The Minotaur's Prey: Dirty Monster Mates Book 1

Chapter 25

A/N: Video by Target1OnlineMedia on YouTube

"You said we would be there by midday so why haven't we reached the portal yet," Maggie whined as she leaned into my bulky frame. Travel had worn her down, as I knew it would with me taking my physical form during the past two days. I powered myself through her essence and it weakened her more every day. Luckily, we were closer than she thought.

"Almost there," I said pulling my spirit back toward the shadows, taking away the support my shoulder offered Maggie, nearly making her fall to the ground.

"Little warning next time, please big guy." I knew her energy must have faltered if she was addressing me with a "please" or any niceties at all. "Better yet, how about a break?" She threw herself down on the ground with a huff of exhaustion.

With how close we were, I wanted to deny her, but I couldn't, not after noticing how tired she was. How did Brohan keep his mate alive so long in her human state? Maggie is deteriorating by the minute. How did she live for so long if the essence drain is this taxing?

We had to get to the portal and soon. There I would mark and claim her, making her immortal. It was a ritual not wide known to monsters or humans, at least according to Brohan. Who knew. Maybe we were the only crazy demon beings enticed enough by a human female to want to bind ourselves to them for eternity.

I only wished Brohan could have had the same chance. Instead, his Ivy had refused to become immortal, said they should cherish what time was granted to them. Even the thought of living such a long existence without Maggie caused my blood to temporarily become cold, and my once shrunken heart ached for the only being I'd called friend during my lifetime.

"You okay, Bull-boy?" I hadn't realized that I'd taken a seat next to my female in my physical form or that my look of angst was written all over my face until I saw her eyes staring at me full of pity, no not pity, but empathy. She cared for me, and I would never really understand why, but nor would I question it. I needed her emotional elixir like I need air to breathe, and it was just as refreshing.

"I'm fine, my sweet morsel. Do you feel well enough to continue?" I helped her to her feet after she assured me that she could go on and I returned to my spiritual form. The need to shift from my hybrid form to my minotaur form pulled taut at my soul the closer we come to the portal to my realm.

I was no sweet angel by any means, but when near Maggie I found that I wanted to be more like her, less of a beast and just more male, but no matter what I desired, that would be one wish that could never be fulfilled. Still, I could not stop the question as it left my lips. "Do you wish I were a human male?"

Maggie laughed until she caught sight of my serious expression. "Oh, you're serious?" With a look and grunt of frustration, I mumbled for her to forget I asked, walking away at a brisk speed.

Even without being able to see me, she knew I had left her side. "No, wait. I thought you were kidding. Why would I want you to be a human male?" She waited, but I offered no answer, and once she realized she would get nothing else from me, she spoke again. "I do not want a human male. Not only do I need you, but I also want you; horns, tail, and all."

"Never has a human protected or cared for me the way you do, not since my mother passed. Sure, you are an alpha ass that is a grouch ninety-nine percent of the time, but you are my grumpy minotaur man, and I wouldn't change a thing. Plus, human males don't have tails that do naughty things like you do," she said with a wink and a smile, so whole-heartedly I had no choice but to believe it.

Smiling to myself I moved on. She actual prefers the monster in me. I reveled in her revelation. It wrapped around me like a cocoon bringing me new life. We were minutes away from the portal now, so I drew her closer to my side, offering her the same protection and warmth that drew her to me. "We're here, my sweet," I proclaimed, excitement rushing through my blood at the idea of claiming her soon.

Maggie looked to me as if I had lost a horn. "This is the portal. Are you sure? It's just a dark cave, one I'm not sure I want to venture into. What if there is some wild beast residing here and it eats us?" Nerves showed on her face and her eyes gave away a tiny sliver of fear.

"No beast is a match for me, especially when you are by my side, my prey. I am the only monster you need worry about," I said licking my lips, doing nothing to hide my hunger for her. "Besides, it only looks like a cave to pursue outsiders from entering. Come, your beast will protect you."

Maggie:

Xorn tugged me past the entrance of the cave, and we entered the portal crossing over into his realm. A zing of what felt like electricity hummed through my body instantly energizing me. "Wow," was all I proclaimed at the sudden change of scenery.

The small dark, musty cave transformed to a huge cavern lit by golden orbs that hung from the ceilings and walls. To one side was a banquet sized table trimmed with red and gold cloth, that looked to seat hundreds. On the other side, a huge intricately carved golden throne stood before an alter of gold, polished to the nines. Attached to set alter were a set of unbreakable golden chains. So, he was serious about the chains. Who is he? I began to ask before something bumped against my leg and stole my attention.

Moving around the floor were short red, gold, and black beings with horns, wings, and tails. Ornate tattoos covered their arms and torsos, though I wasn't sure what they represented.

"We knew you would return soon our lord. Has our cleaning preparations pleased you," the tallest of the beings asked. It was then I realized they were all holding some sort of cleaning tool or another and they looked toward Xorn with unmatched reverence.

"My lord," I spoke to no one in particular. "Are these cute little guys your servants?" I felt a spark of anger jolt through me before I had time to tamper. They glared at me in shock before Xorn sent them a glare of his own, and they instantly removed their tempered dazes from my direction.

"It is very pleasing to the eye. Thank you, my minions," he stated as his eyes swept around the room, more like an open floor mansion, one last time before, taking a seat upon his throne and pulling me into his lap.

"Wait, these are your children?" They were cute, but the only similarities they shared with my bull-boy were the horns and tail. Xorn laughed a hearty cackle, the hardest he had in a while, and it warmed my soul. It felt at home here.

"No. They are not my children, and they are not servants, but try telling them that. They are demon hybrids, like me." But they weren't like him. Were he being a huge, sexy muscled brute, these guys were like cute tiny middle-aged demon men. They did not pass my knee in height and were not wider than a large child. Reading the question on my face, he elaborated. "They are demon-dwarf hybrids. Don't ask. Some demons will lay anywhere."

I laughed, my body shaking on top of his solid form, and suddenly I felt his other very solid member graze me. He pulled me closer in a frenzy, sniffing and nipping at my neck. My nipples were instantly hard, and my core drenched. "Leave us," he growled tossing me toward the alter as the demon dwarfs exited the large space through a small side tunnels I hadn't noticed before.

Xorn ripped his clothes and mine, laying me out across the alter like a sacrifice, and my body clenched in anticipation to become his again. He covered my eyes with a silk cloth and closed the chain cuffs around my wrists and ankles. I was so hot that I was ready to combust.

The light orbs dim and I wiggle with need. A smoky vapor smooths over my body reaching my face and stealing away my senses. I gag. This can't be Xorn's doing, I'm sure. "What is that?" I question.

Thesilk mask is pulled from my face, and I stare up in horror. "Hello again,little one." I shout for Xorn, but my throat burns, and I find my lover knockedout on the floor. Where are his little minions when you need them? "Guess it'smy turn to play," is all he says before he pulls my chains tighter drinking inmy pain. 

A/N: Whoo... That came out of nowhere. Just when it was getting heated, too! Well, evil demons never play the rules. What did you think? How will Maggie escape the Vaporish beast? What happened to Xorn? Will he wake in time? Find out next chapter... maybe. Hope you enjoy!