Chapter 4

"Take your new toy and meet me at home." Blaze said, and I knew he wasn't asking. "Yes, daddy." Haven replied. As she knelt beside the lifeless form of my plaything, her arms extended in a gesture of supplication, a sudden, eerie transformation took hold. Her eyes, once a vibrant green, turned a milky white, as if the very essence of her being was being rewritten.   

     The air around her began to churn and writhe, a dark, shimmery substance coalescing into a whirlwind that swirled around her like a living entity. The atmosphere grew heavy with an otherworldly energy, and I could feel the weight of something ancient and foreboding stirring to life. 

     "Per manum meam, et mortui resurgent." She chanted in Latin. I believe she said, ‘by my hand, the dead shall rise.’ As I stood transfixed, my former plaything began to stir, her body twitching back to life. With a fluid motion, she rose to her feet, her neck cracking audibly as she snapped it back into place. 

     Her eyes, once bright and vacant, now blazed with a fierce, inner fire as she pinned me with a scorching glare. Though her physical appearance seemed unchanged, a subtle yet profound transformation had taken place. A dark, almost palpable energy now clung to her like a shroud, imbuing her very presence with an aura of malevolence and foreboding. 

     The transformation was not just physical, but also cosmetic. Her makeup had undergone a dramatic shift, now a sultry, smoky affair that matched Haven's dark aesthetic. But it was more than just a change in appearance, her very demeanor had undergone a profound shift. A palpable aura of darkness now surrounded her, like a whispered promise of secrets and forbidden pleasures. Her confidence had surged, her attitude now tinged with a bold, unapologetic edge. 

     It was as if being resurrected had unlocked a hidden facet of her personality, a darker, more alluring side that drew me in with an irresistible force. I couldn't deny the spark of attraction that had flared to life within me, responding to the newfound intensity that radiated from her like a dark, seductive flame.

     My gaze drifted to the side of her face, where the mark I had left earlier still gleamed. The dark, smoky makeup seemed to accentuate its presence, rather than conceal it, and I felt a primal thrill at the sight of my claim still emblazoned on her skin.

     So, it does remain in death, I thought. The transformation had undoubtedly amplified her allure, infusing her with a dark, sultry sensuality that was impossible to ignore. It had me wondering if she could still deepthroat my cock. A thought that I was torn from when Haven's angelic voice called out to my plaything. 

     "Come here, kitty." As Haven led my plaything away, they both turned to face me, their eyes locking onto mine in a piercing gaze. For a fleeting instant, I saw a glimmer of longing in my plaything's eyes, a look that spoke of unresolved desires and unfulfilled passions. It was a testament to the enduring power of my mark, which seemed to transcend even the boundaries of life and death. 

     Despite the distance growing between us, the connection between us remained, a tantalizing thread that continued to tug at her emotions. And I couldn't help but feel a twisted sense of satisfaction, knowing that my influence still lingered, a haunting presence that refused to be extinguished. I locked eyes with Haven again and she winked at me, causing me to suck a sharp, unnoticeable breath in. She was doing all of this right under her father's nose, and he hadn't even noticed. 

     “I wonder what else she would do without him knowing.” Axel smirked in my mind. The mental image of her slender form nestled in my bed, surrounded by the shadows of my domain, was a tantalizing prospect. My mind's eye conjured the vision of her porcelain skin illuminated only by the faint, flickering glow of candles, her fiery mane spread across the pillows like a wild tangle of autumn leaves. The thought sent a shiver of anticipation coursing through my veins, and I couldn't help but wonder when I would next have the pleasure of claiming her as my own. 

     "We will try your alliance, Reaver." Blaze boomed, throwing me out of my fantasy. "You will leave the ones your kind kills here, on my land. We will send our soldiers to retrieve them, however many there are. I expect protection on our lands as if they were your own in return. Should a war arise, you have my alliance and an unlimited army of the dead." Blaze spat. 

     His reluctant nod seemed to be extracted from him, as if he was being coerced into acquiescence against his will. The tension in his body language and the hesitation in his eyes betrayed a deep-seated resistance, but ultimately, he appeared to be overruled by some unseen force or authority, leaving him little choice but to concede. 

