Spooks & Specters: A San DeLain Short Story Collection

Chapter Two

TURNING SLOWLY, Austin confronted his destiny in the ancient forest, where the mist wove through the trees like a lingering whisper. In the moonlight stood a creature with skin as dark as the night.

As was his hair. His mighty wings reached for the heavens, dwarfing his figure. Horns adorned a lofty forehead. He was as majestic as he was terrifying, standing proudly before Austin as shadows waltzed around his feet.

Dressed in snug pants, knee-high boots, and a simple vest, he was the epitome of grace and allure. Was this the demonic entity who guarded these woods? If so, what had pursued Austin?

Because something certainly had. Although the claws had not touched his skin, he had felt them slice through his tuxedo jacket in a violent slash.

“Are you hurt?”

Chills raced up Austin’s back. That voice. It was dark and decadent, promising sinful pleasures in the deepest part of the night. It struck a chord within Austin. With his eyes closed, he let it wash over him. Eternity wasn’t long enough to listen to such a voice.

Soft thuds of footfalls echoed, and Austin’s eyes fluttered open. The creature had drawn nearer yet halted, a look of concern etching his sharp features due to the absence of a reply.

But his eyes—the being’s eyes were bottomless pools of blackness. The earthy aroma of the woods gave way as a new fragrance tantalized Austin’s senses.

“Are you hurt?”

Austin shook his head, trying to marshal his thoughts. “No.”

“Are you certain?”

At that moment, Austin could only be certain of one thing: A beautiful yet monstrous being stood before him, exuding concern for his well-being. “I was clawed, but I don’t think—ah, okay, then…?”

He tensed as the creature swiftly moved behind him. Heat pressed against his back, causing his heart to race. Close. He was so close.

“Where? Ah, I see.”

Before Austin could react, his jacket was stripped off. “W-what are you doing?”

“I need to check the area to ensure you weren’t scratched by the Ogdru-Jasid. It’s a hybrid of a squid and a canine, with a head of tentacles and a beak, an elongated torso, sturdy forelegs, and muscular hind legs. Its claws exude poison.”

Austin’s jacket fluttered to the ground. As he tried to comprehend what kind of creature had attacked him, his shirt was untucked and lifted.

He gasped as warm fingers brushed against his unblemished skin.

“The shirt is slashed, but I do not see any damage, thank the dead gods.”

Austin’s thoughts ricocheted in his mind. One creature had attacked him, and another had saved him—

The creature stepped in front of him and started unbuttoning Austin’s shirt. “But I need to ensure you weren’t scratched anywhere.”

—and now his monster was practically undressing him, and he was letting it happen without a single complaint. His shirt joined his jacket on the ground, and Austin stupidly stared at it.

The warm night air brushed against his skin, and Austin shivered, but it wasn’t from the air current. No, the creature was slowly exploring every inch of his exposed chest—which was not where he was attacked—and paying particular attention to his nipples.

The little buds hardened immediately, little tingles of pleasure shooting through his body. His cock took an interest, getting hard in the restricting tuxedo pants. Warmth spread through his body.

Dragging his gaze from the discarded clothes, he stared up at the creature before him. How had he not noticed how tall he was? He towered over Austin.

“Oh, God.”

“God is fine, but I’d prefer you use my name. It’s Kage,”

he said, tipping Austin’s chin up with his fingers.

Compelled to meet that intense black gaze, he held it unwaveringly. What he once perceived as a dark void was now burning with desire, all directed towards him.

Dropping his gaze, he focused on Kage’s lush lips. He longed for their touch against his. Burying his face in Kage’s neck, he closed his eyes... and surrendered to the moment.

He shivered, overwhelmed by sensations as Kage’s arms encircled him. Though leanly built, the strength in that embrace was unmistakable. More. Austin wanted more and squirmed closer.

“Kiss me,”

Austin whispered.

“Are you sure?”

Kage asked, pulling him closer.

Strong hands ran up and down Austin’s back, and he made a small sound that might have been a moan as his nipples rubbed against the rough material of Kage’s vest.

Austin yearned to eliminate the barriers between them. He was unsure of his actions or their reasons, yet he had no intention of stopping. He simply didn’t wish to. Something hard pressed against his stomach, and his entire body lit up. This creature was hard. Hard for him. The realization was both frightening and exciting.

“Yes.”

Wanting Kage’s lips, he buried his fingers in Kage’s hair and tugged. The strands were thick and soft. Touching them, he hadn’t anticipated the sensual feeling it would evoke, but it certainly did.

The texture sent tingles through his fingers. The insane urge to touch Kage’s ears, cheeks, jawline—and those finely shaped lips—was becoming overwhelming. He had to consciously restrain his hands from wandering.

Kage bent his head, their bodies pressed together. Warmth blossomed in Austin’s chest, and sparks ignited as Kage brushed his lips against Austin’s.

The spicy scent that had become synonymous with Kage permeated the air. Butterflies danced in Austin’s stomach as the kiss consumed him. Such a simple thing, a kiss. It was a timeless symbol of affection and connection.

Breathing heavily, his mouth moved against Kage’s. He could taste their shared breath, feel the beat of their combined heartbeat. For a moment, his world stood still.

All that existed was the tender touch of their souls and a gentle embrace. The sweetness captured the essence of love, a silent language spoken by the heart. As their tongues danced together, there was a silent promise of forever, sealed with a whisper-soft caress. Austin moaned deep in his throat, and whatever restraint Kage had snapped.

