Demonically Bound: The Demon Wars, #2

By Lauren Peyton

When I was released from Hell it was conditional. My daughter, Ava, sold herself to earn my freedom from the shackles that contained me for so long. Before my wrists could even heal I was summoned by the elders of the lust demon faction and ordered to find a demon who was going to prove vital in the pending demon war. I was to do whatever was necessary to get the information she had. Did I have the strength to torture and kill the demon if necessary after my own imprisonment? The question raged in my mind until I saw the demon…

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lauren Peyton
• Release date: Aug 12, 2016
• ISBN: 9781505809619

Book preview

1

Avaraz stood under the flow of water from the silver showerhead. He groaned at the feel of the heated droplets hitting his sensitive skin. He gazed at the emerald tiles in the shower. It felt like he was in a Zen paradise, all the colors were shades of tan and green. In hell time passed differently. He couldn’t remember the last time he felt a pleasurable sensation and now it seemed like every time he turned around there was something new to savor. He clenched his fists several times as he just existed under the water cascading. It had only been a few short days, but each day was better than the last.

The demon’s mind wandered to what was now his reality. He was free from hell. His daughter’s ceremony was coming soon. She would forever bare the mark of the demons of lust. He did not know whether to be proud or disappointed in that yet. She sold herself to get him out of hell. She was in love with one of his oldest friends, a demon named Caine who bedded many women, but never loved before his daughter. Avaraz had more faith in the eternal mating of demons than most did. He believed in one true love, and his died long ago because of his resistance to murdering her when the elders demanded it.

He reached down, turned the faucet off and stretched his arm out for one of the soft forest green towels. With quick hands, he wrapped it around his waist and stepped from the shower. Avaraz looked in the mirror at his face and body. He hadn’t aged since he turned twenty-five. He looked like he was in prime condition, muscular, toned, and tan. The only part that looked tired and showed his age was his demonic red eyes. Avaraz pushed the dark brown hair from his face and smiled. His daughter had the same color hair, and just as wild. Even though he believed it was his gene showing through in his daughter he thought of his dead lover’s face, her hauntingly beautiful face and hair. Their hair was similar.

Avaraz left the bathroom and went to dress in slacks, a button down shirt, and a blue jacket he borrowed from Caine until he could get his own clothing. The red eyes threw off the mortal-normal appearance balance. He looked mortal other than the eyes. Avaraz closed them and concentrated on a light chestnut color he favored. When he opened his lids he saw the brown. He pulled at the borrowed clothing to make it hang right on him. He questioned the look. When he was satisfied, he walked out of his room toward the common area of the penthouse and growled when his eyes set upon his daughter.

Ava’s arms were wrapped around Caine’s bare torso, moving over his tattoos as if she could read them with her fingertips. Her legs were splayed and around him as well. His hips would pulse forward at regular intervals. When the growl reached Caine’s ears, he receded from Ava’s body and pulled her off the kitchen counter.

You two do realize that we will prepare food there? Avaraz asked.

Caine chuckled and answered. I’m sorry my friend. I could not resist myself.

Ava was flushing a deep crimson. She was mortified to be caught in a passionate embrace.

Sorry, Father. She was sheepish in her response, half-hiding behind Caine as he reached around her for his shirt and pulled it over his bulging muscles.

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His jaw was tensed slightly; Caine did not like being stopped from taking what was his, even if it was his friend’s daughter. He talked his erection down and went to shake hands with his long time comrade.

How are you feeling now that you do not have the weight of the wall on you?

I am well. It seems much has changed in the past twenty-some years. More than just the technology.

Much more has changed. Avaraz was distracted and went to the window to look out upon the city of New York.

What are your plans for today? Ava chimed in.

I want to explore. Tomorrow I will begin to train. Avaraz looked at his daughter, his eyes full of love.

Do you want us to go with you? Caine was serious; the attacks on demons hadn’t stopped in the past few weeks and the concern was obvious.

