Which hed almost done, but somehow hadnt. Shed moaned and writhed and begged him for more. Hell, Wrath had moaned and writhed and begged him for more. And hed come so close to giving in to both of them. But then Olivia had gentled her kiss and hed been disappointed and angry, and that volatile combination had thankfully snapped him into focus.
Yet, it shouldnt have been disappointment or anger that hed felt. He should have been overjoyed, but hed found himself wondering if her desire for him had waned. If she wanted someone else instead. Someone like Paris or William, both of whom shed mentioned while showering, hands caressing her own body, lingering. With the thought, hed once again yearned to have her completely out of control, because of him, sinking those nails into his back, scraping those teeth along his neck.
What was wrong with him?
Did you hear that? Olivia asked, tugging him from his dark and sensual musings. She slid her hand from hisMine, Wrath growled, no longer crying but once again claimingand stopped.
Hed told himself hed protest these declarations from now on, but he couldnt force himself to do so. Fool. Hear what? He, too, stopped and listened. Aside from his demons continued brooding, only silence greeted him. Frowning, Aeron faced her. As always when he looked at her, his heart rate quickened. I hear nothing.
But the voice She spun in a circle, gaze roving the foyer. Its telling me to cup your balls with one hand and fist your cock with the other.
Was it possible she heard his demon and Wait. What? A voice is telling you to molest me? Not Wrath, then. The demon had mentioned nothing that specific. Unfortunately.
Yes.
Is this an attempt to seduce me? Tricky, delicious female, who wore scanty clothes, asked him naughty questions and emerged from the bathroom stark naked. Is this supposed to
No! I dont like this! she interrupted. Im hearing the words, thinking them, but they dont belong to me. I know that doesnt make any sense, but I dont know how else to describe it.
Behind him, footsteps resounded. He turned. Torin was halfway down the stairs, taking them two at a time. Today he wore a black turtleneck, black gloves and pants that dragged the ground so that even if he sat down and his socks fell below his ankles, not an inch of his skin would show.
Delicious, Aeron heard Olivia murmur. I could eat you up.
You have to stop saying things like that, Olivia. Aeron flicked her a glanceonly to still, grind his teeth and curse under his breath. She wasnt peering at him as hed expected; she was peering at Torin as if he was a piece of meat and she was starving.
Mine, Wrath warned.
Aeron popped his jaw in sudden irritationwith Torin. It wasnt that he cared who Olivia desired. It was just that shed given up immortality for him, wanted him to provide her fun, wanted to welcome him inside her body; she shouldnt be so fickle.
Uh, excuse me? A confused Torin stopped at the bottom of the staircase.
Aeron studied his friend, trying to see him as Olivia must. Beyond that startling contrast of white hair and black eyebrows, that smooth, naturally tannedand uninkedskin, and okay, okay, maybe those piercing green eyes, he wasnt that attractive. Whats more, he was an inch shorter than Aeron and not as bulky.
Ignore me, Olivia beseeched, horror drifting from her. Please. I dont know whats come over me.
Torin, it seemed, was trying not to smile. Glad youre not scared of me anymore.
Aeron wished he could say the same. Lets get the meeting started. Surely that snapping, snarling tone wasnt his.
Too late, Im afraid. Torin leaned one shoulder against the banister, the picture of domesticated male. Except for the wicked gleam in his eyes. Everyones left.
What!
Youre not the only one with big news. Lucien flashed to Rome after Sabin and the others learned that Galen succeeded in binding Distrust to one of his soldiers. A female.
Aeron plowed a hand over his razored hair. Distrust, Badens Distrust, was now inside a Hunter? Hed known Galen hoped to do such a thing, but still the knowledge stunned him. Unacceptable!
Punish, Wrath agreed.
No images flashed in his mind, but Aeron wasnt surprised. He was becoming used to his demons more vocal presence. Something will have to be done about that, but well have to tread carefully. Today I learned that Rhea, Cronuss wife, is aiding the Hunters.
Torin absorbed the words and paled. Youre kidding, right?
I wish.
Olivia clasped Aerons hand, twining their fingers. Wraths anger drained, leaving Aeron with a cuddly kitten. He favored the rage. If theres anything I can do to help, please let me know, she said. I wont even make you pay for it.
