Taken By Desire: Demonic Desires Book 1 Read online

  “I ask the bond to lead me to the other half of my soul.” There was no stopping it now. His destiny had been set in motion.

  Then it happened. He sensed her, and his blood pulsed faster through his body. The craving to find the one whose blood he’d last taken made his fangs grow thick and long. A whirlwind of magic circled around him like a micro storm, and then it was gone. He blinked away the sweat that trickled into his eyes, and upon inhaling, he scented her. He lifted his lids to soak in his surroundings.

  Son of a bitch.

  Even though it was dark and she never heard a door open, Aimee knew someone had entered her room. She bolted straight up in bed. “Who is there?”

  “I can’t believe it really worked.”

  Her skin warmed and relief swept across her. She’d recognize that voice anywhere and reached for the lamp on the nightstand. When she flicked it on, there in the middle of the room stood the one demon she’d never been happier to see in her life. “Dear god, how’d you find me?” She threw off the covers and jumped out of bed, running straight into his arms. He didn’t hesitate in pulling her close to his hard lean body.

  “Are you okay? Where the hell are we?”

  She pushed back to look up at him. The soft light from the lamp played shadows across his face, adding to his darkened jaw. The scowl that creased his brow lent to his already dangerous look. “I thought you knew since you’re the one who found me,” she whispered.

  “Long story, but we need to go,” he grunted. “Hang on.”

  Before she could respond, they were sucked into a dark void, much like the one she’d experienced when Fang had taken them back to her apartment. Her body felt weightless, and her head spun as the darkness swirled around them, dotted with tiny points of light. Seconds later, her feet came into contact with a hard surface and the black gave way to brightness. She shielded her eyes against a blinding sun.

  “Where are we?” She blinked several times, her eyes watering from the glare.

  “We are in my ancestral home. The others, Fang and your friend Bethany, are waiting inside somewhere.”

  She gasped. “Oh, Bethany has probably been worried sick.” She was finally able to focus now that she’d grown accustomed to the light. “Holy shit!” She spun around to look behind her then did a complete circle, only to discover they stood in the middle of a large bridge.

  “That’s pretty much how I felt when I first saw it too,” Greydon stated.

  The two statues that flanked either side of a great building mesmerized her. “This is your home?”

  “It once was, centuries ago. Now it’s abandoned.”

  She looked up at him. “Why?”

  “Another long story for another day.” She could tell by his tone, he wasn’t happy.

  “You seem to keep coming to my rescue. Thank you, but how did you know where I was?”

  “Your blood. When the others reported you missing, I came here to perform a blood ritual.” His gaze narrowed to pin points. “You took off the charm Fang gave to you.”

  There was no doubt by the way he glared at her that he was displeased. “I took it off when I showered and forgot to put it back on.”

  “Do you know what you’ve done? No, of course you wouldn’t so let me explain it in simple terms. Your forgetfulness has caused me to enter a place I had no desire to come to yet and perform an ancient ritual that has tied me to you.”

  She noticed his fangs began to peek out as he spoke.

  “You have no idea what a blood bond does to a demon.” He lifted his head and sniffed the air. “Your scent is intoxicating. It makes my mouth water. And just so you know not to test me, it’s taking every ounce of restraint I have not to toss you to the ground and sink my fangs into your neck, while I sink my cock into your depths.”

  She took a step back, angry with herself. No, more like pissed that she found his threats anything but frightening. The thought of him drinking from her again sent heat to her core, but she would never give him the satisfaction of knowing, so she pulled her shoulders back.

  “I’m sorry for causing you so much trouble, but I think you have more to worry about than me.”

  He raised a dark brow. “Do tell.”

  “The people who kidnapped me are trying to find a way to produce a child that will allow them into Atlantis.”

  He leaned closer, his fangs elongated further. “Explain.”

  She refused to back up so met him head on. “Something about your ancestors bred with select humans, and now your enemies are abducting women to look for demon DNA. I also think some of your missing people are there.”

  He grabbed her by the arms and kept her from moving. The pained look on his face, when she’d mentioned his people, made her wish she could make the world right for him. “Did you see them?”

  “No, but another girl I spoke with there told me she’d seen them. From what little information I could gather, they haven’t had any luck yet in keeping a baby alive.” She looked down the bridge back at the statues. “Is this Atlantis?” Dear god, it looked like it could be.

  He released her and took a step back. “It’s called Oshivana by my people, but it is known as Atlantis in your world.” His green eyes darkened and swirled with golden sparks. “Did the humans there hurt you? I will hunt them and feed their bodies to the sharks.”

  Something in his gaze told her he wasn’t joking. Danger swirled off him and prickled her skin. Rather than making her want to run away, she wanted to run to him.

  “No. They only took some blood.” She left off the part about the exam since her gut said it would throw him over the edge. She had no idea what she was dealing with, but caution was best until she figured it out. He seemed content with her answer and relaxed a bit.

  “Did you test positive?”

  “I never got to find out.” She touched his arm, and he looked down at her hand with––she wasn’t sure if it was desire or loathing—but she pulled away. “We need to rescue the others.”

