Tempting Darkness

"Ready?" Lycus asked me. I sighed and gave a hesitant nod.

"I don't see why you can't wait," Tobias snapped at him.

"Chill. You can have your way with me when I return." Lycus laughed, going over and pecking his lips.

His way with him? Is that why Tobias was pouting like a child? "I just need to get my tablet," I told Lycus, wanting to escape their doting affections. It wasn't that it bothered me, but I felt like some strange bystander gawking. "I already grabbed it for you. Come on," Lycus said before pecking Kalen's lips as he walked to the door. I quickly followed him, and I could feel Darius glaring at us as we left.

"Didn't think Tobias would pout over not getting laid," I admitted as we went down the stairs. Lycus shrugged.

"He can be whinier than Kalen. Darius is the worst. He becomes a real f*****g a*****e when his power gets low, and he is horny," Lycus said, and I stopped.

"Huh?"

"How do you think we power-share, Aleera? We have to f**k each other. It's easier for Darius. He can siphon easier being demonic fae, but now that we are all bonded, we actually like f*****g each other." "Wait, so you don't just f**k to power-share?"

"Ah, no. We are bonded, Aleera. We do love each other, too. We don't just f**k out of necessity. We used to. Well, except for Kalen and I. But now..." He shrugged. I raced after him, trying to catch up. "So what, you have an orgy for breakfast?" I chuckled.

"No, but mealtimes get us in one place. Besides at night, of course. And Tobias fed off you, which makes him horny," Lycus said.

"Makes him horny?"

"What? Haven't you noticed he gets a raging hard-on every time he feeds on you?"

"Well, I don't usually look at his d**k when he feeds on me," I told him as we lined up in the cafeteria. He filled two trays with food and walked over to a table. I stared at him when he sat down because I expected him to dump it and leave me. "Sit and eat," Lycus said, pulling out the chair beside him.

"You're going to eat with me?" I asked, glancing around at all the faces watching us.

"I said I was, didn't I?" With another glance around, I sat down. Everyone watched us, and I watched them back, waiting for one of them to do something, but no one approached us. "Aleera, eat," Lycus said, nudging my plate closer. I looked down at it to find it piled with more than what was on his plate. Grabbing my fork, I started to eat while watching everyone.

It wasn't until I was nearly finished that Zac wandered over to the table, and I tensed, wondering what he would do.

"Eating with the traitor, boss man?"

"And what's it to you, Zac?" Lycus asked. I got the impression Lycus didn't particularly like Zac.

"Just curious as to why you're down here." Zac shrugged, and Lycus leaned back in his chair and looked at him.

"And why is that?"

"Because we rarely see Aleera in here, so it's interesting she came in with you," Zac said, eyeing me.

"I noticed she was losing weight. Wanted to make sure she was eating and not missing any meals. Now that you just confirmed she is, I may just need to eat with her every meal. Darius would be pissed if she starved to death," Lycus snapped. My brows furrowed at this weird topic of conversation, and I wondered why he cared if I ate or not.

"Hmm, suppose you're right. Anyway, have you seen Deacon? He never returned last night after he went into town?"

"Probably at one of his hoes' places." Lycus shrugged.

"Yeah, I will keep trying to call him," Zac said before wandering off.

I looked at Lycus, who was glaring at Zac.

"Can't f*****g stand him," Lycus growled before getting up. I quickly started picking up my plate and tray when Lycus stopped and looked at me.

"No, stay. Finish eating," he said, and I shook my head.

"I'm done," I told him even though my belly started rumbling hungrily. He looked around at everyone who was watching us.

"Are they not letting you eat?" Lycus asked, and I looked around at all the men in the room glaring daggers at me.

I shook my head. "No, I am just full," I lied, and my stupid belly growled in protest.

Lycus raised an eyebrow at me before turning to everyone in the room. My stomach sank when he growled. Was he trying to get me killed?

"No one messes with her at meals. She needs to f*****g eat. I hear one word about you tampering with her food or preventing her from eating, and you will answer to me."

"But she is a traitor," Zac protested.

"I don't give a f**k what Darius told you. Mess with her while she is eating, and you f*****g answer to me. Is that clear?" Lycus snarled.

"Yes, sir," a few said while some dropped their heads and others nodded.

Lycus turned to me and pointed at the table. "Sit, and finish eating. They mess with you, f*****g tell me," he said, and I shrank back down in my seat. Lycus walked out, and I prepared to run the moment he left. Zac got up, and I tensed, grabbing my fork to use as a weapon if needed.

“F*****g bullshit," Zac sneered before leaving.

"Where are you going?" Satish asked him.

"To look for Deacon," Zac called out over his shoulder.

It took me a good five minutes of glancing around only to realize no one approached me; they stared but didn't come over. I ate cautiously while looking around until the bell rang, too scared to move until they were gone. I was sure no one was coming to hurt me. Carefully wrapping up my leftovers, I stuck my head out the door before rushing into the cells to give Ryze some food.