The Darkest Pleasure

REYES STRODE to Lucien's private hallway, careful to avoid the other warriors. He was too on edge, his body too hot. All of his strength had been required to leave Danika. Even now, water was probably sliding down her curves, pooling in her navel before dripping into the curls between her legs.

He wondered what she tasted like. Sweet, like the angel she appeared to be? Or wicked, like the devil in her eyes? His demon wondered, too, pacing the pathways of his mind, practically sobbing in curiosity.

'—put Willie in the bedroom next to ours,' Anya was saying, her voice muffled through the door.

Reyes had to strain to hear, his demon growing louder with every second that passed. Danika.

'I don't want him here, woman,' Lucien said. 'He must leave.'

'I put up with your friends every damn day,' she pouted. 'You can put up with mine for a week, at least.'

'Your friend tried to kill you.'

There was a whoosh, as if she'd tossed something in the air. 'That's the past. I hardly remember what I did five minutes ago, much less a few weeks.'

'You hate him.'

'Who are you kidding? I love him. We have history. He was my first real friend back in our Olympus days.'

'Woman. He also tried to kill me and I recall you swearing to punish him for the rest of his miserable life.'

'How better to punish him than to have him close to me? Wait, that came out wrong. Look, everything turned out okay, so I'm willing to give him another chance.'

Lucien gave a warning growl. 'The warriors will kill him. You're lucky they have not done so already.'

'Why would they want to slay the man who will divert my attention away from them?'

Twenty minutes, Reyes reminded himself, and then he could be with Danika again.

Danika. It was a pitiful whimper he could not blame on his demon.

Though he didn't want to interrupt the couple, he knocked on the door.

Their voices stopped abruptly. Footsteps pounded. A second later, the wood swung open and Lucien stood there, frowning at him. Anya peeked over his shoulder and grinned.

'Hey, Painie,' she said. Her arms wound around Lucien's waist, her ice-blue nails rubbing the skin just above his heart. 'What's happening?'

Jealousy was a hot poker inside him, and he hated himself for it.

Danika.

'I am ready to take you to Aeron,' he said.

A LIFE WITHOUT PAIN.

Reyes's words continued to echo through Danika's mind after the door closed behind him. What had he meant by that?

She could have pondered it forever, but she doubted the answer would ever come to her.

Finally full and strengthened, and feeling, well, human again, she quickly rifled through Reyes's dresser, shocked to find women's clothing. In her size. What the hell? She lifted two shirts and held them out, studying them. They wouldn't fit the warrior's extra-large body, so that ruled out cross-dressing. Either he had a girlfriend Danika's same height and weight—why did the thought cause her stomach to clench?—or he'd bought them specifically for Danika.

Since they were soft T-shirts, sweaters and faded jeans like those she'd brought with her on her vacation, she suspected the latter and gulped. Why had he done this?

Does the answer really matter?

Gulping again, she gathered a shirt and a pair of pants. Didn't dare glance at the underwear, just grabbed a bra and pair of panties amid the sea of colorful lace.

She rushed through a shower, the soap and shampoo reminding her of Reyes. Woodsy, sultry, enveloping her in a warm cocoon. He's a demon. You can't forget.

By the time a gentle knock sounded at the door, she was dressed in a gray tee, black sweater and stylishly ripped jeans, wet hair dripping down her back. Some of the dye had washed out, leaving her with a skunklike mane she did not want Reyes to see. Didn't matter what he thought of her, she supposed. Vanity was not something she could afford.

She patted her ankles to make sure the daggers she'd removed from the wall and hidden there were anchored solidly. They were. 'Come in,' she called. She braced her feet apart, preparing for war if Reyes had changed his mind about taking her to see Aeron.

The door creaked open and a woman stepped inside, surprising her. She gasped, drawing a honey-colored gaze to her. A second later, the woman was rushing forward with a delighted smile. 'Danika!'

'Ashlyn.' Smiling, too, for the first time in what felt like forever, Danika spread her arms and welcomed the best memory she had of this place: her friendship with Ashlyn. Having both been held in this fortress against their will, they'd bonded quickly and for good.

They embraced, both sighing happily. Danika had known she'd missed her friend, but she hadn't realized how much until now.

'I've thought about you every day,' Ashlyn said, squeezing her tight. 'What have you been doing with yourself? How are you?'

'Running. And honestly? I've been better. How are you?'

'Don't hate me, but I've been doing wonderfully, if truth be told.' Pulling back, the sweet woman looked her up and down. Her smile faded into a frown of concern. 'You've lost weight you couldn't afford to lose and there are circles under your eyes.'

'And you look amazing. You're glowing. The men really have been treating you well.'

'Like a queen.' Ashlyn paused, studied her again. 'Is there anything I can get you? Anything you need?'

'A ticket home. My family. Reyes's head on a platter. Other than that, no. Nothing.'

Ashlyn's smile returned, and this time it was laced with feminine knowledge. 'Reyes isn't so bad. He's intense, but sweet.'

She intertwined their fingers and led Danika to the bed. 'Listen, I don't want you worrying about anything while you're here. Things are different now. It's not an all-boys club anymore. Anya and Cameo moved in and are helping to keep the men in line. Have you met them? No? Well, you'll like them when you do. Together we'll find a way to save your family, I have no doubt about that. And the guys will help. They have hearts of gold, once you get to know them.'

'I hate to break this to you, Ash, but they're demons. Real, honest-to-God demons from hell.'

'Yes. I know.'

Danika gaped at her, unsure she'd heard correctly. 'You know? And you're staying with them anyway? Of your own free will?'

'Yes.' Ashlyn looked at her through the thick shield of her lashes. 'In fact, say hello to the next generation of demon. Maddox and I are having a baby.' Practically purring with contentment, she rubbed her slightly bulging belly. 'I can't wait!'

'Oh, Ash. Congratulations.' Danika was genuinely happy for her friend, and wanted only the best for her. 'You're sure Maddox will…'

'He'll be an amazing father,' Ashlyn said confidently.

If I don't help bring him down. She closed her eyes against the new complication. Hurting Maddox would hurt Ashlyn, one of the sweetest people she'd ever met. And what about the baby? What would Hunters do to the innocent child of a demon?

'What's wrong? The color in your cheeks is fading.'

'Headache,' she lied, rubbing her temples.

'Oh, you poor thing. You've been through a lot these past few months. This, however, I can fix. You once flew into town to get me some Tylenol, and now I get to do the same for you.' Ashlyn gave her another tight