Seduction's Call Read online

  “Like he’s lying, Cami. You can’t fault the boy for being honest– you can be a total prick when it comes to getting your way.” Cayleigh stepped around his dad to reach up and brush her lips across Flannery’s cheek. “Can I run away with you, Flan, if your father gets to be too much?” The barely suppressed laughter as she peeked at his dad out of the corner of her eye begged him to play along with her.

  “Sure, Auntie. I’ll protect you from the big, bad God of War.”

  The shocked look on his dad’s face was too much. Laughter rumbled in his chest until it became a full-fledged guffaw. Once he started, he found he couldn’t stop. With loons like this for family, who needs a mate? I have all the chaos I need at the moment without adding a mate to the mix. He tried to push his reaction to Bilé’s god-daughter out of his mind.

  * * * * *

  The sound of hearty laughter from her right made Braelyn crane her neck to see up on the dais. A sudden sharp pain from the toes on her left foot dragged her attention back to her dance partner. She’d just finished her meal when the man had approached her and asked for a dance. Deciding she’d needed the exercise after her filling meal, she now wished she hadn’t. His hold on her was too tight; he kept trying to look down her gown while he continued to trounce on her toes. Graceful, he is not. She’d seen more agile buffalo than the idiot trying to lead her around the room in a simple waltz.

  “If you don’t mind, sir, I walk on the bottom of my feet; I don’t need you to walk on the top of them.” Her taunt was tart, but after the third time he’d stomped on her poor toes she didn’t care. Oh, why did I accept his invitation to dance? The fool can't even dance.

  She sobered as she caught a glimpse of the golden god who’d ordered her to eat before stomping off. He had his head tipped down to hear the demoness who had one hand wrapped around his arm possessively. Strangely enough, it bothered her. She wanted to be the one he laughed with.

  “Do I look like I care about your toes, woman?” His retort drew her attention away from the dais. “I asked you to dance to provoke the godling. When he attacks me, I’ll prove to Bilé once and for all he chose the wrong man to lead his protective guard.” He gave a bitter smile. “Unfortunately for you, the godling is ignoring you now.”

  The man’s eyes glowed with red flames. “I guess I’ll just have to change the situation. He will give me my battle!” His hands tightened around her waist as he twirled her near the exit. With a glance up at the dais, he swept her through the open door while digging razor sharp claws into her sides. “Scream, bitch!”

  Pain radiated from the puncture wounds, but they did little more than anger her. “Never.” She clenched her jaw shut. In such close quarters, the fool's asking for a death sentence, not only for himself, but everyone else. With her banshee wail she’d decimate all those present but fellow banshees. Not even gods were immune—or so she’d been told.

  He roared, ignoring her status as Bilé’s god-daughter, and backhanded her. Pain exploded along her cheekbone. A muffled cry forced its way past her lips. She couldn’t believe he’d dared. If Bilé found out the man struck her, he was as good as dead; his plan to ire the godling would all for naught. “You will scream or I’ll beat you until you do.”

  Tears begged to be released as he tried to hit her again. This time she sidestepped the blow, stumbling against what she thought was a wall. She gave a muffled shriek when the godling’s arms wrapped around her. “Are you all right?” The gruff words breathed against her hairline were more felt than heard. A nod was all she was able to convey when he handed her off to another before launching himself at her attacker.

  At the sound of thudding fists, she buried her face against the wide chest. For all her worldly knowledge of retrieving dying souls, her mother had kept her sheltered from the potential violence of both the Underworld and the human realm.

  She’d always come in afterwards to help harvest the souls. Never had she seen an actual fight. Her purpose was one of clean-up and faced with violence for the first time, she froze, uncertain what to do. She’d never been trained how to fight. All she could do was hide like a scared rabbit and it made her angry, but even she wasn’t foolish enough to wade into a fight between two full grown men with only her banshee scream as a protectant.

  The grunts of the two men and the sound of flesh hitting flesh escalated behind her. She could only imagine the pain being inflicted. Her stomach heaved and she swallowed as the snap of breaking bone reached her ears. Gods above, they are going to tear each other apart.