Her attempt to comfort him wascomforting. Damn it! Now he was like Wrath. Cuddly. And he didnt like it. But he liked her. More than he should have. He was used to bottling up his emotions, ignoring them so he could focus on what needed to be done, but she refused to accept anything but his complete capitulation.
Maybe that was whyrealization hit him hard. Shit. It was. Thats why hed always preferred gentle women. Well, not preferred, but feared the other, stronger females. Gentle women didnt threaten to break the bottle that contained all those churning emotions. Stronger women could smash that bottle to pieces, forcing him to feel.
What? Torin asked, head tilting to the side.
Nothing, he lied. No way hed admit to such a weakness. So look. Back to the Hunters. Rhea is hiding them from us while theyre in town.
Torins lips pulled back from his teeth. First we learn Galens leading the Hunters, and now a Titan is helping them, too. If there are more surprises, I dont want to know.
Actually, Cronus
Just visited me, Torin interjected, but he conveniently didnt mention any of this. He just commanded us to get our asses in gear and find Scarlet, which is where the others are. Looking for her. He threatened us with the usual death and destruction if we failed to find her. Today.
The god king was certainly making the rounds, first visiting Aeron, then Torin. But why would finding Scarlet be so important to him? To ensure Rhea didnt get to her first?
Olivias fingers squeezed his as she focused on Torin. Looks like I can help, after all. Aeron wants me to show you where shes staying, and I agreed to do so.
Torin studied her closely. Yeah, Cameo mentioned something about you knowing the girl.
When hed said Cameos name, his expression had softened. Interesting. Was it true, as some of the warriors suspected, that those two were involved? They couldnt touch one another, so, if they were lovers, they wouldve had to find other ways to please each other.
Aeron couldnt imagine being unable to touch and taste Olivia. He couldntfocus, clearly.
Tell him, he said to Olivia, forcing himself back on track.
She squared her shoulders and spouted off the location. That quick, that easy. If only.
Ill text everyone, Torin said, relief dripping from the words. He didnt ask how Olivia knew, nor did he accuse her of trying to trick him. Even without that ring of truth in her voice, he would have trusted Aerons judgment.
No. Dont tell them where she is, Aeron said. He flicked a glance to the nearest window. The curtains were drawn, but there was a tiny sliver of open space between the two panels, allowing the barest hint of sunlight to seep inside. Darkness wouldnt fall for hours yet, which meant Scarlet was sleeping. Tell them to come home. Olivia and I will take care of Nightmares. With Hunters in Buda and in possession of an artifact, I want as many warriors as possible here at all times.
Done. Any way I can convince you to take a warrior or two with you, though? Backups a great thing to have.
Wont need any. Shell be sleeping until nightfall and no trouble. Right, Olivia?
The angel nodded reluctantly. She clearly didnt like sharing information with anyone but him, but was doing so. For Aeron. Perhaps he could forgive her for her earlier fickleness.
Wrath went silent, for once not objecting to the thought of forgivenessa concept that usually confused the demon.
Oh, and I know you didnt want any more surprises tossed your way, but theres one more thing Ive got to tell you about your buddy Cronus, Aeron said. Turns out we have more in common than our mutual dislike of Galen.
Torin frowned. I dont understand.
Only merciful way to do this was to say it quick. Hes possessed by the demon of Greed.
First, Torins mouth fell open. Then his eyes widened. Then he stumbled back, hit the bottom step and nearly fell. The god king is demon-possessed? How can you
Lysander paid me a visit. Like him, Torin now knew angels couldnt lie. Cronus was locked in Tartarus at the time we opened the box, so it makes sense.
Wow. Just wow.
Throw in an oh, shit and youve got my initial reaction.
When did Lysander visit you? Olivia asked. What else did he say? Did he mention me? I know he mentioned me. Before Aeron could respond, she added, And do you want to have sex before we leave? She shook her head, as if she couldnt be sure shed heard herself correctly. Did I just ask you if you wanted to have sex with me?
She had, and his body had reacted accordingly. He nodded because he didnt trust himself to speak.
