Chloe’s eyes rounded as she got the first good look at the demon. She had never met one before, though she’d seen pictures of them on the news before, usually being cuffed and escorted back to the rift. Those were usually rogue demons trying to break through the rift. People died when that happened, one way or the other.
Chloe tried to picture her spunky, goofy sister Lily with the demon and nope, couldn’t happen. Her sister wore bright clothes that never matched, which she thought looked fabulous.
Her hair was a messy set of curls that came from their mother’s side and she often said the wrong thing at the wrong time—on purpose.
He looked right at her and it was like the wind was knocked out of her. His eyes were pure gold, brighter than normal with only a tiny pinprick of a pupil. His skin was golden like he was coated in dark honey, and his hair was blue. Chloe shook her head, stared at his thick mane, and tried to figure out if it was a dye job or real. She blinked several times, thinking maybe she was just seeing wrong. His hair wasn’t just any blue but a beautiful cerulean that reminded her of rich tropical oceans and fresh glacial water.
“Yes, my hair is blue.”
She jumped, startled at the strangeness of his voice. He pronounced his letters heavy, as if they were difficult to say, and it reminded her of a heavy Russian accent.
“Why?” she asked dumbly. He didn’t laugh at her or look at her like she was stupid, which she appreciated. He only shrugged.
“My kind comes in many different colors and forms. My brother Alrik has pure auburn hair. The women loved it.”
Chloe nodded. But she kept her mouth shut and took a seat the demon indicated opposite his desk. Tyrian didn’t sit. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back. Didn’t the man ever relax?
“Tell me what has brought you here.” The demon took a seat, drumming his long fingers on the desk.
“Francis Bellum brought me here.”
The demon stiffened, his body going alert.
“I heard he died in a raid along the Morrocan rift.”
Tyrian nodded. “He left specific provisions in his will. I’m sure you’ve heard about it.”
The demon looked down at his desk drawer and Chloe wondered if that’s where her father’s letter was. His strange golden eyes met hers with stunning force.
“This isn’t Lily Bellum, is it?”
“No, this is her eldest sister, Chloe.” The demon’s chest sagged and she realized he’d been holding his breath. He buried his face in his hands, shaking his head.
Chloe glared. “Hey, you don’t have to act that relieved. You’d be lucky to get someone as great as me. You’re even luckier if you get my sister. You don’t deserve her. She is the most talented, funniest, and clever person I know. She can’t dress worth a da—”
“Chloe.” Tyrian’s voice cut through her with its chill. Chloe scoffed and took to glaring at the demon.
“What do you want?” the demon asked, a scowl at his lips.
“The Bellum sisters have summoned something I have never seen before. It now stalks her and is trying to kill her. I need your opinion on the matter.”
The demon steepled his long fingers. “Tell me exactly what happened.”
Chloe sighed then told him about the entire “accidental summoning” thing. She happily mentioned what the spell’s purpose was—to get the men to leave them alone. She smiled brightly as Tyrian cut her a cold look, but her body didn’t freeze at his cold glare, it did the exact opposite.
It had to be her new moon, because who in their right mind would want someone to look at them like that? Like they had no care for what you were about to say. But Chloe knew that when she talked, she was his sole focus, even if other things were going on in his head. She also knew he liked her. Whether he realized that or not. Okay, maybe like was a strong word. But he didn’t hate her.
The demon contemplated what she told him about the spell she and her sisters had done.
Finally he said, “I’ll have to check into it but I can get back to you. Each sister said a different line of the spell, but the demon goes only after you? That is interesting news. I’ll see what I can dig up with my contacts.”
Tyrian grabbed a pen off the demon’s desk and scribbled something down. “Call that
number when you hear something. I’ll be waiting. Consider this your top priority. I’m calling in the debt you owe me.”
A look shuttered over the demon’s face. Then he nodded and Tyrian was leading her out to the elevator. They stepped over the crumpled bodies of the guards and got into the elevator.
“What debt does he owe you?”
He hit the button to take them to the lobby.
“I asked you a question.” Still, he ignored her. Something hot, wild, and completely pissed off came over her.
Chloe slammed her hand on the big red button and the entire elevator shuttered to a hard stop. Tyrian cut her a cold, hard glare that she ignored. She launched herself into his arms. For some reason it didn’t surprise her that his arms came around her or that he held her close.
She pulled her mouth up to his, excitement making her breaths come fast. “I want you.”
He blinked once then said, “Now is not the right time.” Inside, she seethed. Where was the fire, the passion in this man? She’d felt it, had even seen glimpses of it. Chloe was growing wet and needy. And that something she needed was him.
“Right now is the perfect time. I’m not leaving this elevator until one of two things happen.”
“You do realize I could easily carry you out of here.” His chilly words hardened her nipples.
“If you do then I’ll take off my clothes and show every single guard we walk past my tattas.” She wiggled her chest to prove her point. The muscles in his body tightened and she thought good. Be jealous, if only a little. She still hadn’t gotten over the whole frimar thing , anyway. And she was petty enough that it felt good to know he was jealous.
“I am your Protector. I’m not here to be your servant. I told you to find another warrior for your sexual needs and I meant it. I will send word to the castle as soon as we leave. You can have your choosing of whomever you want. Draven or Rayn perhaps?”
“I don’t want anyone but you.” She wanted to close the distance between their lips. She was dying to kiss him again, but she couldn’t yet. Not yet.
“You’re a fool.”
“Perhaps you’re the fool, Tyrian. Like I said, I need you. I haven’t been touched in forever and I feel like I’m close to asking the next man I see to take me,” she said with raw honesty. She showed him the truth in her eyes and she felt his body coil even tighter. Purposely, she didn’t add that it was his saucy behavior since arriving here that had her so revved up.
“Take off your pants and let’s finish this then,” he said.
Chloe’s eyes flew wide and then she tossed her head back and laughed. Slowly she shook her head, feeling good and light after the debacle that happened at the castle this morning. She still had every intention of learning more about his frimar and his family, but right now she wanted something much more physical.
“Here’s what we’re going to do,” she said, sliding down his body. He let her go and she dropped to her knees before him, hooking her fingers in his pant loops. “You’re going to feed me your cock and I’m going to suck it.” The hot flare in his eyes soothed the insecurity that nagged at her that this was a bad idea. That she had no business trying to pursue someone like him.
Her heart raced at being so bold, and her tongue darted out to wet her lips at the thought of taking him into her mouth. Her eyes locked on his as she reached for the button of his pants.