Page 2 of Soul Redeemed

There was no ulterior motive whenever she gave herself to Calix. She’d done it because she’d wanted to, because the male had breached her defenses in a way no other before him, including her own flesh and blood, could ever achieve.

Her lip crimped at Oliver’s tongue flicking against her nipple as if he had the power, the know-how, to bring a Nephilim to climax. The half-human in her couldn’t even get off to the awkward and inconsistent fumbling of man.

“Let’s do this quickly.” Oliver pushed off her breast and jabbed the needle into her bicep.

Flames slithered up her arm, and Ava arched her body, mouth opening to release a silent gasp, while the fire inside of her took hold, blanketing her muscles, bathing them in an unbearable scorch. “Fuck!” she screamed, bucking as Oliver flicked the second needle.

“Three more, love. Hang in there.”

Trembles wracked her body, every muscle tense and fighting the pain. She shook with a grieving sob as her insides felt like they’d been liquefied with acid.

Two more stabs, and a cool wash slid over the burn, crystalizing the blazing tracks through her veins.

“There, there. See? All better now.” All traces of the first assault disappeared, as if she’d become numb to it. “Don’t I always take care of you?”

Sweat broke out on Ava’s skin, her lids growing heavy, her body so exhausted from fighting she almost didn’t sense Oliver’s fingers slipping beneath her panties.

“Let’s see how your beautiful pussy responds this time.”

Her whole body focused its attention on that one place, between her thighs, as he glided his fingers up inside of her. The ache from before intensified, her womb throbbing with his invasive probing.

“I think you’re almost ready.” Below the glasses perched atop his nose, Oliver’s mouth stretched into a smile. “The injections are working!”

“What’re they?” The slur of her voice left her frowning. Her head rolled back and forth as Oliver blurred and sharpened, then blurred again.

“Ichor. Blood of the ancients. You’ll be able to properly feed the fetus now.”

“Fetus?”

“We’re going to breed you, Ava.” At that, his fingers pushed higher into her, most of the sensation drowned by her apathy at his pathetic ministrations.

“You c-c-canno’do’tha.”

“Silly girl, I’m not going to do anything. The Sang will breed you. We’ve been giving them two succubi slaves as a control. As you know, the succubi are quite susceptible to pregnancy. Unfortunately, unless they’re part angel, they don’t produce a clean bloodline.”

Oh, God. The sound through the walls. The suffering. That was what she’d been hearing.

“It’s my theory that Ichor is required in the final stages of fertilization.” As Oliver went on, a tight fist of panic clenched her lungs. “Once we’ve proven that fact, we’ll move on to human trials. In the meantime, you’re our supernatural guinea pig, of sorts. You’re not quite an angel, being half-Fallen, but close enough.”

“Please, Oliver. Don’do …” Exhaustion and fear claimed her voice. “Don’t give me to them. I want you. Take me with you.”

“Oh, sweet, you have no idea how much it thrills me to hear you say that. Truly. I love you, Ava. I’ve never been more in love in my whole life.”

“Make love to me,” she said on a desperate breath. Disgust churned in her stomach, but Ava would do whatever she had to, if it meant staying away from the Sang. For centuries, she’d heard stories about the ancient species. How they colonized the underworld like insects and bred females like drones in a hive. “Please.”

“I’m afraid I can’t. Not now, love. Intercourse with anyone but the Sang would mean death. A slow and agonizing death. Your body has been made to accept this impregnation. To carry it to term. I can feel it inside of you. The thick walls that keep me from breaching your womb. If anyone were to ejaculate inside of you, or break that, the results would be tragic. It’s a protective measure to keep the fetus pure and unsullied. You are the most important thing to me now, Ava.”

“You say you love me. Then, don’t do this to me.”

“I do love you.”

“Then, why? Why are you doing this Oliver?”

“Because I can.” He stroked a hand down her temple and removed his fingers from between her thighs. “Tomorrow, we’ll transfer you to the breeding room. For tonight, try to get some rest. You’ll need it. The Sang aren’t exactly what I’d call … gentle lovers.”

Packing up his leather case, Oliver smiled down at her and planted a kiss to her forehead before exiting the room.

Ava lay staring up at the ceiling, tears streaming down her temples. Ice cold fear branched down her spine. She had to get out of there. She had to find a way to escape. To get back to the one place she never should’ve left. The only place she’d ever really been safe.