Fated for Her Wolves - Tara West Page 0,3

their host bodies at the butcher block. It was during that revolution that Sitri had been caught by the wolf gods and cast into hell. He was either very foolish or very cunning to return to his last place of demise.

The nightclub was guarded by beefy armed men with black auras and heavy scowls. A line of haggard souls, smelling of sex and drugs, waited to be let inside, their eyes nervously shifting when Balban floated past them, drinking in their fear and loathing as if it were ambrosia. As a succubus she feasted off negative energy, and there was plenty to be had. Loud music echoed across the dark room, strobe lights flashing as young and beautiful, scantily clad women danced with men, many of them older and emanating power.

“Oh, so many beautiful bodies,” Balban exclaimed with a squeal, flames licking her tongue with anticipation.

The music stopped, and surprisingly, several humans looked at them, eyes wide with fear. They screamed and raced for the exit as if the building was on fire.

Sitri turned to her, scowling. “Look at what you’ve done, you fool,” he spat. “Your aura is glowing!”

She looked down at her floating talons, which were indeed glowing, lighting up her dragon form like a Christmas tree, probably a side effect of the human ambrosia she’d been drinking.

When Katarina laughed at her, it took all her willpower not to launch at her. She would waste no time after Sitri discarded his whore.

Sitri floated toward a raven-haired girl who had fallen, clutching a twisted ankle. She went limp, her head hitting the concrete when he leaned over her, draining her lifeforce in one long gulp.

The girl was dead, her lifeforce Sitri’s delicious feast, her soul either ascending or damned depending on how she’d lived her life. Balban couldn’t deny she was perturbed with Sitri for scolding her for only taking small sips from the humans when he drained an entire human for himself. Balban frowned at the girl. What a shame she was injured, for she was beautiful and didn’t smell of disease and would have made a good host.

Rising, Sitri’s aura pulsed dark orange as he faced the retreating crowd.

After the room cleared, they were approached by the two beefy guards, who bowed to Sitri. “Welcome, Master,” they said in Russian. “We trust your journey was safe.”

He flashed a wicked grin. “Take me to him.”

“Of course,” one guard said. “Your timing is perfect. He is with his lover.”

Sitri tossed Balban an indignant look. “Cool your aura or stay here.” His orange glow slowly faded.

Loathe though she was to lose her delicious high, she heaved a sigh and released the humans’ negative energy, her aura fading to black, leaving her a shadow once more.

They followed the guards down a set of stairs, hovering behind them while they waved their badges in front of a scanner, then passed through several heavy, locked doors.

How do you know these humans? Balban asked Sitri through thought.

They are devil worshipers and practice black magic, he answered while keeping his focus on the guards. I’ve been speaking to them through the crystal.

What have you promised them in return for their help? she asked. Humans didn’t simply follow orders from demons unless they were terrified or they were offered something in return. These humans held their heads confidently when they walked. They certainly were not scared.

Power and wealth. Sitri’s laughter echoed in her head. What else?

Will you give it to them?

His laughter faded. You know demons don’t keep their promises. I will use them until they are no longer needed.

Of course he would. Sitri had many qualities, honor not being one of them.

And then?

And then I drink their essence.

Balban shivered at the hunger in his voice, knowing that if she were not a succubus, he would’ve drained and discarded her long ago.

When they reached the bottom, they crossed a basement as big as a warehouse, where masked men weighed drugs and packed them in bags and containers.

They entered another narrow hallway, following the sounds of lovers moaning at the far end.

Without waiting for the guards to open the door, Sitri slipped through with Katarina following at his heels. Balban trailed after him, her libido springing to life when she saw the old pot-bellied human fucking a pretty, petite blonde from behind like two dogs in heat. Sitri rushed the old human, sucking out his life force in one gulp before draining his screaming lover. He knocked over the dead female and motioned to Katarina before slipping