Unwelcome Guest

"Finally awake?" Sebastian gave a warm chuckle, stroking his hand down her back.

Victoria sighed, nuzzling against the warm skin under her cheek. She'd woken up lying over the demon's chest and torso, his strong forearms wrapped around her waist. His chest rose and fell gently with each breath, almost lulling her back to sleep.

"It's nearly midnight, little one."

She was really beginning to love his pet names for her. Stretching she let out a sleepy yawn against his chest. "Someone kept me up all day," she teased lightly, stroking her fingers over his torso.

He shuddered. She was completely fascinated by his body and had spent long hours simply running her fingers over the many scars, which seemed to delight Sebastian to no end. Toying with his amulet she pressed a kiss to a scar over his collarbone.

"You keep that up and I'm going to keep you in bed all night too," Sebastian rumbled over a groan.

Victoria couldn't help but smile at the idea of lazing in bed with the big demon. She ran her finger down his stomach, dangerously close to his already stiffening erection.

He hissed in a breath and slapped a hand over her backside. "You tease me, female?"

She peaked up at him with a sneaky smile, blowing a strand of hair out of her eyes. "It's only teasing if I don't intend to follow up."

"Oh?" Sebastian brushed stray locks of hair from her forehead gently with one of his claws. He'd taken her over and over yesterday. Not once did the demon rise although there had been a few close calls.

She sat up, sliding haphazardly down his body. He gave a little grunt as she straddled his hips. His hard shaft jutted beneath her from under the bedspread. With a little moan she rocked against him.

"Victoria," he rasped. His large hands gripped her hips, moving her faster. Tugging her forward he lapped at her neck. "I could come just from this."

She sighed. "Can't get enough of you."

He gave another chuckle. "The feeling is mutual." He kissed her deeply, groaning into her mouth. She continued to rock, her eyes sliding shut with pleasure. Just a little bit more....

Suddenly he tensed, pulling back and scenting the air.

"What is it?" Victoria asked.

"Something's not right." He got up quickly, pulling on his clothes. "Stay here, Victoria."

******

Sebastian left Victoria gaping after him as he stormed angrily out of their room. There was a strange male in his castle! How had the bastard made it through the wards?

He heard voices as he followed the stranger's scent to the main hall.

"You seal your own fate," Nicholas warned, his tone deadly soft. Sebastian had heard that tone before. It was typically followed by the mercenary executing whomever it was directed towards.

"She should have been mine!" the stranger's voice rang though the castle.

"She is not yours. If my master does not kill you then I will," Nicholas replied coolly. Sebastian was surprised he hadn't killed the stranger already. Which meant something was off.

"I'm not going anywhere until you give me Victoria!" the stranger shouted.

He's here to take what's mine! Sebastian roared, leaping down the stairs and landing behind the stranger. "What are you doing here?!"

The stranger spun around, pointing a raised arrow at him. Sebastian saw red as the demon within nearly smashed right through the cage. Vincent Shaw!

Vincent's eyes widened briefly at the sight of his demonic form. Then he gave an evil smirk. "So the rumors are true."

Sebastian eyed the arrow before him with barely contained rage. He could smell demon blood on the wolf and knew the bastard had killed his guards. Shaking with fury he stalked around the other man, assessing him.

The wolf aimed his bow with an ease that only came with centuries of use. He had to be at least six foot three and built like an ox, but Sebastian knew the wolf would be fast despite his size. He had seen proof of that at the auction.

Vincent was also a Hunter, which meant he made a living killing other supernatural beings. However, it was not the wolf's profession that set his teeth on edge, it was the expression on his face. Vincent appeared close to madness. Dark circles framed bloodshot eyes and weeks of beard growth covered his pale complexion.

"What are you doing here?" Sebastian demanded as he continued to prowl around his prey.

Nicholas took a step back. He knew better than to try and get between Sebastian and a kill. "Master, we need information from this wolf."

That's why Nicholas hadn't killed the prick yet. Need to stay in control.

Vincent followed Sebastian's movements calmly before snarling, "I've come for the she-elf. Give her to me now."

The hell he would ever let this madman take Victoria from him! He would kill this bastard with pleasure. Reining in his fury he demanded, "What do you want with her?"

Vincent raised his brows. "Don't you know?" Laughing sadistically he grinned. "And here I'd thought you done this on purpose. The Ascended were always two steps behind."

