Hoodwinked (The Demon Exchange Series Book 1) Read online

  “ Um. I think I should get dressed. I am going to try not to freak out. But it's not everyday you wake up and find out that some weird mojo has went down and your entire body is different.” I said kind of going into a rant by the end. Hopefully he was okay with it and understood why I was not up for explaining my emotions at the moment not knowing what was wrong with me to begin with.

  “I’ll be right outside the door.” He said looking me up and down once more like he was trying to commit everything he was seeing into his memory. He shut the door on his way out. So, he could not resist looking one more time. If I was in his place, looking at one of them, not sure I would have resisted either. So, I let him keep the earlier brownie points.

  As I started getting dressed I heard “I am your demon.” Once again I looked around to see if there was someone in here with me. What the hell was going on?

  “My demon? You’re in my head? What the fuck is going on?” I thought again to the voice inside my head. It was official. I had turned into a mental patient and needed to be locked up. A demon did not kill me but my mind was going to by imagining I had a demon in my head. Geez. The men weren’t going to want me after this new aspect of my sterling personality. Hell, I didn’t like it either.

  Stop the pity party. You are smarter than that, especially now that I am a part of you. Surely you can tell that something is different. When you made the deal with Caino I became your demon instead of his. You are now a demon, and I am your demon essence if you will. That's the easiest way to explain it, but you are now stuck with me just as I am stuck with you.” The voice replied back to me and left me stunned.

  A demon. I am a fucking demon. No way, they don't exist. What does this mean? Am I evil now? I slowly fell down the rabbit hole of questions as I laid down in the fetal position. I didn't know how much more that I could take. So I just laid there thinking of all the things I needed to know and depression kicked in. I couldn't be a demon. I mean, I was no model citizen, but I wasn't evil. I hunted the evil. Oh my gosh, if Paraoffice found out they would hunt me down. I could feel myself starting to panic. I may be tough as nails but damn it I deserve to freak out. I had a fucking demon inside me. What would the guys think? What the hell was I going to do?

  I was lost in thought when the door opened. I flicked my eyes over to see that is was Barrett who had come in and interrupted my pity-fueled thoughts. I just stared at him as he noticed that I had only gotten my Batman underwear on before I had a breakdown. He moved closer and kneeled down near me. I am not sure if he was waiting for an explanation or what, but he was completely silent. My word vomit got the best of me.

  “If you are just gonna kneel there at least do something to make me feel better. Don't just stare at me as if I was…” His stride ate up the distance between us in a heartbeat. Strong hands wound around my waist and jerked me forward. This kiss was brutal, bowing my spine, stealing my breath, making me feel every inch of his hard body.

  I broke the kiss, lips burning, and gasped before he pulled me against him again, only this time harder. Warm tongue probed my mouth, tasting like mint.

  His hands trailed down my bare back to grip my ass and sit me on his lap so I was straddling him. I broke the kiss long enough for me to slide his shirt over his head and went to explore his body. My fingers delved into the small patch of hair, caressing the hard mound of his chest. His nipples hardened, puckering as I fingered the smooth skin.

  His brown eyes sparked, and then widened. He stilled, fingers dancing in the same part on my span as I ran his nipples between my fingers.

  His moan was more of a whimper...a pleading as I rubbed against his body and rotated my hips against his. Fisting my hair in his hand, he drove my head forward to meet his mouth.

  He shoved me down in front of him so that he was on top of me. Never breaking the kiss, his hand traveled down to my nipple. Calloused fingers skimmed smooth skin making me catch my breath.

  “Like this?” throaty words slipped from his lips. Lightly pinching my nipple just to release it, before finally breaking the kiss and putting one of them in his mouth.

  Long fingers spanned my ribs, it was as though he could clutch my chest in one massive hand and linger over the beating call of my heart.

  Heat flared with the thought... Barrett I...The words were snatched away as he ran his finger down my stomach watching as goosebumps raised. I moaned as his hands traveled down to tease my clit through my underwear.