  “You need to stay here where it’s safe. I need to speak with Fang and form a plan.” He began walking across the bridge, and she fell into step next to him. She had to walk quickly to keep up with his long stride.

  “Greydon, I won’t even pretend to understand any of this. The bonding you spoke of or this crazy world we’re in, but I want to help. And I’m sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused.”

  He paused and looked at her, his features softer than they’d been since her rescue. “It’s safer for you and your friend here, at least for the time being. No one else can enter this world, but you can help by telling me everything. If you can draw a map of anything you saw…”

  She nodded. “Yes, I was careful to study everything I could.” She looked down at her feet. “I prayed to be rescued, but I never dreamed you would come for me. Thank you.”

  “I would comb the universe for you. Be warned,” he growled then continued his trek across the bridge.

  Aimee had no idea what that comment had meant, but figured she would ask later. In the meantime, she kept to the other side, trying to keep her distance and give him some space. Moments later, she heard a joyous scream and spotted Bethany running toward her. At least she could take comfort in the fact her friend was here with her.

  Chapter 14

  Greydon had fought his urges with every ounce of strength he possessed. When he’d told Aimee he wanted to throw her down, he hadn’t been kidding and had hoped it would make her steer clear of him. For some reason, she didn’t seem frightened so when Bethany ran out and embraced her. He took the opportunity to slip away and get Fang off to the side.

  “Son of a bitch.” He combed his finger through his hair. “Fang, we need to speak in private.” Greydon looked behind him at the girls. “Ladies, don’t wander off. We have not secured the rest of this place, so stay here while Fang and I check out the area.”

  He led his companion down a corridor. “They’re holding some of our people. Aimee said she spoke to another who saw t
hem. Apparently, the Concosa believe some cockamamie bullshit about our ancestors fucking around with humans in order to spread their DNA. They have a plan to find the females, and mate them with our males, in order to produce a child that will let them into Oshivana.”

  “Not bullshit.”

  Greydon stopped in his tracks and stared at his friend. “What?”

  “I said, not bullshit. While you were gone I went through some of the scrolls and came across one that spoke of this.”

  Greydon felt his jaw unhinge. “Show me.”

  Within seconds, they had teleported back to the room where his bond to Aimee had begun. Fang pointed at the still unrolled parchment that covered the table. He scanned over the ancient text, reading it three times before satisfied that he’d it read correctly.

  “Just when I think I have shit figured out,” Greydon mumbled. It appeared when Uuna had shut the city down and sent her people fleeing, she commanded the males of the royal army to spread their seed in the human world.

  “Seems our goddess was concerned what would happen to us if Zolar took over. She wanted to try and preserve our DNA,” Fang said.

  “It explains why the elders forbade us to be with humans. They must have known there was demon blood out there and didn’t want to chance tainting it in any way.” Greydon continued to stare at the scroll.

  “But what if we had died out? What good would our DNA do in a human? And…how would creating a hybrid open Oshivana?”

  Greydon scrubbed his chin. “Uuna being a goddess, she probably hoped to be freed one day. If we were gone or our numbers depleted, she could use the DNA to replenish us. As far as the other, I’ve no idea. The legend only tells us that a royal can open the gate, but who knows what Zolar is capable of?” Greydon finally met his friend’s gaze. “It says here there is a way for us to test the blood.”

  Fang nodded. “Found that and another surprise while I was out scouting.”

  Greydon sighed. “I’m almost afraid to ask.”

  “Don’t ask, you need to see this with your own eyes.” The demon touched him, and they teleported to another location. When Greydon had his bearings, he couldn’t believe what stood in front of him.

  “It can’t be,” he whispered. Uuna sat before him on a golden throne, dressed in an elegant white gown with gold embellishments and a red cape. In one hand, she held a golden scepter. Three tridents merged at the top creating a triangle that held a large round Larimar stone so white it was almost translucent. In her other, she palmed a bronze bowl. Her golden eyes stared straight ahead, never blinking.

  “Stunning, isn’t she?” Fang asked.

  They’d only seen paintings and statues but never the real goddess. Her blonde hair fell past her shoulders, and the horns on the top of her head looked dipped in gold. Her porcelain skin was flawless.

  Fang came up beside him. “From what I learned, she’s in some kind of stasis. Her power and magic exist in the Pits, while her body is imprisoned here. Her scepter…” Fang tipped his head. “Touch one of the tridents.”

  Greydon did as asked and immediately the sharp metal caused him to bleed. “What the hell?”

  “Now let your blood drop into her bowl.”

  Greydon began to think Fang had gone crazy but followed his direction. He let two drops splatter into the bronze cup before he healed. Amazingly, the Larimar stone on the scepter turned a deep blue.

  “What the?”

  Fang chuckled. “It’s a DNA test. Glad to see you’re a pure royal. Seems the darker the color, the more royal blood you carry. Demons like myself and most of our people are more of an aqua. Pure humans will not change the color at all.”

  “And you discovered this how?” The first thing that ran through Greydon’s mind was testing Aimee. He didn’t know why, but he desperately needed to know if she did carry the DNA.