Don't kill him yet. Need information. "She is not your mate. What would a wolf and the Legion want with a halfling?"

"As if I would tell you."

"You will one way or another."

Vincent's grin only widened. "You have no idea of what you keep. I am not the only one who seeks the halfling."

"We are aware of Gabriel," he growled menacingly.

Vincent cocked his head to the side. "But what you don't know is what the Mad One will do to get her." His black eyes wavered before he focused once more.

What the hell was wrong with the wolf? Sebastian could scent something foul about him, in his blood. Whatever it was it weakened the Hunter which meant Sebastian could use it to his advantage.

"I will take what's mine now," the wolf snapped.

Mine? His control snapped.

"She's mine!" Sebastian bellowed, lunging towards the other man.

The Hunter released his arrow without hesitation. Sebastian didn't even bother to avoid it, ignoring it completely as it sank into his left shoulder. He tore at the wolf, his claws flashing through the air.

Vincent just dodged out of the way. Dropping his bow he snarled and drew his sword. Sebastian hesitated, expecting the wolf to turn. Did Vincent truly believe he could take on a berserker in that form? Has he gone completely mad?

"What's the matter, Cursed One? " Vincent taunted, misreading his hesitation. "You can't possibly think she would want to stay with you, a cursed berserker who can't even control his own demon? Pathetic."

Sebastian let out a roar before leaping towards the other man. The wolf moved to the right and slashed forward, slicing his sword across Sebastian's chest just as his own claws tore brutally down the hunter's arm.

Vincent jumped back, his arm bleeding profusely. Instead of fleeing he grinned, his blue eyes taking on a crazed look. "I'm going to enjoy killing you, demon. I'll cut off your head and mount it on my wall for your pretty halfling to see each and every day."

Kill him. Rip him apart. With a snarl Sebastian attacked again, preparing to rip his fucking head off.

"Vincent?" Victoria's shocked voice had him skidding to a halt.

"Victoria?" Sebastian turned towards her in surprise. She stood at the top of the stairs. Her eyes were wide with shock as she stared down at the werewolf.

"Halfling," Vincent sneered. "You look well. I had expected to find you ravished."

Victoria descended the stairs, her eyes narrowed with anger. "What are you doing here, Vincent?"

"Why, Victoria, I've come to save you from this demon." Vincent grinned evilly. "Surely you are pleased to see me?"

"Shut up!" Sebastian bellowed. He started for the other man, intending to kill him where he stood.

"Sebastian, don't!" Victoria pleaded, running towards him.

"What?" Sebastian turned on her. Why was she stopping him? Did she want the wolf to take her away? Jealously and rage poured through his veins. "He has come to take you from me! You wish to leave with this male, is that it!?"

"No!" Victoria shook her head. "I just-"

"You just what!?" Sebastian shouted, fury overwhelming all other emotions. "Tell me!"

He felt as if he'd just had his legs cut out from under him. After last night he'd thought things had changed between them, that Victoria wanted him. That she cared for him. Had she been playing him all this time?

"It's not like that." She reached out to him. He growled and shoved her hand away, wincing as his claws scratched along the skin of her arm.

"Don't touch me!" He turned on the other male. "I'll kill him right now. Right in front of you!"

"Sebastian! No!" Victoria rushed forward grabbing at his arm. She was actually trying to stop him! He shook her off roughly.

"Did you forget the ghouls, Victoria? He plans to take you to the Mad One. Is that what you want!?"

She paled. "No..." She reached for his arm again. "Sebastian please, we can-"

He moved to shove her away from him again when suddenly the room blurred and spun. He felt the ground rush up to meet him as he collapsed to the floor.

His body began to ache all over, as if his bones were shattering. Poison! That fucking arrow had been poisoned! Impossible, demons were impervious to all poisons.

All but one...

No, not possible.

"Victoria..." He reached for her as darkness clouded his vision. Somewhere in the back of his mind he heard her scream for him. Then there was nothing.

******

Victoria screamed as Sebastian collapsed to the floor. She rushed to his side, dropping to her knees and clutching at his shirt. "Vincent, what have you done!?"

Vincent let out a vicious laugh, clutching at his bleeding arm. "Worried about your demon? Come with me now and I will happily give you the antidote."

"You bastard!" she shouted.