Breaking the kiss, Kage pulled away and took a deep breath, his nostrils flaring. A predatory glint had entered those midnight black eyes. There was something distinctly primitive about the way Kage looked at him. Austin swallowed, becoming increasingly aware of how isolated they were out there in the woods.

“If you leave now, I might be able to let you go,”

Kage growled. “But if you stay, I will claim you as mine. Will you be the light in my shadows?”

Austin stared in shock at his beautiful monster. Rational thought fled as Kage’s spicy scent intensified. But still, a voice whispered that if he turned around and walked away now, he could. He could leave this all behind and treat it as nothing more than a dream.

But if he stayed, his life would change forever. Throwing caution to the wind, he reached for Kage, his cock stiffening. He wanted this. Damn the consequences.

Austin growled and shoved his face into Kage’s neck. “Mine. My mate.”

Arousal flooded Austin’s system, sudden and overwhelming. He whined, his body shaking with impatience as desire swept through him. He needed this demonic monster. He had no idea it was possible to want so much, to feel as if he would die if he didn’t have him.

Almost as if Kage had heard his thoughts, he growled again, his body vibrating. In a flash, Austin’s clothes—what remained of them—left his body.

He had no memory of shedding his shoes, socks, or dress pants, nor of Kage stripping, either. Wrapped in Kage’s embrace, they sank to their knees, the soft grass cushioning them. Those magnificent wings fluttered slightly, disrupting the fragrant air around them.

With the gentlest of moves, Kage laid Austin on the grass, his hands moving reverently over Austin’s body, almost worshiping him. He spread his legs, and Kage settled in between them.

He whimpered helplessly when Kage feathered his long fingers over his nipples. Chill bumps exploded on his arms as the hard nubs were rolled, driving him crazy.

“I burn with need for you, but never will I allow harm to befall you. Not you. Never you. You are my everything. My light.”

Austin melted a little. Had anyone ever said anything so touching to him before? Was there a loving man under that demonic exterior? He seemed to know exactly what Austin needed to hear.

His breathing increased, but not in fear, becoming faster as he watched Kage settle over him. Instinctively he bared his neck and was rewarded by Kage’s lips whispering across his jaw, then upward.

Restless, he ran his hands up and down Kage’s sides, thrilling at the toned muscles under his touch. Tentatively he traced the base the wings, then shivered at a warm burst of air in his ear when Kage gasped.

Surprised by the sensitivity there, he lightly caressed that area, drawing a heartfelt moan from Kage.

Austin did that. Him. He made this magnificent creature moan in need.

Kage retaliated by caressing the shell of Austin’s ear with his tongue. This time Austin moaned. Then he almost screamed when Kage wrapped his hand around his shaft and stroked him.

Lost in the sensation, he writhed on the ground, his mind threatening to shut down from the exquisite pressure on his cock. A tingle started at his toes and traveled up his body until it nailed him in the back of the head.

His breath stuttered in his chest. Mouth open, he panted. Unable to help himself, he thrust his hips upward as Kage worked him. Just as he thought he was going to explode, Kage moved off him, and Austin whimpered.

“I’ll give you what you need. Always.”

Austin listened as Kage squirted lube into his hand. Body tense, he jumped when a slick finger moved back and forth across his hole, spreading the slick substance.

He was thankful Kage took the time to allow him to get used to his touch, but he still clenched as Kage eased the tip of his finger inside. Then he gasped when his cock was stroked, Kage’s hand wet and firm on him.

Yearning raced through his body. The two different types of pleasures battled for supremacy, and his hole loosened. Immediately Kage curled his finger, and electricity flowed through Austin when his hot spot was found.

Kage played with his body, working him open. Austin felt as if he was on the verge of losing his sanity. He was on the brink of insisting that Kage do something, anything, when Kage finally added another finger.

He grunted at the slight burn, but it gave way to pleasure quickly. Endless minutes passed as Kage opened him up. When there was only pleasure, Austin tried to shove back.

“Hungry, are you?”

Kage teased.

“Please.”

Austin wiggled his hips.

Kage added another finger, pushing in rapidly.

“Kage, please, I need it. Please.”

Kage removed his fingers and sat back, lifting Austin’s legs up onto his shoulders. He lined his cock up, brushing the head across Austin’s hole.

He pushed, finally, easing the tip inside.

Austin shook as his hole clenched, then opened. It burned slightly, but it was nothing he couldn’t handle. If Kage didn’t enter him soon, he’d take things in hand and make him.

“Please!”

Kage must have perceived the urgency in his voice because he slid inside. It might not have been smooth, but he was in him, and that was all that mattered. His beautiful monster froze, not moving a muscle. Once the burn was completely gone, Austin wiggled slightly, and Kage groaned.

“Move. Please.”

Words were nearly beyond him, then fled completely when Kage thrust. They moved together, as one being, and time stood still. Kage dropped down over Austin and plunged his tongue into Austin’s mouth.

Wrapping his arms around Kage’s neck, Austin held on as Kage pounded into him, going faster as their bodies slapped together. When his lungs screamed for air, he ended the kiss, staring up at Kage.

Those magnificent wings of his fluttered behind him as he thrust desperately into Austin. Then he changed angles, and Austin’s world lit up. He fisted his cock as Kage glided in and out of him. An ache spread through his balls, a tingling that signaled his release was imminent.

Eyes closed, teeth bared, Kage strained above him.

“You’re beautiful,”

Austin whispered.

Kage’s eyes flew open, surprise lighting their dark depth. Then he roared Austin’s name as he orgasmed.

Peace descended as Austin was filled.