Tangled Sin (A Dark Realm Novel) (25 page)

The sharp beep of a cell phone cut through the tension. Riley pulled out his phone, swiped his finger across the display. His entire body stilled. Right in front of her, he morphed into a stone-cold stranger.

“What is it?”

He shook his head. “I have to go out for a while.”

She didn't like that he’d clamped up again, going all I-am-the-man protective on her. “Riley, don’t shut me out. I survived Hell and that vindictive demoness in Stygia, do you think I can’t face those things in this world?”

“That’s what scares me,” he said grimly. “Saia, I don’t want you caught up in this. I want you safe.”

Gah! Any safer, and she might as well find a hole and burrow there. Well, she wasn’t waiting for an engraved invitation for him to tell her what was wrong. She snatched his cell. The text was from Zac, the bouncer at Satire.

Trevor’s here.

Her stomach pitched at the message. “You're going after him, aren’t you?”

“Did you think I wouldn’t? That Caligo will not get another chance at you.” Fury remolded the lines of his handsome face in an unyielding visage. He took his cell back and pushed it into his pants pocket. “Trevor was Baric’s minion, and by default, Ayperos’s. I have a blood-debt to settle with that sonofabitch.”

She remembered Riley taunting his father about his favored foster son. “What did Ayperos do to you?”

Riley didn't speak. He prowled to the end of the island as if to get himself under control. Pivoting, he expelled an angry breath. His shirt still hanging open, revealed his well-defined pecs and abs. He looked so damn sexy and so very…dangerous.

“My foster brother liked to show all of Stygia how altruistic he was, concerned about the weakling spawn of Wrath’s. But I hated the bastard, even though I wanted to be like him.”

“Why?” she asked in confusion.

“I was six. He was the big bad, the strong male my sire preferred. So I allowed his friendship. When I lost control of my powers and slaughtered a village of demons, he was there”—a tick pulsed furiously in his jaw—“became concerned and real considerate, said not to worry, even though Wrath was disappointed in me. Of course, my six-year-old heart was crushed. Soon after, my sire shipped me off, proving Ayperos right.”

“But it was all a lie,” she said, feeling his pain. “Did he turn your father against you, too?”

Mocking laughter. “No. My sire knew. He’s one cold bastard. Children? Not his deal. He thought it was better—
safer
, that I lived elsewhere.”

“I'm sorry.”

“Don’t be, at least my foster parents cared about me. Ayperos wants to inherit my legacy, has no idea only those of the bloodline can. It’s why he sent Baric after you, trying to trap me. He thinks I can mutter a few magic words and give him the damn legacy. When you wounded him, Baric took you to Stygia instead. Can't heal a deadly injury like that in this world.”

Good. She was glad she’d hurt the assbutt.

“Ayperos killed my foster parents. Torched their house, thinking I was there, asleep. Except I wasn’t.” His gaze became green granite. Slowly he refastened his shirt. “For that he will pay before I send him to his own eternal damnation.”

A chill of fear slid through Saia’s veins. He was changing. She knew it, felt it like her own heartbeat.

Riley was slipping more and more into a replica of his father. And that terrified her.

Ayperos crouched beneath the cypress trees in the reeking bayou, watching the enormous scaly gator resting on the shores of the dank river. Its teeth sharper than those of his horde of blood-demons perched restlessly on the branches of the swampland trees.

Movement caught his attention. A Caligo slithered between the trees, keeping to the shadows. It halted some distance from him.

Despite Ayperos’s intense hatred for the vile entities of his world, it didn't stop him from using them. At the promise of a new human host, they would do anything. Since Baric, the idiot, had already used this Caligo, he saw no reason not to continue. This one was already crumbling, its host mere days from becoming a husk. Its human face was just skin on bones now. The thing looked like road-kill.

Even with the distance, it stunk worse than this shitty swamp Ayperos had been forced to camp in because of his horde. He cocked a finger, and the thing slunk forward.

“Report.”

