Shadows from the Past - Book 2 of To Be Claimed By Her

Chapter 3

Eveleen

We had been on Alfheim for almost two weeks and I think I've had more sex in that time than I had in the past ten years. Luke was right, we needed this trip. It was an amazing opportunity to bond again. Tonight we had a bonfire and talked as we lay under the stars. I felt so content laying next to North as he ran his fingers over my skin.

****

I heard something strange and sat upright. Wait, where is everyone, where am I? I felt around, noticing I was on some sort of bed with a thin sheet draped over my very naked body. I tensed when I heard Him.

"Ahh, pet, I've missed you," his voice was gentle as he spoke.

"Wh...Where are we?" I asked, trying to see his face. He stood just far enough in the shadows that I couldn't make out his features, only his dark hair.

"In your mind, Eveleen. You're asleep, my dear, cuddled up next to North. I simply took advantage of the moment to speak with you."

"What do you want to speak about?" I asked, pulling at the sheet that covered me. Dream or not, the feel of it gave me comfort.

"Hmm, good question. What shall we discuss? How about you tell me more about yourself and I'll tell you about me?" He suggested coming closer. I was shocked to finally see his face. It was chiseled with piercing dark eyes, even darker than North's. "Like what you see, pet?"

I sputtered trying to change the subject, "What do you want to know?"

His head fell back as he laughed, "All right, my dear. How did you manage to meet those Academy boys?" I pondered how much I wanted to answer, trying to figure out what the risk was. "Come, Eveleen, answer the question. We both know you cannot lie."

Fuck.

I took a deep breath, "We were working the same case, I was staying in the cabin next to their home, and our paths kept crossing." He nodded and tapped his chin as if deep in thought. "Who are you?" I asked him.

He grinned, "That is a very complex question. To your men, I'm known as Volto, to others I'm known as Deimos, and once, long ago, I was known as Daniel." He had come to sit on the bed near my legs, but not touching me.

"What do I call you?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

His eyes gleamed as he leaned nearer to my face. "You beautiful pet, can call me whatever you wish." I felt my skin warm as his lips ghosted against mine. In my mind, I knew I needed to pull away, but I couldn't. I started to ask another question, but he placed a finger over my lips, "Tut, tut, my turn."

"Are all of you immortal now?" he asked, his dark eyes seeming to pierce my very soul.

"Yes," I breathed. As if moving of its own accord, my hand cradled his cheek, and I asked, "How did you become an incubus?"

He seemed surprised by both my action and my question. His hand covered mine, but he didn't move it. "Your Academy failed me and my family, Eveleen. They were so wrapped up in how my situation could help them, that they didn't help me until it was too late." I tilted my head in confusion. I saw sadness flash in his eyes as he continued. "My family had been active in the occult. When my father unwittingly unleashed a demon, it attacked all of us - holding us against our will, forcing us to do unspeakable things. I met some boys who were in the Academy. They promised to help us, to help me, but they lied." He pulled back, his eyes flashing red as he growled, "Excuse after excuse why they couldn't help, couldn't rescue any of us until one day it was more than I could take. The demon...he, he raped my mother...in front of me. I lost it and attacked him. Foolish child that I was, I didn't realize that's exactly what he wanted. He killed them - all of them, Eveleen, and the damned Academy never came. I had no idea at the time, but he'd tainted me. His venom and blood eventually ate away at my humanity and now I am what he was - a demon - descended from the bloodline of Deimos, son of Ares and Aphrodite - pure terror."

"I'm sorry that happened to you," I told him.

His entire body bristled at my remark, "I do not want, nor need your sympathy, Eveleen."

"Then what do you need or want? Why are you messing with me and my family?" I hissed, becoming rather tired of his hot and cold nature. "I get your dislike of the Academy, but that had nothing to do with my husbands or myself. Why target them or their girlfriends back then?"

"Don't you see they did the same thing to Sang and Kaylie? The Academy kept Kaylie hanging on a leash with the promise of help for her and her younger brother if she worked for them as a thief. They kept Sang in that abusive house to exploit her ghostbird status. The Academy doesn't really help people, it merely uses them to their advantage - even if that means they are harmed in the process," he roared. I gasped, shrinking back as his body morphed growing in size, his hands transforming to razor-sharp claws, and large fangs protruding from his mouth. Dominance and a feeling of sheer terror came off him in waves that made me tremble. "This. This is what happens when the Academy turns its back on those they claim to help!"

"The Academy didn't turn Kaylie and Sang," I cried, "You did. They were innocent girls and then..."

His enormous hands wrapped around my waist and pulled me to him. "I did it to save them, Eveleen. Those boys were so blind, believing everything their precious Academy told them that they couldn't - no they wouldn't see how the girls were being used." I struggled against him, trying to break free when he pulled me tight against him.

"I know the things those girls did," I seethed. "I heard their deeds, and now, well now, they are even worse. Don't tell me you saved them. You condemned them!"

I could feel his anger as he held my struggling form. He pulled me into his lap, my form looking like a doll in his embrace. "Stop," he commanded in a low but forceful tone. My whole body ceased moving. "Look at me, Eveleen." As if an invisible hand was dragging my chin, I turned my gaze to meet his. He placed an open palm on my chest, just over my heart. "I will not harm you. You have nothing to fear from me." My body felt heavy as he spoke again, "You are safe with me - always safe." I felt his claw trace along my jawline and shivered. When his finger pressed to my lips, I instinctually parted them and sucked on his finger. The familiar tang of his blood filled my senses, but it wasn't overwhelming this time. "Forget me until next time, pet," he whispered and I felt my eyes close.

Author's Notes:  In Greek mythology, Deimos is the son of Ares and Aphrodite - he is the god of terror and dread.  According to his own account, the demon that tainted him in his once-human form (Daniel) was a descendant of Deimos.  Daniel became known as Volto for revenge, but as the demon took hold, he chose to go by Deimos even though he isn't the actual god.

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