The Darkest Kiss (Lords of the Underworld #2)(50)

Her gaze traveled the long length of him in a heated caress. "Not even to shower?"

His cock stirred as he imagined her in the shower with him, water raining over her naked body. "Not even."

"Why, Lucy. That's totally barbaric." She bit her lower lip and sauntered around the table, bending down to whisper in his ear, "But it's something I'd like to witness firsthand."

A fallen lock of her hair brushed his cheek, and he found his eyes closing in ecstasy. His blood suddenly caught fire, nearly raging out of control in seconds. Rather than kiss her as he so desperately wanted - stupid, dangerous...wonderful - he somehow found the will to rise and move away from her.

"You really know how to drag a party down."

"Anya."

"No. Not a word. Let's get out of here," she said, voice cracking slightly.

He was ashamed to realize his legs were shaking. He was so hard his cock actually hurt. One stroke, and he would come.

Anya didn't look back as she strolled to the front door. Opened it, left the apartment, expecting him to follow. He took a moment to breathe in and out, letting the cold air soothe him.

Every muscle in his body was clamped down, eager and needy for her. Only her. Even the demon seemed to ache for her, no longer purring but roaring hungrily.

Think of the artifacts, the box. Think of Hunters. Think of holding Anya's dead body in your arms.

That sobered him.

An angry whisper suddenly drifted past him. "I'm waiting, Death."

Cronus.

Lucien's blood chilled completely. Finally the god king had returned. Why here? Why now? Because your reprieve is over. The king had not materialized. What was he doing?

"You have failed me, Death. Over and over again, you have failed me."

"I am sorry."

"Liar!"

The boom of the word nearly burst his eardrums.

"You will not suffer for it," the god added quietly, "but your friends will. I'll start with Paris, sending him to a place where no women reside. I will prevent him from leaving and I will laugh as he weakens. I will laugh when he is forced to turn to other men for strength. And when I'm through with him, I'll look to Reyes."

Fight him, as Anya does. "You would kill them, then? Set their demons free to roam the earth in a crazed frenzy? No mortal will bow before you once the demons are through wreaking their havoc."

"Zeus might not have been able to protect the people from your demons, but I can. Do you wish to hear what I'll do to Reyes?"

Fight! "You would prevent him from hurting himself, I'm sure. Perhaps flood him with pleasure he is no longer equipped to handle."

"Do you dare mock me?"

"No. Nor do I wish to do that with which you have charged me."

"I am aware of that, Death. I am also tired of waiting. Which of us do you think will emerge the victor and receive what he desires?"

"What if - " Lucien pressed his lips together. Should he do this? Yes, he decided a moment later. He should. There was no other way. "Anya has something you crave. What if I procure it for you?"

For several seconds, there was only crackling tension.

Then, more calmly, Cronus said, "I will allow you to try. If you fail in this, you will bring me her body. If you fail in that, I will not be so lenient. I will do everything I claimed and more. And I'll make you watch while I do it. Now go!"

A great gust of wind shoved Lucien forward. Cutting off a growl, he righted himself and followed the path Anya had taken. He found her in the lobby of the building, alive and well, though Cronus was nearby. He had to get that key from her. Right now, it was the only way he knew to save her. If he failed...

His stomach twisted into a painful knot. He would not fail.

He allowed his gaze to scan the building. There was a huge fireplace with a crackling blaze in the corner. Beside it, a desk was manned by two males staring at Anya in open approval. Lucien scowled. Unaware of the mortals, or perhaps uncaring, she tapped her foot impatiently and studied her bright pink nails.

They'd been red yesterday. Hadn't they? Perhaps they'd been blue. She changed them every day, nearly as often as she changed moods.

Lucien hissed at the men as he strode past them, unable to hold the noise back. He was too raw to care about consequences. Too raw to care that being possessive of a woman like Anya would bring nothing but heartache.

She's not yours, and she can never be yours. Even if nothing else mattered, stealing her precious key would ensure that.

He didn't speak as he passed her, but she kicked into motion beside him. He could feel her body heat and smell her strawberry scent - his two favorite things, he realized. His world would not be the same without them.

"What do you want to buy first?" she asked him, unaware of his thoughts and turmoil.

Lucien opened his mouth to ask about the key, but the words refused to form. Earlier, she had ended their conversation the moment it had been mentioned. He would have to soften her first, he supposed, and earn a bit of her trust.

"A coat would be nice," he said. Though sunlight poured from the sky, chill wind beat against him.

"Then a coat you shall have. I know the perfect place." She twined their fingers together and tugged him to the left.

Instinct demanded he pull away. He didn't. Instead he tightened his grip, wishing he could hold on to her and never let go. She gasped, threw a sweet smile over her shoulder. Death rubbed against the corridors of his mind, reaching for her, wanting to touch her, too.