Ruby Shadows (Born to Darkness #3)(36)

“Such a lovely little thing,” Druaga muttered, a bit of drool escaping his tusked mouth. “Tell me, Laish, have you had her long? Is she properly broken in?”

“That is none of your concern.” Laish tightened his arm around my waist possessively. “We simply want a room for the night. Will you accommodate us or not?”

“Yes, yes—of course! Of course, my Lord.” Druaga bowed obsequiously but his eyes never left me and I couldn’t help noticing his trouser snake didn’t go down either. Double ugh! “In fact, you must have supper with me tonight in my own private quarters,” he continued in his deep, hoarse voice as he handed Laish a broad, leather-bound book and a feathery black quill pen.

“That will not be necessary,” Laish said firmly as he signed the book with a flourish and handed it back. “We appreciate your offer but my concubine has a rather delicate system and particular dietary requirements. She has therefore brought her own nourishment with her.”

“Very well.” Druaga looked pissed off—at least I thought he did, it was hard to tell because of the boar’s head—but he only nodded. “Nairn,” he snapped at the antelope-horned demon who had been crouching quietly as far from his master as he could get during the entire encounter. “Give Lord Laish suite 104. It has an excellent view of our gardens,” he continued, turning back to us. “As well as a very comfortable bed. You should be very happy there.” He leered at me and his massive shaft twitched, making me want to gag.

“Thank you.” Laish nodded and reached down for the golden door key which the antelope-horned demon was holding out in one trembling hand. Clearly he still expected some kind of punishment for not recognizing Laish and treating him as he ought to.

“I’ll send someone to tend your steed,” Druaga promised.

“Thank you but I will tend to him myself,” Laish said. “Do you still have stables located in the lower level?”

“Indeed we do. But maybe you’d reconsider my offer of dinner?”

“You’re most kind,” Laish said firmly. “But we couldn’t possibly. My concubine is tired after a long day of riding. We must bid you goodnight.”

“At least let me send a selection of delicacies to your lady.” Druaga leered at me hopefully. “No matter what her tastes I am certain we can, ah, accommodate her.” Okay, I was seriously going to be sick if he kept looking at me like that.

“If you want to send some food somewhere, why not give some to the kids who live outside your hotel?” I said, speaking up for the first time. “They look like they’re starving.”

Druaga raised his hairy eyebrows.

“Kids? You mean children?”

I felt Laish stiffen behind me and he let out a hiss of annoyance.

“They are merely devilkins. Pay no attention—my concubine is innocent and has no idea what she is talking about.”

It was my turn to stiffen with annoyance. I opened my mouth to say something but Laish put a large hand on my thigh and squeezed warningly. Clearly he thought I had said enough already. Reluctantly, I closed my mouth again, promising myself I’d give him a piece of my mind when we got to the room.

“If you wish me to send food to the devilkins, my lady, it can be managed,” Druaga said, smirking at me. “Of course, there would be an, ahem, extra charge.”

“No!” Laish said sharply. “Thank you but we do not wish to incur any extra charges for food, drink, or any other delicacies or specialties of the hotel.”

“We can speak of it more over dinner in my private apartments,” the demon suggested.

“Again, I must decline. The room for the night is all we require.”

“Very well.” The demonic hotel manager—or was he the owner?—looked a little disgruntled but there didn’t seem to be anything else he could do or say. Apparently he couldn’t make Laish accept his offer of dinner. For which I was very glad. The way those small, piggy eyes of his had been crawling over my breasts while his huge hose-beast of a cock twitched and drooled between his thighs had me wanting to take a very long, very hot shower.


“Wow, he really wanted us to come to dinner,” I remarked under my breath as Laish steered Kurex away from the long desk and towards the end of the lobby.

“Because he wishes us to incur a soul debt.” Laish sounded very displeased.

“What? But you don’t have a soul,” I protested.

“No, but you do. A fact which I am afraid your na?ve statement that he should send food to the devilkins has exposed. No one but an untried human would have thought of such a thing.”

“You mean no one without compassion,” I said hotly. “Those kids are starving, Laish—you could see it in their eyes! I know you’re a demon and all that but do you have to be so hard hearted?”

“As to that, my heart is much softer than it should be—but only towards you, mon ange.” He frowned at me.

“I don’t care what you say—they’re hungry.”

“No one disputes that.” His eyes flashed. “Though their appetites might surprise you.”

“But—”

“Do not presume to lecture me on subjects you do not understand. The devilkins are not to be trusted any more than Druaga is. For all their outward appearances are different, inside they are the same.”