  He slowly rubbed against my clit with his finger, rotating it at an angle I had never felt before, causing me to whimper trying to find release. He only used the slightest pressure to tease me, never giving the relief I sought.

  I was hyper-aware of it all from his mouth nibbling on my nipple, to his hands that were circling my clit. The pressure inside me was slowly building like a flame. He finally slid his finger inside me and rubbed my clit with his thumb, pressing down more firmly than before The pressure inside me erupted in an actual inferno that consumed the basin and raced along the walls completely ruining the moment of bliss that I had been having.

  “What the fuck just happened?” Barrett asked, pulling away from me like I was on fire too. Jumping up off the floor, he grabbed a towel in the process. He started to quickly try to put out the flames that had just appeared out of nowhere. Draven and Ethane burst into the room just as I put the rest of my clothes back on so that I could help. They stood in shock for a moment, before taking in Barrett and my appearance. Yup, they knew what had just happened. There was nothing in their gazes that said they were jealous, which left me hella confused, except it was so fucking hard to think with the chaos the fire was causing. I wish the flames would just stop.

  Like I had just uttered some sort of magic phrase the flames instantly died down, and the guys and me just stood there in a moment of complete shock. “You can control fire.” Well, fuck. Now the demon wants to speak to me about what I can and can’t do? What an asshole! No shit Sherlock. Way to state the obvious.

  “So I may be a demon, who can apparently control fire.” I blurted out while looking everywhere but at them. Damn flames ruined my sexy time with Barrett. And fuck if I wasn’t blushing again.

  8

  “Wanna tell me what the hell you were talking about in the bathroom Gwen?” Barrett demanded as everyone got situated into their positions for what I just knew was going to be a ridiculously awkward conversation. We had all gotten together in the main room with me at the desk and all the guys lounging on the bed. I might have felt intimidated by their solidarity if I wasn’t freaking the hell out. As it was, their scowls were not intimidating to the demon I now had living inside of me. Or, the mess that my life now was because of said demon. I needed a sugar fix, doughnut, like, stat. Sugar fixed everything, or least I pretended it did. Instead, I get to face four, sexy men that I feel an intense connection with but who may not want me after my confession of the Exorcist. Okay, maybe it was not that bad but still it was pretty f’ed up. So, I put on my big girl panties and just blurted it all out.

  “Well earlier I may or may not have heard a voice in my head tell me that I had made a deal with a demon and that I was now one.” I replied as nonchalantly as I possibly could, maybe if I could play it off as not a big deal the guys wouldn't make a big deal. Yeah right. I may have only known them a day - damn had it been only twenty four hours? - but I already knew their protective instincts would kick in. And their bullshit meters.

  The “bullshit” chorus started right away. All four men began to talk at once. First, they began talking to me but when I ignored them they turned to each other. Waiting for them to stop, I started pacing the room. I decided to ask the demon some more questions. Demon, can you hear me? No answer. Demon, can you help me understand? That little shit. Of course I would get the only demon that didn't want to talk or try to take me over. Well shit, I guess I didn’t know those things either since the demon wasn't talking to me. So deep in thought about how much I was pissed at my apparent inner demon for ig
noring me, the voice saying my name startled me.

  “Gwen!” Barrett was yelling my name. I turned around to look at the guys - I guess I had turned away from them to tune them out - and they looked cautious. Why would they look cautious? Did I set something on fire again? Damn it. I looked at my hands. Nothing. I started looking around the room but I didn't see anything on fire.

  “Why don’t you tell us exactly what happened when you were out in the woods?” Donovan said leaning forwards to put his elbows on his knees. He surprised me. I thought Barrett would be the calmest being the leader, but he wore a look of righteous fury. While Draven and Ethane looked to be apprehensive of my demon revelation. I had a feeling that the guys would not like my side of events from the woods. Sigh. I was starting to remember why I didn't do relationships. Except we weren't in a relationship. I think. Fuck if I knew anything any more about my life.

