Embrace The Dark (Her Elemental Dragons Book 5)(43)

He wrapped his strong, masculine hands around my throat. “I’m sorry, Hannah. It’s the only way.”

I couldn’t talk, couldn’t protest, couldn’t breathe. I could only watch Lucifer’s red eyes burn like an inferno as his hands tightened, cutting off my air. I tried to fight, tried to scream, tried to beg, but I couldn’t move at all.

Pain exploded in my neck and lungs. Tears fell from my eyes. It grew harder and harder to see his burning eyes clearly as the darkness creeped into my vision and I struggled for air.

Lucifer was killing me.

How could he do this? Had I been wrong about him this entire time? As my vision blurred and my body grew weaker, Jophiel’s words came back to me. Lucifer is the villain. He’s been lying to you this entire time. Manipulating you. Controlling you. As he’s done with all humans for thousands of years.

You’re in danger around him.

His voice came to me in the darkness. “I love you, Hannah.”

How could that be true when he was ripping the life from my body? Was this how he ended the curse—by doing Adam’s job for him?

I’d made the ultimate mistake, trusting the devil with my heart. And the price was my life.

The darkness closed in, enveloping me completely as my lungs burned for the last time. Everything turned black as death finally claimed me, as it had done so many times before.

Except this death would be my last.





33





Hannah





With a bright flash of light, life surged back into me…and with it came power.

And memories. So many memories.

My mind flooded with events from my past lives. Every single one of them. Eve. Persephone. Lenore. Countless other humans who lived short, brutal existences.

All of their lives came rushing back to me, filling my head with their pain, joy, love, and death, stretching back thousands of years. Too many memories for one mind to hold, even an immortal one. I screamed and thrashed, clutching at my head, trying to make the torrent stop.

Then the flood died off and the memories faded away like smoke. Only a few impressions remained, fragments from some of my lives, though I knew others were within my grasp if I needed them. Only one life remained just out of reach, clouded by another’s magic. My true self had been stolen from me, my powers stripped from my body, now returned in death. But I still couldn’t access those memories.

I sucked in a breath that felt like my very first one. Power swirled inside me like adrenaline. My skin tingled with magic. How was this possible?

Lucifer had killed me, but somehow I was alive.

No, better than alive. I was whole again.

But that didn’t mean I forgave him for what he’d done.

I opened my eyes and slowly sat up, glancing at the small crowd of people gathered around me, before my eyes landed on Lucifer. My mate. My killer. My savior.

“Hannah?” he whispered.

Hannah? Hannah was dead. But like a phoenix, I was reborn. I didn't remember my name, but I knew one thing.

It was time to raise some hell.





THANK YOU for reading Demon King! Lucifer and Hannah’s story will continue in Devilish Mate, coming soon. I promise a HEA for them…eventually!

Want more in this world? I'm working on a novella about Brandy and Asmodeus now. It'll be free and exclusive to newsletter subscribers, so make sure you sign up!

Also, check out my other series Seraphim Academy, which features some of the characters in Demon King. Turn the page to read the first chapter!

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Excerpt from Seraphim Academy 1: Wicked Wings - Excerpt





To find her brother, this succubus will tempt angels to fall…





Chapter One: Olivia





Seduction is a dangerous game, but one I have no choice but to play. And, as I’ve learned from my mother, seduction and deception often go hand in hand.

They do tonight, anyway.

I move through the party and try to ignore the growing hunger inside me. It's hard at times like this, when music is pulsing, drinks are flowing, and bodies are dancing a little too close. Inhibitions are down, temptation is in the air, and boy does it smell sweet. To me, at least.

I find a corner where I can survey the crowd, trying not to get too close to anyone. College kids at various levels of drunkenness dance, play beer pong, and try to talk over the loud beat of the music. A guy standing off to the side catches my eye and gives me a warm smile. He’s got the face and shoulders of a small-town college football hero, and for a second I’m tempted. I picture digging my nails into those broad shoulders as I ride him hard, but I quickly glance away. He looks like a nice guy. The kind who wants to take it slow and brings you flowers on your first date. The kind I avoid.

