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Date with Destiny-Demon Style Ch. 01

By: Kindasortacrazy



"Ouch! Mother, stop! You're pulling too hard!" She winced as her mother continued to brush the knots out of her hair, heedless of her protests.

"Hush, Kara. This is the price you pay for not preparing earlier." Her mother's chiding tone only fueled her irritation.

She sat in the small carved wooden chair, staring down her reflection in the small mirror. Blue eyes pierced blue eyes as she stared down her twin image, their faces wincing and grimacing in unison. Shoulder-length strands of night-black hair whose knots had already been yanked out hung limp around her face.

All in all, she was an exceptional beauty: High cheekbones, full lips and skin like porcelain. A strong jaw line, straight nose and delicate eyebrows accentuated her allure. Those uneducated in the art of demonology or missed regular sermons from zealots would easily mistake the blood-red scrollwork that framed her eyes and cheekbones as some frivolous tattoo. That mark, that damned mark, bespoke her heritage as a half-blood. A high-ranking half-blood. Her father, Andrian, was one of higher demons in the hierarchy, his judgments being overruled only by Lucifer himself and two others. 

With one last agonizing tug, her mother brushed out the final knot.

"There. At least that's over with." Hands, calloused from motherhood, smoothed any renegade strands. "Stand up. You're being presented in five minutes."

Scowling, she stood, towering over her mother. At five foot ten, she was exceptionally tall, even for the daughter of a demon. She'd felt like a giraffe since she was sixteen. She turned her head, examining herself in the mirror. There was no chance of her being able to slip into the crowds and disappear. She'd stick out like a sore thumb.

The navy blue dress she wore didn't help either. Backless and with a plunging neckline, it highlighted every curve, every angle she possessed. Turning to face the mirror, she began to pick herself apart. Her breasts, though well formed, were always too small in her mind. Her mother, grandmother and numerous aunts on her mother's human side were blessed with ample chests, but she was cursed with a painfully small 34B. Inch by inch of self-examination, she found flaws: Her hips were too narrow, her waist wasn't narrow enough, her legs were too long. She hunched her shoulders in defeat. What fiery hell prince would want such a gangly and awkward looking creature as a mate?

She had no choice but to go, however. She was eighteen now, the age of maturity in the world of demons. By law, she was to be presented to a court full of princes -each a half-blood as well- to find a mate and secure her position. The higher the prince she married, the more prominent her place. The issue began with the fact that the higher the prince was in ranking, the more of an asshole he was bound to be. Knowing how her beauty would be ranked in the world of demons, the highest -and subsequently, the most callous- demon prince would choose her as his bride, dooming her to twin lives of unfathomably luxury and unimaginable misery.

Fabulous.

"Kara! Hurry or you'll be late!" Her mother's voice cracked through her thoughts, ceasing her inner turmoil.

Sighing, she turned and walked towards the massive curtain that separated them form the rest of the court. Pulling an edge to the side, she looked out at the mass of demons the filled the hall. All of them human-looking, but their human guises hid the power and malice they were born with. Just to her left was the massive marble staircase that she would have to walk down to meet her fate. She secretly hoped she'd trip so the princes found her too clumsy to marry.

Looking ahead, she peered past the throngs of full-blooded demons to the tow tables at the very back of the room. At the tallest table, Lucifer, in all his fallen glory, sat at the center, flanked on both sides by high-ranking demons. She could see her father, red skinned and bright-eyed, sitting two seats to the left. At the lower table sat the princes, ten in all, chattering to one another, anxiously waiting for her to enter the room. 

Her gut turned. To be married off to one of those princes, painfully handsome as they may be, was making her ill. Damn it, why couldn't she have been born normal?

The sound of horns caught her attention. Pulling her back from the curtain, her mother frantically began to smooth her hair, adjust her dress and fix her posture all at once. "Now, just remember to smile. Keep your answers short and don't let your pride get the best of you. And for heaven's sake, don't bite your nails!" Her name was announced by an unseen voice. With one final kiss on the cheek and a quick well-wishing from her mother, she was shoved through the curtain to the steps of the staircase.

Her heart nearly stopped. Every demon in the room had become silent and was staring at her with a mix of curiosity and hunger. Hunger that chilled her skin. She knew that if she failed to impress, there was a good chance she'd be killed off for being seen as a weak link in the family line. A half-blood, even a high ranking one, was easy prey if they made themselves seem so.

Taking a deep breath, she carefully strode down the pitch black marble steps. She kept her eyes glued to the floor, avoiding all eye contact with those who would gladly tear her to pieces in favor of their own children. She made her way down the steps and stepped lightly across the massive floor to the tables, still keeping her gaze locked on the ground. She could feel the eyes of the demon princes and their sons boring into her. She stopped at the center of the floor, her heart racing.

"Your name, child?" Lucifer's voice, the sound of church bells that had been taken from the heavens and brought here, resounded around the room. She looked up, past the table of princes and locked gazes with the oldest demon of them all. Golden eyes filled with intrigue met her own. 

"Kara Haven, sir." She fought the urge to look down. Avoiding the gaze of Lucifer himself would be disastrous for her reputation.

The old demon raised his chin an inch, looking down his nose to inspect her. "Your age?"

"Eighteen, sir."

He motioned to the demons flanking him. "Which of my collogues is your father?"

"Andrian, sir."

A smile broke out on perfectly formed lips. He looked towards her father, almost grinning. "Yours is a fine one, Andrian."

Her father gave a sharp nod, saying nothing.

Lucifer's gaze returned to her, and for a moment, he seemed taken aback by the fact that her eyes still matched his. "Tell me, girl. Which of these fine young men arouse your interest? Answer honestly and I may let you have the choice of which you see first."

Breaking from his gaze, she looked at the young princes, scanning each of them carefully. They did the same to her, though it was obvious they were more concerned with her impression of them, straightening themselves in their chairs and smiling at her. Painfully handsome, a few were even hard to look at, but she finished without scampering away or causing a scene.

She looked back a Lucifer. "None of them intrigue me, sir." She could almost hear her mother groan of despair. The smiles on some of the princes faded, replaced with looks of confusion.

His brows went up. "None?"

She shook her head. "They are all very handsome, and intelligent, I'm sure. But if you dare try to fool me by saying that I may have first choice of them, when I know full well you would never grant me such an opportunity, then I say that none of them intrigue me."

An audible thud resounded in the massive hall. She didn't need to look away to know the cause of the sound: Her father had slammed his head into the table. 

Lucifer's expression turned into a sly smile. "A spitfire, are we?"

Her back straightened. "I have been called such from time to time."

A grin broke out on his face. He looked down the table again. "Andrian." 

Her father's head snapped up, full attention on the old demon. 

"I am impressed. Your daughter is one of the few who have dared challenge me and guessed my intent correctly." His gaze returned to hers. "Let me pose the question to you another way: Which of the princes first catches your eye?"

Swallowing, she closed her eyes, blocking out all sound and thought. Opening them, she scanned the lower table a second time. Her gaze passed over the faces again, taking in every detail.

Her gaze stopped on the prince at the far end of the table. Full lips, night-black hair and high cheekbones caught her eye. Pale skin, almost ash grey in color, highlighted his most captivating feature: Cobalt blue eyes mixed with flecks of silver bored into hers, seeming to swirl around in circles, threatening to draw her in. A smile -a vicious, almost hungry smile- cracked his stoic appearance. Her heart nearly stopped. Canines as sharp as razor blades glinted in the light from the hall. She fought the urge to grimace at the reptilian grin and sighed inwardly.

Better than nothing, she thought.

Breaking eye contact with him, she retuned her gaze to Lucifer. "The one at the far right, sir. He is the first one I see."

The demon's gaze broke from hers and slid to the end of the table, observing the young man. A smile cracked through his serious demeanor. "Ah, Darien. An excellent choice, my dear." His gaze switched to the demon immediately to his right. "He is your son, is he not, Marcianus?"

A tall Rage demon nodded in response.

A grin broke out on Lucifer's face, his gaze returning to hers. "Very well then. Darien shall be the first to sample you. In fact...why don't we start the courting tonight?"

It took all of her strength to keep her jaw from coming unhinged. Instead, she stood completely still, staring daggers at the old demon.

A mocking smile replaced his grin. "Yes, tonight will do. You are dismissed for now, Miss Haven. A servant will collect you when the time has come."

Fighting the urge to scream, she curtseyed then turned on her heels, walking quickly back up the staircase to her mother. Poor thing, she looked like she was about to start screaming her head off. Pushing aside the heavy curtain, they walked into the waiting room and out of the sight of the other demons.

"What did I tell you to do? I told you to keep your temper under control and did you? No, of course not!"

She collapsed into a small chair at the head of a massive dining table that had been moved into the room, glad that her inspection was over with. Her mother could rant and rave all she wanted. "I didn't lose my temper. I simply called him out on his trick."

"As if that makes it any better?!" Seeming to collect herself, her mother took in a long breath, exhaling slowly. She came around to the chair and knelt down next to her. "Honey, why Darien?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. Lucifer asked which one caught my eye and he did." She looked at her mother, her tone inquisitive. "Something I should know?"

"Well...Um...He's Marcianus' son." Her mother gave her a forced smile. "He's handsome, intelligent and very well versed in the Shakespearian and Victorian plays." She gave a nervous laugh.

"But..." Kara added, annoyed with dancing around the subject.

Her mother chewed her lip. "He's also known to be a cannibal."

Groaning, she tossing her head back and closed her eyes. A cannibal. Wonderful. How much better could this possibly get? 

She turned her head as servants passed through the curtain, carrying plates of food, pitchers of wine and silverware. She looked at the massive table and noticed a plate of seared venison that had been placed in front of her.

Cannibal. The word resounded in her head. She grimaced and pushed the plate away. "I'm not hungry."

She sighed and closed her eyes again. This was going to be a long night. 

Date with Destiny-Demon Style Ch. 02



The hallway seemed to stretch on for miles as they walked. Her steps were brisk, putting her a few feet ahead of her mother. The five inch heels of her black stilettos clicked against the dark tile. God, she felt like a freaking skyscraper! The small, translucent lace panties that showed off her long stems didn't exactly make her feel any more comfortable. People always said she had the legs of a model. Right now she wished those legs would turn her around and start running. But alas, she was stuck with her mother following a Rage demon down the massive corridor to the bedchamber where she would spend her first night. With a cannibalistic prince, no less. An idea that put a scowl on her lovely face.

The tight waist of the bustier didn't help her mood, either. Jet black with red velvet laces up the sides and back, it crushed her ribs and pushed her breasts up to her chin. She hated it. Her mother had laced the damn thing too tight. She couldn't quite catch her breath in it, making her feel like she was drowning. She would give it some credit, however. As uncomfortable as it was, at least it made her small chest seem larger.

She crossed her arms over the bodice, uncomfortable with showing this much skin. The thin black robe that railed behind her like a cape was the only thing she was given to make her feel more comfortable. It didn't help much, but it was something. She'd never been comfortable with her body, much less her sexuality. Her mother, in all her infinite wisdom, had miraculously forgotten to explain to her the dynamics of sex. She learned most of her information about human anatomy from playing with her dolls.

"Why didn't you tell me one of them was a cannibal?" She looked back at her mother, scowling.

"It's not my place to tell you which prince to choose. That is a choice you have to make." Her mother made an apologetic face.

"You could have at least warned me what he was before I went out there and picked him!" She whipped her head back, glaring at the back of the Rage demon in front of her.

"Would you have wanted me to tell you which was the necrophile, too?"

She screeched to a halt, wheeling to face her mother. Her mouth gaped open. "Which one was that?!"

"The blonde one on the far left. He kept winking at you."

A shiver of revulsion shot through her. Cannibal or necrophile?

One that kills you and eats you or one that kills you then sleeps with you? She didn't know which could be worse. "You wouldn't have actually let me sleep with him, would you?" She gave her mother a frantic look.

Her mother shook her head. "I wouldn't have had a choice. We must follow Hell's rules."

"Fuck the damn rules!" She shouted. "Those stupid laws are going to get me stuck here with a cannibal price or a necrophile or God knows what else!"

"Kara, we have to play their game. Remember that you could be killed for not obeying the laws." Her mother's voice was condescending, making her mood even more foul.

"And I could ask a Greed demon to devour you." She muttered the thought under her breath.

"I'm just trying to help, sweetheart." She felts her mother's hand on her shoulder, a sad excuse for comfort.

"You're doing a horrible job." She shrugged, trying to break contact with her mother.

The hand slid from her shoulder. Staring straight ahead, she watched out of the corner of her eye as her mother hung her head. She sighed inwardly. She didn't like being so harsh with her mother, but it was her mother who brought her here in the first place. If she had just kept her at home, the demons would have eventually found her, but it probably would have been after she'd graduated college. Her mother's strict following of rules had made Kara erupt more than once. This just happened to be the Mount Vesuvius of explosions.

The hallway turned, leading to a dead end of blood-stained bricks covered in carvings of tortured souls. At the end of the hall stood an enormous door carved with scenes of Cerberus devouring the souls of those damned to Hell for their gluttony. The bricks that outlined the door were covered in scenes depicting the lower circles of Hell.

Oh, this was going to be fantastic.

The Rage demon pounded on the door, signaling their arrival to those on the other side. She pulled the thin robe round her, trying to hide her form from prying eyes. A deep rumbling voice called them to enter. She dropped her hands to her sides, defeated. No chance of going back now

Her mother's hand rubbed her back. "I'm sure he'll go easy on you."

She looked at her mother, desperation in her eyes. "You think so?"

Her mother gave her a cheery smile. "Oh, come on. He can't be that bad."

"But you said he was a cannibal. What if he decides to eat me?" Her eyes were wide with worry.

Her mother giggled at her fear. "Well, he might. That depends on what you want."

Kara's eyes nearly popped out of her skull. "What?!"

Her mother, seeing her face, quickly attempted some damage control. "No! No! Not like that, Kara! He won't actually devour you. He'll just..."

Kara's face softened for a moment, a look of confusion crossing her features. That confusion was replaced by a look of understanding, then absolute horror. She blushed furiously, her eyes darting to the floor.

The door swung open. Darian, the young prince she had chosen earlier, was standing in the middle of a cavernous room with his father at his side. He was wearing nothing but a pair of black jeans. His muscular chest and abdomen had been cleaned and painted a deep gold. The same gold paint shimmered on his strong arms. His chiseled face was upturned, eyes closed, his breathing slow. A thin, whip-like tail -where did that come from?!- snapped back and forth furiously.

The enormous demon crossed the room with thunderous steps, placing his hands on his son's shoulders. "Remember, Darian. She is not food."

Her eyes widened in shock, then narrowed as she looked down and glared at her mother. All she got was a nervous, half-assed smile. Not even her mother would protect her. Wonderful.

Being dragged here by my spineless mother to spend the night with a cannibal prince. Well, hell. I can't get much safer that this, can I? she thought angrily.

Darian and his father whipped around to look at them. Instinctively, she drew her robe even more tightly around herself. Giving one last look of expectation to his son, Marcianus turned and made his way to them, having to duck through the door to exit the bedroom. When he finally came through the doorway, she was finally able to take in his monstrous form.

Standing over seven feet tall, his skin was black as coal and his eyes burned a fiery gold. Massive horns grew from both sides of his head, curling up near the pointed tips. Arms as thick as tree boughs were wrapped with gold armbands emblazoned with archaic script. A colossal trunk of a body that would have made even a loin second-guess attacking lead to thighs like marble columns and long feet with grime-crusted claws.

Holy shit. If he gets fired from here, he's got a head start for being hired as a professional Boogeyman. She swallowed loudly at the thought.

Marcianus nodded to her. "Princess."

Shaking, she managed a faint smile.

He grinned back, showing rows of teeth as sharp as razors. "I hope you find my son to you liking."

She nodded, putting on her best eager face. "I'm sure I will."

Her stomach turned. Forgetting about the cannibal she was about to sleep with, her mind focused on a new thought that sent her heart racing: If the prince didn't eat her, his father might.

Her mother, with all of her maternal instincts clearly running at full capacity, patted her on the back and wished her good luck. Then she moved behind Kara, put her hands against her back and shoved her through the doorway. Before she had a chance to turn around, the massive oak door was pulled shut. Her only path to safety had been closed off, leaving her locked in a bedroom with a gorgeous -and probably ravenous- demon prince. Perfect.

Looking around the room itself, she was taken aback by the absolute luxury of it all. High arched ceilings, walls tiled in black marble and ornately decorated sconces burning brightly. In the center of the room stood an enormous four-post canopy bed carved of solid mahogany and stained so dark it looked black. The four posts that extended up from the bed frame cradled a massive amount of sheer red and black fabric that spilled over every edge of the canopy all the way down to the floor. The fabric itself was opaque enough to let someone see only a delicate outline of the bed's occupants without obscuring them completely.

Oh, God. She'd have to sleep there. With him!

Drawing a long, shaky breath, she turned around to face the hell-born prince who would share that bed with her for the night. He was as stunning up close as he was at a distance. His eyes were the color of the deep ocean, slowly changing to a stormy grey.

Huh. It's like his eyes are some kind of mood ring. I wonder what grey means...

What if it meant hunger? She shifted uneasily, staring at the tiled floor.

He cocked his head. "Aren't you going to look?"

She looked at him, questioning in her eyes. "Look? At what?"

He spread his arms wide. "Me. You're supposed to inspect me to make sure there's nothing you don't like."

"Oh." She chewed her lip. "Nobody told me I had to inspect anything."

He dropped his arms, giving her a confused look. "Your mother didn't explain this to you?"

She shook her head, her eyes returning to the ground. "Mom manages to find a way to never tell me anything. Trust me. If it's important, she'll find away to avoid the conversation."

"Here, then." He stepped forward, stopping only inches from her. Heat radiated off his skin, the power it held so immense it made her shiver. She looked up at him, surprised to see how tall he really was. Even in five inch heels, he still stood a good four inches taller than her.

He spread his arms wide again and straightened his spine. "Take a look."

She hesitated, stalling for time. She didn't want to be here inspecting this man/demon/cannibal. She just wanted to go home and crawl into bed.

Too bad, so sad.

He laughed at her hesitation. "Relax. I'm not going to bite you."

Her eyes widened and her gut clenched.

"Oh." His eyes softened, giving her an apologetic look. "My apologies."

She swallowed, fighting the lump in her throat. "It's okay."

Trying to ease the obvious tension, Darian gave her a promising smile. "Well, come on, then. Inspect me. You might as well get it over with now."

Surprised at first by his prodding, she softened and smiled back.

Thank God. At least he has some chivalry in him.

She stepped back to get a better look. Pleased, he straightened his back again, putting on a show for her.

She tried to hold herself together while looking at him, but this man was just too much to bear. Corded biceps and toned forearms were the first to grab her attention. The gold paint on his skin drew her eyes down to his face, then down his neck to his abdomen. Smooth, defined pectorals and abs that could have been made of chiseled rock captured her eye before her gaze continued down. The muscles of his waist were so cut they were almost painful to look at. Tight black jeans covered his legs, but they managed to show off a good amount of definition despite the heavy denim.

Cautiously, she stepped around his form, inspecting him from all sides. She felt his eyes on her as she moved around. He seemed to be watching her as she moved, inspecting her as she inspected him.

She stood behind him, staring at the mass of naked skin stained with gold. Whoever had put the paint on his body, they did a damn good job. It glinted in the soft light of the sconces, highlighting the definition of his shoulders and back. There probably wasn't a muscle in his body that he hadn't worked on. It was when her eyes dropped lower that she finally saw his most prominent feature up close.

A tail, long and thin, grew out of the base of his spine. Pitch-black in color, it swung lazily from side to side. So slowly that she started to become hypnotized by the smooth rhythm of its motion. Her mind felt fuzzy, like she was dreaming wile awake. The tail continued to swing back and forth, drawing her even deeper into it's hypnotic...

"Something wrong?" His tone was concerned.

His voice snapped her out of the trance. She whipped her head up to see him peering over his shoulder at her, his eyes a beautiful emerald green.

She shook her head, smiling shyly. "No, no. It's just...I've never seen a tail before."

He smiled back at her. "Your mother didn't tell you shit."

She beamed. "Not a damn thing."

He laughed, a musical sound that resonated off the marble walls. "You poor, uneducated thing. How will you survive here?"

Her humor faded and she gave him a stern look. "Don't mock me."

His laughter stopped abruptly. He turned, putting his hands up. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything..."

"Let me explain something to you." Her tone was stern, making his mouth snap shut in surprise. It always empowered her knowing that she could shut a man up just by changing her voice.

She crossed her arms. "I wasn't blessed with a mother who told me everything I needed to know when I needed to know it. I got the mom who was so clueless about talking to her daughter that she barely explained anything to me until I was sixteen. I learned how to read by watching Sesame Street. I learned how to count by using children's books. I learned about sex by playing with freaking Barbie dolls! So don't think that just because my mom didn't tell me crap about shit that I can't find some way to make it out okay."

The look in his eyes slowly transitioned from shocked to challenging. They shifted again, changing from emerald to crimson.

Uh oh. Warning! Warning! Red means anger!

He took a step toward her, catching her off guard. She took a step back, fear coursing through her veins again.

"What the hell are you doing? Back off!" She took another step back when he edged closer. "Don't think I won't smash your face in."

"Don't think that you frighten me." Moving quicker than lightening, he stepped closer until he stood a breath away from her. Wrapping one arm around her waist, he hauled her onto his shoulder and began to make his way towards the bed.

"HEY! Put me down!" She pounded her fists into his back.

"Not a chance, little girl. I intend to have some fun tonight, whether you like it or not." She could hear the grin in his voice, causing her to panic and hit harder.

Not good. Definitely not good.

"You asshole! Put me down!" she screamed.

"If you insist." He pushed the filmy material of the canopy back and dropped her onto the enormous mattress. The impact sent sheets and pillows flying into the air before collapsing down onto her.

She heard the sound of ripping fabric, making her fight through the torrent of feathers and cotton to find the cause of the noise. Darian was still standing in front of the bed. He was reaching up high into the waterfall of material that flowed down from the canopy, tearing away long strips of the fabric.

Fearing the worst, she tried to scramble backwards to the headboard. But the sheets had become tangled around her, locking her in place. Trapped, she could only imagine the plans he had in store for her. None of the scenarios she came up with seemed promising.

He grinned down at her. "Poor thing. Locked in a room with a cannibal. How will you survive?"

She glared at him. "By punching your teeth in!" Calling on the hidden strength granted to her by her demon father -something she almost never did- she twisted one arm out of the binding knots of fabric and aimed her fist right at his eyes.

He caught her fist in his palm, smiling sarcastically at her. Moving too fast for her eyes to register, he began unwinding her limbs from the sheets and tie them to the bed posts.

Splayed out like a fresh sacrifice, she pulled against her restraints. He climbed onto the soft mattress and crawled over her hips, straddling her waist. He reached out and played absently with her top, tracing the edges of her breasts with his finger.

He leaned close, his face an inch away from her own. "Let's see what we have under this little bodice, shall we?" She could smell honey on his breath, along with hints of vanilla. Somewhere, hidden deep under the sweet scents, she swore she could detect the coppery residue of blood. The smell was intoxicating, choking her senses. It made her dizzy and lightheaded. Vulnerable.

Smiling, he leaned back and grabbed the top of her bodice with his hand. He pulled his hand back sharply, tearing the fabric to shreds. His eyes widened as he took in her form, causing him to grin.

Whimpering, she blushed and turned her head away. She hated being stared at by men on the streets, and this drooling mongrel was no better.

She flinched when she felt his fingertip brush her skin. Still refusing to look at him, she shivered as his finger slid lightly along her flesh. Her traced her ribcage, her stomach, her waist. His finger drifted up to her chest, dolling out feather-light caresses onto the sensitive underside of her small breasts. Her breathing quickened, and she struggled to control herself.

Damn him.

He chuckled softly. "My God, woman. You look good enough to eat." His finger pressed harder against her flesh.

She whipped her head around to stare at him, fear eclipsing whatever anger had previously found home within her heart. That anger burned even hotter when his fingers softly toyed with her nipples, tugging lightly at the soft nubs.

His smile turned wicked, his knife-edged canines glinting in the soft firelight of the sconces. "In fact, why don't we start there for tonight?"

"Wha-" her cry was cut off when he pressed his palm to her mouth. He shook his head, his eyes -- black as the marble tiles- piercing hers.

"Ah! No more fighting. This is your first time in Hell, princess, but I've lived here my entire life. My house, my rules."

Grinning like a mad man, he crawled down to the edge of the bed, sliding off the sheets and onto the floor. He stared at her spread legs, running his nails up and down the soft skin of her inner thigh. She tried pulling at her restraints again, but he just smiled at her. She wasn't going anywhere.

Reaching forward, Darian's fingernails caught the edge of her panties. In one swift motion he had ripped the unyielding lace away, finally leaving her fully exposed and helpless. His finger ran along the crease between her thigh and her outer lip. Finally defeated, she leaned her head back onto one of the soft pillows.

"You've never been devoured before, have you?" His eyes flicked up to her, now an iridescent gold.

She shook her head.

His laughter echoed against the walls. "A perfect virgin. You have more and more surprises every minute." He gave her a soft smile. "Don't worry. I'm not actually going to devour your flesh and bones. I'm just going to give you your first dose of what each of us will give you while you're here."

With that, he crawled back onto the bed , kneeling between her feet and arching his spine so his head was between her thighs. He leaned forward and ran his tongue along her slit, drawing a whimper from her throat. Her body tensed, her heartbeat beginning to race. Blood pounded in her ears, drowning out all sound and thought.

He kept up the gentle assault, kissing and nipping her as she bucked against him. She begged him to stop, but what started out as clear, lucid words slowly melted into harsh gaps and pleading cries for more. She'd lost the battle of fighting against him. Now she had to battle herself to make sure she didn't lose her mind.




Date with Destiny-Demon Style Ch. 02



At some point, she didn't know when, his finger lipped inside of her, swirling around and making her gasp. Keeping in mind that she was a virgin, Darian only stroked the first few inches of her sex, being careful to avoid the thin membrane that heralded her innocence. His finger explored while his tongue flicked and teased her clit, sending shockwaves streaking up her spine.

She didn't want to feel it, didn't want to lose herself to this creature with sharp teeth and mood-ring eyes. But, oh...it felt so good she could barely breathe. Her mind spun, her limbs ached, her skin burned. And all the while, Darian kept up the ruthless onslaught of pleasure mixed with pain. Finally, after what felt like hours of useless struggle, she gave in to him. Tossing her head back and biting her lip in rapture, she reveled in the burning that coursed through her veins.

For a virgin, she was surprisingly responsive.

Darian gave her clit one last flick from his tongue, tossing her over the edge where sanity and ecstasy collided. She plummeted into the dark abyss, crying out her pain and pleasure, bucking her hips against him.

After long, agonizing minutes of absolute euphoria, she finally calmed. Her body sank to the mattress, a thin sheen of sweat covering her skin. Her heart still beat uncontrollably, her breathing uneven. But a small smile played on her lips, tiny bubbles of laughter welled up from her throat. After all the years her mother had 'forgotten' to mention the rules and ways of sex to her, keeping all things about the subject hidden away, she'd finally found out on her own. Her mother could no longer deny her the absolute liberty and satisfaction that pleasure offered.

Freedom at long last.

Without opening her eyes, she felt the bed even out for a moment then dip again as he moved over and across the sheets. One by one he untied her limbs, massaging the tired bones to get her blood flowing again. Pinpricks of sensation told her that everything, while sore, was in working order.

She wanted to smile, to thank him, but she was so tired. Her climax had drained her, and he seemed to notice. Carefully, he maneuvered her body so that he could pull the sheets from under her. He rolled her over onto her side, waiting as she curled up into a comfortable position. Her slipped in next to her, absent his jeans, and pulled her against his own body. He flipped the blankets over their bodies, snapping his fingers as he did so. The flames from the sconces dimmed, giving off only a soft glow. She felt her body sink deeper into the mattress, sliding lazily into the misty world between sleep and awake.

Darian nuzzled her neck, placing gentle kisses against her soft skin. "Goodnight, princess." His salutation was muffled as he continued to kiss her.

She smiled. "You'll still be here in the morning?"

He wrapped one strong arm around her waist. "You're stuck with me for twenty four hours. I have no choice but to stay."

She gave a soft grunt. "Good. I'll beat the shit out of you in the morning."

He pulled her tighter against him, pressing his cheek to her throat. "I'm looking forward to it."

Asshole. was her last conscious thought before deep, delicious sleep claimed her.



Date with Destiny-Demon Style Ch. 03



Okay. You asked for longer chapters, so I combined what I had planned as 3 and 4 into one giant block. So I'm sorry if it took a little longer to write this one. My fingers are cramping, but it's worth it.





Date with Destiny-Demon Style Ch. 03



"Be right there!" Bath time's over, I guess. Damn it.

She climbed carefully out of the tub, the small drops of water that fell from her skin being quickly sucked into the floor. The air in the room seemed to pull the water from her skin, drying her off without her having to use a towel. Looking around, she noticed that, conveniently, no clothes had been set out for her. She sighed. Crossing the floor, she picked up her lone black robe and threw it on.

Amazing the shortage of clothing around this place.

She made her way across the tile floor, becoming dryer by the second. When she pulled the door open, ever drop of water had been drawn away from her skin and hair. She stared up at a new carrier demon, this one with skin the color of desert sand.

It bowed to her. "Your highness. Your suitors are waiting."

She nodded. Stepping out from the bathroom, she followed the demon back to the massive door. He pushed one of the doors open, bowing his head and motioning for her to enter. She thanked him and stepped inside. Masses of lower ranking demons mulled around inside the chamber.

The room was enormous. Spanning nearly two hundred feet on each of the four walls, she felt dwarfed by its size. Marble columns as thick a redwoods lined the walls, supporting a beautiful -if macabre- stained glass window imbedded into the ceiling. Souls of humans being devoured by demons and chased by hounds filled the glass, but when she peered at the parts of the window that were unstained, her heart stopped.

She could see blue sky.

Her father had told her when she was very young of a place in Hell that had a view of the waking world. She found this hard to believe. It was Hell, after all. A view into her world must be like heaven to the demons and souls trapped down in the raging infernos. To her child's mind, it seemed like a gift from God.

But as she grew older, the joyful idea of a lovely view in the middle of Hell faded. She began to imagine that the window must be a torture in itself. To look up and see the world you could never know again must be more painful than even the sharpest of demon whips.

"Ah! Here she is!" Lucifer's voice rang out in the cavernous room.

Snapped out of her thoughts by that deep voice, Kara shook her head to focus. Turning to find him, she froze in place when she saw that all nine of her suitors were staring at her. She forced a bright smile, watching their faces light up when she did. Only nine princes were here. She smiled inwardly. Darian had been held back for whatever reason, and she hoped he would stay gone. 

All nine of the princes continued to smile back. No, they grinned back. Like complete idiots who had just discovered a huge secret. Why were they smiling like fools? She shifted uncomfortably and felt a breeze against her skin. 

Oh. She'd forgotten all she had to wear was her robe. She was practically naked and her suitors were clearly enjoying the view. Panicked, she pulled the robe tightly around herself, blushing furiously.

Lucifer stepped forward, coming around to her side and placing an arm around her shoulder. Glancing up at him, she could see how religious scholars pegged him as a former angel. Golden eyes, bronzed skin, massive black feathered wings and a flawless physique all heralded back to a time when he must have been too glorious to look at. Not that she felt any attraction to him. He was unearthly beautiful, yes, but she knew far to well the kind of tricks he could pull.

He smiled down at her. "Now, my dear. You've already begun your task to find a husband. You must choose the prince you would like to spend tonight with."

She nodded. Returning her attention to her suitors, she examined each prince carefully, not wanting to make the same mistake twice. They stood at attention, presenting themselves for her view.

First was a young man, no more than twenty, with silver hair and black eyes. The lines of his face were so sharp he was almost hard to look at. He was bare-chested, wearing nothing more than plain grey pants that reached to the floor. He smiled at her, showing normal, non-cannibal teeth. A long, jagged scar trailed diagonally from his hip to his shoulder. 

Ouch. That couldn't have felt good.

Next to him was an older prince, perhaps in his thirties, who was wearing a tight black shirt and jeans. His hair was the color of blood, but that wasn't his most defining feature. He was eyeless, the sockets of his face completely empty. He didn't smile. Fear crawled up her spine at the thought of him being toothless as well.

Nope. That's not creepy at all.

The next two were twins. They were no more than twenty-five. Both had long grey hair and mismatched eyes. One had blue and gold, the other grey and green. Pointed ears and cheekbones like razors completed their look. They kept looking at her then back to each other, whispering something and grinning evilly.

Does Tolkien live here? They look like freaking elves from Lord of the Rings.

Next to them was a prince who couldn't have been more than eighteen. White hair and pale blue eyes contrasted against coal black skin. A thick black tail lay on the floor behind him, twitching. He was staring off into nothingness, completely uninterested in the whole situation.

Pass. I'm not into him much, either.

The following two were brothers, though not twins. One had black hair with streaks of blue and had emerald green eyes. His brother had sandy hair and hazel eyes. Both brothers wore the tattered remains of jeans and had bright red script scrawled across their chests. Looking closer, she saw that both had the look of pure mischief in their eyes,

Well, damn. They seem trustworthy, don't they?

Second to the right was a prince who was much younger than the rest. He looked at least sixteen, but she knew all too well that the physical nature of demons was deceiving. Despite his youthful look, he was no younger than two hundred. To make things worse, he bore a striking resemblance to a certain pop star she hated.

Justin Bieber's demon twin. Yep, this is Hell alright.

The last prince in line was the most striking. So striking that she wondered why she hadn't noticed him earlier. Short, chocolate brown hair complemented blue eyes so pale they looked white. A long scar marred his perfectly chiseled face. It cut straight down the middle of his forehead then arced to the left, following the curve of his brow to the corner of his eye where it speared straight down his cheek to his jaw. It looked like the scar Harry Potter had, only worse. Looking past the unfortunate mark, she could see that his beautiful face was severe, like he'd suddenly spotted someone he hated and couldn't wait to take their head off. He wore the destroyed remains of brown pants and nothing else. His body was a natural golden shade, with navy colored designs swirling over his flesh.

A definite maybe. If he could stop looking like he was going to punch someone, he might have a chance.

A strong hand clapped against her shoulder. "So, princess. Which one strikes your fancy this time?" Lucifer's voice snapped her out of her inner thoughts and back into reality.

Chewing her lip, she scanned all of her suitors one last time. She found herself torn between the angry one and the one with the silver hair. Her mind spinning, she resorted to using the most time-honored way of making difficult decisions.

Inny-meeny-miney-mo. Catch a tiger by the toe...

She looked up at Lucifer, swallowing hard. "The one on the far left. With the silver hair."

The demon king grinned. "Very well." He returned his attention to the princes, pointing to her new chosen companion. "Ladrian."

The prince smiled, bowed, then exited the room accompanied by two carrier demons. The other princes hung their heads. Lucifer patted her on the shoulder and walked away. She stood there for a long moment, shifting from one foot to the other. Her father came up behind her and tapped her shoulder. She turned to look at him.

"Did I pick a crazy person?" She bit her lip in worry.

He father shook his head. "Not at all. Ladrian is a fine choice."

Good. "Whose son is he?"

"He's the son of Dursoc."

"Dursoc..." She mulled the name around in her head trying to find a connection. "That's...Asmodeus, right? He guards the circle of Lust in Dante's Inferno."

Her father ruffled her long black hair. "Very good."

Pride slowly faded to concern. She looked at her father again. "Does he have any quirks I need to prepare for?"

Andrian thought for a moment, the shook his head. "None that I can...Well...."

"Well?" This couldn't be good.

Her father hesitated, then exhaled. "Let's put it this way. He may push you a bit father than you're probably ready to go." 

"Meaning?" Get to the damn point! She hated when people danced around things.

"He has a dungeon that's got a bit of a reputation. Remember that we're in Hell, Kara. Having a reputation here isn't exactly a good thing."

"Why is it so notorious?" Her heart rate picked up. "What's he got down there?" 

He father shifted, clearly unsure about her reaction. "Shackles, for one thing."

"Oh." She forced a smile. "That's not so bad."

First a cannibal, now a sexual deviant. Shit. 





Date with Destiny-Demon Style Ch. 03



She heard his footsteps on the stones as he circled her. His cold fingers traced her curves. Across her hip, around her waist, along her thighs. He circled her multiple times, taking in every inch of her. She jumped when his frozen hands cupped her breasts. His hands were gentle, curious. They toyed with her small mounds, molding and caressing them like a child. His thumbs rubbed her nipples, causing her to gasp. He leaned close, his chest pressing against her shoulder blades. His cheek nuzzled her neck, his lips following suit.

He pressed his lips to her ear. "You could be a goddess."

"Thank you." 

She shivered, not just from the cold of his body but from arousal. His hands worked magic on her breasts. A small bonfire was kindling under her skin, growing stronger by the second. He continued his skillful manipulations of her flesh, his touch becoming the tiniest bit rougher. He pinched her nipples, her back arching in response. Clearly, this wasn't his first time touching a woman.

His hands left her breasts, making her whimper. His fingers skimmed down her stomach to her hips. His fingers spun in little circles around her hip bones, making her shake. Her mind was conflicted. She loved the feeling of being explored, but hated her blindness. Simple darkness frightened her; not being able to see scared her even more.

All too soon, his hands left her skin. She moaned softly, bereft of her companion's touch. Her skin was on fire, and it burned for his cold fingers. Her body now awake and hyper-alert, she listened closely as his footsteps faded for a moment before coming back. Silence followed. Her heart raced, the fear of being left here in this dungeon all too real in her mind.

She felt something slide across her shoulder and she jumped in surprise. The same material slid against her again, this time grazing the skin of her back. Suppressing her fear, she focused on trying to identify the object. It felt like strips of sturdy fabric –leather, maybe- skimming her flesh. She could feel multiple lengths of the material at once, each with small bulges along its length.

What in the hell?!

A hot puff if air blew against her shoulder, startling her.

"Do you know what this is, Kara?" Ladrian's voice was low, lustful. "Can you tell?"

She shook her head.

"It's called a cat o' nine tails."

She stiffened in fear. She knew what that despicable device was. A whip made of nine long strips of hardened leather covered in small knots. It was usually reserved only for harsh punishment in the military, and with good reason. A single whip of that contemptible weapon would leave a sailor scarred for life. Her breath quickened at the thought of being whipped. Tears started to well in her eyes. She hated pain. 

Ladrian must have sensed her fear. An ice cold finger brushed against her hip, stroking the soft skin.

"I promise, Kara. Never for pain."

Confused at first, she began to understand his words as he kept dragging the whip's tails across her skin. The smooth leather felt good against her flesh and she begged for more. He acquiesced, giving her more soft strokes of the whip. At some point, his free hand reached around and cupped her breast again. She arched into his touch. God, his hands felt good.

She stilled when she felt the leather slide from her skin and not return. She chewed her lip in the following silence. Damn it, now what was he planning? Fear bubbled up again, making her mind spin.

A thick, leather-clad handle slipped between her thighs, causing her to gasp. It slid between the soft skin of her inner thighs, moving up and splitting the lips of her slit. The smooth leather material rocked back and forth, rubbing against her clit with such fortitude that she found herself gasping for air. She writhed against her restraints, trying desperately to free herself, but the solid iron wouldn't budge. Ladrian's hand continued to gently massage her breast, the whole scene a perfect mixture of intensity and tenderness. The leather handle of the whip stroked her relentlessly, drawing soft moans from her throat. Her cheeks flared and she silently praised the darkness of the blindfold.

One last draw of the shaft against her clit and she broke. Her back arched violently, her vertebrae cracking with the force. Her muscles twitched as millions of tiny sparks flowed through her veins. Her skin burned, and small beads of sweat gathered on her flesh. Moments of absolute rapture passed before the fire faded all too quickly into darkness.

Spent, she relaxed against her shackles. Her knees buckled, causing the iron cuffs to jerk violently. They alone supported her weight as she struggled to regain sanity. Her breathing was heavy, strained from the sudden explosion of pleasure. 

Ladiran's soft laugh echoed around the room. She looked up to find him, momentarily forgetting she was still blindfolded. His cold fingers traced her spine.

"Quite responsive, aren't you?" She could hear the smile in his voice. "If Lucifer hadn't told me you were still a virgin, I would have guessed that you were a veteran in the art of sex."

Her breathing still shaky, she tried to force her legs to move. But her body was still stunned by her orgasm. Her limbs refused to budge, leaving her hopelessly suspended and at his mercy.

Ladrian's finger continued to caress her spine. "That was quite entertaining. Now that we've got you started, let's see how far you can go."





Date with Destiny-Demon Style Ch. 04



I know, I know. This one took a long time to post. But I had a small case of writer's block, along with something called 'college-level homework' (insert horrified screams). Again, I'm sorry that it took so long to get this one up. I'll try to be a little faster on the next ones.

*For those who don't know, 'rhypophobia' is the fear of dirt. I'm sorry, but I like to find the actual word for phobias that I use. If you see a word you don't know, I'll be glad to tell you what it means.

* * *

"Wake up, Kara!" Her mother's voice grated against her sleep-clogged mind like nails on a chalkboard. "Honestly, you sleep more than a grizzly bear in hibernation."

Me curled up in a cave for four months. Oh, that's a wonderful image.

Groaning, she crawled out of the blankest that enveloped her, finally reaching the surface. She breathed in the warmth of the underworld, a faint small of rust lingering in the air. The sickening scent of sulfur burned her nostrils a second later, jolting her wide awake.

Ah, the smell of fire and brimstone. Make sure you get your daily dose of sulfur before breakfast.

She sat up in bed, stretching her arms up above her head. Her vertebrae popped back into place, making her feel invigorated. She rolled her neck as well, secretly loving the disgusted look on her mother's face when the bones cracked. Yawning, she flipped the blankets back and swung her legs over the edge of the bed. She looked over her shoulder, her face contorting into a frown. The bed was empty. She looked back at her mother with confused eyes.

"Where's Ladrian?"

Her mother rummaged through a newly added dresser, searching for suitable clothing. The first real clothing she will have worn in days. The solid oak drawers had ornate filigree carved around the edges, while the distorted faced of demons smiled up at her from the brass handles.

"He left hours ago. You're supposed to pick your next suitor in an hour."

Disappointed that he hadn't stayed longer, she sighed and slipped out of bed. She felt exhausted with this whole process. It was like then Energizer Bunny of courtships. It kept going and going and going. She stretched again, trying to shake the sleep from her mind.

"Don't worry about Ladrian. I'm sure he's looking forward to seeing you again." Her mother's voice had a smile in it.

Something about that made her gut tighten, her body's attempt to express its concern. Somehow, her gut always seemed to know two things before anyone else: When something was wrong and when she had eaten too many tacos. In this particular situation, her gut wasn't telling her to lay off the Mexican food. It was warning her of something slightly worse.

"Can I at least bathe first? I small like a steel factory." The faint smell of iron from Ladrian's shackles still clung to her skin.

"Absolutely. Go take a shower. Your clothes will be here when you get back." Her mother was still picking out clothes for her. As much as it made her feel like a child, Kara admitted to herself that her mother choosing her clothing took a small load off her shoulders.

She nodded. Turning silently, she walked through another door on the opposite wall of her room's main entrance. She twisted the ornate doorknob --as ornate as a snarling demon head could get- and opened the door. She pushed it closed with her fingers, mesmerized by the gorgeous shower in front of her.

The magnificent structure stood in the middle of a black tiled room lit from small glass inlays in the ceiling that let in true sunlight. Four tall glass walls, ten feel tall and six feet wide, each lined with gold and engraved with a different design depicting one of the main elements of the world, were welded together to form a beautiful translucent box. A series of small holes, lined up directly above the glass enclosure, had been drilled into the ceiling.

Sweet!

She stepped up to admire the beautiful engraving on the glass. Running her finger along the smooth edges, she traced the images that depicted the element of fire. She heard a slight rumbling sound and backed up a step out of caution. The glass panels rattled for a moment, the shifted apart from one another, sliding along the smooth tile floor. Each panel moved backwards a few feet, creating a generous amount of room for her to step through.

Stepping forward tentatively, she walked through the space between the panels. When she got to the center above the room, standing under the holes in the ceiling, the glass panels slid along the floor again. They returned to their original positions, locking into one another until, the cube was formed again.

Holy shit! Eat your heart out, Paris Hilton. Even you don't have this!

Water began to pour from the holes in the ceiling, perfectly heated for her tired skin. She closed her eyes, enjoying the feel of warm water raining down on her. Her worries and fears about the courtships seemed to be washed away with the water. She looked down and saw that there was no drain. Instead, the tiles soaked up the water instantly, leaving the floor almost completely dry.

Looking around her small enclosure, she saw there was no shampoo or soap. Annoyance flared inside her. Warm water was nice, but her rhypophobic side always came to the forefront when it came to bathing. She hated being dirty. If there was no way to clean herself in the shower, then it was going to be a bad day.

And how am I supposed to take a shower without soap?!

Without warming, the texture of the water changed. No longer clear and slick, the liquid pouring from the ceiling had taken on a thicker, more viscous texture. It looked cloudy now, and had the slight smell of vanilla. Apparently, shampoo is added to the water itself when showering in Hell.

Taken aback for a moment, she relaxed and began to lather her hair, grateful that she had something to clean the grime away. Within minutes her hair was a massive ball of bubbles. On a hunch, she called out for water. The liquid changed back to being clear and scentless. She smiled as she rinsed. She could imagine enjoying this.

Curious, she crouched down and inspected the floor. It mesmerized her the way it seemed to absorb the water, leaving no trace behind. She could feel the warmth of it on her skin, but not a single drop showed on the black tile.

This is the coolest thing EVER!

Her though halted when a drop of still-soapy water dripped into her eye.

She stood up, grimacing through the discomfort as she rubbing away the soap. Backing up a step, she bumped into something sturdy. Startled, she whipped around, covering her chest with her arms and backing up against a glass panel. Lyzander stood before her in the pouring water, his white-blue eyes piecing into hers. His short hair, the color of warm chestnut, was plastered to his face, soaked with the hot water. The navy blue designs that snaked across his golden skin seemed to glow in the soft light.

Staring at him, she could see the full extent of his scar. It reached from the edge of his hairline, followed the curve of his eyebrow and speared straight down to his strong jaw line. The edges of the scar were clean, as if a scalpel had been used to make the cut.

Damn. That can't be nice to look at when you wake up every morning. Pity blossomed in her heart. If he really got that scar because he saved a girl from being raped, then the world had a fucked-up sense of justice.

"Well, hello princess." The corner of his full mouth turned up.

Blushing furiously, she managed a strained smile. "Hi. What are you doing here?"

Still smirking, he cocked his head an inch. "I could ask you the same thing."

She swallowed, forcing her confidence to the forefront. "Well, clearly I'm taking a shower."

"What a coincidence. So am I." He grinned and her knees nearly buckled. The man had the power to set fire to a room with his smile. Brilliant, perfectly white teeth --minus flesh-tearing canines- offset his golden skin tone.

Smiling nervously, her gaze wandered down his bronzed body. Rock-hard slabs of muscle made up his chest and abdomen. Arms roped with lean muscle and legs like a Greek god. His body was strong without being overly worked like the juice heads on Jersey Shore. Her gut wretched at the thought of that train-wreck.

Damn you, MTV.

He gaze slid lower, screeching to a halt at his hips. Years of being denied 'the talk' with her mother had made sex a mystery to her as a teen. It became something she had to discover for herself, through books, TV show innuendo and movies. But even through all of her informal education, she always found penises both too hilarious to look at and too embarrassing to acknowledge. With a colossal effort she dragged her eyes away from his cut abdomen, forcing them to stare over his shoulder.

A blush rose on her cheeks. "Sorry. I'm not very used to seeing guys naked in front of me." She chewed her lip nervously.

"It's not that strange." He chuckled at her nervousness. "I don't have a giant horn on my head or spines coming out my back, so there's no need to panic about it. Just act normally."

"Normal for me in this situation would be running away screaming." She tried her best to sound assured, but her heart still raced in her chest.

He considered this for a moment. "Then do the opposite of what you normally would."

A rare occurrence happened at that exact moment: Her mouth, without any communication with her mind, spewed out the first words that crossed her tongue.

"Ride you like a race horse at full gallop?"

His eyes widened in a mixture of surprise and elation. The magnitude of her words crashing down on her, she clamped her mouth shut and stared at him. He laughed again.

"That's...one way to put it, I suppose." He grinned at her, obviously enjoying her slip of control.

Still blushing from her head to the toenails, she looked away. Her mother would have killed her for saying something so salacious. Having been raised with a painfully uptight mother who magically neglected to tell her daughter anything about sex, the mentioning of racing studs would have warranted grounding at home.

Sensing her discomfort, Lyzander cleared his throat. "A change of subject, perhaps?"

She nodded, still avoiding eye contact.

He leaned against the glass, resting his shoulder on a carving of trees. "Why are you the only princess here? There's far too many higher demons for you to be the only one."

She gave him a half-shrug, half-nod. "There are a few more princesses besides me. But they're fifteen, twelve, eight, six and two at the moment."

Lyzander nodded slowly. "You're the only one who's of marrying age."

She nodded again.

"Interesting." He drew out the word, as if trying to piece something together.

She looked at him quizzically. "What is so in-ter-esting?" She drew out the word as well, mocking him.

He smirked at her. "Mocking me, are we?"

She challenged his smile with one of her own. "Perhaps. Feeling threatened or humiliated yet?"

His smile widened, making her knees weak again. "Not quite." He took a step close to her. "Maybe you should try something else."

She pressed her back against a glass panel, her heart racing. He came closer, now only a foot away from her. His hands reached up and pressed against the glass, pinning her against the solid wall and his chest. He took a final step, his chest pressing against her breasts. His skin was hot, almost burning, but she felt herself melting against him. She loved the feel of his skin against her own.

"Tell me, princess. Do you enjoy toying with people?" Mischief sparkled in his pale eyes.

Her throat too dry to swallow, she inhaled deeply. "I try to avoid games, Lyzander."

One strong hand reached up and gently cupped her chin, his thumb stroking her jaw. "Lyzander is my name, but you may call me whatever you wish."

She nodded shakily, her knees growing weaker by the second. Fear and arousal twisted into one within the depths of her mind. This man had her cornered, and she wasn't sure if she wanted to escape his trap.

"W-what...is your, uh...job, exactly?" She managed to squeeze the words out with a tremendous effort. The growing haze of lust in her mind didn't help much.

He cocked his head, his gaze quizzical. "Job?"

Finally able to swallow, she cleared her throat. "You're part demon, right. Every demon I know has a skill that helps them lure humans. Do you have a specialty or something?"