  Pity party again? The voice startled me. I was starting to wonder if I would ever get used to it. When I twitched, the men being so in tune with me, jumped up to defend the new threat. Too bad the new threat was me. Demon, shut up! I took a deep breath as the men looked at me like I was crazy. I thought you wanted to talk to me? I let out a small scream. I should’ve known that the demon would be a sarcastic bitch like me. Maybe it really was my demon, because it sure was irritating as fuck.

  Hearing Donovan clear his throat, I tune back into the guys, again. They’re looking at me expectedly like I am supposed to answer them or something. Recalling that they wanted to hear what happened, I clear my throat and begin. As I recount what had happened in the woods, I examine all of the guy’s expressions. A few were in what looked like shock while Barrett just looked pissed. Thought I would never surprise this group, especially after the bathroom incident, but I guess I was wrong. I smirked, making the guys eyeball me again like I was crazy.

  When I finished recounting my side of the events, everyone just sat there in a awkward silence while they took in all of the information. So I just sat there twirling my now blonde hair that I was still disgusted with. I loved my black hair, maybe I could dye it and get contacts. Shifters couldn’t change their hair or eye color because everytime they shifted from human to animal and back again their natural color came back. But, if I truly was a demon, would I shift into one? Something else to explore about the new me. Yay! Not. Deciding that I refused to hear the demon say “pity party” again, I turn to look at Draven. Wrong move on my part.

  “What happened in the bathroom that caused the fire?” Draven asked smirking and looking at me intently like he might know the answer already. UGH. I had been dreading this ever since we started this conversation. I just knew it was gonna get awkward so I did what I do best and answered with the first thing that popped into my head.

  “Well I only managed to get my underwear back on before I had a total meltdown about the demon thing, and then Barrett came in just staring at me. So we messed around, I came spectacularly, and then poof the room was in flames. I wished they would stop, and out they went, just like magic. But, I just want to state right now that I am not handling this very well. So who knows how I will react to whatever it is you all want to say right now. Just thought y’all should know.” After finishing my little rant that probably made me sound more than a little insane, I put my head in my hands as I listened to the silence. Finally looking up, I stared at each one of them just waiting to see what they would say because if they wanted to turn me into Paraoffice I was gonna have to get my demon ass out of here as soon as possible.

  “So you are telling us that you are now a demon, which if I may add do not exist, because of a little girl in the woods who turned into a man, and when you had an orgasm you set the bathroom on fire.” Ethane said slowly, like I was a child or someone who would have trouble understanding. That was definitely the wrong way to go about it. I just sat there staring at him as I talked to the voice in my head, who if I am being honest, was going to have to name because I couldn't just keep thinking of her as my demon. Totally creepy.

  “Hey! Demon thing inside my head. I need to give you a name. Do you have one you like? Oh and is there anything I can do to prove what I am saying to the guys, because apparently the whole bathroom fiasco wasn't enough. Even though you could have warned me about that little neat trick. Just saying.” I thought as the guys just sat there looking at me expecting me to answer them. They could wait, I wanted to know what all I could do. And I had to hope my demon would answer me this time and not be as big of a pain in my ass.

  “Thank you finally acknowledging that I am part of you. I like Vita. That is an acceptable name for me to be called, but I am not all knowing. There are many different types of demons and until you commit your first act of evil we will not know which kind you will be. Think of it like you are in transition, you get a small taste of what all you can do once you are fully demon. Right now you should be able to learn to start fires at will, if you concentrate hard enough you can read people's desires, you are stronger, faster, and immortal now. I am a part of you now so I was enjoying the sexytime as you called it just as much as you. I didn't think that you would call the flames. If you get mad enough you should be able to do it again.” That's great because I was already pissed that Ethane had talked to me like I was making it all up. Of all people, I know exactly how crazy it sounds but I know what happened to me and what is going on now.