  Fang shrugged. “I read the inscription on the scepter.”

  Greydon rolled his eyes. “Of course you did.” He looked closer, and indeed found it clearly marked what the device was used for.

  “I never expected to find our goddess frozen in time, here.”

  Greydon sighed. “Now more than ever I feel the need to succeed and release her.” He wasn’t ready for this mission. There was so much to do. First, he had to rescue his people before he could raise a city. “We need to form a plan, go back and find the others still held at that facility. I also want both Aimee and Bethany tested.” He dropped to his knees in front of Uuna. “I swear on my life I will find a way to bring you back, my goddess.”

  “And I swear on mine that I will be by your side,” Fang replied.

  Aimee and Bethany sat on a bench in the courtyard, and spent time catching up while the men disappeared to who knew where. Her friend had filled her in on meeting Fang for the first time and how he had tracked Aimee. Bethany reached for the pendant around her neck and removed it.

  “This belongs to you, so I suggest you put it on.” Bethany handed her the chain attached to the purple stone and she accepted.

  “Thanks. Oh Bethany, what the hell am I going to do about Greydon?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “He performed some kind of blood thingy and says he’s now tied to me. I feel horrible, though I’m not really sure what that means. Still it doesn’t sound good for him.”

  Bethany shrugged. “If it were me, I’d be having a piece of that. I mean, he’s drop dead gorgeous and a freaking prince. What more do you want?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Leave it to you. What about Fang? He’s not bad to look at either. You two getting along?” She winked.

  Her friend snorted. “While he’s handsome as hell, his ego’s out of control and his mouth is smarter than mine.”

  Aimee couldn’t help but laugh. She could tell already her friend had a crush on the demon. “He sounds perfect for you.” She picked at her scrubs. “I need to go home, shower then burn these clothes. I’m sure Garret must be worried. I need to call him.”

  “You’re not going home, and you’re not going anywhere near that man.”

  Aimee jumped up from her seat to face the dark voice that had bellowed the command. Greydon’s green eyes were pinned on her and the scowl on his face said he wasn’t messing around. She crossed her arms over her chest.

  “Look. I’m grateful as hell that you came to my rescue, but it does not give you any rights over me.” She tipped her chin up for added effect.

  He stepped closer and tipped his head down within inches of her. “Perhaps not. However, my blood tie to you makes you my responsibility. In my world, that would mean you belong to me. Also, it is my understanding that your so-called friend Garret may be in on this.”

  She swallowed and tried not to stare at his lips. Why was she so desperate to taste them? And why the hell did the thought of belonging to him cause heat to stir between her thighs? She fought feelings of despair. Then guilt and anger reminded her libido that her body was simply attracted to a handsome, muscular man.

  “But I don’t belong to you or anyone else for that matter. And what makes you think Garret has anything to do with the men that took me? He wasn’t even there when it happened. Besides, I need to go home and grab some of my things.” She wasn’t stupid and realized she couldn’t go home to stay. At least not right now.

  Bethany stepped forward. “Honey, when I called Garret about to report you missing, he told me you mentioned an appointment with a client. I knew he was lying.”

  Aimee’s heart sank. She didn’t want to believe that an old friend, and a man of the law, could be tangled up in this mess. Yet there was no way to explain the excuse he gave to Bethany on her whereabouts. Things just didn’t fit together. “Okay, but what am I supposed to do in the meantime?”

  “Maybe Fang and I can go get some things for you,” Bethany asked.

  Greydon put some distance between them. “I find that acceptable.” The hardness in his eyes softened. “It’s much too dangerous in your world for you right now. Besides, I
need to speak with you about something important.”

  Her curiosity peaked and she wondered what he wanted to talk about. “Thanks Bethany, I really appreciate it. You know where to find my duffle bag?”

  Her friend nodded. “Yep. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you have all the necessities.” Bethany turned to Fang who looked like he was in heaven. “Can we go now?”

  “Sure, but how the hell do I get back in here without my fearless leader?”

  “That shouldn’t be an issue now that you’ve entered with me.”

  Greydon wasn’t sure why the hell he’d told Aimee she belonged to him. Smooth fucking move, slick. The words had formed and come out of his mouth before he even realized what he’d said. He would blame the blood bond. Clearly, he had thought with his smaller head and not his brain. Fighting instinct was proving difficult at best. And if you stop being so stubborn, you’ll admit you have wanted her from the beginning.

  “So what did you want to talk about?” Aimee broke his train of thought.

  “I need to show you something Fang found.” He moved toward her and held out his hand. “Do you mind?” She hesitated for only a moment before slipping her hand into his. He teleported them to the tower where Uuna was frozen in time.

  When they arrived, Aimee let out a startled gasp. “What…who is that? She looks so real.”

  “She is real. That is Uuna, but she seems to be in some state of stasis,” he replied.

  Aimee finally released his hand, and he realized he missed her warm touch. She moved closer to the goddess, then walked around the entire throne before coming back to stand in front of her. She waved her hand in front of the goddess’ face, then reached out to touch her, but jerked her hand back.