The Demon King

Sebastian watched the limo approach his castle with a mixture of anxiety and desire. Why was he doing this? What if he killed the little female?

Even as he feared harming her, he hardened, straining against his jeans. The demon within his mind yearned for her, demanding he obey. He couldn't deny that the man in him desired her as well.

He groaned, rubbing one of his horns. He was such a fool. What did he hope would come of this, aside from sexual release? Did he truly believe the female would come to desire him, maybe even love him?

Sebastian shook his head. It was foolish thinking, he knew that. But still...

He pressed closer to the window, watching as the limo came to a halt out front. Nicholas emerged, smiling brightly as he offered his hand to the female.

Shaking, he resisted the strong impulse to harm the other man just for touching her. Without thinking his claws scraped down the window frame, shredding the wood.

Fuck, but she was beautiful, with soft features, high cheek bones and pink full lips. Her breasts were generous, her waist narrow. Wide hips swayed seductively as she walked, and he wondered if she did it consciously.

His cock was throbbing just watching her. He wanted her, had to have her. For too long he'd gone without the touch of another. He was starved for it.

And, dear god, she was a virgin.

He gazed down at her though the window and groaned. Her long hair blew in the breeze, dark and shining, the color of chocolate. He ached to know the feel of it.

A low growl sounded in his chest, he wanted her with him, now. It had been so long since he'd felt anything aside from rage and loneliness.

As he watched the two near the castle the demon within prowled, clawing at his mind. Clenching his teeth Sebastian forced his gaze away from the beautiful woman he was soon to claim. He had to remain in control. He also needed a damn shower; he was covered in blood from battling at the auction.

A soft knock came at the door.

"What!?" he shouted, more with frustration than anger.

Jasper poked his head inside and frowned. His servant was rarely deterred by his moods. Of course the spectral demon could turn completely incorporeal, which he often did. That particular gift had saved him from a number of close calls with Sebastian's claws. "She's arrived."

"I know," he grumbled. "I will join her shortly."

"Very well, sire." Jasper paused before asking, "Are you sure about this? She is a halfling."

"I'm not going to rip her apart!" he yelled, clenching his fists. At least he would try his fucking hardest not too.

"I understand, but we are not even sure if this female is immortal. One wrong move-"

"Get out," he snapped, flashing his fangs. He did not need to be reminded of this. He needed her.

Fuck, he would go mad if he didn't take her.

Jasper ducked out just as Sebastian chucked a chair at the door. The wood crashed, splintering into bits from the force.

He sighed, bracing a forearm against the window. Lightning struck over a distant mountain, thunderous clouds rolling in the dark sky, a reflection of his inner turmoil.

Seeing her on that platform had done something to him. She had been so beautiful, standing before the crowd with her head held high. All those males had eyed her with open hunger. He'd struggled not to rip them all apart just for looking at her, clenching his fists until they dripped blood from his claws.

He would give anything to have her. No price was too high.

He just prayed he didn't kill her.

******

I'm in a freaking castle.

Victoria's eyes darted nervously as she followed Nicholas. She'd been shocked at first seeing the enormous castle. It had an ominous feel to it that made her skin crawl.

The interior may have been beautiful once, but was now dark and cold, dim lanterns lighting the vast hallways. Nicholas led her to a set of tall double doors, opening them for her and gesturing her into an unlit room.

"Your bedroom," he informed her.

"Thank you." The room was too dark for her to make out anything more than a few pieces of furniture and a massive four poster bed. She eyed the bed with trepidation, her stomach fluttering.

"I do apologize for not lighting a fire." Nicholas walked further into the room, brushing dust off a side table. "The master requested it be so. He has also requested that the lights remain off."

"Why?"

"He is concerned that his appearance will frighten you. He doesn't wish for you to see him yet."

Victoria swallowed nervously, placing a hand over her fluttering stomach. What did he look like? Her mind conjured up image after image. Was he deformed? What would he feel like? Cold and slimy, or maybe scaly like a snake? She cleared her throat. "When will I be meeting him?"

"Shortly," Nicholas confirmed.

"I'm...really nervous," she admitted bashfully.

"I understand." He pressed his lips together before exhaling loudly. "I have orders for you from the master."

Victoria blinked up at him, her heart stuttering.

"He would like you to undress and wait for him on the bed," Nicholas instructed. "No clothing, Victoria. He would like you to kneel on the bed facing the back wall. You are not to look at him under any circumstances. Do you understand?"

She nodded, her breathing uneven.

"Do not turn on the lights." Nicholas softened. "And try not to be too frightened. Just relax. And don't run, it will only excite his inner demon and he will catch you."

She thought she might faint. "What if I can't do this?"

"If you truly believe that I will inform the master."

But then what? What would happen to her father? "What will he do, if I say no...during?"

Nicholas gave her a stern look. "I truly don't know, but his inner demon may not give him the ability to stop. You must be sure, Victoria. Can you do this?"

Biting her lip she thought fast. She'd brought herself to this point, knowing full well what it meant. Even still, she'd never allowed herself to dwell on what would happen to her after the auction. If she had she knew she would have chickened out.

Now she was here, and it was all coming into focus. Did she run or did she face her fate?

Pursing her lips she nodded. "I can do it."

"Very well." Nicholas gave her cheek a pat before leaving the room, shutting the doors quietly behind him. She stood alone, in the dark, dragging in ragged breaths.

Oh god, this was really going to happen. She was in a strange castle, in the middle of nowhere, about to be taken by a demon.

"Holy shit." Pacing in a circle she shook her wrists, fighting to remain calm. She could not afford to go into panic mode now. This was her choice.

She could do this. She had to do this!

With trembling hands she undressed, shivering as the cool night air hit her skin. I can do this, I can do this.

Feeling her way through the dark she managed to climb onto the bed, remaining on her knees and facing the back wall as instructed. "Maybe it won't be so bad," she whispered into the darkness. Either way it was going to happen.

Clenching her hands into fists over her knees she waited, fighting every instinct to run. Normally she would feel self-conscious, naked and exposed like this, but her fear and nervousness squashed all other emotions.

Her mind raced, minutes ticked by. Her heart felt like it might beat out of her chest.

The doors opened and closed softly.

Oh god, he's here.

Tensing she squeezed her eyes shut, even though the room was too dark for her to see more than shadows.

The hairs on the back of her neck pricked as she sensed a presence directly behind her.

A deep, feral growl sounded in the dark.