Understanding seeped into his expression, causing him to smile again. "Ah, indeed I do. I am an incubus by trade."

"An...incubus." She looked at him skeptically.

"Yes. Shall I show you?" His smile turned wicked, causing her to press her back to the glass. A vain attempt at escape.

"What? I-"

He cut off her protest with a decadent kiss. His lips were warm and soft against her own, the velvety softness melting the starch in her bones. The kiss forced her harder against the wall, though she tried to push him off, pressing her hands to his hard chest. Her efforts halted when he opened his mouth against hers. The taste of honey and cinnamon flooded her mouth, overpowering her and making her head spin. Her knees lost their strength altogether, and she would have collapsed to the floor if he hadn't gripped her waist and pulled her close.

His kiss burned her, searing her straight to her soul. Still locked to him, she jumped when she felt one hand skim down her back, his fingers searing her flesh as the traced their way down. Those fingers circled around to her stomach and continued their descent. She jumped again when his fingers brushed against her inner thigh, drawing out an involuntary moan from her throat. She tried to pull the sound back, but Lyzander was far too quick to be denied that simple yet oh-so-precious gift.

He kissed her harder, his tongue slipping past her lips and caressing her own. At the same time, his fingertip brushed against the edge of her slit, causing her to gasp in shock mid-moan. Her body working against her mind, she pressed against him, her tongue now entering the fray. She licked and teased his mouth, and she shivered when she heard his small laugh of triumph.

Damn this man. He was driving her mad! She hated that he made her lose control so quickly, and yet she couldn't help but surrender to his touch, his kiss. Defeated in the most delicious way possible, she forced her knees to gain enough of their strength back so she could stand. She wrapped her arms around his neck, silently waving her white flag. She could feel his smile against her mouth. His finger continued to tease her into a frenzy while their tongues twisted and coiled together.

Abruptly, almost painfully, he broke their kiss. Though crushed at his absence, she tossed her head back and drank in a deep, refreshing breath of air. Before she could call him back, she felt his lips press against her throat. He nipped and suckled her tender flesh, teasing her until she begged him for mercy. He acquiesced to her pleas, slipping his finger into her body as his mouth slid lower.

She closed her eyes as pure delight sparked through her veins. Her head spun, a ridiculous grin marring her face. The man's hands were magic, his kiss was sinful. His fingers twisted and teased inside her, sending bolts of lightening racing up her spine. His lips continued down, past her shoulder, arcing to brush against the tops of her breasts. The slight pressure sent a new flood of sparks through her veins. She bit her lip as she smiled, giggling insanely.

Lyzander halted his ministrations, causing her to whimper and search for him. She met his eyes, pale orbs smiling up at her. Her breath was ragged, her body burning for him to continue.

"I hope you're pleased, princess. I would hate to be disappointing you." He grinned, a mocking smile that announced his conquest.

She could only nod, barely conscious of anything besides the haze of lust that clouded her mind. She watched as his eyes light up, pleased to see her so helpless in his grasp. His head dipped lower, his lips barely grazing her nipple. She jerked involuntarily and moaned his name. Her body was strung so tight that even the slightest touch set her skin on fire. His tongue swept along the tender flesh of one breast, giving one long, sensuous lick from the soft underbelly to the tight nub. He finally conceded to her demands for more attention, taking her nipple into his mouth to gently suckle. She shivered, the demon blood in her body screaming at her to pounce on him like a starved animal. The human part of her mind barely resisted doing so. Her fingers slid from his neck and traveled down, gripping the lean muscles of his shoulders. She hoped her body could withstand his touch, though that hope was slowly dissolving as his sinful game continued.

He continued to tease her, stroking her now weeping sex and laving her tender breasts. Every now and then, his thumb would trace a delicious circle around her clit, making her cry out and arch her back against the glass. The warm water raining down on her skin only made the sensation more powerful. Tears streamed down her face, mixing with the steaming water of the shower. Her body was breaking down, her spirit was crumbling. Despite her half-demon nature, the subtle part of her that did not accept defeat, her will and control wouldn't last long.

One last lick of her breast and she was spinning into a dark, shadowy land of endless delights and dreams come true. She clenched her hands, her nails digging into his skin, drawing small beads of luminescent gold blood. His touch turned soft as she stroked her through the whirlwind of pleasure, his free hand still cradling her back.

The ripples of ecstasy subsided slowly, allowing logic and reason to gain control once more. She shook her head, dizzy from her climax. Damn, these men were animals. And she hadn't slept with any of the yet! She shivered, trying to imagine how intense her orgasms would be one she got into bed with them.

Lyzander stood, still holding her gently. She closed her eyes and lifted her chin to the ceiling, letting the warm water wash away the last remnants of her climax.

"I certainly hope you enjoyed yourself. Most incubi don't doll out pleasure for free." Lyzander laughed, the sound music to her ears.

She giggled. "I think I may have had a good time, there."

He laughed again. "I'm so glad I could please you, princess."

She smiled at him, tipping her head back and resting it on the glass panel behind her. All the talks of her failing at love and romance faded away into the distance of her mind, leaving her warm and satisfied. She scoffed at all the teenage girls who had teased her in school, saying she'd never find a man willing to love her. Well, she certainly showed them, hadn't she? After eighteen long years of hoping and dreaming for someone to please her and tend to her needs, she'd finally found three men willing to fight for her approval.

"My lady?" Lyzander's voice broke through her inner pep rally. "Do you feel clean enough?"

Dragged out of the haze of satisfaction and relaxation clouding her mind, Kara looked at Lyzander with a soft smile. Her eyes were barely open, tiny slits of cobalt staring dreamily into pale blue. She nodded slowly, her slight smile slowly dissolving into a foolish grin.

Lyzander smiled back. "I'll take that as a yes."

Without hesitation, he reached out and wrapped one hand around her waist. Lifting her and tossing her over his shoulder, he pounded his fist against one of the glass panels of the shower. Immediately they separated, sliding along the smooth tile floor. The water stopped pouring from the ceiling, though the warm steam still hung in the air. He stepped through the openings in the panels and headed for her bedroom, still carrying her. She lifted her head and watched as the glass panels slid back into place. She dropped her head back against his muscular back. She closed her eyes and began laughing like a woman in a drunken stupor. Her mind was so clouded with pleasure, she let go of all restraints and allowed her body total freedom. Her laughter echoed against the marble walls.




Date with Destiny-Demon Style Ch. 04



Lyzander opened the door to her bedroom, crossing the plane from warm steam to arid heat he carried her to her canopied bed, pushing back the translucent fabric and dropping her gently onto the soft sheets. Her quiet giggles continued, only fading when she felt Lyzander's strong hands grip her hips, pulling her legs off the bed and turning her onto her stomach. The weight of his body pressed against her back, pushing her into the bedding. The brush of his lips against the side of her neck had shivers racing up her spine.

"I'm not sure you're completely satisfied, princess." His breath tickled her ear.

"No, I'm fine," she said sleepily. A soft smile worked its way across her lips.

His hands drifted down to her thighs, spreading them wide. Her toes barely touched the floor, making her scramble for a foothold. She jumped, squealing softly when she felt the hard rod of his cock press against her inner thing.

"I don't think so." His voice had dropped low, almost becoming a growl. "Why don't we play a game?"

"What kind of game?" she asked slowly, her giddiness fading into uneasiness.

The flesh of his cock slid past her thigh, sliding against the still-slick lips of her slit. He pushed his hips forward an inch, making the head of his cock connect with her clit. She jumped, small bolts of lightening racing deep onto her core.

"I know you're curious about this place and the people here, so I'll let you ask the questions I know are eating you on the inside. For every question you ask me, I move just a little faster. I want to see how long it takes you to break." He shifted, placing his hands on either side of her head, supporting his weight on the bed instead of her spine.

She inhaled sharply, arousal and fear swirling in her gut.

"I'm feeling generous, so I'll let you have the first question free."

She swallowed loudly, more aroused than she could ever remember feeling in her life. She debated fighting him for a moment, but a second brush of cock against clit rendered her instinct to flee useless.

"Which of the princes is the black one? I don't know him."

"Ah, Memnon. He is the son of Thuroc, the ruler of the Sloth circle. He's not really into this whole princess-picks-her-mate competition. He'd much rather be the one making the choices."

"Ah, I see. He didn't seem that interested in me..."

"He likes blondes. Don't take it personally. He's also a bit of a womanizer. So if you happen to pick him, don't be surprised of he comes in with a blonde succubus or two."

She nodded. "So does that mean I can request to have him removed from the competition?"

She should have seen it coming, but the slow, delicious strokes of his cock caught her by surprise. His rhythm was languid, almost lazy. But the sparks that raced through her veins said otherwise. His slow pace was deliberate, a delicious torture he had every intention of continuing. She groaned softly, pressing her face into the soft blankets of her bed.

"It does. If you feel like one of us has no interest in being here, or you feel threatened, you can ask them to be removed."

"And who do I ask for that to happen?" She moaned louder when his strokes quickened. She remembered her question to him in the shower; she'd asked him what skill he possessed to entrap human. Clearly, delicious sexual torture was his forte.

"You can ask Lucifer, or your father can ask for you. I know he can be a bit...intimidating." She heard his voice change, becoming more strained. This little game of his wasn't leaving him unscathed, either.

"Has anyone ever asked for a contestant to be removed?" Her question ended on a high-pitched yelp that dissolved into a desperate moan. His hips rocked at a wonderful pace, the full length of his cock rubbing against her clit with the perfect pressure.

"Once. That particular prince almost devoured the princess who picked him, and not in the good way. No, it wasn't Darian. This was long before any of us were born. He came close to killing the girl, which nearly cost him his head."

"What...happened....to him?" She could barely force the words out. Pleasure had consumed her mind now that his pace had quickened. Her fingers clenched the thick blankets, trying to hold onto her sanity as well as her balance.

"He was...exiled. Driven up into the mortal world. The humans didn't like the idea of a true demon living on the Earth with them, so the burned him alive. Poor man, he didn't deserve that fate, even if he did try to eat his intended."

He continued to torture her with a wonderful mixture of heat and friction. Her body had become clay, easily molding into whatever shape he wanted. She'd lost all will to fight, instead becoming his willing puppet. She would do anything and everything he wanted if he only kept up his delectable assault. To her sweet relief, his pace never slowed, the pressure never fading. She could lay here forever, crushed under his weight with his body pleasuring her own. But she knew far too well her body's limits, and she was fast approaching the point of no return.

A final question burned in her mind, one she debated asking. His scar captivated her. She could see it in her mind: the sharp angles, the smooth, clean edges. She burned to ask why. She ached to ask how. But fear of pushing him too far kept her mouth shut.

A single, well-placed stroke along her clit shattered any further hesitation. If she didn't ask now she'd lose her chance. Finally, with the threat of orgasm quickly drawing closer, she forced it out.

"How did you get your scar?" She forced the words past her lips with every ounce of her strength.

He stopped, so suddenly it was as if he'd suddenly become paralyzed. She held her breath, her heart pounding in her chest. Anxiety swirled in her gut. Had she pushed too far? Was this one of those untouchable subjects? She chewed her lip, waiting for his response. Relief came when he resumed his stroking, his pace now back to the leisurely slowness he'd started with.

"Ah, isn't that a story to tell? Very well, I'll give you the shorter version. I was asked by Lucifer himself to tempt a young nun who'd just joined the sisterhood back in Spain. The poor girl was only eighteen, still very susceptible to temptation despite her faith. It was an easy task. I'd claimed the innocence of many sisters before her." He leaned close, his lips brushing her ear. "Young women are so easy to lead astray."

She nodded in agreement, playing along to his story. Even she couldn't deny that. He'd trapped her easily, and she had to admit she didn't feel like trying to escape his grasp.

He continued his tale. "The task was almost too easy. The girl gave in with barely a fight. I had her in my hands within moments, and she was screaming out her pleasure in the catacombs of the cathedral. Watching a woman finding her pleasure is a weakness of mine." She could hear the smile in his voice.

That certainly explains a lot, doesn't it? she thought sarcastically.

"I left the girl gasping in the tombs, climbing up the rotted steps that led to the church. I was making my way to the main doors when a small cry caught me by surprise. It was nearly two in the morning, so no one should have been in the church. Even the priests were asleep. My curiosity got the best of me -- another weakness, I'm afraid -- and I went to investigate. In one of the storage rooms I found an old priest, so old I though him a living corpse. He was naked, kneeling behind a young dark-haired girl no older than twelve, and grunting like a boar. I could see his hips moving in harsh thrusts. The girl was naked, bent over on her knees so she was crying against the stone floor."

She shivered at his words, disgust bubbling in her belly.

His tone lowered, angry. "I may be a being of sexual favors, but abusers of children do not receive my stamp of approval. I stepped behind the man and tapped him on the shoulder. He whipped around, his face changing from startled to frightened when he saw what I was. He stuttered out the beginning of a prayer when I smacked his face with my hand, twisting his head around so he could send his prayers to his rotten ass. The girl looked up at me with wide, fearful eyes. I grabbed the monster's cloak and tossed it over her. I walked out of that closet, not surprised by what I had seen but angry that it had happened. I paused in front of the altar, looking up at that perpetually sad face of Christ." He paused, clearly affected by the memory but strong enough to retell it.

"'Forgive me, Father. I have sinned.' I told that sad man of carved wood. Silence followed. An instant later, I felt a burning across my face, as if lightening had streaked down my skin. I cupped my face in my hands, crying out in pain. I knew what happened. I needed no mirror to see how I looked. I felt no pain or sorrow for my new appearance. I only felt anger. Anger that I had saved a girl from being raped by a lecherous old monk only to have my face scarred. I ran from that church, cursing the God I had feared so much. I came to realize that God was little more than a spoiled child with a magnifying glass and we are the ants."

They remained silent for a time, each lost in their own thoughts. Silently, she cursed his fate. True, he had stolen the virginity of a nun. But wasn't saving an innocent child enough to make up for that? Clearly not.

"What happened to the church?" She tried to turn her head to look at him, but he remained out of sight above her.

He laughed at her shocked gasp. "Did you think we'd stopped playing my game?"

She groaned again into the sheets, secretly happy that he hadn't forgotten her simmering arousal. His hips moved faster again, and she closed her eyes to enjoy the sensuous friction.

"Ironically, it burned down years later. The old priest was discovered later that day, with the girl still hiding in the corner. They found no trace of my presence there, and the girl refused to tell police who the murderer was. The old lecher was buried in disgrace and the girl went on to marry a wealthy businessman from Italy. They died long ago. Now their grandchildren take care of the fortune."

She smiled. She'd never been a fan of sappy children's tales, but she was fond of happy endings. Another thought seeped into her mind: the idea that he had taken all of this in stride. She felt proud of him, happy that he could take from his experience and learned something of the world.

But something far more important broke through her happiness for Lyzander and the unknown girl: Her body's unsatisfied need.

"Could I ask a favor?"

"That is technically still a question, but yes." His rhythm increased, causing her to squeal softly. "Ask away."

"Mmmmm. Right there, that's perfect." She stretched out on the bed, feeling the soft blankets rub deliciously against her naked skin. "Stay like that, please."

He laughed again. "As you wish, princess."

For long, wonderful moments he kept the pace. Her minds spun in dizzying circles, swept away by the immense pleasure he provided her with. She heard his small snickers of enjoyment every time she gasped or groaned against him. Her spine arched against her will, bringing her hips higher. The position allowed for a more intense level of contact, and she cried out in surprise. He eased her body's strain by climbing off her and gripping her hips. He held them high as he continued to stroke her, never once granting her a moment's rest.

Her climax came too quickly, her scream of completion leaving her throat hoarse. He pulled away from her body as she heaved air into her lungs, settling her hips onto the soft bedding. She felt the bed dip as he lay down beside her. He wrapped one arm around her waist and pulled her close. She squirmed into his grasp, wriggling her body closer to his.

"You lasted longer than I thought you would. I'm impressed." His voice slid into her ear, twisting around her mind and making her dizzy.

"Can you tell me more about the other princes? Just so I know what I'm getting into if I pick them." She closed her eyes and inhaled his scent, something she noticed for the first time. He smelled of thyme and campfire smoke.

"Your mother hasn't told you about us?" His tone was part curious, part disbelief.

She shook her head. "Mom doesn't tell me crap."

He sighed, sounding almost annoyed as she was with her mother. "We'll start with the twins."

"You mean the elves from Middle-earth?" she asked with a giggle.

Lyzander smother a laugh. "That's one way to describe them. Their names are Riordan and Tristan. Riordan is the older one, and he'll make damn sure you know it. Their father is Thaltos. He rules the circle of Envy. They're warriors by nature, so don't be surprised if they start fighting over you. Don't worry, they like you. That's why they'll be fighting. If they do start bickering, just say they won't be able to sleep with you and they'll shut right up."

He pulled her closer, pressing his lips into her hair. "The other brothers are Malnos and Ziron. They're the sons of Soridan. He's a secondary demon in the Greed sector, which means he's got power, but he works under Helion's father. They're the quieter brothers, though they do have a bit of a mischievous streak. They like books as much as you do, so you should get along fine. Just don't eat apples around them. Malnos is allergic."

She cocked an eyebrow. "I didn't know demon could get allergies."

"You're allergic to pine, aren't you?"

"Touché." She paused. "How did you know that?"

"Unlike your mother, our fathers tell us everything about the princess we compete for." He shifted, his hand moving down from her waist to her hip. "The older demon, the red one, is Parthos. His father, Tharanx, is also a secondary demon. He works in the Lust circle. He's the gentle giant of your selections. He can't fight, he won't chain people up and he doesn't eat human flesh. But the man makes a mean soufflé. Trust me, I've tried it. Something even the saints haven't tasted." He laughed at his remark.

The last one is Helion. He's the young-looking one. His father is the ruler the Greed circle, Falsion. The man himself is fine, but his son's a brat. If he doesn't get what he wants when he wants, he pitches the most epic tantrums you've ever seen. And to think he's nearly three hundred."

"He looks like Justin Bieber," she said with a grimace.

"Strange. I though all teenage girls were obsessed with him." His tone was quizzical, as if he didn't understand her hatred of the singer.

"Not this one." Her tone was darker, cutting off that bit of the conversation. "So one's a womanizer who doesn't give a shit about me. Another looks like an annoying teenage boy. And the last one bites. Well, that's three I don't have to worry about picking. I'll ask Lucifer to remove them from the competition in the morning."

"Process of elimination," Lyzander mumbled into her hair. "Ah, and by the way, you don't have until morning. You have about five minutes."

She turned her head to look at him. "What?"

The door to her room burst open. "KARA GENEVIEVE HAVEN!"

Ugh. Genevieve. She thought with a grimace.

It was bad enough that her mother had given her a French name without ever visiting France, but the fact that she pronounced it the French way drove Kara nuts.

She rolled back over to see her mother standing inside the doorway to her bedroom, a panicked look on her face. Her hair was wild, as if she'd run the entire layout of Hell in record time. She was breathing in harsh gasps, clearly winded from her run.

"There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you!" She stormed over to the bed, grabbing Kara's wrist and jerking her sharply away from Lyzander's embrace. "You have to pick your next prince now!" She pulled again, yanking her off the bed and dragging her out the door.

"But I'm naked!" Panic set in. The princes had seen her before in the thinnest of robes and their faces had nearly split in half from their smiles. She could only imagine their reaction if they saw her naked.

"That's your own fault. If you hadn't been wasting time with Lyzander, you could have put on some decent clothes. But you didn't, so you'll just have to go naked."

"But I..." Kara looked back to see Lyzander lying on his side on her bed, still completely naked. A look of pained annoyance crossed her face, clearly disappointed to see her go. She gave him a sympathetic look, telling him she felt the same way. He offered her a soft smile in return.

They raced down the long hallway, bursting through the massive double doors that led to the cavernous meeting hall. The demons already conversing in the hall turned to look at them. Kara felt dozens of pairs of eyes on her naked from. Blushing furiously, she searched the room for something to focus on, something to help her avoid making eye contact. She settled on the stained glass window above hall the peered into the human world. Above them the sky radiated fluorescent gold and pink, indicating sunset.

"I found her!" her mother announced. Kara was faintly certain that the people of Scotland heard her mother's declaration.

"Wonderful!" Lucifer's voice boomed around the hall. He stepped away from a group of demons, making his way over to her. Instinctively, Kara tried to cover herself. Lucifer stopped a foot in front of her, smiling.

"Ah, good. You're properly dressed. Now." He placed a hand on her shoulder and turned her to the center of the room. The remaining princes -- absent Darian, Lyzander and Ladrian -- stood in a line. "You may choose again. Which price captures your interest this time?"

She looked at the princes in front of her. The twins smiled to each other hopefully, straightening themselves in an attempt to catch her attention. The other brothers smiled mischievously at her, making her quickly look to the older demon. Parthos, still eyeless, smiled softly at her, making her wonder how - if - he could see. Justin Bieber's twin Helion also smiled at her. His smile was arrogant, as if he expected her to pick him immediately. Memnon stared off into the distance again, not caring at all about his duty to marry a princess. She had the sudden urge to pick him out of spite, then she thought better of it.

Okay. I have the twins who should be a safe bet. The other brothers look like they just set fire to something and are waiting for the panic to start. Parthos is probably the safest bet, but I'm not sure I want someone who can cook better than I can. Memnon doesn't give a rat's ass about me and the brat is acting bratty. So that leaves the two sets of brothers.

She chewed her lip for a moment, watching the princes who were interested in her try to get her attention. The two sets of brothers made the biggest attempts to catch her eye, with Parthos trailing behind but giving it an honest shot. Helion stood like a statue, still smiling conceitedly. Never a daredevil, she decided to take a risk for once in her life and choose the opposite of what she normally would.

She turned to stare up a Lucifer. "The twins."

His face lit up. "Excellent choices." He turned to face the line of princes. "Riordan. Tristan. You may go ready yourselves."

She watched at the twins grinned at her, then each other. They turned and ran out of the hall, obviously thrilled to have been chosen. The rest stared at the floor, disappointed. Memnon, however, had locked eyes with a tall succubus and was making strange faces at her.

She felt a twinge of guilt for Parthos who, being the oldest of her suitors, was at a definite disadvantage. She made a mental note to pick him in the next round. At least that way she could see if he was as passionate as his competitors and had a fighting chance.

She snapped herself out of her observations and turned back to Lucifer. "Sir?"




Date with Destiny-Demon Style Ch. 04



The king of demons turned to face her, a look of inquisitiveness on his beautiful face. "Yes?"

"I was wondering...May I ask to have some of the princes removed from the contestants?" She shifted her feel nervously.

"Of course, my dear. Do you have valid reasons for each?" He cocked his head, waiting for her answer.

She nodded. "I believe so. They're valid reason to me."

He swept an arm out, indicating his interest in the subject. "Then proceed."

She smiled. "The first is Darian"

Lucifer's brows went up. "Darian? Are you sure?"

She nodded curtly. "I don't appreciate being bitten, and I'm not looking forward to it happening again." She crossed her arms in front of her chest, adding a hint of power to her argument, no longer bothered by her nakedness. The task at hand was much more important.

Lucifer nodded. "A valid point. His appetite could cause some damage if his temper got out of hand. And the others? She smiled again. "Memnon. He doesn't seem particularly interested in fighting for my affections."

"Done. Any more?"

"Just one. Helion. If what I've heard is true -- that the boy acts like a brat - then I'm not sure I want to take the chance marrying someone who acts like a child. I have to deal with my mother on a daily basis. She's enough of a headache for me already. I'm not sure I could handle another person who acts like her." She desperately hoped that her mother's reputation in Hell could be used to her advantage.

Apparently, it could. Lucifer grimaced slightly at the mention of her mother, and he seemed to weigh the issue in his mind. "Very well. I shall inform Marcianus, Thuroc and Falsion that their sons will no longer be included in the competition."

She smiled and bowed to him. "Thank you, sir."

He returned the gesture. "It is nothing." He straightened and turned, making his way to the group of demons he had been conversing with earlier.

She stood in the hall, watching the other demons chatter away amongst themselves. Her mother had disappeared, as she so often did during times of great importance, so there were no scapegoats she could use to excuse herself. Instead, she ran her choice through her mind, trying to weigh the consequences of picking the demons-who-looked-like-elves.

Okay. Twins. Lyzander said they wouldn't be too bad. I just hope he's right.

The sound of someone clearing their throat snapped her out of her thoughts. Spinning around, she saw the twins smiling foolishly at her. They wore nothing but soft bolts of fabric around their waists. Startled momentarily, she calmed herself and decided that this was as good a time as any too inspect them. She could see the very beginnings of muscle in their abdomens. Both of them had strong chests and lean arms, toned from years of training as warriors. They had legs built for running, much longer than her own.

Being so close, she finally got a good look at the two of them. Skin as pale as her own matched shining silver hair that reached past their shoulder-blades. Their cheeks were slightly hollowed and their cheekbones could draw blood. Two pairs of mismatched eyes - one blue and gold, the other grey and green -- stared at her intensely. She could see joy and humor in those eyes...as well as her own naked reflection.

Her awareness of her nudity came roaring back, and she crossed her arms over her chest again. Her blush rushed up from her toes, emptying all of her blood supply into her cheeks.

"Hello, princess. Are you ready?" The twin with the blue and gold eyes spoke first. His voice was deep and melodic, like the sweet sound of the deepest church bell.

Feeling cautious, she nodded slowly. The twins each held out a hand, offering themselves as escorts. Their matching smiles were warm, filled with kindness and secret promises.

She put her hands up, halting their attempt at chivalry. "Wait, wait, wait. Before we do anything else, which one of you is which? I can't tell either of you apart."

The twins looked at each other, then back to her. The one with the blue and gold eyes put his hand to his chest.

"I am Riordan. I am the older of the two of us." He smiled at her.

"And I am Tristan. I am the younger one, but don't let that fool you, princess. I am by far the better fighter." Tristan gave a soft laugh that died with a grunt when his brother elbowed his ribs. She noted that his voice was slightly higher that his brother's. A useful tool if she was ever going to tell them apart.

She nodded and smiled back at the. Looking closely. She could see that Riordan's long grey hair had small braids woven into the strands. Tristan's hair did not.

Well, that's another way to tell the apart.

They smiled at her again. "Shall we go?" Riordan asked.

She nodded. Once again, the twins held out their hands to her. She reached out and took both, one of theirs in each of her own. She figured that if the twins were as competitive as Lyzander said they were, then equality and fairness might be the only thing she could use to prevent a fight. They turned simultaneously, pulling her gently towards her room.

"Are we starting now?" she asked, nerves building up in her belly.

Tristan turned his head to look at her, smiling. "Of course. Why wait? You have two of us to deal with this time."

Riordan looked at his brother, a grin plastered to his face. "Double the pleasure, double the fun."

Both of them broke out into hysterical laughter. She giggled softly. At least they had a sense of humor.

"Have you had to share one girl before?" She looked at both of them, searching their faces for an answer.

Riordan shook his head. "No. we've never had one girl for the two of us. But it'll be fun to try."

Tristan chimed in. "Oh, yes it will." He looked at her and gave a soft, excited smile. "Don't worry princess. There are two of us with you now. I doubt that you'll be unsatisfied."

"I'm sure I'll be quite satisfied with the two of you." She smiled at them, secretly hoping that they wouldn't be secret monsters like Darian or have strange interests like Ladiran.

"Why thank you, princess." Riordan smiled at her as well. "I don't think we've ever had someone have so much faith in us."

"We'll see to it that your expectations are met." Tristan bowed his head to her.

"Do either of you have any idea about how you're going to handle me?" She asked. "I can be quite a handful at times."

The twins looked at each other again, smiling mischievously. Riordan looked back at her first, a devilish smile on his lips.

"I'll think we'll take turns, if you don't mind." His voice was low, as if hiding a secret.

"Take...turns?" A small bolt of fear raced up her spine.

Tristan looked at her now. "Yes. It's the only way to make sure we both get an equal share. Me first, then him. Or which ever way we decide." His smile turned as devilish as his brother's. "We'll have loads of fun with you, princess."

"Don't worry, my lady. We're not as twisted as you may imagine we are." Riordan's voice slid past his brother's. "We'll take good care of you."

They continued to lead her down the long hallway to her room, talking and laughing to each other the entire way. She caught small parts of their conversation when she strained her ears.

"...She's prettier than I thought she'd be..."

"...But we have to be gentle with her..."

"Do you think she'll go along with it?"

"...Don't worry. Darian's gotten himself into too much trouble already..."

Every so often, one would look back and smile at her, then smile at his twin who would match his grin. They were determined to keep their thoughts a secret, making her more nervous the closer they got to her room. While they remained locked in their own conversations, one particular thought circled endlessly in her head:

Oh, crap. What mess did I get myself into this time?

* * *

I'm stopping here because I'm not sure what I'm going to make her do with the twins just yet. Give me a little time to make some decisions. Chapter 5 will be posted as soon as I can type it.



Date with Destiny-Demon Style Ch. 05



The twins continued to lead her to her bedroom, talking quietly to themselves the entire time. They kept their conversation low, careful not to let her in on their plans. One of them would look back and flash her a warm smile every so often, letting her know she hadn't been forgotten. Kara, meanwhile, became lost in her own thoughts. Spending the night with half-demon twins was sure to be on hell of a ride. But if this is what it took to finally put an end to her mother's incessant complaints about her ending up as a spinster, then fine. She'd do it. She didn't have to like it, but she'd do it.

Then again, what wasn't there to like? She had at least four incredibly handsome half-demon princes fighting for her affections. She had a kick-ass bedroom and shower. And she could finally have some honest alone time whenever she wanted to have it...once this whole 'find-your-true-love' thing was over with.

They reached the door to her room faster than she'd expected. She watched in silence as the twins argued softly, fighting out which of them was going to be the gentleman and hold the door. Finally, Riordan stepped away from his brother and turned the knob, bowing low to her as he pushed the door open. Tristan stood to the side, arms crossed and scowling at his brother.

Mentally rolling her eyes, she smiled at both twins and stepped through. They followed after her, with Tristan pushing his brother out of the way to close the door. She giggled to herself. Both brothers were frantic to act the most cavalier, desperately trying to steal the spotlight away from the other.

Boys will be boys, I suppose.

Now locked in her bedroom with twin brothers eager to grab her attention, Kara suddenly remembered how naked she was. After her little shower liaison with Lyzander, her mother had hauled her buck naked out of bed and dragged her to the selection ceremony. She had stood in the middle of the crowed room, naked as a baby, and made her pick of the twins. A choice she now could see was a sloppy one.

Blushing, she wrapped her hands around herself, trying to shield her body from two sets of hungry, mismatched eyes. She rubbed her arms nervously, even though the room was deliciously warm. She simply hated being watched.

Acting like a true gentleman, Riordan ran over to her ornately carved dresser and opened the top drawer. He pulled out a thin navy blue robe and rushed back to her, using his foot to close the drawer on his way back. She stepped around her and placed the robe gently over her shoulders. He smiled kindly at her, his blue and gold eyes gleaming.

"Forgive us for staring my lady. Your body is nothing like what we're used to." Riordan's voice, deep and powerful, soothed some of her nerves.

"Yes. The bodies we're used to seeing are those of the succubae." Tristan's eyes -- one stormy grey, the other a bright green - scanned her form. "Though yours is far more pleasing."

"It is?" Her voice echoed the disbelief in her mind. She'd seen the succubae wandering the halls, all curves and not a single blemish anywhere. How could her slender, giraffe-like form please any man?

Riordan nodded in agreement with his brother. "Bah! Those whores may have curves in all the right places, but they all look the same. There's no variety in them. But you, you're a bit of fresh air here."

"You're something people aren't used to seeing." Tristan's eyebrows rose, adding emphasis.

"And when you're something that's not seen very often..."

"It makes you rare."

"When you're rare..." Riordan Grinned.

"You're more valuable." Tristan mirrored his brother's grin.

Holy shit. They finish each other's sentences.

Forcing a satisfied smile, she turned and made her way to the luxurious bed she slept in. She sat down on the thick blankets, running her fingers absently over the sensuous fabric. Her heart was racing too fast, her nerves too high-strung, for her to notice the softness. She felt the bed dip on either side of her as both twins took their places. The grinned at her, blindingly white teeth glistening in the bright light of the sconces.

"So, princess." Tristan leaned in close. "How should we start?"

Startled, she leaned away, inadvertently pressing up against Riordan. He gripped her arms gently, steadying her. She turned her head to look up at him. His smile was as bright as his brothers. Something about those smiles made her skin crawl a bit. They looked so perfect, so clean, so...hungry.

"Yes, princess. Tell us how you would like to begin. You are the one who holds all the power in this contest." Riordan's hands rubbed her arms, somewhat soothing her nerves.

They weren't soothed for long. Tristan crawled closer, his chiseled face only inches from her own. She was vaguely sure that if he came any closer, his razor-sharp cheekbones would slice her skin.

"Tell us what it is that you crave, princess. We'll be happy to fulfill your deepest desires." His voice was low, heavy with the lust she was sure was coursing through his veins.

"We can do whatever you like." Riordan's breath tickled her ear, as sultry and deep as his twin's. "Just say the words and it's yours."

Jumping off the bed and spinning to face them, Tristan did his beast impression of an actor giving a final performance, bowing low and dramatically. He lifted his head and shot her a playful smile. "We are at your beck and call, my lady. Your wish is our command."

She pulled away from Riordan's grasp, putting a little distance between herself and the far-too-anxious twins. She pulled the thin robe tighter around her frame. She forced a soft smile, but her eyes betrayed her unease.

Riordan caught her look of angst and gazed at her, a concerned expression on his face. "My lady? Are you alright?"

Tristan caught his brother's worried tone and rushed over to the bed, kneeling at the edge. He stared at her as well, waiting patiently for an answer.

"I-I'm sorry, guys." She swallowed loudly, forcing back the restlessness that had settled in her bones. "I'm not used to two men being so eager to have me."

Riordan's face softened, a look of apology creeping into his eyes. "Are we making you uncomfortable?"

She nodded shakily. "Just a bit."

Tristan's expression was more shocked than his brothers, but just as rueful. "Our apologies, princess. We meant no harm. We're simply excited to have you with us."

Riordan nodded in agreement. "Yes. We've never had the chance to share a woman before. We're simply pleased you finally picked us."

A small feeling of calm settled into her. "Maybe just a little less in-your-face attention." Pleading wasn't her strongest feature, but she hoped doe eyes and a soft voice would seal the deal.

The twins stared at her for a moment, then looked at each other. Riordan's eyes narrowed at his brother. The twin orbs -- one blue and one gold - blazed with animosity and irritation.

"I told you she wouldn't like being smothered like that."

Tristan, taken aback for an instant, matched his brother's expression perfectly. "You did not! You said she'd be fine!"

Riordan straightened his spine, towering over his twin. "I said she might be too apprehensive for us to move that quickly."

"No, you said father told you she was open to suggestions." Tristan stood, evening out his brother's height advantage.

"It was your idea to push this on her in the first place!"

The twins were now barely a breath apart, glaring into each other's eyes as the argued. Kara sat silently on the bed, amazed that a thing as unimportant as her discomfort could cause such a voracious argument. Clearly, these boys weren't planning on playing any games with her mind or body. When it came to courtship, they were all business. Maybe too much business.

A loud crash snapped her out of her thoughts. The twins had fallen onto the tile floor, twisted around each other in a ferocious wrestling match. Stunned for an instant, her memory clicked into gear. Recalling the advice Lyzander had given to her about the twins, she slipped off the bed and stood watching the two men as they struggled for control and - more importantly - bragging rights.

Ugh, men and their pride. You'd think they'd grow up once they reached adulthood.

"HEY!" She raised her voice above the raucous the twins were making.

Both men, their bodies still tangled together from wrestling, snapped their head in her direction, their eyes wide with shock.

She crossed her arms over her chest, shooting them an annoyed stare. "You know, if you really want to act like children, then neither of you have to sleep with me tonight."

Quicker than a lightening strike, the twins were on their feet, standing so straight she thought their spines would snap. They lowered their heads in embarrassment, ashamed to have made such asses of themselves in front of the woman they were vying for.

"That's better." She sat back down on the bed. "Now, since there's two of you, we need to make sure this ends up being even."

The twins nodded. Fear of being barked at again kept them silent.

"So, which one of you should go first?" she muttered to herself. She began nibbling her nails again, an old habit she'd tried in vain to break. The manicurists at the local salon back home had despised giving her manicures as a child.

"Perhaps I should go first." Riordan piped up, breaking the silence that filled the room. "I am the older of us."

She looked up at Riordan. He offered her a shy smile, nervously awaiting her response. His mismatched eyes glowed like cobalt and honey marbles in the soft firelight.

"Why should you go first just because you're older?" Tristan stared daggers at his brother at his brother, his tone incredulous. Kara was beginning to understand that though Lyzander was correct about the brothers -- that both were naturally quarrelsome - it was Tristan who started the most confrontations.

Tearing his eyes away from her, Riordan turned his attention to his younger mirror image. "It is because I am the oldest that I -- " "Stop." She raised her hand, her tone signaling the end of the argument. If this was how the rest of the night was going to go, then she might as well lay the ground rules now.

Once again, the twins looked at her, surprise and expectation in their eyes. She sighed, lifting her head to look at them. She cocked her head slightly and narrowed her eyes, giving her two companions the unmistakable teenage 'Really?' look that every parent gets at least once. Tristan and Riordan looked down at the floor, shifting the feet. She felt a pang of pity for them. Twice in one night they'd been scolded by the woman they were hoping to beguile. Not a good start.

"Why don't you guys just rock, paper, scissors for who goes first? That way there's an equal chance for both of you to win." Were men really this complicated? Did she even want to pick one of them if they were? She hoped not. She didn't need to be a wife and a babysitter.

Hesitating for an instant, the twins turned to face each other, whispering softly as they debated her idea. They nodded in agreement, then nodded to her. They stood straight and held out their hands, readying themselves for the fierce competition they were about to face. She watched absently as the brothers battled it out, looking for any signs of possible cheating on either side. The last thing she needed was for a ro-sham-bo contest to spark another brawl.

Five minutes -- and many tied hands later -- Riordan came out the winner. Letting out a triumphant howl, he practically launched himself at Kara, knocking her back onto the soft bedding. While she lay sprawled out on her bed, he held himself up, peering down at her. A foolish grin crossed his face, warming his eyes.

"I win."

She nodded, laughing at his child-like joy. "Good for you." Looking over his shoulder, she saw Tristan glowering at his brother, pain and defeat in his eyes.

A wave of sympathy flowed through her and she held out her hand, beckoning to him. She watched as Tristan's eyes lit up and a smile cross his face. He sprinted across the floor and stood at the edge of the bed, his elated smile offsetting his brother's annoyed scowl.

Reaching up, she stroked Riordan's face, running her thumbs along his high cheekbones. His gaze returned to her. His expression was half startled by her touch, half expectant for her answer.

"There are two of you here. I want both of you to have a fair chance with me. That means no one gets left out."

Riordan nodded, displeasure flashing through his eyes. In an instant that disdain was gone, and he rose up on his knees to slide off the bed. He reached out and gripped her hips, flipping her over and dragging her lower body off the edge of the bed. A memory of Lyzander flashed through her mind, but she quickly shut it out. This was their night, not his.

On her stomach, her cheek pressed into the soft bedding, she couldn't see what Riordan was planning to do with her. Anxiety bubbled in her belly, growing larger when she felt the bed dip near her head. Looking up, she could see Tristan's knees making deep indents in the blankets. She squeezed her eyes shut and silently hope blow jobs were not on the menu for tonight.

She felt hot hands press against her back, sliding under her thin robe and slipping it off, slowly moving up and down across her skin. Strong fingers pressed deep into the tired muscles of her back, working through the knots and releasing a week's worth of tension. She relaxed, sinking into the plush mattress. Clam swept over her. If all her companions wanted to do was giver her the mother of all well-deserved massages, then let them do their worst.

Her relaxation didn't last long. Another pair of strong hands gently gripped her thighs, spreading them apart. A hot, pliant tongue ran along the length of her slit, causing her body to jerk in surprise. She tried to wiggle away from the easing appendage, but Tristan's strong hands pressed gently down on her back, holding her in place. It occurred to her in the one clear-thinking corned of her mind what they were doing: They were twins, which meant they did everything together. They were working as a team to please her, and doing quite well. Against these two, she didn't stand a chance.

Accepting her not-so-horrific fate, Kara settled into the bedding, letting the twins weave their dark spell around her. The mix of Tristan's strong, confidant hands and Riordan's skilled tongue made for a deliciously relaxing temptation that she's be damned to ignore.

They matched each other perfectly, keeping the same leisurely pace with hands and mouth. It was a beautiful combination. Riordan teased and delighted her senses with every lick and nip of his mouth, while Tristan's strong, sure hands soothed her aching muscles. Pleasure and relaxation coalesced into one blinding white spark in the back of her mind, spearing straight down her spine to her womb. Fire rushed through her veins, followed by a pained howl wrenched from her throat.

She lay there on the bed, breathing heavily. She felt Tristan's hands leave her skin while Riordan's tongue gave one last good-bye lick to her inner thigh. She tried to calm her heart rate in the few seconds of peace that they gave her. Hands gripped her hips again, flipping her over onto her back. Too tired to protest or escape, she closed her eyes, leaning her head back into the blankets.

The bed dipped again, again close to her head. She felt hands gently grasped her shoulders and hauled her farther onto the mattress. When she was settled, those same hands cradled her head, maneuvering her so that she rested her head on strong things. She looked up and saw Riordan's brilliant smile. She felt his hands working against her skin now, digging deep into her exhausted shoulders.

If he's here, then that means Tristan is...

Her thought was cut off by another soft tongue working its way around her core. Groaning in ecstasy, she closed her eyes and let the men take her as they wished. They were both clearly well trained in the art of giving pleasure, and she wasn't about to stop them from making their donations. Just like before, hands and tongue worked in harmony to bring her to an earth-shattering peak. Just like before, they let her rest a moment before they switched again and continued their game.

For hours they continued like that, taking turns pleasuring her. They switched places every time she climaxed, playing by her rule of equality. Finally, when her body was completely spent and her will broken into tiny pieces, they stopped. Riordan picked her now-limp body up off the bed as Tristan threw the covers back from her bed, fluffing the pillows so she would be comfortable. Riordan gently placed her into the warm bedding, waiting patiently as she settled into the sheets.

Both men disrobed and climbed in with her, pulling the covers tight over their bodies. They squeezed in close, trapping her form between their own. Riordan wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close as Tristan cradled her head to his shoulder and stroked her long midnight hair. Both men whispered their praises and gratitudes of her participation into her ears. She closed her eyes and inhaled the mingling scents of pleasure, sweat and clean male flesh. Exhaustion and rapture worked their way into her mind, making her eyelids feel like deadweights. Relinquishing control one more time, she allowed a deep, heavenly sleep claim her.

Her eyes fluttered open. Her body tingled from last night's sexual play, but no aches or pains slowed her movements. The addition of a massage throughout being devoured by one ravenous twin after the other had given her body ample time to recover. A slow smile crossed her face. God, those boys had talent.

Rubbing her tired eyes, she sat up in bed. Looking to either side, she saw that Riordan and Tristan were both fast asleep. Their eyes fluttered occasionally and Tristan slammed his fist into the pillow, but otherwise they were both clearly enjoying their stays in dreamland. Seeing that she couldn't climb over the brothers without waking them up, she slipped over the blankets that wrapped around them and crawled towards the foot of the bed.

Climbing off the thick mattress, she looked around the room for her robe. She found it pooled on the floor, discarded by Tristan from earlier. She picked it up and threw it on. Thought the fabric was thin, it at least offered some coverage from prying eyes. Walking over to the massive door of her room, she grabbed the handle and hauled it open, leaving it ajar as she walked through in case the brothers woke up. If she left it open, then there was a chance the twins would figure she'd gone for a walk and resist the urge to panic.

The hallway was empty except for a few demons wandering aimlessly or chattering away. She figured it must be incredibly early for so few demons to be up, which suited her just fine. The fewer demons there were to interview her, the more time she had to process her own restless emotions.

She walked along the hall silently, lost in the turmoil brewing in her mind. The twins were wonderful lovers, well trained and extremely tuned into to her needs. But she felt certain she could never handle both of them, especially if one continued asserting his older-is-better ideas and the other kept picking fights. Her hair would turn grey from exhaustion by the time she'd had her first child. As much as it pained her to say so, she'd have to tell the twin she couldn't pick them.

A small group of chattering demons passed by her. The eldest members bowed their heads to her in respect, followed but the younger demons. She mirrored the motion, not wanting to seem rude by ignoring them. The hallway was left silent again, and she returned to her thoughts. She ran her hands along the smooth marble walls, letting them dip and fly over every groove as she walked.




Date with Destiny-Demon Style Ch. 05



Then there was, as always, Darian. That boy would not leave her conscience alone, no matter how hard she tried to block him out. Though a fire burned inside her belly because of his bite, some small part of her soul held a soft spot for the cannibal prince, though why she couldn't understand. She sighed. That boy was screwed either way. Pity sparked through her for an instant, but she brushed it away. She couldn't afford to retract her complaint now, no matter how much a tiny part of her begged to have him brought back. No, the vote had already been cast. It pulled at her heartstrings to acknowledge that.

"My lady?" A deep voice rumble past her in the vast hallway. Low and melodic, she could hear hints of melancholy and shame mixing within the words.

She stopped, drawn out of her swirling thoughts. Cautiously, she turned around to face her new company. She gasped in surprise and backed up a step. She reached out and grabbed an edge of the wall, steadying herself.

Shit.

Darian stood before her, his head hung low. His eyes burned into hers, a deep indigo blue. They gave off hints of embarrassment and disgrace. And something else she barely saw flicker deep within those cobalt orbs: Guilt.

Reeling slightly from fear and surprise, Kara managed to take in his entire form. Hunched shoulders, hands in the pockets of his dark jeans and woeful eyes. His whole stance gave her the impression of a dog that'd gotten caught rummaging through the fridge. Though her senses were still on edge around him, something about his behavior now had her lowering her defenses a bit. The urge to eat didn't seem to be the first thing on his mind.

Darian chewed his lip nervously, pointed canines glinting in the soft light. "Can we talk, perhaps?"

Taking a deep breath and suppressing every emotion he made her feel, she nodded. "What would we be talking about?"

A soft smile cracked his morose demeanor. He took a single step closer, moving slowly so that he didn't frighten her. His smile faded, a look of intense pain now taking over his features.

"You...had me removed." His voice was low, pained.

Swallowing, she nodded sharply. "I don't appreciate being bitten."

His head dropped low, and Kara was faintly sure it would have crashed to the floor if it wasn't stuck to the rest of his body.

"My apologies, princess. My instincts got the better of me." He swallowed sharply.

An unsettling feeling blossomed in her belly: The bare beginnings of pity. She gave herself a mental shake. She'd sworn never to forgive him for what he did to her, for the mark he'd left her with. And yet here he was, giving her his best impression of an apologetic puppy. And here she was, feeling sorry for him. God, men were confusing.

"I'm sure they did." She motioned to her shoulder. "Your instincts left me with this." She mentioned the bite mark, faded but still clear, on her shoulder. She made a point not to mention his teeth marks on her breast.

He nodded slowly. "They will heal."

She cocked her head. "They?"

A soft smile grazed his lips. "As I recall, I felt you with two parting gifts."

Damn. I can fault him for tying to eat me, but I'll admit the man has a good memory.

Shaking off her surprise, she shot him a stern look. "I'm fairly sure your parting shots weren't what you came here to talk to me about."

He nodded slowly, his gaze - now a glistening emerald green -- burning into hers.

"All I ask is for you to give me one more chance." His eyes shifted back to indigo. "Withdraw my removal from this competition and I will show you exactly the man I am." He spread his arms wide, giving her a full view of his toned form.

Taken aback momentarily by his plea, Kara shook her head slowly. "I know exactly what kind of man you are, and I will not deal with that man again." She spun around and started to walk away.

A strong hand gripped her gently around the wrist, halting her escape. She stopped suddenly, fear and panic mixing in her belly.

"If I promised I would never bite you again - if I swore to you I would never harm you -- would you allow me back?"

She squeezed her eyes shut. This was one of the few time that she cursed her empathetic nature. The human half of her was always far more sensitive than it should have been, a consequence of being brought up with a mother who felt entitled to almost everything and neglected her daughter emotionally. She'd seen the way her mother's actions made strangers avoid her and drove her family mad. Creating a soft spot for almost everyone she came across was Kara's way of compensating for her mother's behavior. Her way of protecting herself from falling into the same misery her mother suffered from.

Her heart, always a fickle thing, began to pulse with empathy. She remembered the numerous times she herself had begged for forgiveness. And how many times had she given others -- who had done far worse than leave a bite mark on her skin - a second chance? She reminded herself that on the rare occasions that her heart overruled her mind, her heart was rarely incorrect.

"Please, princess. I beg of you, let me stay. Give me one last chance to win your approval." His voice was low, sorrowful, desperate.

Sighing heavily, she felt that empathy come roaring back. Swallowing her pride, she finally conceded to her heart's softer side. "If you promise never to, and I mean never, bite me again...you can come back."

Quicker than she could blink, Darian had stepped around to face her head-on. Dropping to his knees, he wrapped his hands around her back and pressed his cheek against her bare belly.

"I swear to you upon this black heart in my chest, unless you ask it of me, you will never feel my teeth against you skin." His words, though muffled against her skin, were clearer than crystal to her heart.

She smiled softly, reaching down tentatively to stroke his night-black hair. A tiny blossom of hope grew in her belly. Maybe, if she could push past his cannibalistic nature, she could find a good, honest man in Darian. It was a hell of a long shot, but the chance was there.

Haughty laughter interrupted her inner musing.

"Well, well. Look at this! The Lust prince on his knees for the princess! How fitting!" A darkly heavy voice rang around the hallway.

"Isn't it, brother? It seems quite appropriate since the animal bit the poor girl!" A lighter voice, but just a dark, joined the fray. "Although, considering he's the son of the Lust ruler, it's quite ironic that he's on his knees."

"You're right! He should be on his back!" The deeper voice rang out, consumed with laughter.

She whipped her head around to see the two non-twin brothers, Malnos and Ziron, standing in the hall about ten feet away. The brothers were grinning like fools, clearly enjoying Darian's silent misery.

Why in the hell are they here?

Tearing her focus away from the gorgeous prince begging for her mercy, she pulled herself gently away from Darian's embrace to face the brothers. From the corner of her eye she saw Darian stand and turn to face their new company, anger in his now-crimson eyes. Standing so she caught the brothers' gazes, their laughter died away. The taller one, with black hair and emerald green eyes, cleared his throat and bowed his head. His brother followed suit an instant later.

