At the smell of Eric’s blood, nearby demons became agitated. He could hear the wave of restless hunger race out of the chamber and through the system of caves.

He stared down at the grotesque demon. “If you don’t take that steel out of my skin, we’re going to have a problem with the other demons.”

“She controls them with absolute authority.”

Eric eyed the demon. “Got your dick in a drawer, too, does she?”

Vazel growled.

“That’s enough! Sit!” Treszka’s face darkened with rage.

Vazel sat. Eric shook his head. “I don’t eat while the young suffer. Period. If you can’t handle that, then we’re done here.”

She smiled sweetly at Eric. “You’re not in charge here, Slayer. I am.” Before he could react, she addressed the guards. “Feed the scrawny one to the troops. Make the other one watch.”

Chapter 13

Joseph was glad the lake water was cold. It helped burn off some of his anger before he reached Lyka again.

To her credit, she didn’t try to hide or run away. She stood there waiting for him, feet braced apart, like she was ready for battle.

Joseph wasn’t sure his body could take another rough ride like the last one without suffering physical damage, so he stopped several feet away, dripping onto the grass. “What the hell, Lyka?”

“I didn’t mean to do it.” She paused, scrunching up her nose. “Well, I did, but not exactly like that. It just kind of happened.”

“Is it just kind of going to happen again?”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “Depends on how pissy you get with me, Theronai.” Her gaze dipped down, roaming over his torso with feminine interest.

Even with his cock being caged by cold, wet jeans, it still reacted to her look, swelling uncomfortably.

“At least you can tap into my power now. That’s something, I guess.” He nodded toward the training post. “Try it now.”

She squinted at the wooden post, pressing her lips flat in concentration. “Nothing is happening.”

“Just do what you did before, without the whole dunking part.”

She tried again, but he felt no draw on his power, no connection.

“Why isn’t it working?” she asked.

“Are you too tired?”

She lifted a brow. “Do I look tired, Theronai?”

No, she looked delicious. Absolutely edible. And if he didn’t stop thinking about getting his mouth on his sweet little kitty, he was going to do permanent damage to his cock. There was simply no room for it to swell in these wet jeans.

“What’s different?” he asked.

“I can’t feel you anymore. It’s like your power is too far away to reach.”

He could certainly fix that.

He stepped up behind her and slid his fingers through hers. His ring buzzed happily against her skin. The magic roiling inside him bubbled up, eager to be free.

“Try it now.”

She did as he asked, but it still didn’t work.

One more thing to try. “I’m going to touch my ring to your necklace. Maybe that’s what did it last time.”

He could have lifted her hair and touched the nape of her neck, but instead he slid his arm under hers and between her breasts. His hand shackled her throat in front, pinning her nice and tight against him.

She felt so damn good there. The sweet curve of her ass nestled against him, cushioning his erection. Lake water wet her clothes, allowing their body heat to conduct easily between them. He could feel her heart pound against his forearm, speeding the same way her breathing did at his touch.

She might not like him, but her body reacted to his touch as if she’d been made just for him. Eventually, she’d get used to his touch, his nearness.

Assuming she didn’t simply walk through the gates and leave him behind.

He couldn’t let her go out there alone, not with so much danger around every turn. His promise would force his hand if she wanted to leave, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t convince her to stay here, where she’d be safe.

He let his fingers trail over her skin, making note of how she barely reacted when he kept his touch light, but her whole body trembled when he applied a little pressure.

Joseph lowered his head so that his lips grazed the outer rim of her hear as he whispered, “Can you feel my power now?”

Her voice was faint, almost breathless. “I think so.”

“Let it slide inside you. Here.” He tightened his fingers around her neck, drawing her attention to the spot where his ring connected to her necklace.

Her head fell back. She let out a small moan before clamping her lips shut over it. Pleasure? Pain? He couldn’t tell.

“Am I hurting you?”

She gave her head a little shake. Her golden hair slid across his chest, the strands clinging to his damp skin.

“What do you feel?” he asked.

Her voice was dreamy. “Warm. Full.”

The imagery that brought to mind held a dark eroticism that made his cock throb hard against her ass. There were so many ways he wanted to fill her, leaving her warm and sated.

Down, boy. Not going to happen. Not here. Not tonight. And not ever if you don’t get some fucking control over yourself.

“Open your eyes, kitten. Look at the post in the lake. Use that power filling you up to set it on fire.”

“I don’t know how.”

“Then let me show you.”

Her eyes were still closed. She was relaxed against him, accepting his hold on her almost as if she welcomed it. There was a dreamy look on her beautiful face that made him swell with pride. He’d been the one who put it there.

He knew she didn’t want him in her thoughts, but she wasn’t resisting him now. She was pliant in his arms, leaning on him, trusting him not to let her fall.

Once she knew what it was like to connect to him in the way they were meant to connect, she wouldn’t be afraid of it anymore. She’d see that they’d be stronger when united. Unstoppable.

With the same gentle care reserved for fragile, delicate things, he found the connection the luceria forged between them and eased into her thoughts. He moved slowly, backing off whenever he hit even the slightest resistance. With each passing second, he gained a little more ground, moving deeper into her mind.

He didn’t snoop or even let his curiosity gain the upper hand. He stuck to his original task and used their link to show her what she needed to do.