Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 78259 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78259 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
I thought of the details I’d overheard from fallen Angels.
Ribbons of illusions spun from my mind and decorated the space. The enchantments easily came to life, so real I could barely tell the difference between it and reality. Carpet transformed to grass. Tables shifted to forbidden fruit trees. The ceiling above was no longer white but a rich blue limitless sky. The fragrance of paradise lingered on the breeze. It smelled of flowers and fresh rain, new life and the mystery of adventure. Although the soothing sounds of birds filled the area, none existed.
I inhaled and added more to the space’s fragrance.
Soon the air grew thick with soft chiming bells, more birdsong, and the scent of life itself. Every breath was like drinking a sweet wine. A wall of jasper sprung up and surrounded us. On top of the wall, red and white jewels glowed.
I often wondered if the jeweled wall was a small symbol of God’s magic. But then wasn’t the entire world His creation and symbol too.
I continued to paint my Eden in the textures of paradise.
I placed holy crosses at every entrance and the illusion of Angels on the balcony. None were real, but it was enough for Ferkos’s minions to avoid the area and look somewhere else.
There. We’re safe.
In the bathroom, I spent an hour slowly cleaning my lover. Fatou slept the whole time, exhausted and limp. Her arm lay over the side of the bathtub. The jet of warm water rushed down the hollows beneath her collarbones and over the sharp curve of her shoulder blades. By completion, perfumed soap scent covered her entire body and her wet dreadlocks clung to her back.
Fatou was so beautiful. It made my heart ache when I looked at her.
You’ve captured me, Hunter. Do you know?
I wrapped her dreadlocks and body in towels, carried her over to the bed, and then lay her down.
How long will you rest?
Watching Fatou sleep, I held her in my arms. Her body, contoured against mine. She was a living sculpture of warmth and softness, and I savored every inch.
We had fun today, Fatou. I hope you’re ready for more.
I listened to the steady sound of her heartbeat.
Hours later she woke and fluttered her eyes open.
I watched her with utter fascination. “How do you feel?”
“Fine.”
I kissed the tip of her nose. “You should rest some more. The Boto Brothers won’t be easy to capture.”
“I already feel renewed.”
“Perhaps, I should give you more of my blood.”
She stirred.
“You’re still worried about what you’re becoming with my power?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t be.”
She scanned the garden. “Where are we?”
“At the hotel.”
She snuggled closer to me. “But. . .this feels like. . .heaven. . .”
“I’ve cloaked it in other smells and illusions, so Ferkos won’t find us here.”
“Do you think he’ll be a problem for us?”
“Not us, no.” I smiled. “Me.”
“If he comes after you, then I will help.”
I grinned. “You’ll shoot your needles at him?”
“Definitely.”
I chuckled.
“That’s funny to you?”
“It will be even more funny when I witness you do it.”
“Why?”
“Ferkos will be shocked that you were the famous fanged-incubus hunter this whole time.”
She leaned her head against my chest. “Have you slept?”
“There was no need. I’m charged up with several weeks of energy.”
“How soon will it be day? I can’t tell in this beautiful garden.”
I inhaled the air. “A few hours.”
“You can smell the sun?”
“Would it be off putting if I said yes?”
She lifted her head and looked at me. “I have so many questions, Azar.”
“We have time before we go after the Boto Brothers.”
She let out a long breath and slowly sat up. The towel fell from her head. Those beautiful dreadlocks spilled around her.
She raised the sheet up over her naked breasts.
I gazed at her. “What questions do you have?”
“How are demons made?”
“We’re bitten.” I took the sheet away from her breasts. Those tasty little nipples greeted my eyes. “Others are born.”
“Does that change the level of power like with vampires?” She leaned her head to the side. “My husband told me that birthed vampires were rare and the most powerful. He was bitten.”
“Very smart, Fatou, but no. Power comes from age, energy, and maybe. . .who birthed or bit the demon.”
“So. . .if the demon who bit the person and made them a demon is more powerful than a birthed demons parents—”
“Then, the birthed demon will get his ass handed to him, if he ever challenges that demon.”
“Do you all challenge each other a lot?”
“There’s no need most of time.”
“Why not?”
“So many women. So many men. So much earth. There’s not much to fight over. Demons fuck, feed, and create chaos.”
“In the church, you said that demons were created to defile the earth.”
“Lilith and Lucifer can’t go to God, so they hope that He’ll come to him.”
“By pissing Him off?”
“Think of two spoiled kids who are on punishment and desperately want their parent’s attention.” I raised my hand up to her breasts and slipped my index finger along a nipple. “They yell. They act up. They do anything to get a reaction.”