"My lady." A smile crossed his lips as he surveyed her naked form. His smile faded when his gaze fell on her stern expression. Both brothers straightened, clearing their throats.

"You must be... Malnos and Ziron." She made her voice as uppity as she could.

Both men grinned. The tall one bowed again. "That's us. I am Malnos, my lady."

His brother shook his sandy hair from his eyes and smiled wide. "And I am Ziron."

"I see." She cocked her head at the brothers. "And what, my dear Greed demons, was so funny just now?"

Both men stared at her with a look of shock that shifted into a feeling of extreme discomfort.

Malnos spoke up. "Nothing, princess." His forced smile couldn't have been more evident.

She raised her brows. "Really? I could have sworn I heard you laughing at Darian." Adding effect, she turned her head to look at Darian. "Did you hear the same?"

Surprise, followed by a sinister understanding, flashed trough his eyes. "I did, my lady. I heard them quite well."

She returned her gaze to the brothers, who were now looking more uneasy than ever. The younger brother, Ziron, kept flicking his hazel eyes around the hallway, looking for an escape route in case the situation turned ugly.

Her kind smile concealed her inner rage. If there was one thing she hated more than being bitten, it was someone laughing at another's misery. She'd been on the receiving end of that treatment far too many times for her to find any humor in their actions.

"You know...Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe I'm the one who holds the power in this contest. Which means I can disqualify you if I think you're being world-class assholes. Right?" She gave them the most sugar-coated smile she could muster.

A look of panic passed between the brothers, who began shifting their feet nervously.

"Our apologies, princess. We meant no harm to Darian." Malnos' voice trembled slightly, clearly not used being called out on his mistakes.

"Oh, I'm sure you didn't. And I understand that I can't have you banned from competing just for laughing at him." She watched their expressions change from worried to relaxed, foolishly thinking they'd gotten away with their deceit. A false sense of security was exactly what she wanted them to feel.

She hesitated making her next statement, watching them carefully. The wheels began to turn in her mind, her suspicions fitting together like perfectly shaped puzzle pieces. It suddenly made sense why the brothers would show up just as Darian was begging for her forgiveness. She recalled their smiles in the last selection she'd made, how they looked like they'd just sent someone to their death. The last of the pieces slid into place, locking the whole scheme into place.

Yep. World-class assholes.

Her smile turned slow, almost menacing. "However, I can disqualify you if I feel that you're a danger to me or one of your competitors."

The brothers' looks of easy confidence faded to confusion, then slowly shifted to concern.

Her smile remained. "And I think you are a danger."

Malnos, not yet understanding her plan but sensing danger, attempted some major damage control. "My lady, what have we done to make you feel threatened?"

Her expression shifted to subtle anger, hiding the boiling rage and disgust beneath her skin. She motioned to Darian, still staring at the brothers. "You told him to bite me, didn't you?"

While Malnos scraped his jaw from the floor, she noticed Ziron frantically pushing his brother toward the courtyard, trying to put distance between themselves and their now furious princess.

"Come on!" Ziron's voice was a harsh whisper. "Let's go!"

"Go where?" Darian's voice rang out. "Where will you run to? To your father? To Lucifer? Which of them will save you?" His eyes, now bright amber, burned with the pure joy that comes with beating an opponent. He smiled slyly at them, pride at exposing them showing in his face.

The men stopped for an instant, glaring at him.

Malnos' glare changed to a cocky smile. "What difference does it make? Lucifer isn't here, so you can't charge us with anything."

"So it was you!" Fury now raced through her veins. She pointed at the brothers, faintly aware of her demon side roaring to life, shifting her eyes from cobalt blue to a deep scarlet. "I don't care if Lucifer isn't here to judge you about this! I'm the one you're fighting over, and I'm the one who decides who I marry! I can't stand cheaters, and I despise people who manipulate others! I will never choose either of you, I swear that! I never want to see either of your disgusting faces again! Get out of my sight!"

Quicker than lightening, the brothers were running down the hall at full speed. Her fury now fading, she collected herself. Taking deep breaths, she felt her demon side fade into the back of her soul, her eyes returning to their usual cobalt blue. She looked up at Darian, startled by his expression. A mix of fear and shock was etched into his beautiful features.

Sudden laughter cracked his stunned expression. "My, you have a bit of a temper, don't you?"

She gave him a proud smile. "It's helped me win a few arguments here and there."

Bubbles of laughter still inhibited his speech, and he had to lean against the wall for support. "Your mother must be terrified."

"You think that was bad? You should see me when I'm PMSing. They've found corpses." She was laughing too, the soft chuckles releasing more of her anger.

If you can't make fun of yourself, who can you laugh at?

She stifled her laughter. "So what did they tell you to convince you to bite me?" Her tone became serious again. Curiosity got the best of her again. What words could make a cannibal prince risk his chance at marriage - and ultimately, more power - by snacking on the woman he was vying for?

A bubble of caustic laughter came from Darian. "All they had to tell me was that you were a woman and a virgin. In the world of cannibalistic demons, that's striking pure gold. There is no more delicious flesh than that of a virgin princess." He laughed again, sarcasm scorching the sound. "Don't fault them for taking advantage if my weaknesses. It's a cut-throat contest you're dealing with here."

Her own laughter stopped as well. She leaned her back against the smooth marble wall, crossing her arms defensively. "Why not? What makes it so vicious?"

Darian sighed heavily, preparing himself for what she was sure to be on hell of a lesson.

"Let me start with the basics. This whole thing can get extremely confusing at times. There are seven main princes of Hell, each of whom rules a particular circle of Hell based on the seven sins. Lust, Greed, Anger, you know the drill. Your father is one, so is mine. The whole thing looks like it came straight out of Dante's Inferno. Anyway, there are less powerful demons that work under the princes who have children of their own. Parthos is one of those. Each prince, as well as their underlings, can have as many children as they want, but girls like you are particularly rare. Only one child in about a hundred thousand is a female. The rest are boys. The fact that you're so outnumbered is why girls like you have all the power in this. Got it so far?"

She nodded, now fascinated with the complexity of her situation.

He continued. "Since there are so many demons having children, it was decided when these things first started that only the first three tiers of demons could have their children participate. That means, for example, only Lucifer, my father and the top demon working under him can have their sons compete for you. Otherwise the system would be overloaded with half-demon boys looking for a mate."

"Now, there are ways to lighten the load for this. The sons that aren't old enough to mate aren't included in this mess, as are the demons that are too old to bear children. So the girls now have a smaller gene pool to pick from. Naturally, Lucifer and the other princes' sons have the first shot at the princess. If they don't work out, the secondary rulers of the circles have their sons try for the girl."

"But what happens if the girl doesn't choose any of them?" She cocked her head at him. She was leaning against the wall with her shoulder, giving him her full attention.

"She has to. If she doesn't pick from any of the men she's been given, then all the rejects cycle around and she starts again. She has to pick a high-ranking demon. It keeps the power within the families and makes sure no outsider comes in to screw the system up."

"So why does this happen in such small numbers? There can't be that many of you." She tried to laugh, but his stern expression killer her giggle.

Darian heaved another heavy sigh. "That's where things get complicated. Let me give you an example. When you first came into this, there were over a thousand half-blood sons that had been born. Now, in accordance with the rules, some have to be eliminated. Take away the boys who are too young and you're left with about eight hundred. Next we get rid of the sons who are too old to have kids, which leaves us with six hundred and fifty. Finally, we remove any potential mates that are known dangers, the ones who are mentally unstable and the like. That leaves us with a grand total of five hundred and fifty suitors."

Her jaw dropped. Over five hundred men competing for her affections? Her head started to spin, the magnitude of her decision-making crashing down on her.

He noticed her shock but did nothing to calm it. "Now, keep in mind, you're the only princess eligible for marriage for the next...how old are the other daughters?"

"Um..." she scanned her memory for a moment. "They're fifteen, twelve, eight, six and two."

Darian nodded. "So you're the only girl who's suitable for marriage for the next three years. Which means, until the fifteen-year-old becomes and adult, you have almost six hundred men competing for you. That's why you have so much power in this, because you're so outnumbered. If you don't like me or any of the others, there are five hundred and thirty two half-demon sons waiting to take our places."

Overwhelmed and confused, Kara pressed her back against the wall. She slid down the smooth tile, settling down on the fire-warmed floor. Squeezing her eyes shut, she cupped her face in her hands and took several deep breaths, trying to clam the swirling thoughts in her head. Five hundred men? Five hundred men?! Her mind spun in dizzying circles, trying desperately to hang onto some semblance of normalcy.

Could she possibly go through five hundred men? Could her soul handle breaking that many hearts? She figured that after the first fifty disappointed suitors she'd pack up and go home. She hated turning people down, even if it was for a good reason. In her mind, turning down a promising man just because he didn't meet her exact criteria was a contemptible reason.

Darian's hand rubbed her back, an honest attempt to soften the blow. She looked up at him, searching his face for hints of something -- anything -- she could feel was ordinary and comfortable. His eyes had settled on a light silver, a color she considered warm and welcoming. His smile was soft but warm. She smiled back, happy to know that this impulsive, cannibalistic price was, on the inside, a truly decent man.

"Ah, princess! There you are!" A high-pitched voice, one like the tinkling of silver bells, sliced through her new-found joy.

She turned to see a voluptuous succubus, clad in nothing but tight black lingerie, standing in the mouth of an adjacent hallway. Her eyes glowed a blood red in the soft firelight. "We've been looking all over for you. It's time to make your next selection."

Kara stood up shakily, with Darian launching himself up to support her. She looked at the succubus, all blonde hair and decadent curves, with questioning eyes.

"But it can't be. There's no one around." She looked around the hallway to confirm her statement. It remained as empty as ever. "It must be so early."

The temptress laughed, a musical sound that, had she been a man, she would have fallen for in an instant. "They're all in the main hall waiting for you. It's nearly eight in the morning, princess."

"Eight in the..." she trailed off, her head spinning.

"We let you sleep in, princess. Your night with the twins must have been especially satisfying." A sinister smile crossed her lips, hinting at secrets she didn't quite understand.




Date with Destiny-Demon Style Ch. 05



Kara cocked her head for an instant, confused. Slowly, reality sunk in and her cheeks flared. Sweet mother of God, they heard her! Her blood supply emptied into her cheeks, and she turned her head away in shame. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed the succubus simply standing there, an expression of contempt on her gorgeous face. Gears in a back corner of her mind clicked into motion, alerting her of something unknown but important. Without saying a word, she collected herself and stood tall, filing away the image of the succubus' face.

Pleased that she had recovered, the woman turned on her heels and made her way down the hall to the chamber where she knew the rest of the suitors would be. Darian put a hand on her shoulder, his silver eyes silently asking if she was going to be alright. She smiled and nodded, to which he smiled back and removed his hand. He turned to leave, making his way down the long, cavernous hallway. She made a mental note to tell Lucifer she'd changed her mind about him, and hurried to catch up to the succubus waiting for her.

They walked side-by-side, each silently caught in her own thoughts. The succubus made Kara feel uncomfortable, but not because of her profession. She'd been around temptresses before and they'd never affected her like this. No, it was something about her expression - the way she looked at Kara's moment of shyness and vulnerability with absolute disgust - that made her skin crawl.

They came to the massive carved door quickly, though to Kara it wasn't nearly quick enough. She longed to be far away from this cruel woman as soon as possible. The succubus bowed to her and pushed open the door, showing what was supposed to be respect to the young princess. But Kara noticed malice and anger in her crimson eyes, and she swore to herself that she would avoid that woman at all costs.

She bowed as well, hiding her own distrust with a simple smile. She walked through the doorway, exhaling a silently sigh of relief when it closed. There were fewer demons crowding the hall this time, though it felt like just as many eyes were watching her. Instinctively -- and without a command from Lucifer or anyone else - the remaining princes lined up in the middle of the floor, smiling at her. Lyzander, Parthos and Ladrian all faced her. The twins -- probably still in bed -- and the scheming brothers were absent. Good.

Oh, thank God!

She exhaled another sigh of relief. Ladrian was okay. She was about to give him a warm smile when something caught her eye. A fresh scar, jagged and red, bisected his chest, crossing over the previous on. Both scars met in the middle of his chest, making a large X in his skin. Her gut turned at the sight of the wound, making her suspect the non-twin brothers had something to do with that as well.

"There she is! Our star performer!" Lucifer's voice snapped her out of her thoughts. He strode over to her and embraced her in a bone-crushing hug. After what felt like endless seconds he released her, stepping back and letting her catch her breath. "And right on time, too!"

She swallowed, trying to force air back into her lungs. "I wanted...to ask...you...something." She said, gasping.

"Anything!" Lucifer's smile was as brilliant as the warm sunlight streaming in from the ceiling's glass window.

Regaining her balance, she stood tall and faced the demon king head-on. "I've changed my mind about Darian. I would like him reinstated."

Lucifer started at her for an instant, his eyes glowing in the sunlight. His beautiful face skewed up, and he cocked his head in confusion.

"Are you sure, my dear? You seemed so certain when you asked him to be removed."

"Yes, I'm sure." She glared at him, putting her hands defensively on her hips. "I'm allowed to have second thoughts, aren't I? Or is that one of your silly made up rules that you magically change whenever you feel like it? Because you seem to do that quite a bit."

Lucifer burst out laughing, so loud that all the other demons in the hall jumped in surprise. He clapped an enormous hand on her shoulder. "I admire your spirit, Miss Haven. You are the only person who has enough spine to stand up and face me so openly. If that is truly what you want, then Darian's place will be restored in this competition."

"Thank you." She offered her biggest, brightest smile. From the corner of her eye she could see Marcianus' face nearly break in half from his smile. His son was back in the running for her heart, and he was sure proud of it.

"Now, you know the routine." He turned her to face her suitors.

Looking at the remaining men -- minus Darian -- she scanned each of their faces for the umpteenth time, looking for a speck of honesty or anything else that she could take as a good sign. Lysander smiled knowingly at her. She shifted her gaze away, blushing furiously. Ladrian was also smiling, though it was more of an 'I'm okay' smile than a 'Let's get it on' smile. Parthos was looking -- if he could look without eyes -- at the tiled floor, an expression of defeat on his face.

She recalled the promise she'd made to herself during the last selection and smiled. She looked up at Lucifer. "Parthos."

The demon's head snapped up, a look of shock on his eyeless face. Clearly, he honestly expected to have been picked last, if at all. She shot him a warm smile, to which he grinned back.

Some people just need one chance, others need two.

Lucifer smiled at her. "Not the most daring choice, but a good one none the less. Have fun, princess." He motioned to the other demons crowding the hall, who quickly exited the enormous room, leaving Kara alone with her suitors.

She watched as Lyzander and Ladrian slapped Parthos on the shoulders, wishing good luck and congratulating him. Both offered honest smiles as they departed, and Parthos smiled back shyly. Her heat pulsed happily as she watched. At least these two were genuinely good and fair. She guessed Helion would have thrown a massive fit.

Within minutes the hall was empty, leaving Kara and Parthos alone. He approached slowly.

She offered a kind smile "It's nice to finally meet you, Parthos. I've heard about you from Lyzander."

"I hope he didn't tell you anything....false about me." His voice was deeper than any she had ever heard before.

She cocked her head in confusion. "Like what?"

He made a face, one the suggested shame and turmoil. "I am not the most experienced person when it comes to intimacy."

She giggled and waved her hands. "No, they haven't told me anything like that. But Lyzander did say you were one hell of a cook."

At the mention of his passion, Parthos' face light up like a firecracker. She was sure that, had he owned any eyes, they would have been gleaming with pride. He bowed low, making the most ridiculously pompous movements possible.

"That I am, my lady." He raised his head to -- supposedly - look at her. "Would your grace allow me to show you?"

She laughed and did her most ridiculous impression of a curtsy. "Why, of course, my lord. Lead the way, if you will."

They both stood straight and laughed together. She though how strange it was that she felt so comfortable with this prince. Parthos wasn't grabbing for her boobs or trying to steal the spotlight like any of the others. He seemed...almost normal. The man liked to cook, and that was just fine.

They turned and left the hall, exiting through a door she'd never noticed. It was beautifully carved with images of twisting tree branches encompassing flames. It looked nothing like the other doors carved with demons and tortured souls, and therefore felt like a breath of fresh air to her tired eyes.

Parthos turned the handle -- intricately carved with delicate vines - and bowed, motioning for her to enter first. She stepped through and stopped, staring at the room. It was a massive kitchen, each wall twenty feet long and fifty feet high, tiled with white and black marble from floor to ceiling. A line of ovens and stoves ran from one end of the room to the other, while the three remaining walls were lines with granite counters. An enormous rack of knives, spatulas and other utensils hung on one tiled wall. Enormous windows covered entire wall, looking out into the depths of Hell.

Damn. Rachael Ray's paradise. Except for the Hell part.

"Come with me." Parthos motioned to her to follow.

She walked behind him, marveling at the enormity of the kitchen. He dragged a stool from out under one of the counters and placed it near the edge of the granite slab. He motioned for her to sit. She wrapped her robe around herself and sat down on the polished wood, folding her arms across the counter and resting her chin on her forearm.

"So what are we making today, Emril?" She flashed a quick smile.

Parthos laughed as her gathered pans and other utensils. "Home-made chicken tetrazzini. And Lagasse is very over-rated, my dear princess, no matter how many time he throws onomatopoeias into his food." He walked over to the gigantic fridge at the other end of the room and began to rummage through the contents.

"What? You mean bam isn't useful in the kitchen?" She gave him an exaggerated shocked look. Truthfully, she hated Lagasse herself. His shouting frightened her as a child, something she never outgrew.

He laughed again. "Only when it's made by the oven, and that's usually a bad sign." He set various food items collect from the fridge down on the counter. He separated out the ingredients into groups only he could understand. "So tell me about yourself."

She leaned back, gripping the counter so she wouldn't lose her balance. "What's there to tell? I'm eighteen, a half-blood and trying to sift through the first of five hundred guys to find a husband."

"There must be more to you than that." He started the pasta. The pot he used was massive, making her think this dinner was for more people than just them.

"Well...I'm sarcastic, sweet, honest, conniving, loving and vengeful."

"Full of contradictions, aren't we?"

"Yep." She leaned on the counter again. "Nothing but a bunch of things that don't make sense."

"I think it makes perfect sense. The world is full of contradictions, you just happen to have more of them." He diced the chicken into pieces, the knife in his fingers flying so fast she worried her might lose one of his digits.

"Damn, you're a sweet one, aren't you?" Something about Parthos lit a warm fire in her belly. It wasn't a sexually passionate fire, but a safe, content fire that made her feel comfortable around him. She figured that, for her at least, he wouldn't be an amazing lover, but he'd make a damn good friend.

"I cook. I have to be passionate." He smiled to himself.

"You would love Julie, then." She rested her chin on her arms again, a knowing smile crossing her lips.

He looked up, giving her a confuse look. "Julie?"

She nodded. "She's the next princess in line after me. She'd fifteen, but the girl's a cooking progeny."

Parthos' eyeless face lit up. "Is she?"

"Hell yes!" She sat up, happy to have the chance to play match-maker for once. "The two of you could probably feed the world if you were put in the same kitchen."

"Could you tell me what she looks like?" Honest enthusiasm echoed in his voice.

"She's a bit shorter than me, but hey, she's fifteen. Long brown hair, crystal blue eyes, and pearly white teeth. Her skin's a little darker than mine. And she loves to read. I swear I've never seen anybody go through books so fast."

His smile widened at her description. Clearly, Julie was just his type.

How would he know if he can't freaking see?!

She hopped off the chair and walked toward the windows, peering out into the sea of tortured souls. "Give it three more years and you've probably got a shot at her."

"I hope so. She sounds perfect." He spun to look at her, putting his hands up defensively. "No offense to you, princess."

She waved her hand, dismissing his fear. "None taken."

Relieved, he started putting all the ingredients together, loading them into a gigantic glass pan. "Tell me about the others. We're not told about any princesses other than the one we're fighting for."

She creased her brow for a moment, recalling the names of the girls she'd become so close to. "Well...Julie is fifteen, Natalie is twelve, Emily is eight, Stephanie is six and Abby is two."

Parthos burst out laughing, a deep sound that echoed around the kitchen.

She looked back at him, confused. "What's so funny?"

He made a colossal effort to quiet his laughter, though small bubbles of it still managed to escape. "It seems fitting, doesn't it? The girl who is the most unique in the group is the one whose name doesn't end with a 'y' sound."

She paused, looking down at the fire and brimstone world that her father called home. She'd never considered that before. She was indeed the most unique of the girls, and her name was the only one that didn't end in 'y' or 'ie'. Her mother had told her once that all the girl's mothers had come together and discussed their future daughter's names, and that the other women had strange looks on their faces when her name was spoken. Could that have been her mother's way of making sure people knew how different she was? Her way of separating her daughter from the norm?

Gears turned in her head, putting together more pieces of a very complicated puzzle. "You know what else is strange?"

Parthos looked at her, interested.

"I'm the only princess that doesn't have siblings. All the other girls have younger brothers and sisters, but me...I don't have any."

"Well, I suppose that makes you very special, doesn't it?"

"Yeah, I suppose so." She said the words slowly, a smile creeping across her face. She turned back to see Parthos placing the giant pan in what had to be the world's largest oven. "Could you tell me about the brothers? Not the twins. Malnos and Ziron."

Parthos closed the oven door and stood, a look of absolute contempt on his face. "What about them?" He nearly spat the words out. His tone was so venomous that she took a step back.

"They just seem...They tricked Darian into biting me." She chewed her lip, worried that she may have crossed an unseen and very dangerous line.

"It's not below them. Nothing is below those two. They're parasites, nothing more and nothing less." His eyeless sockets narrowed, voicing his hatred without words.

Deciding that Parthos had made his point about the brothers, she changed the subject. "What about Ladrian and Darian? Are they better choices like Lyzander?"

Relief came over his face, accompanied by a soft smile. "Much better. Ladrian is probably the closest to you in age, though he's still about six decades older."

"Damn." She leaned against the windows, resting her tired back. "And Darian?"

"A bit impulsive and hotheaded, but he's a good man. Lyzander is the same, just with a troubled past."

"The priest thing?" She shifted her feet nervously.

He looked at her, startled. "He told you? He hasn't spoken about that in years."

She shrugged. "I guess he figured that hiding secrets like that wasn't the best way to win a girl's heart."

Parthos nodded, then stood silent for a moment. He looked at her again with an expression she couldn't decipher. "Could we agree on something?"

She cocked her head. "Like what?"

"You know I'm not the most lustful person when it comes to women, and you seem like the kind of person who needs a passionate man. And you just described a woman that I am now very interested in. I was wondering if we could -- "

"Agree to be friends and not lovers?" she offered, understanding marking her features.

He grinned. "That's exactly it!"

She giggled. "Of course. And no offense, Parthos, but I just don't think you're the guy I'd need. I think I might drive you crazy."

"None taken, and that is something I'm afraid I can believe." He laughed. A well-aimed kitchen towel silenced his laughter.

"So it's settled then. You and I can be good friends, just not lovers. I'll go find Lucifer and ask to have you honorably removed." She turned to leave.

"Princess?"

She stopped and looked at Parthos. He stood by the oven, a shy smile on his face. "If you see Julie... could you put in a good word for me?"

She grinned and nodded. "Absolutely. I'll make you sound like the best chef that ever lived." She turned the handle of the door and stepped through, leaving the master chef to his art.

Now...where in Hell could Lucifer be?

She began to walk, crossing the large entertainment hall to the massive double-door that led to the main hallway. Using her shoulder, she managed to shove one open enough so she could walk through. She jumped when the door slammed closed on is own. Making her way down the hallway, she racked her brain for where the demon king could possibly be. No single place made sense; he could be anywhere he wanted to be in this infernal place.

An old saying ran through her mind, giving her hope of finally tracking down the old demon, one that her father had warned her about. Apparently, if you were a half-demon, it actually worked.

Speak of the devil and he doth appear.

Going with her gut, she inhaled and called out the king demon's name. Within seconds, a hot wind blasted against her face, whipping her hair into knots. Lucifer swooped down and landed gracefully on the tiled floor, his colossal black wings folding against his back.

"Ah! My dear princess! So it is you who called me. I though I recognized that lovely voice." An enthusiastic smile greeted her from his chiseled face.

"Good to see you, too." She forced a smile back. It was never easy to smile when dealing with the biggest bad guy in the Bible.

"And what does the young princess need?" He leaned against a marble pillar, the poor thing cracking under his weight.

"Well, two things, actually. Parthos and I agreed that we're just not right for each other, so I'd like to have him removed in the most honorable way possible. "She held her breath, hoping that Lucifer didn't go off on Parthos for being weak or less passionate than the others.

He smiled. "I see. The boy always was a bit too shy around women. If you two have agreed on it, then I'll have him honorably removed."

She glared at him. "I don't appreciate being mocked."

Lucifer dipped his head in apology. "Forgive me princess. What else did you need?"

"The same thing with the twins. They're gorgeous and strong and very talented, but I'm just not sure I could handle both of them at once."

"Yes, those two can cause quite a raucous, can't they?" A knowing glint in is eyes made her cheeks flare. "That will be taken care of. Oh!"

She jumped at his exclamation. "What?"

He grinned at her and straightened. "That leaves you with three, doesn't it? Now let's see...Ladrian, Lyzander and Darian. Yes that's correct. Three."

"Okay. So?" She motioned for him to continue.

"Well, when a princess works her way down to three suitors, she's now able to offer her virginity to those suitors that are left." His grin grew wider at her shocked expression. "You see, we only order the girls to stay pure until the final three men. It's to make sure they don't play them boys by offering any favors or bribes. Once the final three are picked, though, the girl can sleep with all of them if she wants."

"Oh." She bit her lip, blushing furiously. Her virginity, her mother had told her, was sacred. Never to be given out until marriage. But since when was she one to follow her mother's orders? "So I pick who I want to sleep with first, then I can pick from the others and sleep with them as well?"

"Indeed. Do you have a choice already?"

She shook her head but quickly held her hand up, signaling for him to wait. Lowering her eyes to the floor. Could she? Should she? Sex had always been an alluring mystery to her, something she'd always wanted to try but was too afraid to attempt. Her mother had forbidden it, as she did so many other things, but her mother's scoldings weren't enough t stop her curiosity. She'd snuck glances at porn as a teenager and bought erotic novels when she got a job. But should she when she'd known these men for little more than a week?




Date with Destiny-Demon Style Ch. 05



Why not? It's not like we're going to catch anything.

She nodded to herself, her heart set on trying her mind's greatest curiosity - and her body's greatest need - out for the first time. Having decided, she mentally weighed the possibilities of each suitor. Ladrian would probably tie her up in chains again and sexually torture her. Lyzander would most likely toss her on the bed and tease her until she started to cry, then take her like an animal. And Darian...Darian would probably sexually devour her and then possibly bite her again. She scanned through the one last time and made her choice.

"My dear? Have you made a choice?" Lucifer's voice was inquisitive, waiting for her answer.

She nodded, sure of her last-minute decision. "I would like to have..."

* * *

Oooh, cliffhanger! I know this seems like a weird place to stop, but I've decided to give you all a treat. I'm going to let YOU decide, as the readers, who Kara picks first to sleep with (and who ultimately wins in the end. Bonus!). She has a choice of Ladrian, Darian and Lyzander. Make your choice in the comments section and I'll tailor the story to the majority vote.

Have fun!

And to you, dear readers, who fell in love with Darian: I understand, because I did, too. He's intoxicating, isn't he? I loved his spirit way too much to just let him go. And besides, it's not like Darian to just accept defeat and walk away, is it? So I brought him back. You're welcome.



Date with Destiny-Demon Style Ch. 06



Alright! Two weeks later and many nights of staying up past two in the morning... Chapter six is here! I tallied the votes and wrote this chapter accordingly. Thanks to all of you who voted! And to all of you who didn't vote but read the story anyway.

 * * *

 She hesitated, her thoughts churning. "I-I'm not sure who I want."

Lucifer looked at her incredulously, shocked that she couldn't just pick one of the men quickly. "Why not? You have three princes who are fighting for your heart. You need only to pick one now and then choose from the other two later."

She dropped her head, a grimace on her face. "Yeah, but...I mean, I don't want anyone to feel bad."

Lucifer let out a long, agonized groan. She looked up to see the demon king cradling his face in his hands. Confusion, then understanding, swept through her mind. Of course Lucifer wouldn't understand why pleasing people and avoiding hurt feelings were so important to her. He'd never had to live in the world of humans or grow up being the main target for rival teenage girls. That, and the man was fucking Lucifer!

Nonetheless, a wave a shame flooded her senses and she dropped her head. Her shoulders hunched, her ink black hair shielding her face. She was doing a credible impression of a dog caught rummaging through the fridge.

"Your father warned me you were far too sensitive, but I chose not to believe him." Lucifer dropped his hands and stared at her, his gaze softening when he saw her broken stance. "I suppose...if it's truly that hard for you to pick, you could perhaps try all three."

Her head snapped up, shock and confusion etching her features. "All three?"

WHAT?!

"Yes." Lucifer stroked his chin with long, clawed fingers. "Perhaps we could make that in itself a contest."

She cocked her head and crossed her arms. "How?"

"Well, by having all three at once, you could compare them against each other and find who has the best connection with you. And if you took all three at one time, you could decide who the better lover was."

"Wait, wait, wait." She held up her hands, trying to slow the speeding train wreck she was now riding. "All three at once? You mean sleep with all three at once?"

Lucifer nodded. "Yes and no. Obviously, you could take all three men at once. But perhaps each man could have a turn at you tonight. Then you could decide whose style and personality you like best."

Struck silent, Kara ran the option through her mind, he had a good point: If all three were given the same shot at the same time, that would give her the chance to compare the side by side. It would also eliminate the chance that one of them would try to take her somewhere or do something that would tip the scales unfairly. If they had to challenge each other while competing for her, it would force them to put their best foot forward and show their true colors simultaneously.

She had a bad feeling about that last one. Darian (not to mention his father) didn't do well with losing, Ladrian would get lost in the crowd and she was vaguely sure Lyzander could just push the others out of the way. But it seemed that a head-on competition between the three of them was the fairest way to go. Then again...maybe not. Those boys were half-blood demons, after all. They'd probably kill each other before she even started.

She looked Lucifer in the eyes and nodded. "No, it's alright. I'll figure out my choice a little later." 

"Excellent! I shall tell the princes of our plan right away!" Lucifer turned to walk away, his massive wings almost knocking her over.

She jumped out of the way and looked at him, confused. "What? Now?"

He looked over his shoulder at her, golden eyes twinkling. "Silly girl. Did you forget that time moves faster in Hell? You've already spent three hours with your last choice."

She sighed. "Right. Could you ask them to wait for a bit? I don't feel so fabulous."

"You can choose your first lover tonight, after you've had a chance to see all three of them together." With that, Lucifer unfurled his enormous wings and launched himself up into the higher circles of Hell.

She watched him take to the heated air, her thoughts churning inside her head. All three men in one room at the same time. That would be like putting three starving pit bulls in a cage with one female in heat. They'd be lucky if the bed wasn't a pile of lumber and all three men were still alive. She giggled at the thought. Those men would tear each other apart for her.

Pausing a second, Kara went back to the kitchen door and turned the handle. Poking her head in, she watched Parthos moving quickly back and forth across the kitchen. He was consumed in his cooking; several pots already on the stove and two more ovens were in use.

"Hey." She spoke over the boiling pots. "You need some help?"

He laughed. "No, but that you, princess." He turned to face her. "But if you'd like to stay and chat, I'd be happy to – "

She cocked her head. "What?"

His face was worried. "You don't look so good. Perhaps you should go rest."

Taken aback, she did the best to defend herself. "No, I'm fine. I just..."

Parthos' face turned serious. "Princess, I've been around here long enough to know who is fine and who is not. You are not. Please, go rest. I can handle this."

She sighed. "Alright."

His smile returned. "Good. You have strength, princess. You just need to save it until it is needed."

She nodded and smiled back. "Thank you."

He waved at her, still smiling. She backed away and closed the door, turning back to the hallway they'd entered from. She began to walk, her mind going back to the thoughts of being ravaged by her three suitors. She imagined all three of them would probably start fighting the moment they entered her room. Even Ladrian, the calm one of the group, would fight for his share.

She shook her head, trying to clear the image – and a new crowding sleepiness – from her mind. For some reason she couldn't understand, her body felt exhausted. Perhaps it was the shock of having to deal with three men in the same room, or the lack of food in her stomach – when did she last eat? - that had her feeling so tired.

Oh, well. She'd sort that out later. For now, she decided to surrender herself to sleep. She yawned, her body's way of approving her decision. Slowly making her way out of the selection hall, she walked back to her room, her mind still spinning. Could she handle all three of them at the same time? Would they leave her alive at the end? She hoped so, although with three virile half-blood princes waiting anxiously for her vote, there was hardly a chance of her coming out unscathed.

She shrugged mentally. She'd only met each of them for a few hours. Maybe pitting them against each other would give her a chance to see their true colors. She smiled, happy to know that after all these years, someone was finally willing to fight for her. She reached her door to her room and turned the handle. Stepping inside, she was glad to hear the slam of the heavy wood when it closed. It made her feel safe and secure, as if nothing and no one could harm her.

She slipped off her robe and looked around. Her bed was empty, the sheets disheveled from spending the night with the twins. They had left hours ago, obviously not alarmed by her absence. Leaving the door open for her little walk had been a good idea.

She walked towards her bed, feeling more exhausted the closer she got. When she finally reached the edge of the mattress, she was dead on her feet. She flipped the blankets back and crawled into bed, wrapping the warm sheets around her self and settling into a deep and well-deserved sleep. However all of this was going to work, she'd figure it out in the morning.

 

Hot breath spilled down her neck and back, drawing her out of her sleep. The feeling of warm, moist air snapped her awake. She stayed completely still, barely daring to breathe, fearing the worst. Fear roiled through her veins, twisting and knotting around her throat. She felt the mattress around her head dip as two hands pressed into her pillow, supporting the intruder. She squeezed her eyes shut and silently begged for the torture to end.

"Ladrian? What are you doing?" Lyzander's voice broke through the deafening silence. The sound of his voice made the fear insider her relax a bit. 

The mattress sprung back to its original shape as Ladrian launched himself away. "I was just..."

"Why in the hell were you smelling her? If anyone should be doing that, it's Darian. He's the one with the deviant appetite." Lyzander sounded more confused than angry.

"Yeah...Hey!" Darian's voice broke through, annoyed at Lyzander's subtle jab. "My appetite is not deviant, it is unconventional. It also happens to be extremely palatable."

"A lunch of human flesh doesn't sound like the most appetizing of meals." Sarcasm laced Lyzander's deep voice.

"You've never tried it, so you wouldn't know." Darian mumbled.

Fighting already. Well, what did you expect, your highness? They're competing for you.

Relieved that the intruders were her suitors, Kara decided that it would be best if she just got up and faced this head on. The sooner she intervened, the less damage they could do. Stretching her still-tired limbs, she rolled onto her back and sat up in her bed, pulling the sheets close to her body. All those nights of being toyed with and teased didn't do anything to ease her natural insecurity.

She watched the three men as their argument slowly heated to a boil. Or her right was Ladrian, wearing nothing but ripped jeans and looking like he'd just been slapped. True, he'd been caught taking a whiffed her while she was still asleep, but what else was a horny half-blood prince to do with a virgin princess? Relief washed over her when she saw that his newest scar had lost its angry red color, though the edges were still ragged and torn. It almost matched the first one, making him seem more normal.

Darian and Lyzander stood at the foot of her bed, each man taking a stance against one of the bedposts. Wearing a tattered pair of black pants, Lyzander stood with arms crossed over his strong chest, his short brown hair wild and unkempt. Pale blue eyes were locked on Darian, heat and anger seething in their pallid depths.

Darian had managed to match his expression perfectly, only his eyes were a fiery red. Leaning against the solid oak column of her bed, he glared at Lyzander, his beautiful features hardened and stiff. His thin tail twitched back and forth, signaling to her a possible fight. Or worse. 

Oh, boy. Here we go. How in the hell am I supposed to stop this freight train from crashing?

 She swallowed to herself, unsure of what move to make. How was she going to stand between two powerful, willful men who wanted her for themselves? She was sure that even if she tried, there would be no stopping that train wreck if Darian and Lyzander came together. 

It was Darian who did the honors for her. Blood-red eyes flicking to her for an instant, his features softening at the sight of her. He cleared his throat and jerked his head in her direction. Lyzander and Ladrian both turned to look at her, instantly dropping their guards. Ladrian hung his head, obviously ashamed about being caught scenting her.

"My lady." Lyzander bowed. "So glad to see you're awake." 

She nodded. "Nice to see you, too."

"Forgive the commotion. Some of us are not as well trained in the art of courtship." His pale eyes flicked to Darian and Ladrian.

"But some of us are experts at being assholes." Darian muttered under his breath. His eyes had shifted again, becoming a deep green color.

Lyzander's eyes narrowed for an instant, then softened as a smile blossomed on his face. Even his scar seemed to yield to the beauty of his smile.

She sighed. "Will you two relax? I just woke up and I do not need to deal with children fighting in my room."

"Don't worry about them." Ladrian, the quiet one of the group, finally spoke up. "They've been at it since this whole thing started." He sat down on the edge of her bed, is black eyes boring into hers. "Truthfully, I don't think they've ever liked each other."

Kara had to agree with him. They had resumed the give and take fighting of angry looks and warning glances. Concern twisted her stomach. The way those two were snarling at each other had her wondering if her room was suddenly going to fall away and they'd be standing in the Coliseum fighting grounds. 

"All right, you two. That's enough!" She raised her voice, letting the tiniest hint of her demon blood come forward to stain her eyes red.

Both men stopped and stared at her. Darian, who'd witnessed her anger once before, took a cautionary step back. Lyzander and Ladrian remained gawking at her, unsure of what to do next. Clearly, neither of them had expected her to be so forceful.

Satisfied that she had their attention, she retracted her demon blood and sat up straight. "No, I'm not sure exactly what I'm supposed to do here. All I know is that each of you is supposed to sleep with me tonight, and then I pick who my favorite is."

All three princes nodded.

"Okay, then. So... How should we do this?" Her mind began to turn its gear, trying to figure the best solution for the situation.

Lyzander interrupted her thoughts, bowing low again and smiling. "I am happy to serve your every need and want, princess." His smile turned wicked, speaking his sinful intentions without words. "You're every need and want.

Darian placed his hand on Lyzander's shoulder, jerking him upright. "Don't be so hasty, Lyzander. She hasn't picked you, has she?" 

Pale eyes met emerald green for an instant before Darian turned away, clearly fed up with the useless arguments. But Lyzander, who she could now see had an ego the size of Canada, wasn't finished yet. 

"Oh, poor thing. Backing down from a fight in front of the princess. Well, won't this make your father proud? And Kara, too. She must be so happy you're here competing for her." A sinister smile crossed his face. "And why not? I'm sure that last bite you gave her was far better than any sexual thrill you could offer."

Eyes blazing, Darian turned his head and snapped his teeth at Lyzander. Pointed canines glinted in the bright light of the sconces, a warning to any opponent that drew too close. His tail snapped back and forth, anxiously waiting for the moment when he could pounce on his prey.

Caught off guard, Lyzander stumbled back. His pale eyes were wide with shock, slowly narrowing to angry slits. "Animal!"

"Cannibal." Darian corrected. 

"Now boys, calm yourselves. You can each have her tonight as promised. But you must be patient." Lucifer's voice rang out from the shadows, drowning out the yells of the squabbling princes.

"HOLY FUCK!" She scrambled backward, her back slamming into the solid headboard. "What are you doing here?"

Lucifer stepped out of the black shadows, his massive form making a pool of blackness on her floor. Unadulterated power radiated from his very skin, silencing the princes' argument. Instantly, they gathered themselves and stood at attention, each looking at him with sorry, woeful eyes. 

Tearing his gaze from the now silent suitors, Lucifer's golden eyes rested on Kara. She pressed her back harder against the headboard. Princess that she was, she would be a fool to think that Lucifer would spare her his wrath if she made a wrong move. Instead, the demon king smiled at her, showing two rows of brilliant white teeth.

"A small detail we forgot to cover, I'm afraid."

"Amazing how that seems to happen a lot with you." Her heartbeat now back to normal, Kara's tone was less than enthusiastic.

Lucifer cocked his head and gave an ecstatic smile. He seemed to relish pissing her off, a dangerous game for those who pushed too far.

"Some things slip my mind." He smiled wider, basking in the magical glow of her I'm-going-to-kill-you face. "It's a small matter, but one that we should discuss nonetheless."

"That sounds wonderful." Her tone was sharp, angry that Lucifer had yet again left out another important piece of information.

Walking past the once-bickering princes, Lucifer stopped at the edge of the bad and sat down. His weight caused the mattress to become a trampoline, launching her into the air before landing less than gracefully – and face first - on the blankets.

"Now, how do I explain this?" Lucifer leaned back on one elbow, his face screwed up in concentration.

"Just spit it out." Her words were muffled by the blankets, but loud enough that he could hear.

"Very well then. I'll put it in layman's terms. Before you decide which of the princes you sleep with first, I need to make sure you are chaste." He took a deep breath. "It will only take a moment. I simply need to make sure your hymen is intact and we can proceed."

She remained very still for a moment, not speaking a word. Slowly, she pushed herself up from the bedding and sat on her heels, brushing the wild strands of her black hair from her face. Inhaling slowly, she folded her hand in her lap and turned her head to smile sweetly at Lucifer.

"The fuck you will." She added as much sugar and sweetness to her words as possible, fighting the urge to launch herself at him and claw his eyes out.

Lucifer sighed and dropped his head an inch. "I'll take that as your refusal to cooperate, then?"

"Damn straight." She made her face a stone, not letting the slightest expression cross her features.

"I see. I was so hoping that you would be more agreeable. But I suppose a willful spirit can't be expected to follow every order. Boys." Lucifer stood from the bed, his night-black wings spreading out around him.

All three of her suitors took a step forward, with Ladrian crawling closer to her on the bed. It occurred to her what was about to happen: If she wouldn't go willingly, they'd make her. Fear as well as anger boiled in her blood. They were going to force her to have a virginity test whether she liked it or not.

She didn't have much choice, but that didn't mean she had to go quietly.

Launching herself from the bed, landing on the hard tile and doing a barrel roll across the sold stones. Straightening herself, she watched as her captors edged closer. Darian held back - having already seen only a small sample of her anger - keeping well out of harm's way. Smart boy.

For the first time in years, she let her carefully constructed wall of control fall away. She let her demon's blood – a right given to her by her father – take control. Usually under the highest of securities, Kara only let her demon side come out if she was in immediate danger. This was one of those times.

Her skin felt hot, her muscles tensing as her less humane half took the reins. Her eyes became blood red once again, her jagged nails smoothing and elongating. Her own canines sharpened. Her creamy skin turned the color of coal. The flesh on her back burned as the same pattern of delicate crimson scrollwork that decorated her face now seared itself into her skin, running the length of her spine. Finally in her full demon state, she stared down her adversaries with a ferocity that bordered on madness. 

Ladrian, having been given the short straw by fate, was the closest to her. Slowly, he reached out a tentative hand, obviously unsure of how to approach her in this state.

She swiped at his hand, her sharp nails connecting and drawing bloody lines along his forearm. Before Ladrian could cry out in pain, she had launched herself backwards, landing delicately on the tiles. Even though she wasn't very intimidating in her demon state, she was faster than hell. She could fight well; she could run better.

"You still want to inspect me?" Her voice was lower than usual; a growl that all demons were born with, half-blood or not.




Date with Destiny-Demon Style Ch. 06



"Kara. Please calm yourself. It will only take a few seconds and then we can continue." Lucifer stood behind her suitors, his expression soft. But she didn't miss the emotion the flicked through his eyes: Shock. Clearly, the king of demons hadn't expected her to so well trained in the art of kicking ass. 

She scoffed. "I'll bet."

"Kara, all we need to do is – "

"Trust me when I say I'm a fucking virgin." She narrowed her eyes. "I think I'd know it if I wasn't."

Lucifer sighed again. "Very well. You've made an easy task extremely difficult. Darian."

The cannibal prince hesitated at his command, conflicting emotions - and colors - running through his eyes. Slowly, he backed up step, giving her an inch more of space.

He shook his head. "I've already seen her get angry once. I don't want to be on the receiving end of that explosion."

Aww. Look at that. Somebody cares about me.

 Darian's retreat had her rethinking her strategy. She straightened, her body still tensed to fight if she needed to.

"If I swear to you that I am a virgin, will you call of the boys and then test?"

"My dear, that isn't how our society works. We do have rules and traditions that must be followed." Lucifer's voice had taken on a darker tone, almost menacing.

Damn it.

Squeezing her eyes shut, she sighed. As much as her demon half wanted to fight and defend herself, her logical human half knew that against the demon king, there was no winning. He'd get his way no matter the circumstances; a feisty young half-blood wasn't going to stop him.

Slowly, she retracted her demon blood, pulling her more ferocious half back inside the carefully constructed walls of sanity. Her fingernails returned to their usual jagged form, her eyes turned cobalt again, her skin became the same creamy pale color it always was. Her canines dulled and retracted. The scrollwork that had burned itself into her back also faded. Any trace of her darker half was pulled back until only the delicate filigree that surrounded her eyes remained.

All three men relaxed as she shifted back, relieved that they wouldn't have to fight her tonight. With their guards down she could still make a run for it, but she was sure that every other demon in the underworld would be on the lookout for her as well. Besides, Darian was as fast as she was and Lyzander was much stronger. She noticed that Ladrian, his arm now healed from her scratches, has positioned himself between her and the door, blocking her escape.

She sighed. "Fine."

Might as well get this over with.

"That's better." Lucifer stepped forward. Holding out his enormous hand, he waited patiently for her to respond. His smile was warm, welcoming.

"Why is this necessary?" She cocked her head.

"Simply a precaution. Any prince could take your virginity and lie about it. This way I can make sure you are chaste." His smile never wavered.

"I could have told you that myself." She sharpened her voice to a razor's edge.

His smile softened. "You'll barely feel a thing."

She dropped her head, surrendering to the inevitable. She reached out her hand and placed her fingers in his warm palm. He pulled her gently to the bed, motioning her to lie down. She sat down on the mattress and lay back slowly, keeping her eyes locked on his the entire time. The moment her back hit the mattress Lucifer sat down on the bed next to her and placed his hand on her bare stomach. She jerked out of surprise then relaxed, never taking her eyes of Lucifer's handsome face.

Warm heat seemed to seep out of his hand, spreading throughout her abdomen. It grew warmer by the second, not painful but enough to make her squirm in discomfort. She arched her back and gritted her teeth when her skin burned. The heat faded quickly, allowing her the chance to recover.

Lucifer pulled his hand away and smiled at her. "See? Now was that really so hard?"

She glared at him then turned away. Pushing herself up, she sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the floor. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Lucifer nod to the princes, a soft smile on his face. Looking up from the tiles she saw the men smile back, pleased to know that she was a virgin.

No shit. 

"Now, princess. I have personally made sure that you are, indeed, chaste. You may make your choice or which prince shall claim your prize." His voice was joyful.

Hesitating for an instant, she shifted her gaze to the three princes who were competing for her. All three stood straight as steel rods, patiently waiting for her choice. Three pairs of eyes – pale blue, jet black and warm gold – pierced her own. Running each choice through her mind, she took a deep breath and settled on her best choice. She went with the man she felt she had the most history with, good and bad.

"Darian."

She watched as Darian, wide-eyed, struggled to stand completely still. His smile was pure joy, though he kept himself in check, making an enormous effort not to make a show of winning towards the others. Ladrian smiled warmly at his collogue while Lyzander scowled at Darian, obviously the sore loser of the group. 

Oh, that's right. He's an incubus. Of course he thinks he should be first.

Her memory flashed for an instant, and she turned back to Lucifer. "You said that I'd be sleeping with all three of the tonight, right?"

He nodded. "Your choice, my dear. You don't have to, but you need to select the order in which the other two will have you anyway."

She nodded and looked back at her two remaining suitors. Darian had stepped to the side, chivalrously focusing the spotlight on his opponents. 

"Lyzander will be second."

Smiling wide, Lyzander bowed and stepped back. Ladrian gave her a warm grin, happy to have any chance at her.

She smiled back, climbing off the bed and walking towards him. She reached out and cupped his face in her hands, stroking his silver hair with her fingers.

"I picked you last because of your scar. I don't want you to strain yourself and tear it open." She smiled weakly, nervous that she might have upset him. "I hope you're not – "

He waved a hand and smiled wider, dismissing her concerns. "Not at all. I know I'm not running at one hundred percent. I do appreciate your concern, though."

"Good." She relaxed, content that he wouldn't feel compelled to compete with the other two and risk further injury.

She turned to see Lucifer bow. "I shall leave you to your pleasures, Princess." He turned and walked back into the shadows he'd emerged from, seeming to dissolve into the blackness.

Silence surrounded them for a moment. With Lucifer gone, Kara realized that she was once again alone in a room with three extremely attractive – and extremely horny – demon princes. Outnumbered and outmatched, she waited nervously for one of them to move. She swallowed loudly, bracing herself for inevitable moment in which one of them would pounce, bowling over his opponents and dragging her to the bed. 

Instead, Darian cautiously stepped forward, obviously aware of her uneasiness. He stopped a foot away from her and held out his hand, waiting patiently for her response. She smiled at him, letting her hands slide from Ladrian's face. She placed her hand in Darian's, feeling his strong fingers close gently over her own. He tugged gently, beckoning her to follow. 

She hesitated, still nervous about what she was about to do - what she was about to surrender. Warm hands pressed against her shoulders, urging her forward. She turned to see Ladrian smiling at her, his black eyes flicking towards her bed. He gave another light shove to her shoulders, encouraging her to finish what she started. His chivalry showed through his silent exterior, comforting her.

She was elated to have two kind, caring men guiding her through this. Darian's easy patience made her calm, and Ladrian's civility made her feel safe and respected. Only Lyzander's scowl cracked her small flicker of happiness. God, that man's grimace could shatter a mirror. 

She sighed internally and brushed Lyzander's foul mood from her mind. He got second place, he could at least show a little gratitude. But, no. he stood there and sulked, resentful that her virginity was going to someone else. She gave a heavy sigh and rolled her eyes. Lyzander was gorgeous, intelligent and sweet-natured. But his childish behavior was getting on her nerves.

Darian tenderly tugged her closer to the bed, continuing to smile at her. A small attempt to ease her growing anxiousness. They reached the bed quickly, faster then she expected. Good, because the suspense was killing her. Darian motioned for her to sit, watching patiently as she crawled onto the thick blankets. 