  I attempted to channel all of my anger because I needed to prove to them that this was really what had happened to me. Honestly, I wanted to know too, I was just as worried that maybe I had lost my mind. I mean, I was talking to myself in a sense, and it did seem crazy. So I thought of the vampire attack that changed my life and slowly my hands started to glow. As I felt my anger grow, slowly my hands started to be engulfed in red flames. I don’t know if the guys or I was more shocked, but the gasp I heard from the guys’ direction messed up my concentration. When I looked up to search for the sound, a string of flames shot out right at what I was staring at, which happened to be a spot right beside Ethane. The bed sheets went up in flames for about two minutes before I thought, I want them to go out, and out they went leaving a nice scorch spot on the bed.

  “Anyone else not believe what I said now?” I said to the guys while looking at all their shocked facial expressions. This shocking them thing was starting to become amusing. I felt like Tom Cruise’s girlfriend in Cocktail. Cocky asshole thought he couldn’t be shocked either. Well, she proved him wrong with being pregnant, then being pregnant with twins. I have demon. Same difference. “Nope? Well, I am gonna leave y’all to your thoughts and go have a nice long conversation with my inner demon.” I chuckled at my little joke I had made.

  I got out and left all the guys behind. I needed to figure out everything that Vita knew and get outfitted for a fight if need be. I didn't know much about what was going on but I did know that I was not going down without a fight. Making my way into my room, the first thing I did was shower. I just felt gross even though I didn't look it. I scrubbed my skin until it looked raw. I wasn’t trying to rub Vita away exactly, but I did want to get rid of the feeling of having something else inside me. I decided that I would try to clear my mind of worry and not focus on anything until after I finished showering.

  Stepping out of the shower I dried off and made my way to the closet to get my leathers. Laying them on the bed I slid on my silk thong and matching red bra. It was always best to wear silk with leather, it allowed you to move better without the material causing your underwear to ride up. Because a front wedgie was never fun. My pants had been customized with multiple spots for you to slide throwing knives into. I slid them on and put on my leather vest, which was also customized to hold knives. I twisted my hair up and slid in some chopsticks that doubled as weapons. Finally, getting my beautiful katana out of my weapons box, I slid her into the built-in sheath in my vest. Now I was ready for anything that was thrown at me. I sat down on the bed so that I could concentrate on a conversation with Vita.

&nb
sp; So, is there anything else you can tell me? Like where do I find more demons like me? Am I evil now? What is my purpose? Because I need something. I don't think it would be a good idea for me to lose what little bit of mind I have left especially since I could potentially become a human torch. I thought as I crossed my legs on the bed in a meditative position so I could listen for anything that sounded out of place.

  I have told you all that I know. When my essence was transferred to you it changed, because of the kind of person you are. Your purpose does not change but the temptations to do evil will. You are not evil, but you have great potential to be. You should not be able to communicate with me as I am now, as just a part of your conscience to push you to do things. However, I am now also changed. I do not wish to speak on it further. Vita abruptly stopped speaking to me - again - just as I heard the door to my room click open.

  9

  In a flash I was against the side of the wall to where whoever was entering could not see me. I would like to think I could trust my men, I mean teammates, but I don't put that much faith in anyone and I had just met them. I held my breath as the footsteps drew closer. A hint of Draven’s sweet metallic smell made its way to my nose, and I know that I had to subdue him quick if he was here to take me in. The element of surprise would mean everything.

  Just as he stepped past the corner, my foot lashed out quicker than I have ever seen it. Tripping him, I brought myself down on top of him pinning his arms and legs. I had never taken anyone down that fast. I knew I had messed up when his vampire markings appeared completed on his face. Holy shit, I had never gone up against a vamp that was over 400 years old and this dominate. Yet, I was able to hold and pin him there somehow. It had to be the strength boost I had gotten when I became a demon.