The nightclub experience he had expected before had taken over, transforming the throne room into some grotesque underground party space. The music throbbed in his ears and lights flared far too often, quickly piercing a headache deep into his skull. Leviathan left him near the walland did not complain when he stayed there as he moved away to talk to–what he claimed–were his friends. Or close enough to it. Cullen merely leaned against the wall, his face pinched against the noise and lights and the hot press of bodies that danced to the music as if they were not immortal creatures that delighted in death and carnage.
He tried not to look at the platters of food that were carried past on servants' thin shoulders. Or what passed for food in this terrible demon realm. Fingers and toes and eyeballs and tongues, all of them plucked up and bitten into as if they were normal appetizers. It was disgusting. And the fact that he had to cross his arms and grit his teeth against the growling in his stomach and the darkness that threatened to wash over him made him sick and angry.
But he didn’t complain. Because Leviathan had thought to warn him and something about that softened the hatred and disgust enough for him to just…ignore everything.
And he did, keeping his eyes from the worst of it, though his gaze kept flicking up now and then to find Leviathan in the crowd.
The demon prince had foregone his throne this time, mingling among his guests, and his laughter somehow kept carrying over the music, as if he meant for Cullen to hear it, to draw him out of his own mind.
And it worked, his eyes always roving until they found the source of that laughter. It was easy enough right now. He was just a few feet away, his arm hooked over the shoulders of one of his friends–a pretty woman with dark hair and a too-human face–and his expression surprisingly open while he laughed at whatever joke one of the people standing around him had said.
Cullen didn’t quite understand why he felt a little bolt ofjealousy at the sight. It wasn’t as if he cared what Leviathan did, really, and he’d already sworn a blood vow to him that he wouldn’t touch someone else in a sexual way anyway so…it made no sense to be upset. At all. In any way.
And he definitelywasn’tupset. He was only imagining the way his jaw clenched tight as the woman brought her hand up to touch Leviathan’s back. He was only imagining the way Leviathan’s eyes gleamed a little brighter when he turned to look at her–
Leviathan looked over at him then, his quick, knowing smile pinning Cullen in place. He blinked, sucking in a breath when he realized exactly how hard he had been staring, and then spun away and hurried off in the opposite direction, throwing himself into the fray as he looked for one of those sparkly blue drinks he kept seeing. His throat was parched, his lips dry and the snarling in his stomach was growing more and more intense…
He felt Leviathan’s gaze on him as he pushed his way through the crowd, as if he had no issue following him as he shoved his way through the thick group of demons. His chest felt tight and his body hot and heavy with discomfort and he couldn’tbreathe–
A servant appeared in front of him just as he shoved his way through the edge of the crowd, finding himself on the opposite side of the room where the alcoves had been sealed off with silky red curtains. The servant gave him a concerned look, but said nothing, only offering him a platter of sparkly blue and pink drinks. Cullen took two of them without giving himself time to think, downing them both quickly–a soft, startled noise leaving him at the familiar cotton candy taste of them–before lowering them back to the platter. He mumbled a quick thank you, feeling dizzy and even warmer than before, and moved away from the man.
The alcoves loomed, but he sensed it would be dangerous to enter one, to leave himself cornered and alone.
Though he was alone now, wasn’t he? Leviathan wasn’t anywhere near him and even if he had been he still would have been alone. The one normal person in this room full of monsters…
His head spun and a slow fog settled over his gaze, making those sharp edges soften until he felt like he was floating. He pressed up against the wall, letting the cold from the stone run into his hand and up his arm…
Drugged, he realized distantly. Leviathan had said the drinks were drugged. But drugged with what? He had never even done anything as a human, had never crossed that boundary with Walker breathing down his neck how bad it all was, how dangerous it was… If this was some strange demon narcotic…
He pushed away from the wall, wondering if he should try to find Leviathan, to ask him about the drinks or to take him back to his room.
But his body was too heavy now. He could barely force himself to take a single step. He swung to the side, his hand stretching out in front of him to clutch at the nearest silk curtain–and then he was in an alcove, his hand pressing flat to the wall to keep himself up as his body pitched forward.
A soft groan escaped him, his eyes squeezing closed as his body grew warmer…heavier…
“You look sick.”
He spun in shock at the voice, blinking blearily up at the woman who stood just a few feet away, her long blond braid draped over her shoulder and running down the long ruby-colored dress she wore. It shimmered in the dull light, as if it was encrusted with jewels and lights–
“You’re a very pretty young demon.” She murmured, moving closer. Desire hit him in a powerful wave, making him suck in a breath.
But it was not his own desire. The tangible wave had come from this woman. This demon. Cullen could sense her intentions as she stepped forward, a surprisingly strong hand curling around his wrist.
“Don’t touch me…” He mumbled, trying to tug away from her.
Her grip tightened and she quickly pressed closer, her curved body pressing up against his. He recoiled a bit, from the unwelcome touch and the sweet scent rolling off her. Too sweet. Cherry candy… He gagged and a burst of malice swept in to mix with her desire.
But she still did not move away, did not pause as she began to run her hands over him.
“Stop.” He gasped, pushing weakly at her hands, his back pressing harder to the wall to get away from her. His head spun and he quickly closed his eyes, moaning softly as the world tilted around him. “Don’t…don’t touch me…”
Her hand dropped, rubbing at his soft cock, and Cullen clutched at her hand, sucking in weak breaths to keep his head clear, welcoming the panic that came to help.
“Get off.” His voice was a little clearer. He squeezed her wrist and she hissed, tearing her hand away before slapping him sharply across the face. He let out a sharp gasp and flinched as she cupped her hand over his mouth.
“Hold still.” She snarled, starting to rub at him again.
The panic clutched him tighter, his face burning as his body began to betray him.
