Insatiable (Inferno Games #3)

4. We’re Already Dead, Remember?

4

WE’RE ALREADY DEAD, REMEMBER?

QUINN

“ Y ou will never guess what just happened,” I say, eyes widening as Ro finally returns to the table, her face pale and drawn. I lean in closer, my voice dropping to a whisper. “Juliette’s husband is here.”

Ro’s eyes widen in surprise. “Tomas?”

“How did you know? Did she tell you?”

Ro shakes her head, her expression grim. She mentioned having a husband years ago and how he constantly cheated on her until she finally kicked him out. When Tomas introduced himself at the meeting, she practically disappeared into her seat. It all clicked together for me. "Is she alright?" she asks with concern.

"She looked pretty pissed when she stormed off. The sad thing was that Tomas seemed genuinely remorseful for what he's done to her. He even joined the games because of her. Managed to speak to Hades and wrangle his way in."

Ro raises an eyebrow. "Well, that's fishy right off the bat. When has Hades ever shown any signs of compassion when it comes to the games?"

"Exactly. I had the same thought. We'll have to ask Twila about it later. But enough about them. How are you feeling?"

She lets out a deep sigh, her hand instinctively coming up to rest against her stomach. "Like I'm in the right place. Hell is exactly how I feel," she confesses, looking overwhelmed.

I nod sympathetically. "I can't imagine what you're going through."

"I threw up the last thing we ate in Lust and now my stomach is completely empty," she continues. "How am I supposed to keep a baby alive if I can't even keep food down? I know what George said about not needing food, but it just doesn't seem possible."

"You having a baby at all isn't supposed to be possible," I remind her. "Do you really think you're pregnant?"

She’s quiet for a moment. “I’ll be the first to admit that I have no idea what pregnancy is supposed to feel like, but if aching breasts and severe nausea have anything to do with it, then Noémi wasn’t joking.”

“But if it’s true, you’ve been pregnant like a week. Surely you wouldn’t feel anything yet?”

Ro shrugs. “We’re in Hell. Who knows what’s possible and not possible. I shouldn’t be pregnant, you shouldn’t be fucking a man with a wingspan and horns and Juliette shouldn’t have to come face to face with a man who she once described as the devil incarnate, but here we are.”

I laugh lightly then sigh. “What a fucked up mess, but hey, we’re closer to getting out of this place. I’m a circle closer to Jenny and you are going to have a baby. Forget the father for a minute. You’re going to be a mom. How do you feel about that?”

It’s then that she finally breaks down. Tears flow freely down her face and I curse myself for my lack of thought, but then beyond the tears and snot comes a smile.

“I’m going to be a mom, Quinn.” She wipes her tears up the back of her hand, liberally snotting up her sleeve as she does. “I’m going to have a baby. A real baby of my own. I never dared hope...” She doesn’t finish the sentence, but I know what she’s going to say. My eyes dart to the sofa where Felix was sitting earlier. I know Ro would rather pull her own teeth out that have him witness this. Thankfully both he and Anthura have gone.

“Come on. Let’s go back to our rooms. I promised Dade I’d head to his room and it looks like you need some thinking time.” I don’t mention that she needs to think about Felix. She already knows what I mean, because like it or not, Felix is going to be a bigger part of her death that she ever wanted.

Dade is sprawled out on his bed as I open his door. He’s wearing nothing but some leather pants. His wings are unfurled and his hands are tucked behind his head, propping it up slightly. He is the epitome of dark beauty, my sexier than hell human with wings. I grin, knowing he’s waiting for me.

“How long have you been posed like that waiting for me to come through your door?” I ask as I slip onto the bed beside him and run my hands over his naked chest. A shimmer of lust runs through me.

“Since the meeting. I didn’t expect you to take so long.”

“Juliette had an issue,” I murmur, reaching for his belt and unbuckling it, desperate for something to take my mind from the horror of this place and feel something real.

“Oh yes? She couldn’t find anyone she wanted to sleep with?”

I yank down his pants exposing his giant cock. “Actually she couldn’t find anything to eat, but I don’t think I’ll have that problem.” I take his already hard penis into my hand, running it lightly through my fingers to tease him. I can't help but grin as I lick my lips, putting on a show for him. I lean in and take him into my mouth, feeling his sigh more than hearing it as I tease the head of his cock with my tongue. His breath hitches, and his hands tremble slightly as they grasp my shoulders. I slowly take him deeper, feeling his pulsating cock grow harder in my mouth. I stroke his length with one hand while the other gently caresses his skin, sending shivers down his spine.