No, no, I will be fine. I will return shortly, please disinfect the kitchen when you are done.

Ava flushed and buried her face in Caine’s neck. See you later, father.

See you later. Avaraz echoed and walked out of their home.

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The demon walked the loud streets of New York. It looked much the same but somehow completely different. All the buildings were there and even more had been put up. The occupants were different now. A few shops were the same. He could smell the sins on people. He was surprised when he didn’t find the scent of more demons around this area. Lust was, of course, present; there was gluttony, wrath, envy, and greed that Avaraz could smell the easiest. He had plenty of run-ins with the other demons. The demons would sometimes have the same mark and end up in a battle of timing and strength as to which sin was more prevalent in the mortal. It was a chess match and the winner received the soul.

Avaraz walked into what he thought was an upscale shop that had men’s clothing in the window. He was immediately greeted by an overly enthusiastic sales clerk that put hands on him. Avaraz flinched slightly at the contact, he wasn’t used to it.

Well, hello, tall, dark, and handsome. The female sized up Avaraz.

Hello. Avaraz looked at the nametag on the woman’s chest.

What are we in here for today?

I need a bit of everything.

Should we start with underwear? Are you a boxers or briefs man?

I think boxer-briefs.

Well, we have a large selection of those. Need help trying them on? Her eyebrows went up.

Avaraz coughed. No, I uh, I can handle that part.

Don’t be shy, honey, I can make sure your boys look fab! Dena, the sales clerk, winked at him.

I need pants and shirts, as well.

Are you sure you want everything here? We are on the expensive side.

I am, I don’t worry about money.

I knew I liked you, honey.

I can help myself, I will let the cashier know you helped me, he dismissed the eager female.

The demons of sin had a lasting effect on people. He walked away from the ogling sales woman and started going through the clothing he had to choose from. Avaraz had always hated shopping, but it was risky to call a custom tailor and bring them to the loft, you never knew who was working for whom.

By the time he was done, he had a wardrobe that would last him quite a while. He would no longer have to borrow from Caine. They were similar in size, but Avaraz appreciated a different style, although, he chuckled to himself, he would be keeping the blue jacket. It looked good on him.

Avaraz left the store quickly after his purchase to avoid Dena. Although if he smiled at her he would have been able to break his celibacy. The lack of sex did not bother him. Even if he had an opportunity while attached to the wall, he would not have taken it. He was celibate by his own choice. There was not many, if any, like him – a celibate lust demon. It was an entirely new concept. The demon shimmered home, put his bags in his room, and disappeared again, he did not want to see, hear, or get the feeling of what Caine and his daughter were doing.

After a few hours, Avaraz finally returned home. Ava was sipping tea and looking at something on her laptop, when he closed the door she looked up.

Hey. She smiled at him.

Hello, my daughter. He enjoyed saying the word he was so long denied, daughter.

Caine has a surprise for you.

Oh, what is it?

If I told you it wouldn’t be a surprise. Now, come. She reached for his hand.

Avaraz let his daughter pull him. Her mahogany hair bounced behind her. Her excitement was contagious. He grinned and followed her closely. He could smell something coming from upstairs, it was the scent of excitement. Whether or not this overwhelming excitement was coming from Ava or not, was the question.

Ava opened the door to his room and he was bombarded by a scent he hadn’t smelled in eons. Christine. Avaraz choked back a show of emotion. He looked around and saw Caine holding the scarf, a box of letters, a bottle of her perfume, and a few other baubles. Memories of his life with her hit him hard.

I heard you screaming in your sleep. You screamed mom’s name so I called Uncle Isaac and asked for this big favor as a wedding gift for me.

Thank you. Avaraz was caught in the emotion and tears brimmed in his eyes.

We’ll leave you alone with this. Remember tonight is the ceremony, Caine added and laced his fingers with Ava’s, love evident on his face.

Ava kissed her father’s cheek and walked out of the room with Caine. Leaving Avaraz to reminisce and read letters that Christine wrote to him. He knew the pain Christine wrote about. He felt its caress every day for years.