Trust me, I’m doing him a favor.

A guy with sleeve tats and a dark goatee walks into the room with a “don’t-fuck-with-me” vibe. I bet these rich snobs invite him to parties for one reason alone: he sells drugs. He’s exactly the kind of man I need tonight.

Chester’s hand clasps my elbow possessively. “There you are.”

“I was waiting for you.” I flash him a fake smile. He’s one of those kids who only got into USC because his parents bribed someone. Sandy blond hair with a perfect curl over his eye, dark green polo shirt, expensive smile—you know the type. His confidence makes him more attractive than he really is, as does his money. This is his house—bought by his parents so he wouldn’t have to live in a dorm with the common folk—and his party. It’s St Patrick’s Day, he’s wearing a “I’m Not Irish, Kiss Me Anyway” pin that lights up, and his breath smells like whiskey. It takes a good bit of acting not to cringe away from his touch, but Mother taught me well.

We met in the bar where I work, where he flirted with every girl he could before I took him home. Now he only has eyes for me. What can I say? I have that effect on people.

Chester pulls me up against him, his eyes hungry. “I missed you. Let’s go back to my bedroom.”

I play with the buttons on his shirt. “Only if I get a drink first. I’m dying for one of those green beers everyone’s got.”

He nuzzles the side of my neck like a ravenous bear. “Can’t it wait? I need you now.”

I might have gone a little too far with him last night. I swat his chest playfully and put on a cute pout. “Everyone’s had a drink but me. Please?”

He has no idea I’m doing him a favor. If we sleep together again, he won’t survive it. Humans can only handle one night with a succubus—or even a half succubus, like me.

“Fine,” he says, but he tightens his fingers around my arm. “One drink and then you’re mine for the rest of the night.”

His mouth crushes against mine, and I can’t help but take a little of what he’s offering. His lust for me is delicious, but every second our lips touch puts him in more danger. The guy is a possessive, snobbish jerk, but I don’t want him dead.

I push him away before I can do any real damage. “Go find me that green beer, and then we’ll continue this.”

His eyes are glazed and unfocused, his face a little paler than it was before, and at first I think he won’t let go. Did I take too much? But after a second the daze passes, and he stumbles off to go get me a drink.

I blow out a long breath and search the room for that tattooed guy I spotted earlier. He’s easy to find, with a group of entitled students passing him money in the corner in exchange for something in a little baggie. I use a tiny bit of my powers to catch his attention, and his gaze locks on me. Others in the room turn too—both men and women—and I know I could have any one of them if I wanted. Desire is powerful, and succubi are hard for humans to resist when we put on the charm. The only people immune are those in true love, and they’re few and far between, especially in places like this.

He pushes through the crowd and makes his way over to me. “You alone, baby?”

“Not anymore.” I rest my hand on his arm and tug a little with my magic, making his emotions flare.

He suddenly grabs me around the waist and plants his lips on mine, kissing me hard. Oops, I tugged a little too hard. Mother would chide me, but I’m still getting used to these powers and the thirst that comes with them. I hear it now, the little voice in my head that tells me to yank open his jeans and climb him like a tree. That voice is getting harder to ignore with every passing day.

I end the kiss slowly. “I could use some fresh air. Let’s go onto the balcony so we can continue this.”

He grunts and leads me outside, his hand on my ass. Subtle, he is not. I lean against the balcony and he leans against me. From below, sound of people laughing and splashing in the pool filters up. It’s a perfectly clear blue Los Angeles day and the sun hits my bare shoulders, filling me with warmth. I’m wearing a little red dress that shows off all my curves, and my new friend is definitely enjoying the view.

His hands circle my waist. “I’m Trey. What’s your name?”

“Olivia.” I toss my hair back. “But everyone calls me Liv.”

Chester comes barreling outside at that moment and yanks the guy off me. “What the fuck, man? You think you can come into my house and touch my girl?”

“We were just talking,” I say.

“Looked like a lot more than that,” Chester snaps. He shoves a green beer at my chest, and a little of it foams over. “Here, take your damn drink while I kick this guy’s ass."