Vincent shrugged. "Or watch your precious demon die in agony. I've heard it's the worst pain imaginable."

This couldn't be happening. Sebastian was too strong to go down like this. Out of the corner of her eye Victoria saw Nicholas move with amazing speed, slamming his fist into Vincent's mouth.

The wolf stumbled backward with a grunt. "You bastard," he sneered. Nicholas didn't stop. He advanced again. Victoria watched with horror as the two fought.

Even though Nicholas was the faster of the two he had no claws or weapon. Vincent went to land a blow with his sword. Nicholas dodged, but the move left him open to Vincent's claws. The wolf slashed down Nicholas' chest, ripping through his jacket. Blood spilled to the floor.

Rage overtook her. Without a second thought Victoria jumped to her feet. She moved in a flash, suddenly standing before Vincent, her fist connecting with his jaw. To her shock Vincent was knocked back by several feet.

He caught himself, staring at her with mild surprise. Then with a harsh snarl he advanced on her, only to have Nicholas appear in front of him, his foot slamming into Vincent's stomach. The hit sent the werewolf flying backward and into the wall, the stone cracking under the force.

"You fuck!" Vincent spat.

"Stay back, Tori," Nicholas warned. "He's completely mad."

Vincent laughed, wiping at the blood on his lip. "You and me both."

"Why don't you turn, dog?" Nicholas snarled. "Or maybe it's because you can't. You reek of decay."

"What do you know of it!?" Vincent roared. Something seemed to snap inside him. He attacked Nicholas once more, relentlessly slashing with sword and claws. Nicholas was a skilled fighter, but without a weapon he had no choice but to go on the defense.

In a near panic Victoria shouted, "Jasper!"

Jasper appeared in the room immediately, two swords clasped in each fist. "What's happening!?" When he noticed Sebastian on the floor he let out a snarl of rage.

"Jasper, sword," Nicholas commanded, holding out his hand and completely ignoring the wound on his chest. Without hesitation Jasper tossed one of his swords to Nicholas, who caught it easily. A grin spread across the mercenaries face, dark eyes glittering with excitement. Nicholas attacked in force, giving Vincent no time to counter attack. In a matter of seconds he disarmed the wolf, his sword clashing to the floor.

"Arg!" Vincent jumped back just as Nicholas slashed his sword in a move that would have taken the wolf's head clean off. He laughed, his face breaking out into a sadistic grin.

Nicholas lowered his sword, a feral look on his face. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you now, dog."

Vincent swayed on his feet, but that evil grin never faltered. The man looked crazed. Ignoring Nicholas completely he sneered, "I will return for what's mine, Victoria. Resolve yourself." He spat blood on the floor before grabbing at an amulet around his neck.

Nicholas advanced again, but Vincent was gone, vanished. The mercenary yelled with frustration, his face contorted with rage.

Victoria clutched Sebastian to her chest. His was cold as ice. Damn it, this was her fault. She never should have stopped Sebastian from killing that bastard.

My fault. This is all my fault. Vincent had come here for her.

She bit back a sob. She shouldn't have stopped Sebastian. She'd only stayed him so they could force the werewolf to tell them why the Legion wanted her in the first place. She swallowed, fighting back tears, and her demon had thought she wanted to leave him.

Jasper ran to Sebastian, pressing a hand to his forehead. He hissed, "Cold as ice."

Victoria could hear his heartbeat, slow and weak. "What do we do?"

"Demons are impervious to most poisons." Jasper shook his head. "I suspect I know what was used, and if I'm right we're in for a rough road. This is just the beginning."

Victoria winced, clutching Sebastian tighter. Her demon could not go down like this. By fucking poison! He was a warrior, a brutal demon king who slaughtered legions. "Will he die?"

Jasper didn't answer, his lips pressed into a thin line. "We need to get him upstairs." He gently pried her arms away. Shaking Victoria let the spectral demon grab Sebastian's arm and phase him upstairs.

Her world spun. She was dimly aware of Nicholas pulling her to her feet, clutching at his wound.

Sebastian was hurt because of her. What if he died? What if he died believing she didn't truly care for him? All because she had selfishly wanted information from the wolf.

"This is my fault," Nicholas said harshly. "I hesitated. Should have killed the bastard from the start."

"It's not your fault," she whispered. It's mine.

She would never forgive herself. And if her demon died she knew she wouldn't survive the loss.