Page 17 of Demon Seed
The corridors of the main building stretch out before me, eerily empty and silent, save for the soft echo of my footsteps. Tapestries hang heavily on the stone walls, depicting scenes of grandeur and history. At the same time, portraits of stern-faced Lunaire aristocrats peer down with judging eyes as if they can sense my inferior bloodline.
My demonic senses flicker alive, mapping the layout like a shadowy blueprint in my mind. Suddenly, footsteps resonate through the corridor, and a guard rounds the corner. I press myself into a shadowed alcove, heart pounding. I act swiftly and silently as he walks past, oblivious to my presence. One hand clamps over his mouth to stifle any cry while the other applies precise pressure to his carotid artery. He slumps into unconsciousness, his weight heavy in my arms. I lower him gently to the ground, ensuring he makes no sound, then continue my urgent journey through the winding halls.
The stairwell leading to the north tower twists and spirals upward like the coil of a serpent, each step echoing softly as I ascend, drawing ever nearer to her. At the landing, I halt, my ears straining to catch the faint murmur of voices. Two guardsare engaged in casual conversation, completely unaware of the fate that silently approaches.
From my pocket, I retrieve a small, smooth sphere—an ingenious creation of Amara's design. With a gentle flick, I send it rolling down the dimly lit hallway. A mere three seconds pass before a soft hiss resonates, releasing an invisible, colorless gas that swiftly spreads. The guards' conversation abruptly ceases, replaced by the dull, resonant thud of their bodies collapsing to the cold stone floor.
The door may be locked, but it presents no challenge to me. I place my hand upon its surface, feeling the heat surge through my palm as real fire consumes the wood, reducing it to ash.
And then I see Selene, her dark hair cascading like a waterfall over her shoulders, her eyes wide with shock and then relief.
"You came," Selene breathes, her voice a trembling whisper.
"You knew I would." I stride across the room in three decisive steps, capturing her hands fiercely within mine.
She nods, meeting me with urgency. "They were planning to move me tomorrow. To a place beyond even your reach."
I allow myself a grim, defiant smile. "No, my love. I would have found you. If it meant tearing apart every dimension for the rest of eternity, I would have found you."
"We need to go." With a swift, decisive strike, I shatter the only window in the dimly lit room, shards of glass scattering like stars across the floor. I lift my mate into my arms, feeling her warmth and weight against me. As adrenaline courses through my veins, my wings unfurl, stretching wide with a powerful grace. Without hesitation, I leap through the jagged opening, the cold wind rushing past as I propel us forward, soaring toward safety. Morrigan follow closely, swooping down to announce our departure to the others.
Selene's arms wrap around my neck, and I can feel her heart racing against my chest, matching my own frantic rhythm. The wind whips her hair, dark strands dancing like midnight flames, but I don't slow my pace. Can't slow my pace. Not until she's safe.
"Vesper," Selene stammers against my ear, her voice nearly lost in the rush of air around us.
I hold her tighter, wings beating harder as our castle comes into view—dark stone against the blood-red moon. Home. Safety. Mine.
I don't bother with the entrance. Instead, I angle toward our bedroom balcony, landing with enough force to crack the stone beneath my feet. The doors blast open before us—my magic responding to my urgency without conscious thought.
Selene's lips find mine before I fully step inside, hungry and desperate. I match her need with my own, a growl rumbling in my chest as I kick the doors closed behind us. Her fingers tangle in my hair, pulling me closer as if she fears I'll disappear.
"We're safe," I whisper against her mouth, but the words do nothing to calm the storm between us.
I cross the room in three strides and drop her onto our bed. She bounces once, hair settling across the dark sheets like spilled ink, eyes never leaving mine as I follow her down.
Mine.
I'm barely in control as I grasp the delicate fabric of Selene's gown. Her eyes, luminous in the dim light of my chamber, widen with anticipation. The sound of tearing silk echoes between us as I rip the garment from her body, revealing the pale canvas of her skin.
"You've tormented me long enough," I growl, my voice rough with desire.
My hands find her breasts, soft and perfect beneath my calloused palms. She gasps, arching into my touch, her pulsevisible at the hollow of her throat. I trace the curves of her flesh, memorizing every detail of her—this nymph who has utterly transformed me.
"Vesper," Selene’s bottom lip quivers as tears spring to her eyes. “I need you.”
I silence her with my mouth, crashing my lips against hers with all the fury and passion I've held back while she was gone. She tastes of midnight and magic, her tongue meeting mine with equal fervor. My fingers tangle in her hair, pulling her closer, as if I could somehow devour her essence.
The hunger inside me—the demon that longed for his mate for so long—threatens to break free from all restraint. I feel my control slipping as her bare skin presses against mine, igniting a fire only she can extinguish.
Selene’s skin is silk beneath my touch, moonlight bathing her curves in red. I watch her eyelids flutter closed as my fingers trace the delicate line of her collarbone, descending to cup the gentle weight of her breast.
"Don’t tease me," she whispers, her voice catching as my thumb circles her nipple.
I lower my head, breathing in her scent before capturing the hardened peak between my lips. A groan escapes me, vibrating against her flesh. The sweetness of her skin is intoxicating, and I can feel the ancient darkness within me stirring, hungry for more than just her body.
"You have no idea what you do to me," I moan against her breast, my teeth grazing the sensitive flesh.
Her back arches in response, offering herself more fully.