His hips thrust forward, meeting my lips, and I taste the saltiness on my tongue. He moans softly, the sound music to my ears. I'm in my element right now, reveling in the sensation of his cock filling my mouth, the warmth of his skin and the sound of his breath. He wraps his fingers around the back of my head, gently urging me deeper. I go willingly, wanting to give him every bit of pleasure I can.

As I work him with my mouth, I can feel his body tense, the anticipation building. I want this to last, to savor every moment, but I can tell that he's nearing his peak. I increase my pace, taking him in deeper and more rapidly, my hand stroking in sync with my mouth. His groans grow louder, and his hips buck, thrusting harder into my face. I can feel his muscles tighten in his thighs, his grip on the back of my head becoming more insistent. I know this is the moment he's been building to, and I want to taste his release. As he thrusts, I keep pace, taking him in deeper than ever before, my mouth swirling around his shaft as he nears the edge. His body shudders, and I know he’s coming. He moans loudly, his voice echoing in the room, the sound of release filling the air. His cock twitches and spasms in my mouth, and I feel the first gush of his semen hit the back of my throat. I swallow it down before crawling up his body and melting into his arms. I'm swept away by the intensity of Dade's touch, his hands tracing fiery patterns on my skin. Every brush of his fingertips sends shivers down my spine, igniting a primal desire within me. As his lips meet mine in a fierce kiss, I feel a surge of electricity between us. One thing about Dade. He never lets me go wanting and he gives as good as he gets. Everyone else I’ve ever slept with has fallen asleep right after they’ve cum and its game over. Not with Dade. Dade ducks under the covers. As Dade's hot breath teases my thighs, a shiver runs down my spine. His hands trace the curves of my body, sending tingles of pleasure all over me. He is like an entity from another realm, almost a demon that crossed paths with mine, yet he evokes such human passions within me—desire, arousal, and a hunger so intense that it threatens to consume me.

His tongue flicks against my clit, eliciting soft moans from deep within me. Each lick is a new wave of pleasure, each one building upon the last. I arch my back, offering myself to him as he explores my most intimate parts. His tongue plunges inside me, tasting me, claiming me. I am his.

My fingers tangle in his hair, pulling him closer, guiding him deeper, urging him on. Dade's fingers find their way inside me, sliding effortlessly against the wet folds of my core. With every thrust, a new wave of pleasure washes over me, building up higher and higher like the crest of a never-ending wave. My breaths become shallow, my legs shake uncontrollably. My arousal reaches its peak before I shatter into a thousand pieces again and again.

Dade appears from under the covers with a satisfied smirk on his face. He wraps a giant wing around me like a blanket and it feels like home. If it wasn’t for Jenny, I’d be more than happy to stay in Hell with Dade for all eternity if all my days were taken up like this. My body feels heavy after all the orgasms. Comfortable. I could never have guessed all those months ago when I came to Hell and had to work with Dade that we’d end up like this. I murmur words to that effect, but only a contented sigh escapes.

Eventually when the post sex euphoria wears off, I turn and look up at Dade. “Juliette has asked us to bring her some food up from the lower level when we next go down.”

Dade shifts slightly, pulling his wing out from under him. He sits up on the bed and my moment of post sex bliss vanishes when I take a look at the stern expression on his face.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, a knot of dread forming in my stomach.

“I can't shake this feeling that something isn't right. Last time we went down to the lower level, you were almost killed. And with everything happening in the Games, I don't trust that we're safe anymore.”

I scoff, trying to brush off his concerns. “We're already dead, remember? We haven't been safe since we arrived in Hell. Look at what we've endured so far - poisonings, burns, nearly drowning.”

His face darkens, but I don’t need that kind of tell with Dade. His aura does the talking for him and right now it’s dark and suffocating. “That's not what I'm talking about. There's something bigger going on here and we're only seeing bits and pieces of it. I can't shake the feeling that we're just pawns in some twisted game.”

“The Inferno Games?” I remind him, suddenly feeling sick to my stomach.

He shakes his head. “More than that.”

“Noémi was a demon,” he corrects sharply. “Lying, cheating, hurting people—that’s what they do. Just look at Anthura. Hell, look at all of them. They act nice, accommodating even, but don’t be fooled. Every last one would tear us apart if they thought it would bring them more entertainment. Noémi reveled in our suffering. And Anthura? She gets off on creating ways to punish and humiliate us.”