Her heart raced, the rhythm growing faster as Darian unfastened his pants. She blushed and looked away again, her insecurities about sex surging to the surface. She also looked away for ethical reasons: If she looked at Darian's penis straight on, she'd probably fall off the bed laughing from embarrassment. Both of them would probably have died from humiliation. Instead, she focused her gaze on one of the sconces, watching the flames dance and cast soft shadows on the wall.

The bed dipped, and she felt Darian's strong arms wrap around her waist. Hot breath brushed her ear, spilling down her neck and making her shiver.

"I owe you for having me reinstated." His lips brushed the hollow of her ear. "I feel I must repay the favor."

She drew a long, shaky breath. "You can repay me now." The way his breath caressed her skin made a fire blossom deep inside her belly, the small flames reaching out to every corner of her body. 

She looked up at see Lyzander - still sulking – and Ladrian making their way to the door. When Ladrian open the massive door and started to step through, she perked up and watched them curiously.

"Where are they going?"

"They're not allowed to watch. None of us are." Darian's lips continued down to her shoulder. His tongue flicked over the bite mask he'd given her nights ago. "It's a privacy thing. The last thing we need is a princess backing out of an arrangement because she's insecure."

"Right." Honestly, she was glad the other two were leaving. Watching the door close behind Lyzander guaranteed they'd be safe from prying eyes...and spiteful scowls.

"Could I make one request?" Darian's voice cut through her mind's silence.

She nodded, more nervous that ever. 

He shifted nervously. "Before your gift is mine, may I have one last taste of your flesh while it's still virgin?"

She paused. Darian biting her again wasn't exactly the first thing on her bucket list. But she figured she owed his chivalry and kindness with something. Besides, he asked this time.

She nodded, taking a deep breath. She inhaled a sharp gasp when she felt his teeth graze the tender flesh of her neck, slowly moving lower to where her throat met her shoulder. She shivered out of anticipation and fear. She remembered the first time he'd bitten her. It wasn't orgasmic, but it sure as hell wasn't horrible. His bite made her feel warm inside. Maybe that's how cannibals trapped their prey. They made their weapon the object of their victim's pleasure before they devoured them.

Darian's teeth bit harder, making her flinch. She knew he didn't mean any harm; her recoil was more a side-effect of her own apprehension than of his bite. She swallowed and forced the lump in her throat down to her stomach. She wouldn't let some silly anxiety keep her from enjoying this night. And she was determined to enjoy it as much as possible.

She couldn't help but flinch when his teeth finally pierced her skin. She bit her lip to keep from crying out. Soon enough, though, the pain subsided, replaced the same dark pleasure she'd felt the first time Darian had feasted on her. It sunk into her mind, caressing her very thoughts, making her lose control enough that she sunk into his grasp, too weak from this indulgence to sit up.

Pleasure flooded though her body, her back arching against the torrent of fire spearing through her blood. She leaned her head back onto is shoulder, closing her eyes and focusing on the ripples of pleasure that drowned her senses. She bit her lip again, drawing small beads of liquid scarlet that spread like ruby flowers on the sheets as they fell. Moaning softly, she pressed against him, encouraging his efforts to please her.

Too soon, his teeth left her skin. A sense of loneliness overwhelmed her. Maybe this was another way his kind hunted: making their prey miss their bite so much they come back for more and end up as lunch. She felt the hot length of his tongue brush her skin, sealing the third wound he'd given her. Her head spun, and she wished his teeth were against her skin once more. But that was enough. He'd had his fill and she was far too tired for him to continue. Still, she enjoyed it more than she thought she should.

"Thank you." His whisper brought her back to her senses somewhat, though her mind remained clouded.

She nodded, still dizzy from his bite. She shook her head, trying to clear the last of the pleasure from her mind. Painful as it was, Kara knew she wouldn't be able to think straight if her mind was clogged with bliss. She shook the last strand of ecstasy free from her thoughts, sighing in relief that her mind was back in her possession.

"Are you ready?" He rested his head against her shoulder, waiting patiently for her to collect herself.

She swallowed. Was she? No, not really. Not mentally, at least. But her body was beyond ready. It throbbed with anticipation. The thought of Darian on top of her, his body forcing cries of pleasure from her throat, made her clit throb. She squeezed her legs together, trying to ease the pressure building up inside. Fat chance of stopping that. Fat chance of stopping her body from doing anything.

She nodded, then squeaked in surprise as Darian twisted her around and pushed her down into the blankets. He climbed on top of her, his hands bracing his weight on either side of her head. His knee parted her thighs, and she felt his hips rest against her own. He smiled at her, his pointed canines glinting in the soft light. His eyes had become jet black, a clear sign of his growing arousal – as was the considerable bulge pressing against her inner thigh. He leaned in and kissed her, a deep, passionate kiss that stole her breath. She hesitated for only a moment, then inclined her head to kiss him back.

He sank down to his elbows, his hands reaching up to cup her face. His tongue caressed hers, giving tender strokes and soft caresses. Breaking away from their kiss, Darian trialed his lips down her neck, nipping her skin along the way. She gasped, her back arching. She finally admitted to herself that she liked Darian; liked everything he made her feel, everything he made her think. If he kept this up, she'd like him even more.

"Gentle," she whispered.

"I promise." He continued his way down, his tongue tracing intricate designs on her skin as he moved ever closer to her breasts. He nipped the slopes of her breasts, working his way around in tantalizing circles. At the center of each circle, he gently bit her nipple, soothing it with the flat plane of his tongue. He suckled and licked her flesh, making her skin flush and her heart race. She bit her lip again, reopening the wound and drawing fresh blood.

The instant the small scarlet beads formed, Darian tore his mouth away from her breasts and kissed her again, drawing her lip into his mouth to feast. She let him feed, knowing this was his last chance to have her blood as a virgin. After all the patience and humility he'd shown her, she at least owed him that.

Licking the last of her blood away, darian pulled back and stared at her with pale grey eyes. He licked his lips, smiling at her.

"Good God, woman. You taste amazing." His smile was bright, his eyes smoky and unfocused.

She gave a nervous, half-delirious laugh. "Thanks." Twining her arms around his neck, she pulled him close and stared into his eyes. "You promised you'd be gentle."

"I did." He reached down and gripped her thigh, bringing it up so her knee hooked over his hip. He inched forward, his swollen cock now pressing against her hyper-sensitive entrance.

She swallowed again and leaned her head back, closing her eyes and waiting for the inevitable.

It came too soon. He pressed in slowly, forcing the thick head of his penis through her slit, moving inch by in so he wouldn't hurt her. She gritted her teeth when his cock pressed against her hymen, the one barrier between her and freedom.

"Kara." His voice was clear but strained, highlighting his inquiry of what do to next.

"Just do it." She breathed.

He nodded and with one good shove, he pushed past the last hurdle separating her from the unknown. She bit down on her tongue, her back arching violently from the pain. Tears welled in her eyes. As it was with all demons, the feelings pain and pleasure were far stronger that they were to a human. Darian stayed completely still for longer than he needed to, giving her ample time to adjust to the burning coursing through her. She knew it was all part of the ritual of losing her virginity, but why did it have to fucking hurt?

Slowly, she fell back to the bed, her body relaxing as the sparks of pain receded. She groaned when Darian pulled away, leaving her empty and alone. He rose up on his knees and smiled at her, an evil gleam in his eyes.

Wait...what?

Darian gripped her hips and flipped her over gently. He pulled her hips backwards until they were high in the air. Her breasts were pressed into the soft bedding, her arms stretched out in front of her. Nervousness and confusion settled in her mind, until she felt his cock pressing against her entrance once more. 

"I have a better idea." His voice was clearer now, and she could hear the smile in it.

Nervous and undeniably excited, she gripped the bedding in her hands. He pressed against her again, slowly sinking into her body. She trembled, feeling a fire start building in her womb. Darin kept moving forward until she felt his pelvis press against her ass. 

"Holy fuck. You feel amazing." He breathed, his voice low. "Like hot silk."

"Thanks." She calmed the last of her tremors and inhaled deeply, waiting for him to start.

He laughed and started to move, a slow, leisurely pace that kindled the fire inside her belly. She jumped at the first sign of movement, and not just out of surprise. She'd read in books that a woman's G-spot lay along the top wall inside her pussy, only a few inches in. some author said that being taken from behind was the best way for it to be stimulated. No wonder Darian picked this position. It gave his perfect access to her pleasure spot.

Aww. How sweet. He's focusing on making sure this is enjoyable for me. What a man.

And he was doing a damned good job pleasing it. His cock brushed against it on every stroke, making her gasp and moan. His speed, once languid and patient, slowly quickened. Bolts of lightening rocketed up her spine, colliding with salacious images forming in her head. As long as he was focused on pleasing her, she might as well enjoy it. She folded her arms under her chin and closed her eyes, a soft smile crossing her lips.

A sensation of something sliding across her thigh snapped her out of her lust-filled trance. Confusion seeped into her mind, pushing images of wanton acts from her thoughts. It felt thin, like a piece of ribbon or thread sliding across her flesh. The sensation moved lower, threatening to tease the lips of her slit. It slid to the very edge of her pussy, pausing as if waiting for an order. 

His tail! Shit, I forgot about that thing. 

Too late. Darian's tail surged forward, wrapping around her tender clit, stroking it and caressing it with the skill of an expert. She cried out and buried her face in the blankets. Oh, this was too much. He made her feel too good, made her either think too much or not at all. His ingenuity was driving her mad. She doubted even an incubus like Lyzander would think of this.




Date with Destiny-Demon Style Ch. 06



He held her there and teased her endlessly, not that she really minded. The feeling of his cock stroking her inside, combined with the feeling of his tail caressing her clit, made for on hell of an explosion in her mind. Fireworks went off without warning, blossoming into blue, red and gold in her mind. She buried her face in the sheets and screamed out her pleasure. Her shoulders slumped forward, and she dragged harsh, ragged breaths into her burning lungs.

Oh...that was good. I could live with that.

Darian kept moving, his grip on her hips never wavering. She'd forgotten that this was about both of them. As important as she was in this whole game, she'd be selfish to only claim orgasm for herself. She stayed there and let darian finish, content with the gifts he had spent so much time and energy giving her.

Good move. Another orgasm cleared her senses, nearly knocking her of balance. Her mind spun a second time, pure rapture gliding through her veins. From somewhere off in the distance she heard Darian's strained cry, felt his grip tighten on her hips as he unloaded centuries worth of lust and need.

The room was silent for a moment, except for the strained breathing of two half-blood royals coming down from an incredible high. After what felt like hours, Darian pulled away from her, catching her hips in his hands and lowering her onto the bed. He slid against her and wrapped a hand around her waist, turning her onto her side and pulling her close.

"You were wonderful, princess." He nuzzled her neck.

She giggled. "So were you."

A soft kiss on her neck. "I am no incubus, but I know my way around the female form."

"I can tell." She settled against him and closed her eyes. "There's no chance of me getting – "

"Pregnant? No. You can control exactly when your body will release an egg to be fertilized. If you don't want it, your body doesn't let it happen."

"Good. I have deal with you three. I'm not sure I could handle a kid being thrown into that mix." She purred when his hand caressed her stomach.

"When the time comes, princess." He reached up and cupped her breast. "Would you like me to leave?"

"Leave?" Pain speared her heart. "Where would you go?"

"Nowhere important. We're only allowed to stay for as long as you allow us." He kissed her shoulder. "If you're tired, I'm happy to let you rest. It won't offend me at all."

She paused, chewing her lip. She was exhausted, thanks to him, but in a good way. Her body was sated and her mind was at ease. As if on cue, she yawned, her body signaling their conversation should end.

She nodded. "You wore me out."

He laughed. "You're welcome." 

She smiled, feeling he pull away from her once again. He slid his hands under her body and lifted her up, holding her as he flipped the blankest back. He laid her down gently, pulling the sheets up to her shoulders as she snuggled into bed. He pressed his lips against her neck.

"Thank you, princess."

She felt his weight leave the bed, heard his footsteps across the floor as he made his way to her door. It opened with a loud creaking, then slammed shut as it always did. The sconces lowered their flames, diming the lights so she could sleep. She closed her eyes and smiled, reveling in the past few hours of pleasure and peace. She couldn't help but wonder what Lyzander and Ladrian would be like. She settled deeper into bed and slowed her breathing, letting her mind wander as she waited for sleep to come.

 

* * *

 

Restlessness clouded her mind, keeping her thoughts spinning well into the early morning. She'd tossed and turned for hours, trying to quiet her racing thoughts, but she could find no relief in anything. More than once, she'd clamped her hands to her ears and buried her face into her pillow, but that did nothing to silence the unheard voices in her head. Magically, her mind always woke her up at the most random, inconvenient times conceivable.

Those voices churned and swirled in her head mercilessly, warning her. Something was wrong. She could feel it, and those voices added to her growing concern. Her gut twisted as well, every one of her senses on edge for what was to come.

Sighing to herself, she surrendered to her gut instincts. She threw back the blankets of her bed and swung her legs over the edge, stepping silently onto the warm tile floor. She made her way to the ornately carved dresser standing against the far wall of her room. She pulled open the drawers one by one, searching for any shred of decent clothing. A full week of wearing nothing but skimpy lingerie and flimsy robes had her longing her for ripped jeans and soft t-shirts.

After an hour of sifting through five drawers and thousands of inadequate clothing options, she finally found one pair of jeans, a well-worn shirt that had an image of Darth Vader printed on it and a pair of matching bra and panties. Pulling on the first shred of real clothing she'd worn since this ordeal first began, Kara felt a sense of comfort and safety in her clothing. They reminded her of home.

Home. God damn, how long had it been since she'd slept in her own bed or laughed with her dog? It felt like years. She missed the sunlight in her room or the posters of rock bands that lined her walls. She smiled, knowing that when this whole thing was over, she could finally go home.

Now fully dressed, Kara made her way to the massive door that separated her room from the rest of the underworld. She looked up, studying the intricately carved demons that covered the wood. It seemed to her that they were guarding her, their grimacing faces and angry eyes making any intruder have second thoughts before entering. Smiling, she pushed open the massive door, stepping quickly through the opening before it could slam shut. She'd learned that trick quickly.

In Hell you have to earn how stuff works fast. If you don't, you're screwed...or crushed.

Unsure of what to do or where to go, Kara closed her eyes and took one step forward. Her instincts shifted into high gear, making the twisting feeling in her belly grow tighter. Following the clues her body was giving her, she took another cautionary step, making her way slowly to the selection hall. She noted that the hallway seemed more deserted than ever. Not a single demon was in sight. The loneliness and dead silence that surrounded her made Kara quicken her steps. 

Approaching the magnificent twin doors, she paused and watched as they swung open on their own. Stepping cautiously through the doors, she glanced up at the stained glass window embedded in the ceiling, peering through the uncolored sections of glass to see the mortal world. Bright stars glowed in a moonless sky.

God, how early is it?

She turned in a full circle, examining the room. She noticed a shadow along the far wall she'd never seen before. Hidden by the soft light of the sconces, she could barely make out the lines of a door. Curiosity peaked and instincts churning, she quietly stepped closer. Straining her ears, she could make out voices as she drew closer, muffled by the thick wood. Two were deep, male voices. Another was higher, possibly female.

She stopped about a foot from the door, eavesdropping on the voices inside. She hated to listen in on other conversations, but the soft voices in her head convinced her that this particular conversation was one she needed to hear. Stringing all of her courage and curiosity together, Kara reached out and grasped the handle of the door. She turned it silently. The last thing she needed was for whoever was inside to notice her. Taking one last deep breath, she pulled the door open and inch and peeked inside.

The room was small, a bit larger then her room but by no means the size of the selection hall. She guessed it was no more than fifty square feet, with dark tile covering the walls and ceiling. Grey speckled stone tiled the floor. Along the far wall stood an enormous fireplace, nearly twenty feet long and fifteen feet high, with elaborate scrollwork carved into the stone. A roaring fire was already blazing and charring the fresh wood fuel. Another wall had a large window looking out into the depths of Hell. A soft orange glow from the eternal fires radiated through the glass.

"So what can we do?" Malnos' deep voice echoed around the room, tearing her away from her admiration of the fireplace.

She whipped her head to the other side of the room. The two brothers leaned against one of the walls, patiently waiting for an answer. Curious to see who their other companion was, Kara chanced opening the door a fraction wider. Her mother was standing in front of the brothers, hands on her round hips.

Mom? What are you doing here with these two psychos?

"Just have patience." Her mother's voice was stern.

"Patience!" Ziron spat. "All you've told us to do is have patience and nothing's come out of it!"

"And I'm telling you to have more!" Her mother's face scrunched up in anger, her grey-green eyes glowing in the firelight. "It won't be long before the girl has to choose her husband. We have to make sure it's one of you, and to do that you need to have patience."

Girl? What girl?

"We can't wait much longer. She's no MIT student, but the princess is far from stupid." Malnos's voice was calmer than his brother's. If there had to be one, he was definitely as the leader of the brothers

"Yes, I know. I've had to raise her for the last few years." Her mother cocked her head, intrigued. "But I'm curious to know what makes you defend her intelligence."

"We caught the little Lust prince begging her for a second chance. We started making jokes about how pathetic he looked. Within about five milliseconds the girl figured out we'd convinced Darian to bite her." Ziron looked down at the floor, anger in his hazel eyes.

Her mother's eyes went wide. "How do you know she wasn't bluffing?"

A look of pain flashed across Malnos' face. "Trust me, the kind of rage she showed when she called us out doesn't come from someone who's faking it."

Her mother sighed and crossed her arms over her chest, looking away from the brothers. "Damn. I knew she was smart, but I didn't think she could piece things together so quickly. That puts us at a disadvantage."

What the fuck?

"So what do we do?" Ziron was anxious, his temper slowing blazing to life.

Her mother sighed again and turned to face the fireplace. "We need to keep with the plan. We do that and we're guaranteed to have control...Ugh, I need to get out of this thing. This skin is killing me."

Her mother reached around, lifting her short auburn hair with one hand and raking her nails down the back of her neck with the other. Kara watched in horror as black blood bubbled to the surface of the wounds. The flesh around the incisions seemed to sag and wrinkle, as if her skin was melting away. Slowly, the cuts grew and more skin sagged, slipping off her mother's delicate frame. Her mother's clothing fell away with the skin, slowly exposing young, tight skin underneath the baggy fabric. The last few inches of her mother's flesh slipped away from the new body underneath it, turning to ash as it hit the floor.

In her place stood a young, beautiful woman Kara had never seen before. Her naked skin was the color of bronze, with legs that were miles long and a slim waist. White-blonde hair spilled down her back, and Kara could see a definitive scar that ran from one side of her waist to the other crossing her back. Eyes like coal reflected the dancing flames of the fireplace. A slow, sinister smile crossed her perfect lips. Her cheekbones – sharper than a blade – lifted with the smile.

Kara's stomach turned, alarm signals blaring inside her head. Her mind went blank, too shell-shocked to compose a single thought. Her thoughts were quiet, but her logic was running at full steam. The woman in the room was a succubus. God, she hated those things. Tricksters of the vilest sort, they felt no compassion for human life.

The young woman rolled her neck, cracking the bones. "Ah, much better. I hate having to wear that thing all day." She turned to face the brothers, the dark smile still plastered to her face. 

Malnos' serious expression never waivered. "So? What do we do? Lyzander, Ladrian and Darian are all still here. How do we handle them?"

"Take them down one by one." The woman cupped her chin, thinking. "The other princes are taken care of, correct."

The brothers nodded.

"They've been dispatched." Ziron smiled darkly.

"Good. As for the remaining three, play to their weaknesses. Ladrian has a love for torture implements, so lock him up in the dungeons. Give him a taste of his own medicine before you finish him off. And this time, take his head." Fury flared in her black eyes. "That little scar you left him with caused a stir around the neighborhood." 

"Did they know it was us?" Ziron's voice was worried, his eyes wide with anticipation.

"No, but that doesn't mean you can just go off and make mistakes. You still need to be cautious." She turned back to the fireplace, staring into the flames. "Darian should be easy. He won't fall for you telling him to bite her again, but the boy has a split-second temper. Making him vulnerable shouldn't be too hard." 

She paused. "Take care, though. Darian's not an idiot. Even if you make him angry, he's certain to have learned his lesson from the first time. He might just attack you on sight." 

"And Lyzander?" Malnos stepped away from the wall, his towering height and dark attitude making the succubus flinch away for an instant. "Brother doesn't have a defined weakness like the others."

Brother?! What the double fuck?

 Her stomach did a triple back flip before landing in a broken heap.

She gave him a sweet smile. "That's where you're wrong. Once Lyzander finds someone he likes, his loyalty for them borders on insanity. You just need to convince him that Kara's in trouble and he'll come running. We can finish him off easily."

"Besides, Lyzander will only get in the way." Ziron piped up, clearly concerned about his opponent.

"Yes, I know. Your brother – "

"Half-brother," Ziron corrected her, anger flashing in his eyes.

"It doesn't matter, he's still your blood. Your brother would be a bit of a trouble maker in this, wouldn't he?" The woman cupped her cheek in her hand. "That boy has always had a mind that was too much his own."

She turned and smiled at the brothers. "But you know him better than anyone, so it should be easy for you to remove him from the equation."

"And then what?" Ziron's voice resounded in the small room. He stepped forward as well, joining his brother and adding his own piercing glare. "Say we do manage to take care of brother and the other two. Then the next cycle of suitors comes in and we have to take them out too?"

The succubus waved a hand, dismissing Ziron's fears. "I've taken care of that. My sisters can keep the other sons busy until we get the girl. If the other princes say they're not interested, and the suitors of this group are killed off, that will leave you two as the only choice she has."

"That doesn't mean she'll choose us." Malnos added, showing that he was by far the most critical thinker. "If the other sons disappear, that will leave us as her only options. But I've already told you the girl's smart. If we're the last ones left, she'll know something's wrong and abandon the whole thing."

"So seduce her." She smiled at the flames. "I've heard the girl has quite a sex drive for a novice. Play to her weakness and she's yours."

"But she's already slept with them! She's useless now." Ziron's slumped back against the wall, chagrined.

The woman spun around and faced the brothers, fury in her gaze. "Idiot! We're talking about an entire takeover of the Hell rulers and you're concerned about the girl's virginity?! She's still virile even if her cherry has been popped!" Fuming, she turned to scowl at the flames.

"You promise no harm will come to the girl?" Malnos turned his attention back to the succubus, holding his arm out to prevent any attacks from his brother.

She smiled slyly, still staring at the dancing flames. "Ah, concerned about her, are we? Do we – dare I say it – like her?"

The older of the brothers lifted his chin in defiance. "Yes. She's a prized commodity here. If any harm came to her, we'd all be killed." 

Her smile never faded. "I think it's a bit more than politics and precious cargo, Malnos."

"If you want to play games, do it on your own time. Yes, I care for the girl in more than just the political sense." He remained stone-faced, not giving the woman any ammunition to shoot him down with. "But the fact remains that no harm can come to her without our lives being on the line."

Disappointment etched her face. "Yes, I know. Don't worry, Malnos. Hurting the girl was never in my plans." She walked over to the brothers, reaching up and cupping Malnos' face in her hands. "Once we gain control, you can have all the fun you want, my son."

Both brothers' faces lit up at the thought of ravaging her. Kara, on the other had, fought the urge to vomit. 

"All three of you are my sons, but I only trust two of you to get this done. Now go." She waved her hand, motioning for the boys to leave. 

Ziron, still upset that she'd lost her virginity to someone else, made his way to an alternate door hiding in the shadows of the room. Malnos stayed, staring at the succubus.

"Mother."

The woman looked over her shoulder at Malnos, exasperation in her eyes.

"You're sure there's no chance of Elizabeth coming back?" His eyes were narrowed, dark and foreboding.

Her beautiful face fell, concern and worry crossing her features. "I'm sure. The girl's mother died six years ago."

"You're certain?"

"Yes. The car accident only left her dazed, but I don't know many humans that can survive having their head twisted around. Don't worry, my son. I made damn sure that whore wasn't coming back."

Kara's gut finally finished twisting itself into a knot. Her head spun, her vision blurred. Her heartbeat echoed in her ears. She couldn't breathe, couldn't think. Too stunned to think clearly, she let go of the door and sprinted away, clapping her hands against her ears. She heard the heavy wood slam closed, the sound of angry, startled voices echoing around the room. She didn't care. All she wanted was to get away. To run until her legs gave out and her heart stopped aching.

No. No! No, no, no, no, no! This couldn't be happening! It had to be a trick, a lie a dream! Anything, anything but this! She had to wake up, had to scream herself out of this nightmare. Someone behind a stage was going to pull the curtain up and the audience would laugh at the actors who had spoken those words.

She kept running, unsure if the brothers had chased after her. She didn't care. They could catch her if they wanted to. She wasn't sure if she could put up a fight after hearing that, wasn't sure she wanted to. But she kept running, fear and anger spurring her on.

An uneven tile caught her foot, sending her sprawling across the tile floor of the hallway. Feeling the cold stone under her fingers, the only real thing she was sure existed now, Kara finally gave into the inevitable. She collapsed in on herself, giving into the fear and rage and anguish that boiled inside. She wept. She screamed. She let out every emotion that threatened to consume her, all the while feeling her heart break into pieces and her soul splinter.

In her despair-filled mind the pieces began to fit together. She began to understand why, when she was thirteen, her mother had gone from a sweet and loving woman who cherished her daughter to a cold, angry woman who neglected her. Her mother's impatience with her if she made mistakes, the way she demanded absolute perfection when practicing how to behave like a princess, the looks if disgust her mother gave her when she gave into her emotions...It all made sense now. The woman raising her was never he mother. It had been a succubus who had killed her mother and began masquerading as her to gain power. 




Date with Destiny-Demon Style Ch. 06



Another wave of despair washed through her. Her cries of anguish drowned out the screams of pain of the tortured souls. Her heartbreak could move mountains at this point, so powerful that any normal person would have been ripped to shreds.

But there was hardly anything normal about Kara Haven. Her father was a demon prince who ruled the circle of Anger in Hell, which made her a half-demon. She was taller than eighty percent of the human population. She could out-run any racehorse. Her voice could shatter glass if she screamed loud enough. So why should she break like any normal person?

Through all of her sobbing and screaming, Kara knew there was nothing to be concerned about. Her soul wouldn't shatter irreparably and her heart would mend itself. Somehow, Kara resistive and willful nature always won out in the end. But not now. For the moment, the anguish inside her demanded to be cried out. She stayed crumpled on the floor, curling into a small ball and weeping, her tears pooling around her on the tile.

Shouting voices caught her attention, dragging her from her pity party. Deep and strong, they warned her of coming intruders. She pegged them as Malnos and Ziron's voices, coming closer with each passing second. They sounded both concerned and furious, as if they'd just caught an intruder spying on them.

Fear snapped her mind awake, her survival instincts kicking into high gear. Moving quickly, Kara hauled herself to a kneeling position, whipping her head around in search of an escape. A small alcove in a wall, conveniently hidden behind a carved statue of a demon and a human in the heat of ecstasy, offered the perfect hiding spot. She crawled to the hole and squeezed into it, grimacing at the tight fit. Pulling her knees to her chest, she held her breath as the voices drew closer. Her heart stopped for a second when both men came to a rest only a few feet away, looking around for any sign of life in the cavernous hallway.

Malnos bent down to one knee and ran his fingers along the floor, bringing them to his mouth and running his tongue along his fingertips. His brother stood beside him, patiently waiting for a response. 

"Human tears with hints of demon blood. She's been here." He stood, his face an expressionless stone.

"Which means she was the one at the door. She's heard everything we said." Ziron's voice was low, filled with anger and worry.

"We have to find her. If she tells anyone about what she heard, we're fucked." Only Malnos' voice betrayed his emotions. His face remained blank, but his voice was as angry as his brother's.

"Do we have to kill her, too?" Ziron shifted nervously. "If she tells...

Malnos' eyes narrowed at his brother. "Absolutely not. We're guaranteed an execution if we do that. We just have to find her and keep her quiet." He sighed and hung his head. "Damn it. I liked this one."

"Even though we never actually got to meet her?" His brother's hazel eyes scanned him curiously.

"Yes. Unlike some of us, at least she has a backbone." Malnos shot his brother a withering look that had the younger son shrinking away. "Let's go. The longer we stand here, the farther away she gets." He took of running, leaving his stunned brother behind.

"Of course. Save the girl who's about to get us killed. Great idea." Ziron sighed to himself. "You'd think he'd learn to stop falling for the smart ones." He jogged after his brother, leaving her in silence. 

After the brothers had gone Kara stayed in the small hovel, just in case one of them decided to come back. Silence. Cautiously, she crawled out of the hole and looked around, watching for signs of movement. Nothing stirred in the early hours of the morning. Satisfied that she was alone, Kara began to walk, then run, down the hallway. 

I have to find Lyzander. He'll know what - 

She stopped. Lyzander? He was the half-brother of Malnos and Ziron, the brothers who were now hunting her down. Was he playing her, too? What if she told him what was going on? Would he help her? Or go along with his brothers and keep her quiet? Despair twisted her gut again. Until she figured out which side everyone was on, she could no longer trust him.

No, not Lyzander. She'd have to find someone else. She turned around and ran back towards the selection hall, veering off into one of the small hallways that speared off the main hall. Maybe Darian would help. He'd shown a natural animosity towards Lyzander from the start. Hopefully he could do something. If not, she'd go to her father or Lucifer, and warn them of what was happening.

As she continued to race down the twisting hallways, looking for any sign of life in the deserted underworld, one thought kept circling her mind:

I have to find someone. I have to tell someone. I have to do something.



Date with Destiny-Demon Style Ch. 07



Yes, I know this one took a while. But Literotica published the last one faster than I expected. The final chapters will be posted as soon as I can write them.

 *   *   * 

"Father? Father! Lucifer!" 

She ran down the long main hallway, crying out for someone, anyone to help her. Hell was deserted, leaving her calling out for assistance in vain. She continued down the hall, only slowing down to open the doors that lined the tiles walls. Every time she opened one, she would find an empty, dark hole. Not a single demon crossed her path in the hall or inside a doorway.

Where the hell was everyone?

She continued to run, keeping her eyes open for any sign of life. Only the screams of tortured souls broke the silence of the empty hall. She slowed her gait to a walk, clapping her hands over her ears in a desperate attempt to drown out the silent voices in her head. The memories she had, the words they had spoken, the dark understanding that settled into her heart...it was too much as once. 

She stopped, breathing heavily. Her heart raced, both from her frantic running and the painful truths that had come to light. Her mother wasn't really her mother. It was some whorish succubus who had killed her mother and taken her place, using Kara to her own advantage. The brothers she had never trusted were scheming with their mother – her 'mother' - to kill the other suitors and marry her. Worst of all, Lyzander was their half-brother. She didn't know if that made him an enemy or an ally. All she knew was she couldn't trust him anymore, not until she figured out who was who in this fucked up games of chess.

She gritted her teeth, pain searing her heart. God damn it! Why couldn't this be like the Disney stories where everyone loves each other and happy little animals are your best friends? No, this had to be the harder-than-fuck way of doing things. Why? Because she was in Hell, so it might as well be hard as hell. 

She'd just found out that her mother was actually a succubus, two brother were conspiring to kill the other princes – one of whom is secretly related to them – and she couldn't find anyone to fucking help her. Yep, hard as hell.

"Princess?" A deep voice silenced the turmoil in her mind, stopping her mid-step.

Slowly, shakily, she turned to see who had addressed her. Lyzander stood about ten feet behind her, dressed in plain tattered jeans and staring at her with his pale eyes. Something in those eyes made her back up a step. They were a mixture of hunger and rage, as if he were furious to see her and wanted to devour her at the same time.

Shit.

Lyzander cocked his head to the side, a slow smiling forming on his lips. "Something wrong, my lady?"

She backed up another step. "S-stay away from me."

His smile broke into a grin. "Oh, my. Did Darian abandon you after your little liaison? You poor thing, you must feel so cold and alone. Here, let me help you."

He raced forwards, catching her by surprise. He gripped her shoulders and pushed her back against the wall, bracing his hands against the stone and pinning her to the smooth rock. She stared into his pale eyes, heart racing. His grin never waivered. He leaned close, his breath tickling her skin.

"You poor thing. How could he leave you like this?" Without warning her or asking permission, Lyzander kissed her, his mouth devouring her own. 

She squealed in surprise and tried to push him away. But no matter how hard she shoved against his chest, his body wouldn't budge. His tongue speared into her mouth, rough and aggressive, devouring everything it touched. 

He broke away, his lips locking on to her throat. "My poor, sweet princess. You must feel so empty."

She dragged in a shocked breath of air. "What are – "

He nipped at her skin, making her breath hitch. His hands slid from the wall, his cold fingers slipping under her shirt and pressing against her stomach.

"Just the thought of his hands on you make me want to smash his face in." he growled against her neck.

She groaned, fear and arousal mixing deep inside her belly. Were the brothers still chasing her? She couldn't tell. Any outside sounds had been drowned out by her racing heartbeat. It thundered in her ears, growing louder as Lyzander continued his torturous play of her body. His hand slipped lower, squeezing under the waistband of her jeans and tracing the edge of her panties.

Her breath caught. Her mind spun at his touch, the fear of being caught by the murderous brothers fading away. Lyzander's hand slipped under the band of her panties, his cold fingers working their way down to her sweet spot.

"S-stop." Her breath was airy, shaky from his unnerving touch. 

He laughed against her skin. "Not yet. I haven't had my taste of you."

His fingers finally brushed the edge of her slit, making her jerk in response. They continued lower, slipping past the folds of her sex, touching the edge of her clit. Her body quivered, a low moan escaping her throat. Encouraged, his middle finger slid lower and pressed firmly against her sensitive nub, rubbing slow, delicious circles around it. Her head rolled back against the wall.

Damn it! She didn't have time for this! Those nutball brothers were chasing her and their insane mother was trying to kill the remaining suitors! She should be running down the hall, screaming for her life.

But his fingers were magic. They made her head spin. Her eyes fluttered closed, and she slumped against the wall as he continued his skillful play of her body. She chewed her lip, biting back a moan of ecstasy. She dragged in short little gasps of air, squealing in pleasure when Lyzander gently bit the side of her neck.

"Ah, so my little princess enjoys a bit of roughness, does she?" He bit harder, drawing out a small moan from her throat. He chuckled against her skin. "Good. I could have fun with this."

Her head rolled to one side, a small smile on her face. Her body hummed with delight even as her head secretly screamed at her to leave. Being sexually intertwined with another price before verbally announcing that he was to be next was equivalent with having an extramarital affair. Wouldn't that look good on her record? Her eyes flickered open, expecting to see an empty hallway where they could be completely alone.

Not a chance in Hell.

Her eyes widened in fear, her small gasps of pleasure turning to a cry of horror. The brothers were standing at the end of the hallway, staring at Kara and her new lover. Ziron's face was bright with glee; they'd found their prey, now they was going to capture it. Malnos' face, however, was a mask of pure jealousy. Obviously, he wasn't very happy about Kara being in the arms of another man.

Screaming loud enough to shatter glass, she shoved Lyzander away and started to run down the hall. Lyzander's hand locked around her wrist, halting her escape. She looked over her shoulder with frantic eyes, taking in his confused expression.

"What? What is it?" Following her frantic gaze, he turned his head to stare at his half-brother down the hall. His eyes narrowed in anger. "What the fuck are you two doing here?"

Malnos and Ziron exchanged glances. Their eyes returned to their opponents, Malnos' still jealous and Ziron's full of excitement.

"I'm the better fighter, so I'll take him. You get the girl." Ziron took a fighting stance, readying himself for a fight.

Malnos nodded, taking slow, measured steps forward. His eyes narrowed, and Kara imagined the crosshairs of a sniper's rifle locking onto its target.

Lyzander released her arm, putting a hand on her shoulder and shoving her forward. "Kara, go!"

She took off, not risking the chance to look back. She could hear the grunts and groans from two men fighting, the sounds of cracking tile and shattering glass as they continued to brawl. But she couldn't hear footsteps of her pursuer behind her. Flicking her eyes to her right, she screamed and ran faster.

Fuck! He can crawl on the walls. Well isn't that just fabulous?

Malnos easily kept pace with her, his nails digging into the tile as he crept along the walls. She refocused her gaze, looking ahead for any sign of help. Nothing. The hall was deserted as before.

 Double fuck.

She looked over again, surprised to see the wall was empty as well. Had he given up? No, not a chance. No prince worth his title would give up on his prize so easily. He had to be somewhere, but fear kept her from seeking him out. Instead, she kept running, still hoping that someone would find her and stop this madness. 

Malnos dropped down in front of her, landing on the floor gracefully. She slammed into his body, unable to stop in time to avoid him. He reached out and gripped her wrists with his hands, catching her and preventing her from falling. Or escaping. He side-stepped and twisted around, pinning her against the wall with his weight. He slipped her arms behind her back and pressed harder against her, preventing him from clawing his eyes out. She struggled against him, but her slight frame was no match for his strength. 

His emerald eyes, once filled with envy, softened. He reached out with one hand and stroked her face, running his knuckles along her cheek.

"I apologize, princess. I did not want such measures to be taken." His voice was low, almost kind.

She glared at him. "Then why do it if you don't want to?"

His gaze hardened. "With me, at least no unnecessary harm will come to you. My brother is more impulsive than I."

"Your mother killed mine!" Tears stung her eyes, painful memories washing through her mind.

His face fell and his eyes flicking away, shamed. "I apologize for that. Mother is more impulsive than both of us." His eyes met hers again, stern and determined. "But this is something that must be done, Princess. A new order must be set, and it must be done now."

She cocked her head, narrowing her eyes in confusion. "A new order?"

He smiled. "Lucifer's reign is confining and ruthless. With us at the reins, Hell could much more exciting. Most of the work is already done. We just need to claim the throne and we can start creating a new world of sin and pain."

Oh, double damn fuck shit.

They were going to overthrow Lucifer and take his place as rules. Who knew what that could do the balance already in place? God's historical wrath was bad enough. She didn't want to imagine what Lucifer's would be like.

"But to do that, we need you, princess. Someone who can bear children and keep our new line going." His green eyes sparkled, excited to think that she might be his.

"Fuck you." She kicked her leg out, hoping to nail him in the most vulnerable place. It always worked in the movies, why not now?

Unfortunately, Malnos wasn't stupid. He dodged to the side, avoiding her kick. He moved fast, slipping back into place and pinning her leg to the wall. He smiled at her, leaning in to stare into her eyes.

"Clever, but not fast enough." He leaned in closer, his lips brushing hers. "Forgive me, princess, but this must be done." His lips crushed down on hers, dragging out a long, languid kiss that silenced any protest.

She squealed and writhed against him, seeking any escape she could find. He pressed his body fully against her own, locking her in place. Her eyes narrowed, cold blue turning to bright red once more. They glowed an even brighter red when Malnos reached down and gripped her thigh, bringing it up and around so her knee hooked over his hip. She fought him furiously, but the strength of a horny demon prince was far greater than that of a pissed-off demon princess. 

Still struggling against his kiss, her glare faded when she looked over his shoulder. Ladrian was sneaking up behind Malnos, moving as silently as a jungle cat stalking its prey. He gripped a long bar of iron, roughly as thick as a man's forearm and twice as long. As he crept closer, she could see the lines of his face hardening in concentration, focusing on his target. His black eyes flicked up for an instant, locking onto her own, then returned to Malnos. He continued to creep forward, gripping the bar in both hands and taking a batter's stance.

Recognizing his plan, Kara played along. Fighting the instinct to claw his face off, she wriggled her arms free and reached up, cupping the back of Malnos' head and holding him in place. Oblivious to the approaching threat, Malnos moaned against her mouth and kissed her harder. 

She gasped felt her heart stop for an instant when he did. Besides the fact that he was practically assaulting her, Kara found that she liked his taste. Salty with a hint of sweetness, his flavor sunk into her bones and overwhelmed her senses. 

How perfect. She enjoyed the taste of the man who was hunting her. Absolutely perfect. 

Luckily, her anger and fear were able to push his intoxicating taste down, and she refocused on holding him in place. She weaved her fingers through his blue-black hair, locking him against her. She watched as Ladrian crept closer, now barely five feet away. Once again their eyes met, an unspoken understanding passing between them. He pulled the bar back and took aim, hesitating for the moment. She understood. Her hands were in the way, which meant he couldn't get a clean shot.

Still following his lead, Kara pressed her body seductively against Malnos', grinding against him so she would seem under his spell. She felt his smile against her lips. He pulled away, breaking their faux passionate kiss and smiled at her.

He laughed to himself. "My, you seemed so eager just then."

She smiled back, hiding her disdain. "So?"

"All that fighting just to kiss me back?" He cocked his head, curious.

She shrugged. "My emotions get me a little riled up sometimes." She slipped her hands down to his neck, lacing her fingers together. "Unfortunately, they go haywire around men, too." She still watched Ladrian as he waited patiently for the perfect moment to hammer Malnos' head into the ground.

Malnos leaned forward and nibble her neck. "I see." He hiked her leg up higher and pressed harder against her. "I could use that to my advantage if you ever got out of hand."

She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from gasping. "Out of hand? You think I'm that dangerous?"

"A beautiful demon princess who happens to be strong as well as intelligent? You're beyond dangerous; you're deadly." He buried her face in her neck, gently biting her skin. 

She closed her eyes and bit her lip, forcing the pleasure down again. Damn, he'd been watching Lyzander earlier and now he knew how to get her engine revving. She opened her eyes and gave Ladrian an apologetic look. He shook his head, flicking his eyes to Malnos.

Right. Keep you focus on the problem at hand.

She gave a slight nod, one the Ladrian could see but Malnos wouldn't feel. Returning her focus to the price that was practically mounting her, she smiled and trailed her fingers down his back, giving Ladrian more room to strike.

"You're right. I can be quite lethal." She chewed her lip, regaining control of her emotions.

He pulled back and brined at her, his emerald eyes shining. "Is that only in bed? I've heard you're quite a little vixen for a novice."

She blushed, but forced a soft smile. "Perhaps. But you'll never find out."

His smile fell. His eyes narrowed in confusion, cocking his head to stare at her. At the precise moment, Ladrian found his chance. He cocked his arm back as far as he could, then swung the metal bar straight at Malnos' head. She heard a small crack, and watched as Malnos' eyes widened with shock and pain. They rolled back in his head as he crumpled to the floor.

Breathing heavily, she carefully stepped over his body. She looked at Ladrian, watching him stare at Malnos' unconscious body. He dropped the bar, letting it clank on the tiled floor. His breathing was as heavy as hers, but not nearly as emotionally charged. His black eyes shifted to stare at her, silently asking if she was all right. 

Overcome with emotion, she charged at him and threw her arms around his neck, burying her facing in his chest and clinging tightly to him with all she had. Startled for an instant, Ladrian wrapped his arms around her back and held her close. He stroked her back, whispering encouragements and appraisals.

She took long, ragged breaths, working hard to calm her racing heart. Her eyes flicked to the ground, watching to make sure Malnos didn't move. Satisfied that her attacker was down and out, she pulled away and smiled nervously at Ladrian.

"Thanks for that." Her breathing was still shaky.

He smiled back. "Not a problem." He paused, looking around. "Where's Lyzander?"

Just as she opened her mouth, a deafening crack echoed through the hall. Both of the whipped their heads around to see Ziron's lifeless body sliding down the tiled wall, a massive dent in the marble marking his impact. He slumped to the ground, his chest heaving slowly form unconsciousness.

"Found him." Ladiran mumbled to himself.

As if on cue, Lyzander stepped forward and examined his defeated opponent, running his hand through his tousled hair. His breathing was heavy as well, clearly exhausted from fighting so hard. He turned to look at Kara and Ladrian, his face contorting into a grimace of anger.

"What the fuck is going on?" His eyes narrowed as her swept his arm to indicate Ziron. "What the hell is this about?"

Kara stepped away and crossed her arms over her chest. Her nerves were sill strung tight, expecting another attack.

Ladrian shrugged. "Hell if I know. I just heard someone screaming and came to see what was going on. I managed to knock out the older one." He glanced at the still-unconscious Malnos.

"Well...that's one good thing that's happened tonight." Lyzander looked back at Ladrian. "You okay?"

He nodded. "Fine. Kara?"

She nodded as well. A spark of worry was igniting in her gut. She turned to the princes who were still standing. "Have either of you see Darian?"

"Somebody call my...Damn, Lyzander. What did you do?" Darian's voice echoed through the hallway.

She spun to see him staring wide-eyed at the wreckage in the hallway, taking in the aftermath of the battle.

Lyzander straightened, clearly not happy about seeing his rival enter the room. "I was defending myself and Kara from the two shithead brothers."

Before Darian could speak, Ladiran burst into the conversation.

"I'm sorry. I believe I was protecting Kara." His voice had taken on a menacing tone, something she'd never seen from the usually soft-spoken torture enthusiast.

Lyzander's eyes flicked to Ladrian. Taking a deep breath, he nodded, giving credit where it was due. His gaze returned to Darian, his pale eyes narrowing in anger.

"We were protecting ourselves and the princess. Where were you?"

Darian matched his expression perfectly. "I was a bit caught up in releasing myself from Ladrian's dungeon of horrors. That terrible twosome managed to catch me after Kara and I spent the night together. They knocked me out and I woke up chained to the wall."

Informed of his rival's plight, Lyzander backed off an inch, though his eyes remained narrowed in suspicion.

Darian turned his gaze to Kara. "You have any idea what's happening?"

Chewing her lip, she nodded. All three men stared at her, waiting for an answer. She took a deep breath and swallowed the guilt and fear boiling in her gut.

"I can't tell you here. Someone might hear us." She turned to Ladrian. "Is your dungeon soundproof?"

"The thought of just being down there would keep anyone one away." Darian's voice was hard, pissed at the mentioning of the cellar.

Shocked by his rudeness, she glanced over to see his rubbing his shoulder. A deep gash had been made in his flesh, extending from his shoulder blade to his spine. It was deep, but healing quickly. She understood his flare of anger and stopped herself from chiding him.




Date with Destiny-Demon Style Ch. 07



Ladrian nodded. "It is. No one could hear us if we were down there."

"Good. We should get there as fast as we can. Someone else might be coming." 

Although a little irritated at the thought of being in Ladrian's 'Dungeon of Doom', all three men nodded and began to make their way to the chamber. She followed them, then hesitated for an instant.

"Wait!"

All three princes turned to look at her, their expressions both expectant and confused.

She peeked over her shoulder to stare at the unconscious brothers. "We should take them with us. If we leave them here, they could run for aid and come back for us with more firepower."

Darian was the first to move, making his way to Malnos and lifting his limp body up. He shouldered the lifeless price and walked back to Ladrian. Lyzander did the same with Ziron. All six of them silently made their way down into the bowels of the main palace, working their way through the maze of hallways to Ladrian's chamber. All the while, Kara crossed her arms over her chest, guilt rising from her gut. 

These men nearly died for her, and they didn't even know why they were fighting so hard. Telling them would be torture because, as she often assumed, the blame would be placed on her. She was their target, so it must be her fault.

She swallowed loudly. She had to tell everything, even if it was to three very attractive, very powerful demon princes. They deserved to know. She sighed to herself. This was going to be bad.

Looking around that the three men who walked around her to shield her – placing themselves so they would be the first targets - she had the distinct feeling it was about to get a lot worse.

 

* * *

"There. Both of those nutcases are chained up." Darian wiped his hands on his pants. "I'd like to see them work their way out of those shackles." He stepped back to admire his handiwork.

Ladrian stepped forward with a ring of keys and systematically locked each manacle, making sure all the chains were taught. Both brothers sat on the floor, weighed down with thick iron restraints. Still unconscious, their heads lolled to the side, their chests heaving softly. Sconces left flickering shadows on the walls, slightly warming the chilly room.

Lyzander remained kneeling on the cold stone floor, flicking rocks back and forth with his nails. "It's about time."

Darian shot a withering look at Lyzander before walking to the far wall and taking a seat on the floor. "So...the boys were trying to kill us, huh?"

She nodded. "Malnos was talking to me before Ladrian smashed his head. He said all three of them were going to over throw Lucifer and create and 'new order' in Hell."

"Well that's just fabulous!" Lyzander shot up and started pacing. "Throw out the old leader and replace it with a new one that doesn't have a speck of common sense or any idea how to rule this place."

Sound like the monarchies of ancient Europe.

"That's typical of narcissists and murderers. You think Bundy has any idea of how to rule that Anger level? That man's completely lost his mind, but he handles the rest of the nutcases who go on killing sprees." Darian's voice was sharp, condescending in the most agonizing way.

Lyzander scowled, unhappy that his rival had made a valid argument. "Putting him in charge of other souls doesn't mean he's any less dangerous. It just means he's barely under control. With Lucifer out of the way, he'd go on a rampage."

Ladrian nodded, turning his attention to Kara. "Anything you can tell us about the mother?"

She chewed her lip, pulling back slivers of memory. "Pale blonde hair, black eyes, long legs."

Lyzander groaned. "There's dozens of those. There has to be something definitive about her."

She started to shake her head, then stopped. One last spark of memory came racing back. "She had a long scar on her lower back. It went from one side to the other."

A choking sound stopped her thoughts. Darian had gone rigid, staring wide-eyed into space. The other had noticed, too. Ladrian approached cautiously, placing his hand gently on Darian's shoulder.

"You okay?" Ladrian stepped closer, trying to see the cause of his friend's sudden stillness.

Darian dropped his head, a tight grimace forming on his lips. "Emiline."

Lyzander and Ladrian exchanged shocked looks, both of their eyes narrowing in anger.

"Well, of course. Who else could be behind this but that lunatic?" Lyzander pried a stone loose from the floor, picking it up and smashing it against the wall.

"I thought we executed her." Ladrian was equally unhappy, his normally calm demeanor slowly changing to enraged.

"We were supposed to. But she's a succubus. She seduced one of the judges into letting her go." Darian hissed through his teeth.

Her head spun. She held up her hands to slow the conversation down to an understandable pace. "Whoa, slow down. Who's Emiline?"

Lyzander sighed, his breath harsh. "She's Soridan's personal little whore and the mother of those two fuckheads."

"And?" Darian prodded. He crossed his arms over his chest, waiting for Lyzander to come clean.

Lyzander rolled his eyes, chucking another rock at the wall. "And she's my mother."

She cocked her head. "I know that. What'd she do that's got you three in such a pissy mood?"

"She's tried this before." Ladrian took a seat, leaning his head back against the stone wall. "They caught her the last time and exiled her. She wasn't supposed to come back, but apparently your mother's image and your birthright were just the ruse she needed to get back in."

