Mortal Demon, page 1
MORTAL DEMON
A SHADOW SHIFTERS NOVEL
TIA DIDMON
CONTENTS
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Epilogue
Mortal Princess Chapter One
Mortal Princess Chapter Two
Also by Tia Didmon
About the Author
Mortal Demon
Copyright © 2022 Tia Didmon
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner
whatsoever without the express written consent of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations
in a book review.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either products
of the authors imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living
or deceased, or actual events is purely coincidental.
I love hearing from my readers so please contact me at:
https://tiadidmon.com
Other books in this Series
Mortal Curse
Mortal Mate
Mortal Reaper
Mortal Queen
Mortal Magic
Mortal Guardian
Mortal Demon
Mortal Princess
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CHAPTER 1
Riley woke to fingers moving over her bare skin. Where was her long T-shirt? She remembered being so tired, she took off her jeans and crawled into bed. They’d been tracking a demon who abducted a woman near the shelter. After four jumps in and out of the pathway, she was too tired to continue. She took a deep breath as Colton drew a pattern on her stomach. “That feels nice.”
“I love touching you,” Colton whispered in her ear.
Her head thrashed on the pillow as his lips moved to her breast. He flicked her nipple with his tongue before sucking it into his mouth, taking long, deep pulls, as he sent sparks sizzling beneath her skin. Her fingers curled in his hair as he moved to her other breast.
He was equally attentive to the erect nipple. Her fingers tightened in the silky strands, holding him to her, using him as an anchor amidst the swirl of sensation threatening to pull her under. Stark need built within her. The surrounding air was electrified as her shadow reached for his. Rolling clouds of dark mist swirled together like a vicious tornado. Her fingers clutched the bedsheets when he moved lower, out of her reach.
His tongue was magic as it flicked and nipped her skin, working his way down her stomach to her belly button. He continued his erotic foray over her midsection until she was panting with need. She held her breath as he moved lower, kneeling between her legs. He nipped the inside of her thigh, only to lick the sting away before his tongue slipped between her slick lips. Every flick of his tongue sent a current of electricity beneath her skin, racing in her veins.
Sometimes he would build the fire in her slowly, stoking it ever so gently, but this was not one of those times. He was relentless in his hunger. Ferocious in his need to milk her body. She moaned as she crested the apex, and he was rewarded with the cream he so desperately desired. She was still rolling the wave of her orgasm when he knelt between her legs.
The broad head of his cock lodged at her entrance, feeling like a velvet spike as he pressed into her. The muscles tightened beneath his skin as he controlled the penetration. He was large, and her body still struggled to accommodate his size. Her breath caught in her lungs as he filled her. Her eyes locked with his, acknowledging the feral need exuded by their shadows. Both man and beast were ensnared by the beauty of their mate.
His lips covered hers as he began to move inside her. The craving was unlike anything she’d experienced, and she wanted more. Her body and soul reacted to the beauty of her man. He would never think so, but to her, he was the most beautiful creature to walk the earth. His raw sex appeal only added to the allure of the alpha shadow shifter.
He lifted her hips, angling his body so he could penetrate deeper. Each thick jolt caused her breasts to sway and his gaze to fall upon them. When she didn’t think making love to him could be any more erotic, his thumb moved to her clit and a few well-timed strokes sent her hurtling over the apex once more.
She clamped down on him, expecting to take him with her, but he pumped through her orgasm, unrelenting as he thrust harder. Faster. His fingers bit into her hips as he met every thrust with a frenzy of need. His eyes were glittering dark diamonds. Possessive. Intimate. Unrelenting. The growing sensations had her pumping with him. Meeting each thrust with one of her own.
His cock swelled to almost double its size, stretching her tender flesh. A volcano of hot lava, waiting to explode. The slick tissue was stretched so tight she swore between clenched teeth before the rolling orgasm ripped through her body. She clamped down violently, making him groan as she took him with her over the edge.
It took them a minute to get their breathing under control before he slipped out of her, and moved to the side, pulling her head to his shoulder. Their legs entwined as his hand began to caress her side. “We should start every morning this way.”
She smiled against his chest. “We already do.”
He kissed her forehead. “That’s true.” He looked up as black script formed in the air. “Dannika and Raine will be here in a half hour. We need to get dressed.”
Riley raised her head from his chest. “I didn’t know they were coming. What’s going on?”
“Nothing serious. Dannika wants to help plan our mating ceremony,” he said.
Riley put her head back down. “Everyone’s talking about the ceremony, but I’m still not clear about the tradition. Dannika said it’s similar to a wedding.”
