Free Demon Possession by Kiersten Fay Page B

two thin wal s. A slim rectangular window with a smal counter al owed Marik to put out orders without leaving his space.
    Luckily when Sebastian arrived Marik was closing up for the night and no one else was here. Good, no one to witness the ire that was about to be sparked.
    Marik’s brown hair was cut short. He was built much like Sebastian and Cale, tal with a strong physique, typical demon features. Prominent scars ran the length of his arms, disappearing under his shirt. Sebastian knew those scars didn’t stop there. “Marik,” he cal ed with a smile, trying to set the mood.
    After the demon war, Marik had been taken as a slave. He’d been enslaved for four hundred and fifty years when,by chance,Sonya and he had come across a slave auction,in one of the many space cities they frequented.
    As is their nature,demons don’t submit to anyone, unless they want to, or are forced to. Marik had looked strong and proud up on stage, even though he’d obviously been poorly taken care of. The look in his eyeshad been nothing more than that of a beast, which spoke volumes about the tortureMarikmust have endured.
    Sebastian had decided to spend the last of their supplies money to win the wild eyed demon’s freedom. Staring down anyone who dare bid against him with a look of pure malice. At that point in time demons had developed a bad reputation as slaves,and most had been freed or kil ed. They were labeled as extremely difficult,and dangerous in captivity.
    After the auction was won, Marik, not understanding the situation,and half in a rage, fought against his restraints and against Sebastian. It took him, with the help of Sonya, a good twenty minutes to calm Marik enough to explain to him that he would no longer be a slave and that he had nothing to fear from them. He even offered Marik the chance to refuse to come with them.
    Marik had just stared at them for a time, without saying a word. He’d been quiet so long that Sebastian thought he might refuse. But in the endMarikdecided to join them.
    When Sebastian had arrived on the ship with the newly purchased Marik, Cale appraised him with a quick glance and then shot Sebastian a look that saidyou had better be able to control him. Ironical y, after his fifty years of freedom, Marik was now the more gentile of the four demons on board.
    Marik stopped what he was doing to glance up at Sebastian. “Hey Captain. What’s up? I just put everything away but if you’re hungry—”
    “No, I came to give you some good news.”
    Marik slowly set down his cloth and eyed him warily. “Yeah?” He said slowly.
    “You know how you’ve been asking for an assistant?”
    “Not real y.” He scowled.
    Sebastian almost laughed at his immediate mistrust, it reminded him a little of Analia. He knew Marik wouldn’t be happy about this situation. “Wel I have one for you. I’l be bringing her over in the morning.”
    As expectedMarik’sface grew dark. “The stowaway?” He barked. Disappointment saturated his tone. “Come on Captain. I don’t have time to watch over some female. Does she even know her way around a gal ey? Don’t answer that, of course she doesn’t. You’re just looking to pawn her off on someone and you don’t want her snooping around the ship. Have Sonya take care of her.”Marik’shorns grew molten until they appeared to glow.
    “Sonya wil help watchAnaliabut I don’t want her working in the pub.”
    Marik’s brows drew together. “Why not?”
    Ignoring his questions Sebastian turned to leave. “I’m bringing her here in the morning.” As he left the salon he heard the crash of Marik’s obvious displeasure.

    Sebastian headed for his room, ready to put an end to this day. His shaft strained painful y against his pants from his earlier encounter with Analia. He thought it would have gone down by now but every moment alone brought renewed thoughts of Analia’s soft body, her curves against his palm.
    Stripping his clothing he entered the shower.