     I wondered what could have the power to force him… Or who? But I pushed the thought from my mind. "Thank you. I will return in one week to discuss the placement of our soldiers." I said with a bow, then I materialized back to my car. 

     As the darkness of the night blurred together outside my window, my mind remained fixated on Haven, her enigmatic presence haunting me like a siren's call. My thoughts grew increasingly twisted, fantasies of claiming her perfect, petite form dancing in my mind's eye like a macabre waltz. The more I pondered her motives, the more I became convinced that she was playing with fire, toying with forces beyond her control. A low, menacing chuckle rumbled in my throat as I contemplated the games to come. 

     Axel, sensing my thoughts, shot me a knowing smirk, his eyes glinting with a shared intrigue. Together, we formed a formidable duo, driven by a singular purpose: to unravel the mystery that was Haven, and to claim her as our own. The thrill of the hunt had begun. She had no fucking idea what she just started… and little did she know, I always get what I want.

     With the weight of the new treaty settling upon me, I convened an emergency Coven meeting, gathering my most trusted Priests around me. The air was thick with anticipation as I outlined the terms of our agreement, detailing the strategic positioning of our soldiers at the perimeter points of the Necromancers' land. Our patrols would be expanded to encompass their territory, with regular rotations of personnel to ensure vigilance and prevent complacency. 

     I emphasized the importance of maintaining a strict hands-off policy regarding the Necromancers themselves, with interactions limited to scheduled updates during shift changes. Next, I addressed the revised protocol for handling the dead, explaining that non-Coven fatalities would be collected by our patrols and deposited at a designated location on Necromancers' land. 

     This new policy would be implemented in tandem with the commencement of our patrols, slated to begin in one week's time. At that juncture, I would reconvene with Blaze, finalizing the details and ensuring a seamless integration of our forces. As I concluded my address, the weight of responsibility settled upon my Priests, their faces set with determination as they prepared to embark on this new chapter in our history. 

     “I expect you all to relay this message. I don’t want to hear any backtalk regarding the new policy for the dead. Understood?” I snarled. I was met with nods of understanding."I expect a full report on the progress of our patrols and the implementation of our new policies," I continued, my gaze sweeping across the room, meeting the eyes of each of my Priests. 

     "In two weeks, at our next Coven meeting, I will be seeking an update on how smoothly things are running. I want to know if there have been any issues, any challenges, or any areas where we can improve. Let us work together to ensure the success of this new endeavor." I said. Then I materialized back to my home to get some sleep. It was going to be a long fucking week. 

     I found myself back on the Necromancers land. As I stood hidden among the trees, Haven's fiery form came into view, her tight red dress searing itself into my retina like a branding iron. The vibrant color perfectly matched the wild tangle of her hair, and the dress itself seemed tailor-made to accentuate every curve of her lithe, petite body. 

     My gaze roamed over her, drinking in the sight of her, as Axel stirred restlessly within me, his presence thrumming with excitement at the gentle touch of her hand in mine. As we paused amidst the trees, Haven turned to face me, her eyes sparkling with a mischievous glint that left me wondering what she had in store for me. 

     “I want you to mark me.” The soft purr that rumbled in the back of her throat was like a spark to dry kindling, sending a flicker of desire coursing through my veins. As her lips brushed against mine, a jolt of electricity ran through my body, and Axel's presence surged to the forefront, his hunger and excitement mingling with my own. 

     The kiss was like a whispered promise, a gentle exploration that left me craving more. My arms instinctively wrapped around her, pulling her closer as I deepened the kiss, our lips moving in perfect sync. The world around us melted away, leaving only the two of us, lost in the swirling vortex of our desire. 

      “What about your father? The mark will not fade and cannot be covered by magic.” I informed her. “So? What about him? I want you, and I want to be yours. I don’t care what he thinks.” She said, sticking her bottom lip out in a small pout just enough to drive me crazy. 