Colton nodded. “Dannika and Raine’s was, but the actual ceremony can be whatever you want it to be. The important thing for me and the clan is just that you’re a part of it now and forever.” He winked. “Raine admits he enjoyed getting presents. Since there hasn’t been a bonding ceremony in hundreds of years, no one was really sure what to get them.”
Riley laughed. “I can imagine. What do you get somebody for a bonding present?”
“Raine and Dannika got everything from tools to weapons. Her favorite present came from Ezra. He is the weapons master, but he made her a locket out of blessed steel. It’s able to travel the pathways with her.”
“What a thoughtful present,” she said.
“Ezra is a blessing. Our weapons master was killed in a reaper attack a few years ago and we have no replacement. Ezra’s apprentice was also killed, but he has promised to stay with us until he trains another.”
“Promised to stay?”
“Ezra is one of the oldest amongst us. He had a son, but Danson died almost fifty years ago. He is tired, but he won’t leave us until we have a suitable replacement. With all the clans working together now, it no longer matters which clan the next weapons master is born to.”
“I hope we find his new apprentice soon. I think training someone will give him life and purpose in the coming years.”
“As do I. Are you ready to get dressed?” he asked.
“Yes.” She rolled out of bed, looking on the floor for her shirt. Colton manifested it in his hands. “I didn’t want to wake you.”
She took it from him. “I have to admit, shifting your clothes to the shadows is pretty convenient.”
He smiled like a schoolboy. “I admit to having a newfound appreciation for it.”
She laughed and got dressed. They went to the living room and sat on the couch before the slight humming noise alerted them that Raine and Dannika were about to exit the pathway.
They coalesced in the front room, but Riley’s smile faded when she noticed the dark circles under Dannika’s eyes. Her skin was pale and though her smile was as bright and welcoming as always, her eyes and hair lacked the luster and shine that normally accompanied the queen.
“Dannika, are you alright?” she asked.
Dannika waved her hand in the air. “I’m a little run down. Ferguson and Raine are trying to shoulder some of the burdens of being queen, but it’s difficult with the reapers. I’m worried if I don’t keep a more active role, they will defect with Breck and the demons. The adjustment in their eating habits has been more difficult for some than others.”
Colton huffed. “It’s more difficult for the reapers that chose to turn versus those who were forced into it. Ferguson has acclimatized quite well, and appears to be just as powerful as he was when he consumed human blood.”
Dannika nodded. “He admits that there are some challenges even for him, but it is more difficult for those who choose to turn.”
Steele coalesced on the porch before entering Colton’s home. He nodded to Dannika and Raine before kneeling on the floor by Riley. “I brought you something.”
Riley glanced b
Steele smiled. “It’s a present of sorts, but not because you are bonding with my son.” He pulled out a crimson silk sash. It was long and beautifully embroidered with white flowers. “This was made by my human wife. I never got a chance to pass it down to a daughter-in-law. I never thought I would, but I’m hoping you would like to wear it for your ceremony.”
Riley took the sash from his hand. “It’s beautiful. I’m honored, thank you.”
Steele stood. “Are there any new developments with the demons?”
Dannika held up one finger. “Fergie will be here with a report in five seconds.”
They heard the hum before Ferguson coalesced into the room. His eyes fell on Dannika, and his irritation was more than evident. “You should be resting.”
Dannika rolled her eyes. “Okay, Mom.”
Colton and Riley pursed their lips. Everyone feared Ferguson. His power rolled off him like a tidal wave. He was the oldest living shadow, and she was sure not even Dannika was aware of his true power. That being said, he was unwavering in his loyalty to the queen. And her eyes held a fondness for the ancient reaper that nobody fully understood.
“Fergie, did someone pee in your cornflakes?” Riley had taken to teasing the reaper. While he was loyal to Dannika, he also had a fondness for her. Riley always felt safe in his presence when he made everyone else uneasy.
Ferguson raised one eyebrow. “Cornflakes? I have not eaten breakfast in seven hundred years.”
Riley plastered an innocent look on her face. “Maybe if you started, you wouldn’t be so grumpy.”
Dannika laughed, then covered her mouth when Ferguson shot her a dirty look. “Riley is right. You are pissed, and it’s not because I’m a little tired. What happened?”
Ferguson sighed. “The demons continue to protect Breck.”
Dannika raised an eyebrow. “You’re pissed because you weren’t able to kill the traitor today?”
“I thought the demons would have disposed of him by now. I don’t understand why they are protecting the reapers,” he said.
Dannika rubbed her temple. “I’m sure we will find out soon enough, and I doubt we will like it.”
Darwin coalesced into the room. “Steele, you must come to the main cabin. A cougar was murdered not fifty feet from Daniel’s home.”
