Free Darkness Captured by Delilah Devlin Page A

frantically tried to slide them away. “Quit playing with me. You’re hardly a man if you have to use tricks like these to help you get a woman horny.” Suddenly, she was on her back, staring into his tense face.
    “This isn’t a game,” he said, coming over her. “And I have concern for your pleasure only so far as it enhances mine. Worry when I stop caring whether or not you find your own release.”
    She shoved at his chest, but he was too heavy, his muscled frame bearing her deep into the mattress so that she couldn’t move, couldn’t strike.
    “Xalia,” he said softly.
    A musical tinkling, soft and fluid, approached. “Bel,” came an eager whisper from just beyond the curtains.
    “I would watch you love her.”
    Then he rolled away and tossed the curtains upward, and Gabriella caught sight of the creature and gasped.
    She had waist-length black hair and pale green skin, like an apple’s. Shaped like a human throughout her torso, she was as slender as a young girl. Her face wasn’t unattractive—despite the color—with even features, a very large mouth, and deep-set leafy-green eyes, also with narrow, vertical pupils. Her breasts were high, firm little mounds with puffy, dark brown nipples. Her labia were smooth and gleaming.
    Gabriella’s breath caught, whether from fear or curiosity she couldn’t have said because she couldn’t stop studying her. When her gaze snagged first on her hands, then her feet, her eyes widened, because they were overlarge, the fingers and toes long and spindly. Around her wrists and ankles were bracelets and anklets with small golden bells.
    Gabriella cast the Master a panicked glance. “Please. I don’t want this.”
    “You will learn discipline. My needs are all that should concern you. And for now, I prefer to watch.”
    Gabriella swung her gaze back to the creature, but she was no longer standing at the far side of the bed. When her gaze searched the room, she felt the end of the bed dip and watched with horror as the creature came over the edge, head lowered between her shoulders, crawling like a spider.
    Gabriella rolled off the bed, running the moment her feet slapped the tile. But she made it only a step and learned to her horror that although the creature was smaller, her strength was immense. She pulled Gabriella against her, holding her wriggling body easily, and then carried her back, kicking and flailing, to slam her onto the bed.
    Then Xalia was on top of her, her arms extending to hold hers down, her long feet curling around Gabriella’s legs to keep her spread beneath her warm, smooth body. Mons pressed to mons, Gabriella licked her lips, fighting panic.
    The pale green head bent toward her, her expression so solemn with eyes so sad that Gabriella relented and laid back, her breath catching on a sob. “You would have me raped for your pleasure,” she said, breaking with the creature’s sad gaze to spear the handsome demon beside her.
    “I understand how abhorrent that would be for you,” he said quietly. “I promise that is not what shall happen.”
    Gabriella shook her head. “I can’t … with this …”
    “Xalia will be your companion. It is entirely your choice whether you want more. But she is skilled—and obedient. Let her serve you.”
    “Then she’s to be my jailer?”
    “I prefer ‘companion.’ She will bathe you, dress you. Sing to you if you like. Her voice can soothe even the worst penitent.”
    Gabriella quivered with outrage, but kept her expression free of anger. “Can she get off me now?” she said evenly.
    “Xalia …”
    The creature sighed and climbed off sideways, crab-like, then dropped off the bed to walk around to the Master. His hand petted the top of her head, and then slid along her cheek. Her eyes, adoration gleaming, closed.
    Gabriella wondered about their relationship and knew he must have made use of his precious servant. The thought somehow didn’t revolt her. Again, arousal tightened her