     That subtle pout was like a precision-crafted key, expertly designed to unlock the deepest recesses of my desire. The expression was so adorably petulant, so deliberately provocative, that I felt my self-control begin to fray at the edges. Axel, sensing my weakness, stirred restlessly within me, urging me to surrender to the temptation of her lips, to claim them once more and silence that enticing pout.

     The tantalizing prospect of indulging in Haven's charms was tempered by the sobering reality of the risks involved. As the daughter of the Necromancer King, she was a prized pawn in the delicate game of power and politics that had been set in motion. 

     If I were to succumb to my desires and the Necromancer King were to discover my transgression, the consequences would be catastrophic. The treaty, so painstakingly negotiated and crucial to our Coven's future, would be rendered null and void. The fragile peace would shatter, plunging our world into chaos and conflict. 

     The weight of responsibility settled heavy on my shoulders as I grappled with the ultimate question: was my desire for Haven worth jeopardizing the very foundations of our Coven's existence? 

     As our gazes met, I was drawn into the depths of Haven's green eyes, where a maelstrom of emotions swirled. Desire, lust, and love danced together in a tantalizing waltz, leaving me breathless. 

     Her eyes seemed to bore into my very soul, pleading with me to surrender to our mutual passion. And then, in a move that sent shivers down my spine, she grasped my hand, guiding it to the side of her face. Her puppy dog eyes gazed up at me, radiating an unspoken entreaty: mark me, claim me, make me yours. But even as my heart responded to her silent plea, my mind recoiled, hesitant to take that irrevocable step. I didn't truly want to mark her, didn't want to bind myself to her in such a permanent way. Or so I told myself.

     “We could have so much more fun if you weren’t marked, beautiful.” As I purred softly in Haven's ear, I could feel her body relax into mine, her muscles melting in response to the gentle vibration. Emboldened, I took her earlobe between my lips, my teeth grazing the delicate skin in a tender, teasing caress. But instead of surrendering to my advances, Haven suddenly squirmed in my arms, her body tensing as she pulled away from me. 

     “No, I want the mark. Please? Pretty, pretty, please?”  Haven's pleading eyes locked onto mine, her voice barely above a whisper as she begged. And then, in a subtle gesture that spoke volumes, she caught her bottom lip between her teeth, the gentle bite sending a jolt of electricity through my veins. 

     That small, seemingly innocuous action unleashed a primal response within me, stirring up a maelstrom of carnal desires that threatened to consume me whole. My gaze drifted to her lip, now slightly swollen from the gentle bite, and I felt my self-control begin to fray at the edges. 

     “Ok darling, I'll mark you, but after we play a little.” I said. As I pulled Haven close, her body melted into mine, her curves pressing against my chest. My hand slipped under the hem of her dress, gliding up the smooth skin of her thighs. And then I found that she wasn't wearing any panties. The realization was like a spark to dry kindling, igniting a firestorm of lust within me. 

     My fingers brushed against her warm, bare skin, and I could feel the heat emanating from her core. Haven's breathing quickened, her chest rising and falling against mine as she seemed to surrender to my touch. Axel's presence surged to the forefront, his hunger and excitement mingling with my own, urging me to explore further, and I was more than happy to oblige. I started to rub on her clit, but she grabbed my hand and stopped me. 

     “The mark…” Haven's serious tone cut through the haze of desire, and I felt a pang of annoyance. I exhaled sharply, my frustration evident. If I were to mark her, it would mean surrendering to the ancient instincts that governed our kind. Completing the mating process would bind us together in a way that I wasn't prepared to accept. 

     I had always avoided this level of commitment, marking individuals without ever following through on the promise of a true bond. And I certainly didn't intend to start now, not even with Haven. The thought of being tied to her in such a profound way was both exhilarating and terrifying, and I knew I had to resist the temptation.

     “Don’t you want me, baby?” Haven's purr was like a gentle stroke of fingers across my skin, sending shivers down my spine. Her voice was a sensual whisper, a velvet-wrapped temptation that tested my resolve. “You know I do.” I growled, my response a low, husky admission of my desire for her. But Haven was relentless, her pout a provocative challenge that dared me to resist her charms. 

     “Then why won't you give me what I want?” She pouted. Her eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint, as if she knew exactly how to push my buttons, how to exploit my weaknesses. And yet, despite my better judgment, I found myself wanting to surrender to her whims. 