"The woman's completely mad." Lyzander slumped down on the floor, still raging. His anger was so intense, she could almost feel the heat spilling off his skin.

"But she's your mother." Her mind spun faster, trying to imagine how a child could feel so much hate for his mother.

"That doesn't mean we get along." He scowled at the floor. "I may be her oldest son, but I'm far from her favorite."

A shock of pity blasted her. "Why?"

"Probably because he has a mind of his own." Darian chimed in. "He's lived with his father for as long as I can remember. The brothers mostly stayed with their mother. Ziron's not the sharpest tool in the shed, and he's very impulsive. He's probably the easiest one to manipulate."

Ladrian turned to her when he saw her confused expression. "Malnos was also raised by his mother, but he and Lyzander are a bit more independent. He's also the softer of the two brothers. That's why he was arguing with his mother about you being harmed. He's power-hungry, but he's not willing to make sacrifices when they're not necessary."

Darian nodded. "He'd like to keep you alive as much as we do. He just wants the crown as well. It's Ziron we have to be concerned about." 

"Why?" Worry started eating at her gut, making her feel sick.

Ladrian moved so the he was sitting next to her. He wrapped his arm around her neck and pulled her close. "Emiline isn't known for keeping her promises. She may have said that her intention wasn't to harm you, but she will if she feels you're in her way. If she suspects that you might turn against her, there's a good chance that she'd order Ziron to kill you off."

Her stomach did a back flip. Well, this was just wonderful. A demented succubus who posed as her mother and her two brats were going to overthrow Lucifer and take control of Hell. And they were going to take her with them. 

Fabulous.

"And he's too much of a mama's boy to say no." Darian's voice was razor sharp. "At least Malnos would try to sneak you out first. He's got a clear head on his shoulders. His brother's is filled with rocks."

That makes me feel a little better.

She returned her focus to the unconscious brothers. Still asleep, they were battered and bruised from the earlier fighting. Lyzander had done a number to Ziron's face. Malnos' has less damage, but he was probably going to be in just as much pain when he woke up.

She chewed her lip nervously. If taking over Hell was really what they were planning to do, then she didn't have much time to enjoy herself before she was forced into marrying one of them. Her gaze shifted to the three men who were risking life and limb to help her. She felt especially bad for Lyzander, who had to shoulder the guilt of knowing his own mother was out to kill him. After all this, he still wanted her, still chased her down and tried to prove himself. She wondered if maybe, before all this crap came crashing down, they might have a chance to spend some time alone.

She did promise he'd be second...

She turned her attention to Darian and Ladrian. "Would you two mind if we, um, had a little alone time?"

Darian whipped his head around, his eyes wide with shock. She motioned to Lyzander, still sulking in the corner of the room. 

She watched Darian's eyes flick to his rival, slowly turning a sickly yellow color. His body straightened, agitated that she would try to spend time with someone he didn't approve of. In that sense, Darian was beginning to act like her father when she first started dating.

Ladrian stepped forward, putting his hand on Darian's shoulder again. "Sure. We can try to find someone who could help us. Maybe we could even see if any of the other princes are still alive." He began to gently shoving Darian towards the massive staircase the lead down to the cellar.

She watched as the ascended the stairs, listening as their whispered voices faded away.

"It's her choice. She did promise Lyzander he'd be after you."

"That doesn't mean I have to like it."

"You have to respect her rules."

"I do. I still don't like it."

Finally, the sound of a closing door let her know that she and Lyzander were alone. She turned and crawled quietly over to him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned her head against his shoulder, closing her eyes and breathing in his dark scent. She felt his hand reach up and grasp hers.

"I apologize for everything that has happened." His voice was low, filled with sorrow and regret.

She tightened her grip. "It's okay."

"They put you in danger. They're my family. I should have seen this coming." He lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed it softly. "I'm so sorry."

She unwrapped one arm from his neck and stroked his dark hair. The wheels in her mind turned slowly, coming up with a steamy plan that would satisfy both her needs and her duties. "If you really feel so bad about all of this, maybe you could pay me back for all the damage you've done."

He peered over his shoulder at her, his white-blue eyes shining in the soft light. She smiled at him, moving to his side so she could cup his face in her hands. She traced his cheekbones with her thumbs.

"We probably don't have much time to do this, but I did promise you would be second."

His eyes lit up, then flicked to the brothers. "Are you sure?"

She smiled wider and leaned in to kiss him. With all the passion of a ravenous animal, he kissed her back. He shifted, kneeling in front of her and placing his hands on the floor. He crawled forward, forcing her to lower herself onto the stone. She went willingly, slipping her legs under his frame as she lay down. She reached up and wrapped her arms around hid neck again, pulling him close against her.

He submitted eagerly, leaning close so he could nip the tender skin at her throat. His hands skimmed the length of her torso, searching for the hem of her shirt. He pulled up gently, stripping her of one of the first pieces of clothing she'd worn in days. He tossed the shirt to a wall then returned his attention to her. His eyes scanned her breasts hungrily. A smile broke onto his face, widening as he leaned forward to lick the tender skin of her chest. 

"They're beautiful," he muttered between licks.

"They're small." She blushed, turning her head slightly to avoid his gaze.

Oh, Kara. Your insecurities are showing.

"I think they're fine just the way they are."

She smiled. "Then continue if you like them so much."

Her back arched at the slight pressure of his tongue. Involuntarily, she reached out and grasped the back of his head, pulling down sharply until his face was buried between her small breasts. He complied almost instantly, nipping and suckling the soft flesh as he reached around to undo her bra clasp. She closed her eyes and bit her lip, loving the feel if his tongue against her nipple as he finally ripped her bra away.

Was this really her? How had she become so insatiable in the last few hours? Her skin felt hot, as if on fire. Her stomach twisted in the most delicious way. God, this felt amazing. She could feel the stress and fear of their whole situation melting away with every flick of Lyzander's tongue.

As he continued to tease her breasts with his mouth, Lyzander's hands traveled farther down, past the waistband of her jeans to pull on the small zipper. His nimble fingers worked frantically at the small button, finally opening her pants enough that he could slip them off. As his fingers gently worked her jeans over her hips, his mouth left her breasts and trailed small kisses down her abdomen.

He pulled her jeans free of her legs, tossing them into the growing pile of her clothing. He gently gripped one ankle and lifted her leg, resting it on his shoulder so he could nuzzle her skin.

"You're legs are amazing." He kissed her slender calf.

She laughed softly. "Thanks. People used to make fun of them back in middle school because they were too long for my body."

"I think they're perfect." Gently resting her leg on the floor, he crawled forward and rested his head on her thigh. His fingers toyed with the band of her panties. "Are you sure you want this?"

She reached down and cupped his face in her hands, tilting his chin so he could see her.

"I don't handle stress well, Lysander. Too much pressure and I start spinning like a hurricane. I need this." Her breathing was heavy, labored by the fire beginning to rage inside her.

He smiled, hooking his finger under the band and pulling down. He tossed her final piece of clothing to the side, moving so he was lying between her legs. He kissed her inner thighs, slowly moving closer to her sex. 

Her body shivered in anticipation. She spread her legs and inch wider, enticing his eyes and beckoning him to give her relief. 

She felt him smile against her skin, then the tip of his tongue touched the very edge of her sex. It was enough to light her fuse. Her back arched violently, bringing her sex straight to his mouth. He nipped the tender flesh, making her moan and writhe against him. Oh, sweet release. This was exactly what she needed.

He gripped her ankles, gently pinning them to the ground. Foolishly, he believed she might try to fight and break away. She did struggle, but only to regain control of her limbs. Slowly, however, her concern for having free will over her body melted away with each lick and nip from Lyzander's mouth. She bit her lip and rolled her head to one side, closing her eyes and enjoying ever tiny sensation he gifted her with. Her body jumped and twitched, his skillful licks drawing out soft giggles from her throat.

A mixture of far too much and not nearly enough cracked her easy-going façade. Wanting – no, needing – more than he was giving her, she twisted one leg, breaking free of his grasp. Faster than he could move to reclaim her, she hooked her knee over his shoulder, bringing his mouth one more delicious inch closer.

Following her lead, Lyzander released her remaining ankle and threw it over his other shoulder. His hands slid under her ass, pulling her even closer to his ravaging mouth.

Shit. Maybe he's the cannibal.

He might as well be by the way he was devouring her. His tongue was absolute magic. It twisted and teased inside and out, enticing deep, guttural cries of pleasure from her throat. She writhed against him, begging for more, pleading for him to continue. He acquiesced, giving her stronger licks and harder nips. Her hips bucked against his face as she rode the exquisite wave of pleasure his mouth offered her.

One last lick finished her off. Her back arching, she screamed out decades worth of unsatisfied pleasure. A small crack appeared in her control, releasing a tiny amount of her demon blood. Her nails dug into the stone floor, clawing deep grooves into the rock. After what felt like hours, her body finally collapsed onto the ground. Her chest heaved, a small bubble of laugher slipped from her lips.

But her body was far from sated. Her core burned with a fresh hunger, wanting so much more than simple teasing. Opening her eyes, she smiled as small flecks of red – tiny bubbles of released demon blood – faded from her vision. Still dazed, she hauled herself up and leaned back on her arms.

She watched through heavy lids as Lyzander rose up and started pulling his shirt off. The small flash of bronzed skin and blue scrollwork cranked her burners up to full blast. She reached out, grabbing his shirt and pulling sharply it towards her. The motion knocked him off balance, forcing him to throw his arms out in front of him to catch his fall. He stared down at her with confused eyes. She returned his stare with a gaze so intense with lust, it could have set the room on fire. She reached down and started undoing his pants.

"Don't worry about it. I'm on fire. Just give it to me now. We can work out the delicate points another time." Her voice was low, almost a growl. There was no time for finesse. What her body wanted, her body got, with or without clothing.

His smile was a mix of sinister and excitement. He reached down with one hand just as she finished unbuttoning his pants. He shoved the thick denim over his hips, freeing himself. He moved forward, resting his hips between her thighs. His cock pressed against her thigh, hard and more than ready.

He leaned close, his breath tickling her ear. "You're sure about this? We could save it for later."

She shook her head, reaching up to grip his shoulders. "You're an incubus. Show me what you've got."

Even without actually seeing him, Kara sensed his smile. He adjusted himself, poised and ready. Before she could brace herself, he thrust forward, burying himself deep inside. She tossed her head back, moaning his name. 

"My God, woman. You are tight." His voice was harsh, but pleased. "Even after Darian's had his fun with you."

He started slow, getting her used to his length and girth. It was a good thing he did. The man was huge, his width stretching her almost painfully. He made sure to stroke every inch of her sex, each sweeping pass drawing out another moan from her throat. He turned out to be a fabulous multi-tasker, kissing and nipping her neck in time with his thrusts. She closed her eyes and tightened her grip on his shoulders, loving the way he stoked the fire racing through her veins.

"I heard," his breath seared her neck, "that Darian had you in a corset for your first night here."

She could only nod, the embers running through her blood clouding her thought process.

He growled against her neck, his thrust becoming quicker. "I would love to see you in a corset."

She gave a harsh, broken laugh. "Really?"

He nipped the flesh of her throat. "There's something about what that thing does to a woman's body that just makes me wild."

"Making my waist impossibly small?" Clarity was rapidly fading from her mind.

"No. It's that way it pushes your breasts up. Gives a guy a great view."

Having made his point, he pushed against the floor and rose up to his knees. He gripped her thighs and pulled her towards him, wrapping her legs around his waist. The new pressure sent a fresh wave of sparks racing through her blood. His hands slid under her hips, lifting her higher.




Date with Destiny-Demon Style Ch. 07



The angle was perfect. The small embers balzed to life, igniting into a fierce bonfire that trailed up her spine. She gasped, her breathing becoming harsh and ragged. She reached out, her hands clamping onto his forearms. She held on for her life, her nails digging into his skin.

"Oooh, yes! Right there! That's it!" She dragged in a long breath to fuel her demands. "Yes, that's it. Faster!" 

Was that her voice? It sounded like her, but darker and heavier. Like someone who'd been ravaged by a hot demon prince for the last few hours. Was this really who she was? A volatile temptress that turned into a man-eater at the slightest touch? It sure felt like it. God, who knew one night after losing her virginity could make her such an animal?

Not that it mattered. She was having too much fun to really care. Lyzander proved himself to be quite the gentleman, obeying her every request. He slowed, quickened, pushed harder and eased off...all for her. She smiled, knowing that his focus was on her pleasure, her happiness, her enjoyment. Everything he did, it was to make sure she had a damn good time.

How sweet.

And she was having a damned good time. He worked her like an animal, drawing out long, agonized cries from her throat. She urged him on, not wanting him to stop. She's break if he did. Thankfully, he kept his pace, never stopping even for a second. She figured he enjoyed watching her writhe under him too much to quit.

One last thrust and she went off like a firecracker. Her nails broke through the skin of his arms as she let loose a howl of pure satisfaction. Her heart pounded so loud it muffled all sound, making Lyzander's scream of release seem like a distant whisper.

She collapsed to the floor, her heart feeling as if about to burst. Her lungs burned, starved for air. A second later, she felt Lyzander's heavy body gently lay against her own. She heard his breathing, as labored as hers was. His breath rushed against her neck and spilled down her back. She closed her eyes and nuzzled the curve of his neck.

He laughed against her ear. "How interesting."

"Hmmm?" She ran her now normal nails up and down his back.

"Our little princess, who was so shy and insecure, turns out to be a little sex kitten. How very interesting."

"Indeed." A deep voice rumbled in the darkness. "Very interesting."

I know that voice...

Not wanting to, but feeling to urge to do so, Kara slowly turned her head to peer into the darkness of the shadows. A pair of golden eyes, smiling at her the blackness, told her all she needed to know.

Screaming loud enough to wake the dead, she shoved Lyzander away for the second time and rolled to one side, curling into a small ball and blushing furiously.

Damn it! God damn motherfucking...

"What? What is...oh, sir." Lyzander quickly gathered himself, moving so he could reach her clothes.

Kara remained in her fetal position, feeling embarrassment far worse than anything she'd every known. Damn him. Lucifer had been watching this entire time, and he hadn't said a single word! Well, of course not. It was his passion to torture people, and exploiting her insecurities had been his game since she'd first come here.

"Here." Lyzander's voice broke the silence. He placed her clothing next to her then sat down behind her, shielding her from Lucifer's view.

Shakily, she pushed herself up to sit on the floor, grabbing her panties and pulling them on. Her bra was next, though her nervousness made her stumble a few times with the clasp. Even half-naked, she felt less insecure around the demon king. At least with something on, he couldn't see her completely.

"How long have you been down here?" Lyzander had turned his attention to Lucifer.

"The past few hours, I suppose." He sounded so calm, like it didn't surprise him. "A few of my own guards managed to knock me out and drag me down here."

She pulled on her shirt and stood up, wiping the cellar dust from her jeans. "They managed to capture you?" She shot him an incredulous look. The lust that had clouded her vision faded away, making his massive form clear as day to her eyes. Standing in the shadows, though weighed down with heavy chains, his eyes never lost his sparkle.

He shrugged. "I'm as surprised as you are, my dear."

"So this is why you didn't come when I called you. Chains like these will hold any demon." She fingered one of the heavy links hanging from the walls.

"Yes. Even I am susceptible to their strength." He looked up, as if trying to understand something. "Though how Emiline managed to pull this off is beyond me. You'd think someone would have alerted either of your fathers."

She dropped the chain, slowly turning to look at him. "You mean...you know about this plan of her all along?"

Lucifer shot her a winning smile. "You could say that. I was aware of what Emiline was planning, though I didn't think she would take it this far."

Motherfucker!

Her features hardened, solidified by the anger and frustration burning in her blood. God damn him! He'd know the entire time and hadn't done anything! And now, because of his inaction, they were facing the biggest shitstorm in centuries.

Gathering up all of her courage and anger, she turned at strode toward him. She stopped inches form him, staring into burning golden eyes. She raised her hand, took aim, and swung her arm with all the force she could muster.

The sound of her slap echoed off the dungeon walls.

She pulled her arm back and stared at Lucifer with cold eyes. The dark blue of her irises had shifted to blood red for the smack - her demon blood releasing to give her more power - then returned to their normal color. Lucifer's head was twisted to one side, golden eyes wide with shock. Slowly, his turned his head to face her, his eyes narrowing to nothing more than fiery slits. 

"YOU DARE ASSAULT ME?!" He thundered.

She lifted her chin, defiant to the end. "You deserved it."

Lyzander, not wanting to come between a volcano and an earthquake, stood silently behind them.

They played a staring contest for a moment, bright gold burning into dark blue, before Lucifer's face broke into a wide smile. His beautiful laugh resounded off the cold stone.

"You still surprise me, Miss Haven. You are the first to strike me and stand your ground." He nearly growled his approval. "I knew I liked you for a reason."

Eww. 

She crossed her arms over her chest, still glaring at him. That little deception of his was going to cost him major trust points. She watched him, watched his glowing eyes as they continued to smile at her. Nope. Never going to happen.

He shook his arms, making the chains rattle. "Mind releasing me?"

Payback time.

She paused for a moment and smiled, taking the chance to play with him as he played with her. "I don't know. I'm no sure if I can trust you to tell me anything important, let alone come after me for 'attacking' you."

His smile faded, his eyes turning innocent and sorrowful. "You doubt me?"

"As much as I doubt any person who says they're normal."

His mouth twisted to the side, and she could almost see the wheels turning in his head. His gaze locked on hers again, mischief burning in their iridescent gold.

"If I swore to you that I would do you no harm, would you release me?"

She cocked her head, continuing the game. "Swear on what?"

He thought a moment. "Anything you want." He deliberately left her options open, knowing that while he was chained, he was at a disadvantage. 

A slow smile spread across her lips. He noticed it as well, and his eyes went wide with shock before narrowing with anger. 

"No."

She shrugged and turned on her heel. "Poor thing. Your pride's gotten you locked down here with now way out and Ladrian has the keys." She caught Lyzander's shocked stare and winked.

"I CAN'T!" Lucifer bellowed behind her.

She smiled to herself. She knew he couldn't, but toying with him for this one moment was wonderful. Now that he'd had a taste of his own medicine, she supposed she could let him go.

"All right. If it's that hard for you, then swear on all nine circle of Hell itself." That would be easier for him, but that oath would bind him to his promise permanently.

She heard his sigh of relief. "I swear to you, Kara Haven, on all nine circles of Hell, that no harm shall come to you by my hand if you release me from these chains."

She spun on her toes, grinning her broadest smile at him. "See? Was that so hard?" She looked over at Lyzander. "Could you go find Ladrian and grab his keys?"

Still stunned from her act, he nodded and raced up the stairs, slamming the door behind him.

"You have an uncanny control over men like him."

She looked back at Lucifer, taking in his soft smile. "You think so?"

He nodded. "That man – any of them, really – will do anything for you at a moment's notice." 

She shrugged and sat, leaning back against the wall. "I've never really noticed. I didn't think have guys run small errands was anything huge."

He nodded again, slowly this time. "Perhaps something far more powerful and important overruled your worries about men."

She looked at him, confused. "Powerful?"

His smile was slow, yet vibrant. "And very special."

"What kind of special?" She glared at him.

Lucifer took a deep breath. "There are some half-demon children – about one in every few hundred thousand that are born – who are said to possess an incredibly immense power. This strength they carry is said to have the ability to open the very gates of Hell itself and draw out the fire from the deepest realms."

She shot him a confused look. "I thought Hellfire was any heat that came from Hell."

Lucifer shook his head. "A common misconception, my dear. True Hellfire comes from the deepest bowels of the Underworld. It is the most powerful force imaginable. Anything it touches - human or immortal, demonic or divine - will be burnt to ash." 

Her eyes widened in fear. That was a shitload of power, one that could be easily abused. Ad she could think of a lot of people who would abuse it.

"These children are called the infieri by the religious folk. Their gift is known as the Hellfire Hammer."

"And what does the Hammer have to do with me?" She leaned in, eager for an answer. The gears in her mind spun fast enough to break the sound barrier. She held her hand up and stared at Lucifer with a sarcastic expression. "Don't tell me. I have it."

Lucifer's beautiful face broke into a knowing smile. She rested her head against the wall, trying to clear her head from the stampede of thoughts.

"Well, if I do have it, at least we can use it against psycho-bitch and her asshole sons."

"Indeed it could, though I would advise you to exercise caution what you decide to use your gift. It won't kill you, but it will certainly drain you for a few days." His face turned serious. "That kind of power requires an immense amount of control and strength on your part."

She smiled into the darkness that partially bound him. "I think I can handle that. I have tremendous control of my emotions. I had to deal with my mother for the last twenty years, even before she was killed and taken over by that hag."

"Touché."

She leaned her head back against the rock wall and closed her eyes. Silence filled the room, save for the soft breathing of the brothers and the occasion rattle of Lucifer's chains. Her head spun with both new and old information. She was being hunted, but at least she had a weapon to protect herself. At least for now, she had two things they would want: her birthright and position and, if they knew about it, her Hammer.

It was a gift she was determined to use. She could never change what happened to her mother, or clear away the shit she was putting then entire population of Hell through, but she could sure as hell make Emiline pay for it.



Date with Destiny-Demon Style Ch. 08



Yes, I know this one took a really long time to post. I apologize. Please understand that life has an evil sense of humor. It's called Murphy's Law and it crashed into me hard this month. I'll try and type the next ones faster.

* * *

The door at the top of the dungeon's staircase clicked open, followed by rushed footsteps resounding off the stones. Sucking in a quick breath, Kara flattened herself against the shadowed wall and waited. Lucifer did the same, his chains clinking quietly when he moved. The waited silently, listening to the footsteps as they drew closer.

Her heart pounded, thundering in her ears. For all she knew, those footsteps could be Emiline coming to kill her since she and the three surviving princes had captured the whore's sons. Ladrian had said Emiline would kill her if anyone suspected her of going against the wretch's plans. Why not do it now and remove any future problems?

In the gloomy shadows of Ladrian's dungeon, Kara and Lucifer exchanged glances, both waiting for any sign of their mutual enemy. Slowly, she allowed tiny cracks in her control to appear, letting her demon blood flow out bit by bit. She released just enough to turn her irises red and elongate her nails, enough to give her a good burst of strength if they came under attack.

The footsteps drew closer, growing louder with every passing second. She took a deep breath, centering herself and preparing for an assault. If she had to kill to get out, she damn well would.

"Kara?" Lyzander's deep voice broke through the dark silence.

Simultaneously, she and Lucifer let out heavy sighs of relief. Lyzander, thank God. She stepped out from the safety of the shadows and smiled at the incubus prince. He smiled back, his pale blue eyes shining in the soft light of the sconces. He held up his hand, letting Ladrian's ring of keys jingle softly on his finger.

"You found them?" She smiled, happy that they could start cleaning up this mess.

He nodded. "They managed to find the twins. They're a little roughed up, but otherwise fine."

"Excellent." Well, at least someone else was safe.

She grinned at him. He grinned back, stepping forward to sweep her up in his arms long enough to claim a scorching kiss. She didn't mind the heat or intensity of his kiss; she relished his power and forcefulness. It was when his tongue began to slip past her lips that she pushed him gently away. They had more important things to focus on.

She patted him on the shoulder. "You unchain the big man there. I'll see if I can coax one of the terrible twosome out of sleepyland."

Lyzander's face showed his disappointment for an instant, then he nodded and made his way to Lucifer. While Lyzander rummaged through the ring of keys to unlock the first chain, she turned her attention to the still sleeping brothers. She walked quietly towards them, carefully not to startle them awake by upsetting any of Ladrian's toys. God, the man had chains and weapons everywhere. It was amazing that none of them had tripped and broken something yet.

She bent down on one knee, staring at the older of the two brothers. Malnos, though slightly bruised and battered, came out faring far better than his younger brother. Ziron had the shit kicked out of him by Lyzander; the bruises and cuts on his face and body alerted her to at least two broken bones and a whole lot of aspirin.

She returned her focus to Malnos. Now that he was asleep and completely harmless, she could finally take a good look at him. Truth be told, he was an incredibly striking young man. The angles of his face were sharp enough to cut glass. His blue-streaked black hair hung just past his ears, shielding his emerald eyes from the world. The red scrip flowing across his chest gave the impression of scarlet wave rolling over his flesh. If he wasn't chasing her and trying to conquer the underworld, she'd give him an honest shot. He at least looked the part of a gentleman. Maybe there was hope for him.

But he was trying to take over Hell and kill the others. So she had to force down her curiosity about him and remind her self that he was, for the moment, an enemy.

Reaching out one hand, she gently slapped his cheek. She was concerned for a moment that his cheekbone might slice her skin. She tapped harder, pulling back her hand when he stirred. His eyes fluttered open, still hazy with sleep. Those emerald orbs focused instantly when he saw her face, his features hardening.

"Congratulations, you caught us. What now? Execution?" His voice was sharp, almost menacing.

So much for hoping he would be a gentleman.

She shook her head. "No. Not yet, at least."

He lifted his chin an inch, defiant. His emerald eyes bored into hers, almost on fire with their intensity.

Shit. Now he's starting to act like me.

"I'm not going to have you killed yet." Se said the words louder, making sure he heard them.

He pulled back an inch, regarding her carefully. The man wasn't stupid. He knew when a threat or trick might be coming, and he knew how to guard himself for the situation. She gave him credit for that.

"I've been considering letting Ladrian having a little fun with you first." She gave a sharp smile, hoping to scare him.

Instead, he smiled back. "Really? And would you be joining us?"

Her smile dropped. His question took her by surprise. Joining them? What the hell did that mean?

She cocked her head. "Joining you how?"

He shrugged, still smiling. "Doesn't matter. You could stay and watch us be punished or you could take part. I'd love to see you chained naked to a wall."

Too late, asshole. Been there, done that.

She made a sound of disgusted exasperation and dropped her head. What did she expect? He was a horny demon prince. It's not like he'd act with any common sense when dealing with her. He was probably imagining her in bed with him as he sat there. How wonderful.

"So, what do I need to do to have you release me?"

She lifted her head to look at him. Malnos was giving her an incredible impression of an innocent puppy begging for table scarps. His eyes were wide and shining, begging her to let him go.

She crossed her arms over her chest. "Why should I? You've chased me, assaulted me and attacked the other princes. You hardly seem like someone I could trust out of chains."

Smiling, he shook his head. "Oh, ma cherie. You don't understand. I am very trustworthy. It is my brother you need to be concerned about. He can be very grincheux about being chained."

She had to scan her memory bank for a moment to translate. Grincheux...testy. She always considered French unnecessary. It sounded too high-class and unnecessary. That, and she couldn't pronounce a single sentence without getting tongue-tied.

"Oh, how sweet. You can serenade me in French while Ladrian tears out your spine." She made a small grimace meant to scare him off track.

It didn't work.

He laughed. "My dear, I can beg your forgiveness in six different languages. All you need to do is say which." He leaned in close. "Shall it be German? Or Spanish? Or perhaps Romanian is to your liking."

You shutting up is to my liking.

She shook her head. "None, thanks. I'm more interested in hearing you scream out in pain for attacking Darian."

At the mention of his name, Malnos' eyes narrowed and he groaned. "Ugh, you still have feelings for that wretched little playboy?"

Startled at his hostility, she narrowed her eyes to match his expression. "Yes, I do. Is there a problem with that?"

It was Malnos' turn to be startled. He'd obviously know she was strong-willed, but he probably wasn't expecting her to be as offensive as she was.

"I do have a problem with that. He took a chunk out of your shoulder, didn't he?"

"What does that have to do with--"

"So you're saying a cannibal prince that devoured you on your first night is more trustworthy than I am?" He cocked his head to the side, waiting for her answer.

She stood, placing her hands on her hips. "Well at least he's not going to kill me!"

"What makes you so sure?" His voice was honestly inquisitive, destroying any idea she had of accusing him of irrational hatred.

"Excuse me?" Her jaw was dangerously close to crashing to the floor.

"I'm not saying he'd do it intentionally, or that's he's some kind of evil manic. But he is a cannibal. And he does have a hot temper attached to a short fuse. How do you know that he won't fly off the handle or lose himself in a sexual frenzy and bite off more of you than he should?"

Mentally, she took a step back. Biased as he was, Malnos had a point. Darian had a notoriously small fuse, and she'd yet to see the full extent of his anger. Besides, he'd already shown interest in the taste of the flesh. She doubted that his appetite would fade much now that her virginity was gone.

But she knew the real Darian. A kind, sweet, sensitive man that would protect her and chase down any threat. A man that would stand his ground and used his brain over his brawn. He was intoxicating, and she knew that around her, he would never allow himself to lose control unless absolutely necessary.

She decided to call his bluff. "He may have a short fuse, but he's got an enormous amount of control. He wouldn't dare bite me unless I said he could."

It was a good call. His attempt at deception had failed him, and he hung his head an inch. Pride swelled in her heart. She may be a sensitive female, but she was far from foolish or stupid. She crossed her arms over her chest and smiled.

In an instant, he flipped his head up and looked at her, a small smile on his face as well. "So, are you going to let us go?"

Is he neurotic or something?

She glared at him. "No! What the fuck is wrong with you?!"

He cocked his head. "Nothing, princess. I'm just a bit eccentric." A slow smile spread across his lips, making her spine twitch in unease.

"What's that smile for?" Caution made her take a step back.

"Just imagining how that royal pussy of yours would taste. I've been thinking about picking the locks and taking you by sweet surprise." His smile turned lazy, almost effortless.

Shit.

She backed up step, fear now taking the place of uneasiness. Her eyes flicked up just in time to see his long nails pick the lock of one restraint -- the main restraint. The one chain that held all the others in place. With the lock undone, most of the remaining chains fell to the floor, taking his still-sleeping brother with them. Malnos stood, now only captive by the manacles on his wrists. His eyes locked with hers, his smile growing wider as his long nails began to work of on shackle.

"Strange. These lock never come undone, and Ladrian has the keys." His voice was low, almost an animalistic growl. A perfect compliment to his hungry smile.

"Lyzander!" Her voice was shaky, fear now clogging her throat. She took two more steps back, trying to put some distance between them before Malnos freed himself.

"Almost done!" His voice was calm, but she could sense the urgency in it. "Two more and Lucifer's free."

"I bet you taste like honey mixed with wine." One pin of the lock clicked into place. "I can't wait to find out."

Trying to back step again, she stumbled and fell to the ground. Still panicked, she crawled backwards to the far wall and pressed up against it.

She heard one shackle drop to the ground on her left. "Hang on!" Lyzander was frantic now. His voice shook as he rushed to unchain the demon king.

Finally, the shackle on Malnos' wrist was broken and clanked to the floor. His smile became a grin. One lock left and he could ravage her. He began on his other wrist, his eyes never breaking from hers. Only seconds remained for her to figure out an escape plan before he released himself.

One lock pin clicked into place.

Two.

Three.

The iron chain fell to the ground at the same instant he vaulted from the floor. Screaming, she closed her eyes and waited for the impact of his body against hers.

But instead of being crushed by a horny demon prince, she heard a strangled grunt and a tremendous crash. Opening her eyes, she saw Malnos laying face down on the stone floor, a deep dent where his body had landed. Darian was straddling his waist, holding his adversary's wrists behind his back. His eyes had shifted to a deep indigo and his canines were bared in a feral grimace.

Thank holy sweet mother of God!

Darian managed to tear his gaze away from Malnos to lock eyes with her. He gave a tired smile and nodded. She swallowed and managed to smile back. Still recovering from her near-rape experience, she noticed Lyzander in the corner of her eye. The man looked as if he were in a still shot from an action movie. Frozen mid-step halfway across the room, his eyes wild yet focused. Several heartbeats passed before he moved, his body relaxing. He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling a sigh of relief.

Magically, he managed to grimace slightly at Darian. She could see in his eyes he wasn't happy to see him, but he was glad to know someone had stopped her attacker. She smiled to herself and laughed internally. They may be princes, but they were anything but civil when it came to sharing her. Even if she was being attacked.

Turning her head, she noticed a now free Lucifer leaning against one of the walls, watching the scene play out. She sighed. Leave it to the demon king to sit and watch instead of helping.

Hearing more voices, her eyes flicked up to see Ladrian, along with the twins, racing down the stairs. He heart skipped a beat. Riordan and Tristan were safe! Maybe that meant the rest of her suitors were, too. She hoped so. The last thing she needed was the guilt of know those men were killed off because of her.

Ladrian ran to her side and knelt down next to her. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close and stroking her hair. His tenderness never ceased to amaze her. He loved to torture people, and yet he would be the first shoulder available to cry on. If Darian was the brave one and Lyzander was the fighter, then Ladrian was the chivalrous one.

Smiling, she pressed her face into his chest. She felt the heat radiating off his skin, and she relished in the warmth. Heat was her weakness and this man had tons of it. She also noticed the majority of his most recent scar had healed, leaving only light bruising around the edges. Good. If they did get the chance to sleep together, she had a good feeling he'd be up to the task now.

Turning her head, she watched as the twins made their way to Darian. Each brother grabbed one of Malnos' arms, keeping him still as Darian stepped off him. The twins then raised her attacker to his knees, holding him steady so he couldn't get away.

Malnos looked up at the room full of his adversaries and smiled. God, that man either had a very twisted sense of humor or an incredibly bloated ego. She couldn't decide which was right.

Standing to his full height, Darian grabbed Malnos' chin and lifted it sharply up, his crimson eyes boring into his opponent's.

"Poor thing. Trying to get the princess but thwarted by the 'dog' of the princes. How unfortunate." His voice was the same condescending tone Malnos had used on him in the hallway.

Malnos only smiled. He wasn't giving up anything.

Lyzander now joined the fray, the two princes working surprisingly well together when dealing with a mutual enemy. They didn't hate each other that much, just enough to cause a rivalry.

She watched for a while as all four princes interrogated Malnos, with none of them getting very far. To his credit, Malnos maintained his smile the entire time, mocking them with his sense of imperviousness. She grimaced. They were wasting time. Lucifer was now free, but they had to find the others, kill Emiline and basically save Hell from total chaos. But they didn't even know where Emiline was, let alone what she was planning. There had to be a way to find out...

Of course!

And idea - one so simple and obvious it amazed her - raced into her mind. Pulling gently away from Ladrian's comforting embrace, she stood, shook her head clear and pulled off her shirt. She tossed it to Ladrian, who caught it with all the skill of a major league umpire. He looked up at her with confused eyes. She smiled and winked.

Hesitating for a heartbeat, she noticed Lucifer -- still partially hidden by shadow -- leaning against the far wall. His arms were crossed, his golden eyes bright. He smiled at her - a slow, knowing smile that told her he knew exactly what she was planning. She smiled back innocently. He understood, unlike many people she'd met, that she was far too intelligent to be mistaken for some ordinary flighty teenager. She could plan, manipulate and lie with the best of them. He father had once told her she had a poker face Ted Bundy would be proud of. Only she had the sense of humor to take that as a compliment.

Adjusting her bra so that her breasts were on full display, she turned and made her way over to the group of princes still questioning Malnos. Riordan noticed her first, his eyes first excited, then quizzical. She smiled and motioned for him to be quiet. He smiled and nodded.

She walked up behind Darian and tapped his shoulder. He turned and stared at her, his eyes shifting from an angry red to a dark green. She flicked her hand, silently asking him to move. He hesitated, getting one last look at her breasts before moving away. She stepped forward, gently elbowing Lyzander aside. His reaction matched Darian's perfectly, but he also moved aside for her.

Squatting so she could be at his level, she took in the image of the broken prince. His head was down, his blue-black hair hanging in his eyes. Supported and restrained by the twins, he let his body slump low, making them hold his full weight. Even now he was working their system to make them strain over him. Asshole.

Reaching out a hand, she gently cupped his chin and lifted his face. He was still wearing his obnoxious smile, a move that made her contemplate smashing him in the gut. Thankfully, his smile faded when his eyes found her conveniently displayed breasts. She heard his breath catch and she smiled.

She may be insecure about how petite her chest was, but she'd be damned to say she didn't notice the reactions from guys on the street when she wore a low-cut top. Her breasts may be small, but they were glorious in the eyes of men. One look and they fell to their knees.

Male mind grenades. Works every time.

"Malnos, sweetheart. I need you to do me a favor." She flashed a seductive smile and made her voice sweeter then sugared honey.

Forcing himself to tear his gave from her chest, his emerald eyes locked with hers. He swallowed loudly, clearly aware that with her body on display, he was at a disadvantage. She softened her smile and caressed his cheek.

"I know this is going to be hard for you, since you're so loyal to your family, but I'm willing to make you an offer."

I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse. Marlon Brando, I love you.

He nodded, both looking defeated and eager to hear her deal.

She'd never win an Oscar, but her acting skills were far form scream-worthy. She'd learned long ago that if she widened her eyes and bit her lip, people would do damn near anything she asked. It wasn't a trick she used often, but when she did, men would try their hardest to make the world shift.

She did that now, making her eyes wide an innocent. She stroked her thumb along his cheekbone, giving him a soft yet sexy smile. The look in his eyes -- a mixture of longing and admiration -- told her that he was now hers.

"If you can take us to your mother, and you can convince her that we're willing to do anything she asks, I promise you can get a good, long look at me. Alone. Naked."




Date with Destiny-Demon Style Ch. 08



His jaw went slack from momentary shock. His eyes narrowed and his mouth tensed, his mind reeling from the decision he'd been given. She could sense the turmoil. He'd be betraying his mother, but he'd gain the chance to see her naked. Decisions, decisions.

He gave a deep sigh, obviously conceding his defeat. He paused a moment before locking eyes with her once again. "Say I can touch you and we have a deal."

There's always a catch.

Damn. She should have known better. No man who was offered the chance to see a woman naked would pass up the possibility of getting more. She sighed, not happy about the circumstances but knowing it was the only way to get him on their side. As fun and easy as they were, men would always try to find a way of getting more. Sneaky little bastards.

A thought tripped up her new sullen attitude. If giving him what he asked for meant his participation, then maybe giving him more would solidify it. What better way to win this argument than to one up his offer?

Taking a deep breath, she inched closer, fully cupping his face in her hands. She gave him her best innocent vixen smile. "You said you wanted to know what my pussy tasted like, right?"

His head snapped up, his eyes wild with hopefulness and intrigue.

Bull's-eye.

"I'll tell you what. You get us to your mother, and you release the surviving princes and guards, you can find out for yourself."

She had to giggle softly at the choking sounds of Darian and Lyzander behind her. Ladrian remained quiet, but she knew he must have felt the same way. The thought of this madman tasting her must have stopped their hearts. She felt a huge wave of guilt pass through her, but she brushed it off for the moment. Making this deal may be the only way she could ensure they came out of this shitstorm alive.

"Can I have you now?"

"No." She shook her head. "I made a promise that Ladrian would be next. When he's had his chance, then you can have your turn."

He sighed and dropped his head. She could see the hope in his eyes fading fast, and she rushed to recapture the spark.

No! No! Seal the deal, idiot! Don't let him get away!

"But," she made her voice syrupy again, "I can let you have a little taste if you want."

His head snapped up again. She wished he'd stop doing that. Every time he did, she worried his neck would break. Oh, well. At least now she had him back on track.

She held out one finger. "Just a little. Ladrian deserves his turn and I don't want you ruining it for him."

He cocked his head to the side, his eye narrowing in suspicion. "You said I could taste your pussy if I agreed to help you. What's the appetizer supposed to be?"

Smiling her oh-so-innocent smile, she reached down and traced the edge of her bra with her finger, lightly brushing her sensitive flesh. His eyes followed her finger, almost entranced by the motion. If he were a dog, she was sure he'd be drooling.

"Now." His voice was a low rasp, filed with longing.

She paused for a moment, looking up at the twins. She had a good idea how the others felt, but Riordan and Tristan had remained quiet about the situation. Both brothers stared at her and gave a slight nod, ready and willing to follow her lead. They recognized what she knew: Her bartering with her body was the only thing that was going to help them in this mess.

She returned her gaze to Malnos. "Alright, fine. But only if you promise not to attack us." She hardened her stare, making sure he saw she meant business.

He swallowed. "I swear on the deepest shadows that inhabit this place, I will not harm any of you."

She nodded, then looked up at the twins. They nodded back to her and released his arms, stepping back to give them room.

Malnos stayed still for a moment, making sure that none of his rivals would jump him. Slowly, he reached out an exploratory hand. She could see the hope in his eyes, the wonder and elation running through those emerald orbs.

She held up one hand. "Wait."

He pulled back an inch, confusion marring his face.

"There's one thing I have to do before I let you have your appetizer."

He nodded. "Anything."

She smiled at him, happy that he would allow her this one simple task. Balling her hand into the hardest fist she could create, she cocked her arm back and threw that hardest punch she could. Knuckle hit bone as her hand connected with his cheek. Malnos fell sideways, crying out in pain and cupping his cheek.

She stood, shaking her hand to clear the pain. "There. That wasn't so bad."

Behind her, she heard the soft sound of three demon princes laughing at their gullible rival. Looking over to the twins, she noticed that both Riordan and Tristan were struggling to hide their smiles.

She smiled to herself. They had every right to laugh at his mistake. Though she did feel a twinge of guilt for smacking him -- an emotion that never seemed to go away -- she nevertheless felt he had more than deserved it. After the stunt he pulled, he was lucky she remained in human form to deliver that strike.

Groaning, Malnos hauled himself to his feet. "You bitch!"

Before he could make any move toward her, both twins had recaptured him and dragged him to the ground. Anger boiled in her blood. He'd attacked her and basically groped her in the hallway before Ladrian took him out. And now he was upset with her for throwing one shot? Chivalry at its best.

She crouched down again, grapping his face in her hands and forcing his focus on her.

"Listen, you cocky asshole. The fact that you and your fucked up family have tried to supplant Lucifer and almost killed the other princes is worthy of execution. Not to mention you practically assaulted me back there." She narrowed her eyes to slits and hardened her voice.

Malnos stopped struggling, his eyes wide and slightly fearful.

"All three of you should be executed for what you've already done, and your mother should have been killed off years ago." She paused for dramatics, giving him a chance to run the situation through his head. "But, I'm willing to make you another offer."

His eyes softened, boring into her own for an answer.

She kept her sharp tone, but relaxed her features. "I'm taking the sex part out. There's no amount of penance you could do to gain that favor. But if you take us up to your mother and convince her that we're on her side, I can talk to Lucifer about have you and your brother's executions revoked. You'll probably be exiled, but you'll still be alive."

He dropped his head for a moment, hopelessness and sorrow flickering in his eyes. "You're going to kill her, aren't you?"

"We have to. Look at the damage she's done."

He nodded, defeated but accepting that exile was better than death.

She cupped his face in her hands, her human empathy making another unwelcome visit. "Hey, I'm sorry. But I can't let everything that's happened slide."

He gave a soft smile and shook his head. "It's fine. Believe me, I understand better than anyone." He lifted his head and widened his smile." Though I was hoping you were going to keep you word of my appetizer."

She smiled in spite of herself. "No. I can be a sneaky bitch sometimes."

"Like your mother."

She giggled softly. "So I've heard." Standing, she motioned for the twins to let him stand.

Nodding, Riordan and Tristan got up slowly, making sure they took Malnos with them. Cautiously, they let go of his arms, though they stayed close in case he tried anything else.

Turning, she motioned for Ladrian to toss her shirt. The man must have played for the major leagues, because he fired her balled-up shirt at her so fast it should have been trailing fire. She caught her shirt and slipped it on. As she did so, she began to imagine how Ladrian would be in bed. He had a strong right arm -- perfect for foreplay. And he had a good knowledge of restraints. From her last encounter with him in this dungeon, he also knew how to improvise...

She blushed and shook her head. Now was not the time to fantasize about super hot demon princes. They had to find Emiline, convince her they were on her side, and finally kick her ass out of Hell. She had to focus, no matter how hard it was.

"All right...first things first." She talked to herself as much as the others, trying to sort out the plan in her head. "We need to find Emiline. Riordan. Tristan. Can one of you get Ziron up, please." She motioned to the unconscious brother.

The twins nodded. Riordan left Malnos to his brother and move to haul the still-sleeping prince onto his shoulders. Ladrian hurried over and began unlocking the chains.

"Okay. Now...we have to get to Emiline and convince her that we're on her side. If we do that, she might give us a chance to live. Which means we get a chance to plan."

"And how do you propose we find her?" Lyzander looked at her curiously.

"Easy. Follow the sound of maniacal laughter." Darian shrugged, smiling sarcastically.

He's got a point...

"Okay, so we find her. Then what?" Lyzander shot a glance at Darian, waiting for his rival to answer.

"We make her believe we're on her side." She piped up, hoping to stop any thoughts of battle running through his head.

"How? It's not like she's gong to give giant hugs to all of us."

"No, but..." She looked over at Malnos, "If we get one of her sons to testify for us, that should give us some credibility."

Malnos met her gaze, his emerald eyes boring into hers. He gave a slight nod, solidifying his acceptance of her offer and conveying his understanding of her silent request.

She smiled, a genuinely warm smile that started a fire in his eyes.

"Done." Ladrian stepped back as the last of Ziron's restraints came loose.

"Good." She turned to face Ladrian and the twins.

Tristan hauled Malnos to his feet, his hands locking onto his rival's arms while his brother adjusted his grip on Ziron. The older twin spun around and smiled at her.

"Shall we go? I think we've got these two handled."

"Yeah." She nodded.

"Wait!" Ladrian picked up one set of shackles and clamped them around Malnos' wrists. He looked at her with hard eyes. "I don't trust this one, no matter how many deals you make with him."

Neither do I.

She nodded in silent agreement. "Okay, now we can go."

Without warning, Ladrian rushed up the stairs and opened the door to the dungeon, peeking out into the hallway. He called out that the coast was clear, pushing the door open wider and holding it so the rest of them could exit. Lucifer climbed the stairs first, followed by the twins carrying and leading the brothers. Lyzander and Darian followed her, making themselves a shield for any future attacks.

Once everyone was out of the dungeon, she turned and stared down at the tile floor, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Okay. Here's what we do. Tristan and Riordan, you have Malnos and Ziron take you to Emiline. Tell her that we've figured out she's up to and that Lucifer is free. That should scare the shit out of her." She began to pace. "Show her that we've taken out Ziron."

"Got it." Both twins nodded their heads and started to make their way down the hall.

"Wait!" Both princes turned to look at her. "Take Lyzander with you. Just in case Emiline decides to lose it."

She looked at Lyzander who nodded and ran after them. After watching them leave, she turned her attention to Lucifer. "Can you and Darian try to find any of your missing guards or the other princes? If this goes down like I think it will, we're going to need all the help and firepower we can get."

Lucifer nodded. "It is not often that I take orders or requests from half-bloods, but logic must prevail here." He made a show of bowing to her, his golden eyes sparkling in a way that made her blood chill

She sighed. "Just go."

Lucifer stood and smiled at her, then turned and began to walk away. Darian came up beside her and kissed her cheek.

"Don't worry. I'll keep him out of trouble."

She made a face. "Keeping him out of trouble is like making the pope denounce his religion."

Darian laughed. "We'll be fine." He ran after Lucifer.

She turned back to Ladrian who stood patiently waiting for orders. Something about his appearance caught her eyes. He was watching her with sorrowful eyes, as if he knew some secret he couldn't bear to tell her. She shook it off. He was probably just freaked out by what had happened to him the last time he'd met with the brothers.

She turned and began to walk towards her bedroom, motioning him to follow. "Come on. You and I are going to stock up on weapons and follow the twins and Lyzander. They're probably going to need us. Seeing her sons bruised is going to put Emiline in a shitty mood."

Ladrian reached out and gripped her wrist, pulling her gently back. "We need to talk."

Oh no. that was never a good thing to hear. 'We need to talk' was the universal kiss of death to any relationship. She'd learned that from watching her friend's love lives fall apart in high school.

She turned to face him straight on. "About what?" Something in her gut turned, sounding the alarm for another wave of shit.

Ladrian shifted uncomfortably, taking a deep breath before looking her in the eye. "Lucifer."

Oh, boy.

"Okayyy..." she motioned for him to continue. "Please don't keep me hanging here. I hate when people dance around the subject."

He nodded. "You saw the look in his eyes just now?"

"Yeah." This couldn't be good.

"He's been looking at you the whole time you've been here. With that same expression."

"Oh, God." Great, so now he was a pervert and a stalker.

"Look, Kara. This is -- "

She reached out and pressed her fingers to his lips. "Please don't. If it's something I need to know, then I need to know."

He sighed, reaching up to hold her hand. "As far as Lucifer is concerned, this whole thing is a ruse."

She cocked her head, a question make on her face.

"The ceremonies, the sex, us." He motioned to himself. "This whole, thing is basically one giant game for him!"

"I'm sorry, I'm still confused. What's a game?"

He heaved a heavy sigh. He wasn't annoyed that she didn't understand, he just didn't want to tell her. "This whole selection process. It's not real."

"What do you mean it's not real?" She stuck her hands on her hips. "I've spent the night with you, Darian, Lyzander. What about this isn't real?"

"Everything. He's just putting on a front for everyone." He dropped his head.

"A front for what?" She dropped her hands, now concerned.

"Marriage." He looked at her with sorrowful eyes. "He's planning to marry you."

She struggled to scrape her jaw from the floor. "What?!"

He nodded solemnly. "He never planned to let you marry one of us. He's been eyeing you this whole time, intending for you to be his bride."

"What? Oh, fuck no!" Her blood boiled. Anger began to seep into her vines, making her walls of control crack. "Goddamnfuckingmotherfucker!"

He made a face that showed he seconded her opinion.

She tore away from him and paced around the hall, yelling out a litany of curses. Well this was just fabulous. She'd been fooled into thinking she could have her choice of prince. How could she have been so stupid?! She should have known better that to believe Lucifer! Damn him!

She sank to the floor, kneeling on the cold tile. She began to cry, holding her face in her hands. After all the shit she'd been through -- losing her mother, being lied to by the woman who had taken her place, being chased down by her sons -- she didn't need this. She cried for everything she had lost and everything she could never gain.

Ladrian knelt down beside her and placed his hands on her shoulders. He rubbed her arms, trying to calm her raging emotions. His warm fingers felt wonderful, and her tears slowed a bit.

"Hey, its' okay. Once you get passed the conceited, self-absorbed, evil part, he's not really a bad guy."

She wiped her face. "How would you know?"

"Well, for one thing, he's not stupid. He planned this whole thing out, so he's not an idiot."

"That just means he'll do it again." Her breathing was still off, but returning to normal.

"I don't think so. He's actually pretty loyal. Unless you move against him, he won't move against you."

She turned her head to look at him. "What makes you say that?"

He shrugged. "It's a rule he has. He may try to make your life miserable, but will never really harm you unless you give him a reason to." He rubbed her shoulders and back. "He's had his eye on you since you were little."

