Chapter 22:

Pulling power to the whole of my right hand, I put my knee on the chair between his legs. Enough of this.

"Stop talking, Belgak, tell me what I want to know. How'd Valentino get friendly enough with witches for them to willingly work for him? Why is Dexter just running around with a collar but no leash?" My words came out in an icy hiss I narrowed both eyes at him, tired of remembering the past. Irritation began to grow in my belly at the memory of how I'd been tossed into that unbreakable prison. Or how they snatched me out of deep sleep after leaving me there for who knows how long.

I just know how hungry I'd been.

The anger that had coursed through every bone of my body at the memory of every person who I thought had been loyal to me... turned their backs. How they didn't even try to find my body after during my imprisonment in the dungeons or the earth.

"Valentino... got in touch with the witch council, they say he's offering the witch of the Red River's head in trade for their support. H-he offers a high demand for any of them that can bring you and a half-breed back with them... but there's fear somewhere. I can smell it, Vivian, I swear..." Belgak's pale face grew red as the power flowing from my hand sent sensual heat through his body.

The male demon was easy prey for me as he placed a hand on my hip with a tight grip, in an attempt to keep himself from acting on his impulses.

A good way to keep himself alive.

I'm in charge here and he knows it. Even without knowing me for so long, my power would've already sent instructions through his body. One of them would be that I can touch them however I want, while they can't.

Funny how many men are willing to follow the rules without any influence on my end.

"Fear? Valentino? Is it the half-breed he's looking for?" I asked with a deep frown, my focus completely zoned in on Belgak and our conversation that I let my power fade away.

Then Belgak's brown eyes glowed a pale blue for just a moment.

'He had a rant one night, something about the girl being able to kill him... and you. A few days later he realized his mistake and killed everyone that had been in the room at the time'

Belgak's voice whispered in my head and I couldn't help but narrow my eyes.

Oriness can kill Valentino? The little rabbit that's trying to turn into a beast? Yea... I guess that makes sense. There's no way she can be related to this family and not have something fucked up going on with her. Could Ori even do it? Kill Valentino, I mean.

"The real question, love, is who is the half-breed you brought with you?" Belgak sent a smirk toward me from his position beneath me. Well, not that I was even really touching him besides my hand on his cheek.

It was his question and that knowing look in his eyes that had that very hand swiftly grip the demon by his throat. Even if I couldn't get my fingers all the way around, too much pressure and I can still kill him.

Or eat from him.

"This is a warning to you and everyone else who comes looking for her: she's mine. Not a single fucking person is to touch that girl without answering to me or my people," My voice drowned in venom as I looked him deep in his eyes. Though the names hadn't been mentioned, it was clear that any wrong move against Oriness would ensure a demon, witch and seer is the last thing they see.

It was the hurt look in Belgak's eyes that had me loosen up my grip.

"Of course, Vivian, I would never. I've already warned my people," Belgak tried to give as much of a nod as he could.

Before anything else could be said, the wooden doors to the office swung open to a large man who was covered in a long black cloak. That golden mask that had only one eye-opening before the rest completely covered his entire face.

Still, by the feel of the power, that rich smokey scent, and how my body began to get hot... I know exactly who this is.

Yet... I hadn't felt his presence at all. How long had he been here?

It was that heated look of anger in that eye that glowed pure gold that had the heat between my thighs get hotter. I've never seen his eyes like that... it almost surprised me more than his presence in the Underground. Gods, we've only been apart for a few hours, and yet I can't help but feel giddy that he's here.

"Come here..." The dragon king growled out.