I close my eyes, swallowing the lump in my throat. “But they’re not all like that. Look at Hades.”

“Hades?” He lets out a hollow laugh. “You really believe he’s any different?” Dade shakes his head. “Hades is one of the worst. Don’t let his love of the games confuse you into thinking he has a love for humans. He’s taking his own pleasure from our pain. Why else concoct the Inferno Games in the first place? And remember the Labyrinth we all went through at the very start. The burning plants and trees, the flesh eating monsters. Don’t let’s forget who made that up.”

I try not to think about it, especially since one of my friends is literally dating him. “What about Moloch?” I finally say, clutching at straws, my fingers gripping the sheets.

Dade’s jaw tightens, and he crosses his arms. “Moloch is afraid of Anthura. That’s all. If he ever dared to step out of her shadow, he’d be as bad as the rest.”

“It’s not all bad,” I say, my voice softer.

He looks me directly in the eyes, his dark gaze intense and searching. “Why are you defending this place?”

I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of his stare. “Honestly? Because I feel like you’re about to say something I don’t want to hear.” I look away, blinking back the sudden sting of tears. “If it wasn’t for this place, I would never have met you, and that’s worth dealing with all those things you mentioned.”

His expression softens and leans forward to kiss me. I can taste myself on his lips.

Suddenly, I realize the storm in his eyes isn’t anger after all, but fear. It’s palpable and suffocating and more than anything, bleak. “I watched you almost get reduced to ash yesterday. If Hades hadn’t been there, you’d be gone.”

“You’re going to tell me that you don’t want to go down to the lower levels again.” My voice is hollow, like I’ve already resigned myself to what’s coming. I cross my arms over my chest, trying to protect myself from the inevitable blow. Dade would never lay a hand on me, but if he says the words I’m dreading, it’ll be worse than any physical pain. It’ll be like he’s ripping my heart out with his bare hands. We’ll never make it through the games, and finding Jenny will be nothing more than a dead dream

Dade’s features darken, like a maelstrom is about to turn loose. “It’s dangerous. How many times have we barely made it out alive down there? Last night, when I thought you were... really gone, it shattered me. I can’t go through that again.” Dade’s shoulders slump, his face a mask of despair. He leans closer, his hands trembling as they reach for me but hesitate, stopping just short of touching. “Valentine... I can’t keep putting you in that kind of danger. If something happened to you...” His voice falters, cracking with emotion. “I don’t think I could survive it.”

Tears sting my eyes, blurring my vision as I shake my head. “What about Jenny? What about Emily? We’ve fought so hard for them. We can’t just stop now.”

“We still have the games. We’ve made it this far,” he says, but the words are hollow, empty. They’re nothing more than a desperate attempt to cling to something that’s slipping away.

“The games?” My voice is sharp, edged with bitterness as I stumble out of bed, yanking on my discarded clothes with trembling hands. “The same games run by demons you said we can’t trust?”

The room feels suffocating, and I need to get out. It’s like everything is closing in on me—Dade, the walls, the oppressive weight of our situation. I pull my shirt over my head, barely holding back the sobs that threaten to tear from my throat. “You know what?” I say, my voice thick with pain. “Just five minutes ago, I thought maybe I could stay here. In Hell. With you. I pictured spending eternity at your side because, somehow, that seemed like the only thing that mattered. But in that fantasy, Jenny was safe. Emily was happy.”

“Maybe Jenny is safe. Maybe Emily grew up to be the woman I always hoped she’d be.”

I laugh, but it’s bitter, cold. My hands are shaking as I grab my shoes, clutching them like they’re my lifeline. “Maybe you’re right about Emily. I hope, for your sake, she lived a perfect life. But after everything you’ve told me about these demons, how can you expect me to believe Jenny is being ‘cared for’ in the Seventh Circle?”

The door looms ahead of me, and with every step, I feel the weight of our unraveling. “I won’t stay here and pretend I can live this eternity if it means losing the people I love.” I clutch my shoes tighter, the tremble in my voice betraying the fear gripping me. “I have to find her.” I don’t wait for his response. My hand is already on the doorknob. “If you won’t go to the lower level, that’s your choice. But if you think for one second I’m going to stop looking for my sister, you don’t know me at all.” I leave his room, feeling a crushing weight of sadness. Dade has always been fearless, but now he’s letting fear hold him back. As I head to my room and pass Felix on the stairs, it hits me—Dade has the marble key. Without it, I won’t be able to access the lower level anyway.