Free Demon Slave (Shadow Quest Book 2) by Kiersten Fay Page A

shame to cover up that physique, but necessary. Not only because she needed protection from the cold, but because his desire for her was already at a dangerous point. He’d been hiding it well, and for good reason. She didn’t trust him.
    Though demons were mostly civilized, and could usually control their more primitive impulses, they were still slaves to their baser instincts, as Marik was well aware. And his baser instincts were telling him to go back to that cave and explore every inch of the woman he’d left inside, before taking her up against the wall.
    Once he got back to Marada , he’d need to find a willing female fast, to relieve the building pressure.
    Marik snatched the furs and gathered a few more items before making his way to his next target. The scent of cooked meat guided him to a fire pit, manned by a solitary soldier who was twirling a carcass on a spit. Procuring an edisdon would be far too conspicuous, but this meal would be easy to pilfer, and might be their last for a while.
    Using a nearby tent as cover, Marik stalked closer. But voices from inside had him halting in his tracks.
    “— and I both witnessed her final moments. Continuing the search is pointless. I have no doubt that the queen has left this world. We will resume our journey home at first light.”
    “ But to return without a body? We will be unable to perform an honorable burial.”
    “ The demon is long gone. Who knows if we will ever find a body? No, we must return home quickly and look to our new queen for guidance.”
    So, they’re claiming Marik killed Nadua, anyway. That would enforce the heavily ingrained prejudice against his kind. Of course, it didn’t really matter. Both he and Nadua would be off this planet soon. He hoped.
    A small prick of fear tingled his nerves. What if the Marada never came?
     
    * * *
     
    Crouching behind a large boulder, Nadua waited. The rock in her hand was growing heavy, but soon it would be the instrument of her survival. The sound of his footsteps echoed through the passageways, warning of his approach. She would need to be fast.
    He stepped through the threshold, arms filled with a heaping pile of logs and twigs. By the looks of it, her fur blanket was being used as an oversized satchel, heaped full of stuff. Adrenalin coursed through her as her arm swung out.
    “ Ow!” The demon dropped his bundle, and reached for his head.
    Damn!
    She was counting on him going down with the first hit, but she’d planned for this, just in case. Reaching down to her pile of rocks, Nadua readied to strike again.
    Before she could release her second throw, he was ripping it from her grip and positioning his body firmly behind hers. Her arms, easily restrained with one of his hands, were drawn above her head as he effortlessly twirled her body, pushing her back against the cavern wall.
    In a low but threatening voice, he said, “I’m losing my patience with you, luv.”
    She struggled as best she could but it was no use. He used his body like a steel cage.
    His lips came to her ear and his voice went even lower. “You are not going to get away from me. Our journey will be long, and I will drag you kicking and screaming the entire way if I have to.” He seemed to take a moment to gather her scent. The act made her shudder. “I was hoping to give you your furs, but now I know you’ll try to escape while I sleep. But if you promise to be good, I’ll give you your other present.”
    “ Fuck you, demon!”
    “ That’s another thing. I have a name, and you will use it. It’s Marik, since you’ve never bothered to ask.”
    “ I’ll call you whatever I want. Demon .”
    He let out a frustrated sigh. “Stubborn wench.” Releasing her, he went to the scattered pile. He’d gathered more twigs and sticks to replenish the makeshift pallet, and more logs for the fire. On top of the pallet, he spread out her blanket.
    Nadua eyed her fur clothing, buried in the mess. When the demon noticed her line of