She pulled back, a look of pure horror on her face.

"No! No, I don't mean like that." He put his hands up defensively. "I mean that he's been planning to marry you for years. He just had to wait until you were allowed to marry."

"So, no matter who I pick, he's just going to marry me, anyway?" Tears threatened her eyes again.

He nodded.

She dropped her head, devastated. Fresh tears fell onto the floor. Damn it. this was worse that she had hoped it would be. First her mother, then her life, now she had lost her free will. She would marry Lucifer ever if she didn't want to. And she really didn't want to.

But those poor men. Those wonderful, loving princes she had come to care for so much...They had been tricked as brutally as she had. Would they recover from this?

She looked up at him. "What about you? Did he say what would happen to you?"

He moved around to face her, giving a soft smile. "Well, that's the not-so-bad part. It's been agreed with all of us that even if Lucifer marries you, the rest of us get to be consorts."

Her despair lightened a bit. "Consort? Like, I'll get to sleep with you anyway?"

He nodded. "Lucifer figured you wouldn't be the happiest person in the world when you found out, so he told the rest of us that we could be your temporary lovers if you got lonely."

"Oh." A small bubble of relief filled her. Well, this wasn't too bad. She'd still be married to Lucifer, but at least she could have her men with her. "How do you know Lucifer won't go back on his word to you?"

"We all made an agreement on the river Styx. That's an unbreakable oath, so he couldn't turn on us if he wanted to." His smile was all joy and warmth.

She swallowed. "But?"

He made a face. "Well, he can deny us access to you if he thinks we're a threat to you or you complain about on of us. So, unless you complain about Darian biting you, he's still allowed to see you."

"Do I have to sleep with all of the princes?"

"Well, I hope you would." He offered a joking smile. "But not really. You don't have to sleep with the ones you don't like. So, Helion, Parthos, the fuckhead brothers and Memnon are all safe from your bed."

She smiled slightly. "But I can still have you and the others?"

"Yep." He grinned.

"Good." She reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck. She inched closer to him and leaned her cheek on his shoulder. "I don't want to lose you."

She felt his arms wrap around her back. "You won't, I promise."

Kara smiled into his skin. Her tears had dried and she began to feel better, though she still wasn't happy about marrying Lucifer. But maybe, while they still had time, they could get in the opportunity he deserved.

She pulled away slightly and smiled up at him. "You know, you and I still have something to take care of."

He smiled back. "Yes."

"Well?" She gave him a confused look.

He laughed softly. "I actually had a plan for that, but you sent away the help I was going to need."

"You need backup to sleep with me?" She narrowed her eyes in confusion.

"Not really, but I had planned something special. But Darian and Lyzander are with the others, so it will have to wait."




Date with Destiny-Demon Style Ch. 08



"Oh." She chewed her lip, trying to imagine what he could possibly need the other two for.

"In the meantime, why don't we stock up on ammunition in case the others get into some tough shit?" He stood and helped her to her feet.

She sighed. "Yeah. Especially Lucifer. Knowing him, he's already stirring the shit somewhere."

"I wouldn't be surprised." He grinned.

Neither would anyone else.

"Come on." He started down the hall. "I've got an arsenal full of weapons we could use."

She kept pace with him easily. "Like what?"

He shrugged. "Battle axes, war hammers, swords. The usual, really."

"Interesting that you have a lot of mêlée weapons." She nudged him with her elbow.

He laughed her faux-attack off. "What can I say? I have an affinity for whacking people."

"I can tell." She laughed. "You gave Malnos one hell of crack on the head."

"One, he deserved it. And two, I enjoyed giving it to him." His smile turned sly.

"You're cruel." She nudged him again.

He nudged her back. "And you. Do you have a favorite weapon?"

She nodded. "You have a meteor hammer on hand?"

He barked out a sharp laugh. "And you call me vicious!"

"What? It's a good weapon!"

"You've practiced with it?" He looked at her with a mix of curiosity and disbelief.

She thought for a moment. "I've handled it a few times."

She was bullshitting. Truthfully, she'd been practicing with a meteor hammer since she was seven -- a gift from her maternal grandfather for her birthday. After years of living with an absent real mother busy with work, Kara found that training with the weapon offered a rare chance to vent her emotions and escape from the world. She never visited a master of martial arts to teach her how to handle it. Instead, her stubbornness and curiosity fueled her desire to learn on her own, and she eventually mastered the weapon by the time she was ten.

"Well, that's good. At least you have some experience." He looked her up and down for a moment. "It's a good weapon for you. It fits."

She looked at him, confused. "How so?"

He looked down the hall, staring off into space. "Fast, unpredictable and devastating when used correctly. Like you."

"Umm...thanks?" She understood what he meant, but she enjoyed toying with him.

He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. "You're welcome."

She leaned her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes. It was slightly awkward walking side-by-side like that, but neither of them really minded. It was one of the few moments in this world of chaos that they had to themselves. And she hadn't seen or been with Ladrian in so long. It was nice being next to him.

In the few moments she did have with him, she'd discovered his true, honest self. He may be disturbingly quiet and have a taste for bondage, but of all of them, Ladrian was the most level-headed prince. He also had the softer personality. She had yet to see him argue with the other princes or take on Lyzander in a fight. He was the quiet one, the soft one. And yet, he had one hell of a sexual appetite and could swing like a pro.

It's always the quiet ones, isn't it?

Yes, it was. She herself was evidence of that. Surely after 'raising' her for the last six years, Emiline had gotten a glimpse of her strength and skill, even if she was a rabid bookworm and history nut. She must have some idea of the damage she could cause. The girls in her school certainly did. One too many 'accidentally' spilled drinks that ended up in her lap and they had learned she was a force to be reckoned with. The last offender who had set her off left the school that day with a broken nose, a black eye and three less teeth.

Rugby, as it later turned out, was something she was born to play. She rose to claim the title of team captain of her school within weeks of starting her first season, a title that many in her school felt was well deserved. The players from opposing teams did not agree, though their numerous broken bones and bruises had set up a small amount of bias..

After hours - or minutes - of walking, they arrived at a new room she'd never seen before. Like the gentleman that he was, Ladrian opened the door and stood back so she could enter. The sconces flared to life, illuminating a cavernous room containing a cache of steel blades and leather handles. All four walls were covered in weaponry and armaments, from shields to maces to broadswords to full suits of armor.

The history nerd side of her nearly exploded. The amount of ancient weaponry this room held had her running around like a schoolgirl. She touched nearly every piece of armor and blade, savoring the feel of cool metal under her fingertips. She stopped when she noticed her prized weapon hanging on the wall in front of her.

The hammer was a thing of beauty. Hanging on a thick spike drilled into the wall, its twenty foot tail was looped around the nail. Made of silver chain local to the underworld, its thin appearance was deceiving: Measure for measure, it was stronger than titanium and half the weight. Below, a ball of solid steel the size of a small melon hung from the end of the chain and rested against the wall. Small spikes jutted out from the surface of the ball, making it look like a larger, evil version of a golf ball.

Tentatively, she reached out her hand and let her fingers graze to smooth-yet-sharp surface of the ball. She cupped it in her hand, feeling the weight of it settle into her palm. A good ten pounds. Lighter than what she usually wielded, but just as devastating. Memories of happier times -- of when she was throwing around her prized weapon with wild abandon - flooded her mind, bringing a small smile to her face.

Ladrian's arms around her waist snapped her out of her flashbacks. He pulled her close against him, her back pressing against his chest. He nuzzled her neck with his cheek.

"You look tense." His breath scorched her flesh, making small shivers trip up her spine.

"Just nervous." She said shakily. "I'm not really prepared to kill someone, even if I know I have to. That's just not me."

It truly wasn't. She could defend herself without any issue, but murder was by no means her forte.

His lips began trailing light kisses along her neck. "I know. None of us enjoy it, but sometimes it has to happen."

She nodded. "Yeah."

"Something else is bothering you."

Chewing her lip, she sighed. "I'll confess I'm not feeling all sunshine and rainbows about marrying Lucifer. He's just not...my type."

"He's no one's type, Kara. But this is one of those situations where it's set in stone and we can't help you." One hands slid down the soft cotton of her shirt. "I'm sorry, but there's nothing we can do."

She shook her head slightly. "It's okay. I know you didn't plan this."

"No. I couldn't live with myself if I ever put you in danger."

His hands continued down, eventually stopping at the edge of her jeans where his fingers began tracing tantalizing designs of her skin. She shivered, wanting more but not brave enough to ask. It had been so long since Ladrian had done anything with her, and her body felt starved for his touch.

"Still feeling stressed?"

She nodded, waiting anxiously for his next move.

"May I take the edge off?" His voice had dropped low, now almost a growl in her ear. The tips of his fingers slid under the edge of her jeans. Warm fingers brushed cool flesh, making her skin break out in goosebumps.

She nodded again, almost feverishly.

She heard his soft laugh an instant before his fingers slipped under the waistband of her panties. They parted the fold of her sex, caught there between her body and her clothing. One single fingertip began spinning circles over and around her clit. Her knees buckled and she leaned against his chest. God, his fingers felt amazing. They made her head spin and her heart race.

"If we had time," he whispered in her ear, "I would chain you to a wall and tease you with every torture device imaginable."

"Mmmm." She could barely force the sound out.

"The rack would spread you wide open for me. I could tease you with whips and chains. Or I could suspend you from the ceiling again." His finger moved faster. "Oh, I could have so much fun with you."

Her body was trembling now, small parks racing up her spine fueling then fire now roaring in her core. Afraid of falling to the ground because her legs were so weak, ahs gripped his arm that was still wrapped around her waist.

"Is that...what you were planning...to do?" The words came out breathy and weak, her vocal cords scorched almost beyond use from the bonfire he'd started.

"No. I already told you, I need Darian and Lyzander to help me with that."

"F-for what?" One of her knees lost its strength entirely and she gripped his arm tighter.

"In case you start to lose control. I have something very special in mind for you, and I don't need you trying to escape me."

Too late, but thanks for your consideration.

They stayed like that for well over five minutes, him supporting her weight while his finger continued to work her into a slow frenzy. He kept his movements deliberately slow, taking care not to fire her up too quickly. He seemed hell-bent on making her orgasm slow and powerful, and he was doing a damned good job of making that happen.

He stopped his tender strokes an instant too soon. She whimpered as he withdrew his hand. Her body burned for him to continue, but he had already pulled away and was supporting her still-limp body. On the inside, she knew what he was doing as for the best. He'd taken a good chunk of her emotional load off her shoulders without leaving her foggy and uncoordinated.

Shaking her head to clear it, she forced her body to move again. Taking a deep breath, she made her legs find their strength again and took a step away from his embrace. Bad move. She teetered forward and held her hands out to brace herself against a wall. His hands gently gripped her shoulders to steady her.

"Maybe we should stay here for a minute. You're still off your kilter."

"No, I'm okay." She looked over her shoulder at him. "Why did you stop?"

His black eyes bored into hers. "Because we need you level-headed for this. I'd love to make you come, but then you'd be down and out for then next hour and we don't have that kind of time." His eyes shifted from intense to apologetic.

She nodded and smiled. He was right, as much as she hated to admit it. She loved the pleasure that sex offered, but her recovery time afterwards was shit.

Still a little shaky, she managed to push away from the wall and stand on her own for the minute it took to regain her balance. He stepped away, walking towards the array of weapons and began to stock up. She noticed he made sure to keep an eye on her the entire time, just in case she lost her balance again. She shook her head one last time to shake away and residual cloudiness, then turned and smiled at him.

Ladrian was standing against one wall, grinning back at her. A long chain was looped around his hand, the heavy weight of the meteor hammer swinging back and forth tantalizingly above the floor. He flicked his wrist, sending the spiked ball flying at her. It was an amateur shot that she caught easily, the ball coming to a halt in her palm. She rolled it in her hands, feeling the small spikes tickle her fingers.

"Impressive."

She shrugged innocently and smiled at the heavy steel ball.

"Here." He tossed the chain to her.

She reached out one hand and gripped the chain, looping it gently around her arm. The cool metal on her skin and the heavy steel in her hand made her feel like a child again. She grinned.

"Come on, you." Ladrian's voice snapped her out of her memories. "We have to go help the others."

She watched as he gathered a myriad of knives, sword and spears and began making his way out into the hallway. She giggled, wrapping the rest of the chain around her arm and tightening her grip on the ball. "Right."

She ran after him, the chain of her hammer whipping through the doorway an instant before it slammed shut.

* * *

They ran along the hall in silence, both lost in their own thoughts. Neither of them took their eyes off the dizzying distance in front of them. The hall was as empty as ever, which meant that help was far from coming. It was clear to her that Lucifer was taking his sweet time as always. Poor Darian. He must be losing his mind.

It bothered her to no end what Ladrian had said. She was going to marry Lucifer? The thought made her stomach wretch. God, how could she marry someone like that? Knowing the dialogues they'd had so far, she had the feeling there would be some major screaming, freezing shoulders and at least one battle axe stuck in a wall.

Not the best start for a marriage.

She shrugged off the thought of Lucifer for now, instead focusing her anger at the woman who had killed her mother and taken her place. That was a better outlet for her rage. She'd deal with Lucifer and his fucked up lies later.

Rounding a corner, they slowed their pace as they came closer to the massive twin doors of the selection hall. They exchanged glances and kept moving. Now was not the time to lose their strength and chicken out. There were lives to be saved and asses to be kicked.

Pushing one door open and walking through, she saw Emiline reclining in Lucifer's gilded throne. Dresses in a filmy gold gown with a plunging neckline and covered in glittering jewels -- even wearing one of Lucifer's many crowns - she looked every bit a false queen. Here eyelids were painted with heavy dark shadow and her lips were an obnoxious cherry red. Her skin was bronzed and dusted with a shimmers glitter that caught the sunlight streaming from the ceiling window.

Kara thought she looked like a bejeweled clown.

She sat sideways in the chair, her feet dangling over one armrest and her head thrown back over the other, watching her sons fighting with the twins and laughing. One of the demon guards stood at the other side of the chair, feeding sun-ripened cherries into her mouth. The collar around his neck and the thick chain attached to the floor told her that he did not want to be there.

Riordan and Tristan were locked in battle with Malnos -- who had been released from his restraints - and Ziron, with the twins have a great advantage. The brothers may be skilled fighters, but the twins were better communicators and often switched from fighting one brother to the next. It was clear that the stakes of this fight were high, and that the twins were sure to win.

Emiline's black eyes flicked away from the ensuing fight and found her. A grotesque smile broke out on her face, her eyes lighting up with a darkness that made Kara want to vomit.

"Ah, here she is!" Emiline shifted in the chair so she was sitting straight. "My goodness, you've certainly kept us waiting. How rude, but I suppose that's to be expected of one so young and naive."

Bitch.

"Your poor friends didn't fare too well against my guards, but I think they'll survive." She motioned to Riordan and Tristan, who, while alive and fighting with all they had, were covered with bruises and cuts.

Double bitch.

"Oh, and don't worry about your first lover and Lucifer. I'm sure my hunters will find them soon enough."

Oooh, hyper bitch!

Emiline glanced over to the brawling brothers and flicked her hand, signaling them to stop. Four guards descended on the fighters, each grabbing one prince and pulling him away. Riordan and Tristan went easily, their eyes trained on her for instructions. Malnos was quiet as well, though anger still burned in his eyes. Ziron, on the other hand, was fighting his captor like a timber wolf, desperate to get one more blow in.

Hesitating for an instant, she scanned the brawlers one more time. Where was Lyzander?

Emiline returned her gaze to Kara, still smiling her annoying grin.

"Ah, well. The good news is now you're here and we can continue with the ceremony." She clapped her hands the two guards who held Malnos and Ziron loosened their grip.

Emiline beckoned her sons with her finger, and both raced to the foot of her chair. She twisted her finger and both brothers spun to face Kara. She knew instantly what had happened by the smug looks on their faces. Malnos hadn't kept his end of the bargain, probably telling his mother everything that had happened and ratted out Lucifer and Darian. Ziron probably threw the first punch that started the whole thing.

So much for claiming he was trustworthy.

"Now, my dear. You have another selection to make, I believe. Here are your choices." One hand rested on a shoulder of either brother. "Malnos is more intelligent and independent that my youngest son, but Ziron is by far the more passionate of the two." Her eyes glinted in the light, making Kara think of a predator stalking its prey.

"Which of my handsome sons will you chose first?"

Both brothers straightened and grinned at her, obviously not caring that they betrayed her and almost got the twins killed. She grimaced at the brothers, watching their faces fall. Malnos avoided her gaze, his emerald eyes flicking to stare at something -- anything -- but her. Ziron was, unfortunately, persistent. He kept on smiling as if nothing had ever happened.

"Neither, thank you." She nearly spat the words. "Neither of your sons appeals to me."

Emiline's face fell. "Neither of them?" She stroked her sons' hair. "That's too bad, because they're both very interested in you."

"I can tell." She continued to skewer Malnos with her gaze.

Emiline shrugged. "Oh, well. I suppose that means I'll have to choose for you."

What?!

Kara stared wide-eyes at Emiline as she looked both of her sons over. She smiled and stroked Malnos' hair. He smiled back. This couldn't be good.

"Alright, you'll have my eldest first." Emiline looked back at her. "Don't worry. He's not one for keeping his word, but I'm sure he'll be an excellent lover."

Shit! Shit! Shit!

There had to be a way out of this. There had to be. Some loophole or catch that Emiline couldn't see. Some rule or doctrine that could screw with her plans just long enough for them to come up with a plan.

"Wait!" She held out her hands, pausing for time. "I can't sleep with your either of your sons yet."

Emiline cocked her head to the side. "And why not? They're perfect specimens. I'm sure you could schedule in a little time for them."

Oh, please let this work.

"I know. I've seen them. But the choice of princes is mine alone and I haven't specifically chosen either of them yet. Besides, I still have one prince left before I can choose another." She motioned to Ladrian. "Making my decision for me would be breaking the Axerion Code."

Emiline pouted and sat back in her chair. To her tiny amount of credit, even she knew the rules of marriage in Hell. The Axerion Code -- considered to be the Bible of any and all Hell marriages - had been set up millennia ago to keep power within families and prevent inbreeding. There were strict guidelines that must be followed, and woe to any who tried to break the boundaries. Something as tight and true as that wasn't something to be messed with. Even Lucifer knew better. Barely.

Still pouting and sighing dramatically, Emiline nodded. "Very well. You may have your prince. But once you're done with him, it is my command that you return to this chamber and select which of my sons will be next."

Like I'm going to listen to your command.

She paused, an evil smile growing on her lips. "I know. Why don't you and your prince do it here? After all, I need to make sure you won't escape, and it will provide such wonderful entertainment for us."




Date with Destiny-Demon Style Ch. 08



A well-aimed throw of her hammer sped by Emiline's head and cracked the stone of her chair. She jumped, flailing wildly and screaming like a banshee. Her grotesque smile faded, replaced by a look of shock.

She cleared her throat and reset her posture. "Very well." Her eyes narrowed as she gritted her teeth. "You may have your privacy. But until you get back, the twins stay here. I don't need them running off and causing any more trouble."

Malnos and Ziorn sulked beside her.

Kara smiled and bowed low, sweeping her arms out dramatically. "Your majesty," she said in the most mocking tone she could.

Emiline scowled, but made no move against her. She knew Kara was for too important to her cause to strike out at her, no matter how much she pissed her off. As she grabbed Ladrian's arm, Kara swore to herself that, for as long as she could before that woman had to be killed, she would make Emiline's life pure hell.

* * *

They rushed out into the hall, with Kara turning around just outside the doors and slamming them shut. Damn that woman. First she makes the twins fight her deranged sons. Now she'd threatened Lucifer himself and Darian! She cursed herself for not smashing her head in with her hammer when she had the chance.

A hand gripped her arm, causing her to vault backwards and take the most absurd ninja pose ever imagined.

Lyzander stared at her confused. "What's got you so riled up?"

She exhaled heavily and relaxed. "Where were you?"

He gave her an apologetic look. "I tried to follow the twins in, but the whore's guards held me back. Mother didn't want me interfering with her plans anymore."

"Oh. Sorry." She felt horrible that he hated his mother so much. But with a mom like that, who wouldn't?

He shrugged. "It's nothing new. Mother and I have never been on the same wavelength."

She chewed her lip and nodded, still feeling pity for him. "Have you seen Darian?"

A small smile crossed his lips. "Yeah. He and Lucifer managed to find the other princes. Turns out those knuckleheads didn't have the balls to kill them after all. Both of them managed to avoid being captured by Emiline's guards. Darian actually dropped a few of them. So did Lucifer."

"Good." She let out another relieved sigh. "Where are they now?"

"Lucifer is off doing something that I'm sure is incredibly important and has to do with marrying you."

Fabulous. Start planning those wedding invitations early, jackass.

"And Darian is waiting for the three of us in your room."

The last part made her stop. Why would Darian be waiting in her room for the rest of them? She couldn't think of any reason why he'd be there...Yes, she could. Ladrian had stated that he needed both Darian and Lyzander for their night together. He must have told them about his plan before all this had happened.

"Alright." She turned to Ladrian, looking at him expectantly. "I guess as long as the others are safe and Lucifer is free, we should go and do this before psycho bitch decides to change her mind and make this a public show."

She walked quickly down the hall, looking over her shoulder every few minutes to make sure Ladrian and Lyzander were following her. This whole shit storm had planted a small amount of paranoia in her, one that was constantly making her check to see if she had lost one of her companions again.

She hated the feeling of being watched by other people, and this was no exception. At the same time, she knew the men following her must hate the feeling of being watched by her. But it was the only way she could convince herself that neither of them had wandered off or had been taken away.

They reached her room in record time, partly because of Kara almost running down the hall. The faster they moved, the sooner they could get inside and be away from the witch and her hounds. She reached out and grabbed the handle, jerking the door open so hard it would have dislocated a normal man's shoulder. When all of them were inside she pulled the door shut, watching the fiery red eyes of the demon carved into the door glowed in the soft light, signaling their safety.

She rested her head against the warm wood of her door, letting the heat sink into her body and clam her heart. The smooth grain felt wonderful under her fingers. It offered so much comfort, she almost wanted to sleep on the door itself.

"Nice of you two to finally join me." Darian's voice, deep, low and filled with sarcasm, instantly soothed her nerves. "What took so long to get her here?"

"Kara was the one leading." Lyzander responded, sounding defensive. He leaned against a wall separating himself from the rest of them.

"And we had a bit of trouble getting away from Emiline." Ladrian had now entered the conversation. "She almost made us fuck in the middle of the hall with everyone watching."

"Ugh. How did you get away from that?" Darian was now interested to hear the rest of their magical tale of escape.

"Kara almost smashed her head in with a meteor hammer." She could hear the smile in Ladrian's voice.

The room was quite for a moment, then Darian broke out into hysterical laughter. The suddenness of the sound startled her so much that she spun around and stared at him, pressing her palms against the door.

Darian was splayed out on her bed, his ecstatic laughter making his body jerk. She could see tears streaming down his eyes. He curled up into a fetal position and buried his head into the blankets of her bed, muffling the sound.

Cautiously, she stepped towards the bed and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Are you okay?"

The last of the laughter tremors faded, and she watched as Darian took a deep breath to calm himself. He lifted his head, grinning up at her. Quicker than lightening, he sat up on the bed, grabbed her around the waist and pulled her in for a scorching kiss.

He pulled away quickly, still grinning. "I knew you were a feisty one!" He held her closer, smashing her face into his chest. "Oh, I love you!"

She allowed herself to laugh. "Thanks."

"Honestly, I think she's the only one who'd have enough balls to attack her like that." Lyzander's voice was also filled with a smile, proud to know his princess was no damsel in distress.

She smiled, too. As much as she loved these men and appreciated their help, she could survive without them if she had to. Not that she wanted to be away from them, but she'd be fine if she was. She could take care of herself, thank you very much.  

Darian let her go gently, worried that he may have harmed her by holding her so tightly. "I'm so glad you're alright."

She smiled at him. "Same to you. I was worried that you and Lucifer -- "

Darian waved his hand. "Don't worry about him. He can handle himself, even if he does take his sweet ass time getting things done."

She nodded. "I heard from Lyzander that you found the other princes."

"Yes. The idiots were able to follow their mother's orders about capturing them, but they didn't have enough backbone to finish them off."

"Where were they?" She cocked her head.

"In the kitchen, of all places. Apparently, she was able to move the ovens and stuff to block the doors so no one would find them."

She's a bitch and jumpier than a jackrabbit, but she's clever. Damn.

She filed that bit of information away for now, just in case something came up.

Brushing the thought of Emiline from her mind, she refocused her goals to having one more night with her princes before this hell storm broke out. She looked up at Ladrian, searching his face from any kind of instruction. He simply smiled at her.  

She looked at Darian and kissed his cheek, gently pulling away from him. He was confused at first, but when he looked over his shoulder at Ladrian, he smiled and nodded.

Relieved that at least two of her suitors weren't out to kill each other, she made her way to Ladrian. She stopped an inch from him, wrapping her arms around his neck and twisting her fingers in his long silver hair.

"So?" She stared into his black eyes. "What's your plan?"

He smiled at her, his arms slipping around her waist. "Get undressed and lay down. I've already discussed my idea with the other two. They know their roles."

She looked at him curiously. "I'm not being critical, but this is supposed to be our night. Why are you..."

His kissed her forehead. "I wanted to make the special for you, for all of us. And who knows if we'll ever get this chance again."

He gave her a gentle shove backwards, then placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her to face her bed. Darian had already left the bed and was standing next to Lyzander. Both of them were staring at Ladrian for instructions.

"Don't worry," he whispered against her neck, "you'll be fine. I promise."

Hesitantly, she stepped towards her bed. She reached the edge of the blankets and began to disrobe, pulling her shirt over her head. She heard the faint whispers of the men behind her, though she couldn't make out any words. They were speaking the tongue of Hell, an ancient language she'd never been taught.

She shrugged and continued to undress. Thankfully, after spending several days and nights with each of her suitors, her insecurities about her body had gone down considerably. There was no blushing about being naked in front of them, no covering her breasts out of fear of ridicule. She had become comfortable around them, which, in her mind, was a vey good thing.

Tossing her underwear into the pile of her clothing, she sat down on her bed and watched as all three of her suitors continued to talk quietly. Ladrian was motioning to Darian and Lyzander with his hands, making his point visually as well as verbally.

Finally, after several minutes of conversation, all three of them nodded in agreement to something and turned to face her. Darian moved first, walking towards the bed with a warm smile on his lips. He moved around to the opposite side of the bed, reaching out and gripping her shoulders. He urged her farther onto the bedding before gently pulling her down so she was lying on her back. Her legs and head dangled off either side of the bed, with Darian kneeling beside her on the floor, smiling at her.  

Swallowing loudly, her heart rate picked up when she felt the bed dip at her side. Lifting her head to look, she saw Lyzander kneeling next to her, a devilish smile crossing his face. She looked down at her felt and saw Ladrian standing between her legs. His black eyes shone in the firelight, his perfectly straight teeth gleaming.

She let her head fall back again and took a deep breath. She knew what was coming, what they had talked about. That didn't lessen her apprehension. She was truly, honestly nervous, but she wasn't about to stop them. Ladrian was right. They may never have another chance to do this.

She felt Ladrian's hot hands gently grip her ankles, hoisting them high so they could rest on his hips. She shivered, partly out of nervousness and partly out of excitement. She'd never done anything like this before, and with three very experienced men tending to her needs, it was sure to be one hell of an adventure.

She felt one finger begin to circle her clit, warming her up for what was o come. She moaned softly and closed her eyes, savoring the feeling. She hoped that Ladrian would finish what he had started in the weapons chamber, but she knew this was just a way to get her fired up. And he was doing a damned good job. She could feel silky heat gathering between her legs, signaling that Ladrian was getting her exactly where he wanted her. She just hoped that he would give her a warning before pouncing.

Unfortunately, Ladrian never gave her that luxury. He pulled his finger away, gripped her hips and pushed his length deep inside her, making her breath catch and her back arch. He was longer than Darian or Lyzander, but he managed to fit himself all the way inside. He paused for a moment, giving her time to relax and settle back into the bedding. She heard his soft laugh of conquest, something that made her feel oddly safe.

He moved slowly at first, allowing her body to accept his length and girth. She groaned quietly. With her head over the edge of her bed, she was unable to see his face or anything about him. It wasn't that she didn't like what she felt with him; she loved the feel of him, the way he fit her as perfectly as all of them did. It was the surprise that made her react so powerfully.

Satisfied with her response, Ladrian quickened his strokes. Her breath hitched, and she bit her lip as she felt growing bolts of pleasure began to work their way in and around her body. They flowed in her blood, reaching out to the tips of her toes. Ladrian thrust harder, her body twitching with the delicious pleasure. His own moans of pleasure filled her ears, slowly becoming dulled as time went on.

She jerked again, harder this time, when she felt a hot tongue paint a circle around her nipple. It made sense now, why Lyzander was placed there. His tongue left her breast, replaced by his hungry mouth. He nipped and pulled at her nipple, making her gasp and groan for more. She felt his hand slide under her back, lifting her closer to his mouth. He switched from one breast to the other, never leaving either one bereft of attention for more than a few heartbeats.

The final piece of this magnificent puzzle fit into place with Darian. Watching her reactions with great interest, he reached out and turned her head to face him. He leaned close, pressing his lips to hers. She obliged immediately, opening her mouth to meet his. His tongue caressed hers, a soothing massage that unwound her tense muscles and calmed her soul.

She lay like that for what felt like hours, being teased and pleasure by three different men at once. It was magnificent, really. Being made love to by three different men in three separate ways was something she doubted even the biggest slut in her high school had done. Ladrian continued his heavenly assault on her body while Lyzander teased her breasts and Darian kissed her. She felt like she was floating, her body weightless and carefree. All the while being pampered and enchanted by the three men who loved her.

Her orgasm came far too soon. A food of pure ecstasy roared through her, making her heartbeat thunder in her ears and tears stream from her eyes. Darian caught her cry of release in his mouth. Lyzander never broke away from her flesh, instead continuing to tease her through her climax. Her back arched, nearly squeezing the life out of Ladrian's penis as it continued to move inside her.

She slumped back into the blankets, her mouth still locked to Darian's but her chest heaving. Her body was satisfied, and she felt a sense of joy at knowing all three of them could work together so well. None of them tried to elbow their way to glory or push the others out of the race. The three of them worked in unison to please her and only her.

But none of them were finished with her yet. They simply slowed their paces, all three of them working imperfect unison. Ladrian's movements slowed to a leisurely pace, sluggish but just as delicious and satisfying as before. Lyzander complied by teasing each of her small breasts for longer amounts of time, kissing and nipping the sensitive underside of each mound. Darian, too, slowed. His tongue continued to massage her own, but with gentle strokes. His fingers tickled along her neck to her collarbone, leaving trails of fire in their wake.

This time, her orgasm was much more satisfying. It came lazily, a slow boil the rippled through her core and along the flesh of her limbs. When it did finally break over her, it was with a long, low groan and a delectable feeling of warmth and love and peace.

She pulled away from Darian's mouth, turning her head to look up at the ceiling. She felt Darian's strong shoulder slip under her neck to support her, loving the feel of his hand stroking her hair. She closed her eyes and smiled as Lyzander laid his head on her belly. His warm breath tickled the tender flesh of her breasts. Ladrian stayed where he was, buried deep inside her and panting heavily. She felt the bed sink where he had braced his hands for support, imagining him looking like a tired racehorse after just crossing the finish line.

An overwhelming sense of love for these men flooded her heart and mind. They would kill for her, die for her, and now they had proved they would work together to please her. Tears sprang up in her eyes. These men would sacrifice everything for her, and she could give them nothing in return except sex and children. She had to find some way to show how much they meant to her, how much she cared.

Swallowing her tears, she reached out and wrapped one hand around Darian's head, twisting her fingers in his dark hair. She did the same for Lyzander, stroking his cheek with her fingers. For Ladrian, she tightened her legs around his waist and held him against her body. She loved these men - all three of them -- through all of their faults, misgivings and scars.

She held onto them tightly -- on hand around Darian's head, the other on Lyzander's and her legs wrapped around Ladrian's waist. She held them close because - between Lucifer, Emiline and the rest of this crap they were stuck in -- she feared the moment when she might have to let them go.

* * *

Once again, I apologize for this one taking so long. I tried to make it a bit longer to make up for that. Thanks for taking the time to read my story anyway. I'll try to type the last two chapters faster.



Date with Destiny-Demon Style Ch. 09



 Hello, again! Somehow I magically managed to type this one faster, so enjoy. See? I care about you. Life just gets in the way sometimes.

* * *

She stirred, mumbling incoherent words while wrapped in the soft sheets of her bed. The blankets were insanely warm, so warm and comfortable that she debated even getting up to fight Emiline. She rolled onto her side, curling up into a small ball and burying her head in the feathered softness of her pillow.

Warm fingers trailed along the flesh of her side, making her moan softly and squirm under their touch. They traced the slender line of her waist, skimming over and around her hip and back up to her rib cage. She giggled, slowly coming out of her dreamy slumber. She couldn't see who was touching her so gently, but she couldn't bring herself to complain about being woken up. This was a fabulous alarm clock.

All too soon, those fingers stopped their playful teasing, instead slipping around her waist and wrapping around to cup her hip. Another hand mirrored the motion, pulling her back against a strong body. Her shoulders rested against a broad, well-muscled chest, her butt brushing strong thighs. Warm breath caressed her skin as her lover's cheek slid against the flesh of her neck, his soft lips dealing out seductive kisses along the curve of her shoulder.

"You are a beauty, aren't you? And a little sex kitten, too. How delicious."

Her eyes snapped open. She knew that tone.

"Oh my, yes." Lucifer's silky voice – made of liquid chocolate and oh, so tempting - slid in her ears, making her dizzy. "I could imagine having so much fun with you in our bed."

She squealed and tried to squirm away from him, but his arms held her tight to his body. He jerked her back, tightening his grip around her waist, his tantalizing voice never wavering. 

"You are a little spitfire. I knew I had chosen well when I picked you. Oh, my dear girl. You and I will have so much fun together."

Danger! Danger! Pervert code black! I repeat, pervert code black!

She tried to fight her way out of his embrace, but his strength overwhelmed her own far more than even Darian's. His arms were steel, locked tight around her body and not giving an inch. She fought for as long as she could but, too late to realize it, she'd fallen into Lucifer's trap. She had exhausted herself trying to escape, and all he had to do was hold on. Her body relaxed, her breathing heavy from struggling so violently, but her mind was still sharp, her emotions still volatile. As much as she hated to, she let him hold her as her body recuperated. She could hit him with a good burst of anger later.

Satisfied that she was too tired to fight back, Lucifer made another one of his cocky moves. One hand slid away from her hip, traveling up the length of her torso to cup her breast. She groaned at the feel of his hot fingers searing her skin, the way his fingers squeezed ever-so-gently. She squirmed again, fighting the small bubble of lust growing in her belly. She hated him –despised him - for tricking her, but God, his hands felt so good...

He deep laughter made her bones turn to liquid. "So much fire, and yet so easy to manipulate. I can see how you earned you reputation as a passionate lover."

"What?" She spit the words out. "Who the fuck told you – "

He laughed again. "My dear, no one told me. I simply watched."

Watched? He had watched her make love to her princes? Watched as she shared something so precious and honest with them?

She swallowed loudly. "All of them?" Her voice was soft, barely a whisper.

His lips brushed her ear. "Every. Single. One." 

She whimpered and hung her head, squeezing her eyes closed. He had watched her. Watched her every time she had slept with one of her princes. Every kiss, every touch, every move they had made. All captured by his observant eyes. No wonder he knew how to work her so well. He was probably hiding in the shadows, watching and waiting, never alerting them to his presence. 

But if he had watched her, and then picked her as queen, didn't that mean he found her somewhat attractive? She wondered, in some fucked-up corner of her mind, if he had ever gone to his room after watching her liaisons and masturbated to an image of her. Upset as she was, a small sense of pride worked its way into her heart. If he did, that would mean that her body could tempt the highest demon of Hell. If he was going to deceive her and screw with her life, then she could use her body to toy with him as well. She smiled at the thought. Payback's a bitch.

Still, his actions were unforgiveable. She brushed aside the thought of him pleasuring himself to her likeness and refocused of the subject at hand: Getting the hell away from him.

She squirmed against him again, trying to put a few inches between them. "You realize that you're in my room without my consent. I can have you removed, even if you are the king of this shithole."

He nuzzled her neck. "But I'm not in your room, my dear. You think you're awake?"

Shit. Now he'll never leave.

"I can stay here as long as I like." His fingers began to gently knead her breast, making her groan again. "But, this is your dream, after all. So, yes, you could make me leave. But you could also make this world whatever you want it to be. What would you make it, Kara? A beach at sunset? A castle atop the hills of England? A cabana on the coast of -"

She buried her head in her pillow, ignoring his suggestions. She was getting nowhere fast, and his soft manipulations of her skin were making her head spin. Maybe a different approach would work. He liked her fire, but she also knew her body was his weakness. Two could play this game.

Wiggling away one more inch, she rolled over to look him in the eyes. They were still the same amber gold that had almost swallowed her whole the first time they'd met, but she'd gotten used to their effects and could now successfully fight their pull. His face, on the other hand, had completely changed. Though still beautiful, it was nowhere near the same mask of humanity she'd seen when she first met him. The angles were sharper, his cheeks hollow yet strong, with lips that begged to be devoured. He looked like a demonic version of Ian Somerhalder from The Vampire Diaries. His hair was short and choppy, and a beautiful shade of wheat blonde.

Damn it. This was going to harder than she thought.

He smiled at her, perfect white teeth gleaming. "So, our fiery little princess finally decides to look at me."

Swallowing her anger, she gave a shy smile back. "Well, you're not the easiest guy to work with, so I prefer avoiding you."

He shrugged. "We are who we are."

"True." She inhaled deeply, bracing herself. "Look, I know you've pretty much been dying to see me, but I can't sleep very well with you crowding my dreams. And I need whatever sleep I can get if we're going to take down Emiline."

He continued to smile at her, reaching down with one hand to grasp her own and bring it to his mouth. He peppered kisses along the back on her hand, his eyes never leaving hers.

"All I'm asking is for you to not bug me when I'm sleeping." She knew seduction wouldn't work here, so she settled for the innocent schoolgirl look.

His teeth gently nipped the flesh of her wrist. "I want to taste you myself."

Will you focus?!

"You can, but not here." Taking a risk, she reached out with her free hand and caressed his cheek. 

His eyes widened, filled with confusion and hope. He cocked his head to the side, a sly smile forming on his lips. "And why not?"

She smiled back innocently. "Well, for one thing, you wouldn't really be tasting me, would you? You'd taste my body in a dream, not reality. So doing it here would still leave you guessing."

His smile fell, replaced by a look of contemplation. He nodded. "A good point. Any others?"

Her smile turned honey sweet. "It wouldn't be as enjoyable here for me, either. It's still a dream, which means you may be kissing me, but I can imagine it as anything. In here," she tapped her head, "your tongue could turn into a banana slug."

Kara could see his hope sinking lower and lower. She might actually have a chance to get out of this.

Pulling her hand away from his mouth, she reached out and cupped his face in both hands. "Listen, we can't do this here. But I can arrange for you to have something after the boys leave."

He regarded her closely. "Something? Be more specific, girl. I need to know what I'm fighting for."

"You said you wanted to taste me. Name it."

The corners of his mouth kicked up. "As Malnos would say it, your royal pussy is quite intriguing to me."

She sighed and rolled her eyes. "Fine."

His arms slipped around her back, pulling her in. "And just how am I going to receive this precious gift of yours?"

She thought a moment. "Come to the door of my room as soon as you can. When I wake up, I'll send the boys out and you can come in. They listen to me, so they won't ask any questions if I make them leave."

"And if they see me waiting outside?"

She scoffed. "What? They're going to challenge you? Not likely. They'll probably know what's going on, but I don't think they're going to make a scene out of it."

He smiled an instant before jerking her hard against him. He stared into her eyes. "How do I know you won't turn around and slap me like you did Malnos?"

She sighed again. She might as well be honest here. Any other answer would destroy their game. "I'm too scared to try to fool you."

He smiled broadly. "Good answer."

She hardened her gaze. "I'm only going to do this on one condition: You don't go behind my back and tell Emiline about what I can do."

"You mean about your Hammer? Why would I? I would gain nothing telling that witch anything."

She turned her head away, thinking of the deal she had just made. She knew she could let herself go long enough to allow him access to her body. But what would her actions do to Darian, Lyzander and Ladrian? Would they hate her? Feel betrayed by her? She hoped not. She cared for all of them. This was just something she had to do to keep all the players in line and make sure Lucifer didn't go stir-crazy staring at her.

A warm finger brushed her cheek. "You honestly care for them, don't you?"

She nodded.

"Did Ladrian tell you of the deal I made with them?"

She nodded again.

"Then there's nothing to be concerned about. Even when you are queen, you can still have your lovers." He kissed her cheek. "I knew you'd be upset when you found out, so I made up my mind to let them have you as well."

She smiled softly. At least he wasn't a total jackass. She faced him again, her eyes honestly softened and vulnerable. "You wouldn't go back on your word for that, would you?"

He shook his head. "I can't. An oath on the river Styx is unbreakable, even for me."

Her smile widened a bit. "Good."

Gently pulling away an inch, she rolled back on to her side and settled into her bed. He shifted closer, wrapping her in his embrace again and nuzzling her neck.

Oaky, so this wasn't so bad. He'd sworn an oath to share her with her princes, so that was good. The deal she'd struck with him just now didn't make her want to jump for joy, but at least it would keep him in line. The boys may not like it either, but she liked to think of it as a small insurance policy. She just hoped that, even with all they'd done and promised him, he wouldn't turn on them at the last second and side with Emiline at the last second.

If he did, she'd kill him.  

* * *

She woke hours later, tangled in a mess of sheets and limbs, her dream fading into the dark corners of her mind. Blinking quickly to clear the sleep from her mind, she unwound her arms from the heavy bodies surrounding her and propped herself up of her elbows. All three men were still asleep, each curled up or splayed out around her. Darian and Lyzander lay on either side of her, with Darian gripping his prized dagger in his hands in case of an ambush. Ladrian slept at the foot of her bed, his long silver hair spilling over one side, his hands folded over his abdomen.

She smiled, watching her princes sleep. Her princes...well, they were hers, weren't they? They fought for her, made love to her...shit, Ladrian got one hell of a scar because of her. They really were her princes. And she suspected that each of them considered her their princess. She smiled. That was just fine. She could be a princess and a lover to each of them.

Her smile wavered for a moment, then finally fell, the peace and joy in her heart disintegrating. She couldn't be a lover to them all. Not if she was destined to marry Lucifer. If that happened, she'd spend most of her time in his bed, not theirs. The thought made her shiver, and not out of excitement. She slumped against the headboard, trying to visualize her future married to the demon king. Maybe it wouldn't be as bad as she imagined it...then again, maybe not. 

She considered both options, her imagination running wild with possibilities. As handsome and charming as he was, Lucifer had a reputation for lying and treachery. Perhaps this was just another one of his games. The thought lifted her heart and inch. Maybe she could get out of this and laugh it off as some giant, evil joke.

No, she'd seen the look in his eyes. That small glint of lust in the depths of his gold spheres. This was not cruel trick or playful lie. He intended to marry her. And what Lucifer wanted, Lucifer got, whether it was through blood or peace. She doubted negotiations and flattery would work here.

Her heart sank again. Damn him. He sets her up to find a qualified prince to love, then tears it all away to replace it with his own plans. Her mouth tightened, her soul hardening. If she did end up marrying him, she resolved to make his life miserable for as long as it took for him to release her. He wouldn't get her without a fight first. He knew her far too well to expect her to come quietly.

And she wouldn't. She swore she'd fight tooth and nail before she gave into anything he said. Fighting was her strong point, and he was going to get the full force of it when he decided to make his move.

In a part of her mind separate from her boiling emotions, she secretly wondered what he would be like as a husband. She'd herd stories of him tempting people and then dragging their souls here for their misdeeds. But she'd never heard one story of him as a lover. He was surrounded by succubae and damned women's souls, she he'd have plenty of time to practice and perfect his technique. And he was a fallen angel, after all. He would have more than enough stamina to satisfy her needs.

She shook the thought from her head, clearing her mind of any and all things Lucifer. She'd deal with that mess later. For now, her focus shifted back to Emiline.

Something in her gut stirred, compelling her to look at the door. Her eyes flicked up to the massive panel of carved wood that separated her room from the rest of Hell. The dancing demon that was the central figure of her door gazed at her with the same red eyes as always. Only now those eyes regarded her with a look of sorrowful compassion. Confused, her eyes traveled down to the bottom edge of her door. There, where a small sliver of light escaped through the space between the wood and the tile floor, a colossal shadow blocked the glow.

Shit. That dream had been real. Lucifer was waiting outside her door, just as she'd told him to. Her heart sank even further. Now that he was here, there was no backing out of their deal or cleverly distracting him from his cause. She was screwed now.

Sighing heavily, she took one last look at the three gorgeous princes guarding her. It wouldn't be so bad if they stayed outside the door. At least then she could feel safe. She swallowed loudly and took a long breath. She had to do this - the sooner, the better.

She shifted her feet, pressing the against Ladrian's side through the sheets. She shoved gently, watching his eyes flutter open. He shook his head, clearing the sleep from his mind, and turned to face her.

"Morning." A broad smile worked its way onto his lips.

She smiled back nervously. "Morning."

His smile faded, replaced by a look of concern. "What? What is it?"

She chewed her lip. "You have to go."

His eyes narrowed in confusion. Her heart now fully smashed to pieces on the tile, she jerked her head towards the door. His black eyes followed her instructions, sliding to the smooth wood and widening at the sight of the shadow. He smiled and returned his gaze to her.

"He's here to see you, huh?"

She could only nod.

He rolled onto his side, still smiling his warm smile. "Hey, don't feel bad. You're gonna be queen. No sense in feeling guilty about sleeping with you soon-to-be husband."

"Yeah," she chewed her lip. "But you –"

He waved a hand. "Don't worry about us. Darian and Lyzander may not like it, but there's not much they can do. Besides, you're the princess we're fighting for. It's your choice, anyway."

She looked away, shame filling the empty space where her heart used to be. "Still..."

"Hey." He lifted himself up and crawled towards her, gently shoving Lyzander's unconscious body out off the way. He sat down next to her and wrapped one arm around her shoulder. "This is really killing you, isn't' it?"

She hung her head. "I don't want you guys to feel that I don't care, or that I'm just pushing you aside."

"Why would we feel that?" He cocked his head, confused.

"Because I'm doing this with Lucifer and not you." Her voice was soft, barely above a whisper.

He pulled her closer, forcing her to lean her head on his shoulder. She complied, wrapping her arms around him and nuzzling his neck. The heat from his skin calmed her a bit, relaxing her heart and easing the tension on her soul.

"It's all right. It's all right." He whispered the words into her hair. "You know, if it's so upsetting to you, I'll just wake the guys up myself and say there's an emergency. Then the heat's off you."

She looked up at him, her eyes hopeful. "You'd do that for me?"

His smile was all the answer she needed. "Of course I would."

She grinned back and pressed her cheek into his chest. Leave it to Ladrian to make her feel safe and warm. The man could probably make POWs feel right at home with just a few words.

"You ready for him?"

She sighed to herself. "Not really, but I don't really have a choice. I'm too freaked out to lie to him about this."

"Yes, he does have a bit of a temper, doesn't he?"

"Yeah." She pulled away gently, smoothing her hair and taking deep breaths.

He leaned over and kissed her neck. "Don't worry, you'll be fine. I'll handle the boys for a few hours."

She turned and kissed him back. "It's only oral sex. It shouldn't take too long."

He flashed a sarcastic smile. "You know Lucifer. He'll take his sweet time with anything."

Giving her one last wicked smile, he climbed over Lyzander's body and slid off the bed. We grabbed his pants and pulled them one before grabbing a long spear from his pile of weapons and holding it out to test its weight. Satisfied, he smiled, turned the spear so the tip faced the floor and swung it at full force, smashing the metal point against the tile floor hard enough to crack the stone. An ear-shattering crash resonated through the room, making her clap her hands over her ears.

Darian and Lyzander practically fell out of her bed, crashing to the floor out of shock.

Ladrian smiled and straightened his stance. He brushed his hair out of his eyes and stared at the others with an annoyed look. He rested the spear against his shoulder and clapped his hands.

"Come one, you lazy troublemakers! Time to face the sunshine!"




Date with Destiny-Demon Style Ch. 09



Darian groaned and pushed himself off the tile floor. "What the fuck? Did you have to wake us like that?"

Ladrian shrugged. "You know me. I like a little excitement."

"Leave it to Ladrian to get up with a bang." Lyzander had hauled himself to his feet as well, glaring at the silver-haired prince.

Ladrian only smiled. "Come on, you two. Get dressed. We've slept in long enough."

Grumbling, Darian pulled on his pants. "Why so early? It's barely three am." Groggy as he was, he grabbed his prized dagger and slipped it into the waistband of his jeans.

"First, it's almost ten. And second, do you really think Emiline cares what time it is?" Ladrian's face hardened. "If she's planning to kill us and take the princess hostage, I don't think she's concerned about keeping a schedule."

Both Darian and Lyzander mumbled complaints under their breath, but neither of them contested that Ladrian had a point. Nor did Kara. Emiline wouldn't care that it was half-past midnight to attack them. If there was a chance to win, that woman would take it. 

All's fair in love and war, I suppose.

Still grumbling, both Darian and Lyzander moved to kiss her goodbye for the day. Darian moved first, smiling a taunting grin at Lyzander before claiming her mouth. She sank against him a bit, letting his certainty and power lift her spirits just a bit higher. An instant after their lips parted, Lyzander shoved Darian out of the way, claiming her mouth for his own. From him, she collected sparks of strength and hope. A she pulled away, she smiled to herself. None of them knew how much they meant to her, how much she cared and feared for them.

As Ladrian ushered the other two out the door, he looked back and grinned at her. She watched as his lips moved silently, mouthing words of encouragement. She smiled back and blew a kiss. He shoved his rivals out the door, turned and grabbed a handful of air in his hand, and placed his fist over his heart. Bowing low, she gave her one last smile before slipping through the door and out into the world.

She stayed still for a moment, watching the door and listening to the fading footsteps of her lovers. Pain seared her heart. She hated watching them leave, and she hated it even more knowing that she had forced them out just to fulfill a promise to Lucifer. Yes, that was a noble cause worth kicking them out. She sighed and hung her head. This was a bigger pile of shit than she'd ever imagined.

