Authors: Dakota Trace
Chapter Three
“Wait here.” With Flannery’s hand wrapped around her arm,
Braelyn
had no choice but to follow as he pulled her to a stop outside the door leading into
Bilé’s
study. After he gave a brisk but rhythmic knock of two taps, pause, then three short raps, a muffled “enter” seeped through the heavy door.
Fuming with anger towards the giant who’d dragged her through the hall and into the private sector of
Bilé’s
home, she avoided looking at Flannery or the dark bruising around his left eye. Angry at her own vulnerability and inability to protect herself, she found it difficult to see Flannery’s injuries without wanting to kick her own hind end. As he jerked on her arm, she wanted to lash out at him.
Even if I was foolish, it doesn’t give him the right to drag me around like a child. I did nothing wrong. I’m allowed to dance with whoever asks. How was I supposed to know he would dare attack me? I should’ve demanded my mother teach me how to defend myself. Maybe then this wouldn’t have happened.
As soon as they entered the dimly lit room, she blinked rapidly. Moving from the brightly lit hall into the shadowy depths would’ve had her tripping over an ottoman if it hadn’t been for Flannery’s hold on her arm.
“What in Hades happened to you, boy?” The amused sound from her left had her turning that direction. Sitting behind a black lacquer desk,
Bilé
sipped from a crystal goblet of steaming blood red liquid. With a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach,
Braelyn
wasn’t sure she wanted to know exactly what the God of the Underworld drank at his leisure.
While the man was her god-father, and an uncle by blood, her contact with him was minor, usually from a distance when he visited her home to give her mother a new mission.
“A bit of a tussle with one of the lower lieutenants over the girl. Nothing I couldn’t handle.”
Bilé’s
smile faltered then disappeared. “Who dared to touch her?” The question ended with a roar. Flinching, she tried to back away. Her nerves, already overwrought by the fight, screamed at her to run, to hide from this new source of danger.
“Not to worry, I took care of him.” Flannery’s answer was abrupt but she could tell he was still pissed his brother had stepped in and broken up the fight.
Bilé
turned his attention to her. “Are you all right, little one?” She gave a brief nod, deciding against mentioning her brief trip to the court’s healer. With her side bandaged and a bit of clever arranging with the folds of her dress, she hopefully looked the same as when she’d arrived. “I don’t think he was truly after me. He wanted…Flannery, is it?” She jerked her head towards the man next to her. When
Bilé
nodded, she continued. “Before he dragged me out of the room, he said something about provoking the
godling
.”
Fire rose in the depths of
Bilé’s
eyes. “Ramses?”
She licked her lips and shifted from one foot to another, uncomfortable under his direct scrutiny. More than anything she wanted to find out what the god wanted and to return home, where jealous demons didn’t attack her. “I don’t remember his name, God-father…”
Flannery interrupted. “I dealt with it,
Bilé
. He won’t forget next time. If he does, I’ll kill him.” The need for continued violence rolled off the man next to her.
Frustrated with the situation in general, she yanked her arm away from him. “You’ve escorted me here. Why don’t you just go away now? Don’t you have other people to beat up?” she snapped.
A low growl erupted from his chest. Then she thought she heard him mutter something about wanting to warm her ass.
Braelyn’s
hackles rose at the thought even as betraying moisture coated her nether lips. Her nipples hardened against her top.
Now is not the time for this. You are not in the privacy of your room,
Braelyn
. Control your body before it controls you.
Moving further away from him, she inched closer to the wall using the shadows to hide from him; the last thing she wanted was for him see how easily he’d tapped not only her darker desires but her arousal as well.
“Quit fucking cowering. I’m not going to touch you!” His nose flared as he dragged her back towards him. He paused as if he scented something.
She cringed.
Surely he can’t smell me?
He was a
godling
, not a demon.
Only demons or faeries can scent arousal. I’m safe.
“But then again maybe you’d like it, little banshee? To have me spread you over my lap and warm your ass? To make you submit to me?” He spoke so low she barely heard him.
Yes.
The word echoed through her mind, but she couldn’t admit to it in
Bilé’s
presence. “Never!” She tried to pry his fingers off her arm. “Let me go!” His fingers tightened, making it impossible for her to break his hold. Frustrated, she smacked at his chest with her free arm, but it that seemed useless too. Desperate, she finally leaned down to use her teeth on his stubborn fingers.
A sharp pain brought her upright as he buried his other hand in her hair and stopped her. His blue eyes were no longer cold but heated. “No biting.” The look in them all but begged her to try.
She could see the waiting retribution if she dared and it thrilled her. The idea of being bent over and punished for his pleasure pushed every submissive button she had.
Too bad it’s my cry he should be worried about, or I’d be tempted to take him up on the offer.
A hard cutting tone from
Bilé
jerked them apart. She glared at up at Flannery. When he smirked, her frustration boiled over and she kicked his shin. A low curse passed his lips as he reached for her once more.
“Enough!” The dark command from
Bilé
made her stumble back as she rubbed her arm without taking her gaze off Flannery. “I need to talk to
Braelyn
privately. Amusing as I find this little battle you have going on with my god-daughter, Flannery, you have duties waiting for you.”