  “They’re going to kill each other, aren’t they?” She was barely able to force the words past her tight throat.

  The man holding her upright sighed. “No, Flannery won’t kill him. He’ll make him wish he was dead though. No man should abuse a woman like you the way he tried. I can’t believe you didn’t scream. I thank the gods above you didn’t though; a banshee scream in such a small space could’ve been disastrous.”

  “I know. Too many innocents might have been hurt. I couldn’t risk it.” A muffled scream had her turning, but the man who smelled so similar to the godling, pressed her face deeper into his shirt. “No, don’t look. There’s no need to see my brother giving that ass his comeuppance. Only a coward strikes out at a much smaller and defenseless woman.”

  Lifting her head, she peeked up at the rugged profile of the man holding her. For a split second she’d thought it was the man who had been the object of her lust, but something about him was off. He wasn’t making her heart beat faster nor was she as intrigued to explore his body. “Who are you?”

  An infectious grin crossed his face. “Kennet—the twin to the Neanderthal over there.” His grin faded. “Are you okay?”

  She nodded.

  “Good. Now stay put. My mate will be here in a second, but I need to break this up before Flannery actually forgets he’s teaching the idiot a lesson, and ends up killing the òinseach.” Leaning her up against the wall, he strode towards the men. Unable to resist, she watched on in shocked horror as Kennet waded in between the two scrapping men, and promptly took a blow to the jaw from his own brother.

  Chapter Three

  “Wait here.” With Flannery’s hand wrapped around her arm, Braelyn had no choice but to follow as he pulled her to a stop outside the door leading into Bilé’s study. After he gave a brisk but rhythmic knock of two taps, pause, then three short raps, a muffled “enter” seeped through the heavy door.

  Fuming with anger towards the giant who’d dragged her through the hall and into the private sector of Bilé’s home, she avoided looking at Flannery or the dark bruising around his left eye. Angry at her own vulnerability and inability to protect herself, she found it difficult to see Flannery’s injuries without wanting to kick her own hind end. As he jerked on her arm, she wanted to lash out at him.

  Even if I was foolish, it doesn’t give him the right to drag me around like a child. I did nothing wrong. I’m allowed to dance with whoever asks. How was I supposed to know he would dare attack me? I should’ve demanded my mother teach me how to defend myself. Maybe then this wouldn’t have happened.

  As soon as they entered the dimly lit room, she blinked rapidly. Moving from the brightly lit hall into the shadowy depths would’ve had her tripping over an ottoman if it hadn’t been for Flannery’s hold on her arm.

  “What in Hades happened to you, boy?” The amused sound from her left had her turning that direction. Sitting behind a black lacquer desk, Bilé sipped from a crystal goblet of steaming blood red liquid. With a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach, Braelyn wasn’t sure she wanted to know exactly what the God of the Underworld drank at his leisure.

  While the man was her god-father, and an uncle by blood, her contact with him was minor, usually from a distance when he visited her home to give her mother a new mission.

  “A bit of a tussle with one of the lower lieutenants over the girl. Nothing I couldn’t handle.”

  Bilé’s smile faltered then disappeared. “
Who dared to touch her?” The question ended with a roar. Flinching, she tried to back away. Her nerves, already overwrought by the fight, screamed at her to run, to hide from this new source of danger.

  “Not to worry, I took care of him.” Flannery’s answer was abrupt but she could tell he was still pissed his brother had stepped in and broken up the fight.

  Bilé turned his attention to her. “Are you all right, little one?” She gave a brief nod, deciding against mentioning her brief trip to the court’s healer. With her side bandaged and a bit of clever arranging with the folds of her dress, she hopefully looked the same as when she’d arrived. “I don’t think he was truly after me. He wanted…Flannery, is it?” She jerked her head towards the man next to her. When Bilé nodded, she continued. “Before he dragged me out of the room, he said something about provoking the godling.”

  Fire rose in the depths of Bilé’s eyes. “Ramses?”

