“So you see, little Queen, every Syndicate wants you. Every one would kill for you. That is why the Magistrate forbids you to be brought here from the human world. Because your existence alone is enough to spark another war.”
My mouth is dry. I shake my head.
“Then whoever brought me here…they broke your laws.”
“Indeed.” Kael’s grin sharpens. “And such crimes must be punished. Tell me, who smuggled you through the Nocturne Gates?”
I clamp my lips shut. No way I’m selling Lucian out to this monster. I might not like him much, but I like him more than the Demon Don—that’s for sure.
But it turns out, I don’t have to say a word.
The guard who dragged me here reaches for my discarded cloak.
“Let’s see if we can find some clue as to where she came from, my Lord,” he rumbles. I bite my lip as he searches the cloak. First, he finds the small sack of gold coins and tosses them carelessly away. They land on the obsidian floor with a clinking sound. Then he reaches into the other pocket…and pulls something free.
My heart lurches when I see the gleam of gold in his big hand.
Crap! He’s found Lucian’s signet ring! He brings it forward to the throne and offers it with a bow to the Demon Don.
Kael plucks it from the guard’s hand with a low chuckle of satisfaction. He turns it over in his palm, the ruby chips that depict the blood in the chalice glinting in the torchlight.
“Ah,” he murmurs. “So it was my old nemesis, Don Lucian, who brought you here to the Shadow Realm. How very fitting—he always did keep the best treasures for himself.” His gaze spears me, molten and merciless. “I dare say he will be most displeased to learn I have captured his Curvy Queen.”
My chest tightens. Lucian…
Kael’s grin widens.
“No doubt he’ll come for you soon. Let’s give him something to think about when he arrives, shall we?”
He raises one clawed finger, tracing the air. Dark words roll from his mouth in a sing-song cadence, each line thrumming with power.
“Blood of red and curves divine,
Heat and power must combine.
Desire rise—let hunger grow,
’Till Lust consumes from head to toe.”
The spell slams into me like a tidal wave. I actually stumble and almost fall from its impact.
And then I feel the effects.
Heat floods my veins, sudden and scorching. My breath hitches, my thighs pressing together instinctively. My nipples harden, aching points beneath the thin fabric of the clinging gown I wear.
“No,” I whisper, horrified.
No, I can’t be feeling this way! Not here!
But I can’t stop the power of the spell—it goes on and on, pushing me further and further into the land of pure lust.
Fantasies spark in my mind, vivid and unstoppable. Lucian’s storm-gray eyes blazing into mine…his mouth descending to my breast, fangs grazing but not biting—just teasing my nipples. I can almost feel his big body pressing me into silk sheets, his hand between my thighs, stroking until I writhe under him, his thick fingers invading my pussy…only to be replaced by his cock.
God, stop—why am I thinking this? Why can’t I stop seeing these visions?
The heat intensifies, pulsing low in my belly. I squeeze my thighs tighter, trying to stop the ache building there. My body is trembling, every nerve screaming for more…more…more.
Kael laughs softly, leaning back to savor the sight of me squirming.
