Present day, Seattle

Sariel

It’s been almost two damn weeks since I last saw Selah, since I’d had her lips on mine and tasted her sweetness on my tongue. I had hoped she would at least allow me to be with her in her dreams, but even there I’ve been shut out. It’s as though she knows I can come to her, that it’s not by chance I’ve appeared.

I take another long drink of the cheap bourbon I picked up after yet another day spent searching for any sign of her. The bottle is almost empty, and I barely feel the effect of the alcohol. Damn. I’d give anything for the oblivion I know comes with drunkenness.

But then another thought hits me. Maybe something is keeping Selah from me. A chill races up my spine at the idea. Is she hurt? Has Michael done something to her?

“Are you in here, Sariel?” Devin’s deep voice breaks through my frantic thoughts, but I don’t answer. “Shit, it’s like a fucking tomb in here. You aren’t a vampire anymore, remember?”

He switches on a light, flooding the room with the bright glow of the lamp, and stands over me. His arms are crossed over his broad chest, a smirk curling up his lips.

“Why are you here, Devin?”

“Don’t give me that. You called me, remember? You left me some rambling message about not being able to reach her. I don’t know. I stopped listening about halfway through because I got bored.”

Did I? Pulling my phone from my pocket, I scroll through my call history and see it, right there on the backlit screen. Maybe the alcohol is affecting me more than I’d thought.

He takes a seat in the armchair across from my position on the couch. “So…are we just going to sit here and make eyes at each other all night, or was there a reason for your call?”

I lean back on the couch, letting my head fall into the cushion as I stare at the small crack in the plaster where the ceiling and wall meet. “I can’t find her.”

“For fuck’s sake, who?”

“Selah, you idiot vampire. I can’t reach her.”

He chuckles, an annoying sound that sets my teeth grinding. “She’s playing hard to get?”

“I don’t know. Everything is wrong. She’s supposed to love me as I love her. She knows the truth. She…she wanted me. And now? I haven’t been able to go to her. I can’t find her, not out in the world, not in her dreams.”

“In her dreams?”

Shit. The bourbon has really done a better job than I’d anticipated. “It’s…a thing I can do.”

“You can invade her dreams?”

Rolling my eyes, I sigh. “Where do you think the incubus legends come from? You think some bored writer came up with it one night after too much wine?”

“Aren’t you afraid of killing her when you…you know, feed?”

“I don’t need to feed anymore. I’m…” I pinch my finger and thumb together, “…this close to human.”

“You’re drunk.”

Standing, I sway in my spot and frown. “You might be right.”

“How are we supposed to stop the Watchers from starting a war if you’re mostly human?”

I circle my shoulders and give a pulse of power until the weight of my sword sits heavy in my palm. “Mostly is the key word there.” Wielding the blade, I point it at him.

Devin’s eyes widen as he backs away. “Watch where you swing that thing, buddy. I’d like to keep all my parts.”

My head is strangely clear, all traces of drunkenness gone. Damn it all to Hell and back. I was enjoying the numbing cloud covering me. Now, even the thought of Selah sends a pain through the center of my chest.

“So, I called because of her. Come with me to the club. Maybe we can find her?” I ask, willing away the weapon in my hand.

“Is there a show tonight?”

I nod. “Yes. She’s supposed to perform.” Flicking my gaze away from him, I mutter, “I called to see if she’d be there. Apparently, she’s a favorite. If I have my way, the only man who’ll be blessed with her beauty from now on is me.”

“Sometimes I think you and Galen came from the same bloodline or something. I swear. Maybe it’s just because you spent a hundred years with him and only five with me.”

“Maybe you just annoyed the hell out of me.”

He smirks. “Mission accomplished, then.”

Straightening my shirt, I tug on my leather jacket and grab my keys. “You coming?”

With a lift of his eyebrow, he laughs. “You have to ask?”

