The Lost Angel

After a few moments, the door behind us opened. I kept looking at Nettleston as his expression turned gleeful again. I couldn’t figure him out, until a girl walked past me.

My eyes were suddenly drawn away from the smirking beast. The girl had glowing blue-black hair and warm golden brown skin. She was only a few inches taller than me, by my figuring. From the back, I could tell the girl had slight, modest curves, and her hips swayed gently as she walked. She was graceful and delicate.

The scent of the ocean, the sun, and water-borne flowers drifted behind her. She was a goddess on Earth. My heart jumped and I felt as if I was going to faint.

“Madison, what are you doing?” Anders asked.

Without realizing it, I’d stood up and was reaching for the girl. I had to see her face. She turned at Anders’ question and looked at me. Her eyes were the deep vibrant green of posidonia, her lips were soft looking and heart-shaped.

I gasped at the startling, tantalizing beauty before me. My own precious jewel. My female mate.

“Angel, what are you doing in this place?” I whispered.

“You’re here. You exist. I didn’t think you were real.” The girl moved around the desk, wrapping me in an embrace that I quickly returned.

She felt perfect in my arms. Her hair was as silky as it looked and entwined my fingers as I grasped my beautiful mate. I needed to save her. I had to take her home.

“Come with me, my angel. Please.” I murmured as I nuzzled the girl’s neck.

“Caleb is my master. I can’t leave. I-I’m sorry.” She replied softly.

A searing rage coursed through me. I pulled back and turned on Anders with a dark look like he’d never seen before. I didn’t get limb rending mad in general, but I wanted to tear him apart.

“Did you order her to serve him?!” I snarled.

“No! I’ve never seen her before! I swear!” He said with his hands up.

“Actually, I bought her. Her father sold her to an acquaintance of mine. When he got bored, I made an offer. She’s been mine since she was ten.” Nettleston said.

I turned to him. He looked fascinated with the way we were holding each other. Like he was completely surprised. I worked to keep the disgust off my face.

Someone could buy and sell my angel like she wasn’t a real person. Like she was an object, an animal. The thought made me want to kill anyone involved with the ownership of my beautiful mate. I had to protect her. No matter the cost.

“I thought it would throw you off to see a half succubus in here. What exactly is going on?” He admitted.

“Sell her to me. Anders will pay whatever price you need.” I told him as I gripped my angel tightly.

“No. Cubbi is mine. I’m not going to sell her.” Nettleston crossed his arms.

“Then, I’ll take her.” I said matter-of-factly.

“Vasili, control your queen.” The doctor sneered.

“This girl is my mate. I want her freed. Name a price.” I stated firmly.

Nettleston’s sneer slowly grew into a smile. “Come stay here for a month and let me study you.” He offered. “You can have her after.”

“You can’t have my mate for a month, Nettleston.” Anders growled.

“Right, concubi have two mates. I guess I can do two weeks.”

“One week. Nothing that could maim her, kill her, or render her infertile. She’s my queen and will be the mother of my children.” Anders responded.

“What kind of name is Cubbi?” I sighed.

“My father never named me. I was only called ‘Succubus’. That’s what my last owner called me. Doctor Nettleston started calling me Cubbi.” She explained with a blush.

It was a terrible name. I wouldn’t allow that for my angel anymore. The first thing I planned to do was give her a real name, not a pet name based on her species.

“How old are you?” I asked.

“Nineteen. Almost twenty.” Cubbi murmured quietly with a smile.

“Do you have a demon name?” I whispered, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear and tracing my finger along one of her gills, making her shiver.

“Yes. It’s Zarya. It was given to me by a woman in a cell when I was young.” She said softly.

“Did she tell you why she picked the name for you?” I inquired.

“She said it was to honor my mother who was a siren. It’s the name of a water priestess. She said my sister lived with her for a while.”

“Your sister?” I pressed.

“We have the same father. Miss Yvonna told me she could smell his family in me. That I smell like my sister.” Cubbi blushed.

Yvonna, my mother. I pulled her to me tightly and inhaled her fragrance. Underneath her beautiful scent was a familiar one. Faint, but there. Serena.

I grasped even tighter. My sister’s mate was the sister of my mate. That incubus had a thing for sirens. Thank the goddess he didn’t have a chance to keep and sell Rena.

“How did he get you, angel? Sirens keep their daughters.” I asked.

“She died while having me.” Cubbi whispered.

“Oh, my sweet love. I’m sorry I couldn’t find you sooner.” I rocked her gently.

My poor angel had suffered so much. Tears formed in my eyes. I couldn’t imagine what she’d been put through. One thing was absolutely certain though, I would never let anyone hurt my angel again. I’d kill everyone who dared harm her, starting with the monster I came to kill in the first place.

“What does it feel like when you find your mate?” Nettleston asked.

“Like you’ve found a part of you that has been missing your entire life. Every person feels differently. My sister said, she came home one weekend and saw our friend sitting on the couch and just wanted to hold her. When she met her male mate, it was a rush of happiness. Like Christmas morning.” I said. “I’ll come stay for a week. Then I will leave with my angel.”

I glanced over at Anders. He looked like he was considering something deeply. I hoped he was realizing that I wasn’t his mate. Maybe he was figuring out that his happiness lay with Poppy.

She complemented him so well. I couldn’t imagine a more appropriate mate, since Drayce was soft and caring. Poppy was protective and bold. They were all perfect together. Getting to know them had showed me that.

“Great! We’ll fix up a room for you.” Nettleston grinned.

“Can she come home with me tonight? We can return in the morning. I have to make sure my harem doesn’t worry and I’d like to wear something other than prison clothes.” I asked softly.

“I can guarantee they’ll both return. The Vasilia is tagged by trackers, she can be located at any time. I won’t let the girl out of the sight of me or my harem and I’ll order Madison’s harem to make sure the Vasilia doesn’t do anything to negate the deal.” Anders promised.

Nettleston sat back in his chair and thought for a while. I could taste his excitement, probably at getting another concubus to study. He was doing a good job at masking it. If someone were to look at his face, they wouldn’t be able to tell.

“As a gesture of good faith, I’ll let her go for tonight. I expect to see you both back here tomorrow morning though, Vasilia.” He said finally.

I smiled brightly. “I’m so glad you’re agreeable. It may be a little after eleven. My timeline depends on getting the household set up to run without me for a week. Angel, do you have anything you need to gather? Maybe something else to wear out?” I looked down.

Cubbi was wearing shorts and a tight fitting tank top. It was okay during the summer months, but I worried about her health. Of course, I knew I didn’t need to, but it was hard not to want to take care of her.

“Go change into your going out clothes, Cubbi.” Nettleston commanded.

She pulled herself from my arms and ran from the room. I sat back down in the chair and smiled to myself. This was working out better than I’d planned. Now for my new plan to be put in motion.