  She licked her lips and shifted from one foot to another, uncomfortable under his direct scrutiny. More than anything she wanted to find out what the god wanted and to return home, where jealous demons didn’t attack her. “I don’t remember his name, God-father…”

  Flannery interrupted. “I dealt with it, Bilé. He won’t forget next time. If he does, I’ll kill him.” The need for continued violence rolled off the man next to her.

  Frustrated with the situation in general, she yanked her arm away from him. “You’ve escorted me here. Why don’t you just go away now? Don’t you have other people to beat up?” she snapped.

  A low growl erupted from his chest. Then she thought she heard him mutter something about wanting to warm her ass. Braelyn’s hackles rose at the thought even as betraying moisture coated her nether lips. Her nipples hardened against her top.

  Now is not the time for this. You are not in the privacy of your room, Braelyn. Control your body before it controls you. Moving further away from him, she inched closer to the wall using the shadows to hide from him; the last thing she wanted was for him see how easily he’d tapped not only her darker desires but her arousal as well.

  “Quit fucking cowering. I’m not going to touch you!” His nose flared as he dragged her back towards him. He paused as if he scented something.

  She cringed. Surely he can’t smell me? He was a godling, not a demon. Only demons or faeries can scent arousal. I’m safe.

  “But then again maybe you’d like it, little banshee? To have me spread you over my lap and warm your ass? To make you submit to me?” He spoke so low she barely heard him.

  Yes. The word echoed through her mind, but she couldn’t admit to it in Bilé’s presence. “Never!” She tried to pry his fingers off her arm. “Let me go!” His fingers tightened, making it impossible for her to break his hold. Frustrated, she smacked at his chest with her free arm, but it that seemed useless too. Desperate, she finally leaned down to use her teeth on his stubborn fingers.

  A sharp pain brought her upright as he buried his other hand in her hair and stopped her. His blue eyes were no longer cold but heated. “No biting.” The look in them all but begged her to try.

  She could see the waiting retribution if she dared and it thrilled her. The idea of being bent over and punished for his pleasure pushed every submissive button she had. Too bad it’s my cry he should be worried about, or I’d be tempted to take him up on the offer.

  A hard cutting tone from Bilé jerked them apart. She glared at up at Flannery. When he smirked, her frustration boiled over and she kicked his shin. A low curse passed his lips as he reached for her once more.

  “Enough!” The dark command from Bilé made her stumble back as she rubbed her arm without taking her gaze off Flannery. “I need to talk to Braelyn privately. Amusing as I find this little battle you have going on with my god-daughter, Flannery, you have duties waiting for you.”

  Keeping his gaze on her, Flannery gave a slow nod. “Of course, Bilé. Holler if you need me.” He broke eye contact and strode from the room.

  She almost sagged with relief as the door closed behind him, leaving her alone with the God of the Underworld.

  “Come closer, Braelyn. Let me get a good look at you.” The command in his tone had her obeying without thought. As the God of the Underworld, he had total control of the banshees, including her powerful mother. The need to obey his every whim had been ingrained within her since birth.

  “Sire?” Fidgeting, she toyed with the edges of her skirt and took a baby step towards the desk. Keeping her head bowed, she hoped he’d tell her what he wanted quickly.

  “Closer, child. I won't hurt you. I have a job for you.”

  Relief surged through her. A job? I can handle a job! “Whose soul do I need to collect, Sire?”

  He gave a soft chuckle. “Just like your mother— mind always on the business of soul collecting. Not that it’s a bad thing, but there is more to life than your life’s work, niece.” He stood and rounded the desk.

  Her breathing faltered. It was the first time she’d ever been this close to him or heard him refer to her as his niece. She’d always seen him from a distance, usually from her position behind her mother and hidden behind the ruse of being nothing more than his god-daughter.

  She wasn’t prepared for the full effect of meeting him, up close and personal. With dark skin and a shaved head, he was tall and well muscled. Not as muscled as Flannery though, and I prefer his golden look to Bilé’s dark visage. She paled and pushed the thought away. Now was not the time to be thinking about the golden brute, even if he did fascinate her.

