Defiled: A Dark Paranormal Romance Page 6

  “Well, I know you went through a horrible ordeal, but you’re home now. You should get some rest.” He snapped his notebook shut, already backing out of the room. The investigation had just ended. There would be no arrests.

  “Sheriff. I really was taken against my will.”

  “I know you believe that, Sadie. I just wish there was some evidence to corroborate your stories.”

  I didn’t see him out. I merely remained where I was, waiting for my father to pounce when he returned, calling me a heretic and the devil child. The sun shimmered against the thick foliage, all the colors of the rainbow represented. At least my father had attended to my mother’s flower garden while she was ‘resting’ in a facility, her nervous breakdown blamed on my lack of common sense and decency. There would be hell to pay at some point for my actions, but I would keep the promise made to myself, no matter how long it took.

  I would leave this godforsaken town and never look back, forging my own life even if it meant being entirely on my own. There would be no help from my father, either financially or emotionally. He’d made certain I knew this sickening fact the day after I’d been found.

  Fuck him.

  Fuck the world.

  College was on hold, but not forever.

  A sudden strength washed over me, a quiet resolve of what I’d have to do: pretend to toe the line, all while making and saving money.

  The reflection of the girl in the window was no longer the quiet waif she’d once been. She was stronger, more virulent. After taking a deep breath, a flash occurred in my periphery of vision.

  A wildly handsome man with piercing inkjet black eyes, his skin almost translucent yet kissed by the sun, and lips of ruby red.

  My captor.

  My lover.

  My master.

  Soon, my darling Sadie, you will be mine forever. I will prove my love to you.

  The words were chilling. Prove. What was he talking about?

  Boom!

  The sound was thunderous. The house began to shake as if an earthquake was occurring. The sound of breaking glass came from everywhere. I raced toward the front door, fumbling to twist the knob. The second I raced out onto the porch, I knew exactly what had happened.

  The church.

  Whoosh! Boom!

  “What. The. Fuck?” The sheriff stood by his squad car, peering up at the fireball in the sky, crisscrossing flames and smoke filling the air. “Jesus motherfucking Christ.”

  I took off running, heading through the woods in the direction of the church. I had to see for myself.

  “Sadie. No! Stay here.”

  Ignoring the sheriff’s command, I moved quickly, dashing over tree limbs in an effort to break through to the clearing. As soon as I did, I stood in shock. A massive fire had already consumed ninety percent of the building, flames in vivid hues of orange, red, and blue licking out toward the trees.

  Everything my father had worked for was destroyed.

  I heard my father’s wailing cry, watched his face as he turned in my direction, pointing his shaking arm, a single finger extended. There was no way I could hear his wretched words over the roar of the flames.

  But I did.

  “He will come for you, Sadie. He will defile you in every manner. Then. You. Will. Be. His.”

  As I stood staring at the horror, I knew that I would stay to help my family rebuild, but one day, he would return.

  He’d come for me.

  For the woman he owned.

  Chapter Five

  Christoff

  Three and a half years later—Hell

  Rules. Regulations. Requirements.

  We had all of them in the dark kingdom, a place where the most vile and horrific creatures came to live, and I’d broken several of them. By ceremoniously keeping Sadie under the wings of protection, I’d given the rulers of our land the opportunity to fuck with my legacy. However, my decision was vital in the ultimate game of power.

  I stood in the outer edges of the courtroom waiting my fate, my mind never far from the woman I cared deeply for. The very concept that I had any feelings for a human was blasphemous enough. That I would risk all that should be rewarded to me in the upcoming century for her sake could mean death, or even worse.

  “You are not the dark messiah.” His deep voice rang out in the auditorium.

  I didn’t respond. If I did, I knew the man’s wrath would be much worse. Damien was considered the high priest, a man whose reign over the council had been riddled with brutality over thousands of years. He was my father’s right-hand man, both feared and revered by everyone.

  I considered him a tottering old fool, stuck in the ancient cultures.

  Damien glanced at his fellow councilmembers, seeking their approval for continuing. My father sat silent, as he always did, allowing the hierarchy of the court proceedings to rule.

  “We are human predators, yourself included, which is something you seem to have forgotten,” he stated, stretching his neck. “I will ask you, Christoff, one last time. Why have you not brought the girl to us?”

  My beloved Sadie. I’d spent three long years avoiding being grilled by the council, moving in and out of mortal state, reveling in living amongst humans in my effort to keep her hidden as well as protected. She’d all but forgotten my existence and would until I returned to Earth to claim her.

  As I knew I’d be forced to do very soon, earlier than expected.

  “The time was not right,” I stated simply. She would have been imprisoned, if not immediately executed for prophecies that even Lucifer was uncertain truly existed.

  The words were obviously not what the council wanted to hear.

  Damien moved to a standing position, his eyes shimmering with the evil consuming his very soul. “We have been working for centuries to hunt this girl, to eradicate any chance that there would be any interference. Do you understand the sacred teachings?”