The horror hed heard in her voice a little while ago now flooded her features. But I didnt say it. I mean, I did say it, and I want to do it, but that wasnt me. The voice
Torins grin was all cat and cream. So are you talking to Aeron or to me?
To me, Aeron barked, even as she said, To you, of course.
What? Aeron and Wrath shouted in unison.
Mine!
Torin laughed, the bastard. Wish I could, angel, but I really would kill you with my pleasure.
Her cheeks flushed, giving her skin a luminous glow.
Aerons teeth did that grinding thing again. You better tell that voice of yours to shut the hell up. Was someone speaking through her? Lysander certainly had the power to do so, but the warrior angel wouldnt say those kinds of things. Sabin, too, could do it, but he wasnt here.
Who did that leave? Cronus? Rhea? But why would it be either of them?
Olivias shoulders straightened, her chin lifting in a way he now knew meant her stubborn streak had kicked in, and she glared up at him. Maybe it wasnt the voice that time. Maybe it was me. Youre not as fun as I thought youd be. You dont even know how to give me a proper orgasm.
Torin barked out another laugh, and it was Aerons turn to flush. I could have given you one if Id wanted.
Yeah, well, she huffed. Prove it.
Yes!
A growl sprang from deep in his throat and he stepped closer to her, leaned down and put them nose to nose. Give her an orgasm? There was nothing he wanted more. If you arent careful, youre going to
Aeron, Aeron, a familiar voice called.
Aeron jerked upright as if hed been caught doing something he shouldnt. Actually, he had. Legion was here. How could he have forgotten about her? About her safety? He should have been out there looking for her instead of responding to Olivias taunts.
Im going to my room to summon Cronus again before the mud-wrestling starts, Torin said. Maybe hell show, maybe he wont. If he does, Ill ask him why hes not listed on the scrolls and if he can block us from Hunters. Ill let you know how it goes. See you guys later. Oh, and, Olivia. Good luck with that voice. With a wink in her direction, he turned on his heel and popped back up the stairs.
Touch whats mine and pay with
Will you stop warning him away? Aeron snapped at his demon. He cant hear you. But dont stop staking that claim, he almost added. Such a fool.
A second later, Legion plowed around the far corner, red eyes wild. She halted when she spied Aeron, hissed when she saw Olivia, then tripped forward until she was standing in front of them. She was panting, sweating.
Instinctively, he moved in front of Olivia. Whats wrong? he asked, guilt consuming him. If shed gotten hurt because of him
Everything willbebetter sssoon The moment the last word left her mouth, her knees collapsed and she tumbled to the floor.
Aeron reached out, catching her before she hit and easing her down. She was so tiny, her weight barely registered.
Aeron, she said on a sigh of reliefjust before curling into herself with a pained grunt.
Legion, he said, panic sprouting. Tell me whats
Another grunt. Every muscle she possessed began knotting and relaxing, knotting and relaxing. Her body seemed to begrowing? Not possible. Or shouldnt have been. As he watched, her arms, legs and torso lengthened. Her scales even began to fall away like dew drops, leaving beautiful, golden skin in their wake.
Soon, though, the grunts became never-ending screams. And with her mouth open so wide, he could see that her teeth were shrinking, her forked tongue weaving together. Next, blond hair sprouted from her scalp and large breasts plumped from her chest.
What the hell is happening?
Shes becominghuman, Olivia whispered. Her words, so much softer than his, still managed to rival his in shock and horror.
Not knowing what else to do, Aeron popped to his feet and rushed around the corner. When he reached one of the living rooms, he grabbed a blanket slung over the couch. His mind churned with so many questions, he couldnt quite process what was happening. Legion. Human. Why? How?
At her side once more, he draped the blanket over her bare skin. Shed stopped growing, at least. Stopped spasming and screaming, too. Tears streaked her cheeks and her bottom lip trembled.
She gazed up at him with dark, liquid eyes, no hint of demon red. Aeron, she said on a sigh. Imsohappy toseeyou.
No longer did she sound like a child, all hint of her lisp gone. Though her words were hesitant, as if she didnt quite know how to use her tongue, she sounded like an adult, voice rich and husky.