Her mother’s family was from a small village in Japan near a forest tha
t was a known dwelling of the kitsune, the fox-fire spirits that roamed that land. Like fairies these kitsune were—some mischievous, some protective, all of them old and powerful in their magic. Magic that had touched Ume somehow.
He was sure it was no coincidence that she’d created her avatar in their image. She must have heard the stories too. But even her knowledge of them could put her in danger, because a kitsune had the kind of power any demon would covet.
Any demon but Saint, of course. He had enough magic. He just wanted her. And that want was a madness that grew with every hour spent away from her. He didn’t care to think about what it meant. Thomas and Liam had acted the same way, but they were animals. They had an instinct to mate. Demons weren’t wolves. They lusted, but mating was never a part of the equation. So what was his excuse?
He’d need to get closer to her to know if there was anything unusual in her blood. Needed to taste her. It was as good an excuse as any.
Fuck, he’d never gotten to taste her. But he’d been inside her. He’d felt her pussy close around his cock and grip him so sweetly he’d nearly died from it.
How was that possible? He’d planned to make her feel his touch, to give her pleasure. He never expected to experience that kind of intensity in return. That wasn’t how this worked. It had never been how it worked. But it had happened. And now he couldn’t think of anything else.
He was losing control of the situation, which was why he’d had to formulate his plan. A full-proof plan. A work of genius. A plan he could implement as soon as she got online. And as soon as everyone and their brother stopped calling him.
First it had been Liam. He was in San Francisco, he’d said, and outside of Julie’s house, but she wasn’t at home.
“So why are you calling me when you should be calling her?”
He could hear Liam gnashing his teeth, and he laughed. “Trust me. Surprises are good, but most women like a little warning. Sneaking up on her in the state you’re in will only scare her away. A little phone foreplay never hurt anyone.”
Foreplay. Or cyber sex. Fuck, Ume had been wild. He’d hoped she would be. Now that he knew the passionate creature that lived inside her, he wanted to find out how far she was willing to go. How she felt about being tied up. Being spanked. She obviously liked role-playing. Would she enjoy playing innocent soul to his lecherous demon? Being fucked in the as—
Beep.
“Shit, Liam, I have to go. Mac is on the other line. Just take a few deep breaths and call the girl. And don’t tell her you’re standing outside her house, you’ll sound like a rabid dog. Or a stalker. Good luck.”
Click. “Hey, Mac. Done brooding?”
Mac laughed. “Just about. I wanted to make sure the penthouse was still intact.”
“Aw, you were worried about me. You can say it. Don’t be. I’m being a good demon and playing with all my toys inside.”
Saint could hear the sound of the ocean in the background, and he knew without asking that Mac was back near his ancestral home, roaming the shores of the North Sea by moonlight. “Coming back anytime soon?”
“Soon enough. Are you okay, Saint?”
Damn vampires and that empathy bullshit. Psychotherapists of the supernatural. No wonder he was so damn moody all the time. “It’s rainbows and bunnies all the time here at Casa de Devil. I’m fiddling with your taxes, helping Liam wrangle his mate, stuff like that. Oh, and I’m planning on kidnapping a woman into my game and defiling her in some fairly kinky ways as soon as she gets back online. So I’m fine. Busy, but fine.”
Mac sputtered. “You’re planning on what?”
“Not so worried about your taxes then?” Saint’s smile disappeared as soon as he felt it. She was on. She’d connected. He didn’t have much time. As scared as she’d been the other night, he was honestly surprised she hadn’t taken longer. Fucking grateful, but surprised.
“Sorry. No time to explain. Gotta go.”
He hung up on Mac and focused. This would take a powerful pull, a large amount of energy from him, but from what he’d seen she should be able to respond in kind. He was giddy, a word he would have laid money on never using. He couldn’t wait to get his hands on her. In his world. Where he had total control.
He got comfortable, and set his mind free, sending it streaming into the warrior he’d named Sinner once more, determined to play the scenario out. Ume wouldn’t be able to turn him off now.
When the transfer was complete, Saint shook his head, Sinner’s head, before turning to find his playmate. He’d sent them to a beautiful, if remote part of the game. Somewhere they could be alone for the moment, without other players getting in the way.
She’d be stunned, sure. Vulnerable. She’d need his help, his guidance. And hopefully some of his more obvious charms. Saint grinned.
That is, until he saw what the cyber tide had dragged in along with her.
“Liam?” Saint lowered his voice, his eyes narrowing on the two, still unconscious females. “What happened? What are you doing here?”
The broad-shouldered giant of a shifter ran a hand through his sandy brown hair and grimaced. “Hell if I know, Saint. Where are we?” He looked down at his body and his jaw dropped. “And why am I naked?”