  “Yes, I believe I do.” I knew them very well, having been taught lessons from the time I could read as a small boy. “However, she is a mortal woman, not a goddess.”

  “Then you understand the consequences if the God-fearing humans were to lay their hands on her. They have no understanding of her power.” He ignored my comments as I knew he would.

  Her power. They had no understanding of mine. I walked closer, further fueling another outcry from various audience members, all of which had flocked to see Lucifer’s son dethroned. If circumstances were different, I’d ascend to that very throne without question, working by my father’s side until he took his final breaths. The ancient teachings were very clear about his reign, which was coming to an end.

  The End of Days.

  The beginning of the darkest hours.

  New life within a more powerful regime.

  I knew all the teachings.

  And I honestly didn’t care.

  It wasn’t that I didn’t want to be considered the prince of darkness. As the eldest child, this was my right. I simply preferred being able to spend time as a mortal. Some would call this blasphemous.

  Ridiculous.

  I wanted more out of life. I wanted a queen. Yes, by all rights, the concept of making Sadie my queen was dangerous in and of itself. I knew that she had more powers than she was aware of, but with proper training, she would rule another land by my side.

  And the humans would be allowed to live.

  I had no interest in the End of Days. There would be no purpose served but to allow demons to rule the Earth. Many were vile creatures, serving their time in Hell for crimes that quite frankly disgusted me.

  “Yes, I’m well aware. No one has knowledge of who or what she is or what powers she might possess, although I’m not convinced she’s the goddess you seek.” I gave Damien a hard look followed by locking eyes with every demon sitting on the high court.

  “But you were aware that there was an attempt on exorcising her soul?” Brutus, another councilmember and one I didn’t trust, asked the question.

&
nbsp; “I am aware. That will never happen again. Besides, she has moved on to begin her new life.” Sadie had finally made it to college against her parents’ wishes. I’d held the council off for an additional six months, allowing her time to adjust to her new surroundings. I was now out of time.

  “Cambridge, Massachusetts.”

  Hearing my father’s voice, I snapped my head in his direction. I could see the smirk on his face, as if he found amusement in unveiling her location. If the information leaked, and I knew it would, any rogue demon could have an opportunity to hunt her down, using her as bait.

  Or worse.

  I would need to become her protector once again, making certain difficult choices. My father had planned this. How dare he.

  Damien took a deep breath, his eyes opening wide. I heard the gasps from others. The realization that the very woman who could bring down the kingdom of darkness was living and studying in one of the three cities of importance was far too disconcerting.

  “I will need to confer with the others,” Damien said far too quietly as he motioned the others away from the bench.

  My father approached, taking calculated steps in my direction. “You are a very strong leader, Christoff, but you allow your emotions to rule your decisions. This girl you are protecting could destroy all of us.”

  “She is a simple human, Father, not some ancient prophecy.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong. She is a direct descendant of the goddess of fire.”

  “Alleged.”

  He snorted and patted me on the back. “You were always a straight shooter, an interesting attribute.”

  “And one you don’t approve of.”

  “There is more to ruling a kingdom than an iron fist, but given our various classes of demons, absolute control is required. Weakness of any kind will cause panic, especially toward the End of Days. Your weakness is this girl. Why, when you can have any woman, human or angel?”

  I thought about his question. “Because she is meant to be my queen.”

  To my father’s credit, he didn’t admonish me. He’d fallen for a human centuries before, thereby creating his three beloved sons. A black mark against his credibility with the high council.

  “I do understand. Unfortunately, you will be tested, my son. There is no other way.”

  I noticed that both Judas and Cain were in the courtroom as if summoned. My brothers would be called into action, one or both taking my place as the prince if necessary. They would enjoy pushing me off the throne, their greed and hunger for power far outweighing any concept of family loyalty.

  “I would suspect no less, Father.”

  “Follow your heart, son. That is my only advice.” He’d allowed his mask to fall if only for a brief few seconds.

  I wanted to say more to my father, but my surprise was overwhelming. He missed his wife, our mother very much, although he hadn’t spoken about her in years. Her mortal death, even though she’d been given an extended life, came at a grave time, bringing much sadness to a man who had never experienced any concept of emotion before.

  At least that I’d been able to see.

  The councilmembers moved back into position, Damien remaining standing.

  “Christoff, while we value and appreciate the new life you and your brothers bring to our legacy, we cannot allow your continued betrayal of the dark kingdom.”

  The entire crowd seemed to have grown in numbers, their eagerness filling me with rage unlike anything I’d ever experienced.

  Damien gazed down the length of me before continuing. “We have no choice but to find you guilty of obstructing the End of Days.”

  There was no sense of arguing. They had full and utter control and everyone in the audience seemed to be on the edge of their seat, waiting for a fall from grace. Only three times in the history of hell had archangels been cast out, banished from our society. They were hungry for a fourth.

  “As you may know, Christoff, there are three cities that are vital to setting the hell fires on Earth. Athens, Cairo, and Cambridge.”

