she squirmed. I was sure now I’d seen him in the Circle, relishing in some bondage action and roleplaying.
“The girl made a deal with a witch. What did she both expect?” Angelica swayed her fingers, the digits moving to a silent rhythm. “Now stop interfering, or I’ll have Strix bite you into silence.”
On cue, Strix drew his nose up Dupont’s neck, breathing in as a growl slipped free. Briar screamed, trying to escape. Suddenly, Heart’s steps wavered. She blinked rapidly. Her sultry smile fell as she fought the spell…
“Careful, Angie. You promised Heart her friend wouldn't get hurt. If you break your deal, the spell will release.” Chilton advised, his back against the Vow Tree, arms crossed.
Angelica huffed but focused with renewed purpose. “Fine. Just keep the crybaby back, nicely. I want to see this bitch dance.”
Strix dragged Dupont back, the crowd swallowing her and that sensual smile lifted Heart’s lips again as she focused on me.
She prowled slowly, her moves predatory. Face reaching my knees, she brushed against my thigh like a mewling kitten. I kept my body relaxed, hands on the arms of the chair, drinking in the sweet scent of her desire. It sang to my inner demon, making it thrash against my skin.
But I wouldn’t let the bastard free. Not to suck lust from flesh and then flesh from bone. No, my own sadistic self-punishment was to feed it tiny morsels, slow, like dripping honey. Because, after all, an addict must feel the rush to be hooked.
And my true addiction, of purple locks and pale skin, would surely kill me.
Chapter Twenty
Sweat beaded, slipping between my breasts and down my sternum. Lights flashed dimly in my eyes, and I could hear my breath gasp in tandem with the pulsing of my heart. Gravel and stone crunched under my hands and knees, biting with a pain I was only distantly aware of. Because the pain in my mind screamed more.
My body was not my own and there was nothing I could do about it.
Even my tears couldn’t fall free as emotions raged inside me.
Fury.
Anger.
Shame.
Embarrassment.
But worse than that, lust. I could feel it building like a geyser in my gut. It licked at my limbs as I brushed my face against Fyzel’s inner thigh, pushing my face closer to his crotch. The smell of him: dusky night, and hot spice, cut through my stubbornness, releasing a heady groan that flushed my cheeks pink.
“It’s all right, kitten. I have that effect on people,” Fyzel whispered to me as my hands roamed up his powerful thighs. His voice was a low rumble, showing me the hint of a fang under his lips. “Now, show me what you’re working with.”
I shivered. Disgust or desire, my body and mind couldn’t agree.
Climbing to my feet, bending so he had a full view down my cleavage, I slowly turned, showing him my ass. Fingers ran up and hovered over my hips, pinching my waistband, and pulling the clothing higher. My ass jiggled and the crotch seam dug into my dripping folds, lashing me with another bout of heat. Swaying side to side, I continued to turn, running my hands up my front to caress my heavy tits.
Dozens of eyes devoured me. Faces were a haze, their voices a dull bell. But I knew they were all there, laughing as I pulled back the collar of my shirt, ripping the buttons one by one until the shirt fell from my shoulders. The lacy bustier did nothing for my modesty. Slick to my skin with sweat, it clung to the swells of my breast as I danced to silent music.
Trying to blink through the dizzying fog, I heard rather than registered the pop of my trousers' front button, sliding the zipper down my crotch. My hand dipped over the front of my lacey underwear, before lifting and slipping inside the fabric. I pushed down until my fingers graced my wet folds.
Head thrown back, I groaned.
The Night Court mocked me in response.
“Damn, girl,” Fyzel muttered, his body as relaxed, though his gaze never left my body. “I didn’t know you could dance like this.”
I thought for a moment he was talking to me, but the snort to my right told me not. “Just because I don’t visit your Circle of Sin doesn’t mean I’m as fresh as the frilly Day Court.” Angelica’s fingers still moved in my peripheral vision as I bent my thong-covered ass in his face.