     “I… I just...” I attempted to articulate the complexities of my situation, striving to convey the reasons behind my reluctance without coming across as insensitive or, worse still, a complete tool. But before I could even begin to formulate a coherent explanation, Haven's sudden movement cut me off. She raised her arms, palms facing downwards, as if in supplication to some unseen force. 

     “Per manum meam, et mortui resurgent." Haven's voice rose and fell in a hypnotic cadence as she chanted, the words themselves in the ancient Latin language, the power behind them palpable. Her eyes, those piercing green orbs, suddenly turned a milky white, as if the very essence of her being had been transformed. 

     And then, in a mesmerizing display of dark magic, the shimmery black substance began to flow over her hair, a whirlwind of inky tendrils that wrapped around her red locks like living vines. The air around us seemed to thicken, heavy with the scent of ozone and dark power, as if the very fabric of reality was being warped and woven to Haven's will.

     The gesture was unexpected, and I felt a shiver run down my spine as I wondered exactly what she was doing. The air around us seemed to vibrate with anticipation, and I sensed that something was about to shift, to change in ways I couldn't yet comprehend.

     I stumbled backward, my eyes wide with horror, as the ground beneath our feet began to churn and convulse. The earth split open, and a legion of the dead burst forth, their bony fingers clawing at the air as they pulled themselves up from the depths of the underworld. 

     The sound was like nothing I'd ever heard before, a cacophony of scraping, scratching, and unearthly moans that sent shivers down my spine. The stench of decay and rot filled the air, making my stomach turn. I was frozen in shock, my mind struggling to comprehend the sheer scale of the horror unfolding before me. 

     Haven's eyes, still an unnatural white, gleamed with an otherworldly power as she stood at the center of the maelstrom, her chanting growing louder, more insistent. “Darling, what are you doing?” I ventured the question in a tone that was deliberately measured, careful not to inflame the situation further. My words hung in the air like a fragile truce, as I waited for Haven's response, her white eyes gleaming with an unnerving intensity amidst the swirling chaos of the undead horde. 

     “I will get what I want from you, Raphael.” Haven's words dripped with venom as she spat out my name, her eyes flashing with a fierce determination. I could feel the weight of her resolve, the unyielding conviction that she would stop at nothing to get what she wanted. And what she wanted, it seemed, was my mark. 

     I took a deep breath, the air filling my lungs as I contemplated the precariousness of my situation. Materializing out of there seemed like an increasingly tempting option, but I knew it wouldn't be that simple. Haven's powers were formidable, and I had a feeling she'd anticipated my potential escape routes. 

     “Don’t even think about it, Reaver. Your magic is worthless here. You’re in the Land of the Dead!” Haven's voice was a venomous hiss, her words dripping with malice as she spat out the warning. Her eyes blazed with a fierce intensity, as if daring me to try and escape. I felt a chill run down my spine as the weight of her words sank in. 

     This was a realm where the usual rules didn't apply, where the living were at the mercy of the dead. My magic, once a reliable crutch, was indeed worthless here. I was at Haven's mercy, trapped in a realm where she held all the power. The realization was a cold, hard slap in the face, leaving me feeling vulnerable and exposed. I was so fucked. 

In an instant, Haven's face was inches from mine, her eyes blazing with a feral intensity. “If I can’t have you, no one will!” Her voice was a low, menacing snarl as she spat out the words, her breath hot against my skin. I tried to react, to defend myself, but it was too late. 

     With a swift, deadly motion, she snapped my neck, the sound of cracking bone echoing through the air. I lay there, my chest heaving as I struggled to calm my racing heart. The vividness of the dream still lingered, the memories of Haven's fury and the feeling of my neck snapping beneath her hands refusing to fade. I took slow, deliberate breaths, trying to rationalize the dream as just a product of my subconscious. But the sense of foreboding lingered, a nagging feeling that this was more than just a dream. 

     It felt like a warning, a message from some deeper part of my mind. One, that, against every instinct that was screaming for me to listen, I fully planned to ignore...