“He hasn’t been to the club for a few nights—” Its voice slurred. The Caligo scratched its head, and stringy strands of hair came loose. “The asshole bouncer’s all over the place, can't search…”

Ayperos wasn’t interested in his feeble excuses. He knew exactly where Réomer was. The citadel. He’d seen him there when he’d sent the wyverns after the female. It was just a matter of time before Réomer returned to the human world in defeat.

He smirked. It’d been so easy to maneuver Wrath after Réomer caused the slaughter of those villagers a millennium ago. A whisper of concern and Wrath got rid of the little irritant he’d spawned. He’d sent the runt off to the upper echelons, where it would be
safe
.

It should have been easy ending the little shit, but he’d been busy with important quests for Wrath. A great pity he didn't get to finish the job when he’d burned down the house.

No matter. Once he took back what was rightfully his from that
debilis
, he would kill him.

Wrath should be eternally grateful that he’d no longer have an embarrassment to hide from his legions.

Satire, as usual, teemed with tourists and locals. The familiar odors of liquor and heavy perfume greeted Riley as he walked inside. The jukebox crooned a Nat King Cole number. Balls clashed against the wooden edge of the pool table, adding to the dissonance.

A trio of drunken females sidled up to him. Before they’d started a conversation, he sidestepped them and glanced around the cramped place.

For the first time, he found no solace in his bar.

How had he spent so many decades here?

Easy, when he’d sought anonymity, the next meaningless hook-up to meet his needs. Nothing had mattered. Then Saia walked into his life and everything changed. He rubbed his sternum, a part of him she now inhabited and filled with her warmth. Her love.

His sire had trampled those emotions in him, his foster parents had mended them some—but still, he hadn't believed in it. Until her. She completed him.

A disturbance at the far end of the bar drew his attention. A drunk shoved another male. Zac hauled the disruptive human and headed for the door.

His friend practically ran the place now and loved this joint as much as Riley once had.

The moment Zac saw him, he shoved the tanked male to another bouncer and pushed his way through the crowd. “Hey, Rile-man, you're back.”

“Yeah. Where is he?”

“At the back—” Zac glanced to the tables in the more secluded corner of the bar. “Dammit. Sorry, man. I sent you that text like a half hour ago.”

“Been busy.” Riley turned to leave.

“Wait.” Zac stopped him, his brow furrowing, those penetrating gaze searching. “You okay? You’ve been gone several weeks.”

“I'm touched you missed me.”

Zac snorted. “You seem…different.”

“Haircut. New threads. Gotta go.” Riley cut through the throng of people in his way. Different? Zac had no idea.

He was days from inheriting a part of the most deadly sin.

His brain battered around in his skull at the thought. By the dark gods, he didn't want this, but it seemed he had no say in the matter. Being loaded with an entity that never gave him any peace? Hell, he shouldn’t even be on this realm. Saia was right. But he didn't give a shit, not when his mate’s life was at stake.

Outside the bar, he glanced around the dingy place and scrubbed his face in pure frustration. Ayperos was out there somewhere, just beyond his reach. He could sense him. And so was that Caligo fuck, Trevor.

***

The next morning, Saia rolled over in her bed as rain drummed against the window. Gray light seeped into her bedroom, lighting the shadows. Ugh, she didn't feel like getting up. Fatigue and lack of sleep kept her huddled beneath the covers.

The door opened.

“Saia?” At Riley’s low voice, she pushed up, the covers sliding to her waist. He crossed to her and sat on the bed. His features appeared drawn, lips pressed in a tight line. He looked exhausted.

“Are you all right? I waited up for you…”

“I'm good. The Caligo was a no-show, slipped the radar. But not for long. I’ll get him.”

“I'm glad you’re back.” She patted the bed. “Come, lay beside me. Rest for a while.”

A smile. “Tempting. But your family’s gathered downstairs. Thought you’d want to know.”

Darn. “All of them?”

“The twins are on their way.”

She rolled her eyes. They must have heard the news. “They can wait a few more minutes.”

Relieved he was okay, she leaned forward and pressed her lips to his. He grasped her chin and deepened the kiss for a moment before letting her go. He traced a finger beneath her eye, where she was sure traces of her horrid, sleepless week still showed. His expression tightened. “You still look tired.”

“I'm fine. You’re here now.”