  “Instead, this time I need you to use your womanly wiles.” He stopped in front of her and placed his hands on her shoulders. “I want you to seduce a man for me.”

  She was so shocked she had to clear her throat twice. Finally she was able to speak. “Excuse me?”

  He gave her a gentle smile. “You heard me. As a banshee, your children are required to give me at least two centuries of service.” His expression hardened. “I need fresh blood for my armies and there is only one way for me to insure it. I will have your children.”

  She swayed dangerously on her feet at the idea. How can he expect me to seduce a man? I’ve never even had sex! Stifling a moan of distress, she tried to pull back from his hold.

  “Shh, child, it isn’t as bad as you think. I am aware of your untried state.” He guided her with gentle hands to a nearby chair.

  Once she was seated, he crouched in front of her. With his forearms resting on the arms of her chair, he effectively trapped her. There was no means to escape. Fear pulsed inside of her. I can’t do this! I know it’s my duty but…I can’t be intimate with some strange man. When she opened her mouth to protest, he held up a hand.

  “Shhh, listen to what I have to say first. I watched you tonight, Braelyn. You were fascinated by one man in particular. He’s the man I need you to seduce. Only him, not some nameless stranger.”

  Shock rolled through her system followed by an intense burning. Of all the men she’d expected him to ask her to seduce, a member of his protective guard wasn’t one of them. “I…you…” She stumbled over her words, clearing her throat. “You can’t want me to seduce him?”

  A slow grin crossed Bilé’s face. “Oh, yes I do. You have twenty-four hours to seduce and mate Flannery Baghadur.”

  She shook her head. “I can’t! I don’t have a clue how to…” Her face flushed. “Besides he hates me! You can’t possibly expect me to overcome his hatred in a mere twenty-four hours. Not even a skilled court courtesan would be able to accomplish what you ask. Even if I were talented enough, there is the business of my cry, Sire. It will kill him. Surely you aren’t subjecting him to death.”

  “Nonsense. He’ll survive your cry; never would I endanger the head of my security in such a way.” He gently touched her cheek. “Do not worry. Not only will you be fine, but you shall succeed. I saw the way he watched you tonight. Don’t let his gruff exterior fool you. He wants you. Just remember he’s a Dominant male. Cater to his need
s, they’re the same as yours.” He nodded towards the fire blazing in hearth. “Then he’ll give you his seed.”

  At his words, her conscience gave a twinge. “I won’t do it. I can’t steal a man’s child from him, even if he does survive the mating.”

  When his face took on a thunderous expression and a low grumble built in his chest, she froze with fear. Damn my mouth. It’s gonna get me killed.

  He leaned closer to cup her cheek. “You don’t have a choice. I have arranged for a drug to be introduced into his system. Either you entice him with your luscious little body until he has to have you...” He gave a shrug of his shoulders. “Or he’ll be dead at the end of twenty-four hours. So his fate is in your hands. Do you seduce a child from him or let him go to his death?”

  Her mind whirled wildly. Clenching her fists, she knew she only had one choice. “I can’t believe you drugged him…”

  Bilé’s eyes darkened. “Believe it, niece. I’m quite ruthless when it comes to getting what I want.”

  Her heart sank. She was going to get what she’d longed for but instead of elation, it left a bitter taste in her mouth. “Fine, I’ll seduce him.”

  A soft pat on her cheek caused her to jump. Meeting his gaze, she saw what she expected to see, a triumphant Bilé staring at her. “Good girl. I’ll have someone escort you topside within the half hour. He’ll take you to where Flannery resides in the Earthling realm.” He rose from his crouched position and strode back to his desk.

  She nodded and rose shakily from the seat, as another of Bilé’s personal guard strode into the room. Just as they left the room, the Lord of the Underworld stopped them.

  “Braelyn?”

  She froze, then turned, looking over her shoulder at him.

  “Don’t fail me. I expect you back here tomorrow evening and carrying his child.”

  She gave him a brief nod, following the guard out of the room.