  Cambridge held the most knowledge of the ancient ways, revered and very sacred books written to prevent the End of Days, scripted by scholars and pillaged by archeologists through the centuries. There were also various factions of humans that considered Cambridge holy, enough so that there would be protection within the city limits. It was true that Sadie’s appearance in such a humanly revered place could mean her own awakening of her powers.

  They had a right to be disturbed.

  “I am aware,” I answered.

  “It is our belief that the prophecy of the saints has been enacted.” Damien held up his arms immediately, trying to squelch the crowd’s reaction.

  “That is blasphemy!” one member of the audience yelled.

  “That cannot be!” another screamed.

  “Enough!” Damien barked.

  I watched my father’s eyes. There was no surprise in them. In the ancient texts, it was stated that a prophecy of the holiest saints had been created during the inception of Earth, the heavens and hell to thwart the End of Days. One invoked, there were three keys within three holy cities that would need to be found in order for the kingdom of darkness to begin the End of Days. Only when the three keys were secured and brought into the confines of hell could this occur. One key had been thought to be found among other artifacts, brought to Cambridge by eager archeologists to be studied and revered.

  The knowledge of the prophecy was limited to a handful of holy humans.

  And perhaps one angel.

  The signs were all coming together.

  “I command all three of Lucifer’s sons to go forth to the cities and find the keys.” Damien’s voice boomed in the dense space. “The demon who brings the keys to our sacred kingdom first shall be the crowned the new king of darkness.”

  The crowd went wild, whistling and clapping.

  I could see that both Judas and Cain found this to be an honor, a game of sorts in order to best me for the throne. They were beaming at the thought of supplanting me.

  “As for you, Christoff, you will be punished for your crimes. Your powers will be restricted, merely a mortal man with a ticking clock and a few of your darkest abilities. Not only will your strength and honor be tested, but your human body and heart as well. If you fail, you will be banished.”

  * * *

  I’m coming for you...

  My property.

  She was the very breath of my life, a challenge for my agonized soul. She was the blood flowing through my veins, the very essence of my being. She also held a key and unlocking all the precious demons within would mean her total demise, a fall from grace.

  But that no longer mattered.

  While no virgin, she was still innocent and pure and had no way of knowing that a monster had fixated on stripping her from every slice of goodness, devouring her with evil.

  For I was the devil’s spawn.

  My presence within the city alone would keep her safe for a short period of time, but there were already rogue demons waiting in the wings of hell to hunt and kill, the bounty on her head very high.

  They would be forced to go through me.

  A snarl pushed past my lips, creating a moment of rapture. I could almost taste her.

  Her luscious nipples.

  Her sweet nectar.

  Her voluptuous mouth.

  Just like I had three years before. I wasn’t a patient man in any regard, my needs for her utterly consuming. I rubbed the tip of my finger across my lips, remembering every glorious detail about taking her.

  Using her.

  Fucking her.

  I’d awakened her mind to endless possibilities and extreme ecstasy, ravaging every inch of her purity. And now I could have all I wanted, feasting like the beast I truly was.

  I had protected her, keeping her from those who would attempt to take her from me, but in doing so, I’d upset the balance of power. The council had spoken, the punishment invoked, and I’d found my
self on Earth once again in a city that could mean my demise.

  And hers.

  As promised, I’d been stripped of the majority of my powers, at least enough that I was considered more mortal than demon, capable of being killed. My rage remained, furrowing deep inside, the very beast clawing at the surface. Finding the key would not be easy. There were many suggestions as to what the keys entailed, but no concrete evidence of any kind. Without my full powers, the task would be difficult, although there were certain professors within Harvard University that had been targeted as being the protector of the key, as well as the various scriptures.

  I would blend into the academia world in order to secure an opportunity to locate the precious item.

  In order to reclaim my position for the throne, I would be forced to relinquish my protection of her, bringing her back to the attention of every demon hell bent on taking their revered place for the End of Days. I’d been given three days to decide whether to accept my punishment and task or accept full banishment. Today was the last day. Any further hesitation and I’d remain mortal, succumbing just like the mere humans who had no idea what they were facing.

  Even then I’d remain with my beloved Sadie.

  I knew what must be done in order to keep her alive.

  My cock swelled, the thirst insatiable. Do you hear me, precious one? Do you know I’m coming for you? I dragged the edge of my tongue along my teeth, inhaling. The vision of her naked and trembling body secured to a cross, her silky strands of hair flowing like a perfect golden halo made my balls tighten. I allowed the images to continue, a brief interlude interlocking my raging desire with my most basic instinct.

  Survival.

  I would train her, requiring her full submission, disciplining her as harshly and as often as necessary. She would learn to succumb to the very catacombs of my being, supplying me with her lust for life, as well as her complete obedience. And I would mark her lovely skin, the branding of complete ownership. I could almost hear the crack of the leather strap, feel the brutal sting as it sliced across her bottom.

  “You belong to me, little one, my breath of life.”