He rose from the bed. “How about getting up? Let’s get this inquisition waiting below over. Then there are a few things we need to discuss.”

She wrinkled her nose. Yawning, she slowly crawled out of bed when a firm slap landed on her bottom. Surprised, she spun around. “Did you just hit me?”

“I don’t hit females, that was a spank.”

“How is that any different?”

A hint of a smile, one that made her heart flip. “Just get that delicious backside moving, mate. I’ll see you downstairs.”

A half hour later, Saia stopped at the dining room entrance.

Her mother, as usual, sat on her throne at the far end of the long table and presided over her underlings as she drank her tea.

She glanced at Saia but remained quiet, which surprised Saia.

Through the French doors, she saw Riley talking to her father. Saia turned and clashed with Noah’s watchful gaze. He set aside the paper he’d been reading and rose. In trepidation, she waited. Liz gave her an encouraging smile as Noah made his way over.

“This is what you want?” he asked quietly.

More than anything else in her life, she realized. She was in love with the aggravating and mind-numbingly sexy man.
“Yes.”

She cut Riley a quick look and found him watching her through the glass panes. His green eyes gleamed. Of course, he was listening.

“Okay.” Noah kissed her cheek and went back to his breakfast.

Saia crossed to the sideboard and poured herself coffee, wondering what Riley wanted to talk about?

“Happy?” Liz asked, joining her.

All Saia’s concerns came crashing down. “Liz, he refuses to go back. I'm so scared. If anything goes wrong during the transference, I’ll lose him,” she whispered in one breathy rush.

“Easy, hun.” Liz rubbed her arm in a soothing gesture. “I'm sure Riley knows what he’s doing. He wouldn’t risk you. Try and calm down.”

“I'm trying, Liz, honestly, I am.” She took a sip of her coffee, hoping the hot beverage would get rid of the sick feeling in her stomach. Wrath had been adamant about what could happen. He’d even lied so she’d leave Stygia and not distract Riley.

The thud of boot steps sounded. Zayn loped into the room moments later.

“Hey, family.” Took care of his greeting. His gaze fastened on her. “Heard the news. And there she is.”

Hastily, Saia set her mug down. She didn't want coffee spilled over her clothes, and just in time, too. Zayn picked her up and swung her around.
Oh, crap!

“My baby sis is getting hitched. Damn. I go away, and all this happens.” His tawny eyes sparkled with laughter. “Good job, by the way. I now have a full-time pool partner. And just so you know, he does anything wrong, even looks at you wrong, and I will become the hunter I hate being.”

A shaky laugh left her. She smacked his shoulder. “You’re such an idiot, put me down. Where’s Rohan?”

“Eating my dust.” He chuckled and set her on her feet. “Ro thought racing my R8 with the turtle he drives would get him here faster—” His jaw dropped. He gawked as Ikaria walked into the room. She sent Saia a quick smile before sliding into her seat to resume her breakfast.

Zayn stared like he’d just been given an early birthday gift. Whatever. “Damn, she’s hot.”

Saia whacked his arm. “Stop that. Don’t you dare try any of your alley-cat moves with her.”

He glanced back at her, his expression about as harmless as a tiger around a gazelle. “Me?”

“Yes, you—” She turned as Rohan entered.

Zayn smirked. “Hey, bro, the scrapyard junk finally got you here, huh?”

“My
Ferrari
needed gas, dumbass. It’s the only reason you're here first.”

Saia snorted at their childish wars. Rohan bumped Zayn out of the way, picked her up, and took his turn spinning her around.

Her stomach churned. The coffee she’d drunk backtracked up her throat in a bid for freedom. She groaned and clutched his biceps. “Put me down, you big lug, or I'm going to puke on you.”

Smiling, Rohan kissed her cheek. “Never thought I’d see the day you’d finally say yes.”

Riley walked into the room and made his way to her, bringing the cool outside air with him. “Need rescuing?”

She let out a wry laugh as Rohan lowered her. “Nah, I’m okay.”

“Riley, just so you know—” Rohan broke off, glanced at the breakfast table, and snorted. “Really? She’s not his type. She reads.”