The creaking of her door opening alerted her to her very unwelcome guest. Inhaling slowly, she looked up to see Lucifer stepping through the doorway. He gave a warm smile and closed the door behind him. Dressed in nothing but worn-out jeans and golden skin, he didn't look anything like the menacing, manipulative fallen angel that he was. She noted that his appearance was the same as in her dream: sharp angles, blond hair and amber eyes. So he could change his appearance at will. Interesting.

She swallowed and pulled the sheets up to her chest. All the time she'd spent with the princes had made her used to being naked in front of them. Lucifer...not so much.

Lucifer leaned against the stone wall next to her door, crossing his arms over his chest. He jerked his head towards the door.

"The silver-haired one." His voice was deep and smooth, almost hypnotic.

"Ladrian?" She regarded him cautiously. She knew enough about him to be nervous, and she was. Honestly, having her body devoured by Hell's ruler wasn't exactly the highlight of her day.

He nodded. "He likes you."

She shrugged. "I like him back."

Lucifer laughed and shook his head. "No, no, no. I mean he's willing to do anything for you. He took the heat for your deal just now, didn't he?"

She nodded, looking away. "Yeah. I owe him for that."

"You owe him a lot for that." 

He stepped away from the wall, slowly making his way towards the bed. His massive wings – black-feathered and overwhelming - trailed on the floor behind him. She watched the drag on the tile floor, mesmerized by their beauty. The black feathers shone in the fire light of the sconces, illuminated with hints of red, gold and blue. Those wings were hypnotic. As was the sound of their gliding along the tile, a soft whisper that beckoned her to come closer, to touch, to explore...

"Miss Haven?"

She bolted up, startled back into reality by his delicious voice. He shook her head, clearing the hypnosis-induced cobwebs from her mind. She looked up at him, watching as he stared at her with those strange gold eyes. He leaned an arm on the headboard, grinning at her.

"How would you like to start?" His tone was frighteningly calm.

She rubbed her arms, suddenly cold. "I don't know. Do you have any ideas?"

His eyes flicked up for an instant. "A few."

Typical.

"So," he sat down beside her on the blankets, "how shall we proceed?"

She sighed and hung her head. "Let's get this over with." She slipped under the sheets and rolled onto her side, closing her eyes and waiting for this scene to end.

"That's not what we agreed on."

The sheets were flipped back from her body. Warm hands gripped her ankles, swinging her around and pulling her legs over the side. He lifted her feet in the air and held her legs open. Instantly, she blushed and turned away. She was nowhere near as comfortable around Lucifer as she was with Darian or the others.

"This is what we discussed." She could hear to grin in his voice. "Goodness. What a lovely sight this is."

She groaned. Damn him. Couldn't they just do this and walk away? No, of course not. Lucifer had to have fun with her. His fun, anyway. He knew she hated being stared at, so he made every effort to leer at her for as long as possible.

He sank to his knees, his black wings spreading out behind him like an enormous shadow. She felt him lift her legs high enough so he could hook her knees over his shoulders. Soft feathers tickled her feet. Warm breath whispered across the insides of her thighs and the edges of her sex. Fingers traced the lips of her pussy before disappearing, leaving a moist, hotter burst of air against her skin.

That blast of breath startled her instincts awake. Her mind woke up, moving her body. She reached down and put her hand against his forehead, pushing him back a few inches. She proper herself up on her elbow, looking down at him.

He stared up at her, surprise and anger melding in his eyes.

She stared right back, blue eyes turning to blood red. "You give me your word you won't turn on me and side with Emiline."

The anger in his eyes faded, replaced by a warm smile. "Have I not already promised this? What good would it do me if I did? I'd lose you and my throne."

She gritted her teeth. "Promise me or you get nothing."

His smile widened and he nodded. "You have my word as a former angel. I will not betray you to her."

She stared at him for a moment with a hard gaze. His smile never faded. Slowly, her eyes shifted back to their normal color. She pulled her hand away, laying back down on the bed and closing her eyes.

The first touch of his tongue came sooner than she expected, making her jump in surprise. Hot, warm and moist, his mouth teased her at first, giving playful kisses and tender licks. She squirmed, cursing him under her breath. His hands clamped down on her thighs, holding her in place. He was determined to enjoy this, even if she wasn't.

She bit down hard on her lip, stiffening a groan of pleasure. Damn it, she wouldn't let him see her enjoying this. She'd rather die than admit that she enjoyed the attention he was showing her body. And fuck it all, he was showing her some incredible attention. His tongue twisted and teased, his teeth gently nibbled her sex. He suckled her clit and laved it with his tongue before returning to tease the insides of her pussy. She would admit that he was a passionate and skilled lover who knew exactly how her body worked, but that was all she was willing to concede.

She fought her natural instinct to arch her back, instead gritting her teeth and squeezing her eyes shut. He'd tricked her from the very beginning, setting her up and then taking away everything she fought for. That was unforgiveable. She decided that since he had toyed with her and conned her into this, she would make sure he got nothing in return.

Her orgasm, as much as she hated to feel it, came swiftly. Letting her carefully constructed walls of control crack a bit, she let loose enough of her demon blood to force down her normal reaction. No squirming, no aching muscles, no cries of passion. Just a low groan and clenched teeth. She'd clamped her jaws shut so hard they would have bit through steel.

Finally, her body relaxed. She pulled back on the blood she'd let loose, containing it once more behind her barriers of control. She let out a long breath, relieved that their bargain had been completed and that she could leave now. She hauled herself up onto her elbows, pushing herself back into the middle of her bed. The more distance she could put between them, the better. 

Lucifer's eyes flicked up, his mouth contorted into a malicious grin. He shot up, reaching out and grabbing her legs with strong hands. She cried out as he flipped her over, her hands scrabbling for any hold they could find. But thin sheets and soft blankets were worthless against his strength. He pulled her off the bed again, tightening his grip.

"Ah, ah, ah. Where do you think you're going?"

"Let go of me, you psycho!" She fought him harder, crying out again when he squeezed harder.

"Psycho? That's an awfully harsh word to use, don't you think?" Damn him. He was still smiling.

"We already took care of our deal! Let me go!"

"True, but I didn't get all that I wanted." He sank to his knees again, hauling the tops of her thighs over his shoulders. "You were holding out on me. From all the times I've watched you with the princes, I was expecting some passionate groans and pleas for me to continue."

"Fuck you!" she growled at him.

"There we go!" His laugh resounded on the tile. "That's the passion I was hoping for!"

"You lying motherfucker!" Her blood raged now, breaking out of her control without permission. Her eyes glowed red and her nails sharpened to points.

"Motherfucker, no. But I'd like to get one more shot at you."

With that, he dragged her an inch closer to his mouth. He gave her sex a long, agonizing sweep of his tongue, from top to bottom. She gasped and shivered. Shit, now he was going for the gold. She tried to claw her way through the sheets, desperate to get away from him. 

She sensed his growing anger before he made his move. He expected – no, demanded – that she be complacent with him. He didn't mind when she fought off hormonal princes or conceited hyper-bitches, but Lucifer apparently got enraged when she didn't bow to his desires. He knew her far too well to think she ever would, but that didn't change his feelings about her now.

His nails dug into her skin, not quite hard enough to draw blood but enough to get her attention. Whimpering, she stopped her struggles and settled into the sheets, burying her face in the softness. She chewed the inside of her lip, forcing herself not to cry. She'd always hated pain, but she wouldn't allow herself to give him the satisfaction of knowing he'd dominated her.

He licked her again, his tongue drawing a line of fire along the length of her sex. Sparks rocketed up her spine, making her moan. He gently held her clit in his teeth, suckling it hard until she writhed against him. High-pitched cries of approval escaped her throat, echoing off the walls and mocking her earlier resolve to fight him.

He pulled away from her body, a grin in his voice. "Much better. Now, let's try again. And this time, no holding back."

He buried his face between her legs once more, devouring her like a starving animal. She whimpered and squirmed, bolts of lightening moving through her blood. The more she admitted her pleasure, the stronger his licks became.

She sighed mentally. Fine. If that's all he wanted, then she'd give it to him. There wasn't any real harm in letting him know she found pleasure in his actions, just a small shot to her pride. She figured a damaged ego was better than scarred legs.

Surrendering herself to the shocks of pleasure coursing through her blood, Kara let out a litany of soft whimpers and harsh gasps. As she expected, Lucifer's teasing increased. The strokes of his tongue grew harder, the pulling at her clit stronger. She moaned into the bedding, fully giving herself into her body's demands for more. She didn't like having Lucifer here instead of Lyzander or Darian, but she'd take him for the ride he was offering and then dump him on the side of the rode.

Her second orgasm roared through her blood, launching her into the stars. She gripped the blankets in her hands, her back arching as thunder resounded in her mind. Her breathing still harsh, her body relaxed into the sheets, her toes resting on the floor. Burying her face in her warm bed, she cursed herself silently for ever making this deal in the first place.

Good news, though. They were done, finally. No more deals to be made or bargains to be upheld. They could go their separate ways now. She could go back to sleep and he could go off and screw with someone else's life.

She felt the bed dip next to her as Lucifer took a seat. Hot fingers caressed the skin of her back, tracing the length of her spine. She turned her head away, a deep blush taking root in her cheeks.

"There. That wasn't so hard, was it?" His voice was hypnotic, calling for her to come out and face him.

She remained silent. There was no way she was going to give him the satisfaction of acknowledging his taunts.

"Oh, come now. I know you enjoyed that. No need to act all stuffy."

She scoffed quietly, not giving him an answer he didn't deserve.

He sighed and lay down next to her. The feathers of one wing brushed against her back, making her shiver. She rolled over, curling up into a ball, hiding from him.

"Oh, come on, girl. At least tell me you had a little fun." His tone was disappointed. Good. "I know I did. You taste like warm honey mixed with cinnamon. Far better than what I had hoped for."

She continued giving him the cold shoulder, not wanting to admit her feelings to someone who could so easily manipulate them. She felt his weight shift, felt his arms wrap around her waist again and pull her against his body. His cheek nuzzled her hair, hot breath spilling down her back.

"You're really concerned about what they're going to think, aren't you?"

She nodded. "I don't want them to think I'm so kind of tramp who will sleep with anyone for any reason."

"But you don't. You do your best to protect yourself and them. The deal you made with me ensured that you had an ally. They have no reason the find anger with you."

"I hope so. I'd hate to break any of their hearts. That's just not me. I'm the girl who will kick your ass, then feel guilty about it and bandage you up."

"See? Everything thing you do eventually makes you help someone. No need to feel guilty about this."

"Yeah. Still I –"

Panicked shouting interrupted their conversation. Frantic footsteps and the sounds of breaking glass followed. The sounds were coming from outside her door, and they were getting closer.

She bolted upright, heart racing and body tensed. Lucifer did the same, his wings twitching in anticipation, his beautiful face twisted in anger. She stared at her door, waiting anxiously as the commotion grew ever closer. She hopped off the bed, mentally preparing herself for whatever train wreck was coming their way.

What the hell?

The door to her room burst open, a mass of demon guars flooding into her room. Some were armed, others clad head-to-toe in armor. All of them looked pissed. Moving too fast for either of them to react, three of the guards tackled Lucifer pinning him to the ground. Another two launched themselves at her, but her instincts had predicted their attack and she moved aside. Unfortunately, she'd stepped into the path of another guard, this one grabbing her shoulder and forcing her to the ground. She hit the floor hard, bruising her knees.

"What the hell is this about?!" Lucifer yelled as he was hauled to his feet. At some point, one of the guards had shackled his hands together, rendering him useless.

Shit. There goes our chance at winning this fight.

"Her Majesty has sent us to collect the princess." And enormous demon stepped forward, clad in black armor and carrying a colossal morning star in his hands.

"She has no right to send for me!" She fought the demon's grip on her shoulder, but her slight strength wasn't nearly enough to break free. "That woman is no queen!"

"SILENCE!" The demon thundered. "Impudent wench! You've cause our queen enough trouble already. And now you dare to defy her will?"

She opened her mouth to retort back, but the demon holding her pushed down on her shoulder, sending her crashing face-first onto the tile.

"You dare to take me hostage?" Lucifer roared. "I created all of you, and you turn on me like this! I shall see to it that every one of you is executed in the sunlight!"

The demon bowed mockingly. "Forgive me, master. But your rule must end. Emiline has promised us power, power that we could never have under your reign."

"And you think she means to keep that promise?" Lucifer laughed at him. "Fool! She keeps nothing but what is hers! She'll leave you to rot once the crown is hers!"

"We shall see. For now, we'll take you and the princess to see the Queen. She can decide how to deal with you and the others."

She stopped her struggles, staring at the demon with shocked eyes. "Others?"

He grinned at her, a disgusting smile filled with broken teeth. "Your little princes managed to get themselves in a fight with the Queen's sons. They've been sentenced to death, and rightfully so. Those three little bastards are worthless."

Her heart stopped. No, not that. They couldn't execute them! God damn it, no! They'd sacrificed everything for her, loved her and cared for her, and now this? No, she wouldn't let that happen, even if Emiline had declared it and this demon held her down. She would not allow the three men she cared for so deeply to be killed off for no reason.

Anger, despair and fury melded into one glowing ball in her mind. Her control slipped, letting loose a torrent of her demon blood. Her skin itched, her nails lengthened, preparing for a fight. They would not win this! She would not let them take her life away! Darian, Ladrian, Lyzander. No, she would not allow their deaths to happen.

The floor pulsed under her fingers. Strong heartbeats that passed through her fingers, making her whole body vibrate. Her eyes, one a deep cobalt blue, had changed past their usual demonic red color. They had shifted to midnight black, the color consuming every molecule of her eye. Her heartbeat slowed to an impossible pace, and her breathing had become shallow and labored. She felt so tired, almost drained. As if something had tapped every ounce of her energy.

A low rumbling echoed through the corridor, a blast of heat rushing through her doorway. The demons holding them hostage turned toward her door, shocked. A few crept closer to the door, peering out into the hall to find the source of the heat. 

The tile beneath her fingers grew warm, almost melting under her touch. She watched through heavy-lidded eyes as tiny flames spilled though the cracks between the slabs of stone. Blood red in color, those small tongues of fire twisted around her fingers, caressing her skin gently. She giggled at the sight of them, still confused as to why they were there but loving the feel of them on her skin.




Date with Destiny-Demon Style Ch. 09



"It's her!" One of the soldiers yelled. "She's the one who has it!"

The others turned to face her, their red and yellow eyes widening at the sight of the red fire twisting around her hands. Some shouted orders, others rushed towards the door. All of them were panicked. All of them knew what was coming, even if she didn't.

With one last warning roar, the tiles of her room separated, letting loose a surge of crimson flames into her room. They whipped around the room like serpents, wrapping around those demons unfortunate enough to be caught and crushing them, engulfing the poor hellions in red flames and letting the ashes drop to the floor. 

She watched in fascination, understanding slowly creeping into her mind. So this was her Hellfire Hammer. This is what made it so powerful and why Emiline wanted her so badly. No doubt the witch knew that Kara possessed the power, but there was little chance she knew the extent of the damage it could inflict. A weapon like this could ensure her rule eternally.

The demon that was holding her down became encased by the flames, but Kara was still too tired to move. She remembered Lucifer's words back in the dungeon. He had warned her that the Hammer required a tremendous amount of control and strength to wield. That it would leave her exhausted once used.

She watched as the last of the demons was captured and set ablaze, its ashes falling into a heap on the tiles. Their task complete, the flames sank back down between the crevices between the tiles, leaving the floor as it had started. The smaller flames that had wrapped around her hands gave her fingers one last caress before disappearing back into the deepest depths of Hell.

Her mind reeling, she observed Lucifer straightened himself, his wings spreading out and shaking off the ashes of former demons. Bending down, he sifted through a pile and pulled up a key. He unlocked his shackles, letting them and the key drop to the floor. He spun and strode towards her, his golden eyes frantic. He knelt beside her, reaching out and cupping her face in his hands.

"Kara? Kara!" He shouted at her, his voice growing distant. His features blurred, the colors of the room slowly melding together.

She opened her mouth to speak, but she was too tired to say anything. Her body felt lifeless, her control of her mind slipping away. She just wanted to sleep. That was all she wanted . . . to sleep. Her eyes fluttered for a moment before finally closing, leaving her in darkness.

* * *

Her eyes flickered open. Her vision was blurry, but not damaged. Her mind was fuzzy though, still reeling from the assault she'd rendered on those guards. Mentally, she was unharmed, though a little dizzy. Her body, however, felt like it had been in a ten car pile-up. Every muscle ached. Even her bones hurt.

Who the fuck ran me over?

"Welcome back." Lucifer's voice, muffled and distant, broke through the whirling mess of confusion and exhaustion.

She turned her head to look at him. Her vision was clearing, but the demon king remained a hazy outline. She could see the black of his wings, the gold of his skin and the bright amber of his eyes. The rest of him was still blurred.

"What happened?" She sat up, her sheets tucked tightly around her. The movement made her dizzy, and she closed her eyes to stop the room from spinning.

"You used your Hammer. And quite effectively, I might add."

"Oh." She held her head with one hand, trying to stop the spots flashing in her eyes. "I'm dizzy."

"I can imagine. I warned you that power would require strength. The fact that you're even awake is a feat in itself." He sat down on the side of the bed, watching her.

She groaned and opened her eyes. Her mind had stopped spinning, making her vision return to normal. She saw Lucifer's smiling face, his golden eyes watching her. He reached down and brought up a fist-sized green apple.

"Here. I don't know much about the Hammer itself, but food is a universal bandage for hangovers." He grinned.

"OHMYGODFOOD!" She snatched the apple out of hand with lightening speed, hunger searing her gut. 

She bought it to her mouth and bit down into the sour flesh, reveling in the tart taste on her tongue. She took more huge bites, devouring the fruit in seconds. How long had it been since she'd eaten? Days? It certainly felt like it, yet her body had functioned normally despite the lack of nourishment.

Lucifer laughed. "Yes, I know. Demon bodies are incredible, aren't they? Even half-bloods like yourself are amazingly resilient. You can go weeks without eating as long as your body has enough energy to keep moving. In your case, however, using your Hammer drained whatever strength you had left." 

She cocked her head, her mouth full. "Why weren't you burned?"

He smiled. "Well, that's the thing about the Hammer. It only attacks those its host deems as enemies. Since you didn't consider me a threat, the fire left me untouched."

"Huh."

He brought up another apple which she consumed quickly. Sated, she leaned back against the headboard and closed her eyes. Even with two paltry apples in her, her body had begun to repair itself. Cuts healed, bruises faded, her energy restored. She opened her eyes again, staring at the sheer fabric that made up the bed's canopy.

"Lucifer?" her voice was soft, questioning.

"Yes?"

She chewed her lip. "Why me? Why did I get this thing?"

Out of the corner of her eye, she watched him shrug. "No one really knows how the carrier is picked. Our best guess is that the Hammer itself, or rather, the power of the Hammer, chooses its host."

"Huh." She continued to stare at the filmy fabric, wondering if maybe it held the secret to her gift.

No. she couldn't focus on discovering why she had this power. There were more important things to do, like stop Emiline from killing the three men she could honestly say she loved. That was the most essential issue to handle. She had to go now. The longer she stayed in bed, the more she feared she was too late.

Panicked, she threw back the blankets and swung her legs over the side of the bed. She pushed herself off and stood up, wobbling as blood rushed to her head and clouded her vision. She felt Lucifer's hands on her shoulders, his grip steadying her.

"Easy. You just used the most powerful force know to anyone or anything. You shouldn't be moving so hastily."

She shook her head to clear the clogs. "If I don't move, they'll be killed and Emiline will go even more psycho-nuts."

For once, Lucifer actually shut up. She watched him watch her, wary of her condition. As much as he may hate to admit it, she was right. They had to save the princes or they were fucked for sure.

Her vision cleared again. Noticing she had her equilibrium back, Lucifer removed his hands from her shoulders and stepped back to give her some room.

She swallowed, giving herself mental once-over to make sure everything was in working order. Her body passed the test, thankfully. Looking around, she spotted her pile of clothing and made her way to it. Pulling on her clothes, she wondered how long it would take Emiline to figure out what happened to her guards. She by no means a genius, but the woman wasn't stupid, either. It wouldn't be long before she sent a fresh batch down to collect her, and Kara didn't have the stamina for another Hammer assault.

She pulled her shirt over her head and straightened the fabric out. Looking down, she thought how funny it was that she was wearing a Vader shirt. The baddest baddie in star Wars was on her side, fighting the bitchiest bitch in Hell. 

Can you just feel the irony?

"Miss Haven."

She turned to see Lucifer holding her beloved meteor hammer. He smiled at her, launching the heavy ball towards her. She grabbed it easily, yanking it back so the chain came with it. Lucifer let the thin links slide through his fingers, watching her as she gave the weapon a few experimental swings. Yep, she still had it. Even she couldn't use if the Hellfire just yet, she could still use this hammer.

"Shall we go, my dear?" Lucifer stepped beside her, still smiling his annoying grin.

She sighed mentally. Some people won't change no matter how many times you smack them on the head.

She nodded. "Let's."

He bowed, swinging one arm out. "After you, princess."

She rolled her eyes and too off running, stopping to open the door to her room. She gave the carved demon one last look before she ran. The smiling creature seemed to be cheering her on, dancing around the bodies of damned souls out of joy for her victory. Well, at least someone thought she could do it.

She looked back, glad to see that Lucifer was right behind her. She wouldn't let him get away from fighting this time. No, sir. He was going to be right there with her whether he liked it or not.

She pushed through her door, her bare feet making almost no sound on the cold tile of the hall. The door slammed shut behind them, signaling their exit from safety and their entrance into the unknown. She took one last look to make sure Lucifer was still there before sprinting down the hall toward the selection room. As she ran, the voice of Maximus Meridius from Gladiator resounded in her mind.

At my signal, unleash hell. 

 

 * * *

 

She raced down the hall, Lucifer trailing after her. He kept his distance, knowing how angry and vengeful she was. She was in no mood for games. She was in the mood for ass kicking and saving princes in distress. Making jokes or trying to make a move on her would just earn him a broken jaw.

They rounded the corner, running so fast her feet skidded on the tile. Her lungs were burning, but her body felt no fatigue or pain. The demon half of her had repaired all of her injuries, even refueling her energy. As exhausted as she was from delivering that Hammer attack, she kept moving. Her desire to save her princes from execution wouldn't let her slow down.

"Lucifer!" She called back to him. "If I end up killing Emiline, will you send me to the Violence quadrant?" 

"Under normal circumstance, I would," he yelled back. "But this happens to be a special case. I'll grant you a reprieve for this one."

"Just making sure I won't be damned for saving you ass."

"My thanks for doing so, princess."

If I decide to save you. Not quite sure you're worthy of being rescued just yet.

She'd worry about that later. They rounded the last corner, stopping a few feet from the door to the selection chamber. Staring up at the massive carved doors - the door that held the woman who had tempted her wrath once too often – Kara thought the hoards of demons looked like they were charging down a battlefield. A battlefield lined with human bodies.

She looked over her shoulder at Lucifer, watching him as he watched her. He smiled a nodded, a cue she took as encouragement. Though with Lucifer, she could never be sure. Taking a deep breath, she grabbed the handle of the door and turned, pulling on the iron demon's head and racing inside.

What she saw nearly stopped her heart. Emiline was reclining in Lucifer's throne, this time wearing a blood-red gown that plunged all the way to her stomach. She was grinning, her eyes bright with humor. Her despicable sons stood on either side of her, laughing.

At the foot of the steps leading up to the throne, Darian, Lyzander and Ladrian all knelt on their knees. Bent over so they were facing the floor, their hands had been tied behind their backs, preventing any chance of escape. Behind them stood three armed guards, each holding a nasty-looking blade, ready to strike. Execution time was at hand.

Her blood already boiling, Kara stood still for a heartbeat, watching the scene unfold. The vision of her beloved princes kneeling on the floor, ready to be executed, almost made her lose her mind. The fact that Malnos had done nothing to stop his mother - even to protect his own brother, Lyzander - made her homicidal.

"And it is by my decree," Emiline stated, "that these three traitors, in retribution for their crimes against my sons and Hell itself, are hereby condemned to death!"

Fuck that.

"You," Kara said calmly, "are a bitch."

Emiline's head snapped up, her eyes wide with shock. "How did you get past –"

"Your guards?" Kara cocked her head, widening her eyes innocently. "Oh, them. Things got a little to hot for them, I guess."

"Too hot –" The shock faded from Emiline's face, a sinister smile working its way onto her lips. "I see. So you've used it, have you?"

She nodded, her face stern. In her peripheral vision she watched as Darian and the others peeked behind them, smiling when they saw her. She gave a tiny smile back, acknowledging their presence and promising their escape.

Emiline looked past her, smiling. "And you, Lucifer. You now cooperate with this girl?"

He nodded. "I do. Does that make you upset?" His mocking smile made Kara feel a tiny bit better. 

"It does, indeed." Emiline's face turned cold, anger simmering just beneath the surface. "Honestly, I thought you'd have better taste. A spoiled half-blood brat over me? Not the wisest choice you've made."

Lucifer shrugged. "I beg to differ. If I side with you, I lose my future queen, my tortured souls and my throne. She also has far more backbone then you will ever have, my dear Emiline. So taking Kara's side seems like the safest option."

"I disagree. Especially when you say she has more backbone then I do." She rose up out of her chair, taking delicate steps down the stairs. The train of her dress flowed behind her, a river of blood made of fabric. "Let's see if that's true."

She snapped her fingers. Malnos shot up and ran to the far wall, picking up a sword that hung from brackets in the stone and rushed back to his mother. Bowing low, he presented the blade to the witch, who picked it up gingerly, spinning it in her fingers and grinning.

Malnos' eyes flicked to her, shock and turmoil coiling in those emerald orbs. She locked eyes with him, her gaze colder than Antarctica. If she could wish death on anyone, Emiline would be first, then Malnos. Seeing her icy stare, his eyes flicked away and he backed off, stepping away from the battlefield between them. Lucifer did the same, giving her a quick pat on the shoulder before spiriting away.

"Wait! What?" She glared after him. "You coward! Get back here!"

So much for his help.

Emiline stood before her, black eyes glowing. Her sadistic smile never faded from her lips. The witch spun the blade in her hand like an expert, handling it with all the grace and poise of a master. She had miscalculated Emiline slightly. As flighty and egotistic as she was, she was by no means incompetent in combat. 

Right away, Kara knew she had the advantage. A blade, while fast and light, was predictable, always moving in a straight line. Her meteor hammer, on the other hand, was attached to a chain, which meant it could fly anywhere at anytime. The ball could knock Emiline out, or off her feet at least. The chain itself could be used to trip her up or wrap around her sword and jerk it away.

Kara – one. Emiline - zero.

Taking a deep breath, she unwrapped the chain from her arm, letting the spiked steel ball fall to the floor. The sound echoed off the walls, making Emiline jump and Kara feel relaxed. The sound calmed her nerves, bringing back memories from her childhood of her practicing with her first hammer.

"So nice of you to wait for me to get ready." Her tone was cold, sharper than Emiline's blade.

The witch smiled sweetly. "I have my chivalrous moments."

Kara scoffed. "Really? How chivalrous of you to kill my mother and take her place."

Emiline's face fell. "That woman was useless! She never raised you the way you should have been!"

"That was her choice, not yours." Anger boiled inside her, threatening to explode.

"You could have been great! You could have ruled this place! But that woman held you back! She wouldn't allow you to show yourself, to prove to others what you could do."

"And which of us turned out better?" Her smile was as sweet as vinegar.

Emiline pulled back an inch, a sickening smile on her face. "I see. Well then, I suppose we should start." She turned, raising her blade to Darian. "You. You will be first to –"

Kara fired her hammer at Emiline, jerking the chain back so the heavy sphere wrapped its chain around the blade several times. She pulled back sharply, nearly yanking the sword out of Emiline's hand. The witch spun around, fury in her coal-black eyes. "No. You wanted to fight me. Now fight me, God damn it," she hissed through gritted teeth.

Scowling, Emiline snapped her wrist, uncoiling the chain from her blade. "Very well, then. Come, child. Let's see what you have."

She jerked the chin back, catching the hammer ball in her hand. "Fine with me."

Emiline took her stance, one foot behind the other, her arms braced for an attack. Kara held the length of chain in one hand, twisting the other so the ball swung in a wide circle in front of her. Another advantage: The meteor hammer's chain was over twenty feet in length, perfect for keeping an opponent at a distance.

Shouting, Emiline raced forward, swinging her blade down at an angle. Kara side-stepped away from her attack, still keeping the momentum of her hammer going. If that stopped, she'd be an open target. Emiline swung again, her blade catching on the spinning chain and rebounding off. That was the good thing about a spinning chain. Since Emiline couldn't see where the actual chain was – just a blurred circle of silver – she couldn't predict where an open spot was for her to strike.

Fortunately, she hadn't learned from the first time and attacked again. The blade bounced back, nearly hitting Emiline in the shoulder. Her eyes glowed in frustration, her mouth twisted into a grimace.

That's her weakness. She's well trained in sword-fighting, but she's impulsive. She doesn't learn from her mistakes.

She could give a couple of good throws and stop this whole thing now, but Kara figured the safest way to end this fight was to be on the defensive. Letting Emiline wear herself out would be easy. All she had to do was stand behind her chain and allow Emiline to keep swinging, then disarm her and this whole thing would be over.

A sharp pain hit her right shoulder, causing her to cry out and lose control of her chain. Her eyes flicked up just in time to see Emiline's sword coming down at her. She knelt down and rolled away, barely dodging the blade. The sharpened steel got caught in the cracks between the stone, giving her time to recover while Emiline retrieved her sword.

Furious, she whipped around to see Malnos standing at the foot at the foot of the stairs to the throne, a rope dart in his hand. The tip of the small metal point was dotted with small drops of blood. Well, that was just perfect. The wound probably wasn't serious, but he'd damaged her throwing arm. 

"Asshole! That's cheating!" Her eyes shifted back to red, her blood boiling.

He shrugged and smiled. "Call me anything you want, princess. I just look forward to hearing you call it out in our marriage bed."

He's next. He's so next.

"Mother promised me that if you two did fight, and she won, that I would have you first. And we'd get rid of these annoying brats you like so much." His smile disgusted her.

So she was a dealer to her own sons as well. She wins, they get Kara and their rivals are killed off. What a lovely arrangement.

Kara scowled at Malnos. "The only way I'd ever sleep with you is if you had me drugged and bound." 

His eyes lit up. "Fine by me." He started to swing the heavy dart, preparing for another attack. "To be honest, having you tied up has been a fantasy of mine for quite some -"




Date with Destiny-Demon Style Ch. 09



His words were cut off when Lucifer's hand wrapped around his throat. Holding his neck just hard enough to cut off sound, the demon king looked down at the lowly prince with a look of distanced repulsion.

"Now, child," Lucifer's smooth voice was hard as steel, "Let's make this a fair game, shall we?"

Malnos struggled vainly, clawing at Lucifer's arm. 

"We wouldn't want any accidents –" he squeezed Malnos' throat harder "- to happen because of an unfair outcome."

Malnos stopped his struggling, looking up at Lucifer with terrified eyes. He nodded slightly, his body shaking out of fear. Lucifer scoffed and dropped the prince, watching as he frantically crawled away.

Kara had to suppress her hysterical laughter. Malnos may be extremely intelligent and manipulative, but on the inside he was just a frightened little boy who pushed people around to get his way. The apple didn't fall far from the tree, apparently.

She scoffed internally, then became worried. If Emiline somehow did manage to beat her, that little shit was who she was going to marry! And she thought Hell was bad enough as a place. Determined not to end up sleeping with either of her rotten sons, Kara turned her attention back to Emiline. And not a second too late. She'd managed to pull her blade from the tile and had taken her stance again.

This round, Kara decided she wasn't going to play games. Her anger had gone beyond regular fury. Knowing her loss would seal her princes fates had her heart begging for blood to spill. And it would. She would make sure of that.

Emiline stepped forward, swinging her blade to the right. Kara dodged the attack and let her hammer fly, bouncing it off a marble column. The steel ball ricocheted back, connecting with Emiline's temple and sending her stumbling forward.

Kara whipped around and took a defensive stance, regaining control of her hammer and waiting for Emiline to collect herself. She could take advantage of her opponent's weakness and kill her now, but this had to be a fair fight. If it wasn't, Emiline or her sons might cry foul and execute Darian and the others anyway.

Emiline regained her balance, though it was clear the hit from her hammer had rung her bell fairly hard. She shook her head, her black eyes focusing back on Kara with a fury bordering on insanity. Someone didn't take losing too well.

Her insanity taking hold, Emiline rushed forward, swing her sword like a bat. The brazenness of the attack caught her off guard, making a small open space for her opponent to strike. The sharp edge of the blade connected with her left shoulder, slicing deep into the skin.

Crying out in pain, Kara swung her meteor hammer hard, matching Emiline's attack by sending the spiked ball into her shoulder. Bone crunched under steel as Emiline's momentum was increased. Both dropped to one knee, facing away from each other and inspecting their injuries.

Breathing heavily, Kara pulled aside the tattered sleeve of her shirt and studied the damage. A deep gash about five inches in length ran at an angle from the top of her shoulder to her back. Painful, but not debilitating. Her opponent had fared much worse in this round. By the sound of it, her counter-assault had probably shattered Emiline's shoulder blade.

Well, that added another advantage. Now that her shoulder was out, Emiline's attacks wouldn't be nearly a strong. She'd be slower, too which meant her attacks would be easier to dodge. Shaking off her mental shock, she hauled herself to her feet and turned around, staring at Emiline. The witch stared back, teeth bared and eyes glowing with fury.

Screaming like a banshee, Emiline raced towards her, whipping her blade around like a maniac. Kara dodged her attack again, stepping back to toss her hammer and jerk the chain back. The steel ball wrapped around the blade again, locking it in place. Emiline struggled to unravel her weapon, but her hammer had looped around itself, making it impossible to break free.

Standing at a distance, she watched Emiline struggle with her weapon. Her impulsiveness had been her downfall once, and history had a way of repeating itself. Even though Emiline was a skilled fighter, she let her frustration blind her talent. Her loss of control would make her an easy target for even the most uneducated fighter. 

Tired of fighting a mock battle with an egotistic child of a woman, Kara yanked the chain hard. Emiline stumbled forward, still holding onto her sword's hilt. Cocking her arm back, Kara delivered a devastating blow to the witch's face.

Emiline cried out, letting go of her sword and staggering back. Whipping the chain, Kara launched the sword away, out of reach from Emiline or her sons. She flicked the chain again, sending the ball flying forward. She pulled back hard, the ball sailing backwards and colliding with the back of Emiline's head. She gave a soft sound of surprise, her eyes rolling back. The witch collapsed to the ground, her red dress splaying out around her like a pool of blood.

Her chest heaving, Kara's strength finally gave out. She collapsed to her knees, her hammer clanking on the ground. She put her hands out, bracing herself against the floor. She did it, thank God. The bitch was out cold, which meant Darian, Lyzander and Ladrian were safe now. Shaking, she inhaled deeply and forced her body to stand. She turned to see her three princes cheering her, smiling and yelling their approval though still bound. Lucifer stood by them, also showing his approval, the dark glint in his eyes alive and well.

Might as well release them.

She began to make her way towards them. All of Emiline's guards had scattered, not wanting to face such a skilled opponent. She smiled as she came closer, pride and happiness swirling inside her. She'd taken out her opponent, ensured her alliance with Lucifer and save the princes. She'd make a horrible damsel in distress.

An arm went around her throat, choking her and dragging her down to her knees. Panicked, she clawed at her attacker, trying to break their hold. The slivers of red script he could on the forearm see told her one of Emiline's sons had taken her down.

"Mother!" Ziron's voice thundered in her ears.

Still struggling against his embrace, her eyes darted over to find his mother. She was staggering to her feet, one hand clapped to her bloodied head. Her mouth was a grimace of pain, her black eyes blazed with fury. She held her damaged arm with her working hand, wincing in pain.

"You!" She pointed a finger at Kara. "You will pay for you insolence!"

She struggled harder, knowing what was coming. She should have kicked her when she was down, just to make sure.

Emiline's gaze shifted to the bound princes, her eyes cold and steely. "Malnos!"

The witch's oldest son sprang up, racing behind their backs. He stood silently, a smirk on his face.

"Execute them. Maybe our little princess will learn a lesson about respecting her elders when she sees their heads rolling across the floor."

No. NO!

Fury rushed through her veins. How dare she? She'd lost a fair fight and now decided to execute them anyway! That bitch! She'd pay for this with her life!

"This world of suffering and torment is mine, now. And I will rule it with or without your help, Kara." Emiline's black eyes focus on her again, steely and unforgiving.

She watched in horror as Malnos moved to unhook a second sword from the wall. He stepped back, placing one foot on Darian's back and shoving him forward. His chest rested on a chunk of stone that had been knocked loose by her hammer, his head hanging over the edge. Malnos mover around to his side, a ravenous smile on his face. Gripping the sword with two hands, he raised the blade and took aim at Darian's neck. The ill-fated prince closed his eyes and braced for impact!

"NOOOO!"

She fought Ziron's grasp like a rabid wolf, twisting and tearing in every direction. He gripped her with his other arm, obviously shocked by the ferocity of her struggle. She felt her demon blood break free, the barriers of her control falling away completely. Her eyes glowed red, her nails elongated. But even her new strength couldn't break her captor's hold.

She watched with fear-filled eyes as Malnos took one more second to aim at his target. His eyes flicked to hers for a heartbeat, elation burning in those emerald depths, mocking her. He refocused his gaze back to Darian and swung the sword.

The blade fell slowly, the horror of the situation slowing time down in her eyes. She opened her mouth, screaming out Darian's name, tears flowing down her cheeks. She couldn't lose him. She couldn't. She wouldn't allow it to happen. 

NO!

Her scream turned silent. The room pulsed around her and her eyes shifted to black. Ziron's muffled shouts of surprise and Malnos' yells of horror swirled in her mind. Emiline's scream rang in her ears, growing distant. Heat filled the room, wrapping deliciously around her skin. Small red flames seeped out of the cracks in the tile floor, reaching up to caress her hands again. Larger ones burst through the tiles, shattering the slabs of marble and wrapping around the three traitors.

She swayed and collapsed to the ground. Her breathing slowed and her vision began to fade. This time, she wasn't so lucky. Her strength, already on short supply from the first assault, had been drained dry. Her heartbeat grew weaker, and it became harder to draw in air. In her heart she knew what was coming, and she began to silently mouth her goodbyes. 

Darian, Lyzander, Ladrian. All three of them had done so much for her. Loved her, laughed with her, fought for her. It pained her to leave them alone, to leave them grieving for her. She would miss them so much. So much...The soft sounds of screams finally faded away as her hearing disappeared and her vision went black.

Seconds later, her heart stopped.

* * *

Don't panic! This isn't the end of the story! She'll be fine, I promise. She has to be. How much fun would it be if I killed off the main character? Not much. I'd have nothing else to write. 

Also, I apologize in advance. My college graduation is in a few weeks, so I'll have a few more things to focus on besides this. Which means Chapter 10 may take a little while to post. Sorry.



Date with Destiny-Demon Style Ch. 10



Final chapter! Thanks so much for the comments you gave me. And for the patience it requires to wait for this (sorry about the wait...finals week is known as 'hell week' for a reason)! I appreciate all the support and encouragement I have gotten over these last few months. Once again, thanks so much for taking the time to read my stuff! You guys are awesome!

* * *

Kara's eyes fluttered open. A blinding white blurred her vision, making sight impossible without squinting. Slowly, her eyes adjusted to the empty paleness. She was laying on her back on a floor the same sterile color as the world around her.

What the fuck?

Groaning, she pushed herself up and onto her knees. She felt ridges under her hands, like grout line in tile, but she saw no traces of edges or any other coloring that would betray the presence of tile. Still reeling from her fight with Emiline, she scanned her new environment, frightened by the lack of color.

White all around her, as far as she could see. Creepy.

Was this Heaven? No, it couldn't be. There was no one here except her. No singing angels, no fluffy clouds, no happy little flying souls with harps and shit. Just her and endless whiteness. A shiver ran down her spine. This place freaked her out more than anything. She'd always hated pure white rooms; they made her feel like she was in a laboratory, like she was in a sterile room everything was unnaturally clean. The lack of life in this place only made it creepier.

Distant footsteps startled her. Whipping around, she scanned the emptiness for any sign of her company, but she saw nothing. The footsteps grew louder, seeming to come from every direction. She shot up and spun in circles, trying to locate the source of the steps. Still nothing. This must be an illusion, some sick joke being played one her. Maybe Lucifer had pulled another one of his tricks and had trapped her in some deep corner of Hell. Maybe she was asleep. Maybe she was going insane.

"Kara." Her mother's voice, soft and soothing, drifted into the air.

She stopped, her blood running cold. No, it couldn't be. That was impossible. Her mother had been dead for years. She'd heard Emiline laughing about it.

Impossible.

Shaking, she turned slowly, her heart racing. Her breath caught in her throat. Her mother stood no more than ten feet in front of her. Dressed in nothing more that a white Grecian robe, her mother made her way towards her, taking delicate steps along the invisible floor. Her bright green eyes smiled at her, glinting in unseen light. High cheekbones and a straight nose solidified their connection as mother and daughter. Warm, chocolate brown hair was twisted into a simple braid that hung over her shoulder. Her grin was welcoming and genuine, filled with all the love and joy a mother should have for her child. Her feet we bare, walking on the same invisible tile Kara had felt when she had first arrived here.

"Mama?" Her voice cracked and tears welled in her eyes.

Her mother's smile grew wider as she nodded.

Her fear crumbling, she let her emotions run wild. Joy, sorrow and confusion coalesced into an unbearable weight that crushed down on her heart. With tears streaming from her eyes, Kara rushed at her mother, crying out for her like a small child.  

They collided, a tangled mess of tears and cries of happiness. They sank to the ground, their arms wrapped around each other. She buried her face in the soft fabric of her mother's dress, heartbreakingly happy to see her mother for the first time in eight years. Her mother held her close, running cold fingers through her hair.

"Oh, sweetheart." Her mother cooed in her ear. "It's all right."

She sobbed into her mother's shoulder, eight long years of fear and frustration finally bursting forth. She was exhausted, elated and miserable all at once. But that was okay. Her mother was here now; the real, honest, loving mother she had always known. Not some greedy imposter. No, this was her real mother.

"Sweetie girl. It's okay. I'm right here."

Her sobs slowing, Kara pulled away, wiping her face clean of tears. She probably looked horrible. Red eyes and shiny skin, no doubt. Getting her emotions under control for now, she took a deep breath and faced her mother for the first time in nearly a decade.

"Mama...where are we?"

Her mother's smile turned sad. "Where do you think?"

She sighed and shook her head. "I don't know. Am I dead?"

Her mother dropped her head and looked away.

"Oh. I see." Despite her lackluster response, Kara felt no sense of anger or fear at her mother's reaction. Telling your child they'd died probably wasn't the easiest thing to do.

Depression crushed down on her. Dead, huh? That meant that her body was still in Hell with Darian and the others. Shit, they must be feeling horrible. Seeing the woman you're vying for lying dead on the ground probably took a good shot to their hearts. Hell, it might have toned down Lyzander's ego a bit. Still, she couldn't fault them for being who they were. They'd loved her and protected her. Now they'd lost her.

Her mother finally looked at her again. "Kara, honey, I -"

She looked around at their blank surroundings. "You know, it's not as bad as I thought it was going to be. I was expecting some giant cloaked skeleton with a scythe whisking me away and dropping me into a fire pit."

Her mother shifted uncomfortably.

Kara cocked her head. "What?"

"Well, with the exception of the fiery pit..." Her mother chewed her lip nervously, solidifying Kara's assumption that her own habit was, in fact, a genetic thing.

Seriously?" Kara stared at her mother. "Why don't I remember Bone Daddy taking me away?"

Relieved that her daughter was so relaxed about the subject, her mother exhaled loudly. "Sometimes, when Death feels something shouldn't be permanent just yet, it erases its image from your mind."

"Not permanent? So...I'm not supposed to be dead?" She gaped at her mother, her eyes wild.

"Well, not quite. Your death was self-induced and before your scheduled time. A bit like a suicide. Granted, you didn't mean to kill yourself, but you caused your own death before Death itself had planned to collect you."

"Okay..." she made a 'continue' motion with her hand.

Her mother sighed, but continued. "You've been given another chance, Kara. Something Death doesn't do very often."

"What kind of chance?" She felt herself leaning forward, eager to hear the news.

"If someone dies before their arranged time, and Death feels they still have a purpose or a use it the living world, then Death gives that person the choice to either stay dead and move onto their predetermined destination."

"Or?" Her agitation spiked. She'd always know her mother to be dramatic, but this was just annoying.

Stop dancing around the issue!

"Or they could choose to go back to the living world and live out their lives until Death was supposed to collect them."

Kara sat back, stunned. She could go back? She didn't have to stay here? Shock steamrolled her mind. She could go back! She didn't have to abandon Darian or the others! Holy shit! She could go back, settle any broken hearts, and deal with Lucifer. And take a shower! Dear God, a shower! That thought alone sealed her decision.

"But, if you'd like to stay here..." Her mother's eyes were wide, hopeful.

Damn it.

Her face fell, guilt replacing the joy in her heart. As much as she wanted to get back to her lovers, her heart ached to leave her mother here alone. She hadn't seen her in almost ten years and now, after only a few moments of talking, she'd decided to leave her alone? That certainly qualified her as a candidate for Daughter of the Year, didn't it? For an instant, she honestly considered toying with her mother, to spend eternity with the woman who had lover her from the very start.

No, she had to go. There were three princes -- and one very deceitful demon king -- who needed her now. There was also a whole shitload of crap to be dealt with, like which prince she was going to pick as her husband and how she was going to get out of marrying Lucifer.

Smiling sadly, she shook her head. "No, mama. I have to go. There are people who need me back there, and I can't leave them behind. I'd never forgive myself."

Sadness, then understanding, flicked through her mother's eyes. She nodded slowly. "I understand." She looked off into the distance, smiling. "They love you, you know that? They all do."

"Yeah. But I'm not sure I love all of them."

Her mother laughed softly. "Yes, Lucifer can be quite a handful. That little stunt he pulled surprised even me." Her eyes slid to her daughter, bright and knowing. "But I'm sure you can find a way out of this."

"Oh, trust me. I'll bite my way out of that proposal if I have to." She crossed her arms over her chest and scowled at the empty air.

"I'm sure. You have the stubbornness as your father."

Kara smiled. "I do not!"

Her mother howled with laughter for a moment before sitting up and drying her eyes. She turned to face her, cupping her daughter's face in her warm hands. "You are sure you want to go back."

Kara smiled and nodded. "I have to. I can't leave them behind."

Her mother smiled back. "And you get your kindness from me."

Giggling, Kara leaned close and gave her mother what she was sure was their last hug. The last time they would see or speak to each other. Tears welled in her eyes and she squeezed them shut, but they were tears of happiness. At least here, her mother was safe. No evil succubae to run her off the road, no evil demon sons to chase her down. Just mother and daughter embracing one more time.

"Your father and I are so proud of you." Her mother's voice was a whisper in her ear.

Smiling, she opened her eyes. Her arms wrapped around empty air, the endless white her only company once more. Heartbroken but warm inside, she sat back on her heels and scanned the vast expanse of space, looking for a blaring 'EXIT' sign or a staircase that lead back to Hell. Nothing. The world around her was as blank as before.

Well that's just fabulous. How the hell do I get back?

"You have made you choice then?" A deep voice, dry as desert sand and sweet as honey, drifted into the empty air.

Kara straightened her spine. Being here in this empty space of the afterlife meant her new guest could only be one person. Or thing. As fearful as she was, she didn't want to be rude to her new companion, so she nodded in response.

"Face me, child."

Heart racing and blood thundering in her ears, she swallowed and closed her eyes. Taking a deep breath, she turned around to face her colleague, her eyes still closed out of fear.

"I SAID FACE ME!"

Her eyes snapped open. She cried out and scrambled backwards in horror. Death was exactly as she'd imagined it: skeletal, cloaked and very mean-looking. Its face -- or whatever face Death had -- was hidden by the hood of its night black cloak. But what she could see of the specter was an exact replica of the Middle Ages paintings. Long arms, made of nothing but bone, extended from the sleeves of its rippling cloak. Gripped in one skeletal hand, a staff nearly seven feet long with a curved blade rested on the shoulder of Death. It, too, was made of bones. Human bones.

Holy motherfucking shit.

"Stand."

She remained frozen for an instant, too frightened to move. The bone fingers tapped against the staff impatiently. Clearly, this was not a good time for her to procrastinate. Death was known for being less than kind to loiterers when it came to keeping a schedule. Forcing her body to move, she slowly managed to rise to her feet. She stood at attention, heat racing and fear roiling through her veins.

"You have made a choice, then?" Speaking through the darkness that hid its mouth, Death's voice was low and melodic. Rich and decadent, like warm honey drizzled over cheesecake. Deceptively alluring for a creature so ominous.

Still terrified out of her wits -- she wouldn't be surprised if her hair had turned white out of shock -- she nodded vigorously.

"And?"

She stayed fixed for a moment, too frightened and stunned to speak.

Death leaned close to her, the folds of its cloak swaying with the movement. "Speak you decision now, girl, or I will make it for you. And my verdicts are not as indulgent as those of your God or the Devil you have become so close to." Its breath brushed against her face, a mixture of sweet summer air and garlic.

"I-I..." It was an effort to breath in front of such a powerful figure. "I decided to go back."

Death remained silent for a moment, making Kara's spine twitch in fear. In her mind, Death was the most powerful figure imaginable. Emotionless and calculating, it wandered the world collecting souls, not caring who they were or where they went. Death ruled all: tree to human, fish to gods. Because of Death, the ancient deities of the Greeks and Romans were gone, killed off by their worshipers' lack of faith. If gods could die, then even she as a demon princess was nothing.

"Very well, then." Lifting the tip of its bladed staff, Death tapped the white floor. A hollow sound resounded around them, deafening in its volume.

A roar followed, a deafening rumble that drowned her thoughts. An instant later, tongues of crimson flame burst from beneath her, wrapping around her arms and holding tight. Startled more than frightened, she relaxed slightly as she watched the fire she controlled stroke her skin.

"It will be in the fires by which you live that you leave this place." Death waved a bony hand at her. "Go now, and enjoy what time you have left. I will collect you soon enough."

Her head snapped up. "Soon enough? When the fuck will that be?"

"Foolish girl. I cannot reveal your time of termination. If I did such, you would do everything in your power to rob me of my prize."

