Page 2 of Darkest Need

cannot explain.

Now I am trapped in that ancient past. I have

taken on Scheherazade’s life and the only way Ican

protect myself and stay alive is to do what she did to

protect herself and stay alive.

Every night the King calls for me and listens as I spin tales.

And when the evening ends and dawn breaks, I stop at a

point that leaves him breathless and yearning for more.

Andsothe King spares my life for one more day, so that

he might hear the rest of my dark tale.

As soon as I finisha story... I begin a new

one... like the one that you, dear reader, have before

younow.

Prologue

Tarek

Listen, I know I have chains wrapped strategically around my wrists and that every second that goes by, said chains are burning a mark into my skin that may or may not mean I’m about to getcompletely demolishedby a succubus demon.

But this is not how the story starts.

I mean, maybe it’s how it ends since I’ve been in this exact spot for the last two days without food or water, waiting for a rescue from my immortal friends, knowing full well they’re probably all just having sex and enjoying marital bliss without realizing I’mactually missing.

Me.

The manager of the Seattle demon bar, Sin.

Werewolf prince.

All aroundreally uprightkind of guy—or so I like to think. But do you know where that got me?

Here.

Chained.

See also: Demon goddess who has not come back to check on me even once and says she wants to kill me via sex.

Bartending islookinggreat right now. Immortal life in my werewolf clan did not prepare me for this or the fact that saving one succubus wouldactually turnme into her prey.

She was bruised.

Beaten beyond recognition.

I was going to kill the vampire that attempted to slaughter her, but that’s a longer, more violent story since she ended up doing the deed once she got a bit of my blood. But I did give her water, thinking,wow, I’ve done this person a total solid. I mean,despite the fact thatshe was pretty. Even her tears were pretty. The bruising and swelling on her face didn’t even hide how beautiful she was—oris.

Maybe my first wrong act was comforting her. Because the minute we touched, her eyes flashed a creepy red, and well…see alsoactualburning handcuffs around my wrists.