Riley stood as Ferguson growled. “Was it the traitor?”
Darwin shook his head. “We have no idea if it was Breck or one of the other reapers, but Aaron was beheaded.”
They all followed Darwin into the pathway. Riley and Colton went last, so they exited near Dannika and Raine. Steele was barking orders at several clan members to search the surrounding woods.
Riley glanced at Darwin before he shifted to his cougar form and bounded into the forest. “Why are they searching in cougar form? Reapers will have taken the pathway?”
Dannika turned to her. “There is only one pathway in and out of this area. There are several clan members with Daniel at all times. This pathway wasn’t used this morning.”
Riley glanced into the woods. “The killer crept in here on foot? Completely undetected?”
Dannika looked down at the young man. “It looks that way.”
Riley found it hard to look at the fallen cougar clan member. His blond hair was matted to his neck where it had been severed from his body. Dark blood pooled between his neck, and torso. It had a crimson sticky consistency, alerting her to the fact that the murder had occurred less than two hours ago. “Is there a specific reason he was targeted?”
Steel shook his head. “Aaron is only thirty. He is barely past his fledgling years. He was a receiver, but we have dozens of those. I believe this was a crime of opportunity. Aaron enjoyed Daniel’s company. His father died five years ago, and I believe he took comfort in Daniel’s presence. As many of us do.”
Riley was thankful the clan had accepted her father with open arms. In some ways, they were more accepting of him than her. “If they hiked in here, then they may have taken a pathway once they were farther away.”
Colton nodded. “I agree. I would like to track the pathways surrounding our territory. Riley and I will look for the perpetrator.”
Steele growled. “Riley is not going near this killer. We know the demons want her. This could be a ploy to expose her. Do not fall into their trap.”
Black smoke rolled off Colton’s shoulders while he warred with his alpha. “I would never let any harm come to Riley. I take offense at you suggesting I cannot protect my mate.”
Steele shook his head. “That was not my intention. We need to discern what killed Aaron.”
Dannika’s eyes narrowed on Steele. “What? Not who?”
Steele’s eyes flickered with black smoke. “I want to know if this was a reaper or a demon. Or worse, a clan member.”
Dannika’s eyes widened. “You think a clan member could’ve done this?”
Steele glanced toward the forest. “I have no idea, but the priestess is the only one who can identify the species of the perpetrator. She probably can’t tell us who did it, but she can read the energy. She should be able to tell us if it was a reaper or a demon.”
Colton glanced at the cougar clan members gathering around them. “The clan doesn’t trust the Haitians. I hope you are not suggesting we bring her here.”
Steele growled. “I am still the leader of this clan, and it is my decision. The priestess has proved invaluable. If we expect to utilize her talents, we need to show them the respect they deserve. She will be invited to our territory.”
Dannika stepped closer to the fallen clan member. “I agree with Steele. Anaisa has shown us nothing but respect. If we wish to utilize her talents and seek her counsel, then she must be treated as an equal.” She turned to Ferguson. “Would you invite her to investigate Aaron’s murder?”
Ferguson’s eyes roamed the gathering crowd. “Of course, my queen. If anyone disagrees with your decision, please inform me so I may have a private discussion with them. I will not tolerate dissension.”
His eyes flickered with red before he dissolved.
CHAPTER 2
Riley moved closer to Colton as the crowd around Aaron’s body continued to grow. Streams of black smoke rolled off several of the clan members’ shoulders, alerting her to their internal struggle. The breeze filtered through the surrounding trees, causing the branches to creak and rub against one another. The eerie sound added to the dreary scene playing out below them. A brown leaf blew along the ground, only to rest on the young man’s dead hand.
With almost thirty clan members circling the kill site, their low mumbling as they spoke to one another was inaudible. While Riley couldn’t hear the words, she didn’t need to. Anger and retribution had a distinct odor, and the clan was out for blood. She touched Colton’s arm. “You seem tense.”
His eyes rolled over the crowd. “Despite our positive interactions with the Haitian village. That was on their property. Tensions are running high, and I want to make sure there’re no repercussions for Anaisa’s visit.”
Riley was about to respond, but Anaisa’s old truck parked in the distance. Ferguson exited the passenger side of the vehicle and waited for the Haitian priestess to join him before approaching the collective of clan members.
Anaisa was just as beautiful in her black jeans and fitted tan leather jacket as in her white Haitian dress. Her boots were the same color as her jacket, but were more of a hiking style. It was obvious she was no stranger to being in the forest, as she seemed to float over the uneven ground. Her grace was accented by her mocha skin and long black hair. The colored braids bounced with the silky strands as she walked.