She shook her head. "I wouldn't! I promise!"

"Not that it would matter. No creature, try as they might, can escape my grasp. All living things must fall to me. Even Lucifer himself will eventually fall to me. That is the way the universe -- my universe -- works."

Though she couldn't see into the darkness that hid Death's face, Kara could swear death was smiling.

No shit. That thing is a skeleton! It's always smiling!

"But until then -- and your death will not happen for a very long time -- you are free to return."

The flames that had wrapped around her started to pull her down. The floor, once solid, became soft and malleable like a pool of quicksand. She sank slowly, not fighting the flames that held her but fearing what was waiting for her once they pulled her under. She looked back one last time at the skeletal figure watching her. Death stood back, observing her as she slowly disappeared into the nothingness.

"Fear not, my dear. You and I will meet again." The tongues gave one last pull and yanked her into not endless white, but black.

* * *

Eyes squeezed shut in fear and gasping for breath, she thrashed around in her bed, sending pillows and blankets flying across the room. After minutes of no resistance, she risked cracking one eye open. She was back in her room, splayed out on her bed and breathing harshly. She swallowed, closing her eyes to calm herself. She was back, thank God. She was now certain she didn't want to stay dead. Death was scarier than Hell itself.

Okay, so she was safe. Now what? Lying back down in her destroyed bed, she took a deep breath and calmed her heart rate. Unsure of her next move, she relaxed her body into the soft mattress and let her instincts guide her. Always far more in tune with what her body needed than most people were, Kara could tell from the slightest change in her core that her body needed something.

Right now, her body was begging -- screaming, really -- for a bath.

She opened her eyes and pushed herself up, swinging her legs over the edge. She reveled in the familiar feeling of warm, smooth tile on her toes. Smiling, she dropped down onto the floor and made her way to her bathroom. Opening the door, she turned and quietly closed it. The last thing she needed was for anyone to come rushing in and interrupting her well-deserved bath.

She turned and admired her shower again. The four gold-lined glass panels were still the same, depicting the elements of life in glistening perfection. She practically skipped toward the glass enclosure, stopping just short of the shower to let the panels slide open again. The soft grating of metal on tile made her wince, but compared to the shit she'd been through already, it was a welcome sound.

She stepped through one opening and stood under the cluster of small holes in the ceiling as the panels slid back into place. Immediately, warm water poured from the ceiling, making her sigh in relief. It had been days since she'd had a decent shower, and the feeling of hot water raining down on her flesh was delicious. She stood there for a moment, her face upturned to the comforting spray. She left the water wash away the anguish and pain and anger that she'd felt for the last week. She felt the layers of crap that had built up sloughing off her soul, cleansing her heart.

She opened her eyes, aware of her body's demands again. She stared up at the small holes in the ceiling, willing for them to send something -- anything - to help scrub away the more visible filth on her skin.

Learning her lesson from the first time, she quickly ducked her head as the water changed from clear to cloudy. A faint scent of lemon drifted into the air, bringing a distant memory of her mother's famous lemon-crusted chicken into her mind. She smiled sadly as she began to systematically scrub every inch of her body. She washed and rinsed multiple times, frantically wishing that the soap would was away the scars on her soul as well.

Finally clean after an hour, she stepped out of the glass box and across the floor, watching as the small drops of water the fell from her skin were absorbed into the tile. The feel of smooth tile beneath her feet made her feel safe. Almost at home, though no amount of luxury could compare with her own bed. Fat chance of sleeping there again.

She walked back into her bedchamber and made her way towards the ornate dresser. Quietly, she pulled open all of the drawers, rummaging through the mounds of lingerie and robes, tossing useable pieces of clothing onto her bed. After building a sizeable pile, she closed the drawers of the dresser and walked over to her bed, sorting out the pieces until she found a worn pair of jeans, a matching set of blue and red polka-dot panties and bra, and a black V-neck shirt with an image of the Grim Reaper embroidered on it.

Umm...no.

She shivered slightly and tossed the shirt to the side, picking out another with a Green Day logo. She pulled her clothes on, loving the feel of fresh denim against her skin. Fully dressed, she felt somewhat like herself again, though not completely. She'd killed for the first time in her life and died once already. In her heart, Kara knew here was no way in Heaven or Hell that she'd ever be the old cheerful, happy child she was years ago.

She'd still be the sarcastic, loving, ass-kicking demon child, though. Which was way more fun to be, anyway.

Taking a deep breath, she quietly made her way over to her bedroom door. Pausing on instinct, she leaned close and closed her eyes, pressing her ear against the smooth wood.

"And what the fuck do you suggest we do?" Darian's voice was a harsh whisper.

"I don't know! I don't see you coming up with any brilliant plans!" Lyzander's voice was hushed as well, but far more agitated.

God, those two were still at it. She sighed to herself. Some things here would never change.




Date with Destiny-Demon Style Ch. 10



"Will both of you stop?" Ladrian's voice interrupted the two still-bickering princes. "There's nothing we can do."

"Ladrian, there has to be something." Darian's voice was still quite, but she could hear the tremors in his words. "We can't just leave her like that. It's been three days."

Three days? Three days!? She'd been a corpse in her own bed for three days?!

Ugh. Pity the person who has to wash those sheets.

"We can't do anything. She's either dead for good- "

"Or?" Lyzander's voice was frantic now.

"Or somehow she can pull herself through and wake up."

"Wake up! She's dead, you idiot! How the fuck is she supposed to wake up?" Lyzander's voice blasted through the wood, almost knocking her backward.

"Will you keep your voice down?" Darian snapped.

"What does it matter? She's dead. It's not like she can hear us."

Well someone certainly has a lot of faith in me.

Her thoughts came with a scowl. As much as she liked Lyzander, he could be extremely impulsive and callous. She figured that was just how he handled strong emotions. Knowing his family, delicate emotions probably weren't Lyzander's strong point. Besides, in Hell feelings of love and concern were few and far between.

"It does matter. There may be a chance that she could come back." She could hear Ladrian's voice, his tone now quiet and contemplative. "She did use the Hammer seconds before she died. If Kara died because of using such an enormous amount of force, and it was before her set time to die, Death could give her the chance to come back."

"Why would Death allow her to come back?" Darian's voice was inquisitive.

"Indeed. What would be the point of letting someone dead come back?" Lyzander mirrored his rival's tone.

"I don't care. I dare not question that creature." Ladrian's answer silenced them both.

Okay. I think they've suffered enough.

Pulling away from the door, she took a deep breath and grasped the handle. She looked up to notice the dancing demon carved into her door. As always, it smiled down on her, giving her a well-needed dose of courage.

Closing her eyes and holding her breath, she turned the knob silently and opened the door inch by agonizing inch. An excruciating minute later, she had pushed the massive wood door completely open. Letting the cool metal handle slip from her fingers, she stood just inside the doorway, watching silently.

Darian, Ladrian and Lyzander were crushed together in a small group a few feet in front of her door. They were still arguing softly, so close together that none of them seemed to notice her.

Her eyes scanned the hallway. The rest of the princes were scattered around her door. The twins were sitting on the tiled floor, their backs pressed against the wall and tossing stones at noting. Parthos was staring forlornly out an alcove in the wall, watching the souls below as they were tortured. Helion and Memnon were standing against the far wall, staring up at the ceiling and remaining silent. All of them, except for Malnos and Ziron, were waiting patiently for her recovery. Even Helion, the little brat whom she despised and who despised her, had come. Each and every one of them waiting for her.

Chivalry at its best.

Still tossing rocks into the air, Riordan's blue-gold eyes flicked to her now open door. Seeing her, he bolted straight up and stared at her with wild eyes. She smiled softly, happy to see that he had recovered enough from his shock to mirror her expression. Tristan noticed his brother's new position and looked up to see what was causing the alarm. He, too, sat straight up and smiled at her. Both of the stood silently, saving the surprise for the others.

"No, you idiot! That's not what-" Darian's retort was cut off when he, too, noticed her. His eyes shifted from black to a soft grey, his mouth hanging an inch from the floor.

Concerned at their friend's sudden loss for words, Ladrian and Lyzander turned their heads to see her. Helion and Memnon did the same, though Memnon was still as indifferent about her as he had always been. She figured he was only here out of duty and not out of any actual care or concern. Helion, she guessed, just came to see any fireworks that might go off.

One of the twins reached over and slapped Parthos on his hip, bringing him out of his trance. Startled, he spun around, shocked to see her at first, the elated. Of all of the princes she'd dealt with so far, he was probably her only real friend. The others were either lovers or assholes, but Kara could count Parthos as a true companion in this mess.

Collecting himself, Ladrian took a tentative step forward. "Kara?" His voice was shaky, as if he wasn't sure she was real.

She smiled shyly and gave a nervous laugh. "Hi...everyone. And how are we?"

"Better, now that you're awake." He swallowed, still nervous.

"Alive." Lyzander corrected.

She raised her eyebrows at him, her eyes conveying a message of corrections-are-not-the-most-important-thing-right-now. Lyzander smiled at her and clamped his mouth shut.

Good boy. He learns fast.

"H-how are you feeling?" Ladrian had dared to take another step forward.

She paused for a moment, mentally giving herself a once-over. "About as good as any person coming back from death can be."

"Did you-"

"Meet that creature himself? Yes, and I do not recommend going to that meeting." She rubbed her arms for a moment, suddenly cold from the memory. "That thing's scarier that this place."

"Yeah. It's got a reputation for that."

Now only an inch away from her, Ladrian stared into her eyes with a mix of caution and excitement. Slowly, he reached out and cupped her face in his hands, tracing the angles of her face. A smile slowly worked its way onto his face as he discovered that she was real. Overcome with joy, he wrapped his arms around her and crushed her against him.

"We thought we'd lost you."

She scoffed into his shoulder, her words muffled against his skin. "Please. It would take a lot more than a few blasts of fire to keep me down."

Looking over his shoulder, she noticed all of the other princes had gathered in a half-circle around them. Giant smiles of relief were plastered on their faces, and it wasn't until then that she noticed how much she herself was smiling. Grinning at all of them, she stretched out her hands and beckoned them to come closer.

Darian and the twins were the first to move. They rushed forward, Parthos and Lyzander a heartbeat behind them. All five of the crushed together, moving around so each could get at least one hand on her. In seconds, they became a mass of mingling words and twisted bodies. Every one of them was spouting off shouts of joy and questions of her time spent in Death's world. She smiled and shook her head.

"Enough." She made her voice loud enough for all of them to hers. They quieted instantly. "No talking, just hugging."

They stood there in silence, tangled around each other in a massive group hug. She notice neither Helion nor Memnon even tried to join them. With those two, it was the final straw. If they couldn't muster enough energy and happiness to celebrate that she was alive, then fuck them both. They could stay down here and sulk all they wanted. She had five other proud and ready men to choose from.

After a good five minutes of silence, her princes slowly began to pull away, giving her a little breathing room while still remaining close. She looked up and locked eyes with Ladrian. Midnight black eyes held a mixture of elation and concern.

"What?" She cocked her head.

He chewed his lip for an instant. "I'm thrilled that you're back. Believe me, we all are. But none of us knew what to do if you did come back. We only had a plan made for if you stayed dead." The last word made him wince slightly.

"Oh. Well, um..." She scrunched her face up, trying to concentrate. "I think I marry one of you, right? I mean, I've slept with everyone -- well, almost all of you." She shot a soft smile at Parthos. "So, I get to choose which one of you I want."

"And Lucifer?" Darian's voice, distant and hopeless, pushed its way into their conversation. "Remember him saying that he'd be marrying you instead?"

She let out a sharp burst of laughter. "Like I'd actually marry him. Come on, the guy's disgusting, rude and a total asshole. Besides I never signed a contract saying I would marry him. That's just some fucked up idea he's got stewing in his head."

A thought crossed her mind at that exact moment. "Did Lucifer...even try to bring me back? Did he do anything that might have helped me wake up sooner?"

Ladrian shifted his feet nervously. "No. he just stared at you and didn't say anything. It was Darian's idea that we bring you back to your room. Lyzander carried you there. The rest of us stayed back and cleaned up what was left of Emiline and the brothers."

A feeling of boiling fury swirled into her gut. "Lucifer didn't do anything, did he?"

He shook his head.

"Figures." Barely containing the rage now rushing through her veins, she crossed her arms over her chest. "Asks me to be his queen, I save his ass and he does nothing when I die. Fuck marrying him."

"Kara, Lucifer can force you into anything he wants." Ladrian's voice was worried now. "He can take away everything you have and beat you down until you submit. He's done it before."

"Remember when this whole thing stared and Lucifer said I was one of a few people who've challenged him?"

"Well, yes, but- "

"So what makes you think I'm not going to challenge him now?" She crossed her arms over her chest. "Lucifer is the last person I'd ever allow to control me. If I'm going to marry someone and have their children, it will be my choice on my terms."

Ladrian, along with the others, let out a long sigh of relief. He lifted his hand and ran his fingers through his silver hair. "Well, that's good to hear. For a moment there I was afraid you'd- "

"Ah, there she is!" Lucifer's voice, loud and overwhelming, rumbled into the hallway. "She's alive! How wonderful!"

Shit.

The princes quickly dispersed, backing away several steps to give the demon king room to advance. Some bowed their heads, others stood at attention. Kara, on the other hand, barely managed to suppress a shiver of disgust as he approached. She refused to turn around to look at him, knowing he'd walk away missing three teeth if she did.

A heartbeat later, Lucifer's strong arm wrapped around her shoulder, pulling her close against his chest. She grimaced, though gave no struggle. Pulling away from him -- which would only end up pissing Lucifer off - when she'd just come back from God- knows-where was not a good idea. Instead, she scowled and let him have his moment of glory.

Lucifer pulled her closer, reaching down and cupping her face in his hands. He tilted her head sharply up, his gold eyes boring into hers, a vicious smile on his lips.

"My queen," he whispered, "I'm so happy you're safe."

He leaned forward and caught her lips in a scorching -- and very unwanted -- kiss. Momentarily too stunned to react, she stood frozen and Lucifer tried to pry her lips open with his tongue. That made her blood boil. She'd saved his ass, died, come back and had a great reunion with her princes. Now he was taking the chance to rub his stupid arrangement in their faces. Asshole.

Furious with his attitude toward herself and her potential mates, she grunted against Lucifer's kiss and placed her hands against his strong chest. Using all the human strength she could muster, she shoved him back, breaking away from his lips and drawing in a deep breath of air. She stepped back, putting a little more space between them while she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

Lucifer stood a few feet from her, a look of angered confusion on his impossibly gorgeous face.

She narrowed her eyes at him, a few drops of her demon blood spilling through the walls of her control. Not enough to change her, but just enough to give her a fighting chance if something went wrong.

"First off, asshole, I am not your queen. I am, however, very pissed off."

He cocked his head to the side. "My dear, why are you- "

"Are you that fucking clueless?!" Her anger burst forth, demon blood flowing freely through her veins. "You make up so fake-ass marriage agreement that I never signed. I played every one of your stupid man games. I save your damned ass from getting killed. And when I die protecting you and your crown, you do nothing!"

He gave a mocking laugh. "Kara, you must understand. I did try to help you, I only- "

"You only what? Left me there to rot while the others took care of me?" She waved her hand in the direction of the princes. "At least they had enough class and respect to take me back to my room and clean me up while they waited for me to come back. But you? No, I should have guessed that you wouldn't do shit."

His gold eyes narrowed. "I find your attitude towards me lees than appealing. That is not how a queen should act. Especially my queen."

"I'M NOT YOUR GODDAMN QUEEN YOU, STUPID FUCKTARD!" Her eyes blazed red, her nails extending out and her teeth elongating slightly. Ass-kicking time was close at hand.

Her shriek had him stumbling backwards. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched as Darian and the others backed up a step as well. Expressions of fear graced every royal face in that room. Honestly, she didn't care that they were frightened, too. All she cared about was getting through Lucifer's thick skull. No wonder God had kicked him out. That man was as stubborn as a rodeo bull.

With a tremendous effort, she pulled back on her demon blood, restraining it enough so that only her eyes remained changed. "Nor will I ever be. You've lied to me, cheated me and almost got me killed. You don't deserve to have anyone as your queen, you selfish, arrogant, worthless piece of sewer-soaked garbage!"

Taken aback for a heartbeat by her insult, Lucifer's face hardened. His eyes narrowed to slit, the gold irises blazing with fire. "You dare to defy me? Me! The one who helped create all of you. The one who allowed you this chance to prove yourself and claim your place among the royals here. I could have left you and your mother out in the Sahara desert to starve! But no. I took the two of you in, cared for you, groomed you for perfection. And this is how you repay me? By insulting my place in Hell and resisting my command? You foolish girl! You are nothing but an animal to me! I will see that the rest of your family, and the generations to come, will live in the gutters of the streets, begging for rotten food and chilled by the rain. Now come here so that we may wed, or face the consequences of invoking my wrath!"

She stood there, stunned and far past furious. His wrath? His wrath?! Of all the people to threaten her, he was the last one who should even try. Her anger exploded inside her, tearing through ever sinew and fiber of her being. With whatever strength she had left, she kept the walls of her control locked tight. No, she wouldn't change yet. Not until she felt she was in eminent danger.

Just able to contain the homicidal rage boiling under her skin, Kara took a deep breath, closed her eyes and focused herself. Taking the bait and losing control was exactly what he wanted, and she'd be damned to fall into his trap. Opening her eyes again, she stared coldly at Hell's king. His enormous black wings had been spread out to their full width, the black feathers shimmering with streaks of indigo and crimson. A magnificent sight, but still an asshole.

The gears in her mind whirled into motion, bringing forth an idea so forceful it nearly frightened her. She smiled in spite of her shock. It may be a horrifyingly morbid idea, but it might be the only chance she had of getting out of this trap alive. She widened her smile an inch, cocked her head to the side and letting the idea stew a little longer.

Lucifer also cocked his head, but his movement was out of confusion. "And your smile is for?" He pulled his massive wing back into themselves, tucking the behind his back.

"Just a thought." Her voice was light, almost playful, and devoid of any indication of the horrific thought that had been birthed in her mind. The calm before the storm.

"We have no time for thoughts, my dear. Plans must be made for our union. Now come." He held out his hand, a look of annoyed expectancy in his eyes.

Still smiling, she shook her head. "No."

Anger began to etch his features again. "Miss Haven, you do realize that if you do not comply, I can and will- "

"Would you like me to use the Hammer on you?"

The statement almost knocked him off his feet. Lucifer froze, his expression cautious. She'd caught him in her own trap, a trap he dared not try to escape. She could almost hear the litany of expletives racing through his mind. Perfect.

"You know I could." She continued to smile at him, knowing it made him all the more uncomfortable. "I may not survive the blast this time, but I'm willing to accept that. I'm sure even death is a hundred time better than being your bride."

Lucifer's jaw nearly hit the floor. Unused to being threatened or commanded, it must have been one hell of a shock to hear this young demon princess make such an audacious statement. But she was willing to make it. Every single one of them knew what kind of damage her Hammer was capable of inflicting, so taking Lucifer down would be easy. Fatal, but easy.

"Take me out and you throw the entire world's balance off. Who knows what could happen if you did that?" She could hear the slightest bit of fear in his majestic voice.

"I know. And I also know I'd probably die for good if I did it again. And then what would you do? Both sides would be in complete chaos, no one could blame you for their misdeeds and you'd be out a princess. How much would that suck?" Her sarcastic tone made the words cut just a little deeper.

His face became a stone. "I will not allow that to happen. I have spent far too long building my empire for you to simply tear it down."

She shrugged. "Well, then I guess that means you lose this one."

He stood there for a moment, speechless. She, meanwhile, was preparing herself for both courses of action: Fight and die, or have him concede defeat and walk away. Since she'd died once already -- an experience that wasn't as horrifying as she'd imagined it being -- Kara felt no fear in dying again. Even if she did, she'd be with her mother in a place of piece and quiet. She'd miss her lovers, yes. But they would recover and so would she. They would find new lovers and she'd finally find happiness.

"Very well, then." Lucifer's clenched-teeth hiss startled her back into reality. "You may have your choice of husband. Besides, it's not like I can't find another to be my bride. You were simply the prettiest and strongest of those I could choose from."

She gave him a stern sideways glance, still not trusting a word he said. "I don't believe you."

He raised one perfectly formed eyebrow. "No?"

"Not a chance. If I'm going to take your word for anything, I need a pact first."

He sighed, pulling back and crossing his arms over his chest. "A pact with whom?"

"Not who. What. You want me to believe you enough to not smoke your ass here and now? You swear by the river Styx that I am not bound to be your queen, that you will do no harm to me or any of my family - including my husband, lovers and children - and that I have free reign of choosing my mate." Her eyes, now back to normal, pierced through to his tiny black heart.




Date with Destiny-Demon Style Ch. 10



His face scrunched up in a grimace of pain. He'd already made two oaths on the Styx for her, and he wasn't too excited about doing it again. But he knew as well as she did that making one last vow was the only chance he had of saving his ass from being burnt to a crisp.

He sighed dramatically, still speaking through clenched teeth. "Very well. I swear on the river Styx that you are no longer obligated to be my queen, that you may have full control of whom you decide to marry, and that neither you, your children or any of your lovers will find harm by my hand. Are you satisfied?"

She looked up for a moment, making an agonizing show of thinking about it. Finally, she smiled at him. "Yes, I am satisfied. Now get your old sorry ass out of here before I decide I'm not."

"You do realize that there is no point in you trying to command me. I am older than even this world we stand on. I created all of this with my own hands." He scowled at her, golden eyes blazing. "You my, dear, are nothing more than a privileged, self-righteous half-breed whose only notable reputations are for complete destruction and the massive consumption of hot dogs. You are nothing compared to any of the players in this game."

"And you are an insignificant disgraced fallen angel who holds no more of a rank in this world than a terminal case of bowel cancer. Now be gone, Crypt Keeper!" She waved her hand at him, a dismissive gesture that was sure to piss him off even more.

Shock crossed over his features, the anger in his eyes returning. He began to raise his hand as if to strike out at her.

She thrust one finger out, waving it back and forth. "Ah, ah, ah. You took an oath. Strike at me and your world turns to shit."

Furious but beaten, Lucifer lowered his hand, glaring at her with rage-filled eyes. She grinned at him, rubbing in her victory. It wasn't often that Lucifer conceded defeat to another, and she wasn't about to let him forget it. He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, then opened them, a look of peacefulness on his face. She supposed that since he'd made the oath and knew she wouldn't hesitate using her Hammer on him, Lucifer had only begrudgingly accepted his failure in this campaign. He executed a perfect bow, though he managed to look up at her with a look that could have set fire to the entire place.

She watched his carefully as he backed away, finally stopping when his wings were pressed against the wall. Standing to his full height, he leaned back against the smooth marble, staring daggers at her but saying nothing. Defeated, yes. Humble, no.

Fine. He could sulk there if he wanted to. She'd cleared that air with him. Now she had to return her focus to the men who had taken care of her this whole time. She turned to face them, taking in the looks of shock and pride, along with barely-held-back smiles. Clearly, most of them found her telling Lucifer off hilarious.

She smiled back, and clasped her hands together. "Okay, now back to business."

Some of them exchanged glances of confusion. The twins stared at each other, then turned their gazes to her.

"What...exactly is the business, Kara?" Riordan cocked his head to one side. Tristan mirrored his action, making her think of those creepy Tweedel-Dee and Tweedle- Dum creatures from Alice in Wonderland.

She chewed her lip. 'Well, since I've had a chance with all of you, I suppose I choose my husband. Right?"

"Kara." Lucifer's voice, low and filled with warning, broke into her mind.

She wheeled on him, cobalt eyes narrowed in anger. "NO! We'll do it here and now, God damn it!"

He jerked back an inch out of surprise, then hung his head and sulked. She wasn't anywhere near PMSing, but he knew well enough that now was not the time to piss her off.

She gave a sharp nod. "Good. Now then..." She turned back to her suitors. "Are we all good for this? Is everyone okay if we just do this now and get it over with?"

A second of silence, followed by all six of her eligible princes nodding their heads in agreement. She had a chance with every one of them, so it was only fair that she got to finally pick the one she wanted. The one she wanted, damn it.  

She smiled again. "Okay, so....could you guys line up please?"

All of the immediately scrambled into an uneven line. They stood shoulder-to-shoulder in no particular order, but each of them was intent on both getting her attention and giving his opponents a fair chance as well. Thankfully, most of them had become something of friends over the course of this whole shit-fest.

She scanned them with her eyes, memories of her nights with each of them suddenly bubbling up to the surface. She smiled at those images her heart had locked away, reminded of the happiness she'd felt with each one of them. As she looked them over, she became confident that no matter which prince she chose, he would be an excellent choice.

Prince...Not princes.

She could only pick one. That was a rule that had bee drawn up long before any of these silly rituals had been started. She could only have one husband to with whom she could have children. Which meant that while she loved them all, only one could come out the victor while the others had to sit back, stewing in disappointment as they watched her be happy with her husband.

Her heart dropped. She hated - absolutely loathed -- to break any man's heart, even if it was for a good reason. As much as she wanted to abide by the rules and pick only one of them, her soul quivered at the thought of disappointing the others. They were all viable choices for her, and she'd hate to see the others disheartened. She chewed her lip, now uncertain of her next move.

Ladrian's voice floated into her mind at that exact moment: It's been agreed with all of us that even if Lucifer marries you, the rest of us get to be consorts.

Well, duh.

Her eyes suddenly brightened at the thought. Of course! That was a perfect fix!

"Okay..." She scanned the faces one last time, flicking through her memories of each before pointing her finger at her choice. "Darian."

She watched as a look of shock crossed over his face, perfectly matching the others. Slowly, a smile spread across his lips, breaking out into a full-blown grin. She smiled back, crooking her finger to call him up. He moved cautiously at first, his eyes flicking to the side to watch a still-sulking Lucifer glaring at him. Sure that his master wouldn't move against him, Darian rushed forward, breaking just inches away from her face.

Reaching out, he cupped her face in his hands and pulled her forward catching her in a searing kiss that melted her bones. Hear heart skipped, signaling that she had made a good choice. Cannibal has he was, Darian had proven himself many times over by saving and defending her, as well as being a damn good lover.

Good job, self. Now fix it for the rest of them.

Breaking away from the kiss, she smiled at her new husband-to-be. He smiled back while his eyes shifted colors frantically, as if he was too excited to settle on just one hue. She giggled to herself. He was just as excited as she was.

Out of the corner of her eye, she watched the other princes sulk and hang their heads. She knew that, as happy as they were for their friend, each of them had wanted to have been the luck one to win her. Disheartened, some of them turned to walk away, making their way back to their own rooms to console their hurt feelings.

She panicked, fearing that she had taken too long. Quickly, she turned to Darian.

"Do you remember, when Lucifer tried to make me marry him, that little clause he put in the agreement? The one that said I could still have you as a lover even though I would be married?" Her eyes were wide, trying to convey the urgency of the situation.

"Yes. Why do you- oh." His eyes, finally settling on an icy blue, flicked to the other princes.

She chewed her lip, her eyes soft and apologetic. "Darian, I love you, I really do. But I don't want to just let the others go."

But his attention wasn't on her. His eyes were fixed on the others, watching them as they slowly made their way out of the hallway. His features creased for a moment, his eyes squinting in concentration. Horrifically long seconds later, he turned back to her and smiled.

"As long as you keep Lyzander under control, I don't care."

"All of them?"

Smiling, he shrugged. "Whatever makes you happy. You've fought harder than all of us just to marry one prince. If you want them all, go for it." He pulled her close, his breath tickling her ear. "Just remember that you're mine first."

She squeaked and threw her arms around his neck, kissing him fiercely. A heartbeat later, she pulled away, smiled, then turned to the dispersing princes.

"Hey, wait a minute! Come back here!"

All of them paused, turning slowly to face her, expressions of confusion on their faces. Out of the corner of her eye, Lucifer's head had snapped up, his eyes narrowing cautiously.

"Get back here! I have something for you." She motioned them to come.

She watched as they looked at each other, confused beyond comprehension. Despite the new wrench in the system, they turned and walked back, stopping a few feet away. A sea of eyes -- black, blue, green-grey and blue-gold -- watched her intensely, waiting for her to answer their numerous questions.

She smiled and took a deep breath. "Do all of you remember that lover's clause when Lucifer first drew up my marriage proposal?"

They nodded, Lyzander and the twins narrowing their eyes in confusion.

"That clause stated that I could have any of you as lovers even though I would have been married, right?"

They nodded again. Only Ladrian, standing on the far right and out of everyone else's field of vision, made any notable movements. His coal-black eyes widened, a slow smile crossing his lips. He'd figured it out. She just had to explain it to the others, and the best way to do that was to avoid drawn-out details and just spit it out.

"So I'm engaged to Darian, now. And I'm going to initiate that same design. Show of hands. Who's still interested in that idea?"

A second of absolute silence followed her question. All at once, four hands fired into the air, all of them straining to be the highest. Clearly, all of them were interested. All except Parthos, which she was fine with. He had stepped back, allowing the others the chance they deserved. He'd make a much better lover for Julie than herself.

Note to self: When it's Julie's time to do this, make sure you recommend him. He deserves a good word put in more than anyone.

She smiled to herself. Well this was good news. At least she had the ones she wanted. Ladrian would be easy to handle, and the twin could help keep Lyzander in line. As for Memnon and Helion, they could fuck themselves. Their attitudes alone wouldn't get them into any woman's pants, let alone hers. Not that their behavior bothered her; she would have denied them anyway. Having a spoiled brat and a philandering asshole as lovers would just make her lose her mind.

Giving a soft laugh, she stepped forward and walked up to each of them, kissing them all in turn. They kissed her back, deep, passionate kisses that solidified the bonds that had been forming for weeks. She didn't care who had her first or when they decided to start. She was just happy she could have them all. Her children would be Darian's, but her body could be shared by all. She shivered inside of herself. What a titillating thought that was.

When she had finished kissing them, she turned to watch Lucifer. Hell's ruler was still leaning against the wall, massive wings spreading around him like an ink cape. His face was turned away, but she could see a small glint of gold in the corner of his eye. Figures. He didn't wan her seeing him, but he wanted to watch her.

Se sighed internally. There was no getting through to him, no matter how hard she tried. Still, maybe there was one way to keep him in line. Taking quick, light steps, she made her way over to the fallen angel, stopping just inches away. She reached out, cupping one side of his face and turning it sharply so he could look at her. Smiling, she closed her eyes, leaned in and gave him a short but sweet kiss on his lips.

Pulling back, she silently reveled in the shock on his face, she admitted that seeing him so confused and unbalanced made her feel strong and in control, but she would never say that aloud.

"That was for giving me my freedom to choose."

A scoffing smile flashed across his features. "You are welcome, princess." His tone was condescending, reminding her of her place.

Her smile fell. Quickly, she cocked her arm back, spread her hand and smacked him across the face. Once again, she rejoiced in the look of pure surprise in his eyes.

"And that was for being an asshole." She stepped back and straightened her shirt. "There. We're even now."

Without waiting for his response, she turned on her toes and made her way back to the group of princes. Darian had joined them now, standing among friends and rivals with a look of pure joy. The rest mirrored his expression, satisfied that even though they may not be able to claim her as their bride, she was still theirs.

She walked to the middle of the group, extending her arms out and wrapping them around the shoulders of the nearest two princes. Darian and Lyzander happened to be the luck two.

"Who wants breakfast? I've been dead for three days and I am starving!" She turned to look at Parthos. Though not technically not part of her group of lovers, he had nonetheless stayed with her group to show his support. "You think you could make something? I don't care what. I just want food."

The eyeless demon smiled and nodded. "I would be happy to, my princess." He turned and began to make his way to the kitchen.

She looked over her shoulder at him. "Make it good and I'll tell you what Julie looks like naked!"

He bolted for the massive double doors that led to the kitchen, not bothering to close it behind him.

Laughing, she turned her attention back to the others. They were staring after Parthos, some of them with slight smiles on their faces. Her stomach growled, making her remember her body's main focus. Sex with any of them would come later. For now, food came first. Crooking her finger, she turned and began making her way towards the door herself, the princes crowding around her as they followed.

"Amazing how you could make him move like that." Of all of them, Ladrian's smile was by far the biggest.

She shrugged. "You going to tell me a naked woman never motivated you to do anything faster?"

His eyes met hers. "Never. One in particular almost killed me, though."

She raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Do tell." "I know how this story goes." Darian smile had grown as well. "Once upon a time there was a princess. She was beautiful and intelligent, but too strong for her own good. Some crazy lady tries to kill her and the men she loves. So she saves the princes, dies and gives them all a giant headache. She wakes up, though, but she- "

A strong elbow to the ribs silenced him, though he smiled through the discomfort and kissed the top of her head.

As they walked towards the kitchen, Kara was left to wonder what her life would be like now. She'd chosen her prince, but had kept four others as lovers. She would have Darian's children, all of whom would end up being half cannibal and half whatever the hell she was. And that was fine by her. The rest, especially the twins, could now have the freedom to do whatever they wanted with her. And, oh, the things she could imagine doing with them. She giggled to herself. This was going to be so much damn fun.

Now if she could just figure out who she wanted to sleep with first.

* * *

Two Years, Nine Months and Sixteen Days Later

"I'm nervous." Her voice was shaky, brimming with fear and concern.

"Relax. You'll be just fine." Speaking through a mouth full of bobby pins, Kara continued to comb out the stubborn tangles of the girl's hair, being careful not to yank too hard. "Just keep your eyes straight ahead. Answer slowly and clearly. And honestly. They'll know if you're lying."

Julie nodded nervously, taking a deep breath and exhaling loudly. She closed her eyes, pools of crystal blue rimmed with silvery shadow.

"Oh, and when you're answering Lucifer, don't look away. Ever. That will just make everyone think you're too scared to handle being a Hellion."

Kara watched the girl's reflection in the vanity mirror, taking in high cheekbones, a wide mouth and delicate brows framed by a perfect oval face. Her skin was darker than her own, a light tan tinting her flesh. The color of her skin perfectly accentuated the silver scrollwork that framed her face. Overall, Julie had turned out to be quite the looker. Just like her mother, really.

Continuing to brush the tangles out, Kara felt an enormous wave of sympathy for the girl. The marriage rite was difficult for every female half-breed. Hell, hers hade been fucking insane. But it must have been especially hard for Julie. Her mother had been killed by a drunk driver just months before her initiation, which left her with no one to lead her. Luckily, Kara had been there to save the day, stepping up to coach the young bookworm whom she had loved like a sister for eighteen long years.

"There. That's done." She gathered up Julie's long chocolate-brown hair and started pinning thick sections back with the pins. "C'mon, Julie. Smile. This is a big day for you."

The girl's lips turned up at the corners, but Kara could still see the anxiety and uncertainty in her eyes. Julie had dreaded this day since she'd learned about it. The fact that she was now just a few minutes away from beginning her own journey wasn't helping her anxiety much.

Julie's eyes flicked up to the mirror, her face flushing as she took in the silver scrollwork that framed her eyes and speared down her cheeks. Each of the half-blood daughters had a similar design that marked their lineage, though the colors and designs differed for each. Hers was a striking silver design that looped in and around itself, showing off her delicate eyebrows; Kara's was a blood-red filigree that accentuated her high cheekbones. That mark, as obnoxious as it may be to look at, signified her place in Hell's hierarchy and allowed her the rare chance to choose her own path. Without that, she wouldn't have had any choice who her husband would be.

Pinning the last of Julie's hair into place, Kara stepped back and put her hands on her hips, admiring her work. A tight bun wrapped in tiny braids with thin strands of hair left free to add a little movement. Not the most picture-perfect execution, but it was a far cry from her prom disaster. At least Kara managed to keep all of Julie's hair in place. The poor girl's mother couldn't even work a blow dryer. Here and now, though, Julie looked every bit the princess she was.

Her dress matched the formality of the occasion. Kara had seen to that herself. Literally shoving Julie's assistants out of the way, she had rifled through the racks of clothing until she settled on a black floor-length crushed velvet gown with a deep neckline and straps that crossed in the back.

She had slipped it over Julie's slender form, using a gold rope belt to pull the waist in. The poor girl was shorter and thinner than most princesses, standing only five and a half feet tall, which meant the dress had to be hemmed at the last minute to keep it from looking ridiculous. But the end result would be more than adequate for the occasion. She looked like a princess. Now she just had to have the confidence of one.

She stepped forward and gripped the back of Julie's chair, spinning it around so her protégé faced her. She reached over and pulled a tissue from the box on the end table.




Date with Destiny-Demon Style Ch. 10



"Hold still." Carefully, she used a corner of the tissue to wipe away any residual shadow and lip color. "Close your eyes. God, these people did a crap job. Was somebody drunk when they did your make-up?"

"Is it really that bad?" Her voice was quiet.

"Well, it's certainly not up to the standard of Miss Universe. Here, we'll get all of this off you and I'll do it myself." Tossing the tissue in the trash, she grabbed a fresh one, dipped it in the small glass of water resting on the vanity's dark wood and began wiping the layers of silver, red and blue from her face. "I'll make it softer than they did."

"Thanks. I hate when they pull my eyelid down to put the liner on." She blinked, her feature softening when she glimpsed her clean face in the mirror.

Kara smiled as she watched her friend find so much pleasure in being fresh-faced. Julie never did much in the way of personal beauty habits. Not that she really needed to do any of it; the girl could have been on any magazine cover she wanted. But with a little color, the girl could knock any man of his feet.

"Then we'll skip that part. Close your eyes." Gently, she swept a deep bronze shadow over Julie's eyelids, making the color just dark enough that it would catch the light from the ceiling window.

"What was yours like, KK?"

She winced internally. For some reason, Julie could never pronounce her name as a child. The best she could do at four years old was to stutter the first letter of her name, so 'KK' became the nickname that Julie had been ever since. As annoying and juvenile as Kara found it, she understood that to Julie, that moniker held more sentimentality than any childhood joke or teenage secret. It linked them together as incredibly close friends. Sisters, almost. And Kara would be damned if she to ever take that away from her companion.

"Mine was a lot worse than yours is going to be. Trust me on that one."

"What happened?"

"Long story short, I slept with almost every prince, killed off some crazy psycho-bitch and her sons, and put Lucifer in his place." She gave Julie a wicked smile. "But don't you try that. He'll claw your eyes out if you try it."

A small smile crept onto her lips. "I won't." As quickly as it had appeared, the smile vanished, replaced by a new look of worry.

"What now? You've been a worry wart all day."

Julies swallowed sharply. "What if they don't like me?"

Been there, done that. Own the damn shirt.

She shrugged, keeping her hand steady as she applied her lipstick. "You can't please everyone. I had a couple who were complete asswipes. But I do know one who's looking forward to meeting you."

Her eyes flicked open, staring at her with a mix of confusion and hope. "You do?"

"Yep. Name's Parthos. He was in my group. He and I never really clicked as a couple, but we've stayed friend since the first time we met. I told him about you and he couldn't stop asking questions."

A full-blow smile crossed her face, making her cheeks dimple and her eyes squint. "What's he like?"

Oh, boy. How to explain this...

"You ever hear of the expression 'never judge a book by its cover'?"

Julie's smile faltered a little. "Yeah?"

She took a deep breath. "He's about six and a half feet tall. Dark hair, strong jaw line. He's a great cook. A fabulous one, actually." She winked, hitting Julie's sweet spot with the mentioning of food.

"Seriously?" Her attitude had perked up again, elevated at the thought of having a partner in the kitchen.

"Yep. That man makes a mean jambalaya." She smiled, happy to see her friend excited for once.

Julie's features softened again, though this time it was out of relaxation and happiness. The girl was a cooking progeny, and with an equal partner beside her, Kara doubted that she would ever be depressed or unhappy, no matter how crappy of a place Hell was. Continuing to watch her as she put the finishing touches on her makeup, Kara though she looked almost peaceful. Hopeful, maybe. Good.

Her icy blue eyes met hers again. "What color are his eyes?"

Shit.

"Uhhh..." She paused for a moment, considering her options on softening the blow. "He doesn't have any."

"What?" Her voice was soft again, filled with hints of uncertainty and fear.

"Yeah. He doesn't have any eyes. But he manages to make it around just fine. Go figure. Don't worry. He's the sweetest guy of the bunch, I promise. You'll love him."

She placed the tube of lipstick on the vanity and turned back to admire her work. This time, Julie's makeup was much more toned down and acceptable. The colors highlighted her features instead of exaggerating them. And she managed to keep all of the lines crisp and clean, something the ladies who had worked on Julie earlier couldn't seem to accomplish.

She noticed Julie's still-fearful look. "You still nervous?"

A quick nod and closing of eyes was all the answer she needed. She walked around to the back of the chair, leaning over and wrapping her arms around Julie's slim shoulders. Her fingers laced together, the crushed velvet of Julie's dress pressing softly into her palms. She closed her eyes, tilting her head so her cheek rested against her friend's temple.

"Want me to sing?"

Julie nodded vigorously. After years of being so close to her, Kara knew that singing to her was one of the few ways Julie could calm down. She tightened her arms around Julie's shoulders, pulling her into a warm, loving embrace that only a friend as close as a sister could give. Her mind switched into music mode and Sara Bareilles clicked into the CD slot of her thoughts.

"And so...here we go, bluebird. Back to the sky on your own. Oh, let him go bluebird. Ready to fly, you and I. Here we go."

Julie's eyes closed, her breathing slowing and hear heartbeat claming down as she sunk into Kara's arms. Good, she was calming down. Just a few more minutes and the first part of this stupid rite of passage would be over.

"This pair of wings worn and rusted. From too many years by my side..."

She smiled as she watched her protégé collect herself. Memories of her own fear and uncertainty flooded her mind, enabling her to sympathize with the girl. Every one of the princesses had felt some fear and concern at this whole thing, she was sure. It was the way that they handled it and fought through that trepidation that allowed them to claim their place among the rulers of the underworld.

"They can carry me, swear to be sturdy and strong. But see turning them on still means goodbye."

A knock at the side door startled them both.

"My lady. You're up in two minutes." A deep voice, one of a carrier demon, resounded through the thick wood.

Smiling, Kara pulled away from Julie and stood back up. She placed and hand on her shoulder, giving the last bit of comfort she could offer. "Come on, bluebird. Better get this over with and move on."

Julie nodded, gripping the arms of the chain to push herself up. She trembled slightly, her nerves still getting the best of her. Wanting to catch her before she completely collapsed, Kara raced around the side of the chair and gripped her shoulders, steadying her.

"Easy. Come on, let's go." Gently, she ushered Julie to the curtain that separated them from the selection hall. She reached out with one hand and pulled back an edge of the curtain a few inches. "Here. Take a look."

Still hyperventilating, Julie leaned forward and peeked out through the opening. "There's so many."

"Don't worry about them. When you walk down the steps, just find one thing to look at and focus on it. Ignore everything around you and you'll be fine." She reached around and gave Julie an inverted hug. "I promise."

Julie continued to peer through the curtain. "Oh! I think I see him."

"Parthos?"

"Yeah. He's...Oh, he's not that bad. I suppose the eye thing is kinda weird, but- Ugh!"

Her head snapped up. "What?"

"What is that?" Using one finger, Julie pointed through the curtain at the table of princes. "That one there. Second to the left."

Curious now, Kara moved around her and peered through the opening.

Holy mother of shit.

Julie's reaction was completely understandable. The prince she had been pointing to was hideous. Green-black skin covered in sores and warts. Fiery orange eyes blazing out from under heavy scaled lids. A wide mouth overfilled with sharp teeth. Kara felt a shiver run down her own spine. Whoever or whatever that thing was, it certainly wasn't a choice pick for her delicate friend. After laying eyes upon that monstrosity, she was surprised Julie was even standing.

"I have no idea. I'm not sure I even want to know." She felt her own stomach turn a bit. "Maybe not the best choice for your first night."

"Absolutely not! Someone should have shot that thing years ago!" Julie grimaced, fear now fresh and ripe in her soul.

Fix this! Fix it now!

"Come here." She gripped Julie by her shoulders and spun her around to face her. Cobalt eyes bored into fearful icy blue. "Tell you what. Don't even look at him. Focus on Parthos, okay?"

She nodded quickly, relieved to no longer be staring at her less-than-appealing suitor.

Another knock at the door. "My lady. It's time."

"She's ready!" Kara called to the voice. She looked back at Julie. "You'll do great." Leaning forward, she kissed the top of Julie's head, a small parting gift to make up for everything that she'd been through.

"I hope so." She turned back to the curtain, straightening her dress. "Hey, KK?"

"Hmm?"

Slender arms wrapped around her waist. A warm cheek pressed against her chest. Startled for a moment, she smiled softly and returned the hug, stroking the free stands of Julie's long hair.

"Thanks for this. All of it." Her voice was soft, a whisper filled to the brim with love and admiration.

She kissed the top of her head. "No problem, sweetheart." Gently, she pushed the girl back in front of the curtain. "Now go. Show them all what you've got."

With one last thankful smile Julie turned, took a deep breath and stepped out onto the marble staircase. Moving quietly, Kara stepped to the edge of the curtain, leaning against the marble wall to peer out. She watched Julie as she made her way down the marble steps, taking them slowly so she wouldn't trip. Her face was serene, masking the fear roiling just beneath the surface. But she stood tall and strong, not letting anyone know just how freaked out she was.

Good girl. Just look straight ahead.

The soft creek of a door opening pulled her back into reality for an instant. One of the assistants coming back to deliver dinner, she assumed. God, she hated those people. They couldn't do makeup, the women were horrible maids, and all of them would be kicked out of Saks in a heartbeat if anyone had seen the choices they'd offered for Julie. And none of them could cook a decent roast. Idiots. She shrugged it off. They'd be in and out in five minutes. Neither of them would have to endure their presence for very long.

Hot breath tickled her ear and instant before strong arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her back against a strong chest. Her heart skipped a beat her muscles tensing for an instant. If that servant pulled her any closer, she'd knock his teeth out.

"How's she doing?" Darian's soft, melodic voice soothed her heightened nerves.

She sighed in relief. "About as good as she can do. She's more freaked out than I was."

"Well, yeah. The girl's missing her mother and she didn't have the formal training you got. Without you she'd be winging this."

"Yeah. Poor thing." She leaned back and settled into him, loving the heat emanating off his skin.

"You recommend Parthos?"

She nodded. "I tried to convince her he would be a good catch for her. She got a glimpse of him before she left. She didn't seem too worried." She dropped her head again, wondering if she'd done enough.

"Hey, stop looking so depressed. You did the best you could. The rest is up to her." He kissed her hair.

"I know. I just wish I could have had more time to prepare her for this. Two months isn't much notice to make someone a royal."

"Well, you did a damn good job with the time you had. She looks like a completely different person."

She continued watching from behind the curtain. "Not completely different. Her hair's a little shorter and she's not as jumpy, but she's still my Julie."

"Your Julie?" He nipped her neck, his mocking tone suddenly humorous.

She elbowed his ribs. "Yes, my Julie. I've know the girl since she was born, so I'd like to think I have some claim over her."

"Whatever you say. But you're still my Kara." He tightened his grip on her waist. "I don't care how many times Lyzander sleeps with you."

She smiled. Almost three years had passed and somehow she'd managed to keep her husband and all four or her lovers. None of them had bailed on her, solidifying the fact the she was desirable and cared for. And with her dealing out sex equally to all of them, she doubted that any of them would ever want to leave.

Besides, even if all of her men ditched her, her twin boys will always be there for her. Alexander and Marcus were growing into fine young princes. Alexander had his mother's hair and his father's gift of changing eye colors. Marcus also had the same ink black hair, but his eyes remained a warm emerald green. Both of them were wonderful children. They shared their mother's intelligence and their father's stubbornness. Her kin right down to the bones.

"Thinking about the boys?"

She smiled and nodded. "They're your sons, you know."

"Mine? It's your attitude they have. Besides, I don't recall being the one who forced them out."

She shook her head. "No, they're yours. Trust me."

His breath seared her throat. "I trust you on everything except this."

"Everything, huh? Even my advice on macramé and car parts."

He pinched her ass. "You're splitting hairs."

She rolled her eyes and giggled. "Forgive me, master. I meant no offense."

His lips locked against her neck. "Never. You've gone too far this time, girl. I'll have Ladrian whip you for you insolence."

She laughed. "Really? And will you be there to watch?"

"You can bet your ass."

She scoffed. Of course he would watch. Seeing her chained naked to a wall and blindfolded gave him one hell of a rush.

His hands slid to her hips, a gentle caress that warned the impending explosion to come. "Come on. She'll be fine."

She hesitated, still worried for her friend. She peeked out from behind the curtain again, watching Julie present herself. She'd already made her first selection, and by the smile on Parthos' face, she'd followed Kara's advice. Turning, Julie began to make her way back up the marble staircase, lifting her dress so she wouldn't trip over the hem.

Her eyes flicked up for an instant, locking with her own. She gave Kara a soft smile of joy and triumph. She'd passed the test with flying colors. Her eyes flicked to the side for an instant, seeing Darian. Looking back at Kara, she nodded and smiled wider. A go-ahead-I'll-be-alright smile. Kara smiled back, joy and pride swelling in her chest. Years -- or months - of practice had prepared them both enough to pass the test beautifully. She only hoped the Julie's ordeal would be much easier and evil bitch-free.

"See? She'll be fine." He nuzzled her neck.

She sighed happily. "I suppose so."

His hands slid up the smooth fabric of her blouse, gently cupping her breasts through the soft silk. "Anything particular you have want to try?"

A slight smile played on her lips. "Just one thing."

"Oh?"

She turned in his arms to face him, reaching up to loop her arms around his neck. Looking into honey eyes and the sweetest sharp-toothed smile any man could muster. "I want a daughter of my own."

His eyes shifted from liquid amber to pale green. "Come on, then." Grinning, he picked her up and carried her through the door and down the hall. "Let's make one."

She threw her head back and laughed. "Just try not to bite so hard this time."

"Me? I'm just marking my territory."

"I don't want to have to explain my bite marks to the kids."

"Then don't show them."

"And if they catch us in the act like every child has at one time?" She cocked her head to the side, a soft smile on her lips.

"Then we'll tell them to leave."

She laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck, nuzzling her cheek against his chest. "You're an asshole."

He grinned. "Always."

* * *

And there you go. Kara's adventure ends happily, with one husband, four lovers and possibly three children. This is probably the longest story I've ever written, and I loved every minute of it. And I loved of the comments you've made over the chapters. Some of them were hilarious.

Also, thanks to everyone who helped move the story along by sending in votes for chapter six. Without those, I would have been lost for a bit.

Thanks so much you guys!

Also, the song I had Kara sing is "Bluebird" by Sara Bareilles. Just giving credit where it's due.