Zayn had parked himself beside Ikaria in full-on charm mode. He flipped through the book she’d left beside her coffee. Asked questions about Jane Eyre, as if well-versed in the classics when the cereal box at breakfast barely held his attention.

Saia sighed. “Save him before he embarrasses himself.”

“Let him.” Rohan smirked, poured his coffee, and strolled off to join Noah.

Saia picked up a muffin from the platter, broke off a piece, and popped it in her mouth then pivoted to Riley. “What do you want to talk about?”

“When you're done with breakfast.”

That didn't sound good. She dropped the muffin on the plate. “I'm not really hungry, I’ll get something later. What is it?”

“Come on.” He led her toward the stairs that led to the gymnasium beneath the garage. Moments later, he flipped the switch. Bright, recessed lights flooded the area equipped with the heavy artillery her brothers couldn’t do without.

She lifted a curious brow. “Why are we here?”

At his serious look, she gave him a dubious one and really hoped this had nothing to do with a workout. Sure, she liked to run, but exercise? Ack, the only reason she even tortured herself with the jogging was so she wouldn’t pile on the weight, and it helped her think.

“Saia, I don’t want another incident like what happened in Stygia to reoccur. Being mated to me, chances are, it will.”

“I'm aware of the dangers, Riley.”

“I know you are, but I need for you to be able to better defend yourself, become faster.”

She eyed him skeptically. “Defend? Yes, probably. But faster—me? I'm human.”

“Yeah. Mine. And I protect what’s mine.” He gave her one of his sexy smirks. “Go, get changed, and let’s get started.”

“Go on, defeat the defenseless with that mind-numbing smile,” she complained.

He laughed and smacked her lightly on bottom. “Go. Stop wasting time.”

Shooting him an aggrieved look, Saia headed for the changing room.

***

What felt like hours later, her chest heaving from the exertion, Saia glowered at Riley with the weights machine between them. Beads of perspiration trickled between her breasts. She wanted to call it quits. He refused. Insisted she finish the time he’d allocated.

One and a half hours of sheer torture.

First the weights, then the treadmill, and now fight moves? The tyrant!

Hands on his hips, he stared at her from the exercise mats where he waited. He’d traded his jeans and shirt for sweats and a tee. The fact that he appeared cool, unruffled, and not in the least bit sweaty while he worked the crap out of her, annoyed her more.

“This is not learning to defend myself,” she huffed. “It’s just some form of torture dreamed up by your sadistic mind for whatever sin you think I’ve committed.”

He ran his fingers over his buzzed hair and exhaled roughly. “Saia, I realize this is tough, but I can't go easy on you, I need for you to learn fast. I have enemies out there.”

“I do know how to protect myself.” She blew a stray strand that had escaped her braid and gave him the evil eye. “I grew up with Nazi brothers, who took delight in landing me on my butt, all in the name of ‘learning to defend myself.’ I don’t need their
leader
—” She sneered the word. “To show me how—”

He flashed.

“
Eeek
!” She darted among the weights and benches and dashed back to the training mats when he grabbed her from behind in a chokehold.

“This,” he growled in her ear, “is their favorite maneuver. And this—” he spun her around, his mouth against hers “—is how they’d take over your body.”

The memories of what the Caligo had nearly done to her had panic bursting free. In pure survival mode, she bit his lip, pulled back her knee, and slammed him in the groin—or attempted to. He flipped her, already anticipating her move. She landed hard on the dark blue mat, the air expelling from her lungs.

Damn, the man didn't go easy on her.

“I know that strategy of yours—experienced it already,” he muttered, staring down at her and licking his bleeding lip. “But it will do. If you miss, the Caligo will consume and take over. Become exactly what you are while draining you dry of all human emotions until there is nothing left. Only then will it leave to seek another host.”

Christ, did he enjoy scaring her? Reminding her of how close she’d come to dying?

He held out his hand. She ignored him and stared at the ceiling. If she got up, he’d make her continue. So she just lay there.

Concern furrowed his brows. “Are you all right?”

All right
? Every part of her body ached like she’d been put in a wringer. Oh wait, she had, by a hulking block of muscles.