The club is filled with patrons, mostly men, and all making my jealousy rise as they joke and laugh, waiting to see my Selah perform. The thought of these jackasses getting their rocks off on memories of the sway of her perfect breasts, the roundness of her ass, her creamy skin… Fuck, I can’t handle it.

“Uh, Sariel? You need to tone it down…like, a lot.”

My gaze snaps to his. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

He gestures to me. “You’re damn near glowing. You should see your eyes.”

Glancing down my body, I see the faint aura of gold surrounding me. Shit. I’m using my power without even thinking about it now. “I can’t be here.” Storming across the room, I burst through the door marked Employees Only and stalk down the hall, searching for her.

“Holy hell, you’re the guy. The guy. Selah’s…whatever you are.” A cute brunette with wavy, chin-length hair and wide brown eyes stares up at me with awe in her expression.

“Where is she?” I bite out the words, trying to contain myself and not scare this woman.

“She’s not here.”

My chest tightens. “She’s supposed to be.”

“No. I haven’t seen her in over a week.” She takes my hand and gives it a squeeze. A surprisingly familiar gesture, but I don’t stop her. The look she offers me is one of pity, and I don’t have the nerve to break contact. “I’m sorry to tell you this, honey. Word is she quit and ran off to get married.”

As if she’s punched me in the gut, all the air leaves my lungs.

Married.

No. This can’t be fucking happening.

She is mine.

* * *

Selah

Sariel’s hands glide over my body, sending waves of need crashing through me. The heat of the afternoon sun blankets us even under the shade of the pistachio tree. This is a dream. One I’ve wished for every night over the last few weeks. I haven’t been able to escape the cloud of control Adam has over me for more than a few minutes at a time, but every time is longer, and I’m gaining strength. I don’t understand what’s happening, but I need to get away.

A moan escapes me as Sariel brings me back to this subconscious reprieve. He nuzzles my neck and lowers us to the ground. God, I want him. It feels like we’ve been apart far too long, like we’re coming home every time we touch, like we’re destined.

“Selah, where have you been hiding?” The rasp of his deep voice makes me wonder if he’s been just as desperate for me as I him.

“I’ve been here. Waiting.”

His fingers grip my nightgown and slide the fabric up my thighs as he presses his hips between my legs. “Why?” That one word holds so much emotion, but the one at the forefront is heartbreak.

“Because you’re mine.”

Brows pulling together, he stares at me with undisguised confusion. “Then why would you marry him? Why keep me away?”

I’m not sure what he’s talking about. In the back of my mind, I can see Adam, feel the strange control he has over me as it tugs at my consciousness, but I’m not married to him. As the weeks have passed, I’ve been able to break out of his pull, distance myself, stop letting him do what he wanted to me. Because he’s not Sariel. “I don’t understand. Why would you think—”

“No, baby. Don’t tell me. Just let me have you. Right now, here, in this place, it’s just us.”

Spreading my legs wider, I reach down and grasp his length over the thin fabric of his pants. I want this more than I’ve ever wanted anything. My pussy aches to be filled by him, my breasts swell, and I know if he would only touch me, he’d find me slick with desire.

“Take me. Make me yours,” I almost moan.

Those silver irises flare and brighten as, in one smooth movement, my gown is gone, pulled over my head and tossed aside, leaving me completely naked before him.

“Fuck, Selah. There has never been another who compares to you. Never.”

A bolt of pure lust coils in my center, making my clit throb with the need to be touched.

“Sariel,” I whine, not caring one bit that I’m begging.

Lifting my hips, I attempt to close the distance between my core and his cock, but he pulls back. “Not yet, baby. You’re not ready for me.”

His smirk only adds fuel to the already blazing fire in my blood. He’s right, though. I’m not ready. His cock is long and thick, and I know I need him to prepare me or it will hurt.

“Then stop fucking playing with me and get me ready,” I order.

