my heels, both of us silent and racked with a need so strong you can taste it. I reach a room at the end and the door is open slightly, so I push it inwards, cringing at the gaudy decor of silk, red, and gold.
And there, in the middle of the bed draped in fineries and bodies is the incubus himself.
Derrin.
Griffin sucks in a breath so I blast him with waves of love. I hear him groan and press closer as we watch the slumbering incubus who seems unaware that we have even entered his room. I mean, really? How does this man even survive? Is he so reliant on security and his powers he thinks he’s untouchable?
Of course he is.
I’m about to show him how wrong he happens to be.
I turn and slam the door, waking him. He jolts upright, his eyes blurry and hair messy as he blinks and runs his hand through his locks. He’s beautiful, has ultimate sex appeal, but all I feel when I look at him is hate.
He glances from me to Griffin and a smile tips his lips as he reclines naked in the bed. “Well, well, fallen, brought someone to play with me? I knew you liked it.”
I step in front of Griffin, holding him back as well as drawing Derrin’s attention to me. “I did come to play, in fact.”
“Is that so? And who are you, little bird?” he coos, and slips from the bed, prowling my way. He moves like a panther, graceful and sensual, but it does nothing for me. His cock is at half-mast, and as I look on in disgust, he runs his hand across his chest to cup himself as he stops before me. Griffin’s hand darts out and grabs the back of my dress, trying to tug me back from the incubus as he lowers his head and blows power right into my face. “I promise you will love it, cher. Why don’t you show me what that dress is hiding? Let’s put on a little show for the fallen, show him what he ran away from.” His eyes pulse with power, it fills the room, slamming into my veins like a drug, trying to create a reaction, but I feel nothing.
This is nothing.
Compared to the pull, the utter lust, need, and magnetism of my mates and their bonds, this is fake, false, and wrong. I scowl at it, pushing it away, and he blinks in shock before stepping back. I take it no one has ever rejected his powers before, I’m happy to be the first.
“What are you, cher?” he murmurs, his voice husky, and Griffin growls, making Derrin tut. “I am not talking to you, fallen.” He slams power into Griffin who shivers, so I press my back to his chest, offering him my strength. He dips his head onto my shoulder, sucking in my scent as I reach for his mind and share myself with him, blocking out the incubus.
“He is mine. Don’t ever look at him again or this will be over before we even start,” I warn, my eyes black and my own voice low and velvety with power.
He mistakes it for need, for want, not for the hate and anger it is. He can’t fathom someone not wanting him. He winks at me. “As you wish, my beauty.” He turns and heads to the bed, sitting on the edge with his legs spread. “Why don’t you come over here?”
An image of Griffin ripping off his head flashes into my mind from my surly mate, making me laugh. I pull away from him after sending him a mental kiss and saunter towards the bar instead. I pour myself a drink and sip it as I turn to see Derrin watching me with interest, like I’m a bug under a microscope. Something different, something he isn’t used to.
“Tell me, Derrin, has anyone actually ever wanted you without the magic? You’re pretty and all, but I can smell your rotten soul from here,” I muse, sipping on my drink.
His face clenches in anger as he leaps to his feet, his gaze going to Griffin. “How dare she speak to me like that! Bring her here, now!” he orders.
I flick my fingers and the incubus flies back onto the bed as I step closer. “I told you, he’s mine. You do not get to order him around, you do not even get to look at him, understood?” I snarl.
He fights my hold, thrashing