Page 9 of Caught in the Devil’s Hand

He dismounted, and only then did she notice the sword attached to his waist. Was he planning to use it on her? She clutched her basket to her chest.

“I can promise you both of those things,” he said, stroking his horse’s neck as he strolled toward her. She backed up. “But I need something from you first.”

He’s lying was her first thought. He just wants to get close enough to kill me. But then she realized he could have run her down on his horse already and been done with it.

“What do you want?” she asked warily. Indeed, he could be lying, but she had to try to negotiate.

He stopped several paces away and cocked his head, considering her. “Should I try honesty?” he murmured, as if to himself. “Hmm, yes.” He straightened. “Lie with me.”

She balked. “What?”

“Lie with me. I shall give you pleasure, and it shall feed me.”

“I-I don’t— What, here? Now? With me? You can’t be serious,” she scoffed despite knowing deep down he was entirely serious. She had wondered whether she’d meet a demon, whether the kind that ate lust even existed. Now she’d wonder no longer.

He smiled, and Divine One did it do things to her heart that were so very wrong. If she weren’t already hot from running, she would’ve turned bright red. “It’s a pleasant enough evening. And one as tender as you hasn’t crossed my path in many years.”

“But I, I must return home at once.”

He gestured at the basket in her arms. “Precious cargo?” She hesitantly nodded, worried he would take it from her. “You see, I am also desperate. I must feed, and I can tell you will be…quite nourishing.”

She really wished he’d stop referring to her as food. “And if I weren’t interested?”

Still smiling, he took another step toward her and his voice went low. “Oh, but you are. The delectable details are vague, but I know you think about, what to call it… A clandestine encounter? Someone new, mysterious, and exciting. Not someone from whatever village you call home.”

Her eyes went wide. “H-How—” She shook her head. He was a demon, of course he had powers she didn’t understand. “No, I cannot delay. I’m needed now.”

Another step. “For someone as young and inexperienced as you, I’ll need only a few moments to have you crying out in ecstasy.”

“Oh,” she gasped, shocked by his confidence. She regarded him for the space of a breath. His handsome smile, broad shoulders, large hands. Wait, she couldn’t really be considering…? “B-But you’re not human.”

“I look human, don’t I? I also feel human, I can promise you that,” he purred. Another step closer. “True, you may never find with a human man the pleasure I can deliver. All the more reason to accept my offer.”

Shumei couldn’t help thinking of Akiji and how she’d likely be forced to marry him, sooner rather than later. She could run away, she supposed, but what about her mother and brother? What would become of them? And what were her chances, really, of a happier life somewhere else? She was still a crow.

“Shall I give you a taste, sweet miss?” He edged nearer, as if she were a spooked mare. “Reassurance of my skill?”

She gulped. “I s-shouldn’t…” Now that he was closer, she could see his eyes were a light color, though their exact shade would remain a mystery in the weak moonlight. She wanted to see kindness in those eyes, but behind his hunger for her she saw…nothing.

“I’m offering you your fantasy,” he whispered, close enough to touch. He was so tall. “Should I start over? Should I claim to be a…wandering mercenary, is that right?” She gasped. How could he see her most secret desires? How? “Someone bold who can take care of you—who wants to—and who’d whisk you away from this life?”

“It’s only a fantasy,” she stammered in reply. “Please stay out of my head.”

“So is that a no to a show of my talent? You’re not curious at all?”

Divine One help her she was intensely curious. And she knew she’d likely never get an opportunity like this again. To have a taste of forbidden passion before she was tied inescapably to both Akiji and her village, despite all her protests.

“You’re hesitating,” he slyly observed.

“All right,” she blurted. Her heart still hadn’t slowed from when she’d been running, nor would it anytime soon. “S-Show me what you can do.”

The hunger in his eyes grew while his smile sharpened, turning predatory. “Shall I be your mercenary?”

“No,” she said. He was already more than intimidating. “As you are.”

“Whatever you desire.” He touched her hand with warm fingers, gently urging her to lower the basket. She held it at her side. Her cheeks were so warm she could tell exactly how red she’d become: very.

With nothing left between them, he slipped his arm around her and pulled her against him. She sharply inhaled. He did feel human. More specifically, he felt male. The hardness pressed against her stomach certainly wasn’t his sword. And his scent—something spicy that smelled familiar and even safe, but she couldn’t quite place it.