The growl that comes from his throat makes my nipples harden to the point of pain. Sliding down my torso, he pulls one of the tightened buds into his mouth, sucking, pulling, nibbling. Oh, holy hell. My hips buck involuntarily under his attention, but he stills them with one large palm against my belly. Fingers inching closer to the place I want them most, he continues to focus on my breast with his mouth, and for a moment, I fear he’ll never give me what I want.

“I can smell your desire. Are you wet for me, my love?” The vibration of his words murmured around my nipple takes me from needy to hovering on the edge of release.

“Why don’t you see for yourself?”

Pleasure bursts from my clit the instant his fingers slide over the swollen bundle of nerves. My back arches, and I let out a groan so loud, birds flee the tree above our heads. Still riding out the orgasm, I squirm when he releases my nipple and pulls away. I’m about to protest, but his lips close over my still-pulsing clit and two long fingers slide deep inside me.

The pleasure borders on pain as he sucks and circles, thrusting in and out with his fingers as my walls continue to clench around him. I’m not done coming, but already another orgasm waits on the horizon. “It’s too much,” I cry. “I can’t.”

He releases my clit and rolls his gaze up to meet mine. “You can, and you will.”

I’m about to protest, but he blows a stream of cool air over my pussy before curling his fingers inside me and returning his tongue to my core. Tears spring to my eyes as the pressure of my climax builds. Then he replaces his lips with fingers, rubbing tight circles as his other hand leaves my pussy begging for more. His mouth crashes down on mine while he settles his hips between my spread legs and the tip of his cock presses at the entrance to my body.

“You are mine, Selah. Never forget.” Urgent mercury eyes find mine as he slowly sinks inside.

I bite back a cry at his invasion. Even though he’s prepared me, his size takes a moment for me to accommodate. A small thread of panic hits me as I realize he’s not wearing protection, but as real as this feels, I know it’s a dream. Fingers threading in his tawny hair, I pull his face closer to me, needing his kiss more than I need his words.

As he seats himself fully inside me, he groans against my mouth. His unspoken words hang in the air around us. This is right. This is precious. I am yours.

I don’t know if he’s actually invading my thoughts or if I’m just attuned to him, but I know the words are true. His hips roll as he begins moving, dragging himself out and plunging back in, over and over. I want to be closer, I want to feel his heartbeat against my breast. Wrapping my arms around his shoulders, I cling to him as he fills me, and when he sits back on his knees, taking me with him, I cry out as he sinks as far as my body will allow. My breasts rub against the slight spray of golden hair across his chest, the coarseness making tingles break out over my entire body.

“Sariel,” I groan as he moves me over him.

“I need… Oh, fuck, Selah. I need to give you everything I have.”

It’s a strange way of saying it, but by the tension in his jaw, the trembling of his body as he tries to hold back, I see he means he needs to come. I want him to. God, I want him to flood me with his pleasure and leave his mark on me.

“Yes.” It’s only one word, but he grips my hips so hard, I would worry he’d leave bruises if this weren’t a dream. Pumping into me, he quickens his pace, his thrusts rough and deep until I’m throwing my head back and screaming, lost in my own climax as he stiffens.

“Selah,” he groans, clutching me to him as he spills his orgasm into my body.

My eyes open, core still pulsing with the remnants of pleasure. God, that didn’t feel like a dream. It felt more real than anything I’ve ever experienced. Sitting up, I sigh and stretch. I need to have more dreams like that. No risk. Hot sex. Sariel.

As I stand, a flood of wetness trails down my inner thigh, making me stop in my tracks. No fucking way. It can’t be real. But as I rush to the shower and pull off my nightgown, I see the red marks on my hips where he’d gripped me and the remnants of his desire on my thigh.

No fucking way.

The door to my bathroom opens and closes, sending a wave of dread through me. Adam stands in the doorway, clad only in boxer shorts, looking sated.

What the hell just happened?

I have to get away from this man.