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After the door closed behind them, Ava took a much-needed breath to collect her thoughts. Caine’s muscular arm looped around her waist and his lips pressed to her temple.

Are you okay, babe? Caine asked as Ava leaned into him.

Yeah. I am. I just feel for him.

Why?

He lost the love of his life. She is gone and no one can bring her back. It is very rare that a demon finds a true mate and actually loves. Isn’t it?

Do you believe in it? he blurted before thinking.

Before you came into my life, no, I didn’t believe. I didn’t think love was real, only animal attraction and sex. Then I did. I fought it. That’s why I was such a demon to you. I love you, Caine and I will for eternity. If a demon mates, they mate for life, and God help any woman that hits on what is mine. She growled the last three words and attempted to hide her giggle from using demon as a pejorative term.

I’m not a possession. He attempted a look of outrage

No, you’re not, but you are mine to pleasure all night long. She jumped up into his arms and kissed him tenderly while he carried her to the bedroom.

She returned the kiss with a soft purr. Caine lay her down gently and kissed down her neck, easily he ripped her shirt open to expose her supple breasts. The pink buds were already standing at attention; they called to him and made his mouth water. Caine’s lips wrapped around one and his fingers teased the other with light pinches, rubs, and other teasing.

Moan for me, baby. I love to hear your voice. Tell me how you like it, Caine’s rough voice teased Ava’s ears and he went back to teasing her body.

Fuck! Yeah, don’t stop, she whimpered loudly.

His teeth went to her nipple and he bit down lightly at first, teasing her before biting down harder. The taste of her sensitive, budding breast in his mouth brought a moan out of him. Everything about Ava intoxicated him.

The bed creaked when he pressed his hips into hers and kept her pinned there. Ava could feel his erection press into her and instantly she needed the contact. His hips swiveled into hers. She arched her back and more of her breast was in his mouth, he took the opportunity to bite it, he wanted his mark everywhere on her body. There would not be a demon or man foolish enough to touch her. She was his, and he wanted her to know it. He was in love.

Ava’s temperature rose with each passing second. The need for him was paramount. Her fingers brushed through his messy hair. I need you naked. Ava’s voice was husky with her desire. With no warning, he lifted her in one arm and moved them to the bathroom, he kept their hips together. The friction of their bodies together was bringing them both pleasure.

I want you in the shower, he said, and Ava could only nod.

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He set Ava down for a brief second then kissed her hard, his lips full of an intense passion that almost overwhelmed Ava. Caine was a direct shot of sex to her core. She ached just from his touch. Ava needed more. Caine’s hand snaked around Ava and he pulled the thin fabric pants away, then he pulled down the boy short panties she wore. They were sexy, and he had removed a pair from her with his teeth before, but if he were on his knees in front of her they would not make it to the shower. He would wrap her legs around his neck and pleasure her till she begged for him to stop, and even then it would be hard for him to pull away. Her taste was the only shot at heaven he had.

Caine let her pull his shirt off while he worked the buckle of his belt and his pants off. It was crazy how in synch their sexual appetites were. He looked at their bodies in the mirror, both were nude and were shades apart from each other, but they fit perfectly. Their bodies melded together and looked as if they were one. They were the perfect balance. His lips caressed her shoulders as her hands traveled his back.

Get in the shower now, he ordered.

Bossy.

She chuckled, but complied and stepped into the shower. She tested the temperature with her back first and it was perfect and she stayed under the spray. He was enamored with her beauty. He took a moment just to watch her. Caine had known he was whipped by the little half-breed since the first time they had sex, every time since then, she just sunk her hooks into him deeper and he would beg for more.

Caine finally stepped in behind Ava and held her close again. I had to think about what it would be like to lose you, and the pain was intolerable. Excruciating. I will protect you until I am dead, and even then I’ll fight like hell to keep you safe, my beautiful mate. He kissed her shoulders