Keeping his gaze on her, Flannery gave a slow nod. “Of course,
Bilé
. Holler if you need me.” He broke eye contact and strode from the room.
She almost sagged with relief as the door closed behind him, leaving her alone with the God of the Underworld.
“Come closer,
Braelyn
. Let me get a good look at you.” The command in his tone had her obeying without thought. As the God of the Underworld, he had total control of the banshees, including her powerful mother. The need to obey his every whim had been ingrained within her since birth.
“Sire?” Fidgeting, she toyed with the edges of her skirt and took a baby step towards the desk. Keeping her head bowed, she hoped he’d tell her what he wanted quickly.
“Closer, child. I won't hurt you. I have a job for you.”
Relief surged through her.
A job? I can handle a job!
“Whose soul do I need to collect, Sire?”
He gave a soft chuckle. “Just like your mother— mind always on the business of soul collecting. Not that it’s a bad thing, but there is more to life than your life’s work, niece.” He stood and rounded the desk.
Her breathing faltered. It was the first time she’d ever been this close to him or heard him refer to her as his niece. She’d always seen him from a distance, usually from her position behind her mother and hidden behind the ruse of being nothing more than his god-daughter.
She wasn’t prepared for the full effect of meeting him, up close and personal. With dark skin and a shaved head, he was tall and well muscled.
Not as muscled as Flannery though, and I prefer his golden look to
Bilé’s
dark visage
. She paled and pushed the thought away. Now was not the time to be thinking about the golden brute, even if he did fascinate her.
“Instead, this time I need you to use your womanly wiles.” He stopped in front of her and placed his hands on her shoulders. “I want you to seduce a man for me.”
She was so shocked she had to clear her throat twice. Finally she was able to speak. “Excuse me?”
He gave her a gentle smile. “You heard me. As a banshee, your children are required to give me at least two centuries of service.” His expression hardened. “I need fresh blood for my armies and there is only one way for me to insure it. I
will
have your children.”
She swayed dangerously on her feet at the idea.
How can he expect me to seduce a man? I’ve never even had sex!
Stifling a moan of distress, she tried to pull back from his hold.
“
Shh
, child, it isn’t as bad as you think. I am aware of your untried state.” He guided her with gentle hands to a nearby chair.
Once she was seated, he crouched in front of her. With his forearms resting on the arms of her chair, he effectively trapped her. There was no means to escape. Fear pulsed inside of her.
I can’t do this! I know it’s my duty but…I can’t be intimate with some strange man.
When she opened her mouth to protest, he held up a hand.
“
Shhh
, listen to what I have to say first. I watched you tonight,
Braelyn
. You were fascinated by one man in particular. He’s the man I need you to seduce. Only him, not some nameless stranger.”
Shock rolled through her system followed by an intense burning. Of all the men she’d expected him to ask her to seduce, a member of his protective guard wasn’t one of them. “I…you…” She stumbled over her words, clearing her throat. “You can’t want me to seduce him?”
A slow grin crossed
Bilé’s
face. “Oh, yes I do. You have twenty-four hours to seduce and mate Flannery
Baghadur
.”
She shook her head. “I can’t! I don’t have a clue how to…” Her face flushed. “Besides he hates me! You can’t possibly expect me to overcome his hatred in a mere twenty-four hours. Not even a skilled court courtesan would be able to accomplish what you ask. Even if I were talented enough, there is the business of my cry, Sire. It will kill him. Surely you aren’t subjecting him to death.”
“Nonsense. He’ll survive your cry; never would I endanger the head of my security in such a way.” He gently touched her cheek. “Do not worry. Not only will you be fine, but you shall succeed. I saw the way he watched you tonight. Don’t let his gruff exterior fool you. He wants you. Just remember he’s a Dominant male. Cater to his needs, they’re the same as yours.” He nodded towards the fire blazing in hearth. “Then he’ll give you his seed.”
At his words, her conscience gave a twinge. “I won’t do it. I can’t steal a man’s child from him, even if he does survive the mating.”
When his face took on a thunderous expression and a low grumble built in his chest, she froze with fear.
Damn my mouth. It’s gonna get me killed.
He leaned closer to cup her cheek. “You don’t have a choice. I have arranged for a drug to be introduced into his system. Either you entice him with your luscious little body until he has to have you...” He gave a shrug of his shoulders. “Or he’ll be dead at the end of twenty-four hours. So his fate is in your hands. Do you seduce a child from him or let him go to his death?”
Her mind whirled wildly. Clenching her fists, she knew she only had one choice. “I can’t believe you drugged him…”
Bilé’s
eyes darkened. “Believe it, niece. I’m quite ruthless when it comes to getting what I want.”
Her heart sank. She was going to get what she’d longed for but instead of elation, it left a bitter taste in her mouth. “Fine, I’ll seduce him.”
A soft pat on her cheek caused her to jump. Meeting his gaze, she saw what she expected to see, a triumphant
Bilé
staring at her. “Good girl. I’ll have someone escort you topside within the half hour. He’ll take you to where Flannery resides in the Earthling realm.” He rose from his crouched position and strode back to his desk.