I couldn't even think anymore. My body was putty inhis hands, and the only thing keeping me from collapsing to the ground was hisarms around me. I needed more, but he didn't lower me to the ground, didn'tpull my clothing from my body and bring me to even greater heights of pleasure.
No, instead he leaned back, breathing just as heavilyas I was, his eyes shining with lust.
"You should wake up now," he ordered, thoughI swore I heard a hint of disappointment in his voice.
"Chris!"
I jerked my eyes open, waking up to a frantic vampire.
"Mal, you're okay," I managed to get outbefore he crushed me against him.
"Can't breathe," I mumbled against hischest.
"Sorry. I'm so sorry. Are you okay?"
"Yeah, mate," I slurred. "Mmm, fine."
"You should be dead, as much of your blood as Itook." His voice broke and I wasn't sure if I was about to see if avampire could actually cry or not. Apparently, no one had the time to bring himup to speed.
"Yeah, I already did that once today. Wasn'tabout to do it again."
"What?"
"Long story. Look, I think we need to get out ofhere and I need some rest. Sabian can fill you in."
The world tilted, and suddenly I was cradled in Mal'sarms. I lost track of what was going on after that, drifting in and out of consciousnessuntil I woke in my own bed, still curled up in Mal's arms. He was asleep and itwas dark outside. Sabian's absence was strange, but I didn't have the energy tobe truly alarmed. Mal was here, and with a quick thought I could sense Sabianwas nearby, the extra senses courtesy of Ezra, I imagined. The hellhound wascurled up behind my knees, and I was safe at home.
With that, I drifted back to a deep, healing sleep.Maybe I'd wake up to find the last day had been a really bad dream.
∞ ∞∞
I wiped steam off of the mirror and leaned on thecounter, my arms supporting most of my weight as I stared at my reflection.
"Fuck," I said quietly.
The demon prince was quiet but, just as I could seethe red rimming my brown irises, I could sense his presence in the back of mymind. My only experiences with possession were from the other side, castingdemons out and all. Still, I was fairly certain this was not what a possessedperson normally experienced. The prince was keeping his word and trying to makethis as easy as possible. Still, it wouldn't take much for him to take over.
I wiped at my eyes, brushing away a few tears. I'dwoken up alone, except for the hellhound, for the first time since I'd met Maland Sabian. I had no doubt it had something to do with the demon prince'spresence.
If it helps, you're not alone. Clearly, he wasn't as distant from my thoughts as Ihad hoped.
Asshole.
The demon chuckled. Is that any way to treatsomeone who saved your life?
I sighed.
I am a prince. It is customary to address me as such.
Either you're oblivious, or you just don't know methat well yet. I'm an exorcist, and about as likely to address you with a titleas I am to sprout wings.
Ezra sighed but didn't push the issue. Smart on hispart.
The hellhound licked water from my leg that I hadn'tyet dried off.
You need to name him.
What? Why? Why is he here, anyway?
Price, if you had named your damn dog, he could haveprevented a lot of this.
What? Ishivered as a chill ran through me. I could have prevented this? With a name?
Once you name him, the binding will be complete, andhe will be able to fully manifest on this plane. Until then, he's trapped intohis chosen form and unable to completely fulfill his duties to protect you. He'sdoing the best he can right now. He was instrumental in breaking the wardingthat had you trapped when you first met your angelic friend, and he was able tosummon help in time to save you yesterday, but he could do so much more with aname.
Let me get this straight. I have to name my hellhoundand bind him to me. And then he can eat all the bad things?
Ezra chuckled again. It was a good thing he found meamusing, or he'd probably get tired of me fast.
Yes.
That's some seriously fucked up movie shit. I am not naming him Moon Child.
I don't think he would appreciate that name anyway.Nor would he appreciate Mr. Fluffy Pants. He read my thoughts before I could voice them in this strange mentalconversation we were having.
I sighed.
Why haven't you named him?
I don't know what to call a hellhound and I didn'trealize it was that important. So how permanent is this binding?
The demon shrugged, and I felt the movement just undermy skin. I shuddered.
It's breakable.
He didn't elaborate and I suspected I didn't want toknow more. At least right now. That brought another question, did I want yetanother demon bound to me? Darius was right, I was getting in deep and this wasnot the team I was used to playing for.
Warm, invisible arms wrapped around me, and a barechest pressed against my back. I leaned into the contact for a moment before Ifroze.
I promise, in the coming conflicts you're on the rightteam. Ezra whispered in my ear, and adifferent kind of shiver jolted through me.
On one hand, I desperately wanted to run or at leastshove him away. On the other...he was an awfully good kisser.
The prince went still. I am going to blame theincubus, he said. I apologize. He released me and his presencefaded.
I groaned, before sagging forward. This entiresituation was ridiculous.
"So, no Mr. Fluffy Pants?" I looked down atthe Pomeranian.
He growled and mimed lifting his leg toward my foot.
"Hey, house broke hellhound, remember?"
He sat and wagged his tail.
"What about Mayhem?"
His fluffy little ears perked forward, and he waggedhis tail cautiously.
"You like that?"
The creature yipped something that certainly soundedlike an affirmative.
"All right, Mayhem it is."
I don't know what I expected, but the result of naminghim was anticlimactic after what the prince had told me. He gave a full bodyshake, making him look even fluffier, before he went back
