demon that exploited every sinful thought she'd ever had. She tried to shove the demon out of her, but he was too powerful. He whispered seductively in her ear, running filthy fingers over her breasts and between her legs while she jerked and slapped at his invisible hold.
She was drowning in erotic images and the need to climax was a painful demand that pounded in her blood. She couldn't allow the demon to slip back into Aodhan, but she wasn't sure if she was strong enough to fight him off. Her eyes fluttered open. She opened and closed her mouth to call for Aodhan, but only a needy moan escaped. Her body undulated against her will as the demon ratcheted up her lust to a mindless state. She reached for the dragon telepathically.
Aodhan!
Her silent scream was desperate as she shoved at the demon and clawed for a thought that wasn't drowning in desire. She felt the dragon's presence and latched onto him for all she was worth. She felt his body jolt as he registered the demon snapping at her heels, trying to drag her beneath a tide of passion.
Knock me out. I can't take him now , Cara rasped.
Aodhan hesitated for the barest second and she screamed as the demon raked her chest in retaliation. The demon smothered her with images of the warrior claiming her and she groaned and dug her hands into the rocks beneath her.
Do it! Cara commanded.
Aodhan obeyed and the demon howled as she went unconscious.
Cara sat on a beach. The sun was warm and the breeze that came in from the ocean ruffled her hair. A wave crashed on the shore and surrounded her feet, which were buried in sand. A man sat beside her. Cara turned her head lazily and saw the handsome, olive skinned puppet Luc was currently using. Cara struggled to wake, but the sleep Aodhan pushed her into was so deep, there was no chance of waking anytime soon. Her body remained relaxed even though Cara knew she should be looking for a weapon. The man turned his head and smiled at her.
"Clever Cara. How'd you know he was possessed?" Luc asked
She didn't have the resistance left to fight the compelling note in Luc's voice. There was no emotion in her as she replied, "Aodhan's an Ancient. He battled against the dark so I wondered what would compel him to change. Only you would benefit from having him caged."
A large hand gripped her face and the man brushed a kiss over her face. Cara felt no alarm or fear as she stared into eyes that promised punishment.
"That wasn't all me, baby," Luc murmured. "You know a demon couldn't possess him unless he was already a lusty, greedy bastard."
"Aodhan's a warrior. You channeled his bloodlust into an insatiable desire that targeted women and wealth."
"You see more than you should," Luc mused. "He retains enough of himself to tell you his given name? What a shame. I was hoping he'd be senile by now."
Luc stroked a hand over the arch of her neck while his eyes moved over her face and skin.
"You're earning his trust. He should have killed you the moment you entered his lair, but he stayed his hand. Why do you think he did that?"
Cara didn't answer.
"He needs something from you," Luc whispered.
"What does he need?"
Luc laughed. "He hasn't told you how to break the curse?"
She didn't rise to the bait. She didn't pursue what Luc was clearly dangling in front of her. She felt a spark of satisfaction when his eyes flickered with irritation.
"He healed your precious brat because he wants you to feel that you owe him. He needs your help to break the curse. Can you trust a monster that will kill you when he finds out what you are?"
Cara's eyes flicked away from his. Luc chuckled and clucked his tongue.
"If you join me, I can make you immortal."
"With you as my master? No thanks."
"So stubborn," he murmured and bit her ear.
She wanted to shove him away, but that would be a useless effort. She stared out at the ocean and waited for this dream to pass. She felt the heat of Luc's displeasure when she remained
Heidi Cullinan
Dean Burnett
Sena Jeter Naslund
Anne Gracíe
MC Beaton
Christine D'Abo
Soren Petrek
Kate Bridges
Samantha Clarke
Michael R. Underwood